And I'm watching Casey Kotchman (who we gave up for Ol' Chipmunk Cheeks) quietly put together a nice spring for the Braves.
AL EAST 2009
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And I'm watching Casey Kotchman (who we gave up for Ol' Chipmunk Cheeks) quietly put together a nice spring for the Braves.
Drew to bat fifth, Lowell seventh?
Posted by Tony Massarotti, Globe Staff March 30, 2009
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Terry Francona remains reluctant to announce his intentions for the batting order, but the manager indicated this morning that J.D. Drew likely will be his No. 5 hitter to start the season. As for the No. 6 spot, Francona isn't yet choosing between Jason Bay and Mike Lowell.
But bet on Bay.
"I think having the left-handed hitter [batting fifth] is somewhat useful,'' said Francona, who always has liked to alternate between left-handed and right-handed hitters to make matchups more difficult for opposing teams in the later innings. "For me, I guess right now we've got Mike Lowell and Jason Bay who can hit sixth and seventh. In my mind, neither one of `em is a typical seventh hitter.''
Nonetheless, Francona will have to choose once the season begins, and all logic suggests that Bay would be the choice, for an assortment of reasons. Beyond the obvious issue of Lowell's offseason hip surgery, Bay has better power and is a faster baserunner, the latter of which cannot be overlooked. By placing Bay behind Lowell, the Sox effectively would be taking Bay's baserunning ability out of play.
Posted by Tony Massarotti, Globe Staff March 30, 2009
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Terry Francona remains reluctant to announce his intentions for the batting order, but the manager indicated this morning that J.D. Drew likely will be his No. 5 hitter to start the season. As for the No. 6 spot, Francona isn't yet choosing between Jason Bay and Mike Lowell.
But bet on Bay.
"I think having the left-handed hitter [batting fifth] is somewhat useful,'' said Francona, who always has liked to alternate between left-handed and right-handed hitters to make matchups more difficult for opposing teams in the later innings. "For me, I guess right now we've got Mike Lowell and Jason Bay who can hit sixth and seventh. In my mind, neither one of `em is a typical seventh hitter.''
Nonetheless, Francona will have to choose once the season begins, and all logic suggests that Bay would be the choice, for an assortment of reasons. Beyond the obvious issue of Lowell's offseason hip surgery, Bay has better power and is a faster baserunner, the latter of which cannot be overlooked. By placing Bay behind Lowell, the Sox effectively would be taking Bay's baserunning ability out of play.
Farrell, Sox content with Dice-K
Posted by Tony Massarotti, Globe Staff March 30, 2009 04:31 PM
Daisuke Matsuzaka hadn’t pitched in a game in eight days when he made his Sox spring debut today, so the results weren’t necessarily the priority. Still, Matsuzaka gave them -- and some pitch efficiency, too.
"Seventy-five pitches through five innings is ideally what we were hoping to get through today," said pitching coach John Farrell after the Sox' 4-3 loss in 10 innings to the Atlanta Braves.
And so they did. Matsuzaka allowed two runs (one earned) on three walks and just one hit while striking out two.
"I surprised myself," Matsuzaka said with a mischievous grin, suggesting he is growing tired of the constant questions about his pitch efficiency. "The Red Sox keep reminding me that I was a little bit ahead of schedule, but on the other hand, getting ready for the WBC put me ahead [of everyone else]. I'd like to take that in a positive way."
There wasn’t much else to report from the clubhouse, where the Sox were eager to depart after two long road trips in two days. Farrell made repeated note of Matsuzaka’s willingness/ability to rely on his two-seam fastball, a pitch designed to quick outs and conserve pitches.
Matsuzaka also made a point of noting that he was working on his "movement," suggesting he is more focused on, as Farrell said, "pitching to contact."
Whatever the objective, Matsuzaka has just one pre-season game remaining -- against the Mets next Saturday in New York. After that, he’ll take the mound for real on April 9 against Tampa Bay, at which point the Red Sox will start to learn what he can provide them in 2009.
The Sox are now 17-12 with three Grapefruit League games remaining, a record that would officially put them "on the bubble" if they were an NCAA tournament team.
