2013 Spring Training

[rhet]

Can we get a mid-level prospect for him?

 

If not, they should just release him. A leopard doesn't change its spots.

[NativeBostonian]

Anyone going to be going south to see them play this year? I've got tickets to Saturday's game against the Rays.

[VA Sox Fan]

Look, we didn't hear about any problems with Aceves in 2011. Whatever there was, Francona handled it and kept it in the clubhouse.

 

And while the rest of the pitching staff was melting down, Aceves had an ERA of 2.28 in July, 1.15 in August and 1.80 in September. All he did in 2011 was pitch his ass off.

 

So it's not unreasonable to think that another manager can handle him.

 

Great points. With all of the questions of how well are current pitching staff will do this season, think it would be a mistake to get rid of him. Hopefully he'll get his temperment in check under Farrell.

[a700hitter]

Look, we didn't hear about any problems with Aceves in 2011. Whatever there was, Francona handled it and kept it in the clubhouse.

 

And while the rest of the pitching staff was melting down, Aceves had an ERA of 2.28 in July, 1.15 in August and 1.80 in September. All he did in 2011 was pitch his ass off.

 

So it's not unreasonable to think that another manager can handle him.

It's hard to keep things inhouse if his tantrums manifest themselves on the field like happened yesterday.

[FredLynn]

I think he has the potential to be a cancer on this team. I don't see him accepting his role gracefully, so they should probably trade him before he forces the issue.

 

When he is placed in a role in which he is most likely to succeed (long relief, spot SP) rather than closer or in the rotation) he has proven that he can pitch well. As long as he pitches well and is not a side show on the team I think he should remain with the team. After all, he is, at times, entertaining in the mould of Julian Tavares, right?

[Bellhorn04]

Based on the story I copied & posted about Cherries' meeting with Aceves' agent, I think it's pretty clear he's on a short leash now.

[seabeachfred]

Aceves is ultimately doomed in the way Lowrie was a couple years ago. He's too useful as a long reliever, and so should be denied a rotation spot. Lowrie was too useful as a utility guy, and denied a starting spot for Boston. Neither roles are glorious, especially for the long reliever (clean-up guy).

However, if Aceves comes around, could it be good to see him utilized more by Farrell going to him quickly at the sign of struggle from a starter? I'm not necessarily saying pull Lester if he gives up 3 runs in the 1st. More so the idea of going to a long reliever when down 4 runs in the 2nd as opposed to waiting for a 5 run deficit in the 4th or 5th.

I just think having Aceves and Morales both as (hopefully) effective long relievers gives us some options other clubs don't have.

 

As Dupree also told you, well said. Makes a lot of sense to me but there is one big joker in the deck and that is Aceves himself. Would he accept such a role as you outlined? I don't think he would. All evidence shows he wants to either be a starter or the closer and right now neither job is open to him. I agree he could be solid in that role but knowing his personality it is dubious if he would fall in line and accept that role. We'll see as ST evolves, but if he shows any stubborness in this regard or starts to act up again we cannot afford to keep an attitude head case and bad actor around.

[seabeachfred]

Aceves got an inflated sense of who he was in NY in 2009. He was a key cog in our pen when we won a title. From there, I think he got a little entitled, hurt himself in 2010 and acted like a prick and got released. He re-established himself in 2011 with the sox and got entitled enough to act like a prick again in 2012. He seems like a guy who needs to be kicked a few times to be good or else he thinks he's awesome and demands attention

 

Then some of us were right on Aceves, weren't we Jacko? He was a solid man for your Yankees one year and a total ******* the next, just the same type of scenario we've seen with the Red Sox the past two seasons----a model citizen one year and a total jerk the next. The big difference is that your team didn't stand for it and got rid of him while ours seems to think it can handle this human minefield. I just hope the warning Cherington and Farrell issued is more than just hot air. Aceves continues being an a-hole and he must be jettisoned and not placated in the hope he will straighten himself out because if past history is of any indication that is a pipe dream.

 

Thanks for the info.

[seabeachfred]

Can we get a mid-level prospect for him?

 

If not, they should just release him. A leopard doesn't change its spots.

