Sports Illustrated

[Teddyballgame10]

I was reading sports illustrateds baseball preview and I saw them mention move schilling back to closer. They also say that foulke knees still are hurting him. How valid do you think this opinion SI is? Do you think foulke is still having knee problems? They say that schilling would also do better there and show stats befor and after 30 pitches. Should this be concern at all?

[TheRivernator]

I was reading sports illustrateds baseball preview and I saw them mention move schilling back to closer. They also say that foulke knees still are hurting him. How valid do you think this opinion SI is? Do you think foulke is still having knee problems? They say that schilling would also do better there and show stats befor and after 30 pitches. Should this be concern at all?

 

It all depends on Big Schill. Last season, he showed that he was inept in almost any situation, but he got back to relative mediocrity by the end of the yr. His first 5 starts of the yr will be the tell tale signs with him.

 

As for Foulke, I think there is a reason why the sox added so many arms to the middle relief. I think you will see Seanez and Tavrez split time as closer this yr and grooming Hansen for the job in 2007. I see Foulke having a good start, then lacking the stamina and the willpower to battle for the entire yr. Once he blows his first save, expect the Fenway faithful to ride him like a 2 bit whore and I think he'll collapse rather than rise....

[ORS]

As for Foulke, I think there is a reason why the sox added so many arms to the middle relief. I think you will see Seanez and Tavrez split time as closer this yr and grooming Hansen for the job in 2007. I see Foulke having a good start, then lacking the stamina and the willpower to battle for the entire yr. Once he blows his first save, expect the Fenway faithful to ride him like a 2 bit whore and I think he'll collapse rather than rise....

I think there is quite a bit of wishcasting here. The idea that Seanez or Tavarez will be closing is laughable. Timlin is a better pitcher than either of them, and Papelbon showed the stuff and moxie to get the job down during the stretch run last year. If Foulke falters, those two are much more likely to get the nod.

[yankeessuck013]

I believe someone in the clubhouse, I think Tito, is that if Foulke falters, Papelbon will take over his job.

[Cityofchampions33]

Yeah, that sounds about right. As for prediitons, Boston. com has some up right now.

[TheRivernator]

Yeah, that sounds about right. As for prediitons, Boston. com has some up right now.

 

The red sox brass would be completely and utterly STUPID if Papelbon is a bullpen man for his career. Hansen is being groomed as the next closer. They have 2 aging pitchers in the rotation in Schill and Wells and another pitcher who basically works yr to yr in Wake. Also, Clement is being shopped around and Beckett is a FA after next yr. Having Pap and Lester entering the rotation as early as 2007 makes the most sense, but you retard the growth of Papelbon if you stick him in the pen for all of 2006. If the sox were smart, they'd be fielding offers for Clement and Wells, hoping someone would overpay. If nobody bites, then they should either deal one of them if their stock rises enough or drop one of them if they completely fall off the face of the earth. I'll go against the analysts on this one, as I think Pap is a long reliever for 2 months and goes to the rotation by June...

[TheRivernator]

As far as Pap is concerned, the kid has the potential to be a special player. He has 2 plus pitches and an average pitch in his arsenal and he has the poise to make it in the pressure packed Boston environment. He has the mentality that translates into any pitching job, but he will be the best suited for the rotation. He is a kid with the potential to be a 200IP 15-20 win horse and those dont come around very often. The sox should not f*** with that....

[kreinbihl34]

The red sox brass would be completely and utterly STUPID if Papelbon is a bullpen man for his career. Hansen is being groomed as the next closer. They have 2 aging pitchers in the rotation in Schill and Wells and another pitcher who basically works yr to yr in Wake. Also, Clement is being shopped around and Beckett is a FA after next yr. Having Pap and Lester entering the rotation as early as 2007 makes the most sense, but you retard the growth of Papelbon if you stick him in the pen for all of 2006. If the sox were smart, they'd be fielding offers for Clement and Wells, hoping someone would overpay. If nobody bites, then they should either deal one of them if their stock rises enough or drop one of them if they completely fall off the face of the earth. I'll go against the analysts on this one, as I think Pap is a long reliever for 2 months and goes to the rotation by June...

 

I agree with you Paps should be in the rotation.. but I think it should be sooner. Lets just drop the fatass for a couple of Low A ballers and get Paps in there.

