Emp9

Wow. I didn't think we had a chance last night. Great win. The question I'm left with and it's a familiar one is, Why do Closers, good Closers like Koji, seem to regain their stuff in a Save situation but if it's not a Save situation they'e mortal again? Has to be a mental thing, right?

Ortiz has never failed a banned substance by MLB. However, that was only part of the argument. One can't compare a one-off mistake to going out of your way to cheat. Clemens didn't just walk into his friendly neighborhood GNC because he wanted a protein shake. Clemens didn't lie under oath over grabbing a beverage from a dugout cooler in the DR. He was the Ivan Drago of SPs in MLB season after season and there is no Ortiz comparison.

But a "leaked report" from ... some dude ... is not actual, tangible, evidence. It's suspect at best, not to mention inadmissible from the start. No paper trail. No sworn witness testimony. No letter that said he failed or what he tested positive for. No other names were leaked? No, I'm not buying it. Need more input. 12-13 years later, Ortiz hasn't failed one test and the tests keep getting better and better. Surely Ortiz should've failed one by now, no? When does the actual living proof outweigh a rumored and questionable leak?

While ignorance alone does not absolve a person from a crime or a wrong (ergo, everyone would use ignorance as a defense), conspiracy and premeditation are traditionally much more frowned upon (so much so that they're counted as additional charges) and are weighed much heavier than ignorance, for good reason. Comparing Ortiz to Clemens on this topic is utterly irresponsible. If it came out one day that Ortiz conspired,and premeditated, and was equally as crooked as the rest? Yes. Sure. Without a doubt, I'd use him in the same sentence as Clemens and Co. But until that day, I will consider the astounding lack evidence and continue to rightly call it a false comparison.

A 'What if?' article on Espinoza & the 2016 Draft: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=29602

http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2016/06/23/red-sox-minor-league-notebook-yoan-moncada-likely-will-be-exposed-to-new-position-but-not-right-now/

If you haven't put it together by now, I can't help you.

I don't agree with your false equivalency, so I'm biased? Sure.

I think you're assuming a bit too much about me.

Ortiz is the only player i can recall who was actually honest about PED use. Before there was even a list (2003-2004), he went on record & said he was sure he himself most likely drank some shady sport drinks or whatnot while in the DR and didn't think twice about it. That kind of stuff was rampant. Every player who failed after the anonymous list was out, got a letter that they failed, and why. Ortiz never got such a letter. He requested MLB provide such a letter and they never could. Still waiting on this letter. If there was such a letter, all MLB had to do was simply release it. Seems like all heresay to me.

I don't remember Nomar saying that, but yes I do indeed remember hearing that.

When I think of the meaning of 'Most Valuable', I could see our offense getting by or being lets say 'respectable' without Ortiz considering our young emerging core. But I shudder with horror to think of what our pitching rotation would be like without Wright this season.

I think you're partly right. Teams looking for an instant offensive upgrade at catcher right now... Swihart's injury takes him off the table. For example, there was a Mets looking to trade for Lucroy rumor. I couldn't help thinking if Swihart wasn't injured right now maybe things could've gotten interesting. Fat chance, I know, but it crossed my mind. I think there are teams out there that would look past his temporary injury and strongly consider the long term benefits of trading for Swihart. Teams look for long term solutions not just immediate solutions for a post season run, is all I'm trying to point out.

It's a sprain, not an amputation

I say lets go with the non-human robot strikezone. But the robot HAS to look like Frank Drebin. That's my only condition.

Steven Wright got's my vote.

Ok, ok... So Matt Joyce then? Got it:)

I get your perspective, yet we still invite Clemens to the booth...

By Mike Rosenbaum / MLB.com | 1:04 AM ET: • Andrew Benintendi (No. 21 overall) helped pace Double-A Portland's offense in a win against Richmond, going 2-for-5 with a two-run homer. The Red Sox's No. 3 prospect has hit all three of his Double-A home runs in his past eight games, six of which have been multi-hit efforts. Overall, he's hitting .305/.365/.500 with 32 extra-base hits and 49 RBIs through 62 games.

... Wrapped inside mysteries.

I don't think I'd do that specific trade, but look... The whole idea on Braun was that If the Sox wanted to secure a bat going forward after Papi retires it would make a little sense. Rumors have it that Mil is shopping Braun. You take on his whole salary, possibly take on half of Castillo's salary and include him in the trade with a couple mid-tier or far away prospects. Ok, not the best plan, but it definitely has it's Pro's. A deal like this wouldn't block Benintendi either and we'd have something to replace Papi with. Young has grown on me a little. A RH bat w/ a career .850 OPS vs LHP. I'm good w/ keeping him and adding a LH bat like Matt Joyce: career .802 OPS vs RHP, who's a FA after 2016 who would be substantially cheaper and I doubt we'd have to give up too much. If the Pirates fall off a bit more in their very competitive division, I'd try to trade for him to compliment Young in a heartbeat.

I read yesterday ERod's closed door meeting was about him still favoring his knee and why his mechanics aren't the same. He's still the best shot we have at fixing one of our rotation spots. So I guess i'm still optimistic about him even though he's taking more time than we all expected or wanted. The good news is that he has more confidence in his knee more than any other point in time all season.

I think Groome will sign soon. His agent can't possibly think next year's draft would be a better path to take.

Unless a team is looking to rebuild and not overly concerned about this season. 6-8 weeks sounded about right for Swihart's ankle injury. I expect him back about 3 weeks before the trade deadline.

So, needless to say, I like Eickhoff's line against Tor way better than Nola's. I get the feeling both these guys are investments that might not give us what we need THIS season if acquired, with Nola being the better overall pitcher when he puts it all together (being only 23 yrs old after all). Instead of just saying I like Nola better, I'll try and tell you why. I've read conflicting reports on Nola's 4-seam velocity 91-94 and tops-out at 96 (?). Nola has shown great control and ver good Command. Both these guys have an above-avg Curveball (which wasn't always the case w/ Eickhoff). Eickhoff doesn't have the minor league track record Nola has or the supposed 4-seam velocity and has recently found some faith in his Slider. Which is fine, but I'm very weary on overuse of the Slider because over time that pitch can lead to much injury. To recap: Eickhoff (25) Slider, Curve, Sinker. Presently getting great results. Nola (23) Curve, Change, Sinker, 4-Seam. Nola more prone for getting more SO's & if his Sinker & Change are working a better GB%. Presently struggling. Both worth keeping an eye on as Trade deadline looms. Both probably not the immediate answer we're looking for this season for a post season run.