cp176

"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.

Who do the rankings???

Johnson back on the mound tonight. I would like to be watching him pitch. If he continues to pitch well and JBJ continues to hit, there has to be something somewhere for these guys. I would hate to lose a guy like Johnson but if he continues getting it done, he represents more than just insurance.

Good to know. Who does do the rankings? It has not been an uncommon practice for the best young prospects do be playing in Double A Portland. I didn't really see much that was too impressive yesterday. Once again though, hard to top the show for the price. Great family atmosphere. Great ballpark. Easy in easy out.

I don't know better. I'm just curbing my enthusiasm for the youngsters until I actually see them do something. Like many fans I get a little caught up in the hype on occasion. I hope that the people doing the scouting are the best in the game.

Eddie Popowski has been gone for awhile now

I get it Spud - knuc,knuc,knuc. I like how you see things. Probably because we got a little of that old school in us.

Like I said, pitching in Pawtucket looks to be the strength. Or it was. With respect to the hitters, we have seen them for a good amount of time now. With the "strength" of your system not at the double A level at this time, it tells me that whether they deserve to be considered number 2 or not is very very debatable. It is a wait and see approach for me I guess. I don't know who determines who the next stars are going to be, but I think that for me I am going to wait until they actually move up though the system and prove that they can do something before I am going to get excited. In Portland, I saw one player that I thought looked even big enough to play at the next level. Tejada(sp) - third base.

He did look small. I could see a Captain resemblance when he was at the plate though. He pounded the home run.

Now that I have had a chance to digest this a bit. I read an article a few months ago stating that the Sox farm system was ranked #2 overall. It was a feel good for sure. We know that the core of young pitchers in pawtucket have potential but they must include their double A franchise as well when determining their rankings. Is there more down there than i saw today or does Portland no longer count? just a few years ago the best talent showcased at Double A. A great place to see a game though.

Very happy here for Bogaerts. An All-Star! One of the top fielding ss in the game right now. Bat coming around as well.