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Post by Valerie Hyatt Martin on Dec 1, 2011 23:24:48 GMT -5
I guess I understand fans who love to see the homers. It seems like an amazing feat. I would rather see small ball though. I enjoy watching the pitching, catching and the infield. One of the games I saw at Feway, in 2000, was from behind home plate and Wakefield was pitching. Watching the knuckleball float to the catcher, was amazing. I have been a fan of his since, but over the last few seasons, I'm not sure why he was on the team. Maybe he wanted to get in the record books, maybe the Sox could afford giving him that opportunity, but please...no more.
Yes, Paul is right about the Sox depending on the long ball. Each guy wanted to be the one hitting everyone in, except too many were thinking that way and there was no one to hit in. It seems that after the win in 2007, they stopped trying and it slipped away from them. Even if Francona was struggling and losing control of the team, Allen made a good point...what happened to the farm system? Did Theo let things slide too?
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Post by Valerie Hyatt Martin on Dec 5, 2011 21:21:39 GMT -5
I haven't had time to think about this, could someone explain Gregg Maddux's new position with the Rangers. I heard one day Mike Maddux was interviewing with another team, then he wasn't picked and then it seemed a day later and the brothers Maddux were together and with the Rangers.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Dec 6, 2011 9:25:03 GMT -5
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Post by Hiram on Dec 6, 2011 14:12:31 GMT -5
Marlins are making a major effort to sign Pujols. My TweetDeck is chirping up a storm right now as Cardinals fans are voicing their opinions on how St. Louis will do in 2012 sans Pujols. My personal opinion is that the Redbirds will not lead the majors in DPs in 2012. Seriously, I think with $190 million freed up, they can fill in some gaps both offensively and defensively.
History may prove me wrong, but I think it is nuts to sign a 32-year old to a 10-year contract, regardless of who they are. Right now I'm conflicted over the possibility that the Cards might offer him that extra year themselves. Finally, if Albert chooses to go with a 10-year deal in Miami versus a 9-year deal in St. Louis, then he is satisfied with his two World Series rings and has no interest in wearing a third one.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Dec 7, 2011 21:00:00 GMT -5
These kinds of things can work both ways. Pujols may have seen the best of his years and, while he could help a weaker team, while (as Hiram says) the freed-up salary could be put to good use building for the future in St. Louis. On the other hand, I understand that Pujols is very popular in St. Louis, so for what fan good will is worth, it might be worth resigning him. I'm put off by today's salaries, regardless of talent, especially in a time of economic woe for som many people. How many hundreds of millions does anyone need? The Cards have been very good to Pujols and he's earned his money on the field, moreso than many in his price bracket. Shouldn't it be enough to have played a great career like that with a good organization? Sometimes, I just don't get it.
I read an obit of Dick Williams where he said that his hard-ass managing regime would not work with today's multi-millionaire superstar prima donnas. "I wouldn't last 10 minutes, "he said. That says a lot about how baseball has changed in a half-century.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Dec 8, 2011 10:52:36 GMT -5
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Dec 8, 2011 11:25:49 GMT -5
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Post by Allen Wiener on Dec 8, 2011 13:11:19 GMT -5
That's good news, since Ortiz was a solid producer the past 2 years, especially this past season, along with Ellsbury. The Red Sox need pitching help badly and, from what I've read, some serioius discipline. I hope Valentine can bring it.
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Dec 8, 2011 17:01:13 GMT -5
The only down-side to keeping Big Papi is that it will limit the amount of money Boston is likely to spend for the quality pitching the Sox so badly need. There was a story on local news up our way a few weeks ago saying that if Ortiz left, or was willing to stay for cheap money, the Sox would have a bigger pool of bucks to secure good pitching. Don't get me wrong, though. I, too, am happy Ortiz will stay put. He adds a lot to the team and is a truly decent guy. I just hope Boston can get lucky and attract the pitching talent the team is going to need if it hopes to compete in 2012.
Paul
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Post by Valerie Hyatt Martin on Dec 8, 2011 22:42:01 GMT -5
I am glad Big Papi is staying. It gives them something positive to begin again. Ellsbury and Pedroia (healthy) add to that. Allen, I read the ESPN article and of course it makes sense, especially with Nolan Ryan's influence. They are developing pitchers and doing a pretty good job of it. C.J. Wilson, although the Ace, struggled enough, that once the Rangers decided to make Feliz a starter, they didn't need Wilson. I wonder if Gred Maddux will be working with Feliz as he changes roles from closer to starter.
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Dec 9, 2011 5:04:09 GMT -5
Yeah, I think the Bosox could take a lesson or two from the Rangers. And Valerie brought into light one of the biggest pitching needs for the coming season -- who the heck is going to be Boston's closer?
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Post by Allen Wiener on Dec 9, 2011 10:17:45 GMT -5
Wilson wouldn't have been a bad pickup for the Sox, but you're right; who's gonna close? Don't know if they were taken unaware by Paplebon's departure, but I think they were going to find someone new even if he stayed. He just wasn't getting it done. Curious to see what, if anything, he adds to the pitching-rich Phillies.
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Post by Valerie Hyatt Martin on Dec 29, 2011 0:08:03 GMT -5
Red Sox added Andrew Bailey as their closer and also Ryan Sweeney. This I like.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Dec 29, 2011 9:34:03 GMT -5
Looks like Bailey will be the closer. Sweeney looks like a utility outfielder. I'm as curious about how/if Valentine will end the attitude problems that existed last year (drinking during games? Outrageous).
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Post by Valerie Hyatt Martin on Jan 1, 2012 22:30:31 GMT -5
I hope the first time the team is together that he makes eye contact with each one and lets them know there is a new sheriff in town. Maybe (I want to believe) he has already contacted many of them and communicated his expectations. With contracts, its not as easy to get rid of an attidude problem, but certainly playing time can be adjusted, should the issues continue.
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