MODS PLEASE LOCK - MLB 2007 Season Thread

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[quote name='ryanbph']The problem the redsox have had with the last 2 indian pitchers is that they pound the strike zone. The redsox hitters are patient and take a lot of pitches. Going down 0 - 2 or 1 - 2 in a count makes it a lot more difficult to produce. It worked for them vs sabithia and carmona, but byrd and westbrook were throwing straight fastball strikes for the first pitch and I don't remember seeing to many swings by redsox hitters on the easy straight fastballs. I don't think schilling will pitch as bad if he is pitching game 6. But, it is unlikely carmona will pitch as bad as well.[/quote]
This is exactly the point. Carmona was handled by the Red Sox, but don't forget, he walked a ton of guys. If he keeps the ball down and throws first pitch strikes, I can't see this guy getting beat. His stuff is nasty. Like I said before, I believe he has better stuff than Sabathia. Schilling will probably pitch better, but I don't know if he can hang with Carmona if he's on.

On the flip side, if Carmona is off and they win games 5 and 6, then it's a toss up. I'm still waiting on Jobo to show his true self too, luckily Wedge has been avoiding him (for the most part) with big leads late and extra innings. It could all go down hill if Jobo drops a blown save.

Man, that is a lot of ifs though. Bottom line, I think it's Indians in game 6.

As for Dice-K, I think he's vastly overrated. True, he's only had 1 year in the majors, but he's looked awful in the playoffs. And I swear, if I hear one more "gyro ball" reference... I think he threw that pitch a handful of times this entire postseason. I'm not impressed. He won't be a total bust, but I seriously doubt he's going to join the ranks of a Johan Santana and Josh Beckett. And they are making this guy out to be the NEXT BEST THING like one of them.
 
[quote name='galvatron2k1']As for Dice-K, I think he's vastly overrated. True, he's only had 1 year in the majors, but he's looked awful in the playoffs. And I swear, if I hear one more "gyro ball" reference... I think he threw that pitch a handful of times this entire postseason. I'm not impressed. He won't be a total bust, but I seriously doubt he's going to join the ranks of a Johan Santana and Josh Beckett. And they are making this guy out to be the NEXT BEST THING like one of them.[/QUOTE]
That pitch doesn't actually exist.

Matsuzaka is suffering from the opposite problem that Beckett had last year, when he just wanted to throw fastballs and overpower people. Matsuzaka is in love with his breaking pitches and won't use his fastball. When he sticks with the fastball, he's very effective, as he was until the Lofton home run. After that, he went back to his breaking stuff almost exclusively. The potential is there to be a top of the rotation guy, but it was never in the cards for this year, and probably not even next. Year 3 will be the big test.

He worked out better than Barry Zito and Jason Schmidt, the other big names out there at the time. Best ERA of the 3.
 
[quote name='dafoomie']That pitch doesn't actually exist.

Matsuzaka is suffering from the opposite problem that Beckett had last year, when he just wanted to throw fastballs and overpower people. Matsuzaka is in love with his breaking pitches and won't use his fastball. When he sticks with the fastball, he's very effective, as he was until the Lofton home run. After that, he went back to his breaking stuff almost exclusively. The potential is there to be a top of the rotation guy, but it was never in the cards for this year, and probably not even next. Year 3 will be the big test.

He worked out better than Barry Zito and Jason Schmidt, the other big names out there at the time. Best ERA of the 3.[/quote]

I agree with you for the most part. Even with all of his issues, he still struck out almost a batter an inning and posted a K/BB ratio of 2.5 to 1
 
I've pretty much given up on the Sox this season. Their starting pitching has just collapsed, and their lineup is pretty stagnant. Some thoughts:

- The Lineup:
1) Pedroia - Great season, struggling in the playoffs. It's his first year. I'd just move him out of leadoff.
2) Youk - He's been decent enough, so no complaints here.
3) Ortiz - Papi is obviously injured, but he's getting it done still. This off-season could be a big deal for him.
4) Manny - He just needs to shut up and we'll be cool.
5) Lowell - Team MVP. Get this man a contract.
6) Drew - Awful. Worst $40/4 ever. I hated it when they signed him, and I still hate him now.
7) Varitek - Don't get me started on Varitek, who has looked awful in every at bat I've seen him in (sans the HR) in the last month or so. He's still the captain though, and he calls one of the best games in the league.
8) Lugo - Meh, pretty bad.
9) Coco - Coco Crisp, meet your replacement, Jacoby.

