The Optimism Thread

[ORS]

I fully understand your point' date=' but the problem is that if they spiral out of the race by the end of May, they risk damaging the franchise. By not aggressively addressing the issues in the off season, this season's slow start has conjured up all sorts of carryover comparisons to the 2011 collapse by the press and negative emotions by fans. This horrible start is precisely why I would have budgeted extra money to turn things around. In the bigger picture, the additional expenditure would have been well-placed to put the memory of 2011 in the rear-view mirror. Now, the FO is coming under criticism and there is a feeding frenzy mentality with the press. Blood is in the water. If they don't plug the bullpen hole and stop the bleeding, things could get much worse. This FO has spent a ton of money and time building the reputation as a first class organization that puts a good product on the field every year. I don't think they want to be out of the race before the All Star break with a $174 million payroll. I don't like putting Bard back and forth from the rotation, but unless they address the issue in another manner, I don't think the have a choice. When you have a collapse like 2011 followed by a team that is out of the race early when you charge the highest ticket prices in Baseball, you will lose fans. When fans walk away, they are not so quick to come back. The pink hats will start to spend their money elsewhere. The real fans, like myself will continue to watch and buy tickets-- and it will be easier to get good seats, but the pink hats are important to the organization.[/quote']

I don't disagree that more could have, and should have, been done in the offseason to protect the brand. However, that is in the past now. The situation, the mess, is what it is. Overreacting by putting Bard in the bullpen reeks of putting lipstick on a pig, IMO. Too little, too late, and is exactly type of move a first class organization doesn't make. The problem in the BP is bigger than Bard at this point, I think. As Palodios alluded to, if Bard is in the 9th, where is the bridge, because it isn't looking like the starters are going to go 8 regularly? An inept, PR-spinning organization moves him into the BP for appearances.

 

I think we'll get a glimpse of what to expect from the FO, inept or first class, in the future based on how they handle this issue.

 

EDIT: I still think they should sign Gonzalez, and see how the BP looks when he's pitching and Hill gets back.

[SCM33]

Optimism is that the Sox should be able to put together a nice little run with these cupcakes lined up.

 

Right now, we are 6-10.

 

Win tomorrow, and bring us to 7-10

Whitesox....split that series 2-2, to make us 9-12.

Oakland.....win that series 2-1, to bring us to 11-13.

Baltimore...win that series 2-1, to bring us to 13-14.

KC Royals..win that series 2-1, which will put us at 15-15.

CLE Guardians..win that series 3-1, and make us 18-16 on May 13th.

 

May 13th, 2012......we will be 18-16.

[a700hitter]

I don't disagree that more could have, and should have, been done in the offseason to protect the brand. However, that is in the past now. The situation, the mess, is what it is. Overreacting by putting Bard in the bullpen reeks of putting lipstick on a pig, IMO. Too little, too late, and is exactly type of move a first class organization doesn't make. The problem in the BP is bigger than Bard at this point, I think. As Palodios alluded to, if Bard is in the 9th, where is the bridge, because it isn't looking like the starters are going to go 8 regularly? An inept, PR-spinning organization moves him into the BP for appearances.

 

I think we'll get a glimpse of what to expect from the FO, inept or first class, in the future based on how they handle this issue.

 

EDIT: I still think they should sign Gonzalez, and see how the BP looks when he's pitching and Hill gets back.

They have been a first class organization all along, so I think they will do what needs to be done. I don't think they will want to look at empty seats in July.

 

As for your question about the bridge to Bard, that would have to be Aceves and Morales until Hill comes back.

[a700hitter]

Optimism is that the Sox should be able to put together a nice little run with these cupcakes lined up.

 

Right now, we are 6-10.

 

Win tomorrow, and bring us to 7-10

Whitesox....split that series 2-2, to make us 9-12.

Oakland.....win that series 2-1, to bring us to 11-13.

Baltimore...win that series 2-1, to bring us to 13-14.

KC Royals..win that series 2-1, which will put us at 15-15.

CLE Guardians..win that series 3-1, and make us 18-16 on May 13th.

 

May 13th, 2012......we will be 18-16.

You need to update your sig again. Papelbon has 6 saves.

