Six weeks into the 2010 season I can say it now: I don't get it. I just don't understand this Red Sox team.
I've been following the Sox all of my life and this is the first time I have absolutely no read on the team. "Enigma" doesn't even begin to cover it. It's not just that this team seems to lack personality (where's Kevin Millar when you need him?!?) ... it's that they have no identity. It almost feels like we've gone back to the "25 guys, 25 cabs" era where it was every player for themselves. They just don't feel like a team.
The Sox are currently sitting in next-to-last place in the AL-East with a 15 - 15 record, 7 1/2 games out of first (frankly, I think they're lucky to be at .500).
They're supposed to be better than this. During the Hot Stove season last year, we kept hearing about how this team was built for run prevention, how the pitching staff was going to keep the opposition off of the scoreboard and the offense would score just enough runs to win games.
Hmmmm, how's that working out so far?
Look, I'm not pushing the panic button here and I don't expect they're going to roll right over everyone and dominate night after night. What I'm saying is that this team's flashes of brilliance are too far and too few between to foster any sense that things are going to right themselves in time to compete consistently this season.
I mean, they got swept in Baltimore last weekend ... Baltimore! ... the worst team in the majors (well, Houston in the NL-Central is almost as bad ... as of this morning, they have one more win that the Birds).
Ye gods.
Red Sox Nation has been fed a steady diet of "In Theo We Trust" over the past few years but I'm not sure the Sox brass is firing on all cylinders lately. It still astounds me that they didn't try to get a bat for the lineup, especially when David Ortiz' last season and a half decline is so obviously not a fluke. As much as I want Big Papi to succeed, I think the team and fans need to acknowledge that, for whatever reason(s), he's done. Seems to me that he's either hurt and isn't telling anyone or he's just simply lost his ability to hit (it happens). And I don't buy the argument that he's not seeing good pitches anymore because he doesn't have Manny Ramirez in the line-up to protect him. Ortiz could find some place in the order to hit.
I'm beginning to think that Ortiz has been struggling for so long that he's now too far down the rabbit hole to crawl back out. I would love to be wrong about this, but I honestly don't think I am.
And then there's the pitching ... virtually the entire rotation is like a roller coaster right now, up and down (forget about Dice-K ... I think we all need to accept the fact that he is a major bust and will never live up to expectations).
I was at the game last night vs. the Yankees. Sox lost 9-3. Beckett was brilliant in the first three innings with six strikeouts and pinpoint control but he absolutely imploded over the next 2 2/3 innings and gave up nine earned runs. He was a completely different pitcher, like someone threw a switch in his head between the third and fourth innings.
And for me, that stat alone from last night's game perfectly sums up this team ... it just doesn't make sense.
My thoughts
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
# 5 comes home ... sort of.
A one-day minor league contract later and Nomar Garciaparra is retiring as a member of the Red Sox.
It's a nice gesture but is it really that big of a deal?
I saw a lot of coverage of the story on the news yesterday and in one piece, a reporter was asking people on the street what their last impression of Nommie would be. Many said his consistent hitting, stellar SS playing, or his little dance when he stepped into the batter's box.
In case you're interested, here's how The Boston Globe covered the story. ESPN, where Nomar will work as a baseball analyst (how ironic given Nomar's dislike of the media as a player) had this take. And NESN covered the story from this angle.
While it's nice to reminisce, if I'm being honest, I have to say that what I remember first when I see his name or think about Nomar is how his attitude towards the team and town had plummeted during the 2004 season. Frankly, the guy was a malcontent, in my opinion.
A lot of players in the past have pointed out how difficult it is to play in Beantown because of the pressure from fans and (especially) the media. Red Sox fans are some of the most passionate in MLB and they have no hesitation in letting players know what they think, good or bad.
Don't get me wrong, I loved watching Nomar patrol the sixth position of the field for the Sox. At his prime he was one of (if not the) best short stops in baseball (as the very least, he was part of the holy trinity of Nomar, Jeter and A-Rod).
He could hit for average or power and was one of the most dedicated players out there.
But the acrimony that developed between him and the team (for whatever reason) during the 2003 and 2004 seasons, I think, really left a bad taste in the mouths of many fans. Frankly, he just didn't handle himself very well and was even accused of faking an injury in '04.
So while I certainly appreciate and respect his desire to retire with the team that drafted him (technically, the Brewers drafted him first but he didn't sign) and with which he had the most success, I'm just not getting the warm and fuzzies from this.
But here's the real question: Does he belong in the Hall of Fame? He certainly has impressive stats, but his he a Hall of Famer?
Six All-Star appearances, 1997 MVP and AL Rookie of the Year, three batting titles ... it all looks good. But, is it HOF-worthy?
Or, at the very least, should the Red Sox retire his number?
It's a nice gesture but is it really that big of a deal?
