SchillingIsTheNatural

Despite the fact Papelbon has 1 career save lets consider everyone needs to start somewhere. Houston Street went into last season with 0 career saves... A couple others included Brian Fuentes who didn't see many save opportunities and Derrick Turnbow..... Sooner or later you have to get your feet wet. Some take to the opportunity and some don't. I still feel in the end Jonathan Papelbon will be in the rotation and Craig Hansen will be the closer. However, it is possible those two could switch. The Red Sox did say they would be interested in the possibility of turning Hansen into a starter. Papelbon did close in college. Its tough to say what the future holds but at the present I like the idea of not giving away wins. We did that too often last season and because of that....we did not come in 1st place. All games count even this early in the season. The Red Sox had an opportunity to take the first series and they did it with the guys who looked the best thus far. Long season and Foulke could show something later but its been a while since I had confidence in him. I agree with elsrbueno that Foulke won't see much time unless the game is out of reach. I'm not interested in him giving up games while trying to get his game in order. Excactly what Tito mentioned

Considering there is so much talk about it we should discuss as well. Obviously everyone should know at this time, Keith Foulke was passed up for Jonathan Papelbon to close the game out the other night. Papelbon faced three batters, threw 11 pitches, and struck out two. My thoughts.... Why does Keith Foulke have to be a "closer"? Considering the results last season and his short time in spring training I never thought he should have regained that title in the first place. Francona did a good job deciding right from the beginning he will not lose games just because of past performances. I think Foulke has a good chance to get his stuff back if he relaxes and goes through the motions and effort that is required of him. Even if he can't take back the closer roll in Boston I would hope he can be a guy we rely on to come in and throw some shut out innings. At this point I can see this team surviving without Keith Foulke. Papelbon as the closer with Timlin the main setup man. We still haven't seen Tavarez and that goes to show you how deep the pitching is. I guess what I'm saying is in the end if Foulke can come back from this and show he can still pitch....its a bonus to the Red Sox....no longer life or death By the way for those who don't like Francona....he said all the right things to the media and made one of his better coaching moves last night. He really needed to show loyalty is not always an option over results.

that was a thing of beauty...two of the young guns come out and throw some heat.....didn't see much of that all last year...excellent excellent game

Just wanted to say....Keith Foulke looks like crap....start thinking about Papelbon as the closer Everything was hit hard....not impressed

Thought I would bring up the buzz on this one again.... Roger Clemens met with the Red Sox front office for an hour at Texas. He talked to the media and even mentioned the Red Sox. It was mostly the same stuff he had been saying all along but it was still interesting that he talked about it.

That is extremely encouraging. If he can be the same closer he was a couple seasons ago this Red Sox team has the ability to win the AL East. Possibly a better pitching staff than 2004.

Anyone watch him pitch against the Yankees last night? I can tell you how excited I am about this guy. He's completely in control when he gets on the mound. The last batter he faced had a full count and I knew the slider was coming....sure enough slider on the outside corner....completely froze the batter. Great stuff to watch. According to one of the YES announcer...he talked to Francona in which Tito said "they are not even thinking about Hansen" at this time. I agree and think thats a smart move. Let Hansen go to AAA and dominate...then bring him up when his arm strength peaks and his confidence is way up.

You have no idea what Sox Fan on Cape has done for this site. Calling him a "jackass" is not needed...you are dealing with one of the top members who is the most unselfish person I have ever come across.... ..in short.....shut up

Although I'm sad to see a great competitor in Bronson Arroyo leave we just aquired a very young powerful bat. Interesting though that Willy Mo Pena will have to become a 4th outfielder. Of course we all know he will see plenty of time due to the fact he will platoon with Trot Nixon. I like the young direction our outfield is heading with 26 year old Coco Crisp and 24 year old Willy Mo Pena. Excellent trade for the Red Sox! I would like to say the following: Bronson Arroyo has been one of my favorite pitchers and Red Sox players for the last couple seasons. He may not be the most gifted pitcher but he is a competitor and one of the big reasons the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004. Good luck in Cincinnati, I'll be cheering for you.

Looks like I called this one.... Again it does no harm allowing him to come in and fight for a job. If he shows something from the previous Juan Gonzalez its a huge bonus. If he shows that he can no longer compete at the major league level then so be it. I still stick by my title to this thread in that he is worth a try.

Now I could be wrong but didn't Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer have fantastic weapons in there college careers?? I think they did.....but they also knew how to utilize them well. Passing the ball for 3556, 3322, 3815 yards, never throwing double digit INTs, and QB ratings of 164.46, 156.54, 157.74 throughout your college career with NFL intangibles while running a pro style offense.....thats pretty damn good.... So if Vince Young doesn't have the brains or passing efficiency of Matt Leinart what does he have?? Does anyone honestly think Vince Young's speed will save him?? Place great weapons around Vince Young and I predict he mis-uses them while Matt Leinart gets everything he can out of them.

