Lester to start Monday [Promoted Diary]

by Drugs Delaney on Jul 22, 2007 5:09 PM EDT

The Sox called up Jon Lester. Hatchet face is going to the pen. According to Gordon Edes:

A roster move will be announced after the game. The easiest move available to the Sox would be to send Javier Lopez, who has options, back to Pawtucket. While I'm looking forward to seeing Lester pitch, and I haven't been too impressed with Hatchet Face lately, I'm a bit worried about what this means for the short-term future of Kason Gabbard. Stifler has been great.

What happens when Schilling comes back? Schill was sharp in a Triple-A tune up yesterday. He'll probably throw two more rehab starts to strengthen his arm before being called up. If Gabbard is still throwing well, what do the Sox do with their roster in early August?

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Re: Lester to start Monday

Best bet, Lester goes back to Pawtucket. He hasn't exactly been tearing up AAA, so unless he's lights out, Gabbard stays in Hatchet Face's spot in the rotation and Lester goes back to Pawtucket when Schilling comes back.

by RSNexile on Jul 22, 2007 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Lester to start Monday [Promoted Diary]

But why would they call up Lester for 1 maybe 2 starts. When they have been so careful with him.
I think that lester gets a start or 2 and they will give him any chance to beat out gabbard for the 5th spot. Lets be honest here, were not going to wait till sept 1 to bring lester up. And were not going to feel happy with gabbard in the rotation when we dont know what lester could do.

Now is the chance.

LETS GO LESTER.

good thing wake pitched well today or i would by lobbying for both Lester and Gabbard

Becket
Schilling
Gabbard
Matsuzaka
Lester

by Alex being Alex on Jul 22, 2007 5:29 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Lester to start Monday [Promoted Diary]

I'd still rather have both Lester and Gabbard, but as others have noted, sending Wake to the pen creates other problems.

Gabbard has been excellent in the majors, while Lester has been ok in AAA. Of the two, Gabbard is better right now. The spot should be his for now -- he's more than earned it.

by RSNexile on Jul 22, 2007 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Lester to start Monday [Promoted Diary]

I could see the Sox trading either Lester or Gabbard before the deadline. I think of the two, Lester has more trade value, despite his recent results and Kason's recent success. If he pitches well, it'd seriously enhance his trade value, or allow the FO the luxury of trading Gabbard.

I've been away for a few days, so this might be old news, but what's with the Coco, Gabbard and a minor league pitcher for Salty rumor in the Globe today? Drool.

Just my two cents. Keep the change.

by tommy.otm on Jul 22, 2007 10:11 PM EDT reply actions

Gabbard

The thing about Gabbard is that he sports a 3 BB/9 IP ratio and a .229 (or so) BABIP. That indicates that he has control issues and has been fairly lucky so far in his starts, which reminds me of Lester's first few outings last season.

Gabbard will likely suffer some regression in the near future, but as long as he can limit the free bases he'll be serviceable. I imagine we'll have another dual-personality pitcher with Good Gabbard and Bad Gabbard.

If there is a deal cookin' with Coco, Gabbard, and a minor-league pitcher (not one of the Big 3) for Saltalamacchia, I would jump on it.

"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 23, 2007 12:13 PM EDT reply actions