pruneface

A little compassion and a lot of punishment for these undermining performance 'de-hancing' drugs. The added stress from the punishment might even encourage further drug use, subsequent feelings of guilt and shame to which more of these drugs could assuage, further reinforcing their use and driving a vicious cycle. At least we know every hit and homer he gets came despite the drugs, not because of them. How refreshing!

And it shouldn't be a surprise. Life can't be reduced to a number. They are merely heuristics. The principal reason is timespace is a continuum and therefore irrational. I wasn't surprised Ross followed Lester. You get comfortable pitching to a guy. I think changing catchers does have an effect on performance. Ultimately, there will always be factors we won't be able to account for that influence what is happening. It's why the scientific method seeks to manipulate one variable only. Even then, there are no constants. Even the observer has changed from one moment to the next. At best, I view epistemology as an approximation.

It's easier said than done, SBF, but they will have to choose. I'm in favor of sending JBL, Brentz and either Castillo or Betts down for more seasoning. I'd like to see Vic get the job done. He won't fetch much via trade with this last year of his contract. Craig is the real troubled piece for me. It'll be interesting to see if and where he fits. He has the potential to really help the Sox for years to come. But his salary is too high for him to be an uber sub like Holt. Reluctantly, I expect he'll get moved.

I would definitely use stats, Kimmi, to help me guage what kind of player I'm getting. They provide a general expectation of performance. I don't see why there's so much controversy here. American culture tends to pidgeon-hole people and paint viewpoints into extremes. Stats are useful, but they aren't bouncing in my head as the moment happens. Every moment is unique and has the potential to defy historical samples. We play and watch sports because the outcome is unknown and every moment, although colored with probability, is ultimately uncertain. The moment is below the Planck level and defies understanding. It simply is.

Clutch hitting probably will never be proven either way, but we don't watch baseball for absolutes. We watch it for entertainment and myth-building and legendary feats that leave us breathless with admiration. Papi has delivered so many times that his plaque on whatever wall he graces will include clutch as part of the encomiums of praise.

Agreed. There are so many moving parts, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. First, we can scratch Brentz off the list. He has as much chance of making opening day as he does getting pregnant. Then there's the vets - Vic, Craig, Nava and even Holt. Holt probably makes the bench. Craig is much more versatile than Nava. If he isn't traded, I'd like to see what he could do. Ramirez is a lock. That leaves Betts, Castillo and Bradley. One thing that might help is to send guys down who have options and play the vets for a year if they are healthy. Barring a trade of course. Unlikely, but an OF of the trio just mentioned would be set for years to come. Ramirez could eventually DH or play first after Papi's gone. Napoli's only 33. If he has a monster season, they might look to bring him back, too. It's mind-boggling to consider the potential scenarios. It's a good problem to have, but it also presents a conundrum. The challenge is to choose wisely. I think Cecchini is gone in a trade at some point - and he's a damn fine prospect. For all the attention on their OFers, the Sox also have some starting arms who could come up and help at some point. This team is really in a good position. One could argue they don't need another starter - in house solutions will manifest. However, there are so many spare parts, they have to make a trade. I'd like to see them keep their gold chips. They have so much talent on the farm, they really don't need to give any of them up.

The nature of the allegiance is less local, more abstract. A lot of fans don't live in the vicinity where the team plays home games. No doubt fandom has changed somewhat. I hope you enjoy the season.

Entitlement can nip you in the butt when you don't end up getting what you were expecting. There are kids 10 years old growing up knowing only how competitive the sox have been winning 3 championships after 86 years of drought. That'll even change seasoned fans.

Mass media and the ability to research and interact in virtual communities (more like mental communities) have changed the fan. Fans have become more devoted, knowledgeable, polarized, especially with the ability to watch every team game, which includes the preseason. The amount of speculation and coverage of trades and drafts has also contributed. There's one major difference between Yanks and Red Sox fans - they don't cheer for the same team. Even folks that do don't necessarily get along. I'd like to see the sox best the rest, land that stud Cuban prospect, and win the WS like most fans for their teams. You're a perverted fan if you don't want your team to win the WS. Sox lately have a better chance than most and have been winning them. It's a good time to be a Sox fan.

