I think Farrell is an ok in game manager. He's not horrible but he does make some weird decisions. Some of the things you listed like Nava's PR screw up is hard to place blame on Farrell for, but he does things that do drive me crazy like bringing back the SPer late in the game only to let that pitcher get the lead off runner on then pulling him (perfect example is the Peavy game on Saturday letting him go back out for the 8th). And of course the base running outs drive me crazy especially at home plate but that's more on the 3rd base coach. One thing I do question is the lack of playing time Lavarnway gets, it seems like Saltalamacchia is always playing even against LHPers. I'm sure starting Wright for an organizational decision and not just on Farrell but the thought process was it was a good match up against the Astros, Wright had thrown well recently and they want Workman coming out of the pen now instead of starting. Obviously the Wright start was a disaster but at least the Sox were able to win the game. I will say I am extremely impressed by Farrell in terms of speaking with the media and handling all 25 guys. As far as Napoli, I'm very thankful that the original 3 year deal was voided and while he has had some big hits and has been pretty solid defensively he probably should be batting lower in the order. The problem is who should bat 5th? The Sox just don't have an obvious candidate. Good to see you back posting though, it's about damn time.
While you can look at Matt Barnes' Double A record of 5-8 and ERA of 4.40 and see it as a disappointment he has struck out 120 batters in 94 innings. The main difference just looks like perhaps some bad luck on hits and a slightly hitter walk rate that's hurting him. The Sox suddenly have a lot of pitching depth after not having much since the Papelbon/Lester/Buchholz/Masterson ERA.
Red Sox have 46 games left, if they go 23 and 23 they will win 93 games. They already passed their win total from last season, the turnaround has been pretty remarkable.
Sox always have a tough time against Shields. Tough to win when Ellsbury, Petey, Ortiz, and Napoli go 0- for the game.
Sox have had a pretty lousy road trip so far. Even the games they won weren't dominating by any means. The good thing is TB was even worse this week so it hasn't hurt too much. But it's a shame the Sox didn't play better they could have put a lot of distance between them.
Keep an eye on this: Multiple sources tell El Nuevo Herald that first baseman Jose Dariel Abreu has defected from Cuba. Abreu, 26, is considered one of the top players in the Cuban professional league and batted .382/.535/.735 this past season. He would be a highly coveted international free agent if he becomes available and is likely to be seeking a contract in excess of the four-year, $36 million deal signed by Yoenis Cespedes in 2012. Sox need a 1B for 2014 and beyond. I wonder if they'll jump on him when he becomes a FA.
Devern Marrero, a SS and was the Sox first round pick in the 2012 draft, has been promoted to Double A.
You know I almost said I wonder/hope Rays take a stab at him. But we just can't afford to take chances with that type of money so I know we won't. Shame.
Yeah they really need a new ballpark, whether it's in FL or another state. They just don't have a shot at getting these FAs in their situation. Although Oakland was able to get Cespedes but it probably wouldn't be smart shelling out big money to an unknown even if he's MLB ready. I really hope the Sox take a look at him, especially since I don't think Napoli is the answer and I think the Sox realize this too. They don't have a 1B prospect in their system and there really isn't any of the good ones available. I think the Sox jump all over this. Just looking around them, the Mets, Toronto, White Sox, Seattle and the Rangers look to have obvious openings.
A completely underrated tibit of information, of the AL teams in playoff contention, the Red Sox have played the most games so far at 120, the teams with the next most games played are Cleveland and Texas at 118, Baltimore has played 117 games while Tampa Bay, Detroit, Oakland and the even the Yankees have only played 116 games. Kansas City has played in only 115 games. Why does it matter? The Sox will have more off days in August and September then everyone else which could be to their advantage if they wanted to give players extra rest or switch the pitching rotation around. I think it's a huge deal especially in the AL East race. I wonder how they happened were there really that many rain outs or did the Sox just not have many off days?
I thinking the Sox go all in on him. I see him at 1b for them next year and replacing Ortiz after that at DH.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tgIp3wMqRUbYKz17SoXACQg&output=html If they trade Price which i think they will do they can easily afford him as they have no one locked up for even decent money besides Longoria. Some combo of Longoria,Myers, Abrue would actually be a pretty damn good lineup.
I think the Sox will be in on him, I am not sure they will be all-in Dice-K style though. Seems like the Sox will offer a decent amount, but won't be the team that ponies up the big bucks. Some team is going to put up some large dollars to get this guy.
Just to piggyback on this post. Tampa Bay only has 2 off days between now and the end of the year, while Baltimore and the Yankees have 4. The Red Sox have 6 off days, including 2 in the final week of September.
Ryan Kalish got neck surgery yesterday, he should be ready for ST. But I think at this point his ship has sailed. I wouldn't be surprised if he was taken off the 40 man roster in the winter if there was a number crunch.
Westmoreland's career was just tragic. The kid had tons and tons of potential and to think it wasn't even anything baseball related that ruined his career. But you make a great point, who would have thought Nava would be still with the team. But good for Moss for having a comeback to his career. Reddick has really really struggled this year, I think he had his career year last year. I think if you asked any Sox prospect expert back in the day they would have all agreed Westmoreland was going to be an All Star, Kalish a solid regular, and the rest all 4th OFers.
Boston must be happy that they are playing decent baseball and Rays and Balt are struggling, especially the Rays
You never know. Segura was an Ok prospect while Profar was bound for great things ( i know its early). The Yankees are LOADED ( supposedly) with OF prospects leaving me waiting to actually see one....
Boston hasn't been playing well for a few weeks now. The really could have put some distance between them and the rest of the pack. Oh well.
Seriously the Sox have been playing just good enough. I would really like them to win the division this year.
Yeah winning the division and thus avoiding the silly play in game is very important. The Sox schedule isn't great in terms of playing sub .500 teams. Their one advantage is the numerous off days.
11 hits tonight, 1 run. Peavy and the pen pitched great too. Not going to win in the postseason like that.
Yeah timely hitting hasn't been a strength on their last road trip. Heading to Fenway to face a somewhat hot Yankee team for 3 then to the West Coast to face the Giants and Dodgers seems like not a lot of fun.
Weird news, Jerry Remy's son, Jared, has been arrested for the murder of his girlfriend. Tough new for Jerry who has been going through a lot of health problems the past few years and now this.
Yankees same thing last night a bunch of hits and 1 run before they scored 3 in the 9th..... Tough news for Remy, with him being sick and all....I really enjoy listening to him, good baseball talk, a little homerish but I get it he played for them.....not to mention his laughing rants are epic....
I was actually going to post something about that also, but with the Sox kicking the bucket also I held back. I think I looked at the MLB score tracker and the Yanks had 14 hits and 1 or 2 runs at the time. Sick..
That would be a disappointment....we need something more from the Boston faithful.....like cardboard needles etc........
Well then if you feel that way, plunk him you big Texan..... http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story...ed-sox-says-alex-rodriguez-not-playing-appeal
Boston fans, are hopefully smarter than that. You don't want to go throwing stones in glass houses. The funniest thing ever would be if Lackey or someone drills Arod and Arod charges the mound and none of the Yankee players, coaches etc run out on the field. Please make this happen some team/pitcher.