The Official Thread of the 2006 Boston Red Sox

[Haunted]

Martinez ... 13K, zero BB.
That's a stat and a half.

[kennedy]

You cannot take Papelbon out of the closer's role right now. I wouldn't move him into the rotation in the immediate future.
I agree. I'd go with 5th starter by committee if you need to before I'd take Papelbon out of the closer's role. A power closer is so much more important than a fifth starter. Plus, to be honest, though we're logically optimistic, we're not entirely sure how Papelbon would fare as a starter.

[Lord Chumley]

I agree. I'd go with 5th starter by committee if you need to before I'd take Papelbon out of the closer's role. A power closer is so much more important than a fifth starter. Plus, to be honest, though we're logically optimistic, we're not entirely sure how Papelbon would fare as a starter.

It all comes down to not weakening a clear strength of the team to enhance another. Papelbon is a stud as a closer right now. I'm not ready to watch him pitch just once every 5 and hope Foulke doesn't blow up again.

[CLS]

This year's pitching staff, especially the starter and the closer is much better than last year's and last year's staff got the Sox into the playoffs. If this staff can keep them in contention until the trading deadline, the Sox could certainly pick up a fourth/fifth starter then.

If Schilling and Beckett can eat up innings, and if Foulke, Timlin, and Papelbon continue to pitch as they have, they can turn many games into six inning games. It would be especially nice if the middle relievers start to come through.

Of course one scary thought is Beckett's injury history.

[NCAA watcher]

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.

Not bad for a guy who took up pitching a year ago.

http://www.soxprospects.com/players/martinez-edgar.htm

[BCeagle]

I agree. I'd go with 5th starter by committee if you need to before I'd take Papelbon out of the closer's role. A power closer is so much more important than a fifth starter. Plus, to be honest, though we're logically optimistic, we're not entirely sure how Papelbon would fare as a starter.

Think of the confidence the team exudes under a closer like this. I have nothing against Foulke but Pap's power seems so much more dominant than Keith Foulk's. I think it makes Foulk more effective when he is called upon whether in a setup role or occasional closer.

When KF comes in, you just don't know if he has it or not, and in a pressure situation, it's so much better with a dominant closer who has the heat and another pitch to keep batters off balance. Everyone knows right now, Pap is the real deal.

[Blackout]

Not bad for a guy who took up pitching a year ago.

http://www.soxprospects.com/players/martinez-edgar.htm

You guys will NEVER guess who his favorite player was growing up. He's being featured next week on NESN

[thecomicbookguy]

Think of the confidence the team exudes under a closer like this. I have nothing against Foulke but Pap's power seems so much more dominant than Keith Foulk's. I think it makes Foulk more effective when he is called upon whether in a setup role or occasional closer.

When KF comes in, you just don't know if he has it or not, and in a pressure situation, it's so much better with a dominant closer who has the heat and another pitch to keep batters off balance. Everyone knows right now, Pap is the real deal.

And Foulke has been looking great as the setup guy. So, if the team can hold the lead through the 7th (or maybe even into the 7th), I think there's a lot of confidence seeing Foulke in the 8th and Papelbon in the 9th.

[Pal]

And Foulke has been looking great as the setup guy. So, if the team can hold the lead through the 7th (or maybe even into the 7th), I think there's a lot of confidence seeing Foulke in the 8th and Papelbon in the 9th.

I agree with that. I wouldn't take Papelbon out of the closer role before the All-Star break, though it would be nice to get Foulke into a few save situations here and there to see how he fares. Ultimately, though, unless they bring in a Clemens or another quality starter (or if Clement pitches well and doesn't tail off in the second half), I think they'll need Papelbon as their fourth playoff starter. But that's a ways off. Give DiNardo more shots, and if he stumbles give some of the guys in AAA a chance.

[Haunted]

It's nice to see them hitting halfway decently, with Schilling a bit off today. Cleveland's a good team, taking the first of the series would be nice.

Willie Harris needs to learn how to bunt. And hit. When's Crisp coming back?


edit: that'll teach them to walk Ortiz to get to Manny!

