2013 Spring Training

[Bellhorn04]

This is kind of rambling, but I believe you are saying that it does not matter when quality relief pitchers are used. Is that corrcect?

 

I believe that the manager should be responsible for determining when is the best strategic situation for the best relief pitcher to face the best batters in order to win a given game.

 

If the manager decides his best relief pitcher should just face the last three batters (even if they are the 7, 8, and 9). then he is avoiding a strategic decision.

 

Ah yes, but one of the beauties of baseball is that it forces you to make irrevocable decisions that can come back to haunt you. If you use your best reliever to get out of a bases loaded jam in the 7th, you're usually going to have to use somebody else to get those last 3 outs in the 9th, when it might still be a very close game. That's what scares the manager.

 

You need 2 closer types really. The Sox had a great setup with Papelbon and Bard. Francona did use Bard earlier than the 8th to get out of jams several times.

[Bellhorn04]

Does anybody think it would be good to have a separate 'baseball strategy' thread here? I think it would be great for topics like this.

[Palodios]

Ah yes, but one of the beauties of baseball is that it forces you to make irrevocable decisions that can come back to haunt you. If you use your best reliever to get out of a bases loaded jam in the 7th, you're usually going to have to use somebody else to get those last 3 outs in the 9th, when it might still be a very close game. That's what scares the manager.

 

That's the beauty of using Bard as the relief ace. You still have Hanrahan for the 9th. You also still have some combination of Uehara/Bailey/Tazawa for the later innings, and Miller/Breslow for lefties.

[Dojji]

No.

 

If we have a guy who is going to do the relief ace thing, it's probably going to be Tazawa.

 

Count on nothing from Bard. Nothing.

[Palodios]

No.

 

If we have a guy who is going to do the relief ace thing, it's probably going to be Tazawa.

 

Count on nothing from Bard. Nothing.

 

This is with the assumption that he returns to form. If he's still hitting batters, and having control issues, he stays in Pawtucket.

[Bellhorn04]

Pedro Martinez: Rubby De La Rosa has chance to be ‘someone special’

02.23.13 at 7:47 am ET

By Rob Bradford

 

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Pedro Martinez has taken to Rubby De La Rosa, and not only because the pair just discovered they’re related (cousins on Pedro’s mother side).

 

The new Red Sox special assistant and the 23-year-old pitching prospect have been inseparable throughout camp, with Martinez constantly at the ready whenever De La Rosa might need a round of advice. And, besides bloodlines, there’s a reason for the former ace’s interest — he sees a bit of himself in the youngster.

 

“Anything you want to do in baseball, as far as pitching, that kid has a chance,” Martinez said. “He has an opportunity to be someone special. Not just a regular player, but special. When you see someone like De La Rosa you think someone special, like a [Roger] Clemens, a Juan Marichal. You think about elite players. That’s the type of stuff he has.”

 

De La Rosa — one of the players who came to the Red Sox in the August trade with the Dodgers — has been the talk of Red Sox spring training. While he is being limited two two-inning outings throughout the Grapefruit League schedule while returning from Tommy John surgery, and will see his innings total hover just over 100 innings in the coming season (most likely for Triple-A Pawtucket), there is an excitement in the organization regarding the righty.

 

“He’s been impressive, not just in terms of the sheer stuff, but his ability to manipulate the baseball,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said after his team’s workout Friday. “He’s got a good feel for his changeup. He can throw his breaking ball for strikes. But we’re dealing with a set of circumstances that are different than [John Lackey's], coming off Tommy John. We’ll be a little bit more slow-paced with Rubby, but he’s been impressive early on.”

 

It isn’t the first time De La Rosa has impressed, as was evidenced by comments made by his former minor league pitching coach, Chuck Crim, to WEEI.com’s Alex Speier early in the offseason. (That was when Pedro’s name first came up.)

 

“Very few guys have that arm speed that Rubby has and still are able to start, carry innings and have a tremendous out-pitch,” said Crim. “I would say a guy like maybe Pedro Martinez. The throw is different, but the stuff is there. You could probably compare his actual stuff but not his [throwing motion] to a guy like that. Granted, it’s going to take Rubby a few years to have all the experience and knowledge of major league pitching, but the stuff you could probably compare to Pedro. I consider the attitude the same — the mound presence is very confident that he can get anybody out. With that guy’s stuff, who wouldn’t be confident?”

 

And while Martinez prefers to reference the likes of Clemens and Marichal, he isn’t averse to getting in line with Crim’s analysis.

