The Hot Corner

Off-day Extension, Thoughts on Offense

2010-04-06T09:49:00.001-04:00

First thing's first, what a fun Opening Day, right? There are only a few things that I'm questioning going into the second game of the series, and not all of them relate to the field.

First of all, the opening ceremony was a bunch of garbage aimed at all of the syrupy-sweet Sox fans who still love to wallow in the false underdoggy nature of Red Sox-Yankees. It was good to bring out Pedro for the first pitch because he'll always be remembered as a Red Sox, but there's no need for the "wake up the Bambino" stuff. Nomar would have been better considering he just retired from the sport. Also, the audio (and likely) video montage of all the Boston-Bronx fighting moments was just plain classless. Frankly, we should be past all of that. Yes, I hate the Yankees, and yes, I'll always remember 2003 and 2004, but we've now won 2 World Series titles, and our team is perennially competitive in the baseball's toughest division.

That Miracle kid should never have seen the inside of the ballpark. Seriously? We're now the US Hockey Team? I guess Josh Beckett is just an aw-shucks amateur playing with heart. Please.

For the game itself, Beckett is in his typical even-year form (kidding, it's the first game of the season). I have questions about batting Ortiz fifth and immediately following him with Captain Strikeout, Adrian Beltre. Ortiz certainly showed improved patience, but he's still dropping his bat in the zone and fouling off pitches he should be squaring up on. That said, I'm, again, not too concerned about the offense.

Also, see the link below for the skinny on Beckett's 4 year extension with the Sox. Maybe he's one of the first players to realize that despite not getting 5 years, he's still going to be pulling in close to $70 million, and that's probably still enough to live off of.

Beckett agrees to 4-year, $68m contract extension - The Boston Globe

Opening Night, Beckett v. Sabathia

2010-04-04T19:59:00.000-04:00

Here we go, just about time for the start of 2010 season.

First thought, it's somewhat sad to have Jason Varitek announced with the reserves. Francona going with Victor Martinez for the start is a huge indication of the team's priorities.

Second thought, "pyrotechnic display"?

Third thought, Pedro should always use "In the Air Tonight" as his theme song.

Someone Finally Writes a Decent Review of the Red Sox Offense

2010-03-30T18:36:00.001-04:00

I only have two things to say.

First, I completely agree with the assertion that the offense, while not as epic as the Manny-Ortiz combo we had a few years back, is going to be just fine.

Second, read Stark's article. It's likely that the only reason he's allowed to write this is because he doesn't write for one of the local outlets. (Unlike Nick Cafardo, who just doesn't really do it for me)

Locker Room Report: Jayson Stark -- Boston Red Sox offense is still a hit - ESPN

Sox Rotation Announced

2010-03-27T13:20:00.001-04:00

If you've read the news over the last day, you've heard that the Red Sox officially announced their rotation for the start of the season. It will go Beckett-Lester-Lackey for the Yankees series to open the season at Fenway, then it moves to Wakefield-Beckett-Buchholz to pitch in Kansas City, and then Lester-Lackey-Wakefield for the opening series at Minnesota's Target Field.

Catch that? Essentially, Francona and Farrell have jury-rigged the rotation so that each pitcher is receiving their optimum number of days off (except for Lackey, who gets six days off and has a career 10-10/4.44 with six or more days of rest).

Honestly, I think it's an interesting twist on the start of a season, and I have a hunch it will be better than just going with a four man rotation to start play.

The question really hanging over the announcement is, what happens when Daisuke comes back in late April/early May?

I'm of the opinion that he should stick his sorry ass in the bullpen and work his way in to a regular spot, provided that there isn't someone in the starting 5 screaming for replacement. I know that there are calls to put Wake in the 'pen because of his age, but if I had to ever give a little favoritism to a player it would almost certainly be Timmy. Besides, Buchholz hasn't really done anything to help his value in spring training, so if he isn't getting the job done it might not be a bad idea to put him in the right field drum line for spot start duty and let Matsuzaka get some work in.

