NEW YORK -- The team is four games under .500 heading into action and the playoffs appear to be a distinct longshot. Worse, the clubhouse has been enveloped by turmoil and communication, from top-to-bottom, has been either non-existent or poor.
More recently, it's been suggested that thanks to the poor performance on the field and the dysfunction off it, the club would have difficulty attracting free agents.
But Cody Ross will himself be a free agent this winter and Saturday said it's his clear preference to return to the Red Sox.
"One hundred percent,'' said Ross, who signed a one-year, 3 million deal last winter to play for the Red Sox. "I don't want to leave.
"Obviously, I've thought about it. I think, right now, there are more things to focus on than that. But do I want to stay? Yeah. It's a great organization and I believe that we can win. For me, that's probably the No. 1 thing. I want to win; I don't want to go somewhere that's rebuilding.''
Beyond trying to concentrate on the final six weeks of the season, Ross will be looking to see what other moves the Sox make in the coming weeks and months as the team attempts to rebound from it's most disappointing season in a decade.
But he hasn't been deterred by environment.
Boston Red Sox
"Going into this year,'' said Ross, "there was all that same stuff about last year and about how this team was divided. I didn't believe it (last off-season). So I called Dustin (Pedroia), Jacoby (Ellsbury) and talked to these guys before I signed and they had nothing but great things to say.
"They said, 'Listen -- we lost. We blew it last year.' A lot of that stuff got blamed on a bunch of different things. But this is a great place to play. And I could tell that to someone who
asked me (the questions I asked Pedroia and Ellsbury).''
Ross admitted that Boston isn't necessarily for everyone.
"I would tell them, it depends on what you're looking for,'' said Ross. "If you don't care about getting buried (when things don't go right), if you want to go to a team that has a chance and know that the organization is all about winning and the way they treat players and families, this is a great place to be.''
Ross entered Saturday's game with a .276 batting average and 18 homers and 60 RBI. His .523 slugging percentage is second on the team to David Ortiz (.609).
Following a one-year deal last year in which he sought to re-establish himself as any everyday play, he'll likely be looking for a multi-year commitment.
"My objective was to go and prove -- not only to myself but everybody else -- that I'm still a really good player,'' Ross said, "and I can play everyday. (My plan was to) go to a big market team and hopefully have a chance to win. I was willing to sign a one-year deal to prove myself and I turned down multi-year deals last year.
"To this point, I think I've opened eyes, again, maybe. That's fair to say. But I'm definitely not content. I feel like I'm a better player than what I am right now.''
Ross has played all three outfield positions, and more recently, has filled in at DH as Ortiz recovers from an Achilles injury.
Going forward, Carl Crawford is signed for five more years, but could miss time next season should he undergo Tommy John surgery. Ellsbury, meanwhile, will be in his final season before free agency next year.
Despite the team's poor play and myriad off-field issues, Ross wants another chance in Boston.
"I wouldn't say this if I didn't believe it in my heart - ownership and the front office, they want to win,'' said Ross, "and they'll do anything possible to make it happen. That right there is enough for me to come back.''