Gap Shots & Gopher Balls

Gap Shots & Gopher Balls

HAVE YOU SEEN THE "SLUTTER"?

By Chris Vining August 27, 2007

The baseball world needs to take notice, the “Slutter” is here. Boston Red Sox star closer Jonathan Papelbon, the first closer in Sox history to post two thirty save seasons, has a new devastating pitch. By mixing a cut fastball and a slider grip, and changing his release point and angle, Papelbon has added something completely new to his already devastating arsenal. Papelbon had already started to use a cut fastball to keep batters off guard; now the slutter makes him an even more dangerous pitcher. By increasing his repertoire Papelbon now has three pitches that can be used as an out pitch, something that separates him from even elite closers like future Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera.

Papelbon is one of only a handful of pitchers that have been able to post back-to-back thirty plus save seasons in his first two complete major league seasons. The other members of this elite club haven’t had the most memorable careers (Billy Koch was effective for several years before losing his stuff, Kaz Sasaki returned to Japan, and Todd Worrell was an effective closer for many years before fizzling out before his career should have ended) but Papelbon is hoping to be the breakout star of that group. With his career as a starter officially over, Papelbon has embraced and even desired to be a career closer. Coming up as a pitcher with comparisons to Roger Clemens, becoming a closer could be viewed as step back, but not for Papelbon. He has strived to be one of the best closers ever, and Trevor Hoffman should be prepared to relinquish his all time saves record to Papelbon around 2022.

With the upper eighty mile per hour slutter in his bag of tricks, Papelbon can now add more life to his fastball that tops out at over ninety-five miles per hour. Papelbon has experimented with many different pitches in his young career, and that is something that looks to continue. By this time next year Papelbon may mix the secretive gyroball and maybe even a knuckleball into his rotation. On a cross-country flight Papelbon may learn the secrets of a dominant curveball from Josh Beckett, or maybe even a sidearm delivery from his brother in the Red Sox minor league system. Despite his young age and relative inexperience, Papelbon is far from complacent with this success, as he is always looking to gain an advantage over the competition. As a two time All-Star the Red Sox may just have the most dominant closer in baseball for the next decade, a commodity that is a must for a successful team. When Papelbon enters the game the opponent better recognize that all the scouting reports in the world may be for naught: Papelbon might have just developed something new that very day, and you never know what he might throw at an unsuspecting hitter. All in a days work for Cinco-Ocho, master of the slutter.

You can comment on this and other "Guest Columns" by going to the message board. A thread for this and other "Guest Columns" has already been established and is waiting for your commentary in the members only section of the message board. Also check out Chris Vining's blog "The Sports Punk"

LESTER IS BASEBALL'S MOST IMPORTANT MAN

By Chris Vining July 26, 2007

Awesome is a word that has become too pedestrian, but there was a truly awesome pitching performance on Monday. It wasn’t a perfect game, a twenty-strikeout gem, or even a shutout, but a six-inning quality start (6 innings 5 hits 2 earned runs 6 strikeouts and one important win). What made this such an impressive game was the man on the mound, Jon Lester. This was the second year star’s first big league appearance since his career and life was sidetracked by cancer. Lester was having a stellar rookie year (7-2 with a 4.76 ERA in fifteen stars) until he was forced to end his season early last year due to lymphoma.

Lester was a twenty-two year old with his career in front of him when his season was put on hold and everyday life took over. After an off-season of cancer treatments, Lester was a question mark for this season, but he showed his determination to return to the mound. When spring training started Lester was there, to the surprise of many people. While he might not have been completely ready to step into the Red Sox rotation, Lester was well on his way to coming back with a vengeance. After building up his strength and stamina on a whirlwind trip through the minor leagues, Lester dominated at AAA Pawtucket waiting for his chance to show that he belonged back in the Majors. The Red Sox were determined not to bring Lester back to the Show unless he was going to stay there permanently. Injuries to Curt Schilling and the ineffectiveness of Julian Tavarez gave Jon Lester a shot to return to the major leagues, not as a cancer victim but as a Major League star.

The Red Sox quickly went from the best team in baseball to stumbling over themselves as they headed into the All-Star break. They needed something to reenergize their complacent play, and Jon Lester returning may just be the key. The Sox have had a rather easy season, with little pressure from any other team in the division. Seeing Jon Lester in the clubhouse everyday is a reminder that nothing should ever be taken for granted, in baseball or in life. Even if Lester doesn’t put up numbers like he did last year, his contribution to the team is immeasurable. Not since the comeback of Tony C. has a player’s return to the Sox been such an emotional experience.

