2008 Boston Red Sox

[Stu]

I guess it's time to start this thread now that we actually have some news to talk about.

- Sounds like Manny is having a great off-season. I'll never understand how this guy takes so much criticism for being lazy when all everyone in the know talks about how great his work ethic is. http://www.boston.com/sports/basebal...motion/?page=1

- Thoughts on the Schilling shoulder saga? At this point I'll be surprised if he pitches again for us. After hearing Dr Morgan this morning on WEEI it sounds like his arm is ready to fall off and he'll never pitch again without surgery. The Red Sox don't seem patient enough to let him get the surgery. This hurts our depth somewhat, especially come playoff time, but Schill wasn't going to be much more than a 4th starter this year. I think we all expected him to miss a few months at some point so it might as well be the beginning of the season.

[Stu]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

Manny is a bad man...

[EnigmaNemesis]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

Read this article about an hour ago. Good stuff!

He is a "bad man"!

[Misfit]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

Some people are trying to spin the Schilling injury as a blessing in disguise because it opens up a spot in the rotation for Bucchholz but I don't see it that way. Anything that weakens pitching depth is a negative and for the first time in a few years the Red Sox don't really have a guy in Pawtucket who can be an emergency starter (granted, no one thought much of Gabbard until he was promoted for a spot start). Judging from the reports from his doctor it sounds like his only chance is to get surgery. If I'm the Sox, I just let him have surgery and hope that he can serve as a late season pick-up if he experiences little or no setbacks. However, it seems like they want to just rehab it so we'll just wait and see.

Might as well also take a moment to say that I love the Sean Casey signing. A veteran left-handed bat who can spell Youk and won't mess up the clubhouse chemistry one bit. Surely he'll improve on that barely over .200 batting average the Sox got out of Hinske last year.

[EnigmaNemesis]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

Some people are trying to spin the Schilling injury as a blessing in disguise because it opens up a spot in the rotation for Bucchholz but I don't see it that way. Anything that weakens pitching depth is a negative and for the first time in a few years the Red Sox don't really have a guy in Pawtucket who can be an emergency starter (granted, no one thought much of Gabbard until he was promoted for a spot start). Judging from the reports from his doctor it sounds like his only chance is to get surgery. If I'm the Sox, I just let him have surgery and hope that he can serve as a late season pick-up if he experiences little or no setbacks. However, it seems like they want to just rehab it so we'll just wait and see.

Might as well also take a moment to say that I love the Sean Casey signing. A veteran left-handed bat who can spell Youk and won't mess up the clubhouse chemistry one bit. Surely he'll improve on that barely over .200 batting average the Sox got out of Hinske last year.

/agree

I do think that Schilling wont hurt the Sox as far as winning. Depth is always good, but it isn't a huge blow with what pitching there is. And Tavarez was decent in spot starts compared to every 5th turn. He seems to excel if they need a guy to start an odd day. I am sure they will get things straightened out.

I agree about the Casey thing as well. They have Keilty back too, so expect Coco to be traded (for pitching now obviously).

[oakfan162]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

I don't see Shilling ever throwing another pitch in a pro game, which is a shame, hes a great pitcher, still. IMO. But I don't think it should hurt the Sox, they have lots of depth.

[Misfit]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

Francona signed a three-year extention today that also has a pair of option years and the Red Sox signed Bartolo Colon to a minor league deal. Francona deserved the extention after winning two World Series Championships in four years. Colon is a good signing since the money should be small and the Sox could use an innings eater. I don't expect to see much of Colon but if he's healthy and throwing better than he was last year he could prove to be a valuable signing as he's a guy they could send out there as a fifth starter for a time to keep Buccholz's innings down.

[tWoSour]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

I like the Colon signing. I don't see him making much of an impact, but its so low risk that its worth it.

Real happy about getting Tito's deal done, it took longer than it should have.

[SoxFan01605]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

I like the Colon signing. I don't see him making much of an impact, but its so low risk that its worth it.

Real happy about getting Tito's deal done, it took longer than it should have.

100& agreed. Tito is to the Sox now, what Joe Torre was to the Yanks in the late 90's. Great Chemistry guy-knows how to keep his players happy and hungry, handles the pressure and media craze brilliantly, and, of course, the big wins. Plus, in all honesty, I think Tito's a much better game manager and handles his bullpen and bench much better than Joe did (not knocking Torre, I think he's still great, but the guy could destroy a bullpen...lol).

As for Colon, I think the minor league contract is a brilliant move. If he's right, he's a monster. If he's not, they don't lose sleep over a bad deal.

I still can't believe I actually agree with most of the managements decisions (I'll withold opinion on JD Drew until I see him play this year...not a big fan of that deal, for the money). I remember a day, not too long ago, when I thought everything the Sox did was stupid and I hated life...lol. Still adjusting to winning I guess

[Stu]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

Anybody see the Big Papi pics from the Red Sox White House visit? Hilarious

[RockyTop1]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

hahaha, that's great

[Beantown]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

Papelbon isn't very happy at the moment.

He wants a lot more money and, while I'm sure the Sox will end up paying him, they haven't quite yet and according to Papelbon they "aren't seeing eye to eye"

[Stu]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

Papelbon isn't very happy at the moment.

He wants a lot more money and, while I'm sure the Sox will end up paying him, they haven't quite yet and according to Papelbon they "aren't seeing eye to eye"

Unfortunately for Papelbon he doesn't have any negotiating power. The Red Sox aren't going to pay him until they have to. He's going through the same thing every other successful young player does.

[Beantown]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

The Sox have sold out 66 straight Spring Training games at Fort Myers...that's ridiculous.

Ellsbury looks good in the field so far in this game Vs the DOdgers (on ESPN right now). And I think the Sean Casey signing is going to be a big one this season for the Sox.

[Misfit]

Re: 2008 Boston Red Sox

Unfortunately for Papelbon he doesn't have any negotiating power. The Red Sox aren't going to pay him until they have to. He's going through the same thing every other successful young player does.

He's gotta pay his dues, just like everyone else.

I haven't seen any of the Sox spring training games yet. NESN seems to be broadcasting fewer and fewer each year. At least the season starts a week early for the Sox. And it actually works out well for me with them opening in Japan as I'll be able to get up and watch the game before I go to work.