2013 Spring Training

[a700hitter]

Keep in mind though, that we weren't really out of it last year on July 31, even though we were floundering around the .500 mark. Not out of it enough to throw in the towel when you're the Red Sox.

 

A lot of that was because of the extra wild card.

The writing was on the wall after the All Star Break. The FO either ignored the obvious or they thought the fans couldn't read the signs. Mathematically they were not out of it under it ain't over till it's over Yogi mentality, but it was over.

[Bellhorn04]

The writing was on the wall after the All Star Break. The FO either ignored the obvious or they thought the fans couldn't read the signs. Mathematically they were not out of it under it ain't over till it's over Yogi mentality, but it was over.

 

On July 31/12 the Sox were 53-51, but only 3.5 games out of the last wild card. In fact they were only 4 games behind the Angels, who had the third best record in the league.

 

I'm not disputing that they were a s***** team. But the current playoff structure allows a lot of s***** teams to give their fans hope deeper into the season.

 

The Red Sox will not be deadline sellers when they're only 3-4 games out of the last spot. They can't operate that way.

[kapsis21]

whts the scouting on Jose dela Torre, wasnt he the one that came in the Gonzalez/Beckett/ deal

[Bellhorn04]

whts the scouting on Jose dela Torre, wasnt he the one that came in the Gonzalez/Beckett/ deal

 

No, he was the final by-product of the Youkilis trade. You mean De La Rosa?

[rjortiz]

On July 31/12 the Sox were 53-51, but only 3.5 games out of the last wild card. In fact they were only 4 games behind the Angels, who had the third best record in the league.

 

I'm not disputing that they were a s***** team. But the current playoff structure allows a lot of s***** teams to give their fans hope deeper into the season.

 

The Red Sox will not be deadline sellers when they're only 3-4 games out of the last spot. They can't operate that way.

 

There's no point in letting Ellsbury walk for nothing if they are a .500 team at the deadline.

[kapsis21]

No, he was the final by-product of the Youkilis trade. You mean De La Rosa?

 

getting confused between Pedro de la Rosa and Jose Dela Torre... i saw Torre getting beaned today in the game and i was like duh another bust... thanks. so whts the scouting on De La Rosa so far

[Bellhorn04]

getting confused between Pedro de la Rosa and Jose Dela Torre... i saw Torre getting beaned today in the game and i was like duh another bust... thanks. so whts the scouting on De La Rosa so far

 

His first outing was very impressive. 2 perfect innings, and his fastest pitch was around 100 MPH.

[SoxFanForsyth]

The writing is already on the wall for the upcoming season. You can chose to not look at the wall, but that will not change what is already written there.

 

Well, one of us is going to eat crow this year. Lets both hope it's you.

 

Lester looked really good the other day, and even though its just 2 innings of ST, there is still reason to be encouraged, mostly because he seems to have improved his mechanics.

 

By the way, I know you mentioned hopefully his mechanics get that extra movement on his cutter. Read the other day that Farrell said that when he opened his front leg, it collapsed his back leg and rather than throwing with his hand on top of the ball and getting that downward angle, he was throwing behind the ball and kind of pushing it. He said this flattens out his pitches and leaves the cutter in the zone longer, basically eliminating a lot of movement. Also reduces velocity because he's pushing the ball along rather than driving it down.

 

So, reason to be encouraged that if he does fix his mechanics, he's able to return to 2009-2010 form. The fact that he pumped 93 in his first ST game is very encouraging, considering he didn't pump 93-94 very often at all last year, and he's already there on February 24th.

 

I think you're going to be wrong here, Ted. De La Rosa and Webster had very impressive stints. Webster touching 99 and k'ing Bautista, Encarnacion, Lawrie, and JPA in succession. Wright looked really good too. So I think our SP depth is going to be better than you think.

 

Also, Bradley looks line he could be called up at first injury and provide above average production.

[jung]

Sounds like Napoli is playing Friday. I think that is the next NESN televised game also.

 

Don't know which pitchers they have lined up for that game. I would guess they will still be working most guys two innings each.

[rjortiz]

Well, one of us is going to eat crow this year. Lets both hope it's you.

 

Lester looked really good the other day, and even though its just 2 innings of ST, there is still reason to be encouraged, mostly because he seems to have improved his mechanics.

