a700hitter

^ I am sure that this is either inciteful sports analysis or compliments for fellow posters.

The matchups with Detroit present a big test for our rotation.

@ Dutchy, ^ Ignored, but certainly just arguing to argue.:harhar:

Hey Israel, I think these 2 geniuses are trying to mock you. Good sports discussion.

Hey Israel, didn't we already conced that Bailey was the answer and that Papelbon sucks? We also conceded that the FO should not be looking at other closers. What's their disagreement? I'm not getting the point that they are trying to make. Bailey is the man and Papelbon is overpaid, washed up trash. Case closed.

He doesn't know what his point is. We conceded all of the points and he is arguing to argue. It is not even coherent.

So, Bailey is or isn't the answer?

That is one of may favorite movie scenes. "Funny how?"

Even after we concede on all counts these guys aren't happy! What point is it that they are making that we are still disagreeing with after our list of concessions? Is there some other point that we should be conceding? Do they even know what point they are trying to make?

and 1997

Iortiz, I think we should capitulate here. Let's just agree with their argument and concede the following points: Bailey is our answer at closer The FO should stop all their efforts looking at alternatives for closer Papelbon sucks There's no way we would want Papelbon to return to the Red Sox under any circumstances The Blue Jays suck and are clearly no threat at all- they are the doormats of the ALE Jose Reyes sucks and the Jays should hope that he stays on the DL

How could that be? It has been noted that your interest in Papelbon is borders on an unhealthy obsession.

Is this responsive at all to the post that you quoted? Arguing to argue maybe?

While we are at it, let's disparage Mo's career for blowing the save and losing the final game of the playoffs in 1997 and the World Series in 2001. Yes, it is cherrypicking. The guy puts up 30-35 saves every year with very few blown saves. Pencil in the numbers. That is consistency. The only thing consistent about Bailey is that he hits the DL every single year.

Everyone was quick to bury them, but they are far from dead in a division where there is no clearly superior team. The hole they dug for themselves may prove to be too deep, but I can think of several teams that I would rather play down the stretch than the Jays if we are competing for a playoff spot. Also, the Reyes criticism is hysterical.

You are on record as saying that you always hated the guy. Other posters have said without qualification that they never want him back on the Sox. When he blows a save for the Phillies, they express joy. Sure sounds like they don't like the guy.

Cherrypicking a bit?

All anyone needs to do is to check into a Red Sox telecast to understand that management has concerns about the team's need for a closer. Dipre usually defends the FO pointing out that they know more about running a baseball team than the fans. Yet, when we share the organization's doubts about the closer situation, we still get criticized. Puzzling.

It's funny that you are able to master the subtleties of communicating in a second language when so much goes over the heads of those who speak it as a native tongue.

And when is the last time that he put up a full season as a closer. It has been some time. He had a good full season or two as a closer, but it has been some time since he has pitched a successful full season. When is the last time he put up an inning count that hit 50 innings. It's been a while. He needs to prove himself. His cumulative career stats mean nothing, because they are essentially a compilation of partial season stats due to all the time missed for injury. He needs to prove himself as a guy who can take the ball all season long. It's like the debate whether Buchholz is an ace. He sure pitches like an ace when healthy, but aces pitch 200 innings. He hasn"t done that in his career. He has been phenomenal this year, but now we have some missed turns due (o "sleeping injuries" so who knows if he gets to 200 innings this year. One thing is for certain, although Buch hasn't solidified his reputation as an ace, I am light years more confident when Buch is on the hill than when Bailey gets the call. Like Buch has yet to prove he is an ace, Bailey needs to stay healthy and prove that he can still be an everyday closer. If we want to get caught up in the semantics of "proved", let me clarify. While he has proved in the past that he can be a good closer when healthy, it has been several years since he has done the job as a full time closer for an entire season. He has to prove that he can do it again.

Toronto has a lot of talent. They have a very powerful lineup and that will improve when Reyes returns. Adam Lind who looked ready for the scrap heap in recent years is doing a good job for the and they have couple of big boppers. They have talent in the starting rotation. Josh Johnson pitched really well in his last start. When healthy, he is a very good pitcher. Dickey and Buehrle look to be coming out of their funks and they are giving their team a chance to win on their turns. If they have a deficit of talent, it is in the bullpen. I don't know if they can play consistent enough to make a playoff run, but I don"t think they will be doormats either.

He hasn't had a full season in quite some time. His durability is a serious concern.

It's clear that many Red Sox fans don't want Papelbon back under any circumstances. They would rather make a run with what we have. The amount of hatred from Red Sox fans for a guy who was consistently excellent for us for 6 years is baffling to me.

People act like Bailey was a proven closer when we got him. The facts are that he pitched more than 45 innings in a season only once possibly twice. He pitched well when he was available which was not often. He's been living off the memory of 1 good full season. He's been on the DL twice since we got him and he has accomplished very little for us since he was acquired. In limited appearances last season, he stunk. Right now, he is really struggling. To mention him in the same breath as Mo and Papelbon is completely unjustified. He is closer to the chicken and beer category.. It's an untenable position to defend Bailey's record until he puts up some consistent good production. Since we got him, his production has not been good at all. That is a fact.. According to the press and media, there is a lot of discussion in the Sox organization regarding other options (internal or external). This reflects doubt on the part of the organization that Bailey can get the job done. If the organization has its doubts, how can the fans feel confident when he is on the hill. He has done nothing, zilch, nada to instill confidence in us. If we had Papelbon or Mo struggling like Bailey, the FO would not be focusing on the closing situation, because they would know how the numbers would look at the end of the season. Bailey is not in their class-- not even close. He will be lucky if he has a Kevin Gregg type career.

Predictions of their demise may have been premature.