Block Comma Writer's

by Allen Chace on Jul 8, 2008 6:07 PM EDT in Open Thread

I've seen all the diaries on the sidebar lately, and I have this to say, again:

SS: I don't think we're going to see any changes real soon. Lugo is the starter for the time being. There are no terribly appetizing trade options, so until Lugo's OBP goes down below, say, .330, we're not going to see Lowrie brought up and given a shot. He's probably not a long-term (I'm talking years here) defensive solution at SS for anyone anyway. As much as I'd like to believe the FO will get rid of Alex Cora, they won't. He's a backup 2B and pinch-running option for the really slow players at this point. That's it. Look around, however. There's not many really good backup MI anyway, at least none that play SS well. Also, to be 100% honest about Lugo, he's seemed to have a better approach at the plate lately than Manuel, 'Tek, Coco, and Ells, whether his limited offensive skillset has helped him end up with good results or not.

C: Let's stop with the calls for much more PT for Kevin Cash. He is what he is: He's not a starting C and he never will be. However, I'll admit that the non-practical part of me would much rather see Cash with a bat in his hands 5 times a week rather than Varitek, who basically needs to be a PH only in the event that he's the last option on the bench to hit for a pitcher in any possible World Series games. I kind of hope there's some reason he can't play for a few days, just to see what Dusty Brown could possibly do against ML pitching.

P: Specifically, Tim Wakefield. I've seen some people say we need to get rid of Wakefield. Yeah. 115+ innings of a 3.75 ERA and a 1.223 WHIP is just killing us right now. And it's not like his caddy is really dragging down the collective hitting line from the C position. Justin Masterson can still be a long-term starter, but this is the right move for now, assuming he can get his walks under control. Even in a best-case scenario, Masterson is a 2 or 3 starter. Buch can be an ace, and if he has gotten his fastball working (again), then we need to see whether he can be another stopper along with Lester and Becks, and Buch should have better control than Masterson anyway.

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 2 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Who wants to get rid of Wakefield?

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Jul 8, 2008 7:28 PM EDT reply actions

I've seen it more on some other Sox blogs (comments on TATB for example)

And really just wanted to pre-empt that initiative should it start around here.

"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"

by Allen Chace on Jul 8, 2008 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions

A pitcher like Wakefield for $4.5 M is a steal. He gives us quality innings, and often a quality start. What more can you realistically ask from the 3 spot and below in your rotation?

"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 Jul 9, 2008 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

i remember hearing last year...

tito was quoted as saying “We want two things out of wake: innings, and decisions.” i think wake was like 10-10 at the time, with a sub-4 ERA.

seeing hte same thing this year. even when he’s getting beat, he’ll still absorb innings and save the bullpen. wake was a very big reason we have ‘04 and ‘07.

by jjbooth74 on Jul 10, 2008 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

There has gotta be some solution for Catcher

Varitek simply seems to have lost it. And he’s not throwing out base-stealers either. I say we bring up Dusty Brown and see what he can do. I doubt he’ll hit worse than Varitek, I’d imagine he’d be somewhere around .250, which is much better than Tek.

by Gnick on Jul 8, 2008 11:25 PM EDT reply actions

Thank you

I would first like to say thank you to Allen for writing this.

Second, Wake has been awesome as of late. In his past 5 starts he has an ERA of 2.36.

by drabidea on Jul 9, 2008 11:28 AM EDT reply actions

C...

we need to be looking long term, and maybe a mid-season trade provides the best opportunity to do that.

by jjbooth74 on Jul 10, 2008 11:55 AM EDT reply actions

Unlike a couple seasons ago, we have long-term options in the farm right now. Dusty Brown, George Kottarras, Jon Still, Mark Wagner … yeah, not all will be All-Stars one day, but that’s a decent crop.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Jul 11, 2008 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

The Sox F.O.

Is optimistic about their farm-hand catchers. Frankly, I’m not sure why, but they’re employed by the Red Sox and I’m not.

"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 Jul 11, 2008 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions