JetBlue Park - 2012 Spring Training

[ibot2much]

Funny story in the GLOBE this morning...Ortiz confronts Shaunassey about something he DIDN'T say. There was a big picture of DO on the front of syesterday so when I saw another one today, I was really shaking my head that the FO is determined to make the fans believe that he is worth the ridiculous money they gave him.

 

Instead it was aboiut the workds DO had with him and he was wrong.

 

It did make it clear how "sensitive" David is about negative comments so the only thing I did recall was the fear the FO had of getting DO upset if they had to speak against him at the arbitration hearing. AH..if we didn't laugh, we would probably be crying

[Muggah]

Funny story in the GLOBE this morning...Ortiz confronts Shaunassey about something he DIDN'T say. There was a big picture of DO on the front of syesterday so when I saw another one today, I was really shaking my head that the FO is determined to make the fans believe that he is worth the ridiculous money they gave him.

 

Instead it was aboiut the workds DO had with him and he was wrong.

 

It did make it clear how "sensitive" David is about negative comments so the only thing I did recall was the fear the FO had of getting DO upset if they had to speak against him at the arbitration hearing. AH..if we didn't laugh, we would probably be crying

 

I would have paid whatever they were asking if they offered to show that arbitration hearing on pay-for-view. We all got gypped.

[VA Sox Fan]

Funny story in the GLOBE this morning...Ortiz confronts Shaunassey about something he DIDN'T say. There was a big picture of DO on the front of syesterday so when I saw another one today, I was really shaking my head that the FO is determined to make the fans believe that he is worth the ridiculous money they gave him.

 

Instead it was aboiut the workds DO had with him and he was wrong.

 

It did make it clear how "sensitive" David is about negative comments so the only thing I did recall was the fear the FO had of getting DO upset if they had to speak against him at the arbitration hearing. AH..if we didn't laugh, we would probably be crying

 

Shaughnessy is a tool. After 8 seasons with the Red Sox, I don't blame Ortiz for being bothered by what the media says.

[a700hitter]

I get the impression from this Buckley article in the Herald today that the SS job is Iglesias' to lose.

 

http://bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1406070&position=0

 

The comparisons with Ordonez and Ozzie Smith--and Aparicio, for those who remember--are compelling.

On the Sox Report the other day, Gammons was saying that Iglesias needed about 400 Abs at AAA to be ready. It sounded like he was communicating the organizational plan for Iglesias. I think Bobby V would like to take him north, but if he makes the team either Punto or Aviles have to get released. I don't think they are ready to do that until they are somewhat certain that Iglesias is ready.

[seabeachfred]

Iglesias is NOT ready for the Red Sox on just his hitting alone. He couldn't hit a lick in AAA last year and he needs to work on his batting. We all know by now that is a sensational fielder but to be overmatched and force fed at the plate could work to evaporate his confidence. I think the Sox should err on the side of caution and let the kid develop his stroke at Pawtucket and see if he can use his speed to learn to become a base stealer. Sure, you can carry a solid glove in a powerful lineup but all it takes is two or three regulars to have off seasons (read Crawford, Youk and Drew 2011) and you get a big black hole in your lineup. If the kid is that good he will eventially pay dividends. He is not ready to do that yet in my opinion.

[example1]

It seems weird to me that there aren't more videos available of Iglesias fielding. The few that I have seen certainly put him in another class, but for a guy who has had so many people observe his tremendous fielding, I would expect there to be numerous clips--especially on places like NESN and CSSNE etc., but there aren't any.

[a700hitter]

Iglesias is NOT ready for the Red Sox on just his hitting alone. He couldn't hit a lick in AAA last year and he needs to work on his batting. We all know by now that is a sensational fielder but to be overmatched and force fed at the plate could work to evaporate his confidence. I think the Sox should err on the side of caution and let the kid develop his stroke at Pawtucket and see if he can use his speed to learn to become a base stealer. Sure' date=' you can carry a solid glove in a powerful lineup but all it takes is two or three regulars to have off seasons (read Crawford, Youk and Drew 2011) and you get a big black hole in your lineup. If the kid is that good he will eventially pay dividends. He is not ready to do that yet in my opinion.[/quote']Unless he scalds the ball this spring, I think he is ticketed for Pawtucket. Gammons is usually on the mark on this stuff. He was the first one last August to talk about Bard becoming a starter.