Francona: Francona needs to shake things up. This is by and far his biggest problem. Having Drew in the 5 spot nearly the entire season was the wrong move, especially when Lowell was hitting the way he was. The same is true now. There is absolutely no reason Jacoby shouldn't get a start when Coco is absolutely abysmal. Drew, Lugo and Crisp were pretty awful this year, and that's a third of the lineup.

Rotation:
1) Beckett: I feel bad for the guy. Had a career year. Has been phenomenal in both playoff games, and the team is losing the rest of the games for him. He'll be the opening day starter next year.

2) Dice-K: WTF? A Globe article this morning put it best, John Henry didn't pay $100m+ on a guy to not have him able to go 5 innings in the playoffs. I understand his struggles, especially the breaking ball issue mentioned above. I think hitters have just figured him out though. In Japan, I doubt people review every at bat like teams do here in the US, that's why he's not such a mystery anymore. I'd say DiceK is really a #3 SP.

3) Schilling: Schilling has pitched okay the entire season he was healthy. Obviously he's done fairly well as a control pitcher, but the problem is he's getting old, and he's letting up bombs at the worst possible moment every game. There's no way the Red Sox resign him for his salary.

4) Wake: Poor Wake, he's getting old, his knuckleball has always been decent, but it's got that unpredictability factor. He had a pretty good season, but I dunno. I certainly wouldn't want him in a relief role, where a few pitches could be the difference in a game. I think we'll see him back in the #4 slot next year

5) Lester: Somebody get this kid a start. He should be in the rotation next year, either as the 4 or 5 man.

- The Pen: Meh, Delcarmen has struggled, but I though he had an overrated season. Oki and Paps are the best 8-9 guys in baseball. Timlin is decent enough, but he's getting old. And the rest of the pen pretty much sucks. When you're sitting around debating between Javy Lopez and Eric Gagne, I'd rather shoot myself in the foot.

That's about it.
 
lordwow you pretty much summed up my entire thoughts of the Red Sox this season.

I think they also need to put Buckholz/Buttholes in more games next year and pull up some more younger guys to hit, and hopefully we'll do just as good.

I don't think Schilling will be on the team next year, and maybe Wakefield will retire. Papi is probably going to get some sort of surgery off season and I can see him missing time next year. Otherwise not too many changes will be seen *PENDING* their starting pitching which depends on re-signing Schilling and Wakefield, and hopefully they make the right choice and resign Lowell and let Schilling go (Wakefield im iffy on).

Edit: Looks like I forgot about Matt Clement. He is supposed to make his return next season? He was horrible in 2006 though.
 
[quote name='lordwow']I've pretty much given up on the Sox this season. Their starting pitching has just collapsed, and their lineup is pretty stagnant. Some thoughts:

- The Lineup:
1) Pedroia - Great season, struggling in the playoffs. It's his first year. I'd just move him out of leadoff.
2) Youk - He's been decent enough, so no complaints here.
3) Ortiz - Papi is obviously injured, but he's getting it done still. This off-season could be a big deal for him.
4) Manny - He just needs to shut up and we'll be cool.
5) Lowell - Team MVP. Get this man a contract.
6) Drew - Awful. Worst $40/4 ever. I hated it when they signed him, and I still hate him now.
7) Varitek - Don't get me started on Varitek, who has looked awful in every at bat I've seen him in (sans the HR) in the last month or so. He's still the captain though, and he calls one of the best games in the league.
8) Lugo - Meh, pretty bad.
9) Coco - Coco Crisp, meet your replacement, Jacoby.

Francona: Francona needs to shake things up. This is by and far his biggest problem. Having Drew in the 5 spot nearly the entire season was the wrong move, especially when Lowell was hitting the way he was. The same is true now. There is absolutely no reason Jacoby shouldn't get a start when Coco is absolutely abysmal. Drew, Lugo and Crisp were pretty awful this year, and that's a third of the lineup.

Rotation:
1) Beckett: I feel bad for the guy. Had a career year. Has been phenomenal in both playoff games, and the team is losing the rest of the games for him. He'll be the opening day starter next year.

