The Weekend Series Preview

With Thursday’s game still to be played, the Sox look toward their three-game weekend series in Texas, back 5.5 of the Yankees; up 1.5 on the Rangers in the wildcard. This is a big set – don’t take it likely…

So what exactly do we have in Michael Bowden?

I am not suggesting that Bowden isn’t worth keeping. It just feels like maybe the Red Sox know something that some of the aforementioned “scouts” looking at the organization externally, do not.
Developing pitching from within is the way to go. The pitchers are cheaper when young, which leads to less of a risk. $23 million can be gone in a split second when a pitcher throws over a 100+ pitches every five days.
So keeping quality young arms is imperative if a team wants to succeed.
But if Keith Law is right–and sees what is reality–Bowden may have been expendable in reference to the organization receiving their future catcher.

American League West Preview…And the rest of the remaining divisions too.

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.

Why didn’t Theo give up Bowden or Buchholz for Montero or Saltalamacchia?

Salty – phillenium49

On Monday, I discussed Jason Varitek’s seeming inability to field given The Fielding Bible Vol. II’s insights.

Today, I want to tackle why Theo Epstein didn’t pull the trigger on acquiring Miguel Montero and/or Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Don’t kid yourself: the ability was there for Theo to do just that. Far too many news reports have reported that a Montero for Michael Bowden or Saltalamacchia for Clay Buchholz deal would have occurred had Theo said yes.

The dream of 9 league-average hitters is dead

Jason Varitek, you ended my dream. It may have been a long shot, but it’s over. And although having you back at least fills the backstop, it does crush my desire to have nine league average hitters in the Red Sox lineup.

Was this a longshot? Yes. Having nine hitters be either average or better than average probably isn’t likely. Had the Red Sox acquired a catcher via a trade, they would have been counting on three young players to achieve their goal.

Rangers want Buchholz for Salty

Gammons: “Boston wouldn’t part with either Clay Buchholz or two out of the Justin Masterson/Nick Hagadone/Michael Bowden trio for Jarrod Saltalamacchia.”

Red Sox Roundtable: Who’s our catcher?

Out of all the catchers that may be available through trade or free agency, which player do you want starting for the Sox and why?

Projections for 2009 Red Sox and others

Bill James has come out with his new handbook for 2009, and in the handbook are the early statistical projections for players next year. This may be especially significant in the case of the Red Sox, as James has a vast amount of knowledge of players in the Red Sox system due to being employed by the team.

Notes: Josh Beckett, Derek Lowe, Texas catchers

Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels confirmed the Red Sox approached the Rangers in July about two catchers. Expect the Red Sox to make overtures again.

Apparently not only was Derek Lowe interested in Boston, Boston was interested in Lowe.

Josh Beckett apparently “struggled” to put his shirt on prior to the game and would have needed another cortisone shot had the Red Sox advanced.

Could Red Sox deal for catcher at deadline?

Let’s take a break from the Manny saga and check out another trade rumbling on the horizon: The Texas Rangers are open to trading Jarrod Saltalamacchia for young pitching, according [...]