Halfway Point-- Biggest Surprises and Biggest Disappointments

[a700hitter]

This would be an appropriate time to discuss the biggest surprises and biggest disappointments on the 2013 team. It is a hugely pleasant surprise that we are leading the division and extending our lead a bit. I was just hoping for a competitive team, but I think they are more than that. Here's my list:

 

Surprises:

 

Lackey-- He tops my list. Coming off surgery, he is pitching as well as he ever has. Red Sox fans have not seen this Lackey. When right, this guy has been pretty good in his career. He keeps his team in games and he puts up innings

 

Nava-- What can be said. I think he has surprised everyone with his power including his family

 

Iglesias-- The surprise isn't that he is hitting .400. The surprise is that he looks like he belongs in a major league lineup

 

Salty-- He has been more consistent on offense and his lapses behind the plate have been much fewer than the past.

 

Carp-- The guy has a nice stroke and good power.

 

Disappointments:

 

Middlebrooks-- I was certain this guy was on his way to stardom and that he was going to form a formidable lefty/righty combo with Ortiz for the next couple of years. The 3 home run game early on made me think that I was aiming too low.

 

Hanrahan-- A complete Jenks-type bust

 

Bailey-- Got the closer's job on a silver platter when Hanrahan went down, but he squandered it in spectacular fashion.

 

Buchholz having injury/durability issues

[mvp 78]

Is that a compliment towards Salty??? I think the world is about to end folks...

 

I'd include Victorino as a mild surprise as I didn't expect him to last hitting 2nd.

 

Uehara has also been fantastic.

 

Lester has been a huge disappointment lately. If he can't fix his issues, this team has no chance in the playoffs.

[a700hitter]

Is that a compliment towards Salty??? I think the world is about to end folks...

 

I'd include Victorino as a mild surprise as I didn't expect him to last hitting 2nd.

 

Uehara has also been fantastic.

 

Lester has been a huge disappointment lately. If he can't fix his issues, this team has no chance in the playoffs.

I don't rip on guys when they are playing well. Salty has made a big improvement.

 

I guess you don't watch much NL. Victorino is better than he has shown. The leg and back have hindered him.

 

Uehara has been good everywhere he has been.

 

Lester's first month and a half were a surprise. Pitching like last year wasn't very unexpected.

[Bellhorn04]

I concur with the list. I would add Dempster to the list of surprises. He had that rough stretch in May but has rebounded superbly, logging 45 innings and a 3.40 ERA over his last 7 starts.

 

Lester has been a disappointment but there's still hope.

 

Very disappointed with Hanrahan and Bailey.

[User Name]

No love for Tazawa? He's been a rock for this BP. He's looked a bit shaky lately, but that shouldn't be a surprise given how overworked he's been. Miller too, i thought he'd suck.

[Bellhorn04]

Yes, Miller has been a pleasant surprise, and the Sox deserve some credit for not giving up on this guy. He's sort of like Bard in reverse.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Great thread a700. I was going to make this same exact thread at the ASB to see how our players are doing. I was also going to add in one small thing. When a player does bad on this site, they get jumped on way too much. If they turn it around, those people who bashed that player are no where to be found. I think it's only right members of the site own up and give credit where it's due. I'd call myself very optimistic but I had no hope in Lackey. This year he has definitely proved me wrong, so I'll hold off on anymore Lackey trash talk unless he deserves it. He's been outstanding this year.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

This would be an appropriate time to discuss the biggest surprises and biggest disappointments on the 2013 team. It is a hugely pleasant surprise that we are leading the division and extending our lead a bit. I was just hoping for a competitive team, but I think they are more than that. Here's my list:

 

Surprises:

 

Lackey-- He tops my list. Coming off surgery, he is pitching as well as he ever has. Red Sox fans have not seen this Lackey. When right, this guy has been pretty good in his career. He keeps his team in games and he puts up innings

 

Nava-- What can be said. I think he has surprised everyone with his power including his family

 

Iglesias-- The surprise isn't that he is hitting .400. The surprise is that he looks like he belongs in a major league lineup

 

Salty-- He has been more consistent on offense and his lapses behind the plate have been much fewer than the past.

