2009 Boston Red Sox

[CWood2]

Re: 2009 Boston Red Sox

At the game last night, and Dice got more boo's and mock cheers before we got an out than I can ever remember.

Dice K is really pitching his way out of favor in this town, and the ramifications of demoting him or even exploring a trade seem less of a PR nightmare because of his fledgling performance this year. Point blank, if he's not nibbling and pitching to avoid contact, he's getting hit HARD. The league is hitting .378 against him?!?! 18 wins last year seemed like magic with all the bases loaded jams he worked out of, but he still held hitters to a .211 BA.

Attempting to draw a conclusion, Dice K is either hurt, although his velocity doesn't suggest it. Or, he's failing miserably attempting to convert to the American style of pitching. He's leaving all his junk upstairs, and he can't locate his fastball.

Dice seems too talented to be this bad all year, and his trade value can't be all that high ... but I seriously wonder (out loud) what a team like Seattle would give to partner him with Ichiro and run him out in front of a high Asian fanbase behind Felix and Bedard? This rotation has so many options down the road with Clay, Bowden, and even a kid like Casey Kelly who pitched 6 innings of no hit ball in Portland after getting drafted just last year. If Dice doesn't figure it out - this year or next - a change of scenery may really be in the cards.

[Dispatch]

Re: 2009 Boston Red Sox



This is what happens when instead of participating in spring training Dice-K was throwing as hard as he could right out of the gate in exhibition games.

[SoxFan01605]

Re: 2009 Boston Red Sox

Well, Dice-K is now back on the DL with a "shoulder strain."

Let's hope they take their time with his rehab and try to make sure he's right before bringing him back up. Just gotta hope Smoltz looks strong at the MLB level and all will be well. Thank God for depth!

[Misfit]

Re: 2009 Boston Red Sox

At the game last night, and Dice got more boo's and mock cheers before we got an out than I can ever remember.

Dice K is really pitching his way out of favor in this town, and the ramifications of demoting him or even exploring a trade seem less of a PR nightmare because of his fledgling performance this year. Point blank, if he's not nibbling and pitching to avoid contact, he's getting hit HARD. The league is hitting .378 against him?!?! 18 wins last year seemed like magic with all the bases loaded jams he worked out of, but he still held hitters to a .211 BA.

Attempting to draw a conclusion, Dice K is either hurt, although his velocity doesn't suggest it. Or, he's failing miserably attempting to convert to the American style of pitching. He's leaving all his junk upstairs, and he can't locate his fastball.

Dice seems too talented to be this bad all year, and his trade value can't be all that high ... but I seriously wonder (out loud) what a team like Seattle would give to partner him with Ichiro and run him out in front of a high Asian fanbase behind Felix and Bedard? This rotation has so many options down the road with Clay, Bowden, and even a kid like Casey Kelly who pitched 6 innings of no hit ball in Portland after getting drafted just last year. If Dice doesn't figure it out - this year or next - a change of scenery may really be in the cards.

I floated the idea of trading Daisuke awhile ago. I don't think he's the type of pitcher the Sox thought he was going to be and doesn't fit the mold of what the Sox like. The Red Sox stress location with their pitchers in hopes of getting innings out of them and staying away from middle relief, which is usually the weakness of every Major League pitching staff. The problem is, Daisuke has a full no trade clause and no minor league options. His salary is reasonable, but he has so many absurd perks in his contract that some teams would likely be turned off.

I don't know what his issue is this year. Daisuke doesn't seem to think he's injured and he's probably right. The Red Sox are probably thrilled to find anything on an MRI to disable him for because he's just awful right now. His stuff has been a little inconsistent, bust mostly okay. His command has just been atrocious though and I don't think he has any confidence in his stuff. Fastballs getting hit have been belt-high and middle for the most part, and he's missing so badly with his slider that hitters can just sit on the heat. Against the Braves Friday he threw three straight change-ups to McClouth. I've never seen him even double-up on that pitch since he's been in a Red Sox uniform. Of course, all three were right down the middle and McClouth ended up getting a hit.

The only thing Daisuke can do is work it out. I suspect the Sox will have him rest for a few days then get him throwing and throwing often before sending him on a lengthy rehad assignment. If he doesn't show improved command during the rehab assignment then he likely ends up on the DL for a long time.

