Ted's Army: The Voice of Red Sox fans

Daniel Bard...sucks

(He only wishes he could be pitching in Pawtucket right now)

Sure, that headline is a bit harsh, but it is true. Daniel Bard, who I foolishly thought would be back to his old self, cannot find the plate. His numbers in Portland mimic those of a young pitcher that was called up to AA far too soon, not one of a former dominant major league set-up man. I mean, it is awful.

CSNNE

The disintegration of Daniel Bard continued Wednesday night in Portland, as the former Red Sox reliever -- throwing only 8 strikes in 30 pitches -- walked five and threw two wild pitches in one-plus innings for the Double-A Sea Dogs.

Since being sent back to Portland after a brief stint in Boston, Bard has walked 13 batters in 3 2/3 innings, covering five appearances.

“It was never going to be a quick fix with him, because of the residue of everything that has happened through a whole year of battle,” Red Sox pitching Juan Nieves told the Boston Herald's John Tomase after the Sox' 9-2 over Tampa Bay Wednesday night. “It’s going to take some time. I think the strength is there, the arm strength is there, it’s a matter of him buying into it and creating some consistency.

It kind of reminds you of Rick Ankiel's pitching days, doesn't it? Give Bard a chance to take some BP...it may be worth a shot. Anything else is worth a shot.

Your Morning Dump...where Daniel Nava is a big leaguer

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. 

Nava has learned to play the Green Monster, but right field at Fenway is an entirely different challenge. In fact, the Red Sox signed Victorino because they wanted a right fielder who possessed both the range and arm of a classic center fielder.

But Nava’s development into a better defensive player has allowed Farrell to breathe easy while Victorino has been sidelined.

“It speaks a lot about what he’s done personally and the work he’s put in,” Farrell said. “I don’t even think twice about putting his name in the lineup. He’s a very good player.”

Herald | Daniel Nava no longer a liability

Nava has been tremendous this year. Now, granted, he started strong last year as well. In 2012, he registered a .900 OPS in May and an .892 in June before tapering off significantly.

This year he's been even better -- .310/.407/.535 -- but there's a kicker: He's suddenly a really good outfielder.

Pedigree or no, the 30-year old Daniel Nava is officially a good big-league player. He deserves to play somewhere. It will be interesting to see how the Sox handle him as the year progresses. When everyone's healthy, he'll presumably split time with Jonny Gomes (and probably be a defensive replacement now that he's proven he can do it). 

But there's also Mike Carp, who is crushing the ball. And don't forget lord and savior Jackie Bradley Jr., who presumably will be back up with the Sox at some point this year (barring a setback). 

Then again, we're getting ahead of ourselves. Who knows how the year will progress, not to mention whether Nava will keep it up. But right now, he's a legitimate player.

On page 2, the Daniel Bard experiment is over (for the time being).

Recap: Buchholz leads way in win over Houston

Clay Buchholz became the first major league pitcher to reach five wins on the year, going 7 2/3 innings for the Sox in a 7-2 win over the University of Houston Astros tonight at Fenway.

Buchholz was sharp for the most part, yielding both runs early before settling in and mowing down Houston. He once again notched 10 strikeouts, and used just 119 pitches to get all the way into the 8th inning. His ERA climbed to 1.19 on the year. I guess we can handle that.

I wasn't wild about Farrell trotting him out there for the 8th. Buchholz has pitched more than 92 innings just twice in six professional seasons (five if you want to discount three appearances in 2007) and is pretty slight of build. He's also battled consistency issues. I'd rather not take the chance that he's going to wear down by June or July and either lose his effectiveness or get a little dead arm going.

Three points of note about this game:

1. The Red Sox offense jumped on Astros starter Phillip Humber, scoring four runs in the 1st. It's kind of an obvious statement, but I love when teams can get out and score early. The inning was also a testament to the lineup's depth, as Pedroia, Ortiz, Carp, and Salty all got RBIs in the effort.

2. David Ortiz continued his hot hitting with three hits, including his first homer of the year. Off the bat it didn't look like he got all of it, but it just kept carrying out to dead-center. Also worth mentioning that Papi was moving decently on the bases. He's still the slowest guy on the team -- maybe even slower than ex-pat Adrian Gonzalez -- but he wasn't grimacing or hobbling as badly as he has been.

3. Daniel Bard made his first appearance of the year and was perfectly adequate. He gave up on hit -- a hard-hit ball to right field -- but didn't let things get carried away and finished it off. You can't have a much more easy-going situation in the majors than a non-save situation at home against the Astros, so it's good to see him be able to settle in and just focus on pitching.

The Sox climb to 15-7 on the year and continue hosting the Astros Saturday with Felix Doubront on the bump.

