seabeachfred

I believed we would be better than last year. I mean, who didn't? I also believed that what others were saying was true and that the AL East was going to be a crap shoot with Toronto in a slight lead, anything could happen. Right now the Red Sox have shown they are a resilient team and the spirit of the club seems to jump out at you in sharp contrast to that car wreck of a team last year. I don't like to key in certain players at the expense of others but so far it seems the team as a whole is infinitely better than the sum of its parts. It seems there is always a few of the crews picking up for others and that changed game after game. That said, I think we need to keep winning, get Buchholz back and upgrade our bullpen and get one additional starting pitcher. I also say anyone who at the present time is not pleased with the way the team is going is very hard to please.

My friend USER thinks the Angels are non-factor now but they are coming on and their lineup is scary. I really want to just concentrate on the Padres and that is what the Red Sox have to do----one game at a time but we have to admit the win tonight was terrific and Lackey was outstanding. That West Coast trip could be a real head buster but this year the team must be determined to go out there and take care of business and come home from it in first place. It's doable.

This all sounds nice, it really does, but will someone zero in on this year? Are we going to upgrade our bullpen, our starting rotation? Are we planning on trading young prospects for a ace like Lee, or do we go after the guy I want---Garza? He will cost us a helluva lot less, and here's one for you. The Dodgers just put Matt Gurrier (sic) on waivers. Two years ago he was considered a standout reliever. I wonder if we might trade for him, send him to Pawtucket and see if he cold be useful for us out of the bullpen. Someone either here or on Sawxheads or DirtDogs made the comment that Cherington never believed we would be in this position in what he believed was a bridge year. Well the AL East is wide open, and I think the AL is wide open and someone might be able to sneak in. Odds are against it being us but those odds may become shorter if we can continue to play solid baseball. What then will Cherington do?

Well USER I was trying not to wake the dead or stir up ghosts. The Angels just swept the Tigers and Astros in quick succession, and, what's more, we have to play them three times this weekend. I'm skitty enough about these things that I don't want to hex ourselves before we play them in Anaheim. As for the non-factor, at present you are right as they are nine behind both the Rangers and A's and would have to climb over both of them to win the division. Still that lineup worries me; they could at any time explode in a fury and bury people----and hopefully not at us over the weekend.

In my opinion Pal we need to consider making a move very very soon. The AL East is very tight and we aren't a shoo in as a WC should we finish second. I know AL East Titles and the Red Sox is like an oxymoron but we really can't take any chances in missing the playoffs again. There is a lot of parity in the league and we have seen strong teams like the Tigers stumble in key series already, the Angels are still struggling somewhat, the Yankees are blowing hot and cold at the present time while the Orioles look damn dangerous to me, and they just traded for Scott Feldman. If Cherington thinks we have a chance at anything this season I think he needs to move quickly on this.

Not a bad new format yeszir. I did have a moment or two trying to navigate it but I got over my senior moments. As for Middlebrooks, we must not give up on him. Players sometimes recede in their second year when pitchers learn to adjust to them and in Will's case, he was overcoming a serious injury. We do not have a first baseman in our organization worthy of the name and I think it should make the Red Sox think of either moving WMB there or maybe Boegarts, unless Bogey might be put in the outfield where there isn't a lot of power in the minor league horizon either.

The way you paint it, sure, if those things happen we ought to be in decent shape, but what if this thing with Buchholz drags on and on, or we see another physical breakdown with him later in the year? Are we at all certain that Lester will come back, or that Lackey is all the way back? Can we really count on Doubrant to pitch consistently for us from here on in? What if an injury strikes us in the starting rotation? Is DLR ready; is Webster ready? I ask these questions because they are questions I'm sure and others must have thought about. And, this I really think I do know.....we need another reliever or two. I just don't Bailey is cut out to get the job done, and I'm not sure he thinks he can.

And some say we never disagree on anything Ted. I like Garza and think he is maybe just what we need. Look at it this way; he right now would only be a rental and would not cost us an arm and a leg, and, consider this....he knows how to pitch in AL East and not afraid to go all out at Fenway Park. I might be wrong but what's not to like?

I was thinking it would be good for the Yankees to beat the Orioles tomorrow while hopefully we take care of business against the Blue Jays. Of course, I could get banned for cause for saying such a heretical thing but, well, never mind. Another good win tonight.....getting the lead, giving it up, then getting it back and keeping it. Sixteen games over 500 for the first time this season. Every little bit helps.

