The four game sweep at Fenway is complete. The Sox are obviously in a very bad place right now. The Rays are extremely hot. We should not panic, there is a very long way to go. However one thing is very clear, The Sox do not match up well with the Rays.
Here's why:
The Rays make the Sox look very unathletic. BJ Upton and Carl Crawford are considerably better athletes than anyone the Sox have. Jacoby Ellsbury is athletic but not on the level of these two guys. Athleticism in baseball is not imperative. For instance, the 2009 Sox were more athletic than the 2009 Yankees. Having better athletes does not guarantee a better team but it sure helps. Which leads us to ...
The Red Sox have no answer to the Rays' running game. Crawford has stole thirty-one straight bases against the Old Towne team. But it is not just Crawford. Ben Zobrist, Evan Longoria, Jason Bartlett and even Carlos Pena have successfully swiped bags versus the Boston battery. Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek have been awful but some of the blame has to go to the starting pitchers. Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz have to give them a chance. We know it is not easy but the Rays will continue to take advantage of this aspect of the game because ...
Joe Maddon has the Red Sox' number. This guy, who worked under Mike Scioscia in Anaheim, has made all the right moves against the Sox. I like the fact that he is unafraid to make a gutsy move. Be it introducing a shift for many dead pull lefty hitters to bringing in a fifth infielder with a runner on third, Maddon loves to take calculated risks. Maddon has also done a great job managing match ups in his bullpen. Of course, it is not too difficult when you have talented players like ..
Evan Longoria. Simply put --- he is the best young position player in the game. Albert Pujols is the best but I would take Longoria and his fifteen more years in the majors right now. Longoria is young, drives in runs, hits bombs and plays sound defense. He also has "game". This means he gets it done when the game is on the line.
I would rather have the Sox play anyone (including the 2009 World Champs) than the Rays.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Dear Tim letter
Dear Tim Bogar,
Tie game, no one out, in the sixth last night and you send Youkilis from first on Ortiz's double??? Are you serious? There's no one out! Did you not feel comfortable having runners on second and third and no one out? Mark Balfour was not lights out, plus Beltre, Hermida and Varitek were all swinging the bat well.
Last night's game was the first of ten home games in a row. The suspended game pitted our #1 Beckett vs. the Rays' #5 Davis, the only run scored by Tampa Bay was on a ground ball lost in the lights (read that again for effect)! This is a game we needed to have and you decide to channel your best Wave 'em in Wendel Kim.
Timmy, Timmy, Timmy, we demand better from you.
Tie game, no one out, in the sixth last night and you send Youkilis from first on Ortiz's double??? Are you serious? There's no one out! Did you not feel comfortable having runners on second and third and no one out? Mark Balfour was not lights out, plus Beltre, Hermida and Varitek were all swinging the bat well.
Last night's game was the first of ten home games in a row. The suspended game pitted our #1 Beckett vs. the Rays' #5 Davis, the only run scored by Tampa Bay was on a ground ball lost in the lights (read that again for effect)! This is a game we needed to have and you decide to channel your best Wave 'em in Wendel Kim.
Timmy, Timmy, Timmy, we demand better from you.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Don't even tell me you ...
... are not worried about David Ortiz' start to the season. He has not looked good against hard throwing righties, soft throwing lefties, breaking pitches, pitches up, down, away, or in. It is obvious he is trying to jack everything sees. When he was going good, he would drive the ball the left center field gap. He isn't even trying to do that.
... don't like the Royals' uniforms on Sunday. The baby blues were sweet.
... didn't smile when Tek hit two home runs on Saturday.
... miss JD Drew. His stiff neck/back has allowed us to watch the stroke of one Jeremy
Hermida.
... think the Red Sox - Yankee games are too long. Dear Joe West, the lack of a time limit is one of the reasons baseball is a great sport. I understand the commissioner's office wants to speed up the games but some of us actually enjoy the "gamesmanship" of baseball.
... are against signing Josh Beckett to a four year extension. The Sox now have the best rotation (Beckett, Lester, Lackey, Buchholz, Dice-K) in baseball signed until 2012.
... aren't concerned that Victor Martinez has thrown out one of ten base stealers thus far this season. The Rays come to Fenway this weekend. If you have Carl Crawford on your fantasy team, my guess is you will win steals this week. Many of the throws haven't even been close.
