2007 Spring Training Game Thread

[ORS]

Gameday

 

Wake will go the 1st 5, then Papelbon the next 4. BP is scheduled to get the day off.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

Jesus...Lugo, Youk, and Ortiz just made Jamie Moyer look like Greg Maddux circa 1995.

[MANNYHOF24]

Youk with a 3 run shot. Willy Mo with a solo shot and Papelbon is the freaking closer!

[seabeachfred]

Gameday

 

Wake will go the 1st 5, then Papelbon the next 4. BP is scheduled to get the day off.

 

ORS, do you have any leery feelings about Paps going back to closer? Frankly, it really worries me. What if his shoulder acts up again? We could see the end of a very promising career. The doctors made it clear that starting would be much more beneficial for him and his team. I just think this is why I believe Theo has balked like hell about going out and getting a closer. He had something in reserve all along and that was Paps. Now we need a fifth starter and as it is Wakefield doesn't look like he is going to be much help for us this year unless his knuckler starts doing something. He is getting hit pretty consistently. And who is our fifth starter now????? Lester is not ready, is he?:dunno: :dunno: :dunno: :dunno: :dunno:

[ORS]

I don't like it, but not for the same reasons. I have little doubt that he's been cleared by the medical staff after going through a strength conditioning program to stabilize his shoulder. Without progress there, they don't risk it. I don't like it because I think he could have been a hell of a starting pitcher. Maybe not immediately, but not too far off. He was starting to show excellent control of the FB, a consistently nasty splitter, and a much improved curve. Given the choice between an elite closer or an elite starter, I take the SP every single time. This is a shortsighted move, and another year closing games may pigeonhole him into a situation where he'll never be a starter. That is a loss, IMO.

[seabeachfred]

I don't like it' date=' but not for the same reasons. I have little doubt that he's been cleared by the medical staff after going through a strength conditioning program to stabilize his shoulder. Without progress there, they don't risk it. I don't like it because I think he could have been a hell of a starting pitcher. Maybe not immediately, but not too far off. He was starting to show excellent control of the FB, a consistently nasty splitter, and a much improved curve. Given the choice between an elite closer or an elite starter, I take the SP every single time. This is a shortsighted move, and another year closing games may pigeonhole him into a situation where he'll never be a starter. That is a loss, IMO.[/quote']

 

I wonder who is going to step into that fifth spot in the rotation? Hansack, Lester, Taverez, Gabbard? We've strengthened one spot with a guy who could be among the best one or two closers in baseball (guess who the other one is), but we've opened a hole in our rotation. If I had a wish it would be that when I go to Fort Myers on Saturday I hear th news that Jon Lester is going to get a start and that he pitches well enough to win that fifth spot himself. A great goodwill story and a psychological edge for us if could happen.

[MANNYHOF24]

Schill's line today

Boston IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA

Schilling 7.0 6 2 2 0 6 0 2.20

 

I am starting to think we should give this guy an extension.

[BSN07]

There not worried about ST results, and for that matter the first half of the season, they want to know he can hold it together for a hole season not just half.

[riverside sluggers]

Keep it up Joel

 

per rotoworld

Joel Pineiro was credited with a relief victory after pitching a hitless ninth inning Friday against the Orioles.

 

With Jonathan Papelbon back in the pen, this is probably our last Pineiro update for a while. The ex-Mariner has pitched 8 1/3 scoreless innings in his last seven appearance, so he should have a key role in the pen to begin the season, even if he's no longer a candidate for saves. If he remains in a setup role all year, he could be a nice source of vulture wins. There didn't seem to be much thought given to putting him back into the rotation in place of Papelbon.

