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

AZTarHeel · 07-29-2004, 02:56 AM

Boston weighing September call-up options

The Boston Globe * Aug. 15, 2004

On Sept. 1, MLB clubs are all allowed to carry up to 40 players on their active rosters. That means several members of the Red Sox AAA club in Pawtucket will get sent up to the Big Club.

So just who's coming up and who's staying down? Here's our take:

PACK YOUR BAGS FOR BEANTOWN:
1) MR Bronson Arroyo (2.5 stars - age 27): Arroyo spent most of the first half up on the Big Club and has appeared in 24 games with the PawSox. His ERA is a steady 3.25 and he could be a valuable long reliever ("A" duration), something Aaron Sele seems uncomfortable with...

2) MR Colter Bean (2 stars - age 27): Bean had some great appearances during a short stint on the Big Club, then had one really bad one. His ERA in Pawtucket is under 2.00. He's unremarkable overall but could take a few innings' load off a bullpen that's been overworked of late...

3) MR Tommy Phelps (3.5 stars - age 30): The Red Sox really need left-handed pitching, carrying just one southpaw on the roster right now. He could beat out Alan Embree for post-season roster if he has some good outings. He might have Embree's starting job next season since the Sox have chosen not to re-sign him.

4) MR Scott Sauerbeck (2.5 stars - age 32): Could stymie lefty hitters but also has control problems. Wasn't that impressive in few appearances early in the season.

5) SS Tony Womack (1 star - age 34): The Red Sox won't get much from his bat but will benefit greatly from his speed. He can play center if necessary...

6) RF Gabe Kapler (1 star - age 29): He spent most of the season in Boston but was moved down to see what CF Adam Hyzdu had to offer. With Hydzu struggling, Kapler should find his old job as pinch hitter/spot starter against lefties back in his hands in a few weeks...

7) CF Adam Hyzdu (1 star - age 32): Already up, Hyzdu really has only one role -- hit home runs off the bench late in a game. All three of his MLB hits have been homers thus far...

HAVE STAND-BY TICKETS READY JUST IN CASE:
1) SP Abe Alvarez (4 stars - age 21): Boston scouts really like Alvarez but his one appearance in Boston right after Pedro went down was pretty disasterous. Sox management may not want to damage his confidence any more. He may need one more good year of AAA and be ready for next September.

2) SP Corey Thurmond (2 stars - age 25): Thurmond was signed to a minor league deal in June and has gone 4-0 with a 2.50 ERA since joining the club.

3) MR Mark Malaska (2.5 stars - age 26): Has good velocity and could provide needed lefty arm to a bullpen with only one right now. ERA in Pawtucket around 3.00...

4) MR Jesse Orosco (1.5 stars - age 47!): Maybe as a favor to keep his career going for one more season (he started in 1979)? But he's struggled at AAA (7.50 ERA)...

5) 1B Brian Daubach (1 star - age 32): Has 13 homers and 74 RBIs for Pawtucket but Boston is already deep at first base...

6) 3B Kevin Youkalis (3 stars - age 25): Boston likes Youkalis at first or third -- but their plans may not include having him there this year. Should be ready for sure by next September, or earlier.

7) RF Quinton McCracken (1.5 stars - age 34): Still has some pop left in his bat (hitting .343 at AAA) and possesses great speed on the bases, something the Sox need in a bad way.

8) C Michael Hernandez (2 stars - age 25): Really has nothing to offer offensively but is pretty decent on defense...

THERE IS ALWAYS NEXT YEAR
1) MR Jamie Brown (2 stars - age 27): As one scout said, "He's a battler but often comes up on the losing end of the battles." The Sox don't need that in their bullpen.

2) MR Brian Hebson (1.5 stars - age 28): Control problems are his downfall...

3) MR Jason Shiell (1 star - age 27): Hasn't seen much action at AAA. Not ready for the Big Show...

4) 1B Earl Snyder (1 star - age 28): Too many 1B and good bats ahead of him this year...

5) 2B Frankie Escalona (1 star - age 25): The addition of Mike Bordick to the roster early in the season will keep Frankie in the minors for another year...

6) LF David McCarty (1 star - age 34): Nothing to add to an already solid OF lineup. Has terrible, terrible ratings...

7) RF Terry Shumpert (1 star - age 37): Only hit .190 last year and won't have a chance to make amends this year. Look for him to retire in October...

8) C Andy Dominique (1 star - age 28): He's hitting well below the Mendoza line and has nothing to offer defensively...