... don't like the Royals' uniforms on Sunday. The baby blues were sweet.
... didn't smile when Tek hit two home runs on Saturday.
... miss JD Drew. His stiff neck/back has allowed us to watch the stroke of one Jeremy
Hermida.
... think the Red Sox - Yankee games are too long. Dear Joe West, the lack of a time limit is one of the reasons baseball is a great sport. I understand the commissioner's office wants to speed up the games but some of us actually enjoy the "gamesmanship" of baseball.
... are against signing Josh Beckett to a four year extension. The Sox now have the best rotation (Beckett, Lester, Lackey, Buchholz, Dice-K) in baseball signed until 2012.
... aren't concerned that Victor Martinez has thrown out one of ten base stealers thus far this season. The Rays come to Fenway this weekend. If you have Carl Crawford on your fantasy team, my guess is you will win steals this week. Many of the throws haven't even been close.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Did the opening series versus Yankees tell us anything?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!
First of all, why would the MLB schedule makers have a Red Sox - Yankee series to kick off the season? I went to both Sunday's opener and Tuesday night's game and the electricity that was in the air on Sunday night was simply because it was the opener. The Sox could have been playing the Connecticut Tigers and it would have been just as loud. Neil Diamond, Steven Tyler, a 5 year old yelling "screw 'em", and Pedro will do that to a sell out crowd.
Tuesday's game did not feel like a typical rivalry game. Seemed like a waste of guaranteed buzz to me.
The series itself told of us very little.
First of all, why would the MLB schedule makers have a Red Sox - Yankee series to kick off the season? I went to both Sunday's opener and Tuesday night's game and the electricity that was in the air on Sunday night was simply because it was the opener. The Sox could have been playing the Connecticut Tigers and it would have been just as loud. Neil Diamond, Steven Tyler, a 5 year old yelling "screw 'em", and Pedro will do that to a sell out crowd.
Tuesday's game did not feel like a typical rivalry game. Seemed like a waste of guaranteed buzz to me.
The series itself told of us very little.
- David Ortiz's 0 for 7 start means nothing. These sportswriters need to find other things to write about.
- Joba Chamberlain had one good outing and one bad. Sounds like a typical reliever.
- Curtis Granderson is not the next Willie Mays, Bernie Williams or even Melky Cabrera.
- JD Drew is not going to be replaced by Josh Reddick.
- Josh Beckett is going to be fine. Signing him for four additional years is good, smart business.
- The Sox offense will be fine. There is far more balance this year than since Manny left a year and a half ago. Mike Cameron, Marco Scutaro and Adrian Beltre combined are a better trio than Jason Bay, Julio Lugo and Mike Lowell.
- Scutaro's error on Tuesday does not make run prevention a failed experiment like the 2003's closer by committee.
Keep faith Sox fans and don't overreact Yankee followers, there is a long way to go. The 2009 Sox taught us that after the eight consecutive victories to open the rivalry.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Top 5 Questions to be answered at Spring Training
Pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers by the end of this week. The Sox' roster is nearly set. There are no starting position battles. We don't have to worry when or if Pedro or Manny will show up. One would think that this will be a ho hum spring training.
There are five huge questions that need to be answered before the team opens its season against the Yankees on April 4th.
In descending order of importance:
5. Who gets the last spot in the bullpen?
Let's look at the roster. The Sox will take five starters north. There will be six relievers that make the club out of spring training. Barring injury the first five figure to be; closer Jonathon Papelbon and set up men Hideki Okiaima, Daniel Bard, Ramon Ramirez, Manny Delcarmen. That leaves one spot between a couple of guys. Newly acquired Boof Bonser will be the team's long reliever but he may not be ready to start the season. Tim Wakefield's role is still undefined (we'll address that shortly). Youngster Dustin Richardson will get a shot this year but not yet. My money is on non roster invitee Brian Shouse. Shouse is a lefty, sidewinder that will come in handy during that first series.
This last spot is going to be very liquid. Theo will be calling Pawtucket frequently this year. Like in years past there will be no less than eight to ten relievers helping out in the pen.