2) Dice-K: WTF? A Globe article this morning put it best, John Henry didn't pay $100m+ on a guy to not have him able to go 5 innings in the playoffs. I understand his struggles, especially the breaking ball issue mentioned above. I think hitters have just figured him out though. In Japan, I doubt people review every at bat like teams do here in the US, that's why he's not such a mystery anymore. I'd say DiceK is really a #3 SP.

3) Schilling: Schilling has pitched okay the entire season he was healthy. Obviously he's done fairly well as a control pitcher, but the problem is he's getting old, and he's letting up bombs at the worst possible moment every game. There's no way the Red Sox resign him for his salary.

4) Wake: Poor Wake, he's getting old, his knuckleball has always been decent, but it's got that unpredictability factor. He had a pretty good season, but I dunno. I certainly wouldn't want him in a relief role, where a few pitches could be the difference in a game. I think we'll see him back in the #4 slot next year

5) Lester: Somebody get this kid a start. He should be in the rotation next year, either as the 4 or 5 man.

- The Pen: Meh, Delcarmen has struggled, but I though he had an overrated season. Oki and Paps are the best 8-9 guys in baseball. Timlin is decent enough, but he's getting old. And the rest of the pen pretty much sucks. When you're sitting around debating between Javy Lopez and Eric Gagne, I'd rather shoot myself in the foot.

That's about it.[/quote]

1. Lester's control Issues concern me long-term
2. Clay Buchholz was missed entirely in your post
3. DJ Drew got 5/75M, I only wish it was 4/40M
 
delcarmen has pitched very well for them this season...yes he sucked the other night, but he has been up since june or so, and been rather dominate. He DOESN'T allow inherited runners to score that often. He should be the 7th inn guy. Timlin on the other hand had another piss poor season, he lets inherited runners score at obscene numbers but it doesn't affect his era.

IMO, lowell won't be back. With the year he had, he is going to want a long term contract. Much like when damon left, it won't be about the amount per year as much as the length of the contract. If someone offers him a 4 or 5 year deal, I wouldn't touch it. He was on the verge of no one wanting him 2 years ago. He is mid 30's guy, I wouldn't want to be stuck with him at 3b when he is in his 40's.

Wakefield will probably be back, due to the fact they have the club option contract on really cheap money to bring him back. I think he is making around $4mill a season. As much as I don't like him in the rotation (large part due to the requirement of using mirablli catching), how can you not sign that. Didn't they pay joel pinerio that type of money.

Clement is a free agent, I doubt he will be back. As for his pitching in 2006, you can't really blame him. He kept saying something was wrong with his shoulder, they look at it and told him it was fine. Finally after he bitched enough they put him on the DL with tired shoulder. It was like a month to 2 months later they saw the damage on his shoulder and got him the surgery.
 
Looks like Torre officially gone now. And at the expense of Around the Horn and PTI not appearing today because some stupid Torre special is more important. :whistle2:(

Edit: PTI was on, but ATH was not.
 
Good, they didn't deserve him anyways.

I see Joe taking a year off, and then possibly deciding not to come back at all. He could easily pick up a job at ESPN, anything to get John Kruk or Steve Phillips fired.
 
If Torre wants a spot with the Giants, be my guest.

Who's going to replace him? La Russa no way, Girardi use to play with some of these guys so I can't see it, Mattingly maybe.

I'd agree with a signing of Rivera and Posada, then maybe look at a pitcher and Torii Hunter.
 
[quote name='paddlefoot']1. Lester's control Issues concern me long-term
2. Clay Buchholz was missed entirely in your post
3. DJ Drew got 5/75M, I only wish it was 4/40M[/QUOTE]

I think Clay will be Starter #5 next year. I didn't really discuss anyone except the playoff roster, but ya. I agree, he'll be a starter next year.

And ya, now that you mention it, I dunno why I put 4/40, I knew he got 75.
 
[quote name='ph33r m3']If Torre wants a spot with the Giants, be my guest.

Who's going to replace him? La Russa no way, Girardi use to play with some of these guys so I can't see it, Mattingly maybe.

I'd agree with a signing of Rivera and Posada, then maybe look at a pitcher and Torii Hunter.[/quote]

mattingly is gonna replace him, they clearly are going to go to some organizational guy, and have a chance at keeping their players
 
first off, why would you want to sign some your players that are threating to leave. Yes, posada had a great year but if I were him I would want a 4 or 5 year deal. If that is what he is looking for it is dead money at the end of his contract. Most catchers don't continue to hit as well as him at the age he is at. For an example, take a look at damon. When you signed him he was coming off of 2 great seasons. His game is based on speed defensively and offensively. With the way he played cf, crashing into everything it was only a matter of time before his game rapidly diminished. I was happy to see him leave boston as the length of contract was too long.

