OregonBostonian

Good post! Thanks!

I guess the DL???? BUT! I honestly don't know. I admit not being well versed on the "Option" issues, but the kid needs some serious help. Keeping him in the rotation puts major strains on the BP, and the team. I hate to say it, but our pitching coach seems clueless in getting through to Buch (nice last start though), Lester (who loses it over the slightest bad call), & Bard (just a bloody mess). Funny???? Beckett thrives on the chaos! He does like being top dog! My long term conspiracy theory is...... This Starting Rotation has been an absolute MESS since Lackey showed up! It's really all about Lackey still! His negative influence is still being felt. The whole "3 horsemen" thing led us to Dante's Inferno Lackey is the anti__________

The only thing I'm not sure about here, is where the issue "between the ears," as you put it, lies? They say Bard is a bright kid???? He very well could be, but that does not mean that he is mentally STRONG!!!! I think he may lack the "mental toughness" needed to get "locked in?" If that is the case, where he simply can't stay locked in, then we are in big trouble with him. The ONLY course of action, is that is the case, is to move him to the BP, where he can have relative success, with minimal focus time. He readily admits having trouble maintaining focus over the course of a full game, as opposed to for one inning out of the pen. Perhaps he will never have it? Not a total loss! I HOPE! There will be issues with the BP going forward this year. Bard could be a very good option! Another option? Deal him to a team who can be patient with a young pitcher with big up side? Not there yet!

I would consider sending Bard down to get right. Admittedly, I'm not clear on the logistics of that move, but it seems to be the most logical move. OR, a 15 day DL stint to work it out. Any way you slice it, the kid's not right. Unfortunately, it seems to be a combo of physical mechanics & the head game with Bard. Either way..... Moving him to the BP, Pawtucket, or DL there are issues. Bard was very weak at 92mph, with control issues. NOW, at 97+, he's downright dangerous & costly. So........ What do you do?

mvp78, I agree! you simply don't mess with the BP! Bring up a guy from the farm to "spell" Bard for a start or two, so he can work it out. With all the reps at his 92mph fastball & new arm slot, he will likely have to go back to that???? I hate it, but that is likely what we see in his next outing. He should be DFA'd to work out his OLD pitching style. He should keep the 95+ fastball, but mix big time. at 92, he's very flat, with absolutely NO MOVEMENT! He also has control issues at 92mph...... This was a monumental screw up! NEVER should have messed with his pitching stye to begin with. Not sure he has the mentality of a starter? For such a "bright guy," he lacks the mental focus to sustain 7, 8, 9 innings. Not me saying he has issues maintaining focus! His words..... over & over. I'm going to take him at his word. Whatever happens with Bard, I pray that Dice-K does not become the answer!!!!

p.s. Aceves stays where he is! In fact, I want him to stay as closer the rest of the year! Bailey? 8th inning set up??? I hate to mess with this BP!

Somebody messed this kid up! It seems clear that the plan was for him to be a starter in ST. OK. No problem there. This is what he (Bard) wanted all along. OK. No problem. So, the big question was, how to get him there. Obviously, the decision was to "stretch him out," notching him down to 92mph on the fastball, & changing his arm slot??? Not wise! As a fastball pitcher, who throws 94-97mph consistently, why would you "notch him back" to a very average fastball? A fastball pitcher pitches off of his fastball. Everything flows from there! What the hell were they thinking? Could it be that Bard, the bright young union guy, thought thought that he needed to not it back himself, thus guaranteeing him a long & prosperous career, before he was even established? Could it be that "air of entitlement" rearing it's ugly head again with the starters? Why do I think Beckett was whispering in the kid's ear? Just a theory about the whole rotation I've had for a long time. I see Beckett & Lackey's negative influence on Lester (clear as day), Buch (the kid's a basket case, but let's keep our fingers crossed after his last start:), Bard????, BUT......... thank God there's the language barrier for Dubby He seems unaffected by the Beckett & Lackey negativity. Having said that...... I give it up to Beckett for still KNOWING HOW TO PITCH, & being a fierce competitor when he wants to be!

oooops! Forgot about A-Pod. Starting to like the "kid." It's great to actually have so many "problems" in the OF. Hat's off to so many of these guys for stepping up! If I'm a GM, I'd be looking at Nava & Sweeney, & saying I could build a damned good outfield around those two.

p.s. I agree! D'Mac should be on an INDEFINITE stint on the DL....... Again, NICE GUY, but he bring zero buzz to our lineup. I hear he's a great "locker room guy," but we need help off the bench! Yeh, yeh, yeh...... RH hitter. I really don't care anymore. It's eventually gonna come down to numbers when Ells, CC, & Ross come back. Sweeney & Nava must stay!!!! Which means D'Mac & Byrd must go? You keep CC, & I'll keep Bryd Problem solved.

Let's just hope CC doesn't return this year. That will help? I can't help wishing he'd go ahead & have surgery. I like the guy, but I think he's scared _hitless to come back & play in Boston. This contract is going to be an albatross around our necks for the next 6 years I know he's gotta come back sometime, so I'm still rooting for the guy. If it were all as simple as having the best players out there, it would be Ells CF (when he returns), Nava stays in LF, & Sweeney stays in RF. I do like the pop Ross bring, & he was doing pretty well at the plate, but his fielding horrific. I've always liked Nava, & Sweeney is THE pick up of the off season! sinse I'm dreaming...... how 'bout we eat 75% of CC contract, & deal him. Then offer Ells a long term contract? It's nice to dream...... How's Boston? Wish I were there!!! Old fan. New member