Red Sox 2012 Spring Training Thread.

[User Name]

While I agree with you on range and arm vis a vis Scuturo and Aviles' date=' I agee with BV I think they need Iggy at SS sooner rather than later.[/quote']

 

I posted about this a while back. I see Iglesias as the starting SS come opening day because Valentine already made up his mind about it. The writing is on the wall.

[jacksonianmarch]

I posted about this a while back. I see Iglesias as the starting SS come opening day because Valentine already made up his mind about it. The writing is on the wall.

 

I think the struggle with V is that he and management dont agree on this one. Valentine has recently amended his comments to saying he is big league ready right now, but maybe not ready enough to help this team as much as we'd like him to. I read that as "I want him as my starting SS, but the FO doesnt agree".

[SoxSport]

I think the struggle with V is that he and management dont agree on this one. Valentine has recently amended his comments to saying he is big league ready right now' date=' but maybe not ready enough to help this team as much as we'd like him to. I read that as "I want him as my starting SS, but the FO doesnt agree".[/quote']

 

Oh hell, the FO doesn't decide on the cuts--nor the starting lineup. What manager would agree to that? Especially on the Red Sox these days. V is LL's guy. He gets his way on the roster, regardless of what Junior Ben thinks.

 

Beware of the media creating conflicts here, by the way, that may not exist.

[seabeachfred]

I had enough of the inept FrancoMa being little more than an errand boy for Epstein all those years. Now I want to see a manager in charge and if Valentine wants Iglesias as his shortstop it is his decision and Cherington should just shut the hell up and get out of the way. We need a strong manager for a change and we have one now if he will take command and just say that's the way it's going to be.

 

I do have a few reservations about Iglesias' lack of punch and whether he would take that ineptness out on the infield with him as so may "glove" men have done over the ages, but if Bobby wants him at SS it is his decision and that should be that.......in my humble opinion, that is.

[redsoxbeatz]

Blah blah. So much talk and speculation yakety yak yak. Wish spring training didn't last so f***ing long!! It's time for some real baseball!!!

[onlybereaved]

I had enough of the inept FrancoMa being little more than an errand boy for Epstein all those years. Now I want to see a manager in charge and if Valentine wants Iglesias as his shortstop it is his decision and Cherington should just shut the hell up and get out of the way. We need a strong manager for a change and we have one now if he will take command and just say that's the way it's going to be.

 

I do have a few reservations about Iglesias' lack of punch and whether he would take that ineptness out on the infield with him as so may "glove" men have done over the ages, but if Bobby wants him at SS it is his decision and that should be that.......in my humble opinion, that is.

 

Amen.

 

Without a doubt, the Red Sox players will know whether or not V has 'the power' in terms of decision making. If they know that he is an errand-boy for upper-suits/FO, why bother listening to what the guy says or follow his command etc.

 

The Red Sox need a manager who has decision making ability/power

[Spudboy]

Even Aviles is an upgrade over Scutaro.

 

George, you ARE smarter than this. Please?

[Spudboy]

I think Scutaro had better range' date=' but a worse arm. It may be a wash.[/quote']

 

I thought his range was about "average". And my take on his arm? That pinched nerve / neck injury probably had something to do with that. Don't you think?

[Dojji]

George' date=' you ARE smarter than this. Please?[/quote']

 

Scutaro's range was appallingly bad. Good hands, decent bat, solit teammate, but the guy couldn't move, and he couldn't throw. I've seen Aviles in action enough to know that as badly as he moves, he moves a little better than Scutaro.

[SoxSport]

Interesting the Globe's Abraham chose a slightly different emphasis in his Iglesias story today. The same story as yesterday. Yesterday is was "Iglesias ready" in the lead. Today he's "pretty close". Same article. Same quotes. Sounds like the Globe braintrust is straddling the fence between the manager and the FO.

 

The Red Sox have a problem with the media because they have too many guys who talk too much.

