2009 Spring Training

[TheKilo]

Both Carter and Bailey are better than Wilkerson

 

Neither can play CF though.

[italstallianion]

I'm sure there will be, and hopefully Kotsay will be healthy by then

 

who knows, Eric Hinske made the best catch a RF has made at Fenway in years

 

 

I was watching that game and when it happened I went nuts. That was an amazing play.

[BoSox21]

Neither can play CF though.

 

So what? There are currently three other guys on the roster who can play CF

 

Look, I get the fact that Wilkerson has more versatility than Bailey/Carter but my point is, unless any of the OFs are injured, Wilkerson shouldn't be in the lineup over those two

[riverside sluggers]

So what? There are currently three other guys on the roster who can play CF

 

Look, I get the fact that Wilkerson has more versatility than Bailey/Carter but my point is, unless any of the OFs are injured, Wilkerson shouldn't be in the lineup over those two

 

This spot being up for grabs, its a month's service time until Kotsay comes back. Give the AB's to 1 of the 2 prospects that have been in the majors long enough.

[TheKilo]

So what? There are currently three other guys on the roster who can play CF

 

Look, I get the fact that Wilkerson has more versatility than Bailey/Carter but my point is, unless any of the OFs are injured, Wilkerson shouldn't be in the lineup over those two

 

Ellsbury....and who else?

[BoSox21]

Ellsbury....and who else?

 

Drew and Baldelli

[TheKilo]

You want the two outfielders with the highest injury concerns playing CF?

[TheKilo]

TB game on NESN...Varitek just K'd. Awesome.

[TheKilo]

LARS!

[BoSox21]

You want the two outfielders with the highest injury concerns playing CF?

 

Not on a regular-basis obviously but spot-duty, why not? Besides, were still only talking about the first month of the season anyway until Kotsay is back

[MANNYHOF24]

Did anyone just see that inning Daniel Bard threw? I can see why the FO isnt willing to give Papelbon an insane long term deal with this guy coming up through the system. He was 97-99 with a great breaking ball, striking out the side easily. Impressive.

[riverside sluggers]

Not on a regular-basis obviously but spot-duty' date=' why not? Besides, were still only talking about the first month of the season anyway until Kotsay is back[/quote']

 

It would be a different story if Ellsbury was an injury risk

[Dojji]

Did anyone just see that inning Daniel Bard threw? I can see why the FO isnt willing to give Papelbon an insane long term deal with this guy coming up through the system. He was 97-99 with a great breaking ball' date=' striking out the side easily. Impressive.[/quote']

 

If Bard knew where the baseball was going he'd be in the big leagues right now but he's got David Aardsma command. If that ever changes though, look out.

 

But seriously, not too worried about a "closer controversy." Bard has the potential to do it. Pap is already doing it. Always room in the pen for another live arm however..

[jacksonianmarch]

Bard = young Farnsworth without the third plus pitch. I have said it before and I'll say it again. When Bard is on, nobody will touch him. When he's off, he will be game altering-ly off

[a700hitter]

Bard = young Farnsworth without the third plus pitch. I have said it before and I'll say it again. When Bard is on' date=' nobody will touch him. When he's off, he will be game altering-ly off[/quote']This spring he has done nothing but throw strikes.

[Cocos Disciples]

Varitek just K'd. Awesome.

 

Can we just have this show up automatically every game thread? It would be a lot more efficient.

[a700hitter]

I think Varitek has worked on his release behind the plate. He seems to be getting rid of the ball quicker. He's thrown out a couple of runners this past week. Last season it took him a month to throw out a couple of runners.

[rician blast]

I think Varitek has worked on his release behind the plate. He seems to be getting rid of the ball quicker. He's thrown out a couple of runners this past week. Last season it took him a month to throw out a couple of runners.

 

Maybe that's cuz last year he was so focused on his stroke at the plate and this year he's gone in saying "I should probably work on my 'D' cuz I can't f***ing hit to save my life."

[BoSox21]

I don't get why Varitek just doesn't give up being a switch-hitter and sticking to batting right-handed. He batted .284 with a .378 OBP last season right-handed

[TheKilo]

because he hasn't hit right handed against RHP in like 15 years?

[Dojji]

Right, just because he hit LHP as an RHH doesn't mean he can hit RHP

 

On the other hand that definitely builds a case for a certain left-handed hitting catcher in Spring Training.

[BoSox21]

can he really be much worse?

[Dojji]

Oh yes he can.

 

Don't kid yourself, what we got out of Tek last year wasn't that far from average for a catcher.

 

There were only five AL catchers who produced at a .750 OPS level or higher and played at least 82 games. Mauer, Napoli, Shoppach, IRod and Navarro. Three of the teams with these catchers missed the playoffs completely. A catcher who can hit is a luxury, not a necessity.

 

Now it surely doesn't help when your guy is one of the worst offensive catchers in the American League, and Tek's down there. somewhere below Rod Barajas and Miguel Olivo but other than those 5 guys there isn't a big gap between the rest of the catchers out there. The only difference is that now we're on the outside looking in.

[TheKilo]

can he really be much worse?

 

Abso-friggin-lutely.

[BoSox21]

I think he'll have somewhat of a bounce back year anyway

 

On a more positive note, Clay pitched three perfect innings today

[TheKilo]

Varitek has been beyond awful this spring.

[BoSox21]

he's had 16 at-bats....

[ORS]

Varitek has been beyond awful this spring.

I thought spring was only 3 months long, when clearly you are talking about over a year.

[TheKilo]

he's had 16 at-bats....

 

After what, 500 ABs of suck last year?

[BoSox21]

I still think he'll be better. He generally has an up year followed by a down year followed by an up year.