Red Sox News (Theo returning)

[WhollyHeretic]

BOSTON -- For weeks, Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino promised that the light would be left on and the door would be kept ajar in the event that Theo Epstein opted to return to the club. After weeks of speculation, that exact scenario unfolded, with the Red Sox releasing a brief statement Thursday night saying simply that Epstein, who departed his post as general manager on Oct. 31, will return to the organization.
What role will Epstein play now that his confidants -- Ben Cherington and Jed Hoyer -- are co-general managers? That will be elaborated on next week, when the Red Sox hold a formal news conference to shed light on Epstein's return to the organization.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060119&content_id=1298309&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

-Kind of strange they aren't saying what his role will be, it's good to have him back with the Sox.

Also:

BOSTON -- In a winter in which the Red Sox have spent plenty of time trying to accommodate the trade requests of Manny Ramirez and David Wells, it had to be a pleasure for the club to see just how much Bronson Arroyo wanted to remain in Boston.
In large part because of Arroyo's strong desire to stay in Boston, the Sox signed the slender right-hander to a new three-year contract on Thursday.

By agreeing to a deal that will pay him between $11 million and $12 million, Arroyo bid adieu to his remaining three years of arbitration eligibility, and the new pact will take him right to free agency.

In a unique twist, Arroyo's agent, Gregg Clifton, advised his client against taking what he felt was a discounted contract.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060119&content_id=1297992&vkey=hotstove2005&fext=.jsp

-It's nice to be able to root for a player who loves the team too. This is also nice news since my son and nephew decided he was their new favorite player since Damon left.

Sox also pick up a utility player:


The Red Sox have signed Willie Harris to a one-year, split contract that would pay him a base salary of $650,000 if he makes the Major League roster. Harris will go to camp as a non-roster invitee, but he figures to have a strong chance to make the team.


http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060119&content_id=1298198&vkey=hotstove2005&fext=.jsp

[ticapnews]

1. The Sox better not trade him

He signed this deal only because he loves Boston, loves the team and loves the fans. This makes him a very hot commodity on the trade market. One rumor I heard today was him for Griffey. As awesome as it might be to have Griffey-Manny-Ortiz batting 3-4-5 this season, it would be a terrible example to set for the players and a betrayal to Red Sox Nation.

One of the things I admire about the Patriots is the authentic relationship Robert Kraft has with his players. The vast majority of players are willing to take the "home town discount" to stay with the Pats because of how they are treated here. When Ted Bruschi had his stroke and was thought to be retired, Kraft only had to pay him the $800K he owed him for this season. Kraft instead offered to give him the full amount of his contract, up front, if Bruschi wanted to retire. When Bruschi came back in October, the Patriots should have forced him to sign a waiver clearing them of any responsibility if he suffered another stroke. When asked why he didn't make Bruschi sign anything Kraft said, "That's not what we're about. Tedy is not an employee, he is family."

Hopefully the Red Sox will follow that example and resist the temptation to trade Arroyo. The Patriots have shown you can be loyal to your players and still be successful on the field.

[WhollyHeretic]

2. Bronson said they have a gentleman's agreement that he won't be traded

this year. I really hope they won't trade him after he took a discount. Even if they were inclined to I can't imagine they would, they've taken enough bad P.R. hits this off-season.

[Captain Hilts]

3. I have to admit, this headline took me by surprise.

The Sox are NEVER dull! There's no out-guessing what they'll do next.

[joeybee12]

4. Wonder if it's soon enough to save the upcoming season...

...and wonder what kind of job he'll take.

[WhollyHeretic]

5. More news, Sox are close to completing a trade for Coco Crisp

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=122417