Ted's Army: The Voice of Red Sox fans

You Morning Dump...Where a number of teams may be interested in Beckett

 

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.

According to a major league source, the Red Sox and Rangers have had discussions about a potential deal that would send pitcher Josh Beckett to Texas. However, it is unclear at this time how much momentum the talks have gained. For now, no deal appears imminent.

According to the source, the Red Sox are engaged with other teams as well, with Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports having reported (via twitter) that the Braves were one such team. Passan also reported that the Dodgers and Red Sox have not talked at this point, but that Los Angeles could have interest in the right-hander.

As of late last week, the Rangers and Red Sox were not discussing Beckett and the Red Sox were only fielding calls on the starter, rather than engaging actively in any talks related to him. However, with Zack Greinke (previously a target of the Rangers) now off the market after being traded to the Angels and the starting pitching market taking shape, the two teams have engaged in talks.

It is believed that the Red Sox would have to absorb most of Beckett’s contract if a deal were to take place. The teams have discussed varying levels of players as potential return on the 32-year-old.

WEEI: Source:  Red Sox discussing Josh Beckett with Rangers, among others

That story would make one hopeful that is in favor of a Josh Beckett trade, however, more recent reports from other news sources are making a trade seem unlikely.

CSNNE noted a couple of tweets that squash most ideas of a Beckett trade.

However, if Ken Rosenthal and Buster Olney are to be believed, such talk is moot:

Source: #RedSox talked to "handful of teams" that inquired about team's starting pitchers, including Beckett. "Unlikely" anything happens.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2012

It's unlikely the Red Sox will trade Josh Beckett, after talking with a small handful of teams about him.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 30, 2012

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports, speaking to Merloni on 'Sports Sunday's Conferece Call, says a Beckett trade is unlikely:

"The contract is too onerous and the Red Sox aren't likely to eat enough money to make it worthwhile to get him out of here."

CSNNE: Experts: Beckett trade is unlikely

I am among the hopefuls that the Red Sox will trade Josh Beckett for a sack of Oranges and a season pass to Disney World. I don't care what they get for him, just get him out.

The Red Sox are obviously trying to get the most for him and they will not get much in return. They will have to eat most of the contract, and again, get little in return.

The way it is looking, it's not going to happen, but we can only hope something will happen.

On Page 2, Tito texts Bobby V an apology

Your Morning Dump... Where there's not much to be excited about

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.

As the Red Sox take the field on Friday at Yankee Stadium, they’ll be one game under .500. They need to go 41-22 — a .650 clip — the rest of the way just to win 90 games.

If the Red Sox lose two out of three at Yankee Stadium — or, worse, endure a sweep — they’ll be under .500 and at least five games behind the wildcard leaders on July 30. General manager Ben Cherington would be committing executive malpractice if he did anything but sell off pieces and look ahead to 2013.

Mike Aviles could be traded. Cody Ross and Ryan Sweeney could be traded. Kelly Shoppach could be traded. Aaron Cook could be traded. Matt Albers, Andrew Miller and Vicente Padilla could be traded, too. If Cherington finds a taker and John Henry is willing to eat some money, there’s an outside chance Josh Beckett could go, too.

And while his injuries complicate things, the real blockbuster would be trading Jacoby Ellsbury a year and a half before his inevitable departure as a free agent.

ProJo.com - It’s a make or break weekend for the Red Sox

I think it's time we all make a pact and stop talking about the how many games back the Sox are in the AL East or in the WIld Card Race.  We're just kidding ourselves at this point.  Sure, techinically we're only 4.5 games out of the Wild Card, but every other team from our own division is ahead of us in that race.  Not to mention Los Angeles, Oakland, Detroit, and Cleveland.  Let's stay above .500 for a week, or just crawl out of our own basement before we start dreaming up playoff scenarios.

Normally when the Red Sox have a chance to be uber-active at the trade deadline, I'm glued to the edge of my seat.  It's fun to speculate.  It's fun to think up trade scenarios.  It's fun to picture shiny new players with a 'B' on their cap.  But my blood just isn't pumping this season.  MacPherson lays out the names that are most likely to be traded.  Are any of those guys going to net anything worthwhile beyond some low-level prospects?  Or maybe some cash?  They're not.

And frankly, I don't want to see some of those guys moved.  I'd love to see Aviles stick around and play the utility role, which he should have been playing all along.  The Sox invested a lot of time righting Andrew Miller, and it's finally paying off.  So now we're just going to flip him for a new project?  Cody Ross has endeared himself to Sox fans quite nicely, although he's maybe the one player on that list with actual trade value.  But when your team plays, on average, 25 different outfielders a season, you can't exactly dump those that you have.

