While this may seem like kicking someone when they are down, watching the Red Sox has become more of a struggle than a good time. As a sox fan I now long for the days when all 5 starters knew how to get past the 5th and maybe into the 7th. These are the same glory days that remind us of how good David Ortiz was and how quickly he has fallen regardless of and PED talk. The days when Jason Varitek was a 250 hitter and could still play defense, it appears now it is only the defense we get the privilege of watching. Ahh, those days, Papelbon went 1-2-3 with two K's every time he was called upon and the only problems we had were whether the Sox would win the division or have to beat up on the Angels in the first round. The harsh reality of it all is that we must now realize that those days were only last season.
Should we be surprised by the aforementioned problems the Red Sox face on a daily basis? I say yes but only because we have been spoon feed the reality that those things would never happen to us because we were such a forward thinking organization and that Theo and the guru's upstairs were to innovative to allow such a thing to happen, I mean they are the Boston Red Sox.
Truth be told I hope that the Red Sox will somehow sneak into the playoffs and be a dangerous team in said playoffs, but as a fan I have to be a little hesitant to be excited for the future. David Ortiz, JD Drew, and the ever aging Mike Lowell are still under contract next season and making big money. Varitek will most likely be coming back and even with Victor Martinez catching most of the time teams will still run all over you, and god only knows what Dice-K can bring you although I have more faith in him than Lowell, Ortiz and Varitek. What will upset me even more is if the Red Sox have a similar off-season to this past one. If they go out and sign more and more high risk high reward injury prone players I for one will be looking for a future team to support.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Game One World Series Starter
In an attempt to distance myself even further away from the debacle that took place in New York this past weekend, I am writing this blog becuase of a question that a wise man asked me during the game last night.
If I had a fully healthy pitching staff who would be my Game One starter for the World Series Josh Beckett or Jon Lester?
Despite Lester dominating the game I was watching at the time I went with Josh Beckett, don't get me wrong its a tough argument either way but Beckett seemed like the logical choice given his playoff experience and dominance in October. While Lester may not have had as many opportunities to prove himself as Beckett has, the fact that Beckett was the MVP of the 2003 World Series and has not really shown a decline of any kind in any playoff performance. Sure you could bring up last year but before you do that keep in mind that he was hurt and still managed to go out and give you a few gut-check performances.
Now to Mr. Lester, Lester has developed into one of the top left handed pitchers in the game today and may have a legitimate argument to say he is the best. Having said that he is not my choice because of the lack of track record and still relative inexperience in the playoffs. Does that mean I do not want to see him pitch a game one? No, does it mean that I don't want to see him pitch? No, however I believe that Beckett is the better choice for this situation.
If I had a fully healthy pitching staff who would be my Game One starter for the World Series Josh Beckett or Jon Lester?
Despite Lester dominating the game I was watching at the time I went with Josh Beckett, don't get me wrong its a tough argument either way but Beckett seemed like the logical choice given his playoff experience and dominance in October. While Lester may not have had as many opportunities to prove himself as Beckett has, the fact that Beckett was the MVP of the 2003 World Series and has not really shown a decline of any kind in any playoff performance. Sure you could bring up last year but before you do that keep in mind that he was hurt and still managed to go out and give you a few gut-check performances.
Now to Mr. Lester, Lester has developed into one of the top left handed pitchers in the game today and may have a legitimate argument to say he is the best. Having said that he is not my choice because of the lack of track record and still relative inexperience in the playoffs. Does that mean I do not want to see him pitch a game one? No, does it mean that I don't want to see him pitch? No, however I believe that Beckett is the better choice for this situation.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Sox-Yankees series
With the impending Red Sox Yankees series coming up you have to wonder who the series would mean more too. While the Red Sox on the one hand are on a slide and could really use the win for this series the Yankees are set-up to dominate and if they do not win at least three of the four games they will have opened themselves up to criticism once again and show their inability to win against the Sox.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Deadline Winners and Losers, Not including the Red Sox
Winners:
St.Louis Cardinals
Anytime you can go out and get protection for the best hitter in baseball is a good thing never mind when that protection comes in the form of slugger Matt Holiday. Holiday has hit on all cylinders since joining the red birds and who wouldn't hitting behind Albert Pujols. What may be most overlooked is the acquisition of Mark Derosa from Cleveland, the veteran utility infielder has been used at second and third since joining the Cards and adds another formidable bat to an already stacked line-up, and go figure even Lugo is hitting in St.Louis.
Detroit Tigers
While the Tigers were already a formidable contender for the Al Central title with the addition to Jarrod Washburn from Seattle the Tigers are looking to be competitive late into October. The Tigers now have three pitchers in the top 8 in American League ERA and have made themselves tough to beat in a three game series with Verlander, Jackson and now Washburn.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies acquired a Cy Young winner to add to there rotation, sure its not Halladay but Cliff Lee is a very effective pitcher who should flourish in the National League. The Phillies now have the best all lefty 1-2 punch in baseball with Lee and Hamels. This acquisition also takes some pressure off of the aforementioned Hamels. The Phillies all but assured themselves a Nl East title with the move and what could be another deep run into October.
