SoxFanForsyth

Well, first off he has always said he hates leading off and isn't comfortable there. If there's a problem with him saying that, then you have to also have a problem with Pedroia and Youk saying the same thing. But regardless, you stick him somewhere and keep him there. Although he was in the top 3rd, he hit 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in that span, along with 5th and 7th. All in a matter of 12 games. That's an awful lot of moving around. Can you imagine the outcry if Francona did that with Pedroia if, for some reason, Pedroia started slow?? Maybe last year was just a learning experience. Now we know, Crawford needs to have stability, and that's fine. Throw him in the 2 hole and forget about him.

Yup. Some players thrive on consistency, and Carl Crawford is one of those players. Consistency promotes comfort. Change is often an uncomfortable thing, and Crawford went through entirely too much change last year. And Crawford is even more sensitive to change than other people. He's a very quiet guy, watch his interviews. He's just kind of a quiet, shy guy. He's not going to speak up. Like I said, he needs to be handled with kid gloves, which is probably why he did so well with Madden. I think Crawford learned a lot last year, but more than that, I think the Red Sox learned a lot about Crawford last year.

Ah yes. The ol Yankees Spring Training "stretching" routine...

I think he hurt his neck last year after the ASB and that kind of robbed some of his power. And then he also didn't have his offseason training program because of his shoulder, so he wasn't able to work out as hard and he just got tired toward the end. He could have used a couple days off in the middle of the season last year, but with the HRD and the ASG, he only got like 1 day off.

No. It's the managers fault that he dropped him to 7 after 3 games. 3 games man. And what's he going to do? He's never been put in that situation before. Francona did a horrible job with Crawford last season. I'm not saying it's entirely Francona's fault, but it played a large part in it.

Well, that's what Bobby V thought too, but he took 30 cuts in the cage at around 80% intensity just yesterday, and is way ahead of schedule as it stands. He's also not limited at all in all other aspects (i.e. defense, throwing). I'd say he'll probably be hitting live pitching by the end of next week, and then in ST games by around March 10-March 15. He'll get enough AB in and will be ready for Opening Day if he continues to progress like he has.

One of the most important things that this team needs to do this year is get Crawford back into his comfort zone. He won't be comfortable in the bottom of the order. He doesn't change the game in the 7 slot like he does in the 2 slot. IMO, you put him in the 2 spot and you leave him there, period. He's too good of a player not to get back to his true talent.

Exactly. See the last paragraph of my last post. This is exactly what they need to do. Stick with him. Hell, they stuck with Papi in 2009 and 2010 when he hit .190 in April. Give Crawford the same treatment. He's an elite player as well. So don't treat him like he's a rookie and make him earn his spot all over again. No veteran is going to perform well, especially not someone who is sensitive to these things like Carl.

Well, to a point I agree. I want guys with speed to be at the top where they can get on base and put pressure on the pitchers and give the 3-6 hitters some mistake pitches and higher ratios of fastballs. Also, while we're on this, Youkilis needs to be in the 6 hole, not the 4 hole. He isn't nearly aggressive enough to be a 4 hitter. He tries to work the count too much, takes too many walks, etc. Gonzo and Ortiz are aggressive at the plate and actually try to drive in runs. That's one thing that drove me crazy last year with Youk. That and his Away splits.

I'm ok with this, I guess. To me, we found gold with Ellsbury in the leadoff spot. He sets the pace of the game so well. He gets on 1st base and he's in scoring position with those wheels. He has a .370+ OBP, which is elite. And Pedroia has come out and said he hates leading off too.

Son. Of. A. Bitch. We agree on something.

I really, really don't like Crawford leading off. He doesn't walk enough to be a leadoff hitter, and he doesn't have a high enough OBP. He's much better off hitting in the 2 slot IMO. Man. I would be thrilled to see Pedroia in the 3 hole myself. But more than anything, I would hate to move Ellsbury. That guy is no question the best leadoff hitter in baseball. I'd rather go Ellsbury - Pedroia - Crawford than to leadoff Crawford.

If Crawford turns back into the .305/.355/.450 guy like he was in TB in 2010 by getting comfortable and hitting in the 2 slot, and you see very little or no change in Pedroia's game, then I don't think there's any argument against it. Regardless, we have to give Crawford his best chance to get back to those numbers. Too many people are projecting 2012 based on an aberration in 2011. He's come out and said he didn't feel comfortable in the bottom of the line up and go out of his game and started trying to hit HR, trying to work too hard so that he could earn a slot back in the top of the order, and it all went to s***. So give him his best shot to get back to those numbers from 2010 because if he gets back there, this team is just that much better.

Ellsbury - Crawford - Pedroia - Gonzo - Ortiz - Youk. I know that goes L L R L L, but when you have Ells, Gonzo, and Ortiz that hit lefties well, then that won't matter. And if Ortiz struggles vs LHP again this year, then swap he and Youk in games vs LHP. But until then, I like that. We all know that Pedroia will rake in the 3 hole and probably knock in 100 and score 100, you put Crawford into his comfortable situation where he can turn back into himself, and then you've got Pedroia and Gonzo who put dents in the monster every game hitting behind 2 guys who can score from 1st on those wall ball doubles.

I'm going to go ahead and open up a can of worms because my wife is watching the Academy Awards and I need something to occupy me tonight. Crawford should hit 2nd this year, and Doubront will be our 5th starter out of ST.

I guess after 630 pages of posts, it's only natural that the subject of the conversation isn't related to the Red Sox.

1. Doubront a major sleeper this year. Word out of spring training (from what I hear) is that he is looking very good. Could easily take over the 5th spot in the rotation. Can't forget, after the 2010 season there was a lot of excitement about this guy. Got out of shape that offseason, came in hurt, couldn't get it back. This offseason, they made him work harder and stick to a strict training regimen. Should be interesting but I can definitely see him breaking camp as the 5th man in the rotation, and I'd be very happy with it. 2. I feel like everyone forgets how good of a player Carl Crawford really is. And the good news is that he is so much more comfortable this year than he was last year. Anyone can see it just in his interviews and how much he is smiling, there's a much different aura around him this year than there was last year, and I think that will translate well into this season. 3. Speaking of comfort - I'm anxious to see how DiceK does now that Valentine is the manager. Japanese player, manager with Japanese managing experience. Also speaks Japanese. I'm not predicting anything at all, but I'm excited to see if, A) Dicek is more comfortable around a manager who speaks his language, and B ) if Bobby V will just let DiceK throw like he did in Japan (i.e. pitch backwards) rather than trying to force a square into a circle. Could be a big addition, considering Bard will likely have innings limits this year that will kick in shortly after DiceK comes back. 4. This team has a ton to prove. I don't know if I've ever seen the Sox this motivated and with this big of a chip on their shoulder. As much or more so than after the 2003 season IMO. Not saying this season will turn out as well as 2004, but I wouldn't doubt it, either. 5. Quick nugget - Lackey and Wakefield started 51 games last year. That's 31.5% of the starts. I will make a sig bet anyone on this forum that the 2012 SP ERA is lower than the 2011 SP ERA.

Learn things everyday from posters on those site. You know why? Because I realize I don't know everything. You should try it. Instead of ripping someone for citing professional talent evaluators and then citing an amateur website and calling it credible. Serious that's hilarious.

Uh. He already has.

Ohhhhhh. Now it ALLLLL makes sense. Talent evaluators are pure s*** and their opinions are just guesses, but citing an article from bleacher report is a credible source. Hahahahahahaha. Dude. Are. You. Serious. Man. I can't say anything could possibly make you look any worse than you just made yourself look. Wow. Thank you for that.