With all due respect to the late Ricky Nelson, Travis Denker is ‘a travlin’ man who’s made a lot of stops.’
Denker’s latest stop is Pawtucket after he was claimed off
waivers from the Padres’ Double-A team in San Antonio – and where he
should give the PawSox more depth not only in the outfield but also the
infield where he’s capable of playing second base (maybe even shortstop
since that was the position he played when he was picked by the Dodgers
in the 2003 draft).
Given the way players are shuttling in and out of the PawSox’
clubhouse either because of injuries or promotions to Boston, Denker
definitely should see his share of playing time.
“I’m just looking for a home,” said Denker who last season
played 24 games with the San Francisco Giants and hit .243. “But I
never thought I’d come to (the Red Sox’ organization).
“From what I’ve heard this is a great place to play. The fans
are amazing. Even in California some of my friends have Red Sox
tattoos. That’s something we’ll have a good laugh over now.”
Denker fills the spot on Pawtucket’s roster that was created
when infielder Gil Velazquez was called up to Boston to replace Jed
Lowrie who went on the disabled list with a wrist injury that,
subsequently, required surgery.
Even though Denker has played outfield and some third base, he
expressed the opinion that he feels more comfortable at second.
“You see the pitches called by the catcher when you play second base,” he said.
“You know where to shift to. You’re completely in the game. You’re thinking along the same lines as the pitcher and catcher.”
Since PawSox manager Ron Johnson always is determined to give
his players as much action as possible – regardless of position -
Denker definitely will get opportunities to “think along the same lines
as the pitcher and catcher.”
EXTRA BASES: While Denker joined Pawtucket, the team has lost
two players to the disabled list … Outfielder Jeff Corsaletti is
sidelined with a shoulder injury … Another outfielder, Zach Daeges (one
of the organization’s top prospects) is expected to be out for several
weeks because of a sprained left ankle … He originally suffered the
injury in spring training but only aggravated it by playing … One of
Boston’s better pitching prospects, Kris Johnson, entered Friday’s game
at Lehigh Valley having tossed 10 consecutive scoreless innings …But
the IronPigs torched him for eight runs in 2 1/3 innings in a game
Lehigh Valley won, 13-3.
One post-mortem on Daniel Bard’s near mind-boggling performance
against Rochester on Wednesday (he fanned the top three batters in the
order on nine pitches in the ninth inning): Ron Johnson expressed the
opinion that if the Red Sox brass had been at the game they might have
taken Bard with him. As it is, and regardless of how well Boston’s
relievers are performing, Bard may force the issue which could limit
his time in Pawtucket.
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I think its time for Bard to be with the big club.
In place of?
In place of Javier Lopez
Exactly Lopez. I know we lose the lefty specialist. But I am certain we can do without Lopez specializing in walking the first lefty he faces each game.
Bard blew a save opportunity by giving up a solo homer in 1.2 innings in Pawtucket’s last game, but I agree that the Sox won’t be able to keep him in the minors much longer. However, I think Theo will solve that problem via trade.
Rather than taking Lopez’s spot in the bullpen, I think Theo might trade Delcarmen in exchange for Mitch Stetter and a prospect from the Brewers, then designate Lopez for assignment (if he continues to struggle), and promote Bard to replace Delcarmen.
Stetter isn’t exactly a control artist either, but he has much better strikeout stuff than Lopez, which makes up for it somewhat. Assuming the Sox get a decent prospect back in addition to Stetter, losing Delcarmen for Bard shouldn’t hurt too much.
Thoughts?
Why Lopez? He’s been pretty good these last two years. Granted, not excellent, and at times seem sto be walking a tightrope — probably why the Sox have looked at Mitch Stetter.
To replace Hunter Jones? Sure. To ride the express all year long due to injuries? Sure. But why fix what’s not broken?
Daniel, I can’t see Theo willingly downgrading from Delcarmen to Stetter even with Bard in the wings.
I would rather keep both DelCarmen and Bard. I would never a power pitcher for a specialist. Sure Bard is an exiting prospect but is more of a sure thing. A 0.00 ERA doesn’t hurt either. If there’s a prospect I wouldn’t mine trading is Bowden. The guy throws like Johnny Damon.
Let’s be honest Lopez sucks. You can throw all the stats you want.
Lopez should be DFA. Then the Sox should trade for that Stetter guy(the sox won’t have to give much because this is a specialist). Or better yet they should just develop Kason to be a specialist, the change would help him because he’d throw less innings and therefore wouldn’t get hurt as often. By the way Hunter Jones stinks, the guy is wild and he was getting killed in the Dominican Winter Leagues.
Almost agreed with you for the first time, until you got to Hunter Jones. Two good MLB outings for him so far, including tonight, which support his outings at AA and AAA. Seems like he is getting it all together, and he could quickly replace Javier Lopez if he doesn’t return to form.
Bowden’s mechanics are irrelevant to the fact that he gets MLB hitters out. Is it possible for you to discuss these guys without using language like “stinks”, “arm falls off” and other insults????? You seem to have much to offer, and your discussions would be more credible if they weren’t peppered with juvenile name calling.
Can’t see trading MDC for anyone. He has been consistently lights out since being moved from 8th to 6th & 7th innings, been getting better every year, is just starting to enter his prime. Swapping out with RRamirez and Saito have made him a great reliever. With his 0.00era, the Sox would have been in deep wheat without him this year.
Evan’s point as to who should Bard, Jones, Bowden, Buchholz replace is easily answered. Whoever gets injured or fatigued.