2012 Red Sox Season Thread

[Mike D.]

Ill admit i have been a bit pessimistic about this team for a lot of the season, but they need to be buyers at the deadline. Get a little help for the rotation and go for it all.

This team would be flat scary if they got hot.

Agreed. Don't blow the farm system, but if you can get some inexpensive pieces to help, do it.

One thing they could/should do is sell a bit from inventory (they have a few extra OF and bullpen arms) and still look to buy. You won't get a lot for a Ryan Sweeney or a back of the pen arm, but if you can get even a so-so prospect for them and clear up the roster crunch, it's a win for the Sox.

[Therwil Flyer]

Keep in mind that in the AL all but three teams are still very much in it. In the NL the picture is a bit clearer with 8 to maybe 11 teams still in the race. So you are looking at a market where about 11 potential sellers face about 19 potential buyers.

That maybe both good and bad for the Sox (Good as it drives up the price for the likes of Sweeney, Albers etc; Bad as it drives up the price of anyone they are looking to acquire).

Also, with the new CBA in place, a team acquiring someone like Hamels, Cain or Greinke, will not receive draft pick compensation when they fail to sign them to an extension. Meanwhile their current teams are all but guaranteed to get two draft picks if the fail to resign them. That will very much affect their prices at the deadline.

So don't expect any superstars walking through Fenway's doors...

[maximum jack]

If Lester and Beckett could pitch like they have in the past, we could be sitting on two superstar July-acquisitions already. The pieces are all here. Get HOT now Red Sox! Start by winning this series against the other Sox tonight.

[Zoltan]

If Lester and Beckett could pitch like they have in the past, we could be sitting on two superstar July-acquisitions already. The pieces are all here. Get HOT now Red Sox! Start by winning this series against the other Sox tonight.

Agreed on Beckett and Lester. Buchholz also. If Beckett could do his thing, and Lester and Buck pitched like they did in 2010, they wouldnt need to trade for anybody at all.

[Boston Boxer]

are you kidding me?!?! Cody Ross with the walk off...oh my!

[Blue387]

Cody Ross!

I like this guy.

[Mike D.]

Ross is stepping up big time with Big Papi on the DL. Nice to see!

[Dude Paskert]

Ross is stepping up big time with Big Papi on the DL. Nice to see!

Probably blasphemous, but maybe Ross should stick around as DH given the crowded outfield if Papi pushes for a big money 2 year deal. Ortiz has bounced back wonderfully, but he's gotta get old as a hitter sometime.

[Mike D.]

Probably blasphemous, but maybe Ross should stick around as DH given the crowded outfield if Papi pushes for a big money 2 year deal. Ortiz has bounced back wonderfully, but he's gotta get old as a hitter sometime.

Ross is at his best against lefties...I could see him hanging around as a platoon/backup OF and DH vs. LHP (with Lavarnway DHing vs. RHP and doing some catching).

[maximum jack]

Probably blasphemous, but maybe Ross should stick around as DH given the crowded outfield if Papi pushes for a big money 2 year deal. Ortiz has bounced back wonderfully, but he's gotta get old as a hitter sometime.

I love that Papi is having a great year, but I was ready to see him walk last season. It just doesn't make sense to me to keep a full time DH on the payroll and give him the kind of money he deserves.

[maximum jack]

I am soooo over Josh Beckett.

[Therwil Flyer]

I am soooo over Josh Beckett.

Another frustrating start from Josh. In spite of his recent struggles though, we can still take solace in his 3.52 FIP. That is actually better than last season and ranks him 30th among starters (ahead of the likes of Bumgarner, CJ Wilson, or Yu Darvish). His SIERA is an even 4 which is not great but very decent (Just slightly worse than a certain Jered Weaver).

[Boston Boxer]

Beckett needs to go. he is a pain in the arse and is absolutely horrible this year. I dont care about FIPs and SIERA stats. I know all i need to know by watching his pathetic pitching. He AND Lester are sickening...the only reason i give Lester a pass is because he is a lefty and i still have hope for him.

the red sox cannot continue to do the cha cha in the standings. Dont liik now, but July is almost over and so is this season if they dont go on a run.

[Therwil Flyer]

Beckett needs to go. he is a pain in the arse and is absolutely horrible this year. I dont care about FIPs and SIERA stats. I know all i need to know by watching his pathetic pitching. He AND Lester are sickening...the only reason i give Lester a pass is because he is a lefty and i still have hope for him.

the red sox cannot continue to do the cha cha in the standings. Dont liik now, but July is almost over and so is this season if they dont go on a run.