[mtbykr]

SI is wrong every year--they also said the sox would miss the playoffs! Shill is strong and is not going to the pen. Foulke will stay focussed all year--the question is whether or not those injections will help his knees hold up. Paps will be in the rotation sometime during the season. My biggest question mark is the fatman's health---for some reason i don't see him finishing up this year------either being traded or DL!

[TheRivernator]

SI is wrong every year--they also said the sox would miss the playoffs! Shill is strong and is not going to the pen. Foulke will stay focussed all year--the question is whether or not those injections will help his knees hold up. Paps will be in the rotation sometime during the season. My biggest question mark is the fatman's health---for some reason i don't see him finishing up this year------either being traded or DL!

 

I think you are overshadowing the severity of Foulke's problems, and I am not talking his health. I have seen that look before, you know, the one he had after the Hafner grand slam? I'd say Jeff Weaver circa 2002. He NEVER regained his composure until he left the pressure packed Al East. Also, relievers have a history of just flat out losing it much faster than starters. Throw in the fact that he now needs chronic injections, which arent a big deal by themselves, and you have a recipe for disaster. I dont even think Foulke lasts the yr. I see the sox hanging onto him until the AS break and then pulling an Embree and letting him fly. Tavares or Seanez will get some saves as I think Timlin is much more effective as a set-up man and eventually the job will be Hansen's to lose (likely 2007).

 

As far as Schilling, I think the 2004 version is long gone, but I think he'll be better than the 2005 version. He showed today why he is no longer an elite pitcher and why he will not be the ace of the staff by the end of the season. His stuff is no longer consistent. His heater is his bread and butter and for the most part he has always had that. If that gets inconsistent, then he becomes a very hittable pitcher. Most power stuff requires great velocity to work. His splitter is deadly when his fastball is 94-95, but when his heater is 90, an 82mph splitter is not enough of a change of pace. He gets very hittable. Look at most of the power pitchers and when they struggle. It is usually not due to velocity, but location or the break and control of their secondary pitches. Once that heater gets inconsistent on the speed front, they start to be inconsistent in the stat column. I expect a close to 1:1 W/L ratio this yr, something like 12-11 or 14-13.....

[a700hitter]

I think you are overshadowing the severity of Foulke's problems, and I am not talking his health. I have seen that look before, you know, the one he had after the Hafner grand slam? I'd say Jeff Weaver circa 2002. He NEVER regained his composure until he left the pressure packed Al East.

Last year Foulke was damaged goods. Without his leg under him his command moreso than his velocity was way off. He's healthy now, and he's as mentally tough as they come. He's been through the pressure cooker before and he thrives on it. If he could pitch scoreless ball through the 2004 ALCS, he can walk through the fire. If anyone had that look in his eye in that Series it was Mo in game 4 after he walked Millar.

[TheRivernator]

Last year Foulke was damaged goods. Without his leg under him his command moreso than his velocity was way off. He's healthy now, and he's as mentally tough as they come. He's been through the pressure cooker before and he thrives on it. If he could pitch scoreless ball through the 2004 ALCS, he can walk through the fire. If anyone had that look in his eye in that Series it was Mo in game 4 after he walked Millar.

 

I think you are in denial. His leg injuries just happened to be bothering him as the sox were trying to keep him as far away from the team as possible. Like I said before, if knee surgery re-attached testicles as well, then both Clement and Foulke would be golden. Last I checked it didnt.

[TheRivernator]

Last year Foulke was damaged goods. Without his leg under him his command moreso than his velocity was way off. He's healthy now, and he's as mentally tough as they come. He's been through the pressure cooker before and he thrives on it. If he could pitch scoreless ball through the 2004 ALCS, he can walk through the fire. If anyone had that look in his eye in that Series it was Mo in game 4 after he walked Millar.

 

btw, that luca brazi choke was great in the godfather game, anyone get it yet. It is an absolute must have for gamers....

[a700hitter]

I think you are in denial. His leg injuries just happened to be bothering him as the sox were trying to keep him as far away from the team as possible. Like I said before, if knee surgery re-attached testicles as well, then both Clement and Foulke would be golden. Last I checked it didnt.

I guess you are an authority of Red Sox clubhouse dynamics as well as a psychiatrist. If you want to talk about guys with no testicles, you need look no further than ARod who spits the bit in every key situation.

[a700hitter]

btw, that luca brazi choke was great in the godfather game, anyone get it yet. It is an absolute must have for gamers....

