Ted's Army: The Voice of Red Sox fans

Grading the outfield

Since we're at the halfway point of the season, the brain trust at Ted's Army decided we'd give out grades for the Red Sox players. Crazy idea, huh? When I first brought up, I said, "I want to be revolutionary, I hope everyone will be able to handle it."

I think we were off to a good start, and our readers seemed to handle it well. Here is what we think about the outfield:

1. CF Jacoby Ellsbury

He is having the best season of his career thus far. His first All-Star selection, 2nd on the team in batting average (min.100 AB) with .316, and tops in the AL in steals with 28. The most home runs Jacoby has hit in a season before 2011 is 9, he has 11 this season. On the defensive side, Ellsbury has no errors and is tied for 10th in the AL among outfielders with 5 assists.

I'm sure glad his ribs healed well, so I in appreciation, I sent him a plate of some.

Grade: A+

Your Morning Dump... Where Lester shouldn't be out long

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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.

Lester was removed from Tuesday's game with a lower-left lat strain. He said the injury didn’t occur on any one pitch, but was cramping on him as he worked through the top of the fourth.

“There’s no point in going out there and pushing it right now,” he added. “It’s going to be sore tomorrow, but I think if I would have gone out there in the fifth, I could have really possibly done some worse damage.”

While saying he would "never take myself out of a game if it wasn’t something significant,” Lester also said he doesn't believe the injury will cause a long-term problem.

“We may alter one start, but . . . we’ve got the All-Star break built in," said Lester. "Like I said, I don’t imagine this being a long-term deal. We’ll re-evaluate everything [Wednesday]. Hopefully it was just more of a precautionary-type deal and just a fluke thing and move on.”

CSNNE - Lester confident his injury isn't serious

It was an amusing scene, on Twitter, once it was known that Lester wasn't coming back in to continue his no-hit bid.  For a handful of minutes, Twitter was dominated by Sox fans unsure of what was going on, pleading to other Sox fans just as clueless to let them know what was up.  It was like a scene from an awful zombie movie.  But instead of searching for 'brains', everyone was aimlessly wandering around pleading for injury news.  Then, I imagine WebMD had a huge spike in traffic once it was announced that Lester had strained his latissimus. 

The positive here is that if you are going to strain your latissimus, you couldn't pick a better time than on the cusp of the All-Star break.  You never know how a strain is going to play out (see: Clay Buchholz back) but best case scenario has Lester missing a single start. 

Lester's injury only shines light on what an awful mess the Sox rotation truly is.  Beckett looks to be back and healthy.  Wake is as dependable as ever.  Lackey should probably retire and donate his salary to charity.  Andrew Miller is doing enough to keep the Sox in a position to win.  And it looks like Aceves should get at least one more spot start for Lester. 

Not exactly the group we thought we were taking to the ball.

Related links: Globe - Thrown a scare | Herald - Jon Lester’s early exit mars win

On Page 2, Mike Cameron finds a new home

Epstein talks Cameron

As we told you earlier today, Mike Cameron's time in Boston is over.  Sox GM Theo Epstein took a few minutes to discuss the signing, and where it may have gone wrong.  Not surprisingly, Theo's taking all the blame for this one.

Via WEEI:

"We've been scratching our heads. I'll take the hit on this one," said Epstein regarding the acquisition of Cameron and subsequent lack of production from the 38-year-old. "We try to be disciplined with trying to look for players in their primes when we bring them in. Mike was still a productive player when we got him, but -- this is all speculation -- maybe because of his advanced age, despite the great shape he keeps himself in, he had the significant internal injury, the double hernia, double groin surgery this winter, maybe just made the recovery that much more difficult at his age.

"But when it doesn't work out you have to stand up and say it didn't work out. That one didn't work out. We're not going to sugar coat it. We still think very highly of Mike as a player and as a person. He got hurt and ended up not producing this year. It ended up not working out for the Red Sox despite his best efforts."