[Misfit]

Re: 2009 Boston Red Sox

Interleague play is over and the Sox went 11-7 against the NL. It was a bit annoying to see the Sox fail to get a sweep in each of the past 3 series after winning the first two games in each one, but oh well.

[Watson]

Re: 2009 Boston Red Sox

Wakefield was lights out last night.

[CWood2]

Re: 2009 Boston Red Sox

Browsing through mlbtraderumors.com and was intrigued by the following article:

Cote of the Miami Herald says the Marlins need to acquire a closer, even if it means giving up Cody Ross, Jeremy Hermida or Dan Uggla.

I know the Sox were very interested by Hermida last year in the Manny saga, as well as their big slugging prospect Stanton. Probably don't need any of these guys right now, but with Delcarmen, Bard, Saito and others that could do a better job closing than Lindstrom, I wonder if the Sox could get a young position player (which they're light on within their own system compared to the arms they have)?? And trading with a team in need generally yields a higher dividend.

Just an idea ... thoughts?

[Misfit]

Re: 2009 Boston Red Sox

It would be worth it to deal from a position of strength. Saito and Delcarmen are just league average middle relievers and if someone like Hermida could be acquired for one of them that would be great (I don't think the Sox would have any interest in Uggla).

It would of course, help if Delcarmen was actually pitching well but he's having his worst season as a pro. His strikeout rate is way down and his hits are up. The ERA still looks good because it seems like he always gets called in with runners on base and he's able to let those guys score, but his men usually do not. One thing you can count on in the second half is more high-leverage innings from Daniel Bard. It's time to find out what this kid can do. Papelbon, Okajima, and Ramirez are the foundation of what has been the best bullpen in the league so far and if Bard can break out and make this a threesome a foursome that would be more than ideal. The Sox also have options at Triple A if Masterson and Delcarmen continue their nose-dives.

[SoxFan01605]

Re: 2009 Boston Red Sox

I'm not sure any scenario with those players is particularly intriguing to the Sox. I'd agree that Hermida would be the best choice, but still not really a needed fit at this point. I'd prefer they parlay a couple guys into SS help and/or a corner IF in case Lowell can't go.

I know they've window shopped the corner IF market, so I'm curious as to what they'll try to pull of, if anything.

[Misfit]

Re: 2009 Boston Red Sox

Lowell will be the storyline going into the second half. If he's experiencing discomfort in his hip then something will have to be done to acquire a bat. Even if Kotsay hits and plays a solid first, he can't be counted on to remain healthy and I'm not crazy about an everyday infield that includes both Nick Green and Julio Lugo.

Great way to go into the break though, with Beckett firing the 3-hitter. He's really rebounded well after that dreadful April and hopefully he (and Lester) can continue their effective pitching. At this point we know what to expect with Wakefield and I think we know what Penny can do as well. The jury is still out on Smoltz but we get our first look at the Clay Buchholz of 2009 next friday when he takes the hill at Toronto. Injuries seem like the biggest obstacle for this ball club going forward. When healthy this is a complete team that can win games in a variety of ways. If the team has a hole its really in that there isn't the one superstar slugger that really strikes fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers. Youkilis has certainly turned out better than I think anyone expected, and Bay will hit his share over the fence, but there really isn't that one guy teams have to gameplan for anymore. Ortiz used to be that guy but those days are gone. Since guys like that are hard to find, the Sox won't be adding a big bat but this is an offense that can win a lot of games. Plus the rotation is what really matters. If everyone stays healthy and performs up to expectations there's no reason why this club can't win the East and be a factor in October (and November).

[Misfit]

Re: 2009 Boston Red Sox

Well, Lugo's gone. How are we feeling about that? I'm mostly indifferent. He seemed like a likable guy, he was just overpaid and not very good at his job. I bet he would make a good second baseman for someone, but the Sox obviously have no need for a second baseman. A lot of how people feel about him will change over the next few weeks with Lowrie's performance. If he produces, people will be happy, if he continues to struggle at the plate (particularly with right-handed pitching) then some might question the move. Green surely will continue to regress to the hitter he has always been, but if his defense remains consistent he and Lowrie should be able to form a respectable platoon for the Sox going forward. As for Lugo, I hope he gets a shot elsewhere. He did help the team win a World Series. It's just too bad he got hurt this spring and watched his range enter the Giambi zone otherwise I think he would still be on the team.

