Wily Mo revisited

[BeanTown33]

I don't mind him getting his ab's, but i feel much more comfortable with Trot roaming right!

Definately. I mean, at least Willy Mo made an attempt to play right field. It's a hard position to play in Fenway Park. At this point in time i'm not impressed with Willy Mo, but like someone said, it is only 2 weeks into baseball season, so anything can happen. He may just turn out ot be one of our big guns. Who knows. It's fair to say that he was a good trade for Bronson. I was never a big fan of his[bronson] anyway. I don't see how having him in our rotation would be of any help. Just as we can only speculate how DiNardo will do tomorrow, we could only speculate how Arroyo would do. He was so inconsistent. He could have one good start but then have a continuous string of horrific starts. I mean, it's hard to judge how any of the pitchers will perform when they take the mound on game day, but for some, Schilling & Beckett, it is safe to asusme they are going to give you a quality start.

[schillingouttheks]

Holy hell, you're back!

[kreinbihl34]

Wily Mo reminds me of a young Manny, all bat no field.

[tedred9sox]

Quite an adventure in RF .. lol

[mtbykr]

Wily Mo reminds me of a young Manny, all bat no field.

 

 

Which is really strange considering that this season (so far) manny has been all glove and no bat!

[seabeachfred]

Schill, you make some good points, but the problem with Pena is that he is a lousy outfielder and has been all his life. The inability to judge and track fly balls is not one that can be as easily overcome as you might think. He is a pure DH type of player from what I can see and we have the best DH in baseball history on our team right now. Maybe when Manny leaves he can be put in left field where he couldn't cause as many problems f or us with his shaky glove; that is, if he is still with us. I'm just not sure about this guy.

[The Monster is my Mom]

Schill, you make some good points, but the problem with Pena is that he is a lousy outfielder and has been all his life. The inability to judge and track fly balls is not one that can be as easily overcome as you might think. He is a pure DH type of player from what I can see and we have the best DH in baseball history on our team right now. Maybe when Manny leaves he can be put in left field where he couldn't cause as many problems f or us with his shaky glove; that is, if he is still with us. I'm just not sure about this guy.

 

Them thar' are fightin' words, Fred!

[schillingouttheks]

Schill, you make some good points, but the problem with Pena is that he is a lousy outfielder and has been all his life. The inability to judge and track fly balls is not one that can be as easily overcome as you might think. He is a pure DH type of player from what I can see and we have the best DH in baseball history on our team right now. Maybe when Manny leaves he can be put in left field where he couldn't cause as many problems f or us with his shaky glove; that is, if he is still with us. I'm just not sure about this guy.

Well, keep in mind that the guy's still young. He's playing in major league ballparks on the ML level and more comfort patrolling the OF will come in time. Does anyone remember that helluva web gem he had last year when he filled in for Griffey in CF in Cincinatti? He scaled the wall and robbed a HR back handed or something. It was absolutely filthy.

[mtbykr]

I like pena, but it was GREAT to see Trot back in right today:D I think that Pena can do fine in right, but he needs time out there---and i am not sure we can afford for him to take the time to learn out there. I think one thing that is overlooked with trot is the fact of how good he plays right at fenway---he inspires a lot of confidence (in me anyway). Pena has a lot of potential--i just wish we still had an option on him!

[schillingouttheks]

I think too many people look at this trade and look at Pena as Arroyo's immediate replacement, comparing the two of them on too similar ground. Pena was NOT brought here to fill Arroyo's shoes, obviously. They are two completely different players and both gave/give to this team in different ways. Arroyo gave a quality start once every five games, but Pena has the potential to give you his bat every game (and in doing so, give you 45-50 homers a year). DiNardo looked fine out there today against the M's, and seeing that was a relief for me. I'd much rather have DiNardo out there than Wells, and if DiNardo keeps this up we won't miss Arroyo too much. That's not to say I won't miss him completely, but if someone can fill his role, then all is good.

