MANNYHOF24

I will be sick If Matt Clement has to start a game for the Boston Red Sox in 2007 or ever again. This guy shrinks under pressure and has never pitched well in the second half. If we can get anything at all for this guy, we have to do it. Although I highly doubt that we can get anything more than a bag of balls for this guy.

The first game is at 7:00 and its on Nesn. Dice-K first start agaisnt B.C. is also on Nesn i think.

02/23/2007 4:36 PM ET Notes: Sox unveil early exhibition plan Schilling, Gabbard, Beckett, Matsuzaka to start first three days By Ian Browne / MLB.com Curt Schilling will take the mound Wednesday night against the Twins. (Brita Meng Outzen/MLB.com) Related Links FORT MYERS, Fla. -- While stressing that the regular-season rotation has not been finalized just yet, Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell unveiled an early exhibition plan that could well be a preview of the way Boston opens the season in Kansas City. In the first three days of Grapefruit League action, Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka will all take the ball. Schilling will open the exhibition season by drawing the Wednesday night start at home against the Twins. The following day, lefty Kason Gabbard will take the bus ride to Dunedin to face the Blue Jays, while Beckett kicks off his spring that night at home against Northeastern University. Meanwhile, the Sox kept with their earlier plan of giving Matsuzaka his unofficial unveiling in the Friday, March 2 night game against Boston College. Swingman Kyle Snyder will pitch earlier that day against the Blue Jays at City of Palms Park. The other two members of the starting five -- Tim Wakefield and Jonathan Papelbon -- will split the March 3 home game against the Phillies. Wakefield will pitch the first two innings and Papelbon will get the third and fourth inning. "Each starter will go two innings pretty much their first time out, and we'll look to add an inning from that point forward," said Farrell, who announced the pitching alignment because manager Terry Francona was out with the flu. All five starters are expected to come back on three days' rest the first time around the rotation, and that will change once the workload increases. Closing time: In order to best gauge the closer competition, Farrell said that the four top candidates will get their work by the fifth or sixth inning during the early games. That way, the quartet will be facing mostly starting players on the opposition. The four men competing for the job -- Mike Timlin, Joel Pineiro, Julian Tavarez and Brendan Donnelly -- all pitched live batting practice for the first time on Friday. Hansack could emerge: One pitcher who bears watching over the course of Spring Training is right-hander Devern Hansack, who came out of nowhere to make two late-season starts for the Sox in 2006. Hansack is being used in the bullpen this spring, and he could be in line to win a job. "From a physical standpoint, he's got a live arm, he's got the ability to throw a breaking ball and at times, an above-average breaking ball for strikes," said Farrell. "I think the one thing that stands out in Tito's mind and Theo's [Epstein] mind -- and many others' -- is just the way he responded to the atmosphere last year in September. Albeit [it was] September, but still it was his first exposure to the Major League level and he seemed to handle that very well." For those who don't remember, Hansack pitched five no-hit innings for the Red Sox in the rain-shortened finale to the regular season. It did not count as a no-hitter, as per fairly recent changes to the rulebook. Two lefties? A year ago, the Red Sox had a hard enough time finding one reliable lefty reliever. This year, there are a bunch of them in camp. J.C. Romero and Hideki Okajima are the front-runners. Javy Lopez and Kason Gabbard are also in the mix. And Craig Breslow, who had a solid year at Triple-A Pawtucket in 2006, is a dark horse. Farrell seems to like the idea of having two lefties. "I'm not trying to speak for [Francona], but from a pitching recommendation and game usage, you look at having just one lefty in the bullpen, it can handcuff the manager sometimes," said Farrell. "[it's tough to know] when to use him or not to use him, or pick the right situation. I think, first and foremost, the secondary lefty has to be able to get a right-hander out, because you don't want to get caught in a left-right-left part of the lineup." Sick skipper: Francona, who hates to miss work, did just that Friday. It was the second day in a row the manager felt ill with the flu. Because Thursday was the first full-squad workout, Francona was able to grind through it. On Friday, he got a respite. According to Farrell, Francona's temperature was over 100. Breaking out the clubs: The Red Sox got off the field an hour earlier than usual Friday, so they could play in a charity golf tournament. Among the participants was Daisuke Matsuzaka, who had no problem playing to the adoring crowd while belting out an impressive tee shot on the first hole. Wakefield, probably the best golfer on the Red Sox, also played.

He has never said he hates Boston and doesnt want to play here. I dont think he likes the harassing Boston media. Manny prepares and works harder than anyone on the team. Last year Manny had a serious injury. Patella Tendnitous has the potential to end a career, so whats the point of playing with it when the team has no shot of winning? Anyone who says that they wouldnt mind if the sox traded Manny just dont understand the game of baseball. The redsox will always benefit for having Manny far greater than Manny being a hinderance to this team. Im sick and tired of the medias B.S. trying to run Manny out of town.

well the last six weeks of the season he missed. I do believe the injury was legit though. But the if the guy played the whole season he would have had 45 hrs and driven in 135 runs. So ill take Mannys B.S if Manny's B.S. even exists.

This guy has no real source, he doesnt understand Manny's value to the red sox and is just blowing steam out of his ass.

good if he pitches well the Red Sox will pay him, if he doesnt Lester will probally be ready and we can look to FA or a trade to fill the rotation.

so, it has no movement at all?

His agent told Nesn sports desk last night that it was untrue. However, I really dont even care as long as he shows up next thursday.

There is no reason to give Schill a contract before he takes the mound this spring. If he shows that he can still bring it, then they will extend him.

I still think Paps is a long shot for the closers role, but I wouldnt rule it out. If he can stay healthy he could end up being one of the best closers the game has seen.

I doubt much sleep was actually taking place if you know what Im saying... OHH Snap

{This is so unlike Manny}- sarcasm

What Foulke did in the 04 post season is legendary in my mind. Its too bad injuries have derailed his career since then. Thanks for the W.S.

haha

I really think we are better than the Guardians, I mean we have a better rotation and their bullpen is a question ,mark just like ours. I also think the lineups are similar.

I know there is alot of discussion about this in other threads but I wanted to see what everyone thinks. We all know there are two options: Coco Crisp and Youk. Crisp has the speed but a low OBP, and Youk gets on a ton. Although he has no speed, I think we just need guys to get on in front of David and Manny. I think Youk should bat 2nd and Crisp should bat ninth where he can get on and run with Lugo and Youk at the plate. Having speed at 9th makes more sense then having speed hitting 2nd in this Lineup.

How old do you think Thumper is? 10? 12?

They will change the rule because of Pedro and Manny. Also in this ERA of Free agency what player stays on one team for 10 years, the rules will be changed and both 24 and 45 will be out in RF.

no i got an email saying I didnt get selcted... for the third straight year

33-0 with a 0.00 Era 600Ks in 300 innings

Can you get pitchers?

If Beckett can post 16 wins with a 5.00 Era I think a 3.82 Era will get DiceK at least 15 wins.