Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

[Stu]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

That'd be interesting, especially since Shoppach is expendable with Tek in town for 4 more.

Exactly. I really don't expect Shoppach to be here after July 31, especially the way he's hitting this year. On many other teams he'd be in the majors right now.

[Stu]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Wow, we absolutely smoked Sabathia tonight. 9 runs in 5 innings, capped off by Tek's 3 run HR. He is just crushing the ball right handed this year.

[Thrasha]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

I was hoping to see a better outing from Wells, it's still been a mixed bag on what you're going to get from him from start to start.

[deeman11747]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

I was hoping to see a better outing from Wells, it's still been a mixed bag on what you're going to get from him from start to start.

I don't understand why Wells has been so inconsistent this year. He was pretty good in San iego last year but its not like hes trying to make a transition fron NL to AL. He's been an AL pitcher for the majority of his career.

He needs to turn it around because I don't think their staff will hold up all year without him.. especially if Schilling doesn't return to prime form which many think he won't after an ankle injury like this.

[Stu]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

I don't understand why Wells has been so inconsistent this year. He was pretty good in San iego last year but its not like hes trying to make a transition fron NL to AL. He's been an AL pitcher for the majority of his career.

He needs to turn it around because I don't think their staff will hold up all year without him.. especially if Schilling doesn't return to prime form which many think he won't after an ankle injury like this.

In fairness to Wells, his previous 2 starts were 15 shutout innings in which he allowed only 5 hits. He has been a part of 4 shutouts so far this year. Tonight wasn't a good outing, but I'll take 4 runs on his "off days" if he's throwing shutouts in between.

[CWood2]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Pulleeeease let this game be over.

This bullpen gives me chest pains.

[Stu]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Wow. The bullpen tried to give that one away. Foulke had no command of his changeup and they were crushing his fastball. Thank god for Damon's solo shot in the top of the 9th.

This was a big win tonight with both Baltimore and the Yankees losing.

[rsox]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

One trade we've yet to address that I feel is imminent...an upgrade at first. I feel very strongly that Kevin Millar could get traded before the deadline. Anyone heard anything on this? I know Theo is looking for arms for the pen, but I'm sure he's keeping an eye out for his future first baseman too if it presents itself. Not an urgent issue, but I'd be curious to see what Theo offers for a top prospect at 1B (someone blocked like Adrian Gonzalez in Texas or Ryan Howard in Philly) or a guy like Sean Casey or Paul Konerko if they're available.

(I like playing GM this time of year, my apologies )

The Chicago White Sox are the best team in baseball, so Paul Konerko will not be available. I think the Rangers will hold on to Gonzalez, they talked about trading Mark Texieira last winter and may entertain the idea again this winter (he is a free agent after next season and is represented by Scott Boras).
Sean Casey is an interesting possibility, Peter Gammons mentioned some weeks ago about the idea of Casey going to Boston, it makes the most sense that Casey would be traded--the Reds are going to unload players and would probably like to hold on to Adam Dunn and Wily Mo Pena. Austin Kearns' trade value may not be very high right now and it will be difficult for the Reds to move Ken Griffey Jr.'s contract.

Millar has probably bought some time with the Red Sox, since his horrible start Millar is hitting .429 in the month of june, so that takes pressure off finding another First Baseman because as has been mentioned several times Theo's top priorty needs to be the bullpen.

[Stu]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Damon must've been on OS and read us talking about his future with the Sox. LINK

He basically said that he'd consider taking less years, but it might mean more money. The question is, what does "more money" mean? At this point I think the best the Sox can do is 3/36 or 4/42-44. I really don't see them giving him a 5th year under any circumstances. Hopefully Damon will agree to something like that, but I kind of doubt it. Whether or not he's interested in going to NY, he will still use them to drive up his price, which they'll be more than happy to do.

The bottom line for the Red Sox is, we won't win next year or maybe the year after, without Damon. No player or combination of players can replace what he does for us in the leadoff role.

[Stu]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Wow, just heard on WEEI that the Red Sox promoted Dustin Pedroia to Pawtucket. Right now he's hitting .324, 8 HR's 40 RBI's with a .917 OPS for Portland. Seems like there isn't much left for him to prove in AA. I wonder if the plan is to see how he does against AAAA players in hopes of a Sept. callup to possibly replace Vazquez. Any thoughts?

[Beantown]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Is Hanley alreadu up at Pawtucket?

[Stu]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Is Hanley alreadu up at Pawtucket?

Nope. Hanley is on the DL with a strained back, as of June 11th. Another interesting note: Pedroia had a big hit in last nights Sea Dogs game, with Theo in attendance:

"Sea Dogs second baseman Dustin Pedroia, another prime prospect, tied the game in the eighth with a two-run homer off the message board in left-center."

http://sports.mainetoday.com/seadogs/stories/050622dogs.shtml

[Beantown]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

I just read both P's scouting reports for the first time(Pedroia and Papelbon) and damn, combined with Ramirez, Ellsbury and Hansen(once those two get started) we're going to have a strong team in the future. Add in Abe Alvarez and you got two guys who could easily be a great R-L combo in the rotation, plus a Damon-clone, a "potential 5-tool talent" in Hanley, and a guy like Pedroi in the lineup, with hansen Setting Up or closing out games...I'm pumped for a couple of years.

[Stu]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

I just read both P's scouting reports for the first time(Pedroia and Papelbon) and damn, combined with Ramirez, Ellsbury and Hansen(once those two get started) we're going to have a strong team in the future. Add in Abe Alvarez and you got two guys who could easily be a great R-L combo in the rotation, plus a Damon-clone, a "potential 5-tool talent" in Hanley, and a guy like Pedroi in the lineup, with hansen Setting Up or closing out games...I'm pumped for a couple of years.

Yup, things look promising right now. As we know, nobody is a sure thing and there could be trades, but you have to love how we've overhauled or minor league system in just a few years. Barring trades, I think Hanley, Pedroia, Papelbon, Hansen and possibly Lester will all have an opportunity to contribute on next years team.

[Misfit]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

A very nice win tonight. I was impressed with Embree when he got out of that bases loaded no-out jam without allowing a run, though I'll try and forget about his work the following inning. Nice to see guys like Olerud, Payton and Renteria contribute to a win. This team is starting to come together. If they can get some bullpen help and Schilling comes back strong they should have a good second half.