Introduction

This article is a follow up to the one published here on Monday, December 12th. In this article I will delve in more detail into the Red Sox current Pitching situation. Here we will break things down by talking about the current list of injured pitchers and the effect that has on the team, the 2011 pitchers that are currently free agents, the rotation, the bullpen, pitchers that were not on the Red Sox in 2011 that are now free agents & pitchers that might be available via trade.

The Injuries

Almost like a team plague, Tommy John Surgery seems to have hit the Red Sox like a virus over the past two years. First, I believe, there was Junici Tazawa who had returned late last season from his surgery & since his there have been three more players that have succumbed to it…

SP Rich Hill – Recovering from Tommy John surgery (on June 9th) and was recently non-tendered. His recovery will probably result in him being out until after the start of 2012, but with Boston having so many lefties under team control (Morales, Doubront and Miller) without the ability (options) to sent them to Pawtucket (AAA), they had to release him. Although, if one of those guys were involved in a possible trade, that would open the door up to the Red Sox re-signing him. I personally think he’s be a better option for them than two of them if not all three.

SP Daisuke Matsuzaka - will miss at least half of the 2012 season due to recovery from his Tommy John surgery. It is hoped that his return will be the equivalent of a trade deadline acquisition as he might be back sometime after the All Star game. Although, given the tendency of pitchers returning from this procedure having control problems coupled with Dice-K’s insistence on nibbling around the plate sounds like a recipe for some scary innings of work (hopefully the Red Sox can keep him in AAA Pawtucket during that awkward time is his rehab). I don’t see him being a reliable option at the major league level until the All Star break at the earliest.

Picture of John Lackey taken by Tony Molica

SP John Lackey - He is the last pitcher to succumb to this injury as of late and because he didn’t address this injury until after the 2011 season, he will miss all of 2012. On the bright side, it looks like the injury that made this procedure a necessity was directly related to Lackey’s poor 2011 performance (it seems as if he may have pitched with this injury most of the season knowing that he couldn’t hurt himself further), one that was the worst by any Red Sox starting pitcher in the team’s storied history for a full season.  Some have also reported that he stayed off the DL for the team’s sake given the state of the staff and took one for the team so to speak. So, maybe he will look more like the pitcher we saw with the Angels in 2013!

Former Red Sox Pitchers that are now Free Agents
RP Trever Miller (age: 38) - Miller only pitched in 2 innings for the Red Sox (in 3 outings) while recording 1K without giving up a hit, a walk or a run. In all of 2011 between the Blue Jays, Cardinals and the Red Sox he only pitched in 21.1 innings over 48 outings and had an 0-1 record with 1 SV 3 blown saves and 5 holds, while maintaining a 3.80 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP.

RP Dan Wheeler (age: 34) - Wheeler is a Type B free agent. He declined the Red Sox offer of arbitration. He was on and off the DL during the 2011 season posting a line of 2-2 with 4 Holds, 0 blown saves, 39 K, 1.11 WHIP, 4.38 ERA in 49.1 IP. For his career he boasts a 3.88 ERA, 1.21 WHIP with 43 saves, a 25-43 record with 553K in 628.1 IP.

SP Tim Wakefield (age: 45) - With Wakefield’s reoccurring back problems over the past few years and his painful-to-watch attempt to get his 200th victory last year, it is probably only a 50/50 chance at best that the Red Sox re-sign him for the 2012 season. And the latest news is that Theo (I mean Jed Hoyer) may seek to sign Wakefield (and possibly even Varitek) with the Cubs. 2011 saw Wakefield go 7-8 with 93Ks, a 1.36 WHIP, .267 BAA and a 5.12 ERA in 154.2 innings pitched with 1 CG in only 23 starts (10 relief appearances) while giving up a whopping 25 HRs. In contrast to those numbers, he has a career average of a 4.41 ERA, 1.35 WHIP (so that didn’t change) with 2156 Ks in 3226.2 innings pitched over 463 starts (164 relief appearances) with 33 CGs with 6 of those being shutouts. Bottom line: I’d bring him back even if it was just for insurance. He’s a great team player, can both start and pitch in the bullpen and can eat up innings. On top of all of that, when he gets going (if), he can string together a bunch of consecutive wins (if you have a catcher that can catch him and not many can).

The Rotation

Jon Lester - In my opinion Lester is the Ace of this staff! He has won 15 or more games in his last four seasons (19 in 2010) and 2012 should see him pitch in over 200 innings once again (he had only 191.2 IP last year, the first time under 200 in those same four seasons) and be in contention for the Cy Young Award once again with  also hitting the 200K mark again.

Josh Beckett - If Beckett has post another sub 3.00 ERA he might be in line to go head to head with Lester for that Cy Young Award, but he will more likely have an ERA under 4.00 and 190 or more Ks. Last year, for at least half of the season, he proved that he can still be a co-Ace on this staff and Bobby V might be the type of manager that can motivate him to do so once again, but his best years are behind him at this point, I’m affraid.

Clay Buchholz - I see Clay as being, realistically speaking, a solid number two pitcher on this staff with a performance that is in between his 2010 (.708 winning percentage) and 2011 (.667 winning percentage) seasons if he can stay healthy.

Daniel Bard – At first, I wasn’t sure how to take the news of Bard joining the rotation, but with the acquisitions of Melancon and Bailey I have to agree with it. I think Bard, if the opinion of Curt Young (Red Sox 2011 Pitching Coach) is accurate, is well suited to transfer into the rotation like the Rangers have done recently with CJ Wilson, Alexi Ogando, etc. Young mentions the addition of a newly mastered changeup to go with his fastball and slider as reasons that back a move to the rotation. I think he’ll do just fine and might end up in the pen three quarters of the way into the season due to the added workload after being a short reliever up until now.