If Jon Lester can regain the form he showed last year before the effects of cancer began to surface, the Red Sox suddenly have a glut of young starting pitching. The Sox could have an entire starting rotation comprised of stars all 28 years old or younger (Josh Beckett, Dice-K, Kason Gabbard, Jon Lester, and top prospect Clay Buchholz). Add in the ageless rubber armed Tim Wakefield, currently rehabbing Curt Schilling, and emergency starters Julian Tavarez and Devern Hansack, and the Sox have the deepest rotation in baseball. Add in three major league ready outfielders in AAA Pawtucket (leadoff man of the future Jacoby Ellsbury, David Murphy, and Brandon Moss) and the Sox have all the talent they need to make any trade before the July 31st deadline. The Red Sox could use another bat, some help in the bullpen, and a catcher of the future, and the Sox could fill all of those needs without depleting the major or minor league talent pools.

The return of Jon Lester gives the best team in baseball more talent to work with, as well as a newfound attitude in the clubhouse. Since Lester has rejoined the rotation the Sox are playing better baseball, and that was without their best hitter and staff ace. The Red Sox are in a great position to advance not only to the playoffs, but also to their second World Series in four years. Pitching wins titles (as has been obvious in recent years) and the Sox have the best staff in baseball this side of San Diego, but with more depth. The Red Sox have only increased their grip as the best team in baseball, all thanks to a 23 year old that was facing the most challenging fight of his life almost exactly one year ago. Talent might be a great thing to have but the ability to overcome adversity will carry you through tough situations in baseball and beyond.

HOME RUNS ARE RUINING BASEBALL

By Chris Vining May 18, 2007

One of the most magical moments in baseball was once the home run, but as the years pass home runs have become just a routine part of the game. Seeing a team win without hitting at least one home run is no longer commonplace, it is just the opposite. Teams live and die by the homer, and this trend is helping to ruin baseball. This sentiment may make me less popular than Barry Bonds and Tim McCarver combined, but it needs to be said. You can call me a hypocrite, since the Red Sox have relied on the long ball for years. Home runs fueled the Sox to the 2004 World Series victory and homers helped David Ortiz win the last two MVP awards (neither Justin Morneau or Alex Rodriguez were the most valuable player on their own team, let alone the league, so their awards should be given to Ortiz). So how can I dislike home runs? All you need to do is see how the strategy, or lack there of, in baseball has disappeared, thus draining the intelligence out of the game.

Some players make the major leagues due to their ability to hit home runs, and I have no problem with that. Ryan Howard is a giant and I wouldn’t expect him to become a slap hitter trying to drop down bunts every game. The problem I have is with players that have been conditioned by organizations to sacrifice speed and flexibility to focus on becoming power hitters. There are many ways to score runs in baseball and home runs have become too large of a focus. A low level minor league player that hits .300 with 10 home runs and 30 steals will usually be overlooked for promotions when compared to a player that plays the same position and hits .275 with 25 home runs and has nominal speed. Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine were dead on when they were part of Nike’s “Chicks dig the long ball,” add campaign. Home runs are the get rich quick scheme of baseball, while manufacturing runs is becoming a thing of the past. Shame on baseball for forcing strategy and small ball out of the game.

The most dangerous offensive weapon is not a home run but the ability to force your opponent to make extra outs. Using speed, bunting, and strategy puts pressure on the other team to play mistake free defense (mentally as well as physically) and most teams will end up giving away extra chances, whether it be through committing errors or being out of position. An intelligent player can make sure he never falls into a slump, just ask Hall of Famer Rod Carew. When Carew would start to struggle at the plate he would drop down a few bunts, even if they ended up being foul balls or outs. The infield would then have to reposition themselves to guard against the bunt, thus opening up more room to hit. Paul Molitor and even the lead-footed Wade Boggs used the bunt to their advantage. Very few players today know how to use the bunt effectively. Most bunts outside of the fastest players in the league (Ichiro, Juan Pierre, etc) are usually sacrifices, and generally done by pitchers. Players need to get back to using the bunt as a weapon, even if it is just to put the fear of the bunt in their opponents’ head. Watching players with great speed, but no idea how to bunt drives me crazy. Coco Crisp has spent the last two seasons in Boston unable to find his hitting stroke, and then attempting to beat out bunt hits. If Crisp could lay down a bunt that didn’t go directly to an infielder than he would be able to get on base more often, setting the table for guys like David Ortiz or Manny Ramirez. The best player in baseball at utilizing the bunt may just be American League home run champion David Ortiz. After watching teams put three infielders on the right side of second base and putting the third baseman where the shortstop usually stands against left handed pull hitters such as Jason Giambi and Barry Bonds made me wonder why they just didn’t drop a bunt down the third base line. If you run hard out of the box and bunt the ball through the infield than you could possibly get a bunt double. When teams started to use the shift against Ortiz I wondered why he didn’t just drop down a bunt with no runners on base, just to see what happened. Shortly after I wrote about this strategy in a column a few years ago Ortiz began to drop down some bunts against the shift. The result was a few foul balls, a few bunt hits, and a defense that was forced to stay on its toes. Ortiz used the bunt to change the way teams defended pull hitter approach, and his ability to catch the opposition flat footed increased his value to the Red Sox.

