Ted's Army: The Voice of Red Sox fans

Your Mid-Morning Dump...where injuring Carlos Silva's knee might not be a bad idea.

 

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...

If Carlos Silva really wants to be the Red Sox' fifth starter, he might want to consider pulling a Tonya Harding on his knee. It was a knee injury, after all, that precipitated one of the most peculiarly noteworthy seasons in baseball history.

On the surface, Silva’s 2005 with the Twins merely seems solid. He was 9-8 with a 3.44 ERA in 27 starts covering 1881⁄3 innings.

Then a number jumps off the page so strongly it seems like a typo: nine walks.

“Wait, really?” closer Andrew Bailey said. “I’ve never heard of anything like that. As a pitcher, you strive to keep people off base. But nine walks in 188 innings? That’s pretty damn good.”

“That’s crazy,” Clay Buchholz added. “I’ve never even heard of anything like that. That’s insane, actually.”

And yet it’s true. Silva’s 0.43 walks per nine innings is the lowest figure in history for a pitcher with at least 30 innings pitched, let alone 188. It’s a record that could last forever.

As Silva attempts to emerge from a crowd to win a place at the back of the Red Sox rotation, one of the things he’ll undoubtedly have going for him is his command. And never was that more apparent than in 2005.

“That year was pretty amazing,” Silva recalled yesterday. “The beginning of the year, I hurt my knee and after one start, they told me I was going to lose the whole season. I had to get knee surgery. I told them I wanted to pitch through it.”.

Herald: Silva hopes to control destiny as #5 starter

So who's willing to take a tire iron to Silva's knee?! Nine walks in 188 IP on an injured knee? He's the anti-Daisuke! Granted, Silva did this back in 2005, but he's always been a solid control pitcher. John Tomase mentions later in the article that Silva has only walked 1.73 guys batter per nine innings which Tomase says is good for 21st all-time (Baseball Reference has him 42nd all-time but either way it's still pretty damn good).His other career stats would normally worry the hell out of me (like the 10.8 hits allowed per nine innings or the 4.68 ERA) but he's had on-again. off-again shoulder issues. Plus he's replacing John Lackey and no one can do worse then him at this point.

If he can keep that shoulder healthy, then he would be the fifth starter at the start of Opening Day. He's not going to blow by people (career K per nine inning is 4.0) but if he can go seven innings and not implode in any of them, then that's a win.

If he does that then there will be a bit of a dilemma in the middle of the season as Matsuzaka-san is hoping to return earlier then the June-July range that was originally estimated. There's no chance they would give up on the Daniel Bard experiment so soon even if he is performing poorly so Silva would be the odd man out. That's the best case scenario. Worst case, he has Sox fans pining for Matsuzaka to pitch, something that hasn't happened since everyone wanted to see the mythical gyroball. Doesn't sound THAT bad, right?

Rest of the Links: Globe: Valentine with no plans to name Captain| Iglesias makes impression on Valentine | Ortiz talks about clubhouse situation of 2011|Herald:  Valentine's videos valuable | Leadership prime need for Sox | Ortiz puts on happy face | Tough call on Ellsbury | CSNNE:Ortiz: "We have a lot of leaders" |  Pedroia not thinking about captaincy | Tito: Manny worst human being I ever met | WEEI: Andrew Bailey: The anti-Pap | Time for Crawford to produce | Ramirez remark blowing off steam

MLB compensation system should be destroyed

The Epstein Compensation issue isn't over yet.  Yes, we get Chris Carpenter, who's not even a poor man's Chris Carpenter.  But there's still that ridiculous "player to be named later" stipulation to work out.  Because there just hasn't been enough time to work out ALL the details over the past 4 months.  Wouldn't surprise me if it takes another 4 months to bicker over which 32 year old career minor leaguer will complete the deal.

While the absurdity continues in the background, if we take a step back from the process, there are quite a few things we can learn about not only this specific situation, but MLB's compensation system in general.

