Brown28

I imagine I'm not the only one who was been confused by Farrell's stance on Victorino absolutely being the starting RF on opening day even after Rusney got healthy. It seemed like a life-time achievement award for a guy who really isn't ever going to be considered a sock when people look back on his career. So today I had an idea. What if Farrell is adamant that Victorino is our starting RF because the season starts in Philly? What if he just wants Victorino to have one more opening day in the ballpark where he spent a lot of good years? Then once the Sox get to New York, or back home, he moves Victorino to the platoon role that makes a lot more baseball sense? I'd love to hear if anyone think's theres any validity to this. And full disclosure, I'm sick of spring ball and am out of things to talk about. So this is what I got.

This doesn't change anything about how I feel about the season. The blueprint has clearly "been win with offence" since the Panda/Hanley signings. Losing Vazquez doesn't hurt the offence. Will the Sox give up more runs? Probably. But they were gonna give up a hell of a lot anyway. The question is still "Can the offence score enough to compensate for a below-average rotation?" The answer to that question is also the answer to the question of "Will the Sox contend this year?".

I hope this doesn't mean we rush Swihart up to the majors this year. I'd rather see him develop in AAA. We don't need offence from that spot so let's use Hanigan/whoever and hopefully they can hit a combined .260 and play solid D. I'd be happy with that.

Seems like Uehara won't be going on opening day. So I assume Mujica gets the save chances until he's ready.

Pedroia isn't going anywhere. The Sox don't trade guys like that, even if they slump hard in their 30's and everyone think's they're done (See:Papi,Big). Also, and this may shock the hell out of people...we dont know if Betts is good yet (See: Bradley Jr, Jackie). And even if he is, he's not blocked by Pedroia. They play different positions. If anyone's a threat to Pedroia is Moncada and word is he's good enough to play pretty much any position.

In related news, Rusney went deep again today. At the very least, Pawsox should be excited.

Of all the outfield pieces, Victorino is the one I'd like to see moved the most. Even if the Sox pay part of that contract out. I just don't feel like he's got much left. I appreciate everything he did, helping win a title and all but I think it's time to move on. Farrell saying he has the RF job locked down makes no sense to me.

The Rusney situation bothers me more than JBJ. He's 27. The guy has to get major league AB's asap. Betts and Hanley are obviously everyday guys and Nava is gonna be the 4th outfielder because he's a lefty. So that leaves RF which Farrell has said is Victorino's when healthy. Seems like Rusney is a very expensive 5th outfielder.

This is my feeling as well. I don't mind him sitting in AAA, at least for a few months. Hanley is an injury risk and who knows if Victorino will ever get healthy or what he'll contribute if/when he does. The Sox may be glad to have the OF depth come June/July. I am however, worried that they panic trade JBJ if they get a decent offer to try and free up AB's for Rusney and quiet the fanbase about the starting rotation.

Edes wrote about it today so I thought I'd bring it up, the kid is eating this spring. He's being overshadowed by Betts and probably won't sniff the opening day roster but this has gotta be good for trade purposes, right? Convince some team (Philly) that his bat is finally coming and he's already Gold Glove caliber. Just want to hear what you guys think about it and whether or not spring stats have any impact on his trade value.

Yeah, dont have cable. That's why I'm asking for the stream.

Does anyone have a stream for the game? Having trouble finding one

I would be all for DFA'ing Carp and letting Bradley take his AB's but Bradley needs to play everyday. Same with Iggy. So Carp is probably our best option for that role, even though he sucks.

I wanted McCarthy purely for his twitter account. f*** a higher ceiling, he makes me giggle.

Let Drew start. He's the proven big-leaguer. Iggy will one day be the best defensive SS in baseball, but his average will suck over a large sample size if we keep him up now. Yeah he has 9 hits, but he's not tearing the cover off the ball. There's been a lot of luck so far. Send him and Bradley down for Drew and Papi. Nava is the 4th outfielder, Ciraco is the utility man and Carp is there for when Papi or Naps need a day off.