Spitball

I think he is in the last year of a two year deal. From Dylan Hernandez:

This is from Jon Heyman's article on SportsIllustrated.cnn.com Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jon_heyman/07/08/andre.ethier.dodgers/index.html#ixzz1RYIUqs1R

Thanks for the recap, 700. Everyone who was living in Massachusetts (or anywhere in New England) in 1967 was touched by the magic of that season. It was an incredible year. It wasn't just about baseball...it was about our culture. You would go to school, the grocery store, the doctor, anywhere and everyone was discussing the latest Red Sox game. The Sox were always popular in New England, but the late 1950s and most of the 1960s featured some pretty poor teams. The 1966 team finished a half game out of last place (Yankees were last). Dick Williams came in in 1967 and turn it around. Believe it or not, I enjoyed 1967 more than 2004. Btw, Lonborg had a long road back from his ski injury but would pitch 12 more seasons and win 116 more games. He was never the Cy Young quality pitcher of 1967 again but would have some pretty good seasons for the Phillies in the 1970s.

Cashman said the Yankees would not be active in the trade market before the deadline last year just before he acquired Berkman, Wood, and Kearnes. I doubt this would happen. Besides, Bay has played only one game in right since he came to the majors. That should tell us something.

Mets Listening On Carlos Beltran From MLBTrade Rumors.com By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 7 at 9:44am CST] The Mets are beginning to accept calls on Carlos Beltran, according to Kevin Kernan of the New York Post and “people are calling” about the outfielder. Beltran, who has said he’ll waive his no-trade clause in the right deal to a contender, met with agent Scott Boras to discuss trade possibilities. Few teams, if any, could afford Beltran’s $18.5MM salary, since he’ll still be owed $6MM or so at the end of July. He currently projects as a Type A free agent, but the Mets cannot offer him arbitration after the season. The Yankees aren’t interested in Beltran, though the Red Sox are a possible fit given the low level of offensive production Boston has received from its right fielders this year. Mets GM Sandy Alderson says “it’s still a little bit early” to make deals, since the Mets are “relevant” in the race for playoff berths.

Actually, Lackey came to spring training 10 lighter than last year.

Geesh! I certainly hope the injury bug stops before it turns into 2010 all over again. I believe Lester is eligible to get off the DL on July 22.

From MLBTradeRumors.com: By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 6 at 8:50am CST] Since few teams have been completely eliminated from contention, the trade market is developing slowly, according to Newsday’s Ken Davidoff. As of today, the top commodity available is relief pitching and there’s lots of interest in that department. Here are the rest of Davidoff’s notes on the trade market: •Heath Bell, Francisco Rodriguez, Chad Qualls and Luke Gregerson are available. •The Mets believe they can keep their fans interested even if they trade Rodriguez. •The Diamondbacks, Brewers, Cardinals and Rangers are among the teams that are heavily in the mix for relievers. •It appears extremely unlikely that the Mets will trade Jose Reyes, but his top suitors would likely include the Reds, Guardians, Giants and Mariners, four teams that have poked around for infield help, according to Davidoff. It’s even possible that the Red Sox would pursue Reyes if he became available. •The Orioles aren’t quite ready to shop Koji Uehara and the Twins aren’t quite ready to shop Matt Capps. In fact, the Twins aren’t going to sell until they’re sure they’re out of contention. •The Yankees are focused on finding a lefty reliever, a commodity the Red Sox and Tigers would also like to acquire. •Though no frontline starters appear to be available, the Yankees are looking to acquire a top starter. Cleveland and Detroit are also looking for rotation help.

I don't know. The last time I looked, Zito was about 3 Ks per nine, but he would be returning to the pitching coach from his Oakland days. But, can he possibly be effective in the AL east? I hope they stick with Lackey. I see more chance for improvement.

One more comment and then I am gone until tomorrow. The bullpen is 10th in the AL in ERA. They are nearly a run worse than the Yankees. The starters ERA is 8th, but only the Royals and Orioles have fewer quality starts. There are needs in both areas. The thing is, quality relief pitchers (like Heath Bell, Chad Qualls, Ernesto Frieri, Mike Adams) will be easier to add than a quality starter or two.

Just a few thoughts before I head out to celebrate the 4th. The Sox are first or second in most offensive catagories. It is pitching depth/quality that hurts their cause. Outside of right field, they have enough offense. Right field can be improved with a minor leaguer (Kalish, Reddick, Nava) or a lesser trade (Ludwick, Francouer, even Cabrerra). If the Red Sox can find a quality starting pitcher, I'd feel much better. I have little condidence in Millwood, and as much as I love what Wakefield has done through the years, he worries me. I'm just not sure there is one out there. Maybe Kuroda or Wandy Rodriguez, or Bud Norris. Matt Garza would be an interesting option. Also, I'd really like to see is the Sox acquire some relief help. Heath Bell, Chad Qualls, Ernesto Frieri, and/or Mike Adams from the Padres would be perfect. A relief pitcher or two to push Jenks and Wheeler down (or out of) the line of relief would strengthen the team greatly. There is little chance the Sox will feel the need for a Beltran-level upgrade. Unless the bottom falls out on the Sox or there are significant outfield injuries before July 31, there won't be enough panic to trade for a Beltran level outfielder. The fact the Sox have stuck with their current situation in right for more than half a season should be evidence they are not about to panic at this point.

The Sox are OPSing .757 versus left handers and .808 versus right handers. That is not a terribly lopsided difference. There will always be a difference. It is only scary when there is a problem versus right handers which make up the majority of the pitchers.

Yeah, but he is OPSing .841.

I get that. I am making the logical conclusion that the Sox are not desperate enough to overpay for Beltran and what he brings to the table. Why should they? Their line-up is very solid except right field. There are several moves that would be upgrades that won't cost Beltran money/prospects. Actually, I am betting there is a much better chance of seeing Kalish or Reddick in right than seeing any real negotiations for Beltran.

If what Peter Gammons is reporting is true and the Sox can't take on significant salary, Beltran is not a likely candidate for Boston. If dealt at the trade deadline, he would cost the Sox upwards of $6 million, and his full no-trade clause would surely cost more to buy out.

The mention of Francouer made me cringe until I checked his current stats. I like the idea. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/francje02.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker He has been much better than what has been paraded out there so far.

At one time, I totally agreed. I remember the Sox issued #11 to Tony Horton (1966 I think) after Malzone retired, and I was really bummed. Frank Malzone was the only #11 I had known on the Sox. Luis Aparicio was the first since Malzone I was okay with wearing the number because he had been a great player with the White Sox and Orioles. I associated him with that number.

I liked #46 better than #2, also. The higher numbers on outfielders are unique and cool. I was okay with Buccholz changing to #11 from #61 though. That number will always seem to be Bronson Arroyo to me. Thanks. I'll have to try that avenue.

I want a Tiant #23 t-shirt jersey, but the only site I've found that features one has been sold-out for a long time. Btw, I saw a guy with an expensive Victor Martinez jersey recently. I felt sorry for the guy. I would never pay big bucks for a player who might likely depart. I did buy an Ellsbury #46 t-shirt just before he switched to #2.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reported recently that Pence wasn't likely to be moved. Jim Crane wouldn't want to begin his ownership of the Astros by dealing their best player. Tim Dierkes reported the Padres were interested in trading impending free agents Heath Bell and Chad Qualls. Aquiring one or both to the bullpen plus Ludwick to play rightfield for the rest of this season, and the Sox would be a significantly better team.