Boston Red Sox set initial starting rotation; unique twist at back end - ESPN Boston

Are We Having Fun Yet?!

2010-03-23T23:16:00.003-04:00

It's funny because he has an ERA of just under 11.00 in all of his spring starts this year. Good think Nick Swisher is permanently goofy looking, otherwise this ad might be downright depressing.

Soup R Crackers, anyone?

Nomar No More

2010-03-10T13:58:00.000-05:00

Nomar Garciaparra signed a one-day contract with the Sox and officially announced his retirement from baseball as a member of the Boston nine today. The link below has a nice article and embedded video.

To join in on the mush-fest, Nomar was hands down my favorite Sox player for the longest time, and I was sad to see him leave the team in 2004. At the same time, I was glad to not have to watch him pout or struggle to stay productive defensively during his last days.

I can't imagine that his number 5 will be retired, because of the standards the Sox have put on that honor. A player needs to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and retire with the team, though we all know the Sox made an exception for Johnny Pesky's number 6.

It's interesting to note that he's joining ESPN to provide analysis. I saw him on BBTN a month or so ago and he was just awkward. I'm of the opinion that MLB Network would be a more appropriate venue, though maybe Matt Vasgersian would be too tempted to take potshots at the awkward ex-shortstop.

Either way, thanks, Beautiful.

Nomar: It's a dream fulfilled to retire as a member of the Red Sox - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

Fort Myers Fluff

2010-03-08T19:03:00.001-05:00

Here's a good piece from Gordon Edes on Pedroia. Like the issues with J.D. Drew's child several years ago, it's always eye-opening to connect with the lives of professional athletes off the field. I feel like this is one of those only-in-spring-training-because-we-don't-really-care-about-Tug-Hulett fluff pieces, but I know everyone (self included) forgets about how human these guys are during the season. Messy divorce? So what. Child with abnormal, life-threatening illness? Suck it up. Pregnancy complications? I overpaid for the guy in my auction league.

Don't we all feel a little bad?

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia fielded plenty of bad hops off the field last season - ESPN Boston

On Idiots

2010-02-28T21:26:00.000-05:00

For some bizarre reason I decided to tune into Dennis and Callahan recently, and I happened to overhear their passionate and informed debate over Theo's decision to let Jason Bay walk, move Ellsbury to left, and sign a 37 year old Mike Cameron to patrol center. I'll not say who was most vehemently against the idea, but suffice to say that the bulk of his argument rested on one of the things I hate most: lack of perspective.

His point was that Bay was "an RBI guy" (meaning he drove in over 100), and Ellsbury wasn't (significantly less than 100). It's in the Twitter profile: I hate RBI like I hate wins. There is usable information there, but it's mostly dependent on a lot of external factors, like, say, the guys who get on base before them...

Also, moving Ellsbury to left is apparently a sure-fire way to turn a potential All-Star center fielder into the a bumbling, insecure fourth or fifth outfielder.

Really? I'd argue that moving him to left would at least save his legs a little bit, extend the duration of his speed a bit.

HGH Testing: The Logical Next Step

2010-02-24T11:54:00.001-05:00

This has been around for a few days now, and it's getting a lot of play on the talk shows. Frankly, I'm excited about the potential precedent implications this case has for the reported implementation of HGH tests in baseball (startin with the minors).

Look, I get that there is something downright unsettling about requiring players to submit themselves to a blood test - after all, it's literally an invasion of their private bodies because of the needles used to take the samples. I really think, though, that this has to happen.

Any sport is hypocritical if it spouts off on how illegal and unethical PEDs are but then doesn't do everything it can in order to prevent their use. Even the privacy concerns are right to be put aside - if you don't agree with the rules of testing, you can feel free to not play in professional sports. Is it harsh? Absolutely, but it's not like they're not being compensated for their troubles. When you sign up you agree to a slew of regulations, and then you get to earn more in one week than most people make in a year.

Suck it up, all you players. Clean up the sport, clean up your image, and let's move on.