 

“What really impresses me is his progress,” Pedro said. “He’s a young kid. Very young. The way he changed physically, and the way he improved … His velocity went from day night and day. It’s unbelievable how he changed. Also, his will to work. You rarely see a young kid like that so willing to work, and so open to work to do things things nobody expects a young kid wanting to do.”

[Dojji]

Nice to hear from a pitcher as intelligent as Pedro.

 

I've said this before, but one of my fondest hopes is that a kid like de la Rosa can absorb some of Pedro's experience and wisdom about how to pitch and become the best pitcher he can.

[iortiz]

Hopefully he is the ace we are waiting for.

[SoxSport]

Iggy hits a dinger.

 

:lol::lol:

[seabeachfred]

If ifs and buts were candy and nuts...

 

Seriously. Take Bard as he comes. Even if he comes out of the gate a lot stronger than I actually expect, I don't want him anywhere near high leverage innings until halfway through the year or later. I'd like to give him a full year to recover his stuff and confidence if it's possible to do it.

 

While I told Palodios that I would be elated to see Bard come back strong, we're on the same wave length here Dojii. Frankly I think Bard is close to the end of the line and it would be totally criminal if he were made the set-up man or even put on the Red Sox 25 man roster if he can't show that he has come all the way back. He shouldn't even start the season with us. He was absolutely pathetic last year and he did even worse when sent down. I know the Red Sox front office loves these comeback story lines but the fact is we have six or seven relievers who are right now better than Bard is, and the emphasis is on winning not making someone feel good.

[Dojji]

Iggy hits a dinger.

 

:lol::lol:

 

To quote Lou Brown, "against a guy who'll be bagging groceries in a couple weeks."

[BSN07]

To quote Lou Brown, "against a guy who'll be bagging groceries in a couple weeks."

 

nice

[NativeBostonian]

Iggy hits a dinger.

 

:lol::lol:

 

Right when I was saying he was s*** on offense to my friend he hits it out of the park. Way to make me look like a jackass.

[NativeBostonian]

I liked what I saw out of Lackey today. I can't wait to see more then one inning from him.

[jacksonianmarch]

Nice to hear from a pitcher as intelligent as Pedro.

 

I've said this before, but one of my fondest hopes is that a kid like de la Rosa can absorb some of Pedro's experience and wisdom about how to pitch and become the best pitcher he can.

 

Pedro had the perfect mix for Boston. He took his lumps in Montreal, learned how to pitch and how to act. He added to that by having some of the nastiest stuff on planet earth. There are guys who have his fastball, change, and curve combo but they don't have the "f*** You" attitude of Pedro and aren't as successful. Pedro was a throwback in a time where players all intermingle and are buddies off the diamond. He didn't give a s*** who you were when he pitched. He'd buzz the tower, buzz you again then strike you out in the same AB. You will not see another pitcher like him again

[a700hitter]

It's truly pathetic that the most exciting thing about our Spring Training is that a retired player--Pedro is in camp helping out. That speaks volumes about this team. They are a $170 million boring mess that will be overachieving if they finish 4th.

[Granderson Broke]

If you aren't excited about Spring Training then you don't like baseball. If it's so horrible for you to watch the Red Sox then why bother? And even worse, why do you try to make everyone else miserable too?

 

Throw this malcontent in a nursing home already!

[Granderson Broke]

Oh and your dog's face is classic. I'd make the same face if I had you for an owner.

[seabeachfred]

If you aren't excited about Spring Training then you don't like baseball. If it's so horrible for you to watch the Red Sox then why bother? And even worse, why do you try to make everyone else miserable too?

 

Throw this malcontent in a nursing home already!

 

700 Hitter likes baseball and is an ardent and passionate Red Sox fan. He also has the reputation for being brutally honest and gave his opinion that to him things don't look so good. He is willing to watch the Red Sox to the point of him going to Fort Myers in a few days to watch the team and he isn't bothered by that. He's just telling the truth of what he believes and there are people like you and a few others who disdain of hearing a discouraging word, and later for this nursing home nonsense.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I know some people think I'm talking out of my ass a lot especially being an optimistic fan, but when I was talking about Lester I consistently talked about how he was opening up his front leg, almost like a gate swinging open.

 

Here's a quote from Farrell today:

 

• On Jon Lester’s delivery: "The delivery you see now is like he was before. The lead leg was like a swinging gate, collapse on the backside, lost that downward plane. He’s made some tangible adjustments in camp. They started late last season."