Picture of Alfredo Aceves taken by Tony Molica

Alfredo Aceves - If no one besides one of the slew of low risk starters the Sox have signed to this point pans out, Alfredo should be the fifth starter (or at least the first guy out of the pen to spot start). His 2011 performance when called upon has earned him that right.

Daisuke Matsuzaka (DL: Tommy John Surgery) - Dice-K might just be the equivalent to a mid season aquisition when he returns from Tommy John surgery. With Bobby V at the helm, it just might be what the doctor ordered for Dice-K in his final months as a member of the Red Sox due to Bobby’s time spent managing in Japan. I expect the best performance we’ve seen up to this point upon his return if he is healthy enough post-surgery to accomplish it.

The Bullpen

Bobby Jenks - In December, Jenks has lower back surgery to remove bone fragments and less than a month later has had a second operation on his back and will probably miss the start of spring training. If he can stay healthy he would be a valuable 7th or 8th inning option along with Malanson; otherwise, he’s sure to be DFA’d or traded during the season.

Scott Atchison - Atchison has his best numbers in the following categories in 2011: ERA (3.26) and WHIP (1.20), but his SO/9 were at a career low at 5.0. He also had very good command as seen with a BB/9 rate of 1.8 and he did not give up even one HR. I’d keep him, but would monitor his SO/9 and H/9 rates to see if they loose any more ground. If they do, I’d expect that to affect his ERA and WHIP numbers, too and if that happens I’d cut ties with him. The Red Sox no longer have the ability to option him to the minors (he is out of MiLB options). Due to the signing of OF Cody Ross, Atchison has been designated for assignment. In my most humble opinion, this should have been Albers. Sorry Matt!

Matt Albers - The only thing I like about Albers stat line for 2011 was his increase in SO/9 which was almost 3 points higher than his previous season high. What I don’t trust is a RP with a WHIP of 1.43, which sadly enough was his second best total in his career. I’ll see if there were any takers on him & try to get a decent prospect out of it. Maybe put him into a package to the Cubs in an attempt to land a better compensation deal for Theo.

Franklin Morales – His totals in Boston were his best since his rookie year of 2007. In Boston he posted a 3.62 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9, a 2.82 SO/BB and a SO/9 of 8.6 second only to his 9.2 in 2009. That and the fact that he’s a lefty and only 25 years old tells me that he is a keeper. The Red Sox no longer have the ability to option him to the minors (he is out of MiLB options).

Michael Bowden - If Bowden can continue to lower his H/9, ERA and WHIP as well as increase his SO/9 while he continues to adjust to pitching in relief, he might have his best year in a Red Sox uniform in 2012. But even if he does, it might not be enough unless it is more significant than his progress thus far seeing his WHIP was 1.50. The Red Sox no longer have the ability to option him to the minors (he is out of MiLB options).

Junichi Tazawa - There’s not much to go on here so it all depends upon his efforts in spring training, but I don’t see a situation where he breaks camp with the big club. He’ll probably wind up in Pawtucket for some more seasoning of his game and see how he progresses as the season goes on. After all, he is still recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Felix Doubront - Doubront’s numbers last year in Boston were not very good as can be seen over at Baseball-Reference.com and unless he can show signs of bouncing back in 2012, I would add him in with Albers and try to flip him to the Cubs in the Theo compensation deal. It’s time to cut bait on him or change the way they are using him (which may be the best route to travel if they cannot find a taker for him). The Red Sox no longer have the ability to option him to the minors (he is out of MiLB options).

Andrew Miller  - I don’t see where they can use him in Boston except in mop up duty unless he turns a corner in 2012 and starts living up to his potential. After all, he is just 26 years old. Just look at his numbers over at Baseball-Reference.com to see what I am talking about. His WHIP alone scares me away. The Red Sox no longer have the ability to option him to the minors (he is out of MiLB options).

RP Rich Hill - Was recently resigned to a minor league deal with the Red Sox that will pay him $750K if he makes it to Boston in 2012 after recovering from Tommy John surgery he had back in June 2011. I see him as a big part of the Red Sox bullpen if he can bounce back from the surgery.

Currently Available Free Agent Pitchers

SP’s

Rich Harden – I think they have gotten enough players like Harden already; therefore, I do not see them going after him, too! Although he can be dominant when healthy, but the problem is, lately, he rarely is…

Edwin Jackson - is going to cost too much for them to sign him this off season both in years and overall salary. He’d be a good number 4 or 5 starter though (much like Paul Maholm who was signed by the Cubs to an affordable one-year contract, darn you Theo!).

Roy Oswalt – On a one-year contract under $10M (probably around the $8M mark), I do that deal in a heart beat even if it means trading a few minor pieces to get it done! Come on Ben, sign him already!

Brandon Webb – He is damaged goods that I don’t think even the Red Sox would take a flyer on at this time. Let’s see what he can do on a one year contract for someone else before we jump to a final assessment on him for the long haul…

Chris Young – I still think that Young would be a good back end of the rotation kind of guy, but the question is…can he handle playing in Boston with the media frenzy and all? We may never know…the Sox may be done shopping for the rotation at this point.

RP’s

I have only listed the available arms I’d be interested in. If you would like to know my opinion on another name not listed here, please ask me in the comments below and I’ll get back to you ASAP!

Mike Gonzalez - If Gonzalez can get back to his 2009 form, he would be a nice lefty out of thre pen, but his ERA and K/9 are both trending in the wrong way, he is not a groundball pitcher and even his xFIP was over 3.7 which is a bit high for my taste for a bullpen arm.