[SoxSport]

Scutaro's range was appallingly bad. Good hands' date=' decent bat, solit teammate, but the guy couldn't move, and he couldn't throw. I've seen Aviles in action enough to know that as badly as he moves, he moves a little better than Scutaro.[/quote']

 

 

There doesn't seem to be a lot of urgency about the need for defense on the Red Sox at SS--either the management or the media. Even in some of the other newsgroups which should know better.

 

It isn't really a question of whether Iglesias can hit--it's a question of whether they can afford NOT to have his defense. SS is not a hitting position--traditionally. It's a defensive position. If you need a hitter at SS, you're in trouble as a hitting team. The Red Sox are not in trouble as a hitting team. But their defense is mediocre.

 

It's time a little common sense prevailed.

[a700hitter]

I would have preferred to have Scutaro at SS with Iglesias as his backup. I would have let him learn at the major league level getting about 50-60 games under his belt with Scutaro filliing in for Pedroia and Youk, so Iglesias would solely play SS. Unfortunately, we salary dumped a .290 hitter for a bum to free up payroll for an acquisition that never happened. If Valentine prevails and Iglesias is the starting SS, Punto should get released. Guys like him are a dime a dozen.

[a700hitter]

Interesting the Globe's Abraham chose a slightly different emphasis in his Iglesias story today. The same story as yesterday. Yesterday is was "Iglesias ready" in the lead. Today he's "pretty close". Same article. Same quotes. Sounds like the Globe braintrust is straddling the fence between the manager and the FO.

 

The Red Sox have a problem with the media because they have too many guys who talk too much.

...or the story being fed to them by the Sox is changing.

[Spudboy]

There doesn't seem to be a lot of urgency about the need for defense on the Red Sox at SS--either the management or the media. Even in some of the other newsgroups which should know better.

 

It isn't really a question of whether Iglesias can hit--it's a question of whether they can afford NOT to have his defense. SS is not a hitting position--traditionally. It's a defensive position. If you need a hitter at SS, you're in trouble as a hitting team. The Red Sox are not in trouble as a hitting team. But their defense is mediocre.

 

It's time a little common sense prevailed.

 

EXACTLY!!!111!!!!111111!!!

[jung]

Exactly + 1 More

[jung]

Pretty neat NESN night tonight. Red Sox Yankees on at 7:00 PM followed by Bruins Sharks from San Jose.

[Spudboy]

Pretty neat NESN night tonight. Red Sox Yankees on at 7:00 PM followed by Bruins Sharks from San Jose.

 

I'm' f***ing psyched. I have beer and low carb delights planned.

 

Low carb beer !!!!

 

I'm on a "MIller High Life Lite" kick. It's not bad! It achieves my minimum requirements for beer. Barely, but it does.

[a700hitter]

I'm' f***ing psyched. I have beer and low carb delights planned.

 

Low carb beer !!!!

 

I'm on a "MIller High Life Lite" kick. It's not bad! It achieves my minimum requirements for beer. Barely, but it does.

You poor bastard.

[Station 13]

Meh there isn't any pitcher from the Sox tonight pitching that's on the opening day roster.

[Station 13]

So ESPN is sending Francona to broadcast the game, except it'll be blackout here and to everyone in the local market. Lame.

[VA Sox Fan]

I'm' f***ing psyched. I have beer and low carb delights planned.

 

Low carb beer !!!!

 

I'm on a "MIller High Life Lite" kick. It's not bad! It achieves my minimum requirements for beer. Barely, but it does.

 

I miss the Miller High Life commercials with the black bald guy. They were hilarious!

[jung]

Liked what I saw from Cook tonight. He clearly has the composure and the mentality of a starter.

 

He might be an interesting alternative after all. Nice to see a guy go out there and look like he is a starter.

[Elktonnick]

Liked what I saw from Cook tonight. He clearly has the composure and the mentality of a starter.

 

He might be an interesting alternative after all. Nice to see a guy go out there and look like he is a starter.

 

I liked what I saw tonight from Cook also. I love sinkerball pitchers. I especially liked his pickoff move. If Cook were to be a starter, I'd think the cry of Iggy in the bigs would be deafening.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I liked what I saw tonight from Cook also. I love sinkerball pitchers. I especially liked his pickoff move. If Cook were to be a starter' date=' I'd think the cry of Iggy in the bigs would be deafening.[/quote']

 

From all the reports I hear, Valentine wants Iggy in the bigs, FO wants him in AAA.

