Entries Tagged 'Varitek' ↓

• Buchholz had a really rough outing yesterday giving up hits to the first five batters he faced (he came in the game in the third). He’s competing with a rejuvenated Colon who threw a bullpen session yesterday and had “good movement and a fastball that reached 90 a few times”. This could get really interesting, folks.
• Terry Francona has decided that Pedroia is a moron and told the Boston Globe they could print it. The comment came after watching Pedroia “Dance With the Stars” for Mike Lowell’s charity.
• Curt’s going to have surgery. Just a gut feeling. This year is probably toast for him.
• Big Papi wants to ride it out in Boston for the next big contract. I don’t know how they’ll avoid paying him a ridiculous amount of money unless he gets hurt or has a crap year.
• Varitek will get a three year, $36 Million dollar deal. Just my guess. We’ll see if I’m right. Also, the Sox don’t seem to do this (publicly anyway), but they should give ‘Tek a Personal Services contract.
• Next stop on the rumor mill? Nowhere. It’s been unrealistically quiet this year (no problem there). Good feelings will occur when real games begin.
• Theo is the next one up for a big administrative contract. He’s rumored to currently pull in $1.8 Million/year. I think he’ll get a sizable bump; how can they not?
• Not too much noise on the center field competition, is there? Must be something happening with Crisp that we don’t know about…

I am a Jason Varitek guy. The dude sweats competition. The problem? He’s getting older and not getting any less expensive.

He’ due to get a new contract soon and I’m not sure whether or not he’ll get a long-term deal, regardless of how shallow the pool is.

With a decrease in batting average by 5+ points each of the past two season, he’s losing whatever offensive edge he had. His skills in dealing with the pitching staff, his read of a game and his ability to block the plate are all incredibly hard to replace.

So, where’s the backup? Mirabelli? Please. He’s good enough for this year (and MAYBE one more) if all he does is catch Wakefield, but seriously, that’s it.

I’m going to keep a close eye on the catching situation this year to see if the front office quietly grooms anyone in particular or makes a trade for someone in the minors.

Tim Wakefield’s contract option ($4 million, no incentives) has been picked up. Great! So, what about the catching situation?

Mirabeli has not yet been signed to his typical one-year deal, either, and I’m sure it’s a matter of money at this point.

How much is Mirabelli worth? Is his presence behind the plate almost as much a security blanket as it is being Wake’s bag boy? Don’t get me wrong. The fact that we have a person who is more than capable of catching a knuckleball is great so long as Wake is in the rotation (or in the bullpen if they sign Santana through some miracle). If Wake goes, Mirabelli is a two-time World Series ring winning back-up catcher without a job. But good for him. Good for anyone who was smart enough to hop on this success wagon to grab a couple pieces of jewelry (Timlin now has a few rings, as does Schilling).

Minor Leagues?

The Sox have a couple of players in the minor leagues who could either be dealt or even be ready for a shot at the back-up job (’Tek only has a year left, you know). Here’s the talent down south:

Kottaras had a mediocre season at the plate, batting .241 with 9 home runs and 39 RBIs, while Brown (combined between Portland AA and Pawtucket AAA) batted .260 with 9 home runs and 46 RBIs.

When the Sox got Kottaras, the thought was he’d be a great replacement for ‘Tek, provided he had pop from both sides of the plate. He’s not tearing the cover off the ball, but with the right conditioning program and a little more time, he could definitely be the starter of the future.

Brown isn’t far off the pace, either, and this year will be his chance to show his latent potential as well. They are both ready for the big times in a back-up role, and that’s just fine with the Sox Front Office since they’re trying to fill the starting position in time for the ‘09 season.

So do the Sox look to replace Crisp (who will be dealt) with a strong bat off the bench, or do they keep Kielty (for now) and get the rank and file ready for a new back-stop?

It’s the Transformer interstitial that drives me crazy, not the “Cleveland Rocks” song playing every 45 seconds.

Even with a back-to-back-to-back home run derby, the Sox can’t collect ANY more offense… What a waste of talent. During the regular season they hit .278 as a team. That was 5th best in the AL. This post season? Don’t want to think about it, but I would guess it’s around .220 or slightly lower.

Here are my questions so far:

1. Why not Ellsbury in right? You have a righty on the mound and he could do some damage.
2. Why go through even ONE more batter with Wake? Even though Delcarmen gave up the home run, it was time to pull Wake the minute they realized he was going up in the zone.
3. Why not pinch hit for Mirabelli? Wake is out of the game — go get ‘Tek.
4. What the hell do you do for an encore after three straight losses? Their backs are to the wall.

It’s not looking good, but then again, it didn’t look good in NY in ‘04. Can they do it again? Maybe those home runs were what they needed…

Alright! They’ve secured a post season slot and it’s time to think about Step 2: Win the Division.

I think the Sox can, as Julio said last night, relax a little. The pressure to make it to the post season was intense with the Yankees breathing down their necks. But now what? Winning with the best record would be sweet since it means they get to dictate the first playoff series. A couple of accolades for the Fenway Nine would be pretty well-deserved too. How about Youk for Gold Glove? How about Pedroia for Rookie of the Year? What about the Cy for Beckett? And, to be honest, Mike Lowell could be in line for a Comeback of the Year player award.

Notes:

• I find it fitting for Lugo that he hit the home run to punch the post season ticket in his old back yard.
• Varitek has suddenly found some power?
• Gagne is hittable and walks people, but, as Tito and Cap’n V said, “We need him.”
• By Lopez not striking out Pena, and worse yet, giving up a three-run homer, we are left without the Sox having a left-handed specialist.
• I think Okajima will do just fine once he comes back from the rest.
• I know I haven’t mentioned this yet, but I originally thought that it would be a mistake for Kapler to try to come back to the majors. That was until I read he’s only 32. Wow. He could have easily caught on somewhere else, couldn’t he? Odd.
• I’d like to quietly point out that two important pitchers for the Yankees: Ian Kennedy and Roger Clemens have been pushed back a day or two due to nagging injuries. That won’t bode well for them in October.
• I was watching last night’s game thinking: I’ve not seen a pitcher like Dice-K in a while who gives up a ton of walks but also has a ton of strikeouts. I wish I knew more about pitching mechanics in the Japanese system to see where the problem is. For the last two months, however, one thing is for sure: He throws too many fast balls.
• It would be a really good idea for the Sox to sweep the Rays today. Regardless of McGowan’s record (Blue Jays), I don’t think the Yankees will have too much winning.