Two Boston-area sportswriters visited Tufts on Thursday, leading a discussion of the off-season issues in Major League Baseball.
Gordon Edes, a Boston Red Sox beat writer who works for the Boston Globe, and John Tomase (LA '05), a Boston Herald sportswriter, took questions from students on topics ranging from the future of the Red Sox to the impact of the game's steroid scandal to the eventual destinations of baseball's top free agents.
The Red Sox are currently in the process of rebuilding their team, both on the field and off, and the two experts on Boston baseball were quick to offer their insights on the franchise's future. The discussion was hosted by Baseball Analysis at Tufts in Pearson Hall.
The big issue on the minds of many fans was the void left by the departure of General Manager Theo Epstein following the end of the 2005 season. Edes and Tomase were asked several questions about the top prospects to replace Epstein.
At the center of discussion, both writers said, was the committee of Red Sox front office employees currently sharing responsibility for running the team. The trio of Jed Hoyer, Craig Shipley and Ben Cherington has done well so far, but Edes was quick to point out that all three were too young to assume the responsibility of the general manager position.
Epstein became the youngest general manager in the league when he was hired in 2002 at the age of 28.
Tomase pointed to three leading candidates to be hired from outside the Red Sox organization to fill the position: Jim Beattie, Jim Bowden and Jeremy Kapstein. Hiring any of these men would have serious repercussions for the rest of the front office, he said.
"Beattie, Bowden or Kapstein - if they hire any of those guys, all the young guys will be gone," Tomase said.
Edes expressed his satisfaction with the current Red Sox front office. He was impressed with the recent acquisitions of former Florida Marlins Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell and Guillermo Mota.
Edes was confident that Beckett, the hard-throwing 25-year-old pitcher, will become the ace of the Boston pitching staff next season.
Edes also discussed rumors about the future of outfielder Manny Ramirez. Among these rumors is a trade to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Troy Glaus and Javier Vazquez, as well as a swap with the Philadelphia Phillies for outfielder Bobby Abreu.
"Ninety-five percent of the trades that are discussed - they just never happen," he said.
Tomase fielded many questions about the future of Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon. Damon's two most likely employers next year are the Red Sox and the New York Yankees, Tomase said.
He feared Damon would pursue a lucrative contract with the Yankees. "I can't see the Yankees not trumping any Red Sox offer," Tomase said.
Both writers addressed the issue of the steroid scandal in baseball, specifically, in relation to upcoming Hall of Fame elections. The future of Baltimore Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro, the biggest star to test positive for performance-enhancing drugs to date, was a hot topic.
Both writers agreed that Palmeiro's steroid use had ruined his chance of a Hall of Fame induction. "He went from a no-brainer to a 'no way,'" Tomase said.
Tomase, who covers other sports in addition to baseball, explained that the problem was just as bad in the rest of the sports world. "Just look at those men in the NFL - they're gigantic, and it's not natural," he said. "Testing obviously hasn't stopped cheating in the Olympics, either."
As for the personnel moves taking place during the off-season, known as the hot stove, the writers discussed the future of Chicago Cubs infielder Nomar Garciaparra, the former Red Sox shortstop.
The Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are all candidates to land the five-time All-Star. The Baltimore Orioles may try to acquire Garciaparra and move him to first base.
"I definitely think there's going to be a market for Nomar," Edes said.
