Well as the trading deadlines nears at 4pm today, there are a plethora of rumors swirling around the baseball world. Yesterday saw plenty of action. as the most sought after player Mark Teixeira was traded to the Atlanta Braves, along with Ron Mahay for Jarrod Saltalamacchia and three minor leaguers, most notably Elvis Andrus. The Sox had been rumored to be interested in Saltalamacchia as a backup to V-tek.
The most persistent rumors have the Sox very interested in Jermaine Dye of the White Sox, this would give they a power right hand bat, and another outfielder. Apparently the Sox have told him that he would play 5 days a week. So it looks like J.D. Drew won't be playing against any lefties anymore and speaks volumes to what a mistake the contract they gave Drew, when just 2/3 of a season into his 5 year deal they are looking for backup. Dye struggled earlier in the year but has been much better since the all-star break he's hitting .250 but has 8 home runs and has driven in 17 and scored 18 runs. The chips to Sox will have to give to get this trade done have gone back in forth, but the lastest would see Wily Mo Pena and a pitcher (Manny Delcarmen, Jon Lester, or Michael Bowden). I would give up Delcarmen if we are able to pry Gagne away from Texas if not I would prefer to see Kason Gabbard traded over Lester. I think this is a deal that will get done, the Sox have been persistent in trying to make this work.
The other big name the Sox are interested in is Eric Gagne, this would be a great pickup especially considered the uncertainty of health in the bullpen, with Timlin's achy shoulder, Donnelly arm, and the youth of Delcarmen. There are several things that could hold up this deal, as Gagne would have to waive his no trade clause as well as be a set-up man, something that he didn't want to do. The other teams actively seeking Gagne are the Yankees (he doesn't have a no trade clause with them), Mets (he doesn't have a no trade clause with them) and the Brewers. Rumors have the Sox being the front-runners here. The Sox would have to give up CF Jacoby Ellsbury and top pitching prospect Michael Bowden or Justin Masterton to pry Gagne away. The price seems a bit steep and I don't see the Sox parting with Ellsbury for a rent a player. .
I think the Sox will make at least one of these moves, if not both. They need another right hand arm in the pen, so if they don't get Gagne they need to work out another deal to get some right arm help. If I had to chose between Dye or Gagne, I would take Gagne in a second. As they always say pitching and defense win championships. I think our offense could survive without another power bat. If they don't get Dye, then I would expect another Utility OF to be added, someone like Bobby Kielty.
One thing is for sure the trading deadline is a great time for baseball fans, as they wait on the edge of their seats hoping there favorite team makes a huge move that will propel them into the playoffs and to the world series title. Even for those teams out of the race, it's a time to acquire fresh new talent that one day might lead them to the promise land.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Manny & Wily Mo power up....
The Red Sox finished off their 4 game set with the Cleveland Indians with a 14-9 win in a slug fest at the Jake. The Sox were paced by the red hot Manny Ramirez. Manny is hitting .434 with 6 HRS, 19RBI'S in 15 games since the All-Star break. It looked like this might be the year that Manny didn't get 30HRS and 100 RBI's but at this rate, he looks to be back on track. Right now he is on pace for 27HRS & 103 RBI'S. His offense has certainly been a welcome boost to the Sox lineup, as they continue to pound out the hits. They have 5 guys hitting over .300 in the lineup, those guys make up the 2-6 hitters, talk about a lineup a pitcher doesn't want to face right now, especially with the way Coco and Lugo have been hitting lately.
Highlights of last night's 14-9 victory
*Manny hits 2HR's, his 49th career game with 2 or more jacks. His home run in the 2nd was the third longest in history at the Jake, it went an estimated 481 FT, a true monster shot to straight away center. His HR in the 8th was again to straightway center. When Manny's hitting to ball to center you know he's going well, that's 3 HR's in the last week that have gone out that way.
* Wily Mo Pena, with trade rumors swirling around, he had one of his best offense nights of the year, 4-5 with 4 RBI'S & 2R's. Apparently the Cleveland pitching staff didn't listen to their scouts or their scouts are just that bad, because they threw Wily fastball after fastball and he kept smashing the ball all over the park. He saw more fastballs last night than he has all season, to his credit he was swinging early and made solid contact. It's crazy how much power this guy actually has, when he connects with a baseball the ball just flies off his bat. I am sure Theo was licking his lips after a performance like that last night, his trade value just went up from 0 to a 1. It's clear that playing time is what Wily Mo needs, something that he has never really had the chance to do since he played 110 games in 2004 with Cincinnati. It may be worth some small market team to take a chance on him, with regular playing time, he should produce 30 HRS a year.
*Curt Schilling in his rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket last night was outstanding, 5 innings, 8k's only gave up 2 hits, walked none on 66 pitches. Schilling looks like he is well on his way to coming back and being a lights pitcher, One more rehab start to extend his arm out and he'll be back on Aug 6th to face the Angels.
Other news
Kason Gabbard was cruising through the game having retired 13 of 14 batters, but ran into a blip, where he lost control and starting giving hits and never made it out of the 5th, so he wasn't eligible for the win. This type of performance may open the door for Jon Lester, or make the Sox more inclined to deal Gabbard at the deadline. I think it's clear to the Sox that the upside of Gabbard is not great compared to other arms they have in the minors (Bucholz, Bowden), they may sell now with his value being at it's high point.
The Sox are 7.5 games up, and have the best record in the majors 62-40 as the head for the Trop and the great pitching of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Let's hope the offense keeps going against these guys. We have to face Kazmir on Sunday.
