2010 Boston Red Sox Season Thread

[myasu]

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

Ouch ..

Great!
We have everything!

Kidney stones, Fractures in the ribs, DH who can't hit, catchers who can't throw the runners out, consecutive walk-offs, SPs who can't last for more than 5 innings without allowing 5 runs...

Now we can only go up!

[CommishJoe]

Originally Posted by myasu

Great!
We have everything!

Kidney stones, Fractures in the ribs, DH who can't hit, catchers who can't throw the runners out, consecutive walk-offs, SPs who can't last for more than 5 innings without allowing 5 runs...

Now we can only go up!

Now that's positive thinking!!!!!

Seriously though, I didn't know that V-Mart was that bad at throwing out base runners. Teams have been running crazy on the Red Sox this year.

[myasu]

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

Now that's positive thinking!!!!!

Seriously though, I didn't know that V-Mart was that bad at throwing out base runners. Teams have been running crazy on the Red Sox this year.

Apparently, the Red Sox front office did not know about it either.

[thehatfield]

Some news:

According to the Cuban Ball Players web site, the Red Sox have signed a catcher named Adalberto Ibarra to a major league contract worth $4.3 million. He is said to have an "elegant" swing.

It's an interesting move considering how highly the Sox think of Mark Wagner, Luis Exposito and Tim Federowicz. Ryan Lavarnway is off to a great start, too. But you can never have enough catching in the minors.

This post will be updated once more information is gathered.

UPDATE, 8:47 a.m.: I was able to confirm via agent Edwin Mejia that Ibarra has in fact agreed to terms with the Sox. More to come later.

UPDATE, 11:08 a.m.: The agreement is on a major league deal and Ibarra will be on the 40-man roster once he officially signs.

UPDATE, 12:46 p.m.: Ibarra is a lefty hitter and Red Sox scouts believe he projects as a better hitter than any of the catching prospects they have at the moment. Ibarra is 22.

If the Sox just invested $4.3 million in a 22-year-old catcher and put him on the 40-man roster, what does that mean for Victor Martinez moving forward? Perhaps nothing, but it is interesting.

UPDATE, 6:24 p.m.: Tracked down a little more info on Mr. Ibarra:

* He turned 23 earlier this month.

* His deal is for $3 million over five years with $1.3 in incentives.

* He's in the Dominican Republic now, waiting for a visa so he can travel to Ft. Myers and start working out and getting in game shape. Once he does that, he'll be assigned to a team. He could start with Salem or Portland.

* He is an advanced hitter in terms of approach and skills but relatively inexperienced as a catcher. The Red Sox feel he has the tools to be a good catcher but he needs to learn the position.

A secondary issue to this signing is that the Sox now have great depth at the catching position and could use one of their catchers in a trade package down the road.

[myasu]

Originally Posted by Purple Cowboy

Some news:

According to the Cuban Ball Players web site, the Red Sox have signed a catcher named Adalberto Ibarra to a major league contract worth $4.3 million. He is said to have an "elegant" swing.

It's an interesting move considering how highly the Sox think of Mark Wagner, Luis Exposito and Tim Federowicz. Ryan Lavarnway is off to a great start, too. But you can never have enough catching in the minors.

This post will be updated once more information is gathered.

UPDATE, 8:47 a.m.: I was able to confirm via agent Edwin Mejia that Ibarra has in fact agreed to terms with the Sox. More to come later.

UPDATE, 11:08 a.m.: The agreement is on a major league deal and Ibarra will be on the 40-man roster once he officially signs.

UPDATE, 12:46 p.m.: Ibarra is a lefty hitter and Red Sox scouts believe he projects as a better hitter than any of the catching prospects they have at the moment. Ibarra is 22.

If the Sox just invested $4.3 million in a 22-year-old catcher and put him on the 40-man roster, what does that mean for Victor Martinez moving forward? Perhaps nothing, but it is interesting.

UPDATE, 6:24 p.m.: Tracked down a little more info on Mr. Ibarra:

* He turned 23 earlier this month.

* His deal is for $3 million over five years with $1.3 in incentives.

* He's in the Dominican Republic now, waiting for a visa so he can travel to Ft. Myers and start working out and getting in game shape. Once he does that, he'll be assigned to a team. He could start with Salem or Portland.

* He is an advanced hitter in terms of approach and skills but relatively inexperienced as a catcher. The Red Sox feel he has the tools to be a good catcher but he needs to learn the position.

A secondary issue to this signing is that the Sox now have great depth at the catching position and could use one of their catchers in a trade package down the road.

Thanks for the info, Purple Cowboy.

If he is "relatively inexperienced as a catcher", and "will be assigned to a AA/A team (Salem or Portland), it seems to be a long term (couple years?) investment rather than the short term solution.
I assume he has to learn how to communicate in English with his new teammates, while he develops his catching skill considering the nature of the position.

