Dojji

Especially because it's not necessarily true. There's a chain of "ifs" that could see a very good year for the Red Sox next year. The big one is Franklin Morales. I think we can count on Lester and Buchholz to be over their bugaboos -- unless Buck manages to get hurt again. Doubront should be average-or-so, if he can make a jump to the next level (he definitely has the stuff) so much the better, as he is he's at least a serviceable bottom rotation guy. If Morales can be at least a strong #3 starter, then all we need is fill-in guys. The other big question is shortstop. If Bogaerts can come up by July and be effective this team could propel itself quite a ways on the back of that. Until then, give Ciriaco a real fighting chance to hold down the position. Don't throw Aviles away though -- Mike Aviles has the talent to be a really solid utility guy, as he has extensive experience at SS, third, short, and a bit of outfield. If we make solid gains at shortstop, Morales can hold down a rotation spot for 150+ innings of quality baseball, and the catching question sorts itself out adequately, we could have a decent team on our hands as early as next year.

Now that's really not fair. Farrell probably isn't a world beating coach, but throwing away everything we accomplished from 2007 because of one month, however bad, really doesn't smack of a particularly strong connection to reality. And the next manager is probably going to be either Valentine or a low budget AAAA retread.

If Theo was still GM I'd say no way. The obvious plan here would be starting him in Portland and promoting him a couple months in, a la Ellsbury in 07. Sadly, this franchise does not do "obvious" anymore.

You have no standing to be criticizing anyone else when it comes to talent evaluation.

You last September? Absolutely. They let Bard start because he was already damaged goods and why the heck not try it and see. I honestly think the kid is done.

Well, he had to go sometime. 92 isn't exactly cut down in his prime. He'll be missed, but more importantly he'll be remembered. He had one heck of a run. Here's to a life well lived doing what you love.

Of the three I'd vote for Miley. A 3.02 ERA is more impressive than either of those offensive lines.

Don't do that. Groupthink sucks. If you have a guy who has started at SS, give him a chance to fail at SS before moving them. They even did that for Pedey, and they outright KNEW he was a 2B going forward. Besides, we have a highly talented young 3B, excellent players at second and first, and more outfielders than we know what to do with. Shortstop is Bogaerts' only chance to break the roster easily, so he will not be moved until they can give him a chance to see if he can make it there.

This kid's starting to really build some momentum for himself. my take is, give him a chance to fail at SS before screwing with it. It might work out better than you're hoping for. This kid could wind up being a Rico Petrocelli -- first few years at short before establishing himself at the corners as a power hitter after he's filled out a bit more.

I have to admit we're maybe 2-3 wins at most better with Papelbon on the roster. For a bit of a rockhead, Pap chose a good time to skedaddle.

Can't you just be glad we have a nice young prospect? For pity's sake a700, give the drama valve three good turns towards the "off" position.

The only reason I'll let you get away with that, is because this organization would solve some of its problems right off the bat if it wasn't divided between Cherington's camp and Lucchino's. Personally I'd rather lose Lucchino. If that can't happen, I'd rather go all in on Lucchino than continue this multiple personality disorder. Figure out who is in charge of this franchise, , let them run the team, and let that guy pass or fail on his own merits. Even if you pick the wrong guy, it's STILL Better than what we have right now.

I'd do that in a heartbeat if I wasn't worried about Morales' innings cap.

Bradley hit his 40th double between two levels the other night.

He signed a contract that was all but impossible to live up to -- and danged near lived up to it. Heck of a talent. Too bad he spent his career in a small market. The man should have been a household name and he just... wasn't.

Biggest hole in OPS right there -- it can't properly measure the impact of speed. This is not a superstar hitter, but he's also never been below about 1.6 offensive wins above replacement -- and that's setting aside his consistently stellar glove. Iglesias on the other hand isn't really a worldbeater in the speed department -- he's competent, but not electrifying. And he'd need to be to justify anything like as bad as he hits.

... if it wasn't for Bard's utter September meltdown freakshow I might agree with that. I think they started him because they knew or suspected that he was damaged goods anyway

I don't care. Frankly Scutaro wasn't very likely to earn his money this year anyhow. It's the Lowrie trade that really hurts right now TBH. He's finally stabilized and come into his own and we could really use what he is.

Yeah, it probably was Andrus. That would be the piece we'd be most likely to go outside the org to get right now. Xander Bogaerts is just too far away.