2013 Spring Training

[seabeachfred]

I would start Ciriaco over Iggy at SS in the Yankee series. Ciriaco has a knack for killing the Yankees.

 

I would also start Bradley in LF or RF in that series. Victorino can play any outfield position, so he can be moved around.

 

It's time that FO started focussing on WINNING as a priority, and not all the other BS about managing "control" years of players, who is being paid salary, etc. The priority should be about carrying the best players on the team, not the players who fit for other reasons. And playing those best players.

 

We all know that should be the priority Sox Sport but we are also so painfully aware that the Red Sox heirarchy is made up of a lot of bean counters who make paralysis by analysis a second hobby. What they had better understand is that if they are seeing a decline of ticket buyers now, see what happens if they get off to another miserable start. I don't live in the Boston area but have met many who still have relatives living there and the word I get is that fans and the press are very angry at Henry and his minions and whether justified or not consider him a cheap bastard, Lucchino an irrating and hateful meddler and Cherington as a risk adverse fool. All this can be overcome by a surprisingly good start but for that to happen you have to put your best players on the field.

 

What irritates somewhat is this talk of an extra year of control. The team can extend such players before they get to their walk off season if they are of a mind to do it. This whole non-sensical drivel is really one big canard as far as I'm concerned. Where there is a will there is a way.

[Palodios]

I don't live in the Boston area but have met many who still have relatives living there and the word I get is that fans and the press are very angry at Henry and his minions and whether justified or not consider him a cheap bastard, Lucchino an irrating and hateful meddler and Cherington as a risk adverse fool.

 

My impression around here is more of apathy. Boston likes to follow winners, and the Red Sox haven't been lately. When there is an actual reaction, it isn't about the team being cheap, its about the team being unlikeable, and poorly managed.

[mvp 78]

He's paying up to the luxury tax. The problem is that he spends money poorly, not that he's a cheapskate. I don't think people think he's being cheap. It's not a prevailing opinion.

[Bellhorn04]

I still think that this team could pick up another starter. With Lackey's 9.00+ ERA in spring training, Rick Porcello makes sense in a good number of ways.

 

(SSS alert) Lackey's spring ERA is now 5.40. And if you count the 3 innings against Puerto Rico it's 4.29.

[seabeachfred]

My impression around here is more of apathy. Boston likes to follow winners, and the Red Sox haven't been lately. When there is an actual reaction, it isn't about the team being cheap, its about the team being unlikeable, and poorly managed.

 

Hard for me to actually vision apathy as part of the Red Sox fans. Every time I came to Boston from 2004 through the Opening Home Series in 2011, the crowds were loud, spirited and aggresively supportive. The owners and front office personnel have to take some responsibility Palodios for this seemingly sad state of affairs. Last year's team was about as unlikeable as any team could be and, needless to say, poorly managed.

 

mvp was right about something too. They have spent money but they haven't spent it wisely. I have shaken my head to wonder how things could have gone down so far so fast in the space of four or so years. The only thing I could come up with is that the powers-that-be got far and sassy and felt they could rest on their laurels. Winning didn't seem to be as much of a cause as before. Now we have to dig our way out of it and the only way to do it is to make a nice comeback this season and be in the AL East race all the way.

[VA Sox Fan]

(SSS alert) Lackey's spring ERA is now 5.40. And if you count the 3 innings against Puerto Rico it's 4.29.

 

:thumbsup: YAY!

[Palodios]

Hard for me to actually vision apathy as part of the Red Sox fans. Every time I came to Boston from 2004 through the Opening Home Series in 2011, the crowds were loud, spirited and aggresively supportive. The owners and front office personnel have to take some responsibility Palodios for this seemingly sad state of affairs. Last year's team was about as unlikeable as any team could be and, needless to say, poorly managed.

 

Part of it isn't the ownership's fault. Since the last time the Red Sox won the WS, Boston has seen two NBA Finals, two super Bowls, and a Stanley Cup. Competing with that kind of success is very difficult, even with the resources this team has.

[Palodios]

Is it just me, or do interviewers always ask Napoli about his hip, and his response is always "Honestly, my hip doesn't hurt. Really. Yes, really. I'm not lying to you. Seriously".

 

Part of me wonders if maybe someone spilled coffee on his MRI results

[SoxSport]

Cherington said today they haven't decided yet about Bradley. I've seen odds about 50/50 that he sticks.

He also said Ortiz will probably be DL'd, and that changes the picture some about Bradley. That's a nice OF--Vic-Ells-Bradley. With Gomes DH, Iggy at SS. Solid defense. How much that would impact the pitching is a good question.

[Palodios]

Cherington said today they haven't decided yet about Bradley. I've seen odds about 50/50 that he sticks.