[SCM33]

You need to update your sig again. Papelbon has 6 saves.

 

Listen.....I have real life stuff going on to update that every time he does unbelievably awesome!!!

[a700hitter]

Listen.....I have real life stuff going on to update that every time he does unbelievably awesome!!!

You might have to update this 40 times. If the Sox BP totals as many saves as Papelbon, I would be shocked.

[mvp 78]

Listen.....I have real life stuff going on to update that every time he does unbelievably awesome!!!

 

He's on pace for 72 appearances. Doubt he gets over 62.

[SCM33]

He's on pace for 72 appearances. Doubt he gets over 62.

 

Hes made 62+ for 4 straight years.

[kapsis21]

seeing Papelbon in the Phillies uniform was sad...

[a700hitter]

Hes made 62+ for 4 straight years.

The only comment that I would make to your signature, and I am not trying to be a pest, but Papelbon is not just a "real closer", he is a great closer.

[SoxSport]

Pap's doin' good in Philly, but so are a bunch of other much cheaper closers. Unfortunately, Ben & Co picked a guy who never saw an injury he could avoid.

[RedSoxNC84]

Papelbon is a great closer, but Philadelphia is going to glorify his numbers to such a degree that they won't even look real.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Ya know, everyone is talking about the Rangers offense, but the Sox have scored only 3 fewer runs and have played 1 less game. Sox team OPS is only .012 points lower than the Rangers.

 

And this is all without Ellsbury or Crawford, and with Gonzo and Youk pulling the average OPS down.

 

A little bullpen help from Rich Hill, Tazawa, and Alex Wilson and this team could surprise some people.

[a700hitter]

Ya know, everyone is talking about the Rangers offense, but the Sox have scored only 3 fewer runs and have played 1 less game. Sox team OPS is only .012 points lower than the Rangers.

 

And this is all without Ellsbury or Crawford, and with Gonzo and Youk pulling the average OPS down.

 

A little bullpen help from Rich Hill, Tazawa, and Alex Wilson and this team could surprise some people.

Look at how the top 5 in our order have been hitting. They have got great #'s. Now Salty is being as adequate as he was in his hot streak last season, but yet we are only 8-10. I love David Ortiz, but he is not going to hit .440 for the season. With the way we have hit, we should be at the top of the division. I think the good hitting highlights how bad our pitching (i.e. bullpen) has been.

[kapsis21]

Look at how the top 5 in our order have been hitting. They have got great #'s. Now Salty is being as adequate as he was in his hot streak last season' date=' but yet we are only 8-10. I love David Ortiz, but he is not going to hit .440 for the season. With the way we have hit, we should be at the top of the division. I think the good hitting highlights how bad our pitching (i.e. bullpen) has been.[/quote']

 

Thomas is going to be out once Rich Hill comes in. and that upgrades the bullpen immediately, god knows who thought Thomas would get a shot in the bullpen... i mean the Pirates dumped him.. cmon seriously.

next to go would be Albers, when Dicek or Cook come in. i really hope Tazawa doesnt get sent down..cuz that would be stupid

[a700hitter]

Thomas is going to be out once Rich Hill comes in. and that upgrades the bullpen immediately, god knows who thought Thomas would get a shot in the bullpen... i mean the Pirates dumped him.. cmon seriously.

next to go would be Albers, when Dicek or Cook come in. i really hope Tazawa doesnt get sent down..cuz that would be stupid

Cook should be up next week. They would be fools to let him walk.

[SoxSport]

Cook should be up next week. They would be fools to let him walk.

 

They are fools not to move Bard to closer as soon as Bailey went down. Aceves keeps telling them he's not a closer.

 

That FO has a mindset.

[Station 13]

Until Aceves actually 'pitch', he cannot close games cleanly. He's overthrowing by a country mile. He doesn't need to throw 95 to be a closer, and he thinks he has to. And he beans batters at an alarming rate.

 

Tazawa comes in last night, locate his fastball and changeup/splitters on the corners. That is pitching. He also mix in a biting curveball. These three pitches look above average, especially the splitter/change. With more time he can really polish that curveball to be a plus swing and miss pitch he can throw at will. Getting 8 swing and miss in 3 inning is excellent.