Report: Minor league baseball to test for HGH after 1st positive - ESPN

What happened to you, Khalil?!

2010-02-22T22:15:00.000-05:00

I just saw this in my own sidebar, and I used to love Khalil Greene (mainly because I saw him toss a baseball to an obnoxious pink-hat fan during BP at Fenway just as that fan got nailed in the head with a liner from the batting cage...). In any case, the Globe seems to think this could push Mike Lowell to Texas.

Khalil Greene won't report to spring training for Texas Rangers - ESPN Dallas

He Always Wanted Detroit

2010-02-22T22:10:00.000-05:00

It makes sense, right? Johnny Damon always wanted to be a Tiger. All of those years in Boston and New York, in front of all those fans, and he was just biding his time until he could roam the greener pastures of The Motor City.

Shrug.

I'd like to see that hair come back, that's for sure. Also, now I can take his autographed baseball out of the bottom of my closet.

In other news, Jacoby Ellsbury is wearing number 2, so be sure to check in at your local Modell's for the latest in player apparel...

Sigh, I'm so glad it's spring training. I really, truly am.

Review: Boston Pops' "The Red Sox Album"

2009-05-12T22:50:00.001-04:00

UPDATE: Mike Wood over at the BSO sent me an update saying that the album is available at Barnes & Noble, Fenway Park souvenir stands, and over at Symphony Hall. Also, you can get it straight from the horse's mouth at www.bostonpops.org.

Keith Lockhart and his gang kicked off Fenway's Opening Day about a month ago with a plug for their latest release pointedly titled The Red Sox Album. I must admit that I first took this as one of those gag associations, you know, the kind that fall in line with "Official Plumbing Supplier of the Boston Red Sox." I mean really, it's not 2004 or 2007, the Blue Jays are in first place, and David Ortiz is making Nick Green look like Superman. Somebody must have missed the endorsement boat, right?

Wrong.

Turns out, this is a great album. From top to bottom, the songs are well composed, well recorded, and a blast to listen to. My favorites are "The National Game" and "Suite from the Natural," but the rest of the track list is equally impressive. The fare isn't exactly mind-blowing (I mean, if you're a pops orchestra, chances are "The Star Spangled Banner" and "Stars and Stripes Forever" are going to sound close to the same anywhere you go), but it doesn't have to be. It's the kind of album that feels like it should be played mid-summer while slowly pulling down Main Street in Cooperstown. Very classic.

The praise is not all positive as the corny, carnival-esque voice in "Casey at the Bat" makes it essentially unlistenable, and the electric guitar in "I'm Shipping Off to Boston" is a really campy attempt to make a pops arrangement sound badass (thankfully, the horns and percussion help balance this out).

Despite these minor flaws, The Red Sox Album is a success. People have been coming up to me to talk about the good things they've heard, but to this point I have no idea where you can buy this besides online. It's worth the effort to find it, though, as this record deserves its place on the shelf.

Manny Reasons for 50 Game Vacation

2009-05-07T20:23:00.000-04:00

At least it's not his grandmother's fault, right? She's dead. If you live under a rock, maybe you haven't heard the news du jour, which is that Manny Ramirez has been suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for violating the league's drug policy. From the World Wide Leader in Sports:

However, two sources told ESPN's T.J. Quinn and Mark Fainaru-Wada that the drug used by Ramirez is HCG -- human chorionic gonadotropin. HCG is a women's fertility drug typically used by steroid users to restart their body's natural testosterone production as they come off a steroid cycle. It is similar to Clomid, the drug Bonds, Giambi and others used as clients of BALCO.

So, what does a guy like Manny need with a fertility drug similar to Clomid? Nothing, as far as I can tell. I've seen a few people speculate that he might have needed the drug to boost his sexual performance, but if this sort of drug helped guys out, you'd think it would be somewhat more popular.

In the end, this is just another black eye for baseball in a long chain of black eyes. If this continues, how much longer can the writers use PED use as a reason to keep players out of the Hall of Fame?

