The Official Thread of the 2006 Boston Red Sox

[Westfield Eagle]

This series was going really well until Beckett hit Aaron Hill.

Yes, Timlin is not sharp and Seanez is way beyond bad, but Beckett had a four-run lead needing six outs (working on only 80 pitches) and coughed up three in a third of an inning before getting yanked. That killed us.

Agreed. He hit the guy intentionally too.

[JohnB]

The depth and improvement to the Sox pitching staff is REALLY starting to pay dividends. Maybe I was wrong in the offseason... maybe a few of you predicting 98 wins with all this depth had it right all along.... :rolleyes:

So long as Clement and Wake continue on the right track for 20 win seasons to go w/ Beckett and Schill I think we're in good shape!

[Westfield Eagle]

The depth and improvement to the Sox pitching staff is REALLY starting to pay dividends. Maybe I was wrong in the offseason... maybe a few of you predicting 98 wins with all this depth had it right all along.... :rolleyes:

So long as Clement and Wake continue on the right track for 20 win seasons to go w/ Beckett and Schill I think we're in good shape!

The depth you refer to was because the Sox had 7 potential starters in spring training. The Arroyo trade was a terrible decision, and the Wells situation is a disaster.

When you criticize Wake you sound like an idiot and Clement hasn't been a problem as of yet.

Schilling, Beckett, and Papelbon have all been outstanding. Two aces and a dominant closer are what you need in the playoffs. Foulke has been pretty good lately as well. All teams have issues (that's what makes the long baseball season interesting to watch), but your negative outlook on everything is truly pathetic.

[SteveF]

Two aces and a dominant closer are what you need in the playoffs.


FWIW, I dont think Papelbon will be the closer come playoff time

[Haunted]

FWIW, I dont think Papelbon will be the closer come playoff time
I agree, I think he'll be in the rotation.

[Westfield Eagle]

I agree, I think he'll be in the rotation.

Well I will say this. Foulke has looked good recently. Now Timlin hasn't been sharp. Whenever a leak is plugged a new one appears :)

[Haunted]

Well I will say this. Foulke has looked good recently. Now Timlin hasn't been sharp. Whenever a leak is plugged a new one appears :)
I know, but they have people in AAA that could bridge that gap, without resorting to trades.

I say give DiNardo 3 - 4 more starts, and reevaluate things. If he's not getting it done, and Foulke continues to improve, give Foulke the closer job again, and move Papelbon to DiNardo's spot. Yeah, you're robbing Peter to pay Paul, but if Foulke keeps this up, it won't be that much of a drop-off. Also, if DelCarmen, Alvarez, or Hansen could make a contribution it would be nice as well.

Things are frustrating as hell right now, but remember that no matter how bad things get, they're never as bad as they seem.

edit: correction, Del Carmen was called up today, Van Buren sent back down.

[kennedy]

I hope Delcarmen sticks. Ever since surgery he's been fantastic. And to have two power arms at the back of the bullpen would be a nice complement to Foulke.

I figure Alvarez and Martinez will both be up before Hansen.

[Westfield Eagle]

I hope Delcarmen sticks. Ever since surgery he's been fantastic. And to have two power arms at the back of the bullpen would be a nice complement to Foulke.

I figure Alvarez and Martinez will both be up before Hansen.

Is Hansen pitching in Pawtucket? I know Delcarmen has been lights out.

[BCeagle]

I know, but they have people in AAA that could bridge that gap, without resorting to trades.

I say give DiNardo 3 - 4 more starts, and reevaluate things. If he's not getting it done, and Foulke continues to improve, give Foulke the closer job again, and move Papelbon to DiNardo's spot. Yeah, you're robbing Peter to pay Paul, but if Foulke keeps this up, it won't be that much of a drop-off. Also, if DelCarmen, Alvarez, or Hansen could make a contribution it would be nice as well.

Things are frustrating as hell right now, but remember that no matter how bad things get, they're never as bad as they seem.

edit: correction, Del Carmen was called up today, Van Buren sent back down.

I think you can start DiNardo against weaker teams like Seattle but not against a great hitting team like Toronto. That was like a give away game.

When you get Crisp back, the Sox lineup should be more stable and their better lineup barring anymore injuries. IMO, Wily Mo Pena should be at Pawtucket getting more playing time and learning to play the outfield better. I know, he's nice to have on the bench for PH but he needs to play regularly to develop further.

[Haunted]

I hope Delcarmen sticks. Ever since surgery he's been fantastic. And to have two power arms at the back of the bullpen would be a nice complement to Foulke.
Absolutely. And that way Papelbon can move to the rotation. Having to face a rotation of Schilling - Wakefield - Beckett - Papelbon - Clement would be daunting. In a playoff situation, drop Clement to the pen, and it's flat out great. And, if lightening strikes and Clemens comes, move replace Clement with him. That's scary.


I figure Alvarez and Martinez will both be up before Hansen.
Martinez is the guy I keep forgetting. Earlier I would have disagreed with you, but now is seems obvious that they're really taking their time with him and letting him learn that 3rd pitch. So, at this point, I completely agree with you.

Any word on Riske? How's his back?

[Haunted]

I think you can start DiNardo against weaker teams like Seattle but not against a great hitting team like Toronto. That was like a give away game.
I agree, but you can't really rotate guys between the pen and rotation that easily.


