The official Bellhorn thread

[riverside sluggers]

way to be optimistic

[BoSox21]

I personally don't see being a 2nd putting all that much more strain on Mueller's knees and he's definitely solid enough defensively to handle it. If Youk can hold his end up defensively at 3rd, that would definitely be something they can do permanently next season

[CrespoBlows]

I personally don't see being a 2nd putting all that much more strain on Mueller's knees and he's definitely solid enough defensively to handle it. If Youk can hold his end up defensively at 3rd, that would definitely be something they can do permanently next season

 

Nope, you're wrong there. By all accounts, Dustin Pedoria will be the 2nd basemen next year or maybe Hanley Ramirez.

[BoSox21]

I agree it's not likely but I do think Youk at 3rd and Mueller at 2nd could work. I definitely think it won't be Hanley

[MC Hammer]

I agree it's not likely but I do think Youk at 3rd and Mueller at 2nd could work. I definitely think it won't be Hanley

 

Tito said he wont play Billy Ballgame at 2nd anymore because of the knee problems he had in the past.

[BellhornLove]

Damn... Bellhorn's on the DL. Maybe this will be a good time for Terry to see if the team will be better without him...

[riverside sluggers]

Last updated: 7/18

Henry: Sox payroll will likely increase before deadline

The Boston Globe reported that Red Sox owner John W. Henry, in an interview with Bloomberg news service, said there is a "very good probability that we will increase payroll before the trading deadline." The Red Sox currently have the second highest payroll in the major leagues at $123.5 million. In a Tuesday morning radio interview, Curt Schilling said he fully expects the Red Sox to make a deal before the deadline. ... The Providence Journal reported that the Red Sox may be looking for an upgrade at second base. While the asking price was deemed too high, the onset of Mark Bellhorn's injury (sprained left thumb) might compel the Sox to make a move. The Journal reported that the team has already inquired about Royals infielder Tony Graffanino, and that the Rangers are actively shopping Alfonso Soriano.

[riverside sluggers]

Sox reportedly contact Twins about Romero

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that the Red Sox have contacted the Twins about reliever J.C. Romero. The Red Sox are known to be actively shopping for bullpen help, and the Twins have one of the deepest pens in the league. Romero, a left-handed reliever, has a 2.31 ERA this season. The Twins are looking to bolster their offense, especially from the infield positions. The Star Tribune reported that the Twins might be interested in acquiring someone like Bill Mueller.

[elsrbueno]

I'd rather see Mueller at third and Youk at second than the other way around. Here's why: Bill Mueller is the veteran, he's earned his spot at third. He's solid defensively there, and that's what he's used to. Youkilis on the other hand is the rookie. He has yet to establish himself as an everyday third baseman (like Mueller has), so force him to earn his spot at a new position. Have him take extra grounders over there before the game and on off days.

 

He's solid with the glove. He probably doesn't have the range to play there every day, but we're basically looking at a two week fill in job. If he can catch everything he gets to, that would be a tremendous start.

 

He's better offensively than Cora or Bellhorn, so why not give him a shot? This is the perfect opportunity.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Sox reportedly contact Twins about Romero

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that the Red Sox have contacted the Twins about reliever J.C. Romero. The Red Sox are known to be actively shopping for bullpen help, and the Twins have one of the deepest pens in the league. Romero, a left-handed reliever, has a 2.31 ERA this season. The Twins are looking to bolster their offense, especially from the infield positions. The Star Tribune reported that the Twins might be interested in acquiring someone like Bill Mueller.

Do you know anthing about JC ?

[Sox Fan on Cape]

I'd hate to loose " the Professional " a very clutch hitter.

[riverside sluggers]

i just read that on "The Buzz" its a sports section on boston.com that updates daily on trade rumors involving the Sox and other teams in the AL East.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/thebuzz/

[Sox Fan on Cape]

I'd rather see Mueller at third and Youk at second than the other way around. Here's why: Bill Mueller is the veteran, he's earned his spot at third. He's solid defensively there, and that's what he's used to. Youkilis on the other hand is the rookie. He has yet to establish himself as an everyday third baseman (like Mueller has), so force him to earn his spot at a new position. Have him take extra grounders over there before the game and on off days.

 

He's solid with the glove. He probably doesn't have the range to play there every day, but we're basically looking at a two week fill in job. If he can catch everything he gets to, that would be a tremendous start.

 

He's better offensively than Cora or Bellhorn, so why not give him a shot? This is the perfect opportunity.

Agreed, but Youk has very limited time at second. It takes some time to get timing right on DP's if at all.

[elsrbueno]

Agreed, but Youk has very limited time at second. It takes some time to get timing right on DP's if at all.

 

Mueller isn't exactly a seasoned vet at second base either. He's played there on occasion, but he's a third baseman. Has been his whole career, and should continue to be. He deserves that distinction.

 

If you put Youk at third, you're playing a rookie third baseman (inexperience) and throwing Mueller into a place where he too is inexperienced. You're weaker at 2 infield positions instead of 1.

 

Youkilis isn't exactly Johnny Damon with the legs, but he's good enough to do the job in a pinch-- which is where we're at right now.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Mueller isn't exactly a seasoned vet at second base either. He's played there on occasion, but he's a third baseman. Has been his whole career, and should continue to be. He deserves that distinction.

 

If you put Youk at third, you're playing a rookie third baseman (inexperience) and throwing Mueller into a place where he too is inexperienced. You're weaker at 2 infield positions instead of 1.