Review: Boston Red Sox and the Meaning of Life

2009-04-13T23:33:00.001-04:00

As the Red Sox try to claw their way out of a 5-1 hole against the A's here at the end of the first week of the new season, I've been asked to take a look at some of the new Sox-related media making its way to the bookstores this spring.

I'll start with the book, Mark Rucker's Boston Red Sox and the Meaning of Life (MVP Books, 2009). Its a book that's in a weird place as far as my rankings. On the outside, I tend to snobbily disdain anything that doesn't present something historically, emotionally or statistical novel to my sense of fandom, but on the inside I've been known to curiously flip through those 150-page, picture-heavy novelty books and trivia collections that pepper the baseball section at Borders. Rucker's book falls into the latter category, not something I'd normally purchase, but a book I would definitely have looked through. Thing is, that's not really fair.

True, Boston Red Sox and the Meaning of Life is not the kind of book you'd pick up for the sabermetrician in your family, but it would certainly make a solid gift for the casual fan. The basic premise is that, through various quotes from select characters in Sox (and sports) history and accompanying photographs, one can get a chuckle and a little more perspective on the outside world. While there's a solid number of mediocre quotes from such baseball greats as Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and noted baseball scribe Victor Hugo, there're also a number of classic Sox quips. Some of my favorites:

"You have two hemispheres in your brain, a left side and a right side. The left side controls the right side of your body, and the right controls the left half. It's a fact. Therefore, left-handers are the only people in their right minds." - Bill Lee, one of my all-time favorites

"Probably the best thing that every happened to me was going nuts. Nobody knew who I was until that happened." - Jimmy Piersall

"I think about the cosmic snowball theory. A few million years from now the sun will burn out and lose its gravitational pull. The earth will turn into a giant snowball and be hurled through space. When that happens it won't matter if I get this guy out." - Bill Lee, again

"All managers are losers. They are the most expendable pieces of furniture on the face of the earth." - Ted Williams

The more time I spend with the book, the more I enjoy perusing its waxed pages. The quotes, while not always insightful, frequently present readers with a different take on their favorite game, and old baseball photos are always a blast to look at. This one won't find its way into anybody's Top 10 of baseball lit, but the sheer density of content and perusable nature will give it a lasting shelf (or coffee table) life. If you're looking for a quirky, casual pickup, consider Boston Red Sox and the Meaning of Life.

Baseball Spoken Here.

2009-03-11T00:16:00.000-04:00

Look, I hate corny propagandistic garbage same as any other snob, but the second World Baseball Classic has been anything but boring. First the US beats Canada in a nailbiter, then the Canucks get ousted by the Azurri yesterday, and now the Netherlands now has twice up-ended the baseball universe by beating the Dominican Republic, sending them home, and now Australia is in a tie game with Cuba, 1-1.

Seriously? Canada sent packing by the Italians? The DR limping home with their tail between their legs because of the pesky Dutch? This is a great day for the game of baseball. I can't understand how, if you're a true fan of this game, the WBC isn't a wonderful thing. It's unfortunate that 2012 Olympics won't have baseball, because it would be great to see more countries in the 2013 tournament.

Also, it can't be overstated as to how much of a difference the Major League Baseball Network has made for a fan to watch these games.

Grapefruit League Opener, Sox vs. Twins

2009-02-25T15:45:00.000-05:00

It took forever to get to today, the spring training opener in which a handful of regulars will play for the first 30 minutes and then get swapped out for seven innings worth of "Name That Prospect" Sudoku, and I couldn't be happier it's here. Tony Massarotti was absolutely right when he wrote a few days ago that the Sox have become ho-hum in their preseason routines. A distinction should be made here: it's not that the thrill is gone per se, but Boston Dirt Dogs doesn't have an hourly update with a goofy picture and absurd player crisis anymore (A-Rod has taken up that standard).

