cp176

It was just one start. You are right about that but based on what he has done since the Sox acquired him compared to Masterson and Kelly personally(certainly just my opinion), I would take my chances with the kid. I think like most that he has great potential. I get the fact that no one wants to rush him. I just don't want him to waste starts in Pawtucket. No leash for Masterson-short leash for Kelly. Rodriguez stays, Johnson or Owens get the next look if Kelly can't get it done. I would get Barnes out of the bullpen at some point as well.

I absolutely agree with you. The only problem I am having is thinking that the this kid should have been given a chance earlier. With what the primary prospects have been doing in Pawtucket, I would not be giving too long a leash to Kelly. Miley, Bucchotz, and Porcello I get - not Kelly, certainly not Masterson.

The Red Sox may well have to make some tough decisions and one of them might be to send Kelly to the bullpen eventually. Could be a good move for everyone if Kelly embraced it from an ego standpoint. I would like to see them get Barnes back into a possible starters role again as well. With respect to Rodriguez, yes he probably will have growing pains but lets see - lefty, throws strikes, has 3 solid pitches, is capable of a 95+ fastball, and if buccholtz and Kelly stood shoulder to shoulder they could wear this kid's jersey. Not to mention the excitement factor he brings to the team. I wouldn't want to be the one who decides to send him back too soon. He might very well need to go back back certainly not yet.

I think that we should be patient with our young pitching prospects but if they are capable I think that they should be using up their innings with the big club. Maybe most thought that this year would be too soon for him but most of the people who offered reports about him had his upside being better than the rest as well. He is a strong looking kid who deserves the opportunity to show what he has in Boston. Personally I like the fact that he has the solid upper body. Power pitcher with a big frame.

Hanley Ramirez was right where he belongs last night - DH.

I'm not surprised that the kid was good last night. A little surprised at how good maybe but he has had the tools from the beginning. He looks bigger, and stronger comparatively to most of the guys we currently have. He looks like he his built for the long haul. The rumor mill yesterday said that he was up for just one start possibly. That would be a joke. I enjoyed last nights game immensely. I remember Clemens in '85 and thinking that it was amazing that we finally had a real pitcher on the mound. Everybody has been screaming about the need for a pitching upgrade. Rodriguez will have his ups and downs for sure but he certainly looked to me like a potential power arm last night. Coming into spring training, many thought that he was third or fourth on our list of potential young pitchers. Maybe it was because he is the youngest. I don't know but he has been the best of the bunch since the first pitch this spring. I like his pace - I like how he and Swihart work together- I want to see more.

With Rodriguez on the mound at least it gives me something to get excited about. New blood - a change from the norm-try something different. It has been so damn sad watching them. Either too young or too old or too whatever. Sholuld have been a little more cautious before I bought in to all the early positive projections and hype. There were plenty of things to be concerned about coming in to the season. The stars had to align for them to be successful. Maybe they will turn it around, but it really doesn't feel that way right now. Tonight is a start toward finding out what our young pitchers have. Hope things work out of the kid.

I agree with you. It seemed like a strange move at the time for sure. I kept thinking that there must have been more to the story at the time.

There must have been more to the Lackey story than we were told. If he didn't want to be in Boston, then they had to take what they could get.

Owens, Johnson, and Rodriguez have all had their ups and downs. Good starts and average ones- nothing too bad. They seem to have Barnes locked in as a relief guy for now. In the long run, hope he gets a shot to start as well. There really doesn't appear to be much separation between these 4 young guys right now.

Solid start for Owens last night.

If that trade was a possibility, I think that it would have already been done Thunder. I like Brentz and Cecchini but i wouldn't like them that much.

Rough start for Johnson today. If the current version of the Red Sox continue to win, they could have some great trade opportunities. If they can identify what they really need, I say go for it. Make the play. I'm glad that I do not wear Cherington's shoes.

I got that. Good post. Pedroia is auditioning for his next career. Great game for Miley- great game for the Sox.

Good for you - great game to see!

I know you remember when Clemens came along. Finally we could see that we had a real pitcher for the future. i remember 66 as well. As a kid, I couldn't wait to see Tony C. , Mike Andrews, Reggie Smith, and George Scott in 67. Future stars. I'm not sure that anybody's future was brighter than Conigliaro's. He had it all. i just want one that we can say that is a no brainer. i get it that for most, it takes a little time. I've just been spoiled I guess. What do think - is one too much to ask for? Just one and I don't care if he pitches or plays the field.

I am a big fan of JBJ's. I agree with you really. I just don't see it happening in Boston. Everybody seems to want to think that this team can be in contention. With that thinking, he isn't going to get the reps he needs. If they stuck him out there and just left him alone, he might make it. In all honesty, I think that he might be ultimately as good as what they have out there now. i like him. It really surprises me that he hasn't come along. I bet he gets a chance someday and surprises all of the doubters.

Jackie Bradley has speed. Not a base stealer but he is fast. I don't know if it is for the better or worse but I think that he is done in Boston. He has had time to show what he can do and at this point it's obvious to everybody what his strengths and weaknesses are. Time to turn the page. Same goes for Nava. He has been a role player for a number of years but it is time to move on. Give that job to somebody else. A shame about Victorino - lots of talent still but if he can't play, he can't help. Seriously, I think that all of this so called stockpiled talent that we accumulated is just becoming a gross over estimate by everybody. I hope Castillo hits. I would also like to see him catch the ball with both hands now and then. Still not a bad thing. I don't think anybody really knows how to solve this team's problems and I don't think anyone is really to blame for anything other than the players themselves. One thing that most successful people do realize is that if you continuously do the same thing over and over and over and over and it doesn't work then you are stupid. No one could have predicted what has happened to this team. No one here, can say I told you so. They are just going to have to work through a tough time. We have seen worse. I'm still waiting for that "great young player" to emerge. I'm not sure we really have one. It would be nice if we just had something to get excited about. I'm not talking about the guy who needs 3 to 5 years to develop. I want a reason to be excited for them even if it is with an eye to the future.

Xander Bogaerts fielding has shown that his off-season work has really paid off. We all want and expect him to hit but to see his progress in the field has been tremendous. A shortstop fielding the way he has been and hitting .260 is more than adequate. I see him getting better and better.

Come on - Hit em where they ain't Mookie.

Agree - The data to date clearly shows that they are not performing to level that was predicted. Let's hope things change.

I really didn't mean to cause an uproar over this. I know better. Learned my lessons. Understand my place. I guess I think that yes sometimes stats and scouts can be misleading. Once again not trying to get into kind of debate over the classic stats vs eyeball issue. Stats don't get their just due until the last shot is fired. I understand I hit a nerve. I'm not going there. No one could have predicted what is going on.

The "great Bob Marley" my boy. Who did shoot the sheriff and who in the hell shot the deputy?

Tough loss for the Pawsox. Owens had a decent outing. He is going to factor in with the rest at some time.

me too but a few moves might help these guys Johnson was off to another fairly good start again tonight