But the last name MacPherson throws out is the one that makes me perk up a bit.  If the Sox do decide to move Ellsbury (and it's easy to make a strong case that they should), that's when things get interesting.  I don't even want to venture a guess as to what the Sox would get in return.  I know it's not a Felix Hernandez, unless we throw in a Buchholz and two or three Xander Bogaerts.  But if the Sox want to shake their roster up in any meaningful way, he's about the only legitimate trade chip they have in the majors.

Not that I want to see Ellsbury gone, but I also don't want to see this same group of guys suit up for the Sox in 2013.  Even if they somehow find a way to nab one of the Wild Card berths, new blood is sorely needed on this team.  And we're going to have to crack a few eggs to make lemonade.  Or something like that.

On Page 2, don't expect Beckett to be going anywhere.

Recap: Beckett can't build on Buchholz's win, Sox lose 5-3

A night after Clay Buchholz confirmed he was the man in the Sox rotation, Josh Beckett couldn't keep the momentum going.

Beckett pitched a quality start through six, but fell apart in the 7th. Tied at 3, Beckett hit Elvis Andrus with a two-seamer that got away from him (no, it was not retaliation for the retaliation of the retaliation, as some talking heads will undoubtedly say), and Adrian Beltre pushed him to 3rd with a single to right. Next batter, Beckett threw a wild pitch, scoring the run.

Nelson Cruz added a solo shot off Matt Albers in the 8th to push the game to its final score. If you're an optimist, you might point out that it had been five starts since Beckett had even reached the 7th inning, but that's probably a little generous (and I'm a Beckett apologist).

The offense sputtered, too. Pedro Ciriaco and Will Middlebrooks had two hits apiece; the only other Sox hit came from Dustin Pedroia on a solo homer. Carl Crawford went 0-for-3 and was once again replaced for defense in the 7th. (Too bad $142 million can't buy you a player who can play nine innings.) Carl is now 0-for-his-last-17 and the team is a game under .500 two-thirds of the way through the season. Maybe it's time to schedule that Tommy John surgery so we don't interrupt his 2013 season as well.

Box score

[Image]

Your Morning Dump... Where the first inning is killing the Sox

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.

The Blue Jays scored two first-inning runs, proving to be all they would need on their way to a 6-1 win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
 
Josh Beckett has now given up 19 earned runs in the first innings of his 16 starts for a 10.69 ERA. But it’s a disturbing trend that has plagued the rotation this season.
 
Red Sox starters have allowed at least one run in the first inning of 16 of their last 19 games at Fenway Park since June 10, including 11 of their last 12. Overall this season, the staff’s first-inning ERA is 6.70, giving up a total of 70 earned runs in the 94 games. That is nearly three runs higher than all subsequent innings combined, when they have a 3.80 ERA, giving up 318 earned runs in 752 2/3 innings.

CSNNE - Red Sox notes: First inning woes not just for Beckett

The media is really down on Josh Beckett this morning after last night's start, but it's all a bunch of poppycock.

Yeah, he got pegged for 2 runs in the first (bringing his first inning ERA over 10 on the year), but as I wrote last night, it was a fairly typical 2012 start for Beckett.  Seeing him give up 4-5 runs isn't shocking.  Beckett has been treated like a pinata this season.  Everything he does is the worst thing any Sox player has ever done.  But in Josh's defense, the first inning issue isn't isolated to just him.  It's a problem for the entire Sox staff.

Maureen Mullen whips out some pretty eye-opening stats in the article above.  Sox starters have given up 70 first inning earned runs in 94 games.  That doesn't mean 70 out of 94 games, but that's still a lot of runs and a lot of games.  Lately the Sox offense has done a good job of retaliating, frequently getting those runs back in the first.  And when you have an offensive juggernaut like the Sox do, putting them down 1 or 2 runs to start the game shouldn't be devastating.

But it can be.  Being down changes your approach.  If you can get those runs back in the early innings, guy start pressing.  It simply changes the mindset of the hitters.  They've been able to handle that very well, but you can't expect them to every night.  Sometimes, an Aaron Laffey is going to take advantage and shut the offense down. 

Rest of the links:

Globe - Early innings haunt Beckett | Sox come up empty | CSNNE -Gasper: Garza wouldn't fill ace role for Sox | Momentum lost in Beckett's early struggles | Herald -Bobby Valentine feeling better | Red Sox can’t Laff it off | First-inning struggles continue for Josh Beckett | WEEI - Making sense of Josh Beckett and the state of the Red Sox rotation | Beckett: Not 'a whole lot of positives'

Recap: Sox hit a bunch of singles, lose 6-1

Another frustrating loss for the Red Sox, who took a solid 6-1 beating from the Blue Jays.