I was excited for the Mike Cameron signing at the time.  A solid veteran who could theoretically play all three OF positions was a need.  Unfortunately, it was a disaster.

Well, Mike Cameron's bank account grew substantially and his agent now owns a fleet of Bentleys, so it wasn't a complete loss.  No hard feelings though, he tried and failed.  Best of luck in the future.

Cameron sent packing

(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The quietest terrible free-agent signing in Theo Epstein's tenure in Boston has been designated for assignment and will likely seek employment somewhere else.

CSNNE

Mike Cameron, one of the most disappointing free-agent signings of Theo Epstein's reign as Red Sox general manager, was designated for assignment Thursday, ending a brief and unproductive 1 1/2-year Boston career.

Infielder Yamaico Navarro was recalled from Pawtucket to take his place on the roster. Navarro will wear No. 60.

[...]

The Red Sox owe Cameron approximately $4 milllion for the remainder of the season, the last of a two-year, $15.5 million deal.

I don't think many Red Sox fans knew how much cash was thrown at Mike Cameron prior to the 2010 season. $7.75 million a season to accumulate these numbers... a .219 BA, 7 HR, 24 RBI, .285 OBP over 81 games. Cameron came in to play center last season, which resulted in the loss of Ellsbury when Beltre's knee connected with Jacoby's ribs during a play on a fly ball. Then Cameron's abdominal tear kept him out of 114 games last season, which resulted in surgery and he hasn't been the same since.

The good news is, the departure of Cameron and Drew (can't come soon enough) will result in $22 million off the payroll after this season.

Year	Tm	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB
2010-2011	BOS	81	285	256	33	56	13	0	7	24	0	1	22	69	.219	.285	.352	.637	71	90	6	3	1	3	0
Average		40	142	128	16	28	6	0	4	12	0	0	11	34						45	3	2	0	2	0
per 162 games		162	570	512	66	112	26	0	14	48	0	2	44	138						180	12	6	2	6

Your Morning Dump... Where Cameron & McDonald are killing us

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.

"We wanted David to hit with the game on line,” said manager Terry Francona. “I wish he were hitting when we were up by three, but we had the guy up we wanted and he took a good swing.”
 
On the seventh pitch of the at-bat, a 94-mph two-seamer, Ortiz grounded out to shortstop Ronny Cedeno, ending the Sox last best chance to score.
 
“You want to be in the game but you got to do whatever,” Ortiz said. “The result wasn’t what you wanted but the fight was there.
 
* The Sox had nine hits in the game, but left 11 runners on base, and were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

* Darnell McDonald and Mike Cameron went a combined 1-for-7, leaving six runners on base, including four runners in scoring position. Combined against left-handed pitchers they are 12-for-88 (.136).
 
"I don't know. I think we always look at the series and try to do what we
think is right,” Francona said. “Things change. Guys get hot. Guys got cold. I'm not sure it makes sense to think two weeks down the road."

CSNNE - Red Sox notes: Ortiz suffers rare missed opportunity

I have no issue with leaving Ortiz on the bench when we're playing in NL parks.  At best, he's a sub-par fielder who gets 0 in-game reps, and we can have his bat available to plug into situations like this.  Unfortunately, last night, we didn't have the storybook ending.  It happens. 

What I'm much more concerned about is the Cameron-McDonald debacle. They are not helping the Sox win.  In fact, they're doing the opposite.  Neither can get a hit in a normal situation.  With runners on?  Forget about it. 

I can't think of a single reason that Riddick wasn't patrolling the outfield instead of one of these two.  And while there's nothing more awkward than watching a corner infielder playing the outfield, I might be on board with the Gonzalez in right idea.  We can't lose games to the Pirates.  Unacceptable.  If that means we makes Adrian embarrass himself on defense so we can get another solid bat in the lineup, then so be it.

I like that Tito sticks with the veterans, and gives players a chance to bust out of their slumps, but it's time to mix it up a bit.  There's plenty of room in the dugout for Cameron and McDonald.  Let's not let those seats go to waste.

