Running Red Sox thread

I have to figure he's not too far away from being called up.

 

it's gonna be interesting how they work Lester into the rotation. Tavarez, while not lights out, hasn't pitched badly. He's certainly given the team everything one could expect from a fifth starter. three hits and two runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Yankees at the stadium this week? if not for the four walks, he'd have dominated the Bombers and has beaten them twice in the Bronx. It won't be an easy decision to remove him from the rotation, but it'll be the right one. I'm guessing Tavarez gets traded. throw in Wily Mo and get a decent fourth outfielder.

 

I have to think that Tavarez gets a few more starts while they let Lester pitch in relief to get comfortable. Then, I'd say he's gone. They signed Tavarez as a reliever, so I'd say that's where he stays. He might get packaged, but I doubt it. Saw a thing in Olney's blog about them looking at trading Pena to teh Padres for some pitching. Kinda makes sense, I guess. I don't think that they'll bring Ellsbury up before Sept though because of the whole service time rule.

 

A thrid of the way in, let's see how we stack up.

SP - Schill, Wake, and Beckett are a pretty good 1,2,3 start. But we really need a leftty or 2 in there. So, let's say Lester and Papplebon round out the rotation. That's not too bad. I'd feel better if we got a lefty this winter though. I'm just not sold on Zito though.

Can't complain about the starters. Beckett needs to stay healthy though.

RP - God, what a mess. We need to get a good lefty middle guy. That really killed us last year. I guess that they could try to let Hansen close, but I wouldn't mind them thinking over the possibility of puttin Hansen in the rotation and keeping Paplebon at closer - although I'm not sure his shoulder can take it. That gives us Hansen, Tillman, Tavarez, Delclarman, and a couple of new guys. That's an awful lot of questions, right there.

Having Paplebon back in the pen has obviously been a big addition. Overall, I'd give our relievers a B. They have had a few meltdowns, but generally not in clutch situations. We should be getting Timlin back soon too.

C - Varitek and whoever can catch a knuckleballer. They need to let Tek have some extra off days though, because his injury absolutely KILLED the pitching staff last year.

Neither one has hit, but the cathers have to get a little credit for the job the pitching staff is doing, right?

1B - Youk has shown he can play, so we're set there. Pena can cover if needed.

At the risk of being a big, fat jinx - can you say breakout? I knew you could.

2B - I liked Loretta last year.

I like Pedroria this year. I'd also love to see him drop down and plunk ARod right in the motherfucking face.

3B - Lowell had a damn fine bounceback year. Can it continue? I wouldn't mind it at all if we got either a 1B or 3B as cover (meaning Youk moves to 3B)

Having a nice start. Needs to not go in the tank like he did last year.

SS - We have to upgrade on the offensive end. There are plenty of Lugo rumors out there. Boy, not signing Eckstein after 2004 is looking like a brilliant move, isn't it?

Heh. Not sold on Lugo.

RF - Trot's prolly gone - which bums me out. I guess Pena goes here.

Heh. Not sold on Drew.

CF - Coco needs to earn his money - and stay healthy. I say he'll be more settled this yaer and put up closer to his normal numbers.

Time to step it cereal boy.

LF - Manny. He's not going anywhere unless they tarde him for pennies on the dollar. And if they do that, I'm gonna be pissed.

Hasn't done crap and we are 16 games over .500. Looks like he's starting to heat up a little.

DH - Duh.

Just PApi being Papi.

Bench - Kapler, Pedroira, Cora - and who else. I guess they'll give some young guys a shot.

I'd give the bench an A-.

 

Tavarez may stay when Lester takes his spot in the rotation, but who gets demoted when he moves to the pen (keeping in mind Timlin will come back some day)? Donnelly and Okajima (and papelbon) aren't going anywhere. Kyle Snyder is out of options and wouldn't clear waivers. Romero and Lopez stay because they're the only lefties (other than Okajima) on the staff. that leaves pineiro and delcarmen. Pineiro is making $4 million this year so it would have to be Delcarmen and he just got the callup so they'll want to see what he can do. It may wind up being a copmpetition over the next couple weeks between Tavarez and Delcarmen. Either way, it appears Tavarez is auditioning for a job -- with Boston or some other team.

 

I'd agree with everything, except for the pen. with the exeption of Minnesota -- head and shoulders the best in the bigs -- Boston's bullpen is the best in the american league.

ERAs of the bullpen:

Okajima -- 0.79
Papelbon -- 1.65
Snyder -- 1.72
Romero -- 2.45
Lopez -- 2.89
Donnelly -- 4.50
Pineiro -- 5.89
Timlin -- 6.23

(Delcarmen is 0.00 but has only thrown one inning)

collectively, relievers have a 3.04 era, are 15-of-17 on saves and are allowing teams to hit just .239.

they're an A-minus at worst.

 

Yeah, that was funny. Maybe the first one was close but the second was the exact same pitch so Jeter knows it's a strike the second time. I think he was a little embarrassed that he took that pitch because he was clearly looking for JP to bust him up and in and was on his heels.

Like MikeNiner told me, Jeter arguing balls and strikes is about as big a joke as Jordan arguing he didn't get a call.

 

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Uh oh, Rexie. I don;t think this one's got the distance......

 

I wrote this on 5/1. Does it have the distance?