4. What to do with Wake?
The starting rotation is set. Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, John Lackey, Dice-K and Clay Buchholz are virtually locked in. Where does that leave the veteran knuckle baller Tim Wakefield? No team's rotation out of spring training provides 150 starts a year, let alone 162. It just does not happen. Pencil Wake in for in the neighborhood of fifteen starts. He could absolutely pitch out of the pen. The team will be very careful with the forty-three year old. My guess is that the team leaves Wake behind in Florida and he uses the time to further his conditioning.
3. How sharp is Dice-K?
If the 2008 Dice-K shows up this year, the Red Sox' rotation is very, very good. The 2009 version brings the team back to the pack. The fact that he worked out in Arizona and has reportedly lost weight is good for the team picture but does not guarantee effectiveness.
Dice-K's failure to disclose his unhealthiness last year is troubling. When the team forked over the money to negotiate and ultimately sign the Japanese pitcher the team hoped to obtain a front line starter without losing a future or current player. The results have been mixed. As much as he needs to be physically fit, Dice-K needs to be mentally right. He needs to trust his stuff and pound the strike zone.
2. Can Papi find the fountain of youth?
Seriously, is there a more pivotal player that needs to get off to a fast start? Though his final numbers (28 hr, 99 rbi, .794 OPS) were not as bad as they could have been last year, David Ortiz may not be able survive another slow start. If Ortiz can be a force in the middle of the line up, the team's offensive production will certainly not miss Jason Bay as much.
A repeat of last year's early struggles will force Terry Francona and possibly management to make the difficult decision of replacing a man that has been the cornerstone of two world championships.
1. Will Mike Lowell be traded?
Easily the question of the spring. The Lowell saga has been well documented. How would you feel if you had to show up to work knowing that your bosses tried to get rid of you not once but twice? Lowell is a professional and all around good guy so we don't have to worry about him being a distraction.
Lowell needs to prove his surgically repaired wrist and hip are not hindering his ability at the plate and in the field. It is not a given that he gets traded. The Sox should not give him away (see Lugo,Julio). He can still help the team. Out of respect, I do believe the team will seek to trade him. Whether or not he heads north with the team is the question of the spring.
There are five huge questions that need to be answered before the team opens its season against the Yankees on April 4th.
In descending order of importance:
5. Who gets the last spot in the bullpen?
Let's look at the roster. The Sox will take five starters north. There will be six relievers that make the club out of spring training. Barring injury the first five figure to be; closer Jonathon Papelbon and set up men Hideki Okiaima, Daniel Bard, Ramon Ramirez, Manny Delcarmen. That leaves one spot between a couple of guys. Newly acquired Boof Bonser will be the team's long reliever but he may not be ready to start the season. Tim Wakefield's role is still undefined (we'll address that shortly). Youngster Dustin Richardson will get a shot this year but not yet. My money is on non roster invitee Brian Shouse. Shouse is a lefty, sidewinder that will come in handy during that first series.
This last spot is going to be very liquid. Theo will be calling Pawtucket frequently this year. Like in years past there will be no less than eight to ten relievers helping out in the pen.
4. What to do with Wake?
The starting rotation is set. Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, John Lackey, Dice-K and Clay Buchholz are virtually locked in. Where does that leave the veteran knuckle baller Tim Wakefield? No team's rotation out of spring training provides 150 starts a year, let alone 162. It just does not happen. Pencil Wake in for in the neighborhood of fifteen starts. He could absolutely pitch out of the pen. The team will be very careful with the forty-three year old. My guess is that the team leaves Wake behind in Florida and he uses the time to further his conditioning.
3. How sharp is Dice-K?
If the 2008 Dice-K shows up this year, the Red Sox' rotation is very, very good. The 2009 version brings the team back to the pack. The fact that he worked out in Arizona and has reportedly lost weight is good for the team picture but does not guarantee effectiveness.
Dice-K's failure to disclose his unhealthiness last year is troubling. When the team forked over the money to negotiate and ultimately sign the Japanese pitcher the team hoped to obtain a front line starter without losing a future or current player. The results have been mixed. As much as he needs to be physically fit, Dice-K needs to be mentally right. He needs to trust his stuff and pound the strike zone.
