Defensively speaking…

[RoyNHSox]

Have you ever seen a more sound and efficient group than the Sox right now? Tonight’s game was textbook with all the plays done right, culminating in Coco’s unbelievable catch. Are these guys playing over their heads now or is this team the real deal?

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I was real excited when I saw this team pieced together. These guys are all excellent, smart, well-rounded, experienced veterans who know how to play the game.

 

All of these guys can get on base and they can all play defense. The worst defensive player on the Red Sox is Manny Ramirez and he plays a ball off the monster better than anyone.

 

Mike Lowell and Alex Gonzalez are simply amazing to watch. In my opinion they are the best defensive SS and 3B in the league. Mark Loretta is a perfect 2 hole hitter and Kevin Youkilis...despite is suprising great defense....could he possibly be one of the best leadoff hitters in the game??

 

These position players are very solid and all good teammates with leadership qualities. Eveyone does there job and does it very well. I like the chemistry.

[yeszir]

Setting the MLB record for consecutive games played without an error proves this team is the real deal defensively.

[Cityofchampions33]

Man, that left side of the infield is one of the best i've ever seen, I mean I geus sthey didn't get much publicity because they were in FLA, but Lowell and Gonzalez make everything look sooo easy.

[Anuj09]

i wonder how Edgar Rentanerror (dont get me wrong he was the man) would do defensively at fenway this year if he still was on the team

[Matt]

The left side of the infield gets all of the glory, but Loretta and Youkilis have done awesome jobs on the right side as well.

[ksushi]

That play Youk made to dive back into first to take a throw from Loretta from shallow right saved an error and as a first basemen thats as good as it gets. Much credit to Youk, who deserves a look for gold glove.

 

How many, if any, gold gloves should this infield win this year?

[BoSox21]

I dont think this team is playing over their heads. but there have been surprises for sure. I did not think the batting order, namely guys like Youk, Loretta, Lowell, Nixon and Gonzo would be hitting so well. I knew the defense would be there and I figured the starting pitching was gonna be much improved. But those guys hitting, Youk's underrated defense and Paps stepping up to be an insane closer are definitely surprises.

[MANNYHOF24]

Its fun to watch this type of baseball... its refreshing to see great defense, timely hitting and very solid pitching

[Sizzlin22]

Much credit to Youk, who deserves a look for gold glove.

Youk is making the FO look stupid for letting Millar play last year and not brining up Youk to take his place.

[BoSox21]

Youk is making the FO look stupid for letting Millar play last year and not brining up Youk to take his place.

 

yea but that's why they got Olerud and he did the job. I'm just happy to see Tito didn't platoon Youk and Snow for very long

[TheKilo]

Youk is making the FO look stupid for letting Millar play last year and not brining up Youk to take his place.

 

 

Youk wasn't a first baseman last year. He learned that position in ST.

 

 

Mueller was the one blocking Youk.

[Sizzlin22]

Youk wasn't a first baseman last year. He learned that position in ST.

 

 

Mueller was the one blocking Youk.

I'm aware of that.What I meant was they should have taught Youk in ST last year so didn't have the Kentucky Fried Dumbass on the field.

[ksushi]

I

 

Our defense is foolish. They've been this way all year, and they are as advertised. Definitely not playing over their heads, this is par for the course.

[example1]

The entire sox team has fewer errors so far than Renteria had all of last year. That says a lot.

[MC Hammer]

Nice to see a thread about this years defense is a place to bash Edgar Renteria again. That never gets old right? <_>

 

As far as our defense goes I can't say I'm surprised at all. We have a potential gold glover from corner to corner, and they're all playing to their potential. Defense and pitching wins championships, and we've got half of the equation perfected.

 

There is definatly something special about watching an infield of defensive superstars.

[ksushi]

I'd say we are a fifth starter away from having championship caliber pitching as well.

[MC Hammer]

I'd say we are a fifth starter away from having championship caliber pitching as well.

I agree. If our pitching can be consistant, Josh I'm looking at you, then I think we just need 1 more starter.

[a700hitter]

I agree. If our pitching can be consistant, Josh I'm looking at you, then I think we just need 1 more starter.

Agreed, but the answer is not Josh Johnson. I believe the answer is a move to bring in an impact pitcher like Smoltz.

[ORS]

Agreed, but the answer is not Josh Johnson. I believe the answer is a move to bring in an impact pitcher like Smoltz.

Amen. Smoltz puts this team over the top, IMO. I'm usually in favor of caution when it comes to moving the kids. For example, I didn't see it with the team we had last year. Not enough horses in the rotation and a weaker 'pen. The team is more complete this year, but that 5th starter is the biggest hole. Imagine putting Smoltz, SMOLTZ - one of the best big game pitchers in the game, in that rotation. No more Clement. Off to retirement Fat Man. As long as Lester isn't required, I think they should pull the trigger.

[a700hitter]

Amen. Smoltz puts this team over the top, IMO. I'm usually in favor of caution when it comes to moving the kids. For example, I didn't see it with the team we had last year. Not enough horses in the rotation and a weaker 'pen. The team is more complete this year, but that 5th starter is the biggest hole. Imagine putting Smoltz, SMOLTZ - one of the best big game pitchers in the game, in that rotation. No more Clement. Off to retirement Fat Man. As long as Lester isn't required, I think they should pull the trigger.

We see eye to eye on this one. Let's hope the FO is of the same mind.

[ksushi]

I would go so far as to say I would include anyone but Lester in a smoltz deal so long as Smoltz can pass an indepth physical and we can get a good look at him to make sure he is still capapble of handling some work load in his old age. I would deal any combination of Hansen, Pedroia, MDC and edgar martinez mixed in with lesser guys in a 3 for 1 Smoltz deal.

 

Hansen alone might get the job done, but for the sake of getting it done I would do Hansen, David Murphy and another prospect of decent potential.

[riverside sluggers]

Id rather include Hansen in a trade for Dontrelle than Smoltz. Smoltz is a great pitcher dont get me wrong. But its more enticing to trade Hansen for a pitcher who could be a stablemate in your rotation than a pitcher who has 1 or 2 good seasons left in him.

[ORS]

I don't think we can begin to negotiate with the Marlins for Willis with Lester off the table. Smoltz is a different story because he's older, but Willis' youth and ability will command a much higher price tag. I'm not thinking future here. This is a move made for this year (and possibly next) only.

[ksushi]

I would not trade Lester for Willis. Ever. Lester is a major league ready pitcher of 22, and Dontrelle has the experience behind him, but really talent-wise these guys are on an even keel. Is it worth trading away a guy who has a cheap six years left with us for a pitcher whose only difference is a longer resume?

[ORS]

I would not trade Lester for Willis. Ever. Lester is a major league ready pitcher of 22, and Dontrelle has the experience behind him, but really talent-wise these guys are on an even keel. Is it worth trading away a guy who has a cheap six years left with us for a pitcher whose only difference is a longer resume?

No, it isn't. But, don't worry. They turned down a bunch to keep Lester around when he was in the minors, and now he is experiencing success in the bigs. He's not going anywhere.