Wakefield and the 2010 season.

[Dipre]

He pitched his best against Baltimore' date=' KC and Toronto (with the exception of 1 horrendous start). Those teams pretty much suck.[/quote']

 

Toronto sucks?

 

They scored 798 runs.

[a700hitter]

Toronto sucks?

 

They scored 798 runs.

17 runs above the league average for the #6 spot in the league. Their OBP was blow average, only 1 point better than the O's, who suck.

 

The point is that he wasn't doing his best work against the top teams.

[Dipre]

17 runs above the league average for the #6 spot in the league. Their OBP was blow average, only 1 point better than the O's, who suck.

 

The point is that he wasn't doing his best work against the top teams.

 

Both Toronto and Baltimore were good offensive teams.

 

What you need to know about the other team for a pitcher is how much they hit, and neither Toronto nor Baltimore were Seattle or Kansas.

 

In fact, Toronto was 8th in the Major Leagues in runs scored, Baltimore a middle of the road 17th, but you make them sound like they were s***** offensive teams to support your argument. Stick to the facts.

[a700hitter]

Both Toronto and Baltimore were good offensive teams.

 

What you need to know about the other team for a pitcher is how much they hit, and neither Toronto nor Baltimore were Seattle or Kansas.

By the end, those terrible teams were mailing it in. You can't put too much stock in good performances against them in September when they were making golf and fishing plans..

[Dipre]

By the end' date=' those terrible teams were mailing it in.[/b'] You can't put too much stock in good performances against them in September when they were making golf and fishing plans..

 

This is your argument?

 

Really?

 

Mailing it in?

 

Wow.

[a700hitter]

This is your argument?

 

Really?

 

Mailing it in?

 

Wow.

My argument is this. Buchholz did not go through the league like a buzz saw. His performance was encouraging after he s*** the bed in 2008, but his 2009 performance was far from star caliber. 2010 will definitely be a crossroads year for him. If he doesn't breakout this coming season, we may have to reconsider his star potential.

[a700hitter]

Great news. Wakefield wants a full time rotation spot, and he says he is fully healed so he will be ready to start the season

 

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view/20100126red_sox_tim_wakefield_wants_ball_as_full-time_starter/

 

Edit: So who makes the rotation, and what happens with the odd man out.

[example1]

Great news. Wakefield wants a full time rotation spot, and he says he is fully healed so he will be ready to start the season

 

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view/20100126red_sox_tim_wakefield_wants_ball_as_full-time_starter/

 

Edit: So who makes the rotation, and what happens with the odd man out.

 

The rotation should include some combination of the five pitchers we all expect:

 

Lester

Beckett

Lackey

Matsuzaka

Buchholz

 

Start Wakefield in the pen and plan for him to get maybe a start or two every month to take a load off the starting staff.

[Imperial59]

Great news. Wakefield wants a full time rotation spot, and he says he is fully healed so he will be ready to start the season

 

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view/20100126red_sox_tim_wakefield_wants_ball_as_full-time_starter/

 

Edit: So who makes the rotation, and what happens with the odd man out.

 

Buchholz should still have the benefit of the doubt and the Red Sox can decide in Spring Training. If Wakefield is the odd man out, he goes to the bullpen. If Buchholz is the odd man out, he probably goes to the bullpen.

 

I sounds like you meant the "great news" sarcastically. But it actually is great news that Wakefield is feeling healthy enough to start going into the regular season.

[YanksHater213]

If we can go the whole year with

 

Beckett, Lester, Lackey, Dice-K and Buck, with Wake as the long man and spot starter, I'd be ecstatic.

[VA Sox Fan]

Buchholz should still have the benefit of the doubt and the Red Sox can decide in Spring Training. If Wakefield is the odd man out, he goes to the bullpen. If Buchholz is the odd man out, he probably goes to the bullpen.

 

I sounds like you meant the "great news" sarcastically. But it actually is great news that Wakefield is feeling healthy enough to start going into the regular season.

 

 

You are right about the sarcasm part. You'll see in the "in game thread" on the days when Wake starts, the whining will be "deafening".

 

It is good news about Wake's health. He had a good enough 1st half of the season in 2009to be asked to be on the All-Star team. Here's to hoping he stays healthy all season. Cannot find the specific article but have read he won't be in the bullpen. Go Timaaaay!

[a700hitter]

Buchholz should still have the benefit of the doubt and the Red Sox can decide in Spring Training. If Wakefield is the odd man out, he goes to the bullpen. If Buchholz is the odd man out, he probably goes to the bullpen.

 

I sounds like you meant the "great news" sarcastically. But it actually is great news that Wakefield is feeling healthy enough to start going into the regular season.

Yes, you did detect sarcasm. I would have been happier if he wasn't going to be ready for the start of the season for three reasons:

 

1. It would have avoided any controversy regarding who makes the rotation. Wakefield is not going to be happy going to the pen. If you think he has no ego, you are kidding yourself. He thinks he has earned the spot, and he will not be happy going to the pen. Buchholz will definitely not be happy if he is the 6th starter. He's hoping to step up to prime time this season.

 

2. In April, with the days off, you barely need 5 starters never mind 6 starters. The 6th starter will not get a spot start for a couple of months-- probably June. That's not going to sit well with the #6 starter.

 

3. In the last several seasons, Wakefield has had a tendency to break down in August. He still has an unrepaired tear in his labrum for about 3 years. If he was ready in late June, he might stay healthy down the stretch run when we need him most.

 

It's time to let Buchholz take the reins so Wakefield will be the odd man out, but he will not be happy about this. He's going on record about that already and they haven't even reported to camp.