Highlights of last night's 14-9 victory
*Manny hits 2HR's, his 49th career game with 2 or more jacks. His home run in the 2nd was the third longest in history at the Jake, it went an estimated 481 FT, a true monster shot to straight away center. His HR in the 8th was again to straightway center. When Manny's hitting to ball to center you know he's going well, that's 3 HR's in the last week that have gone out that way.
* Wily Mo Pena, with trade rumors swirling around, he had one of his best offense nights of the year, 4-5 with 4 RBI'S & 2R's. Apparently the Cleveland pitching staff didn't listen to their scouts or their scouts are just that bad, because they threw Wily fastball after fastball and he kept smashing the ball all over the park. He saw more fastballs last night than he has all season, to his credit he was swinging early and made solid contact. It's crazy how much power this guy actually has, when he connects with a baseball the ball just flies off his bat. I am sure Theo was licking his lips after a performance like that last night, his trade value just went up from 0 to a 1. It's clear that playing time is what Wily Mo needs, something that he has never really had the chance to do since he played 110 games in 2004 with Cincinnati. It may be worth some small market team to take a chance on him, with regular playing time, he should produce 30 HRS a year.
*Curt Schilling in his rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket last night was outstanding, 5 innings, 8k's only gave up 2 hits, walked none on 66 pitches. Schilling looks like he is well on his way to coming back and being a lights pitcher, One more rehab start to extend his arm out and he'll be back on Aug 6th to face the Angels.
Other news
Kason Gabbard was cruising through the game having retired 13 of 14 batters, but ran into a blip, where he lost control and starting giving hits and never made it out of the 5th, so he wasn't eligible for the win. This type of performance may open the door for Jon Lester, or make the Sox more inclined to deal Gabbard at the deadline. I think it's clear to the Sox that the upside of Gabbard is not great compared to other arms they have in the minors (Bucholz, Bowden), they may sell now with his value being at it's high point.
The Sox are 7.5 games up, and have the best record in the majors 62-40 as the head for the Trop and the great pitching of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Let's hope the offense keeps going against these guys. We have to face Kazmir on Sunday.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Welcome back Jon Lester
Last night was the return of Jon Lester to the big league, a little less than year after he was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The emotions were running high in Cleveland last night, and Lester was outstanding in his return to the mound, pitching 6 innings and limiting the dangerous Cleveland lineup to 2 runs on 5 hits, while striking out 6.
The return of Lester is great news for the Sox, it will give them 6 starters once Curt Schilling returns from the DL in 7-10 days. Will Lester stay up with the big club or will he return to the minors? If last night was any indication it maybe the former. Will the Sox now use Kason Gabbard's hot streak and dangle him as trade bait as the July 31st deadline approaches? Only time will time how the Red Sox will treat this situation, but Lester's return is another boost in the arm. With The Yankees tearing the cover off the baseball and on a hot streak winning 9 out of their last 11, getting a boost from Lester is just what the doctor ordered.
Aside from the emotion of Lester's return, the Red Sox offense continued its hot hitting in the first inning, as they jumped out to the 4-0 before Lester even threw a pitch, I am sure that helped calm the nerves. For the second straight day, the Sox made a pitcher work overtime in the first, as Jake Westbrook threw 33 pitches, the same number that White Sox starter, Jon Garland threw on Sunday. Manny Ramirez delivered against his former team with a two run double, giving him 7rbi's in the last 7 games, and 15 over his last 12.
Lester only blip on the scoreboard was a 2 run home run surrendered to Grady Sizemore in the third. Lester's fastball was his money pitch all night as he was able to throw it by the Cleveland hitters all night. In the 4th inning, Lester struggled with his command, allowing the base loaded with only one out, on a double and two walks. As he often did last season, its seems he gets better with more runners on base, he was able to escape the inning unscathed as he retired Josh Barfield on a slow come backer and a huge strikeout of Sizemore to end the inning with the sacks full of Indians.
The offense star of the night was the red hot Coco Crisp, who was facing his former team for the first time back in Cleveland, Coco went 4-5 on the night from the lead off spot and scored 3 times. He is 10 for his last 15 and his OPS is up to .756. Over the last 30 days Coco is hitting as well .384, I think it's safe to say he's out of his slump
A great night all around for the Red Sox, Jon Lester was triumphant in his return from cancer and the Sox picked up their league leading 60th win. The Sox are on a 4 game winning streak heading into tonight's premier pitching match-up of the series between Dice-K and C.C. Sabathia.
The return of Lester is great news for the Sox, it will give them 6 starters once Curt Schilling returns from the DL in 7-10 days. Will Lester stay up with the big club or will he return to the minors? If last night was any indication it maybe the former. Will the Sox now use Kason Gabbard's hot streak and dangle him as trade bait as the July 31st deadline approaches? Only time will time how the Red Sox will treat this situation, but Lester's return is another boost in the arm. With The Yankees tearing the cover off the baseball and on a hot streak winning 9 out of their last 11, getting a boost from Lester is just what the doctor ordered.
Aside from the emotion of Lester's return, the Red Sox offense continued its hot hitting in the first inning, as they jumped out to the 4-0 before Lester even threw a pitch, I am sure that helped calm the nerves. For the second straight day, the Sox made a pitcher work overtime in the first, as Jake Westbrook threw 33 pitches, the same number that White Sox starter, Jon Garland threw on Sunday. Manny Ramirez delivered against his former team with a two run double, giving him 7rbi's in the last 7 games, and 15 over his last 12.
Lester only blip on the scoreboard was a 2 run home run surrendered to Grady Sizemore in the third. Lester's fastball was his money pitch all night as he was able to throw it by the Cleveland hitters all night. In the 4th inning, Lester struggled with his command, allowing the base loaded with only one out, on a double and two walks. As he often did last season, its seems he gets better with more runners on base, he was able to escape the inning unscathed as he retired Josh Barfield on a slow come backer and a huge strikeout of Sizemore to end the inning with the sacks full of Indians.
