Spring Training Game Thread

[riverside sluggers]

I heard on weei that MLB wants the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers to hurry up because their games last the longest. Oh well because those 3 team's lineups see a lot of pitches

[riverside sluggers]

Daisuke Matsuzaka threw 32 pitches in a minor league game Sunday.

He threw 18 of his 32 pitches for strikes and worked in the low 90s, but most importantly he didn't appear to be feeling any ill-effects of the neck and back injuries that have slowed his spring progress this year. He's still unlikely to be ready for opening day.

[Dojji]

You know call me crazy, but I've really liked what I've seen from Dusty Brown the last few springs. He's continued to bear all the hallmarks of a very adequate backup catcher type and I'm not really that sure that I want Varitek over him considering where Tek is in his career.

 

There's virtually no chance Brown finishes the year with the Sox system if he doesn't crack the roster, as he will likely be traded for some minor league filler to make way for an Exposito propmotion in midseason, and I think that's a pity. He could have done something for us if we hadn't picked up that option on a dead in the water catcher.

[riverside sluggers]

The contract he signed had dual options for a 2nd year. The team declined Varitek's $5 million option. But then he activated his $3 million player option

[BoSox21]

Would there have been any sort of legal ramifications if the Sox released Varitek this spring or at some point during the season? I wouldn't think so but otherwise, what's the point of a player option?

[Dojji]

The contract he signed had dual options for a 2nd year. The team declined Varitek's $5 million option. But then he activated his $3 million player option

 

Honestly I didn't want him back at the beginning of last year either. It doesn't take rocket science to figure out the guy was done. Wagner could have provided everything Tek has provided since that contract was signed, and do it with some hope of upside rather than dread of further decline.

[Dipre]

Varitek can still hit lefties though. However, Wagner and Brown can both do something Varitek can't do to save his life: Actually throw a runner out.

[Dojji]

Probably not significant news, but it could come into play at some point:

 

The Sox have been offered Jorge Jimenez back. So at least we now have a 3B in Portland or Pawtucket who could fill in on the bench in an emergency.

 

enough things need to go wrong for that to really be a problem that we'd be screwed anyway, but 3B is our weakest position in the minors, and depth there is a plus.

[a700hitter]

Bonser looked like a post surgical pitcher today. He had nothing on his fastball. He was afraid to throw it and rightly so. His offspeed stuff was good and getting him some strikeouts. He got hit very hard. Tazawa really got blasted all over the ball park. Cameron had a good day against Shields. I didn't know that Hank Blalock signed with Tampa. He's a nice pickup. He hit the ball hard today (Boston didn't throw any of the major league roster guys) including a long HR.

[msubulldogs21]

I didn't know that Hank Blalock signed with Tampa. He's a nice pickup.

 

Agreed. I also thought them getting Kelley Shoppach was a good move. I wasn't aware of that til the other day.

[Spudboy]

Bonser is said to have been complaining of a sore groin after the game.

[a700hitter]

Agreed. I also thought them getting Kelley Shoppach was a good move. I wasn't aware of that til the other day.

Shoppach hit two bombs yesterday.

[Spudboy]

Shoppach hit two bombs yesterday.

 

Are you still in Florida?

[a700hitter]

Are you still in Florida?

I got down here on Sturday night. I'll be here until Saturday. I'm going to Hammond stadium for an away game tonight. Delcarmen is one of the scheduled pitchers tonight. Word in the paper is that he has not been throwing very hard. I'll let you know what I observe without the help of a radar gun.

[VA Sox Fan]

Not good Clay.......from tonight's game......

 

Bottom of the 2nd, Twins 6, Red Sox 0

 

While the struggles of Clay Buchholz are clearly important -- he's allowed five runs and four hits (so far) in two innings -- the absence of Dustin Pedroia is more puzzling. Angel Sanchez came out to start the second inning at second base, after Pedroia started the game. Pedroia did dive on a ball by Denard Span to lead off the game, and throw the ball wildly to first for an error. It's possible his departure is connected to that. No updates on him yet.

