Dojji

It's called a "barrel." We'd be over it. Believe me, that more than makes up for any roster move advantages.

I see a lot of excitement over the Lackey signing, and while I'm glad the Red Sox made the investment, and think it was a good decision when they made it, I can't really join in the celebration over that signing with unbridled enthusiasm. It seems to me that we're taking a fair-sized risk on a pitcher whose career peak was 3 years ago now, who pitched mostly in a pitcher's haven of a division (although I think the Angels' park is one of the more neutral parks in the pitcher-friendly West, the fact remains that even with neutral packs, AL Western offense has been extremely weak over the last few seasons) and who's struggled on and off with injuries each of the preceding two seasons. I'm not the kind to panic-monger, my major malfunction tends to run in the other direction after all, but am I really the only one who's looking at some of those underlying facts and sort of more hoping that this guy doesn't unravel on is than actually believing he'll be effective over the lifetime of his deal? The bust potential on this guy is not exactly minimal after all, he's been used hard and he's used to a much bigger margin of error than he'll get in Boston. I'm sure I'll be ripped apart for posting this, at least a little bit, especially because I'm providing near-perfect Jacko fodder but as you guys whet your knives just take a second to think about it and tell me you're not at least a little on guard over this issue yourself.

If the Red Sox landed Gonzalez, Beltre would be the last thing on anyone's mind.

If you're going to spend money, that's the way to spend it.

Truck Day can't come too soon...

This rumor has such life because it's in character for both parties. Even though it's false at this point I really expect the Twins to get something done long-term.

Also, we're taking Mike Lowell out of the lineup, and as much as he's been a credit to us for most of his Red Sox career, Lowell has always been a terrible road hitter

They'll take it slow on Lavarnway, no doubt in my mind. Even if his offense justifes a promotion, they either have to keep him at catcher and let him develop his skills there, or move him to a new position and let him learn that. Either way they do it it'll take reps.

Yeah, I don't think anyone in this thread is saying that this guy is going to be a closer. Just that he's an interesting story.

"thinks he could" is nice. Venditte is actually doing it.

There are always a few contenders who can score but feel they're a goaltender away, and with 2 solid tenders and zero half-decent scoring, I'd assume it wouldn't be that difficult to sell someone last year's Vezina winner as a possible "Final Piece Of The Puzzle."

Oh, well there's another one then.

There's been a one-legged pitcher too. Can't remember his name off the top of my head but he pitched for the Washington Senators in the late 40's or early 50's. Lefty, of course.

That's kinda hard to say -- I mean, how many people have even TRIED? It's kinda like the lefthanded throwing catchers conundrum, It's hard to say "it would have been done before" if coaches habitually scare kids away from trying it. I dunno if he can hack it in the majors, but if he can get by in AA, he'll be ahead of any true switch-pitcher in baseball history, and at that point it's very hard to predict what happens.

I'd be interested in Venditte even if he was a Twins prospect or something. I like new things, and what Venditte's trying to become has pretty much never happened before.

That's a pretty decent point. It doesn't do to completely dismiss the impact of one bad year, but overstating it is probably equally unproductive.

That'd be nice to see -- a good, impressive bat at third coming through the system is something we really haven't had. Youkilis didn't break out until he hit the big leagues after all.

Any chance he takes the Pablo Sandoval route instead of the Paul Konerko one, or is he too unathletic for that? If his up to it, we could do with a 3B prospect or two.

Airight. good to know. Last time I read anything on Lavarnway they were still taking him somewhat seriously as a catcher, but that was awhile ago.

He's still more or less just a curiosity, but the Yankees' switch-throwing reliever has been putting up good numbers in the lower minors. Most people who know me know that prospects with odd skillsets intrigue me, but I'm curious what the thoughts of other fans were about Venditte's chances. While Venditte is definitely putting up the numbers so far in his minor league career, two things in my view that Venditte has to overcome to break through into legit prospect territory. 1: His age. Venditte is about 2 years older than he "should" be at his level. I suspect this might be partially in order to train his left hand and keep it viable -- his righthanded heater doesn't top 90, so if he has to revert to a fulltime RHP, he becomes nothing special pretty quickly. Being drafted at age 23 doesn't help there either. 2: Venditte is giving extremely raw hitters an odd look and as a RP, not too many of them are getting second or third looks. Makes his performance a little more difficult to take seriously. He's performing at levels of the minors a gimmicky pitcher should be able to survive at on pure gimmickyness, especially a reliever like Venditte.. Thoughts?

Sure, or Paul Konerko or Ryan garko and the list goes on, but that's not why I asked. I was just curious about whether his catching skills are likely to stand up -- particularly his arm and release, which are a little Jon Still-ish from what I've heard.