[Anuj09]

i hope they dont make him start - not when we have Snyder, Hansak, Gabbard, or even Taverez to fill until Lester comes in

[riverside sluggers]

Doubtful Anuj, look for Pineiro to handle the 8th inning until Timlin comes back. Even after that he'd probably share 7th inning duties with Donnelly/Okajima

[a700hitter]

There not worried about ST results' date=' and for that matter the first half of the season, they want to know he can hold it together for a hole season not just half.[/quote']If he wins 10 games in the first half and tails off and wins 6 games in the second half, his price and years will go up. If he wears down in the second half and wins 16-17 games, it's still 16-17 wins. Some guys have good first halve,. Some guys have good second halves. Pitchers do wear down in the second half. Surprise surprise. 16 or !7 wins is a good starter. In today's market, that commands $15/million a year for 2 years. He's throwing well. He's healthy. He is a very smart pitcher and fierce competitor. He's developed a new pitch, and he will be the ace of this staff. Not extending him now for a comparably inexpensive $13 million is just very poor management.

[jacksonianmarch]

If he wins 10 games in the first half and tails off and wins 6 games in the second half' date=' his price and years will go up. If he wears down in the second half and wins 16-17 games, it's still 16-17 wins. Some guys have good first halve,. Some guys have good second halves. Pitchers do wear down in the second half. Surprise surprise. 16 or !7 wins is a good starter. In today's market, that commands $15/million a year for 2 years. He's throwing well. He's healthy. He is a very smart pitcher and fierce competitor. He's developed a new pitch, and he will be the ace of this staff. Not extending him now for a comparably inexpensive $13 million is just very poor management.[/quote']

 

agreed.

[ORS]

Gameday

[TGov]

Gameday

 

awesome, thanks man... since it's not televised...

[ORS]

It's on MLB.TV if you have it.

[ORS]

Edwin Jackson is flashing a decent slider today.

[MANNYHOF24]

ORS, how do you get to 2006 gameday for this game?

 

Edit-My bad, I didn't read the other page

[ORS]

Hansack looks good. This kid is completely unproven, but I'd feel better with him as the 5th starter over Tavarez.

[EvilDonut]

Hansack looks good. This kid is completely unproven' date=' but I'd feel better with him as the 5th starter over Tavarez.[/quote']

 

Looks like hes pounding the zone.

[ORS]

He is. He's hitting spots, and his change-up is surprisingly good.

[example1]

Nice play by Dustin Mohr!

 

Can someone refresh my memory about why Ortiz hits in front of Manny? Is it mostly because of L,R,L,R composition or because Ortiz is more 'clutch' and should be up late in games before Manny? I just wonder if it would ever be beneficial to move them around. Manny is one of the most patient hitters I've ever seen.

[example1]

I've been a little pre-occupied with my fantasy draft the last day or two, has Hansack been given the #5 job or is that still up in the air?

[riverside sluggers]

Example, unfortunately for now Tavarez has been named the 5th starter. Although something interesting of note: I was reading in today's Boston Globe that Tavarez wasnt interested in talking about starting when asked yesterday. Usually he's quite gabby with the media

[example1]

Nasty little slider from Hansack. He's an intreguing option.

[example1]

Example' date=' unfortunately for now Tavarez has been named the 5th starter. Although something interesting of note: I was reading in today's Boston Globe that Tavarez wasnt interested in talking about starting when asked yesterday[/quote']

 

I don't really love Tavarez as the 5th starter. Of course, last week they were saying that Timlin or Pineiro would be the closer if the season started that day. Then the next day it's papelbon. Who knows??

[ORS]

I think Ortiz hits in front of Manny precisely because of Manny's patience and overall hitting prowess. Ortiz will chase a little more, but with Manny behind him, you don't want to walk him so he sees more strikes - ie, more hittable pitches.

[riverside sluggers]

Ah Dusty I got your back any day, but I just have to laugh when I see this picture

 

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/ab/fullj.getty-73561083db014_boston_red_so_5_06_45_pm.jpg

[EvilDonut]

My God he's small.

[MANNYHOF24]

Bill James predicts 284. 10 hrs 72 RBIs and 47 doubles. I would do back flips if he got anywhere near that.