Crawford has setback

[SoxFanForsyth]

Re Tazawa, who looks better than ever after his surgery.

 

With a big lead the other night Tazawa gets to pitch the last 3 innings and gets a save.

 

In a close game with a save situation, the manager yanks him after 2 innings and puts in his closer.

If the closer shits the bed, the team loses the game. That's called an unforced error, which is common in baseball these days. The closer has to get his save, or his agent will complain.

 

Right now, Tazawa looks like the best pitcher in the bullpen. Who else do they have in Pawtucket? Cook, for sure. Ohlendorf, too.

 

Alex Wilson was pulled from his last start and is now being groomed for a relief role. According to the people at SoxProspects, they liken him to Daniel Bard. Mid 90's fastball, very sharp slider. Maybe not the K potential that Bard has, but the same role as he served in 2009.

 

The process generally takes a few weeks, so look for Wilson to be brought up in mid to late May.

[jung]

I would actually be very tempted to try Tazawa there and in fact I thought to some extent that is what V was testing a bit by having him go to the finish. I thought Aceves had made progress when he went from just throwing in Detroit to pitching in Toronto and then he had a couple of bouts of aiming the ball mixed in with just throwing never ever going back to pitching again. Now I am no longer confident that Aceves will be able to adapt to the closer role. Now I am actually worried he is going to screw himself up so badly that he won't be as effective in the role that he dominated last year.

 

All by way of saying if it were me, I would have to try Tazawa in the closer role at this point and then I am still worried about how I would get to him. The Sox still seem to have so few effective pieces that even once somebody seems to be closing OK, you worry about how to get to him. That is why I am really lighting candles for Aceves at this point because I think he is close to screwing himself royally as he continues to try to find himself in this closer role. I really want him outta' there now.

 

Once again I guess we will disappoint him as he wanted to start...then he took the on the closer role. Now I suspect we are going to disappoint him again if we move him outta' there but I don't know what else they can do at this point that makes sense.

 

One of my biggest fears is that they will have all of them screwed up by the time this is over.

[SoxSport]

Alex Wilson was pulled from his last start and is now being groomed for a relief role. According to the people at SoxProspects, they liken him to Daniel Bard. Mid 90's fastball, very sharp slider. Maybe not the K potential that Bard has, but the same role as he served in 2009.

 

The process generally takes a few weeks, so look for Wilson to be brought up in mid to late May.

 

Seems like the front office will do anything to keep Bard a starter. They must feel they will look bad if they do the sensible thing--plug the closer hole with him.

 

Alex Wilson is an unknown. The way closers are used, you have to value their role. They can easily cost you games.

[RedSoxNC84]

Seems like the front office will do anything to keep Bard a starter. They must feel they will look bad if they do the sensible thing--plug the closer hole with him.

 

Alex Wilson is an unknown. The way closers are used, you have to value their role. They can easily cost you games.

 

Putting an unknown at closer, isn't that what they've done all season so far?

 

I would like to see a move like this actually work for us, but if it doesn't work out I guess we'll be looking forward to Bailey's return even more.

 

Personally I think if they liken him to Bard so much, he'll end up being a setup man.

[SoxSport]

Putting an unknown at closer' date=' isn't that what they've done all season so far?[/b']

I would like to see a move like this actually work for us, but if it doesn't work out I guess we'll be looking forward to Bailey's return even more.

 

Personally I think if they liken him to Bard so much, he'll end up being a setup man.

 

You got it.

[a700hitter]

Bobby Abreu was released by the Angels today. He could handle LF in Fenway, and he always hit in Fenway.

[Station 13]

Bobby Abreu was released by the Angels today. He could handle LF in Fenway' date=' and he always hit in Fenway.[/quote']

 

"used" to. The guy is cooked.

[Palodios]

"used" to. The guy is cooked.

 

He had a .350 OBP last year. Do you really think he's any worse than Lars Anderson?

[SoxFanForsyth]

He had a .350 OBP last year. Do you really think he's any worse than Lars Anderson?

 

Yup. Lars to Oakland in a deal for an arm. Abreu to Boston as a back up. Abreu wears out the Monster.

[a700hitter]

Yup. Lars to Oakland in a deal for an arm. Abreu to Boston as a back up. Abreu wears out the Monster.

Picking him up would cost nothing more than the waiver price... right? Seems like a great low cost option. If he doesn't work out, there is no financial commitment.

[mvp 78]

Yup. Lars to Oakland in a deal for an arm. Abreu to Boston as a back up. Abreu wears out the Monster.

 

Why would OAK do this? Lars has minimal value.

[a700hitter]

The Abreu move would be a no-brainer. Cherries get off your ass and sign this guy and DFA DMac.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Why would OAK do this? Lars has minimal value.

 

Billy Beane has an obsession with Lars. He was the centerpiece in the Harden deal that fell apart and everyone thought he would be in the deal for Bailey.

 

Beane has always been very interested in Lars, that's definitely no secret.