PWNdroia

If you want an ace who gives up 6+ runs a game, then this team is fine. That's exactly what's happening, so this thread isn't useless. What's useless is the fact that Beckett is labeled an "ace" when he gives up 6+ (this 6+ is a generous one) runs.

Tampa Bay owns the Sox. At least moving Wakefield to the bullpen was one step in the right direction for this team... other than that, no show.

Next thing we'll know, he'll be crying injuries again. Excuses, excuses.

I thought Josh Beckett was our "ace"? Sure looks like it.

I have a right to make a bold precition as I did. And so I have. I want to beat those Yankees too, but it's not going to happen. Yet, it's good for baseball if the Rays win.

Victor Martinez was never the solution. The trade for him was only half decent. We lost Masterson and we only gained him for pure offense on an already declining 2009 Red Sox team. As we saw, he didn't propel us to where we needed to be. Still, he's an ok hitter, much better than Tek, but no, not a permanent solution.

You're too much. I mean, I'm not that smart. Up there, but surely there are smarter people out there. And if I say things right, it doesn't automatically make me smart.

So, you'd rather have a guy who hit .250 start in center field? I'd rather have Coco Crisp on this team before that joke Cameron.

If you say so... I won't call myself out on it though. I'll only talk about the Sox, that's it.

Ellsbury. Get rid of this Cameron guy. He's not even half decent. Another bad signing by Theo. I knew the guy would not perform even before the first game he played. Ellsbury is far better at CF. In fact, start Hermida in LF. At least he is younger and can have some upside in his prime career.

Well, now you do.

I've called Ortiz done since the end of the 2008 season. He's long finished.

Call me a troll if you want, but I will praise this team if it starts to win. Unfortunately with the team we have, it won't. If it does though, I'll show my praise. But until then, I vote Rays.

Texas takes two out of three. Especially today. Wake can't pitch good to Texas.

Pretty bad decision considering how well the "original" title corresponds to the Sox's current play. Guess that makes me credible in the end.

By the way (sorry for double posting), I just wanted to make amends by finding ways to help the team rather than bash it. This is my last attempt before I leave. This team is in a crisis (from what I see), it seems even worse than I predicted, and I just wanted to give what I feel this team needs. Rather than rant, I thought I could give some tips (many mentioned from other threads) on how to make this team better. It's the least I can do for my past stupid actions. Again, I apologize if I offend, and I'll try my best to leave again seeing as I'm not needed. ^With help, Theo wrote a book. And about him and Francona leaving, that's not my decision to make. You're right. It's a tough position to choose who would replace them, but I think this team has shown it needs change.

I did somewhat mention that in my post... ^And you're right, it's not my job. I'm just analyzing the situation, and I don't think they are doing a good job right now. But I'm not ranting, that's a plus side.

1. Sit Ortiz- As I've been saying since day 1, he's finished. This has been proven nearly every game. He's not just hitting into outs, he's getting multiple strikeouts a game. Players like Lowell or Hermida can do better than Ortiz at hitting. Ortiz's only job is to hit and he isn't doing it. 2. Fire Francona- Honestly, I mean it. His time here is done. He helped us get two championships, but he ruined our chances last year and is doing the same now. He's making stupid decisions in the bullpen as to who to send out. He gives pitchers like Papelbon too many days of rest and expects them to pitch perfectly. He also overuses the best guys so they aren't rested. Remember, this is a guy who pinch-ran Buccholz a year ago to try to force a run on the base paths. 3. Sit Drew or trade him- I should not even have to expand on my account of JD Drew. He's not worth the money, never was. His only hits are the ones that help us in the least. He has had some memorable postseason hits, yes, but there is an MLB rule that you need to win so many games in your division to reach the postseason. Drew has not helped us reach that caliber in any way with his offense. Anyone making as much money as Drew and not performing doesn't deserve to start. 4. Don't extend an offer to Epstein- Most of his overall deals have failed, no lie. His most memorable deals are signing Curt Schilling, the "old" David Ortiz, and Keith Foulke for the 2004 season. While he's done a great job building our farm system, his other deals have been blunders: JD Drew (see above), Julio Lugo (worst deal ever made), Matt Clement, trading away Arroyo (he was not that great, but we needed pitching that year; and I must admit I praied Pena for awhile), trading away Cla Meredith for Mirabelli, and trading Manny for Bay (this one not so much as it was a necessity, but it essentially was trading away more than we received). The Hanley Ramirez trade is up for debate, yet obtaining Beckett and Lowell gave us a championship. Still, the Hanley trade disproves his idea of building up young talent, though there is question whether he was involved in this single trade or not. Still, I see more negatives in his tenure than positives. Complete OBP isn't working so well... 5. Make Pedroia bat 3rd- He's the only guy really hitting. He deserves to hit in the #3 spot. In fact, if we could get him to bat for all nine guys, it'd be sick. I think it will make a difference if he knocks runs in rather than getting on base and not getting home. 6. Trade Buchholz for offense- This was is up in the air. Buchholz has potential. Yet, we've been hearing this for four years now. When will this "potential" evolve into "goodness"? I haven't seen it yet. While not possibly the biggest issue, if we could trade him for proven pitching or hitting, we may have a better chance at success. We can compensate for his loss. His talent is there, but we have yet to see it unfold since four years now. 7. Play some smallball- Obviously swinging away isn't working. The Sox should try to bunt and hit and run, but only if they can do it successfully. Make the other teams bow down to the almighty Sox by running the bases constantly and confusing them harshly. It's not likable to work, but with the production we have so far, it's worth a try. 8. Get a catcher that can actually throw guys out- Maybe keep Victor Martinez at DH or split time with another catcher that we get in a trade. We need to throw guys out. We can't let teams like the Rays run all over us. It isn't an option. 9. Spend more money and wisely- Again this goes back to Theo Epstein. We really can't do this now, but it is an issue. The Bankee$ spend money, so why can't we? Pay money for smart talent. Don't overpay for failures like Lugo and Drew, but overpay for guys who will help us like Matt Holliday or CC Sabathia (just examples). The Yankees do it and they have won championships. We can't spend as much as they can, however, Theo can push a bit to spend for some decent power hitters or base stealers, not these minuscule OBP guys who aren't getting it done. I credit him for Lackey, but beyond that I can't say much... 10. Get more middle relief pitching- Enough of my blabber, you get the point. These are just suggestions, That's all.

We'll see about that when they beat the Yankees in the postseason.

I don't want to do it, but point is, I'm discussing the game, so I don't see what's wrong. You just oppose me because it's me. If anyone else did it, it would be fine. And forums are for arguments. I demand respect and have a right to share my opinion.

See? Exactly. He was horrible last year.

So what measure would you describe Ortiz's season last year? I don't think he was good at anything he did offensively, and you must realize his only job is to hit. But don't tell me his BA was good the second half, because you yourself said BA is the worst measure. As far as I'm concerned, Ortiz hit .238 and did everything short offensively of what he is supposed to do. Instead of DH he should now be deemed AO: "automatic out". Of course, nothing taken away from his prime days when he shined. But today, throw in the towel.