Right now Ted I think Will needs to find his stroke and get his confidence back so that when he comes back up he can really help us. Iggy is doing a terrific job and has earned his place in the lineup. If WMB can come back up and do what he did last season, then, yes, we would be stronger with him and third and Iggy at short. Drew will not be resigned by the Sox from everything I heard and I would like for the team to settle on their team for the next nine or ten years. As for Bogie, he can play first or the outfield or he can play third and Will moves over to first. I want to see all three of them on the team and in our lineup into the forseeable future.

I'm going to see a flick myself and will miss much of the game. It would certainly be a very pleasant circumstance if Webster could go out there tonight and show why he is rated so high as a pitching prospect. His last two starts were pretty bad but he gets another chance tonight and I don't have to tell anyone what it would mean to the Red Sox if he pitches seven strong innings and helps himself and the team get an important win.

RSNC84---That idea of dumping a bunch of prospects onto the Phillies for Cliff Lee also gives me the chills. How many prospects would it take, three or four, most likely good ones because their GM, Ruben Amaro Jr. is no fool. Personally I would like to land Matt Garza. He would be much less expensive, maybe one good prospect and a secondary one, and it would still give us enough financial and trading flexibility to add a reliever or two for the stretch drive. I just hope we keep playing well and are in the thick of it come September.

That's the question B-Lines. Is Bailey hurt? Is Bailey flummoxed pitching in Boston? That none of us seem to know. While most of us have had a fixation in blasting his ineffectiveness it is also a fact that if he could recover and become effective it would do wonders for our bullpen, no matter what his role is, closer, set-up man, or 7th inning troubleshooter. You said it best....the Sox aren't going far without a solid pen. Maybe Cherington is thinking the same thing and might opt for bullpen help when the trading deadline approaches. I'll tell you this: If we got get back Buchholz and see him still pitching as he did before his mishaps, see Jon Lester repeat his performance last night in subsequent starts and get Webster off to a solid start, it would enable the GM not to have to worry on two fronts, concentrating on upgrading the bullpen.

So far so good---the 201 Red Sox do seem to be a resilient bunch but I think instead of what Cherington has done or hasn't done, I think we should look into what he might do or have to do by the trading deadline. From where I sit, we are getting a little thin in the bullpen. Bailey's recent meltdowns has put a lot of pressure on those like Koji and Taz to pitch more. A more consistent Miller going forward and a prayer that Bailey might right himself would do a lot to ease the strain. I'm beginning to think that Cherington might actually opt to get bullpen help at the TD. There have been a few bloggers talking about a trade for Cliff Lee, and who wouldn't want that guy---except for the price tag. It would cost us at least three good prospects and we'd have to take on a lot of salary. I still like Matt Garza for a short rental with potential for a better contract next year. At least it wouldn't cost us an arm and leg as Lee would. As for relievers, I'm open. Who's out there?

A terrific job by Koji....again. I really hope he can take the work. He might be just what we need as a closer and this is one player User and I totally agree about. I think me might have tried him earlier as the closer. The question is can he work two days in a row on numerous occasions. Speaking of work, let's give Jon Lester some kudos tonight. He pitched a pretty damn good game. I did hope Farrell would have taken him out after seven because Jon did enough. We need him to really come around for us and tonight he did. Anyone hear how serious that hip injury is? We really need our rotation to come together and be in one piece the second half of he season which by the way starts tomorrow. Good game today. We looked like the real Red Sox.:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

The only reason you think the post is nonsense is because you don't agree with it, and you don't agree with it because it hits you in the ribs because you don't like to hear anything negative about the team, the front office or the manager. No, I don't think that right now Dempster was worth $1 million AND HE MAY BLOCK SOME YOUNG PITCHING PROSPECT BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR. You call it whining because of your ridiculous defense of everything and anything the front office does. For God's sake, have a mind of your own once in awhile. Do you really think it is nonsense when I say Bard is through? How about a $100.00 wager that he will never be a winning pitcher again for the Red Sox. That's what I believe; challenge me, take the bet. You most certainly won't. Victorino is injury prone and could very well be a sunk cost in two years while he blocks Brentz, a good young RH hitting power hitter who happens to play right field. You mention some of the blunders, reluctantly I'm sure, but how about mentioning Melancon and now Bailey. How about letting Cody Ross walk and replacing him with John Gomes who is a weaker and inferior player and who currently riding the pine because he isn't playing worth s***. Tell you what, if you are hurt, angered or frustrated by what I write, do yourself a favor and put me on ignore. Then you can focus only on those who play the party line of see no evil, speak no evil and hear none uttered in your presence.

