Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Here’s a quick and easy way to describe the fruits of the Red Sox’ offseason labors:
An exercise in futility.
There’s really not a better way to describe the Sox’ luckless attempt to replace Jonathan Papelbon and Daniel Bard in their bullpen.
As if losing their primary Papelbon replacement — the oft-injured Andrew Bailey — to injury (thumb surgery) for four to five months were not bad enough, yesterday they optioned Plan B, Mark Melancon, to Triple-A Pawtucket.
The only thing worse than an injury or demotion to the minors, I guess, would be being designated for assignment.
Come to think of it, that was Michael Bowden’s fate.
But sending your Plan B to the minors before the team’s played a dozen games?
My gosh, just wave the white flag.
Herald:Offseason acquisitions bring Sox no relief
My God. There have been some bad moves before... but in just twelve games all the moves Ben Cherington made to fix that bullpen have completely backfired. TWELVE GAMES.
The Bailey injury is all random and do not think that the Sox knew he was injured from the beginning and just traded for him anyways (that would be Chris Carpenter). He may pitch well when he gets back but the Sox have to put him in Jed Lowrie's old bubble to keep him from harm.
Speaking of our old friend, did you ever think you would miss him? Sure his bones were made of paper but at least he did some positive things for the team! Melancon has done nothing but give up the long ball. Five home runs in 18 at bats?! For comparisons sake, Daniel Bard allowed five home runs all season.
Now Melancon is in Pawtucket trying to regain his control but Buster Olney dropped this little nugget on the Mut & Merloni show:
“When he was with the Yankees, part of the equation when the Yankees were evaluating Mark Melancon when they called him up repeatedly was every time they brought him up to the big leagues, he struggled with his command,” Olney said. “Part of the reason why they came to believe this is he had some issues with the big stage. That was the first thing that popped in my head when the Red Sox got him from the Astros was, ‘Huh, I wonder if he has outgrown that perception of him who might struggle on a big stage and be more comfortable in a place like Houston.’ ”
That's the guy that the front office thought would be a good person to bring into this town to pitch the 8th inning of a close game. This is going to be a LONG season.
Rest of the Links: Globe: Rangers beat Sox as Napoli stays hot | Sox lacking due to injuries | Francona will be at Fenway | Herald: No answer for Napoli | A tick up, then down for Beckett | Tito changes his mind | Offseason acquisitions bring Sox no relief| CSNNE: Rangers hand Sox third straight loss | Francona to return to Fenway | Beckett pitched pretty good to win | WEEI: Him, again?| The renovations that did not reshape Fenway| Beltre "shocked" by clubhouse leak| Valentine: "I was booing myself"
