cp176

Kidding right - even william howard taft ripped one out. My God! It is great.

I cannot imagine why Johnson has not at least been given a cup of coffee. Bring him up or trade him. Don't keep that kid around just for security sake.

I'm older than you both (chronologically of course). I had more fun listening to day games with my Grandfather in 1960 in the barn. I want the young guys. Swing a deal for one more really good young arm. Together with E-Rod the future would look good. Make sure that roster has leaders with good character.

It is a waste. I'm at the point where if someone isn't getting the job done I would like them to step aside for a while regardless of the money they make. JBJ should be back up there, Johnson should move before Masterson, and in all honesty as much as I like Napoli he should be sitting. Someone needs to have the balls to make to make the tough calls. It isn't about computer or scouting projections anymore. It is all about what have you done lately and some of these guys really have done nothing. Management have painted themselves into a corner they will have to get nasty to dig their way out. As much as I like Miley's toughness, his tirade last night was ridiculous. If anything he was left in too long. Acting like he did doesn't make him competitive in my mind - it makes him look like a loser. I would love to see Johnson get his next start.

I am beginning to doubt that the people managing this franchise truly are capable of making the decisions that need to be made to turn the program around. It can't be just all about bad luck here. I may sound a little entitled but I find it difficult to understand. Supposedly our minor league system is one of the best in baseball. We have one of the very highest payrolls in the game. We aren't competitive. I don't get it. The situation sounds so good.

Pat Light - another young arm that could be a big lift for the bullpen. He is worth watching. Right now I would give him a chance sooner than giving another one to Robbie Ross. I think that Masterson will still get an opportunity but I think that his train has left the station as well.

Over ! shitbag - 4 down.

If somebody thinks that Masterson is a 2 or a 3, then they must think that we are loaded! He is a bullpen guy at best.

That is interesting. I thought that the Sandoval signing was necessary. I was very much in favor of it. I was not in favor of the Ramirez signing at all. He has had a negative effect on every clubhouse that he has been in. Never heard anything good about the kind of person that he is. I have to say that I have been pleasantly surprised by his approach since he has been here. Everybody knows that he can hit and that is a good thing but secondary to the qualities that make up a good teammate. That being said, I don't think that he is going to be an issue at all. I hate seeing him in left field and have a hard time understanding why the transition has been so tough but I still have to say that I am happy that he is in our lineup. If he can stay in the lineup, I think that he will help.

With respect to Sandoval in left probably not but after watching Holt play all over the place it does make me wonder about some things. You could make a case for your ss being the best athlete on your team. You take a guy who has been a career ss/third baseman and move him to left. You know that there is going to a bit of a learning curve but c'mon really.

"In fat" - Did you just try to sneak that one by? I just wonder if the impulse buying is just a shot at trying to appease a fan base. I would much prefer to lose with youth as it develops if you are going to lose.

No question about the do-overs. If we are going to have another tough year, I would rather have it after a little house cleaning. Management has said that they do not intend to trade JBJ. If he is not playing in Boston, what purpose does he serve?

I don't think the Sox would give up what the Phillies would want now anyway.

I agree. I really think that it is a waste of everybody's time to keep Johnson in Pawtucket if he is healthy. I have seen enough over the years to tell me that we don't move one way or another our prospects until sometimes it is too late. Some do in fact take some time to develop but in most cases you can at least see something that would make you want to keep or trade them early on. 22 makes you a man - not a boy. As for position players, I would still keep Betts. Anything goes for the rest. When decisions get made it would be nice to think that they were right ones. Many of our moves look reactionary and done on impulse to me.

That's more like it!

Not sure how I feel about hamels but my guess would be that the Phillies asking price now would be even higher than before. I still like Betts. He hits the ball hard but as for the rest, many of them might not be as good as we think they will be. I do think that we need one more "real" pitcher and not another stiff to go along with Rodriguez. I still think that Johnson deserves a look. The real need is obvious. Anybody who can hit. If they are not going to make a trade, they need to start moving young guys around. Find out if they can get it done. The real definition of stupid is doing the same unsuccessful thing over and over day in and day out.

Hey hey hey - over the hill? tee time? sounds too close to home for me. Stick him the bullpen right beside either Wright,Kelly,Bucholtz,or Porcello.

I agree with you. Craig is worth another look but not in the same role. Put him out there and let him play. No every other day. No pinch hitting. let him play and let's find out. Is Farrell tough enough to make the tough calls?

Masterson pitched very well today. rodriguez isn't (shouldn't be) going anywhere . What to do? Somebody goes to the pen. The idea of a 6 man rotation when you can strengthen your bullpen is ridiculous.

Our hitting has been a lot more than disappointing. I'm going to guess that no one saw this coming. Most people didn't really expect our pitching to be even adequate as well though. Rodriguez has made a big difference on that staff in general. I don't know what his ceiling will be but he looks built for the long haul. It really has been sad watching Ortiz and Napoli in particular at the plate. I think that Betts will be ok over time. At some point, if things don't pick up, really tough decisions will continue to be made. Some of us have been through both the good and the very bad times. Their World Series wins did not spoil me. If some of the bats don't pick up, I can see some more youngsters getting a shot. I am ok with that. i'm actually looking forward to it. In the mean time we have a couple of real All-Stars out there in Pedroia and Bogaerts. I knew that XB would be better in the field but I would not have guessed this much better. I do not care one squat about whether he hits for power or not. It is good to see him hitting the ball and hitting it hard - away from the fielders. There is nothing about E-Rod that would make me think that he won't be successful. He'll have his low points but he has too much going for him not to be successful if he stays healthy.

thanks - I think that there is definitely talent here but not a lot in Portland which is a little different.

XB is an all-star

He comes as advertised. The only thing that I find surprising is the kid's poise.

I love this kid. Been following him since we got him from Baltimore. he is everything they expected and sooner than expected! Also - that was an all-star ss play.

I'm a little surprised they passed on Fulmer.