Ted's Army: The Voice of Red Sox fans

Your Morning Dump... Where Napoli is playing hard to get

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 Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and the MLB Radio Network, free agent Mike Napoli is holding out for a fourth guaranteed year from the Red Sox, and has also drawn interest from the Mariners. There have also been reports regarding the Yankees interest in Napoli.

The 31-year-old would be viewed by the Red Sox as a first baseman, who would also provide depth at catcher and behind David Ortiz as a designated hitter. 

The right-handed-hitting Napoli struggled for much of the 2012 season, finishing with a .227 batting average and .812 OPS while battling leg injuries. Napoli did, however, finish '12 strong, hitting seven home runs to go with a 1.051 OPS in the season's final month.

Napoli was not offered the one-year, $13 million qualifying offer by the Rangers, meaning the no draft pick would be forfeited by any team signing the slugger.

WEEI - Report: Mike Napoli looking for fourth year

In my "offseason plan" I had Napoli penciled in as the Sox 2013 first baseman, so it probably won't shock you to hear me say that Boston should go ahead and give him that fourth year.  I'd rather see the Sox sign on for four years of Mike Napoli than six or seven years of Josh Hamilton -- although both of those things could still happen.

But Boston needs some power in the middle of that lineup.  Outside of Napoli, there aren't many attractive free agents who can swing a big bat.  Don't want Hamilton.  Swisher, who the Sox are supposedly after, I greatly despise and is after a four year contract himself.  But, of course, it all comes down to dollars.  If Napoli is looking for $15 million a year, for four years, I'd ask him to come into my office just so I could slam the door in his face.

But if the price is right, I wouldn't hesitate to agree to his terms.  As unbelievable as it is, Seattle may be the more attractive destination for Napoli.  Boston can't trump up the "compete for a World Series" angle, at least not for a few more seasons.  Whichever he picks, he'll be on a mediocre club.  And Seattle is offering Napoli the catcher position, which is supposedly where he'd prefer to play. 

Of course, baseball free agency rarely shakes out how we expect.  However this Napoli situation shakes out, I'm sure it'll be surprising.

Rest of the links:

Herald - No staff infection under John Farrell’s watch | Mike Napoli, reportedly pursued by Red Sox, to meet Mariners | WEEI - Red Sox manager John Farrell on the Sox offseason, assembling a staff

Orioles trade Robert Andino out of AL East

Red Sox fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Robert Andino, the Orioles' version of Aaron Boone, has been dealt to Seattle for Trayvon Robinson.

If you can't remember Andino's significance:

 

Worth mentioning: Andino isn't actually a Red Sox killer -- he has a .620 OPS against the team and shouldn't have even had that single land, considering Carl Crawford is allegedly an excellent athlete and defender.

In hindsight, watching this is much less painful. If Crawford makes the catch, the Red Sox get to the playoffs, and maybe the organization sticks with that group. Maybe they try to make Theo/Tito work, when it appears both were burned out on Boston. Maybe there isn't as much urgency to trade Adrian Gonzalez, Crawford, and Josh Beckett. Maybe we're still rolling out a bloated payroll of unlikeable players.

There's been speculation that the Sox could make a similarly minor move today, given that their 40-man roster must be set and they have a few players they still need to get on the roster.

How we see it goin' down: Red Sox - Mariners series

First Pitch: Monday 4:10, Tuesday 10:05, Wednesday 10:05

Arms: Monday: Clay Buchholz, RHP (11-4, 4.50 ERA) vs. Jason Vargas, LHP (13-9, 3.90 ERA) 

Tuesday: Jon Lester, LHP (8-11, 5.01 ERA)  vs. Blake Beavan, RHP (9-8, 4.95 ERA)

Wednesday: Aaron Cook, RHP (3-8, 5.35 ERA)  vs. Kevin Millwood, RHP (4-12, 4.38 ERA)

                        Yard: Safeco Field   Watch it:  NESN    Hear it:  WEEI

The Matchup

Record: 62-73 (4th AL East)	Record: 65-70 (Last AL West)
On road: 30-35	At home: 34-32
Streak: Lost 6	Streak: Won 1
Leaders at the plate	Leaders at the plate
Average: Podsednik (.341)	Average: Gutierrez (.273)
Homers: Saltalamacchia (23)	Homers: Montero/Seager (15)
RBI: Ross (68)	RBI: Seager (77)
Leaders on the mound	Leaders on the mound
Wins: Buchholz (11)	Wins: Hernandez/Vargas (13)
ERA: Morales (3.77) | Bailey (1.59)	ERA: Hernandez (2.51) | Perez (1.71)
K's: Lester (141)	K's: Hernandez (191)

Last time

The Red Sox and Mariners closed out the month of June with a 4-game series in Seattle. The result, a series split and it was a close series. 