 

I wouldn't put it past Bobby V at all to give Cook a little edge in the race solely because it probably means having Iglesias start at SS.

 

After seeing Cook throw, I would be happy with him as the 5th man. He pitches quickly, keeps runners honest, gets a ton of ground balls, and keeps his pitch count low. 48 pitches through 4 IP tonight. Hell, that's a 12 pitch per inning average, and would get him through 8 at 96 pitches.

 

If Cook can come in and be an effective #5 starter, and Doubront can be an effective #4 starter, that turns our bullpen from a question mark to a strength. Bailey, Bard, Aceves, Melancon, Morales, Albers, Hill/Miller. That's a very solid pen.

[Elktonnick]

From all the reports I hear, Valentine wants Iggy in the bigs, FO wants him in AAA.

 

I wouldn't put it past Bobby V at all to give Cook a little edge in the race solely because it probably means having Iglesias start at SS.

 

After seeing Cook throw, I would be happy with him as the 5th man. He pitches quickly, keeps runners honest, gets a ton of ground balls, and keeps his pitch count low. 48 pitches through 4 IP tonight. Hell, that's a 12 pitch per inning average, and would get him through 8 at 96 pitches.

 

If Cook can come in and be an effective #5 starter, and Doubront can be an effective #4 starter, that turns our bullpen from a question mark to a strength. Bailey, Bard, Aceves, Melancon, Morales, Albers, Hill/Miller. That's a very solid pen.

 

Sounds like a plan.

[SoxFanForsyth]

All I want is Cook's 2008 season. 160 IP, 4.15 ERA, 11 wins. Just give me that, that's all. I don't need you to be an 18 game winner, 230 IP, 3.10 ERA. Just give me 160 or 165, 4.15-4.20 ERA, and 11-13 wins. You get that from your #4 and you keep your top 3 healthy, this team wins the AL East.

[seabeachfred]

Sounds like a plan.

 

Cook was pretty sharp for three innings until the wheels weakened in the fourth. Still, if he is healthy maybe we've got a pleasant surprise in store for us. We can sure us some of the pleasant variety after all the unpleasant ones the past three seasons. Of course, we wait with baited breath to see if the injury barrage hits us again---I just hope Pedroia is alright and will not be on the shelf. We cannot afford to lose him or anyone of importance, not this year when we need every good player standing.

 

Great squeeze by Valentine to tie it in the ninth. Think Francona would have called for such a play? Not in a million years.

[jung]

Pedroia is supposed to be a contusion. Since that is what they reported I have to believe that is what he was. Painful for a bit but if nothing more he should be OK.

[jung]

Thing I liked about Cook is that other than Aceves, so far he is the only other guy that looks like a #4 to me. Unless something changes I cannot see Doubront as a 4 but might see him as a 5.

 

I still think that there is no way the Sox can afford both Bard and Aceves in the rotation. So if forced to Aceves in the rotation Bard goes to the pen. If Bard makes it to the rotation, Aceves to the pen.

 

If it does turn out to be Cook/Doubront Cook should be the 4. That has the benefit of sending both Aceves and Bard back to the pen. The only fly in that ointment is that Bard is so screwed up at present that I would not trust him with the ball in the 8th inning right now.

 

While Aceves has out-pitched everybody vying for the 4 and 5 as I mentioned earlier Aceves is the single most versatile relief pitcher in baseball at present. Sending him to the rotation would not be my preference and I would like to see somebody beat him out for the 4 rotation spot. Once somebody beats him out for the 4 then we can safely send Aceves back to the pen because using him as the 5 would really be a terrible waste of his talents.

[Dojji]

Cook wasn't terrible. Ohlendorf can take a long walk off a short pier, but Cook didn't suck. He got himself in trouble then turned around and got himself out of it. I'd rather see that than domination right now.

 

Hope Pedroia's OK.