 

Update: It's a mild left wrist sprain for Pedroia. He is listed as day to day. He landed awkwardly on a grounder in the first inning that was followed by a wild throw and an error for the second baseman.

 

Update: Buchholz is out of the game. He was extremely wild today, hitting Justin Morneau and throwing three wild pitches. He allowed six runs (five earned) over 1 2/3 innings, walking three.

[a700hitter]

Not good Clay.......from tonight's game......

 

Bottom of the 2nd, Twins 6, Red Sox 0

 

While the struggles of Clay Buchholz are clearly important -- he's allowed five runs and four hits (so far) in two innings -- the absence of Dustin Pedroia is more puzzling. Angel Sanchez came out to start the second inning at second base, after Pedroia started the game. Pedroia did dive on a ball by Denard Span to lead off the game, and throw the ball wildly to first for an error. It's possible his departure is connected to that. No updates on him yet.

 

Update: It's a mild left wrist sprain for Pedroia. He is listed as day to day. He landed awkwardly on a grounder in the first inning that was followed by a wild throw and an error for the second baseman.

 

Update: Buchholz is out of the game. He was extremely wild today, hitting Justin Morneau and throwing three wild pitches. He allowed six runs (five earned) over 1 2/3 innings, walking three.

Buchholz looked terrible tonight-- very wild, and he got hit hard. Papelbon's velocity wasn't great either, but he did throw quite a few offspeed pitches. He topped out at 93 on one pitch, and Bard was hitting 97 regularly and 98 on a couple of pitches.

 

Since I have been down here the starting offense has been completely dormant. Tonight they managed 2 hits off Pavano.

[Dipre]

Buchholz looked terrible tonight-- very wild, and he got hit hard. Papelbon's velocity wasn't great either, but he did throw quite a few offspeed pitches. He topped out at 93 on one pitch, and Bard was hitting 97 regularly and 98 on a couple of pitches.

 

Since I have been down here the starting offense has been completely dormant. Tonight they managed 2 hits off Pavano.

 

Don't you dare go to a Sox-Yanks game this year.

[a700hitter]

Don't you dare go to a Sox-Yanks game this year.

I'll be at the May 9th game.

[riverside sluggers]

Wake me up when the games actually matter

[msubulldogs21]

I'll be at the May 9th game.

 

As long as Coco doesn't go to too many games, I think we're good.

[riverside sluggers]

According to Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal, it appears the Red Sox have cut left-hander Brian Shouse.

There hasn't been an official announcement by the team yet, but Shouse was making the rounds in the clubhouse this morning and shaking hands with teammates, a clear indication that something is about to go down. Shouse, who was signed to a minor league contract in January, allowed just one run in 9 1/3 innings (0.96 ERA) this spring.

 

Shouse Last 2 seasons: (114 games) 6-2, 2 saves (3 BS), 26 Holds, 3.41 ERA

79.1 innings, 77 Hits, 34 Runs (30 ER), 10 HRs, 21 Walks, 50 Ks

 

Embree Last 2 seasons: (106 games) 4-7, 8 BS, 24 Holds, 5.23 ERA

86.1 innings, 87 Hits, 54 Runs (50 ER), 11 HRs, 42 Walks, 69 Ks

[Cocos Disciples]

As long as Coco doesn't go to too many games' date=' I think we're good.[/quote']

 

I'm going to at least 15 games this year, including at least 1 Yankee game. My apologies.

[riverside sluggers]

Red Sox acquired INF Kevin Frandsen from the Giants for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Frandsen, 27, hit .295/.352/.438 at Triple-A Fresno last year and will add depth to the Red Sox' infield either in the minors or at the major leauge level. He's 9-for-40 this spring with five RBI and a walk.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2010/03/sox_still_looki.html

 

In the next 24 hours, the Sox could deal for a reliever. Sox scouts have been looking at infielders and relievers to beef up depth in both areas

 

Red Sox signed LHP Scott Schoeneweis to a minor league contract.