Going into the opener this evening I feel as though the Sox are in a pretty good position. While they didn't break the (now nationalized) bank with major signings, I do believe their depth signings will provide the flexibility they'll need.

I will say, it makes me happy to see that Manny still doesn't have a place to call home because of his schtick last July. He'll almost definitely be a Dodger, but it will be for less money and (I hope) on the team's terms. So much for going beyond the box score with this future Hall of Famer.

View from The Corner: A-Rod

2009-02-17T23:45:00.000-05:00

I'd been holding off on commenting on the Alex Rodriguez show because I didn't know quite what to make of it. Was he as young and stupid as he's been claiming? Was he a victim of a permissive subculture? Was he the victim of a misrepresented agreement? Or, is he just a liar and a cheat?

As far as I can tell, he's all of the above.

My views had been going back and forth about this, but his performance today settled them down. Yes, I do believe that Alex is sorry he took steroids, but only because he got caught with his hand in the centrifuge. His admissions of guilt and regret, both of them, have oozed insincerity. The Gammons interview was, most agree, not the most trying, and yet we find that even there, Alex lied. Today's circus lacked emotion, even when he nearly broke down (laughing or crying, I couldn't tell) as he referred to his teammates. Neither made me feel, as a fan, that I was truly apologized to, and believe it or not, that's important, because without me and the others like me this sport fades away.

I'm not saying his numbers should be altered or that he should be suspended for a year because the treatment of Barry Bonds has already set the precedent (in case you're wondering, the precedent is "do nothing"). No, I think the public scrutiny and media thrashing that will follow him this season will be justice enough. He's been proven a liar and a cheat on the national stage, and like Barry, Roger, McGwire and Palmeiro, Alex will never be seen as trustworthy again. To someone who has consistently demonstrated that his image defines his self-worth this is the harshest punishment of all.

He may yet get into the Hall of Fame (with Barry and Roger) because it's impossible to tell where the natural ends and the steroids begin, but that's not the most pressing question. That, my friends, is "where do we go from here?"

I Feel Like a Kid

2009-02-05T23:16:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow's Truck Day. We'll all check out the Globe at lunch and get goosebumps looking at pictures of an 18 wheeler being stuffed to the gills with bats, balls and gold clubs. For now, however, I'm wrapped in my baseball blanket, watching La Serie del Caribe on the minor miracle that is the MLB Network, and feeling like a kid on Christmas Eve.

T-Minus 10 Days

2009-02-01T16:52:00.041-05:00

Just over ten days remain until pitchers and catchers start reporting to camps all over Florida and Arizona, and now that the Red Sox have put the Jason Varitek hullabaloo behind them, there's time for idle and baseless speculation.

The biggest name filling our baseball fantasies is Adam Dunn, the erstwhile slugger of the Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks. Dunn hit the free agent market last fall and finds himself one of a handful of players without a contract, or an invitation to camp for that matter, with not much time left on the clock. Whether or not Dunn, who was looking for a multi-year deal intially, would settle for a one year contract to get him to a hopefully better economy next fall. Assuming that he is willing to do so, would someone with Dunn's power make sense for the Sox?

The first problem with Dunn? There's a nowhere to put him. He's a left fielder with hands and feet made of pure concrete, and the Sox already have an outfield with above average defenders in all three positions, plus an above average 4th man in Rocco Baldelli. It would be mildly acceptable to rotate Dunn with Jason Bay while at Fenway, but on the road it would be a downgrade of the magnitude of, well, Manny. While it would be possible, contingent on a Mike Lowell trade, to move Youk to third and alternate Ortiz and Dunn as 1B/DH, that creates another hole on the defensive side of the ball.

In order to justify the defensive deficit, Dunn has to be an offensive force. To an extent, he's just that. He's hit 40 or more home runs in each of the last 4 seasons, and has 278 career jacks to show for a short seven year career. His career slugging percentage is .518. And yet, those are the only two offensive categories that jump out. His batting average is extremely low, .236 last year, and only .247 career. His on-base percentage is average for somebody like Kevin Youkilis, .381 career, but for a guy that's rounding all four bases so frequently it's pretty low. I don't even want to talk about his strikeouts...