Chad Qualls – My main concern with Qualls is the drop in his K/9 last year. He went from being over 7 and 8 (with a low of 7.47 in 2010) over the last four years, to a 5.21 in 2011. In fact, it has been dropping ever since it’s height in 2008 at 8.67. Although 2010 saw his ERA spike at 7.32, his xFIP was actually 3.72. Another bonus is that his groundball percentages have been 55% or more his whole career, which fits into the new GM’s mold for pitchers.

DFA List

SP Micah Owings – He’s coming off a year that saw him hit his best numbers in ERA (3.57), appearances (33, with 4 starts) and BABIP (.258) in the majors, but his xFIP was 4.51 (but even that was his best thus far in his career). I’d like to see him get his K/9 back up around 9.45 (2010 with the Reds). He can also be a long reliever, another spot start option or might be useful pitching in the 7th inning right in front of Melancon. A role he has not been in up to this point in his early career, but is something that could rejuvenate his career and allow him to regain those high K/9 numbers.

What I like most about his is his ability to be another right handed bat off the bench, something you don’t normally think about with a pitcher these days! Read this: in only 217 PA he has hit .286 with 27 R, 35 RBI, 9 HR, .313 OBP, .507 SLG a 106 wRC+, .222 ISO, .389 BABIP and holds a 3.8 WAR as a hitter. It’s almost like carrying an extra bench player! This move is a no brainer to me, especially when you consider that he only made around $423K last year.

Pitchers that Might be Available via Trade

If 3B prospect Will Middlebrooks sets AAA ablaze offensively and maintains his deffensive prowess, we might see Kevin Youkilis jettisoned out in a trade for one of these guys. If not, then a multi-player deal surrounding the likes of Ryan Kalish, Lars Anderson, Matt Albers, Felix Dubront, Andrew Miller, Bobby Jenks or Michael Bowden (pick a few from this list, but there are others not mentioned that could be had) might pry one of these guys loose.

SP Matt Garza (Cubs) – Probably the least likeliest of trade possibilities, but it could happen. I just don’t think Theo and Jed would do it unless they were blown away (including Middlebrooks, Iglesias or Brittan) and I don’t see Cherrington doing that. The Cubs could use Youk, too.

SP Wandy Rodriguez (Astros) – I’m sort of luke-warm on Wandy…I just am not sold on him and I have no idea if we could handle the pressure cooker that is pitching in Boston. He also could be had on the cheap!

SP Brett Myers (Astros) – My least favorite choice. Myers is a poor mans Schilling and simply not good enough in my estimation, but could probably be had on the cheap.

SP – Tom Gorzelanny (Nationals) - Although I’d take Masterson or Garza ahead of him, Gorzelanny would work out well (if healthy) at the end of the rotation if he could handle the pressure in Boston. The deal that would net him wouldn’t be as costly either!

SP – Justin Masterson (Indians) – Probably my favorite choice on this list (which is admittedly short). I was disappointed to hear that he was a part of the Victor Martinez trade to begin with, although I would have never admitted to thinking he’d be this good as a starter. I always projected him as a long-to-short reliever. But after seeing what he’s doing in Cleveland, I’d be tickled pink to have him at the end of the Red Sox rotation! And…the Indians are looking to upgrade at 1B (Youk’s best position), too.

SP – Gavin Floyd (White Sox) - If the remaining free agent starting pitchers sign elsewhere or are asking for more (in terms of either years or dollars) than what the Red Sox are willing to shell out, then maybe the speculated trade for Floyd would be a nice option. The “other” Sox team has been either trading away players(Carlos Quentin) letting them walk (Buehrle) or signed to a long term contract (John Danks); making it difficult to understand what direction they are going in at the  present time. But seeing what the asked for in exchange for Quentin, Boston might be able to put a deal together either before the start of the season or by the trading deadline in July. I like this idea, but it would depend upon what they’d need to give up. The price might still be too high.

Hot Stove Season Transactions To Date

RP Mark Melancon - He was obtained via trade for INF Jed Lowrie and P Kyle Weiland. Melancon is primed to become a late inning arm that will be a big threat in either the 7th, 8th or 9th innings for Boston in 2012. He is young (will turn 27 during the season), comes inexpensive and will be under team control until after the 2016 season. He became the Astros closer after an injury to Brandon Lyon in May saving 20 in 25 opportunities over 74.1 innings (in 71 appearances) with an ERA of 2.78 and a 1.22 WHIP with 3 Holds. His other stats include a 7.99 K/9, .234 BAA and 2.54 K/BB. With the trade for Bailey, Melancon becomes the set up man for him taking over for Bard who will now be free to convert to the starting rotation.

Closer Andrew Bailey - He was obtained (along with OF Ryan Sweeney) via trade for OF Josh Reddick, 1B/3B Miles Head and P Raul Alcantara. Bailey, who is also 27 (like Melancon) is a two-time All Star as the A’s closer & will remain under team control until 2014.

Aaron Cook – Was recently signed to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. The 5th spot in the rotation (that is if Bard is the # 4 starter) is between Cook, Silva and Padilla (edge to Padilla) and he’ll need to earn it! Plus Cook has only had 10+ wins twice in his career (16 in 2008 and 11 in 2009).

Carlos Silva – Was recently signed to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. He is a long shot who will probably start the season in AAA and be kept as insurance, but might help out in long relief if he regains his accuracy. The 5th spot in the rotation (that is if Bard is the # 4 starter) is between Silva, Cook and Padilla (edge to Padilla) and he’ll need to earn it! Plus Silva has only had 10+ wins in a season four times (2004, 2006-2007 and 2010). I like the possibility of Silva regaining his touch over Cook. Silva has also been better more recently than Cook, too.

