Archive for the ‘Tim Wakefield’ Category
Red Sox Notes: Ross, Wakefield, Ranaudo & Oswalt
Cody Ross is Mr. Average. Christina Kahrl wrote about the players who are the statistical average in offensive production at every position – with Red Sox newcomer Cody Ross grabbing the leftfield spot. Ross is a good, low-cost pick-up late in the off-season.
Wakefield Wants to Return. Tim Wakefield again voiced his strong preference to come back to Boston and pitch one more season with the Red Sox. Despite the uncertainty in the Red Sox rotation, I don’t see Wakefield coming back. But it would be strange seeing Wake pitch for another team. Probably strange for Wakefield too. Look for him to retire.
Ranaudo ready for more. MILB.com spoke with Red Sox pitching prospect Anthony Ranaudo who said he is hoping to start the season at AA Portland. Ranaudo is very active on Twitter – @anthony_ranaudo – if you are looking to follow someone new.
Oswalt Looks Heading South. Jon Heyman writes it looks like the Cardinals and Rangers are Roy Oswalt’s top choices – leaving the Red Sox to look elsewhere for a starter. My top pick for the Red Sox would be Edwin Jackson with Gavin Floyd number two (Jackson gets the nod only because he is a free agent). If Boston is truly satisfied with the starting rotation (as management says), St. Louis is shopping Kyle McClellan to clear salary room for Oswalt – and he would be a good addition to the bullpen. Kind of what they hoped Dan Wheeler would produce last season.
How Red Sox Can Fill Out Starting Pitching Rotation
Job one for new Red Sox GM Ben Cherington is shoring up the starting rotation.
A big part of the September collapse was Boston ran out of quality pitchers down the stretch.
Some of that was the result of massive performance failure by “aces” Josh Beckett and Jon Lester – and injury to Clay Buchholz.
For purposes of this post, we will assume the team gets the “big 3” into shape for 2012.
Every season, we see successful teams typically need at least 6 or 7 starters to get them through the season.
Boston can’t count on John Lackey. And shouldn’t count on Daisuke Matsuzaka – anything he delivers in 2012 is an unplanned bonus.
It’s time to thank Tim Wakefield for his service – and move on. He is no longer a quality major league starter.
And while Andrew Miller may be worth inviting to Spring Training – he showed nothing last season.
A Look at Starter Options
Alfredo Aceves. What a find. While Aceves was super-valuable in the bullpen, he deserves a shot at starting in 2012. Don’t forget – Aceves has a 24-3 career record.
Yu Darvish. It’s tough to offer an opinion on a player I have never seen. Darvish is ranked the top Asian pitcher potentially (it is not official – yet) looking to come to America. Mark me down as skeptical on Darvish’s impact. Dice-K was supposed to be a sure thing – and the combination Japan baseball not big league caliber (so a star there doesn’t equal an MLB star) and the cultural aspects – from training to media scrutiny – make it a tough transition. So today – Darvish is not in the plan.
Farm System. There is no sure thing among starters in the Red Sox minors. Closest to the majors are Felix Doubront – who between injury and conditioning issues wasted 2011 – and Kyle Weiland – who was not impressive in his big league trial. And who knows if Junichi Tazawa is now – or will be ever – ready to contribute. Doubront is the best pitcher among the 3 – pencil him as starter #7 either working out of the bullpen or rotation in Pawtucket.
Trades. The Red Sox should play to their financial strength – and pursue starters that are pricing themselves out of the reach of small market teams. And buy low.
Potentially on this list: Anibal Sanchez (Miami), Gio Gonzalez (Oakland), Brandon McCarthy (Oakland) and Joe Saunders (Arizona).
And then you have pitchers moving up in price on teams with the money but that just may not want to pay – Jair Jurrjens (Atlanta) and John Danks (White Sox). You can add Francisco Liriano (Minnesota) – but I would pass on him. I would love to add David Price to the mix – but don’t see Tampa Bay talking with Boston.
And then you got players with bad contracts. Top of that list are Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers (both on Houston). (Side note: How does Ed Wade keep his job?)
Boston should be able to grab at least one player from the above list – without having to give up too much in return (if the team is really looking to avoid the 2012 salary).
My top 3 choices: Sanchez, McCarthy and Rodriguez.
Free Agents. I don’t see Boston going big on C.J. Wilson or Mark Buehrle. The team has 4 starters locked into long-term deals already – don’t expect them to make that 5.
Roy Oswalt is a possibility – depends on the medical reports. Right now, I would pass. The team has enough medical issues on the staff.
Paul Maholm looks like a good starter for the back-end of a rotation. He was been decent on a poor team. Had some injury issues last season – those would need to check out. Bruce Chen is a comparable alternative for a lefty in the #5 slot in the rotation.
So how do the Red Sox get to 7 starters?
- Lester
- Beckett
- Buchholz
- Aceves
- Sanchez, McCarthy or Rodriguez (less likely Rodriguez if Maholm or Chen signed)
- Maholm or Chen; maybe Oswalt
- Doubront
Red Sox 2011 Player Report Card
John Tomase released his Red Sox player report card for the 2011 season.