Box score

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Daniel Bard's minor league pitching coach is the anti-Bill Belichick

Gordon Edes has a pretty substantial piece on Daniel Bard's return up over at ESPNBoston, and it had a quote that got me thinking.

You know how Bill Belichick is beloved around the world (sans New York and Pittsburgh and Baltimore, and OK, just in New England) for trashing his team as much as possible? Like they win 49-3 and the film review is all about that one play where Brady underthrew the ball by six inches? That's he's so focused on domination that the slightest flaw is a fireable offense?

Well Portland Sea Dogs pitching coach Bob Kipper is basically the opposite of that, and that's exactly what former ace set-up guy and current...something...Daniel Bard needed.

"I don't think I ever realized how much I valued him until this year," Bard said. "He was the guy who I played catch with every day. He caught my flat grounds. The feedback was just awesome, the input.

"He just loves to focus on positives. Even in one or two outings that maybe didn't go as well, he'd say, 'How many pitches did you throw that you liked?' I'd say, 'Seven.' He'd say, 'Let's focus on those seven, and get back at it tomorrow.

"Boom. That was it. Erase the negative., A good guy to be around, for sure.''

Whatever makes you throw strikes, Danny.

Also in the piece is John Farrell confirming that Bard is expected to be a permanent member of the 'pen (i.e., don't expect him to go back down to Pawtucket when one of the four injured pitchers on the DL returns) and that he will be used in less-taxing situations, as we speculated this morning.

Your Morning Dump...where Daniel Bard is back

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.

This was seen not as a quick fix, but as a process. Daniel Bard was sent to Double-A Portland to refine his mechanics and regain his confidence, not to demonstrate overnight that he was ready to return to the Red Sox.

But that day of return and possible redemption has arrived. According to the Portland Press-Herald, Bard was told by Sea Dogs manager Kevin Boles that he will be returning to the Red Sox on Wednesday.

To make room for Bard on the roster, the Sox optioned knuckleballer Steven Wright back to Pawtucket. Wright made his major league debut in Tuesday night's 13-0 loss to Oakland, eating up 3 2/3 innings in a game that was out of hand (8-0) when he entered. He was charged with five runs on six hits and four walks.

ESPNBoston | Report -- Daniel Bard to be recalled by Boston Red Sox

Well this was unexpected. I thought Bard would be spending most of the year in the minors, especially considering he hasn't pitched perfectly down there: a 4.00 ERA with four strikeouts and four walks in nine innings against AA competition. Nothing special.

I'm excited about the move because it basically signals that Alfredo Aceves is gone, and if you read my recap last night, you know I'm ready for us to part ways with the man who has the devil in his eyes. With Lackey, Breslow, Morales, and Hanrahan all on their way back, you're looking at Wilson and Miller as nearly definite demotions, followed by two of Aceves, Bard, and Mortensen as next on the list. Based on the promotion of Bard today, I'm thinking they are ready to leave him up here.

And really, this is an ideal situation for Bard. He'll have absolutely no pressure. He's last on the totem pole, no one will expect him to close considering they already have two guys vying for the job, and everyone not named Andrew Miller is pitching well. He can pitch in the majors but not feel like he has to be his old self, so maybe eventually he'll be able to get back to that level.

On page 2, Aceves sounds off on the small strike zone last night.

Bard optioned to Portland

Red Sox P Daniel Bard, who we all know struggled mightily last season has been sent down to Double-A Portland.

Globe:

Bard being sent down, which was expected because of his recent struggles, means Clayton Mortensen has made the team as a reliever.

Bard appeared in eight games in camp. Over eight innings he allowed six earned runs on nine hits with four walks and two hit batters. Putting 15 batters on base in eight innings was a sign that his control has not returned. Bard did strike out 10, however. That is a sign that he can be salvaged.

Was this a surprise to anyone? When you sky-rocket from a 3.33 ERA to a 6.22 ERA in one year, obviously something ain't right. He improved slightly this Spring Training by striking out 10 in eight innings of work, but the control clearly has not returned to the 27-year-old's dominate set-up years.

This recovery project wasn't going to happen in one Spring Training. The key for Farrell was to get Bard on a different program to re-develop into the feared bullpen arm he once was.

Expect Bard back in mid-to-late May.

Your Morning Dump...where Bard wants to start the season in the Majors.

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 pretty obvious that something needs to be made,” said Bard of a roster decision. “I think I’ve done what I’ve needed to as far as just to prove I’m over last year. My mechanics are pretty close to being locked in where I want to be. Give me a scouting report to throw off of, I think I’m going to be able to help this team.”

