Is it time to panic?

[DirtDog]

With Wakefield's back in bad shape, Beckett looking abismal and the ever so questionable 5th starter questions... Would putting Papelbon in the rotation and have Hansen close hurt the team? Would it help the team more tho?

 

In my opinion it won't happen, but I think it might help. Your thoughts?

[Papelbon58]

it wont happen, so it doesnt really matter

but changing a closer to a starter is not an instant thing, or if it is, it will hurt the pen. We need to just make a trade for a decent 5th starter and forget about it. It wouldnt hurt to add a relief pitcher, but we have Breslow and JVB also.

[yankeessuck013]

time to panic? we're 2 days into the 2nd half of the season and are still 1.5 games up in the division, and have played the least amount of home games than any other team.

 

people need to stop worrying, stop jumping to conclusions, and just enjoy the ride.

[RoyNHSox]

Instead of coming down of the pitching, take a look at the team’s offense for the month of July. As of today the Sox are batting .246 for July. There are only 2 other teams in the majors with a worse record: Seattle and Oakland. How about the alarming rate that runners are left on base? This is what’s hurting the team now.

 

But to panic right now is way overboard. Teams go through slumps over the course of a season. There are a lot of games left play and the Sox are still in a good position right now to take the East.

[a700hitter]

With Wakefield's back in bad shape, Beckett looking abismal and the ever so questionable 5th starter questions... Would putting Papelbon in the rotation and have Hansen close hurt the team? Would it help the team more tho?

 

In my opinion it won't happen, but I think it might help. Your thoughts?

It is time for concern, but not panic, but it is time for the FO to plug the huge hole inthe rotation with a reliable veteran.

[Dana Kiecker]

I think you're a retard.

 

Please do better the next time you feel like letting your chronic dhiarea of the keyboard squat here.

[ksushi]

Its not time for anything. Its two days into the second half. So what? Beckett is a second half pitcher, just wait, its going to come. Its not time to panic. I still think we're a much better team than the Yankees. Head and shoulders better. There are two guys on that team that really scare me though as a Red Sox fan, Jeter and Torre. If it weren't for Torre the Sox could hang the division champ banner up this afternoon.

 

I'll panic when we are a couple games back, but not now.

[ORS]

It's never time to panic. Either the team will win the divison/pennant/WS, or they won't, and panic won't do anything to effect that. That said, concern would be appropriate right now.

 

Despite losing some bats in their lineup, the Yankees are playing good ball right now. Their hitting has been timely, their bullpen has kept them in games, and their rotation is pitching really well. While that has been happening, our LOB problems from earlier this year have returned. Our #2 is getting hammered every time out, and the back end of the rotation has taxed the BP pretty hard. These things go in cycles, but if this current situation were to last a couple of weeks, they could find themselves in a 5-6 game hole going into the stretch run.

 

I think the FO is, right or wrong, waiting for more information on Wells and Clement before making a move. It's unlikely that either of them come back and return to #3 starter form, but if they could eat some innings at the back of the rotation while keeping the team in the game, then that will help. If that is the case, I like their chances to make the playoffs, but I don't like their chances in the playoffs. The current rotation won't be strong enough to win the WS this year without a big boost (Smoltz, Schmidt, etc.).

 

Saving part of the future at the expense of right now could be a big mistake. Manny is having another carbon copy year, but he's approaching his mid-30's. How long will he be able to keep it up without significant injury time? Then again, trading some blue-chip prospects away for a one-year rental to go for the big prize could be a big mistake too. It's possible that whoever they acquire doesn't adjust well to the league/situation and they don't win it all. Personally, for a team with the resources to replace who they trade away, I think it is worth the shot. The Manny/Ortiz duo is a once a decade type situation. They should take advantage of it while it lasts.

[a700hitter]

I think the FO is, right or wrong, waiting for more information on Wells and Clement before making a move. It's unlikely that either of them come back and return to #3 starter form, but if they could eat some innings at the back of the rotation while keeping the team in the game, then that will help. If that is the case, I like their chances to make the playoffs, but I don't like their chances in the playoffs. The current rotation won't be strong enough to win the WS this year without a big boost (Smoltz, Schmidt, etc.).

They don't really have the luxury of waiting for Wells or Clement. They won't know what to expect from them until after the trading deadline. They need to do something before the deadline, because they are not going to the post-season throwing Snyder, Johnson and Pauley every 5th day. If Wells or Clement makes it back and contributes, it would be a luxury, but they can't depend on it.