2. Can Papi find the fountain of youth?
Seriously, is there a more pivotal player that needs to get off to a fast start? Though his final numbers (28 hr, 99 rbi, .794 OPS) were not as bad as they could have been last year, David Ortiz may not be able survive another slow start. If Ortiz can be a force in the middle of the line up, the team's offensive production will certainly not miss Jason Bay as much.
A repeat of last year's early struggles will force Terry Francona and possibly management to make the difficult decision of replacing a man that has been the cornerstone of two world championships.
1. Will Mike Lowell be traded?
Easily the question of the spring. The Lowell saga has been well documented. How would you feel if you had to show up to work knowing that your bosses tried to get rid of you not once but twice? Lowell is a professional and all around good guy so we don't have to worry about him being a distraction.
Lowell needs to prove his surgically repaired wrist and hip are not hindering his ability at the plate and in the field. It is not a given that he gets traded. The Sox should not give him away (see Lugo,Julio). He can still help the team. Out of respect, I do believe the team will seek to trade him. Whether or not he heads north with the team is the question of the spring.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Gone Bay-B Gone
Jason Bay's signing with the New York Mets brings his one and a half year stay in Boston to a close. The Mets are getting a very good player that will hit for power (even in that stadium), take his walks and play 150-160 games. The Red Sox knew Bay's talents and contributions well but ultimately decided the cost was too much. Their initial offer of four years, sixty million was about as high as the team was going to go.
What does this mean for the team? Simply put -- Mike Cameron is the left fielder for the start of the season. There has been some talk about Cameron's signing meaning that Jacoby Ellsbury could be moved in a deal for a big time player. Past history tells us that Theo does not like to move his proven young players. Ellsbury gives the club athleticism (defense and on the bases) that the team seriously lacks. His contract is very club friendly.
An outfield of Cameron, Ellsbury and JD Drew in right is very good defensively. Cameron can move to center to give Ellsbury the occasional day off with Jeremy Heredia backing up in both left and right field.
The question is, Are the Red Sox content with the current roster? My guess is that the baseball operations people are okay with starting spring training with who they currently have under contract. I do think the team will add another arm or two with incentive laden deals -- think low risk money with a possible high reward (i.e. Smoltz, Penny, Saito). These type of deals do not always work out but seem to be worth the risk.
The fun should come in June and July at the trade deadline. However, we are a long way from that.
What does this mean for the team? Simply put -- Mike Cameron is the left fielder for the start of the season. There has been some talk about Cameron's signing meaning that Jacoby Ellsbury could be moved in a deal for a big time player. Past history tells us that Theo does not like to move his proven young players. Ellsbury gives the club athleticism (defense and on the bases) that the team seriously lacks. His contract is very club friendly.
An outfield of Cameron, Ellsbury and JD Drew in right is very good defensively. Cameron can move to center to give Ellsbury the occasional day off with Jeremy Heredia backing up in both left and right field.
The question is, Are the Red Sox content with the current roster? My guess is that the baseball operations people are okay with starting spring training with who they currently have under contract. I do think the team will add another arm or two with incentive laden deals -- think low risk money with a possible high reward (i.e. Smoltz, Penny, Saito). These type of deals do not always work out but seem to be worth the risk.
The fun should come in June and July at the trade deadline. However, we are a long way from that.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Theo Doing Work
The Hot Stove Season is in full swing. The Yankees add Curtis Granderson and Nick Johnson, the Mariners spend some dough and acquire Cliff Lee, Chone Figgins and Milton Bradley, and the Phillies trade for Roy Halladay. The Red Sox have also been busy.
As insurance if the club does not re-sign left fielder Jason Bay. The Sox traded lefty reliever Hunter Jones to the Marlins for underachieving outfielder Jeremy Heredia. This seems to be a low risk trade. If Heredia is the everyday left fielder we are in trouble.
Grade -- C
Shortstop Alex Gonzalez does not wait too long and signs for two years with the Blue Jays. Theo plucks free agent shortstop Marco Scutaro for two years. Scutaro is coming off of a career year in Toronto. He is just a stop gap until 20 year old, Cuban defector Jose Iglesias is ready. I like the acquisition. Scutaro is not as good defensively than Gonzalez but is a superior offensive player. The idea of going into the year hoping Jed Lowire would be healthy was not the most comforting thought. Scutaro will hit in the either the eight or nine hole in the line up.