Another myth that needs to be shot down is that you can’t steal first base. It might not be as easy as stealing second but you can steal first. When a player busts his ass down the line and beats out an infield hit on a routine play that it is not only as good as stealing first, but makes the other team work to get another out. A fast runner can cause an infielder to rush on what would be a close play, either making the fielder bobble the ball or throw it away. Turning an out into a runner at first is as good as stealing first, if not even better.

While every team would love to have a roster full of players that can hit forty homers and have blazing speed, that isn’t a reality. Teams have to find a balance of players that can hit for power, that can get on base and be a pest for opponents, and players that can do a bit of everything to win. The ability to win the mental battle of baseball is crucial for a successful team. Teams that can outthink their opponents (as opposed to try to overpower them) and do the little things to manufacture runs on a consistent basis will be the teams that are the most likely to walk away with a World Series trophy come November.

2007 BASEBALL AWARDS PREDICTIONS

By Chris Vining March 30, 2007

Now that spring has finally started to emerge it means that the real baseball season is about to start. The slate will be wiped clean for those players struggling so far this season, but are hot starts a signal of success of what may lay ahead? Each year players come out of nowhere to surprise fans and journalists alike. On the flip side, talented players see their careers go down the drain due to injuries, age, or ineffectiveness. So which players will take home baseball’s hardware this year, and which players will land on hard times? Only time will tell, but here are my fool proof (or ish) picks.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Cy Young – Johan Santana might be the best pitcher in baseball, but his contract demands might have put a wedge into the team first Twins. While Santana will have a good season his contract issues will be a story all year, and he won’t repeat as Cy Young. Roy Halladay is a workhorse that is always in the running, and he has recovered from injuries late last year. Mike Mussina is a stellar pitcher on a great team, and uncertainties with the Yankees rotation make him the go to guy. Ervin Santana is a future star that looks like he will become an ace for the Angels. C.C. Sabathia has all the tools to become one of the best lefties in baseball; he only needs to grow up. Curt Schilling talks a good game and may have one last magical run left in his arm. Winner – Scott Kazmir Tampa Bay. Here me out on this one. Kaz is the best young lefty in baseball, he has already been a major league ace for almost two seasons despite just turning 23. The Devil Rays have one of the best outfields in baseball, and a wealth of young talent. Kaz missed part of the second half of last year with a sore shoulder but his stats would have projected to 15-12 with an ERA of just over 3, and 240 strikeouts in just over 200 innings. Don’t be shocked to see him duplicate the one-man rotation performance that Randy Johnson posted with the Diamondbacks a half dozen years ago.

MVP – Carl Crawford, Vernon Wells, and Grady Sizemore are all MVP quality players stuck in small market hell (see Beltran, Carlos Kansas City Royals). Travis Hafner is a great hitter than is now stuck with the “DH only” label that will prevent him from winning an MVP. Arod has the stats and skills to win another MVP but has too large and frail of an ego to win another MVP. Derek Jeter deserves a lifetime MVP award but his importance isn’t measured just by stats, but also by leadership and intangibles. Justin Morneau should hide his MVP because his win last year seemed like an episode of Punk’d without Ashton Kutcher taking back the award. Manny Ramirez’s defensive shortcomings and mental tomfoolery will prevent him from winning an MVP. Ichiro lacks the power to win over the voters despite being on a level with Jeter in terms of value to his team. Winner – David Ortiz Red Sox. This is the year for Big Papi. He will play enough in the field to squash the “DH only “debate, he has a better lineup with JD Drew and Julio Lugo, as well as the best protection in baseball in Manny Ramirez. There is no player in baseball that can deliver like Ortiz and this is the year that he will be rewarded for his efforts.

ROY – Is there really even a need to discuss this? Alex Gordon and Delmon Young might have great careers ahead of them but they picked the wrong year to be a rookie. Daisuke Matsuzaka is not only the best rookie in baseball this year, he could also challenge for the Cy Young. DiceK reminds me of Pedro Martinez when he was pitching in Montreal. He has a ton of talent, great natural ability, but just needs a bit of polishing around the edges. By the time his first contract expires after the 2011 season, DiceK will have more hardware on his mantle than U2.

