BOSTON -- Dustin Pedroia spoke after Game 6, and before, about how much the Red Sox players cared about each other, and after Matt Carpenter's series-ending swing, the hugs were strong, heartfelt.
Today, instead of working out, they will sleep in, and there will be a parade Saturday. Then they will start to say their goodbyes for the start of 2013, and except for future reunion events, this particular group -- the players, the staff -- will never be together again.
Jacoby Ellsbury will likely be one of those on his way out, given Boston's (failed) efforts to sign him to a long-term deal.
According to sources: After the 2011 season, for which Ellsbury finished second in the American League MVP race, the Red Sox offered him a deal that fell slightly short of $100 million. The counter-offer from agent Scott Boras, according to sources, was for a deal of about $130 million. The gap in the negotiations was too large to bridge at that time.