Sox' Bailey on M&M: 'Turn the page' on 2012

Red Sox reliever Andrew Bailey chatted with Mut & Merloni on Wednesday to talk about the team's offseason and promote Saturday's Strike 3 Foundation First Pitch Celebrity Gala in Stamford, Conn., to benefit childhood cancer research.

Bailey's name reportedly was mentioned as one of the players who was considered for compensation to the Blue Jays for John Farrell.

"My wife told me about that a couple of days after the trade, I guess," Bailey said. "It's interesting, it's all offseason stuff. You really can't worry about that. You've got to do your business, get ready for spring training and the upcoming season. Whatever happens happens. I love that I'm still in a Boston Red Sox uniform. I know personally I've got to make up for my lost time last year. I'm looking forward to just kind of getting back to who I am and not having any long vacations during the season."

Bailey said he's had a conversation with Farrell and is looking forward to contributing in whatever role he can.

"We didn't get into job descriptions," Bailey said. "Ever since I've been in the big leagues, I really don't take anything for granted. I feel that I have the mentality to be a closer and the stuff to be a closer. But if the organization or the coaching staff feels differently, I'm not going to complain about what role I'm in. I'm not about numbers or anything. I just want to win. Unfortunately, I haven't won in my career yet. That's something I'm dying to do.

"So, whatever role they see fit, but knowing that I want the job, I'm capable of doing the job. If they deem it necessary, so be it. As far as right now, that's my take on it. I still think it's my job."

Bailey, acquired from the Athletics last offseason, missed most of 2012 after injuring his thumb in spring training and having surgery to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament.

"It's definitely frustrating, first and foremost," he said. "You spend all offseason working hard to get ready and regroup for spring training and a new start with a new organization. It's definitely not the first appearance you want to make. 

"I think if everybody took a look at last year, we can kind of turn the page on that one, and everyone focus forward and just say, hey, you know what, 2012 was a bad year altogether, for everyone. Let's get back to work and start focusing on the future and brining a World Series back to Boston. That's where my mindset is now."

To hear the interview, go to the Mut & Merloni audio on demand page [1]. For more Red Sox news, visit the team page at weei.com/redsox [2]. For more information on the First Pitch Celebrity Gala, check out the Strike 3 Foundation website [3].