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"People are watching" at trade deadline |
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Thursday, 31 July 2008 |
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By BRENDAN McGAIR Sports writer The speech Ron Johnson delivered in Columbus last week came with a forewarning.
With the trading deadline drawing near, Johnson, the Pawtucket manager, wanted to make sure his players go about their normal routines, but at the same time be conscious of their surroundings.
The reason? You never know who is casting eyes on you, so do yourself a favor and remain on high alert.
“The only thing we talked about was that this is a visible time throughout, and not just in baseball,” said Johnson earlier this week. “People are watching everyone.”
Johnson’s point provides a fresh spin on what is wildly regarded as a major holiday in baseball. With calendar reading July 31, the trading sweepstakes is in official countdown mode. Those clubs containing playoff aspirations (thank you, wild card) have until 4 p.m. Eastern time to work something out.
All the rumors, some more outlandish than others, will then cease. Those general managers who have abused their cell phone minutes and grew dependant on caffeine can return to slightly more normal existences. That, of course, depends on if you’re a GM in a big market, for Brian Cashman and Theo Epstein know there are ways to tinker with a roster well beyond July 31.
While this time of year is right up a fans’ ally, the players may beg to differ. That’s because players become regarded as “pawns,” better known as the bargaining chips teams bring to the table in hopes of landing Player X from Team Y.
This holds especially true if you’re a minor leaguer and your parent club is the Boston Red Sox, who always seem to be buyers. With so many attractive pieces, what MLB club wouldn’t want to conduct business with Epstein & Co.?
Johnson knows the market he’s in and knows the Red Sox have the resources to piece a deal together. That’s why he informed the PawSox to be on guard.
“(Johnson) said that some of us might be tired or injured but to fight through it over these next couple of days because [a deal] could change your life,” said Pawtucket outfielder Chris Carter. “Your life could be a lot better with the trade deadline coming up. You may get an opportunity that may be advantageous to your situation.”
Those currently stationed in the minors need no reminders on just how few spots there are available in Boston. Cracking Terry Francona’s roster isn’t the easiest, meaning the chance to change addresses isn’t necessarily given the cold shoulder treatment.
Look at David Murphy, for example. The former first round pick faced an uphill climb just to land a job as a fourth outfielder in Boston. Thanks to the ill-fated Eric Gagne trade, Murphy’s landscape was changed for the better. Texas gave Murphy a chance to play every day. Now he’s being bandied about as a possible Rookie of the Year candidate.
“I think trades benefit the players,” said Carter, he himself a trade case after Boston acquired his services last August from Arizona in a three-way deal that sent Wily Mo Pena to Washington. “They go to a team that wants them or uses them more.”
“We could all be pieces; it’s the business end of it,” said first baseman/outfielder Brandon Moss, whose locker was next to Murphy’s last season in Pawtucket. “”We take care of the game and (the front office) takes care of the business end.”
Johnson also advised the PawSox not to get consumed or wrapped up during an uncertain time, for fear it may carry over onto the field. “You don’t want to make it a big issue.”
“If I thought about (the deadline), I’d drive myself crazy,” said Moss. “It’s one of those things that if they feel they can get something done, and I’m a part the deal, then that’s what they have to do. There’s nothing I can do about it.”
Scouts have no doubt been keeping close tabs on Pawtucket and all of Boston’s affiliates the last few weeks. Among those in attendance this week at McCoy Stadium are the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds.
Will Boston be active on the final deal day and to what degree? Four o’clock can’t come fast enough, but to those players rumored, take a tip from Johnson. If you’re going to exhale, do so out of plain sight.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 09 August 2008 )
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