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.
You’ve got it all wrong if you think the Red Sox [team stats] went the meek and mild route by trading for a lefty reliever at the trade deadline yesterday.
Actually, the Red Sox are pursuing an audacious plan.
In two months, maybe much sooner, we’re going to find out if it is a foolhardy plan.
By not going the “bold” route and bringing in a big-name starter to stabilize the rotation or shipping out a big-name starter such as the it’s-always-something Josh Beckett [stats] to fix the clubhouse culture, the Red Sox essentially went all in on this team.
Herald | Team's bold idea: Stick with roster
It seems in general Red Sox fans are not just underwhelmed by the trade deadline inactivity, but angry.
I've said it in this space before, but I'll say it again: The smart move was really to do quite little.
There wasn't much out there in the way of good starting pitching. As a result of that, dealing off Beckett for nothing would have been even harder to stand. (While Beckett is not the ace many expect him to be, he's still at least a league-average pitcher with experience in the AL East.) To boost their starting, the Sox flipped a righty reliever for a lefty reliever, and can promote Franklin Morales to the rotation.
Some wanted the Sox to sell off some of their bit parts -- one of the catchers, Mike Aviles, an extra outfielder -- for prospects. While I was on board with this idea, if there's no value coming back there's no point, really. The extra outfielders become more helpful due to our likely future outfielder injuries (Crawford and Ellsbury), Aviles is hurt and thus was undervalued, and other teams likely were realizing that Kelly Shoppach's power this year is a mirage. And Jarrod Saltalamacchia may be part of the solution rather than the problem -- or will at least be relatively inexpensive next year while we evaluate if Ryan Lavarnway can hack it in the bigs.
Ben Cherington did the right thing. And if everything falls apart in August? Many of the less palatable guys on the roster will pass through waivers easily, so there's still hope of shipping off Beckett or other parts, if worse comes to worse.
Watch out for this offseason, though. There's going to be a lot of roster turnover.
On page 2, Josh Beckett's injury is not taken kindly by fans.
For Beckett, there was not even the common courtesy of polite applause that is extended to a visiting player when he leaves a game after an injury. When Beckett departed in the third inning Tuesday night at Fenway with back spasms, boos rained down as steadily as the downpour that provided a miserable accompaniment to his every step to the dugout.
"It is what it is," Beckett said of the booing, so rare for an injured player that veteran observers could not recall a precedent.
His reaction? "None whatsoever."
But surely he noticed it.
"Yeah, you always notice," he said.
ESPNBoston | Josh Beckett stays with Boston Red Sox to fans' dismay
Everyone criticizes Beckett for being a jerk when it comes to the media and the fans, but I can't say I really blame him for this reaction. If I got booed while I was hurt, I wouldn't want to give the fans any satisfaction either.
I know he brings it on himself. But booing an injured guy is unacceptable. You can think he's faking it -- as many do -- but ganging up on the guy is unfair. Boo him when he's healthy and underperforming if you want.
Herald | Sox lose Josh Beckett in rain-shortened victory | AL rivals find help they need | Long day for Josh Beckett ends with more pain | 'Mistake' costs Ryan Sweeney's year | Sox left to add Breslow | Globe | Short and sweet | Moves may just help but weren't exciting | Broken knuckle sends Sweeney to DL | Cherington feels trade adds versatility | ESPNBoston | Josh Beckett injured as Red Sox beat Tigers in rain-shortened game | Mortensen makes most of short stay | Josh Beckett exits with back spasms | Source: Tigers file call complaint | Red Sox get lefty Craig Breslow | Cherington: Crawford 'plan' fluid | Red Sox OK with quiet deadline | Kalish will take Sweeney's spot | David Ortiz's return delayed | CSNNE | Rain helps run winning streak to four | Report: Sox discussed sending Ellsbury, Beckett to Texas | Not the departure Beckett was looking for | Beckett's exit caused by back spasms | Sox get to Verlander in four-run fourth | Mortensen makes most of surprise appearance
