LorfTVP

He's been sidelined since August 26th with "discomfort in his right shoulder"...Right after he stopped tipping his pitches and started to pitch well too. Despite his limited involvement and success, the Red Sox pen felt his absence recently with some of our guys getting to the point in the season where they're tired...thank you September call ups.

I have on FOX before...he's one of those great baseball guys that is not one of those great baseball announcers. I miss Harold Reynolds.

Buchholz is moving to the bullpen...the Sox were waiting on Tim Wakefield's side session before making the announcement. The Sox plan on being very careful, pitching Buchholz in "structured innings". The team hasn't let on what role he would play in the bullpen...most likely a 7th inning guy taking over Delcarmen's spot. Thansk to callups we're stacked in the pen so that probably means that Buchholz will just pitch when he can and most of the work he'll do is with the big league training staff.

I honestly hope that he regains the magic that made him a hero in the All Star Game and for most of his early career.

Wow, what a game...his curveball and changeup were out there in all their glory, showing why this kid will be an incredible asset. Unfortunately, he just hit 140 professional innings so there's some internal discussion as to what to do with him now. The options, I guess, are to either slip him into the rotation and maybe get a couple of starts (which would be difficult if Wakefield (who is pitching incredibly well of late) comes back) or to convert him to the pen for the stretch and playoffs...but we all know how risky a proposition that is. Either way, I'm glad I got to see this and I figure his autograph on my spork will be worth something in due time.

The Sox just have no sense of clutch hitting...highest OBP in the majors yet down there in RS. I think that the so called Drew Syndrome has overtaken the entire team. But yah, Francona made some questionable decisions in leaving both Matsuzaka and Beckett in an inning too long. I know he was trying to save the bullpen but when you send guys with over 100 pitches out there, you gotta have a quick trigger finger and Francona is missing that. We got outplayed this series...our pitching sucked, our hitting sucked, and our manager sucked...but we've just recently started taking our knocks and as long as we can get hot in the playoffs, I have some confidence. It's just...we signed JD Drew to be our big #5 hitter and what has he done?! Hit 7 HRs? Hit below the Mendoza line with RISP? Acks. Basic gist of this is that I hate JD Drew.

Ta Da!

It's Matsuzaka's first year in the majors, and as hyped as he was, I don't think any of us can be disappointed by a line of 13-11, 176.1 IP, 174 Ks (T-5th), 3.88 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and .240 BAA. It's simply a matter of run support and control, considering that most of the runs have scored off of his 66 walks (20th in the majors) and his 20 HRs. All it's going to take is a little more comfort, a little more time to figure out the strike zone and hitters, and we'll have an even better pitcher. It's the first year of a 6 year deal and it's lookin' good. But umpires have made some horrible calls against the Sox this year, remember Drew's HR off the monster that he didn't get? You just gotta shrug off umpires though, hope they get the call right next time, and just forget their names so they realize how unimportant they are to you. I thought that Francona would learn a lesson from Pettite giving up that HR to Tek. But hey, we have a well rested bullpen now and the Yankees can't toss out Chamberlain every night.

There was a lot of hope for Toronto as another competitor but they got bit by some bad injury bugs and slumps. Still, there are the Red Sox, Yankees, near contender Blue Jays, the falling Orioles (who need to sign Teixeira), and Tampa Bay which is one of the best offenses with a staff that strikes out the most in baseball...there's just a little problem of **ahem** harnessing their stuff. Everyone has competed in the AL West...and the AL Central gets gipped because there are a couple of horrible Tiger and Royals seasons in there...although it doesn't help that the White Sox have nosedived this year. I dunno...I still think the AL Central with the Twins, Tigers, and Indians and the White Sox (who still have good players) is the best division.

Well, technically the Yankees don't suck either, they're just "pitching challenged".

That's silly! Aren't ballplayers taught to never give up an at bat? Maybe if they were stealing bases or something like that but it's not your fault that their pitchers suck balls.

Nice contribution by Gabbard and Murphy, he of the five hits. Why can't we have production like that on a day we leave 14 men on base? Still, wow...just...get some more pitching and we'll see you next year.

I said wow after it was 24...but honestly, who would ever have expected 30 runs, all earned? Michael Young - 1 R, 0 RBI

The man (creature's) right, as soon as Papelbon pretty much committed to the closer's role, we were set for the next 10 years. It's a good feeling, having a franchise closer, as long as he's not babied as much as Papelbon in Gagne situations. But yah, Chamberlain, I feel that you gotta give the guy a chance as a starter since Rivera will probably be resigned and figure out the closer situation whenever it pops up. If he can cut it as a starter, give him a chance.

Oops, I just assumed it was a Yankee fan to make the point without looking at who wrote it. Ye of the Trevor Hoffman guaranteed save. Sorry for comparing you to a... :baby: Yankee fan.

Actually, that's true, same thing just happened to you with Duncan's HR and Rivera's BS. Sucks, doesn't it.

In the 17 days since the trade deadline, Eric Gagne has blown two saves and cost us three wins. What are you doing to us? Do you know how disheartening it is to come back from a 4-1 deficit in the bottom of the 8th to take a 1 run lead and have someone come in and give up three runs in no time? All he had going for him was his 93 mph fastball and a changeup that didn't work. VG, we tried to help you out...you're not mathematically out yet. But this is what you do to us? I don't know how long it will take me to get over this...just because the high before the implosion sent me tumbling down twice as far. :furious: :furious: :furious: :furious: :furious:

Of course they're mine! I went into the session with a goal of these prospects being asked what the strangest thing they had to sign was...also got Larry Lucchino's. Young's still 60 hits away from 200 and I'm hoping as much as you are that he reaches it. Tell the lineup to start scoring some runs...They're in Texas for Pete's sake! I'm sure batting practice against their own pitchers will make a world of difference...maybe they'll hit a lick.