Given that we don't know what to expect from David Ortiz as he comes off a terrible 2008, adding Dunn on a one-year deal wouldn't necessarily be the worst move. There is no risk of losing a draft pick because the Diamondbacks didn't offer Big Donkey arbitration. If Dunn is amenable to a constantly shifting role, he's a player worth moving for.

Backstop Merry-go-round

2009-01-27T22:11:00.107-05:00

The contract the Red Sox have put on the table for Jason Varitek has been given a deadline, according to the Globe's "Extra Bases" blog. The skinny is that Tek has one week from the issuance of the deal (thought to be either last Thursday or Friday to decide. Why is this important? Well, for one thing, it would be nice to see something happen before I do my annual Truck Day dance.

So what would be the other reason, you ask? Simple.

A "club source" for the Rangers is saying they're still willing to swap Clay Buchholz for Jarrod Saltalamacchia. It's nothing but an unfounded rumor floated by an anonymous source, but I haven't gone into this trade, so what the heck.

Let's start with Buchholz. We all remember that no-hitter he tossed in 2007 and his comet-bright start, but let's not forget that last year he went out and posted a 2 - 9 record and a 1.76 WHIP. His ERA+ was stellar 68 (100 begin league average) and he was all over the place with his control, notching 41 walks in 76 innings. To be fair, he was better at Pawtucket where he pitched 43 innings and struck out as many. Sophomore slump? This guy could have been the poster child.

Still, I say "could have been" because he has great stuff. Buchholz complemented those walks in the bigs with an equally impressive 71 strikeouts. He also got slapped around the ball yard with a .366 BABIP for opposing hitters. Clay and the defense made average batters look like Ty Cobb. In the heat of Arlington, with the youth of the Rangers defense trying to cover the grassy expanse, it could be bad.

What would the Rangers be giving up for our stalwart prospect? That would be Jarrod Saltalamacchia, the highly-touted prospect sent over in the deal that put Mark Teixeira in Atlanta in 2007. He cleaned up in AA with the Braves and was decent in the majors before being sent to the American League. When he got to Texas his offense settled down to something downright... unspectacular. Last year he posted a .253/.352/.364 line, and that was with the benefit of a .388 BABIP. Oh yea, and he struck out 37.4% of the time.

You know what? Now that I think about it, I'm not sure Salty's worth Buccholz. Oh sure, this column was supposed to look at both sides and explain how it might potentially work out for both sides... but a blogger can change his mind, and this one just has. It's not worth it for the Sox to make this deal.

Consider this: the Red Sox have George Kottaras down in Pawtucket, and he's more or less a comp for Saltalamachia. I would much rather sign Varitek for roughly $8 million, see what we can do with Clay, and have Kottaras compete for the backup job.

Done and done. Now, go read some Updike. He was a nice guy, and a pretty good writer, too, I hear.

Varitek Speaks About Sox

2009-01-20T10:46:00.000-05:00

Jason Varitek opened up to NESN reporter Heidi Watney, according to boston.com's The Buzz. Its the first statement that Varitek has made, to my knowledge, since it came out that he requested a meeting with principal owner John Henry last week. Although there had been no official report out of that meeting, Tek is saying it was to "clear the air," and that he wants to finish his career as a Red Sox.

The most interesting thing Varitek said was that, apparently, he was unaware that teams would have to sacrifice draft picks if they signed him. My initial reaction to this was "Ha! Right... it's your contract and your responsibility to talk with your agent. How do you not know?" After a few moments of reflection and regret for such condescension I realized that it's entirely possible that he didn't know. After all, how many times have I not known something small that was still pertinent to my employment? Now, I'm not necessarily defending him here; he's been in the game for some time now, and if he doesn't know the rules of the collective bargaining agreement his union negotiated by now, it's his own fault.