The offense simply didn't have it tonight.  They put 8 hits on Jays starter Aaron Laffey, but they were all singles, and only managed to get multiple hits in 2 innings.  The lone run came in the bottom of the 9th once the game was well out of reach.  Middlebrooks and Shoppach were the only batters to get multiple hits.  Cirico and Gonzalez went hitless.

Beckett, who got the start for Boston, had a typical 2012 Beckett start.  Lasted 6 innings, gave up 5 runs (4 earned) struck out 7 batters while walking 3.  Far from dominant, but nothing you can complain about.  Miller, Melancon and Tazawa finished the game.  Miller and Tazawa looked good.  Melancon had some trouble, giving up a run in the 9th.

Just a ho-hum effort all around.  And not what you'd want to see with the Sox suddenly looking dangerous.

BOX SCORE

Your Morning Dump... Where Beckett's shoulder is inflammed

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.

Add another injury to the insult of another Red Sox [team stats] loss.

Josh Beckett [stats] won’t make his scheduled start tomorrow night at Wrigley Field because of right shoulder inflammation. According to a source, Beckett will stay with the team this weekend before being re-evaluated Monday in Boston.

As he left the clubhouse following the Red Sox’ 3-0 loss to the Cubs, Beckett deferred comment until later this weekend.

“I have family here,” Beckett said. “I’ll talk tomorrow.”

Lefty reliever Franklin Morales will take Beckett’s spot in the rotation against the Cubs. He hasn’t made a start in the majors since 2009 with the Colorado Rockies.

Herald - Beckett scratched from start

We get it, Baseball Gods.  We get it.  It's not the Sox' year.  Our dreams of hoisting the World Series trophy this fall crashed and burned several weeks ago.  Can you please lay off now and just let us enjoy some of this season?  Sheesh.

Hopefully this shoulder injury is just mild inflammation and with a few days rest it'll pass.  Losing anybody from this roster at this point is a huge loss, but especially Beckett.  He's been guaranteed 7-8 innings of work each time out.  They weren't always the prettiest 7 or 8 innings, but since May 15th he's gone at least 7 and hasn't allowed more than 4 runs in any start.  In an even year, no less.

It sounds like we won't hear any more about his status until Monday at the earliest, so let's keep our fingers crossed.

On Page 2, Manny is a free man.

A primer on the 2012 Red Sox, or what you missed while watching the Celtics

Hey, I know how it is.

It's March, and you get wrapped up in the NCAA tournament. And then the Celtics start magically returning to form. And the Bruins, despite every lazy second you watch them play, are still a favorite with the playoffs on the horizon.

The Sox start slow -- really slow -- and your temptation is to spend your sports energy elsewhere.

The Bruins provided less of a distraction thanks to a first-round flameout, but the Celtics gutted their way to an Eastern Conference Finals game 7, finally surrendering to LeBron and Co. last night. 

Which leaves us with today, June 10th, the day when you have no reason but to start putting your energy back into the Red Sox. 

I know, it looks bleak. They're currently in last place in the AL East, and are a game below .500 at 29-30. How did they get to this point? What happened while you were gone?

Here are ten things to know about the last couple of months' happenings on the diamond, and what to expect going further:

Sox fall back to .500 in 2-1 loss to Orioles

The Red Sox couldn't get anything going on offense, wasting a superb start by Josh Beckett and falling to the AL East-leading Orioles 2-1. 

Beckett went eight strong, throwing just 92 pitches in the effort. He scattered five hits, walked one, and struck out five. For all the hulabaloo over him in the offseason, Josh's ERA is now just a touch over four, and he looks like he's really rounded into shape. With one starter scuffling (Lester), one starter being atrocious (Buchholz), and one starter so bad they had to demote him (Bard), Beckett is at least joining Felix Doubront as an effective member of the rotation.

I have to question Bobby V a little for his performance this game. I'm all for accountability and everything, and I know Adrian Gonzalez has not been on this year. But he's the best hitter on the team, and he's currently playing out of position while the team tries to not ruin its one good prospect and also not create a major distraction by benching Kevin Youkilis. (A little showcasing doesn't hurt, either.)

For his unselfish efforts, he's dropped to sixth in the lineup, and then pinch-run for in the 7th. Of course, the Sox managed to get some baserunners, so much so that in the bottom of the 8th with two on and two out, Gonzalez's spot in the lineup was at the plate...but in the form of Scott Podsednik. You're not going to believe this, but Scotty Pods didn't come through.

There's no question Adrian has been a disappointment, but there's no reason to treat him like an ancillary player. He's the best player on the team, just underperforming. He makes pitchers work, and he needs to be playing all the time and be left alone in the lineup. We need to figure something out with Youk, because this is getting ridiculous.

