Breslow is not sharing opinions
Craig Breslow sounded like Chaim Bloom 2.0 at times during the Winter Meetings. That’s not a good thing.
Breslow would not acknowledge interest in any players, even such obvious fits as Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Breslow spoke only in general terms and used the usual industry jargon about casting a wide net and looking for good value.
Meanwhile, the Yankees were upfront about their interest in trading for Juan Soto before they closed the deal, and Dave Roberts acknowledged the Dodgers viewed Shohei Ohtani as their top priority.
Rangers GM Chris Young even happily broke down what he liked about Yamamoto.
“Unique fastball profile: great command, competitiveness, it’s explosive,” Young said. “It bodes well to translate to Major League Baseball very well.
“He’s still very young. There’s a lot for him to learn and improve. He has a really bright future ahead of him.”
Breslow is new to the job and dealing with the media in a different way then he did when he played. Hopefully he opens up a bit as time goes on. In the end, baseball is an entertainment business. Be a little entertaining.
After finishing in last place in three of the last four seasons, Red Sox fans would like to hear more than the same old general platitudes.
A few other observations on the Red Sox:
■ It’s shameful the team did not acknowledge Joe Castiglione winning the Hall of Fame’s prestigious Ford C. Frick Award beyond posting a graphic on social media.
Castiglione has worked for the team for 41 years and reached the pinnacle of his profession. How long could it have taken to put together a press release with a few words of praise from John Henry, Tom Werner, and/or Sam Kennedy?
It’s what the Cubs did for Pat Hughes last year, what the White Sox did for Ken Harrelson when he won, and so on.
Nobody represents the Red Sox better than Castiglione and he deserved to be celebrated by the team.
■ After six seasons in the Red Sox organization, Ryan Fitzgerald is now with the Royals after being taken in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft. Worcester mourns.
“Fitzy” was a fan favorite at Polar Park, going out of his way to interact with kids who came to the ballpark and take part in charitable events. He was awarded a key to the city from Mayor
Joseph Petty in August, and the WooSox gave away bobbleheads that included his impressive mullet.
Fitzgerald, 29, is a utility player who was signed out of an independent league in 2018. He made it to Triple A in 2021 and had a .765 OPS over 235 games in Worcester. Fitzgerald started games at every position except pitcher and catcher.
■ The Red Sox picked up catcher
Mickey Gasper in the minor league Rule 5 Draft. A New Hampshire native who played at Bryant, Gasper has an .801 OPS over five minor league seasons with the Yankees and has defensive versatility.
■ Congrats to Hunter Broadbent, who landed a position with the Mets as a player development associate.
Broadbent is the son of longtime
Red Sox employee Billy Broadbent. The Dedham native attended UConn and worked his way up from manager to director of analytics for the program.
■ Ryan Lavarnway, who retired from playing after 16 seasons as a well-traveled catcher, attended the Winter Meetings. At 36, he’s pondering what comes next in baseball.
It could be most anything. Lavarnway has worked as a broadcaster and coached young players. He’s even written a children’s book on baseball and completed two triathlons.
“I’m open to suggestions,” said Lavarnway, who has a long-term goal of managing.
For now, he’ll be one of the coaches at Red Sox fantasy camp and is busy raising a 1-year-old daughter, Blake,
with his wife, Jamie.
Something to keep in mind: Lavarnway and Breslow were teammates with the 2012 Red Sox and both played for John Stuper at Yale. There could be a fit with the Sox at some point down the road.