Losers
Tampa Bay Rays
While the Rays are still a good team and the defending Al Champs how do you let an AL East rival in the Red Sox get your guy two years in a row. Last year they wanted Jason Bay and this year they were all over Victor Martinez. At some point the Rays front office needs to get into gear and realize that the Sox and Yankees are always going to be there waiting to capitalize on your missed opportunities the price for Martinez was not that steep for the Rays who seemingly have the best farm system in baseball and he is making affordable money. The lack of a move shows the inexperience of their front office to making moves to win instead of stacking the farm.
Toronto Blue Jays
How do you not move Halladay after making such a big deal about his availability? If the reports are true some of the packages that were offered for Halladay were more than fair. I know almost feel bad for Halladay who had to endure all of this madness, seemingly created just so JP Riccardi could feel like the center of attention. The fact that he was not moved is a joke. Now the offers he will receive this offseason and beyond will not be half as good and they can not afford to say no at some point. Riccardi should have been fired a few years ago when he signed Vernon Wells to a contract that will pay him 25 million dollars in either the final year or the last two.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs sat back and watched division rival St.Louis acquire Matt Holiday and allowed their chances of acquiring Jake Peavy drift about 10 miles south to the White Sox. While the Cubs seemingly have no glaring need a move was necessary in order to give this team the spark it needs to get going again.
To be determined
Chicago White Sox
If Jake Peavy goes back to being Jake Peavy than its a great move for the south siders.
Pittsburgh Pirates
They got a lot of good prospects back in the trades they made. Assuming even a few reach their top potential this team may not be a complete disaster.
Cleveland Indians
Same deal as the Pirates, if the prospects pan out it could have been a week to remember in Cleveland
St.Louis Cardinals
Anytime you can go out and get protection for the best hitter in baseball is a good thing never mind when that protection comes in the form of slugger Matt Holiday. Holiday has hit on all cylinders since joining the red birds and who wouldn't hitting behind Albert Pujols. What may be most overlooked is the acquisition of Mark Derosa from Cleveland, the veteran utility infielder has been used at second and third since joining the Cards and adds another formidable bat to an already stacked line-up, and go figure even Lugo is hitting in St.Louis.
Detroit Tigers
While the Tigers were already a formidable contender for the Al Central title with the addition to Jarrod Washburn from Seattle the Tigers are looking to be competitive late into October. The Tigers now have three pitchers in the top 8 in American League ERA and have made themselves tough to beat in a three game series with Verlander, Jackson and now Washburn.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies acquired a Cy Young winner to add to there rotation, sure its not Halladay but Cliff Lee is a very effective pitcher who should flourish in the National League. The Phillies now have the best all lefty 1-2 punch in baseball with Lee and Hamels. This acquisition also takes some pressure off of the aforementioned Hamels. The Phillies all but assured themselves a Nl East title with the move and what could be another deep run into October.
Losers
Tampa Bay Rays
While the Rays are still a good team and the defending Al Champs how do you let an AL East rival in the Red Sox get your guy two years in a row. Last year they wanted Jason Bay and this year they were all over Victor Martinez. At some point the Rays front office needs to get into gear and realize that the Sox and Yankees are always going to be there waiting to capitalize on your missed opportunities the price for Martinez was not that steep for the Rays who seemingly have the best farm system in baseball and he is making affordable money. The lack of a move shows the inexperience of their front office to making moves to win instead of stacking the farm.
Toronto Blue Jays
How do you not move Halladay after making such a big deal about his availability? If the reports are true some of the packages that were offered for Halladay were more than fair. I know almost feel bad for Halladay who had to endure all of this madness, seemingly created just so JP Riccardi could feel like the center of attention. The fact that he was not moved is a joke. Now the offers he will receive this offseason and beyond will not be half as good and they can not afford to say no at some point. Riccardi should have been fired a few years ago when he signed Vernon Wells to a contract that will pay him 25 million dollars in either the final year or the last two.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs sat back and watched division rival St.Louis acquire Matt Holiday and allowed their chances of acquiring Jake Peavy drift about 10 miles south to the White Sox. While the Cubs seemingly have no glaring need a move was necessary in order to give this team the spark it needs to get going again.
To be determined
Chicago White Sox
If Jake Peavy goes back to being Jake Peavy than its a great move for the south siders.
Pittsburgh Pirates
They got a lot of good prospects back in the trades they made. Assuming even a few reach their top potential this team may not be a complete disaster.
Cleveland Indians
Same deal as the Pirates, if the prospects pan out it could have been a week to remember in Cleveland
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