The wonderlic scores have been announced. At this time I can't find a link that has a complete listing of the scores. The two I did see included Vince Young's official second test score of 15. Meanwhile Matt Leinart posted a respectable 35 on the test. I'm trying to find Jay Cutler's score but so far no luck. This should put to rest most arguments that Vince Young should be taken over Matt Leinart. Leinart has the atheltic ability, clear understanding of an NFL offense, and leadership skills that excel over Vince Young.

I still stick by what I said....Daunte Culpepper is one of the worst decision making QBs in the game. Having to deal with the Patriots defensive scheme will not bold well for him. The AFC East is never an easy division and he will struggle.

One of the real problems with spring training is knowing what players are doing. Jonathan Papelbon was pitching to get his arm strength up but not really pitching the way he would in a game. The stats in spring training can be incredibly mis-leading. Mike Lowell is probably working on his swing and trying some stuff to get his act together. Thats one of the reasons he is getting so many at-bats this spring so he can work on stuff. On March 13th it is not a concern.....by June-July if he is batting around .230 it is a problem. Baseball is not about 20 at-bats in spring training. Its about the 500 at-bats he will see in the season.

We had a bunch of lame pitchers going today. Nobody of too much interest but the one interesting note....Hanley Ramirez went 3-3 against us including a triple.

I'll be the first to admit I may have been wrong. I was not a Adam Stern fan and I ripped him apart saying I didn't think the kid could hit or field that well. After watching that performance the kid has some serious gutts. I still have my doubts but I loved the attitude I saw from him and he looked like a team leader for Canada.....I like that a lot.

I was thinking the exact same thing. He has speed but he stuggles on getting a jump. Hopefully the Red Sox can work with him on that. Technically he is the fastest player in our lineup.

Adding to Coco's debut he went 3-3 today against Baltimore with a stolen base. Doing well so far.

Nice to see Papelbon post a better game. His second time around still gave up some hits but I hear he looked better. I would expect him to continue getting stronger in the Spring with every game he plays. Its great to see Cla Meredith pitch well, we just continue to get better pitching out of our young guys and if Rudy Seanez and Riske want to pitch like this in the regular season we will have some room for them. Once again Coco Crisp goes 3-3 with a stolen base....think he is pumped for the season or what?? Meanwhile Manny shows some hits while David Ortiz crushes two homers against Venezuela (one against Johan Santana).....I'm beyond ready for this season to start.

Someone will have to get moved. I have a hard time seeing the Red Sox go into the season with 12 pitchers. The tough thing is we don't really need anything. Our position players are set, we have too many starters, and a full bullpen. Perhaps we could package two players for one. Either two pitchers for a top reliever or a position player with a pitcher for an upgraded position player. Ideas.....??

As far as Ellsbury he has a chance to be a fantastic leadoff hitter. I think Coco is an excellent player but I'm not sold that he is a great leadoff guy. In the future I wouldn't be suprised to see Coco move over to left or right field and Ellsbury taking over in the middle.

I'm not sure why everyone is still going on about Alfonso Soriano?? Didn't the Nationals make a different deal for some crap pitcher while the Red Sox laughed about wanting Soriano. I'd rather have too many pitchers than too many infielders. If we are going to deal a pitcher I would wait for a team to become desperate and give us a good prospect. Our current team is full but you could always continue to stock up the farm.

Here is what I see...the outfield consists of: Manny Ramirez, Coco Crisp, Trot Nixon, Dustan Mohr, Adam Stern, Willie Harris, David Murphy, Brandon Moss. Both Brandon Moss and David Murphy need to work in Pawtucket for the time being. Adam Stern in my opinion is worthless. He can't hit, run that well, and isn't anything amazing on defense. Willie Harris has some speed but I'm not sure what else. Dustan Mohr sucked in COLORADO and never did much in his early career. We don't really have a decent #4 outfielder. So what would be wrong with giving Juan a chance to make the team? If he shows he is in good shape and is hitting the ball well.....thats one hell of a platoon partner or pinch hitter. It may be wishful thinking but looking at the roster right now I say give him a shot. I can understand people complaining about Juan Gonzo taking up a roster spot....but I'll complain if we have Adam Stern, Willie Harris, or Dustan Mohr taking up a spot when none of them are very good. one other thing....if it turns out part way through the season he sucks....we should get Kapler back by that time

I read somewhere that the Red Sox were looking at Juan Gonzalez. I'm aware of his physical problems and his age but he can still hit lefty pitchers. He certainly wouldn't play a lot but if Dustan Mohr can't produce as a replacement for Trot Nixon maybe its worth giving Gonzo at least a workout?? Whats everyone think?? I'm also curious if he is a locker room problem? I've never heard it but maybe someone has an idea about the former MVPs attitude. I'm also curious if he is friends with Manny since they were on the Guardians?

Two egos that clash?? Could you imagine placing the ego of Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez together...that would never have worked out either.... It wouldn't have made any difference because its impossible to get a whole team on the same page. In the end they both would have done damage pitching the baseball and in the end thats what matters. Almost every baseball player has (to some extent) and ego...you need it to stay confident and sharp.