The offense star of the night was the red hot Coco Crisp, who was facing his former team for the first time back in Cleveland, Coco went 4-5 on the night from the lead off spot and scored 3 times. He is 10 for his last 15 and his OPS is up to .756. Over the last 30 days Coco is hitting as well .384, I think it's safe to say he's out of his slump
A great night all around for the Red Sox, Jon Lester was triumphant in his return from cancer and the Sox picked up their league leading 60th win. The Sox are on a 4 game winning streak heading into tonight's premier pitching match-up of the series between Dice-K and C.C. Sabathia.
Monday, July 23, 2007
The cars that the Sox drive
Got the opportunity to catch my first Sox game of the year yesterday, 8-5 win over the White Sox. Got to the park early and had the opportunity to see many of the players arrive, they certainly are driving some nice rides. Papelbon took the cake with his yellow Lamborghini, Dice-K's Bentley was pretty sweet as well. Not pictured here, but Mike Timlin gets the award for most down to earth car, a Ford Explorer. Check out some of them.
J.D. Drew's H2 Hummer
Varitek's Volvo
Papi's Escalade
Coco's H3 Hummer
Pedroia's H2 Hummer
Papelbon's Lamborghini
Dice-K's Bentley
J.D. Drew's H2 Hummer
Varitek's Volvo
Papi's Escalade
Coco's H3 Hummer
Pedroia's H2 Hummer
Papelbon's Lamborghini
Dice-K's Bentley
Sox heat up.....the bats have awoken
Well, as gloom and doom as the first part of last week was for the Sox, it ended on a positive note as they have now won 3 in a row, after taking 3 out of 4 from the Chicago White Sox. They finished off the longest home stand of the season, 6-5. The lead in the East stands at 7 1/2 games, as the Yankees tore apart the weakest pitching staff in baseball for 49 runs in three games, glad the Red Sox have 15 more against the D-Rays. Also, Jon Lester will be called up to start on Monday in Cleveland, his first MLB action since being diagnosed with Cancer last year, he will be taking Julian Tavarez spot in the rotation.
Highlights from the weekend
*Beckett gets win #13 in a 10-3 stomping of former Yankee Jose Contreras. Beckett had 10k's, his only blemish was a three run homer to Jim Thome. This game set the tone for the series. J.D. Drew hit what was an apparent three run homer in the first, however the umpires saw it differently, saying it went high off the wall. One run scored but Manny was thrown out at the plate. Tito came out to argue the call, but to no avail, he ended up getting tossed. Couple this with a pre-game closed door meeting, where Tito told the team to relax, I would call this great coaching. Getting kicked out lit a fire under the Sox and it continued burning all weekend. Coco's triple in the 5th proved to be the game winner, as he laced a ball down the first base line into the tricky right field corner to clear the bases. One negative of the 5th was Big Papi trying to stretch a single into a double, he got thrown out and to add insult he jammed his shoulder , which cost him the rest of the series and it looks like a couple more games this week. The Sox finished off Contreras in the 8th, with Julio Lugo grand slam.
J.D. Drew went 2-4, but red hot Julio Lugo was the hitting star 3-4, 4Rbi's, 2 Runs and a steal, how we were throwing him under the bus not so long ago! The Sox offense once again pound out 10 hits.
*Gabbard pitches another beauty, he now 4-0 and has made a real case to remain in the starting rotation when Schilling returns. Hegave up only 3 hits and retired 15 of 21 batters via the ground ball. Behind the offense surge of Coco Crisp the Sox pummeled the White Sox 11-2 for the victory. Crisp has been on fire the last month of the season, hitting a robust .370 and finally showing the reason why Theo traded for the speedy center fielder. He drove in a career high tying 5 runs, as he came to bat with the bases loaded three times during the game. Twice he delivered the key hit with 2 outs. The Sox finally figured out to score with RISP, as they have struggled in this situation all year. In this game alone they were 5-12 with 11 Rbi's!!! 11 more hits
*The Sox finished off the home stand with another victory 8-5, behind 6 1/3 solid innings from Wakefield, as he improved to 11-9 on the season. The game was well in hand 8-1 in the 6th, when things got a bit shaky.
The Sox really made White Sox starter Jon Garland work in the first, Lugo worked an 8 pitch walk, Cora fouled off pitch after pitch, a 9 pitch a bat before being retied on a nice play by Alex Cintron at second base. Youk worked another walk (8 pitches). Then Manny crushed a home run to deep right into the Sox bullpen for a quick 3-0 lead. Manny has owned Garland in his career hitting over .500 against him with now his 3rd home run.
The Sox finished off Garland in the 5th, with Mike Lowell delivering the knockout punch with his 15th home run of the season, a line shot into the monster seats for a 6-1 Sox lead. The Sox added some more insurance in the 6th, on a Youkilis sac fly and a single by Manny, his 4th rbi of the game. Wakefield in the 7th gave up a single to AJ Pierzynski and then a ringing double to left from Jermaine Dye, after a sac fly to make it 8-2, Josh Fields added another single that plated Dye to make it 6-3, that was it for Wakefield and on came Manny Delcarmen. Delcarmen has been awesome of late but today showed he was human and why he struggled so much last year, he had major control issues, after a single to Juan Uribe, he walked Jerry Owens to load the bases. Cintron followed with a single and then Jim Thome was walked on 4 pitches to make it 8-5, with only one out and the bases still loaded and the ever dangerous Paul Konerko coming up. Manny got tough and retired Konerko on a pop-up to first, Okijima came on a struck out Pierzynski to end the threat. Papelbon came on in the 9th to close things out, he was greeted with back to back singles and then walked Alex Cintron to load the bases with no one out and the heart of the White Sox order coming up. Not the way it was planned out, but Paps showed why he is so good, as he came back to over power Thome striking him out of three straight fastballs. He then got Konerko to ground into the game ending double play and the near disaster was advert for save number 22. The Sox get 10 hits once again.
