Sorry about that buddy!
But remember, we were gonna take Dontrelle and his fat contract of your hands.
It just wouldn't been trading one stiff for another.
AL EAST 2009
- Thread starter BillD1984
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Sorry about that buddy!
But remember, we were gonna take Dontrelle and his fat contract of your hands.
It just wouldn't been trading one stiff for another.
Sorry about that buddy!
But remember, we were gonna take Dontrelle and his fat contract of your hands.
It just wouldn't been trading one stiff for another.
In about a month you'll be able to get Willis for a bag of peanuts (salted).
Bag of balls and you can have Lugo.
But we won't send you the balls until we see Lugo's plane ticket has "one way" on it.
Would those be new balls, or batting practice balls?
Whatever you want, just take him........PLEASE!!!!
This REALLY shocks me. I didn't see this coming at all:
Red Sox Cut Josh Bard
03.18.09 at 10:56 am ET
By Alex Speier
The position of backup catcher has proven one of the most unstable on the Red Sox roster in recent spring trainings. In 2006, John Flaherty tried to catch Tim Wakefield for a game, found the task of spearing his knuckleballs so daunting that he retired and conceded the job to Josh Bard. Bard was overmatched by the task one month into his Red Sox career that year, and so was traded to San Diego to bring back Doug Mirabelli. Mirabelli remained in Boston until last March, when he was shocked by a mid-camp cut in favor of Kevin Cash. Cash was not tendered a contract this past offseason, became a free agent and signed with the Yankees, opening the door for Bard’s return.
But today, the Sox announced that they would cut Bard, continuing the merry-go-round of catchers paired with Wakefield. The move comes as something of a surprise, since Bard had done a passable job in his work with Wakefield this spring (though he had been unable to control the running game, whether working with Wakefield or other pitchers) and was hitting .429 (6-for-14), though it is worth noting that Bard, like starter Jason Varitek, is a switch-hitter who does a significantly better job against left-handed pitchers. So in some ways, his skill set was redundant with that of the starter’s.
General manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona are expected to offer insight into the roster move later today. At first glance, it would appear that George Kottaras would be the front-runner to become backup among the in-house candidates. Kottaras is left-handed and out of minor-league options. Still, as recently as Sunday, Epstein suggested that the Sox continue to monitor the market for catchers (especially one who might qualify as a “catcher of the future”), and so it may be premature to suggest that Kottaras is on his way to a backup spot.
Bard’s $1.7 million contract was non-guaranteed, so the Sox will only have to pay only a fraction of it.
More in a bit.
Red Sox Cut Josh Bard
03.18.09 at 10:56 am ET
By Alex Speier
The position of backup catcher has proven one of the most unstable on the Red Sox roster in recent spring trainings. In 2006, John Flaherty tried to catch Tim Wakefield for a game, found the task of spearing his knuckleballs so daunting that he retired and conceded the job to Josh Bard. Bard was overmatched by the task one month into his Red Sox career that year, and so was traded to San Diego to bring back Doug Mirabelli. Mirabelli remained in Boston until last March, when he was shocked by a mid-camp cut in favor of Kevin Cash. Cash was not tendered a contract this past offseason, became a free agent and signed with the Yankees, opening the door for Bard’s return.
But today, the Sox announced that they would cut Bard, continuing the merry-go-round of catchers paired with Wakefield. The move comes as something of a surprise, since Bard had done a passable job in his work with Wakefield this spring (though he had been unable to control the running game, whether working with Wakefield or other pitchers) and was hitting .429 (6-for-14), though it is worth noting that Bard, like starter Jason Varitek, is a switch-hitter who does a significantly better job against left-handed pitchers. So in some ways, his skill set was redundant with that of the starter’s.
General manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona are expected to offer insight into the roster move later today. At first glance, it would appear that George Kottaras would be the front-runner to become backup among the in-house candidates. Kottaras is left-handed and out of minor-league options. Still, as recently as Sunday, Epstein suggested that the Sox continue to monitor the market for catchers (especially one who might qualify as a “catcher of the future”), and so it may be premature to suggest that Kottaras is on his way to a backup spot.
Bard’s $1.7 million contract was non-guaranteed, so the Sox will only have to pay only a fraction of it.
More in a bit.
Sorry about that buddy!
But remember, we were gonna take Dontrelle and his fat contract of your hands.
It just wouldn't been trading one stiff for another.
Soon, you'll be able to get Willis off the scrap heap ....
Jimbo
Who warms Wakefield up in the bullpen ?
Put him in as his catcher, he obviously can do the job, defensively.
Jimbo
I wonder if Doug Mirabelli is looking out his window thinking he's going to get another state police escort.