 

Youkilis isn't exactly Johnny Damon with the legs, but he's good enough to do the job in a pinch-- which is where we're at right now.

 

Exactly, Bill shouldn't be at 2nd, he'd be on DL in 2 to 3 weeks. Does any one remember bad knees, at second he'd take a beating. I'd rather save him as PH utility. I especially like PH .

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Mueller isn't exactly a seasoned vet at second base either. He's played there on occasion, but he's a third baseman. Has been his whole career, and should continue to be. He deserves that distinction.

 

Not to mention Mueller is having a gold glove type year.

 

Would the Sox ever consider trying Youk out at first???

 

I also think they should at least try Hanley out for a bit....he could be one of those guys who embraces the situation and completely takes off....if he doesnt...i dont think it would destroy a 21 year olds life and career. Perhaps we get our own Robinson Cano with more upside at this point of the season.

 

You gotta think eventually our infield will be made up of 3B-Youk, SS-Hanley, 2B-Pedroia, 1B-??

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Not to mention Mueller is having a gold glove type year.

 

Would the Sox ever consider trying Youk out at first???

 

I also think they should at least try Hanley out for a bit....he could be one of those guys who embraces the situation and completely takes off....if he doesnt...i dont think it would destroy a 21 year olds life and career. Perhaps we get our own Robinson Cano with more upside at this point of the season.

 

You gotta think eventually our infield will be made up of 3B-Youk, SS-Hanley, 2B-Pedroia, 1B-??

 

Did you miss something, Youk has played 1st for the Sox.

[Missin_Cabrera]

Bellhorn is good efensivly, but he is horrible offensivly. Hes horrible at batting, and he needs to step his game up...i geuss theo said bellhorn has til the end of july to step it up or cora will take his place.

[MC Hammer]

Bellhorn is good efensivly, but he is horrible offensivly. Hes horrible at batting, and he needs to step his game up...i geuss theo said bellhorn has til the end of july to step it up or cora will take his place.

I think Tony Graff just leap frogged both of them.

[yeszir]

Will Bellhorn play another game as a Red Sox?

[DrewDaGreat]

Bye bye Markey.

[riverside sluggers]

my buddy of mine whose dad is a big fan of the royals, lost of laughing im guess from all of you haha, royals fans gave him the nickname of Tony G--I wont mind cheering that in Fenway

[Tek4pres]

Will Bellhorn play another game as a Red Sox?

 

No I think when he comes back you'll probably see a platoon. Tony G can play every infield position and could spell both Bellhorn and Youk if the Sox decide to trade Mueller.

[riverside sluggers]

despite not drawin lots of walks, his on base % is better than bellhorn's, .377 to .328

[Sox fan in Tex]

You know, I heard Mark Bellhorn has struck out five times since being on the DL.

[PeskysPole49]

You know, I heard Mark Bellhorn has struck out five times since being on the DL.

LOL!

[riverside sluggers]

wow damn go alex cora, he sure did espn web gem plays in tonights game. keeps that up, I wouldnt mind at all seeing him stay on for remainder of season as backup of 2nd base/ss

[Youk Of The Nation]

You know, I heard Mark Bellhorn has struck out five times since being on the DL.

 

I so beat you to that in the game thread. :harhar:

[riverside sluggers]

Notes: Bellhorn plans to fight for job

Injured second baseman remains confident about abilities

 

In 85 games this season, Mark Bellhorn is batting .216 with 28 RBIs. One thing you can never accuse Red Sox second baseman Mark Bellhorn of being is unrealistic. Bellhorn knows that there are no promises in the game of baseball. He knows that is especially true when you're hitting .216 with 109 strikeouts and your slugging percentage (.360) is barely higher than your on-base percentage (.328). When the second baseman comes off the disabled list in early August, he doesn't plan on his job being handed back to him. Instead, Bellhorn plans on wrestling it back from Tony Graffanino and Alex Cora, two recent additions to the team.

 

"That's the nature of the game," said Bellhorn, who sprained his left thumb on July 17. "I wasn't playing up to my capabilities. When you do that, sometimes people make changes. I look at it as incentive for me to come back and win my job back." A player never wants to be on the disabled list. But in Bellhorn's case, he thinks that the time away just might be of benefit in what has been a truly rough season to date. "I've been in this situation before. I know it's going to work out somehow," said Bellhorn, a hero for the Red Sox last October. "I never lose confidence in my ability. I just have to get done with this hand thing and come back, and it could be for me, a little break to clean up the struggles. You can't ever lose your confidence."

 

Bellhorn was asked what has gone wrong for him this season after he was a big contributor to the 2004 team, scoring 94 runs, belting 17 homers and driving in 82 runs. "Maybe putting too much pressure on myself," said Bellhorn. "I think that's what it all comes down to. You struggle and you think you've got to change something, but you really don't. It's just a mindset." While the main objective for Bellhorn during this DL stint is to get his thumb healthy, he plans on doing the same thing to his mind.

 

"I think so. You always hear [mental approach] is 90 percent of the game, especially guys at this level," Bellhorn said. "The ability is there. It's whoever is stronger mentally sometimes. This game is not football or basketball. You're playing every day. You think you've got something new and it doesn't work. Everything keeps building up, and that's kind of what it's done to me. You never want to sit out for two weeks or longer, but it's a good time for me to kind of look back and clear my mind and think of it as a new start."

[JohnnyDug]

totally just read this at mlb.com...gonna have to fight a hell of a battle!