elsrbueno

I'm still in shock from your "not that bad" comment. Millar is horrendous.

He should definately take playing time away from your loverboy Millar.

The problem with Olerud and Petagine together is that both of them are lefties-- and it would be nice to also have a righthanded option at first. That having been said, Roberto has certainly been more productive than Kevin Millar this month. In less than HALF the at bats, Roberto has 4 times as many RBIs (8 to 2) and has accumulated only 3 fewer total bases this month. Same number of walks, only 3 fewer runs.... Plain and simple, Roberto has hit when put into the lineup so far: .333/.400/.556 In August. Millar in August: .239/.265/.283. No contest.

Millar's been just as horrible in August as ever: hitting .239 this month with a slugging percentage of .283 !!!!! That's absolutely pathetic. Gabe Kaplers slugging percentage along (.536) is almost as high as Millar's OPS (Slugging + On base percentage) (.548). David Ortiz, Tony Graffanino, Manny Ramirez, and ROBERTO PETAGINE all have higher slugging percentages in August than Millar's OPS. The only player on the entire team with a lower slugging percentage than Kevin Millar in August? Alex Cora. Even Jose Cruz Jr, the player the Red Sox CUT LOOSE, had a higher slugging percentage than Kevin Millar. Please don't say Kevin Millar is "not so bad as of late." He's been as horrible as any player in Major League Baseball.

I'm a fan of Adam Stern. Sure, he's struggled offensively, but it's a VERY difficult task to play as infrequently as he does, and if you'll notice, VERY few players succeed without a lot of playing time. He's shown already a great glove, a solid arm, and speed on the basepaths. Like any rookie, he's made some mistakes that show his inexperience, and isn't as good as Dave Roberts in the basestealing department, but I think he's a great player to have on the team. He adds an element that this team lacks: Speed. I think he'll only get better with regard to hitting and baserunning skills, and he's already very good in the field. If Johnny Damon doesn't resign, I expect him to get a long look in Spring Training. The organization is very high on Adam Stern, which usually means he'll get more than enough chances to prove himself (see Millar, Bellhorn, etc).

I thought Gonzalez was best suited to make this start, just because it seemed the organization was bent on not only limiting Papelbon's innings for the rest of the season, but also getting him prepared for contributing to the Red Sox as a reliever for the end of the season. Seems to me like he isn't going to be a starter for the remainder of the season, because the team still wants to limit his workload. Maybe they're calling him up now so he'll be on the roster before August 31st and eligable for the playoffs? Just a thought. Papelbon was very good against Minnesota and hopefully will have a good start against the Tigers. Looks like this kid has a bright future (knock on wood)

Why is this even up for debate? Kevin Millar is the second worst offensive first basemanin the game. He's among the bottom 5 defensive first baseman. He's very slow and very fat. I've said this 100 times before, I believe Kevin Millar is the fattest singles hitter in the history of the game. He's completely worthless. There is absolutely no logical reason why Kevin Millar should waste a roster spot for even one more day. However, to my incredible dissapointment, Theo and Terry not only waste a roster spot, but 4-5 outs a game on this guy. How many times do we need to re-hash: Kevin Millar can't play defense. Kevin Millar doesn't hit in the clutch. Kevin Millar doesn't hit in the playoffs. Kevin Millar can't hit on the road. Kevin Millar can't run. The fact that he's worth keeping around for his clubhouse presense is absolute BS. Ortiz and Manny Ramirez are loose enough for the whole team. The last thing this team needs is another dumbass slogan like "Cowboy up" or "team of idiots." Just go out there and play the game. Kevin Millar is not a major league player, and doesn't deserve at bats on a contender. s***, he doesn't deserve at bats on ANY TEAM, let alone a team with a real shot at making the playoffs. The day the Red Sox finally get rid of Kevin Millar will be at least two years too late.

He's already on the 40 man roster. http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/roster_40man.jsp?c_id=bos

Johnny Damon still feels some effects from that collision, and that was almost 2 years ago. Head and neck injuries can be very serious. Mike Cameron is an extremely lucky man because he could have very easily been killed or paralyzed by such a collision. My heart goes out to Mike and his family. Get well soon Cameron!