[Misfit]

Re: 2009 Boston Red Sox

Buchholz was solid, if unspectacular tonight. He went 5.2, allowed 4 hits, walked 3, and struck out 3. I would like to see a better K:BB ratio but given it was his first start knowing it was just going to be one I'll give him a pass. His fastball and change-up command was good and better than it was a year ago or in '07. He never got either of his breaking pitches going but I liked that Varitek made him keep throwing them to keep the hitters honest. When he did get into trouble it was because he fell behind in the count (or Overbay was at the plate, who recorded 3 hits against Buchholz tonight).

I can't really judge a guy off of 5.2 innings, but if I were to do just that I would say he's certainly good enough to pitch at the back of a rotation right now. And really, that's where I'd like to see him so he can get some development time at the Major League level which could pay dividends as early as next year. If I'm a member of the Red Sox FO I'm watching his next start at Triple A very carefully and grading him solely on his fastball command and the quality of each pitch. Presumably, the FO has been watching him all year so it should have an idea of how well his command has been this year and if its good enough, Penny becomes expendable. This is of course assuming Smoltz continues to improve. If Smoltz looks like crap his next two outings before the trade deadline then the Red Sox will have to consider letting him go.

[SoxFan01605]

Re: 2009 Boston Red Sox

Well, Lugo's gone. How are we feeling about that? I'm mostly indifferent. He seemed like a likable guy, he was just overpaid and not very good at his job. I bet he would make a good second baseman for someone, but the Sox obviously have no need for a second baseman. A lot of how people feel about him will change over the next few weeks with Lowrie's performance. If he produces, people will be happy, if he continues to struggle at the plate (particularly with right-handed pitching) then some might question the move. Green surely will continue to regress to the hitter he has always been, but if his defense remains consistent he and Lowrie should be able to form a respectable platoon for the Sox going forward. As for Lugo, I hope he gets a shot elsewhere. He did help the team win a World Series. It's just too bad he got hurt this spring and watched his range enter the Giambi zone otherwise I think he would still be on the team.

I'm mostly indifferent as well, but to be honest they never got what they paid for. They knew he was a defensive wreck, but his bat never really showed up like expected during his time there either.

I don't think Lowrie's performance will make too much difference in how he's viewed. He's a system kid coming off an injury, meaning he'll get more leeway anyway.

I'm still not sold on our SS situation. I would still like them to explore the option of at least a mid-level platoon type SS, but we'll see.

What a roller coaster start for my emotions...lol. If you would've told me that we'd be relying on Nick green at SS, Ortiz would be in a 2 month coma to start the year, Lopez would be gone, Lester and Becket would start slow, and we'd get nothing to this point from Matsuzaka and STILL hold a 3 game lead in the division, I would have laughed in your face. Thank goodness for depth.

[Misfit]

Re: 2009 Boston Red Sox

Wakefield to the DL with a strained back, Buchholz to start in his place. While I don't like to see Wake get hurt, this could be a good thing. Buchholz gets an extended audition following his solid outing in Toronto last Friday and if Penny or Smoltz continue to be ineffective it will make a decision to replace one with Buchholz much easier. I'd love to see Smoltz succeed but I have my doubts. He has failed to impress much in his 5 starts and if Buchholz can be as successful at the Major League level as he has been at Triple A this year then one cannot justify sending out a less effective starter in a pennant race.

[RSnation15]

Re: 2009 Boston Red Sox

as for me i would like the Sox to shock the baseball world by giving into Toronto and saying what ever you want for Halladay is what we'll pay cause if the Sox could pull off a trade like that and set up a rotation with the first three guys Beckett , Lester , Halladay that is a pretty impressive order so i would say that Boston should at least offer Clay Buchholz , Brad Penny , Julio Lugo , and see how Toronto reacts and if Boston gets to toronto before New York can then the rest of the season looks pretty good