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You have a good point. I don't think anyone would miss Mikeyboy.

time for the biggest Millar hater on Talksox (and possibly the world) to chime in. It's about time. Millar on the bench is MUCH MUCH better than Millar in the lineup, however I still believe that the team would be better off with someone like Kevin Youkilis than Kevin Millar. If Kevin can't hit when he's playing every day, how is he going to hit if he's coming rusty off the bench? Plus, why keep a player who can't play defense or can't hit on your team? He's still wasting a roster spot that could be claimed by a better athlete and better baseball player, Kevin Youkilis. This is a step in the right direction. However, given the fact that he can't hit lefties, can't hit on the road, can't hit in the playoffs, can't hit with runners on base, can't run, and can't play defense..... how is he going to HELP the team? I honestly don't see the point of keeping him at all. I say DFA him and see if the Mets pick him up and try to get a PTBNL for him

Considering that Jon Lester isn't on the 40 man roster, the Red Sox would have to make a move to bring him up in September (because it has to be someone on your 40 man roster to call them up) That being said, I expect the following guys to be called up in September: Manny Delcarmen Craig Hansen (if not sooner) Adam Stern (activated from DL after September 1) Kevin Youkilis Wade Miller (activated from DL after September 1) Here's the 40-man roster: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/roster_40man.jsp?c_id=bos

My two cents on the rotation talk: Everything will depend on Schilling's return. If he's able to transition himself successfully to that role, that will be a huge pickup and allow the team to do some things with the bottom of the rotation. IF Schill is healthy/effective: 1. Schilling 2. Wells 3. Clement 4. Wakefield 5. Arroyo IF no Schill: 1. Wells 2. Clement 3. Wakefield 4. Arroyo 5. Papelbon/Miller If the team makes the playoffs without Schilling, Arroyo's GOT to be a starter. If Schilling is healthy and effective, Arroyo's the best man to be headed to the bullpen. If Foulke comes back healthy and effective, the bullpen should be good enough. CL: Foulke SU: Timlin MR: Bradford MR: Myers MR: Papelbon (if not starting) MR/LR: Gonzalez Some september callups should make this interesting (Delcarmen, Hansen) but I don't see the team taking rookies like this into important games (see their use of Delcarmen when he was up with the big club), so I'd be surprised if anyone but Timlin or Bradford was given a "closer" role if Foulke isn't able to come back. If Schilling and Foulke both are effective in September, this team SHOULD win the division. If one of them comes back, it'll be a very tight race coming down to the last series in Boston. If neither one comes back, I have some serious doubts about their chances, and if they do squeak out a playoff spot without Schilling or Foulke-- their chances in the playoffs are even slimmer IMO. Bottom line: We need both Schilling and Foulke to come back to their 2004 performance levels if we have any hopes of going deep into October.

I'll agree that pitching is the team's biggest problem, but just because the pitching sucks doesn't mean Kevin Millar belongs in the lineup. Maybe if we had a first baseman who could actually play defense, and if we kept Molasses Millar's fat ass out of the outfield that would make the pitchers BETTER, or at least give them a better chance out of the gate.

Tony G is a good ballplayer having probably a career year. He is best suited for a reserve role because he is capable of playing a bunch of positions and is a DECENT hitter. Like Crespo said though, he's a career .263. This guy's not a perennial All Star. I believe Dustin Pedroia will be given every opportunity to win the starting second baseman's job out of Spring Training next year. That being said, I wouldn't mind it if the club tried to resign Graffanino as a utility player-- because he's capable of playing so many positions.

Don't get me started again on Millar. He's absolutely horrible. The fact that Terry continues to play him is a disgrace to the organization.

Millar has fans? I urge anyone who has one good reason why Millar shouldn't be DFA'd YESTERDAY to speak up. I've been bashing him for weeks, and nobody's been able to provide one. I'm not going to repeat the statistics I've already given for Millar, he is awful. Saying he hits like a second baseman is a little generous. There are 18 qualified second baseman who have a higher slugging percentage than he does. In fact, EVERY SINGLE qualified second baseman (according to ESPN) has a higher slugging percentage. and we're not talking about Jeff Kent here... here are some guys who are slugging higher than Kevin Millar's .364 (no kidding). Luis Castillo (.375), Craig Counsell (.393), Chone Figgins (.400), Orlando Hudson (.422) That's how bad Millar is. That just comes off of the list of second baseman who have enough ABs to qualify for the batting title. Only 2 of them have fewer RBIs than Kevin Millar, both of whom bat at the TOP of the order in the NL (Luis Castillo and Craig Counsell) who basically have RBI chances killed often times by bad pitchers batting # 9. The fact that this guy still wears a uniform is a disgrace to the organization.... and they bat him FIFTH!!!! this is the man who we have protecting Manny Ramirez?!?!?!? It's a wonder anyone pitches to him.

