SchillingIsTheNatural

I just have this feeling that once this kid is given a spot start down the road he will take full advantage and never look back. I can't wait to see him at Fenway Park.

Matt Clement will last 7 innings.

Time to bring up Jon Lester

I would make that deal in a second. With Scott Shields you can move Jonathan Papelbon to the rotation. Willy Mo Pena would be a full time starter with Coco Crisp and Trot Nixon. Meanwhile you pick up two great minor leaguers with Howie Kendrick and Brandon Wood. i think Mike Lowell could be the cleanup hitter. ....I make that deal every time.

Matt Clement's ERA is at 6.31. The Red Sox have a fantastic defense. The team is full of leaders who can help out a young kid. Its May baseball and we are walking into the middle of the season. Clement hurt his leg and has a chance to miss a start...wouldn't it be a good time to give Lester a chance? Or should we just be happy with how Clement is doing and hope he can be a part of our playoff run. I would suggest looking for the best options so that when August-September hits...we have a chance to win a lot of games. You also mentioned Wang had no pressure......a player in New York who has no pressure....what?

How much are the Mets kicking themselves over that one.

I wouldn't go as far as saying Barry Zito is done. He hasn't lived up to the Cy Young numbers but its not like he is a bad pitcher. As for trading Jon Lester...eh I'd really like to give Lester a chance and see what he can do. Question...as a lefty with a low to mid 90s fastball, a cutter, changeup, and curveball....are we talking about Scott Kazmir? Like Scott Kazmir....Lester walks a fair amount of batters but has the stuff to strikeout a bunch as well. They sound real similar...I've seen plenty of Kazmir but only two outtings of Lester....anyone else think there is a possible comparison?

The names I have heard thus far include: Dontrelle Willis, Jason Schmidt, Barry Zito, Mark Prior, Oliver Perez, Livan Hernandez. Any others?? Out of those names the one that sticks out is Mark Prior for a couple reasons. First, it was only a couple years ago he was completely dominating everyone. He put up huge numbers and was fantastic in the postseason for the Cubs. Second, his price is down because of his shoulder injury. I'm not sure how bad the injury is but its something to look into. If there was ever a time to look into Mark Prior's availablility the time is now. I guess Jason Schmidt is intriguing as well but I have a feeling the Giants would want the world for him since they aren't out of the running and probably won't be cause that division is lame. From watching him his fastball has the same life it had before he was hurt.

I don't watch every baseball game there is....got other things to do. I also know the difference between a good pitcher and a bad pitcher. I also know the difference between talent and production. I'm fully aware of how Justin Verlander pitches and I'm not saying he isn't going to be an excellent pitcher. In fact he is already the best pitcher on the Detroit Tigers staff (in my opinion). Despite pitching against Minnesota, Seattle, Oakland, Kansas City...he has been fantastic. I am not going to take away from what Jonathan Papelbon has done though. He is the top closer in baseball at the moment (even if he does play for the Red Sox). I've seen both players pitch and I'd gladly take either. Down the road I honestly can't tell you who will be better.....depends how teams adjust to them. As far as Zumaya and Hansen I can't really say cause I have never seen Zumaya pitch. On a side note....with the success Liriano, Verlander, Papelbon, Cain (great game the other day), Loe....why do people still think Jon Lester can't help the Red Sox?? He is supposed to be around the category of those guys yet I still see people talk about him in the same sentence as Cla Meredith. He is not Cla Meredith, won't have the same career, so why are people afraid to use him?