Franklin Morales went up against Felix Hernandez in the first game and it was a textbook pitcher's duel. Morales went 7 innings, giving up 3 hits, no runs, walked 2, and struck out 7. Felix Hernandez came out on top, going the distances while giving up 5 hits, 1 walk, and struck out 13 Sox' batters. Scott Atchison blew it for the Sox, giving up the game's only run in the bottom of the 8th.

The Sox got their redemption in game 2, by beating the Mariners 5-0 and Aaron Cook did his best Felix Hernandez impression. Cook pitched a complete game 2-hitter...those were the days. He got plenty of run support, as the Sox got all 5 runs on homers [Nava, Ross, Middlebrooks, Saltalmachhia (2-run)].

The Mariners came back and won game 3, 3-2. The Sox took the final game, despite a great pitching performance from Jason Vargas.

This time

Laser Show: Dustin Pedroia

The only guy that is performing right now. At this point, it doesn't matter if he goes on a tear, but he is the only guy that has shown signs of production. Say what you want about him, this team needs Dustin Pedroia.

Pitch Around: Jesus Montero & Kyle Seager

Both guys have less than 2 seasons of major league experience, and they are performing well. Their batting averages are both in the mid .200's and that is above average for Seattle. This is a very non-threatening team, but with the way the Sox starters have been performing, Seattle's bats can come alive.

Don't Fall Behind: Jason Vargas
 

The Sox dodged a bullet by not going up against Hernandez, but they still have to go up against Seattle's very good number 2 starter. Vargas pitched a very strong 8 innings the last time they met in Seattle, he can and probably will do it again. We can only hope Clay Buchholz will slow the bleeding and give the Sox a chance to break the losing streak.

How we see it goin' down

Even though the Mariners are not close to the team the A's have been, it doesn't mean the Red Sox will have an easy time. There is a better chance for some wins, but the Red Sox will likely blow a couple of leads and come out of the series with only 1 win. 

Your Morning Dump...Where the Seattle gets another walk-off win

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. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

 

The Seattle Mariners are a team begging to get beat. They came into Saturday's game at Safeco Field hitting .197 at home and averaging 2.8 runs a game.

True to form, they managed only nine hits over 11 innings and three runs. But that was enough to beat the Red Sox.

"We have to find a way to win that game," Dustin Pedroia said after a 3-2 loss. "We had a lot of chances."

The Sox had 11 hits and drew two walks off seven Seattle pitchers. But they were 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base. The Sox had two hits in the ninth and didn't score, and two more in the 10th.

"You never want to go extra innings on the road," Jarrod Saltalamacchia said. "Then it takes just one swing of the bat."

Alfredo Aceves (0-5) got one out in the 11th before Dustin Ackley singled. Miguel Olivo also singled and Ackley went to third base. With the infield in, Chone Figgins hit a liner to right. Cody Ross made an accurate throw but it short-hopped Saltalamcchia and Ackley scored.

It was the second walk-off win in the series for Seattle. The Sox are 0-5 in extra innings this season. Now they need a win on Sunday just to split the series.

Aceves was working his third inning but had thrown only 14 pitches. Bobby Valentine went for it with his closer. "There was no way he was coming out of that game," he said.

Globe: For Red Sox, a bad loss in extra innings

Last night's loss pisses me off. I can deal with the game one loss because King Felix was on the mound and not many teams have overwhelming success against him. But, after game 1, the Red Sox should be crushing teams like Seattle. As said at the top of the Globe article, the Mariners are just begging to be beat.

The only thing the Marniners have going for them is pitching, which is not that great. The Red Sox missed some great opportunities last night to put the Mariners away, especially Mike Aviles. You don't see the number 9 hitter get many opportunities to put runs on the board, and Mike Aviles squandered every chance he got. Mike went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position and the team went 1-for-12, and left 10 on base. Awful. It pisses me off even more that it was against Seattle. I think I can safely say that this team is not going to make the playoffs this season. I am giving up on them.

On page 2, we bid farewell to Darnell McDonald

Recap: Mariners win it in ninth as Felix shuts down the Sox.

All it took was one pitch for pinch hitter John Jaso and he drove in the game's only run to help Seattle beat the Red Sox. 1-0. 

Scott Atichson had a quick breakdown in the ninth, giving up a leadoff double to Casper Wells and then intentionally walking Justin Smoak to pitch to John Jaso who took the first pitch to right field and Cody Ross made a good throw but Jarrod Saltalamacchia couldn't hold on to the baseball and Wells touched the base for the walkoff win.

