It’s a gamble, but which reclamation project is the best investment for the Sox this offseason?
* Justin Duchscherer
* Kelvim Escobar
* Ben Sheets
ReHashing 2009 with Kelvim Escobar and Justin Duchscherer
In an attempt to rehash the 2009 off-season, the Sox have expressed interest in the dual cautionary tales, Justin Duchscherer and Kelvim Escobar.
But the potential moves themselves are somewhat interesting in their projected roles with the team. As both would be expected to start, they would take the spot as the fifth starter much in the mold that John Smoltz and Brad Penny took on last year…
The Boston Herald’s Michael Silverman is reporting that Boston has requested medical records on free agent Kelvim Escobar, along with reliever Rafael Soriano. They’ve also inquired into Marcos Scutaro.
While Soriano and Scutaro represent higher upside, let’s talk Escobar for a second. Other than one June start, he hasn’t seen the bigs since 2007 thanks to massive shoulder injuries.
If it’s a minor league deal, I would be okay with the signing. Not particularly thrilled, though. While all these low-risk, high-upside signings have inherent value, the Brad Penny/John Smoltz signings proved not to work at all. Should that prevent Boston from continuing to seek low-risk, high-upside starters? No, not at all. But I feel that the team waited way, way too long on Penny as well as Smoltz, before finally pulling the plug. I don’t want that same mistake made again.
In Escobar’s case, two years of injuries and rehabilitation really make me question if the stuff is still there to even be a difference.
The Angels do not get on base much, and they haven’t hit for all that much power of late. I am a stat-guy. So I believe that an offense needs to do these things to score enough runs. There is only so much that can happen as a result of “hit and runs” and taking the extra base. Now, taking the extra base is great, and often overlooked–as is baserunning in general. But a team must get on base enough, in order to score enough.
The Abreu acquisition was great. For that amount of money, the team put aside their philosophy of having only players who can play defense, and sacrificed “it” for a little offense. There is no risk in signing Abreu, and he should still hit for average, get on base, and flash enough power to make him a quality all-around player.
Manny Ramirez made the Los Angeles Angels pay the second time around.
Intentionally walking David Ortiz to get to Ramirez for the second time on the night, Ramirez, tagged a Mass [...]
@
Oct. 5
GAME 2 – ALDS
2007
Kelvim Escobar (15-12, 3.40) @ Daisuke Matsuzaka (15-12, 4.40)
Fenway Park (Boston, MA)
8:37 PM EDT, TBS
CF Chone Figgins
2B Dustin Pedroia
SS Orlando Cabrera
1B Kevin Youkilis
RF Vladimir [...]
Game one was a resounding victory and a great confidence booster, but it was simply one game. We need to win three against the Angels. Game two will be played [...]
Josh Beckett hurled a complete game shutout while Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz both hit homeruns to seal the opening game in the ALCS against the Los Angeles Angels of [...]
ESPN has reported the pitching matchups for the Angels and Red Sox series to begin Wednesday:
Game 1 (Wednesday): Josh Beckett (20-7) vs. John Lackey (19-9)
Game 2 (Friday): Daisuke Matsuzaka (15-12) [...]
Loading ...
Recent Comments