Saturday Sox Scoop: Matsuzaka more comfortable, Hansen settled in

by Randy Booth on Mar 1, 2008 10:30 AM EST in News

After a year in America, Daisuke Matsuzaka is a lot more comfortable pitching this year after. He said last year was stressful with "all the eyes on him."
The Sox added a "B" game for Monday morning against the Twins. Josh Beckett will start with John Farrell keeping an eye on him. Terry Francona will travel to Jupiter to watch Kyle Snyder take on the Marlins.
Francona and Farrell are happy with Craig Hansen's progress so far. Francona said he thinks Hansen has "grown up." Last year, though, was different for Hansen: "He's young, and did not necessarily make the best decisions all the time. I hope [the maturity] shows up on the field." Sounds like there were internal problems with Hansen. Too much partying, maybe?
If you haven't heard by now, Hank Steinbrenner thinks Red Sox Nation was invented by the Red Sox and ESPN. Read between the lines: he's off his rocker ... already! He said if you go anywhere in America you see Yankee apparel, not Red Sox. I beg to differ Mr. Hankee (that nickname will always stick). I guarantee everything Red Sox now outnumbers everything Yankees. The Yankees are so ... yesterday?
Sox prospect Michael Bowden is having trouble keeping up with his diet. That's if you can call it a diet. While he trained in Arizona with Clay Buchholz over the break, Bowden's diet required a 4,500 calorie intake per day. Needless to say, he suffered keeping true to the diet daily. On a sidenote, I can't wait to watch Bowden pitch this season. I think he's going to have a great season and put his name back in the top three regarding Red Sox prospects.
Coco Crisp is a man on a mission. Francona says he's hungry. Hungry to be traded? I really like Crisp and what he brings to the team but if he doesn't want to be a backup then I can't see the Sox keeping him. After watching last night's game it really made sense that Crisp would fit well as a Twin. If we need what they can offer us though, is a different question.
Outside of Boston, former Sox shortstop Alex Gonzalez will miss an unknown number of games after breaking his knee.
Nolan Ryan has agreed to a four-year contract to become the President of the Texas Rangers. I love seeing former major leaguers sticking around with the game. Ryan has a long way to go though if he wants to match what Johnny Pesky has done for the Sox.
Our favorite Colorado closer Manny Corpas agreed to a four-year contract worth $8 million to remain with the Rockies. I really enjoyed watching Corpas pitch against the Diamondbacks in the NLCS last season. He was just straight filthy. Now let's see how his arm holds up.
Did I miss anything? If so, post a link in the comments. Go Sox!

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Re: Saturday Sox Scoop: Matsuzaka more comfortable

I lived in Wisconsin for most of my life. There have always been lots of Sox hats around there, even before the Sox were good again. There are some MFY hats, too, but they're fewer and much father between.

by RSNexile on Mar 1, 2008 12:26 PM EST reply actions

Re: Saturday Sox Scoop: Matsuzaka more comfortable

Well, Manny explained why he didn't go to DC.

And Youk gives insight on PEDs and stuff.

by Liza on Mar 1, 2008 12:33 PM EST reply actions

Re: Saturday Sox Scoop: Matsuzaka more comfortable

Thanks for the links, Liza :)

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Mar 1, 2008 1:15 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Coco

Dude's gonna be the starter for at least a month or two...maybe long enough to let us control Ellsbury for another year...and hopefully raise Coco's trade value.

I hope for Ellsbury to be as good as we hope, but I'm still restraining my hopes, hoping for like a .280 AVG or thereabouts.

by Devine @ Over the Monster on Mar 1, 2008 1:29 PM EST reply actions

Re: Coco

Agreed. I'd expect Jacoby to begin starting regularly around May or June. Coco could stay for a couple months or the entire season. I expect him to be traded at some point, though.

by Liza on Mar 1, 2008 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Coco

But here's the thing: what if Coco absolutely sucks? Not only are the Sox hurting Coco's trade value but, more importantly, they are hurting themselves because it could cost them games. I think he'll be traded before the end of S.T. once teams realize they need CF help.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Mar 1, 2008 2:22 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Coco

If any team gets desperate and makes a good offer, then they'll trade him, of course. But I don't think any team wants Coco at this price. Not yet, anyway.

We won the Series with him manning center anyway; it's not like he killed us dead. (Lugo came close.)

by Devine @ Over the Monster on Mar 1, 2008 3:03 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Coco

Did you see the piece in the Herald a couple days ago about Lugo? He'd taken a vacation in Europe last offseason and got a stomach parasite. He lost a lot of strength and never was up to his full strength all through last year. He put on some weight this winter though.

I'd say he's going to bounce back.

by Liza on Mar 1, 2008 5:18 PM EST up reply actions