 

Carp-- The guy has a nice stroke and good power.

 

Disappointments:

 

Middlebrooks-- I was certain this guy was on his way to stardom and that he was going to form a formidable lefty/righty combo with Ortiz for the next couple of years. The 3 home run game early on made me think that I was aiming too low.

 

Hanrahan-- A complete Jenks-type bust

 

Bailey-- Got the closer's job on a silver platter when Hanrahan went down, but he squandered it in spectacular fashion.

 

Buchholz having injury/durability issues

 

I agree with most of this. I'd add Victorino and Uehara to the list of surprises like MVP said. I'd also take out Buchholz from disappointment. He's our ace this year, not sure how he was even considered a disappointment.

[Spudboy]

I agree with all that has been said so far. I was not surprised by Tazawa or by Lackey. They both deserve credit. I suspected that Lackey would be much better when I saw how much weight he lost coming into camp. That can only help his durability within each game and throughout the season. Tazawa has always been one of my binkies. He is a tough competitor and now he knows how to pitch in the bigs.

 

I have been following Nava fairly closely. I have seen him become the second best defensive left fielder for the Sox since 1966 when I started to follow the Sox. Now he has developed better plate discipline and has used his new approach to show a power stroke. I like it. I hope that he stays healthy and continues to produce this way. Dojji must be proud.

 

I am surprised with Lester and I believe there must be an underlying physical problem. Surgery will fix that for next year, I hope.

 

I'm pissed that Bucholtz is now injury prone. Otherwise he is pretty much lights out most of the time.

 

I am also disappointed that Victorino is not on the field all the time. He has to prevent himself for becoming another Nancy boy. Otherwise, he is really fun to watch.

Edited July 3, 2013 by Spudboy

[BSN07]

Surprises:

Lackey( I was probably one of the biggest Lackey haters before ST, He gained a lot of respect from me for how good of shape he came in at and the results so far are inarguable),

Salty(still not extactic about his defense but it has gotten moderately better, his approach at the plate seems better as well),

Nava(I thought he was a solid 4th OF/1B option, he keeps up his season this way and I will be in the "He's starting LF fulltime in 2014" camp),

Iglesias(the bat, I was confident in his glove),

Dempster("Dumpster" as I called him days prior to his signing has been decent and ate up a lot of innings so far).

 

Disappointments:

Doubront(really thought this was the season he'd take a big step forward but it looks like he's stuck in neutral most nights, he's still young and I wouldn't give up on him yet, but I won't be surprised if he is moved in the off season),

WMB(He went right off a cliff, not much else to say, has more then enough talent to hold onto for now, hopefully he's making the right adjustments in AAA and this is just a bump in the road),

Lester(has been either really good or really bad. Not something you want out of your ace, I don't think he's finished, but it be nice if he'd find it soonish),

Bailey(started off good, wait and see mode here),

Hanrahan(Injured, not much else to say)

Edited July 3, 2013 by BSN07

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

I agree with all that has been said so far. I was not surprised by Tazawa or by Lackey. They both deserve credit. I suspected that Lackey would be much better when I saw how much weight he lost coming into camp. That can only help his durability within each game and throughout the season. Tazawa has always been one of my binkies. He is a tough competitor and now he knows how to pitch in the bigs.

 

I have been following Nava fairly closely. I have seen him become the second best defensive left fielder for the Sox since 1966 when I started to follow the Sox. Now he has developed better plate discipline and has used his new approach to show a power stroke. I like it. I hope that he stays healthy and continues to produce this way. Dojji must be proud.

 

I am surprised with Lester and I believe there must be an underlying physical problem. Surgery will fix that for next year, I hope.

 

I'm pissed that Bucholtz is now injury prone. Otherwise he is pretty much lights out most of the time.

 

I am also disappointed that Victorino is not on the field all the time. He has to prevent himself for becoming another Nancy boy. Otherwise, he is really fun to watch.