While the Luca Brasi choke was memorably graphic, it only lasted a few seconds. By comparison, the Yankee Choke lasted 4 long excruciating days. No movie director would dare subject the audience to such prolonged horror.

[TheRivernator]

While the Luca Brasi choke was memorably graphic, it only lasted a few seconds. By comparison, the Yankee Choke lasted 4 long excruciating days. No movie director would dare subject the audience to such prolonged horror.

 

and the sox choke lasted 86 looooooong years. I'd rather choke and die in 4 days than in 86 years....

[a700hitter]

and the sox choke lasted 86 looooooong years. I'd rather choke and die in 4 days than in 86 years....

I guess you have no idea what a Choke is. It's being one strike away, one out away or one victory away. No team has ever been one victory away for four days in a row. No team ever in the history of the great American Pastime has experienced such a prolonged post-season choke. And it was finished off in the great cathedral-- the house built by a fat former Red Sox pitcher.

 

BTW At least two teams have gone more than 86 years without a championship.

[jsinger121]

well actually 1 now after the white sox won

[a700hitter]

well actually 1 now after the white sox won

It doesn't change the fact that the White Sox drought lasted 88 years.

[kreinbihl34]

As far as Schilling, I think the 2004 version is long gone, but I think he'll be better than the 2005 version. He showed today why he is no longer an elite pitcher and why he will not be the ace of the staff by the end of the season. His stuff is no longer consistent. His heater is his bread and butter and for the most part he has always had that. If that gets inconsistent, then he becomes a very hittable pitcher. Most power stuff requires great velocity to work. His splitter is deadly when his fastball is 94-95, but when his heater is 90, an 82mph splitter is not enough of a change of pace. He gets very hittable. Look at most of the power pitchers and when they struggle. It is usually not due to velocity, but location or the break and control of their secondary pitches. Once that heater gets inconsistent on the speed front, they start to be inconsistent in the stat column. I expect a close to 1:1 W/L ratio this yr, something like 12-11 or 14-13.....

 

This is completely ludacris. Schill has proven he will do anything to win. He will at least get 15 wins. Also his loss totals will not surpass 10. You can say that his stuff is declining, but it showed that in the ALCS/WS that Schill can win with only one heathly ankle. Just think what he is going to do on two and with only pitching a small amount last year his arm is rested and ready to go. I can't wait till we see a Schill and Johnson matchup and also at the end of the year you can eat your word on who is really going to finish the season with a 1:1 win/loss ratio because I honestly think Johnson has declined more then Schill.

[TheRivernator]

This is completely ludacris. Schill has proven he will do anything to win. He will at least get 15 wins. Also his loss totals will not surpass 10. You can say that his stuff is declining, but it showed that in the ALCS/WS that Schill can win with only one heathly ankle. Just think what he is going to do on two and with only pitching a small amount last year his arm is rested and ready to go. I can't wait till we see a Schill and Johnson matchup and also at the end of the year you can eat your word on who is really going to finish the season with a 1:1 win/loss ratio because I honestly think Johnson has declined more then Schill.

 

You need stuff to win 15 games, and mostly consistent stuff at that.

[riverside sluggers]

What reliable sports reporter has indicated that Tavarez & Seanez could be splitting duties if Foulke falters? Its just an opinion, nothing more. Moreso it would be a split of Timlin/Papelbon until Hansen is done with his limited Triple A experience. Laughable to say the least the Sox would even be considering giving Seanez save opportunities. He's a middle reliever for the Sox at best

 

Yes Papelbon deserves to be in the rotation. But as indicated by Tito couple of days ago, Papelbon & Timlin will be the main setup men for Foulke to start off the season. No doubt that Papelbon will take the next clear open spot

 

--------

About Schilling, yseterday's fastball 90-91 and at sometimes reached 95. Throughout spring training its been consistent in the 93-95 range. He's going to do just fine, him going to the pen is simply not going to happen again in his career.

[mtbykr]

I think you are overshadowing the severity of Foulke's problems, and I am not talking his health. I have seen that look before, you know, the one he had after the Hafner grand slam? I'd say Jeff Weaver circa 2002. He NEVER regained his composure until he left the pressure packed Al East. Also, relievers have a history of just flat out losing it much faster than starters. Throw in the fact that he now needs chronic injections, which arent a big deal by themselves, and you have a recipe for disaster. I dont even think Foulke lasts the yr. I see the sox hanging onto him until the AS break and then pulling an Embree and letting him fly. Tavares or Seanez will get some saves as I think Timlin is much more effective as a set-up man and eventually the job will be Hansen's to lose (likely 2007).

