The Official Thread of the 2006 Boston Red Sox

[HEFan4Life]

I agree with the sentiments regarding Hansen. The only thing I have to add is that I don't believe they're paying him $1 M a year to pitch in the minors. He'll be up before this year ends, but whether or not he'll be eligible for post-season play is a different story (i.e. callup before 7/31/06).

Trot expected to be in the lineup tonight, Wily Mo getting the day off (thank God). Lenny DiNardo carries a 3.38 ERA into the game, vs. Gil Meche's 6.75 ERA. DiNardo's pitched fairly well so far in only a couple of appearances.

They're paying him $1 M because he he wouldn't sign for less, thats why he was taken 23rd instead of in the top 5 in the draft. They won't call him up until september because right now he could be a good major league reliever. They want him to come into the big leagues and dominate. They tried to rush some relievers (particularly delcarmen/alvarez) last year because we had no pitching. We will see quite a few guys (Delcarmen, van buren, martinez, lester, etc) called up if necessary before Hansen. They are going to do everything in their power to ensure that he succeeds and a big part of that is giving him time to develop at AA and then AAA before being rushed to the majors for no good reason. If we see him on the sox before September 1st, then something went seriously wrong.

[Blackout]

Hansen is focusing on a couple of his pitches for now. They said on the Red Sox Report last night he COULD pitch in the majors now, but since they dont need him at the moment he can focus on improving specific aspects of his game. I'm going up to Portland tomorrow, I hope he pitches. I also hope I get to see Edgar Martinez pitch. I was up there 2 years ago and saw him hit a HR. Then last year in Wilminton I saw him k 2 batters. And I think he's gained 40 pounds since then too.

[Haunted]

I also hope I get to see Edgar Martinez pitch.
Didn't he retire? And wasn't he a DH? ;)

[Terrierbyassociation]

Great shirt on sale at Fenway

A likeness of Johnny Damon on the front. On the back are the words:

Looks like Jesus.
Acts like Judas.
Throws like Mary.

[Lord Chumley]

First 'big time' win of the season today. These are the games you look back on as turning points when a team makes the playoffs. Anytime you can win a game that Lenny DiNardo starts, you are doing well. 9-4 with Tampa coming in to Fenway. Lookin' good.

[HEFan4Life]

Hansen is focusing on a couple of his pitches for now. They said on the Red Sox Report last night he COULD pitch in the majors now, but since they dont need him at the moment he can focus on improving specific aspects of his game. I'm going up to Portland tomorrow, I hope he pitches. I also hope I get to see Edgar Martinez pitch. I was up there 2 years ago and saw him hit a HR. Then last year in Wilminton I saw him k 2 batters. And I think he's gained 40 pounds since then too.


They believe he could be a good reliever right now, but they want him to be a great one and since they don't need him right away they have the luxury of letting him wait and learn to throw a change. They have him under control until 2011 so theyre in no rush to throw him into battle when the bullpen looks great thus far. Edgar martinez is an exciting prospect as well. The future looks bright with E-mart, lester, papelbon, beckett, hansen, delcarmen, dinardo, van buren, etc etc. Talk about stockpiling young arms and if coco crisp, wily mo and adam stern/dustin mohr all keep progressing that could be an excellent outfield. Plus they still have jacob ellsbury and dustin pedroia waiting in the wings, they have the potential to be a great team now and for the next 5 years. Compare that to the yankees who have an old team that is continuing to get older and hardly anything that resembles a farm system. Of course with steinbrenner at the helm and their budget they aren't going anywhere, but the red sox organization is starting to look like the braves organization of the early 90s. Hopefully we manage to do a bit better than they did, although I'd be happy with what 13 straight division championships :)

[Blackout]

good synopsis, plus you forgot Brandon Moss, David Murphy, and Jed Lowry. Then, there are Rozier/Dobies/Buccholz/Bowden as arms who are longer projects.

[BCeagle]

Me thinks they may need 6-8+ runs w/ DiNardo in there... I hope I'm wrong but at least they're up against Meche to make it plausible (with that said they'll probably pull a Ted Lilly on Meche)

Good thing it's Seattle, against a good hitting team like the Yanks and Blue Jays 6-8 runs may not be enough.

Hopefully they can sweep TB and win games like these to push their record up because they'll probably have a losing record against a team like the Blue Jays. The Jays seem to have the Red Sox number with their great hitting.

Nixon's return added to their lineup and if they can get Crisp back soon, that'll be 2 more bats in the lineup.

If Hansen can be the eventual closer and be lights out like Papelbon is now, Papelbon's insertion in the starting rotation would be huge in the future. Wells is very iffy right now and DiNardo may be only a short term solution.

[Westfield Eagle]

What are the plans for Abe Alvarez? He seems to be more advanced in his development than Lester and is off to a good start in Pawtucket. Could he be an end of the rotation starter on this team next year?

[Haunted]

What are the plans for Abe Alvarez? He seems to be more advanced in his development than Lester and is off to a good start in Pawtucket. Could he be an end of the rotation starter on this team next year?
Maybe even this year. Depending on Wells' injury: the spot is DiNardo's to lose right now, and he pitched pretty well. If he shows he can get the job done, leave him there, use Van Buren as the swing man for now. If DiNardo falters, can send him back to the pen, and swap Van Buren with Alvarez, putting Alvarez in the rotation. Then maybe Lester, if that doesn't work. They have options.

