MVN: Most Valuable Network

#1

Posted by Lyndsay, May 15, 2008 5:20 PM

noooo! please don't put ideas in Theo's head about trading Aardsma!!! we already lost Batsh-t (as he is lovingly known to some in the blogging community). I didn't like the trading Tavarez idea (they actually NEED him now with their starters faltering, ironically), and I definitely don't like the trading Aardsma idea either. I like what Aardsma has done so far. If you want to throw someone out there, I could deal with Lopez - he wouldn't be missed.

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#2

Posted by Lyndsay, May 15, 2008 5:21 PM

welll....what everyone really wants to say but won't is that they need to do something with Manny DC, who's dead weight in that bullpen at this point...but we're all still rooting for the hometown guy, and I think I would want to keep him even if his ERA was over 10.0.

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#3

Posted by jvwalt, May 15, 2008 7:02 PM

I'm a little surprised that they might be shopping Aardsma and Lopez; neither guy is any great shakes, but I can't say they are the biggest problems for the team to address.

Perhaps the brain trust is ready to commit to youth -- make Hansen a key player, and call up Masterson?

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#4

Posted by Evan Brunell, May 15, 2008 7:45 PM

I am pretty surprised as well... I wonder if they are trying to package the two for an upgrade and then call up an AAAer to fill the backend.

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#5

Posted by Jrod, May 15, 2008 10:18 PM

THis speaks for Theos confidence in Hansen! I don't like hte idea of trading Aardsma. I feel Lopez is more expendable but i feel that Hansen now that he was matured and has a ridiculous slider i feel he is ready to be a contibutor out of the bullpen

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#6

Posted by gerry, May 15, 2008 10:43 PM

Aardsma has been one of our more consistent pitchers, a great pickup, and done better than most of the (entire) staff.

His walks ratio is improving, and he regularly throws 96-97mph. He is steadily moving past last year's horror, is stabilizing, and becoming a real asset. So why do the Sox talk about trading him?!?!? Smart. Great ego boost. I can think of several less valuable pitchers in that bullpen, and I can think of few middle to late inning guys with near his talent OR stats.

And, despite his old rep, Lopez' #'s continue to show steady improvement 2006-2007-2008. Can anyone tell me how many games he (or Aardsma) has cost us this year vs. how many he helped hold together? You may be surprised.

Last year our MiLB depth included Breslow, Corey, Hansen, Hughes. All have moved up and out. Julian is also gone. Timlin, Hansen and MDC are trying to get it together, along with Snyder and Hansack. But Aardsma and Lopez keep getting better and better, most often accomplishng what is asked of them. Sorry, but under the circumstances, this sounds suicidal and dumb.

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#7

Posted by Shawn Medeiros, May 16, 2008 12:21 AM

Who cares about all three of those guys really? Honestly, I bet we can replace them with some minor leaguers.

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#8

Posted by Jaredk, May 16, 2008 9:32 AM

I'm with you Shawn, I made a post when tavarez was DFA'd to the point of lets clean house with what's not working and then figure out what we need to add. I'm tired of the fact that we have arguments between who to let go between tavarez, Corey, Lopez, Snyder and guys of this ilk. F*ck 'em, let them all go...give Hansen a shot at a more serious role or consider moving Masterson (I would like to see him starting in the minors until July ideally) to the pen, a guy like Eric Hull or Gronk can't be much worse then the retreads we keep throwing out there. I would like to see Paps, Okajima, MDC, Timlin, and Masterson stay. MDC since he has phenomenal stuff should stay and use him in low leverage situations until his confidence returns. Timlin should stay because he is a vet, is fearless and you know if he fails chances are he threw his best stuff and was around the strike zone...he has proven he can right the ship when he has struggled in the past. Try a couple of internal options like Hull while you work the phone trying to get a legit set-up guy. As much as I have always liked Brandon Moss (he is basically JD Drew at 12 mil less per year...draws walks, would likely hit .270-.280 with 20-25 homeruns given a chance, great arm) if that is the unfortunate cost of getting serious bullpen help then sayanora.

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#9

Posted by Lyndsay, May 17, 2008 7:22 PM

the problem is though, great bullpen guys are so hard to come by these days, much like great catchers, so the few teams that have them are going to hold on to them for dear life.

I still disagree with all of you on Aaardsma - I think he's worth keeping.

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