Why do you say that...if anything the rift is growing.....Bobby V wanted Igelias at SS over Aviles (Cherrington wanted Aviles) and Bobby V wanted Bard to go back to the bullpen (Cherrington wanted Bard in rotation).....since Bobby lost both of his wishes....I would argue the RIFT is growing! taken from the Beckett "thumb" article: Yeah, no rift at all....LOL! now all we need is a Bobby V quote telling Cherrington to stick his thumb where the sun dont shine, and then perhaps we can get to the bottom of the "thumb-gate"....hahaahhaa.
comments like these just re-inforce the lack of credibility that should be assigned to every past statement.....
he is a dude who in Seattle threw 95+ often hitting 97,98.... now he is throwing 90-91, sometimes hitting 93,94....is now on the DL, followed by a trip to the minors to get his act together... They should actually change his name to Udon....
It was lazy writing in which some reporters claimed there was a rift between the two. It is completely possible that Valentine may have wanted to start the year with Iglesias at SS, Bard in the pen and Lavarnway on the bench while Cherrington wanted the opposite but how is that a rift? Can't two people have two different opinions? If it was any other GM or manager it wouldn't be a new story (it isn't really a news story anyway) but because of what happened in 2011 and in the offseason it's news? Really? I thought it was completely laughable that these reports of a rift included that Valentine was going to win out because of his relationship with Lucchino and that Cherrington didn't have any power. Again it's just lazy writing which is per to the course in Boston. The only writers worth reading are Alex Spier, Rob Bradford and at times Gordon Ednes and Sean McAdams. Anyway it was obvious that it would have been the wrong idea to start Iglesias at SS to begin the year as he had an awful offensive season last year and looked overmatched at times during ST. Lavarnway on the bench would also have been a dumb decision. Sure the guy can probably hit major league pitching but he needs work behind the plate and won't get it playing once or twice a week. As far as Bard, I have no real opinion, who knows if he can be an effective SP or not, time will tell.
Of course its lazy writing and typical ST fodder (along with Best Shape of His Life crap).....but now via 3rd person (Aceves) you have typical Bobby V. throwing bombs across the bow to FO. Thats Bobby's MO...he is either fully in control and knows-all; or everyone is just wrong and doing everything to try to prove Bobby V wrong - mindset. Thats how he looks at things. Its typical...and frankly how his tenure has played out in every stop. Even with zero true RIFT as you say.....I find it funny that Bobby V. throws the FO under the bus over the Bard situation with a "an organization directive" type statement vs. simply saying to Aceves, its my call, this is what I need from you. Step up and man up, etc. No, Bobby V. is all about, yeah, loved how you threw as Starter, but its out of my hands, blah, blah, blah.... ....so close to Easter Sunday, maybe Bobby V. should try out as the Pontius Pilate role at the local Church.
First let me clarify a disagreement doesn't equal a rift in my opinion. I'm sure Cherrington and Valentine have disagreed over a few things since Valentine signed. It's normal and natural. Having disagreements or different opinions is fine in my opinion and healthy. Having a rift, like what some writers are 'reporting' is different and bad in my opinion. As far as Bobby throwing the FO under the bus, I guess I don't see it nor do I think it's that big of a deal based on what Aceves said Valentine said. Valentine is a very smart guy, I'm sure he knows what Aceves' stats look like after he gets through the order once, let alone when he faces the same hitter multiple times an outing. Personally I think Aceves' stuff plays out better in the role as he could be a Ramiro Mendoza type down there giving the team multiple innings a week because he has a rubber arm.
the other guy in this trade isnt holding up well either....he had a slight concussion ealier in ST, and now this......ouch...
Good to see the team start off on the right foot right off the bat.... The team needs Beckett more than Bailey (obviously) having Bailey out will weaken the pen but it's not a season killer. Losing Beckett for an extended amount of time would be.
It sounds like Beckett is holding back from going full bore, and they are sending him there as a "see you are fine, go do your thing"
Yeah sure sounds like it. Beckett is one of those players that needs a 2nd opinion before he feels comfortable going all out. And no clue about how either got hurt. I've kind of been out of the loop following the team the past week or so. And haven't really read anything about either.
Well, if you take away Beer and Fried Chicken, I guess all you do is sit in the corner of the clubhouse and eat pie (the old fashioned way)????
