August 1, 2008 Theo, Tito say Bay is a great fit Play video

(NECN) - Red Sox Manager Terry Francona and GM Theo Epstein held a press conference to discuss the recent block buster trade that sent Manny Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers. It also sent Sox outfielder Brandon Moss and pitcher Craig Hansen to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In the three team-deal, the Red Sox acquired outfielder Jason Bay from the Pirates. Bay will be introduced Friday night against the Oakland A's. Bay will be hitting in the number 5 spot, behind Mike Lowell.

The press conference followed a closed doors team meeting. Following the meeting Theo said that there is now 25 guys in the club house that feel like a team, and "it hasn't felt like that for awhile".

Although Theo did not come right out and say that Manny was the root of all the problems within the club house, he said "there was a dynamic that made us not go out there and play our best." And there was an environment that wasn't conducive to playing good baseball.

He said that they are not asking or expecting Bay to replace Manny's numbers. "We are asking him to be a contributing player to a winning baseball team. Emphasis on the last word."

On Bay's performance he says "we like that he gets on base, we like that he hits for power... he has been very consistent."