Lester Update

[BSN07]

On ESPN radio it was reported that Lester's most recent health exam came back awesome, and hes good to go...

 

Thats awesome for Lester not even from a baseball standpoint, His personal health is #1, but it's also great news for Red Sox Nation!:thumbsup:

[arbitrary]

go where....?

 

You mean maybe only one more start from the crazy horse?

 

That is seriously awesome for the guy: Lester for two reasons and crazy horse for one.

[BoSox34]

It's great to see Lester healthy again.

 

One of the most promising things I've heard so far this spring was when Francona was discussing Lester's 2006 season. He was talking about how there was some conversation between members of the Red Sox FO over who would have the bigger impact, Lester or Papelbon. He also said he didn't see the huge impact from Lester that many speaked of but later realized that it was because Lester was sick during the season. This really put things in perspective and reminded me of the type of career that Lester is still capable of. It should be interesting to see the type of impact that Lester has on the back of the rotation this season and hopefully he can continue to progress on his way to becoming a great left hander in this league.

[jacksonianmarch]

if you put Lester's career above all else, you call him up in september and let him get his legs in Pawtucket.

[riverside sluggers]

And so what do you suggest about the 5th starter? Leave Tavarez in there and just hope he pitches decent? Like last year the Sox have put themselves in a hole

[a700hitter]

Francona on Lester in today's paper:

 

Francona said he received a glowing report on Jon Lester's start Friday night in Pawtucket, but cautioned that it was premature to speculate that he will be called up after he makes the last start of his 30-day rehab assignment Wednesday for the PawSox. "You might be jumping the gun a little bit," he said. Of reports that Lester reached 95 miles an hour with his fastball, Francona said, "He did that all through the minor leagues. When he got to us, we didn't see that."

 

I wouldn'tr rush this kid to the majors until I was certain that he could command all of his pitches. I don' think the FO believes that he is ready to do that yet. As for who the 5th starter will be, that should be the Rocket.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Francona on Lester in today's paper:

 

 

 

I wouldn'tr rush this kid to the majors until I was certain that he could command all of his pitches. I don' think the FO believes that he is ready to do that yet. As for who the 5th starter will be, that should be the Rocket.

 

It should be Roger Clemens. He has to see everything is lined up for him to make this an absolute monster rotation. The defense is decent, the offense is strong, the bullpen doesn't blow leads, and the rotation is the best in baseball.

 

That being said I wouldn't be shocked if he went to the Yankees in an attempt to save the team and look like a hero.

 

Has anyone able to see Lester pitch this season? So far I've only seen numbers and the last numbers from his AAA start are the best I've seen him produce at that level. Fastball sitting around 93-95? I agree with Francona, I didn't see that last season. I saw good looking changes and curves with an occasional cutter (most of them out of the zone on a consistent basis). I can see if his fastball is locating and with good velocity....his secondary pitches would be nasty. I would give him enough time so he is peaking on his control.

[MANNYHOF24]

It would be encouraging if he could sit at 93-95. Last year he was 88-92, and he was wild. I think the extra 2 mph could make him the dominant pitcher the Red Sox FO thought he was going to be. Not the average pitcher he was when he was called up. I have no idea if it was the cancer that hindered his pitching. I think Lester should be called up after a few more starts in AAA. Tavarez pitched O.K., but how many times is he going to do that, IMO not many.

[ksushi]

Last season Lester was a consistent 92-94... and often was his outpitch. Talking about his fastball as if it is the anchor holding him back is the wrong way to talk about it. Lester used his fastball exceptionally, what he needs to do is just not go so deep into counts, not walk so many guys. He needs to buckle down.

 

The problem in everyones assessment of Lester from last year is that everyone wants to label one pitch as the pitch that he didn't have great command of, or needs to refine, but thats not it. There isn't one pitch in his arsenal thats alluding him, its that he would let the game get ahead of him, and any one of his pitches could wind up on the backstop or in the dirt. Thats why I think it was nerves. He knows how to hit the strike zone, I don't think he has to be handled with kid gloves right now, cut him loose let him have another shot at the majors, I think theres a chance he shuts a lot of people up.

[MANNYHOF24]

Last season Lester was a consistent 92-94... and often was his outpitch. Talking about his fastball as if it is the anchor holding him back is the wrong way to talk about it. Lester used his fastball exceptionally, what he needs to do is just not go so deep into counts, not walk so many guys. He needs to buckle down.

 

The problem in everyones assessment of Lester from last year is that everyone wants to label one pitch as the pitch that he didn't have great command of, or needs to refine, but thats not it. There isn't one pitch in his arsenal thats alluding him, its that he would let the game get ahead of him, and any one of his pitches could wind up on the backstop or in the dirt. Thats why I think it was nerves. He knows how to hit the strike zone, I don't think he has to be handled with kid gloves right now, cut him loose let him have another shot at the majors, I think theres a chance he shuts a lot of people up.

 

Lester did not sit around 94 often. There were a lot of nights where the fastball did not climb above 91.

