[EmpireWF]

ESPNews reports the Red Sox will not bring back pitching coach Dave Wallace and batting coach Ron Jackson.

Was this expected?

[MJHMarc]

I don't think so.

The players are to blame, not the personel.

[LSC9901]

Sooner or later they'll get rid of Manny. That is one step in the right direction. 35 homers is a respectable number but the number of games played isn't. Far to many players ended up on the DL after the all star game. Pitching was slightly better than AAA minor league .... slightly. They need to get real serious about pitching first and then some batters with leg speed. Unfortunately they'll probably get rid of Nixon. I see him as a better than average player. Gonzales is as good as gone. Great feilding but not so good on the bat. Lorretta could go either way but will probably be gone. There are a few bench players that might fetch some better players but it all remains to be seen. Blaming the coaching staff is never a step in the right direction. A batting coach can coach all day long but it is the batter that makes him successful. It'll be an interesting off season.

[MJHMarc]

So, you basically think that Red Sox are going to clean out the house?

You mentioned something in your post above about leg speed. Do you think that fast CF, Juan Pierre will fit his way into a Boston jersey during the off-season?

[LSC9901]

My only concern with him is that he is a NL player. Theoretically the AL is tougher. All his stats say he is what they need plus he is still young. The Sox for years have always bought soon to be has beens but Juan could be a real keeper ... for a price I'm sure.

[MJHMarc]

The only problem is that they already have Coco Crisp in CF.

Where can they squeeze in Juan Pierre?