The Sox with RISP the final three games of series were 13-31 with 28 rbi's, that's getting the job done.
Check out these guys stats this weekend
Coco Crisp 8-17 8 rbi's 2 runs, mostly from either the 7th or 8th position
Julio Lugo 6-16 5 rbi's, 4 runs, 5 walks
Manny R. 5-13, 4 rbi's, 5 runs
Lowell 4-13, 4 rbi's, 5 runs'
Fun Stat
Only once in the last 11 games have the Red Sox failed to get 10 hits in a game
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Another one run loss for the Red Sox
This season is slowly turning into a carbon copy of last year, while the injury bug has hit us hard it hasn't been as bad as last year yet. The Sox are 20-23 in their games since June 1st. They are 3-7 in their last ten, and are off to a 3-4 start on this home stand that was suppose to be opportunity to play better ball. Losing a series to the Royals topped it off last night, couple that with the Yankees trumping over the Blue Jays and a 5 game win streak, the lead in the AL East is down to 7, and is only 6 in the loss column. Panic time? not yet but another series loss to the White Sox this weekend and for sure Red Sox nation will be reminded of 1978 all over again.
The club is starting to feel the pressure, you could see it several times in last night's game. Pedroia getting thrown out at first on a close play, Youkilis getting robbed in the 7th on a nice play by Grudzielanek that would have brought across the tying run. Then in the 8th Coco Crisp bomb to right that missed a home run by a foot and a half. Their reaction during the game and especially afterwards gives you an idea that this club is feeling the pressure that is the NY Yankees. Both Coco Crisp and Julio Lugo made comments about the Yankees.
The lack of offense doesn't seem to be the issue since the All-Star game, the offense has been getting 10 hits a night for the past 9 nights, and we only have 3 wins to show for it. We continue to lose one run games, and the Sox are 1-33 when losing after 8. The Cleveland Indians on the other hand have 28 come from behind wins, with 16 in their last at bats. This team is 3-33 in the 7th or later in these one run games in their last 17 games, Manny is 0-12 in the 9th in one run games on the season, while Papi is just 3-12. The lack of clutch hitting is killing this team, along with the ineffectiveness of J.D. Drew, who we are paying $14 million a year.
It's time for Tavarez to be taken out of the starting pitchers role, give someone else a chance. The Sox need to make a move at the deadline, they need another Outfield bat. Jermaine Dye and Ken Griffey Jr are names that have been thrown around, but I doubt the Sox will be able to get those guys, especially since they won't be playing everyday.
The White Sox are in town this weekend, let's hope we can get this ship back sailing in the right direction. I'll be at Sunday game, my first of the season. Dice-K and Beckett need to step it up and be the front line pitchers they are, the pressure is on and pretty soon this large lead is going to be no longer....
The club is starting to feel the pressure, you could see it several times in last night's game. Pedroia getting thrown out at first on a close play, Youkilis getting robbed in the 7th on a nice play by Grudzielanek that would have brought across the tying run. Then in the 8th Coco Crisp bomb to right that missed a home run by a foot and a half. Their reaction during the game and especially afterwards gives you an idea that this club is feeling the pressure that is the NY Yankees. Both Coco Crisp and Julio Lugo made comments about the Yankees.
The lack of offense doesn't seem to be the issue since the All-Star game, the offense has been getting 10 hits a night for the past 9 nights, and we only have 3 wins to show for it. We continue to lose one run games, and the Sox are 1-33 when losing after 8. The Cleveland Indians on the other hand have 28 come from behind wins, with 16 in their last at bats. This team is 3-33 in the 7th or later in these one run games in their last 17 games, Manny is 0-12 in the 9th in one run games on the season, while Papi is just 3-12. The lack of clutch hitting is killing this team, along with the ineffectiveness of J.D. Drew, who we are paying $14 million a year.
It's time for Tavarez to be taken out of the starting pitchers role, give someone else a chance. The Sox need to make a move at the deadline, they need another Outfield bat. Jermaine Dye and Ken Griffey Jr are names that have been thrown around, but I doubt the Sox will be able to get those guys, especially since they won't be playing everyday.
The White Sox are in town this weekend, let's hope we can get this ship back sailing in the right direction. I'll be at Sunday game, my first of the season. Dice-K and Beckett need to step it up and be the front line pitchers they are, the pressure is on and pretty soon this large lead is going to be no longer....
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
The lead is shrinking....
Don't look now but the lead in AL East is down to 8 games as The Red Sox continue to play .500 ball over their last 40 games. With The Royals in town, the Sox had a chance to get on a long winning streak and with the White Sox coming to town this weekend, expand there lead. However, the Sox continue to frustrate, banging out 12 hits last night but only scoring 3 runs, while they gave up 9 runs. While over in the Bronx, The Yankees are hot again as they got a great effort from Mike Mussina last night 7IP 1ER, and managed to win the game in extra innings after surviving another awful performance from Kyle Farnsworth. They scored the tying run in the 9th on a balk, and then in the 10th won it after A-Rod was hit by a pitch, went to 2nd on a wild pitch and scored when Robinson Cano singled him home.
