BSJ Daily Briefing 02.20.18: Red Sox change conversation, team for better with Martinez signing

Good morning!

A few random thoughts while I contemplate that if, after Monday, we'll hear from the Red Sox again for the rest of spring training.

• What the Red Sox did with the signing of J.D. Martinez early last night was a perfect example of changing the conversation as far as public relations go.


• After ownership's disastrous morning press conference, where principal owner John Henry sounded completely out of touch with the plight of his baseball team as he basically blamed John Farrell (a manager Henry kept bringing back) and hitting coach Chili Davis for everything that ailed the 2017 Red Sox.


• If the news stopped there on the Olde Towne Team, then the Red Sox were facing about a day's worth of coverage about Henry's comments with headlines such as...

• But hours later, after signing Martinez, suddenly Henry's words are forgotten and everything is positive about the Sox:

• So, well done by the Red Sox in correcting a public relations misstep and changing the conversation. Now it seems like the Sox and their fans are finally done with '17 and can move onto the new season. If you don't think this stuff is important, especially to the Red Sox after being dominated by the Patriots, then you haven't been paying attention.


• And after all has been said and done, also a job well done by Dave Dombrowski to get (hopefully) the big bat the Sox needed, and at their price and terms. You worry a little bit about a guy who hasn't shown consistent power in his career, but the Red Sox had to do something and Martinez was the best option available.


• Kudos to Sean McAdam for providing exceptional coverage the entire day. Some days are sleepy at The Fort, others are nonstop from morning to night. Glad Sean was there for us to put it all in perspective. As another scribe said to me about Sean's coverage: "Who else are you going to trust on the Red Sox?" My thoughts exactly.


• Good to see the Bruins bounce back from the debacle in Vancouver with a tighter defensive effort in Calgary. On to Edmonton tonight.


• Bruins prospect Ryan Donato (Harvard/Scituate) had two goals to lift Team USA to a 5-1 over Slovakia to advance to tonight's quarterfinal vs. the Czech Republic.

"ANOTHER ONE." -@donatoryan, probably.

The Harvard guy puts @usahockey up on Slovakia in their elimination game! #WinterOlympics https://t.co/g0eF7osb79 pic.twitter.com/Rlpuh6po1V

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 20, 2018

@GregABedard My Mom says the BSJ subscription I gave my Dad is the best gift I’ve ever given him. He’s totally obsessed & talks you guys up to all friend & fam. Thanks for making me look good.

— Mandy Johnson Gilman (@MandyGilman) January 23, 2018