I wonder if Doug Mirabelli is looking out his window thinking he's going to get another state police escort.
I was gonna ask what Mirrabelli was doing, but I think Bill said he was Coaching (?).
Coaching or playing on a MLB team, one that wants and needs you .... Hmmmmmm....
Jimbo
I wonder if Doug Mirabelli is looking out his window thinking he's going to get another state police escort.
LOL!!! ONLY if the Yankees are in town!
It looks like the Sox will go with Kottaras as the backup, unless they make a move in the next three weeks.
Cosmo,
I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of this Wakefield caddy thing. It's like the roster is being held hostage because Wakefield needs his own catcher.
Don't get me wrong, I love Wakefield. He's been nothing but a class act on this team for the last 14 years, and has done anything asked of him. But this caddy thing is getting so repetitive.
I thought Bard would have been an ideal backup. He can actually hit.....something we haven't had in a Sox backup catcher since the days of Damon Berryhill.
Cosmo,
I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of this Wakefield caddy thing. It's like the roster is being held hostage because Wakefield needs his own catcher.
Don't get me wrong, I love Wakefield. He's been nothing but a class act on this team for the last 14 years, and has done anything asked of him. But this caddy thing is getting so repetitive.
I thought Bard would have been an ideal backup. He can actually hit.....something we haven't had in a Sox backup catcher since the days of Damon Berryhill.
There are plenty of other pitchers that have/had thier own catchers ...
Also, you have to figure, if the catcher cannot handle the knuckleball ....
IF Varatek could handle it, he would probably play all the games till he needed a break .... I'm not saying he can't, but he's not in there on Wake's day.
Jimbo
Great, just great. First Pedroia, NOW Youkilis ..............................
Update: Youkilis out of WBC with ankle injury
By: Alex Speier
A baseball source confirmed reports that Kevin Youkilis will miss the remainder of the World Baseball Classic due to a left ankle injury. The first baseman has been experiencing discomfort for the better part of a week. An examination by Red Sox team doctors revealed inflammation in the ankle tendons and around his Achilles tendon. Though the injury is not believed to be serious for the long-term, the decision was made to have Youkilis sit out this weekend's WBC contests as the tournament moves to Los Angeles for the semi-final and final rounds. For more, visit the Full Count blog.
..............................Update: Youkilis out of WBC with ankle injury
By: Alex Speier
A baseball source confirmed reports that Kevin Youkilis will miss the remainder of the World Baseball Classic due to a left ankle injury. The first baseman has been experiencing discomfort for the better part of a week. An examination by Red Sox team doctors revealed inflammation in the ankle tendons and around his Achilles tendon. Though the injury is not believed to be serious for the long-term, the decision was made to have Youkilis sit out this weekend's WBC contests as the tournament moves to Los Angeles for the semi-final and final rounds. For more, visit the Full Count blog.
Jimbo,
that's exactly my point. The Red Sox backup catcher, for better or worse, has been based on ONE pitcher on a 12 man staff.
Again, Wakefield certainly brings plenty to the table (innings eater, clubhouse presence, etc.). I'm just not sure that he warrants two roster spots anymore.
I like the fact that Varitek gets a built-in day off every five days or so, but I agree that Wakefield's days of usefulness as a regular starter are almost over. I do think that he should be a spot starter because of injuries to the starting rotation, or a long reliever out of the bullpen. In the past I think he's been most effective when preceded by someone who throws heat, like Delcarmen.
But, the more I read about this, it's apparent this may have strictly been a $$$ move. The Sox should save about $1.3 M, and gives them flexibility to pursue Salty or Teagarden.
A little more info from Massarotti at the Globe on the Josh Bard move, it kinda makes sense now:
The Tony Massarotti Sports Blog, featuring Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots and Celtics analysis
The Tony Massarotti Sports Blog, featuring Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots and Celtics analysis
Bill and Cosmo, I see you just recently cut Josh Bard, depleting your already thin catching staff.
The Indians are particularly loaded with catchers. As you already know, we have two major league starting catchers in Victor Martinez and Kelly Shoppach.
In the minors we have 3 young studs in Chris Gimenez, Wyatt Torregas and Carlos Santana. If there was ever a more attractive trade partner for another catcher, it's got to be the Indians/Red Sox.
The Indians are particularly loaded with catchers. As you already know, we have two major league starting catchers in Victor Martinez and Kelly Shoppach.
In the minors we have 3 young studs in Chris Gimenez, Wyatt Torregas and Carlos Santana. If there was ever a more attractive trade partner for another catcher, it's got to be the Indians/Red Sox.
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