He also said Ortiz will probably be DL'd, and that changes the picture some about Bradley. That's a nice OF--Vic-Ells-Bradley. With Gomes DH, Iggy at SS. Solid defense. How much that would impact the pitching is a good question.

 

I hadn't thought about it before, but that's a pretty amazing defense. Iggy, Pedroia, Bradley, Ells, Vic, Ross, Middlebrooks. The only weak link in the group would be Napoli.

[iortiz]

Cherington said today they haven't decided yet about Bradley. I've seen odds about 50/50 that he sticks.

He also said Ortiz will probably be DL'd, and that changes the picture some about Bradley. That's a nice OF--Vic-Ells-Bradley. With Gomes DH, Iggy at SS. Solid defense. How much that would impact the pitching is a good question.

 

Problem hasn't been offense the past 2 yrs. Pitching has and our FO is still waiting a miracle or something.

[a700hitter]

Problem hasn't been offense the past 2 yrs. Pitching has and our FO is still waiting a miracle or something.

They are banking on Dempster and turnarounds by Lester and Buchholz. Cherries is out on a limb. We are in agreement for 2 years that he should have bolstered the pitching.

[SoxSport]

http://bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox_mlb/boston_red_sox/2013/03/red_sox_must_ponder_three_criteria_before_promoting_jackie

 

Cherington's latest criteria as the most important on whether Bradley will stick: "will he play every day? is he ready to play in the majors? Does he make the Red Sox better?"

 

He goes on to say other criteria such as an extra year of control isn't as important. Good for him. 2019 is all the pundits and the tweeters are talking about.

 

Off what Cherington is saying, it looks like he has a good shot at sticking. But Ben still has a predicament with his over-signings pre-season. He left himself with little wiggle room for a prospect who looks like he's ready to start. Ortiz' injury helps him, but when he returns, they'll have to figure something out. 20 games up, 20 games down would be an alternative for Bradley that would retain the 2019 year.So far off it's seems pretty ridiculous to make it a priority for a rich team fighting to get out of the basement in 2013.

[SoxSport]

They are banking on Dempster and turnarounds by Lester and Buchholz. Cherries is out on a limb. We are in agreement for 2 years that he should have bolstered the pitching.

 

Starters have been good in ST. Maybe Farrell's influence. When veterans do good in ST, it's usually a sign they are in shape. You worry when they do bad. It could be up or down for them.

[SoxSport]

Problem hasn't been offense the past 2 yrs. Pitching has and our FO is still waiting a miracle or something.

 

You could use that as an argument for starting Bradley to solidify OF defense--to improve the pitching. In that sense, he makes the Red Sox better. One of Cherington's prime criteria for keeping him. The FO knows the score on all the stats. They know it's about the pitching, and any improvement in the defense to improve the pitching has to be a priority. That's why Vic-Ells-Bradley in the OF looks attractive. Iggy at SS as well. Looks like they are looking seriously at Iggy.

[iortiz]

Starters have been good in ST. Maybe Farrell's influence. When veterans do good in ST, it's usually a sign they are in shape. You worry when they do bad. It could be up or down for them.

 

Hopefully our pitching staff put their s*** together for once and for all.

[BSN07]

Problem hasn't been offense the past 2 yrs. Pitching has and our FO is still waiting a miracle or something.

 

Why are you mentioning the offense of the past two year? There like 3 everyday players from that group currently in starting roles. Did you stop watching mid August? The offense had penty of work that needed to be done this year.

 

Are you seriously calling Lester and Buccholz pitching to career averages(which is what they need to do for the rotation to be good) a miracle? I guess I will never understand that thought process.

[Palodios]

Cherington's latest criteria as the most important on whether Bradley will stick: "will he play every day? is he ready to play in the majors? Does he make the Red Sox better?"

 

Cherrington stated this very well. It means Cherrington can bring him back down once Ortiz returns and Gomes needs a spot-- since he won't platoon Bradley.

[Bellhorn04]

Red Sox starters in spring training (counting Lackey against Puerto Rico): 78.2 IP, 57 H, 22 R, 22 ER, 20 BB, 60 K. 2.52 ERA

[redsoxfan3]

From Scott Lauber's Twitter.

 

Facing Twins' Double-A team, Daniel Bard loaded bases on broken-bat single, two walks, then hit batter with two out #RedSox

 

a700hitter is right, 2012 Bard is back. He was doing decent at the beginning of Spring Training, but now it seems he has taken a major step back his last two outings. The walks and hit batters has got to go. His control is still a huge concern.

[Bellhorn04]

5 scoreless for Aceves today against a good Jays lineup. Promising for him as #6 starter.