The Sox are 4-6 in their last 10 games, and have started off this 11 game home stand against the Blue Jays, Royals, and White Sox all sub .500 teams with a 3-3 record. The team has continued to get solid pitching, and they are getting plenty of hits, 63 hits in their last 6 games, only once have they failed to get 10 hits in a game on the home stand. The most frustrating thing has been the lack of the key hit this season, or the ability to come from behind. I think the Sox when down after 8 innings, have only come back to win once. During this home stand the Sox have left 84 runners on base in just six games so far (Avg. 14 a game), that is just not getting the job done, Add in the Tigers series before the break and they have left 141 runners on base in their last 9 games . To continue on the lines of not being able to win a tight game of the Sox's last 9 losses, 7 of them have been by 1 run. On the season the Red Sox are 14-13 in one run games,
in their last 9 one run games they have a record of 1-8.
With the Yankees not facing a team with an above .500 record until August 10th, a span of 22 games, they are in the right spot to make a huge move and get back into the AL East race. Over that same time period, the Sox will play 10 games against teams above .500, this includes a west coast road trip to play Seattle and Los Angels along with a trip to Cleveland. Assuming the Sox play .500 ball over this stretch and the Yankees play .666 ball, the lead could be down to 4 or less with a month and half of the season remaining.
I hate to be a pessimist, but if the Sox don't figure out how to get the runners home once their on base, the dog days of summer are going to be awful hot for the Boston 9. The race isn't over, the next 22 games will tell us a lot about both teams. Let's hope we don't have to relive 1978.
The Sox are 4-6 in their last 10 games, and have started off this 11 game home stand against the Blue Jays, Royals, and White Sox all sub .500 teams with a 3-3 record. The team has continued to get solid pitching, and they are getting plenty of hits, 63 hits in their last 6 games, only once have they failed to get 10 hits in a game on the home stand. The most frustrating thing has been the lack of the key hit this season, or the ability to come from behind. I think the Sox when down after 8 innings, have only come back to win once. During this home stand the Sox have left 84 runners on base in just six games so far (Avg. 14 a game), that is just not getting the job done, Add in the Tigers series before the break and they have left 141 runners on base in their last 9 games . To continue on the lines of not being able to win a tight game of the Sox's last 9 losses, 7 of them have been by 1 run. On the season the Red Sox are 14-13 in one run games,
in their last 9 one run games they have a record of 1-8.
With the Yankees not facing a team with an above .500 record until August 10th, a span of 22 games, they are in the right spot to make a huge move and get back into the AL East race. Over that same time period, the Sox will play 10 games against teams above .500, this includes a west coast road trip to play Seattle and Los Angels along with a trip to Cleveland. Assuming the Sox play .500 ball over this stretch and the Yankees play .666 ball, the lead could be down to 4 or less with a month and half of the season remaining.
I hate to be a pessimist, but if the Sox don't figure out how to get the runners home once their on base, the dog days of summer are going to be awful hot for the Boston 9. The race isn't over, the next 22 games will tell us a lot about both teams. Let's hope we don't have to relive 1978.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Sox continue to play .500 ball, lead down to 9 games
Well the first series of the second half played out like most of the Sox series since June 1st, they split. Since June 1st the Sox are barely playing over .500 ball as they are 19-18 in the last 37 games. Don't look up now but the lead in the AL East is down to single digits, the Yankees are only 9 games back and the injuries are starting to pile up for the Red Sox
This past weekend, we saw J.D. Drew and his ever fragile bottom miss the last two games of the series with tightness in his hamstring, an injury that caused him to miss time earlier in the season. This guy has to be the most fragile guy on the planet, he runs hard and hustles (showing off his talent) and the next minute he is out with an injury. Then on Saturday, Jason Varitek, got crossed up on a Dice-K pitch and took the ball of the wrist and thumb, he had to be taken to the hositpal after the game for X-rays. Thankfully the x-rays came back negative, Varitek proved how important he was to the team and the success of the pitching staff last year, when he was out the team went downhill in a hurry and the ERA of the pitching staff jumped up. The thumb however did cause the Captain to miss Sundays game against the Jays with staff ace Beckett on the mound. I think Beckett's unfamiliarity with Mirabelli might have cost them the game. Let's hope Tek gets back in there as soon as possible.
There were some encouraging signs over the weekend though. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez started to hit, both hit a homerun, and combined hit .375 for the series. Manny ended up .375, 1 hr, 7 RBI'S, 3R. Papi was .375, 1 hr, 5 RBI;s, 4 R. This is the production needed for the Sox to go deep into the postseason. Julio Lugo also continued to be hot, he appears to fully be out of his awful slump, he's numbers this weekend against the Jays were .600 9-15 and many of his outs were hit well, he slugged .867, stole 3 bases, scored 4 runs and drove in 2. His average has gone from .189 to .210 in the span of a week. Will he be moved to the top of the lineup? or will Tito keep he in the 9 hole, guess this has to do with Drew and Youkilis's health. The pitching was pretty good as well this weekend, with the exception of Tavarez. Beckett went 8 innings yesterday, and ended up the hard luck losing only giving up two runs. The Sox will take that kind of effort every time out, you'll win 75% of those games for sure. Dice-K was only average giving up 4 runs, but he kept the Sox in the game long enough for the offense to get going, and the bullpen was subperb once again, as Delcarmen pitched two scoreless and Okijima closed it out with a perfect ninth. Wakefield won again, 10 wins on the season now, he was good enough for the win, and the bullpen closed it out with some great pitching.
So now it's the Royals in town for a three game set, these are games the Sox need to win easily, 3-0 should be there goal, nothing less than 2-1 against the Royals will do. With the lead at 9 games with 71 games to go. The Yankees will be going against the Jays, hopefully they do there job an win a couple.
