Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke frustrated with dispute
This offseason has been a wild one for the Red Sox and despite a flash of spring training, it feels like it’s never ended. There was the investigation, Alex Cora’s dismissal, the trading of Mookie Betts and David Price, a global pandemic, and now a labor dispute. In the wake of all the madness, former bench coach Ron Roenicke was promoted to manager in the attempt to keep some consistency for this club.
As it stands, the MLB is the only major sports league in America to yet come to an agreement on a plan for 2020. Everyone else was able to work out a deal between the owners and players, but not baseball! With Roenicke taking the helm of the Red Sox this season it’s no surprise that he’s a bit frustrated with the current affairs of the league.
Roenicke spoke with NBC10’s Raul Martinez recently and shared his thoughts on the mess that baseball currently finds itself in.
"“It’s frustrating at times knowing that both sides want to play, but we’re not getting it done,” he said. “That’s frustrating."
He’s not wrong in that both sides seemingly want this to happen. The owners and the players are reading the same book they’re just on completely different chapters. Just yesterday the owners lobbed another offer to the players that unfortunately sounds like it’ll be shot down once again.
Standing on the outside looking in my confidence in a 2020 season wanes more with each passing day. For Roenicke, he’s kind of caught in the middle as he has to stick up for his guys but also has to answer to his bosses. If he leans one way more than the other he risks upsetting the very apple cart. I also think he hit the nail on the head with his feelings on both sides wanting a deal but not getting it done.
"“I know both sides want to play, so that’s the feeling I have,” Roenicke told Martinez. “I talk to the players, they want to play. Management wants to play. So when you have both sides that want to get back on the field, they want to get back on to play personally but also for the country.”"
To me, there’s an underlying narrative here that I haven’t seen mentioned as much. The current CBA has a fast-approaching expiration date and this feels like a way to begin negotiations early. Whether or not either side had that mentality going into this dispute, the ferocity in which each side is standing tall makes me think that’s what it’s about now. Sadly, we’re going to be the kid in the divorce that has to listen to the parents yelling. But there should still be some hope, I think.
Ron Roenicke has hope for Red Sox baseball in 2020
"“If we can have a fairly normal half-season, I think it’ll be great,” Roenicke said. “Whatever (number of) games that will be, whether it’s 80 games or whatever that may be. I think we can have a real nice playoff system if we do that.”"
For what Roenicke is proposing a deal would need to be reached by the end of the week. Time is quickly running out for a half-season so the sides will need to come together soon. I won’t speak for anyone else but I’m desperate for some baseball at this point. Hell, I even bought a PS4 and The Show just to see the Red Sox play some games.
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I’m also interested in seeing how Roenicke handles this season as it’s the final one on his contract and the first time he’s managed in quite a while. He’s got a great group of guys that, for as much as we know, have no chemistry issues in the clubhouse. His voice will be a friendly one though as it’s familiar to the team and owners and can be a bridge to both sides of the aisle.
I’m going to lean on his optimism that we can see some live MLB action in 2020. This might be the last time we see several of these faces in Red Sox uniforms. Jackie Bradley Jr. will be a free agent next winter, J.D. Martinez can opt-out, and then there are several with club options that can be declined.
Personally, I’m over this entire thing and it’s escalated far more than it needed to. If both sides honestly sat down and focused on 2020 and not beyond, this could’ve been accomplished just like every other league. However, I do feel there are some anterior motives going on behind the scenes that are delaying the 2020 season. I just hope we see our beloved Red Sox tale the field soon and light up Fenway Park once again.