[a700hitter]

It seems weird to me that there aren't more videos available of Iglesias fielding. The few that I have seen certainly put him in another class' date=' but for a guy who has had so many people observe his tremendous fielding, I would expect there to be numerous clips--especially on places like NESN and CSSNE etc., but there aren't any.[/quote']Why have there been many video clips about other slick fielding minor leaguers? People are interested in big artillery coming out of the minors not leather. It doesn't surprise me. It's not what people want to see except for sicko fanatics like us.

[VA Sox Fan]

Motivational interior decorating for the Red Sox

 

Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff February 25, 2012 09:01 AM

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

 

FORT MYERS, Fla. — In a very Yankee-like move, the Red Sox have had inspirational quotes painted on the walls of the clubhouse at JetBlue Park.

 

One is from Ted Williams. It says: "Ballplayers are not born great. They're not born great hitters or pitchers or managers, and luck isn't a big factor. No one has come up with a substitute for hard work."

 

The other is from Carl Yastrzemski: "I think about baseball when I wake up in the morning. I think about it all day and I dream about it at night. The only time I don't think about it is when I'm playing it.”

 

Two walls remain blank. We'll see what they come up with next.

 

The Yankees have assorted phrases at their clubhouse in Tampa, all ordered by the late George Steinbrenner.

[SoxSport]

I think Cafardo is closer to the situation than Gammons these days. Gammons old connect was Epstein.

Cafardo's connect are his fellow paisans--Bobby V and LL. Bobby V will decide who goes north, and Cafardo said last week that Iglesias was getting a good look.

 

This stuff about Iggy's hitting is getting overplayed. The kid hasn't even had a full season in AAA.

None of the major league defensive SSs in his mold were very good hitters. The big hitters were bigger guys who wound up playing 3B later. ARod , now Hanley, come to mind. Ordonez stuck with the Mets, and never hit more than .250 or so. Ozzie Smith never hit in SD--he didn't hit for average until later in his career in St. Louis. Belanger was a weak hitter. So was Aparicio. Most all these guys played on pennant winners.

 

There is a precedent for good field, no hit SSs playing on championship teams. I doubt it will be hitting that will keep Iglesias from going North. Not on a team with a DH. And my hunch is they might need Aviles at 3B before too long.

[Elktonnick]

I think Cafardo is closer to the situation than Gammons these days. Gammons old connect was Epstein.

Cafardo's connect are his fellow paisans--Bobby V and LL. Bobby V will decide who goes north, and Cafardo said last week that Iglesias was getting a good look.

 

This stuff about Iggy's hitting is getting overplayed. The kid hasn't even had a full season in AAA.

None of the major league defensive SSs in his mold were very good hitters. The big hitters were bigger guys who wound up playing 3B later. ARod , now Hanley, come to mind. Ordonez stuck with the Mets, and never hit more than .250 or so. Ozzie Smith never hit in SD--he didn't hit for average until later in his career in St. Louis. Belanger was a weak hitter. So was Aparicio. Most all these guys played on pennant winners.

 

There is a precedent for good field, no hit SSs playing on championship teams. I doubt it will be hitting that will keep Iglesias from going North. Not on a team with a DH. My hunch is they might need Aviles at 3B before too long.

 

I think we'll see Iggy in Boston by the ASB. This depends onhow well he does in Pawtucket early in the year. Very interesting article about BV wanting to change Iggy batting style. If this pays off then we should know by the end of June. Of course if Punto and Aviles are doing well and the club is doing well then the more time Iggy has in AAA all the better.