That said, Chumley's right, this was one of those games that help a team gel. Loretta said after the game that this was his first walk-off homer at any level, and he'll never forget it. Good. Welcome to Boston big guy.

[Blackout]

What are the plans for Abe Alvarez? He seems to be more advanced in his development than Lester and is off to a good start in Pawtucket. Could he be an end of the rotation starter on this team next year?

Abe is solid, I project him to be a similar guy to Bronson (of course, the lefty version). Doesnt throw hard, but he knows how to pitch.

I'm going up to Portland tonight, I havnt checked who's due to pitch though.

[Lord Chumley]

good synopsis, plus you forgot Brandon Moss, David Murphy, and Jed Lowry. Then, there are Rozier/Dobies/Buccholz/Bowden as arms who are longer projects.

I dont believe David Murphy will ever pan out. In my opinion, they should have sent Murphy to the Cubs instead of Murton, who I knew would make it big. The best non-pitchers in the organization in my opinion are Jed Lowrie and Jacoby Ellsbury, both who may be ready by 2007. I know Theo loves both, especially Ellsbury, so you have to figure that neither will be traded in a potential Dontrelle Willis deal in July.

[JohnB]

I'm going up to Portland tonight, I havnt checked who's due to pitch though.

Chris Smith

[Blackout]

Chris Smith

Ah, the California boy. Thanks. Hansen hasnt pitched for a few games, hopefully that means he goes tonight. EDGAH! went last night.

Chumley: I agree on Murphy, but I know there are still people around who feel he has value. If he doesnt make it here, he'd have enough value in a trade.

As for non-pitchers I have to think Pedroia is up there too. Certainly Ellsbury is in a league of his own for the OF's, but the prospect of Pedroia at 2b, and Lowry at SS someday isnt that bad!

[SteveF]

Talk about stockpiling young arms and if coco crisp, wily mo and adam stern/dustin mohr all keep progressing that could be an excellent outfield. Plus they still have jacob ellsbury and dustin pedroia waiting in the wings, they have the potential to be a great team now and for the next 5 years.

not for anything, but have you seen the infield? 3 washed up vets, and 2 glorified second basemen who cant hit. None of them are very permanent. Some of those young arms are going to have to be traded to field the other 9 positions.

I like Crisp alot, but I have my doubts about Stern, Mohr, and Pena becoming everyday outfielders, let alone excellent ones. If they had that much potential they wouldnt all be on their 3rd team by now. I guess I could see Pena becoming the next manny (not like you need defensive skills to stand in left at fenway)

[YogiBlackBear]

Great shirt on sale at Fenway

A likeness of Johnny Damon on the front. On the back are the words:

Looks like Jesus.
Acts like Judas.
Throws like Mary.

"Man lands on the Moon!"

Thank you, All-Knowing Baseball Guy! That shirt's only been around since Damon signed with NYY. What little kernel of info are you going to drop on us next? Is Theo coming back? :rolleyes:

[Haunted]

"Man lands on the Moon!"

Thank you, All-Knowing Baseball Guy! That shirt's only been around since Damon signed with NYY. What little kernel of info are you going to drop on us next? Is Theo coming back? :rolleyes:
Settle down Francis. Don't get your panties in such a bunch. :rolleyes:

[Westfield Eagle]

I dont believe David Murphy will ever pan out. In my opinion, they should have sent Murphy to the Cubs instead of Murton, who I knew would make it big. The best non-pitchers in the organization in my opinion are Jed Lowrie and Jacoby Ellsbury, both who may be ready by 2007. I know Theo loves both, especially Ellsbury, so you have to figure that neither will be traded in a potential Dontrelle Willis deal in July.

Is Pedroia still on track to be the eventual 2nd baseman?

[YogiBlackBear]

not for anything, but have you seen the infield? 3 washed up vets, and 2 glorified second basemen who cant hit. None of them are very permanent. Some of those young arms are going to have to be traded to field the other 9 positions.

I like Crisp alot, but I have my doubts about Stern, Mohr, and Pena becoming everyday outfielders, let alone excellent ones. If they had that much potential they wouldnt all be on their 3rd team by now. I guess I could see Pena becoming the next manny (not like you need defensive skills to stand in left at fenway)

Hey Dopey, they don't need to be permanent because the Sox actually have a farm system. And they can't hit? Funny, their career and season-to-date stats say otherwise. They can also catch it pretty good, unlike the Slo-Pitch softball defense NYY is running out there.

[Terrierbyassociation]

Red Sox infield.

Lowell is only 32, he has had one bad season in his last 5 seasons: His last two before the 2005 debacle:

Lowell 2004

.293 slugged .505, 27 HRs, 85 RBIs.

Lowell 2003

.276 slugged .530, 32 HRs, 105 RBIs.

He also won a gold glove last season, for what that's worth. I expect a good bounce-back season for him.

SS is an issue, but who knows, another losing season and maybe the Red Sox can pry Tejada away from the Orioles. 2B, Loretta, well he's not terrible in the field like Cano, great contact hitter, even though he doesn't have much pop.

1B:Youklis. No issues there, decent 1B, and he's going to be a solid player.

Where is the washed-up infield?