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By all means, if that's what it takes to get Kevin Millar out of Boston.

Because the Red Sox have stated publicly that they want to limit the innings on Papelbon's arm. He was a closer in college, so he's basically into unchartered territory as the innings and pitches mount up. Unless they pull a complete 180 from a week ago, I don't see them putting that kind of stress on Papelbon's arm. Like someone else said though, he could stay on the roster for relief appearances and the occasional spot start if needed.

I bet there are fans of about 28 teams who disagree with you (at least 12), but it's true. Nothing feels better than beating the Yankees. Nothing feels worse than losing to the Yankees. (in the baseball world that is).

The six games between these two teams may end up being the difference in the division. Of course, the Red Sox won the season series last year and it didn't do them any good in the regular season.... but the race is a lot closer this year. Obviously whichever team gets their pitching in order will take the division. The Yankees need Johnson and Mussina to pitch like aces again, and some combination of Wright/Chacon/Leiter/Small/etc to anchor the bottom half of the rotation. The Red Sox need Schilling back in the rotation, Wells to keep doing what he's doing (the Sox best pitcher so far in the second half), and Clement/Arroyo to return to their early season form (when they were carrying the rotation).

Got me. I can only guess that it's a little of both. I can understand (to a point) not ruining them mentally by having them fail because they're not ready. And of course it's less of a mental blow if you come in with your team up 10-1 and you give up 3 runs to make it 10-5 than if you come in with a 6-4 lead and you allow 3 runs to lose it... but my take on it is this: If you brought them up, you obviously think they're ready. No player in the history of baseball was great every game, so these players are going to have to get used to failure. If they can't handle failure, they can't possibly succeed at the Major League level. So why not find out what they're made of? Manny Delcarmen for example pitched well in a few outings, gave up 3 runs to the Twins, but was able to make 2 solid relief appearances after that. He's made 3 good appearances, 1 bad (1 where he recorded only an out isn't counted as good or bad here). As far as Kevin Youkils goes-- no idea. He's proven he can hold his own at the big league level when Billy Mueller went down. The team's infatuation with Kevin Millar robs Youkilis of valuable ABs. I can understand not starting Youk over Mueller, but there's no reason Youk shouldn't be seeing more time at first base. Dustin Pedroia was going to be called up before he got hurt. That's tough luck for him really, but it could be a blessing in that he gets the rest of the year to develop, and the Red Sox were able to bring in Tony Graffanino, who's been WONDERFUL for this team. I guess Terry tends to trust the veterans more than the rookies as a general rule, because I don't think they're worried too much about ruining these kids mentally.

I'd trade Kevin Millar for an empty pepsi bottle. At least then you could turn around and trade the Pepsi bottle for $0.05 The Red Sox already have players who are better than Kevin Millar: Kevin Youkilis, Roberto Petagine, John Olerud (currently injured). HELL, Tony Graffanino's played first base this season and has better numbers than Millar. Needless to say, I'd do a dance if the Red Sox were able to replace Millar with Huff. I'd do a celebratory dance if he was removed from the lineup.

The problem with keeping Delcarmen on the roster is that Francona is obviously reluctant to use him in anything that resembles a critical spot. Since the Red Sox haven't been blowing people away lately, Delcarmen hasn't been getting any work. He's probably better off in Pawtucket because he can log some innings and potentially pitch in close games. This organization as a whole is reluctant to give young guys playing time. They had no choice last year when Bill Mueller got hurt and threw Youkilis into the fire where he did well. With Bellhorn struggling, the team refused to go to a young player. With Millar stinking it up, Youkilis still rots on the bench. Adam Stern has been limited to pinch running duty with the Sox. Delcarmen suffered the same fate. Papelbon will make his second MLB start tonight, but only under EXTREME circumstances-- the Red Sox have no other option. I hope Papelbon dazzles tonight and gives the team no other choice but to keep him.