Box score

Your Morning Dump...Where Salty proves Fernando Rodney is human

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 is probably the best win of the year right here,’’ said designated hitter David Ortiz, no stranger to walkoff homers himself, after the Sox climbed back to .500 at 23-23, recording their first walkoff of the season.

Just when it appeared the Rays had spoiled a splendid outing by Josh Beckett, rallying for two runs in the seventh to take a 2-1 lead, Saltalamacchia saved the day, pinch hitting for Marlon Byrd and driving an 0-and-1 pitch from Rays closer Fernando Rodney deep over the Sox bullpen for his first walkoff homer.

“Obviously, tonight was awesome,’’ said Saltalamacchia. “We’ve been working so hard and this team is so close that it was just an awesome feeling to come into home plate with those guys just pumped up.’’

Before the game, Saltalamacchia served as Carlton Fisk’s catcher for the first pitch.

Globe: Jarrod Saltalamacchia's blast gives Red Sox walk-off win

Last night was a classic duel between two very good starting pitchers. When Tampa had the lead going into the ninth and Fernando Rodney was slated to come in, the game was Tampa's. Rodney had come into the game with a 0.38 ERA and was a perfect 15-for-15 in save opportunities. Enter Jarrod Saltalamacchia as a pinch hitter. First career walk-off via home run, game over, Sox finally work some ninth inning magic and everyone in Boston is happy. Even Josh Beckett who got the ND...

Despite being nearly perfect for the first six innings Saturday night against Tampa Bay, Josh Beckett professed not to care that his dominant outing failed to bring him his fifth win of the season.

A walkoff team victory, he pointed out, makes a no-decision much easier to take.

“That was awesome, that’s a better way to win anyway,’’ Beckett said, not long after Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a pinch-hit, two-run home run in the ninth inning, lifting the Sox to a 3-2 win at Fenway Park. “If I get no-decisions the rest of my starts this year it’s not that big a deal if we win them all like that.’’

If Beckett continues to pitch like he did Saturday night, he’ll win his share of games. He produced his seventh quality start in nine outings - tops on the team - allowing four hits and two runs in seven innings. He didn’t walk a batter for the first time this season, and struck out five.

Globe: Josh Beckett strong again for Sox

Beckett looked great once again, which should earn him a pass to be forgiven for his next crappy outing. I did not watch this game live, due to the Celtics crawling their way to the ECF. With the magic of DVR, I got to enjoy it as if it were, and it was a fun and sometimes frustrating one to watch. I wouldn't mind seeing a win today to get over that damn .500 mark, is that too much to ask?

On Page 2, Bobby Valentine is not too fond of the Rays' coaching staff

Your Morning Dump... where the perception of Beckett is changing.

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.

Three days from now, the Red Sox [team stats] will get their next day off.

Anyone mind if Josh Beckett [stats] plays a few rounds of golf?

Earlier this month, Beckett incited a firestorm by spending an off day on the links after being skipped for one start because of a stiff muscle behind his right shoulder. At worst, he came off as disrespectful to the organization. At best, he showed a lack of judgment. Even pitching coach Bob McClure agreed it didn’t look good.

But here is the reality: Like him or not, Beckett has been the Red Sox’ best starting pitcher. And yesterday, he couldn’t have been much better.

Facing the Phillies in the finale of a three-game interleague series, Beckett gave up seven hits, only three of which left the infield, and ran his scoreless streak to 14 innings before finally yielding a run in the eighth. The Red Sox emerged with a 5-1 victory, and Beckett posted a quality start for the sixth time in eight appearances.

Herald: Beckett superb in Sox win

To answer Lauber's question: no people won't be mad because he's not being taken out for precautionary reasons. That's why people were mad about what happened. If he had pitched like this a couple weeks ago, Sox fans would recommend courses for him.

That's the thing with this city and its fans: we don't care what you do or how you act! As long as you bust your ass and win, we will deal with you for as long as possible. Beckett has been Boston's sweetheart & public enemy #1 yet he's the same stubborn bastard today as he was six and a half years ago. Winning changes the perception.

The way Beckett has come out the past two outings has done plenty to get people off of his back. If he gets into the same pitching groove he was for most of the 2011 season, he will be cheered and if he can work magic in the playoffs once again... he will become Boston's most beloved once again. 

Again, winning solves everything.

Rest of the Links: Globe: Bird watching next | Dice-K has a setback in rehab | Herald:   Sweet Swingin' Salty rates as AL's best | Aviles provides pop atop order | Orioles still perched in 1st |  CSNNE: Beckett dominates in 2nd straight outing | Aviles, Salty stay hot in Philly | Youkilis set to return | WEEI:  Living through 12 pitches of Adrian | Sox players held heated meeting | Source: Lavarnway was in Philly