This past weekend, we saw J.D. Drew and his ever fragile bottom miss the last two games of the series with tightness in his hamstring, an injury that caused him to miss time earlier in the season. This guy has to be the most fragile guy on the planet, he runs hard and hustles (showing off his talent) and the next minute he is out with an injury. Then on Saturday, Jason Varitek, got crossed up on a Dice-K pitch and took the ball of the wrist and thumb, he had to be taken to the hositpal after the game for X-rays. Thankfully the x-rays came back negative, Varitek proved how important he was to the team and the success of the pitching staff last year, when he was out the team went downhill in a hurry and the ERA of the pitching staff jumped up. The thumb however did cause the Captain to miss Sundays game against the Jays with staff ace Beckett on the mound. I think Beckett's unfamiliarity with Mirabelli might have cost them the game. Let's hope Tek gets back in there as soon as possible.
There were some encouraging signs over the weekend though. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez started to hit, both hit a homerun, and combined hit .375 for the series. Manny ended up .375, 1 hr, 7 RBI'S, 3R. Papi was .375, 1 hr, 5 RBI;s, 4 R. This is the production needed for the Sox to go deep into the postseason. Julio Lugo also continued to be hot, he appears to fully be out of his awful slump, he's numbers this weekend against the Jays were .600 9-15 and many of his outs were hit well, he slugged .867, stole 3 bases, scored 4 runs and drove in 2. His average has gone from .189 to .210 in the span of a week. Will he be moved to the top of the lineup? or will Tito keep he in the 9 hole, guess this has to do with Drew and Youkilis's health. The pitching was pretty good as well this weekend, with the exception of Tavarez. Beckett went 8 innings yesterday, and ended up the hard luck losing only giving up two runs. The Sox will take that kind of effort every time out, you'll win 75% of those games for sure. Dice-K was only average giving up 4 runs, but he kept the Sox in the game long enough for the offense to get going, and the bullpen was subperb once again, as Delcarmen pitched two scoreless and Okijima closed it out with a perfect ninth. Wakefield won again, 10 wins on the season now, he was good enough for the win, and the bullpen closed it out with some great pitching.
So now it's the Royals in town for a three game set, these are games the Sox need to win easily, 3-0 should be there goal, nothing less than 2-1 against the Royals will do. With the lead at 9 games with 71 games to go. The Yankees will be going against the Jays, hopefully they do there job an win a couple.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Red Sox trading deadline needs
Looking ahead to the trade deadline on July 31st, I thought I would take a look at the possible needs of the Sox and who might be available to pick up via a trade, what young talent might be traded away, what current players could be out the door, or if the Sox need to make a trade at all.
The Sox needs in my opinion
-Utility OF
-Bullpen arm
-Speed off the bench
-Starter depending on Schilling's health
I really don't think the Sox need to pursue a trade at the deadline, I think they have what they need in the minors at this time.
Ellsbury: would fill two rolls, Utility OF and speed off the bench
Buchholz: I believe can be the other bullpen arm, lets not forget we still have Donnelly coming back from an injury as well (Although it looks like he's going to be out a lot longer than first expected) Timlin has also been very effective since coming back from his stint on the DL, it looks like he's got things straighten out/
Lester: could be that starting pitcher if need be, although it looks like Gabbard is making his case to stay in the rotation once the Big Schil returns. I think Gabbard makes sense, send Tavarez to the pen, which gives us two long guys, and in Gabbard, we have a lefty starter.
Guys that could be Traded
Wily Mo Pena: Just isn't going to get the at bats he needs to continue to develop in Boston, is a real liability in the OF for defense
Coco Crisp: With Ellsbury being the future in the OF for the Sox, they could move Crisp as his value seems to be on the up with his recent play. I don't see this happening, especially considering the outstanding defense he has played this year, Ellsbury's not ready for a full time gig down the stretch.
Names that have been thrown around that the Sox may pursue
Brad Lidge: certainly would be a setup man for the Sox either the 7th or the 8th. I think the injury issues as well as a proven thing in Okijima so far this season along with the emergence of Delcarmen in the last few weeks make this move unnecessary. It would really depend on what the Astros were seeking in return.
Eric Gagne: Has shown good form this season in Texas, not sure he would want to be in a set up role instead of a closer situation. He would strengthen the end of the game for the Sox no doubt, Okijima, Gagne and Papelbon, wow that would be lights out. 29.1 innings, 1.23 ERA, 14 saves, 25 K's, Opponent's hitting just .157 off of him. Gagne is an immense talent, however he has been limited by injury problems. He comes at a large cost as well $6 Million.
Scott Linebrink: The Sox have coveted Linebrink for many years now. The Sox and Padres have been known to make a deal in the past, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see it happen again. The Padres need offense, so a deal for Wily Mo and another guy make get the deal done. Linebrink has been solid this year 42.1 innings, 2.55 ERA, 2-2 23K's. Opponent's hitting just .228 off of him. He also comes at a much cheaper at a cheaper price, he makes just over 2 million a year
Ken Griffey Jr. This would be a long shot at best, The Sox could use a bat like Griffey's in the lineup especially if J.D. Drew continues to struggle and get injured every other day, but I don't see this deal happening unless Papi needs a break because of his knee.
Rob Mackowiak: This is a guy I could see coming over, the White Sox are going to be sellers at the deadline. The Sox don't have room for a full time player so someone like Mackowiak would make sense, he can play LF/RF and also has played in the infield at 3B and 1B. He would be a better option than Wily Mo and Hinske in the OF. He's got a decent bat.
Kevin Millar: Not sure why his name has been brought up lately, the Sox fans couldn't wait for him to leave during his last stint with the Sox. He looks to have refound his swing in Baltimore, but we don't need Millar back in town, although the fans down the left field line might, as that means more souvenirs for them.