Comeback Player – Mike Maroth is a quality starter that could be crucial for the Tigers to make a repeat trip to the World Series. Sammy Sosa looks like his year off was for the best, as he has gone from outcast to a key member of a team with playoff goals. Sosa could easily hit 25 home runs in a hitter’s park. If Eric Gagne can make it through the season without his arm flying off than that will be a miracle. Winner - Gary Sheffield Detroit. One of the best offseason moves was the Tigers trading for Sheffield, a power hitter that suddenly became expendable for the Yankees. Expect the trade of Doc’s nephew to burn the Yankees come playoff time.

Biggest Disappointment – Gil Meche is in an impossible situation. He is an average pitcher (a number 3 starter at best) who was given eight figures a year to be the ace of the worst team in baseball. Meche would have been a good signing at half the price, but there is no way Meche can even come close to pitching well enough to justify his contract.

NATIONAL LEGAUE

Cy Young – The National League lacks a true dominant pitcher; even the Cy Young winner would have trouble cracking the top five in the American League. You have the fading veterans like John Smoltz, Jason Schmidt, and Tom Glavine that are on their last legs. There are always the injury risks such as John Patterson, Chris Carpenter, and Jake Peavy. What is left over are the pitchers that have talent but haven’t been able to completely refine their game over a complete season, defacto aces like Dontrelle Willis and Carlos Zambrano. So who is left? A great pitcher on a poor team in Brandon Webb, an All-Star pitcher attempting to switch leagues in Barry Zito, and a good pitcher on a solid team. That pitcher will win the Cy Young because, well, someone has to…Congratulations to Roy Oswalt the 2007 NL Cy Young.

MVP – Baseball just isn’t fair and the MVP race proves that very fact. Talented small market players are often overlooked despite immense talent. Jason Bay and Miguel Cabrera have the misfortune of playing for the wrong team at the wrong time. Lance Berkman and Andruw Jones have skills but fail to grab headlines. David Wright and Chase Utley are up and coming stars that play second fiddle to teammates that can put up gaudy stats. Alfonso Soriano is a five-tool player but moving from team to team and position to position (in the field and in the batting order) doesn’t do him any favors. Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard are the best power hitters in the National League and will both be multiple time MVPs before their careers are done. None of these deserving players will take home the hardware this year, that distinction goes to a player with the least amount of power amongst the MVP candidates. Winner - Jose Reyes New York Mets. Reyes could lead the league in hits, runs, batting average, stolen bases, triples, and on base percentage. Reyes is the fuel that makes the Mets run and is the catalyst to one of the best teams in baseball. Reyes is entering his fifth season and will only turn 24 this year. His best is yet to come.

ROY – Kevin Kouzmanoff looks like the real deal for the Padres, and the recent release of Todd Walker gives him a spot as a starter at third base. Chris Young looks to have the Diamondback’s center field job nailed down and could impress on a young team. Homer Bailey will start the season in the minors but with the Red’s rotation (or lack there of) Bailey could be in the rotation by May. Chris Iannetta looks to be the Rockies catcher of the future, with the future possibly coming this year. Andy LaRoche stands a good chance to get a lot of playing time for the Dodgers, but putting a young player’s future in Grady Little’s hands isn’t a smart idea. Troy Tulowitzki won the Rockies starting shortstop job but will have Clint Barnes breathing down his neck. Winner - Mike Pelfrey New York Mets. A good pitcher on a great team that will have a lot of run support. The National League ROY race looks weak as several key candidates have been send down to the minors.

Comeback Player – Derrek Lee and Todd Helton will not only battle for the rights to be the third best first basemen in the National League behind Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard, they will also battle for Comeback Player of the Year. Both men are Triple Crown threats if they can stay healthy, but Lee has a much more experienced lineup around him to take off some of the pressure. Helton also has to deal with the speculation of constant trade rumors and inexperienced players around him. Both men have all the talent to win an MVP award, but other talented players at their position overshadow both.

Biggest Disappointment – Carlos Lee is a great player in a hitter’s park but was greatly overpaid this offseason by Houston. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him easily pass thirty home runs this year, but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see him balloon to 350 pounds eating Texas barbeque and end up needing gastric bypass surgery by the trade deadline. Grady Little also getting a contract extension through 2009 (club option) might be the worst off the field move since Pete Rose was named manager of the Reds.

Under no circumstances do I expect all of these predictions to come true. No matter how well you think you know baseball, some player will come out of nowhere and set the world on fire, and at least one star player will crash and burn. Come September it will be obvious who those players are, but at this time it is all just an educated guess.