First, and foremost, the Red Sox are morons.  When the initial Epstein-to-Cubs conversations were taking place, names like Starlin Castro and Matt Garza were being bandied about.  While most didn't think the Sox would get someone with quite their pedigree, it was apparent that the Cubs were going to have to part with someone that was going to cause them some pain.  All anyone had to do was look at what the Marlins had to give up to get Guillen from the White Sox.  The man being given the reigns to the Cubs franchise is surely on par with a manager, if not higher.  Fast forward a week or so, and the Sox decide to let Epstein go without any agreement in place.  Fast forward a little further, with Epstein fully entrenched in Chicago, and the Cubs are thumbing their noses at Boston refusing to give up anything.

And why should they?  They've already got what they wanted.  If the Red Sox were going to insist on getting a player back, they'd have to go through the commissioner's office.  And, they did.  And we all know how that turned out.  All the Sox had to do was hold onto Epstein until an agreement was made.  But, as they are in most areas, the Sox were too smart for that. 

But the bigger problem is the compensation system in general.  To put it simply: it needs to be nuked.  It doesn't need to be altered.  We don't need to tweak it.  It needs to be destroyed in such a way that it never returns.  And left in its wake will be: nothing.  No compensation system at all.

If Epstein is signed through the 2012 season and he wants to go to Chicago before his contract is up, he can ask the Sox to be released.  They can say "yes" or "no".  If they say yes, maybe he has to buy out the last year of his contract and Henry gets a few more dollars in his pocket.  If they say "no", he has to hang around Fenway for 12 more months, at which point he's free to sign anywhere he wants.  Same for managers.  If an Ozzie Guillen isn't working out with the White Sox and he'd rather head down to Florida, the White Sox have the option to let him go or make him stay.  And if they let him go, they get nothing in return.

There's no reason it shouldn't be this simple. These aren't players.  They're personnel.  Trading personnel is a) stupid and b) far too messy.  We've just had a front row seat to that.  Instead of trying to set "guidelines" around every conceivable personnel swapping scenario, as some are suggesting, the whole idea should be erased.

Because no franchise needs to be embarrassed in the way the Sox have been embarrassed over the past 4 months.  Except maybe the Orioles.  Those guys deserve everything they get.

Sox get Chris Carpenter from Cubs for Theo

It's finally over! Well, mostly. The Sox have received Chris Carpenter as compensation for Theo. The two teams will still have to exchange players to be named later to finish up the deal. Not sure why that is necessary, but it is.

This is not the 36-year-old Christopher John Carpenter of the Cardinals, this is 26-year-old Christoper John Carpenter with very limited work in the majors that will likely start in Pawtucket. Carpenter has pitched 9.2 major league innings in relief, giving up 12 hits, 3 ER, and striking out 8.

All the wait for this guy? I must be missing something.

Update:

I guess he has some potential.

Your Morning Dump...where Lester & Beckett apologize in their own special ways

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...

So much for the notion that Jon Lester [stats] always follows Josh Beckett [stats]’s lead.

That may have been the case once, when Beckett was the playoff-tested workhorse held up as a shining example for each fledgling Red Sox [team stats]pitcher. But Lester didn’t take any cues from Beckett yesterday, as both met the media to discuss their involvement in the beer-and-chicken flap that has come to symbolize the team’s epic collapse last season.

Lester gave thoughtful and expansive answers, expressing regrets that lingered long into the offseason and pledging to be a “better teammate” and a stronger leader. He claimed “complete responsibility,” both for his 8.24 ERA in his final four starts and for his behavior in the clubhouse during games.

Beckett? In a separate media session, he came off more defiant than contrite.

While Lester appeared to be speaking from the heart, Beckett blurted out mostly curt sound bites. The right-hander from deep in the heart of Texas admitted to making mistakes during the season but didn’t offer any specificity, saying only he had “lapses in judgment” and “got distracted.” Beckett denied suggestions that he fell out of shape, and if he felt bad about several members of the medical and training staffs losing their jobs, he didn’t reveal it.

For a Red Sox fan base expecting an explanation, if not an outright apology, Beckett provided neither. If anything, he appeared less bothered by what happened than the fact it became public.

Herald: Lester is regretful, Beckett is resentful

It only took an entire offseason but both Jon Lester and Josh Beckett apologized for their part of the September collapse. Lester came out and just fell on the sword for all that took place on and off the field and usedit  some key phrases like "being a better teammate" and taking "complete responsiblity". That's a start for Lester to get back in the good graces of the fans and the media that we're disgusted with the chicken and beet fiasco.

