5 Questions: John Tomase of the Boston Herald

As we wrap up the 5 Questions series for spring 2011, we have a special treat for everyone. John Tomase of the Boston Herald has graciously answered my questions, touching on topics from the bullpen additions to concussion concerns in the MLB. John is never afraid to speak his mind and has kept Herald readers informed, both when he covered the New England Patriots and now while covering the Boston Red Sox. He spends time keeping fans updated on news and notes through his blog, Clubhouse Insider. As the season begins, be sure to check-in on John’s work, because it is worth the read. Two days until opening day in Texas. Enjoy!

1. You wrote a piece at the end of February about newly acquired Bobby Jenks, pointing out his post-season experience against the Red Sox in 2005 and how much he has grown since that point. Given his experience as a closer with the White Sox, do you think he will adjust well to a set-up role? Why? Do you think he will be the Red Sox closer in 2012?

I do think Jenks will take to the role. He’s an adrenaline guy, like most closers, and he has acknowledged that pitching in the eighth inning in Fenway is going to feel like closing in most parks. If I had any “concern,” it’s that Jenks pitches really well out of the gates and Jonathan Papelbon struggles. We could be looking at a closer controversy in short order.

As for whether Jenks ends up closing for the Red Sox in 2012, I say yes. Terry Francona has referred to Daniel Bard as the “best weapon you can have,” in the middle innings, and I’m sure he’d love to keep him there for as long as possible. Bard’s time as closer probably starts in 2013.

2. Another new member of the Red Sox bullpen, Dan Wheeler, will likely be a middle reliever in 2011. Do you think his addition will stabilize the middle of the bullpen for the Sox? Why or why not?

Accepting the caveat that bullpen performance is unpredictable, varies from year to year, yada yada yada, Wheeler represents a huge upgrade over the middle options the Sox had last year. He’s not only a better pitcher at this point than Manny Delcarmen, Ramon Ramirez or Hideki Okajima, he’s also battle-tested in the AL East. Wheeler was part of a Rays bullpen that really separated Tampa from the Yankees and Red Sox in recent years, and he brings that experience to Boston.

3. After Jacoby Ellsbury’s injury last season, many fans began to question the outfielder and wonder whether he would be traded. Now that he is back with the team and appears to be healthy, what kind of impact do you expect him to have in 2011? Do you feel he is the right person to bat lead-off in the Red Sox lineup? Why or why not?

My God, I keep sounding like such a homer, but I think Ellsbury is going to have a monster season. Within a year or two, I can see him being viewed on the same plane as $142 million teammate Carl Crawford. Ellsbury has all the tools to hit .300 with an .800 OPS and tremendous speed. Talk about a weapon.

That said, I know this is going to sound like an odd segue, but I’d hit him ninth and Crawford leadoff, giving the Sox left-right balance from 1 through 9 in the order, as well as someone for Crawford to drive in out of the top spot. A little unorthodox, I know, and besides which, it’s never going to happen, because Crawford enjoys hitting leadoff about as much as Rajon Rondo likes stepping to the free throw line. But that’s what I’d do from the safety of the press box.

4. Concussions have been widely talked about in sports over the past year, especially in the NFL and NHL. Last season, we saw Justin Morneau go down with a bad concussion, the symptoms of which he is still feeling several months later. Beckett’s recent mild-concussion has me wondering about what steps the MLB should take to prevent concussions, if any. Do you feel there needs to be more protection for players, before and during games, or is this only an issue in full-contact sports?

At the risk of sounding insensitive, meh. Concussions don’t strike me as a huge problem, though I’m sure Morneau and Jason Bay, to name two, would disagree. Morneau has lobbied baseball to outfit players with sturdier batting helmets, and that sounds good to me, but beyond that, I’m not sure what more the sport can/should do. We’re not talking about Tom Brady getting pancaked by Terrell Suggs. I mean, Beckett’s concussion was the result of an errant fungo during batting practice. Should we mandate all pitchers shagging wear helmets, just to be safe?

5. Looking at the off-season moves for each AL East team, which team impressed you the most? Knowing that anything can happen over the next several months, how do you see the AL East panning out when the regular season is over?

Well considering that the Yankees only added one player of note (Rafael Soriano), and the Rays shed half their roster like a molting snake, it’s pretty clear that the Red Sox had not just the best offseason in the division, but in the game. Gonzalez, Crawford, Jenks, Wheeler. Even Dennys Reyes, who has been outstanding for the last five seasons. While the Yankees will be good, as usual, and the Jays could surprise under John Farrell, this is clearly the Red Sox’ division to lose. And I can’t see them losing it. Not if they stay healthy. On paper, at least, they’re a juggernaut. Now we’ll get to see if that translates to the field.

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