Posted by Tony Massarotti, Globe Staff March 30, 2009 04:31 PM
Daisuke Matsuzaka hadn’t pitched in a game in eight days when he made his Sox spring debut today, so the results weren’t necessarily the priority. Still, Matsuzaka gave them -- and some pitch efficiency, too.
"Seventy-five pitches through five innings is ideally what we were hoping to get through today," said pitching coach John Farrell after the Sox' 4-3 loss in 10 innings to the Atlanta Braves.
And so they did. Matsuzaka allowed two runs (one earned) on three walks and just one hit while striking out two.
"I surprised myself," Matsuzaka said with a mischievous grin, suggesting he is growing tired of the constant questions about his pitch efficiency. "The Red Sox keep reminding me that I was a little bit ahead of schedule, but on the other hand, getting ready for the WBC put me ahead [of everyone else]. I'd like to take that in a positive way."
There wasn’t much else to report from the clubhouse, where the Sox were eager to depart after two long road trips in two days. Farrell made repeated note of Matsuzaka’s willingness/ability to rely on his two-seam fastball, a pitch designed to quick outs and conserve pitches.
Matsuzaka also made a point of noting that he was working on his "movement," suggesting he is more focused on, as Farrell said, "pitching to contact."
Whatever the objective, Matsuzaka has just one pre-season game remaining -- against the Mets next Saturday in New York. After that, he’ll take the mound for real on April 9 against Tampa Bay, at which point the Red Sox will start to learn what he can provide them in 2009.
The Sox are now 17-12 with three Grapefruit League games remaining, a record that would officially put them "on the bubble" if they were an NCAA tournament team.
Here's that dreaded "Pitching to Contact " again.
The Tigers tried that with Verlander last year and we saw what it did to him.
He seems to be back on his game again this spring .... :up
Jimbo
I'd rather they pitch to the Catcher and if they happen to get wood on it, fine, we have 8 more guys out here.
If the pitcher pitches his pitch, they will have weak swings in most cases.
You good pitchers anyways.
Jimbo
If the pitcher pitches his pitch, they will have weak swings in most cases.
You good pitchers anyways.
Jimbo
Right on!! :up
I like Farrell, but I think these pitching coaches today tend to overthink things.
I remember in 1978 when George Scott started publically pouting becase he had to bat seventh, behind, 3-6 Fred Lynn, Jim Rice, Carl Yastrzemski and and Carlton Fisk. Considering that the 8th and 9th hitters in that lineup were Butch Hobson and Dewey Evans, Scott was lucky he wasn't relegated to 9th.
You got it buddy!
Mets,
I'm happy for your sake that the Mets shored up their bullpen with K-Rod and Putz.
IMO, the bullpen was the only thing holding the Mets back the last two years.
You're right, Boomer should have been batting ninth in that lineup.
It's incredible that Hobson got 100 RBI's hitting out of (for the most part) the 9 hole.
BTW, I remember thinking it odd that the Sox went Burleson-Remy instead of vice versa at the top of the lineup. Afterall, Remy was the rabbit out of the two.
I think it's a very smart move for Dice-K. Aren't you sick & tired of his frustrating starts where he's lucky to finish the 5th inning with a lead?? Too many waste pitches and nibbling the corners....
Here's some numbers for 2008:
Code:
Average per start
[U]Pitcher[/U] [U]Pitches Innings[/U]
Dice-K 100 5.2
Beckett 99 6.4
Lester 100 6.3Putz should have gone to the Tigers.You got it buddy!
Mets,
I'm happy for your sake that the Mets shored up their bullpen with K-Rod and Putz.
IMO, the bullpen was the only thing holding the Mets back the last two years.
Mr. D dropped the ball on that one.
Jimbo
You make an excellent point. To answer your question, yes I'm tired of his high pitch counts through five innings.
I guess my only concern is what affect will the "tinkering" have with the bottom line (18-3 record).
Plus the Sox have a much deeper bullpen to fall back on this year.
Yeah, it was funny how the Mets went out and got two quality closers (don't forget, Billy Wagner is still on their payroll also).
However, I really think that you'll like Brandon Lyon. He's not an overpowering type closer, but he gets the job done more times than not. :up
Not to sound like a jackass but your Tigers have problems. Either Zimaya or Rodney is coming off of surgery, Dontrelle Willis is terrible and its to the point where they may sell off some of these big contracts, because I've heard theres only 13,000 season tickets sold. Is this all fact, some fiction or am I full of it. Remember I said IT and didnt add any letters to it.
