FredLynn

I am saying that I disagree with that plan. I think it is misguided. And as you say, if Bard is in the rotation, then he has to be replaced with a reliable arm in the bullpen, and that wasn't done. I am not convinced that Melancon is a failure yet; he could still perform well. But adding him does not cover for the loss of both Bard and Papelbon. Those losses leave us with a weak bullpen, a conclusion that is logical by looking at the parts out there, independent of today's debacle.

88 wins. Before Bailey went down, I thought 90 was reachable. Its fine. This is what happens in a rebuilding year.

Source: Bailey bothered by thumb injury FORT MYERS, Fla. -- In revealing the Red Sox starting rotation plans for the beginning of the regular season, manager Bobby Valentine Sunday morning hinted that an undisclosed injury in the bullpen affected his decision-making. Though Valentine didn't say so, the issue involves a right thumb injury that has been bothering closer Andrew Bailey, according to a baseball source. Bailey has pitched in a big league game just once in the last 10 days. The last time Bailey pitched, it was in a minor league game, which would seem to indicate that the Sox are contemplating placing him the disabled list to start the season. It's much easier to backdate a player -- placing him on the DL retroactively -- when he hasn't pitched in a major league spring training game in a while. Valentine chose Felix Doubront and Daniel Bard as his fourth and fifth starters respectively, with Alfredo Aceves ticketed for the bullpen, in part because of his versatility and value there. But Valentine said part of the motivation was that he wasn't sure about his back-end relievers. "A little,'' said Valentine. "If I answer that the way I should answer it, you'll be confused because you don't have all the information. But the answer is yes. I think there might be a health situation -- there might be.'' Additionally, because of that instability in the back of the bullpen, the 25th spot on the roster -- which Valentine said Saturday would likely go to a position player, may now instead go to a 13th pitcher. Previously, it was believed that Pedro Ciriaco, Nate Spears and Jason Repko were battling for the utility spot. http://www.csnne.com/baseball-boston-redsox/redsox-talk/Source-Bailey-bothered-by-thumb-injury?blockID=680882&feedID=3352

Don't you think that its Schilling's job to bring up items of a controversial nature regardless of how it affects the team? He works for ESPN, not the Boston Red Sox. When Valentine worked for ESPN he also was critical of some of our players. For what the Blowhard did for this team I will always have a soft spot for him. But even if he never played for us, he is doing what he is supposed to be doing for his employer. As to the content of what he is saying, I hope he is right. I want some discomfort amongst the players. That way I know that meaningful change is probably taking place. Had the Fenway Country Club continued there would be no rumblings of discontent because the players did whatever they wanted to do, including walking all over their manager. This is all good folks. Its a positive development. Progress is being made. Win or lose this year we should be well positioned to make a run at a ring next year or the year after that.

My guess is that its Beckett who is feeding Schilling his material. The hard workers on the club (guys like Pedroia, Crawford, and Ellsbury) are no doubt enjoying the new workouts, but folks in Beckett's camp are most likely pretty unhappy right now that the Fenway Country Club has disappeared. Schilling is supposed to be controversial; thats his job. It was Valentine's job to be controversial when HE worked for ESPN. Vanilla doesn't work in the media-just look at the nightly news for proof. Finally, its not a bad thing that some players are irritated as change takes place, its a good thing. Change is difficult, always. After the irritation will follow acceptance (or departure for those who cannot make the transition). And this team will be much better for the impending transition.

Does this mean that I can post pictures too? Mod?

I think we are very close to the same in terms of talent level as at the end of the year. Look who our SP were at the end of the year: Wakefield, Weiland, Miller etc. This year at least CB is back, and Bard could work out. The rest of the SP besides Lester and Beckett suck, but are they really much worse than last year? Lackey being gone is a (+). And replacing Francona with Valentine is also a (+). I guess thats the crux of it; you think we are worse than last year, I think we are just no better.

I already do that when it comes to baseball discussions. Are you proud of this post of yours; is this something you would show your kids?: Went over to sauxheads and I personally saw why this jackasses were so despised by every board they go to. A friend of mine told me how they were disliked at dirtdogs, sauxheads and didn't last a week in some new board. All they do is suck each other's dick all day about how intelligent they are and how stupid the rest of the world is.

Cherington does not make up the budget. Its not his money to spend. That directive has to come from the owners. We really needed another quality SP this year to bring us up to the level of the Rays and Yankees' SP rotation, but we got a dung heap. Its pretty disappointing that we exceeded the cap, gave Scutaro away, then failed to secure another good SP because the owners were too cheap to spend the money for a one year contract.