[kapsis21]

Until Aceves actually 'pitch', he cannot close games cleanly. He's overthrowing by a country mile. He doesn't need to throw 95 to be a closer, and he thinks he has to. And he beans batters at an alarming rate.

 

Tazawa comes in last night, locate his fastball and changeup/splitters on the corners. That is pitching. He also mix in a biting curveball. These three pitches look above average, especially the splitter/change. With more time he can really polish that curveball to be a plus swing and miss pitch he can throw at will. Getting 8 swing and miss in 3 inning is excellent.

he looked like he belongs.. he puts the entire bullpen to shame..

[a700hitter]

They are fools not to move Bard to closer as soon as Bailey went down. Aceves keeps telling them he's not a closer.

 

That FO has a mindset.

 

Let's hope that it doesn't bit us in the ass. It probably will, and people will defend this learning disabled FO by saying that it is too late to make the move. The apologies for them after the fact baffle me.

[SoxFanForsyth]

They are fools not to move Bard to closer as soon as Bailey went down. Aceves keeps telling them he's not a closer.

 

That FO has a mindset.

 

I always want Bard to close. Until it's his turn to start. <_>

 

Oh, the conundrum!

[jacksonianmarch]

The ineptitude of the offenses and the size of Minnesota's park has made the sox relievers look better than they are over the last few days.

[SoxFanForsyth]

The ineptitude of the offenses and the size of Minnesota's park has made the sox relievers look better than they are over the last few days.

 

Say what you want. Tazawa looked very good in each of his appearances. Including against the Yankees.

 

Sorry the Red Sox don't have to play the Tigers/Rangers/Yankees/Blue Jays offenses every day.

[Laser Show]

The ineptitude of the offenses and the size of Minnesota's park has made the sox relievers look better than they are over the last few days.

 

It's okay, we'll be tied in the standings Monday morning.

[jacksonianmarch]

Tazawa has looked really good, and if the FO continues with their insistence on Bard in the rotation, he might actually get a crack at closing. That being said, you are 2 away games away from taking 2 critical pen losses from Minnesota. That ball hit by Plouffe is out in Fenway and the ball hit by Morneau off Morales is gone most anywhere but Minnesota.

[Laser Show]

Tazawa has looked really good' date=' and if the FO continues with their insistence on Bard in the rotation, he might actually get a crack at closing. That being said, you are 2 away games away from taking 2 critical pen losses from Minnesota. That ball hit by Plouffe is out in Fenway and the ball hit by Morneau off Morales is gone most anywhere but Minnesota.[/quote']

 

And you're only 1 bullpen meltdown ahead of us in the standings.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Tazawa has looked really good' date=' and if the FO continues with their insistence on Bard in the rotation, he might actually get a crack at closing. That being said, you are 2 away games away from taking 2 critical pen losses from Minnesota. That ball hit by Plouffe is out in Fenway and the ball hit by Morneau off Morales is gone most anywhere but Minnesota.[/quote']

 

Well if we're playing the "What If" game, then Swisher's grand slam is an easy out in any other ball park, and the Sox win that game.

 

If we're playing the "What If" game, we were 1 away game from taking a big win in Detroit except for a HR ball by Avila that cleared the wall by 2 feet.

 

I mean, what the hell is the point of blaming stuff on a ball park? That's ridiculous.

 

And the ball that Morneau hit off Morales went about 395-400 feet. Where is there a CF wall that is 400 feet? Certainly not in Boston. Just because he got a lot of it doesn't mean it would have been out.

[redsoxbeatz]

If & When Cook comes up to the starting rotation won't the BoSox have to send someone down? If that's the case than it is Bucholz who needs some more practice in AAA.

[RedSoxNC84]

If & When Cook comes up to the starting rotation won't the BoSox have to send someone down? If that's the case than it is Bucholz who needs some more practice in AAA.

 

My guess would be Bard to the pen, or Buch to the bench.. Send down someone like Thomas.

 

I don't think however they are going to make this move, Cook will be on another roster by May 2nd.

[User Name]

They'll probably bring Cook up and DFA Albers, who is a similar but less effective pitcher than Cook.