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Elktonnick

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Everything posted by Elktonnick

  1. Elktonnick
    While I think Lester's deteriorating performance results from factors other than the personnel changes, I think there is some merit to criticisms of Salty's lack of skill behind the plate having an adverse affect on all Sox pitching not just Lester. I think it is fair to presume, given the Sox signing of Ross and their interest in Napoli, the FO shares that concern. The Sox probably may not move Lester but I think it is probable that Salty will be dealt.
  2. Elktonnick
    That is convoluted thinking and a reach Starting pitching wins championships. I can't imagine a GM as risk adverse as Cherrington and Farrell giving up on some one who they thought were an effective starter for an unproven prospect who hasn't played a single game in the bigs.
  3. Elktonnick
    They may "kick the tires" on Hamilton but I can't see it happening for alot of reasons. Some club will give Hamilton more than five years and I can't see Boston doing that. If they were then they haven't learned anything from the FA signings that got them in this pickle in the first place.
  4. Elktonnick
    Is it? As Yogi famously said " Ninety percent of this game is half mental". Then again just look at Daniel Bard. From what I ahve seen Lester's problem is not only mental but physical. His velocity was down. He may have lost a consistent fastball. Why? I don't know but he has lost confidence in that pitch and he over used his cutter which is being clobbered.
  5. Elktonnick
    I think you just answered your own question. Such a deal would never happen unless Farrell agreed. Even Cherries, Lucchino et al wouldn't be that shortsighted to do that to their new manager. Farrell would never agree if you thought he could turn Lester around. That's why I conclude if this deal does happen it is because the FO and Farrell believe that Lester's best days are well behind him.
  6. Elktonnick
    You make a good point about Morales. The more I think about it the Sox seem intent on clearing their clubhouse of those with an attitude problem. They seem to be going out of their way to look for guys with a good reputation for clubhouse chemistry. I wonder how much Lester's temperment is playing into their calculations.
  7. Elktonnick
    I don't think it the two years remaining on Lester or his future signability are the issue with the Red Sox. His attitude and the steady deterioration in his skills are though. They are real and more immediate. If KC makes they deal (and I am not saying they will) it will be because they believe a change in scenery are the ticket to save his career. The Royals need to make a splash and picking up Lester for two years might be one answer. BTW next year is crucial for Lester. Another year like last year and he won't sniff big money again.
  8. Elktonnick
    If they thought he were ever likely to be a nbr 1 they'd never trade him for a prospect no matter how hyped that prospect was. If this ever comes to pass then (And that's a big if) I'd say the FO has decided to clear the team of all its problem personalities from a year ago i.e. Youkilis, Shoppach, Beckett etc. The only one that would remain is that slug Lackey who may be impossible to move, yet.
  9. Elktonnick
    Even with interesting teams they'd draw flies. They have the worst stadium and they play in Oakland.
  10. Elktonnick
    Apples and Oranges, the A's do for financial reasons. The Red Sox have different financial considerations. I believe the Red Sox have correctedly concluded that Lester will never be the pittcher he was. He has failed to live up to his potential. Two years ago many were saying he was a nbr 1 an ace. Well he has steadily deteriorated. His cutter has been his downfall as well as his attitude. If this deal doesn't happen I hope it is wakeup call to him to get his act together.
  11. Elktonnick
    I can't believe the Royals would do this deal but, if they do I am all for it. But make no bones about it, it is a run this guys out of town move, if it happens. No one trades a quality starter if you believe his best years are ahead of him. This deal only happens because the the Sox don't believe that Lester's best years are ahead of him. Plus, it also tells me that the FO thinks Lester's attitude problem wasn't just confined to BV. Furthermore I can't believe the Sox do this deal without touching base with Farrell.
  12. Elktonnick
    It may be a minor quibble but I don't see the addition of Ross and Gomes as rebuilding moves per se. Rather I see them as stemming the slide to furtrher deterioration. It is the 2013 version of a "bridge" year. Ross's presence probably prepares the way for the club moving Salty sometime next year. I think Gomes gives them some flexibility at DH should Ortiz come up hurt which has a high probability.
  13. Elktonnick
    I respect Dan Duqutte's acumen when it comes to handling pitchers more than anything that I've seen from the Red Sox since his departure. I find it significant that Duquette is so down on the cutter that he has banned it being taught in the Orioles organization. Palmer has alos criticized Lester for over using the cutter in his analysis of Red Sox games. Lester has gone from being a power pitcher to a slightly above average lefty with a rare instances of his former self. Maybe Farrell can return him to form. If so then he will have earned his salary. How much of Lester's issues are temperment and attitude are the major question marks. If the Sox don't shore up the rotation then it is obvious that the FO is betting that it is temperment which will largely be put to rest by Farrell's re apearance. That is a heck of a a gamble and puts added pressure on Farrell.