The reason why the Sox were shut out was thanks to Felix Hernandez, who had himself another spectatular game at Boston's expense. He gets the complete game shutout, giving up five hits,striking out  a career high thirteen, and only one walk. All of his pitches were working and he was keeping the entire lineup on their toes. Mike Aviles was the only one who didn't strikeout.

The Sox had there chance to steal this one in the ninth too. David Ortiz lined up straight up the middle and knocked King Felix off the mound. Saltalamacchia was able to draw the walk which gave Adrian Gonzalez a chance to win. Ater a battle which had Gonzalez foul of three straight pitches in a full count, made a loud pop up that made centerfielder Michael Saunders covered a lot of ground to make the catch. Will Middlebrooks had a chance but he also popped it up to center field.

And it's a damn shame because Franklin Morales pitched the best game of his career: seven innings, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out seven. He didn't allow a base runner until the third and the only jam he had was in the seventh thanks to a walk and an Adrian Gonzalez error but he got Brendan Ryan to ground out to short to end the inning. He kept the Sox in this and he continues to be a quality surprise this season. He has 2.00 ERA in three starts this season.

There was a scary moment in the fourth as Franklin Guterriez got hit in the face as Morales' pickoff attempt was off target and Gonzalez couldn't grab it in time. He got taken out of the game and replaced by Saunders. Had Guterriez been in the game, maybe Adrian's fly to left center falls and we're talking about a Sox win instead of a loss. 

Box Score

 

How we see it goin' down: Red Sox - Mariners series

First Pitch: Thursday 10:10, Friday 10:10, Saturday 10:10, Sunday 4:10

Arms: Thursday: Franklin Morales, LHP (1-1, 3.12 ERA) vs. Felix Hernandez, RHP  (5-5, 3.36 ERA)

Friday: Aaron Cook, RHP (1-1, 9.39 ERA) vs. Hector Noesi, RHP (2-9, 5.50 ERA) 

Saturday: Josh Beckett, RHP (4-7, 4.14 ERA) vs. Erasmo Ramirez, RHP (0-2, 4.18 ERA)

Sunday:  Felix Doubront, LHP (8-4, 4.54 ERA) vs. Jason Vargas, LHP (7-7, 4.54 ERA)

                                        Yard: Safeco Field    Watch it:  NESN    Hear it:  WEEI

The Matchup

Record: 40-35 (T-3rd AL East)	Record: 32-45 (Last AL West)
On road: 19-14	At home: 13-21
Streak: Won 2	Streak: Lost 1
Leaders at the plate	Leaders at the plate
Average: Nava (.315)	Average: Wells (.289)
Homers: Ortiz (21)	Homers:  Smoak (11)
RBI: Ortiz (53)	RBI: Seager (46)
Leaders on the mound	Leaders on the mound
Wins: Buchholz/Doubront (8)	Wins: Vargas (7)
ERA: Morales (3.12) | Atchison (1.24)	ERA: Hernandez (3.36) | Luetge (1.40)
K's: Doubront (81)	K's: Hernandez (101)

Last time

The Mariners came into Fenway for a quick 2-game series in mid-May and they were dominated by the Sox. We saw the Daniel Nava we remembered in 2010 in game 1, as he re-introduced himself with a 2-run home run off of Jason Vargas. Kelly Shoppach added his first homer in the year in the 6-1, game 1 victory.

Mike Aviles took over in game 2, going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and RBI. David Ortiz added a homer, and the Sox shut out the Mariners 5-0 for the sweep.

This time

Laser Show: David Ortiz

It is clear his brief slump is over after the performance against the Jays. He is on fire and there seems to be no pitcher that can stop him.

Pitch Around: Justin Smoak

Every time the Sox and Mariners meet up, Justin Smoak's name seems to fill the stat sheet. Smoak does not have a great average, but is Seattle's "power hitter". As long as the Sox don't fall behind, Smoak should be an easy out.

Don't Fall Behind: Felix Hernandez

Some may be fooled by his record, but he is still an excellent pitcher on a very bad team. Felix will get a lot of strikeouts and not fall behind too often. Franklin Morales better keep up with him because he will not get a lot of run support.

How we see it goin' down

The only hope the Mariners have is Felix Hernandez in the first game of the series. I am not sure if the Sox will get the best of him, but I am sure they will dominated the rest of the series. The Sox will probably drop tonight's game, but will win the final 3 for the series victory.