You are correct, we do have problems here. Season tickets are off 12,000. A last place finish and an economy that sucks even more wind than the national economy will do that to ticket sales. Sheffield was released yesterday, but we are going to eat that contract. Willis on the other hand was "insured" by the tiger's, so they may re-coop some of that contract. Don't look for any "fire sales" though. Ilitch has no problem spending money, or in this case, losing some money.
Every team has issues if you look for them.
I don't follow the Mets at all, so I hope you have NO HOLES in your 25 man roster, but I would imagine there are some.
Like we've said for many years, they will go as far as the pitching takes them.
Zumaya will start on the DL
Bonderman will start the season on the DL
Both are not expected to be out very long.
Rodney is fine.
As for season tickets ?
Are you still working ?
A good part of Detroit is NOT.
The economy stinks, it is hitting Detroit HARD.
Can't help the season ticket sales, it DOES leave the large possibility that alot of other fans now have a chance to get tickets.
Just because they are not sold out, doesn't mean no one cares.
If they get off to a good start, you'll see the sellouts come back, peopel will find the money somewhere or allow others like myself to get up to a few games.
btw, what does the Tigers current issues have to do with them not getting Putz ?
Tigers would have looked GREAT with Putz in the pen.
Jimbo
"Opening Day"- those two words always brings a smile to my face!
Opening Day roster set?
Permalink|Comments (28) Posted by Tony Massarotti, Globe Staff March 31, 2009 09:16 AM
TAMPA -- The Red Sox still have three days remaining in Florida, but the club appears to be finalizing its potential Opening Day roster as its days in Fort Myers dwindle.
Barring any last-minute acquisitions via the waiver wire, the Sox appear to be leaning toward the lefthanded-hitting Chris Carter over the righthanded-hitting Jeff Bailey for the final position spot on the 25-man roster. Assuming Nick Green remains in place as the utilityman, Carter would give manager Terry Francona two lefthanded hitters (Carter, George Kottaras) to go along with two righthanded hitters (Green, Rocco Baldelli) on his bench when the season begins.
Carter and Bailey both have had sensational springs and neither must be exposed to waivers in order to be demoted. Bailey is signed to a minor league contract, meaning the Sox would have to place him on their 40-man roster, but the team has the roster space to make that move without any difficulty. Carter has minor league options remaining and is already on the 40-man roster. He could be demoted more easily when Mark Kotsay is eligible to return from the disabled list, another factor working in his favor at this stage of the season.
Both players were likely to spend time with the major league club this year regardless of who broke camp with the team.
Acquired in the 2007 trade for Wily Mo Pena -- he, in turn, was acquired for Bronson Arroyo -- Carter is batting .359 with 10 RBIs and a team-leading six home runs this spring. Bailey is batting .356 with one homer and eight RBIs, albeit in 10 fewer at-bats.
Assuming Carter and Green make the team -- and that Brad Penny is ready to make his first scheduled start April 12 -- here is what the Opening Day roster currently projects to look like:
STARTING LINEUP
(L) Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
(R) Dustin Pedroia, 2B
(L) David Ortiz, DH
(R) Kevin Youkilis, 1B
(L) J.D. Drew, RF
(R) Jason Bay, LF
(R) Mike Lowell, 3B
(S) Jed Lowrie, SS
(S) Jason Varitek, C
BENCH
(R) Rocco Baldelli, OF
(R) Nick Green, IF-OF
(L) George Kottaras, C
(L) Chris Carter, IF-OF
STARTING ROTATION
(R) Josh Beckett
(L) Jon Lester
(R) Daisuke Matsuzaka
(R) Tim Wakefield
(R) Brad Penny
BULLPEN
(R) Jonathan Papelbon (closer)
(R) Takashi Saito
(L) Hideki Okajima
(R) Justin Masterson
(R) Manny Delcarmen
(R) Ramon Ramirez
(L) Javier Lopez
DISABLED LIST
(R) Julio Lugo, SS
(R) John Smoltz, P
(L) Mark Kotsay, OF
Update (12:20 p.m.): Club officials told both Green and Carter that their chances of breaking camp with the team were looking good, though things could change if, for example, another player is claimed on waivers.
