MANNYHOF24

He may not be walking guys, but he has lost command of the corners. His biggest weapon used to be his FB painted on the outside corner against RHB. He has lost that over the past 2 seasons, IMO. He needs to rediscover that paint if he is ever to be the same pitcher again.

Totally wrong.

Yeah, your exactly right. In the years when I think he was best, 2008-2009 he threw the 4-seamer 55-60% of the time. Now he is down to 30%. I think since he has incorporated other fastballs, he has lost command of his best pitch, the 4 seamer on the corners.

I don't really buy the argument that the Red Sox FO brass would rather "build a brand" then field a winning team. It's not like they are not spending money on the team, they just need to do a better job of evaulating talent/medical records before handing out absurd contracts. The reason they had to be light spenders this offseason was the fact that they handed out 2 of the largest contracts in team history in the past year. They have so much money tied up in malcontents, it's not the fact that they arn't trying, it's the fact that they are trying but they suck at their jobs. That's what's concerning. That's why an 185 million dollar team is 43-43 at the all star break. It's funny, people will try to use the injury card to describe why the Red Sox suck this year, but that's ********. The offense is what has really be injured and they are SECOND in runs scored. It's the fact that Jon Lester, and Josh Beckett have been pitching like 3-5 starting pitchers all year. I really like what Buchholz had been doing prior to his problem, and I would expect him to continue to build off of that. Honestly, this is really all Lester and Beckett's fault. If they pitched like they even did last year (not even up to their career years) the Red Sox would be close to first place right now. Period.

It's gotten laughable, I'm not even pissed off anymore... It's almost like I don't even care anymore.

Jon Lester has been a basket full of disappointment this season.

With the emergence of Aaron Cook (need to see more), Franklin Morales, and to a lesser extent DiceK, what should the Red Sox rotation look like when Buchholz gets healthy? Should the sox consider a 6 man rotation? That still leaves one odd man out though... Usually I have been against a 6 man rotation, but with how fragile our pitching has been, and the fact that no one has really be so dominant that you need him to go every 5 days, I think they should consider it. Realistically I think this is what we are looking at down the stretch: Beckett Lester Buchholz Morales Doubront Cook/DiceK Looking at contracts, DiceK will probably get the shot to remain in the rotation. However, if he continues to pitch well he might actually be a good trade chip at the deadline, getting us bullpen help or a good utility guy. What say you pink hat nation?

Bad news blue jays.

Woah, huge break for the Red Sox

"President of the I would bang Clay Buchholz's wife club"

I think if Youk gets his mind right and his body gets a little healthier there is no reason why he couldn't be a .800-.850 OPS guy for the white sox for the next couple of years. Youk hasn't really had the opportunity to get into a rythm all year long, with the initial injury and all of the Bobby V controversy and trade talk. He OPS'd .833 last year, and for a big chunk of the season (may-july) he was over .900. Youk was a big part of why the Red Sox were the best team in baseball during the middle of the season last year, I think that gets overlooked. It's too bad how fast his career seemingly fell apart though. He had MVP type years in 2008 and 2009, followed by a start to 2010 which was better than the previous two years (.975 OPS). Then he injured his thumb, and he has been nagged by injuries ever since. Farewell Youk, your lineup presence and passion for the game will be missed.

I think this sums it up well, Ortiz- "Well, when you get your (expletive) kicked, fun is not a part of it," he said. "But when you're winning and you play a good game, there is hope."

Buster Olney sucks, it seems to me like the media is desperate for the Red Sox to completely fall apart. To me, it's ********. Once Crawford and Ellsbury come back, this team is going to start winning and all of this s*** will go away. I do think they need to resolve the Youkilis situation fast, or that COULD become a big problem. I just don't see it as that big of a clubhouse problem right now. If you read Becketts comments about the team actually getting along quite well, (going to dinner together, doing family activities, ect..) it just doesn't seem like a team that hates each other. The reason they have been mediocore, is because of the mediocrity of the talent that has been on the field this season, not clubhouse problems. To me, the pitching seems to be rounding into good form, the outfield is getting healthier day by day... The Red Sox should play well in the second half of the season. Let's not forget they are 22-14 since starting 12-19... Not too shaby for a team with this many injuries. Just imagine how good this lineup could be if A-GONZ ever finds his stroke.

DiceK is rolling

There is a much better chance of him getting the bunt down, then him being productive swinging the bat. It's not that dumb.

DiceK settling in to a nice 5 inning effort.

I'm sure that's exactly what they are thinking.

exactly how infuriating is it?

wow, I can't remember the last time DiceK confronted the umpire about balls and stikes... Guess he is taking a page out of Becketts book.

DiceK is 91-93, hitting 94 one 1 pitch so far.

I also think the Red Sox should try to package Nava into a deal with Kevin Youkilis and try to bring back a decent return. It would be in the Red Sox best interest to try to sell high on Nava before he crashes back to earth.