 

As far as Schilling, I think the 2004 version is long gone, but I think he'll be better than the 2005 version. He showed today why he is no longer an elite pitcher and why he will not be the ace of the staff by the end of the season. His stuff is no longer consistent. His heater is his bread and butter and for the most part he has always had that. If that gets inconsistent, then he becomes a very hittable pitcher. Most power stuff requires great velocity to work. His splitter is deadly when his fastball is 94-95, but when his heater is 90, an 82mph splitter is not enough of a change of pace. He gets very hittable. Look at most of the power pitchers and when they struggle. It is usually not due to velocity, but location or the break and control of their secondary pitches. Once that heater gets inconsistent on the speed front, they start to be inconsistent in the stat column. I expect a close to 1:1 W/L ratio this yr, something like 12-11 or 14-13.....

 

Let's also not forget the fact that in addition to his baseball world falling apart last year---his personal life did as well. He has said in interviews this spring how it was crazy last year, but now all that is behind him and he is focussed. As far as shill goes, he has consistantly been around 95 with his fastball---so i will wait and see what's going to happen,,,but i'm not worried as much this year!

[He Hate Me]

and the pissing match continues.

[MANNYHOF24]

You need stuff to win 15 games, and mostly consistent stuff at that.

 

Have you watched any Games this spring, Schilling can push off and has been throwing hard. To say that Schilling doesnt have stuff your a moron, seriously last season Schill was pitching on one leg, its a non-issue now, to say that Curt Schilling is only going to a 500 pitcher is idiotic. I predict that Schilling has a better year than the Unit this year.

[TheRivernator]

Have you watched any Games this spring, Schilling can push off and has been throwing hard. To say that Schilling doesnt have stuff your a moron, seriously last season Schill was pitching on one leg, its a non-issue now, to say that Curt Schilling is only going to a 500 pitcher is idiotic. I predict that Schilling has a better year than the Unit this year.

 

Read my post before you act like an idiot. I am not saying that Schilling does not have stuff. I am saying that he is inconsistent with it and likely will be this yr. You have to have stuff and consistency to be a 15-2 game winner. Schilling has the first part, but I dont think he'll have the second....

[MANNYHOF24]

Read my post before you act like an idiot. I am not saying that Schilling does not have stuff. I am saying that he is inconsistent with it and likely will be this yr. You have to have stuff and consistency to be a 15-2 game winner. Schilling has the first part, but I dont think he'll have the second....

 

Oh sorry misinterpetation, howeverYour basing your opinons on one year, I very injury plauged year at that. He could not push off at all last year which made him inconsistent and ineffective. I think its possible he could be as good or better than he was in 2004, because in that year he wasnt healthy after mid-may and still went 21-6.

[Teddyballgame10]

Saying schilling is inconstent could be a reason why SI had him going to the pen. Him hitting the mid 90's with his fastball in the 9th could be better them him going 5 strong then getting rocked in the 6th or worse. If he doesnt have the stamina then I'de make him the closer. However I think schilling will bounce back and have a far better year then 05 and should be no reason of councern.

[TheRivernator]

Oh sorry misinterpetation, howeverYour basing your opinons on one year, I very injury plauged year at that. He could not push off at all last year which made him inconsistent and ineffective. I think its possible he could be as good or better than he was in 2004, because in that year he wasnt healthy after mid-may and still went 21-6.

 

still, at the age that Schilling is at, most serious injuries are not recovered from, but rather are the beginning of the end. Expecting him back to 2004 form is expecting too much. I will throw one thing out there though. I expect him to throw a gem on opening day, just because he will muster up the guts to pitch on the big day, but by the end of the month he'll be mediocre...

[MANNYHOF24]

still, at the age that Schilling is at, most serious injuries are not recovered from, but rather are the beginning of the end. Expecting him back to 2004 form is expecting too much. I will throw one thing out there though. I expect him to throw a gem on opening day, just because he will muster up the guts to pitch on the big day, but by the end of the month he'll be mediocre...

 

I think your wrong, but time will tell. I cant wait for opening day so all the arguments we have all had over this offseason can finally start getting resolved