The Brass Visits Seattle

All eyes are on Seattle today, because John Henry and Ben Cherington are flying there, and no one is sure why, but it's not to pitch middle relief.

Henry says he's not there to fire Bobby V., Gordon Edes reports. Henry's statement is consistent with what Larry Lucchino told WEEI recently, that Valentine would manage for the rest of the season. As Edes notes, the two managers these owners have let go have been fired after the season.

But Stan McNeal of Sporting News notes:

For team officials, including an owner, to make a trip to Seattle on a holiday is not business as usual, and a meeting with the manager must be on the agenda.

One possibility that looms is that Valentine might be given an opportunity to quit. Or might even create one during this meeting that may or may not be happening.