First of all, if you’d like to swear a blue streak (I know I would) about losing two out of three to the rejuvenated Yankees, check out Shawn’s latest recap…
Eric Hinske may not be off to a great start offensively, but he’s certainly caught the eye of manager Terry Francona — and last week the fans noticed, too.
Hinske has been playing quite a bit lately, as he notched 12 appearances in games (six starts) from May 5th to 12th (16 games). He certainly isn’t tearing the cover off the ball, as he is only batting .188/.298/.354 cumulative. He got off to a hot start in April, amassing a .294/.409/.471 line in 17 AB. Nearly doubling that to 31 AB this month, he’s at a line of .129/.229/.290.
Hinske, who holds a career line of .258/.337/.435, may be morphing into Gabe Kapler’s replacement here at Fenway. You know, the guy who quietly feels that he should be starting, but is willing to come off the bench in an enhanced role to help the club, willing to play everywhere. Hinske has played mostly right field and first base this year, but has also put in a few appearances at left field, and can also hold his own at third base, having started exclusively at that position for the first three years of his major league career.
Now 29 and five years removed from his Rookie of the Year trophy, Hinske finds himself a fringe player – one not good enough to start on a championship caliber club, but good enough to start on a club which doesn’t have as good a shot at the World Series as the powers – Boston, both New York clubs, the Indians … (although I have to wonder if the Tigers would be interested).
Hinske could be whining, moping, and trying to start fights, like a certain outfielder on the Red Sox in 2005. But he’s not. He’s accepted his role and doing everything with a smile on his face. He’s a free agent after this year – he can worry about playing time then. Right now, I think he realizes he’s in a great position: he’s playing an enhanced bench role for a ballclub that boasts baseball’s best record, and his passionate play has endeared him to to the Fenway Faithful. This play was on full display for all to see on May 17th, when he made a play that has to rank among the top five of the year (at least). He then bashed a two-run, game winning homerun to settle the score at a 4-2 Sox win later that night against the Tigers.
While Hinske’s bat certainly isn’t a cause for celebration, his overall attitude and drive to play well and passionately certainly is. Hinske makes up a very important part of what could be called the best bench in the major leagues.
Julian Tavarez. That name was met with scorn last year. Do we even need to relive the Jason Kubel horror show?
This year, it means something else entirely. It means a nickname: Sexy Lips. It means Manny Ramirez rubbing Tavarez’s hair … it means directing traffic across the field …
And it means a perfectly solid fifth starter.
Tavarez’s numbers aren’t going to blow anyone away. Even after his 5.2 inning, three-hit effort against the Yankees two nights ago, his ERA is at 5.27 with a 3-4 record. He’s been much better in May, posting a 3.42 ERA after a disastrus 7.58 ERA in April.
While Tavarez is not long for the spot (either Jon Lester or Rich Harden should step in) he’s certainly at least cemented his spot in the Red Sox plans for this year, and perhaps even in future years (which would necessitate signing a contract extension).
This article isn’t meant to figure out what happens once Lester supplants Tavarez, but let’s just think about it. When Josh Beckett returns, Manny Delcarmen likely heads back down, and we go back to five starters. Once (or if) Mike Timlin returns, Javier Lopez is probably getting the boot, despite how well Lopez has been thriving in a lefty specialist role. Lopez has options, so he’s going.
Who leaves once Jon Lester is ready to return? Is it Kyle Snyder? Joel Pineiro? J.C. Romero? It’s not going to be Julian Tavarez because of how well Tavarez has held himself in the fifth starter role – and how Manny seems to enjoy Tavarez on the mound. Manny hits around .350 when Tavarez is starting, and has three bombs and 10 RBI in those eight games that Tavarez takes the hill for.
Will Tavarez be as effective if he goes back into a relief role?
Who knows?
But I know this: the play of Tavarez so far this year has been better than I anticipated. The play of Tavarez has helped us to the amazing record we have right now, which is a dramatic turnaround from last year when I would have advocated that he lost more games for us than won. This year? So far, he’s won more games for us than he’s lost, and that’s all we can ask from a placeholder hanging around until Jon Lester is deemed ready.
The results of the poll:
It looks as if the majority of the people agree with me: Rich Harden should become a Red Sox if one of the big three are not given up. Why not? Harden is such a talent.
Should the Red Sox acquire Rich Harden?
* Yes, do what it takes! (Even giving up Buchholz or Bowden.)
10% of all votes
* Yes, but not for one of our big three (Ellsbury, Buchholz, Bowden)
46% of all votes
* Maybe, let’s see if Harden returns from injury and how he pitches.
30% of all votes
* No, look at his injury history!
14% of all votes
New poll up! As you can tell, I’m furious that we took our boot off the Yankees’ neck. Sweep in Texas. Show everyone we’re not going away.
Check back later today for an update on Daniel Bard, only found on Fire Brand!