5/3 at Texas

[jung]

Lavarnway's OPS in Pawtucket is .953 I think and Vaz is at something like .855 in Portland.

[Station 13]

Webster tonight for Pawsox

 

6.0 2H 1R/ER 0BB 9K

[wyo-sox]

Lavarnway's OPS in Pawtucket is .953 I think and Vaz is at something like .855 in Portland.

 

I would think either one would equal Saltys .720

[jung]

Webster tonight for Pawsox

 

6.0 2H 1R/ER 0BB 9K

 

Not good enough...trade bait....no room for him with Felix to protect:D:D

 

Seriously though, I really did want Webster to get this year in Pawtucket under his belt...He looked so promising in his one start here but also just begging for a year of AAA work before coming up. They Sox just may not be able to afford it.

 

If he can or has cut down on his mistake pitches, Webster can pitch up here. That is the one thing that I thought stood out on the negative side of the balance sheet. He was not used to seeing so many of his mistake pitches just get punched silly. Of course that is what ML hitters do to mistake pitches.

[TylerD]

This team for whatever reason just struggles with Texas. Granted our pitching sucked, but then again everything has so far. Haven't been able to watch much as I've been watching NHL playoffs. But damn I hate playing Texas.

[jung]

Salty on safari behind home plate again, hunting for that saber-toothed pop up trophy for the wall in his den.

[jung]

Funny but even with all the changes the Sox still struggle with even pushing across tiny run totals against the teams that can pitch. We struggle with Texas cause they can pitch and we have never really been able to scramble for runs. This team has a better chance at doing it than most Sox teams but it is still a struggle for us.

 

Rays, A's, Rangers and teams like them will likely give us fits this year as usual.

[jung]

Jeez Pedey...this thing mercifully close to over.

 

Hope to see Lester in a bounce back performance and then.....BUCH and DARVISH!!!!

 

Whoops...forgot Lackey is in there tomorrow. Well just as anxious to see if Lackey can perform again...then.....LESTER and DARVISH!!!!

[italstallianion]

I'd still rather lose 1 game by 10 then 10 games by 1. We've beaten Oakland and Tampa Bay in series thus far this year so we're doing plenty right. We can obviously improve but that's not to take away from what we have.

[Station 13]

Pedroia isn't hitting the ball out the infield the last couple of games. His power is sapped this year as well. Good thing his batting eye is still there.

[jung]

Pedey does not deserve this stupid thumb thing. If ever a guy deserved to have somebody wave a magic wand and end that pain, it is Pedey.

 

In their buildings, we really do struggle against all three teams...we do better at Fenway normally. Early A's and Rays series both in Fenway.

[italstallianion]

The Rays won in extras, but the Blue Jays, Orioles, Red Sox, and Yankees all got shutout.

[crazydiamond]

I just hope it won't take long before they realize Felix is not a SP.

If we have to lose a game, I'd rather see us doing it with any of the pitching prospects on the mound.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I said last night that I thought Doubront would hit the DL before the end of the month.

 

I was being too nice. He's going to be on the DL before his next scheduled start.

 

Allen Webster has made 6 starts this year (one of which was a 2 inning stint that got rained out) and has a 2.57 ERA including the rainout, a 2.25 bb/9, and an 11.3 k/9.

 

The entire argument against Webster from scouts coming into this season was that he had some control issues, as evidenced by his consistent 3.5-4.2 bb/9 over his minor league career.

 

Now, though, after some minor tweaks to his mechanics and an adjustment in location on the rubber, he has been able to harness his control and maintain his very strong strike out numbers.

 

He's certainly ready to come up to the big leagues, and he is certainly an improvement over Doubront, especially right now.

 

Get this kid up here and let's go.

 

As a side note, I would not be at all surprised if the Sox pursued Cliff Lee at the deadline.

[jacksonianmarch]

Webster's doubters definitely didn't like the command, that's for sure. He has improved in that area, but he still needs to prove it for a little longer. You don't bail on Doubront in early May, especially after getting shellacked by one of the best teams in baseball. He's out of options and will definitely be claimed on waivers by 29 other teams. I think you give him at least until June 1. If the flashes of dominance are gone and he still cannot hit the side of a barn with the heater, then you cut your losses.

