Red Sox Spring Training thread

[das11209]

Any team who experiences major difficulties with its Starting Pitching is screwed' date=' regardless of its offensive firepower.[/quote']

 

Not exactly. One side of the ball can bail out the other at times. For example 2009 NYY starting pitching had their problems from time to time - but the fire-power offence was able to carry them so they can win 102 games. On the other hand Sox never actually recorved from too many starts by Penny/Smoltz combo because of lack of offence to cover up for pitching short comings.

[a700hitter]

2008 Yankees didnt even make the playoffs

The 2008 Yankees started the season with 2 rookies in their starting rotation. That was a recipe for disaster. The 2008 team also did not have Mark Teixeira.

[VA Sox Fan]

And Ill hold my breath to worry that the season is over just because of Dice-K. Its Feb 17' date=' still 6 weeks away from season opener. It is so rare when teams dont have injuries to their starting five. As long as its a minor set back, not that big of a deal. I kind of like he was working too hard than he was last offseason... when he was watching soaps and eating bon bons[/quote']

 

Thank you. No need to panic folks...jeez!

[Dipre]

Not exactly. One side of the ball can bail out the other at times. For example 2009 NYY starting pitching had their problems from time to time - but the fire-power offence was able to carry them so they can win 102 games. On the other hand Sox never actually recorved from too many starts by Penny/Smoltz combo because of lack of offence to cover up for pitching short comings.

 

The Yankees had three starters who made 30+ starts and pitched 190+ innings. The Yankees back end of the rotation was inconsistent, but they never faced major problems.

 

Had the Sox had that last year, they may have given the Yankees a run for their money.

[Imperial59]

The Yankees had three starters who made 30+ starts and pitched 190+ innings. The Yankees back end of the rotation was inconsistent, but they never faced major problems.

 

Had the Sox had that last year, they may have given the Yankees a run for their money.

 

Yeah, things actually went remarkably well for the Yankees rotation last year. They have FOUR pitchers who made over 30 starts. Red Sox starting pitching had a lot more troubles last year which is why I was excited when they signed a horse like Lackey.

[Dipre]

Yeah' date=' things actually went remarkably well for the Yankees rotation last year. They have FOUR pitchers who made over 30 starts. Red Sox starting pitching had a lot more troubles last year which is why I was excited when they signed a horse like Lackey.[/quote']

 

The "Barring injury" issue always rears its ugly head when talking about pitching, but the Sox have the oppportunity to have a very special staff.

 

But again, any team that faces a lot of problems with its starting rotation is going to have trouble making the playoffs. Offense alone can't get you there, and the Rangers are a prime example of that.

[Imperial59]

The "Barring injury" issue always rears its ugly head when talking about pitching, but the Sox have the oppportunity to have a very special staff.

 

But again, any team that faces a lot of problems with its starting rotation is going to have trouble making the playoffs. Offense alone can't get you there, and the Rangers are a prime example of that.

 

You're right, any team that has troubles with their starting pitching will struggle to make the playoffs. I don't understand why people are making an issue out of it with the Red Sox though. We have one of the deepest rotations in baseball and are a top 5 offensive and defensive team. We're as balanced a team as there is.

[Dipre]

You're right' date=' any team that has troubles with their starting pitching will struggle to make the playoffs. I don't understand why people are making an issue out of it with the Red Sox though. We have one of the deepest rotations in baseball and are a top 5 offensive and defensive team. We're as balanced a team as there is.[/quote']

 

I don't think Matsuzaka's health shouldn't be an issue yet. ST hasn't even really started. At least he's not fat and hiding a groin injury.

[Imperial59]

I don't think Matsuzaka's health shouldn't be an issue yet. ST hasn't even really started. At least he's not fat and hiding a groin injury.

 

Yeah, I think people are freaking out because he was hurt last year and thinking "not again". Over his career though, he has been a horse. And the team has said he'll start the season on time multiple times now. I could care less if he misses his first ST start, that's what ST is for. I'm sure he won't be the only member of the staff to skip a start in ST.

[Dipre]

Yeah' date=' I think people are freaking out because he was hurt last year and thinking "not again". Over his career though, he has been a horse. And the team has said he'll start the season on time multiple times now. I could care less if he misses his first ST start, that's what ST is for. I'm sure he won't be the only member of the staff to skip a start in ST.[/quote']

 

Besides, who knows? Maybe it's not even an issue and they're just trying to be overly careful given his problems last year. Dice-K's main problem is not health, it's that big mouth.

[TheMino007]

Why don't the Sox just let Dice-K pitch the way he did in Japan? I'm talking about like a 130 or 140 pitches a start. He is used to throwing a lot and I believe he was never had any arm problems while pitching in the Japanese leagues. Why change him into a 100 pitch 6 inning pitcher when you can save the pen and let him throw more pitches and go another inning?