Same thing with rivera, most closers don't last that long, and if he wants a long term deal, it is dead money at the end of the contract. From what I know of rivera though, he might be willing to sign a 1 or 2 year deal, but anything more then 2 years is a waste as he is no longer the unhittable closer and is on the brink of dropping from the elite class of closers. If mattingly was grommed by torre, I would look elswhere. Torre is notorious for killing bullpens, and if that is what mattingly learned it won't be good for the yanks going forward.

If they can sign the free agents that could walk for short term deals, that is good for the yanks. There is very little on the free agent market to replace these players, and they can't drain there minors to get superstars to replace them. So they are either going to be fucked short term with plug ins playing several positions in the starting lineup. Or they will be fucked long term with a big payroll on guys way past there prime. I am sure losing isn't an option in NY, but they already have some people from the minors on the verge of making it to the bigs. They should rebuild there minors, and try to cherry pick replacements on the free agent market over the next couple of years and try to sign some of the core players to short but grossly overpaid contracts.
 
[quote name='FriskyTanuki']How long before it's not just luck?[/quote]

Until someone proves that Paul Byrd possess a skill that involves line drives being hit at fielders. If it's a skill he has turned it into an art form.

BTW what is the OP talking about?
 
[quote name='dafoomie']Cleveland gets another call... How can it bounce up from off the wall? Thats gone.[/quote]
Agreed. But make sure you drop a f' bomb on Manny - that asshole. I hope Lowell gets a single.
 
OK, Manny should be on second. Let's get that out of the way. Just tell McCarver to shut the fuck up because no one wants to hear him ramble on about anything.

Second, that was a homerun. The ball jumped thirty feet in the air. It didn't hit a padded wall.

I would much rather hear the isolated sound than anything else.
 
I guess its too much to expect the umpires to be familiar with physics... A ball can not hit the wall and go up. Same thing happened at Fenway earlier this year, and I believe with this same crew. Ball hit the top of the Monster, bounced up and back on to the field.
 
[quote name='paddlefoot']OK, Manny should be on second. Let's get that out of the way. Just tell McCarver to shut the fuck up because no one wants to hear him ramble on about anything.

Second, that was a homerun. The ball jumped thirty feet in the air. It didn't hit a padded wall.

I would much rather hear the isolated sound than anything else.[/quote]
If David Ortiz outruns you, you know you're taking it easy.

It looked like it hit that yellow padding on top of the wall.
 
[quote name='FriskyTanuki']If David Ortiz outruns you, you know you're taking it easy.

It looked like it hit that yellow padding on top of the wall.[/quote]

No, there is no question that was a homerun. But how can you fault Tim McCarver for being pissed? If I was a red sox fan, I would be so pissed at Manny for being on first. He's a lazy piece of shit that can hit. That's pretty much it. But then again, he doesn't care. It's only a game and there is always next year.
 
[quote name='galvatron2k1']Ha, that was a homer! But Man Ram is a lazy piece of shit. I love watching his dumb ass play. What an idiot![/quote]

As a Red Sox fan, so do I. His dumb lazy ass has a .429 avg, .613 obp, and 1.000 slug so far this postseason. That's before this game!!!! I'll take the BS, Manny wins you a hell of a lot more games than he loses.
 
Manny isn't running that hard because he's just coming back from an injury. Yeah, Ortiz ran hard with his knee injury, but Ortiz is a beast. Manny is Manny.
 
[quote name='galvatron2k1']No, there is no question that was a homerun. But how can you fault Tim McCarver for being pissed? If I was a red sox fan, I would be so pissed at Manny for being on first. He's a lazy piece of shit that can hit. That's pretty much it. But then again, he doesn't care. It's only a game and there is always next year.[/quote]
I thought hitting the yellow, at least on top, was enough for a homerun? That's all I could tell. All the zooming was futile since it just blurred the video and made it harder to tell.
 
[quote name='FriskyTanuki']I thought hitting the yellow, at least on top, was enough for a homerun? That's all I could tell. All the zooming was futile since it just blurred the video and made it harder to tell.[/QUOTE]
Yes, hitting the top of the yellow line is a home run. Which is what makes this an atrocious call.

