5/24 vs Cleveland

[SoxSport]

If Lackey can pitch like this consistently, and Lester and Buchholz stay sharp, they will stay in the hunt.

[crazydiamond]

It's great to see Lackey having a great time out there, I really hoped he could turn things around this year after he put so much effort in losing weight in the offseason. (and I'm probably saying the same thing for at least the third time this season)

 

Another W today I hope, with Lester on the mound, to take the pressure off Doubront tomorrow.

[Thunder]

I am very pleased with the way Lackey has pitched all year. He's had 1 or 2 rough games, but a guy coming of TJ like him is going to have games like that on his way back. The thing that strikes me the most is his ERA. His ERA is under 3, which I wouldn't have expected at the beginning of the year. I have noticed that he looks more fearless on the mound and is throwing everything for strikes when he needs to.

[VA Sox Fan]

Jeez. After reading through this entire GT you would never think the Red Sox won 8-1. Y'all love to bitch!

[SoxSport]

At this point, Nava-1, Pedey-2, Papi-3 is almost a no brainer in the batting order. Papi is their best hitter.

Nava and Pedey their on base guys. The 1-2 top of the order as it stands is hurting their run production.

Can't understand the obstinacy of Farrell on this, unless it's out of his hands.

[User Name]

Farrell makes the lineup. That is clear as day. There is no need for conspiracy theories.

[Bellhorn04]

At this point, Nava-1, Pedey-2, Papi-3 is almost a no brainer in the batting order. Papi is their best hitter.

Nava and Pedey their on base guys. The 1-2 top of the order as it stands is hurting their run production.

Can't understand the obstinacy of Farrell on this, unless it's out of his hands.

 

2 things:

 

1) If Victorino was healthy this week it's quite possible Farrell would have inserted him at leadoff.

 

2) As bad as Ellsbury has been going, the Sox are 7-3 in their last 10 and have scored 55 runs. So it's not like he's been killing them.

[Palodios]

I'm starting to think that both Ellsbury and Granderson will both be back with their respective AL East teams in 2014 accepting arbitration deals.

[Bellhorn04]

I'm starting to think that both Ellsbury and Granderson will both be back with their respective AL East teams in 2014 accepting arbitration deals.

 

I don't know, if BJ Upton can get 5 for 75, Ellsbury & Granderson could still do OK.

[Palodios]

I don't know, if BJ Upton can get 5 for 75, Ellsbury & Granderson could still do OK.

 

They'll both want to go back to free agency after 2014 and shoot for 9 figures. Teams aren't going to want to give up a draft pick and 50+ for a guy with Ellsbury's production, or Granderson with a broken forearm + hand unless they have very strong second halves.

[Bellhorn04]

They'll both want to go back to free agency after 2014 and shoot for 9 figures. Teams aren't going to want to give up a draft pick and 50+ for a guy with Ellsbury's production, or Granderson with a broken forearm + hand unless they have very strong second halves.

 

OK, let's consider what Bourn got then. 4 years, 48 million for a guy with a career OPS of .707.

 

Ellsbury should be able to attract an offer in that neighborhood at least.

 

Granderson just needs to get healthy again and he should attract more than that with his power numbers.

 

It would be very risky for them to turn down 50 million guaranteed.

 

I'm just guessing at all this of course. But this past offseason indicated that teams are willing to throw 40 million or more at middling players if they at least had a good season or two recently.

[SoxSport]

2 things:

 

1) If Victorino was healthy this week it's quite possible Farrell would have inserted him at leadoff.

 

2) As bad as Ellsbury has been going, the Sox are 7-3 in their last 10 and have scored 55 runs. So it's not like he's been killing them.

 

Vic isn't a high OBP guy, either. Though better than Ells right now. Farrell, assuming he's making up the lineup, seems to prefer speed to on base% at the top.

 

I think it has to be costing them runs--making so many outs at the top. That's not consistent with their stated OBP priorities.

[SoxSport]

OK, let's consider what Bourn got then. 4 years, 48 million for a guy with a career OPS of .707.

 

Ellsbury should be able to attract an offer in that neighborhood at least.

 

Granderson just needs to get healthy again and he should attract more than that with his power numbers.

 

It would be very risky for them to turn down 50 million guaranteed.

 

I'm just guessing at all this of course. But this past offseason indicated that teams are willing to throw 40 million or more at middling players if they at least had a good season or two recently.

 

 

The current Ellsbury will not be re-signed. They didn't sign Bourne, and they have Bradley waiting in the wings. If Bradley continues to impress in Pawtucket, Ells might get traded by the deadline. Maybe they are trying to boost his trade value right now batting him leadoff.

[a700hitter]

Vic isn't a high OBP guy, either. Though better than Ells right now. Farrell, assuming he's making up the lineup, seems to prefer speed to on base% at the top.

 

I think it has to be costing them runs--making so many outs at the top. That's not consistent with their stated OBP priorities.

Ideally, you want your high OBP guys batting in front of your big boppers. I can understand wanting some speed at the top of the lineup, but I wouldn't sacrifice so much OBP to put 2 fast guys like Vic and Ells at the top of the order.

[Palodios]

OK, let's consider what Bourn got then. 4 years, 48 million for a guy with a career OPS of .707.

 

Ellsbury should be able to attract an offer in that neighborhood at least.

 

Granderson just needs to get healthy again and he should attract more than that with his power numbers.

 

It would be very risky for them to turn down 50 million guaranteed.

 

I'm just guessing at all this of course. But this past offseason indicated that teams are willing to throw 40 million or more at middling players if they at least had a good season or two recently.

 

I'd argue that Bourn and Ellsbury are comparable players when healthy-- One has slightly better defense, the other has slightly better offense. Problem is, Ellsbury is never healthy. You don't give a 50 million dollar deal to a guy with a .650 OPS and injury issues, and also give up a draft pick for him.

 

Granderson has a better chance to get a big deal, but as a 40 HR player, he'll probably want to go for the 100m deal the following year.

[User Name]

Farrell makes the lineup. The whole idea that the FO has anything to do with it is ridiculous. Nothing to see there.