As for Beckett....Well at least he apologized. He seems a little ticked off that everything came out the way it did. The more important thing is that he took his responsibility in the more important part, which is lack of execution on the field. He sucked against the Orioles when the Sox needed him the most and he admitted that.

Beckett has always come across as an a-hole and everyone loved that about him when he was dominant.  It's not the apology everyone wanted, but it's as much as anyone is going to get from him about what took place in September. So let's just move on and forget about last season.

Globe:It's at least a start for Beckett | Valentine happy to be on job | Leadership now part of the game for Lester | Aviles returns to shortstop | Herald: Beckett comes up lame | Lester now Sox main act | Iglesias may hit short list | Bobby V puts team in sunshine state| CSNNE:Varitek will be missed | Beckett, Lester admit faults | Sox answer for 2011 collapse | WEEI: Actions, not words will define Beckett

Has Tim Wakefield made a decision yet?

I guess I did not understand the statement by Barry Meister (Wakefield's agent), when he said Tim will be making a decision on his future soon. The decision whether Wake will attempt another year in the majors or hang up his cleats after 19 seasons (17 with Bos.) was supposed to be made by this past weekend. Nothing yet. Wakefield has stated numerous times in the past that he doesn't want to pitch for anyone else and wants to be wearing a Red Sox uniform when he retires. At 45, Wakefield still feels like he has something to offer, and the Red Sox are not so sure about that.

Tim Wakefield has been a bargain throughout his entire career, never making more than $4.67 million in a season. He has been versitle, spending most of his time as a starter, and making much needed appearances as a long-reliever and closer. Even though he has done a lot for the Sox 2011 was a very un-friendly contract season.

The highlight of 2011 for Tim Wakefield was of course his 200th victory that came on September 13th after one of the longest journeys between wins in league history. It took 8 starts to reach that milestone and it was ugly as the Sox lost 6 of those 8 games. That 200th victory may have been his last in his career. He went on to lose his final two starts to finish the season at 7-8. It wasn't all bad, just mostly bad, but there could be something left in the tank.

The only role Tim Wakefield would fit in would be long-relief. The Red Sox could probably get him cheaper than the $2 million they paid him last season. That might not be appealing enough. In his 10 appearances out of the bullpen, the Red Sox went 1-9 with no credit to Wakefield in that one victory. None of those loses were his fault, he was just an arm to get them through a blow out that was not in their favor. That also doesn't help Wake's desire for 7 more victories to surpass the Red Sox all-time leader in wins, Roger Clemens  with 192.

Aside from being a somewhat cheap addition to the bullpen, Wakefield does not have a good case. His 32-34 record and 4.76 ERA since 2008 is not all that bad, but take 2008 and 2009 out of the mix, and it's not lookin' so good. Over the last two seasons,  Wake has posted an 11-18 record with a 5.22 ERA and 1.354 WHIP. Once again, his appearances out of the pen were out of necessity during a blow-out (in either direction). That is not what Wake wants to do, and that may not matter because the Sox have shown no interest in bringing him back for any role.

When you take into account his age, recent struggles for quality starts, and no desperate need on the Red Sox side for a pitcher like Wakefield, retirement may be the best option. I would hate to look into that dugout or bullpen and not see number 49 walking around, but it will happen eventually. Maybe the recent minor-league contract given to 49-year-old, Jaime Moyer by the Rockies at has given Wake some inspiration for a return. Even if the Red Sox do give him a chance, those 7 wins to surpass Clemens may never happen.

Let us know what you think he should do by voting on our poll in the right column of the page.

Your Morning Dump... Where the Sox sit down at the arbitration table with Ortiz

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...

It’s a high-stakes game of chicken at this point for the Red Sox and David Ortiz.

The sides are scheduled to meet in a hotel conference room in St. Petersburg today to present their salary arbitration cases to a three-person panel. The Sox have offered $12.65 million, with Ortiz and agent Fernando Cuza seeking $16.5 million.

Negotiations can continue right up until the hearing starts. But at that point, the panel will listen to arguments and any chance of compromise is lost. Under arbitration rules, they must select one of the two figures. That’s what could lead to a last-second settlement.