All these guys are young except for Clay, who's an old man in disguise. Like you listed, there are some decent prospects in the minors should a starter need shelf time. There's also that knuckleballer Wright. No team can expect to be competitive if they are decimated with injuries. I think there's reason for guarded optimism. If healthy, they should be able to keep the sox in games so their offense can win it. It remains for the games to be played.

Their biggest problem last year was hitting. Is it unreasonable to expect a decent performance from the rotation given that runs are at a premium these days (down about a whole run/game from 10 years ago)? I'm willing to entertain the possibility that a competitive team can get by with good pitching provided its hitting is above average. In other words, scoring runs is much harder now so pitchers across the board are becoming more effective.

All I ask, Kimmi, is for an informed risk. Don't throw money blindly. Do your homework, press the button and hope for the best, with full realization that there are probably other alternatives with a measured amount of reward to offset the risk, as well. Since there are limits, they only have one choice out of many.

The problem is we don't have enough information to make a definitive decision. Career numbers, especially for young pitchers, can change if there's a break out year. The team could do very well as is, or stay in contention long enough to make a deadline deal, or they could fall flat, or an acquisition now could fail and represent a gross overpay, or do very well. It comes down to gambling, making a bet, and hoping for the best. Hindsight is 20/20. Even simultaneously playing these numerous scenarios in parallel universes wouldn't be definitive proof because a different outcome would probably happen if they were played through again. That may be a conversation killer, but it's reality. Ultimately, people will make a moral argument on what they think should happen and try to convince others of their certainty. The trouble is . . . it's a crapshoot. There is no certainty.

No one knows either way whether it's better to wait and pay less for a rental, pay more for a 1 year rental now, or sign Shields for something outrageous. All these scenarios include risk and reward and I can see a case being made for any option. I'm certain all these guys are going to test the FA waters since pitchers are getting a king's ransom. There is the possibility that with more premium FA's available next offseason, the price could be lowered, but I think the best guys are still going to command something between what Shields is going to get and what Lester got, if not more.

If I'm the Nationals, I'm in no hurry to trade any of their starters. 1) Having 5 starters is usually not enough these days due to frequent injuries. 2) Why not go for it right now? That Nationals rotation is astounding. 3) They could always get a compensation pick if nothing else. 4)At the very least, I'd wait until the midseason deadline. I'm confident the Sox won't be adding to their rotation before then.

Hi Kimmi. Is it enough? I think they need another starter. I can see the rationale for waiting midseason to see how the team is doing, however.

I think Shields is going to get a crazy stupid contract possibly from the Giants, Jays or Dodgers. Why the Red Sox won't trade Mookie Betts By David Schoenfield | ESPN.com Phillies fans seem to think they can get Mookie Betts in a potential trade with the Red Sox for Cole Hamels. It's not going to happen. Dave Cameron has been beating this drum over at FanGraphs and I agree. First off, Betts is going to be a really good. The Steamer projection system has him hitting .291/.368/.444 in 2015, worth 2.5 WAR in just 89games. Prorate that 140 games and you get 3.9 WAR. The "Bill James Handbook" is even more optimistic, projecting Betts to hit .321/.405/.493. It's possible that Betts could be as valuable as Hamels in 2015, and that's before even factoring in the salaries. But there's another more practical reason why the Red Sox can't trade him: While they have a lot of outfielders, they have a lot of outfielders with question marks. Consider: --Hanley Ramirez. Who knows how the transition to left field will actually work; as I've written, it's almost unprecedented for a shortstop at Ramirez's age to transition into a full-time outfielder and have a second half of his career there (Robin Yount did it, but he's the exception). It's possible he'll be just as bad defensively in the outfield as he is at shortstop. Plus he's injury-prone. It's highly likely that in 2016, Ramirez or Pablo Sandoval will be playing first base or Ramirez eventually succeeds David Ortiz as the DH. --Rusney Castillo. He could be good. He could be mediocre. He could be less than mediocre. There's no guarantee he's a long-term starter in center field. --Jackie Bradley Jr. Gold Glove-quality center fielder but huge questions at this point about his bat. --Shane Victorino. Old and broken. Only signed for one more year as is. --Allen Craig. Not sure what happened to him. Even if the bat bounces back, he's best suited for first base anyway. --Daniel Nava. Solid, underrated performer but turns 32 in February. The Red Sox will keep Mookie Betts because he's going to be an All-Star but they also need to keep him because they'll need him in the outfield.