When you get Crisp back, the Sox lineup should be more stable and their better lineup barring anymore injuries. IMO, Wily Mo Pena should be at Pawtucket getting more playing time and learning to play the outfield better. I know, he's nice to have on the bench for PH but he needs to play regularly to develop further.
Absolutely correct regarding Crisp. But, Wily Mo can't be sent down without clearing waivers - which will never happen. Through terrible management, he ran out of options at the age of 20. :rolleyes: So, he's "stuck" here. But you're right, I wish he could be in AAA.

[Lord Chumley]

Absolutely. And that way Papelbon can move to the rotation. Having to face a rotation of Schilling - Wakefield - Beckett - Papelbon - Clement would be daunting. In a playoff situation, drop Clement to the pen, and it's flat out great. And, if lightening strikes and Clemens comes, move replace Clement with him. That's scary.



Martinez is the guy I keep forgetting. Earlier I would have disagreed with you, but now is seems obvious that they're really taking their time with him and letting him learn that 3rd pitch. So, at this point, I completely agree with you.

Any word on Riske? How's his back?

You cannot take Papelbon out of the closer's role right now. I wouldn't move him into the rotation in the immediate future.

[Haunted]

You cannot take Papelbon out of the closer's role right now. I wouldn't move him into the rotation in the immediate future.
If DiNardo keeps getting cuffed around? Foulke's been getting better and better, he is now a decent replacement for Papelbon. You can't afford to have a starter get knocked out in the 4th or 5th every start, as it just kills your bullpen.

Anyway, I don't mean right now. As I said, give DiNardo 3 - 4 more starts, or more, before making that move.


edit: also, I absolutely love Pap's new haircut. Very "Rick Vaughn". :D

[CLS]

Lowell's air mail notwithstanding, when was the last time the Sox had an infield that was not just passable, but enjoyable to watch?

Another nice outing by Foulke. Timlin ok, except for one pitch he left up and over the plate and he was lucky that it wasn't a home run. Papelbon got a couple of bad breaks -- that hit by Catallanoto was lucky, and pitched through it.

[BCeagle]

You cannot take Papelbon out of the closer's role right now. I wouldn't move him into the rotation in the immediate future.

If Wells does not pitch well or retires, DiNardo or someone needs to take his spot. It's tough thinking about taking Papalbon out of the pen, he's now 8 for 8 in save situations unless Foulke regains his 2004 form. To his credit, he has pitched well so far and still valuable in a setup role, although a high price one.

Although, I would have been happy with 1 of 3 this weekend, they still achieved that but should have won 2 of 3 if they had nailed Friday's game with a 6-2 lead in the late innings.

Lowell is hitting, which is a bonus because he was a throw in for Becket. His glove is always there, but if he can continue to hit decently, he's adding to the value of the trade.

[Westfield Eagle]

Foulke, Timlin and Papelbon have the potential to be one of the best backends of the bullpen in MLB.

Schilling, Beckett and Wakefield are going to give you quality starts.

Getting Crisp back soon solidifies the lineup.

The defense is good.

The one question we really have is about Clement and starter #5. Clement has been a typical #4 starter I guess thus far.

I expect Clement to improve because Toronto owns him. He won't be seeing them any time soon.

So to me we are down to one question at the moment: the #5 starter.

This is why I will never understand the Arroyo trade. I just don't see how anybody can defend it. Mohr/Stern could be a serviceable 4th outfielder. I know Pena has potential, but he has shown me nothing so far.

[BCeagle]

Foulke, Timlin and Papelbon have the potential to be one of the best backends of the bullpen in MLB.

Schilling, Beckett and Wakefield are going to give you quality starts.

Getting Crisp back soon solidifies the lineup.

The defense is good.

The one question we really have is about Clement and starter #5. Clement has been a typical #4 starter I guess thus far.

I expect Clement to improve because Toronto owns him. He won't be seeing them any time soon.

So to me we are down to one question at the moment: the #5 starter.

This is why I will never understand the Arroyo trade. I just don't see how anybody can defend it. Mohr/Stern could be a serviceable 4th outfielder. I know Pena has potential, but he has shown me nothing so far.

Clement is what he is, he's good for a half a season. He's never had a good full season for whatever reason.

Anybody see the Sox spending the money for Clemens for that other starting spot? Papelbon could stay in the pen this year and be a dominant closer.

[kennedy]

Is Hansen pitching in Pawtucket? I know Delcarmen has been lights out.
Hansen is at Portland. 4G, 8IP, 1-0, 3 hits allowed, 8K, 4BB, 0.00ERA, 0.88 WHIP.

Martinez is as well. 6G, 7.2IP, 0-0, 2 saves, 4 hits allowed, 2 unearned runs, 0.00 ERA, 0.52 WHIP and, here's the nice part, 13K, zero BB.

[JohnB]

The depth you refer to was because the Sox had 7 potential starters in spring training. The Arroyo trade was a terrible decision, and the Wells situation is a disaster.

When you criticize Wake you sound like an idiot and Clement hasn't been a problem as of yet.

Uhhh I didn't criticize Wake??? He is what he is and he'll get 12-14 wins I was simply stating he's nothing more then a #3 starter and they need more then that to go w/ Schill and Beckett.


Schilling, Beckett, and Papelbon have all been outstanding. Two aces and a dominant closer are what you need in the playoffs. Foulke has been pretty good lately as well. All teams have issues (that's what makes the long baseball season interesting to watch), but your negative outlook on everything is truly pathetic.

You have to get to the playoffs for two aces and a dominant closer to do much.... They still reside in a division w/ Toronto and NY (and for those doubters in the offseason about Toronto being a contender I still disagree - the team is going to be there over the long haul this season) and chances are the wildcard won't come from this division.