I never heard Griffey say that he'd never play for the Red Sox, but since neither of us think that's a realistic option anyway, I'll drop the Griffey talk. I'm all for trading Manny for Cameron and prospects. Even if the Sox do that, they can still bring in Johnny Damon if he'll play left field. What a nice defensive outfield that would be, and Johnny's weak arm would be hidden by the shallow left field at Fenway. Trading Manny ensures that the Sox have a real shot at bringing Damon back. That still leaves first base (the subject of this thread afterall), which could be filled by (like I said earlier) Youkilis, or even Huff. Shedding Manny's salary gives them a little more financial flexibility.

YANKEESRULE is back.... the Yankees must have won last night.

With Manny on another team, you could easily find enough playing time for Griffey. Of course, if we're still stuck with Manny that doesn't happen and I said that. However, if you gave a guy like him a "rest" by playing him at DH a couple times a week, he probably woudn't complain. Under that plan I proposed Griffey would eventually become the everyday man at first base. It's a VERY unlikely plan considering that he'd probably cost too much talent given the risk involved, and Theo and company tend not to take risks. I don't think the Red Sox would want any part of Griffey or even Thome given the injury factor. I'd still love to see the Sox continue the youth movement and try Kevin Youkilis at first base fulltime and sign Mueller to a 1 year, incentive deal for 2007. That would free up money (that some are proposing we spend on a higher priced first baseman) for making sure Johnny Damon stays, and getting re-enforcements for the pitching staff. In my mind, those are bigger priorities than first base.

I'm just being realistic. I never said the Red Sox weren't going to make the playoffs, but unfortunately I'm not as confident as you guys are. That's just the way it is. The Red Sox will be greatly helped by their schedule for the rest of the season and that's a good thing, but they've GOT TO get their pitching straightened out sooner rather than later. The team that gets the best starting pitching will win the division. Right now both teams have big question marks, and that's all that I'm saying. MCHammer, obviously if the Red Sox turn around and start to play good baseball, they will be able to stay atop in the division. I was just trying to urge you not to be too confident about the recent winning streak because during said winning streak, the Sox did not play great baseball. 3.5 games is not an insurmountable lead.

About Foulke? No. They said right from the beginning that once he had the surgury he'd be out 6 weeks. Didn't he have that surgury in early July? That would put him back relatively soon based on the original expectations. Let's just hope he's back to his 2004 self when he DOES come back.

I thought the organization was clear about their intentions for Papelbon. Their long term plan is to have him as a starting pitcher, but they wanted to limit his innings this season so they were working on putting him in the bullpen more to save his arm and prepare him to possibly help the team this season in relief. Terry Francona mentioned after the game that the organization's known for a week that Papelbon will start this game, and he's been working out accordingly.

Just because you're winning doesn't mean you're playing good baseball. 3 of those were against the KC Royals, who basically gave the Red Sox those games. Yes, I'll take them, but it doesn't change the fact that the Red Sox didn't play well. Over the last two weeks: They swept KC at home, which like I said is NOTHING to be proud of. Then they lost 2 of 3 in Minnesota, basically handing the Twins game 2 before OUTSLUGGING them in game 3. Then they swept Texas, riding again the offense, winning 11-6, 8-7, 16-5. Hardly well pitched games by the Red Sox. They took 2 games against Chicago over the weekend, getting a good performance from Wakefield on Saturday, but Wells gave up 5 runs on Friday. Yes, only 3 of them were earned, but the defense let David Wells down and allowed those other 2 runs to score. Like I said, they haven't played well over the last two weeks, but the offense bailed them out.

Red Sox starters since the All Star Break: Tim Wakefield: 4-2, 4.12 ERA David Wells: 3-0, 3.15 ERA Wade Miller: 2-1, 4.70 ERA Bronson Arroyo: 3-2, 5.02 ERA Matt Clement: 1-1, 8.18 ERA Sorry, but that doesn't instill a ton of confidence in me. Call me whatever bad names you want.

Delcarmen got sent down to make room for Papelbon. We won't probably see him again until September.

