Boston Red Sox Ramblings

Nationals offered Nick Johnson for Boston's Delcarmen. Do you make the deal? Johnson is currently hitting .338, 4 HRs, 25 RBIs, 1 SB, 50 hits, 23 BB.

I say no. Boston needs a quality SS or Cathcer or DH.

Lugo botched a routine double play that results in Mets staying alive in the inning to do damge and ultimately beat Boston. Another bad game for Ortiz.

Heard another rumor. The ancient Omar Vizquel (bench player on Texas) might join Boston. Can't confirm the rumor though. Even the aged Vizquel is better now with the glove than Lugo. Varitek continues to contribute. Another HR and his batting average is hovering around .250.

Marc wrote:

Nationals offered Nick Johnson for Boston's Delcarmen. Do you make the deal? Johnson is currently hitting .338, 4 HRs, 25 RBIs, 1 SB, 50 hits, 23 BB.

I say no. Boston needs a quality SS or Cathcer or DH.

Let me channel Hubie Brown... "If I'm Boston I might want to consider this. Nick Johnson is an OBP guy which Boston loves. Manny isn't a sub 1 ERA relief pitcher. His stats right now say that but I don't think it'll stay that way..."

Oh yeah, Bard went an inning, no hits, no BB's, no runs...

UPDATE:
"Red Sox Shoot Down Delcarmen/Johnson Swap
By Steve Adams [May 22 at 7:27pm CST]
Earlier today, we heard that the Nationals had offered Nick Johnson to the Red Sox in exchange for Manny Delcarmen. WEEI's Alex Speier is reporting that the Red Sox have officially turned the offer down.

According to Delcarmen's agent, Jim Masteralexis, the trade was "immediately shot down." Both Delcarmen and Johnson are having fine seasons, but it looks like the Nationals will have to try something else in order to improve their bullpen."

"Seemingly uninterested in speaking after the game, Julio Lugo sat in front of his locker as two reporters approached him. "I've got nothing for you guys," he said as he continued getting dressed."

You got that right Lugo!

Beckett finally pitches well only to have the Sox bats produce few runs and Papelbon blow a save. Prediction: Boston will not make the playoffs. That's my hunch.

Here's to the FIRST PLACE Boston Redsox!!!

at least for tonight...

Bard last night: 1 IP 1H, 1 intentional BB to Morneau (do you blame him?!), 0 ER, 1 K

Lowered his ERA to 1.50

Oh, and he stuck out Mauer...

OK... enough is enough. Send Ortiz to the Farm...anyone else should be DH (Baldelli, Bailey, Chris Carter). Next, bring up Clay and Bowden until Smoltz arrives then Bowden back down. Sign Bay already and forget about Matt Holliday from Oakland... save $ for 2010 - see below). Get rid of Lugo and make a trade to land Jack Wilson from Pittsburgh. Wilson has some experience but is not ancient like Vizquel. Save their pennies to make a run for Mauer in 2010. Do NOT try to acquire Francouer from Atlanta. The guy has been so overrated for the longest time. Nick Johnson for Bowden... 'Nats are on weed. Fire Terry Fran-coma. Player's Coach. BS. Dice-K and every Red Sox should be banned from participating in World Baseball Classic. Ya, I'm beatin' that drum again. Trade Penny in a hurry before he breaks down. Just a matter of time. Try to scam the Brew-crew into parting with Alcides Escobar (SS) and/or Mat Gamel (3B).

Anyone else appreciating Ellsbury's consecutive game hitting streak? 'Bout time.

Rant over...

In a game where the Sox lost last night, Daniel Bard was awesome and VERY dominant.

2.1 IP 0H 1BB 5K

Lowered his ERA to 1.08

His 5 strikeouts were all in a row. 5 guys straight... wow...

Tom Glavine is rumored to be looked at by Boston. The Sox are already rehabbing Smoltz. One washed-up Brave is enough. Retire Tommy. You're a lock for the HOF.

There's no way Boston is going to sign him. Too much pitching as it is right now... We need a bat, not an arm...

Big Papi's gonna have his big peepers looked at. I don't think his vision is the problem. Read somewhere he had his vision checked during spring training.

Bard last night: 1.1IP 2 K's 0 ER

ERA now stands at 0.90

Red Sox pitchers are getting frustrated with Lugo.

Penny may return to the NL to play for Atlanta. Sox might pick up Francouer. I do not like this deal.

Check this exchange out between two bloggers regarding Big Papi:

Blogger 1: "I believe Ortiz is coming out of his slump as witnessed by the last couple of game."

Blogger 2: "The only thing Fat Sloppy is coming out of is a 7 Eleven."



Oh, and Big Papi's eyes were checked and they're fine. No more excuses.

Wait a minute... I thought I was supposed to be afraid of the Yankees now that A-Rod is back and Tex is hitting, etc. They looked like a bunch of hacks last night against Beckett (who is on FIRE!).

Bard: 1 IP 1 K 0 ER

Sox have a great comeback win versus Sabathia and the Yanks. Big Papi with another HR. Looks like he's coming around... Penny went 6 IP without giving up a run... Boston is 8-0 against the Yanks this season... wow...

The big question now is: What do the Sox do when Smoltz comes back from his rehab stint?

A.) 6 man rotation
B.) Dice-K on the DL to work out his problems
C.) Trade Penny

Trade Penny IF someone of quality would come to Boston AND move Dice-K to the minors and promote Clay.

Ortiz seems to be revitalized but do you sit him when he seems to be turning things around during Interleague play coming up against Philadelphia or do you hand him the Firstbaseman's glove?

I have never trusted Delcarmen!! Keep playing Green at SS. Check out the Sox winning percentage with Green playing versus Lugo being in the line-up.

Absolutely disgusting performance by Bard yesterday. He looked like Dice-K trying to search for the strike zone. He didn't look good at all. I hope it's just "one of those games". It'll be interesting to see him pitch again to see if he bounces back from it.

Overall, the Sox are still playing good baseball. They won 5 out of 6 against the Yanks and the reigning Champs. Not bad in my opinion...

I can't wait to see what decisions will be made with Smoltz returning this week and Lowrie coming back soon. I think Dice-K will go to the DL...

Wakefield with NINE WINS. Incredible for an ancient knuckler. Ortiz is batting over .200!!!! Hearing rumors that Saito might be traded.

Bard is back to form. 1IP 0ER 1K (Hanley Ramirez)

Smoltz to have one more rehab stint in Pawtucket. The next starts by Dice-K and Penny will be interesting...

Red Sox to sign Dominican amateur. Here is some video of the 16 year old showcasing some of his pitches. Notice how he has thus far mastered INACCURACY.

http://vimeo.com/5055849

Dice-K will miss a turn in the rotation. He should be sent down to Triple A for an indefinite amount of time and have Buccholz take his spot. Starting pitchers who last 4-5 innings (while giving up 5-6 runs) kill the bullpen!!!

Are the Nationals a AAAA club? They're definitely not MLB worthy... how the heck did the Yankees lose two out of three to them?!

Yanks are 5 games back now that the Sox demolished the Nats last night. Ellsbury, Bay and Pedroia combine for 11 hits.

Smoltz going on Thursday. Should be interesting!