[Palodios]

Why are we talking Buch/Wake for the bullpen? Dice-k is the one who doesn't deserve a spot--no matter how much he wouldn't like it, or what they're paying him.

[The_Destroyah]

because, you don't hurt the team to punish a player, if Dice-K is back to normal, he is our 4th best starter, until Buch proves he is better, me personally, Id put Wake as the 6th SP/Spot Starter/Long reliver and have Buch be the starter, but if Dice-K is back to what he was 07-08 he is a better starter and gets a spot in the rotation while the other two fight, I think that its time to let Buch get a full season, and let Wake take the 6th spot, and if Wake doesn't like it he can retire, I love timmy but you also dont hurt the team to reward a player.

[a700hitter]

because' date=' you don't hurt the team to punish a player, if Dice-K is back to normal, he is our 4th best starter, until Buch proves he is better, me personally, Id put Wake as the 6th SP/Spot Starter/Long reliver and have Buch be the starter, but if Dice-K is back to what he was 07-08 he is a better starter and gets a spot in the rotation while the other two fight, I think that its time to let Buch get a full season, and let Wake take the 6th spot, and if Wake doesn't like it he can retire, I love timmy but you also dont hurt the team to reward a player.[/quote']I agree, but breaking camp with a sulking veteran is not going to be a good situation. They are in a tough spot. Buchholz isn't going to wait any longer, and Wakefield doesn't have much time left. Either one will be pissed if he is dropped from the rotation. Dice K's head would explode if he was sent to the bullpen. It would be blown into a near international incident.

[example1]

I agree' date=' but breaking camp with a sulking veteran is not going to be a good situation. They are in a tough spot. Buchholz isn't going to wait any longer, and Wakefield doesn't have much time left. Either one will be pissed if he is dropped from the rotation. Dice K's head would explode if he was sent to the bullpen. It would be blown into a near international incident.[/quote']

 

Lowell and Wakefield can spend some time together in the corner of the dugout comparing notes on their fantasy teams.

[Imperial59]

Yes, you did detect sarcasm. I would have been happier if he wasn't going to be ready for the start of the season for three reasons:

 

1. It would have avoided any controversy regarding who makes the rotation. Wakefield is not going to be happy going to the pen. If you think he has no ego, you are kidding yourself. He thinks he has earned the spot, and he will not be happy going to the pen. Buchholz will definitely not be happy if he is the 6th starter. He's hoping to step up to prime time this season.

 

2. In April, with the days off, you barely need 5 starters never mind 6 starters. The 6th starter will not get a spot start for a couple of months-- probably June. That's not going to sit well with the #6 starter.

 

3. In the last several seasons, Wakefield has had a tendency to break down in August. He still has an unrepaired tear in his labrum for about 3 years. If he was ready in late June, he might stay healthy down the stretch run when we need him most.

 

It's time to let Buchholz take the reins so Wakefield will be the odd man out, but he will not be happy about this. He's going on record about that already and they haven't even reported to camp.

 

Wakefield is a big boy, I think he could handle it. He's moved in and out of the bullpen plenty of times over his career and handled it well. I'd rather have a healthy, motivated Wakefield going into Spring Training than a hurt Wakefield. One of our starters is going to get hurt before August next year, they always do. And Wakefield is a great backup plan.

 

Why don't we see what happens in spring training before we make an issue out of having six starters.

[a700hitter]

Wakefield is a big boy, I think he could handle it. He's moved in and out of the bullpen plenty of times over his career and handled it well. I'd rather have a healthy, motivated Wakefield going into Spring Training than a hurt Wakefield. One of our starters is going to get hurt before August next year, they always do. And Wakefield is a great backup plan.

 

Why don't we see what happens in spring training before we make an issue out of having six starters.

Mark my words. He's going to start squawking if he is told he'll be going to the bullpen.

[a700hitter]

Lowell and Wakefield can spend some time together in the corner of the dugout comparing notes on their fantasy teams.

Lowell should be traded or DFA'd. Wakefield should hang it up with the understanding that the Sox will call him in June if they think they are going to need him.

[Imperial59]

Mark my words. He's going to start squawking if he is told he'll be going to the bullpen.

 

I doubt it. When has he ever "squawked" in his career? He's been a stand up member of the team.

[Imperial59]

I hope this lights a fire under Buch's ass. He strikes me as a guy who has some motivational issues and concentration issues at times.

[VA Sox Fan]

Wakefield is a big boy, I think he could handle it. He's moved in and out of the bullpen plenty of times over his career and handled it well. I'd rather have a healthy, motivated Wakefield going into Spring Training than a hurt Wakefield. One of our starters is going to get hurt before August next year, they always do. And Wakefield is a great backup plan.

 

Why don't we see what happens in spring training before we make an issue out of having six starters.

 

 

Thank you.

[VA Sox Fan]

Mark my words. He's going to start squawking if he is told he'll be going to the bullpen.

 

If that happens, you'll be able to say your favorite 4 words "I told you so"

[a700hitter]

If that happens' date=' you'll be able to say your favorite 4 words "I told you so" [/quote']Those are not my favorite words. What do you think that I'm a woman?

[Imperial59]

Those are not my favorite words. What do you think that I'm a woman?

 

What are your favorite words, 700?

[a700hitter]

What are your favorite words' date=' 700?[/quote']Nothing that you would ever hear.

[VA Sox Fan]

Those are not my favorite words. What do you think that I'm a woman?

 

[Imperial59]

Nothing that you would ever hear.

 

How... ambiguous? :dunno:

[a700hitter]

Thank you for having a sense of humor.

[VA Sox Fan]

Thank you for having a sense of humor.

 

 

You know me. Gotta keep a sense of humor out here!! Except with Yankee fans, of course! :thumbsup: