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.
After making his final start of last season, on Sept. 29 in Baltimore, Felix Doubront finally conceded what everyone had suspected for weeks.
He was tired.
There wasn’t any shame in that admission. Despite taking a two-week breather in August, Doubront made 29 starts and logged 161 innings, 731⁄3 more than he threw in an injury-filled 2011 and 312⁄3 more than his previous career high, set in the minor leagues in 2008.
And so, with Red Sox pitchers and catchers gathering in Fort Myers next week, it will be worth wondering whether Doubront may experience any residual effect from such a greatly increased workload.
Herald - Felix Doubront rested, ready to go
Ben touched on this very topic last week after Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci unveiled his Year-After Effect list for this upcoming season.
It is cause for concern, but as Farrell states in the article above, Doubront will be monitored; same as every other pitcher. Farrell also said that the 30 inning increase is a "normal progression", and I'll trust that Farrell knows what he's talking about here.
It's also worth noting that while Doubront was tired at the end of last season, it didn't seem to impact his performance on the mound. In his last four starts of the season he threw 26+ innings, struck out 31 batters, allowed only 16 hits while posting an ERA of 3.08. And he did this against the Yankees, Rays and Baltimore twice.
As long as he comes to camp in good shape, I don't think there's much to fret over here. And if something does happen, and Doubront needs to be shut down for a while? Who are we going to--STOP! Let's not go down that road. It's Saturday morning. No need to ruin your entire weekend.
Doubront is going to be just fine. Carry on.
On Page 2, Farrell checks in with Lackey.
“I think he has a chance to have as big an impact on our club as anyone on our roster,” Farrell said on WEEI’s Red Sox Hot Stove Show on Thursday night. (To listen to the complete interview, click here.) “He looks great. I think when people see him for the first time, they’ll probably be surprised about how he reshaped his body. He probably dropped about 12 to 15 pounds. I had a chance to watch him throw. His arm was loose. He was upbeat, looking forward to putting Tommy John and some of those recent experiences behind him.”
“I think we have yet to see the John Lackey we signed here,” said Farrell. “To see what he’s done reshaping his body, the way he’s talked with eagerness to get back on the mound … I really think that, there’s a different side of John Lackey than what has been seen. I’m not making any excuses for anything that’s happened in the past, but the best thing John can do is go out and pitch as he’s capable. Now that he’s healthy, he’s had his arm repaired and the elbow fixed, he has a chance to do just that.”
WEEI - John Farrell: John Lackey could have huge impact on 2013 Red Sox
It's easy to be optimistic about John Lackey in February. Let's wait and see how we all feel come June.
It'll take some good pitching and a change of attitude to get me onboard the Lackey Express.
"Body Reshaping" be damned.
Rest of the links:
Herald - Jonny Gomes out to restore winning touch to Red Sox | WEEI - Back to the Future: Red Sox hope Daniel Bard can take page from 2009 | Globe - Red Sox retain RHP Chris Carpenter | RANKING THE RED SOX, 25 TO 1