Grade -- B
While the signing of Scutaro was almost expected, John Lackey joining the starting rotation was not. The Sox add the former Angels' ace with a five year contract worth $82.5 million. Lackey's career numbers are very similar to Josh Beckett's. A rotation of Lackey, Beckett, Jon Lester, Dice-K and Clay Buchholz with Tim Wakefield and Michael Bowden in reserve is baseball's best. There is speculation that Lackey's signing may pave the way for trading Buchholz to acquire a hitter (Adrian Gonzalez, Miguel Cabrera). Also with Beckett in the last year of his contract, Lackey gives the organization the option of not being cornered into re-signing Beckett.
Grade -- A-
Thirty-seven year old Mike Cameron was signed for two years, $15.5 million. Cameron is a Gold Glove outfielder with some pop in his bat and reportedly a great clubhouse guy . He does strike out a great deal. At worst, Cameron is the right handed part of the left field platoon. The guess is he gets more at bats than Heredia. Like Scutaro, Cameron is a bottom of the order guy. Again, there is speculation that this signing may result in another deal this time involving involving Jacoby Ellsbury. Cameron, though willing to play left field, is a center fielder by trade.
Grade -- C+
A couple of thoughts ....
As insurance if the club does not re-sign left fielder Jason Bay. The Sox traded lefty reliever Hunter Jones to the Marlins for underachieving outfielder Jeremy Heredia. This seems to be a low risk trade. If Heredia is the everyday left fielder we are in trouble.
Grade -- C
Shortstop Alex Gonzalez does not wait too long and signs for two years with the Blue Jays. Theo plucks free agent shortstop Marco Scutaro for two years. Scutaro is coming off of a career year in Toronto. He is just a stop gap until 20 year old, Cuban defector Jose Iglesias is ready. I like the acquisition. Scutaro is not as good defensively than Gonzalez but is a superior offensive player. The idea of going into the year hoping Jed Lowire would be healthy was not the most comforting thought. Scutaro will hit in the either the eight or nine hole in the line up.
Grade -- B
While the signing of Scutaro was almost expected, John Lackey joining the starting rotation was not. The Sox add the former Angels' ace with a five year contract worth $82.5 million. Lackey's career numbers are very similar to Josh Beckett's. A rotation of Lackey, Beckett, Jon Lester, Dice-K and Clay Buchholz with Tim Wakefield and Michael Bowden in reserve is baseball's best. There is speculation that Lackey's signing may pave the way for trading Buchholz to acquire a hitter (Adrian Gonzalez, Miguel Cabrera). Also with Beckett in the last year of his contract, Lackey gives the organization the option of not being cornered into re-signing Beckett.
Grade -- A-
Thirty-seven year old Mike Cameron was signed for two years, $15.5 million. Cameron is a Gold Glove outfielder with some pop in his bat and reportedly a great clubhouse guy . He does strike out a great deal. At worst, Cameron is the right handed part of the left field platoon. The guess is he gets more at bats than Heredia. Like Scutaro, Cameron is a bottom of the order guy. Again, there is speculation that this signing may result in another deal this time involving involving Jacoby Ellsbury. Cameron, though willing to play left field, is a center fielder by trade.
Grade -- C+
A couple of thoughts ....
- I would trade Buchholz and Ellsbury for Adrian Gonzalez only if a long term deal with the sweet hitting first baseman could be worked out. I am a big fan of Ellsbury's athleticism and potential. I am not sold on Buchholz. Gonzalez is a star and they cost something to get. He would give us a threesome of Kevin Youkilis, Gonzalez and Victor Martinez hitting in the middle of the line up.
- I like the idea of holding onto the promising minor leaguers like pitcher Casey Kelly, and outfielder Ryan Westmoreland. I realize they do not always pan out (consider the fall of Lars Anderson, and names from the past like Frankie Rodriguez, Andy Marte) but we must have faith in the farm system and the scouting department.
- "Me no likey" the idea of bringing back Johnny Damon. Ditto for signing free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre.
- I enjoyed watching Jason Bay for the last year and a half. The price was simply too high. His absence does leave a void in the line up. My advice to him is to not sign with the Mets. That franchise is where free agents sign and get bad.
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