July 28th vs. Anaheim

[jsinger121]

thats pretty much what im saying...what if he struggles? then what?

 

i feel safer with loretta. he fits in great at the 2 spot.

 

but im fine either way with either loretta or pedroia.

 

Pedroia has hit at every minor league stop he has been at and is pretty much ready now. The only thing in his way is Mark Loretta and that will end at the end of the year.

[SoxFan25]

WAY TO GO MANNY AND ORTIZ!

[jsinger121]

oh cmon its not like loretta is sucking.

 

His power is gone and he is a singles hitter now. His range is also not that good. Pedroia brings better range and more power and better plate discipline. Pedroia will make everyone forget about Loretta.

[riverside sluggers]

Because you don't need to waste 5 million plus dollars on a declining player when Pedroia is more than capable of holding the spot fulltime next year. thank you very much loretta but i will pass on resigning you and use your money on getting more pitching.

 

Just like when fans were mad at Theo for not resigning Bill Mueller, when there was a capable player in the minors to take over

[ORS]

Because you don't need to waste 5 million plus dollars on a declining player when Pedroia is more than capable of holding the spot fulltime next year. thank you very much loretta but i will pass on resigning you and use your money on getting more pitching.

Your money argument makes no sense. This team has money to burn, so it isn't about wasted money, especially not at that salary level. It's about Pedroia being ready.

 

Papi has wheels.

[CrespoBlows]

Loretta has been a very big part of the offensive production in front of Ortiz and Manny. He was a key acquisition for the top of the order, especially in light of losing Damon. Pedroia as a rookie will not have the professionalism to replace Loretta as the #2 guy in the order. That leaves them looking for a #2 batter. Would you go Crisp and Youk 1 and 2? I'm not so sure that Crisp is a good leadoff hitter. Also, why wouldn't you have Pedroia caddy next year for Loretta and Gozo like Cora is doing this year. If he proves himself he wins the spot. If he flops, Loretta is a nice safety net.

 

Players don't learn ANYTHING sitting on benches. Besides, what does professionalism have to do with hitting second? If anything, Pedoria is the ultimate pro, (grit, hustle) not that it means anything at all.

 

The Red Sox can insert Pedroia into the second spot. He'll walk more then he strikes out, and he'll hit in the .280 range. His OPS will be higher then Loretta's at the end of the next season. No question about that.

 

By the way, Cora is a nice safety net. (Why would Loretta want to play on the bench)

[riverside sluggers]

It seems like Papi is being sent on more hit & runs :thumbsup:

[jsinger121]

Your money argument makes no sense. This team has money to burn, so it isn't about wasted money, especially not at that salary level. It's about Pedroia being ready.

 

Papi has wheels.

 

I know its not about the money but there is no sense spending it on Loretta and keeping Pedroia sitting even longer. Use the money somewhere else.

[SoxFan25]

well you guys are really confident that pedroia is ready to go but i like to be safe and would like to see him backup to start next season, but im fine if this is the 1 and only year for loretta. just playing it safe but i know pedroia is going to step it up when he's ready to.

 

plus loretta still has trade value, could trade him for pitching next season if they were to keep him.

[a700hitter]

thats pretty much what im saying...what if he struggles? then what?

 

i feel safer with loretta. he fits in great at the 2 spot.

 

but im fine either way with either loretta or pedroia.

It's not that easy for a kid to come to the majors and play for the Red Sox everyday in a high-pressure atmosphere and to remain consistent throughout the year. It will be a learning process. I'm not comfortable with a kid learning on the job for a $130 million team without a safety net. I don't consider Cora a safety net. He's a nice defensive replacement and utility player, but he is not a good enough everyday player to be the safety net.

[CrespoBlows]

I know its not about the money but there is no sense spending it on Loretta and keeping Pedroia sitting even longer. Use the money somewhere else.

 

Like a pitcher.

[jsinger121]

Loretta does not have that much value for someone who is 34 and on the downside. You are not going to get pitching for him.