[The Monster is my Mom]

They don't really have the luxury of waiting for Wells or Clement. They won't know what to expect from them until after the trading deadline. They need to do something before the deadline, because they are not going to the post-season throwing Snyder, Johnson and Pauley every 5th day. If Wells or Clement makes it back and contributes, it would be a luxury, but they can't depend on it.

 

You only need 4 starters in the playoffs

[ORS]

They don't really have the luxury of waiting for Wells or Clement. They won't know what to expect from them until after the trading deadline. They need to do something before the deadline, because they are not going to the post-season throwing Snyder, Johnson and Pauley every 5th day. If Wells or Clement makes it back and contributes, it would be a luxury, but they can't depend on it.

I agree. They can't keep praying for rain every 5th day. That's just what I think is happening. The combination of a hole at #5, short outings from #4, a stiff back on #3, and #2 being a toss-up (dominant or torched) means they need a pitcher. A good one.

[a700hitter]

You only need 4 starters in the playoffs

But they will have a tough time getting to the playoffs with the current staff, and this staff is not good enoughn to advance through the playoffs, if they get there.

[The Monster is my Mom]

And Beckett is due for a blister any day now

[jsinger121]

Its tough to do anything when their is not much out there. And by no means will the Red Sox overpay for an average starting pitcher.

[DirtDog]

I think you're a retard.

 

Please do better the next time you feel like letting your chronic dhiarea of the keyboard squat here.

 

Well thanks for your opinion. Keep spreading the intelligence.

[DirtDog]

Its tough to do anything when their is not much out there. And by no means will the Red Sox overpay for an average starting pitcher.

 

True, I do not want another Jeff Suppan. We gave up Sanchez for him and now he's an all-star.

[a700hitter]

True, I do not want another Jeff Suppan. We gave up Sanchez for him and now he's an all-star.

You win some and you lose some when you deal. Teams want something in return in a trade. Rarely does a trade work out equally for each team. However, if Suppan had been able to win a playoff game in the ALCS (I'm not sure he made the roster) and the Sox won the 2003 WS, the trade would have been worth it.

[jsinger121]

You win some and you lose some when you deal. Teams want something in return in a trade. Rarely does a trade work out equally for each team. However, if Suppan had been able to win a playoff game in the ALCS (I'm not sure he made the roster) and the Sox won the 2003 WS, the trade would have been worth it.

 

Suppan was useless down the stretch and failed to make the ALCS roster.

[a700hitter]

Suppan was useless down the stretch and failed to make the ALCS roster.

It was a bad deal. Suppan spit the bit big time. I don't know if it was fear of the big stage or what (let's not forget his meltdown on 3B in game 3 of the 2004 WS), but if he hadn't sucked so much in Sept '03 and made the ALCS roster and won game 7 in relief, the trade would have been worth it to me if he never threw another pitch for the Sox. There's nothing wrong with short term success. A world series banner hangs forever. Sometimes young talent has to be sacrificed to get it. Obviously, the FO should try not to trade the next Albert Pujols or the next Pedro, but sometimes the guys you trade turn out to be pretty good, e.g. Freddie Sanchez.

[ksushi]

Personally, I think the Sox are built for a 7 game series. They go through ups and downs, but when the rotation lines up, the ups are way way up. All you need in the playoffs is a good 1-4 in the rotation. You don't need that 5 spot that has been giving the Sox trouble, which is why I don't think moving youth for someone like schmidt is a great idea right now. You could move less important pieces and get a good enough # 5 in return. No one great, but someone who could bring stability to the table

[a700hitter]

Personally, I think the Sox are built for a 7 game series. They go through ups and downs, but when the rotation lines up, the ups are way way up. All you need in the playoffs is a good 1-4 in the rotation. You don't need that 5 spot that has been giving the Sox trouble, which is why I don't think moving youth for someone like schmidt is a great idea right now. You could move less important pieces and get a good enough # 5 in return. No one great, but someone who could bring stability to the table

Right now the Yankee rotation is better.

[ORS]

Which Beckett are you assuming you will get in that 7 game series, ksushi? And, what happens if Lester only goes 5 a night after Wake has a bad-Wake outing? I know that these types of things can happen to any team, but, unfortunately, these aren't out of the blue scenarios for the Sox. They are a weekly concern. I think they need another pitcher, not only for the stretch run, but for the playoffs as well.

 

Jsinger, nobody that has been clamoring for another SP had Suppan or someone from his ilk in mind. I'm pretty sure we are all talking about an impact SP. And, yes, tossing out the 4th most effective reliever on the team right now (Hansen) as part of the deal is worth it (at least in my mind) to try and make a serious run this year.

