redsoxfan3

What are you talking about? Aceves' ERA is worse than both of Lester and Buchholz's. Aceves has had one poor outing, but to say he has pitched better than Lester and Buchholz is a stretch. He has pitched well in all of his performances, except one. Lester had a 7 inning shutout the other night if I remember correctly. Bard is not going to AAA. Either we go through the growing pains of having him in the rotation or we put him back in the pen, there is no way in hell he is going to AAA. Let's not get carried away.

When I first saw it, I thought it was Xander. I was about to be pissed beyond belief. I don't think we lose much with him, since he is a first baseman. We have Gonzalez until 2018, so that means he would be 25 by then. I don't know about his potential as a prospect, but I do know that he is not so good defensively. We don't lose much with the Theo compensation, but we sure as hell did not gain much either. It just turned out to be disappointing.

Not so sure about that. Bard has made progress. He has struggled, that is for sure. I am not confident in either of the two as of right now. I will be more confident with Bard if he can give us a decent outing tomorrow. Aceves didn't fair so well two starts ago, but did pitched well today. I think that wichever one of the two is in the rotation will have ups and downs as a starter, especially early on. If Bard does decent tomorrow, then I think he gets the nod as the starter. I don't know how you can guarantee that. Actually, mostly what the Globe is reporting is the complete opposite. If Bard pitches solid tomorrow, then I think Aceves goes back to the pen and Bard stays in the rotation. Aceves is arguably just as valuable in the pen as Bard is. We just need one of the two in the pen. I think with Melancon, Bailey, and Aceves that they will give us a decent pen.

Aceves starts today. This is his last shot to make a case for a starting spot. I think Bard is already the favorite, but if Aceves wants any chance to start, then he needs to have a quality outing and redeem himself after his last start.

This is just for fun. I know that 2012 hasn't even started yet, but I am interested in seeing who everyone thinks will be on the opening day roster for 2013. Try to make it as realistic as possible. In a perfect world, I am assuming that Iglesias, Lavarnway, and Middlebrooks will be on most of the rosters. This could just get some more discussion going before the 2012 season starts for the Sox. It will also be interesting to look back on this next year to see who was right or close to predicting the roster. Here is mine: C- Lavarnway 1B- Gonzalez 2B- Pedroia SS- Iglesias 3B- Middlebrooks RF- Ross/Kalish CF- Ellsbury LF- Crawford DH- Ortiz Bench- OF- Kalish/Ross C- Salty?? IF- Aviles?? OF- McDonald/Sweeney?? I think Middlebrooks will progress this year and will be able to take over 3B next year. The reason I am saying this is because I think Youk will have another down year due to some injuries. I think we will not pick up his 13 million team option for 2013. I know there has been some talk about him possibly being our future DH, but I feel like Papi will have a decent year and we will work out a contract with Big Papi. I think Big Papi will retire with the Sox because I don't think the FO will be able to part ways with him. Salty, Aviles, Sweeney, and McDonald are all eligible for arbitration next year. If the roster I listed above ends up working out, I could see all four players used as trade bait. They are all good options for backups, but I don't know if they will want to stick around as backups, especially Aviles. I could see us trading McDonald and keeping Sweeney as our 5th OF. I think Ross will have a good year in Boston and we will be able to agree to new contract terms with him to keep him in Boston for a couple more years (he is only 31). I think Iglesias will progress enough this year to name him our opening day SS for 2013. I think Kalish will have a full recovery after sitting out a lot this season and will be in the mix for a starting spot in RF for next year. I could see Ross and Kalish platoon in RF during 2013. Gonzalez, Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Crawford are all obviously going to be around. I think Lavarnway will be named the starting C in 2013. Salty is not really a good option for us defensively, so I see us trying to upgrade offensively at C in 2013. This is of course all speculation and what I want to see happen. I am not going to project the pitching, because a lot of depends on the success of this year. If our rotation and pen works out for us this year, then I could see us keeping it the same next year, especially if Doubront and Bard prove to be quality starters. I guess there is always an option to send Bard back to the pen after this year if we either sign a pitcher in free agency or use some of the players listed above to trade for another pitcher. I feel like we will try to upgrade our bullpen in 2013 by looking to make some signings or make some trades.

Punto is known for his defense, so if he has to play some games at SS if Youk goes down, then it isn't the end of the world. I still wouldn't say Punto is as good as a defensive SS as Iglesias, but he is a decent backup option who could do fine filling in. If Youk does go on the DL this season, Iglesias will most likely get called up. Aviles will be at 3B and Iglesias will more than likely start SS. Punto might even get some time at 3B. I do understand where you are coming from with wanting Iglesias to be in the majors, but you also have to understand that Iglesias needs more time to develop. The same thing is happening for Lavarnway more than likely. Iglesias actually had a better AVG, OBP, SLG, and OPS in the previous two years in Spring Training. I am sure they are aware of his stats from Spring Training in 2010 and 2011. His approach to the plate might be better this year and that is a step in the right direction. Just be patient with him. There is no point in rushing him into the majors. The kid is only 22. He will more than likely be with the Sox for several years to come. I do agree with you in saying that we will see Iggy sooner rather than later. He might be given a chance at some point this year. If he is not give a chance this year, then something is telling me that he will be our opening day SS next year as long as he improves his bat. He is getting a lot of compliments about his defense. I don't know exactly what Pedroia said, but he said something along the lines that he is one of the best SS's he has ever seen defensively. That is coming from one hell of a defender himself and from a guy who has played with several major league SS's. I know if I were a pitcher, I would want Iggy playing behind me.