 

I feel the same way Rhet and have said so, and so have others like 700 Hitter. A leopard doesn't change his spots and we saw this play out in New York when he was with the Yankees. I do believe that if he would accept his role as long and middle reliever he could be a help to us but so far we've heard nothing to that effect, only that he wants either to be a starter or the closer. Our friend Jacko thinks if we keep him for the first two or three months he might do well and get us something back in a trade in mid-season. 700 Hitter thinks he will be a cancer and cause dissension in the ranks of a team that cannot afford another season of bad actors. I still think we're going to have to get rid of him for the good of the team.

[rhet]

Why is he on a leash? Didn't he run out of leash last year? He gives his new manager the substitute teacher act and Cherington responds by giving him more leash?

 

The Sox don't need this headache. This dude needs to go.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Mark Hamilton is going to surprise a lot of people.

[rjortiz]

Mark Hamilton is going to surprise a lot of people.

 

Can't wait until he's up with Drake Britton, then we'll definitely be World Series favorites.

[a700hitter]

Can't wait until he's up with Drake Britton, then we'll definitely be World Series favorites.

and tickets will be very easy to get.

 

[onlybereaved]

Why is he on a leash? Didn't he run out of leash last year? He gives his new manager the substitute teacher act and Cherington responds by giving him more leash?

 

The Sox don't need this headache. This dude needs to go.

 

Yep.

 

Perfect opportunity for the Sox to get rid of this guy and make an example of him. No room for this sort of this thing year whatsoever. Also, the odds are that Acevez wants out as well - pretty blatently did what he did and pretty blantently didn't remotely come close to apologizing for it when asked on the record about what the deal is.

[Bellhorn04]

Yep.

 

Perfect opportunity for the Sox to get rid of this guy and make an example of him. No room for this sort of this thing year whatsoever.

 

We don't necessarily need a team full of goody two shoes either. Aceves obviously has issues but I don't think he's a threat to team morale. Let's see if they can get him under control.

[Bellhorn04]

TwitterPete Abraham @PeteAbe

#RedSox live BP report: Buchholz looked healthy and Aceves looked sane.

[jacksonianmarch]

TwitterPete Abraham @PeteAbe

#RedSox live BP report: Buchholz looked healthy and Aceves looked sane.

 

He forgot to add sky is falling to the end of the tweet

[jung]

and Aceves looked sane.

 

That is actually pretty funny. These media guys generally take themselves to seriously to add a little levity.

[Dom]

That is actually pretty funny. These media guys generally take themselves to seriously to add a little levity.

 

Abraham's known to lose his sense of humor pretty quickly. He engages in flame wars with fans on twitter on a pretty regular basis.

[Dom]

If we're going to fault players who didn't get along with Valentine, wouldn't we have to release half the team? New manager, new leash. It's only natural that he'd test the boundaries.

[seabeachfred]

We don't necessarily need a team full of goody two shoes either. Aceves obviously has issues but I don't think he's a threat to team morale. Let's see if they can get him under control.

 

Sorry Bellhorn, but just the opposite is true. Aceves is a definite threat to team morale and all it takes is one bad apple to start turning the team into rot. The Red Sox signed some decent short term players this off season and while these people have some nice talent the emphasis was on character as well. Yet they keep a guy like Aceves who by now we all know has had serious personal and character issues now with two teams. It follows in all classifications of baseball whether Majors, Minor, College, Stan Musial, Babe Ruth or Semi-Pro ball..........YOU HAVE ONE OR TWO HEAD CASES ON THE TEAM AND YOU KEEP THEM AROUND, PRETTY SOON YOU HAVE FIVE OR SIX. There should be no more leash. One more outburst from the guy and he needs to sent away and I don't give a damn what other team signs him. He then becomes their problem.

[Bellhorn04]

Sorry Bellhorn, but just the opposite is true. Aceves is a definite threat to team morale and all it takes is one bad apple to start turning the team into rot. The Red Sox signed some decent short term players this off season and while these people have some nice talent the emphasis was on character as well. Yet they keep a guy like Aceves who by now we all know has had serious personal and character issues now with two teams. It follows in all classifications of baseball whether Majors, Minor, College, Stan Musial, Babe Ruth or Semi-Pro ball..........YOU HAVE ONE OR TWO HEAD CASES ON THE TEAM AND YOU KEEP THEM AROUND, PRETTY SOON YOU HAVE FIVE OR SIX. There should be no more leash. One more outburst from the guy and he needs to sent away and I don't give a damn what other team signs him. He then becomes their problem.

