Entries Tagged 'Papi' ↓

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?

This site, along with my desk, my back problem and a number of filing chores have been neglected while I take on additional responsibilities with both the American Marketing Association and UX Professionals.

Oddly enough, the Sox have not needed my help. Or have they?

At this point, it’s moot to go over what the last month has been like for the Sox with the exception of the following:

• Mike Lowell could end up hurting the Sox in the long run if he doesn’t shut it down soon.
• Paps better learn to use that cutter more often and stop being a fastball putz.
• Pedroia is my MVP. Not because he plays for the Sox, but because he has done the most in my opinion without any injury to assist a team in making the playoffs when their two hot-shot power hitters were down or out. (20 home runs regardless of a wrist injury has totally killed the Sox, Mr. Papi.)
• Epstein, it appears, will not have to don a gorilla suit come Halloween.
• Lucchino has been totally press-absent. THANK YOU.
• Orsillo got an extension at NESN (love it).
• Remy has not done as MUCH self-serving advertising as in previous years.

I am gunning for the Sox to take the Wild Card. Screw the Division Title. Get those four wins and then go get your team a) rest and b) pitching order. You don’t think Anaheim is a good idea for the Sox in the first round? I think it’s GREAT. They need the challenge. They need to have the drive. They need to get over themselves and win, win, win.

By this weekend we’ll know where they stand. Hopefully, regardless of the standings, they will have their duck boats in a row.

I look at the standings and I keep my cool. The Rays are a legitimate contender until someone kicks them in the private parts. The best part about this? I AM SO HAPPY IT’S NOT THE TYPICAL YANKEE RIVALRY. I yell because I care.

Clay Feet

The Clay Buchholz experiment is simply not working out so far this year. The kid is having a hell of a time adjusting to his first year in the Bigs and it looks like his confidence takes a hit each time out of the gate. I can’t help wonder if maybe a flip-flop between Masterson and Buchholz (starter vs. ‘pen) would have been a better decision; recognizing the no-hitter and the length of service.

It might be time to speed up the progress for Colon and see if he can jump in there for a couple starts.

Manny Being a #$(%$* ?

Listen, Manny can do whatever he wants and the club won’t do much about it. Whatever happens to his contract from here on out is anyone’s guess. Is he worth $20 million per year? Is he only worth that if he’s protected by Ortiz? His mischief does not bug me, but having an all-out fight with a 60-something year-old man wasn’t obviously very bright. He’ll still be here next year, I’m sure. It seems that he’s a necessary evil when things aren’t going his way and it’s a guaranteed hall of fame player when things are. Where’s Schilling in all of this? I’m surprised he hasn’t spoken up about the situation.

Wow, it’s been a long time since I posted on this thing. I barely remember all the stuff that’s happened since I took a break.

It’s all about the second half now, where the Sox will pick it back up against the Angels leading the AL East by .5 a game. It’s not much, but with the way the Rays were playing into the break, I would have rather skipped the All-Star Game and gone right to the second half to watch them crumble.

We have some really interesting things to watch on the sidelines for the second half of the season, including:

Papi

When will he return? Is he okay and ready to go? What will it be like for him to get back into his rythm? If he goes to both Portland and Pawtucket, and the Sox are losing groud, will they forgo any of the rehab assignments and just call his butt back up to the Bigs asap?

J.D. Drew

Wow, this kid spends 11 years being “promising”, then has a career year (so far). Not only that, but he picks up some MVP hardware at the All-Star Game to boot (sorry, Dan Uggla, I know that word isn’t too good for you right now… *cough error cough*). Unfortunately, when Papi does return, Drew will slide out of that powerful 3 spot in the order… then it’s anyone’s guess as to his “back problems” or his “hammy issues”.

Varitek

Is it time to get ‘Tek to pull 75% duty? Will he last the rest of the year, regardless of how horrible a hitter Cash is? The guy is in tremendous shape, and I’d love for him to be productive for the next six years, but I don’t see it. He’s losing his offense at a dizzying pace and his arm is showing fatigue.

Trade Deadline

What the hell will Theo do? Aside from bringing up Masterson to be a long-relief guy, what can they do to shore up the team? Is Lugo going to have 12 errors in the second half? Will they put up with his incredible missing offense? Is it time for Lowrie to hit the bench and be ready to play for a few days in a row?

I’m happy we still have half a season. I’ve been to busy to truly enjoy the first half.