Justin Germano - Was recently signed to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, but after seeing his numbers per Baseball-Reference, and the signings of Cook and Silva, I don’t see him making the big club out of spring training.

Vicente Padilla – Was recently signed to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. He is my favorite choice out of the pack obtained to vie for the 4th & 5th spot in the rotation because he’s had more recent success than the others. He has also had four seasons with 10+ wins, but in those seasons he has been more consistent (14 wins three times in 2003-04 and 2008 and 15 wins in 2006) and his xFIP (3.40 and 3.47 in 2011 and 2010 in LA) has been more consistent throughout his career.

John Maine – Was recently signed to a minor league deal and will probably start off the season at AAA as a relief pitcher.

The Free Agent Pitchers, To Date, Who They Should Have Signed

The following pitchers all signed one year deals that the Red Sox could have afforded and should have made.

Hiroki Kuroda (SP) - Signed for $10,000,000 with the Yankees and the Red Sox were known to be interested in him. This is the one fish I am really sad to see get away and the fact that he went to the arch rival Yankees makes it hurt even worse!

Paul Maholm (SP) - Signed for $4,750,000 with the Cubs and the Red Sox were known to be interested in him. Why the Red Sox didn’t beat Theo to the punch on this one is beyond me unless they had no idea he could be had for so cheap and for just one year!

Jon Rauch (RP) – Signed for $3,500,000 with the Mets. He’d have been a nice addition to the pen…

George Sherrill (RP) - Signed for $1,100,000 with the Mariners. He would have been a nice guy to pitch to lefties (as much as I hate this tactic) out of the pen.

Joel Zumaya (RP) - Signed for $850,000 with the Twins and the Red Sox were known to be interested in him. At this price, he was so worth the risk!

In closing, if you have any questions about a player I have either mentioned or neglected to mention, but should have, let’s discuss that in the comments below. I look forward to seeing you there!

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Photo taken from Google Images

After reading the recent article on SB Nation by Wendy Thurm entitled, “Will Expanded Replay Lead to More Women Umpires?” I just had to ask my friend, professional umpire Ms. Perry Lee Barber what her take on this article was and this was her “classic” response to it!

First, the title. Hilarious! “Will Expanded Replay Lead to More Women Umpires?“ More? How about ANY? Other than this minor quibble with the title – which implies that there are women umps already in pro ball, which as we both know is currently (and has been for the last four years, going on five) not the case. I found the article to be excellently researched and presented, particularly by someone who isn’t an umpire herself and hasn’t experienced firsthand the double whammy we women encounter of having to earn respect from both our peers/partners as well as from spectators and athletic administrators used to viewing umpires in general as enemy aliens rather than allies. I find Ms. Thurm’s insights into Tim McClelland‘s take on the possibilities of women becoming successful pro umpires quite amazing, since she interprets them as being negative when most people who read them will think they’re a positive endorsement of women as umpires. They’re not, and Ms. Thurm nails it, and this is why.

I’ve met Tim on quite a few occasions, although I won’t say I “know” him, at least not well; he was on a crew with one of my Wendelstedt instructors, John Hirschbeck, for awhile many years ago, so that’s how I met him and socialized with him a few times on a limited basis. He seems to be a nice fellow, very gracious, intelligent, almost old-school “gentlemanly,” if you get my drift, someone with whom anyone would enjoy having a beer and a conversation. But what’s interesting about his reply to Beth, the woman who wants to become a pro umpire but is concerned she will “encounter opposition to [her] entry” is the entrenched sexism implicit in his words, a sexism he is apparently unaware of in himself, at least as I infer from his cheery “go to school, try your best, and get put in the minor leagues” exhortations (As if it were ever that simple, even for the guys). His very next comment speaks volumes more than the previous one: “…It’s a long road to haul — I wouldn’t wish it on a female because not only do they have the complaints and problems you go through as an umpire, but then they have to deal with working in a male-dominated sport.”

Wow. That one made my head spin (and I’m not even getting into the incorrect idiom he uses: it’s a long row to hoe, not haul, although I concede that perhaps it’s a typo or other mistake on the part of the writer or editor rather than incorrect usage on his part. The image of a woman hauling a row [of crops] while a man merely hoes it certainly seems apt, at least from my perspective, as we often have to do way more of the “heavy lifting” out there just to keep up and prove our competence to our male counterparts). Anyway, McClelland has just encouraged a young woman to go for it, implying that “it can be done,” and then in the very next sentence he undermines his own ginned-up optimism by immediately laying out one of the world’s oldest and most tired canards concerning women and our capabilities: that we are not strong enough either mentally or physically to withstand the rigors of “working in a male-dominated sport.” That we are too weak, too frail, too… well, unmanly. We’re just not up to the task, only a man could possibly handle the physical and psychological weight of an umpiring career.