I think Theo made has made it clear that the Sox don't plan on trading away their top talent in the minors, I can't see the Sox making any moves with Ellsbury, Buchholz, Bowden at this time.
I think the Red Sox may make a move at the deadline, but it won't be a major deal unless Schilling's rehab proves he won't be ready later than projected. Have to wait and see things will certainly be heating up in the next few weeks.
The Sox needs in my opinion
-Utility OF
-Bullpen arm
-Speed off the bench
-Starter depending on Schilling's health
I really don't think the Sox need to pursue a trade at the deadline, I think they have what they need in the minors at this time.
Ellsbury: would fill two rolls, Utility OF and speed off the bench
Buchholz: I believe can be the other bullpen arm, lets not forget we still have Donnelly coming back from an injury as well (Although it looks like he's going to be out a lot longer than first expected) Timlin has also been very effective since coming back from his stint on the DL, it looks like he's got things straighten out/
Lester: could be that starting pitcher if need be, although it looks like Gabbard is making his case to stay in the rotation once the Big Schil returns. I think Gabbard makes sense, send Tavarez to the pen, which gives us two long guys, and in Gabbard, we have a lefty starter.
Guys that could be Traded
Wily Mo Pena: Just isn't going to get the at bats he needs to continue to develop in Boston, is a real liability in the OF for defense
Coco Crisp: With Ellsbury being the future in the OF for the Sox, they could move Crisp as his value seems to be on the up with his recent play. I don't see this happening, especially considering the outstanding defense he has played this year, Ellsbury's not ready for a full time gig down the stretch.
Names that have been thrown around that the Sox may pursue
Brad Lidge: certainly would be a setup man for the Sox either the 7th or the 8th. I think the injury issues as well as a proven thing in Okijima so far this season along with the emergence of Delcarmen in the last few weeks make this move unnecessary. It would really depend on what the Astros were seeking in return.
Eric Gagne: Has shown good form this season in Texas, not sure he would want to be in a set up role instead of a closer situation. He would strengthen the end of the game for the Sox no doubt, Okijima, Gagne and Papelbon, wow that would be lights out. 29.1 innings, 1.23 ERA, 14 saves, 25 K's, Opponent's hitting just .157 off of him. Gagne is an immense talent, however he has been limited by injury problems. He comes at a large cost as well $6 Million.
Scott Linebrink: The Sox have coveted Linebrink for many years now. The Sox and Padres have been known to make a deal in the past, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see it happen again. The Padres need offense, so a deal for Wily Mo and another guy make get the deal done. Linebrink has been solid this year 42.1 innings, 2.55 ERA, 2-2 23K's. Opponent's hitting just .228 off of him. He also comes at a much cheaper at a cheaper price, he makes just over 2 million a year
Ken Griffey Jr. This would be a long shot at best, The Sox could use a bat like Griffey's in the lineup especially if J.D. Drew continues to struggle and get injured every other day, but I don't see this deal happening unless Papi needs a break because of his knee.
Rob Mackowiak: This is a guy I could see coming over, the White Sox are going to be sellers at the deadline. The Sox don't have room for a full time player so someone like Mackowiak would make sense, he can play LF/RF and also has played in the infield at 3B and 1B. He would be a better option than Wily Mo and Hinske in the OF. He's got a decent bat.
Kevin Millar: Not sure why his name has been brought up lately, the Sox fans couldn't wait for him to leave during his last stint with the Sox. He looks to have refound his swing in Baltimore, but we don't need Millar back in town, although the fans down the left field line might, as that means more souvenirs for them.
I think Theo made has made it clear that the Sox don't plan on trading away their top talent in the minors, I can't see the Sox making any moves with Ellsbury, Buchholz, Bowden at this time.
I think the Red Sox may make a move at the deadline, but it won't be a major deal unless Schilling's rehab proves he won't be ready later than projected. Have to wait and see things will certainly be heating up in the next few weeks.
Red Sox get back on track
The Red Sox opened up the 2nd half of the 2007 season versus A.L. East foe, the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway. The Sox coming off three straight losses to the Detroit Tigers prior to the All-Star break were looking to get back on track, they had to face the ace of the Blue Jays pitching staff, Roy Halladay, someone who the Sox have had plenty of success against in the past. The past three years Halladay is 4-3 versus the Sox in 11 games with a ERA of 4.44, his ERA in games against the Sox at Fenway is 4.93. Wake was on the mound for the Sox, brining his 9-8 record into the game. Wake has had great success against the Jays the past three years, 5-1 with a 3.18 ERA.
After a shaky beginning, Wake settled down and allowed just one run in the first. The Sox offense came out hot in the first against Halladay. JD Drew led off with a single and then Pedroia set the tone for the game working a 10 pitch walk. Halladay is know as a quick worker on the mound, in fact when he's pitching the game rarely last two hours, but you could see the Sox had talked about how to approach him. Ortiz followed with a sharp single to right through the shift which scored Drew, tie game 1-1. Good to see Ortiz produce right away, he came out after the game and said his right meniscus has been torn since last year in June. Is this injury to blame for his lack of power? Why didn't he get it repaired in the offseason? Lots of questions surrounding this, hard to imagine it's been kept under wraps this long, half to wonder if we are getting the whole truth here. Certainly for the Sox to do anything in the post season they are going to need, Big Papi's bat. In what I hope is a sign of things to come in the 2nd half, both Ortiz and Ramirez's bats get going, Manny followed with a double to left that scored Pedoria, 2-1 Sox just like that and no outs. Youkilis was back tonight, his first start since injuring his quad back on 7/3 against Tampa, he hit a grounder to 2nd to score Papi. Lowell followed with a run scoring single to left and the Sox ended the first with 4-1 lead. What a way to start the 2nd half against a quality pitcher like Halladay.
