Entries Tagged 'everything' ↓

We’re six games into the regular season and we’ve already witnessed a horrendous offensive struggle from the Sox as they look to regroup without the power (and idiocy) of Manny.

Currently, the Sox are bottom-dwellers. Two and one-half games behind the pack in the AL East. Will it last? Certainly not. But it does make you sit and wonder why they can’t get it firing on all cylinders. So far, everyone gets some of the blame pie, with more of it being given to the offense (despite Bay’s dual home run effort the other day).

 Pitching (from 5 to 1)

5.  Penny (1-0, 4.50 ERA) Alyssa Milano’s former beau is showing signs of recovery and life on his fastball. It’s not yet up to the 97/98 MPH range, but I think now that he’s had a start under his belt this is one that will pay off for Theo.

4.  Wakfield (0-1, 4.50 ERA) He wasn’t hideous the other night and he’s still getting used to life without Mirabelli, but he’s showing his age (and a double-sized stomach) this year; no doubt because he spent the better part of the last four months trying to get his back ready for the season.

3.  Dice-K (0-1, 6.75 ERA)  Dice-K. Wow, man. Win an MVP and can’t Man-up for the season? Way to get clocked. I am expecting him to barely reach the 13 win mark this year.

2.  Lester (0-1, 9.0 ERA) Holy, Lefties, Batman! This kid got clocked and then got stuffed in the same game. He had such a bad start that you wonder if he was actually awake for most of it. Let’s go, man. You’re going to need to step it up and prove you’re okay.

1.  Beckett (1-1, 3.46 ERA) He’s doing his job. He’s the Ace. No question. In some ways, Beckett is ready for another 20-win season. I still can’t figure out his mental makeup. Will be handle the stress well if everyone behind him tanks (they won’t)? I do expect him to lead the team for most of the year.

On the topic of offense, we’re not ready to start killing people for lack of production, but Papi has got to get it together and show that he’s in the right place or the farm system is going to get a phone call for someone names Lars.

This is going to be a painful off-season unless something takes shape soon.

You see, it’s not just about getting the right parts secured early because you want to be best prepared for your season, it’s also about the players who will move / sign / get traded that should be afforded the courtesy of getting adjusted to their new digs.

My list for what I’d like to see in 2009 will fall on completely deaf ears down on Yawkee Way, but here goes:

Catcher
2008: Jason Varitek, 2009: Jason Varitek for 2 year deal, bring up George Kottaras if he can stay defensively stable during Spring Training.

‘Tek brings a lot to the table. He’s just fine defensively and he’ll be the best thing for the pitching staff. At 11 Million a year (or 12 if they splurge), ‘Tek is still a bargain for a seasoned and defensive catcher who is beloved by his pitchers.

Kottaras should at least get his last shot before they kill his career. This kid has potential, but they may not see him as a viable option… ever. If that’s the case, cut him or trade him. He could definitely go somewhere and get a major league deal, even if it means one more year in the minors. Kelly Shoppach, anyone?

Fourth Outfielder
2008: Coco Crisp (traded to KC), 2009: Mark Kotsay

With Coco out of the mix, the Sox had better hope that the chick-magnet Ellsbury can get his stick together. Otherwise, he’ll be mid-year trade bait. Mark Kotsay is a great defensive player who can still stroke a couple doubles and he’ll even take 1st if something were to happen with Youk.

Another option: Rocco Baldelli  - I’m less intrigued by him since his announcement of mitochondrial disorder came out. He’s not as durable and he might not even be ABLE to play 75-100 times. Too much risk.

Short Stop
2008: Julio Lugo / Jed Lowrie, 2009: Jed Lowrie

Look, the offensive force of Papi and Manny is gone and the best we’re going to do without the likes of a Texeira or Mauer is hit a lot of doubles and steal some bases. Lowrie should be able to take a few bags and Lugo is probably still going to become a super-sub with about 30 Million in guaranteed money coming to him (unless they can get a sucker team to take him).