Give me a break. It’s these small, constant, everyday, subliminal digs at our capabilities, the implied attitude that we are still, in this day and age, not worthy, not equal, not up to the task of shouldering the burdens of “complaints and problems you go through as an umpire,” that are a much greater impediment to our progress in baseball than the loud, overt, obviously sexist and disrespectful attitudes that are much more easily identified and dispelled than the thousand tiny slings and arrows similar to McClelland’s comment that we must suffer and deflect every day. It’s infinitely harder to fight something that’s nearly invisible than something you can point a finger at and say positively, “Aha! That’s sexist or racist, and it’s not acceptable.” How does one point a finger at inertia? At not doing something? When it comes to our progress in the pro baseball arena, it’s these implicit, under-the-radar attacks on our physical and emotional capabilities that are much more difficult to identify and weed out than the loudmouth idiocy you hear coming from someone who has an obvious problem with women in higher positions of authority than his. It’s the same principle pro baseball and its current administrators use to camouflage their total inertia and ambivalence about allowing women to penetrate their sacrosanct inner sancti. “We don’t discriminate!” they crow, pointing to the six women who have worked as pro umpires since 1972, the year courageous Bernice Gera finally won her protracted discrimination lawsuit against minor league baseball and bestowed upon the rest of us the right to umpire professional baseball. Six women umpires in the last thirty-nine years: that’s one every six or seven years, as many as baseball, apparently, is capable of handling. As if that’s a statistic to be proud of. And goddess forbid there should be two of us out there at the same time (there were, once, briefly, when Ria Cortesio and Shanna Kook worked simultaneously, although never on the same crew, during 2003 and 2004, but the powers-that-be put a stop to that hellish little experiment by firing Shanna after only two seasons). The men – and it is mostly men – currently in positions to actually DO something about the pathetic absence of women umpires from the pro baseball arena, but who choose to do nothing (because to them, there’s nothing wrong with the way things are, they’re perfectly satisfied with the status quo), love to say how baseball now embraces women’s participation, that women go to umpire school all the time, that the opportunities are there for us! It’s all smoke and mirrors, just as McClelland’s comment about “not wishing [a pro umpiring career] on a female because blah blah blah…” is near-perfect camouflage for his real feelings about women as partners. He says we should “go for it,” but in the very next sentence he makes it clear that he really doesn’t regard us as capable or worthy of working alongside him or any other “real” umpire. Do you think he has ever said to a young man asking for advice about an umpiring career, “Well, I wouldn’t wish it on you because it’s so hard and there’s no way you’ll ever be up to the task”? That’s basically what his pearls of wisdom here are transmitting, what he’s telling “Beth,” the woman who asked the question about going to umpire school and having to face “opposition to her entry” simply because she’s female. And I’ll bet you dollars to doughnuts that McClelland would object to the high heavens if anyone accused him of being sexist or having an attitude towards women that’s anything less than respectful and welcoming; he probably has no idea how revelatory of his true feelings his comment is, and in all likelihood sees himself as some kind of champion for even suggesting we should try.

The inconsistency between what he says and how he obviously feels about women umpires is vast, and I love it that Wendy Thurm gets this about his remarks and rebukes them, not angrily or rudely, but with a graceful clarity. I think the thrust of her article points to the fact that replay will open more opportunities for umpires in general and that since the pool of umpiring candidates will necessarily be expanded to meet this growing need, women may have more of a chance to join the ranks of professional umpires. And just to be clear, the way I read it is that she is not implying that the women who may wind up being hired would be relegated to the video booth as opposed to given actual on-field jobs; I don’t believe that is her implication, although it probably is McClelland’s or anybody else’s in a position to actually hire women to fulfill these new technology-mandated roles. Their attitude, if past is prologue, is more than likely, well, women may not be “up to it” on the field where it counts, but maybe in the booth where it won’t matter that we’re so weak and incapable, we’ll somehow manage to do okay and not screw it up too badly for the real umpires.

Very, very interesting article on multiple levels, Peter, and thank you for asking me about it.

Perry

umpireplb@aol.com

This article was originally posted at BaseballDigest.com on December 4^th, but was updated for this publication due to a few transactions that have occurred since it was written.

A Look Back at Boston’s 2011 Season

First, they had that horrific 0-6 start which led to their 11-15 April finish and this was after being tabbed as the AL heir to the Pennant due to their roster with the additions of 1B Adrian Gonzales (moving Kevin Youkilis to 3B) and LF Carl Crawford. Then they went on a tear where they were one of the hottest teams in baseball…until September rolled around. At this point I think we all know what happened then (too much probably), so I won’t rehash it here.

Boston’s Offseason So Far…

This resulted in ownership not picking up longtime manager, Terry (Tito) Francona’s 2-year option leaving the team in search of a replacement. Then there was the long and drawn out process of the Cubs prying away GM Theo Epstein to be their new head of Baseball Operations. Although Boston has promoted Ben Cherrington, who has held almost every possible Baseball Operations position since being hired by Dan Duquette (Boston’s former GM, who is now the new GM of the rival Orioles), they still have not reached an agreement on the compensation package for Epstein who was still under contract with Boston. The next step and the team’s top priority, as new GM Cherrington noted when hired, was to find a new manager.

In the process they lost out on the chance to resign longtime closer Jonathan Papelbon to the Phillies via Free Agency (signed to a record breaking contract for closers, 4 years at $50M with an option for a 5^th year). I’m not sure if this was a rookie mistake, a poorly communicated course of action or just the reaction to the current team situation (the seemingly disharmony between the front office, team field management and the players) because Papelbon didn’t even offer the Red Sox, the team who drafted him and the only place where he has played in his career, the chance to match or beat the offer. Seeing how his annual salary won’t be much different than his 2011 salary with the Red Sox is what makes this decision that much more interesting. Maybe Papelbon, who is not known to be the brightest bulb in the box, just didn’t realize that the reason why the Red Sox hadn’t contacted him yet (he did sign a lot earlier in the offseason that I would have estimated) was because they were solely focused on hiring the next team manager. Oddly enough, shortly after Papelbon’s signing, reports came out that Cherrington contacted either Ortiz or his agent to at least discuss the team’s interest in their longtime DH. Hmm…interesting. Does that move hint towards a rookie mistake in not extending the same courtesy to their former closer or were they simply just ready (and expected) to see him walk and sign elsewhere?