Wakefield was on cruise control until the 6th, with a 5-2 lead, he left the knuckleball up to former Red Sox Matt Stairs and he deposited into the Sox bullpen in right, his 14th home run of the season, hard to imagine Stairs has more homeruns than Ortiz and Ramirez. All-Star Alex Rios followed with another bomb into the monster seats, for back-to-back homers for the Jays, who all of sudden were right back in the game 5-4.
The Sox offense responded in the 6th though, with Halladay out after only 5 innings and112 pitches, the Jays called on reliever Brian Tallet, who has done an excellent job out of the pen for them this season. In 40 innings opponents are hitting .193 off Tallet and he's K'd 37. After two quick outs, Dustin Pedroia reaches on weak slow roller to 2nd because the throw pulled Overbay off the bag. Ortiz followed with a deep drive to center that Vernon Wells should have caught easily for the third out inning but inside, Wells got twisted around and the ball tailed away and dropped in, Pedroia easily scored from first, 6-4 Sox lead. Manny followed with a hot shot that ricochet off the 2nd baseman into center for his 3rd RBI of the game. 7-4 Sox lead into the 7th
The Sox bullpen shut things down from there, in what looks to be Tito's preferred setup to Papelbon, Manny Delcarmen pitched a perfect 7th and Hideki Okijima once again came on and pitched a scoreless 8th, that's 14 straight innings without allowing a run. If Delcarmen can continue to pitch the way he has since his last callup, the Sox don't really need to go out and get Brad Lidge as has been reported. Papelbon closed out the game for his 21st save.
A solid start to the 2nd half, the bats were hot, let's hope they can stay that way.
Positives
Julio Lugo: two more hits tonight, and another solidly hit ball that was caught, he over .200. I have a bet with my friend from work that he will hit .290 or better in the 2nd half, a steak dinner on the line, let's hope Julio can do it.
David Ortiz: Three hits--2 RBIs, he produced with 2 outs as well
Manny Ramirez: Two hits--3RBIs and another outfield assist, poor Frank Thomas he's got no wheels.
Bullpen: 3 scoreless innings
54-34 best record in the majors
After a shaky beginning, Wake settled down and allowed just one run in the first. The Sox offense came out hot in the first against Halladay. JD Drew led off with a single and then Pedroia set the tone for the game working a 10 pitch walk. Halladay is know as a quick worker on the mound, in fact when he's pitching the game rarely last two hours, but you could see the Sox had talked about how to approach him. Ortiz followed with a sharp single to right through the shift which scored Drew, tie game 1-1. Good to see Ortiz produce right away, he came out after the game and said his right meniscus has been torn since last year in June. Is this injury to blame for his lack of power? Why didn't he get it repaired in the offseason? Lots of questions surrounding this, hard to imagine it's been kept under wraps this long, half to wonder if we are getting the whole truth here. Certainly for the Sox to do anything in the post season they are going to need, Big Papi's bat. In what I hope is a sign of things to come in the 2nd half, both Ortiz and Ramirez's bats get going, Manny followed with a double to left that scored Pedoria, 2-1 Sox just like that and no outs. Youkilis was back tonight, his first start since injuring his quad back on 7/3 against Tampa, he hit a grounder to 2nd to score Papi. Lowell followed with a run scoring single to left and the Sox ended the first with 4-1 lead. What a way to start the 2nd half against a quality pitcher like Halladay.
Wakefield was on cruise control until the 6th, with a 5-2 lead, he left the knuckleball up to former Red Sox Matt Stairs and he deposited into the Sox bullpen in right, his 14th home run of the season, hard to imagine Stairs has more homeruns than Ortiz and Ramirez. All-Star Alex Rios followed with another bomb into the monster seats, for back-to-back homers for the Jays, who all of sudden were right back in the game 5-4.
The Sox offense responded in the 6th though, with Halladay out after only 5 innings and112 pitches, the Jays called on reliever Brian Tallet, who has done an excellent job out of the pen for them this season. In 40 innings opponents are hitting .193 off Tallet and he's K'd 37. After two quick outs, Dustin Pedroia reaches on weak slow roller to 2nd because the throw pulled Overbay off the bag. Ortiz followed with a deep drive to center that Vernon Wells should have caught easily for the third out inning but inside, Wells got twisted around and the ball tailed away and dropped in, Pedroia easily scored from first, 6-4 Sox lead. Manny followed with a hot shot that ricochet off the 2nd baseman into center for his 3rd RBI of the game. 7-4 Sox lead into the 7th
The Sox bullpen shut things down from there, in what looks to be Tito's preferred setup to Papelbon, Manny Delcarmen pitched a perfect 7th and Hideki Okijima once again came on and pitched a scoreless 8th, that's 14 straight innings without allowing a run. If Delcarmen can continue to pitch the way he has since his last callup, the Sox don't really need to go out and get Brad Lidge as has been reported. Papelbon closed out the game for his 21st save.
A solid start to the 2nd half, the bats were hot, let's hope they can stay that way.
Positives
Julio Lugo: two more hits tonight, and another solidly hit ball that was caught, he over .200. I have a bet with my friend from work that he will hit .290 or better in the 2nd half, a steak dinner on the line, let's hope Julio can do it.
David Ortiz: Three hits--2 RBIs, he produced with 2 outs as well
Manny Ramirez: Two hits--3RBIs and another outfield assist, poor Frank Thomas he's got no wheels.
Bullpen: 3 scoreless innings
54-34 best record in the majors
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