FANTASY BASEBALL SURVIVAL GUIDE

By Chris Vining March 15, 2007

Nothing says “spring” like fantasy baseball. I am a certified expert, playing before I even knew what fantasy baseball was. When I was six I progressed from just watching baseball to studying the stats during the games, from the writers in the paper, and on television. I became engrossed in the game of baseball, the science, the moves of managers, how players positioned themselves, the nuisances most people overlook or simply never knew existed. By age twelve I started drafting expansion teams and charting the stats through the season. Once I got internet access I was involved in sometimes a dozen leagues a year, testing different strategies, theories, all to give you the knowledge on how to be a success in any baseball league. Every year, no matter how many leagues I have been in, I have finished first more than any other position. Keep in mind one important thing; even if you follow these ideas the players you draft and moves you make (and teams make) can cause a great team on draft day to crash and burn.

Know the layout of your league – Your draft depends on the makeup of your league, the number of teams, the scoring system, size of roster, etc. This is the most important thing about your draft.

Memorial Day – You can't win your league before Memorial Day but you can lose it. You should make your move to the top of the standings in your league in May. This is the key month. You can fall too far out of contention and start to make rash decisions if you get panicked. By this time the slow starters should be coming around and helping you rise in the standings. The fast starters that had a hot April will now have forced your competitors down in the standings. Players will now round into shape and will be showing their true colors. This is the time to figure out where have holes and how to address them.

Draft the toughest positions first – There is a big drop off between the elite catchers, shortstops, and second basemen and the average ones. Positions like first base are extremely deep so you can wait a few rounds and still get a top-notch talent. Pick up the middle first. There are about a half dozen players at each position that will help you win, and if you miss out one those players than your team will be starting in a hole.

Multiple Position Players – Any time you can get a player that is eligible at multiple positions, take him. You can never have enough depth against injuries or ineffective players, but a player who can play four positions will help you fill the gap. You then have four position options to find a replacement instead of just one. (Ex. Ryan Freel can play second, third, and outfield in most leagues. If he is on your bench you can put him in any of those four spots and find another player from the waiver wire or through trades. Multiple positions = Multiple options)

Don't get sentimental – You may like to get players from your favorite team but you will be more likely to overvalue them both during the draft and during the season. It may be great to have your favorite player but it will be harder to be objective if they struggle or if they are offered in trades.

Sophomore Players – Or as I like to call them, the Black Death. The better the rookie season a player has the higher the expectation is for their second season. Most players slip in their second season, not just off of expectations, but off of their rookie season stats. There is generally one exception to the rule every year, but don't take the risk unless it is a player like Albert Pujols. Look at a few of the recent MLB ROY’s. Bobby Crosby, injured most of his second season. Angel Berroa, barely good enough to play for the Royals. Rafael Furcal, torn hamstring and missed time. Even Dontrelle Willis struggled in his second season. Huston Street looked like the safe bet last year but he was injured. Stay away from Justin Verlander and the entire Marlins rotation.

Defense means nothing – Ozzie Smith was a first ballot Hall of Famer, but it wasn't because of his bat. Great defensive players won't help you unless your league penalizes you for errors. The one exception is for Interleague games, where poor defensive players might not see as much time as they would normally.

Fast starters vs. Slow Starters - Some players are known as fast starters and others are slow starters. Draft a fast starter for your bench to trade before he starts to cool off. Also look for slow starters to watch and when they start to get hot, grab them via trade or off waivers.

Focus on great teams – Every team might have at least one All-Star but playoff teams win for a reason. You are more likely to have a pitcher get a win or no decision instead of a loss if he plays on a team with great offense.

Never ignore the bullpen workhorse - They tend to get decisions out of the bullpen, as well as an occasional start or save. These players pitch every other day, will pick up wins, the occasional save, and usually give you a good ERA and WHIP.

Don't forget players who will be changing positions – Many players change positions in the off-season; they just may not be eligible to start the season. Be patient because by mid-April they will be eligible at multiple positions.

Be careful of rookies – Most rookies are over hyped, and don't live up to expectations. Look for decent rookies after the first 6-8 weeks who may see increased time as the season.

Ignore Spring Training stats – Spring training stats mean nothing in most cases. Unless a player gets hurt and opens a spot for someone you wouldn't have considered, forget about good spring training starts.

This is my advice on how to win in any league. Take the advice of an expert who has a stack of trophies and has spent years trying to find the perfect fantasy formula. If you want advice on who to draft, don't ask. Each person has players that they like or feel strongly about, and I don't want the responsibility if your #2 starter tanks. If you would like me to take part in your league feel free to email me, I can always use another trophy.

ANOTHER MANNY SPRING

By Chris Vining February 21, 2007

A superstar athlete reporting to training camp or spring training after the due date is hardly news. These days if an athlete reported early (unless he was in a contract year) that would be the stuff of headlines. Superstars have become so jaded that they think the rules or the law don’t apply to them. If an athlete is being given top dollar than they should set an example and behave, not exploit what they have given. Maybe years of pressure and work make someone think they can set their own rules, but that doesn’t fly in the real world.