When told that Farrell had suggested the decision whether or not to keep him on the big league club might revolve around “roster management,” Bard said, “Completely out of my control. I can’t help that I didn’t burn any options in my first couple of years. It’s just part of the game, something I got to live with.”

Bard’s fastball, which once again sat in the mid-90’s (mph), wasn’t his primary problem this time. The reliever had difficulty locating his off-speed pitches, resulting in singles from Austin Kearns and Chris Valaika, along with a two-run double off the bat of Daniel Pertusati.

WEEI: Decision on Bard may come down to roster management

Bard sounds like a man on a mission. Glad to hear him be confident with his ability and to move from on from last year. Now will he get what he's looking for? Probably not.

Bard has a few options while other players who the Sox want to keep control of that are on the fringe, like Clayton Mortensen, are all out of options and would have to put him on waivers in order for Mortensen to go to Pawtucket. Odds are somebody would pluck him off of the waiver wire which is why the Sox are resistant to doing so. Bard might go down because he's able to. 

But what hasn't helped Bard was his last three outings: seven runs (six of them earned) in three innings. He struggled a little bit with his off speed stuff and that's what hurt him. His mechanics have looked good but a couple outings in AAA could do wonders for him. Then when he gets called up, he'll be up here for good. It may not be what he wants, but it will definitely help him out in the long run.

Rest of the Links: Globe: Team cautious on Ellsbury | Farrell hopes to set roster soon | Herald:  Sox not running from problems from last two years | Battered Bard still thinks he can help | First step for Lester | Bradley has proven he deserves to stick | CSNNE: Bard, Sox on different pages regarding roster spot | Bradley forcing Sox to make difficult decision | Lester pleased with 'smooth, crisp' spring | WEEI: How roster decisions are made | Bradley Jr; 'I don't really know the chances' | Sweeney awaiting fate

Ted's Army Season Preview Part One

Baseball is finally here. While Spring Training can hold people off, many are fiending for the season to start. We're right there with you. We look forward to the brutal grind of the baseball season. The braintrust behind Ted's Army came together and put out expectations for our beloved Boston Red Sox and how they would fair in the 2013 campaign. Without further ado... I give you part one of the Ted's Army season preview.

 

Who will pan out to be the best acquisition of the offseason?

Tucker Silva: Koji Uehara Pitched in the AL East for the Orioles in 2011 and had a career-low ERA of 1.72. Uehara will be the anchor of the Red Sox bullpen. Not a bad one-year signing of $4.25 million.

Nick Karalis: Jonny Gomes…I guess:  There was not one acquisition that I was even the least bit excited about, and I should go with no one. Though, if Gomes does get some playing time, he could be good for 15-20 homers and a somewhat decent .260 - .280 BA. I still think the Sox over-paid for him. 

Aaron Gettings:The player formally known as John Lackey.  I've said nothing but vile, terrible things about him since he donned that Sox cap.  But I'm prepared to pretend none of that ever happened.  It's a clean slate for he and I.  He won't let me down.

Ben Fountain: Koji Uehara. I've been smitten with this signing since Day 1. Incredible control, an absurd strikeout-to-walk ratio, can go multiple innings and is just as solid against left-handed batters as he is against righties. He will be the glue guy in the bullpen.

Scott Priest: I'm going to cheat a bit and say the best offseason acquisition was the one we didn't make: There was no panic move to get Josh Hamilton or Zack Greinke to get headlines. They also didn't trade out of any of their surpluses (catching, bullpen) when the value wasn't there, which is good.

Your Morning Dump... Where Bard makes excuses

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.

Against Double-A hitters in a minor league spring training game on Friday, Bard authored the following sequence: single up the middle, stolen base, walk, walk, strikeout, strikeout, run-scoring hit by pitch. There was promise when he unleashed his fastball down in the strike zone and spun sliders to get swings and misses in the two punchouts, but it was impossible to ignore the command struggles that put him in a jam in the first place. 

Bard feels he needs adrenaline and a charged atmosphere in order to put himself in position to be sharp.

“I don’t think you can conjure [a reliever's mentality] up in a spring training game necessarily. I think you kind of need to force yourself to a little bit, but I think you’ve got to, I don’t know what kind of innings early in the year, but wherever that is, you’ve got to treat it like it’s important,” said Bard. “Honestly, the bigger games in my life are the ones where I pitched better. I thrived in the eighth inning in Yankee Stadium, going back to the playoffs in ’09 — I love those situations, because the focus is all on the competition and getting three outs, no matter how you do it, find a way to do it. That’s usually when I’m at my best.”

WEEI - Daniel Bard, despite struggles in minor league game: ‘I feel like I’m ready’

We talked about Bard yesterday morning as well, but two days of Bard is better than 14 straight days of Jackie Bradley Jr., no?

