The Red Sox Thread

[ieddyi]

Bobby " Dead Man Walking " Valentine

[gregzzy22]

Bobby's constant grin, as I watch his post game interview, would irritate me to no ends if he was the manager of my favorite team. So annoying

[Vin]

Bobby sounds despondent. Looks more like he's trying to hide his emotions behind that grin. He did spend a long time in Japan and some of that stoicism may have rubbed off on him.

If you were in his position would you quit at the end of the season? or no? and why

[ajra21]

Simple question: with a change of manager, but no real change in roster, the Red Sox are serious challengers in 2013?

Yes or no?

[philleotardo]

Simple question: with a change of manager, but no real change in roster, the Red Sox are serious challengers in 2013?

Yes or no?

I wouldn't discount wild card because I still think they have a better roster than Baltimore or Oakland, but man Lester and Beckett have been bad. I would never have seen that coming, so I wouldn't know what to expect going forward.

[NerfBall55]

Simple question: with a change of manager, but no real change in roster, the Red Sox are serious challengers in 2013?

Yes or no?

From reading this forum, there's probably those here who are still worried about them THIS year.

Because of the new, horrible, second wild card team, most teams will always be in contention. The sox' core + financial leverage + fenway park will generally keep them in it. But a new manager is not going to make the pitchers pitch better. Lackey returns next year and Crawford (I believe) has to have TJ surgery and miss some of the season. So, yes, they could be in contention, and then the playoffs reset the switch and all the luck, timing, and other general baseball BS kicks in.

But, I didn't fear the healthy version of this team in ST, so I can't change my mind on that, especially since the layers have been peeled pack to show just how much of a bunch of jerks inhabit that clubhouse.

[ojo]

so long as Boston can get league avg SP (shave off approx 1/2 an ER per game), they'll be right back in the thick of it. too many decent to good hitters on the roster that either know how to or will figure out how to utilize that ball park.

they're toast this year. but i'd consider them a primary WC contender next year. absolutely. and Valentine will walk away this off season. he won't be fired because mgmt won't do it considering the reason he was brought in. but there'll be a 'compromise' reached btwn players and mgmt, and a better skipper will come in as a result...

[NelsonMuntz]

Simple question: with a change of manager, but no real change in roster, the Red Sox are serious challengers in 2013?

Yes or no?

Only if Lester and Beckett pitch a lot better.

[tim2nyy]

This video and its title pretty much sum up everything:

[ieddyi]

"Pete Abraham ‏@PeteAbe
Source: Carl Crawford is planning to ask the #RedSox to allow him to have Tommy John surgery next week."

Makes sense- have him ready for next year ( and a new debilitating injury ) .

[JDPNYY]

"Pete Abraham ‏@PeteAbe
Source: Carl Crawford is planning to ask the #RedSox to allow him to have Tommy John surgery next week."

Makes sense- have him ready for next year ( and a new debilitating injury ) .

What impact will this have on the pending epic run?

[b-ball-lunachick]

"Pete Abraham ‏@PeteAbe
Source: Carl Crawford is planning to ask the #RedSox to allow him to have Tommy John surgery next week."

Makes sense- have him ready for next year ( and a new debilitating injury ) .

I don't understand why he has to ask the team...you'd think they team would tell him to have it now..

[ajra21]

If good Beckett turns up tomorrow, I'm gonna smack someone.

[NerfBall55]

If good Beckett turns up tomorrow, I'm gonna smack someone.

Take comfort in the fact that it really doesn't matter.

[Blazer]

If good Beckett turns up tomorrow, I'm gonna smack someone.

Don't worry, no matter how he pitches he'll still be Josh Beckett (and you know what I mean).

[hellonewman]

Take comfort in the fact that it really doesn't matter.

It matters in the sense that the Rays don't suck, especially with the Angels doing their customary "We'll be little bendover bitches for whoever is chasing the Yankees" routine.

[teknetic]

Former Boston Red Sox catcher Kelly Shoppach, not first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, was behind the text message sent to team ownership in late-July that complained about manager Bobby Valentine, the New York Daily News has reported.

http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/...-red-sox-brass

Posters on SoSH were saying it was Shoppach shortly after the leak, not sure how they came to that conclusion, but looks like they were right*. Guess that explains the trade, but why the hell would Kelly Shoppach complain to the FO?

*the text was sent from Gonzalez's phone, so there's that. What a bunch of colossal douchebags these guys are.

[Mr Coffee]

http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/...-red-sox-brass

Posters on SoSH were saying it was Shoppach shortly after the leak, not sure how they came to that conclusion, but looks like they were right*. Guess that explains the trade, but why the hell would Kelly Shoppach complain to the FO?

*the text was sent from Gonzalez's phone, so there's that. What a bunch of colossal douchebags these guys are.

Kind of convenient that the guy who was just traded happened to be the source of the text. Sounds to me like some patented Red Sox leaking going on, especially since the text originates from Gonzalez' phone.

[ieddyi]

http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/...-red-sox-brass

Posters on SoSH were saying it was Shoppach shortly after the leak, not sure how they came to that conclusion, but looks like they were right*. Guess that explains the trade, but why the hell would Kelly Shoppach complain to the FO?

*the text was sent from Gonzalez's phone, so there's that. What a bunch of colossal douchebags these guys are.

"One member of the group, according to the newspaper, believed the only way to solve their problem with Valentine was to take it up with ownership, and Gonzalez -- the highest-paid player on the team -- felt it would be best if that text message came from his phone."

It came from his phone, apparently w/ his consent, but he had nothing to do with the message......

For a FO that specializes in CYA after the fact spin, you'd think by this time they'd be better at it, but noooooo......

[hellonewman]

Kind of convenient that the guy who was just traded happened to be the source of the text. Sounds to me like some patented Red Sox leaking going on, especially since the text originates from Gonzalez' phone.

Bingo, I can say "Kill President Obama" and blame it on Mr. Coffee, but if the text threat came from my phone, it came from my phone. What a joke.

[wat]

Now, now...I'd certainly allow someone to use my phone to text a controversial message I don't support to the people who pay my salary. Wouldn't you?

[smr15]

That whole story just makes zero sense.

[just-blaze]

It matters in the sense that the Rays don't suck, especially with the Angels doing their customary "We'll be little bendover bitches for whoever is chasing the Yankees" routine.

They are in free fall. 5-13 in August.

Shocking really, that team is loaded with talent.

[nhyankeefan]

And now Shoppach says he didn't send the texts and also didn't attend the meeting because he was still in Texas. This just keeps getting better and better.

"I'm really disappointed that my name was even brought up in that," Shoppach said after the Mets lost to the Nationals in Washington on Sunday. "I wasn't behind any texts. I actually didn't even attend the meeting. It was on an off day in New York and I stayed back in Texas with my family. I've already gotten a few text messages from former teammates apologizing that my name was even brought up in it.

"Everybody that is involved in that whole situation knows that I had nothing to do with it. So, like I said, I'm a Met now. I'm really excited to be here, around a fun group of guys. And I wish the Red Sox nothing but well. I had a great time while I was there. But I'm a Met now and I'm excited about the opportunity here."

http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/...-red-sox-brass

[cupcollector99]

I know they still have a mathematical chance at a wildcard, but maybe they should have taken the trade deadline seriously and made some moves with a focus on the future.