McAdam With Gresh & Zo: Is Bobby V Being Too Reserved?

CSNNE's baseball insider Sean McAdam called in to Gresh and Zo on Thursday to give a first-hand account of the Red Sox' disappointing series in Kansas City, as the news of Josh Beckett's golf outing broke.

McAdam said it was no surprise that Beckett was not in KC on Wednesday (as he flew home to prepare for his Thursday start), but when manager Bobby Valentine was questioned about the issue, his answer was disappointing in McAdam's eyes.

"He seemed to be going out of his way to give Beckett the benefit of the doubt, saying he was sure Josh wouldn't do anything to jeopardize his team or his season," recalled McAdam.

"I guess the thing I find fascinating about this whole dynamic, and not just with Beckett, but more with the manager," said McAdam. "Valentine was hired, you have to believe in part to come in and change the culture after September. A strong personality, sort of a take charge guy who wasn't afraid to say what was on his mind. And whether it was the push-back he received over the Youkilis comment or the Aviles (confrontation in Spring) -- which it's uncertain if that actually happened -- he has become almost timid in his remarks about players."

"I thought yesterday, while understanding he has to say there is not a lot I can talk about because I haven't talked to Beckett, you were kind of looking for something like 'if it's true, then that's unfortunate. I think Josh should have channeled his energies elsewhere that day.' I don't think that would have been him throwing Beckett under the bus. I think it would have been an acknowledgement that if it's true, it wouldn't have been the smartest thing for him to do. It's OK for the manager to say that. If Beckett has a problem with that, it's Beckett's problem, not Valentines."

Has anything changed in the Red Sox clubhouse since last year?