 

Seeing Wily Mo get better and better this year and next will be much more worth it than keeping Arroyo in this rotation when DiNardo can fill his role. I know it was only 1 start, but it was a good one nonetheless, and he will only get more comfortable there. I think he'll do fine as a 5th starter.

[BeanTown33]

Holy hell, you're back!

ya, I am. Don't sound so surprised. :harhar:

 

I'm watching the replay of today's game b/c I was at work today and so far DiNardo isn't doing too bad. And from what i was told from some of the guys in work, the bullpen gave up a run or two. It's good to have Trot back tho. His presence was definately missed.

[Manny Goes Boom]

ya, I am. Don't sound so surprised. :harhar:

 

Well, you HAVE been gone for a LONG time.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

Now that Wells is on the DL and is likely going to be out a month, how much different a dynamic has the arroyo deal taken. He currently has a sub 2 era in 2 starts and would side nicely into that 5 slot. I dont think the sox had a contingency plan for Paps as a closer and wells as an invalid. Arroyo would be very valuable right now...

 

Pitchers always improve when they swap leagues. It's a proven fact. Arroyo is throwing against people that have never seen him before. The same way Beckett is tearing it up now, he'll stay good, but this good? Common, you know he's benefitting from facing new guys. Pitchers definitley have the advantage in first matchups, regardless of what some might say. We'd be screwed without Wily Mo right now, and I'm so pumped about his future.

[mtbykr]

ya, I am. Don't sound so surprised. :harhar:

 

I'm watching the replay of today's game b/c I was at work today and so far DiNardo isn't doing too bad. And from what i was told from some of the guys in work, the bullpen gave up a run or two. It's good to have Trot back tho. His presence was definately missed.

 

Ya, and i don't fault tavarez for that run (if you've seen it yet) --if it wasn't for the "hole" in cora's glove, then all is good! On a side note: MLB Extra Innings really sucks this year:rant: ---not only do we have to watch the "home team's broadcast" which takes out NESN half the time----but even now they black out the replay's of the game or the "redsox in 2" on NESN. (even if, like today, it's a home game) Just really annoying--i missed today's ending (as mentioned above) and would have liked to catch the replay---oh well! You would think that the $169 you paid for the package would be enough---i guess i will just have to convince my wife to move back home!!! :thumbsup:

[Redking]

Willy MO was needed to back up Nixon because of the recent injury problems.

[BeanTown33]

Well, you HAVE been gone for a LONG time.

Very true. But, i'm here now, ready for a great season, hopefully.

 

MTB, i think i might have missed when seatle scored the other runs, i was up and about htrough my house. It's unfortunate when runs are scored due to a hole in the defense. It sucks to be the pitcher on the mound too. Poor guy. But it's all good. I kno we won and thats all that matters.

[seabeachfred]

We can all hope that Wily Mo keep improving in the pitch selection department as he has the past week or so, but as far as fielding in right is concerned he does worry me when he plays out there. It really is sad he has no options left. A year at Pawtucket playing everyday would do wonders for him.

[mtbykr]

Very true. But, i'm here now, ready for a great season, hopefully.

 

MTB, i think i might have missed when seatle scored the other runs, i was up and about htrough my house. It's unfortunate when runs are scored due to a hole in the defense. It sucks to be the pitcher on the mound too. Poor guy. But it's all good. I kno we won and thats all that matters.

 

 

If you missed it, they scored it when ichiro hit a liner to short and it went off cora's glove (cora actually looked at his glove thinking he had broken it). well a bunt got him to 2nd, stole 3rd, and scored on a grounder to 2nd where loretta couldn't get home in time and had to take the out at first.

 

This is what i can remember at 2.45am--please correct any mistakes:D

[mtbykr]

We can all hope that Wily Mo keep improving in the pitch selection department as he has the past week or so, but as far as fielding in right is concerned he does worry me when he plays out there. It really is sad he has no options left. A year at Pawtucket playing everyday would do wonders for him.