 

By the way, I know you mentioned hopefully his mechanics get that extra movement on his cutter. Read the other day that Farrell said that when he opened his front leg, it collapsed his back leg and rather than throwing with his hand on top of the ball and getting that downward angle, he was throwing behind the ball and kind of pushing it. He said this flattens out his pitches and leaves the cutter in the zone longer, basically eliminating a lot of movement. Also reduces velocity because he's pushing the ball along rather than driving it down.

 

So, reason to be encouraged that if he does fix his mechanics, he's able to return to 2009-2010 form. The fact that he pumped 93 in his first ST game is very encouraging, considering he didn't pump 93-94 very often at all last year, and he's already there on February 24th.

 

I think you're going to be wrong here, Ted. De La Rosa and Webster had very impressive stints. Webster touching 99 and k'ing Bautista, Encarnacion, Lawrie, and JPA in succession. Wright looked really good too. So I think our SP depth is going to be better than you think.

 

Also, Bradley looks line he could be called up at first injury and provide above average production.

 

Don't forget about fearsome slugger Mark Hamilton.

 

You are way too optimistic about every player.

[a700hitter]

Well, one of us is going to eat crow this year. Lets both hope it's you.

 

Lester looked really good the other day, and even though its just 2 innings of ST, there is still reason to be encouraged, mostly because he seems to have improved his mechanics.

 

By the way, I know you mentioned hopefully his mechanics get that extra movement on his cutter. Read the other day that Farrell said that when he opened his front leg, it collapsed his back leg and rather than throwing with his hand on top of the ball and getting that downward angle, he was throwing behind the ball and kind of pushing it. He said this flattens out his pitches and leaves the cutter in the zone longer, basically eliminating a lot of movement. Also reduces velocity because he's pushing the ball along rather than driving it down.

 

So, reason to be encouraged that if he does fix his mechanics, he's able to return to 2009-2010 form. The fact that he pumped 93 in his first ST game is very encouraging, considering he didn't pump 93-94 very often at all last year, and he's already there on February 24th.

 

I think you're going to be wrong here, Ted. De La Rosa and Webster had very impressive stints. Webster touching 99 and k'ing Bautista, Encarnacion, Lawrie, and JPA in succession. Wright looked really good too. So I think our SP depth is going to be better than you think.

 

Also, Bradley looks line he could be called up at first injury and provide above average production.

I hope it is me too.

[BSN07]

Well, one of us is going to eat crow this year. Lets both hope it's you.

 

Lester looked really good the other day, and even though its just 2 innings of ST, there is still reason to be encouraged, mostly because he seems to have improved his mechanics.

 

By the way, I know you mentioned hopefully his mechanics get that extra movement on his cutter. Read the other day that Farrell said that when he opened his front leg, it collapsed his back leg and rather than throwing with his hand on top of the ball and getting that downward angle, he was throwing behind the ball and kind of pushing it. He said this flattens out his pitches and leaves the cutter in the zone longer, basically eliminating a lot of movement. Also reduces velocity because he's pushing the ball along rather than driving it down.

 

So, reason to be encouraged that if he does fix his mechanics, he's able to return to 2009-2010 form. The fact that he pumped 93 in his first ST game is very encouraging, considering he didn't pump 93-94 very often at all last year, and he's already there on February 24th.

 

I think you're going to be wrong here, Ted. De La Rosa and Webster had very impressive stints. Webster touching 99 and k'ing Bautista, Encarnacion, Lawrie, and JPA in succession. Wright looked really good too. So I think our SP depth is going to be better than you think.

 

Also, Bradley looks line he could be called up at first injury and provide above average production.

 

It won't matter. If they aren't good he will say I told you so. If they are good and make the playoffs, they will have gotten lucky.

[jung]

The fact that he pumped 93 in his first ST game is very encouraging, considering he didn't pump 93-94 very often at all last year, and he's already there on February 24th.

 

I am really hoping for recovery of his velo more than anything else. If has to resign himself to pitching around a permanent reduction in velo on his FB that would create a whole other level of change for him. He would have no choice but to adapt or at least try. Just does not need that now.

[a700hitter]

It won't matter. If they aren't good he will say I told you so. If they are good and make the playoffs, they will have gotten lucky.

You suck at ignore. Even when you don't read my posts, you still think you know how I will act and what I will say.

[NYlove4BoSox]

Sounds like Napoli is playing Friday. I think that is the next NESN televised game also.

 

Don't know which pitchers they have lined up for that game. I would guess they will still be working most guys two innings each.

 

Weds @ 7 Morales is starting on NESN and, for us non-NESN subscribers, on MLB Network.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Don't forget about fearsome slugger Mark Hamilton.