[VA Sox Fan]

Valentine says no more beer in Red Sox clubhouse

 

Posted by Staff February 25, 2012 02:41 PM

 

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine told reporters Saturday that he will not allow players to drink any beer in the clubhouse or during the last leg of team plane trips.

 

The rule, Valentine said, "is just what I've always done" as a manager. He said the reaction from players was "probably somewhere right in between a standing [ovation] and a standing boo."

 

 

I'm with those who were booing!

[jung]

Just saw a blurb that said Bailey strained a lat while taking his physical today. Should not be a problem but is kinda' funny.

[redsoxfan3]

Just saw a blurb that said Bailey strained a lat while taking his physical today. Should not be a problem but is kinda' funny.

 

I went to the practice today and I actually heard about that. One of the workers at the stadium was telling me that he was saying that he isn't a basketball player and can't jump or dunk. I thought it was funny. It is nothing serious. If it were the regular season it is something he can play through. Since it is Spring Training, they are just taking precautionary measures to make sure he will heal up fine. Supposedly Big Papi also hurt himself in the batting cages when he fouled a ball off of himself. Bobby V was the first one over there to make sure he was fine. I haven't heard anything new about that, so I am assuming he is fine. I watched Iglesias and Aviles at SS today taking some infield. Iglesias and Pedroia look great together up the middle. Middlebrooks is looking solid too. Aviles did good, but to me Iglesias stood out to me more.

 

The first game that I am going Lester will be pitching (against Northeastern). Doubront is starting game 2 against BC later that night. I wish I could see Doubront pitch, but I have to go straight to Orlando later that night because I am going out of town for the week for Spring Break. If anyone is going to see Doubront pitch, please fill me in on how he does this Saturday. He has been doing good in all of his workouts and practices. I would love to see him win that 5th spot in the rotation.

 

Iglesias and Lavarnway might both start the year in AAA, but the word at JetBlue is that both might be able to crack the big league roster at some point in the season. Both players have been very impressive so far this Spring. Another note about starting pitchers, Aceves is said to really really want the 5th spot in the rotation. He has been working really hard and if we can somehow replace his production in the pen if some other guys pan out, then it might be realistic to see both Bard and Aceves in the rotation this year. It is interesting to see how that might turn out. Obviously the concern at this point will be to see if the pen will be fine without both Bard and Aceves.

 

I will be right back at JetBlue tomorrow morning for practice. Class can wait until Spring Training is over.

[jung]

Is this the first we heard of Aceves being pumped to start? I think so. Bard commented last week that he told the Sox his preference was to start or close. He sounds pumped about starting.

 

I know that at least for me, if he deserved the job I would want Doubront to get the 5th slot and Aceves to stay in the pen. If Aceves really does beat him out then I guess I can't argue about it. Aceves goes to rotation.

[mvp 78]

Does anyone else think the mini Fenway they've built cheapens the original's uniqueness?

 

Same dimensions, Ted Williams statue, gate locations, etc.

 

"Fenway South" is kinda lame imo.

[jung]

It does look kinda' odd in left and center. The mini wall looks kinda weird and the effort at a center field triangle seems more like it is a left center triangle unless I am just not seeing it correctly. Right looks OK. Have not seen anything of the infield or OB.

[VA Sox Fan]

I don't get NESN, plan on watching Sunday's game at my local sports bar/watering hole.

 

Pitching plans for the first set of games

 

 

Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff February 27, 2012 08:55 AM

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

 

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Here are the pitching assignments for the first set of games:

 

Thursday "B" game at Minnesota

Aceves

Bard

Mortensen

Carlson

Pena

Wilson

Inman

Thomas

 

Saturday vs. Northeastern

Lester

Germano

Bowden

Albers

 

Saturday vs. BC

Doubront

Tazawa

Mathis

Spoone

 

Sunday vs. Minnesota

Beckett

Miller

Melancon

Thomas

Pena

Atchison

 

March 5 at Minnesota

Buchholz

Padilla

Inman

Carlson

Duckworth

 

March 6 vs. Baltimore

Bard

Aceves

Wilson

Mortensen

Bowden

 

March 7 "B" game against Minnesota

Lester

Spoone

Britton

Albers

Thomas

Atchison

Mathis

 

March 7 at Toronto

Silva

Tazawa

Melancon

Pena

Germano

 

Obviously a million things can happen. But the rotation for now seems to be Lester, Beckett, Buchholz, Bard/Aceves.