I'm not sure if you noticed but...the Red Sox are always fighting for 1st so it doesn't matter when you bring him up. Did we work Papelbon in slowly or did he show up toward the end of the season when things were getting tight? Like Crespoblows said...if he can't rebound from a tough game then he has a soft confidence and you don't want a pitcher like that. He had some tough early outtings in AAA and he has bounced back...I wouldn't worry so much. Not to mention you can't compare Meredith to Lester...thats just silly. Jon Lester is not going to the bullpen. He has never worked out of the bullpen and that would screw him up more than promoting him to the Red Sox...so bad idea. Last season Jon Lester was on track with Papelbon and was the top pitcher in AA. Now he is throwing great game after great game in AAA....what more do you want?? Waiting for a complete game no hitter in Pawtucket?? I'm not sure what signs you or any other doubters are looking for....but I'll say this.... I saw plenty of signs from Matt Clement this year that shows he should not be on the Red Sox rotation. If a player with a 6.00+ ERA can have a spot on the rotation its not such a sacred position is it?? Lenny DiNardo was even given a spot for god sakes so lets not make it into something you have to earn to a great degree.

Unproven.....ok.....how do you become a proven prospect?? Following that philosophy these kids will never play. At one time Curt Schilliing, Josh Beckett, Jonathan Papelbon, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez......EVERYONE was unproven. Could Jon Lester pull a Cla Meredith?? Sure he could.....but didn't Matt Clement just post numbers last night worse than any game Cla Meredith has pitched?? Any player can have a bad game...even the so called "proven" veterans. Did Jon Lester struggle in spring training?? Yes he did but so did Josh Beckett in his first game. Jonathan Papelbon struggled in both spring trainings (2005, 2006). Its spring training....you can't base anything around it. You can base his performance in the minors however. Matt Clement is not the answer and I'm unimpressed by those who are happy with the status quo. I would like a rotation full of top pitchers....the White Sox had it last season...why can't we have it this season?

My thoughts exactly so instead of posting I will just agree. I would love for the Red Sox to just throw away Clement and give the kids a shot. I honestly think Jon Lester could hold up better than a 6.00+ ERA.

When I think of Barry Zito and Dontrelle Willis I think of a pitcher like David Wells or Derek Lowe in Boston. Neither are big strikeout pitchers and don't overpower hitters. I'm more interested in the pitchers like Josh Beckett, Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, etc....power pitchers....guys who have a cannon. On that note I'd be more interested talking about Jason Schmidt or Mark Prior. I don't know to a great extent on Prior's injury problems but I do know if there was ever a time to inquire and take a chance on him its now. Two years ago Mark Prior was on his way to being the best pitcher in baseball. He put up 245 K, 18 wins, and 211 innings. I wouldn't trade Jon Lester for him but there is a chance we could make a deal for Mark Prior. A couple years ago I could never imagine having Josh Beckett and Mark Prior on the Red Sox rotation. What was most impressive was his pitching line in the 2003 postseason.

well so much for this inning

terrible

Alright....we really need to get something on the board this inning.

I'm also noticing that Wakefield is always behind in the count.....throw more strikes

Jaret Wright is taking advantage of the crappy bats at the bottom of the lineup.....Wakefield has now let Andy Phillips reach base twice.

I don't understand how Francona can get away with this....if I was Tim Wakefield I would be pissed off. Get some better bats in the damn lineup. Nothing you can do with Mirabelli but Cora and Harris can't hit....its a guaranteed ground ball

That is pretty much the case. I'm not so upset from A-Gonzo to Cora....neither are great hitters. I heard Willy Mo Pena was dealing with a sore wrist but I didn't know he would have to sit out two games.

Ortiz has hit two bullets right at Yankees......is it going to be one of those days?

For once I would love to post some decent offensive numbers for Wakefield.

I was actually thinking the same thing. Perhaps the Red Sox are showcasing Alvarez and Delcarmen for potential trades this summer. Adam Stern was another player along with Van Buren.

I agree the odds were against him and he did get out of a tough jam in the beginning. Perhaps he deserves another shot but if David Wells can pitch well....then what? I still think the one pitcher in the minors who should be on the Red Sox is Manny Delcarmen. He can clearly dominate the minors and improved with every game he had with the Red Sox.

Nothing like blowing away Kansas City hitters. Deffinitly a great accomplishment. Meanwhile Papelbon continues to blow away everyone he faces.