Happy Valentine’s Day, Boston

That brings us to the latest news…the hiring of the 45^th Red Sox manager, Bobby Valentine (former manager of the Texas Rangers from 1985-1992, Chiba Lotte Marines in 1995, the New York Mets from 1996-2002 and another stint with the Chiba Lotte Marines from 2004-2009 where he won a Championship in 2005). Many people have questioned the signing and even the interest in Mr. Valentine by the new GM due to Valentine’s longtime friendship to team President & part principle owner, Larry Lucchino, but if you look into this signing more closely his hiring actually makes sense. As the rumored leaked out of Valentine’s candidacy, I have to admit, as a fan, I wasn’t happy (not knowing much of the man except that he managed the Mets in the US and the Marines in Japan aside from the fact that he had the reputation of not getting along with upper management). However, in the last 24 hours and a little research, I have come to the conclusion that outside of Joe Torre or current Yankees bench coach Tony Pena (my personal preferences for the Boston managerial job), Valentine was the best choice for the job and here are some of the reasons why I now think so…

As Tim Kurkjian writes in his recent article entitled, “Bobby Valentine’s one of a kind”

concerning how Valentine would handle the personalities in the clubhouse after the issues that came to view after the season ended, “Valentine will not allow Josh Beckett to not work in between starts. Valentine will find out how three of Carl Crawford’s five tools disappeared last year, and he will make sure he finds them in 2012.” Kurkjian also writes, “He has no patience for some of the clichéd teaching techniques today, and the common misconceptions about the game.”

Kurkjian goes on to state how age has changed Valentine since his last stint managing in MLB,  “He’s not as smug and as arrogant as he used to be, but not much else has changed. No one sells a team, and the game, better than Valentine. When he takes on a project, “I have to do the whole thing,” he said.”

Kurkjian also mentions Valentine’s effect he has had on the game he writes, “Valentine managed seven years in Japan. He won a championship, but he did much more. In some ways, he changed the way they played baseball in Japan. He changed the way players approached the game and he humanized the players, which wasn’t easy given the structured nature of Japanese baseball.”

Scott Lauber recently spoke with Valentine’s former GM in NY, Steve Phillips about his relationship with his former manager and if he think he would be a good fit in Boston and this is what he had to say, “I think Bobby would be great,” Phillips told the Herald by phone today. “You’ve got an experienced manager who has opinions, who is a new-age thinker. Bobby, he’s not an old-school guy. He thinks outside of the box — a lot. Stats mean something to him. Numbers mean something to him. He actually suits the philosophy of the Red Sox very, very well. Based upon how I would evaluate the Red Sox, I think Bobby would be an excellent fit for them.”

“With the Mets, Phillips said Valentine sat in on meetings in which suggestions were made. He described Valentine as “very vocal,” yet receptive to ideas, especially if they were presented in a respectful way.”

By the way, Lauber started off that article with this statement (for those of you who don’t remember), “Nobody had a more volatile relationship with Bobby Valentine than Steve Phillips.

As the Mets’ GM-manager tandem for six seasons (1997-2002), Phillips and Valentine frequently feuded, often through the media.”

Remaining Free Agents from the 2011 Team

RP Dan Wheeler – if he can pitch in 2012 like he did in Tampa that any team would love to have him, but last season was one where he was inconsistent (probably due to injury) which makes him a questionable option.

P Tim Wakefield (45) – if they don’t get anyone from outside the system to pitch in 2012, then I would definitely bring him back on cheap money due to his recent back problems. I‘d bring him back in that scenario due to his flexibility to spot start on a moment’s notice, be a long man out of the pen or even a 7^th or 8^th inning set up to whomever the closer may be.

C Jason Varitek (39) – with Ramon Hernandez & Chris Iannetta are both in new homes already, unless they make a surprise signing, I think they should bring back the captain as their back up. All bets are off if they sign a starting catcher & move Salty to a backup role.

Player(s) To Look Out for in 2012

SS Jose Iglesias will get some platoon time under Valentine if he proves he can hit. If not, they may bring him up as a defensive specialist late in games. OF Ryan Kalish will get a serious look if he can stay healthy. If they do not resign either Varitek or Ortiz, then that would open up a roster spot for C/DH Ryan Lavarnway who has the ability to impress with his bat in 2012.

Holes that Need to be Filled

RF, 4^th & 5^th starter, bullpen arms and possibly a closer.

Now with Valentine’s propensity to platoon players, I could see them not make a move at all and go with both Ryan Kalish and Josh Reddick. Otherwise, look for them to pick up someone like Michael Cuddyer or Josh Willingham now that Theo signed David DeJesus to play RF for the Cubs in 2012.

Possible free agent 4^th and 5^th starters could be selected from the following list: Mark Burhle, Chris Capuano, Aaron Harang, Edwin Jackson, Paul Maholm, Roy Oswalt, C.J. Wilson and Chris Young. From this list, Harang’s tendency to be a fly ball pitcher may not do well at home in Boston and it is unclear in Young, Oswalt and Capuano can stay healthy for the entire year. On top of that, I think that Wilson will cost more than he’s worth.

Possible free agent RPs could come from the following list: Todd Coffey, Octavio Dotel, Chad Durbin (who can spot start), Mike Gonzalez, John Grabow, Chad Qualls (in a set up role and Joel Zumaya (if he can stay healthy).

Possible Trade Bait

The top names I would expect to see traded would be anyone who they can move that refuses to play under Valentine (there have been rumors of player unrest over the selection of Valentine) including Josh Beckett. Other possible options would be Kevin Youkilis, Josh Reddick, Marco Scutaro or Jed Lowrie (depending on which wins the starting SS job in the spring) and Matt Albers (although he may not bring back much on his own). This would happen if Iglesias has a good Spring Training or it allows them to get a decent 4^th or 5^th starter, a right fielder or a quality arm in the bullpen.