[BoSox21]

As Lester's nerves calm in the big leagues and he gets back his control, he can unleash his arm strength and hit 94-95

[riverside sluggers]

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=198028

 

The Red Sox have decided against calling up Lester early, stating they want to build up his stamina. Tito says Tavarez is holding his own as a 5th starter.

 

Meanwhile Tavarez gives the team some good "promo". An article in today's herald has him proclaiming the Sox dont need Clemens because they already have some good young pitchers in Kason Gabbard and Jon Lester. He actually goes on to say that Lester is comparable to Sandy Koufax

[Anuj09]

damn id love to know what Tavarez is smokin

[riverside sluggers]

Lester just lasted 3 innings, throwing 63 pitches. NESN will update why he didnt last longer

[BoSox21]

NESN just reported that Lester left early because of mild cramping in his forearm

[a700hitter]

just call Clemens

[Ray10]

It would be stupid to just throw Lester right into the rotation the guy needs to be 100% ready to pitch at the major league level again which I don't think he really is just of yet. He needs to have complete command of every pitch that he has. The Sox may be stuck using Tavarez in the 5th spot right now and if he continues to struggle then try someone else like Snyder or something but then again he is no better that Tavarez this is all screaming for the Sox to sign Roger Clemens for the rest of the season. Wouldn't that be nice if they could get that done.

[jacksonianmarch]

I dont think it is the command issue, it is the stamina issue. The guy is dominating right now, but how mch does he have in his tank? How much can you seriously expect from a kid who just championed cancer a few months ago? The kid needs to be broken down and built up again. Major lower body conditioning then heavy arm conditioning and then finally batters. This is a setback that could potentially be serious and if it is, then the sox did this the wrong way. If it isnt (and I am hoping it isnt) then they should consider themselves lucky they didnt lose the kid to TJ and slow down the rehab. Even wth Paps dominating, this kid is the face of the minor league reclamation project. AND, he is now a hero to millions with cancer as he is able to beat it and step onto a Fenway mound after, which will happen. But in this instance, you do not put the teams interest above the players health, and rushing him is a poor idea. Hopefully it is a mild tendonitis and they can back off the throwing program and set his ETA for a Sept callup.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

this is all screaming for the Sox to sign Roger Clemens for the rest of the season. Wouldn't that be nice if they could get that done.

 

I hate to say it...but all signs and indications point to him being a Yankee, IMO. He's always said he'd like to play for a team that 1.) needs him the most (Yankees) 2.) comes after him the hardest (will be the Yankees) 3.) in contention (The Yankees could be 9 or 10 back come June or early July and still very much be in contention...that's what that lineup will do for you) and 4.) will still allow him time with his family (You know if it means getting the Rocket in pinstripes, Big Stein and Joe will make any concessions neccessary regarding traveling with the team, etc.). You throw Pettite into the whole mix and I think that Clemens to the Yankees just makes too much sense.

[jacksonianmarch]

and the fact that Clemens will be going back to a familiar place. Torre, Jeter, Giambi, Mariano, Pettitte, Mussina, and Posada were all there with Clemens through the times he was there. As well as management who treated him like a rock star. The sox have Wake, who he played with during 95 and 96. Thats it.

[BSN07]

Ya Clemens probably goes back to NY, the weird thing is if he does, I will always from then on consider him more of a Yankee then a Red Sox...

[jacksonianmarch]

and so may the HOF. Something Clemens needs to think about. He has said before that he does not want to go in as a red sox. If he goes back to the sox, he seals the big B on his bust in Cooperstown. If he doesnt, then it becomes a little more murky.

[BSN07]

He probably go in as an Astro, didn´t Boggs go in as a Devil Ray?

[BoSox21]

I think they get to choose because everyone here wanted Gary Carter to go in as the only Expos hall of famer ever but he went in as a Met instead

[ryanromine]

I would love to see Clemens come back to the Sox, but all signs are pointing to the yanks! But then again we could all be wrong and he goes back to the Astros

[BSN07]

If they Astros are close he will probably will go back there, if not then the Yankees, the Sox were always the 3rd horse in this 3 horse race.

[CrespoBlows]

He probably go in as an Astro' date=' didn?t Boggs go in as a Devil Ray?[/quote']

 

He pitched for the Astros for three years. He's been playing for almost 20. He's a virtual lock to go in as a Red Sox.

 

Boggs was inducted as a Red Sox as well.

[jacksonianmarch]

the only reason why the yankees are even being considered in his HOF plaque is because of his championships. If he comes back this yr and wins a 3rd in pinstripes, I think he'd be able to sway them. I still think he holds a grudge against Boston, even with the new ownership and is including them so he can raise the price.

[Ray10]

Well whatever Clemens is a Grandpa now anyways. If he wants to be a little b**** and be a Yankee when he goes in then so be it. We don't need him.

[riverside sluggers]

Nick Carfado says he expects Lester to come up shortly. Last night's 3 innings was a setback, but he doesnt think that will really extend his time in Triple A.