That reminds me of a certain other AL East team. Adding a bunch of veterans, hoping at least one pans out? eek. The thought terrifies me.

Texas' pitching sucks. Game 1: Draw -- Wow. Way back Wadin vs a reliever pushed into starting? Ouch. I smell a 15-14 type game here. Game 2: Advantage Texas -- Chris Young is Texas' best arm right now it seems. Leiter's off and on, and Texas is a damn good lineup. Game 3: Advantage Yankees -- Mussina's been their best healthy pitcher this year. Game 4: Advantage Yankees -- Chacon's been awesome for the Yankees so far. Benoit got hammered by the Sox, and the Yankees have a better offensive attack.

I'm all for Gabe Kapler getting more playing time and Millar getting less. I know Gabe can't play first, but there's absolutely no reason why Millar should play right field with Kapler in the fold. NONE. Considering Gabe got robbed last night of a homer.... he's already got half as many homers as Millar, despite the fact that he doesn't get enough playing time.

Wright I believe is supposed to start next Tuesday. I also believe the opponent will be the Devil Rays.

I've got to agree with SFOC here. There's such a huge difference between college ball and major league baseball that VERY VERY few players make the leap without playing in the minors. That's why when a guy like John Olerud did it, it was a big deal. Even the top picks spend some time in the minor leagues. Being a college player, Hansen should be ready before the top High School picks, but there's still an adjustment period. And just like SFOC said-- the main thing is the mental aspect of it. You don't want to ruin a talent like Craig Hansen by throwing him in the Major Leagues before he's ready. And now that he's under the control of the Red Sox system, they can watch him every day, and get the best feel for WHEN that will be. It COULD be as a September callup, but it seems next season is a more accurate estimate.

White Sox get a run on Rivera. Impressive.

A pretty good game and pitcher's duel so far. 1-1 in the seventh. Aaron Small pitching VERY well for the Yankees.

Absolutely true. It's important to understand that Selig made the 20 game decision, and upon Rogers' apeal, it was upheld. Major League Baseball is not responsible for the reduction in the suspension and has no choice in the matter. That's why Bud Selig was so freaking pissed off today. Personally, I think it's a shame. Kenny Rogers assaulted two cameramen, had a penalty laid out, and he should have paid his penalty. That having been said, hopefully Red Sox fans give him the welcome he deserves and boo the hell out of him.

Couldn't have said it better myself. The Red Sox have blown much bigger leads in much less time in the past. Yes, it's fun that we're in first, and have been for 3 weeks-- if you don't count the 1 day the Yankees were in first we've been in first for 6 weeks. But the only important thing is how you finish. The Yankees have admirably stayed in the hunt DESPITE some pretty major injuries. If they can get Pavano and RJ healthy, and guys like Chacon and Small fill in at the back end of the rotation, it won't matter that they wasted so much money on Wright and Brown, because they'll have enough to win in September and October.

It's a joke to me that you're calling the Yankees a joke regarding their ability to comptete. Despite all the injuries they've sustained (Mussina is the only healthy pitcher right now), they're easily within striking distance of botht he division and the wild card. That having been said, the Yankee clubhouse does seem like a circus right now and I can understand why Moyer wouldn't want to be a part of it.... but if I were him I'd take the opportunity just because I'd be pitching in meaningful games again.

I take my Tony G comment back, I was unaware of his injury. That having been said, there are other examples. Kevin Youkilis has done nothing but hit hit hit when he's in the lineup, yet he gets shuttled back and forth between Boston and Pawtucket. The Red Sox show NO PATIENCE with Jose Cruz Jr, who had a rough start in Boston, yet they continue to play Millar despite the fact that he's horrendous. Terry's decision making process is astoundingly confusing. That sheep picture idea seems very likely... although it took an injury to get Bellhorn out of the lineup, so it seems like this is what Terry does. He also stuck with Kevin last year when he sucked, only this year he sucks more than ever. And playing the hot hand? Kapler's been VERY good since coming to Boston. He's been red hot. He's a better defender than fatass, yet he still rides the pine while Millar embarasses himself and the organization on the field every day.