No political correctness on this blog, after all, this is a baseball site and seeing that Charlie Brown and the rest of the peanuts gang (written and created by Charles M. Schultz) were also fans of the great sport of baseball I thought I’d add this clip from the classic, “A Charlie Brown Christmas“, as a reminder to the true meaning of Christmas.

If the video doesn’t work, please click HERE.

When I saw this contest and read the possible topics I thought it would be best to combine a few, show some versatility and have some fun with it while still providing my regular readers with some useful information. So here it goes…

When I asked myself why I would want to be a Lowell Spinners Scribe my initial reactions was an honest one, for the traffic and exposure it would provide my site. But that is selfish and is not my main goal for Baseball Reflections. Faithful followers of the site can attest to my desire to look for better ways to provide my readers with the best baseball blog I can muster visually, interactively and in content. My personal style is never too serious and I try to have a little fun while I’m at it. That’s what I like about minor league baseball and especially the Spinners. They are downright entertaining! It’s a fun family venue that engages the public and aims to provide them with the best possible product. As a husband and father I admire how they provide a family atmosphere in-between innings and it is also shows itself in how clean they keep the ballpark. Therefore, to have the privilege of having Baseball Reflections be associated, albeit for a brief time, with the Lowell Spinners would be something that fits into our mutual interests.

Now I admit that since the Spinners became affiliated with the hometown Red Sox, I have taken more of an interest in the team, but if it wasn’t for this link I wouldn’t have the ability to write about one of my favorite former Spinners at this point in the season given that he’s on the DL right now, former Spinners OF Jacoby “The Human Spark Plug” Ellsbury (former Spinners jersey # 24). Ellsbury only played one season in Lowell back in 2005, but while there he hit .317 with an OBP of .418 while stealing 23 bases in 26 attempts with 1 HR and 19 RBIs in 35 games scoring 28 runs. In the field he converted 61 out of 62 attempts for a .984 fielding % and a range factor per game (RF/G) of 2.26. What I like best about “The Human Spark Plug” is that he can affect the outcome of a game, throw off the other team’s concentration due to his awesome speed, base stealing and overall base running prowess. He can be a difference maker at the top of a line up that can be the cause of a pitcher making a bad pitch because he’s paying too much attention (and deservedly so) to Mr. Ellsbury. For example, if a pitcher makes the smallest of errors to Pedroia, Youkilis or anyone else in the Red Sox line up, the results can prove very costly and an early exit from the game. That is something we haven’t had on the Red Sox in a very long time (never in my viewing over the past 30+ years). This year I am eagerly awaiting to see if he can break the curse that seems to loom over all good defensive LF’ers and win a Gold Glove there in 2010 while Mike Cameron holds down the fort in center (once they both come off the DL).

For the rest of my online resume to become a Spinners Scribe, please check out my articles at my site, Baseball Reflections, especially my interviews (most interviews have been done by me with a few exceptions). Some of my interviews have included: Tommy John, Phillies RP Chad Durbin, female umpire Perry Lee Barber, etc.

If you are a Boston Sports Blogger, please consider going to the Boston Sports Blogapalooza at The Baseball Tavern on Sunday, May 2, 2010 from noon to 6pm. For more information or to RSVP, click HERE! I hope to see you there. If you go, please make sure to say hi!

Here is the video from my guest appearance on Pro Rumors TV this past Saturday night, 2/20/10. The two hosts are live and they called me up as their guest that night.

By the way, I had topics of interest to go by, but that last question wasn’t on the list they gave me, hence my delay in answering…

The Admission

The other day, former A’s and Cardinals slugging first baseman “finally” admitted to using steroids back in his playing days. But, he only admitted to using them as a health benefit to help him keep from his body breaking down and keep him in the game. He believes in his heart that his steroid usage did not affect his power numbers.

On Former Teammate Jose Canseco

He also stated that Jose Canseco’s recount of them injecting each other in clubhouse stalls before games is false and that he won’t stoop down to Jose’s level. The attached video interviews below are of both McGwire and Canseco the day after McGwire’s interview the day before with Bob Costas.

Former Manager, Tony LaRussa

It has been reported that LaRussa first found out about McGwire’s PED use was last week, when his former player called him on the phone and told him. A fact that Canseco does not seem to believe and neither do I. I am sure that the phone call happened, but my guess is that Mac was telling his current boss about what he was going to do and say rather than telling him something new. I fully believe that LaRussa knew about Canseco and McGwire’s PED use.

Final Thoughts

My question is who do you believe? Canseco or McGwire/LaRussa? I may not think that Canseco has the best interests in doing all of this and I think it’s vindictive of him, but can anyone tell me where he has been wrong on who did or didn’t use PED’s? He’s been the most accurate person to date in that regard! I just wish it was coming from someone with some remorse for what it has done to the game of baseball. Canseco seems to be proud of his involvement with steroids and it’s use in baseball. Again I ask, what do you think?

To read more on this, please read the article on ESPNChicago.com (Information from ESPN‘s Willie Weinbaum and The Associated Press was used in this report).

For a detailed look at the new approach to pitching and how pitchers are to train and be handled by a coaching staff, please read the ESPN Magazine article (if you can) by Tim Keown dated September 7th, 2009.

From that article, Ryan’s goal was simple, “I want to build a well-rounded ball club, not one based on just hitting”.

