IntenseDebate - Mike

12 years ago @ Fire Brand of the Amer... - Coast to Coast Tickets... · 1 reply · +1 points

Finally, I get to catch a game of this series live. Maybe that\'ll equal a win.

My prediction: Sox win 3-1, scoring twice in the late innings.

13 years ago @ Fire Brand of the Amer... - The Captain is Back · 0 replies · +1 points

Barajas is close to signing with the Dodgers, so Russell Martin looks like a real possibility at this point (he was non-tendered).

I hear your point with Salty developing under Varitek, but can the Sox afford to take that liberty? Tek is a solid backup regardless of who the main man is behind the plate, but I\'d prefer if that main man has a bit of a track record.

Either way, it looks like the Sox won\'t spend a ton at catcher, so they\'ll be putting more $$$ into a bigger name free agent.

13 years ago @ Fire Brand of the Amer... - Fire Brand Predictions... · 0 replies · +1 points

I think this would be next to impossible given that Wright has a reasonable contract through 2012. Plus, new GM Sandy Alderson (smart man) is not likely to deal Wright, who is a cornerstone five-tool player.

Without a doubt in my mind it would take way more to get Wright (if even possible) than to get A-Gon, who the Padres won\'t be able to afford past 2011.

There is nothing wrong with wishful thinking -- I think every Red Sox fan would LOVE to see Wright hit at Fenway -- but this just isn\'t a realistic scenario.

13 years ago @ Fire Brand of the Amer... - Cheap Alternatives (Cr... · 0 replies · +1 points

I'm not sure you're getting the point of the exercise here. Willis would have to earn a spot on the team and therefore have to pitch well enough to do so. The risk is a minor league contract, nothing more. If he fails you cut him with no real loss.

But to respond...

A) In order to take someone else’s spot he'd have to pitch better than that player. Wouldn't you want the better pitcher?

B) I have never read a single report about Willis being a discouragement in the clubhouse. If a discouragement is having a struggling reliever, then every team has one or more.

C) Again, the cost is almost nothing. So who cares? We're not talking about bringing in Bartolo Colon to be the third starter.

Reward: a shut down lefty specialist, which just about every major league team wants to have on their roster.

Failed starters move into bullpen roles all the time, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Again, where is the risk here to try it out?

What is the point of using Manny as a reference. I'm not suggesting brining in Willis to be the centerpiece of a World Series team, but merely a "possible" piece to the puzzle. The Sox can ill afford to live in the past.

13 years ago @ Fire Brand of the Amer... - The Replacement Brigad... · 0 replies · +1 points

He had a sacrifice fly in '06 while with Kansas City, which doesn't bring down the average but counts against the OBP.

13 years ago @ Fire Brand of the Amer... - The Replacement Brigad... · 2 replies · +1 points

I'd say that's a fair analysis of Getz.

However, I think the additional cost to acquire him would be offset by his superior talent and low ML service time. Unlike the others, he could have a future with the team as a utility infielder or could be off-season trade bait for a club in search of a young second baseman - much in the same vein of a Casey Kotchman.

I've never been a fan of half-year rentals - much less six week ones - but Getz could have value beyond 2010 for Boston, which would validate his higher price tag.

13 years ago @ Fire Brand of the Amer... - Injuries Mounting, Boo... · 0 replies · +1 points

I'm sure he's a hard worker, but please, don't ever say that a Major League Baseball player has been told he's too small his whole life. It's a 100% certainty that he was far and away the best player at every level he's played up until the professional ranks. Once he got there, he had to fight - and he deserves all the credit in the world for that - but please don't tell me he knew what adversity was before then.

As for inconsistency, it mainly has to do with his power output at varying stages of the minors. His was great in Chico during the '07 campaign, decent for Lancaster in '08, non-existent in '09, and very good this year so far. Had the power not fallen through the floor in '09, I'd agree with you and chalk it up to normal fluctuations, but 5 homers in 227 ABs in '09 versus 12 over 256 ABs in '07 is inconsistent.

13 years ago @ Fire Brand of the Amer... - Chris Iannetta, Michae... · 1 reply · +1 points

Didn't know about the opt-out clause. Thanks for the info.

In terms of taking at-bats away from Beltre, what I meant was that Iannetta would get the at-bats that Mike Lowell is currently getting (72 PA), so it wouldn't affect Beltre's playing time. It would only require that Youkilis shift over to third when Beltre gets an off day or in the event of injury. Lowell's played 4 games at third this season, so, while not a substantial amount of time, the team would likely prefer to have someone other than Bill Hall play there.

Like you said, I don't think it would make a whole lot of sense to make a grab at Iannetta as an upgrade for this season. They'd likely have to give up a considerable amount to get Iannetta. However, if they made the judgment that they can get him cheap due to the demotion, it might be worth it to snag him while they can and set up the team for 2011-2012 - even if its a bit of unorthodox timing.

13 years ago @ Fire Brand of the Amer... - Daisuke Rolling, Ellsb... · 2 replies · +1 points

Let's get something straight. First, they didn't "bludgeon" anyone. They squeaked out a win against the Yanks, then won a few games against the Twins and Phillies. A good stretch, yes, but even the Royals can win 5 out of 6.

And let's be reasonable here. They just lost their Ace. That's a momentum killer no matter how many games in a row you've won.

13 years ago @ Fire Brand of the Amer... - Daisuke Rolling, Ellsb... · 0 replies · +1 points

HaHa. I hope they're coming soon. I'm awaiting approval on that portion of the article to make sure that nothing sensitive gets through on the Sky Sox side. Don't need any conflict of interest or leaks getting through.

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