  14. Elktonnick
    And hoiw much of that are the Red Sox and Liverpool? The point is that his assets are almost exclusively tied up in both franchises. His commodity business the original source of his wealth has closed up shop. While he is not going to be showing up in the food stamp line any time soon, his financial flexibility has disappated considerably over the past few years. The way he has managed both Liverpool and the Red Sox clearly show that. I still elieve the club is being shopped.
  15. Elktonnick
    Lester has gone downhill steadily in my view. I believe it is due to the Red Sox's pitching philosophy. I don't care for the over use of the cutter. I suscribe to the view that the cutter over time accelerates arm weakness. Beckett inculcated this rotation with the cutter. They were throwing it too much. I don't believe the decline was just due to Valentine but rather the underlying pitching philosophy. We'll see if Lester bounces back. I hope he does. but I am not holding my breath.
  16. Elktonnick
    And I hope for peace in the Middle East.
  17. Elktonnick
    First of all when Cherries wa soriginally hired those who knew him described him as very deliberate some times overly so. As to the rest it is my opinion based on observation and events and my analysis of the results. I could be wrong or I could be right that's why it is called an opinion. BTW just so I am absolutely clear, I think Ben is way over his head. I won't trust him with my ML franchise if I were the owner. As for the rumors of JH having less millions , he had to shut down his commodity business because the assets went from 2.6 billion in 2006 to 100 million this year. That's a fact.
  18. Elktonnick
    At one time John Lester was a number 2 whether he is still that good remains to be seen. From my perspective, his over use of the cutter and his temperment has resulted him no longer being a power pitcher. This year will be huge fior Lester. If he doesn't return to form under Farrell then no more excuses.
  19. Elktonnick
    I think it comes with the job title, GM. Ben is the face of the FO. I certainly agree that others are pulling the strings. I actually have come to the view that John Henry is now playing a more active role in day to day matters than he has done previously. I also agree with Fred's point that Ben is deliberate to a fault and he is risk adverse. He was described that way when he was hired. As I have said before Ben isn't a GM in the Dick O'Connell or Dan Duquette mode. I think he is more a coordinator of baseball operations with a fancier title. Whoever is actually making the final decisions, the Sox are going nowhere until they address the pitching. Napoli Gomes Ross et al are just distractions from the real issues. With this rotation, bullpen and closer, this team won't win 80 games regardless of whether they sign Napoli or retain Cody Ross.
  20. Elktonnick
    The purported reason for signing Gomes is that he crushes left handers, yet Ross has a better OPS against left handers and is better defensively. So if it is Gomes instead of Ross than the club is worse for the deal. If the Sox sign Ross then I am ok with the Gomes signing. But one must realize that Gomes will never be mistaken for a gold glover. He could be a real liability defensively.
  21. Elktonnick
    When the Red Spx go after a guy with Fenway power and poor defensive skills it reminds me of the awful Red Sox teams of the early sixties. Gomes can hit but he sucks defensively. Remember "Dr Strangeglove" or Stonefingers" Dick Stuart anyone?
  22. Elktonnick
    I think all the evidence suggests that John Henry is playing a larger role in the day to day decisions of running this club, as evidenced bu his comments regarding Bill James. Cherries is merely a staff aide with a fancy title.
  23. Elktonnick
    While I have a very low opinion of Cherrington who IMO is way over his head, the role of GM in MLB has dimished since the days of Joe Cronin, Dick O'Connell Lou Gorman and those of that era. Perhaps the greatest GM of all time Branch Rickey was originally hired as "business manager" I think Cherrington functions more as a baseball operations coordinator. Everyone knows the real decisions are made above his "pay grade."
  24. Elktonnick
    I think you guys are right on target with Salty. Sell before ST his value will never be higher
  25. Elktonnick
    Salty is a journeyman catcher. His defensive skills are poor. One of the reasons for his higher than average ERA is IMO he drops a lot of foul tips that would be third strikes that other catchers get. He frames the ball poorly and is not good at giving targets. These were all pointed out by analysts other than Don and Jerry during the year. Lavarnway, Saltyand Ross wiill all be fighting for a job next year. My guess is that Salty will be trade bait.
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