Breslow Says He Has Kept Talking With Contreras After Analytics Criticism
Red Sox baseball chief Craig Breslow says he has spoken repeatedly with first baseman Willson Contreras since the player criticized the club's reliance on analytics. Breslow also announced an internal review of how the team handles injuries.
Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Craig Breslow said at baseball's General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas that he has kept talking with first baseman Willson Contreras since the player criticized the club's reliance on analytics.
The two met in person a few days after the season ended. They have spoken often since.
"Willson and I have spoken a bunch since then as well," Breslow said. "When you have the chance to get feedback from somebody like him — somebody who is so passionate and competitive, and somebody who cares about winning above everything else — you've got to listen."
Contreras made his criticism after the Red Sox lost 9-2 to the Yankees in the Wild Card Series on Sept. 30, ending their season. That led to a meeting with Breslow and Tracy at Fenway Park.
Contreras later attended Game 5 of the World Series to support his brother, Brewers catcher William Contreras. He said "things were in a good place" with the team and that both sides were on the same page.
Injury review under way
Breslow said the club is conducting an internal review of how it diagnoses, treats and communicates about injuries.
"What does the best kind of medical department and process look like, and then understand where we are and figure out how we bridge the gap between the two," he said.
Diagnosing injuries and mapping recovery timelines was difficult last season for Roman Anthony and Garrett Crochet in particular. Breslow said he wants information shared correctly among players, coaches, medical staff, the front office and the media.
Contreras in MVP voting
Contreras finished 10th in American League Most Valuable Player voting, with 97 points. Houston's Yordan Alvarez won unanimously, taking all 30 first-place votes.
In his first season with Boston, Contreras hit .275/.386/.516 with 27 home runs and 81 RBI. His OPS, which combines on-base and slugging percentages, was .901, one of only three American League marks above .900.
Labor talks loom
Agent Scott Boras said players are "emboldened" to resist MLB's push for a salary cap in the next collective bargaining agreement. He cited record revenue, viewership, sponsorship and attendance, and pointed to the Padres selling for $3.9 billion in August and the Angels for $4 billion in September.
Breslow said the "frequency of conversations" with agents and other clubs is higher than usual for this time of year, with a Dec. 1 lockout approaching. "Obviously there's a ton of uncertainty," he said.