 

 

Great minds think alike! I think if he had a year in AAA then it would really help his learning curve. I do know that papi and papajack have been working with him lately though to get him to keep his hands closer to his body during his swing. ---- Let's hope they can work their magic!

[seabeachfred]

MTB. really it is a shame Wily Mo can't be sent down for a full year of seasoning and instruction. It would do wonders for him. Besides, he isn't going to beat Nixon out for the spot because I think Trot is headed for a big year. That said, we can only keep hoping he shows improvement with the help of Papa Jack. I have a lot of confidence in that man and he knows what he's doing.

[ksushi]

It isn't that hes not hitting well, its that he can't catch. He was hitting .300 going into yesterday, and hes really rocketed the ball. Sure, hes struck out, but I watched him last year in cinci and he took way less pitches than he has taken thus far. His bat isn't the problem, its his glove.

[seabeachfred]

Believe it or not Ksushi, it might actually be easier to teach a player how to be more selective at the plate for better results than it is to teach him how to be a good defensive outfielder. Pena has always had trouble playing the outfield and you have seen yourself how he has butched one ball after another. It is going to be an adventure with this guy in the field. He has cost Foulke and Beckett runs already with his slip shod fielding and we haven't seen the last of it. Just keep your fingers crossed that he improves as the season progresses.

[mtbykr]

Ksushi and Seabeachfred; you both make excellant points. He has looked a lot better recently with the bat, at least he's looked a lot more patient. I would hope down the line that he is able to get more starts on the road with a more conventional right field. (the fens is a tough right to play, and nixon's play there has been overlooked in my opinion)

 

He will most likely get a start tonight, giving trot a rest since it's a lefty. Let's hope that the benefit of playing a night game at fenway will help him see the ball better off the bat!

[Beckett95]

for this year, id rather have gotten Kearns instead of Willy Mo. Kearns is better defensively and is a better option to platoon with Nixon. But Willy Mo has more potential for the long term.

[seabeachfred]

MTB and Beck. First of all I don't think it is a good idea to bench Niixon tonight as he is coming off an injury and a three hit game. As for Kearns, that would have been my first choice easily. Kearns can play a good outfield and, when healthy, is a very good hitter. That being said, we can only hope Pena keeps improving in fits and spurts because if he goes backward the team is going to be hurt and Theo will get the blame for making a very bad trade. We'll have to wait and see.

[BeanTown33]

Thanx for that play by play MTB.

 

i agree with you guys about willy mo being able to play everyday at Pawtucket. he has great potential but a play once in a while isn't going to help him out much. is he the only possibility ot play right if trot is out?why not Stern? or even Mohr(sp?)? It will be great when we have Kaplar back....

 

speaking of WMP taking pitches he just took a nice ball for the walk

[The Monster is my Mom]

There is an interesting article on Fox Sports by Kevin Hench about the trade. He makes some good points, but obviously the trade was made with the future in mind, not necessarily this year.

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5515898

[jsinger121]

2 walks tonight for Pena

[ksushi]

There are two factors people are overlooking about Pena's bad defense:

 

1) Fenway is incredibly tough to play when you are familiar with it. Pena isn't the best defender - certainly not this bad, but not good - and he is not at all familiar with fenway. Bad combo.

 

2) He played in the biggest pressure vaacum in the united states: cincinatti. Hes playing infront of a rough rough crowd now. New to him for sure. He is watching his step, trying too hard, and failing.

 

It gets better from here.

[seabeachfred]

A hit tonight, two walks---that is not bad at all. He is starting to really show some discipline at the plate; no turning back for him now. He must keep this up. Papa Jack's hand is all over the place on this. I missed some of the ball game on MLBTV. Someone told me he goofed up on a ball hit to him again. That true? I don't think that is something we can put up with over the long haul though. He has to get better in the field as well.