GO SOX!!!!!!!
Opening Day roster set?
Permalink|Comments (28) Posted by Tony Massarotti, Globe Staff March 31, 2009 09:16 AM
TAMPA -- The Red Sox still have three days remaining in Florida, but the club appears to be finalizing its potential Opening Day roster as its days in Fort Myers dwindle.
Barring any last-minute acquisitions via the waiver wire, the Sox appear to be leaning toward the lefthanded-hitting Chris Carter over the righthanded-hitting Jeff Bailey for the final position spot on the 25-man roster. Assuming Nick Green remains in place as the utilityman, Carter would give manager Terry Francona two lefthanded hitters (Carter, George Kottaras) to go along with two righthanded hitters (Green, Rocco Baldelli) on his bench when the season begins.
Carter and Bailey both have had sensational springs and neither must be exposed to waivers in order to be demoted. Bailey is signed to a minor league contract, meaning the Sox would have to place him on their 40-man roster, but the team has the roster space to make that move without any difficulty. Carter has minor league options remaining and is already on the 40-man roster. He could be demoted more easily when Mark Kotsay is eligible to return from the disabled list, another factor working in his favor at this stage of the season.
Both players were likely to spend time with the major league club this year regardless of who broke camp with the team.
Acquired in the 2007 trade for Wily Mo Pena -- he, in turn, was acquired for Bronson Arroyo -- Carter is batting .359 with 10 RBIs and a team-leading six home runs this spring. Bailey is batting .356 with one homer and eight RBIs, albeit in 10 fewer at-bats.
Assuming Carter and Green make the team -- and that Brad Penny is ready to make his first scheduled start April 12 -- here is what the Opening Day roster currently projects to look like:
STARTING LINEUP
(L) Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
(R) Dustin Pedroia, 2B
(L) David Ortiz, DH
(R) Kevin Youkilis, 1B
(L) J.D. Drew, RF
(R) Jason Bay, LF
(R) Mike Lowell, 3B
(S) Jed Lowrie, SS
(S) Jason Varitek, C
BENCH
(R) Rocco Baldelli, OF
(R) Nick Green, IF-OF
(L) George Kottaras, C
(L) Chris Carter, IF-OF
STARTING ROTATION
(R) Josh Beckett
(L) Jon Lester
(R) Daisuke Matsuzaka
(R) Tim Wakefield
(R) Brad Penny
BULLPEN
(R) Jonathan Papelbon (closer)
(R) Takashi Saito
(L) Hideki Okajima
(R) Justin Masterson
(R) Manny Delcarmen
(R) Ramon Ramirez
(L) Javier Lopez
DISABLED LIST
(R) Julio Lugo, SS
(R) John Smoltz, P
(L) Mark Kotsay, OF
Update (12:20 p.m.): Club officials told both Green and Carter that their chances of breaking camp with the team were looking good, though things could change if, for example, another player is claimed on waivers.
GO SOX!!!!!!!
Breaking down the bullpen
Posted by Tony Massarotti, Globe Staff
TAMPA, Fla. -- In between the beginning and the end, the question seems obvious: Exactly how do the Red Sox intend to work things in the middle?
Opening Day 2009 is now less than a week away, and Red Sox manager Terry Francona continues to say the same thing: He is not quite sure how his bullpen will shake out. On paper, at least, Francona has a deep starting rotation behind No. 1 starter Josh Beckett and an assembly line of relievers stationed before closer Jonathan Papelbon. Francona isn’t saying who will pitch the eighth inning or even the seventh, and it is likely that the manager is merely playing it coy until he is prepared to announce his intentions.
In the interim, Francona clearly has choices.
Lots of 'em.
Yet, based on a combination of abilities, experience and track record, the Red Sox bullpen seems to fall into three groups, excluding Papelbon, whose role as closer is all but etched in granite. For simplicity’s sake, let’s call these Groups A, B, and C; the higher the letter, the later he is likely to appear in the game.
