Report: Red Sox Front Office Not High On Adding Buckner
BOSTON (CBS) – Bobby Valentine and the Boston Red Sox are focusing in on free agents, but the team also needs to build his coaching staff.
The name Bill Buckner has popped up, but it appears the Red Sox front office might be against bringing on the former Red Sox slugger.
ESPNBoston's Gordon Edes, a frequent guest on WBZ-TV's Sports Final, is reporting both Valentine and Buckner want him on the Sox bench, but the front office is resisting to the idea.
Read: Could Buckner Rejoin Red Sox?
Buckner and Valentine have been friends since being drafted by the Dodgers in 1968, and Valentine talked about their relationship when introduced by the team last week.
"I've watched his kids grow up and I respect his every opinion, in baseball and in worldly matters,'' said Valentine.
"Whether or not Bill Buckner would be on the staff is a decision that Ben (Cherington) will talk about or if anybody else is going to be on the staff, Ben and I will talk about it," said Valentine, adding it's not about adding friends but people that can get the job done.
Listen: Lasorda Likes Valentine In Boston
Valentine reportedly asked hitting coach Dave Magadan to return, and Magadan has accepted the offer. Red Sox bench coach DeMarlo Hale, third-base coach Tim Bogar and bullpen coach Gary Tuck are all under contract, but their status is still up in the air.
Buckner led the independent-league Brockton Rox to a 51-42 record in his first season on the bench last year, qualifying for the Can-Am League playoffs. Buckner last coached in the big leagues as the Chicago White Sox hitting in 1996 and '97.