The Red Sox radio guys (McCarver is insufferable) just went over the ground rules for this park.
 
[quote name='dafoomie']Manny isn't running that hard because he's just coming back from an injury. Yeah, Ortiz ran hard with his knee injury, but Ortiz is a beast. Manny is Manny.[/quote]
"There's always next year." :lol:

Then I'm not sure what's up with the call. Sure, it bounced back into play, but that's never stopped that type of call before.
 
[quote name='dafoomie']

The Red Sox radio guys (McCarver is insufferable) just went over the ground rules for this park.[/quote]

bro have you ever heard of jt the brick haha
 
[quote name='monkeydeew']bro have you ever heard of jt the brick haha[/QUOTE]
Yeah, he's brutal. But I suppose as an employee of the Oakland Raiders, he's not allowed to drop the tuck rule thing, ever.
 
Julio Lugo and J.D. Drew have dragged this team down since opening day. Coco Crisp needs to go, too, but at least they probably won't have to pay someone to take him.

But of course, Francona would never play Ellsbury over Coco, as he didn't play Youkilis over Kevin Millar while he was here, and hitting under the Mendoza line for about 6 months.
 
[quote name='dafoomie']Yeah, he's brutal. But I suppose as an employee of the Oakland Raiders, he's not allowed to drop the tuck rule thing, ever.[/quote]

man he was going off on redsox fans last night, but i think hes still bitter about the whole yankees deal. it does kinda suck he signed up to be a raiders guy i think hes really a giants man.
 
[quote name='FriskyTanuki']Well, they explained the rule. The yellow line's part of the wall, so just hitting it isn't a homerun.[/quote]

Yeah, that's what the MLB head ump told the fox blowhards. It would be hilarious if he was wrong abou the rule.
 
[quote name='paddlefoot']Yeah, that's what the MLB head ump told the fox blowhards. It would be hilarious if he was wrong abou the rule.[/QUOTE]
Was it Mike Port?
 
[quote name='dafoomie']Was it Mike Port?[/quote]


I don't know who it was, didn't catch the name.

I googled the ground rules, didn't mention anything about hitting the TOP of the yellow line, just going over it. The sad thing is that if it rolls the other way it's called a homerun and no one says a thing. Whatever.

WTF just happened!!!
 
[quote name='paddlefoot']WTF just happened!!![/quote]

Lofton just showed up Beckett at the plate by leaving his bat at the plate on what he thought was Ball 4. It was called a strike. The next pitch, Beckett yelled something to Lofton when he flied out and Lofton took exception to it. Maybe now, CC's erratic ass might throw at Manny like he should have in the first inning. This game needs a bench clearing brawl!
 
Ah, now I know why they showed that anthem singer on Fox (I've got their audio off), thats Beckett's ex. Classy move, Cleveland. Though I bet Beckett was happy enough to tell his teammates he hit that.
 
[quote name='dafoomie']Ah, now I know why they showed that anthem singer on Fox (I've got their audio off), thats Beckett's ex. Classy move, Cleveland. Though I bet Beckett was happy enough to tell his teammates he hit that.[/quote]

Yeah that was on the news eariler. :lol:

*Sings like Drew Carey...*

Cleveland sucks.... Cleveland sucks... Cleveland sucks...

:p
 
If Manny could hit a towering 3 run homer here, and give the biggest and longest home run pose, and the slowest jog around the bases, it would really make my day.

Ah, strike 3. Thats OK, my day will still be fine.
 
[quote name='Monsta Mack']Back to Boston.
Poor Rockies must continue to wait.[/QUOTE]

The first game is a set date no matter when the ALCS is over.
 
[quote name='dafoomie']If Manny could hit a towering 3 run homer here, and give the biggest and longest home run pose, and the slowest jog around the bases, it would really make my day.

Ah, strike 3. Thats OK, my day will still be fine.[/quote]You enjoy when your players act like pompous assholes? I'm sorry to hear that. I generally don't like it when players on our team are an embarassment, but to each his own I guess.

Speaking of embarassment, what on earth happened to C.C. once they got to the post-season? I'd have yanked him much sooner than they did, he's just trying too hard.

Meanwhile, Beckett is an amazing pitcher. If he wasn't destroying my team, it would've been fun to watch. ;)
 
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