GROUP A: Takashi Saito, Justin Masterson, Hideki Okajima
In a perfect world, there is no debate here: Saito gets the eighth. The obvious issue concerns the 39-year-old's health in the wake of a forearm/elbow problem that required him to rehabilitate the injury during the offseason. Were it not for that fact, Saito could be closing for most teams in the majors -- his career numbers are remarkably similar to Papelbon's. But for the Red Sox, he could be the primary setup man and serve as closer on those days when Papelbon needs a rest. At this stage of Saito’s career, it is the ideal role for him.
So far this spring, Saito has not pitched in back-to-back games. The surprising thing is that the Red Sox may adhere to this practice during the regular season. Asked about the need to handle Saito delicately, one Sox official said recently: "If we [misuse him], that’s our fault.’’
Given Masterson’s youth and durability -- he can pitch multiple innings and on back-to-back days -- the Red Sox have tremendous flexibility here. Masterson really is the key. The Sox can give Saito the eighth inning on one day, then entrust Masterson and/or Okajima on the next. The bottom line is that Francona has three high-level relievers for the seventh and eighth innings, a number that actually could grow depending on how deep the starter goes.
Last season, beginning on Aug. 1, Masterson had a 1.93 ERA and Okajima held batters to a .155 average. Saito has a career ERA of 1.95.
"We look like we’ll really be able to shorten the game if our bullpen’s healthy all year,’’ third baseman Mike Lowell said following Monday’s game in Kissimmee against the Atlanta Braves. "That’s a big plus for us.’’
Especially when you consider that the Sox still have three other relievers.
GROUP B: Manny Delcarmen
For now, Delcarmen stands alone in this group, stuck in the purgatory between middle relief and set-up. Nonetheless, that has proven to be a comfortable place for him. The closer Delcarmen is to the middle of the game, the better he pitches, which is why the ascension of Masterson late last season had such a profound effect on the bullpen as a whole.
Last year, again beginning on Aug. 1, Delcarmen posted a 1.84 ERA and held opponents to a .158 average with 29 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings. During that span, he most frequently pitched in the sixth or seventh innings. Delcarmen can be effective against both lefthanded and righthanded batters, though he sometimes has command issues (12 walks in his final 29 1/3 innings last year) that make it harder for him to pitch at the end of the game.
In the ideal bullpen, Delcarmen would pitch in the middle of the game. On this team, that’s where Francona will likely use him.
GROUP C: Ramon Ramirez and Javier Lopez
For the moment, at least, these are Francona’s "matchup’’ guys -- Lopez against lefthanded hitters, Ramirez against righties. Depending on the performance of the starter or the situation, Francona could use them at virtually anytime, though most likely before the eighth. Last year, Francona brought in Lopez as early as the third inning, something you are even more likely to see this year given the apparent depth of the bullpen.
Last year, against lefties, Lopez recorded 26 strikeouts in 131 plate appearances against him, meaning he recorded a strikeout roughly 19.8 percent of the time. For comparison’s sake, Josh Beckett recorded a strikeout in 23.7 percent of all plate appearances against him (left or right).
As for Ramirez, the Red Sox believe he can be effective against lefthanded hitters, who batted .300 against him last season. Until that happens, don’t be surprised if Francona picks his spots. Last season, Ramirez held righthanded batters to an absurd .153 average while recording 38 strikeouts in 156 plate appearances, a strikeout rate of 24.4 percent.
On the whole, this bullpen has tremendous strikeout potential from top to bottom. Using last season as a guide -- and looking at Lopez and Ramirez solely in left-right matchups -- the seven projected Opening Day relievers recorded 362 strikeouts in 1,438 plate appearances against them. That number that translates into a strikeout 25.2 percent of the time, meaning Sox relievers recorded roughly a strikeout per inning as a staff.
Based on that, it is no wonder that people like Lowell are so excited about the Boston bullpen.
Posted by Tony Massarotti, Globe Staff
TAMPA, Fla. -- In between the beginning and the end, the question seems obvious: Exactly how do the Red Sox intend to work things in the middle?
Opening Day 2009 is now less than a week away, and Red Sox manager Terry Francona continues to say the same thing: He is not quite sure how his bullpen will shake out. On paper, at least, Francona has a deep starting rotation behind No. 1 starter Josh Beckett and an assembly line of relievers stationed before closer Jonathan Papelbon. Francona isn’t saying who will pitch the eighth inning or even the seventh, and it is likely that the manager is merely playing it coy until he is prepared to announce his intentions.