[BoSox21]

Why don't the Sox just let Dice-K pitch the way he did in Japan? I'm talking about like a 130 or 140 pitches a start. He is used to throwing a lot and I believe he was never had any arm problems while pitching in the Japanese leagues. Why change him into a 100 pitch 6 inning pitcher when you can save the pen and let him throw more pitches and go another inning?

 

I believe the season is shorter and more spaced out in Japan and that they also use 6-man rotations.

[Imperial59]

Why don't the Sox just let Dice-K pitch the way he did in Japan? I'm talking about like a 130 or 140 pitches a start. He is used to throwing a lot and I believe he was never had any arm problems while pitching in the Japanese leagues. Why change him into a 100 pitch 6 inning pitcher when you can save the pen and let him throw more pitches and go another inning?

 

Because Daisuke would pitch 130-140 pitches per start every week as opposed to every 5 days in the major leagues.

[jacksonianmarch]

The Yankees had three starters who made 30+ starts and pitched 190+ innings. The Yankees back end of the rotation was inconsistent, but they never faced major problems.

 

Had the Sox had that last year, they may have given the Yankees a run for their money.

 

Losing CMW wasnt a major issue? How about losing ARod and Posada for a month?

[Dipre]

Losing CMW wasnt a major issue? How about losing ARod and Posada for a month?

 

We're talking about issues with the starting rotation. Please read above.

 

They lost CMW, but as you always say, what you need is "Three consistent starters" or is that untrue now?

[jacksonianmarch]

No, it is true. We had 4 going into the season. Just imagine how much bigger the deficit would have been with CMW winning 15-19 games instead of seeing Mitre, Gaudin, etc in the #5 hole for half a season.

[Imperial59]

Losing CMW wasnt a major issue?

 

No team keeps all of their starters healthy all year, but how many other teams were fortunate enough to have four of their starters make over 30 starts last year? Things went pretty well for them last year.

[Imperial59]

No' date=' it is true. We had 4 going into the season. Just imagine how much bigger the deficit would have been with CMW winning 15-19 games instead of seeing Mitre, Gaudin, etc in the #5 hole for half a season.[/quote']

 

I doubt there would have been a gap at all in the division if the Red Sox got 30+ starts out of four of their starters.

[riverside sluggers]

Looks like Boof is preparing to be a spokesman for McDonalds

 

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2010/02/17/30_boof__1266436001_2548.jpg

[Imperial59]

Looks like Boof is preparing to be a spokesman for McDonalds

 

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2010/02/17/30_boof__1266436001_2548.jpg

 

The Sox are stretching him out to be the 7th starter if need be. Sounds like he's our 12th pitcher.

[a700hitter]

I'll be in Ft. Myers from the 20th to the 27th. Most of the prospects will be gone by then.

[Imperial59]

Lackey threw 40 pitches off the mound today and he looked strong.

 

Wakefield through as well and he didn't look so hot. Might have something to do with why they're stretching out Boof Bonser.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2010/02/lackey_ready_to.html

 

I'm excited to have Lackey in the rotation, it's essentially like having 2 Becketts behind Lester. Pitchers are usually further along than hitters in April, I'm hoping we can get off to a fast start put some games between us and the competition.

[riverside sluggers]

Lackey looks like he had a good offseason of working out

 

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2010/02/18/4__1266517623_5725.jpg

[YAZMAN]

Looks like he dropped a few lbs.

[Imperial59]

Lackey looks like he had a good offseason of working out

 

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2010/02/18/4__1266517623_5725.jpg

 

The Red Sox put him on a strengthening program this offseason to protect against injury. It looks like he's in for a good year and the last time he was healthy he was a Cy Young candidate.

[Dipre]

Beckett, however, like every year, is sporting his "ST beer gut". Lol Beckett.

[BoSox21]

I guess at this point it wouldn't be a great shock if Wakefield started the season on the DL

[riverside sluggers]

Playing the numbers game

Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff February 18, 2010 05:23 PM

 

Jeremy Hermida wore No. 27 during his career with the Marlins and asked for it when he was traded to Boston.

 

But those digits, as any good Red Sox fan knows, were retired in honor of one Carlton Ernest "Pudge" Fisk.

 

"I found that out right away," Hermida said. "No deal."

 

Hermida then tried for 23, but than Mike Cameron used his veteran status to claim that. He finally got his third choice, 32.

 

“Good solid number,” Hermida said. “There was no special reason, I just liked it.”

 

As for the other prominent (or semi-prominent) newcomers, here are the numbers they have:

 

16: Marco Scutaro

22: Bill Hall

23: Mike Cameron

29: Adrian Beltre

30: Boof Bonser

40: John Lackey

46: Joe Nelson

55: Brian Shouse

70: Tug Hulett

76; Jose Iglesias

89: Gaby Hernandez

[BSN07]

Beckett' date=' however, like every year, is sporting his "ST beer gut". Lol Beckett.[/quote']

 

Really? I read in a article saying he looked better then he had ever come in before. Weird...

[Dojji]

She'd bonded to Ben, she can like other people but there's always going to be a special relationship there.