Eh? Eh? And Michael Young...FINALLY! I need him to heat up for the stretch run because there's still time for him to have an impact in rotisserie.

That poor heartbroken whale is just gonna go out and drink himself silly now. And then pitch a perfect game.

Umm, .

From an SI article on the best prospects to change hands this trade deadline. Engel Beltre, CF, Rangers Acquired via Red Sox for Eric Gagne One of the top talents on the international market a year ago, the Red Sox paid $600,000 (the equivalency of an early second-round draft selection) for Beltre's rights. His debut in professional baseball began this summer in the Gulf Coast League, where he has shown good power potential (11 extra-base hits in 33 games) and lackluster contact skills (42 strikeouts). Beltre has a cocky attitude, and while he has yet to blossom as a prospect, he now represents the highest upside of a position player in the Rangers' system. Learning to develop against southpaws and breaking pitches will ultimately be what separates Beltre from being a star or a bust. David Murphy, OF, Rangers Acquired via Red Sox for Eric Gagne The Red Sox selected Murphy in the first round of the 2003 draft for his diverse skills set, ignoring a lack of any particular strength. Murphy has good contact skills, but he has never had a good enough Batting Average on Balls In Play (BABIP) to post a good batting average. He would have enough power for center field, but his footspeed doesn't supply the range for the position. Murphy is now entering an organization that has proper expectations for his future, somewhere between the value they have received from Brad Wilkerson and a far blander fourth outfielder. Neftali Feliz, RHP, Rangers Acquired via Braves for Mark Teixeira It seems pitching has forever been a weakness in the Rangers organization, and while Rangers fans will need to exercise patience, GM Jon Daniels has done as much in the last 14 months to add pitching to the system as can be done, adding Kasey Kiker and Jacob Brigham in the draft last year, five pitchers in the first three rounds this season, and now Feliz. There's no denying Feliz's tools -- a 6-foot-4 frame with mid-to-upper 90s heat and a developing breaking ball. While he might end up as a reliever, Feliz is the exact kind of arm the Rangers should have been gambling on in each of their major trades the last decade. Elvis Andrus, SS, Rangers Acquired via Braves for Mark Teixeira Two things excuse lackluster performance in the minor leagues: tools and youth. When those are put together, numbers become an afterthought. Andrus came into the Braves organization gaining praise for his developed defensive skills and mature approach to the plate. However, quickness has been his only discernable strength in two years of full-season ball. Andrus will go from the pitcher's parks that define the Braves system to hitter-friendly environments with Texas, but it's unlikely to make a difference if Andrus doesn't begin hitting the ball in the air with more force. Shortstop Michael Young's presence will give Andrus the proper time to grow in the Rangers system, but there must be concern that, like Joaquin Arias (once acquired for Alex Rodriguez), he will never develop offensively. Max Ramirez, C/DH, Rangers Acquired via Indians for Kenny Lofton The Rangers' biggest haul in July was Jarrod Saltalamacchia, a slugging catcher who is slowly developing his defensive skills. In Ramirez the Rangers received a poor man's Saltalamacchia, a catcher with a little less impact in his bat and a little less likely to stay behind the plate. However, Ramirez had a .924 OPS in the Carolina League and has shown positive offensive skills at every stop. Perhaps Ramirez will follow in Salty's footsteps and try his hands at the infield corners, attempting to create something of his defensive shortcomings like Josh Phelps and Eric Munson have tried for years.

Pfft, that's not why we did it! We did it so that we could improve what's already the best bullpen in the majors. It's a shame that Okajima gets knocked back a bit but Papelbon will close with Gagne spelling him. But honestly, Delcarmen-Okajima-Gagne-Papelbon in a playoff series, that's tough. Gabbard was a fringe prospect who had some major league success and Daniels ate him up. He's a soft tosser who was performing a bit over his head but should do okay as long as he keeps the ball on the ground. He was never ranked as highly as Brandon McCarthy, I'll tell you that. Both Gabbard and Murphy are "good" but nothing earth shattering and I give kudos to Theo for trading away players we don't need with our outfield glut and Schilling returning. The Red Sox also get draft picks after Gagne leaves to close. Murphy will give you good defense though...need that? The player with the highest upside is definitely Engel Beltre. I guess you got something for Gagne... Not sure how they fit for you. Apparently the Red Sox bullpen is nicknamed the Pirates of the Caribbean and they all have secret pirate names. They've already chosen one for when Gagne arrives.

Because Yankee fans don't want to see the fielding stats. Jeter - FPCT .970 (16th), RF 4.38 (16th), ZR .765 (24th), 13 errors Reyes - FPCT .980 (6th), RF 3.92 (24th), ZR .890 (2nd), 7 errors FPCT Fielding Pct.((PO + A) divided by (PO + A + E)) RF Range Factor ((PO + A) divided by innings) ZR Zone rating. The percentage of balls fielded by a player in his typical defensive "zone," as measured by STATS, Inc. The fielding win shares as of 6/28 have Jeter at 4.4 and Reyes at 4.