I do not know if Pokey Reese qualifies for this, but if I had to say a name that fits into this category, then that would be my choice. He was in Boston for the 2004 season. I loved watching him play in Cincinnati growing up because I am originally from Ohio. He did not perform that well for the Red Sox in 2004, but I still like him. I am glad that he got a ring with the Sox.

Did anyone watch the game? I want to see how Melancon and Morales looked. I saw the stats, but that does not always indicate how their control was, velocity, etc.

It is good to see shutouts in back to back games. I am extremely confident in our front three in the rotation as long as there are no injuries. It seems like Bard and Doubront are going to win the other two rotation spots. I am hearing that they already know what the rotation is going to be for opening day, although they obviously aren't going to say it right now. With Iggy, it does not surprise me he got sent to AAA. His time will come, maybe at some point this season. The SS job was Aviles' to lose. I am comfortable with Aviles at SS. I know we will lose a little defensively than if we would have Iggy, but as of right now he has done everything he could to earn it in Spring Training. I didn't get to watch the game today, but I am glad both Morales and Melancon gave up no runs. Statistically, that is a step in the right direction, especially for Melancon. I am confident that our pitching will be decent. Lester, Beckett, and Buchholz will be solid. I think Doubront and Bard will progressively get better throughout the year once they start to get more experience as major league starters. Melancon, Aceves, and Bailey should be solid for us in the pen. I am really liking the way things are all coming together at the end of Spring Training. Bard gets one more start before the Spring ends, hopefully he progresses even more as a starter. Also, the whole BS with Bobby V and BC is stupid. Let the media speculate what they want to. They do not know the entire story. I am glad Bobby V and BC could agree on the decision on Iggy.

Ross is looking legit. Thank goodness I have him on my team in both of my fantasy leagues. Hopefully he can keep this up throughout the season. Fenway definitely seems like it will be a good fit for him.

Bard gets the start today against the Jays. Does anyone know how many innings they want him to pitch? If he wants to win a starting spot, this is probably his last chance he has to win it. Doubront probably locked up the 5th spot, but of course nothing is set in stone yet. I always want to know if Aceves and Cook are going to be starting at least one more game. I really want to give Cook a shot. If we try to have him go six innings and he has a solid outing, he might be worth giving a shot in the rotation to keep both Bard and Aceves in the pen. This is a big outing today for Bard, especially with him facing guys like Bautista, Encarnacion, Thames, Lind, Escobar, Johnson, and Lawrie.

Me too. Aceves would get his innings when Doubront or Cook have short outings and we can also use him in later innings if we need to. Bard could be in the set-up role with Melancon and could even compete to be our closer with Bailey. If Cook cannot hold down a rotation spot until Dice-K comes back, then we could hopefully trade for someone. I think Cook would give us some decent innings. Padilla might not be a bad addition to our pen as well.

I agree, our bullpen would be really solid. Let's just say I am happy that I am not the one making the decisions. I really do not know what to think at this point. Will Aceves at least get one more start? I know that Bard is scheduled at least one more game this Spring.

Glad to see Doubront pitching well. Aceves on the other hand...I don't even really want to talk about it. Let's just say at this point I might be more comfortable with keeping Bard and Aceves in the pen and giving the final two rotation spots to Doubront and Cook (this may just be me talking out of anger). I know that this is just one game that Aceves f***ed up in, but this was also the chance that he had to really prove himself as a starter. This is going to be a tough call. I think Doubront gets the 5th spot, but the 4th spot is up for grabs.

Doubront had a good performance today. Pitching 6 innings and giving up only 1 run. Aceves on the other hand did not help his chances one bit. He gave up 9 runs in 3 innings, including 3 home runs. I think Doubront is going to earn the 5th spot, but now it is definitely a toss up for the 4th. Bard and Aceves now both have had shaky performances, but I guess the call is going to be tough to make. Bobby V wants Bard in the pen and the FO wants Bard in the rotation from what I am hearing.

The first time we faced off in Spring Training, there were no earned runs scored. I expect the outcome tonight to be much different. Look to see a high scoring game.

Bobby V thinks that Iglesias is ready to play in the majors. Although that does not mean he is going to be in the majors by opening day, I find that very interesting because that means Jose might be in the majors the majority of the year. I think we could deal with Iglesias at SS. That means Aviles could be an all around utility player. He could get some time in the OF and give Iglesias and Youk some days off. Something interesting to think about.

Padilla has a hamstring injury. There is no word on how long he will be out because it is so early on in the injury. If anything, it certainly will not help him trying to make the big league roster. Melancon was also working on his secondary pitches yesterday. Let's just hope his secondary pitches are where they need to be when the season starts. Morales is going to make his first appearance tomorrow night.

I am not saying I am disagreeing with you here, but what makes you think that? Is it due to his past injury history? I have heard he will be able to pitch in the majors come June or July. I have heard from several people that he is on the fast track to coming back and that he is looking good. Hopefully at some point in the season he will be able to add depth to our rotation if anything. I also am hoping Hill comes back healthy and prove to be an asset to the pen.

That actually could work out for the best. I think we would be okay with Aceves in the rotation as long as Bard is in the pen. We would be able to get by with Bard, Melancon, and Bailey. Thank you for the insight on Melancon, 700. It is unfortunate to hear that. Hopefully he is still just trying to get in the groove because it is Spring Training. I know he was a closer for a lousy Astros team last year, but nonetheless he still had 20 saves (correct me if I am wrong). Hopefully he can show us that he is going to be a reliable set-up man or at least a reliable bullpen asset. I think Aceves could thrive in a starting role, but I see him excelling no matter where he pitches for this team. It is time for the pitchers to really step up their game.