The hazards of going to a hearing for the Sox would be significantly overpaying the 36-year-old Ortiz compared with other designated hitters and decreasing their financial flexibility to improve the roster.

For Ortiz, the risk would be getting a modest $150,000 raise following a strong season in which he hit .309 with a .953 OPS.

In most arbitration cases, the sides avoid a hearing and settle around the midpoint. For Ortiz and the Sox, that would be $14.58 million. But sources said the Sox are confident in their case, believing that Ortiz reached too far.

Globe: Sox, Ortiz close in on arbitration

This is the only issue that is hampering the fun of enjoying Spring Training. The problem is that Ortiz has made so much money for the owners over the years that it seems petty that they're fighting over $4 million but it isn't surprising. Ortiz was incredible last season, putting up .309/29/96 becoming an All Star and winning a Silver Slugger along the way. He'll be 36 next season but for a one year deal based on his stats, he's deserved that salary. Cherington and the rest of the brain trust for the Sox must think the age issue will push the case in their favor but that's the only thing they have in their favor.

Also some nice milestones for Papi in the next two seasons: He's 22 homers away from 400, 44 doubles away for 500, and 240 hits away for 2,000 hits. If Ortiz can continue at a .280/25/90 pace for a couple more seasons is it enough to make him eligible for the Hall of Fame?

Rest of the Links: Herald: Bobby V all revved up for new challenge|Its date to arbitrate| CSNNE:Red Sox or retirement| WEEI:Francona: Collapse embarrased, motivated Sox

Your Morning Dump...Will Selig ever decide on compensation for Theo?

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...

So what is the status of the Theo Epstein compensation?

When you ask, you get, “I don’t know.’’

The matter is in the hands of the Commissioner’s Office, but there is no timetable on when Bud Selig is going to rule on it.

This is no small issue; it’s one that could have ramifications on future cases.

Red Sox officials seem to think they’ll know what they’ll be getting from the Cubs “before the official start of spring training.’’ But is that when pitchers and catchers report, or when the full squad shows up?...

Globe: You say you want a resolution?

I am getting tired of reading headlines about the Theo Epstein compensation from the Cubs. We know it is taking a long time, and we know Bud Selig is going to continue taking his sweet time resolving this matter.

We knew the Sox and Cubs were not going to get this matter resolved quickly when the Cubs turned down the idea to send Garza to Boston for Theo. That sounded like a good deal to me. Who knows what else was exchanged by the two teams and rejected.

the whole point of the Globe article is what we have all learned and realized from this transaction and not expect anything in the near future. The Sox are looking for compensation that may be the equivalent to trading a player like Jon Lester to the Cubs. The Cubs may see that player like Jon Lester and replace him with someone like, Darnell McDonald. The point is, these teams can't find common ground and Bud Selig has to get off of his ass and give the Sox something good. On a scale from one to ten, the Sox deserve a player that is at least a 7.

The rest of the links:

Herald: Spring training starts with sluggers in new places | Sox can point to wild cards | Globe: The Ortiz case, from both sides of the plate

And so it begins

A few Sox have headed down to Florida early to get a jump-start on Spring Training.

The Globe's Pete Abe is in sunny Ft. Myers with the info:

There are 15 players or so on the field stretching before a workout. The group includes Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka (who has sort of orange hair), Andrew Miller, Rich Hill and Nate Spears.

Lester threw in the bullpen for the second time since he arrived. I wasn't standing behind the plate, but from the side his stuff looked pretty crisp for this time of the year.

This makes me giddy.

We're almost there, folks.  Baseball is just around the corner.

And thanks to Globe commenter nobatternobatter, if you want to check out Dice-K's absurd do, here you go.

Your Morning Dump... Where we're talking about planes

I imagine it's similar to this.  Except, you know, with Red Sox stuff.

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...

JetBlue Airways, the official flight sponsor of the Red Sox [team stats], unveiled a custom, team-inspired paint scheme on its Airbus A320 at Logan International Airport today designed to “have their colors soaring the skies and runways,” according to airline officials.

The aircraft, which is the first plane to officially tote a Major League Baseball uniform, traded its blue branding for gray inspired by the Sox’s road uniforms, complete with blue wing tips and a gray tail featuring the team’s iconic red socks.