07-29-2004, 02:56 AM	#246
AZTarHeel All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,732	Boston weighing September call-up options The Boston Globe * Aug. 15, 2004 On Sept. 1, MLB clubs are all allowed to carry up to 40 players on their active rosters. That means several members of the Red Sox AAA club in Pawtucket will get sent up to the Big Club. So just who's coming up and who's staying down? Here's our take: PACK YOUR BAGS FOR BEANTOWN: 1) MR Bronson Arroyo (2.5 stars - age 27): Arroyo spent most of the first half up on the Big Club and has appeared in 24 games with the PawSox. His ERA is a steady 3.25 and he could be a valuable long reliever ("A" duration), something Aaron Sele seems uncomfortable with... 2) MR Colter Bean (2 stars - age 27): Bean had some great appearances during a short stint on the Big Club, then had one really bad one. His ERA in Pawtucket is under 2.00. He's unremarkable overall but could take a few innings' load off a bullpen that's been overworked of late... 3) MR Tommy Phelps (3.5 stars - age 30): The Red Sox really need left-handed pitching, carrying just one southpaw on the roster right now. He could beat out Alan Embree for post-season roster if he has some good outings. He might have Embree's starting job next season since the Sox have chosen not to re-sign him. 4) MR Scott Sauerbeck (2.5 stars - age 32): Could stymie lefty hitters but also has control problems. Wasn't that impressive in few appearances early in the season. 5) SS Tony Womack (1 star - age 34): The Red Sox won't get much from his bat but will benefit greatly from his speed. He can play center if necessary... 6) RF Gabe Kapler (1 star - age 29): He spent most of the season in Boston but was moved down to see what CF Adam Hyzdu had to offer. With Hydzu struggling, Kapler should find his old job as pinch hitter/spot starter against lefties back in his hands in a few weeks... 7) CF Adam Hyzdu (1 star - age 32): Already up, Hyzdu really has only one role -- hit home runs off the bench late in a game. All three of his MLB hits have been homers thus far... HAVE STAND-BY TICKETS READY JUST IN CASE: 1) SP Abe Alvarez (4 stars - age 21): Boston scouts really like Alvarez but his one appearance in Boston right after Pedro went down was pretty disasterous. Sox management may not want to damage his confidence any more. He may need one more good year of AAA and be ready for next September. 2) SP Corey Thurmond (2 stars - age 25): Thurmond was signed to a minor league deal in June and has gone 4-0 with a 2.50 ERA since joining the club. 3) MR Mark Malaska (2.5 stars - age 26): Has good velocity and could provide needed lefty arm to a bullpen with only one right now. ERA in Pawtucket around 3.00... 4) MR Jesse Orosco (1.5 stars - age 47!): Maybe as a favor to keep his career going for one more season (he started in 1979)? But he's struggled at AAA (7.50 ERA)... 5) 1B Brian Daubach (1 star - age 32): Has 13 homers and 74 RBIs for Pawtucket but Boston is already deep at first base... 6) 3B Kevin Youkalis (3 stars - age 25): Boston likes Youkalis at first or third -- but their plans may not include having him there this year. Should be ready for sure by next September, or earlier. 7) RF Quinton McCracken (1.5 stars - age 34): Still has some pop left in his bat (hitting .343 at AAA) and possesses great speed on the bases, something the Sox need in a bad way. 8) C Michael Hernandez (2 stars - age 25): Really has nothing to offer offensively but is pretty decent on defense... THERE IS ALWAYS NEXT YEAR 1) MR Jamie Brown (2 stars - age 27): As one scout said, "He's a battler but often comes up on the losing end of the battles." The Sox don't need that in their bullpen. 2) MR Brian Hebson (1.5 stars - age 28): Control problems are his downfall... 3) MR Jason Shiell (1 star - age 27): Hasn't seen much action at AAA. Not ready for the Big Show... 4) 1B Earl Snyder (1 star - age 28): Too many 1B and good bats ahead of him this year... 5) 2B Frankie Escalona (1 star - age 25): The addition of Mike Bordick to the roster early in the season will keep Frankie in the minors for another year... 6) LF David McCarty (1 star - age 34): Nothing to add to an already solid OF lineup. Has terrible, terrible ratings... 7) RF Terry Shumpert (1 star - age 37): Only hit .190 last year and won't have a chance to make amends this year. Look for him to retire in October... 8) C Andy Dominique (1 star - age 28): He's hitting well below the Mendoza line and has nothing to offer defensively... Last edited by AZTarHeel; 08-01-2004 at 02:34 AM.