Overall, it is pretty good. Here are some comments:
Josh Beckett – B. Too high – should be a C. He’s paid like a number one starter and totally failed in September crunch time. The Red Sox front office has got to be asking themselves: What can the team expect from the Big 3 of Beckett, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz in 2012? Most teams would kill for that front-end of a rotation. But it failed in 2011.
Theo Epstein – C. Too high – should be a D. Tomase graded Carl Crawford – D; John Lackey – F-; and Bobby Jenks – D-. All were Theo’s boys. Money covers a lot of mistakes. But in the end, even $170 million was not enough as the Red Sox were scrambling in the trade market to find a starting pitcher during the last week of the season. If Theo was being graded pass/fail – the grade would be fail.
Kevin Youkilis – B-. Two consecutive underperforming, injury-riddled seasons. Have to ask – is Youkilis past peak performance? We already heard Youkilis speak up during the 2011 season wondering if the Red Sox planned to extend his contract – which ends after 2012 (plus a team option). Theo should waste no time saying – let’s stow the contract talk until after next season.
Jason Varitek – C and Tim Wakefield – C-. No issue with the on-field grades but with all the comments about the lack of veteran player leadership contributing to the team’s September collapse, you have to ask: where were these leaders? Looks like the end of the line for two Red Sox greats.
Alfredo Aceves – A. A life saver. A top priority for Red Sox brass should be finding the Aceves of the 2012 season in the free agent market. Who do you think that player might be?
Top Boston Red Sox Blog Posts of the Week – May 28, 2011
Inside Look at Aceves. Scott Lauber spoke with Tiger pitcher Phil Coke about his former Yankee teammate Alfredo Aceves. Coke calls Aceves “epitome of a competitor.” With John Lackey returning, it will be interesting to see who moves out of the starting rotation: Aceves or Tim Wakefield. Right now, I’d say Aceves goes back to the bullpen because of his versatility.
Beckett on Pace for Historic May. Jeremy Lundblad sizes up Josh Beckett’s May – which includes an 0.60 ERA, the fifth lowest for the month in the last 50 years. Lundblad examines historical comparisons for May and monthly performance in general. Beckett should have one more shot to lower his May ERA – weather permitting.
Lars Anderson Trying to Break Through. Prospect Lars Anderson has two challenges. One, the immovable object of Adrian Gonzalez at first base. Second, high expectations created by a strong 2009 season. Anderson talks with Mike Scandura about his quest to reestablish himself as a top prospect. He needs to show more pop at bat to find a home – somewhere – in the majors.
The Book on Britton. Chris Mellen profiles Drake Britton, Boston’s top lefty pitching prospect. Britton is struggling this year – but that hasn’t diminished his standing. How a player rebounds from setbacks is all part of the development process. Keep an eye on whether Britton turns it around this season.
What are your top Boston Red Sox blog posts picks for the week?
Boston Red Sox – Minnesota Twins Series Preview
As poorly as the Red Sox have played, the team is only 4 games out of first in the AL East with 131 games to play, writes Peter Abraham.
Boston has been hot lately, winning 12 of their last 19 games. That’s a great pace – but most likely unsustainable.
The Red Sox looked like they mailed the game in yesterday. I know they were tired – but so were the Angels. John Tomase thinks the Sox have too many stars and not enough dirt dogs.
They need to play like every game counts – and beat up on the weaklings of the AL. And at this point, the weakling list includes the Minnesota Twins.
Let’s hope the hungry Red Sox show up for the 4-game series.
Red Sox – Twins Pop Quiz
The Red Sox were the last team to hit 4 HR in one inning against the Twins. Boston did it on July 3, 2000. Name the 4 Red Sox players.
Twins Talk
- CBS Sports writes the 2-game series sweep over the rival White Sox may give Minnesota some momentum coming into Fenway. The Twins had lost 6 straight before playing the ChiSox.
- The Twins will be trying to win their first game at Fenway Park since Sept. 30, 2007, notes Joe Christensen.
- Series opening starter Scott Baker is going for his 4th straight quality start. Boston faces Francisco Liriano – who threw a no-hitter last Tuesday – on Monday. Tim Britton previews the Red Sox – Twins pitching match-ups.
- Jason Kubel is Minnesota’s hottest hitter – hitting safely in 25 of 29 games this year. He has a .350 Avg. with 3 HR & 13 RBI. But overall Minnesota’s offense is anemic. They have scored 89 runs, on pace for just 497 for the season. The Twins lowest season total ever is 537.
- The Twins brass is taking a tougher stand with players after a poor start and Joe Powers writes, “Good. We need more drill sergeants and fewer therapists running the show.”
- Joe Mauer is starting to throw and run but remains on the DL with leg problems. There is no timetable for his return. Jim Thome joined Mauer on the DL a few days ago. Thome needs 9 HR to hit 600 for his career.
Red Sox Report
Tim Wakefield slides back into the Red Sox rotation, starting the series opener. Daisuke Matsuzaka’s relief appearance on Wednesday has pushed his next start from Friday to Sunday.
