TedWilliams101

Well, after today, Cora has really been tearing the cover off the ball. He's now hitting .360 with 2 HR, 7RBI, 2 triples, 2 game winning hits, and is playing great defense. Do you think Tito will having him starting more often? With Pedroia in such a bad slump, I can't possibly see how Tito coudln't at least platoon Cora and Pedroia, if not giving Cora more playing time at this point. I know it very early in the season, but with the way Cora is playing and Pedroia being in a slump, I can't possibly see a better way to strengthen the lineup and hopefully light a fire under Pedroia's ass. Then again, this could potential screw-up Pedroia even worse. He is having trouble finding his swing and confidence, so loosing his starting job could make things worse. But honestly, I'd rather put a better team on the field day to day than worry about how a slumping rookie might react to the move. This being said, I also realize that Cora probably isn't going to keep up at this pace, but he always seems to really help the team win every time he plays, whether it be a spectacular defensive play, a sac bunt, or even a big fly. I just can't see how you can keep him benched (as in backup) as your second baseman is struggling mightely.

I must be dreaming. This has to be one of the biggest steals in the history of the NFL. We get Randy Moss for a 4th round pick. One of the greatest WR in NFL history for a 4th round pick. AND he takes a paycut of over $6 million, playing for a $3 million base next year. Holy f***ing s***. Give us our rings now so we don't have to steamroll the playoff teams next year. If someone told me that the Patriots would sign Welker, Washington, and Stallworth, I probably would have called them crazy. If they then added that we would also get Randy Moss for only $3 million for a 4th draft pick, while getting a 1st next year, I would have bet my entire life savings against it. WOW.

Struck out Posada, 3 strikeouts now. I love our Pen with Jima, Donnelly, and Paps. Once Tavarez goes back to then pen, I think we will have one of the best pens in baseball.

I love Cora. I say platoon him with Pedroia. He's been too good so far this season to just be utility. He needs to start at least 70 games this season.

Fine, I'm done arguing about WMP. It's obvious you guys either don't see the HUGE hole in his swing, or don't care to admit it. And believing he will do a 180 and turn into a productive player is wishful thinking. But why argue with people that just don't understand that.

Oh man, Piniero trash is going to blow the game... (humor, not panic...)

What Pena really needs is some time in the minors, and that ain't gonna happen. He isn't going to improve enough when he is getting destroyed in the majors.

I like Coco more because he has more tools and has proven he can hit. Pena just has looked lost at the plate throughout his career. Yes, he had a decent season last year, but that doesn't mean he is that type of player. From what I have seen of him over the years, I am not buying into him. He needs to show me some signs of improvement before I will believe he can consitantly make contact and become a good hitter.

See, the thing I don't like, is that you are expecting Pena to improve past anything he has ever shown. He has never shown plate discipline or the ability to hit offspeed pitches. Believing that he can improve to do so doesn't mean its going to happen. He hasn't shown that ability yet, so why would he now? The difference, is that Coco has already proved he can be a good hitter. Not a power hitter, but a good hitter for the top of a lineup once he regains himself, which is looking more and more like that may finally happen. The difference is potential vs. what we have already seen. I agree that WMP has the "potential" to be a great power hitter. But he hasn't shown much indication that he can make the improvements to do so. Coco has already shown us that he can be a good hitter and good CF. I'll agree that Coco isn't gold glove in CF, but he is far batter than WMP in CF and can make great plays.

Hmm. Coco is now 10 for 25 in his last 6 games with 3 stolen bases.

Pena's bat obliterates... WTF are you watching. Pena is horrible. If pitchers keep throwing him offspeed pitches, which they will, WMP will continue his horrid start. Where the production there? Coco has already shown that he can be good offensively. He has great speed and is great on the basepaths and can bunt for a hit. If you look at his 2 years prior to Boston, which I think was him coming into his own, he was awesome. Then he came to Boston, broke his finger, and played injured that contributed to his off-year. If you notice, he has been swinging the bat well in the last week or so.

And you're right, I haven't watched every inning Coco has played, but I watched a bit when he was with Cleveland, and I have seen probably 90% of the Red Sox games since he joined our team. So ya, I think I can use my memory as well as stats.