Most likely, this is simply a case where a player feels the winds of public opinion shift against him, and is trying to push back to retain some goodwill. Nobody can fault him for that. Yet the fact remains that Jason Varitek turned down salary arbitration of his own volition, and is now facing the dismal prospects provided by bringing a nose-dive offensive decline into a recession-bound free agent market. His odds are not looking good.

I have no problems if they re-sign Tek to a one or two year deal, so long as it's not obscenely expensive and he allows for more platooning with catching prospects. Similarly, I won't be upset if the Sox can swing a trade with Arizona for someone along the lines of Miguel Montero. I just want to be able to watch without covering my eyes every time the catcher comes up to the plate.

Youk Gets Paid

2009-01-16T11:39:00.000-05:00

The word flying around ESPN (here ) and the Globe (here ) is that the Sox and Kevin Youkilis have finally agreed to a four year, $41 million deal, with an fifth-year club option. All told, this is a good deal for both sides. It finally gives Youkilis the validation I'm sure he feels he deserves, and it provides a large amount of flexibility anchored on a known quantity. A brief comparison of first basemen, for the heck of it:

Player A
Age: just about 30
Last year: .312/.390/.569
Career line: .289/.385/.472

Player B
Age: just about 29
Last year: .308/.410/.552
Career line: .290/.378/.541

Here's a hint: Player A is Kevin Youkilis! Whoops, gave it away. That means Player B must be, right, Mark Teixeira. It's interesting to note the similarities between the two players, though it must be stated that Teixeira has over 1000 more AB than Youk, so he does have the benefit of a larger sample size. Still, considering that Mark Teixeira signed to the Yankees for roughly $12 million more per year than Youk with the Sox, this new deal just sparkles all the more. Now, if only we could get Papelbon to sign a reasonable deal. Then again, I guess $10 million doesn't go as far as it used to...

Hall Makes Room for Rice

2009-01-13T11:43:00.001-05:00

On his 15th and final year of ballot eligibility, Jim Rice was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. You know the controversies surrounding his election (only 12 years of dominance, DH, low road AVG, not many intentional walks, somewhat prickly demeanor), but they have been laid to rest in deference to the hitter that owned the middle of the Red Sox lineup from the late seventies to the late eighties. With his election official, only two things remain: wait for the day the Sox retire his number 14, and make reservations for Induction Weekend.

Red Sox Signing Like It's 2003

2009-01-11T12:54:00.003-05:00

The contracts that have been cranked out of Yawkey Way during the last week have me thinking back to when we had roughly seven different first basement, 2 third basemen, closer by committee, Nomar, and a partridge in a pear tree. Rocco Baldelli, John Smoltz, Brad Penny, Mark Kotsay and now Takashi Saito have all taken turns signing one year deals for "eh" money. How do we feel about this?

Good. We feel good.

Look, after the Yankees snapped up C.C. Sabathia and Mark Teixeira, the free agent market became really, well, average. While Baldelli is certainly no Teixeira, offensively or defensively, when you but both he and Mark Kotsay on the same bench as outfield platooners you get a lot of versatility and depth, and maybe that's what the front office was going for in the first place.

Consider the fact that Baldelli is only guaranteed $500K for the year (with an extra $1.75 million in incentives), and then consider that, when healthy, he hits somewhere around .280/.330/.430 and has a cannon for an arm. When he takes the field he won't be the guaranteed out we all fear. Kotsay's the same way. Sure, he's not an All-Star, but he's a total dirt dog, and proved it during the ALCS last year. He can play in the outfield and can competently man first base. Another low-cost signing that provides a lot of depth.

Similarly, the pitcher signings have the same tone. C.C. Sabathia was the best on the market, followed by Burnett. The Yankees paid dearly to sign them both. John Smoltz has a résumé that is already ticketed for Cooperstown, and while he's 41 years young the 28 healthy innings he pitched last year boasted 36 strikeouts, only 8 walks, and a 1.17 WHIP. If he can come back from his injury he'll bring a lot to this staff. The potential upside in inking him to a one year $5 million guaranteed contract (plus incentives) is enormous.