Now that the after school special part of the column is over, it is time to talk about the prime offender of the slacker athlete, Manny Ramirez. Being a Red Sox fan has made me slightly bias towards Manny. He is great on the field, a pain in the posterior off the field. This year is the perfect example. Julian Tavarez alerted the Boston media that Manny wouldn’t be reporting to spring training on time, a fact that shouldn’t shock any Red Sox fan. The reason for Manny’s tardiness is a bit surprising; he is caring for his mother who is recovering from having a cancerous tumor removed from her ribs. I wish her well, and I am not questioning that Manny is concerned about his mother. However, if Manny was my child I would rather he spring for a nurse than take care of me himself.

Do I believe Manny will be late for spring training because of his mother? No. Do I think the Red Sox would care if he just called up and said he wasn’t coming until March 1st? No. So what is the real reason Manny is running late for spring training? I have narrowed the possibilities down to the top, uh, dozen or so, or however long this list is.

· Manny thought that Punxsutawney Phil seeing his shadow meant another six weeks of the off season

· Manny needed more time to figure out what color and style hair he would show up in Florida with

· If Bernie Williams doesn’t have to show up for spring training than neither does Manny. (Who cares about a contract?)

· The Caribbean World Series just ended which means the off season must just be starting right? Right?

· Manny is recovering after trying to break up a fight between Julian Tavarez and a group of little leaguers after a 10 year old was crowding the plate and Tavarez took exception and challenged the team to a fight.

· Ramirez is still thinking up ideas for his own reality show, “Manny being Manny”

· Someone has to plan Tom Brady’s baby shower, and Manny volunteered

· Manny spent all winter building his replica Green Monster playhouse and now he doesn’t want to come out.

· Now that David Wells and El Guapo are now longer on the roster Manny is trying to lose weight so he won’t be the fattest player on the team

· The later you report to spring training the fewer rookie scrubs’ names you have to remember…not that Manny would take the time to remember their names anyway

· Manny celebrates the Chinese New Year which means that the games don’t really count until the end of May or early June

· Ramirez is still tired from taking last September off

· Manny was secretly caring for Fidel Castro. Why? If Manny could get in Castro’s good graces than maybe Manny would be able to work out a trade to a Cuban team. Gotta keep your options open.

I personally don’t have anything against Manny Ramirez, he was an integral part of the Red Sox winning the World Series, and will be a key part in any attempt to return to the postseason. My issue with Manny is that he just isn’t playing with a full deck upstairs. I truly believe that if he were tested Manny would prove to have the mental equivalent of a fourth grader. You can make all the jokes you want about Ramirez but he can play baseball, and is a future Hall of Fame player. Manny’s antics have grown tiresome, but is his on field production worth everything else the Red Sox have to put up with? Something tells me that if Manny really were as big of a pain as he is made out to be, than he would be playing for the Mets or the Angels this year. However, if he takes another month off this season, expect to find number 24 jerseys half price at the clubhouse shop.

A FICKLE NATION

By Chris Vining January 30, 2007

For the first time in years I am truly disappointed in Red Sox fans. It turns out that winning the World Series wasn’t enough; we want to win that trophy every year. Not only do we expect the Sox to win, we are appalled if the franchise gives us even the slightest sign that the organization might not be willing to win at all costs. Fans demand a championship caliber team in Boston and a farm system filled with so many prospects that there aren’t enough places for them to play. Red Sox fans have become hypocrites. This off-season, with a few moves in particular, has proven that there is no way to satisfy Red Sox Nation.

Fans in Boston were ecstatic when the Red Sox were trying to win the rights to negotiate with Daisuke Matsuzaka. Once it was revealed that the team paid over fifty-one million dollars just to earn the right to talk to him, the common sentiment was that the management at Yawkey Way had lost its marbles. The longer the negotiations dragged on the more enraged the fans became. This outrage lasted right up until Dice-K was signed, sealed, and delivered. At that point the sentiment changed. The Sox brass were now geniuses for getting a top of the rotation starter without having to give up any prospects, and for spending less money than other top starters were getting. (You will notice the start of a pattern developing here)

Last year the weak spot in the Boston lineup was the 5th spot, and right field was a disaster area. Willy Mo Pena couldn’t play defense and Trot Nixon couldn’t hit when he was healthy. A major upgrade was needed and the Sox targeted the best option on the market, JD Drew. Drew has his share of issues (injuries and attitude) but is an All-Star when he is healthy. Most people seem to agree that five years and seventy million dollars is too much money and too long of a contract, and I don’t disagree. Drew is better when he is playing for a contract, but there was no way he was going to opt out of a three year deal worth eleven million a year for a one year contract. The Drew signing has been widely criticized, but that is no surprise. It wasn’t until Trot Nixon signed in Cleveland that the fans seemed to warm up to Drew. It is amazing how quickly people will warm up to someone when there is no other option. The Sox have David Murphy and Pena that could have played right field, but these were inadequate options. Murphy was too good to be traded to Florida to be their starting center fielder, but he isn’t good enough to even platoon with Pena. That makes no sense, as Pena has shown flashes of brilliance at the plate, and Murphy looked impressive (albeit briefly) even before adding 15 pounds of muscle in the off-season.