On Page 2, Clay's going to take a few more days off

Recap: Wolf bites Sox

(Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

Clever title, eh?

Randy Wolf out-dueled Jon Lester, holding the Sox to 2 runs in a 4-2 victory for Milwaukee.

Lester wasn't great, giving up back-to-back homers in the 1st and and allowed two more runs in the 3rd.  But he ended up giving Tito 8 solid innings, notching 8 K's along the way.  Wolf wasn't great either, giving up 9 hits in his 7 innings of work, but beyond a 2 run second where both Salty and Cameron singled home a run, the Sox couldn't convert. 

With Crawford on the DL we can expect to see a whole lot of Cameron and McDonald, who are batting .157 and .125 on the year, respectively, and who went a combined 1-6 tonight.  In fact, Tito pinch-hit Sutton for Cameron with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th.  We may be in trouble, folks.

BOX SCORE

Your Morning Dump... Where Ted Williams' ghost isn't walking through that door

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 first pitcher to face the Red Sox' vaunted new lineup isn’t exactly quaking in his spikes.

“It’s not like all of a sudden they have the ghost of Ted Williams playing for them,” C.J. Wilson said.

Last season, Wilson limited lefties to a .144 average, allowing no home runs and a .400 on-base/slugging percentage. As a result, Red Sox manager Terry Francona will start Mike Cameron in right field over lefty-swinging JD Drew.

“It’s pretty much the same lineup they had last year with two additions, right? And I’ve faced both (Crawford and Gonzalez) before,” Wilson said. “They have a couple of lefties, which is good for me. Last year, it was. I just like pitching at home. I’m not too worried about it.”

Likewise, Wilson insisted he isn’t sweating the speed of both leadoff-hitting Ellsbury and Crawford in the No. 3 spot.

“If you get them out, they don’t get on first base,” Wilson said. “That’s the idea. The number one way to control a running game is to get them out. I’ve pitched well against both those guys. I’m not terribly concerned about it.”

Boston Herald - New Sox, no big deal, says C.J. Wilson

If you had any questions as to whether teams were going to be gunning for the Sox this season, wonder no more; although the defending AL Champs are going to take the Sox' early season crown a little more personally than the rest.

For their on-paper potential, the Sox have been anointed as the AL Champs.  All season long, opposing pitchers are going to be questioned as to how they'll deal with the 9-headed monster that is the Sox lineup.  Pitchers are going to get up for these games.  Opposing teams are going to get up for these games.  I know many of you became bored last year, but I don't anticipate that being a problem this time around.

As for CJ Wilson?  He terrifies me.  He's right near the top of the list of pitchers that seem to baffle the Red Sox.  But it's a new season, with a few new parts and a new approach.  I'm optimistic.

As far as Ted Williams' ghost not showing up for an at-bat or two?  I've got a pretty good feeling that our current Left Fielder is going to hold his own.  Call it a hunch.

On Page 2, today's lineup is set.

Your Morning Dump...Where Alfredo Aceves proved himself against the Yankees

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.

Alfredo Aceves deviated from his usual pregame routine last night, going out during batting practice to say hello to some of his former teammates with the Yankees.

The 28-year-old righthander spent parts of three seasons with the Yankees before being released in December.

Although Aceves pitched well in 2009, winning 10 games for the World Series champions, the Yankees thought he lingered too long on the disabled list last season with a back injury.

“Ace was great for us. It’s unfortunate that he had so many back issues last year,’’ manager Joe Girardi said.

“I think we missed him a lot; he was a guy that could bridge us from the fourth to the seventh inning a lot. I wish him the best of luck.’’

Aceves was solid last night, allowing one run on three hits over three innings as the Red Sox beat the Yankees, 2-1, before a sellout crowd of 7,859 at City of Palms Park.

Aceves has no regrets about how his time with the Yankees ended.

“It was out of my hands. We do the best we can do out there in the field,’’ he said.

