Conventional wisdom says Flowers should play everyday at AAA to get ready for taking over from AJ in the future. I think there may be some real good options, Ivan Rodriguez is a pal of Ozzie's and then you have Olivo and Torrealba. Maybe even Jason Kendall if what you want is defense. I woud assume the bat would need to be from the right side though.I am betting Pudge gets a call from the Sox.

Flowers should back up AJ and, probably, spell whatever LH DH we go get, to get more AB's. No reason to go spend significant money on a backup C.

 

Flowers should back up AJ and, probably, spell whatever LH DH we go get, to get more AB's. No reason to go spend significant money on a backup C.

 

 

This...

I feel I should know this but...

 

Don't we still have Ramon Castro? Or is he a free agent now.

I've slowly warmed up to the idea of Flowers backing up AJ and getting time at DH...

I've slowly warmed up to the idea of Flowers backing up AJ and getting time at DH...

 

Guillen has stated before that he will not use his second catcher as a DH.

Tyler Flowers

 

/thread

Castro declared for Free Agency about a week ago.

 

The Sox have something good in place. Let Flowers learn the ropes from AJ for year. If things go well early on in the season, increase the workload to an almost 60-40 timeshare between the two of them. AJ walks after the year, and Flowers is ready to take over.

Ok.

 

I definitely didn't want Castro back. I would also let Flowers learn from AJ.

Guillen has stated before that he will not use his second catcher as a DH.

I've seen people here ASSUME that to be true, but, I've never seen Ozzie quoted as saying that. Has he actually said that?

 

Also, if we have CJ on the team (which may happen), or some other utility guy that could catch in the very long shot chance it became an issue, then Ozzie should feel better about it.

 

Ok.

 

I definitely didn't want Castro back. I would also let Flowers learn from AJ.

Its a nice idea, but somehow I doubt AJ will be very interested in helping his replacement.

 

I've seen people here ASSUME that to be true, but, I've never seen Ozzie quoted as saying that. Has he actually said that?

 

Also, if we have CJ on the team (which may happen), or some other utility guy that could catch in the very long shot chance it became an issue, then Ozzie should feel better about it.

 

I recall having heard it before, saying that he doesn't want to be put in a scenario where he has to pull his DH and leaving the pitcher in to bat, but don't recall where or when.

I think it would be an ideal situation, I just don't see AJ being the type of guy to train his replacement.

Its a nice idea, but somehow I doubt AJ will be very interested in helping his replacement.

Why not? Didnt Flowers say he was learning alot from AJ? I dont think AJ is that bad of a guy to be honest.

Why not? Didnt Flowers say he was learning alot from AJ? I dont think AJ is that bad of a guy to be honest.

I don't think AJ is a bad guy, I think he's just a survivor. And that wouldn't mean going out of your way to train your replacement. I mean, sure, if he was 40 and about to retire. But I'm pretty sure AJ sees himself as still a starter, for quite some time.

 

And I recall a quote from Flowers describing his time talking with some of the Sox, and he said something to the effect of "well, AJ is AJ, what can you say?"

 

I just don't see AJ being much of a teacher in this scenario.

 

I recall having heard it before, saying that he doesn't want to be put in a scenario where he has to pull his DH and leaving the pitcher in to bat, but don't recall where or when.

If CJ's on the roster then we have the emergency backup so that we don't have to worry about that.

If CJ's on the roster then we have the emergency backup so that we don't have to worry about that.

Really, it shouldn't be a worry to begin with. Its something that MIGHT happen once a season. Not something worth screwing with your roster to deal with. But, Ozzie may be one of those managers who wants that risk mitigation anyway.

 

Pudge is out, he is a Boras guy. Kendall would be alright.

Pudge is out, he is a Boras guy. Kendall would be alright.

Possibly. But, I wouldn't be so sure that Flowers will be here as a back up as some suggest and also Pudge likes Ozzie so that could play into it. However, AJ plays alot and deserves it so maybe Kendall is more likely as the second catcher

I don't think AJ is a bad guy, I think he's just a survivor. And that wouldn't mean going out of your way to train your replacement. I mean, sure, if he was 40 and about to retire. But I'm pretty sure AJ sees himself as still a starter, for quite some time.

 

And I recall a quote from Flowers describing his time talking with some of the Sox, and he said something to the effect of "well, AJ is AJ, what can you say?"

 

I just don't see AJ being much of a teacher in this scenario.

 

That is a pretty solid assessment IMO.

Boston declined the Varitek's option (although he can stay with the team if he agrees to the club option of $3 million). Would he be a candidate for a back-up?

Boston declined the Varitek's option (although he can stay with the team if he agrees to the club option of $3 million). Would he be a candidate for a back-up?

Varitek picked up his $3M player option so Boston is stuck with him for another season.

If AJ doesn't want to teach Flowers then bring in a veteran backup and ship Flowers' roidy ass out of here. AJ is da bomb.

If AJ doesn't want to teach Flowers then bring in a veteran backup and ship Flowers' roidy ass out of here. AJ is da bomb.

 

 

I might not go that far but I do like AJ