[Bellhorn04]

2 scoreless innings for Jose De La Torre, who reportedly pitched well for PR in the WBC. It would be hilarious if De La Torre ends up as a useful pitcher. He's the guy we traded Lillibridge for and is what we have left for Youkilis.

[redsoxfan3]

5 scoreless for Aceves today against a good Jays lineup. Promising for him as #6 starter.

 

Lester and Buchholz have had solid springs. Aceves, Dempster, Doubront, and Lackey have all shown us positive things this spring. I was impressed by Aceves today and Lackey yesterday. The starting pitching is looking good, not to mention Aceves is showing us something good as the 6th starter/swing man guy.

[a700hitter]

Scoreless inning for Jose De La Torre, who reportedly pitched well for PR in the WBC. It would be hilarious if De La Torre ends up as a useful pitcher. He's the guy we traded Lillibridge for and is what we have left for Youkilis.

He's a 27 year old bush leaguer. There is not a chance that he makes the team as a ball boy nevermind as a useful pitcher.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Yesterday, Farrell was quoted saying the organization doesn't see Bradley as a left fielder.

 

Today, Bradley played left field for 1/2 of the game.

 

After the game, Farrell said the organization changed their mind on Bradley playing left field.

 

Got to think this means they're seriously considering starting him out with the big club in NY.

 

My guess is that they start him out with Boston, and when Ortiz gets back, they make their decision. If he's still playing well, you keep him up. If he's struggling, you send him down and get his 20 days in.

[a700hitter]

Yesterday, Farrell was quoted saying the organization doesn't see Bradley as a left fielder.

 

Today, Bradley played left field for 1/2 of the game.

 

After the game, Farrell said the organization changed their mind on Bradley playing left field.

 

Got to think this means they're seriously considering starting him out with the big club in NY.

 

My guess is that they start him out with Boston, and when Ortiz gets back, they make their decision. If he's still playing well, you keep him up. If he's struggling, you send him down and get his 20 days in.

The statement as not viewing him as a left fielder was just a stupid and unecessary remark.

[SoxSport]

Yesterday, Farrell was quoted saying the organization doesn't see Bradley as a left fielder.

 

Today, Bradley played left field for 1/2 of the game.

 

After the game, Farrell said the organization changed their mind on Bradley playing left field.

 

Got to think this means they're seriously considering starting him out with the big club in NY.

 

My guess is that they start him out with Boston, and when Ortiz gets back, they make their decision. If he's still playing well, you keep him up. If he's struggling, you send him down and get his 20 days in.

 

Farrell says he likes his arm in RF. He may have been thinking Victorino in LF, which makes sense.

It's possible Farrell has a slightly different view than the FO. You would expect Farrell has more clout in the organization upstairs than Valentine, from his previous experience as a coach in Boston.

 

You can't underestimate the positive effect on the pitching a defensive OF of Vic-Ells-Bradley would have. They know that now. Perhaps Cherington didn't see that when he signed Gomes. Bradley wasn't in focus then.

[SoxSport]

From Scott Lauber's Twitter.

 

 

 

a700hitter is right, 2012 Bard is back. He was doing decent at the beginning of Spring Training, but now it seems he has taken a major step back his last two outings. The walks and hit batters has got to go. His control is still a huge concern.

 

You would think Jocketty would take heed about changing roles for Chapman--based on Bard's experience. He's got one of the top closers in Baseball, and he wants to make him a starter--against the intuition of his manager and the player's own wishes. Chapman won't be the same pitcher as a starter, because he has to take something off his fastball--like Bard had to do. Plus Chapman doesn't have many pitches.

 

The other example is Neifi Perez, who developed arm problems on the shift to starter.

 

Never undervalue the closer role, if you use a closer regularly in important game situations.

[Station 13]

From Scott Lauber's Twitter.

 

 

 

a700hitter is right, 2012 Bard is back. He was doing decent at the beginning of Spring Training, but now it seems he has taken a major step back his last two outings. The walks and hit batters has got to go. His control is still a huge concern.

 

Bard seems like a headcase still. It doesn't help the media is following him every day and prodding they do doesn't help. Give him 2 months to work it out before a change of scenery is needed.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Farrell says he likes his arm in RF. He may have been thinking Victorino in LF, which makes sense.

It's possible Farrell has a slightly different view than the FO. You would expect Farrell has more clout in the organization upstairs than Valentine, from his previous experience as a coach in Boston.

 

You can't underestimate the positive effect on the pitching a defensive OF of Vic-Ells-Bradley would have. They know that now. Perhaps Cherington didn't see that when he signed Gomes. Bradley wasn't in focus then.

 

I'll tell you one thing right now - with a defense of Ross behind the dish (on occasion), WMB, Iggy, and Pedroia in the infield, and Bradley - Ells - Vic in the outfield, this team will steal a lot of runs from opponents.