[1998 Yankees]

We've got a similar guy in our organization: "Yankees prospect Jesus Montero's a big hit with bat, but 20-year-old working hard on his defense"

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2010/02/13/2010-02-13_yankees_catcher_is_a_rising_star.html#ixzz0mM9H DovJ

It used to be SS, maybe 2B, but C is now the only position where defensive skill (including handling pitchers) are more important than one's batting skill.

[myasu]

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

We've got a similar guy in our organization: "Yankees prospect Jesus Montero's a big hit with bat, but 20-year-old working hard on his defense"

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2010/02/13/2010-02-13_yankees_catcher_is_a_rising_star.html#ixzz0mM9H DovJ

It used to be SS, maybe 2B, but C is now the only position where defensive skill (including handling pitchers) are more important than one's batting skill.

I assume the language (English in this case) is almost as important as the catching skills. I read the article several years ago about the ex-Mariners catcher Kenji Jojima and his struggle in U.S., in which he was talking about how it was difficult for him to handle the pitchers with the language he was not familiar with. I think it would be hard to having to talk to the pitchers between the innings (or before/after the games) with every words translated by someone.

[myasu]

One more victory to get back to .500!

[myasu]

From Boston Globe.

Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

--------------------------------------
Josh Beckett after five starts last season:

2-2, 7.22 ERA, 28.2 IP, 36 H, 24 R, 23 ER, 16 BB, 31 K, .303 OBA

Josh Beckett after five starts this season:

1-0, 7.22 ERA, 28.2 IP, 37 H, 24 R, 23 ERR, 13 BB, 20 K, .316 OBA
----------------------------------------

I do not know if I should take this as a good sign, or should be concerned about the fact that our ace who recently signed the 4year 68M extension has this unpleasant early season tendency...

[stalker101]

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

We've got a similar guy in our organization: "Yankees prospect Jesus Montero's a big hit with bat, but 20-year-old working hard on his defense"

.

The Angels have one as well in Hank Conger..all bat and still working on the D.

[thehatfield]

Originally Posted by myasu

From Boston Globe.

Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

--------------------------------------
Josh Beckett after five starts last season:

2-2, 7.22 ERA, 28.2 IP, 36 H, 24 R, 23 ER, 16 BB, 31 K, .303 OBA

Josh Beckett after five starts this season:

1-0, 7.22 ERA, 28.2 IP, 37 H, 24 R, 23 ERR, 13 BB, 20 K, .316 OBA
----------------------------------------

I do not know if I should take this as a good sign, or should be concerned about the fact that our ace who recently signed the 4year 68M extension has this unpleasant early season tendency...

Interesting stuff. I haven't been watching him too closely is his velocity down at all this year? With his demeanor too it almost seems like recently he uses April as extended spring training. He never seems to get upset and almost looks like he's just getting work in.

[myasu]

Originally Posted by Purple Cowboy

Interesting stuff. I haven't been watching him too closely is his velocity down at all this year? With his demeanor too it almost seems like recently he uses April as extended spring training. He never seems to get upset and almost looks like he's just getting work in.

I have read somewhere that both Francona and Farrell (and Beckett himself) said Beckett's velocity has been at the same level as the last year. Apparently, they were worried the pitcher might have been hurt and watching his velocity closely for the last couple of outings.

[myasu]

Now it is official, they say we are one of the most hated MLB teams!
I have to ask my "Yankees fans" friends how to deal with this, I guess.

[thehatfield]

Originally Posted by myasu

Now it is official, they say we are one of the most hated MLB teams!
I have to ask my "Yankees fans" friends how to deal with this, I guess.

Nice to see a performance out of Lester yesterday.

[myasu]

Originally Posted by Purple Cowboy

Nice to see a performance out of Lester yesterday.

Yes, it was real nice to see our 2 young SPs do well in the series.
Back to .500!

[Splitter24]

Originally Posted by myasu

I have read somewhere that both Francona and Farrell (and Beckett himself) said Beckett's velocity has been at the same level as the last year. Apparently, they were worried the pitcher might have been hurt and watching his velocity closely for the last couple of outings.

His velocity is where it's always been at. The main problem he's having is with leaving his fastball out over the plate too much. He's also had a couple of starts where his curve has been totally ineffective. I'm not worried at all..

[myasu]

Originally Posted by Splitter24

His velocity is where it's always been at. The main problem he's having is with leaving his fastball out over the plate too much. He's also had a couple of starts where his curve has been totally ineffective. I'm not worried at all..

I saw somewhere (FanGraphs or somewhere) that his changeup, which was very effective last year, has been the least effective pitch for him so far this year.
I believe he will get back to his form soon, too.

[myasu]

Found this video of the two Red Sox prospects.

Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | Red Sox Report: International prospects at Portland - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia

Iglesias, just as all the scouting reports say, seems to be a real good fielder.
I hope he will develop smoothly and join the Red Sox sometime next year.

[thehatfield]

Bad weekend.. at least Beckett's ERA is down closer to 6 now.

[myasu]

Originally Posted by Purple Cowboy

Bad weekend.. at least Beckett's ERA is down closer to 6 now.

Let's hope Buchholz, our new ace will stop the bleeding.
I really hope they will get everything together and start winning some ballgames, before it is too late....