Figured this is an appropriate article for this thread: Red Sox Celebrate Christmas at Fenway Atop Santa's 'Naughty List' Bill Speros @realOBF Boston.com Correspondent December 13, 2014 6:19 AM Merry Christmas at Fenway on Saturday. Select single-game tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, as well. Automated web pages are standing by. Me thinks the virtual waiting room will like the drive-thru at Dunks at 3 in the morning. A quick in-and-out. The Red Sox have been very naughty this year. Much like the Grinch, they "stink, stank, stunk." They were moving away from Santa's "Nice" list even before the 2014 season began. They discounted the value and worth of Jon Lester early and often. They mocked the Yankees and others for spending wildly, or as some may say, paying market value for players. They snookered us all into thinking they would be a playoff team for the second straight year. Just back up the coal truck to Yawkey Way. Meanwhile, we loaded up on 2013 World Series championship swag and 2014 tickets. Ho-Ho-Hosed. Things got far worse-than-expected once the games began. The team quickly found last place and stayed there for pretty much the entire season. State Run Media trumpeted each rare, coveted victory as the long-awaited "turnaround" that would right the Ship of Sox. Turns out the 2014 Red Sox had more turnarounds than the Fresh Pond Rotary. And they slogged in a circle of futility until they were mathematically flushed away form contention on Sept. 10. That was their earliest Elimination Day since 1966. Bah, humbug. There was never any turnaround of substance. A Memorial Day weekend sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays witnessed firsthand did it for me. Others bailed after a brief winning streak in early June. Still more checked out around July 4 and the All-Star Break. By the time of the July 31 trade deadline, even Wally was headed for Patriots' practice and preparing for his fantasy football draft. Not even Rudolph could guide these guys into contention. Off was Lester, and Lackey, and Peavy, and Miller. The remaining pitching staff resembled a lineup from the Island of Misfit toys. Clay Buchholz was the "choo-choo with square wheels on the caboose." And Brandon Workman was the "Cowboy who rides an ostrich." Sadly we didn't have Heat Miser and Cold Miser to break up the monotony. Although watching Jerry Remy lose a tooth on the air was a highlight. Christmas is all about faith, at least for the billion or so people worldwide who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The holiday's religious beginnings are rooted in a belief that man can be saved, despite all of his shortcomings. It has become a mix of commercialism, religion, celebration and, for some, even reflection. We wisely avoid religion and politics here. We won't be waging any "War on Christmas, either. Massachusetts law, however, does requires me to wish everyone a "Happy Winter Solstice." It is the Red Sox, speaking of religion, who so often implore us to "Keep the Faith." Faith in what? For Red Sox fans, they are being asked again to put their faith in an ownership group with a markedly mixed record. This group has done wondrous things. It saved and revitalized Fenway Park. It forever purged the Red Sox of their monochromatic DNA. It has engineered three World Series Cups in just over 10 years. This same group has also constructed two last-place finishes since presiding over the greatest September playoff collapse in history. And they threw in Bobby Valentine for good measure. All of that has occurred in just the past 39 months. The Red Sox combined record over the past four seasons is 327-321. That's three losses away from perfect mediocrity. Most recently, ownership either massively screwed up with Lester in underestimating his value before the season, botched its negotiations with him, traded him, and then tried to re-sign him as a free-agent. Or Red Sox ownership never really wanted him back in the first place. Either way, it doesn't look good. The Red Sox don't get a pass here like they did with Jacoby Ellsbury. If you believe the Red Sox wanted Lester, but only at their price, then they didn't really want him. They have the money. Instead of a shiny new No. 1 starter under the tree at Christmas this year, the Red Sox have given us a sack of No. 3s. Instead of a new Xbox, you got a Nintendo Entertainment System, Operation, and a deck of cards. Instead of a new Lexus, you get two used Ford Escorts and a moped. Instead of a new jacket and pants from Louis, you get three pair of jeans from Walmart and a bag of socks. 3+3+3+3+3 and 1+2+3+4+5 equal the same number [15]. The Red Sox will try to have us believing by Truck Day that five No. 3s are worth the same as top-heavy rotation with a solid No. 1 and No. 2. Common Core math, Red Sox style. Some teams have found success with that route in recent years. The Pirates and Orioles are two examples. But neither went deep in the postseason, never mind won a World Series. Piles and piles of mediocrity never equal greatness. Five 1977 Denny Doyles for one Yaz was never good deal. The current rotation is stout with youth and promise. But can you name anyone on the staff as of now, and add James "Mediocre Game" Shields and Cole Hamels if you'd like, who you would rather have starting a Game 7 of the World Series over Lester? Or even Game 4 of the ALCS if you were down 2-1? Nope. The Red Sox starting lineup has potential to score runs aplenty. Expect lots of strikeouts, as well. Many believe this is what the masses want. Pitching is usually boring to watch until October. And there will be Panda Heads. Red Sox spring training tickets are on sale and most games at Jet Blue are already sold out. The hashtag #TheGiftofSox was a top trending topic in Boston on Friday. And many of the Tweets were sincere in supportive of the savvy marketing campaign. Thankfully there was still some caustic sarcasm out there. The crowd at Fenway on Saturday will no doubt be ebullient and looking at the broken glass as being half-full. "Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God." Or fourth place, if He is too busy. After all, this is the most wonderful time of the year. Except for Red Sox fans over the age of 10, and those who are not topped in pink. For they know Santa won't be coming next year, either.