Moyer's kind of a moron. If I'm Moyer, 42 years old, rotting away in Seattle, and a playoff contender wants me to potentially add something to a playoff run, I take it. Who cares if they don't extend my contract. This is why they play the game, to make the playoffs. Seattle stopped playing meaningful games MONTHS ago, and the Yankees are in the thick of the divisional race and also the Wild Card. This was his ticket out of Seattle, and he turned it down?

Petagine's been OK so far for the Red Sox. 6 games is hardly a great measure of how he'll do at the big league level, but he's been solid so far. 6 RBIs in 6 games, he doesn't strike out a lot (2 K's in 14 ABs) and his ability to hit the ball hard the other way is certainly a good sign. I don't think he's as good as John Olerud, so when John comes back he'll likely be headed to Pawtucket, but I won't lose any sleep over Roberto taking time from Kevin Millar. Of course, nobody on this board should be surprised that I just said that. Of course, my heart stops every time I see Kevin playing the outfield, so if getting Petagine in the game means seeing Millar in Right or Left field, I'm against it. Terry Francona mentioned playing the "hot player" when he talks about his platoon situations, but he doesn't back up his words with his actions. Graffanino was rewarded for his great game on Monday by being benched last night. Petagine had 2 RBIs last night, which will probably mean a benching soon.

Gonzalez is the best option here. He's got starting experience, held his own as a starter for the most part earlier this year, and has been a battler for the Sox this season. In fact, I think he already pitched against Detroit this season and pitched well (5 innings, 3 runs). This is why Gonzalez is on the roster. He can pitch in long relief, blowout games, or spot start in an emergency. This would qualify as an emergency IMO. Schilling will not start that game. The organization has been adament that Schilling is the closer until Foulke returns to form. If Foulke doesn't return to form this season, Schilling is the closer for the season. Papelbon will not start the game. The Red Sox are not only limiting his inning count (like I think sarasoxfan said), but are also looking for him to help the team out of the bullpen this season. Throwing him into a spot start would screw up that plan, and the Red Sox always plan things ahead. I wouldn't put it past the team to call up an emergency starter ala DiNardo or even Alvarez, but for right now I say they throw Jeremi Gonzalez.

Edgar's here for the duration of his 4 year contract. For the reasons below: 1. The organization is high on him. 2. Hanley Ramirez is NOT ready. 3. He's a very solid offensive player. 4. He makes some very difficult plays look easy. 5. He's the Red Sox best option at shortstop. You say they could do better, who? Orlando Cabrera? Sorry, Orlando was one of my favorite players last year, but he's struggled even more than Edgar has this season. 6. Even if Hanley were ready (which he's not), Edgar has said he'd change positions (third base, anyone) 7. Let's say, for the sake of argument, that Hanley was tearing up the league, and the team was prepared to trade Edgar to make room. What would they get for him? He's overpriced at $10 million a year, and his value on the trade market would not be very high. So frankly, it makes more sense to the team to either switch Hanley's primary position (which they may be in the process of doing as he is playing a bunch of different positions in AA), or switch Edgar's position when Hanley is ready. Edgar is worth more to the Red Sox playing here than he ever could be as trade bait for the Red Sox. He's a keeper for the duration of his contract.

Because this team cannot depend on Manny and Papi to carry them all the time. I believe it was Rob Neyer who said it best when someone asked him why Kevin Millar's non production was such an issue (and I'm paraphrasing here since I don't have access to his stuff): Since productive first baseman grow on trees, you're doing your team a disservice by playing some so un productive. I still have yet to hear anyone give me one good reason why Kevin Millar shouldn't be manning the Hot Dog stand instead of playing first base every day. Fact: He's in the bottom 5 in defensive first baseman. Fact: He's in the bottom 2 in offensive first baseman. Fact: He's an annoying loudmouth. Fact: He doesn't hit in the clutch. Fact: He doesn't hit on the road. Fact: He's very slow. I wish I had the time to look this up, but I still contend that he's the fattest singles hitter in the history of the game. It really is a shame that they've had a better offensive player who wouldn't cost them defensively shuffled between Pawtucket and Boston 4 times now.