 

Only 15 more days, get pumped!

[mvp 78]

I guess you don't watch much NL. Victorino is better than he has shown. The leg and back have hindered him.

 

 

Probably as much NL as your boy Fred who stated over and over that Vic was completely washed up.

[seabeachfred]

I believed we would be better than last year. I mean, who didn't? I also believed that what others were saying was true and that the AL East was going to be a crap shoot with Toronto in a slight lead, anything could happen. Right now the Red Sox have shown they are a resilient team and the spirit of the club seems to jump out at you in sharp contrast to that car wreck of a team last year. I don't like to key in certain players at the expense of others but so far it seems the team as a whole is infinitely better than the sum of its parts. It seems there is always a few of the crews picking up for others and that changed game after game.

 

That said, I think we need to keep winning, get Buchholz back and upgrade our bullpen and get one additional starting pitcher. I also say anyone who at the present time is not pleased with the way the team is going is very hard to please.

[a700hitter]

Probably as much NL as your boy Fred who stated over and over that Vic was completely washed up.

My boy? As opposed to you being my bitch. Edited July 4, 2013 by a700hitter

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Jonny Gomes

[mvp 78]

My boy? As opposed to you being my bitch.

 

Listen, I know you enjoy your late night phone calls with Fred once your wives have fallen asleep. Maybe you're just planning your next "boys night out?" Sorry to disappoint, but I don't swing that way. :dropsmic:

[a700hitter]

Listen, I know you enjoy your late night phone calls with Fred once your wives have fallen asleep. Maybe you're just planning your next "boys night out?" Sorry to disappoint, but I don't swing that way. :dropsmic:

^Homophobic

[seabeachfred]

You're a sad and sorry piece of work mvp and you may have some serious bedroom problems. Haven't talked to Ted over the horn in about a month but always look forward to doing so since he knows baseball inside and out. You don't belong in the same world with him.

[User Name]

Are we going to start with this s*** again? Quit it. We should all be happy that the Sox keep winning and stop the petty bickering. Jesus.

[iortiz]

I agree pretty much with your list compadre.

 

BTW Will Buck come back at some point? What in the hell is going on with him?

[a700hitter]

Are we going to start with this s*** again? Quit it. We should all be happy that the Sox keep winning and stop the petty bickering. Jesus.

I agree with this.

[a700hitter]

I agree pretty much with your list compadre.

 

BTW Will Buck come back at some point? What in the hell is going on with him?

It is getting concerning and the reports about his condition and the amount of time that he has missed just don't add up.

[User Name]

An article appeared earlier in mlb.com that quoted Buch saying he has "turned a corner" and he "should be ready any day now". We'll see.

[a700hitter]

An article appeared earlier in mlb.com that quoted Buch saying he has "turned a corner" and he "should be ready any day now". We'll see.

That's good to hear. Who knew that a nap with your child could land you on the DL. What's next, eating dinner results in TJ surgery? Jeesh.

[iortiz]

An article appeared earlier in mlb.com that quoted Buch saying he has "turned a corner" and he "should be ready any day now". We'll see.

 

Hopefully this is true. We need that arm badly looking forward. Either way Ben should make a diligence and see options regardless what is going on with Buck. I was thinking about Norris. He's been pitching very good in the AL this year.

[Youk Of The Nation]

My biggest surprises:

 

Carp: Batting .300 in limited playing time, comes onto the field when asked to step in and usually makes some sort of impact. Always great to have a backup guy who doesn't mind being a backup guy and plays his hardest when he's in the lineup. Even better when his hardest is actually good.

 

Ortiz: The man is getting old. He's the only player left from the '04 team, and that was almost a decade ago. I thought he'd run out of steam a couple years after that, but here we are, ten years later. I've gone through three or four girlfriends, approximately 3650 toothbrushes, four cars, and almost certainly enough cigarettes to asphyxiate a small city, and David Ortiz is still hitting harder than the hour after the Super Bowl party at Chris Brown's house. Gotta love Ortiz.