When Ryan was asked about how the babying of pitchers came to be, this is what he told Keown, “All this outside crap came into play,” Ryan says. “All of a sudden you have people who haven’t pitched and haven’t played and don’t understand baseball driving the front offices to come up with a number. ‘Oh, he’s at 100 pitches. I need to take him out.’ No, he should be getting one more out to get out of the inning.”

After a season in 2008 that saw the Rangers allow the most runs in the majors they had allowed the fewest in 2009 up to mid-August (when the article was written). This fact alone should open up some eyes and begin to break down the barriers teams have that prevent pitchers to throw more and train more effectively. If Ryan’s methodology is implemented I think that teams will get more for their money out of these high priced pitchers than they currently do.

Before the 2009 season began, this was the new team philosophy/edict that was laid out before the Rangers, “A pitch count is a limit. You have no limits.”

To help reinforce this new (or rather old) methodology, Ryan hired former pitcher Mike Maddux as the rangers new pitching coach. This is an insight into the Ranger’s new team philosophy under Ryan as is preached by Maddux, “If you throw 10 pitches an inning, you can throw 15 innings,” Maddux says. “But a 10-pitch inning when you give up a two-out double is a lot different from a 10-pitch inning when you give up a leadoff double. We’ve had to reeducate guys to understand a perfect inning isn’t nine pitches and three strikeouts; it’s three pitches and three outs.”

Now with that being said, there will be some exceptions to the rule. Players who just don’t have the physical make up to withstand a grueling 162 game season without the current babying/codling that we’ve seen over the last 15-20 years in baseball.

Since Ryan has been in the Rangers organization in this capacity the team has gotten rid of players who do not accept the new methodology.

Futhermore, Ryan’s claimed that pitchers are not conditioned in a way to exceed expectations. He is quoted as saying, “These guys weren’t conditioned to go deep into games,” Ryan says. “They had to change their mind-set. We had to get them in shape, make them throw more. Once they bought into it, they realized we weren’t asking them to do something they couldn’t do. They got tougher. They realized mental toughness is a result of physical toughness.”

But don’t take my word for it, let’s see what some of the players who have been in this environment have to say about it!

“At first, I didn’t know if my arm was going to hold up,” Feldman says. “Now, more than halfway through the season, I can see where it helped.”

Upon Ryan’s insistence that pitchers throw live batting practice in spring straining (before the 2009 season) brought on the following comments from both Ryan and 13 year veteran Kevin Millwood. “That’s how you learned to read hitters,” Ryan says. “That’s how you learned what works and what doesn’t.” “I was working on some things and just felt good,” Millwood says. “I lost track of time. And I was getting so much out of it, I just kept throwing.”

They have also changed the menu in the clubhouse to once that is more nutritional that they think will help players beat the Texas heat and provide them with more endurance, too.

They have also created a new “unofficial” baseball term/position, the utility pitcher which might be similar to a spot starter. Here’s that the player who held this position in 2009 for the Rangers, Jason Jennings had to say about the new position. “If the starter pulls a hamstring after one pitch, I’m the guy. And if a game goes 14 innings, I’m the guy. The only ‘utility’ I’d heard of in baseball was ‘utility infielder,’ ” says the 31-year-old Jennings. “But I’m glad to have the job. It’s kept me in the big leagues.”

So after reading this and the original Keown article, what are your thoughts on what Nolan Ryan is trying to do with the Texas Rangers pitching staff. Do you think the other MLB teams will copy cat the idea if it works? Do ou think it will work at all? I for one hope it does!

I look forward to the ensuing discussion…

The Sox second half SS, Alex Gonzalez recently signed with the rival Toronto Blue Jays. Also, the organization is uncertain about the ability of Jed Lowrie to play everyday in 2010 after his injury woes. That leaves the Red Sox brass with a choice to make! Do they sign a free agent SS, make a trade or return Pedroia to his natural position (SS) while they see about the durability of Lowrie?

If it were up to me, I’d put Pedroia at SS in a heartbeat!

Just read what he has to say about it per Peter Gammons in his article Pedroia interested in move back to SS.

“They’ve asked me if I think I could play shortstop,” Pedroia says. “They’ve put it out there and I’ve told them I’m all for it. I can do it. I can’t wait for Tito [Terry Francona] to call me and ask, ‘Can you do it?’ I can do it. I really want to do it.”

When he was asked why Boston moved him from SS to 2B after seeing him play SS in spring training in 2006, this is what he had to say…

“Look,” Pedroia says, “I was 20 pounds heavier. I tried to get big and it was a disaster. I know it. It’s all about quickness, agility and flexibility, and I know it.”

And again about playing SS again and dethroning Derek Jeter of his Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards at the position he says…

“When the idea of moving back to shortstop was floated to me, I welcomed it,” Pedroia says. “I’m excited. Tell Derek [Jeter] to enjoy the gold glove and silver slugger awards while he can. Obviously, I’m not serious about the fun I have with Derek, but I’m never stopping believing in the goal. I believe I can play shortstop and help get the Red Sox back where they belong.”

If they do move Pedroia, it was said by Gammons that they could potentially look at free agent 2B Orlando Hudson (a gold glover) or via a trade with the Reds for 2B and 20/20 threat Brandon Phillips (which would be my favorite choice). Phillips is an interesting option as he use to play SS as well so he might give them more options if he can be had.

Unfortunately, The Boston Globe‘s Nick Cafardo, in his article Sox will exhaust shortstop options before Pedroia states that the Red Sox will exhaust all of their options via Free Agency and Trade before moving Pedrioa back to the position in which they drafted him (Hat tip to Tim Dierkes at MLB Trade Rumors).

What do you think the Red Sox should do at SS?