While Brad Penny doesn't have the résumé, he does have a habit of being filthy when he's healthy. I won't forget the 2006 All-Star Game, when he struck out the first three batters on 100 mph gas. In case you're wondering who he embarassed, it was Ichiro Suzuki, Derek Jeter, and David Ortiz. It's meaningless, I know, but humor me. Penny's upside is less than Smoltz, but it's enough to toss him another one year, $5 million bone and see when we can get from him. Unfortunately, Penny's penchant for speed creates the possibility that he could be the next Wade Miller or Matt Mantei. Those didn't work out so hot.

To wrap it up, Takashi Saito is 39, has only pitched in the majors for 3 years, and took advantage of Dodger Stadium. He also has a career ERA of 1.95 and a career WHIP of .91. In his 189.7 career innings pitcher with the Dodgers, Saito has 245 strikeouts to block out a measly 52 walks. Saito's addition to the bullpen will, if he can stay healthy, more than make up for the loss of Mike Timlin.

I know you've figured it out by now, but the verdict on all of the above signings is that they're great... if they can all stay healthy. There's no reason Smoltz, Penny, and Saito can't keep themselves in one piece, so long as they've been listening to their rehab guides. Baldelli's issue is more chronic, but the rediagnosis he received this offseason, if correct, would mean that he should be all set for a full season of rotating into the outfield.

He Always Wanted New York

2009-01-06T22:56:00.002-05:00

Then again, they always do. Simply put, there was little chance of Mark Teixeira coming to Boston. Winning wasn't ever his issue, as he spent time with two winning franchises, the Angels and the Braves. No, it wasn't winning, it was money that motivated Tex, and when the Yankees ponied up their contract of 8 years and $180 million it was reported "New York, New York" became the new shower tune in the Teixeira household.

I would be lying to you if I said I wasn't sad, but there needs to be some perspective lent to the situation. Here's Teixeira's career line, an impressive .290/.378/.544. For even more of an angle, his career OPS+ is 134, meaning he's solidly above league average. Last year he walked more times (97) than he struck out (93) though it's the first time he's ever come in under 100 Ks for a season. Teixeira is good; heck, he's very good... but he's not Hall of Fame caliber yet. The only Hall of Famer listed in his list of comparables through age 28 is Willie McCovey, though to be fair Fred McGriff (a closer comparable) might have a chance to standing at the Cooperstown podium as well. In my honest opinion, I don't think the numbers he's put up merit signing the fourth-richest deal in baseball history.

The Red Sox do need a player of Teixeira's consistency and age because of the hole left behind when Manny shimmied to Los Angeles. The Sox only have one real slugger, David Ortiz, and he's an enormous question mark after his disappointing 2008 campaign. Both his wrists and his knees will determine if he can still hit, and only then will anyone truly be able to determine if Papi is affected by the loss of Ramirez; otherwise, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay and occasionally J.D. Drew stand out as the only legitimate offensive threats. Next year's free agent crop will only drop two consistent hitters for whom I would consider opening the coffers: Matt Holliday and Carl Crawford, though maybe Victor Martinez if you want to stretch it. Knowing that, the Teixeira fiasco has to be counted as a loss for Boston, even if he's not truly worth the money.

Other Notes

Besides losing Teixeira, the Sox did complete two minor transactions to continue tweaking next year's club. Josh Bard, the one-time Mirabelli replacement, has re-upped with a non-guaranteed contract, and given the Varitek situation could stand to see serious time behind the plate with George Kottaras (my own assumption). Bard was below the Mendoza line last year with San Diego, whereas the season before he was the second coming of Johnny Bench; we all know the true Bard is somewhere in the middle, and with his price tag he's worth another look.

The Sox also filled Alex Cora's bench spot with lifetime utility guy Nick Green. He's a non-factor with his bat, but his glove is considered slightly above average and can be plugged at all infield positions, so he'll see his share of time.