cp176

Eject button? really? Who would you eject him for in all honesty? Sounds like someone expecting him to fail to me. I'm happy we have him and don't consider him someone simply holding a job for someone else. I really don't think that the Red sox have an eject button ready for Leon.

Is there much of a difference with respect to what the experts say currently between Vazquez and Leon when it comes to defending the position? Are they a long way apart in certain areas?

I think that your take is a good one. Very sensible. I just keep looking at Sandy and thinking what is there about him (lacking I guess) that makes him any less of a defensive catcher than CV. Actually I think he is a decent framer of pitches and I really can't see anything wrong with his arm. He has a very strong and accurate one. I want the best for Vazquez too but I think that Sandy gets sold a little short by some people in comparison to him. it is a good problem to have. the one I really am beginning to feel sorry for is Swihart.

See this is the thing - there really is more than one way to "skin a cat". We all value starting pitching probably more than anything else. You either develop them yourself or you let someone else do it for you. I would be in favor of a trade like you suggested i think. Draft the best young players that are available - keep some trade some. That is the way it goes. When you have the resources that the Red Sox have available to them, you don't have to rely on one way of doing things. Probably why I am ok with the Espinoza trade. Lets see if and when he ever becomes a top of the rotation guy. If he does, we likely will be in the hunt to get him back.

I have to ask you why with respect to Vazquez? What about Leon do you not like when comparing him to Vazquez? I have read a great deal of what has been written with respect to Vazquez and I understand the premium paid for having a defense first catcher. I still think that Leon is a defense first catcher. Like you, I am definitely a defense first guy when it comes to this position and maybe even to baseball in general. I don't think that the difference between the two will ever be that significant. With respect to these two, they are on fairly equal footing. It very likely is going to come down to the better hitter of the two.

Come on now. That poor horse just can't get to the barn soon enough.

I think she meant over the course of the entire game. 9 plus whatever - nobody gets to second. That is pretty unusual.

I feel and felt the same. I think that Sale is and has been on a different level though.

I did and still do. Of course I want Pomeranz to pitch better, but that is not a trade that bothers me one bit. I still think he could be a big help. When and if Espinoza appears on a ml roster, maybe I'll change my mind.

kept me going for months.

Don't be too hard on yourself. i never got the impression that you were really down on Leon. I just happen to love these types of guys. He has been under rated. Regardless of what becomes of him going forward, he plays the game the right way in my opinion. A team player who just keeps moving forward. I can really cheer for these types of guys. You don't need a lot of stars to win but you do need a lot of these types of players.

Thank you - as one who has believed in him, I accept that pat.

Like I said earlier, this is one where we all get to have our own personal standards. Personally, my list of 1's is a very small one.

i understand totally how you felt and maybe feel. There is the thought that maybe this isn't the "real" Sandy. I just enjoy the type of player he has become. Dirt dog tough team player. Everything about him says catcher. What has confused me a bit though is how some people seem to just kind of see him as an after thought. Simply a guy holding a position until someone else is ready . That still might be the case but if he is ultimately outplayed for this position, then the guy winning that job might have to be very special. I just keep thinking to myself - Leon is still a young man. His potential to get better in all phases of the game are as good as anyone else who plays in our system.

I think that it depends upon what your personal individual standards are for ace qualification. This is where I don't care at all about what all of the gurus say it takes to be a true ace. They don't come along all that often for me. As much as I loved Lester, I never really have considered him to be a top of the food chain ace. great pitcher none the less.

Hernandez and Leon have been a couple of my favorites for some time now.

Rocket in 84 and 85 - you could tell if he stayed healthy his show was real Pedro of course Chris Sale - Guess I had forgotten how much a true ace can change a team's landscape. Wow! I have seen him pitch before of course but I guess since he wasn't one of ours hadn't paid attention. I'm all about this type of game anyway but if this is what we are in store for, this trade could go down as historic for us. I love Porcello and was hoping and still hope that Price will be ace like but this guy is for real. His delivery looks a little different I guess but not real different. He catches the ball and then throws it back to the catcher. You could see that he was pissed because he walked one guy. We are very very fortunate to have him! it would have been good for me to have heard him talk about why he cut up the throwback jerseys too. I might not condone what he did but I sure as don't hold that act against him. He is way to good to be pitching for the White Sox. Welcome to a championship region and franchise. i should have included Lonborg in 67 on my list of true Boston aces - my 1+ list.

walk off - not bad

I couldn't have me some Hernandez but I got me some Leon.

Thanks for this - What a great read. I remember these guys like it really was just yesterday. No Rice in that 75 series hurt us just as much as no Tony c. in 67. Sadly, you don't get do-overs. Benintendi, Bradley, and Betts are pretty damn good and maybe someday they will equal or surpass what these 3 did before them in my mind. I will never ever forget the impact that the "gold dust twins" had on baseball that year.

I still do believe in old Nessie. Part of staying young for me has always been about dreaming and hoping - not hopelessly i hope. Kind of along this same note, did you happen to see Bradford's blog this morning about why the Pirates would shift against Leon. he brought up some interesting statistics having to do with shifts in general that might cause anyone to think that they are really being overused.

All good - you are one of the good guys. I appreciate the fact that you can have a good conversation with someone like you. I was just having one of my moments.

I hear you here - it's like a big tease but I'll be ready to clean up at a good old New England Yard Sale tonight!

The people that think everything in the real world doesn't exist unless it can be proven can "spout off all they want" it doesn't mean that they are right. A part of me tends to believe in some things that don't seem to exist until their non-existence can be difinitively proven. Not just bigfoot either.

Many of the illustrious posters her might think that they do Fisk but not me. it is still quite possible that they have never been particularly blown away with trade offers for Brock Holt.