I saw a lot of coverage of the story on the news yesterday and in one piece, a reporter was asking people on the street what their last impression of Nommie would be. Many said his consistent hitting, stellar SS playing, or his little dance when he stepped into the batter's box.In case you're interested, here's how The Boston Globe covered the story. ESPN, where Nomar will work as a baseball analyst (how ironic given Nomar's dislike of the media as a player) had this take. And NESN covered the story from this angle.
While it's nice to reminisce, if I'm being honest, I have to say that what I remember first when I see his name or think about Nomar is how his attitude towards the team and town had plummeted during the 2004 season. Frankly, the guy was a malcontent, in my opinion.
A lot of players in the past have pointed out how difficult it is to play in Beantown because of the pressure from fans and (especially) the media. Red Sox fans are some of the most passionate in MLB and they have no hesitation in letting players know what they think, good or bad.
Don't get me wrong, I loved watching Nomar patrol the sixth position of the field for the Sox. At his prime he was one of (if not the) best short stops in baseball (as the very least, he was part of the holy trinity of Nomar, Jeter and A-Rod).
He could hit for average or power and was one of the most dedicated players out there.
But the acrimony that developed between him and the team (for whatever reason) during the 2003 and 2004 seasons, I think, really left a bad taste in the mouths of many fans. Frankly, he just didn't handle himself very well and was even accused of faking an injury in '04.
So while I certainly appreciate and respect his desire to retire with the team that drafted him (technically, the Brewers drafted him first but he didn't sign) and with which he had the most success, I'm just not getting the warm and fuzzies from this.
But here's the real question: Does he belong in the Hall of Fame? He certainly has impressive stats, but his he a Hall of Famer?
Six All-Star appearances, 1997 MVP and AL Rookie of the Year, three batting titles ... it all looks good. But, is it HOF-worthy?
Or, at the very least, should the Red Sox retire his number?
Sunday, February 21, 2010
General assessment
Just a quick general assessment of the Sox going into spring training ...
Overall, Theo and co. seem to have built this team with the idea that the pitching and defense will keep them in games and the offense will produce just enough runs to win games.
The old saying "you can never have enough pitching" appears to be the heart of the club. The bullpen is stocked and when you have the potential to have a six-man starting rotation, that tells you a lot about the make-up of the 2010 Red Sox.
Let's take a look at who's going to helm the mound for the Red Sox:
Never a dull moment in Beantown, for sure.
Overall, Theo and co. seem to have built this team with the idea that the pitching and defense will keep them in games and the offense will produce just enough runs to win games.
The old saying "you can never have enough pitching" appears to be the heart of the club. The bullpen is stocked and when you have the potential to have a six-man starting rotation, that tells you a lot about the make-up of the 2010 Red Sox.
Let's take a look at who's going to helm the mound for the Red Sox:
- Clay Buchholz - Reports are that he's put on muscle in the off-season and is poised to be a solid starter ... but will he be a starter or begin the season in the pen?
- John Lakey - Great hot stove season signing. Solid #2 in the rotation. I really liked this signing and I think his passion is going to suit him well in the Fens.
- Josh Beckett - Still the ace of the staff. Would love to see a vintage-type season from him. Here's hoping his contract issues aren't a distraction.
- Jon Lester - Hands down, best lefty in the game right now. Glad he's on our team.
- Tim Wakefield - Back surgery in the off-season should bode well for his durability this season. Because he's a knuckleball pitcher, his career's going to last longer than the flamethrowers in the league.
- Daisuke Matsuzaka - The real question mark on this staff and the pitcher with the most to prove. He's already started spring training with back problems, even though he claims to be healthier than last year. While anything is better than last season, he really needs to step up this year.
Never a dull moment in Beantown, for sure.
And we're back!
Yes, it's been a while, but I've decided to rev up the ol' Red Sox blog for the 2010 season for the few who read it in the past.
Will be posting more now that pitchers and catchers have officially reported and positional players aren't far behind.
Here's to the another great season in Red Sox Nation!
GO SOX!!
Will be posting more now that pitchers and catchers have officially reported and positional players aren't far behind.
Here's to the another great season in Red Sox Nation!
GO SOX!!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Manny's $100 million question
More in case you missed it ...
Jayson Stark of espn.com writes an excellent column about the terrible and dangerous precedent that would be set if some team is stupid enough to give Manny the 4-year, $100 million contract he thinks he's worth. Here's a nugget from the piece:
I'm so glad Manny isn't the Red Sox' problem anymore ... trouble is, he could become baseball's (if not sports in general) problem if he gets this ridiculous deal he wants because if he does get that kind of deal, it'll justify (in his and probably other's minds) all the BS he pulled this season in Beantown.
Jayson Stark of espn.com writes an excellent column about the terrible and dangerous precedent that would be set if some team is stupid enough to give Manny the 4-year, $100 million contract he thinks he's worth. Here's a nugget from the piece:
- "If Manny Ramirez wanders into the free-agent market this winter and gets anything close to the four years and $100 million he believes he'll get, think about the message that would send, the precedent that would set.
