Valentine, Ross, Matsuzaka contemplate future

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NEW YORK -- In the wake of yet another one-sided loss, their eighth in a row, ending the season on a perfectly awful and fitting note, some Red Sox contemplated the potential end of their time in a Red Sox uniform.
Embattled manager Bobby Valentine, who will almost certainly be fired within 48 hours of the team's 14-2 season-ending loss to the New York Yankees, was asked what his plans were for Thursday.
"My plans right now are to wake up and have a long bike ride, Valentine said.
Season-ending meetings with general manager Ben Cherington and ownership are expected to be held Thursday at Fenway, at which time Valentine should officially learn his fate.
Asked about his uncertain job status for next year -- he has a year remaining at approximately 2.5 million -- Valentine responded: "My life will be fine.''
Valentine seemed to sense that the end was near. He took the lineup card out to home plate before the game -- a task usually given to a coach -- and as the players filed off the field at the end of the game, Valentine stood on the steps in the visitor's dugout, as if taking in the scene one last time.
Outfielder Cody Ross, who is eligible for free agency, would very much like to return to the Sox. Before Wednesday's game, Cherington said getting an extension done with Ross will be one of his off-season priorities.
"Were trying to get on the same page, Ross said of the preliminary contract negotiations. I love Boston. I love playing here. I love the park. I love the fans. I love the city. Its a perfect place for me.
Indeed, the right-handed hitting Ross hit particularly well at Fenway Park, which seems tailored for his flyball, pull swing. Ross finished with 22 homers, third-best on the team, and 81 RBI, second in that category.
Finally, there was Daisuke Matsuzaka, who made what was probably his final appearance for the Sox. Six years after signing a six-year 52 million dollar deal -- to say nothing of another 51 million the Sox shelled out in a posting fee -- Matsuzaka was battered in 2 13 innings, allowing five runs on six hits.
He finished this season -- shortened as he recovered from last summer's Tommy John surgery -- at 1-7.
Matsuzaka expressed regret that he wasn't at full strength in coming back from surgery.
"I wasn't able to perform to my expectations after the first two years,'' said Matsuzaka, "and I'm really disappointed and very apologetic that I wasn't able to perform to my expectations.''

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