a700hitter

He'll get his shots in if there is a brawl.

I think he was involved in more than 1 brawl with the Red Sox-- one during Spring Training. My recollection is that he is a cheap shot artist.

We can't beat that pitching drum enough. That remains our #1 need since 2011.

I wonder if Mauro Gomez is in their plans for next season. Does anyone know if he is playing winter ball? He could provide some RH balance with Gomes.

I agree. The only thing holding them back would be something going on behind the scenes that we don't know about. If JH is looking to sell the team, there might be a moratorium on spending. We'll find out soon enough. If they are going to make big moves, I think they'll start making them by December 1st.

They just bring personal nastiness. I don't see how that makes things enjoyable for anyone. As we say here in the U.S., they can go f*** themselves. I couldn't care less what they think, but I will return the favor.

^ Very positive.:thumbdown

It is the Hot Stove season-- time for dreaming. I hope it is not the highlight of our season.

I also subscribe to this view, and it is because of that final stretch that I would give him the opportunity to battle with Lackey for a rotation spot. He showed promise in his rookie year, but he is not a lock 200 inning guy. This season he needs to prove that he is not a fluke and to improve on his game. He is yet to prove that he is a solid #3 or4 guy for 200 innings with a 4 ERA.

I'd have him fight Lackey for the 5th spot. He went 161 innings with an ERA approaching 5. He was a 5 inning pitcher with a high WHIP who walks 4 guys per 9 innings. He is not a reliable horse, not yet, not by a long shot. He's earned a shot to battle for the 5th spot IMO, nothing more.

If we are lucky, we get a solid 200 inning year out of Doubront or Lackey. Both ain't gonna happen. I'll wager that right here and now. Doubront fell apart at 110 innings-- completely. What makes you think that he can now step it up to 200 innings? I can't see any basis for believing that. Hitters figured the guy out after July. Sit and wait him out. He can't throw strikes consistently. If Lacker or Doubs give us a solid year, we still have 2 huge holes in the rotation which is why I feel strongly that we need two solid starters.

Agreed. He is strictly a platoon type.

Sweeney is horrible. The guy hits a Home Run every 130-140 PAs. He has zero pop and no speed. Gomes should platoon with Kalish.

I'm just not getting the 2 year deal part of it.

I don't understand giving Gomes a two year deal when they gave Ross a one year deal. I am just not seeing the reasoning behind that. Has Gomes ever had more than a 1 year contract? Were people lining up to sign this guy?

Stop being a dick. I was joking around. Didn't the give it away, douche.:thumbdown

He's a horrible fielder, but he has had seasons where he has had some good LHP splits. Other years, I think he was a complete dud.

Other than Lester, we don't have anyone who can be relied upon to go 200 innings, never mind 4 pitchers who can do that. Buchholz still has not topped the 200 inning mark in a season, but I think he is capable of doing it. Are you counting in a post-op Lackey for 200 innings 30 starts and a reasonable ERA. It could happen, but I am not banking on it. Even if he does, that's 3 out of 5. Did you see how Doubront collapsed in August and September? He was horrible. He became terrible after about 110 innings-- much too early to blame fatigue. Maybe the hitters figured out that he can't throw more than 50% of his pitches for strikes. I think we need a couple of solid reliable pitchers. I don't think we can count on more than 2 guys on our roster to fill that bill. Lackey and Doubs can fight it out for the 5th spot. It's hard to attribute intent on the internet because people read stuff and process it through their own filters which are usually off by a mile.

If you think a salary dump without more proves his worth, you have low standards, especially since it propelled us into last place. J.D.'s blast propelled the team into the World Series. I don't see how you can equate the two. Besides, most people credit JH as being the moving force behind that salary dump, not Cherington.

3 good above average pitchers have already been traded or signed. There are always options, but not if you let everyone beat you to the punch. More pitchers will be signed and/or traded before the off season is concluded. I disagree that we need a top flight pitcher. It would be great to have, but we need guys to eat innings make 30 starts and pitch to a reasonable ERA. We need two reliable, not spectacular, starters. That would stabilize the staff. There is not an unlimited supply of those guys and none will be cheap, but they will not break our bank either. I am not sold on either Lohse or Haren because of health questions, so don't put words in my mouth. As for harping on BC, please stop with that s***. Do you read my posts? I am saying that I am in waiting mode. Nothing has happened yet, so there is nothing to criticize or praise. I am on record several times posting that I think there will be major moves by December 1st. If it is a slow day, I will note that it is a slow day. Is that a terrible slam on someone? Thin skinned people are generally annoying, but people who are thin skinned on the behalf of other people that they don't even know are just ridiculous. Please stop being ridiculous. When and if I decide to slam this GM, it will be more than joking about inactivity.

I am waiting breathlessly for the announcement of their new minor league batting instructor.

Climbing back to respectability may take paying a premium to get some big talent back at Fenway. No one wants to go play for a loser in a bad circus atmosphere. You are not going to get back to respectability, nevermind dominance, just by building from within. They f***ed up their franchise in the last 2-3 years and last year they took a sledgehammer to it. They no longer have the reputation of a professionally run organization that knows how to succeed. They have earned themselves a reputation of bumbling idiots. Not good for attracting talent.

Another slow day on Cherington Lane.

That's right. And I am waiting for Cherington to have his J.D. Drew Grand Slam moment.

Wow!! This is wheeling and dealing.