 

In terms of Lee, I don't see them even entertaining the idea since trading for him would put them over the lux tax for 2014, which is a critical year to stay under the lux tax. I could see them dealing for an innings eating back end of the rotation guy.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Webster's doubters definitely didn't like the command, that's for sure. He has improved in that area, but he still needs to prove it for a little longer. You don't bail on Doubront in early May, especially after getting shellacked by one of the best teams in baseball. He's out of options and will definitely be claimed on waivers by 29 other teams. I think you give him at least until June 1. If the flashes of dominance are gone and he still cannot hit the side of a barn with the heater, then you cut your losses.

 

In terms of Lee, I don't see them even entertaining the idea since trading for him would put them over the lux tax for 2014, which is a critical year to stay under the lux tax. I could see them dealing for an innings eating back end of the rotation guy.

 

Not sure it would put them over at all? They are at like 160 right now.

 

And in terms of Doubront - I meant throw him on the DL, he's clearly got dead arm. Not release him.

[jacksonianmarch]

Not sure it would put them over at all? They are at like 160 right now.

 

And in terms of Doubront - I meant throw him on the DL, he's clearly got dead arm. Not release him.

 

Lee makes $25 mil per season, so that'd put them close. They'll have a hole at 1b and CF after the season as well, and if Napoli keeps hitting like he is hitting, and they re-sign him, they'll be over that cap. Don't forget arb raises too.

[mvp 78]

Felix can't get out of the 4th inning any longer.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8746/gamelog

 

Overreact much?

 

He's gone at least 5 innings every start but last night. His previous 2 went 6.2.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Lee makes $25 mil per season, so that'd put them close. They'll have a hole at 1b and CF after the season as well, and if Napoli keeps hitting like he is hitting, and they re-sign him, they'll be over that cap. Don't forget arb raises too.

 

They also have a lot coming off the books (Ells, Drew, Salty, Aceves) who will likely be replaced by JBJ or Brentz (move Vic to CF) Bogaerts/Iglesias, Lavarnway, and anyone.

 

That's an extra 33mm off the books, which essentially opens up 65mm to spend. They have plenty of flexibility in large part due to the strong system.

 

Plus, I'm sure the Sox wouldn't take on the entire salary. They'd likely give up a better prospect package and eat less money, which is what the Phil's would want.

[jung]

Given where Felix's FB is as in gone...I doubt he will be able to average even 6 any longer. That was my point of reference. A guy like Felix can't lose that much off his FB and survive. It just ain't gonna' happen.

[Palodios]

Cliff Lee is more intriguing to me now that in the past, but who does he replace? Maybe they leave Webster down in AAA a little longer, but he's very close to ready to pitch at a high level. I don't think Cliff Lee is worth 12 million more a year than Dempster, and Lackey/Buch are definitely staying put.

 

If you get Cliff Lee, its because you plan on trading Lester at the end of the year IMO.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Given where Felix's FB is as in gone...I doubt he will be able to average even 6 any longer. That was my point of reference. A guy like Felix can't lose that much off his FB and survive. It just ain't gonna' happen.

 

I agree. Felix is in Buehrle territory right now. Low velocity and diminished off speed stuff. The good thing is that 1. We have a ready replacement for him in Webster, and 2. He isn't making an exorbitant amount of money.

[User Name]

Cliff Lee is more intriguing to me now that in the past, but who does he replace? Maybe they leave Webster down in AAA a little longer, but he's very close to ready to pitch at a high level. I don't think Cliff Lee is worth 12 million more a year than Dempster, and Lackey/Buch are definitely staying put.

 

If you get Cliff Lee, its because you plan on trading Lester at the end of the year IMO.

 

The upgrade would be marginal considering the cost. Lee is better, but not that much better than Lester to justify replacing one with the other paying Lee 10 million more. You'd probably say "but we get prospects back for Lester" which is true, but we'd also have to give up prospects to get Lee, essentially negating the gain.

 

It doesn't make sense.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Right, it doesn't make sense if you are replacing Lester, I agree.

 

But, if Lackey has a solid first half and you feel that you will be able to trade him in the offseason, it would improve the rotation substantially.