In the interim, Francona clearly has choices.
Lots of 'em.
Yet, based on a combination of abilities, experience and track record, the Red Sox bullpen seems to fall into three groups, excluding Papelbon, whose role as closer is all but etched in granite. For simplicity’s sake, let’s call these Groups A, B, and C; the higher the letter, the later he is likely to appear in the game.
GROUP A: Takashi Saito, Justin Masterson, Hideki Okajima
In a perfect world, there is no debate here: Saito gets the eighth. The obvious issue concerns the 39-year-old's health in the wake of a forearm/elbow problem that required him to rehabilitate the injury during the offseason. Were it not for that fact, Saito could be closing for most teams in the majors -- his career numbers are remarkably similar to Papelbon's. But for the Red Sox, he could be the primary setup man and serve as closer on those days when Papelbon needs a rest. At this stage of Saito’s career, it is the ideal role for him.
So far this spring, Saito has not pitched in back-to-back games. The surprising thing is that the Red Sox may adhere to this practice during the regular season. Asked about the need to handle Saito delicately, one Sox official said recently: "If we [misuse him], that’s our fault.’’
Given Masterson’s youth and durability -- he can pitch multiple innings and on back-to-back days -- the Red Sox have tremendous flexibility here. Masterson really is the key. The Sox can give Saito the eighth inning on one day, then entrust Masterson and/or Okajima on the next. The bottom line is that Francona has three high-level relievers for the seventh and eighth innings, a number that actually could grow depending on how deep the starter goes.
Last season, beginning on Aug. 1, Masterson had a 1.93 ERA and Okajima held batters to a .155 average. Saito has a career ERA of 1.95.
"We look like we’ll really be able to shorten the game if our bullpen’s healthy all year,’’ third baseman Mike Lowell said following Monday’s game in Kissimmee against the Atlanta Braves. "That’s a big plus for us.’’
Especially when you consider that the Sox still have three other relievers.
GROUP B: Manny Delcarmen
For now, Delcarmen stands alone in this group, stuck in the purgatory between middle relief and set-up. Nonetheless, that has proven to be a comfortable place for him. The closer Delcarmen is to the middle of the game, the better he pitches, which is why the ascension of Masterson late last season had such a profound effect on the bullpen as a whole.
Last year, again beginning on Aug. 1, Delcarmen posted a 1.84 ERA and held opponents to a .158 average with 29 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings. During that span, he most frequently pitched in the sixth or seventh innings. Delcarmen can be effective against both lefthanded and righthanded batters, though he sometimes has command issues (12 walks in his final 29 1/3 innings last year) that make it harder for him to pitch at the end of the game.
In the ideal bullpen, Delcarmen would pitch in the middle of the game. On this team, that’s where Francona will likely use him.
GROUP C: Ramon Ramirez and Javier Lopez
For the moment, at least, these are Francona’s "matchup’’ guys -- Lopez against lefthanded hitters, Ramirez against righties. Depending on the performance of the starter or the situation, Francona could use them at virtually anytime, though most likely before the eighth. Last year, Francona brought in Lopez as early as the third inning, something you are even more likely to see this year given the apparent depth of the bullpen.
Last year, against lefties, Lopez recorded 26 strikeouts in 131 plate appearances against him, meaning he recorded a strikeout roughly 19.8 percent of the time. For comparison’s sake, Josh Beckett recorded a strikeout in 23.7 percent of all plate appearances against him (left or right).
As for Ramirez, the Red Sox believe he can be effective against lefthanded hitters, who batted .300 against him last season. Until that happens, don’t be surprised if Francona picks his spots. Last season, Ramirez held righthanded batters to an absurd .153 average while recording 38 strikeouts in 156 plate appearances, a strikeout rate of 24.4 percent.
On the whole, this bullpen has tremendous strikeout potential from top to bottom. Using last season as a guide -- and looking at Lopez and Ramirez solely in left-right matchups -- the seven projected Opening Day relievers recorded 362 strikeouts in 1,438 plate appearances against them. That number that translates into a strikeout 25.2 percent of the time, meaning Sox relievers recorded roughly a strikeout per inning as a staff.
Based on that, it is no wonder that people like Lowell are so excited about the Boston bullpen.