You make an exceptionally good point. At least Bellhorn was good defensively (albeit, not great). Millar is a stiff.

and Millar. It's worth saying a third time. Mark Bellhorn: Thanks for the memories, I wish you well!

My thoughts exactly. DFA fatass, bring back Youk.

No matter how much I dislike a Red Sox player (mostly it's Manny and Millar), OF COURSE I'll always cheer for them, because they're Red Sox. Doesn't mean I have to like them OR think they're what's best for the team. Manny's an awesome hitter, I've given him that credit time and time again. When it all comes down to it, bottom line, I think the Red Sox would be better off without him. Without his attitude, his laziness, and his gigantic contract. I respect and understand all of your opinions, I just don't agree with them.

Millar on the bench is a HORRIBLE idea, I agree, but it's a better idea than in the lineup. At least if he comes in late in the game as a pinch hitter he can only hurt you once as opposed to 3 or 4 times, and at least Terry has the common sense to take him out for defense. Kevin Millar does not belong on the Boston Red Sox bench, or lineup, or even in the stadium. Like I said, get rid of Millar, 1984 style.

Seems like a good idea to give Papelbon a couple more starts to see what he's made of. Of course, considering they're supposed to be keeping tabs on his innings, he'll probably not go deep into either game, which makes Jeremi Gonzalez that much more important in the long relief role. Also, it forces the starters around him to pitch deeper into games because you'll probably need 4 innings on the day Papelbon pitches. Unfortunately I've missed both of his starts so far this season, but the numbers look good. He had a bunch of walks in his first start but seemed to keep that under control in start #2. He's in good hands with Tek. I believe he'll do well. I just can't give up on Wade Miller though. He was so good in Houston and he's still recovering from his arm injury. Like others have said, he just may need some pitching to get it back to where it was, so we may not see the real Wade Miller until next season (I think we've got an option on him). In a must win game, if I had to pick either Wade Miller or Jon Papelbon, I'd have to go with Miller (assuming he's healthy). He's got more experience in games like that and also just more experience getting Major League hitters out. But Papelbon's got a very bright future and should be able to help this team out down the stretch whether it's starting or in the bullpen.

There's no way I'd give Johnny Damon more than 3 years, and I've said that many times. In fact, I've been prepared to let the man walk (look at the past) if his demands don't come back to earth. You have a very good point about Ortiz seeing more pitches because of Manny in the lineup, and that's one very good thing about having him on the team. But are you guys blind to all the ways he hurts this team? Lack of range Lack of speed Lack of effort Inability to play every day Manny really makes me sick. By the way, before you dub him a postseason savior, please take a look at his career postseason numbers: .256/.351/.478 He hit .412 in the World Series, but had just 1 extra base hit, so he wasn't exactly hitting the cover off the ball.

I always liked Nomar and still do, but if you believe in bad charma (sp?), certainly that's what's happening to Nomar. He turned down a pretty lucrative deal from the Red Sox (twice), then got hurt in his contract year, sulked around because the Red Sox tried to trade him (because he was greedy), then signed a 1 year deal (to try to up his value), and got hurt again. Nomar was one of my favorite players also, and I certainly NEVER wish injury on anyone. It sucks that he's suffering through this, but... The Red Sox are lucky he turned down that deal.

Dustin's Pawtucket stats are definately impressive considering how quickly he's been moving up the ranks. .286/.368/.444, 4 HR, 18 RBIs. 13 BBs vs 10 K's, ALWAYS a good sign with young hitters-- patience. I don't see much of a point rushing him with Graffanino playing so well (all he'd do is ride the pine), but he certainly seems to have earned an invitation to Spring Training next year.

Hansen's certainly been dominating AA, but there's such a huge difference between AA and the bigs. Just ask Cla. It seems like there could be some merit to the idea of Hansen being called up (at least when the rosters expand) because he jumped up to Portland very quickly. I don't think Hansen's given up a run yet in Pro ball, that's pretty impressive. 5 K's in 4 innings and no walks? Also pretty impressive. The 4 hits in 4 innings is a little bit of a concern, but not enough to think he can't get it done. It seems like if anyone can make the jump, it's Hansen.

