The Official 2014 AL East Thread

That's just the way he is, but he is absolutely respected and loved around the league, there's no denying that. No one said he can't be a giant pain in the butt though when things don't go his way.

 

Honestly the only times he annoys me with his complaining is about his contract status. The other stuff like not getting an official hit or RBI, I just roll my eyes.

 

Can we just play you guys for the rest of the season. We won't score this many runs for weeks on end sometimes

 

It's been a frustrating two nights against Seattle, who the Sox historically stink against in Seattle. With that being said there needs to be some changes with this Sox team. I'd be shocked if Peavy and Pierzynski are still on the team after July 31st. The Sox actually do have spare parts (Drew, Gomes, pen arms) that they can deal if they fall out of it.

 

He was fine last year and the Sox probably don't win the WS without him, this year he's be just giving up too many HRs and walking more guys. Sox have better alternatives.

I wonder when/if Victorino will be back this year, not having him has been a big loss for this team. Mookie Betts is starting in RF tonight so its possible that's where he will play, at least for this year, if he gets called up.

 

Sox are apparently calling up Mookie Betts, surprised it is this quick but the kid was more than holding his own in Triple A. If this is going to be a lost year for the. MLB team, might as well play the young guys (also calling up Vasquez eventually along with Webster and Ranuado) and give them MLB experience.

 

Well im trying to pick up betts in my fantasy league and hes no where to be seen.

 

He's so good he's not allowed to be picked up in fantasy baseball because it would be unfair to the other teams.

 

Not even sure what Headley's real value actually is anymore. Headley is a perfect example of what GMs should say to young top talents who turn down their contract extensions. San Diego offered Headley around 60 million or so and Headley said no and now Headley will be lucky to make even half of that for the rest of his career if he continues to hit like he is.

 

With the issues on the team it doesnt make and sense to trade for someone whose contract is over this year anyways.

 

It's one thing to actually go out and make a move, it's another to simply talk to teams about their players. If Cashman wasn't talking to every team or sending scouts to watch every team I'd be much more upset at that.

 

I've almost given up on this season. The offense is just not there, which is too bad because the pitching has been fine and I think they might actually have the best pitching overall in the AL East. Hopefully Ben at least sees what he can get for guys like Lester, Miller and Koji.

 

Well now, this is certainly interesting:

http://www.si.com/mlb/2014/07/01/bloodsport-excerpt-alex-rodriguez-new-york-yankees-steroids

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2...ne-for-several-seasons-before-biogenesis-hit/

 

Yeah I officially gave up on the 2014 season. Time to ship out Pierzynski, Peavy, Doubront, Breslow, and Drew just to name a few. Might as well trade Koji too. Try to extend Lester and Andrew Miller during the all star break but if they can't ship them out too. Let Bogaerts, Betts, JBJ, Vazquez and WMB/Cecchini play everyday to get their feet wet in the MLB. Keep Workman, RDLR and Webster in the rotation too.

 

Bogaerts just had a pretty horrible last month. I think he was trying to do too much at the plate and fell into some bad habits. Right now he's starting too early and drifting forward too much so he doesn't stay back on breaking balls and he's missing fastballs he would crush at the beginning of the year. I think it's simply a normal slump young players go through. I'm certainly not worried long term, I just hope the Sox continue to stick him out there so he can work through it, ditto for JBJ and even Betts. If you're committed to playing younger guys might as well stick with them for the year so you know if they can help you in the future or not.

Yeah I saw the Yanks/Sox cleaned up in the international signing market. I'm not sure what exactly the penalties are but if they are just a slap on the wrist or a fine who cares? I'd much rather spend 10 million + on a bunch of young prospects then give it to a 4th or 5th starter type that might get through the year without being released.

 

For whatever reason I watched most of last night's game and Remy and Orsillo were outstanding last night. No one is more entertaining then those two are when the game is a blow out or the team simply sucks. High high comedy with those two especially last night.

 

They have crazy good chemistry together and you can tell they actually like each other.

 

Hey only 3 more years left on that contract.

Which is part of the reason why I'm honestly on the fence about Jon Lester. On one hand, I love the guy and he's been a very good, but not great (unless it's the playoffs), pitcher for the Sox. But on the other hand he's going to be 31 next year and I'm not sure if it's smart to give him a 5 or 6 year 120 + million dollar deal. I know the Sox have tons of money but that doesn't mean they should foolishly spend it just to spend it.

I do however trust Ben Cherington will make the right decision in the end. The Sox rarely let one of their own FAs go that they truly want back or that ends up biting them. In fact in recent memory the only FA they let walk that in hindsight they should have resigned was Adrian Beltre.

 

This is completely not surprising at all.

 

But that's kind of the point of my whole post, whether he's been good, very good or great is irrelevant since the Sox will be paying him for what he will do in the future. CC was a better pitcher (or in the very least just as good) than Lester and look what happened to him. That worries me but so does a rotation without Lester.

 

Hearing the Yankees basically waived Soriano via "designated for assignment" which he will likely refuse and b/c a FA

 

It was a good trade because of who they gave up and McCarthy, if healthy, is obviously an upgrade over who they had.

I must say I am surprised at how quickly Soriano fell off the map, he was great last year after he came to the Yankees obviously I didn't think he would be as good but didn't think he'd be that bad. I wonder if he'll call it quits or not because I can see a team taking a flier on him.

 

Some of the better Sox beat reporters are saying that they are hearing from Sox front office people that if the Sox don't go at least 5 and 2 in their next 7 games against the CHW and Houston, they will be in seller mode.

Personally I think they should be in seller mode anyway, the team simply isn't good enough which is extremely frustrating because of how good they were last year and how bad the AL East is this year.

 

I agree, especially since he doesn't add anything defensively and Beltran is the DH now because of his elbow injury. It was basically a wasted bench spot.

 

I am afraid the Rays are going to miss out on better package for Price because they are hot right now. FO is now going to think we have a chance at this thing.

 

Think that would be a mistake, the team could get hot