ksushi

Lester is working on things right now. Those kinks that led to a bad ML out put are getting hammered out in AAA. Hence the bad outings. What he is doing in AAA is fine tuning. Thats why he isn't getting innings, thats why he isn't getting results. They did it to Hansen too. He started a game, he pitched in relief the next day, he threw all change ups and fastballs for awhile. They're building these kids up.

I'm sorry, but are you a scout?

I don't think lester is a guy who you move. He has way too much potential. We'll see what he can do after the all star break. I'm confident he will impress.

I think you're reaching here. Sure, we'd love to have Arroyo, but I think going forward, we would much rather have Pena. Even if people want to write him off right now, in a few years that could be looked at as a steal. Arroyo was a good pitcher, but nothing to write home about. Papelbon will be stretched out once Foulke starts closing and he will be in the rotation. Its not a big issue really. Not having Wells is a blessing in disguise.

I didn't say he is gonna be Johan, I said look at how Johan starteed out. Early results mean nothing. Nothing. There is absolutely no indication that Lester was a flash in the pan. Sure, he might not be the next great pitcher out there, but do you know how valuable it would be to have a home grown, inexpensive #3 starter? If thats all he is, thats still very good. And think of the upside this guy has. You don't trade that because that can allow you to do so many things with your payroll. If you have youre 1-2-3 locked up and relatively inexpensive with Beckett, Papelbon and Lester, your 4 and 5 starters can be brought in via free agency, and you can put together the best rotation in baseball. Not to mention the FO has done a great job at stocking young bullpen arms, which are also a rare commodity. Keeping these guys is essential. I don't think I would be in a rush to trade Lester anywhere. In a deal for Willis, if its right, I'd think about it, sure. But rushing into it is a bad idea. All indications point to Lester being a good pitcher. He has the chance to be a great pitcher.

I think you're being ridiculous. He's got a 3.86 ERA in pawtucket, and he had a bad spring, and you're ready to say that one of the top prospects in all of baseball is garbage that no one should take a chance on. You're also the guy who wanted Francona to go to the bullpen in like the 4th inning of todays game. You're a little premature. Just breathe for a little while. The kid is a fine prospect, and yes, his problems are quite minor. Just because he let up a lot of runs in the spring doesn't mean hes a bad player. I'd like to find some of the things you said about Papelbons spring. I bet you were calling for him to be traded too. Tipping your pitches can do a lot of damage and throwing 5 mph slower out of the stretch can hurt you too. He had a good spring stuff wise and when he got into trouble he did battle back some, but usually the damage was already done. He made ortiz throw his bat in batting practice and his curve had a lot of people bailing out, especially righties. He will contribute this year. He will be in a role, similar to Papelbon last year, after this all star break. To say he won't contribute until he is 26 or 27 is ridiculous.

I think he was a good prospect. The Braves system is loaded and I remember people being surprised that the Sox were able to get him.

I don't really think its a matter of exposure. I think the kid can flat out play.

I'm sorry, but everything you saw is short sighted and boring. You give up on people so fast. Lester is an exceptional prospect. I want you to go and take a look at how Greg Maddux started in the Major Leagues. Then look up how Johan Santana did in his first two years. Relax. It was his first time facing competition that good. Most scouts say Lester is more polished than Papelbon. Maybe the kid doesn't have the kind of stones Papelbon does. Everything I read from the coaches and players say there were minor details about him that let him get hammered. He was tipping his pitches, he wasn't throwing well out of the stretch. Minor things that come out when you pitch in the major leagues that might not neccessarily show up in the minors. He is a very good prospect. His stock isn't dropping. Don't be like every other Red Sox fan out there and think only in the here and now, like all the people whining about the Pena deal.

... Why is everyone back to thinking the Red Sox are a bad team? One david wells fiasco, and one bad inning from Matt Clement and everyone is back on the blue jays band wagon.

I love Stern, people have bad days, I think he is a huge plus for this team. My problem was with Cora batting 2nd and playing for Loretta. Made no sense.

My problem was with Loretta getting the day off. Cora cannot hit second.

Why? That doesn't make sense. I don't care who it is, if he is as good as Clemens I would sign Bill Clinton. Who cares! Clemens is still a great pitcher. Any great pitcher is welcome.

I don't think it should be two, Ichiro scored after striking out. That isn't earned.

How many of Wakes runs were earned? 1?

I was impressed with Wily Mo's AB.

Wake has been great, no one is allowed to say we only have two starters anymore. Sure he hits his bad patches, but Wake is a rock. Tito really let him down this afternoon.

That ball girl is really hot. She has been the best part of this whole game.

Our offense this year isn't going to be like this. This is a terrible f***ing lineup. It seems like Terry always wants to give guys days off. Our offense will be more than respectable this year, but this is ridiculous.

I'm so goddamn angry about our lineup right now. Cora in the two hole is an absolute joke. Tito really blew this one.

Great AB for stern.

For Papi? More like Cora and Stern... a bad grounder and a strike out ends this inning. Yeah, yeah, the glass is half empty.

This has been a really great start by wake. Kinda dissappointed the lineup can't give him anyting to show for it right now.

Did they go to the pen or did wakefield pitch the 7th? I had to eat some lunch so i didn't watch.

Bard is blowing up, Wake isn't. What is with everyone being down on Wake? All over the radio people are expressing concern with Wakefield and Manny. If you know what anyone is gonna do this year, you know what those two will do. You know manny will hit, and you know Wake will give the sox a chance in most every game and keep a low 4 ERA. Terry Francona took the sox out of this game, not Wake. If you pitch Wakefield, put in a good hitters lineup to back wakefield. Don't put in this girl scout troop with Cora hitting second, christ.