The plane, which heads to Fort Myers, Fla. for its first flight, also includes a banner commemorating the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park [map]. Those attending today’s unveiling included Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sam Kennedy, manager Bobby Valentine, Mayor Thomas M. Menino, team mascot Wally the Green Monster and Marty St. George, JetBlue [JBLU]’s senior vice president of marketing and commercial strategy.

Herald - JetBlue unveils ‘Red Sox’ plane

Another slow news morning around Yawkey.... so we're stuck talking about a plane.

And if a picture of this plane exists, I'll be damned if I could find it.  It sounds cool.  I'd love to see it and share it with you, but apparently Wally left his disposable camera at home. 

And speaking of planes, because I have literally nothing else to say about a Red Sox branded plane other than I want to see a picture of it, know who doesn't want to get on a plane to Boston?  Roy Oswalt.

Apparently the Sox are offering him a dollar amount that "he would accept", but he either doesn't want to play on the East Coast, or just in Boston.  That's not clear.  What is clear is that neither Texas nor St. Louis have a spot for him in the rotation and he's opening himself up for new suitors.  Boston appears to be his last resort.

But maybe, just maybe, if they showed Roy a picture of this plane, he'd change his mind.

Rest of the links:

CSNNE - Bill James: Dwight Evans is a Hall of Famer | Report: Youkilis to marry Tom Brady's sister | Herald - Time frame for Tim Wakefield’s decision: Bottom of ninth | Globe - Red Sox spring broadcast schedule | Just getting warmed up | WEEI - The war chest: Why 2012 might be a good year for Red Sox to have financial flexibility | Report: Rich Harden to miss 2012 due to shoulder surgery

Your Morning Dump...where Oil Can admits his PED of choice was cocaine.

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...

Boyd, who spent eight of his 10 major league seasons with the Red Sox, admitted he was under the influence of cocaine two-thirds of the time he was on the mound.

“Oh yeah, at every ballpark,’’ he said. “There wasn’t one ballpark that I probably didn’t stay up all night, until four or five in the morning, and the same thing is still in your system. It’s not like you have time to go do it while in the game, which I had done that.

“Some of the best games I’ve ever, ever pitched in the major leagues I stayed up all night; I’d say two-thirds of them,’’ said Boyd. “If I had went to bed, I would have won 150 ballgames in the time span that I played. I feel like my career was cut short for a lot of reasons, but I wasn’t doing anything that hundreds of ballplayers weren’t doing at the time; because that’s how I learned it.

“It was something that I had to deal with personally and I succumbed. I lived through my life and I feel good about myself. I have no regrets about what I did or said about anything that I said or did. I’m a stand-up person and I came from a quality background of people.’’

Boyd, who will paint a picture of support and disdain for some of his former Red Sox teammates in his book, said, “All of them didn’t rally around me. All of them knew and the ones that cared came to me. The Dwight Evanses and Bill Buckners . . . it was the veteran ballplayers. Some guys lived it; they knew what you were doing, and the only way they knew was they had to have tried it, too.

Globe:Oil Can Boyd admits using cocaine while pitching with Red Sox

Hey now! After the witch hunt for steroids and performance enhancing drugs for most of the previous decade, a little booger sugar doesn't look so bad in comparison amirite?

In all seriousness, here's a few questions that immediately pop in my head. How was Oil Can able to pitch effectively while he was coming down from his high? Did he use coke during the game? Was a 7th inning stretch a 7th inning snort for him? His body had to build a resistance to it over the years so how much coke was he using in the latter stages of his career to get the same effect?

Here's the biggest question: was Oil Can too coked out to pitch the '86 World Series? John McNamara said Oil Can was too drunk to pitch Game 7, but maybe McNamara was still protecting Oil Can, and being drunk is the easier excuse.

Also, imagine this happening today?! All of the pitchers passing the mirror around instead of the bucket of Popeyes... we might've made the playoffs. Rick James said it best... cocaine is a hell of a drug.

 

Rest of the Links: Globe:In Red Sox camp early signs of Spring|Herald:Oswalt unlikely, Bobby V content|CSNNE:Valentine's Day|WEEI:Ortiz arbitration hearing slated for Monday|Oil Can admits Drug Use with Sox