 

Or, if you trade Doubront in the deal to the Phillies, and trade Lackey in the offseason, you can have a rotation of Lester Buch Lee Dempster Webster, which would be crazy good.

 

This all obviously has a lot of ways it can go, depending on health and performance. It was really just a question in theory, if there is a need in the rotation, would Lee be a real option, and I think he would.

[SoxSport]

Doubront's loss of heat suggests conditioning may be a factor. Right now, he's the most likely victim of Webster's success, since Dempster is pitching well and Lackey looks like he could return to form.

 

It should be noted that the Red Sox are not in good position to take on a mid-season salary dump should they find a need for an upgrade in pitching or any other position. Not unless they trade some of their salary. They find themselves in more of a buying than selling position at this point, standings-wise, but they are up against the cap. That means they may have to rely on Pawtucket for upgrades.

[Palodios]

Right, it doesn't make sense if you are replacing Lester, I agree.

 

But, if Lackey has a solid first half and you feel that you will be able to trade him in the offseason, it would improve the rotation substantially.

 

Or, if you trade Doubront in the deal to the Phillies, and trade Lackey in the offseason, you can have a rotation of Lester Buch Lee Dempster Webster, which would be crazy good.

 

This all obviously has a lot of ways it can go, depending on health and performance. It was really just a question in theory, if there is a need in the rotation, would Lee be a real option, and I think he would.

 

The problem with Lackey is that he'll give you more here than he will somewhere else. His arm is in rough shape, and he's getting 32 million the next two year.

 

If he pitches okay, maybe you get 5 million a year back, maybe. If he pitches well, maybe 7-9 million back... but if he's pitching well, why bother? The only way you're going to get 12-16 million back is if he is pitching exceptionally... and in that case why trade him at all?

[SoxFanForsyth]

Doubront's loss of heat suggests conditioning may be a factor. Right now, he's the most likely victim of Webster's success, since Dempster is pitching well and Lackey looks like he could return to form.

 

It should be noted that the Red Sox are not in good position to take on a mid-season salary dump should they find a need for an upgrade in pitching or any other position. Not unless they trade some of their salary. They find themselves in more of a buying than selling position at this point, standings-wise, but they are up against the cap. That means they may have to rely on Pawtucket for upgrades.

 

Huh???

 

They are well well under the cap. Like 20mm+

[SoxFanForsyth]

The problem with Lackey is that he'll give you more here than he will somewhere else. His arm is in rough shape, and he's getting 32 million the next two year.

 

If he pitches okay, maybe you get 5 million a year back, maybe. If he pitches well, maybe 7-9 million back... but if he's pitching well, why bother? The only way you're going to get 12-16 million back is if he is pitching exceptionally... and in that case why trade him at all?

 

Not true.

 

He missed substantial time due to his elbow, which kicks in an option for a 3rd year at league min. So essentially he's at 3 years, 32.5mm. You dump his salary and get nothing back and someone will pay him 3/21-24,which at 7-8mm a year is a good deal.

 

And you trade him because if he's pitching exceptionally, he's a high 3's era pitcher. If you have Lee, his average season is a low 3's era and he has the stuff for a high 2's era.

[Station 13]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8746/gamelog

 

Overreact much?

 

He's gone at least 5 innings every start but last night. His previous 2 went 6.2.

 

Those last two starts his counts were very high and they push him to the 7th to give the BP a break. Every start his pitch count is around the century mark or pushing it before or by the 5th. I'm really sick of watching this type of performances when the Sox have an option with Webster. Just send Doubront to the DL.

[Palodios]

Not true.

 

He missed substantial time due to his elbow, which kicks in an option for a 3rd year at league min. So essentially he's at 3 years, 32.5mm. You dump his salary and get nothing back and someone will pay him 3/21-24,which at 7-8mm a year is a good deal.

 

And you trade him because if he's pitching exceptionally, he's a high 3's era pitcher. If you have Lee, his average season is a low 3's era and he has the stuff for a high 2's era.

 

I just don't see any team wanting to give 20 million dollars for a guy who looked like his arm was falling off 2 starts ago. If you replace Lackey with Cliff Lee, it will cost the Red Sox a net 15-20 million per year + prospects. I don't want to see the Sox spend 20-25 million a year for a 35/36/37 year old pitcher who has been in the NL the last few years.