You had to pick Bellhorn and Millar, didn't you? Listen-- I'd MUCH MUCH MUCH rather have a trio like Nixon, Renteria and Mueller than one Manny Ramirez. Manny's selfish attitude and lack of effort KILL this team. Yes, he can hit, but like I said, for $20 million you can not only get a decent hitter, but a pitcher too, and let's face facts: Pitching wins. Superstars do not make winning baseball teams. How many world series championships have Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, and Ken Griffey Jr (possibly the 3 biggest superstars in my lifetime) won combined? None. TEAMS win championships, not superstars. Manny Ramirez' deficiencies which I've already stated outweigh his potent bat (which I'll admit is one of the best I've ever seen) IMO. For $20 million, he's got to be out there every day giving 100% You think Varitek isn't beat up? How about Johnny Damon? Trot Nixon has to be PULLED from the lineup kicking and screaming. Manny Ramirez needs Varitek and Nixon to gang up on him in the locker room and beat him into a bloody pulp-- give him a reason to take his worthless ass out of games. Pssst-- guys-- kick Millar's ass while you're at it too, because that's the only way we'll see him on the bench. OK-- all violent jokes aside, Manny Ramirez has no idea how good he has it. He gets $20 million dollars a year to play a GAME, and he doesn't even have to work the whole year. He gets 6 months in the offseason to rest. PLAY THE f***ING GAME.

If they're going to start sitting a horrible defensive player in places where he stinks, they should not only sit him on the road, and against lefties, but also in the playoffs, and if he comes up with runners on base, too. There's no point having a player who can't hit, run, or field in the lineup, let alone on the bench. Kevin's outstayed his welcome in Boston.

I sincerely hope the Red Sox trade Manny Ramirez. As good a hitter as he is, this taking himself out of games crap has gone too far. Plus, he plays crappily for 3 or 4 games leading up to his necessary off days, which seem to come about every 2 weeks. Even when he's in the game in between his crappy spells, he's a lazy, selfish baseball player who's horrible at defense. No, they can't replace his bat, but at his salary, they could get a good positional player who will give 100%, has some semblance of defensive ability, and can run out a groundball. With the extra money, add a top of the line pitcher.

Keeping Millar out of the lineup is wonderful, and his fat ass could certainly keep a great deal of the bench warm all at once on cold September nights, but there comes a point where having such a useless player taking up valuable roster space hurts the team. I think we're beyond that point with Kevin Millar.

With Bellhorn out of the picture it's GREAT to see the ire of Red Sox fans pointed in the right direction. We need to somehow band together and get the message to Red Sox management that we as Red Sox fans never want to see Kevin Millar in a Red Sox uniform again. This guy kills the team every day. Reasons why Kevin Millar needs to be extricated from the team and erased from Red Sox history forever, 1984 style(in no particular order): 1. Cowboy up. 2. Shots of JD comment. 3. Saying A-Rod was better than Ramirez AND Nomar. 4. Inability to play defense. 5. Inability to hit for power. (.365 slugging) 6. Inability to hit lefties. (.237/.336/.267) 7. Inability to hit with runners on (.254/.321/.337) ................and 2 out (.188/.297/.234) 8. Inability to hit in the playoffs (.239/.327/.348) 9. Inability to hit on the road (.242/.312/.286) The prosecution rests.

I'm jumping on the bandwagon here. I see absolutely no reason to keep Remlinger in Boston.

Words cannot describe how pissed off I am about this move. Kevin Youkilis hasn't played a full season in the bigs, but he's already a professional. He handles his misfortune with grace and dignity and that's admirable. He's able to put things into perspective a little and say "hey, I play baseball for a living, how can I complain?" In short, he's exactly what this team needs. In addition, he's shown that he is not only beyond AAA, but capable of performing at the big league level and WILLING to accept a backup role to be on the team. At the same time, the team holds on to a loud-mouthed, constantly bitching, worthless human being named Kevin Millar (I mean come on, this guy's a waste of oxygen) who can barely play first base, let alone the outfield. Also, the team is now carrying 4 first baseman, 3 of which can't play another position, 1 of which (Millar of course) shouldn't play any position at all. So the team's covered in case 3 of these guys all get hurt in the same game? Fan-f***ing tastic. What happens if Mueller (who's historically fragile) gets hurt? Alex Cora? Bitch please. He's already proven that he shouldn't be playing third. Olerud for Youkilis weakens the bench IMO.