How they doin'?
It's amazing to me how similiar the 2008 Red Sox are to the 2007 Red Sox. There wasn't many ground breaking moves or changes in the lineup. However, there were a few players that found new territory to call home in 2008. Let's see how they're doing out of a Red Sox uniform:
(Editor's Note: Stats as of Wednesday afternoon)
Eric Hinske - Tampa Bay Rays
The lovable backup outfielder slash first baseman slash third baseman slash temporary dirt dog. We all remember his absolutely amazing catch out in right field, right? That was just beautiful. I think the Sox wanted to bring back Hinske in a backup role for 2008, there just wasn't the room to keep him. He's benefiting now, though. As you can see, Hinske's been cruising as a Ray this season. His average sits at a below-average .257, but he's shown quite a bit of power with his 10 home runs.
Plus or minus since '07: PLUS
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Wily Mo Pena - Washington Nationals
This guy still has so, so much potential. If the Red Sox were a young, rebuilding team last year, Pena would have worked out great. But with the team how it is, Pena just didn't have room to sit on the bench and not allow him to swing the redwood of his. This season he's a National but he's been injured off and on. I guarantee if this guy can get a full season in the NL he'll smash at least 40 home runs. We'll see if he ever stays healthy, though.
Plus or minus since '07: MINUS
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Kason Gabbard - Texas Rangers
You remember Mr. Gabbard. He brought us Eric Gagne, and who could forget that? (Yeah, he's coming. Just wait.) Gabbard has certainly struggled this season for the Rangers. He has more walks than strikeouts (23 to 18) and his WHIP is a not-so-good 1.71. Gabbard hasn't won a game since April 4. I think he's going to start turning around the season, but even at this point he has a lot of work to do.
Plus or minus since '07: MINUS
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Joel Pineiro - St. Louis Cardinals
You've got to remember this guy. He was supposed to be our closer going into the 2007 season. That wasn't the best experiment, to say the least. Pineiro didn't spend much time with the Sox (34 innings) before finding St. Louis as his new home last season. But ever since then, he's been quite strong for the Cards. He's not going to the All-Star game, but he's definitely improved since his Sox days.
Plus or minus since '07: PLUS
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J.C. Romero - Philadelphia Phillies
Why couldn't Romero do this when we was a Sox? Like Pineiro, he didn't see much time as a Sox but ever since he's left he's found good success. Romero is putting up the best numbers of his career in Philadelphia. You might be able to thank the fact he's pitching in the NL for the best hitting team in the NL, but let's give the guy some props: He hasn't exploded yet.
Plus or minus since '07: PLUS
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Eric Gagne - Milwaukee Brewers
19.1 IP, 23 H, 16 BB, 18 SO, 5 HR, 6.98 ERA
(Going old school because the 'widget' isn't working.)
Oh Gagne. It's sad to say, but it looks like he's done. Stick a fork in him. I gave him a pass for failing in Boston, but to fail in Milwaukee is another thing. It's not acceptable. The Brewers thought Gagne would be their missing piece to getting over the hump, but now they've found Gagne just can't do it any more. Now all Gagne has is that magical 2003 season. It was magical. It was one of the greatest seasons of any reliever ever. But now it looks like he is done. Too bad.
Plus or minus since '07: MINUS
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Can I vote for "none of the above"?
"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.
by SoxDevil on May 29, 2008 10:05 AM EDT 0 recs
A vote for 'none of the above' is a vote for Communism.
What about Pineiro? I wouldn’t mind having him in the pen. Farrell might’ve been able to harness his stuff, given time.
Also, Wily Mo would’ve committed fewer errors at shortstop than Julio Lugo.
Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.
by britsoxfan on
May 29, 2008 10:43 AM EDT
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Unless Hinske can catch a knuckleball
I don’t think any of ‘em are upgrades. Our bullpen has been an issue lately, but I think they’ll straighten out.
"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.
by SoxDevil on
May 29, 2008 12:41 PM EDT
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I don't know why
but I just believe in Pineiro. One of those things.
Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.
by britsoxfan on
May 29, 2008 5:26 PM EDT
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At one of the games against the Brewers, the RF crowd started booing mercilessly when Gagne was warming. One guy called out, “YOU RUINED MY LIFE, GAGNE!”
It’s somewhat amazing that someone who still has a 95mph fastball and a nice curve (changeup wasn’t any good last year) could be so terrible. He has no control, and his FB is probably still to straight.
Hinske would be nice to have, but I imagine he’s only doing this well since he’s getting regular playing time. The Sox don’t have room for him, with Youk and four regular OFs, and Casey as the backup 1B.
by 0157H7 on May 29, 2008 10:48 AM EDT 0 recs
It bears repeating that he is getting paid $10 million.
*tears up betting slip for Brewers WS Champs *
Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.
by britsoxfan on
May 29, 2008 11:02 AM EDT
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For a second, I thought you were talking about Seth McClung, but the Sox were never foolish enough to trade for him. (Although I wonder if his numbers in Fenway would be better if he wasn’t actually pitching to the Sox. Please let that remain a thought experiment.)
by morineko on
May 30, 2008 9:07 PM EDT
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I'd like to have Gabbard back
Well, he didn’t look so far this season, but Buch and Wake also did not. We could also use him on the bullpen, couldn’t we?
Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone
by MerryGoByeBye on May 29, 2008 12:15 PM EDT 0 recs
Gabbard was lucky
I don’t think he’s nearly as good as what we saw out of him during his inaugural 4-0 MLB run.
"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.
by SoxDevil on
May 29, 2008 12:42 PM EDT
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I agree. We sold him when his stock was high—just like the Rangers selling us Gagne when he was high. Damn Rangers…
by Randy Booth on
May 29, 2008 1:05 PM EDT
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Good Riddance Wily Mo
He stinks and will never be good, even on a rebuilding team. Here another player I’m glad the Sox didn’t hang onto: Andy Marte. In 32 AB this year, Marte has 0 HR 0 RBI and is hitting .156 AVG/.206 OBP/.188 SLG. In his career so far (310 AB), Marte has hit .197 AVG/.257 OBP/.339 SLG. As much as Sox fans dislike Coco, Marte and Shoppach weren’t too much to give up.
I also don’t miss JC Romero. That guy is a walks machine (40 BB in 56.1 IP last year, and a WHIP of 1.95 when the Sox dumped him).
I would mind rescinding the Meredith/Bard for Mirabelli trade, though. I know both Padres players have struggled (Bard is on the DL). But Meredith is a young, cheap, decent reliever and Bard is a ver good back-up catcher, who hit .285 AVG/.364 OBP/.404 SLG in 389 AB last year.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on May 29, 2008 6:17 PM EDT 0 recs
I'd be curious to hear your real thoughts on WMP, DD. :)
"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"
by Allen Chace on
May 29, 2008 6:52 PM EDT
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I agree on Marte, and am beginning to think Wily Mo will never make it. Of course, he could be another late bloomer like David Ortiz or Carlos Pena. Time is running out, though.
It made no sense to have Romero last year, as Lopez played the same role. Honestly, how many One Walk Only Guys do we need on this team?
by 0157H7 on
May 30, 2008 12:36 PM EDT
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I don't even see the point of having them at all, ecoli.
We have plenty of guys on this team fully capable of walking multiple guys at a time.
"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"
by Allen Chace on
May 31, 2008 3:56 AM EDT
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