[Elktonnick]

Does anyone else think the mini Fenway they've built cheapens the original's uniqueness?

 

Same dimensions, Ted Williams statue, gate locations, etc.

 

"Fenway South" is kinda lame imo.

 

Not really imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Besides it is good training to get used to Fenway for those who haven't played there before. BTW Cal Ripken did the same for Camden Yards at his basball complex in Aberdeen Md.

[mvp 78]

I like the training idea, but not sure if CC will be seeing the same bounces off the wall.

[seabeachfred]

I'd have to see it in person to give any kind of an opinion and that will have to wait until next Spring, but it got me to thinking. What if after another decade or so they decide to finally build a new ballpark. Would this "New Fenway" serve as a nostalgia for long time fans. I think my friend Elk had it probably right when he said it would help young players get used to the knook and cranies of the real Fenway. If the Red Sox are going to be successful they need to really rack up the wins on their home turf.

[Spitball]

Does anyone else think the mini Fenway they've built cheapens the original's uniqueness?

 

Same dimensions, Ted Williams statue, gate locations, etc.

 

"Fenway South" is kinda lame imo.

 

I really like it. Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine, also has a replica left field wall called the Maine Monster. I love watching games there.

[redsoxfan3]

I like the training idea' date=' but not sure if CC will be seeing the same bounces off the wall.[/quote']

 

He will not see the same bounces. Some of the LF wall has a net in it because there are seats in it and above the Green Monster at JetBlue. The balls bouncing off of the net will be different compared to Fenway. Also, the wall at JetBlue is 6 feet taller than the one at Fenway. It measures at 43 feet. The Green Monster is a little different at JetBlue. Overall, the dimensions are pretty close and will be good for young outfielders to get experience.

[The Boomer]

Like Fred and Elk said, I think it's just so players can get used to the wall and dimensions before they get to Boston. I would think other teams do the same thing with their long-term farm if they can. For example:

 

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: 325 LF, 400 CF, 325 RF (they are now a Brewers farm team, but until 2010 they were a Mariners farm team)

Safeco: 331 LF, 405 CF, 326 RF

[SoxSport]

I still don't like CC playing LF at Fenway, being left-handed in that corner. I hope Bobby tries him out in RF.

His speed should overcome any percieved throwing deficiencies. Cody is better in LF.

[redsoxfan3]

I still don't like CC playing LF at Fenway, being left-handed in that corner. I hope Bobby tries him out in RF.

His speed should overcome any percieved throwing deficiencies. Cody is better in LF.

 

At this point, it is unlikely that there will be any changes like that only because CC is getting used to playing in LF after playing there all year last year.

[a700hitter]

I still don't like CC playing LF at Fenway, being left-handed in that corner. I hope Bobby tries him out in RF.

His speed should overcome any percieved throwing deficiencies. Cody is better in LF.

Ross and Sweeney are better rightfielders than Crawford.

[redsoxfan3]

About to head off to JetBlue to watch practice for the day. I will fill you guys in if I see anything interesting today.

[jung]

From what I can see NESN is going to have the Saturday, Sunday and Monday games and will also be doing those 2 hour trimmed down game replays in between just like they do during the regular season.

[redsoxfan3]

Yesterday was a short day at Spring Training. They had a golf outing on Monday, so I am sure being out in the sun all day took a lot out of them. Yesterday they were out there from 11-1. On a positive not, I was one of the lucky few who got an autograph from Dustiin Pedroia. Well actually my fiancee got it for me. She has good luck with getting autographs. I love the new stadium and complex. If you get the chance to check it out, you need to do so.