Lowrie had his moments of brilliance last year and I actually think that with a full year under his belt he’d be more consistent and have fewer gaffes. He’s not any worse (no, really, not ANY worse) than Lugo would be.

Third Base?
2008: Mike Lowell / Kevin Youkili / Jed Lowrie, 2009: Lowell / Lowrie?

Here’s a weird issue: The Sox don’t actually know that Mike Lowell will come to Spring Training 100% ready for the season. If he doesn’t, I’m sure Lowrie will start off there with Lugo filling in (at least temporarily) at Short.

I’m not convinced that Lowell will be 100%. I actually believe he’ll be 80% and try to get through the season without killing himself. What this means, of course, is that we shouldn’t count on his bat for a hell of a lot of production until we SEE a hell of a lot of production. He can sing-song all day long about how great he feels and that he’s just a little rusty, but if the pop is gone, this could get ugly. His expectation from management is a good, solid 25 homers. We’ll see…

Season Expectations

I’m not the first person who has said this about the Sox for ‘09, but I don’t see them getting higher than 3rd in the AL East unless they can get some offensive help. Of course, they’ve pretty much killed a lot of hope by the fans with the overpaid Texeira going to NY, but can they milk Joe Mauer out of the Twin Cities for a couple hot players? Masterson and Buchholz? Masterson, Lugo and some money?

Right now, the AL East projects to be:

1. NY
2. Tampa
3. Boston
4. Toronto
5. Baltimore

Let’s see how this works… I’m sure once Spring Training is over I’ll feel different. Especially if they’re actually out there making moves.

Only 8 weeks until pitchers and catchers report. Who will report in the latter category?

So, here we are in the first (turkey) leg of the holiday/off-season with the Hot Stove in full effect. Let’s take a very quick look at what the hell is happening (or not) in the front office:

Derek Lowe

We currently hear grumblings that the Yankees and the Red Sox are “battling it over Derek Lowe”. Wow… wait… the rubber arm with the newscaster girl is really and truly ready to head back to the East? Is he currently medicated enough to handle the stress that he says he craves? We’ll see… Either NY or BOS will most certainly offer it.

Reports out of Dodgertown are that he’s in the best (mental) shape of his life.

Prediction: He comes to Boston on a three-year, $45Million deal and suffers his first-ever season-stopping elbow injury after the All-Star break in his second year.

Jason Varitek

Captain Varitek needs to decide how the last great contract of his career should be structured. Is he looking to break the bank on a team that desparately needs his defense and preparation? Will the Sox offer a mediocre two-year deal with a club option to make him stick it out for a “hometown discount”?

Prediction: He bolts for either Detroit for a three-year deal or plays in Boston for one more year as a full-time catcher, while training a AAA talent To Be Named and act as the backup for ‘10-’11.

A. J. Burnett

Burnett “should not” come to Boston based on simply his injury history. He’s currently the J.D. Drew of the pitching free agents. He had a tremendous year in Toronto last year (18 wins), but until 2008 he was barely a winning pitcher (69-66). He needs to probably take the most money he can find, which will not come from the Sox.

Prediction: He ends up signing with the Mets and falling apart after the ‘09 season.

Mark Texiera

Markie boy is going to be one rich … insert expletive. He’s a talent and he’s worth good money, but not the obscene money he’ll be offered by different clubs. There are a ton of people in the mix for this guy and he can sit back for the next month while people throw just about everything including the marketing rights for his own television show and plush doll.

Prediction: He signs with the Yankees for 8 years, $210Million and pisses off A-Rod every time he wakes up in the morning, and every night when he goes to bed.

The ‘09 Season

It’s World Baseball Classic time, folks, and you never know what will happen to people during Spring Training. Personally, I like the WBC. A lot. It gives people REAL baseball to watch and it gives talented players a chance to play for their home country. It’s not about money. It’s about pride.