[a700hitter]

Which Beckett are you assuming you will get in that 7 game series, ksushi? And, what happens if Lester only goes 5 a night after Wake has a bad-Wake outing? I know that these types of things can happen to any team, but, unfortunately, these aren't out of the blue scenarios for the Sox. They are a weekly concern. I think they need another pitcher, not only for the stretch run, but for the playoffs as well.

 

Jsinger, nobody that has been clamoring for another SP had Suppan or someone from his ilk in mind. I'm pretty sure we are all talking about an impact SP. And, yes, tossing out the 4th most effective reliever on the team right now (Hansen) as part of the deal is worth it (at least in my mind) to try and make a serious run this year.

Throw in Pedroia and you can get Smoltz easliy.

[riverside sluggers]

Throw in Pedroia and you can get Smoltz easliy.

 

Perdroia isnt going to be traded. The Braves have a 28 year old Marcus Giles at 2nd, 30 yearold Renteria (so he says), and a young utility guy in Wilson Betemit. Yeah the Braves are clamoring for a close to major league ready 2nd baseman

[ORS]

Throw in Pedroia and you can get Smoltz easliy.

I agree. And, Peddy has been spanking the ball the last month and a half. After going .234 in his first month or so back from injury, he's hit like a mo-fo and has his average up over .300 with pop. I'd hate to see the kid go. But, you know what? It's a lot easier to find a solid 2B than it is to find an impact, veteran SP capable of pitching well in October.

[ORS]

Perdroia isnt going to be traded. The Braves have a 28 year old Marcus Giles at 2nd, 30 yearold Renteria (so he says), and a young utility guy in Wilson Betemit. Yeah the Braves are clamoring for a close to major league ready 2nd baseman

Giles is close to a walk year. Don't think they wouldn't be interested.

[ksushi]

I'm assuming Beckett is going to begin to learn how to pitch off of his fastball instead of only with fastballs. So I expect better from him. Lester is learning, I'm not expecting him to be able to carry this team, but I'm expecting him to regularly give 6 solid more often. Less jams.

 

This team is built for the playoffs right now, and I don't think that giving up Hansen is worth it if you're talking about fixing something that isn't broken. Sure, another arm would be nice, but you don't have to go out and get a veteran stopper that will cost an arm and a leg. A couple of losses after the all-star break and people seem more willing to fire off all the bullets the Sox have in the chamber at the deadline. I don't think that its dire straights for the sox right now. I think they have a bright couple years coming up and the fact that they can contend this year while reloading for next and beyond is really impressive.

 

I'm still expecting Josh Beckett to pitch well, and Lester is learning on the job. Schilling Wake Beckett and Lester isn't anything to balk at in the post season. I don't know, for me, concern has yet to set in. We'll see.

 

I hope we don't trade Hansen, he's my friends cousin, I talk to him online

[SCM33]

So if Smoltz came here (which he wont, hes not going anywhere unless its DET) that would give us:

 

Smoltz 39

Wakefield turning 40 with a bad back

Schilling 39

Beckett who doesnt do much of anything against AL teams

Wells 43 on the DL

Clement and his fragile psyche

Lester and his 5 inning masterpieces

The ever revolving door of #5 rotation specialists

and.......

The anchor of the bullpen (Timlin) at 40

 

Im not saying its time to panic, every team has their problems, but im not so sure bringing in another guy going on 40 at the expense of a prospect makes much sense. That being said, our FO must make it a priority to get younger in the rotation next year, I guess it helps Boomer is heading out, but even next year we will be loaded with older guys anchoring the pitching rotation.

[ksushi]

You're pretty quick to write off Beckett and Lester who are both in their 20's with plent of upside, huh?

[SCM33]

You're pretty quick to write off Beckett and Lester who are both in their 20's with plent of upside, huh?

 

Im not writing of either, but I dont think either can be counted on at this point in time. You know what you are going to get out of Lester, thats all. You can't expect him to do a whole lot more, I think that would be unfair. That doesnt mean he hasnt pitched well, because he has, but if he is constantly going 5 innings, that is putting more pressure on other starters to go longer because of bullpen overusage.

 

Beckett is a case of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde. You really have no idea who is going to show up at the park, and in a 7 game series, I dont want the series final games coming down to him at this point.

 

Im not writing of either, in fact im more confident in Lester at this point, but if another pitcher goes down with an injury, I think we are in serious trouble. We just dont have the arms at this point and that has been obvious with the run of the mill guys we throw out there every 5 games in the #5 spot.