Are you kidding me? I'm here every single day, regardless of the outcome of the Sox game. You guys always turn my words around. What I said was that the Red Sox are NOT going to walk away with the division. The fact that the Yankees have hung right behind us despite the fact that their rotation has been desimated by injuries and bad performances shows that if they get some combination of their waiver wire pitchers to throw well, they'll be right back in business. They are easily within striking distance of a playoff spot. You guys are WAY TOO CONFIDENT considering that one slump could put the Red Sox out of the playoff picture. The Red Sox have been playing HORRIBLE baseball the past 2 weeks. The pitching, both starters and relievers, have been suspect. They have a good record because the offense has bailed them out, but they can't continue to make the errors and give up the hits and EXPECT to win. They have to tighten up their game or they'll be in deep s***.

I have to agree that the Yankee fans (with the exception of YankeeDoodle) dissapeared from this site when the Yankees were struggling (they always do). That being said, he's right. The White Sox have no reason to play this game (barring a miracle crash on their part and comeback on the Twins/Guardians part), so the only way this game is played is if the outcome of that game will impact WHO makes the playoffs.

I like the way you think. I know I said the same thing about Johnny Damon awhile back because it might save his health and body. Ken Griffey Jr at first is a very interesting idea. First of all, Ken Griffey should be in the American league. A guy with his injury history would be greatly helped by having the option of DHing once in a while. Plus, he could still play some games in the outfield (left field at Fenway requires very little range-- hell, Manny Ramirez does it), and he could be eased into the first base position by playing some 1B, some OF, some DH. Would come cheaper than Konerko but more expensive than Huff probably. I'd do that if Cincinnati didn't ask for premier talent in return-- and they might be interested in just getting out from underneath that contract. Of course, only do it if we can find a sucker to take Manny Ramirez.

Wow dude, what the hell are you talking about? The Yankees are only 1.5 games out of the Wild Card, and 3.5 behind us. Considering that we have no closer and a suspect rotation, in what fantasy land do you see us walking away with the division? The Yankees have a VERY good chance of making the playoffs. Anyone who STILL thinks they don't is fooling themselves.

I'd be surprised if the Sox went after any of the big name guys. Maybe Huff, but Konerko/Helton/Thome will be way too expensive IMO. As far as a short term option, I wouldn't mind seeing Kevin Youkilis playing first base fulltime in 2006. NO, he isn't going to put up massive numbers, but he's steady and solid with the bat and would develop into a good defensive first baseman. Then sign Mueller to a 1 year incentive laden deal (in case he gets hurt) and prepare for Hanley's arrival in 07 (with either him or Renteria moving to third). Focus the offseason money spending on bringing back Johnny (unless his demands get out of hand) and improving the pitching staff.

Sox fan on Cape pointed this out already, but I'll re-iterate: The Astros recalled Clemens and Pettite when they were claimed by the Red Sox and Yankees respectively. Which means that they are still property of the Astros, and if placed on waivers again, they CANNOT revoke it and WILL lose the player. Those two guys are staying in Houston.

Kevin Millar has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that he can't hit in the playoffs. I say DFA Millar when Olerud comes back. Or just DFA him anyway and play Youkilis more. Or put him on waivers, and when another team claims him just let him go. I understand that he has just 6 weeks left on his contract (barring a playoff run), but in the next 6 weeks every game is important, we need to win as many as possible. Kevin Millar does not help the Red Sox win games. PERIOD.

The best part about your lineup is that Millar's not in it. Even without Nixon (who's hurt), I'd put Kapler in right field, bat him ninth, and shift everyone else down a slot. Obviously, it's nice to have Nixon in there... but until he comes back-- more Gabe, less Millar.

Exactly. The Red Sox starting pitchers have been pretty bad this month, as evidenced by your statistics. Which absolutlely blows my mind that some members of Talksox are confident that not only the Red Sox will make the playoffs, but also win the division. The Red Sox' offense probably can carry them to a playoff spot, but they won't go anywhere in October without much better starting pitching than what they've been getting of late.