cp176

so I need to understand something. looks to me like we have a new GM these days and he does come with a few differences it seems. Like them or not. He clearly appreciates the using of advanced statistical data but safe to say not to the extent of say Ben or Theo. He didn't make many moves but the ones he made look like they might address areas of need that really were not addressed by Ben. It seems pretty obvious that he believes in playing the players who are proving to be the best in their respective positions. Contract size and length as well as available options seem fairly secondary to him. He has an endorsement from one of the leaders of our modern Red Sox era. If you haven't read what Ortiz recently said about him you should. he might impact his bosses more than they impact him. I don't think that he will sit still if we get off to a poor start and more importantly to me he appears to be a fairly straight shooter who is not full of ********. We are fortunate to have him and I think that his bosses are paying attention.

I'm sure that no one will be happy but this discussion I don't think has anything to do with players as people. Players as players and who deserves the job. Shaw has earned it. All things are subject to change but in this instance if you are going to have a credible program you have to go with the better player. Could it change? Of course it could. I don't see anyone here saying that they expect incredible performances out of Shaw. I think people are kind of cheering for him because he has worked hard but most of us I think want the best player to be at third that we can have.

it's also possible that Sandoval's "injury" will allow him to take the seat he has earned while not being particularly embarrassed. I don't think that the Red Sox planned for this to happen, Sandoval made it happen. He lost the job. Shaw has pretty much won the job to this point. Players get rewarded with playing time by working hard and outplaying their competition. Common sense and decency has got to prevail at some point. I'm pretty sure Shaw is the kind of player we want out there. He is happy to be a part of the team. In this case, he deserves to be treated with the respect that he has earned. I'm leaning toward your direction with what they should do with him. this is a big test for Pablo. We will find out soon what type of person he is. He could conceivably still help this team. It is up to him.

When you next talk to him, say hello for me will you.

I absolutely agree that you are must read material!

I'm taking this as high praise.

Sometimes I can't help myself. I'm so bored right now that it is driving me crazy. Wife says I travelled that road a long time ago. Maybe next week we will do the Fenway tour for something to do.

Sorry I was just kidding with you. For what its worth, most of the time I agree with you. Most of the time. That might be kind of scary in way but oh well.

When the thread started, I never thought that anyone would suggest the possibility of Hanley not hitting. Looks as though we have backup plans for everything.

There is no place for rational thought or independent thinking in the world today! He clearly just don't get it. You are either with or agin us. No middle frickin ground!

The issue here I think really is what about Swihart? If he proves to be a capable ml level catcher who can hit, sending him back down to AAA just doesn't make any sense. Options or not, if he healthy and can do the job, that would suck big time. Hannigan really fits the role of backup catcher pretty well. If he hits, will the Sox get Swihart to a different position? Will they trade one of the two young guys? Not a problem yet and may never become one. If it does, it might be one of those good problems to have.

I think that every one of the concerns you bring up are legit and we all see them as well. Sandoval really is the guy who forced the issue here. When he turned up in camp in the condition he showed up in, Sox lost some leverage. Pablo wasn't signed under the assumption that he would play for one year and then be on the outside looking in. I would imagine that the Red Sox really felt that the most uncertain situation was with Hanley's transition to first. That one seems to be working out. It 's a good thing for us that we have a guy like Shaw who at least gets a chance to show what he can actually do. Once again, i don't get the feeling that this is about the personalities of the players. It is about who can and who cannot get the job done. And to re-emphasize, the concerns are obvious - I just want to see this as an opportunity. it may work out for the best.

roster crunch aside - I'm more concerned with having the right guy behind the plate for this current pitching staff. It is very likely I guess that Vazquez gets some time at the AAA level to recover fully. But, if he progresses toward a full recovery and it looks like he is needed in Boston, he will be back with no thought toward contract size or options or anything other than who is the best guy for the job.

think we would have to add prospects and to eat a bunch of cash to get something worth very much for Castillo.

Short answer is no!

Most likely? No one really knows what Shaw will become. In this case he gets his chance. The better player will get the job. I loved reading Ortiz's comments about Dumbrowski this morning. Refreshing and revealing. His approach really is pretty uncomplicated and the approach to this game does not have to be complicated. Play your better players and play to win. Don't waste opportunities worrying and playing silly games with respect to contract size or options available. Would a more physically fit 29 year old Sandoval be our starting third baseman this year? Maybe. Can a particularly out of shape Pablo go to the bench and come back? Maybe - maybe. It would be a shame I guess but I think that the Red Sox are prepared to move ahead and he might be left behind. It should serve as a little motivator as to how this team plans to approach things going forward. The size of that contract really doesn't and shouldn't guarantee your playing time.

Wowzers - Are you saying he might not be able see his rigging? He should be worried.

I got to go here. i don't consider that a dive or even a ball that required a dive from someone who is athletic. it was a flop. He can swing the bat but so far he really can't field the position. We are fortunate that it looks as though we have a general manager who gets it.

You are entitled your concerns about Shaw. Suggesting that he isn't very athletic is a stretch in my book. He might now be what you see as our future third baseman but I really hope that you aren't suggesting that you think Sandoval is more athletic than he is.

so anyway - couple of things - Owens and Johnson both go back to AAA to start anyway. Wright or Elias probably in that initial rotation. Sandoval is out for a few days. Got hurt diving for ball earlier this week. If you haven't seen it, go back and take a look. Maybe I'm confused and that was a great play for anyone and not just someone who really isn't in very good shape. This picture is becoming clearer and clearer and it doesn't even have to involve Shaw. Sandoval needs to be fitter in order to play third base! It is a good thing that we have Shaw.

Looks right but does't sound all that good- lol Losing your arguably 2nd best man in the rotation for any length of time isn't good but with what the Sox have to yard out to the mound after Price right now doesn't make me feel good about my 86 win projection. I would add that our possible young number 2 guy most people think has close to top of the rotation potential.

even though I think that even post surgery, he has one of the best arms in the game what I was referring to was the way Vazquez handled his actual catching duties. Price, Kelly, and Porcello have been quoted on a few occasions now talking about how skilled he is. It is hard to underestimate the value to any pitching staff that a top of the lime catcher has. It is another position where there is and will continue to be some real competition. Based on what we have seen so far this spring, Red Sox starting rotation once again will need all the help it can get Price - you get what you pay for here Buck - looked good last time out - anyone want to truly bet on this guy? Porcello -shaky 3- decent 4 - solid 5 in a good rotation Kelly - potential for sure but what do you think? E-Rod - Injured Wright ? Owens? really (i'd still go with Elias) Shaky at best. Hopefully E-Rod is back in action soon. Just not a rotation that fosters a lot of confidence - sorry

did you catch who he pitched to and what Porcello said after? who winds up being the catcher going forward is going to be interesting.

The play he made toward the line yesterday sounded better than it looked. He made the play and it was a good one but it is quite possible that a third baseman with more mobility might have made that play standing. I think that he is working hard but bulk is going to limit his mobility for sure. He still has value but he has put himself in tough spot.

You know what. Next year at this time the dh might very well be the right place for Sandoval. We shall see.