It's easy to be down on this team right now. Just keep this in mind; the Red Sox are 1 game up on Texas and 2.5 on Tampa Bay with nine games left against the pair for the AL Wild Card. With Josh Beckett and Jon Lester on absolute fire right now, don't think this team is going to slink away and hide like they did in 2006.
Michael Weiner, the incoming head of the Players Association, and David Ortiz will speak to the media at 12:30 pm today. Here is an advance statement released by Weiner. Two money quotes:
The number of players on the so-called "government list" meaningfully exceeds the number of players agreed by the bargaining parties to have tested positive in 2003. Accordingly, the presence of a player's name on any such list does not necessarily mean that the player used a prohibited substance or that the player tested positive under our collectively bargained program.
In 2003, legally available nutritional supplements could trigger an initial "positive" test under our program.
UPDATE: WBZ and Amalie Benjamin are reporting that John Smoltz has been designated for assignment. Smoltz was a huge disappointment for the Sox, and I feel sad at this outcome. However, it had to be done. There is an empty roster spot for a reliever. It is not known who will fill it at this time.
Click to read about the rest of the Sox moves today.
I've got an article up at The Hardball Times, where I take the Sox to task for not acquiring either Chad Gaudin or Carl Pavano, both of who have been moved in the last 24 hours.
Join me tomorrow for a live blog! I was able to score a press pass to Fenway Park tomorrow to cover the 4:05 Futures at Fenway game that will put the Pawtucket Red Sox against the Norfolk Tides.
Of course, there's some game going on in New York as well at this time. Should be a great chat. Obviously it will tilt to Sox/Yankees, but I'll provide updates from the Triple-A game as well.
Also, we'll have lots to talk about, what with David Ortiz speaking out about his predicament before the game.
Talk about cramming info into a Quick Post headline....
Going into Yankee Stadium and as much a "do or die" series as the Red Sox have reached this season, things are off to an interesting start. Rocco Baldelli has been sent to the DL after fouling a ball off his foot in batting practice at the Trop. Josh Reddick has been recalled to take his spot on the roster. With Jason Bay out of the lineup tonight as his hamstring is still sore, Kevin Youkilis will be manning left field at Yankee Stadium.
In other news, David Ortiz will address the media regarding his positive 2003 PED test on Saturday before the game.
When the 2009 season began, there was very little doubt in anyone's mind that the Red Sox had both the depth and talent in the starting rotation for it to be considered, not only the teams' primary strength, but what made them favorites to advance to the World Series from the American League.
With dueling aces at the top in Josh Beckett and Jon Lester, depth in the middle with Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield, and Brad Penny, and a plethora of options at the end ranging from top prospect Clay Buchholz to perennial All-Star and future Hall of Fame pitcher, John Smoltz, the front office had covered the rotation in spades. And that doesn't even look more deeply into the farm system or bullpen where the likes of Justin Masterson (since dealt away), Michael Bowden, and Junichi Tazawa lurked.