The latest mess has centered on the potential trade for Todd Helton. The Rockies were looking to swap Helton for Mike Lowell, Julian Tavarez, Manny Delcarmen, and Craig Hansen. Helton has six years left on his contract worth approximately ninety million dollars, and the Rockies were willing to pay close to two-thirds of the remaining balance. However, a report in the Boston Globe today indicates that Colorado was only willing to pay a third of that total cost (Globe Link). Helton is one of the few professional hitters in baseball, in the lines of a Tony Gwynn, Mark Grace, or Derek Jeter. Helton struggled last year due to an intestinal infection that left him hospitalized and took away his strength. Helton is fully cured and back to 100%. When he is healthy Helton is a threat to win a batting title, as well as put up 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. Before you jump to the Coors Field inflated stats argument, remember that Helton put up similar numbers on the road as he did at home. Helton isn’t the type of player that needed high altitude to put up amazing stats.

Why were Red Sox fans so negative towards this trade? I truly wish I knew because this is a mystery to me. Fans were calling for Theo Epstein’s job if he made this trade. Mike Lowell is a Gold Glove caliber third baseman with one year left on his contract for about nine million dollars. Helton would step in at first and move Kevin Youkilis back to his natural position of third base. Both Lowell and Youkilis are .280-.300 hitters with the ability to hit close to twenty home runs a year. Lowell might be a bit better defensively, but Youk is an on-base machine, is much younger, cheaper, and a better value. Even straight up Youkilis (the Greek god of walks) is better than Lowell.

The issue could lay in the Red Sox unsettled bullpen. Julian Tavarez finished last year in impressive fashion as a long reliever and occasional starter. Tavarez is a bulldog with the proper mentality for a closer. The irony is that Tavarez was so awful for the first two thirds of the season that fans were begging for his release. Tavarez is in his thirties; he isn’t a kid who just suddenly found his game. Tavarez is shaky and not a crucial component to this team. Manny Delcarmen is a solid young middle reliever, but not the closer type. Delcarmen is a local kid who has career middle reliever written all over him. He has shown flashes of talent, but has also struggled with his command and mound presence. He is an asset but is far from untouchable. That leaves us with the deal breaker, the Red Sox 2005 first round draft pick, Craig Hansen.

Hansen was an All-American closer at Saint Johns’s University, and has been on the fast track to major league greatness. After the 2005 draft Peter Gammons even said that Hansen would probably be an All-Star closer this year. A funny thing happened along the way, the Red Sox screwed up Hansen, possibly beyond repair. He was rushed to the majors and struggled in 2005. He did gain valuable experience and was expected to be a key member of the 2006 bullpen. Keith Foulke and Jon Papelbon battled for the closer job early in the season and Hansen struggled just to stay in the majors. When the former starter Papelbon emerged as a dominant closer the Sox decided to try to experiment with making Hansen a starter. Hansen was stretched out in AAA Pawtucket, where it became apparent that he didn’t have the repertoire to be a starter. Hansen came back up to Boston as a reliever but he lacked confidence. His promise seemed to be a thing of the past. Hansen looked like another nameless faceless middle reliever, not the closer of the future. Has Hansen been permanently damaged? Only time will tell, but his stock has dropped dramatically.

At this point it looks like Todd Helton will remain in Colorado, and the Red Sox bullpen will consist of a dozen arms battling for half a dozen spots. This trade could have put the Red Sox over the top and given them one of the best offenses in baseball, all without taking much away from the overall team. Swapping a few young guys and some replaceable veterans for an All-Star seems like a no-brainer to me. For the rest of Red Sox Nation this deal seemed like the worst idea since swapping a AA third baseman named Bagwell for a quality middle reliever to help in the playoff stretch run. This is the problem with Red Sox fans; we want an organization that will do whatever it takes to win, but just as long as we don’t have to invest too much into a contract or trade. We want to keep our prospects and still trade for superstars without giving up anything valuable. The sheer lack of gray matter amongst Sox fans is astounding. A team needs to build up the farm system to have young players to replace veterans and to use in trades. Money needs to be spent to attract and retain top talent. Trades need to be made to obtain missing pieces, even if it involves some risk. The reaction to this off-season (and the Helton trade in general) has made me ashamed to be a Red Sox fan. I never realized or expected that the Sox fans would be the laughing stock of baseball, a group of spoiled whiners that have lost touch with what it takes to build a winning team. You can go ahead and hate me for telling the truth, but maybe the only way fans will listen is if they are hearing this news from one of their own. Go Sox, the World Series awaits, no matter what you have to do to get there or how long it takes.

