Boston, MA – Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine went a step beyond trying to assure his current players as they approach Tuesday afternoon's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline.
He said before Monday's game with the Tigers that he not only likes his team, he sees more weaknesses in the teams they are playing than his own club.
Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington had been rumored to be trying to move Josh Beckett before the trade deadline, in addition to mulling other offers to improve the roster.
"I like my team," Valentine said. "I think we're a good team. If there's anyway Ben thinks we can improve it for this year and beyond, I'm sure he's going to do that. But this is a good group of guys. I don't see any gaping holes. I see more holes on the other teams than I see on ours."
Sources told WEEI.com's Rob Bradford Monday that a potential Beckett trade to Texas died after talks between the two teams over the weekend. As for his own status heading into Tuesday's deadline, Valentine joked with reporters.
"I don't think I'm getting traded," Valentine said. "I've been assured I'm not getting traded."
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.