Regardless of which players are “allowed” to play (including an upcoming disagreement between Matsuzaka and the Sox Brass), the WBC will have a lesser impact during it’s Sophomore campaign. I’d expect a fair number of Sox players to sit back and watch, but don’t be surprised if a couple players (Lowell for P.R., Papi for D.R., and even Youk) get involved early.

As far as the season, it’s going to depend a lot on how one of the most expensive free-agent markets in years shakes out. Clearly, the Yankees have about $300 Million dollars at their disposal, but they also have a new leader in 40 year-old, somewhat level-headed Hal Steinbrenner.

Prediction: It’s going to be a long summer, but the Fenway Faithful will watch the Sox in the playoffs once again, riding the pitching rotation of Beckett, Matsuzaka, Lowe, Masterson and Wakefield.

Alright, everyone. It seemed like a season to remember, and it was. It seemed like the Sox were over matched, and they were.

The 2008 season was great and I think there are a ton of roster items to be addressed, but that’ll happen during the winter months and we’ll sit in shock and awe as some trades are made and new faces join the 2009 club.

Personally speaking…

I’m psyched and honored, once again, to be writing an article for A List Apart. This time, I’ve chosen to write an article surrounding information architecture. Don’t know what that is? Join me on December 2nd for a lesson in how you should pay attention to these sets of tasks when you go to build or design your next Web site or application.

Today

Today was an incredible day.

I love Swiss and bacon tied into an omelet.

For the first time in my life I walked down Charles Street in Beacon Hill.

For the first time in my life I walked in the Public Garden and actually sat down.

I spoke to an old friend and it made me think.

The world does not revolve around me, but there are pieces that are directly influenced by my decisions. Knowing this does not make for better decisions.

I’d like to go back and talk to the person who stole the parking space while the car was pulled over, patiently waiting to gain access.

Today I finished a project that had been hanging over my head like a lead balloon. I’m glad it’s over, and I learned something from the process.

Today, I am a heart man. Tomorrow will not change that fact.

Today, I will sleep.

——————–

With so much happening both professionally and personally lately, I find it hard to get the time I want to sit down and write a post for three blogs. So! Let’s recap in short-order form on the professional side:

• I moved the company to downtown Boston this week, but we don’t officially dump our stuff into the new space until Tuesday the 5th.
• We hit over 1,000 members on our UX Professionals organization (and the site is in production with articles and membership information).
• I’m working very closely with the American Marketing Association, Boston Chapter, on a unique opportunity.
• We have three current projects and one of them is, amazingly, not Web-based but will bring us closer to a partner vendor that we’ve wanted to work with for a long, long time.
• A book on creative management is officially in the works and the first chapter is written and edited (and it only took a year to get this going…).
• We’re getting ready to hire another full-time person to handle production development that could lead to a bigger role within the firm. The position will be based in Boston and we’ll post the opening on AuthenticJobs.com and VisualActivity.com when we’re ready.

Now, the Sox…

• Whatever happened to Manny Ramirez? Last I heard he was lost in the Ravine looking for used baseballs and handing them to orphans…
• Jed Lowrie is really someone we need to keep an eye on. Not a crapload ™ of power, but a solid contact hitter like Pedroia who can make things happen. Two games since April he’s driven in 3… this kid could have some staying power… (Lugo and his 9 million a year can have a seat if they’re only paying Lowrie a couple hundred grand; look for Cora to be out of here and Lugo to play primarily backup until they find a buyer in ‘09.)
• I LOVE the idea that Lowell is playing hurt, but I HATE that he’s hurt.
• How about Jason Bay getting a hot start?! I spoke to my friend Pat yesterday who said that the fans would have given him some breathing room if he had a shaky start. I’m not so sure… I think if he had 9 whifs right now we’d all be freaking out a little.
• Papi has been quiet. Too quiet.

Only 51 games to pull away from the pack. 51 games to establish the postseason roster.

Can the Sox repeat this year?