 

Fred, truth be told I just don't think I care about it as much as you, buddy. If they keep him they keep him, or not. Looks like they're going to give him a chance. So be it.

[dupree]

I think its good Farrell had a talk with him and that Ben talked to his agent. Could be a one time deal and just testing the waters. But if he is gonna act up again i hope its soon before rosters have to be cut to 25. I hate to see them keep a head case like Aceves when Clayton Mortensen who pitched very well for us will be sent down and probably not make it thru the waiver wire. We have Franky for the long relief and spot starts along will Andrew Miller so i would let him go if a team comes calling with a nice prospect piece.

 

Aceves wants to start most of all and if not wants to close. Middle relief or spot starts is where he will be used and is very good at it and the best place for him on this team but i just dont think he has the role player mentality to not blow up again.

 

Given this team needs as many spot starters and strong bullpen to help the rotation when they are getting lit up, but in a potential bridge year that it looks like we are in i would bring one of the young prospects up in spot starters or used in middle relief to gain experieces and develop confidence in a limited number or innings and just let Aceves bring back another pitching prospect or outfield hitter.

 

Its a just wait and see with Aceves. But that is the theme of the 2013 Red Sox. I hope they play Dont Stop Believing by Journey all year and Johnny Gomes brings an East Coast version of the Bernie Lean to the field this year to keep everyone lose and end up having a year like lastyears Athletics.

[jung]

If the Sox had not put Aceves on a short leash I would probably be more troubled about him. However they have already put him on notice which actually puts a burden on them as well. Ya' can't tell the player he has no rope left and that the next mistake will be his last and then back away from that. So, Alfredo will either be a good citizen or he will be gone. Frankly I don't think he has a snowballs chance in hell. He will be over the line at some point before he even knows he has crossed it and that will be that.

[Palodios]

If the Sox had not put Aceves on a short leash I would probably be more troubled about him. However they have already put him on notice which actually puts a burden on them as well. Ya' can't tell the player he has no rope left and that the next mistake will be his last and then back away from that. So, Alfredo will either be a good citizen or he will be gone. Frankly I don't think he has a snowballs chance in hell. He will be over the line at some point before he even knows he has crossed it and that will be that.

 

They've suspended Aceves in the past, and I don't think they'll shy away from that in the future. Next time he acts up, he'll probably get a 3 game suspension.

[mvp 78]

They've suspended Aceves in the past, and I don't think they'll shy away from that in the future. Next time he acts up, he'll probably get a 3 game suspension.

 

If next time is next month, they'll just release him as his contract isn't fully guaranteed.

 

I bet he's a good soldier until April, just for $ purposes.

[seabeachfred]

Fred, truth be told I just don't think I care about it as much as you, buddy. If they keep him they keep him, or not. Looks like they're going to give him a chance. So be it.

 

If he acts up again as most likely he will the Red Sox run the risk of looking as totally ridiculous as they've looked t he past year with all the troubles in the dugout and the clubhouse----and I'm sure by then Bellhorn you will care about it and very much so. How much rope can they keep giving him without looking like a bunch of saps? One poster suggested they would suspend him for three games. Woopty f***ing do!!!!!! Three games and he is right back with his miserable attitude.

 

The ideal would be for him to keep his damn mouth shut and get with the program but that doesn't seem to be in his DNA now any more than it was when he barfed his way out of New York. There are numerous opinions on Aceves going around and some have very strong opinions. Not everyone agrees with mine and that is fine, but I think this guy is trouble and we'd be better off without him.

[Bellhorn04]

Aceves reportedly was a model citizen today and spoke highly of Farrell. I think Farrell can keep him in line.

[mvp 78]

I just can't hold him responsible for blowing up over that jerk BV last year. He was spoken to this year and he has the chance to turn the page. If he doesn't, it'll be easy to cut bait. He was the only pitcher producing down the stretch in 2011. The Sox should try to harness that.

[Lucienbel]

I just can't hold him responsible for blowing up over that jerk BV last year. He was spoken to this year and he has the chance to turn the page. If he doesn't, it'll be easy to cut bait. He was the only pitcher producing down the stretch in 2011. The Sox should try to harness that.

 

While I have a tough time thinking him blowing up at Valentine is a bad thing, I do think what he did this past week is. There's no reason to act like that toward Farrell. If anything, it shows he has a tough time getting over things.