Hey, I was the one who suggested trading away Beckett as early as a year ago. Beckett doesn't have the overpowering fastball that made him an "ace" anymore. But last season he adjusted and had a fantastic year. This season, he has had some ups and downs.

My point is this: His trade value right now is lower than his value to the Sox. I won't cry when he is gone, but I think despite all, trading him right now would be the Youkilis-trade all over again!

[Mike D.]

My point is this: His trade value right now is lower than his value to the Sox. I won't cry when he is gone, but I think despite all, trading him right now would be the Youkilis-trade all over again!

Good point...and raises a question...when was the last time the Red Sox made a trade and got decent value back? I feel like it's been a while.

[Dogdaze]

Ill admit i have been a bit pessimistic about this team for a lot of the season, but they need to be buyers at the deadline. Get a little help for the rotation and go for it all.

This team would be flat scary if they got hot.

I do believe there is a chance to make the playoffs with a wild card, but I’m pessimistic they will go very far in the playoffs if they make it. Mainly because imo we don’t have consistent starting pitching. Though I hope I’m wrong!

Consider that the wild card teams will play each other in a one game playoff with the winner moving on to play the AL team with the best record in a 5 game playoff.

It may come down to the last game in the season to determine if the Sox can make it and that might require using our best pitcher.

Lets say the Angels are the top WC team and the Red Sox are the 2nd team, we’d play our last game of the season, fly to LA and play in their park the next day with possibly our 2nd best pitcher. If the Sox beat the Angels they will fly to probably NY the next day to play a 5 game series against the Yankees opening with possibly our 3rd best pitcher.

Though anything can happen in the playoffs, I’m not very optimistic due to the inconsistency our starters all year and the potential playoff and travel scenario, so imo the odds aren’t very favorable.

The Sox could potentially trade for Garza who may help this year and in 2013 but probably at a cost of some very good prospects, not sure who the Cubs would want but it might take maybe Barnes and Lavarnway which I wouldn’t trade for Garza.

Matt Garza currently has an ERA of 4.02, WHIP of 1.172, SO/BB of 3.10, FIP 4.17, xFIP 3.57, WAR 1.2

While Garza is a decent starter he probably won’t help us too much and really won’t be too much of an upgrade to what we already have imo.

But assuming they do trade for Garza, that will leave us with 6 or 7 starters going into next season with Beckett, Buchholz, Doubrant, Lackey, Lester, plus Garza and possibly Morales.

I’ve mentioned in previous posts I’d like to see some changes to our starting rotation primarily to prepare for 2013 and beyond.

I’d love to trade Lackey, but that’s impossible right now, maybe after ST or early into next season they can make a deal like the Yankees did with Burnett to ship Lackey out.

Beckett still has some value, but right now the value is low, ditto for Lester. Though I believe Beckett is dealing with injuries, which imo has hindered him all season making his performances inconsistent.

For me the keepers for 2013 are Buchholz, Doubrant and Morales.

I’m on the fence on whether to trade Lester. I think he may turn it around but so far has been a bust this season, particularly when pitching at Fenway, but a change of scenery might work well for him and the Sox.

So I’d consider offers for Beckett and Lester depending on the return. If we received good young pitchers that have good potential I’d probably make the deal.

According to MLB trade rumors Braves called the Red Sox about Lester;

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/0...on-lester.html

The Braves are looking for starting pitchers and Greinke appears to be their top target, but apparently they have some interest in Lester. They might be willing to part with a top young pitcher prospect according to the below link.

http://mlb.si.com/2012/07/17/nationa...?sct=mlb_wr_a1

Perhaps they’d consider trading Lester for Randall Delgado a 22 year old RHP who has a fastball that averages 93 and tops out at 97, has a plus curve ball and change up but has at times been inconsistent and sometimes has command issues in the strike zone.

In 91 innings with the Braves this year, his stats are; ERA 4.42, WHIP 1.429, SO/BB, 1.74, FIP 4.11, xFIP 4.18, WAR 0.9

His stats aren’t that great I know, and this is a small sample, but at 22 and just getting his feet wet in MLB, imo he has a lot of potential to improve.

I’m no scout, or a talent evaluator but if the Sox experts in these areas felt Delgado could blossom into something good in 2013 or 2014, then if I was the Sox FO I’d consider a trade of Lester for Delgado.

As for Beckett, I think he might waive the no trade if traded to Texas, and if so, I’d be talking to the Rangers about Derrick Holland for Beckett, cash and a reliever like Albers or someone else, or perhaps a prospect? Texas is close to winning it all and might consider Beckett who could help them. But I wouldn’t trade Beckett unless if was for a good young pitcher with a lot of potential such as Holland.