 

Nava: What can I say? I thought he'd be, at best, a mildly serviceable backup. Instead he's one of the best outfielders around. From the very first pitch he saw this kid has played his pale, skinny guts out and proven to the Sox, their fans, and I bet at least one high school girlfriend that giving up on Daniel Nava too early just makes you look like the guy who thought computers were a passing fad.

 

Lackey: After one teeth-grinding year of pitching and one year of not pitching at all, John Lackey is the ace of the staff right now while Buchholz is out. He's really taken hold of the reins and horse joke horse joke horse joke.

 

Tazawa and Uehara: The only reason I haven't nicknamed these two incredible guys Hiroshima and Nagasaki is because I am barely clinging to a shred of human dignity and morals and I'm not quite ready to let go of it, at least not until I can transfer my consciousness into an indestructible murder-robot body. These guys are awesome, and deserving of some double nickname that isn't racially, culturally, and morally insensitive.

 

Disappointments:

 

Hanrahan and Bailey- Hanrahan is injured, obviously, and as much as that sucks, it happens and there is no reason to complain about it. He could come back healthy one day and be the closer, so I'll reserve judgement. I am still disappointed at not having him, though. As for Bailey, I thought the bad stretch was just that, a bad stretch, but then it continued. I can't help but wonder if he's injured, collapsing that completely is very odd.

 

Napoli- I am disappointed with the Ks as well as the power outage of late. His last homerun came a while ago. I am pleased that he is working counts and making pitchers labor, but I am a little worried that his tendency to not make contact will doom him as the second half plays out. I hope not, though, and I am sure of one thing: Napoli is the kind of guy who can turn this around.

 

Brian Butterfield: Never thought I'd find myself missing Dale Sveum.

 

Drew: Eh. Every time he looks like he's about to go on a tear, he sputters back down to nothingness.

[mvp 78]

Butterfield getting Ortiz thrown out by 5 ft was totally unacceptable. I can see trying to push it with Vic, but not Papi. You just can't get risky with the team's best hitter like that.

[BSN07]

Damn I forgot Carp, he's absolutely been a surprise.

 

a700, an elbow could go quick in random food fight lol

 

Necks can be tricky. I had a guy earlier this season that slept wrong and he was completely out of whack for like a month. It was crazy. I finally had to sit him for two weeks. It sounds whimpy I agree, but I've seen what it can do first hand, so I'm trying not to get to down on Buc. Whats important is he is back by August imo. September at the latest. If he's back before then, great. But if not I'm not going to get frantic yet.

Edited July 4, 2013 by BSN07

[Bellhorn04]

I thought he'd run out of steam a couple years after that, but here we are, ten years later. I've gone through three or four girlfriends, approximately 3650 toothbrushes, four cars, and almost certainly enough cigarettes to asphyxiate a small city, and David Ortiz is still hitting harder than the hour after the Super Bowl party at Chris Brown's house.

 

Three or four girlfriends and enough cigarettes to asphyxiate a small city?

 

Yikes, man, I think you better cut back on the girlfriends.

[a700hitter]

Damn I forgot Carp, he's absolutely been a surprise.

 

a700, an elbow could go quick in random food fight lol

 

Necks can be tricky. I had a guy earlier this season that slept wrong and he was completely out of whack for like a month. It was crazy. I finally had to sit him for two weeks. It sounds whimpy I agree, but I've seen what it can do first hand, so I'm trying not to get to down on Buc. Whats important is he is back by August imo. September at the latest. If he's back before then, great. But if not I'm not going to get frantic yet.

When I was pitching softball, there were a couple of seasons where I had neck problems. I'd get a stiff neck and couldn't turn my head. A few times I got the area massaged before the game so I could play. Each time it would last a couple of days and go away. I am not equating anything here to Buchholz. It just seems that some anti inflammatory meds and a massage would have taken care of a stiff neck with a whole medical team and training staff at their disposal. I fear that there is something more going on-- hence the need for the MRI.