The point with the spectacular plays is that balls that WMP might not be able to get to, Coco can. Crespblows, you yourself admit that the stats back up Coco as the better CF. Where's the problem? Thats what I have been saying.

For fielding stats, unless you are an infielder, I don't look to much into them. You have to actually watch them play. Spectacular plays don't show up in stats. Coco has the range and glove to make spectacular plays while Pena doesn't. And for errors sake, Crisp has a lifetime .990 fielding percentage, while WMP has a .974 fielding percentage and a .985% in CF.

I am taking it with a grain of salt, his career numbers back up the fact that he can't hit off-speed pitches. There is a reason why most pitchers aren't giving him a fastball. I don't care how good he is at hitting fastballs. Pitchers no that he can't offspeed stuff, so he ain't gonna get very many pitches that he can do anything with. That is the point. Unless he proves that he can lay off balls and hit offspeed stuff, he isn't going to be very usefull cause pitchers ain't throwing him fastballs anymore.

How can you not see that Coco is 100x better in CF than WMP. Are we watching the same games? Have I been watching a different CF making spectacular catches night after night, while the guy I 'believe' is WMP misplaying balls for HR, etc. Am I really seeing things...

Last year pitchers were throwing him tons of fastballs. This year pitchers have thrown nothing but offspeed pitches (such as curveballs in the dirt). That makes me believe they have adjusted to him. You also can't ignore the results.

No, the above poster said that WMP is better because he had 1 abnormal year last year where he put up good numbers. Right now is the real WMP. He thinks that WMP is the 2006 numbers type of guy, yet says that Crisp is the 2006 type of guy while completely ignoring the fact that he put up great numbers the previous three years and played while injured last year. My point is not to ignore last year, but look at the career stats, and more importantly, the player. WMP has shown no ability to hit offspeed pitches, or have any fielding skills. Coco is the polar opposite.

And again, one of the reason's why Pena did so well last year was because the pitchers haden't seen him before. AL pitchers have now adjusted to him and learned how to pitch to him... guess it shows, huh. Coco just slightly better of a fielder.... ARE YOU WATCHING PENA? For outfield, you really need to pay more attention to they're actual playing than just stats... Coco has the speed and glove to make game winning catchs and speed up to balls that might normally fall in. Pena doesn't. Plus, coco hasn't made bonehead errors like Pena. I don't know how you honestly think Coco is just a tad bit better of a fielder than Pena. What they hell game are you watching.

In Coco's first 3 season he put up good numbers, and he's makes good contact, has a great glove, and great speed. He didn't do so well last year cause of his injury. Now again, all that WMP has going for him is power. Compare WMP career numbers to Coco's. Ya, I'll take Coco. Plus, last year was the abnormal year for Coco, as he couldn't pull himself together after the injury. WMP's great year last year was abnormal. He has never put up numbers close to that. Now this year, other than chris ray leaving a fastball in WMP wheel house with the bases loaded, WMP has sucked terrible. He can't hit. Period. Now you please tell me how you think WMP is a better player? Yes, the fact that Coco is an extemely good CF vs. WMP is terrible, is a BIG difference. You want a fast CF with a good glove. WMP is as far from that as you can get vs. Coco who I believe is as good as any CF in the AL.

You spoke too soon... lol. And no, WMP is not a better player than Crisp. Crisp is a better contact hitter, better fielder, has great speed, and is smart on the base paths, and has a great work ethic. All that Pena has going for him is his extreme power. Would I love it if WMP could learn how to be an average fielder and learn to hit? Of course. I just realize its not going to happen, at least not with the pressure in Boston. He needs to be in the minors.

But anywho, I am anything but in 'panic' mode with Dice-K. I think he's going to be a beast by the all-star break.

I'm not often in "panic" mode, but I do still have my concerns for our offense, and don't want to see WMP getting too many starts.

WOW. Yankee staters have only made it to the 6th or more just 6 times in 21 games. They're bullpen is just getting killed. It's bad enough as it is; making them throw 5 or more innings a game is going to destroy them awefully quick.

Yep, thats right, no walks for Lester. Damn I can't wait to have him back.