Aceves has allowed four earned runs in 10 1/3 innings for the Sox this spring. There have been good signs (two walks) and bad (10 hits) along the way. He is competing for a spot in the bullpen but could be in the Triple A rotation to start the season.

Boston Globe - Aceves solid in Red Sox win over Yankees

The odds are against Aceves as he fights for a spot on the big league roster.  If he has or had a chance, last night was a huge step for him.  This was more of a moral victory for him by shutting down his former team that gave up on him.

On Page 2: Mike Cameron is still here. Remember him?

Is the roster full of trade bait?

The Red Sox are coming into the 2011 season with a roster full of talent and too much depth in a few positions.  A major-league source said the Red Sox will be shopping players while they still have some value left.

The Sox would move pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, who has a full no-trade clause, if they could add to their young catching inventory, the source said. Veteran Tim Wakefield is on the bubble, according to the source, and might be available for left-handed relief help. The Sox would also consider moving one of their two veteran right-handed hitting outfielders, Mike Cameron or Darnell McDonald, with interest in Cameron expected to increase as he plays more. Cameron was starting in left field here Saturday. With young outfielders Ryan Kalish and Josh Reddick still having options, the team's thinking is they could afford to lose one of the veterans, with Cameron obviously having the most value in a trade.

The source said the Sox would also listen to any offers on veteran shortstop Marco Scutaro, who at the moment is projected as Opening Day shortstop. The Sox have options in Jed Lowrie and top prospect Jose Iglesias, who could play defensively on the big-league level right now. Scutaro's versatility--he can also play second and third--might make him attractive to teams in need of infield help.

Those names shouldn't surprise anyone.  I am not sure what they will get for the AARP group or if Dice-K will waive his no-trade clause. Scutaro has good value and Mike Cameron has always been in good shape and can still contribute to any team this season. If Wake doesn't make the roster, he will most likely retire so scratch that name off the list.

Overall, these guys have talent, but don't expect to get a lot in return if a trade does happen.

Sox Outfield More Than All Set

As you'd expect from the team with the 3rd highest payroll in baseball, the Sox have an embarassment of riches at several positions.

But one position may be a little too rich: Outfield.  They have 3 starters cemented for the 2011 season, a 4th that could start almost anywhere else, and a farm system full of potentially solid big leaguers.  Many of which could contribute right now if needed.  Surprisingly, the most intriguing of those may not be named Kalish, Riddick, or Nava.

Via the Boston Globe:

...scouts are becoming ever more curious about Juan Carlos Linares, the 26-year-old Cuban outfielder who may be one of the most intriguing players in spring training.

Linares has a blocky body, which prompts some interesting comparisons. Tony Armas, one scout says. His swing resembles Albert Belle’s, according to another.

“He’s a good defensive outfielder,’’ said a scout who has watched him a few times. “He runs the bases well. He had a reputation for being a speed guy when he was a little bit younger and he can still move pretty well.’’

At this point, the Sox really don’t know what to do with Linares, who could be playing anywhere from Double A Portland to the major leagues. After being signed last July 8, he hit .239 in 46 at-bats in Portland. He’s not your typical kid ballplayer. He’s getting into his prime years as a hitter, and so far in spring training, that’s showing. Linares doesn’t cheat himself on his swing.

Last years never-ending rumor was the Lowell-to-Texas trade.  While no front-runner has emerged yet, expect to hear murmurs of Cameron getting dealt all season long.  The youth movement is only going to perpetuate these rumors.  Personally, with Drew's impending DL stints I just don't think it makes sense to jettison Cameron. 

Let the youngin's fight it out in the minors and hopefully someone will emerge as the heir apparent to Drew in right. 

If there's any lesson Theo has learned these past few seasons, it's that depth is never overrated.   The only positive here is that we're not in a position that we have to make any moves.  If someone wants one of our outfielders, they have no leverage.  Give us what we want or go ring someone else.  It's a nice position to be in.