Just keep in mind Stallion who we have on the mound for us tonight. Lester has been s*** warmed over the past six or seven weeks. The fact that we can pick up some more ground on the Yankees makes it important that finally he steps up and pitches a strong game while the offense is hitting on most cylinders. Some pitchers are able to adjust things when their stuff is on the fritz or they are going through some tough times; Lester just seems to fall over the cliff. He is pitching like a candy ass and we need better from him from here on out.

You have to pick your spots with Mortensen because he stinks to high heaven. Always, it seems, he gets in trouble and rarely, if ever, has a clean inning. Putting into a game where we have a one or two run lead is tantamount to suicide. To me the only reason he is still on the team is because he has no options left, once again money and time taking precedence over common sense. In a word he SUCKS!!!!!!!

Well you can rest easy Bellhorn. The candy store of my and Ted's youth are no more. Most of these new candy stores tell groceries, sandwiches and bottled soft drinks. There are no more soda fountains anywhere in the city save for one that I know of.....The Lexington Candy Shop near 84th and Lexington. Hinch's on Fifth Avenue in the Bauy Ridge section of Brooklyn closed shop last year. I head there might be one at the Broadway merger in Brooklyn but I don't know for sure.

I find it equally amazing that you and a few others can pile on SoxSport for saying things you don't want to hear. Well jumping on him doesn't make what he said any less true. For instance, Dempster is NOT worth $13 million and may most likely block a pitching prospect in a year or so. Victorino IS injury prone and may be a sunk cost in two years. Bard IS done and those who disagree are whistling past the graveyard. Also keep in mind that, yes, we are in first place, but we were also in first place on September 1, 2011 when he began our historic collapse predicted by someone too modest to say. We've played pretty well for a team with holes and problems but if they don't get fixed we could see a demise---maybe, maybe not. I'm going to suggest to SoxSport that he puts his two or three antagonists on ignore. I've been told by two of my friends here that two posters still like to rip me but because I have them on ignore, no problem.

I wouldn't be too anxious to trade Middlebrooks. Yes, he has regressed some, but that happens to a lot of young players in their second season. He needs to get his stroke back as well as his confidence. Down at Pawtucket he will get that chance. You don't grow 30 homer, 100 RBI men on trees and Will has this talent. We must be very very reluctant to trade a young player with some big upside and wind up with a journeyman in his place as we have many times in the past. There must be a place for Middlebrooks, Iggy, Boegarts, Bradley and Brentz by next season or 2015 at the latest. That's my opinion anyway.

What the hell is this guy made of....wax paper? He sleeps with his arm around his daughter and turns up lame. He trips near first base and is out indefinitely. I'm not a big aficionado of weights even though I use light ones myself, but this guy needs to get into a gym and get some strength. Is it possible this guy is a terrific pitcher but a total candy-ass?

It's been better "of late" but you only have to look at Lavarnway to see how they have held him back.....and for what, Ross? Ross has been bouncing around the ballparks for the past decade and it is always the same. Whatever defense he brings to the ballpark is totally cancelled out and then some by his pathetic hitting. Meanwhile Ryan is up and down and up and down some more. And what about Kalish? He was solid in 2010 and should have been our RF in 2011 but we had Drew and that $15 million albatross, so money trumped talent. Drew did nothing and go hurt again while Kalish was sent down where he got injured and has been a sunk cost since. Better now? Yes, to a point, but once again a Drew is keeping a young player out of the lineup.....meaning Middlebrooks. I'm going to warn you and others of something. If the Red Sox misuse this guy or trade him to another team they will regret it. He is a player who has 30 homer, 100 RBI talent and he should be playing 3B with Iggy at short. Meanwhile Drew and his 225 batting average is in the lineup because once again money trumps talent and common sense.

You said it on another thread SoxSport......they over-develop players and keep them in the minors too long while signing guys on the downside of their careers and therefore blocking the young guys. We need pitching badly right now, especially with Buchholz out with whatever candy-ass mishap he has while Lester had been downright putrid. Jon may also be a very weak and fragile persons despite his courageous battle and victory over cancer. Some pitchers have slumps but battle and still persevere. Lester goes deep in the tank.

Your theory is right and it's pure ******** any w ay you look at it. You don't try to build up someone's confidence at the expense of the team's chances to win. The individual player means little; it's the team that counts...THE TEAM!!!!!!!