 

You are way too optimistic about every player.

 

I see you've got 417 posts now. What a complete shame that not a single one of them have brought anything to any discussion.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Random Post:

 

The team rankings for MLB The Show 2013 have come out. http://www.operationsports.com/news/606724/mlb-13-the-show-overall-team-ratings-including-batting-pitching-and-defense/

 

Here is how the Sox fare:

 

Team Pitching: 10th overall, 4th in AL behind TB Rays, NYY, and TOR.

Team Hitting: 4th overall, 3rd in AL behind DET and LAA.

Team Defense: 15th overall, 6th in AL behind NYY (1st overall), LAA, TB, BAL, and TEX.

 

Team Overall: 3rd Overall, 2nd in AL behind DET. St Louis is 2nd overall, though the rankings were made in January, so the Cardinals may still have Carpenter. The loss of him may be enough to push the Sox to the #2 slot.

 

Did San Diego Studios overrate the Sox, or are they actually as legit as they say? I'm curious as to who they ranked so highly to push them to #3 overall. Dempster has gotta be pretty well ranked after last year, probably Middlebrooks and Ortiz as well.

[rjortiz]

How are they ranked ahead of the Jays and Nationals?"

[SoxFanForsyth]

How are they ranked ahead of the Jays and Nationals?"

 

Oddly enough, we agree on something.

 

I don't know how that happened. The Jays defense is 26th, and the Sox have slightly better hitting according to the game.

 

I bet Tazawa got a huge bump in rating and the Sox bullpen is ranked as an elite pen (they just have overall pitching). I think the Jays bullpen is going to be suspect, but we'll see.

 

If the game ranked Dempster as a well above average pitcher, which wouldn't surprise me coming off his year last year, and I guess they project Lester and Buch to return to form, then maybe I can see it.

 

I think they have the Sox too high. I think they're a top 10 MLB team, top 5 in the AL. But certainly not #2 or 3 overall.

[rjortiz]

Oddly enough, we agree on something.

 

I don't know how that happened. The Jays defense is 26th, and the Sox have slightly better hitting according to the game.

 

I bet Tazawa got a huge bump in rating and the Sox bullpen is ranked as an elite pen (they just have overall pitching). I think the Jays bullpen is going to be suspect, but we'll see.

 

If the game ranked Dempster as a well above average pitcher, which wouldn't surprise me coming off his year last year, and I guess they project Lester and Buch to return to form, then maybe I can see it.

 

I think they have the Sox too high. I think they're a top 10 MLB team, top 5 in the AL. But certainly not #2 or 3 overall.

 

I have the Jays, Rangers, and Tigers as better teams than the Red Sox, with the Yankees, Rays, and A's as only marginally better. If things break right, I could see the Red Sox grabbing a wild card spot.

[rjortiz]

Well, one of us is going to eat crow this year. Lets both hope it's you.

 

Lester looked really good the other day, and even though its just 2 innings of ST, there is still reason to be encouraged, mostly because he seems to have improved his mechanics.

 

By the way, I know you mentioned hopefully his mechanics get that extra movement on his cutter. Read the other day that Farrell said that when he opened his front leg, it collapsed his back leg and rather than throwing with his hand on top of the ball and getting that downward angle, he was throwing behind the ball and kind of pushing it. He said this flattens out his pitches and leaves the cutter in the zone longer, basically eliminating a lot of movement. Also reduces velocity because he's pushing the ball along rather than driving it down.

 

So, reason to be encouraged that if he does fix his mechanics, he's able to return to 2009-2010 form. The fact that he pumped 93 in his first ST game is very encouraging, considering he didn't pump 93-94 very often at all last year, and he's already there on February 24th.

 

I think you're going to be wrong here, Ted. De La Rosa and Webster had very impressive stints. Webster touching 99 and k'ing Bautista, Encarnacion, Lawrie, and JPA in succession. Wright looked really good too. So I think our SP depth is going to be better than you think.

 

Also, Bradley looks line he could be called up at first injury and provide above average production.

 

I would argue that come June, the Red Sox would be better off with Ellsbury in LF, and Bradley in CF with Gomes as a bench bat. That defense would save a lot of runs, probably more than Gomes can produce with his bat.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I have the Jays, Rangers, and Tigers as better teams than the Red Sox, with the Yankees, Rays, and A's as only marginally better. If things break right, I could see the Red Sox grabbing a wild card spot.