[Zoltan]

I just dont see the Rangers trading Holland for Beckett, seems like a big trade down. From the Rangers point of view.

Shopping Jon Lester with the Braves for Randall Delgado seems like a good option maybe. I watched part of a Braves-Nationals game last night with Delgado pitching and man does he have some nasty stuff. And at just 22 he could really grow into a nice SP. But would the Braves be willing trade a guy with such promise?

I wouldnt be.


How would you guys feel about aquiring someone like Francisco Liriano? He wouldnt take a heck of a lot to get and he has been pretty good of late.

[9&10]

To hell with this team and John Lester (and Beckett, too). Three pathetic starts in a row for him, WTF is his problem? Tipping his pitches? Mechanics? I haven't seen much of him but his sucky stats speak for themselves.

[Blackout]

To hell with this team and John Lester (and Beckett, too). Three pathetic starts in a row for him, WTF is his problem? Tipping his pitches? Mechanics? I haven't seen much of him but his sucky stats speak for themselves.

this has to be Lester's worst start as a pro, EVER.

why didn't they yank him after 3 innings?

[Dogdaze]

I just dont see the Rangers trading Holland for Beckett, seems like a big trade down. From the Rangers point of view.

Shopping Jon Lester with the Braves for Randall Delgado seems like a good option maybe. I watched part of a Braves-Nationals game last night with Delgado pitching and man does he have some nasty stuff. And at just 22 he could really grow into a nice SP. But would the Braves be willing trade a guy with such promise?

I wouldnt be.


How would you guys feel about aquiring someone like Francisco Liriano? He wouldnt take a heck of a lot to get and he has been pretty good of late.

I can’t disagree if it was Beckett straight up for Holland, but I’m proposing a good reliever and or another player and or a prospect plus money with Beckett for Holland.

I think you’re under-valuing Beckett to a degree. Sure he’s pitched some lousy games lately but has a shoulder issue as well as a thumb issue which imo are partly causing his inconsistency. But despite his inconsistency, Beckett, so far has better stats then Holland this year.

Holland: ERA: 4.84 IP: 87.1 K: 67 BB: 29 WHIP: 1.294 FIP: 4.61 xFIP: 4.39 WAR: 0.9
Beckett: ERA: 4.53 IP: 101.1 K: 79 BB: 27 WHIP: 1.253 FIP: 3.52 xFIP: 3.94 WAR: 2.3

Beckett has about 1.5 wins above replacement over Holland and his fielder independent pitching is more then a run lower the Holland.

Beckett has been an ace who has been outstanding in the playoffs and WS and he could straighten himself out and pitch like an ace again, this could be attractive to the Rangers who are primed to compete for a WS and very hungry to win it all.

Holland is young and has a lot of potential so I could see the Rangers saying no, but throw in a good reliever who could help them since they have 2 on the DL and or another player, maybe a prospect and enough cash to make their contracts an even amount. With that perhaps they’ll be tempted since if Beckett does straighten out, he could help them go all the way.

As for the Lester trade possibility, after watching Lester pitch today, the Braves probably will say no thanks.

Liriano wouldn't be a bad addition, but it depends on the cost, I wouln't want to give up any good prospects for him, but for a low level prospect, sure I'd take him.

[Boston Boxer]

this just unreal. Never have i seen the top two guys in a rotation singled handedly ruin a season. You can over come injuries by other guys stepping up (which they have) but you cant over come your top two guys pitching terrible the entire season.

there are too many games left to say the season is over...but really, it is pretty much over. I wonder how long Bobby V will last

[dominik]

do you think that Josh Reddick is for real? He is on pace for about 35 HRs in the worst hitters park in the AL. Also on pace for about 65 BBs.

He never played a full season in fenway but still even if you extrapolate he never even came close. so what is this? career year? Steroids? Is he just lucky or do you expect him to duplicate that?

[Mike D.]

I think Reddick always had solid power, but I don't think anyone ever expected a 35 homer season from him. He's sure on a good stretch now, though. He's a streaky hitter, so I don't see him sustaining this pace, but I'm happy he's having a great year. Good for him!

[Dude Paskert]

Intellectually, I can make a case for the Bosox getting into the playoffs...emotionally, I really can't.
They just seem flat and uninvolved. Like a bunch of guys who aren't really a team.
I'm sure V Wrap is making it clear to the team that it's all about him and doing his best to keep the team from jelling.

[maximum jack]

If Lester and Beckett could pitch like they have in the past, we could be sitting on two superstar July-acquisitions already. The pieces are all here. Get HOT now Red Sox! Start by winning this series against the other Sox tonight.

I'm guessing this is not going to pan out the way I want it to.