It would, in effect, be an open invitation to every selfish superstar in baseball to pull a Manny. Act up. Stop hustling. Stop trying. Refuse to play. Make up an injury. Whatever you have to do to get back out there on the free-agent market. It's all worth it.
Why not? If bad behavior winds up delivering a $100 million reward for Manny Ramirez, why wouldn't two or three, or 50 or 100, other great players think, 'Heck, it worked for him. Why not me?'
Most players -- and most agents -- don't think that way, luckily. But that doesn't mean we should pretend there's only one Manny. And we'd be crazy to pretend that his agent, some guy named Scott Boras, has only one client. So don't kid yourself. What happens to Manny this winter can, and will, have larger ramifications."
I'm so glad Manny isn't the Red Sox' problem anymore ... trouble is, he could become baseball's (if not sports in general) problem if he gets this ridiculous deal he wants because if he does get that kind of deal, it'll justify (in his and probably other's minds) all the BS he pulled this season in Beantown.
170 pounds of mouth
In case you missed it ...
The online version of ESPN The Magazine ran a great feature on Dustin Pedroia. Well worth a few minutes of your time.
The online version of ESPN The Magazine ran a great feature on Dustin Pedroia. Well worth a few minutes of your time.
State of the RSN State
So the Sox are crushing Texas so far and having a good August going 9 - 3, but things are a bit unstable (to say the least) in RSN.
Lowell is on the DL with an oblique injury, iron man Wakefield is missing at least two starts with an injury, Papi's been swinging the bat fairly well but isn't 100%, Coco Crisp can't buy a hit right now and 'Tek at the dish is ... well, you know.
And then there's Buchholz. I truly feel for this guy. He was blazing through the AL at the end of last season and the beginning of this season but to say he has no confidence right now is an understatement. He looks completely lost on the mound and is pitching his way back down south on Rt. I-95. Maybe that's for the best because he obviously needs to work through something, whether it's a physical problem or in his kitchen.
So what do the Sox do to try and plug the holes in their starting rotation? They sign Paul Byrd away from Cleveland ... hoo boy. If Byrd was the best available, then that speaks volumes about the talent pool out there (or lack of it). Byrd, 37, was 7-10 with the Indians this season, with a 4.53 ERA in 22 games. He has a career record of 104-91 and a career ERA of 4.37. Not bad, but not great, either, IMO. Still, he could be one of those guys who shines in a new venue with a new team. We'll see.
Meanwhile, there was a Q&A with noted baseball scribe Peter Gammons posted on boston.com recently and someone asked if it was an inevitability that Manny will end up with the Yankees next season. Gammons said, "I am told that as long as Brian Cashman is the GM and Hank Steinbrenner is owner, Manny will not be going to the Yankees. Their plan is to take the money they have stashed away and go after CC Sabathia."
Interesting. With "Steiney" (that's what I call him ... we're bro's) all but conceding the season recently (NY is 9 games out of first in the AL-East) and saying the Bronx Bombers will win the division next season, you would think that those plans would involve brining in Manny. But, where would they put him? They already have Matsui at DH and Damon and Christian patrolling LF. Stay tuned ...
Lowell is on the DL with an oblique injury, iron man Wakefield is missing at least two starts with an injury, Papi's been swinging the bat fairly well but isn't 100%, Coco Crisp can't buy a hit right now and 'Tek at the dish is ... well, you know.
And then there's Buchholz. I truly feel for this guy. He was blazing through the AL at the end of last season and the beginning of this season but to say he has no confidence right now is an understatement. He looks completely lost on the mound and is pitching his way back down south on Rt. I-95. Maybe that's for the best because he obviously needs to work through something, whether it's a physical problem or in his kitchen.
So what do the Sox do to try and plug the holes in their starting rotation? They sign Paul Byrd away from Cleveland ... hoo boy. If Byrd was the best available, then that speaks volumes about the talent pool out there (or lack of it). Byrd, 37, was 7-10 with the Indians this season, with a 4.53 ERA in 22 games. He has a career record of 104-91 and a career ERA of 4.37. Not bad, but not great, either, IMO. Still, he could be one of those guys who shines in a new venue with a new team. We'll see.
Meanwhile, there was a Q&A with noted baseball scribe Peter Gammons posted on boston.com recently and someone asked if it was an inevitability that Manny will end up with the Yankees next season. Gammons said, "I am told that as long as Brian Cashman is the GM and Hank Steinbrenner is owner, Manny will not be going to the Yankees. Their plan is to take the money they have stashed away and go after CC Sabathia."
Interesting. With "Steiney" (that's what I call him ... we're bro's) all but conceding the season recently (NY is 9 games out of first in the AL-East) and saying the Bronx Bombers will win the division next season, you would think that those plans would involve brining in Manny. But, where would they put him? They already have Matsui at DH and Damon and Christian patrolling LF. Stay tuned ...
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