 

I would sub the Angels for the Rangers. I don't know about the A's, should be interesting with all of that pitching, can they perform to that level again? Yankees look like injuries are going to eat them alive this year, they're so old and so many guys coming off of big injuries, even Granderson now. The Rays always seem to find a way, but their offense looks horrific this year and they lost about 220 innings out of that rotation.

 

I don't think the Rangers are going to be all that great this year actually, I think they're going to be a massive disappointment. They lost a ton of offense this offseason and their SP is just ok with an average bullpen.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I would argue that come June, the Red Sox would be better off with Ellsbury in LF, and Bradley in CF with Gomes as a bench bat. That defense would save a lot of runs, probably more than Gomes can produce with his bat.

 

I agree that JBJ is better defensively than Ellsbury, but the Sox wouldn't move Ells to LF in his walk year. It would cause a massive backlash.

[rjortiz]

I would sub the Angels for the Rangers. I don't know about the A's, should be interesting with all of that pitching, can they perform to that level again? Yankees look like injuries are going to eat them alive this year, they're so old and so many guys coming off of big injuries, even Granderson now. The Rays always seem to find a way, but their offense looks horrific this year and they lost about 220 innings out of that rotation.

 

I don't think the Rangers are going to be all that great this year actually, I think they're going to be a massive disappointment. They lost a ton of offense this offseason and their SP is just ok with an average bullpen.

 

Sorry, I meant Angels not A's. I have them for 90 plus wins, with the Rangers at 88. I have the Yankees and Rays in the 84-88 wins area. I have the Red Sox slightly below at 83.

[kapsis21]

His first outing was very impressive. 2 perfect innings, and his fastest pitch was around 100 MPH.

 

only a Pedro can save us now.. cant wait to see him pitch this season.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Sorry, I meant Angels not A's. I have them for 90 plus wins, with the Rangers at 88. I have the Yankees and Rays in the 84-88 wins area. I have the Red Sox slightly below at 83.

 

I have the Rangers, Yankees, and Red Sox at anywhere from 86-90 wins each. I have the Rays at 85-86.

 

I think the Angels, Tigers, and Jays win the divisions, and the Yanks Rangers and Sox battle it out for the two WC slots.

 

On a side note, and I have thought this for a while, I always believe that when it comes down to a battle of teams for a slot (or in this case, 2 slots), I always favor the team with the bullpen, so in this case, I would favor the Sox and maybe Yanks.

 

It would be brilliant to see a Sox/Yanks 1 game play in.

[jacksonianmarch]

Oddly enough, we agree on something.

 

I don't know how that happened. The Jays defense is 26th, and the Sox have slightly better hitting according to the game.

 

I bet Tazawa got a huge bump in rating and the Sox bullpen is ranked as an elite pen (they just have overall pitching). I think the Jays bullpen is going to be suspect, but we'll see.

 

If the game ranked Dempster as a well above average pitcher, which wouldn't surprise me coming off his year last year, and I guess they project Lester and Buch to return to form, then maybe I can see it.

 

I think they have the Sox too high. I think they're a top 10 MLB team, top 5 in the AL. But certainly not #2 or 3 overall.

 

So wait, we are applying a video game to real life? You know in 2012, I hit 58HR with Mark Teixeira, so that might be relevant never.

[SoxFanForsyth]

So wait, we are applying a video game to real life? You know in 2012, I hit 58HR with Mark Teixeira, so that might be relevant never.

 

JHC dude it is a discussion as to why we think the Sox have such a big bump in ranking. Geez. You need to chill out.

[redsoxbeatz]

So wait, we are applying a video game to real life? You know in 2012, I hit 58HR with Mark Teixeira, so that might be relevant never.

 

At least Tex is having success somewhere!!

 

Tex will decline yet again this year.

[jacksonianmarch]

I have the Rangers, Yankees, and Red Sox at anywhere from 86-90 wins each. I have the Rays at 85-86.

 

I think the Angels, Tigers, and Jays win the divisions, and the Yanks Rangers and Sox battle it out for the two WC slots.

 

On a side note, and I have thought this for a while, I always believe that when it comes down to a battle of teams for a slot (or in this case, 2 slots), I always favor the team with the bullpen, so in this case, I would favor the Sox and maybe Yanks.

 

It would be brilliant to see a Sox/Yanks 1 game play in.

 

Why would you value a team with the pen vs the team with the starting pitching? Makes little sense since theoretically, your starters should be in the game for twice as long as the relievers