[jsinger121]

It's not that easy for a kid to come to the majors and play for the Red Sox everyday in a high-pressure atmosphere and to remain consistent throughout the year. It will be a learning process. I'm not comfortable with a kid learning on the job for a $130 million team without a safety net. I don't consider Cora a safety net. He's a nice defensive replacement and utility player, but he is not a good enough everyday player to be the safety net.

 

Robinson Cano says hello.

[SoxFan25]

well id still be safe and keep loretta.

[CrespoBlows]

It's not that easy for a kid to come to the majors and play for the Red Sox everyday in a high-pressure atmosphere and to remain consistent throughout the year. It will be a learning process. I'm not comfortable with a kid learning on the job for a $130 million team without a safety net. I don't consider Cora a safety net. He's a nice defensive replacement and utility player, but he is not a good enough everyday player to be the safety net.

 

Maybe we should never bring up another prospect. I'm in favor for trading for Honus Wagner. He's established.

 

Going with your plan, our team will be filling out weekly subscriptions to AARP.

 

Give it a rest with this "fragile mentality" argument. These kids are talented. They deserve a chance.

[jsinger121]

well id still be safe and keep loretta.

 

And that's why you have no idea what the red sox in the minors.

[Cocos Disciples]

Robinson Cano says hello.

 

jsinger is a poet and he didn't even know it. And he makes a good point!

[CrespoBlows]

Loretta does not have that much value for someone who is 34 and on the downside. You are not going to get pitching for him.

 

I meant, use the money you save not signing Loretta, toward another bullpen arm.

[ORS]

I hate the "what if the kid can't handle it attitude", and this fanbase seems to have more of it than any other. I'm watching teams all over baseball bring their studs up and let them play, while half our fanbase is a bunch of nervious Nellie's wanting to keep around a guy with little range, IsoD, or IsoP --- all while our best position prospect is raking in AAA. Grow a set and hop on the bandwagon.

[jsinger121]

I meant, use the money you save not signing Loretta, toward another bullpen arm.

 

I definitely agree with that assessment.

[Cocos Disciples]

Yeah, you gotta bring him up eventually, and Gonzalez has more long term value (next year basically) than Loretta.

[CrespoBlows]

well id still be safe and keep loretta.

 

He could go Tony Womack or Bernie Williams on us, and show his age really fast.

 

Face it, he's going to want a two to three year contract. He's not going to be the same player toward the end of his career.

[riverside sluggers]

I meant, use the money you save not signing Loretta, toward another bullpen arm.

 

Good point, Justin Speier of the Blue Jays anyone?

[SoxFan25]

well its not like any of us have a say in it.

its up to the organization.

 

loretta is the 2nd baseman this season, just have to wait and see what happens next season. all that matters right now is the sox lead 2-1 in the top of the 7th.

[jsinger121]

Get someone up in the pen please

[a700hitter]

Players don't learn ANYTHING sitting on benches. Besides, what does professionalism have to do with hitting second? If anything, Pedoria is the ultimate pro, (grit, hustle) not that it means anything at all.

Grit and hustle don't equate to professionalism. They might get you to the major leagues, but there is no substitute for experience. The second place hitter needs to be a good situational hitter. Knowledge of the pitchers, their tendencies and patterns, the other teams defensive strengths and weaknesses is can be critical. You don't get this anyway other than experience. Pedroia would learn plenty and they could work him into the lineup 2-3 times a week. That would get his feet wet without overwhelming him.

[CrespoBlows]

Good point, Justin Speier of the Blue Jays anyone?

 

Call me crazy, but I'd love to take a risk, and sign Eric Gagne.

[ORS]

Crespo, you busy next Sunday? (Aug 6, I believe)

[RedSoxRooter]

Is Gagne even available?

[CrespoBlows]

Grit and hustle don't equate to professionalism. They might get you to the major leagues, but there is no substitute for experience. The second place hitter needs to be a good situational hitter. Knowledge of the pitchers, their tendencies and patterns, the other teams defensive strengths and weaknesses is can be critical. You don't get this anyway other than experience. Pedroia would learn plenty and they could work him into the lineup 2-3 times a week. That would get his feet wet without overwhelming him.

 

Talent > Experience

 

This guy Pedoria isn't an idiot. He knows how to go the other way, how to bunt, etc.