Gordon Edes writes John Lackey accepts blame for his start yesterday. The bullpen needed a break and Lackey let them – and the rest of the team – down. Brian MacPherson thinks Lackey is losing confidence in his fastball.
Quiz Answer
Carl Everett, Troy O’Leary, Jason Varitek and Morgan Burkhardt.
Boston Red Sox – Los Angeles Angeles Series Preview
Jered Weaver starts the series opener. Weaver has been the AL’s most dominating pitcher this season – 6-0 with a 0.99 ERA in 6 starts. Scott Miller writes Weaver’s start is no fluke – he’s building off a strong year in 2010. Here are the Angels probable pitchers for the series. Terry Francona is juggling his rotation for the Angels series.
Vernon Wells has been a disaster at the plate – going 19 for 112 (.170 Avg.) so far. Bob Nightengale quotes Wells saying, “It hasn’t been the smoothest transition” moving over from Toronto. The Blue Jays must be thankful every day they found a taker – at full contract – on Wells.
The Angels farm system has been delivering with Jordan Walden, Hank Conger, Mark Trumbo and Chris Bourjos all playing key roles for Los Angeles. The Angels are the 7th youngest team in MLB with 7 players 25 years old or younger.
Red Sox – Angels Pop Quiz
An Angels player set the team record for the most RBI in one game (9) in 2004 against Boston. Who is the player?
Red Sox Review
- Gordon Edes makes the case that Carl Crawford’s big hit Sunday could signal a breakout and is ready to move Crawford up to the #2 slot in the lineup. Says Crawford, “You never know what gets you started but this was definitely a good start and hopefully I can improve on it.” Sean McAdam chimes in that Crawford’s hit signals a fresh start.
- Shout out to Tim Wakefield for a great outing Sunday.
- Bobby Jenks says mechanics is the cause of his recent rough patch. And Wakefield did some video work with Jenks to address the flaw. Francona tells Edes, “We are not going to run from him.”
- Pedro Martinez is on his way to retirement – time for the Red Sox to bring him as a roving instructor or whatever it takes to keep Pedro connected to the franchise.
Pop Quiz Answer
Vladimir Guerrero had 9 RBI on June 2, 2004.
Top Boston Red Sox Blog Posts of the Week – April 9, 2011
$100 Million Players. Brian MacPherson had a couple of interesting posts on who might be among the Red Sox targets next time they wave $100+ million at a free agent and what Jason Heyward’s career salary take may be. The big money will be there for big-time free agents in the future. It will be interesting to see how last winter’s signings – and coming player performance – shape future decisions.
Is Salty Here to Stay? I believe you need a bigger sample than one week to make judgments – but Jarrod Saltalamacchia is one player that already has the spotlight on him. Red Sox Beacon takes a look at Salty and writes the success bar is not that high for him. I agree – catch and call a good game, and hit closer to .250 than the Mendoza line, and Saltalamacchia is a success. Also – stay healthy; something that’s been tough for Salty in the past.
Down on the Farm. Mike Andrews breaks down each of the Red Sox farm teams – and what we can expect (and should look for). Keep an eye on:
- Jose Iglesias, SS, Pawtucket – Has played less than a full season professionally but could be in Fenway by season’s end.
- Oscar Tejeda, 2B, Portland – Can he parlay big spring training into breakout season?
- Chris Balcom-Miller, P, Salem – Sox got him in a deal with the Rockies, could be a sleeper.
- Anthony Ranaudo, P, Greenville – Top pitching prospect making professional debut.
- Sean Coyle, 2B, Greenville – Was playing high school ball last year, now in Low A after 10 professional ABs. Sox must see something special in him.
Charlie Hough & Wake. Former big leaguer Charlie Hough talked about his conversation with then-minor leaguer Tim Wakefield on throwing the knuckleball. Knuckleballers are a tight fraternity. It still remains to be seen what role Wake will carve out this year. If he can’t evolve beyond a mop-up guy – it will put pressure on the rest of the bullpen.
What are your top Boston Red Sox blog posts picks for the week?
Top Boston Red Sox Blog Posts of the Week – March 19
What’s Next for Wake? John Tomase looks into what’s Tim Wakefield’s role on the Boston Red Sox. Wake is valuable as a sixth starter but not so much as a reliever. It will be interesting to see what the team decides to do him. Today’s guess: Wakefield in bullpen at season start.
Speaking of Sixth Starters. Over the Monster examines Plan B – what happens if one of the Red Sox starting five pitchers goes down? The Sox have a long list of candidates – and if history is any guide, expect 2 or 3 of them will be called upon this season.
Farm Talk. Minor league guru John Sickels has a two part interview with Red Sox player development boss Mike Hazen. Part one here and part two here. The interview is not wildly revealing (Hazen does his best to sound like Bill Belichick in giving answers that don’t say much) but there are a few nuggets.
Minor League All-Stars. Sox Prospects goes around the diamond naming their pre-season All-Stars among Red Sox farmhands. Boston dropped in farm system rankings after the Adrian Gonzalez trade – but it looks like there is still plenty of talent there. Look for Boston to move up.
What are your top Boston Red Sox blog posts picks for the week?
Albie Jarvis