[Gollywobbler]

Nipper's trying hard to woo the Rocket...

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/04/26/for_nipper_it_would_be_classic_reunion/

I've finally come to the conclusion that I'd love to see him come to Boston (sorry Sports Guy). I was one who blamed both parties (Duquette, Clemens) equally in '96, but it's time to move on. In retrospect, it does seem that Duquette didn't really try.

I do have this nagging feeling that Roger will consider his options and if it's down to Boston vs. NYY, he'll look at the respective pitching staffs and realize that in Boston, he'd be just another great option, but in New York, he'd be THE DIFFERENCE (since their rotation is shakier than Boston's). That, and Steinbrenner's fat checkbook.

p.s. We could leave Papelbon in the 'pen and feel a whole lot better about it if #21 were in the rotation...

[Blackout]

I dont want Roger, period. He was an *** in Boston, he was an *** everywhere else, he's an *** on the field, he's an *** off the field. I dont care what we need, we shouldnt lower our standards to get this guy.

[Terrierbyassociation]

The Mets desperately need a fifth starter. I want him as a Met. We got the cash, the roster spot, and we're in a weak division. Sorry Red Sox, but the Mets should get him.

(I am teasing, no way Minaya is intelligent enough to make this move, he just lurves Zambrano.)

[thecomicbookguy]

I dont want Roger, period. He was an *** in Boston, he was an *** everywhere else, he's an *** on the field, he's an *** off the field. I dont care what we need, we shouldnt lower our standards to get this guy.

And this summer some west-coast fans was saying, "I dont want Wells, period. He was an *** in Boston, he was an *** everywhere else, he's an *** on the field, he's an *** off the field. I dont care what we need, we shouldnt lower our standards to get this guy."

Not the best comparison, and I'm not saying I disagree with you - I think Clemens is a GREAT pitcher, but I have major reservations about seeing him in Boston again - I'm just sayin'. :)

[BC ZamboniGuy Cult]

I want Clemens back one more season. I don't care that he's been a *****, and I realize that he's merecenary. I just him to come back for one season and pitch like he has the last few years. I don't want him to be my pal, I want him to come pitch.

[HEFan4Life]

Is anyone else concerned about Schilling throwing 133 pitches last night? I know he's looked great so far and at least seems healthy, but at his age and at this time of year 133 pitches is awfully high...

[Haunted]

Is anyone else concerned about Schilling throwing 133 pitches last night? I know he's looked great so far and at least seems healthy, but at his age and at this time of year 133 pitches is awfully high...
Not worried at all. I thought it was so stupid for D & C to spend the entire show talking about it. The first 3 questions they asked Schill were about it also. And this is why I hate WEEI.

[HEFan4Life]

Not worried at all. I thought it was so stupid for D & C to spend the entire show talking about it. The first 3 questions they asked Schill were about it also. And this is why I hate WEEI.

I think it is a legitimate concern at this point. I trust Schilling/Francona that they know what theyre doing, but even for workhorses you don't usually throw 130+ pitches in april, especially on cold nights

[Haunted]

I think it is a legitimate concern at this point. I trust Schilling/Francona that they know what theyre doing, but even for workhorses you don't usually throw 130+ pitches in april, especially on cold nights
I know what you mean, but still. I don't think it's anything like a big deal.

[CLS]

I think it is a legitimate concern at this point. I trust Schilling/Francona that they know what theyre doing, but even for workhorses you don't usually throw 130+ pitches in april, especially on cold nightsNote also that he was coming off an extra day's rest because of the off day.

Still, I was surprised to see him start the inning; I figured that the last three innings would be some combination of Timlin, Foulke, and Papelbon. But I also don't think it is that worrisome. I'd worry more about Pedro throwing 130+ than Schilling.

Foulke made one bad pitch, but that changeup is nasty. Like Remy said, it looks like a screwball. Timlin still scares me. He threw five balls to Grady Sizemore, which would have loaded the bases. Fortunately, Sizemore swung at two of them.

I'm really impressed with Travis Hafner. Not only did he get around on a high fastball -- he actually drove it.