Boston Red Sox podcast on MVN Radio, Episode #31 where a little Smoltz and Baldelli goes a long way.
Episode #31
Hosts: Paul Testa, Tim Daloisio
Guests: None
Paul and Tim seem to have recovered from the aftershock of Mark Teixeira’s donning the pinstripes, and John Smoltz and Rocco Baldelli have alot to do with it. Aside from breaking down the new acquisitions, they go up and down the lineup, wonder if Tim Wakefield’s position on this team is secure, and review the MLB Network. Are they suddenly optimistic about the Red Sox 2009 prospects? Listen and find out.
All that and more on Episode #31 of Fireside Chats on MVN!
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Do my ears deceive me? Am I hearing discussion – on Fire Brand – of the opportunity cost of keeping Wakefield on the roster? Thanks for recognizing that St. Tim essentially requires two roster spots (himself and ‘personal backstop’) in exchange for mediocrity. (Plus, he’s not the “innings-eater” his defenders would have us believe him to be; not anymore, anyway.)
@Tessie’s Dad – I’ll have to credit Paul with bringing that up. But it’s a totally valid point. Especially with the redundancies that Smoltz has given us.
Sox pitching is deep, but it must be prepared to deal with injuries and fatigue. Wakefield, Buchholz, Bowden, maybe Masterson represent our Rotation Depth in 2009, and with the injury history of this dominant rotation, we will need them all.
Theo/Tito made it clear that Smoltz won’t get started until June. We are also being prepared for the possibility that neither Penny nor Saito will be rushed; nor will Buchholz, Bowden, Bard, Tazawa.
Could the Opening Day Rotation be Beckett, DK, Lester, Wakefield, Masterson or Hansack? Sure could unless we also sign Ben Sheets or John Garland to an incentive-laden contract.
So Tim is necessary for April, May, maybe June. There would be no surprise if his health started to effect his pitching by then. Enter Smoltz. There would also be no surprise, lthough the disappointment would be huge, if Penny’s health deteriorated later in the year. Enter Buchholz or Bowden.
Just as the recovery periods by J Smoltz, Penny and Saito could extend past opening day, injuries to Wake, Beckett and others must be built into the second half. Wakefield may be key to both halves of the season.
Also, re: Josh Bard. I think it is fair to project 2009 off of his 2006 and 2007 years when he, by his own admission, grew up put it all together, not 2008 when he was playing injured. IMO, he could be our starter; he could catch Wake; and a combination of Bard/Kottaras/Brown would be as effective, maybe moreso, than Bard/Salty, Bard/Montero, Bard/TG, certainly Bard/Pudge & others. There will be plenty of time to trade, if needed, by the deadline.
I have enjoyed your Fireside Chats and encourage you to continue them on a regular basis.