The Brewers dumped Schoeneweis just three days ago after he allowed seven hits and six earned runs in seven spring innings. The 36-year-old is a longshot to crack the Red Sox' Opening Day bullpen mix.

[a700hitter]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2010/03/sox_still_looki.html

 

In the next 24 hours, the Sox could deal for a reliever. Sox scouts have been looking at infielders and relievers to beef up depth in both areas

The starting offense produce one run today, and that was against some bum reliever. The starting offense has produced almost nothing for the entire week that I have been down here. I wasn't at today's game, but it looks like Papelbon was unimpressive once again. His velocity was not very good on Tuesday.

[a700hitter]

Pedroia didn't play today again. He was supposed to play today. Reddick is staying around .400 witha 1 for 3 today.

[riverside sluggers]

We dont know what this offense will do until they have the actual starting lineup together for 9 innings... which wont come until April 4th. Oh and the Yankees have the same W-L record as the Red Sox do, last time I checked their offense has been outscored by 28 runs

 

Marco Scutaro ss

Bill Hall lf

Mike Lowell 3b

Kevin Youkilis 1b

David Ortiz dh

JD Drew rf

Jason Varitek c

Tug Hulett 2b

Josh Reddick cf

[Gom]

We dont know what this offense will do until they have the actual starting lineup together for 9 innings... which wont come until April 4th. Oh and the Yankees have the same W-L record as the Red Sox do, last time I checked their offense has been outscored by 28 runs

 

Marco Scutaro ss

Bill Hall lf

Mike Lowell 3b

Kevin Youkilis 1b

David Ortiz dh

JD Drew rf

Jason Varitek c

Tug Hulett 2b

Josh Reddick cf

Your point is? I guess you're saying that the Yankees will give up more runs than they will score this year, right? If not..what's the point of even mentioning it?

 

It's one thing to look at individual stats in spring training, which in my opinion, is useless. In fact, the only thing that may be more useless than individual spring training stats is TEAM spring training stats.

 

My goodness...if I hadn't promised Yeszir I'd play nice...:harhar:

[a700hitter]

We dont know what this offense will do until they have the actual starting lineup together for 9 innings... which wont come until April 4th. Oh and the Yankees have the same W-L record as the Red Sox do, last time I checked their offense has been outscored by 28 runs

 

Marco Scutaro ss

Bill Hall lf

Mike Lowell B

Kevin Yokels B

David Ortiz DH

JD Drew RF

Jason Varitek c

Tug Hulett 2b

Josh Reddick cf

They lined up the A offense a few times this week and almost every days lineup had mostly starters. They did nothing this week. There will be two to 3 times a week during the regular season when we will be seeing the likes of Varitek and/or Hall in the lineup, so don't expect the A lineup out there everyday. While I have been here, VMart, Beltre, Cameron and Hermida have had the best ABs. The starters have not produced runs. There have been very few HRs. Cameron hit one. Other than that, I can't remember any others. Will this carry over to the regular season? I certainly hope not, but I am just reporting what has happened for the last 7 days. I'd feel better if they were raking one week before the regular season.

[Dipre]

Your point is? I guess you're saying that the Yankees will give up more runs than they will score this year, right? If not..what's the point of even mentioning it?

 

It's one thing to look at individual stats in spring training, which in my opinion, is useless. In fact, the only thing that may be more useless than individual spring training stats is TEAM spring training stats.

 

My goodness...if I hadn't promised Yeszir I'd play nice...:harhar:

 

I believe what he means is:

 

"It's Spring training".

 

That sums it up. You actually sustain his point, but didn't take the time to think it through.

[Gom]

I believe what he means is:

 

"It's Spring training".

 

That sums it up. You actually sustain his point, but didn't take the time to think it through.

 

The implication was not to worry, the Yankees haven't done well either.

 

The truth is, the Red Sox will struggle to score runs. Before the season starts, I will post my fearless predictions. All should take heed.