He can become Kelly Joseph if he walks into the wrong operating room.

My god, this is awesome. These rants are hilarious. But SCM - I understand how you feel. But the whole sport is a business now. It's gotten pretty wack. Fred brings a win at all cost mentality. I swear, he's basically George Steinbrenner as a Red Sox fan.

Lester's contract includes a 30 million signing bonus and an optional 7th year. So it's really 30 million per year. I'd prefer Lester be on the Sox but not at that price.

You're a Yankee fan, right? Hey, man, thanks for the recap of today's events. We all appreciate it. You're like the one Vegan at the Carnivore club reminding us that the sky is falling.

Shields is the number one target now. Ben is a bold GM - we'll see what he can pull out of his hat - I have no doubt they'll cough up enough for Shields - they won't like it, but they need a solid FA pitcher. It's the only way they'll be able to trade for another and feel comfortable with what they give up. The question for me is how much they'll give up via trade. Will they be able to do so without giving up Betts, Bogie, Owens and Swihart? I'm betting at least one of them goes. Candidates - forget Hamel - his numbers suck in the AL East, he's owed a ton and the Phillies will be asking for a ton. Plus their GM is a f***in' moron. Forget anybody on the Mariners. They need pitchers - thin rotation with none to spare if a guy gets injured. Cincy - Latos has shoulder issues. Cueto is the guy, but they might be looking to extend him. Might be easier to pry a gun out of Charleton Heston's cold dead hands. Tigers - Porcello is okay - but he won't come cheap. Scherzer - guess the Yankees or Dodgers land him. Maybe the Giants since they were willing to go so high on Lester. Doubt the Sox will feel comfortable going around 200 million for the guy when they passed gallstones getting up to 135 for Lester. Bottom line: Sox blew their wad last spring and now they'll have a tougher time getting their rotation filled. Until they get that FA - other teams are going to smell desperation seeping out of their pores like an inmate who just dropped the soap in a prison shower stall.

LMAO. Sox really pushed their luck with the guy. First the lowball and then an offer 20 million below the Cubs hoping for the hometown discount. 20 million is a hell of a discount. They hand out less than that when they rape and pillage a country's resources.