JMDurron

We're 6-1 against the MFY so far this season. If that's not reason to be optimistic right now, I don't know what is. Oh yeah, and they get to deal with our full arsenal at the plate for the first time, too. (Youk-for-Mueller is a neutral switch so far this year, so it's still "full")

Last year we had no injuries other than Mendoza for those first 71 games. Without Nomar, Trot, Mueller, Kim, and now Pokey, we are ONE GAME worse than last year. Looks like they want to play to me. Or if they don't, heaven help baseball if they decide that they do.

Ok, responding to too many people here, so let me take this point by point Youk's sample size is nowhere CLOSE to as small as Nixon, hence Nixon having the note next to his name, and not Youk. I wasn't trying to pretend that Youk has had as many PAs as Manny or Varitek, but I think he's seen enough playing time to say that his taking pitches has not been hurting his performance, or the team. I think just about every player would have a high OBP if they swung at called 3rd strikes. I also think that some of the calls that Youk does not get is purely a result of his being a rookie, as opposed to ML umpires having a different zone. I think HE'S just getting an expanded zone to a small degree. Mueller = No Crespo = Happy JM In response to Mueller's absence not forcing Crespo into the lineup, I don't think that's the issue. The issue is that Mueller AND Pokey being injured forcing Crespo into being our only IF backup. Either one coming back = almost no Crespo, like we have seen since the 6th. The reasoning for sending Youk down instead of Mueller (Youk's cheaper) could also be used as an argument for shopping Mueller for pitching once he's back healthy. This would be dependent on a healthy Pokey as well, of course.

That's why you'd send Youk back to AAA - so he can keep playing everyday. I'm not saying I necessarily buy that argument, just that a good case could be made. Regarding the points against Youk by trot4mvp, some things to keep in mind. Mueller at 3B for the Sox: Year Fielding% Range 2003: .951 2.52 2004: .910 2.01 Youk: 2004: .973 2.59 Youkilis has been better defensively at 3B, both in terms of errors made and range, than Mueller has been. He's not a liability there. As for the rather ridiculous idea that Youk needs to stop taking so many pitches, let's take a look at team OBP rankings this season. Manny: .434 Trot (small sample warning): .400 Varitek: .393 Bellhorn: .389 Damon: .379 Youkilis: .372 Youk gets on base 37.2% of the time that he comes to the plate. But he needs to stop taking so many pitches? I agree that most guys who win batting titles don't just fall off the face of the Earth, but Mueller's only season (over 100 games) with a batting average over .300 was this past year. It's entirely possible that he was a one-year wonder. I certainly hope not, though. I understand wanting Mueller back and in the lower lineup ASAP, but let's not slam Youk for problems that don't actually exist. He's done a remarkable job filling in, both offensively and defensively.

You could argue that it's worthwile to bench Youk for Mueller to keep Youk from getting overly exposed as pitchers adjust to him.

Funny how this idea doesn't occur to you when other players *cough* do the same thing.

The trade idea, or the whole thread?

Pokey would have not thrown that ball away.

Does anybody else not trust Dr. Morgan's estimations at all anymore? Nomar was supposed to be back by Opening Day at first.

They usually bring their bats, though. And they were up against Lieber. But the pitching was a pleasant miracle.

Let's just be thankful that Baltimore brought their pitching staff to the ballpark today.

I'm actually surprised that Bellhorn doesn't see more 2-strike breaking balls. They seem to fool him fairly often, while he sits and waits on nice fastballs, and avoids the junk ones. Of course, this is where the Pokey people whine about Ks, while ignoring walks, pitches seen, HRs, doubles, runs scored, RBI...

Anybody else miss McCarty on that play? He backs up and gets the ball, or steps to the right side of the runner to keep the ball from bouncing away. Brilliant job by Millar there. Bellhorn should have held onto it, or thrown it towards the infield side of the bag.

You mean like those double plays in the 1st that weren't turned? Let me guess...those were impossible, because Pokey's prettier to watch in the field? And the one that wasn't turned in the 5th was Bellhorn's fault, right? Bellhorn's been mocking you most of the season, but you haven't noticed. Although I do enjoy watching other teams playing at 2B and saying "Pokey would have had that" on every ball hit to that side of the field, just to be mocking. We'll miss his defense a bit, but not as much as some people would like to think. We'll miss the excitement more than the actual performance. We won't miss his bat in the slightest, as long as Youk can keep around .275 until Mueller returns. You hate to see anyone get injured, but at least this injury is at the one position where the team can absorb it without any severe damage.

Well, if Leskanic can pitch even CLOSE to as well as he did last year, our bullpen problems could largely go away. I just feel sorry for Malaska's ego. For only 200k, this isn't a bad gamble by Theo at all.

Sucks to be Malaska. "Sorry kid, we'd rather have the guy with the torn rotator cuff who has been getting pimp-slapped all season than you."

I'd imagine it's something along the lines of "I have two guys trying to get back up to regular season speed after being injured, and 4 good infielders for 3 positions." Throw in getting the other players rest on at least a semi-regular basis, and you've got some lineup changing. The MFY haven't had many injuries at positions in the field this year, so you don't see the same amount of juggling.

It's been 3 days now, any thoughts?

Bonds is pretty good, but he's no Kevin Millar.

Isn't bostondirtdogs.com the same site that promised to shut itself down if the A-Rod trade didn't happen? Schilling posted on SoSH in direct response to a poster putting up the BDD.com rumor.

According to a source (Curt Schilling on SoSH), the pitcher in question (Curt Schilling) is going to make his next scheduled start. I take that as a good sign that the MRI turned out ok.

Clemens already did that earlier this season.

This defense makes my brain hurt. 3B - Bellhorn SS - Pokey 2B - Crespo 1B - McCarty LF - Millar WTF?!? Crespo has no business on the team, nevermind the infield. Move Bellhorn to 2B, Youk at 3B, and swap Millar and McCarty. Millar has no business in a ML outfield position.

One more inning for Lowe, then PH for him with Youkilis. Bring in the bullpen arm of your choice to finish it off.