OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - WIN AT ALL COSTS! The 2004 Boston Red Sox

AZTarHeel · 06-08-2004, 08:09 PM

Sox take conservative approach -- for now
LHP Abe Alvarez promoted from Pawtucket to fill Pedro's spot

The Boston Globe * Tuesday, June 22, 2004

The Boston Red Sox will take a conservative approach -- for now -- in filling the void left by Pedro Martinez's elbow injury.

The Sox called up left-handed starter Abe Alvarez from AAA Pawtucket yesterday. The 6-2, 190-pounder will join the team in Fenway when it begins a three-game series with the Twins tonight.

Alvarez, age 21, will fill the number five hole in the rotation. This will be his first appearance in the majors. His first scheduled start will come Friday against the Phillies at home.

"I'm excited to get my first shot at the bigs," Alvarez said in a phone interview from Pawtucket last night. "It's an honor to join this team. Boston is red hot right now, and I want to make my contribution."

Alvarez was 2-0 with a 1.99 ERA for AA Portland but has struggled more since joining the Pawtucket roster. He is 2-4 with a 5.89 ERA at the AAA level. He missed the first part of the season (3-4 weeks) with a fractured jaw.

Boston scouts consider Alvarez a 4-star prospect. His speciality is his fastball, though he also has a decent change.

"This is the right thing to do right now," said Boston GM Theo Epstein. "We believe Abe can handle the competition here."

Rumors continue to fly that Boston is courting Florida Marlins ace Josh Beckett. The Marlins are 9.5 games out in the NL East a year after winning the World Series, and Beckett (9-4) has lost some favor with Florida management for his outspoken comments.

Epstein wouldn't comment directly on the Beckett rumors but left the door open that the Sox could be doing some wheeling and dealing in the weeks ahead.

"We've got some ideas up our sleeve that we think can further upgrade this club," he said. "Our goal is nothing short of a World Series title."

06-08-2004, 08:09 PM	#160
AZTarHeel All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,738	Sox take conservative approach -- for now LHP Abe Alvarez promoted from Pawtucket to fill Pedro's spot The Boston Globe Tuesday, June 22, 2004* The Boston Red Sox will take a conservative approach -- for now -- in filling the void left by Pedro Martinez's elbow injury. The Sox called up left-handed starter Abe Alvarez from AAA Pawtucket yesterday. The 6-2, 190-pounder will join the team in Fenway when it begins a three-game series with the Twins tonight. Alvarez, age 21, will fill the number five hole in the rotation. This will be his first appearance in the majors. His first scheduled start will come Friday against the Phillies at home. "I'm excited to get my first shot at the bigs," Alvarez said in a phone interview from Pawtucket last night. "It's an honor to join this team. Boston is red hot right now, and I want to make my contribution." Alvarez was 2-0 with a 1.99 ERA for AA Portland but has struggled more since joining the Pawtucket roster. He is 2-4 with a 5.89 ERA at the AAA level. He missed the first part of the season (3-4 weeks) with a fractured jaw. Boston scouts consider Alvarez a 4-star prospect. His speciality is his fastball, though he also has a decent change. "This is the right thing to do right now," said Boston GM Theo Epstein. "We believe Abe can handle the competition here." Rumors continue to fly that Boston is courting Florida Marlins ace Josh Beckett. The Marlins are 9.5 games out in the NL East a year after winning the World Series, and Beckett (9-4) has lost some favor with Florida management for his outspoken comments. Epstein wouldn't comment directly on the Beckett rumors but left the door open that the Sox could be doing some wheeling and dealing in the weeks ahead. "We've got some ideas up our sleeve that we think can further upgrade this club," he said. "Our goal is nothing short of a World Series title."