DREW WILL STEP INTO A TOUGH SPOT

By Chris Vining January 22, 2007

It became official on Friday; the Boston Red Sox will have a new right fielder this season. JD Drew officially signed…just kidding. Trot Nixon did sign however, joining former teammates Keith Foulke and Eric Wedge in Cleveland. While Nixon is no longer the borderline star he once was, he is the type of player that any team would want. Nobody plays with more tenacity and drive than Nixon, and his recent injury history proves that point. Nixon played too hard for his own good, willing to sacrifice his body for weeks at a time in an attempt to make a single out. You can’t teach players to play with a “balls to the wall” attitude, either that mindset is present or it’s not. Nixon might only be in his early thirties, but his body is broken down from his style of play. Trot will never be able to be an every day player, and will most likely be out of baseball due to injuries before the end of the decade.

With that being said, Nixon will be almost impossible to replace. He was a great motivator and had the respect of his teammates. The Red Sox lineup will seem somewhat empty without number seven next year, but this will be for the best. If the Sox want to see the World Series then they need to set their focus on finalizing the contract with JD Drew.

The biggest problems with the Red Sox last year may have been injuries, but having the worst production in all of baseball from the fifth spot in the lineup was the second largest problem. The fifth spot in the lineup was a virtual abyss last year, no matter who batted there was doomed to fall into a slump that was impossible to climb out of. It didn’t matter if it was Nixon, Jason Varitek, Mike Lowell, Willy Mo Pena, Kevin Youkilis, Jim Rice, or even myself batting fifth: Everyone failed. (A little known fact is that at the end of the year Jim Rice un-retired for one game and batted fifth. He went one for three with a single, and then I pinch ran for him. I struck out and walked, but it was still the fifteenth most productive game out of the five hole last year.)

The Sox had one of the five worst statistical productions from the number five hitter last year in all of the following categories: Batting average, hits, extra base hits, home runs, runs batted in, walks, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is astounding that a team that was in the playoff hunt for almost the entire year could do so poorly at such a crucial position. This is why the Red Sox need JD Drew. He can hit for average, he has above average power, can drive in runs, and has a very selective eye at the plate. This is why the Red Sox need Drew, but there is seventy million reasons why signing Drew could possibly be a huge mistake.

Very few people in baseball are fans of JD Drew. Drew is known as a malcontent, a whiner, and as being soft when it comes to injuries. In nine years Drew has had five hundred at bats only once, and that was three years ago (and in a contract year). When Drew is happy he can be an All-Star caliber player, however Drew is not exactly full of smiles and giggles. Drew tends to be a bit of a mercenary, caring more about himself and his financial situation than what is happening on the team footing the bill for his services. JD Drew is the type of player that is at his best when he is playing for something, a new contract for example. Drew has no history of being a team first player; he is Manny Ramirez without the clinical insanity. A healthy and motivated Drew would be worth fifteen million dollars a year, but give him a five year deal and you won’t see that Drew consistently.

When the Red Sox finally sign JD Drew (and they will once a contract with the proper medical insurances is completed) they will get a stellar defensive right fielder. This will be key since right field at Fenway Park is tough (just ask Willy Mo Pena) and the Red Sox rotation consists of mostly fly ball pitchers. Drew should be able to hit close to .280 with twenty-five home runs and at least eighty runs batted in, assuming he can play one hundred and forty games. Drew also gives the Sox a left-handed bat behind David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, creating a lefty-righty-lefty situation, very beneficial for late in games. There are many advantages to having Drew in a Red Sox lineup, but five years is much too long for a player with his history. The Red Sox have Willy Mo Pena looking for regular at bats, as well as David Murphy, Brandon Moss, and Jacoby Ellsbury all looking like they will be ready to be starters by 2009 if not sooner.

The only reason Drew was given a five year deal was because he was willing to opt out of a guaranteed deal for three years and close to thirty-three million dollars. He was “rewarded” with two extra years by the Red Sox. Call it collusion if you want, it was a smart deal by Drew and his agent Scott Boras. Drew could be useful in Boston for two maybe three years before he starts to be a financial anchor that blocks the path of more talented, younger, cheaper, and healthier players. The Red Sox are doing the right thing for their franchise by signing JD Drew, and hopefully a playoff birth and World Series title will follow. Sox fans can only hope that by 2010 Drew will be able to have his contract voided and sent packing. Cleveland will be looking for a right fielder to replace Trot Nixon by then.