Yesterday we talked about how Bard had been looking decent this Spring (certainly a far cry from last year's train-wreck) but that it'd be best to keep him in the minors a bit longer.  He did nothing to buck that line of thinking yesterday.  Injuries can always force the Sox hand, but I just don't see how you can trust Bard with the ball in the majors right now.

His quote above irritates me a bit too.  It could very well be true (admittedly, I've never made a relief appearance in the majors or minors), but it still rubs me the wrong way.  This is a guy who is fighting for not just a certain role in the bullpen, but to prove that he still belongs at this level.  Every pitch thrown is its own little job interview.  And he can't get himself riled up to fire those pitches?  He only thrives when it's the 8th inning at Yankee Stadium, or in the playoffs?

What happens on a lazy June afternoon at Kansas City when Boston has a 4 run lead?  Can we not trust Bard on the mound that day because he doesn't find the situation thrilling enough?  I understand the dude is probably bummed; he doesn't have a realistic shot at making the majors yet.  He's most likely staring down a few more months in the minors.  Two years ago this isn't remotely how he envisioned his life to be.  So his passion has taken a hit.  I get all that.

But if he wants to change that fortune, he's the one that has to do it.  No one else is going to throw those pitches for him.  If that means mowing down AA batters, give them the heat.  It's truly that simple.

Rest of the links:

Herald - Jackie Bradley breaks mold | Will Middlebrooks’ sis fuels drive | CSNNE - Farrell: Have to be realistic with Drew | Red Sox notes: Ortiz gets back in the cage | Game Day Notes: Aceves sharp in scoreless outing | WEEI - Jackie Bradley Jr. gets reintroduced to an old position with busy day in left field | Globe - Stephen Drew reassured after concussion exam

Your Morning Dump... Where decision time on Bard is near

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.

Cherington suggested that right-hander Daniel Bard has made discernible progress in his return from a dreadful year in 2012. Still, he noted that there is further room for improvement as he tries to regain the form that made him one of the most dominant relievers in the game from 2009-11.

“[Bard is] a lot further ahead than where he ended the season,” said Cherington. “Probably still not all the way to where he wants to be, but sort of in the range of possibilities, he’s a lot closer to where he wants to be than where he was struggling last year.”

Asked about the looming decision about whether to open the year with Bard in the majors or to send him to Triple-A — an option that might gain further credence from the fact that he has minor league options remaining — Cherington did not tip his hand.

“We started this spring with a lot of options in the bullpen,” said Cherington. “It looks like [left-handers Craig Breslow and Franklin Morales] will probably be a little bit slow out of the gate. I think as I’ve said before, this stuff tends to work itself out as time goes by. Our hope was that we had enough depth of good arms that by opening day we’ll have a lot of good options in the ‘pen. We just have to see where we get to next week.”

WEEI - Ben Cherington on Daniel Bard, Jose Iglesias, rotation depth and roster decisions

Having an effective Daniel Bard could quite possibly take this bullpen from good to invincible.  We already know what  type of impact he can have when he's firing those 98 MPH fastballs.  It wasn't that long ago we wanted to run Papelbon out of town and hand his job over to Bard.

And then, well, we all know what happened next.  Converted starter.  Lost velocity.  Lost location.  Turned into a head case.  Became a terrible pitcher who needs to be built back up.  Thankfully, it looks like the building is way ahead of schedule, needing just a single offseason.

But the real test, as always, is when the games count.  He's looked solid, if not spectacular this spring over 6 innings pitched.  He has walked 3 batters and allowed 3 runs, but he's also struck out 7 and has a tidy 1.17 WHIP.  But sample size is everything here, and 6 innings isn't enough to give Bard the green light to start the year with Boston.

Unless injuries force his hand (which is a real possibility) I can't see Cherington keeping Bard up with Boston on Opening Day.  Put him in Pawtucket.  Let him throw a handful of high-pressure late innings.  Let's see how he responds.  Let's see if he can reach back and fling those crazy fastballs we've missed so much.  Let the guy keep building his confidence. 

There's no downside to having him hang out in AAA a while longer.  There is a downside in having him get rocked with Boston.  There's only so many times a guy can bounce back from that.

Rest of the links:

Herald - Red Sox must ponder three criteria before promoting Jackie Bradley Jr. | Buckley: Andrew Miller set for key bullpen role | Stephen Drew’s mind clear | WEEI - Drew cleared to start baseball activity | A world of difference in a year: Why Daniel Nava does not take 2013 for granted | CSNNE - Tomase: Expecations from Lackey, Buchholz | Notes: Ortiz unlikely for Opening Day | Globe - John Lackey continues his strong comeback | Bench starting to come into focus for Red Sox