Bellhorn04

Does anybody think it would be good to have a separate 'baseball strategy' thread here? I think it would be great for topics like this.

Ah yes, but one of the beauties of baseball is that it forces you to make irrevocable decisions that can come back to haunt you. If you use your best reliever to get out of a bases loaded jam in the 7th, you're usually going to have to use somebody else to get those last 3 outs in the 9th, when it might still be a very close game. That's what scares the manager. You need 2 closer types really. The Sox had a great setup with Papelbon and Bard. Francona did use Bard earlier than the 8th to get out of jams several times.

Yeah I would guess Cano ultimately gets 7 years and 175 million.

Let's be fair now. Bard didn't just fail at being a SP. He lost a lot of velocity and he also lost his control. His walks and hit batters were off the charts. It's not unreasonable for people to think he might be another case like Steve Blass or Rick Ankiel. It happens.

You're right, 2.65 million is a serious chunk of change compared to what Aceves has made before this year.

Beckett's place is on the list of 'Greatest Seasons by a Red Sox'. He's on the short list for pitchers.

Losing 3/5 of the rotation, Kuroda, Pettitte and Hughes, wouldn't seem to me like much of a plus for the Yankees. 'Flexibility' can be overrated.

Shaughnessy being ridiculous as only he can. Cherington got a free pass in Year 1 but there's plenty of heat on him this year. Anybody that reads message boards knows this.

Easy. $25 * 5 = Hamilton money...with a drug dependency discount on the years.

C'mon man, they made a big splash with this signing.

Aceves reportedly was a model citizen today and spoke highly of Farrell. I think Farrell can keep him in line.

If we release him, he'll probably get scooped up by the Rays or the Marlins.

It is a big mistake. The guy is too susceptible to a good hook. Fans will quickly tire of him floundering at the plate, producing nothing but LOBsters.

Fred, truth be told I just don't think I care about it as much as you, buddy. If they keep him they keep him, or not. Looks like they're going to give him a chance. So be it.

TwitterPete Abraham @PeteAbe #RedSox live BP report: Buchholz looked healthy and Aceves looked sane.

The jete man! What's up dude?

We don't necessarily need a team full of goody two shoes either. Aceves obviously has issues but I don't think he's a threat to team morale. Let's see if they can get him under control.

Based on the story I copied & posted about Cherries' meeting with Aceves' agent, I think it's pretty clear he's on a short leash now.

It's being reported that the biggest cheques the Mets have to write to outfielders this year are to Jason Bay and...Bobby Bonilla.

Cherington tells Aceves' agent team won't tolerate incidents February 18, 2013, 6:57 pm Macadam FORT MYERS, Fla. -- A day after Alfredo Aceves seemed to be testing the Red Sox patience with his decision to throw live batting practice at half-speed, his agent visited Red Sox camp and had a conversation with general manager Ben Cherington. Tom O'Connell, who represents Aceves, chatted with Cherington. Cherington told the agent that the Sox value Aceves and want him to be a part of their staff, but also made clear that incidents like the one that took place Sunday won't be tolerated. Aceves has a history of issues with the Sox, dating back to last season when he once refused to hand the ball to Bobby Valentine on the mound. Later in the season, upset at not being called on in a save situation, Aceves had an angry confrontation with Valentine in his office that resulted in the pitcher slamming the door and later receiving a three-game suspension. A source indicated Sunday that the Sox believed that Aceves was "absolutely" testing new manager John Farrell. Aceves is believed to prefer to start; the Red Sox will stretch him out in the spring in case some depth starters are needed, but plan to use Aceves primarily out of the bullpen.

Look, we didn't hear about any problems with Aceves in 2011. Whatever there was, Francona handled it and kept it in the clubhouse. And while the rest of the pitching staff was melting down, Aceves had an ERA of 2.28 in July, 1.15 in August and 1.80 in September. All he did in 2011 was pitch his ass off. So it's not unreasonable to think that another manager can handle him.

And what exactly are the real life chances of Aceves being traded for Duda? The Sox already have Overbay and are trying out Nava at 1B as well.

I agree. And the Red Sox have undoubtedly been guilty of this on a few occasions. But I really think the perception is being blown out of proportion to the reality.

That vibe started the minute he hired Boras. And Boras's name kept popping up in Ellsbury's 2010 long-running rib injury drama.

Seriously? Playing in Pawtucket is more dangerous physically than playing in Boston?