 

I haven't seen him throw at all but it sounds like he's corrected this issue, at least for now. When you have the bases juiced in a 1 run game and you stop thinking about mechanics a little bit, that's when you can tell if you've actually corrected the issue. Either way, today's outing from him was a very encouraging sign.

 

Also, De la Rosa hit 100 today. It's February 24th.

[Granderson Broke]

700 Hitter likes baseball and is an ardent and passionate Red Sox fan. He also has the reputation for being brutally honest and gave his opinion that to him things don't look so good. He is willing to watch the Red Sox to the point of him going to Fort Myers in a few days to watch the team and he isn't bothered by that. He's just telling the truth of what he believes and there are people like you and a few others who disdain of hearing a discouraging word, and later for this nursing home nonsense.

 

He may LIKE TO THINK his reputation is as brutally honest. But in all reality most people see him as the grumpy, miserable curmudgeon that he is. If he finds it boring to get looks at Bogaerts, Bradley, De La Rossa, etc. then he likes complaining more than he likes baseball.

[jung]

I definitely saw those changes late last season. My only concern then was that he seemed to he using ungodly amounts of concentration and effort to keep it together and get the ball to the plate. Would hope to see a more natural flow to his throwing this year while maintaining his technique.

 

After some initial nerves I thought Lackey threw freely on Saturday for example. Lester was not throwing that freely at the end of the season. Maybe that is why he was still struggling with velo....I just don't know if the two are tied in his case. I do know he was making a hell of an effort to hold it together at the end of last season. You could see it in the way he was throwing.

[BSN07]

The stock of minor league catcher Christian Vazquez is rising so rapidly that Cafardo wonders if the Red Sox will pursue deals for Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Ryan Lavarnway. Vazquez will likely start the year at Double-A but could move up quickly.

 

I've literally heard nothing about this kid. Is he a legit C prospect?

[a700hitter]

If you aren't excited about Spring Training then you don't like baseball. If it's so horrible for you to watch the Red Sox then why bother? And even worse, why do you try to make everyone else miserable too?

 

Throw this malcontent in a nursing home already!

GFY I am always excited about baseball and the Red Sox. Nevertheless, I am able to differentiate when we have a good team and when we don't.

 

Your ma is calling you for dinner. Time to leave the basement.. troll.

[a700hitter]

I know some people think I'm talking out of my ass a lot especially being an optimistic fan, but when I was talking about Lester I consistently talked about how he was opening up his front leg, almost like a gate swinging open.

 

Here's a quote from Farrell today:

 

• On Jon Lester’s delivery: "The delivery you see now is like he was before. The lead leg was like a swinging gate, collapse on the backside, lost that downward plane. He’s made some tangible adjustments in camp. They started late last season."

 

I haven't seen him throw at all but it sounds like he's corrected this issue, at least for now. When you have the bases juiced in a 1 run game and you stop thinking about mechanics a little bit, that's when you can tell if you've actually corrected the issue. Either way, today's outing from him was a very encouraging sign.

 

Also, De la Rosa hit 100 today. It's February 24th.

Hopefully, the mechanical change will bring back the 3" of movement he had lost on his cutter. Then he'll be back in business.

[a700hitter]

He may LIKE TO THINK his reputation is as brutally honest. But in all reality most people see him as the grumpy, miserable curmudgeon that he is. If he finds it boring to get looks at Bogaerts, Bradley, De La Rossa, etc. then he likes complaining more than he likes baseball.

I'll be seeing those kids next week and having lots of fun doing so while the toxic mold from your ma's basement further deteriorates your limited intellectual ability and nonexistent social skills.

[jung]

I actually thought the bigger problem for Jon was the lack of any appreciable dif between the velo on his cutter and his straight FB. I think Jon will struggle if he can't gain his velo back.

[Granderson Broke]

GFY I am always excited about baseball and the Red Sox. Nevertheless, I am able to differentiate when we have a good team and when we don't.

 

Your ma is calling you for dinner. Time to leave the basement.. troll.

 

Pretty tough words for a geriatric patient. Time to go empty your colostomy bag before it spills all over your keyboard.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

GFY I am always excited about baseball and the Red Sox. Nevertheless, I am able to differentiate when we have a good team and when we don't.

 

Your ma is calling you for dinner. Time to leave the basement.. troll.

 

You let them get you so easy king

 

He probably hasn't stalked the site enough to know that you'll be attending spring training this year

[a700hitter]

You let them get you so easy king

 

He probably hasn't stalked the site enough to know that you'll be attending spring training this year

I am in a combative mood right now... my blood sugar is crashing from not eating since this morning. He provided me with a convenient target to carve up with my knives. I enjoyed it.