Personally think thats ANOTHER mistake by Saux and Bobby V/Cherington situation. Aceves is just too valuable to not be in the for long relief, key setup outs, and even being stretched out for spot starts (or even if Bard gags) to make him your Closer. Honestly, Melacon is the smarter CL play to hold down the fort, and let Aceves mop up every key situation till the 9th with the lead, and be ready for SP duties, etc. If Aceves stays the CL for a significant period of time and Bobby V. doesnt keep him stretched out, this can backfire big time if rotation does suffer a DL stint (which is likely). Really dont know what Cherington or Bobby V see in these decisions, but they cant be on the same page and in harmony...they cant be. Its as if one or the other is saying, "well if you are going to do that and force my hand, I am going to do this and shove it right back at ya..." IMO!
Yeah I agree it doesn't make sense that Aceves is the closer. He's much too valuable as a swing man. Personally, I would make Padilla the closer and keep Melancon in the 7th/8th inning role. Melancon is probably the best arm they have in the pen now and most of the time the game is won/lost in the 7th or 8th inning. Much like how Bard and Robertson have been better and pitched in more key spots than Papelbon and Rivera last year. Anyway I can't get too worked up over this, I don't think it's a long term plan.
Here’s the list of the CURRENT Red Sox DL: Carl Crawford – $19.5 million John Lackey – $15.25 million Daisuke Matsuzaka – $10 millon Bobby Jenks – $6 million Andrew Bailey – $3.9 million Andrew Miller – $1.04 million Rich Hill – $725,000 Ryan Kalish – approx. $480,000 Chris Carpenter – approx. $480,000 It all adds up to $57.375 million, which is barely short of the approx. $62 million the Rays are spending on their entire 2012 roster.
It goes back a long time ago, back even during the FH days, but it really came to a head when the Mets traded for Jeff Francoeur and I got into with a bunch of Met fans who thought Francoeur would magically become good because he was now on the Mets and cited the old "change of scenery" excuse. I simply pointed out that Francoeur was going to continue to be a disaster whereever he went because he swings at everything and is allergic to walks and with the numbers he puts up he's basically just a 4th OFer who should play only against LHP. But was kept being told I was dead wrong and all he needed was a new uniform. One poster even tried to compare Francoeur's numbers to Yaz's. The whole thing was comically crazy (it was pretty much the same as the Jeff Karstens debate from over the summer). So until the whole Jeff Karstens thing it's been a long running joke that I knock Jeff Francoeur every once and awhile. Now I can use Karstens for pitchers and continue on with Frenchy for hitters. And I don't hate Francoeur, just think he was wildly overrated by those Met fans those few days (and Rocky Raccoon during his Brave days). If you have like 10 minutes to spare search for a Met thread whichever year he was traded and look for the Francoeur "debate" its pretty entertaining.
Nasty duel it seems between 2 of the best pitchers in the game...... Good to see Vincente Padilla is still well Vincente Padilla....surprised he didnt headhunt in his debut....he is saving that for Jeter I am sure..... By the way Fink, what do you put the odds of a Red Sox/Baltimore brawl this year...... I am starting the odds at 4-1....Bobby V, Showalter.....they knocked them out last year...u guys have Padilla now....
Classic Sox, get the starter out, laser beams off the bullpen.... Couldnt have happened to a better person in that fool Valverde either.... Fist pump that you idiot.....
Eh who knows regarding a brawl. But I just have a feeling Padilla won't be long for this team anyway.
Paging Daniel Bard, we need you in the closers role.....stat... I know I know I am joking Fink....one game...
I actually don't think Valentine managed the bullpen well at all today. Especially with an off day tomorrow why not have Melancon or Aceves pitch the 8th? I mean you have to go with your best pitcher in that spot to try and keep the game within a run. I wouldn't have went with Padilla there at all. And I didn't love him pulling Melancon in the 9th after giving up 2 hits either, especially to put in Aceves who has been know to let inherited runners to score and at times can be wild. Oh well can't win them all right?
1 down, 161 more to go just like that..... ..... I think he had a quick hook for Melancon too, he threw a nice pitch to Avila who just barely won the battle (unlike the Cubs vs. Nats and horrible missed strikes by the Ump - even though K. Woods was horrible - that cost Cubs and a gem by Dempster)...but anyway.....Bobby V. must not trust or really like Melancon at all (maybe its an ex-Yanks thing, who knows....)
Wow, Bobby V will have to lose it soon....tough start. Thanks for keeping the Yanks company in the basement of the division (and all of baseball for the moment)!!!!