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Payton would like Boston reunion

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Though he seemed to burn bridges when he left the Red Sox after the 2005 season, Jay Payton told the Globe's Nick Cafardo he wouldn't be opposed to coming back to Boston: "When I talked to my agent recently, Boston was the first team I mentioned," said Payton. "I don't know if it's in the cards or if I squished my chances of ever returning there. I know the circumstances of my departure from there a few years back were blown out of proportion. I've talked to Tito [Terry Francona] several times since then and we're OK. I'd love the chance to go back there because that's a winning organization and they're committed to winning. They do things the right way."

Boston Globe

Jay Payton, Christian Peter/Getty Images Jay Payton, Christian Peter/Getty Images
December 1, 2008  05:53 AM ET

He ain't going back to the Sox.....they dumped him already. And he felt realy jilted, and justifiably, because he was not good enough - even though he thinks he is better than alot of the players that remained. Another - idiot, but not to the degree as others.

December 1, 2008  06:29 AM ET

I don't think the Red Sox would sign Payton. It is one thing to say you would be fine with being the 4th outfielder and actually doing it. He always struck me as a malcontent who was a couple bad at bats away from blowing a fuse.

December 1, 2008  06:39 AM ET
QUOTE:

Bond 007 has spoken. And so it was.Or not!

So you actually understood what he said?
I don't remember this guy....

December 1, 2008  06:49 AM ET

At this point, Payton probably would accept a contract from the Yankees....

Comment #6 has been removed
December 1, 2008  09:16 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

He ain't going back to the Sox.....they dumped him already. And he felt realy jilted, and justifiably, because he was not good enough - even though he thinks he is better than alot of the players that remained. Another - idiot, but not to the degree as others.

Maybe he was an idiot, but maybe he's cured. He says he's made peace with Francona. In '05, he was way overqualified to be 4th outfielder, as he and everyone else knew well. Everyone knew when the Sox picked him up that he wanted more than 4th OF. He's a fine outfielder with speed and a good righthanded bat. He's a little impatient at the plate and maybe on the basepaths. He was playing behind Damon, Ramirez, & Nixon, and he couldn't crack the starting line-up. So he blew up in the early summer and forced a trade. Except for that year he's had 400+ at bats since '00 and until last year when he only had 338. He's 36 -- that's his biggest drawback.

December 1, 2008  09:39 AM ET

They could do worse for a 4th outfielder.

December 1, 2008  09:54 AM ET

They just got rid of Crisp, I would think the Sox would have rather kept him as their 4th outfielder instead of bringing a cry baby back

December 1, 2008  11:27 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

He ain't going back to the Sox.....they dumped him already. And he felt realy jilted, and justifiably, because he was not good enough - even though he thinks he is better than alot of the players that remained. Another - idiot, but not to the degree as others.

I can see that maybe the SOX don't want him, but those quotes don't sound like a guy who felt "jilted." Sounds like a guy who is now realizing he ain't "all that" like he thought he was 2 years ago, and is just looking to catch on w/ a winner

December 1, 2008  12:14 PM ET
QUOTE(#4):

So you actually understood what he said? I don't remember this guy....

Bond's in charge of making the first comment (usually incomprehensible) on several threads and then never being seen again.... he's a legend.... kind of like momo.....

December 1, 2008  12:51 PM ET
QUOTE(#9):

They just got rid of Crisp, I would think the Sox would have rather kept him as their 4th outfielder instead of bringing a cry baby back

Crisp had to go. By next June, he would have been just as crazy as Peyton was in '05.

December 1, 2008  12:54 PM ET

Nothing more painful than getting your chances squished. I once got a paper cut on my options and that was bad enough...

December 1, 2008  01:27 PM ET
QUOTE(#7):

Maybe he was an idiot, but maybe he's cured. He says he's made peace with Francona. In '05, he was way overqualified to be 4th outfielder, as he and everyone else knew well. Everyone knew when the Sox picked him up that he wanted more than 4th OF. He's a fine outfielder with speed and a good righthanded bat. He's a little impatient at the plate and maybe on the basepaths. He was playing behind Damon, Ramirez, & Nixon, and he couldn't crack the starting line-up. So he blew up in the early summer and forced a trade. Except for that year he's had 400+ at bats since '00 and until last year when he only had 338. He's 36 -- that's his biggest drawback.

I have to disagree. He was specifically picked up to be the fourth outfielder and was only able to do his job for a couple of months before he started whining about playing time.
He was not overqualified to be the 4th outfielder on that years Red Sox team. Who was he better than? Manny? Damon? No way. That leaves Nixon. I was never a huge Trot Nixon fan but I was in the minority as he was a fan favorite and always gave 100%. Since Payton was not clearly better than Nixon, why would you make the switch? You don't remove a starter only to replace him with a guy who has remarkably similar stats.

Comment #15 has been removed
Comment #16 has been removed
December 1, 2008  02:38 PM ET

"I'd love the chance to go back there because that's a winning organization and they're committed to winning. They do things the right way." This is why they got rid of you dirtbag, you think after burning bridges they are going to take your sorry, overpaid butt back? You c-r-a-z-y. Who does this guy think he is?

December 1, 2008  02:44 PM ET
QUOTE(#14):

I have to disagree. He was specifically picked up to be the fourth outfielder and was only able to do his job for a couple of months before he started whining about playing time. He was not overqualified to be the 4th outfielder on that years Red Sox team. Who was he better than? Manny? Damon? No way. That leaves Nixon. I was never a huge Trot Nixon fan but I was in the minority as he was a fan favorite and always gave 100%. Since Payton was not clearly better than Nixon, why would you make the switch? You don't remove a starter only to replace him with a guy who has remarkably similar stats.

I should have been more clear. He was overqualified for A 4th outfielder job, but not good enough to beat out any of the Sox regular outfielders, so he got frustrated on the bench. I think he himself said, as soon as he was traded to the Sox, that he hoped to compete for a starting job.

December 1, 2008  03:29 PM ET
QUOTE(#16):

just another ME ME ME black athlete

Just another racist comment. Selfish athletes come in all colors, pea brain.

December 1, 2008  04:31 PM ET
QUOTE(#16):

just another ME ME ME black athlete

you are a total moron, sir.

 
December 1, 2008  04:41 PM ET

He should go play for the Nationals or perhaps in Japan...cannot imagine him back in Fenway

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