Enemy Chatter: Josh Beckett had his way with the Mariners

I often wonder what opposing teams, their beat reporters and bloggers are saying about the Red Sox after playing the Red Sox. Here's a dose of 'enemy chatter' from Seattle.

As Lester did the night before, Beckett today considered flirting with a no-hitter. As with Lester the night before, Beckett had his bid snapped in the fourth by an infield single. Beckett did a lot of what he wanted, and when he did something that wasn't what he wanted, the Mariners couldn't really make him pay.

You'd be amazed by some of the things that are possible in baseball. Josh Hamilton hit four home runs in one game. Aroldis Chapman can throw a baseball a hundred miles per hour. Earlier today the San Diego Padres scored four runs in four innings against Stephen Strasburg. Today it felt impossible that the Mariners could score against Josh Beckett. It probably was not impossible. Impossible is a very strong word. But the Mariners didn't score against Beckett, for seven innings, and that's evidence. The team just looked so weak.

Lookout Landing

Seattle fans were looking for a repeat performance from Beckett where he got shelled by Cleveland. Sorry, Seattle, Josh Beckett came to play and you it left such a sour taste in your mouths, you had to take your frustrations out on Fenway Park.

It's all over now, at least. The Red Sox series, I mean, not necessarily the Mariners looking weak. The Mariners do not make another trip to Boston the rest of the year, so say goodbye to baseball played within geometric nonsense. Now the Mariners can get back to losing or possibly winning in baseball stadiums that don't look like a baseball stadium that got in a car accident.

Don't be mad at Fenway, blame your team. They are the ones that suck.

Recap: Beckett catches winning fever

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Josh Beckett celebrated his 32nd birthday with a stellar pitching performance as the Sox sweep the 2-game set, 5-0. Beckett's birthday coincided with Tim Wakefield Day at Fenway and it proved to be a good day all around, aside from the rainy weather.

Beckett was in old form and silenced all the controversy leading up to today's start. Josh went 7 strong, giving up 4 hits, 2 walks and struck out 9. Rich Hill pitched a perfect 8th with a strikeout and Aceves pitched a perfect 9th in a non-save situation.

David Ortiz got it started at the plate, hitting his 8th homer of the year, a solo shot in the 3rd inning. The Sox added 2 more in the 4th by way of an Aviles RBI double and a Sweeney ground-out that scored Nava from third. The Sox scored once again in the 5th, when Ortiz scored on a Will Middlebrooks single to left field. Salty hit a wall-ball double in the 8th and Aviles knock him in with a double to cap off the scoring.

The Sox have won 5 straight to improve to 17-19 on the season and 5 GB of first as of the end of the game. For the first time this season, each Sox starter has recorded a victory in the 5 game winning streak. The Sox have a tougher test ahead of them in Tampa Bay over the next two days, but they don't scare me right now.

Box Score

Enemy Chatter: The Sox never fail to hit the Green Monster

I often wonder what opposing teams, their beat reporters and bloggers are saying about the Red Sox after playing the Red Sox. Here's a dose of 'enemy chatter' from Seattle.

“You come to the plate, you can’t help seeing that left-field wall, it looks right there,” Dustin Ackley said. “I think their players adapt to it. Right-handers pull the ball, lefties stay on it and go the other way.

“You can’t do that as a visiting player, you can’t change your swing for two games. I’ve only played here maybe six games, but that team has never failed to hit that wall in those games.”

The News Tribune

I'm sure most opposing batters have that same thought process. Look at that wall, just waiting for the ball to bounce off of it. It is tough for opposing players to strategically use the wall and Ackley stated the obvious, the Sox know how to use that wall. 

Another advatage that the Sox have is being able to read the bounce off of the wall. They know when not to stretch the single into a double, or when on base, if you can score on the wall scraper. I love that wall.

On Page 2, Mariners fans thought they had another no-hitter on their hands.

How we see it goin' down: Mariners - Sox series

First Pitch: Monday 7:10, Tuesday 4:05

Arms: Monday: Jason Vargas, LHP (4-2, 2.79 ERA) vs. Jon Lester, LHP (1-3, 4.29 ERA)

Tuesday: Blake Beavan, RHP (1-3, 4.32 ERA) vs. Josh Beckett, RHP (2-4, 5.97 ERA)

                                     Yard: Fenway Park   Watch it:  NESN  Hear it:  WEEI

The Matchup

Record: 16-20 (4th AL West)	Record: 15-19 (Last AL East)
On road: 9-12	At home: 7-11
Streak: Won 1	Streak: Won 3
Leaders at the plate	Leaders at the plate
Average: Liddi (.296)	Average: Ortiz (.348)
Homers: Montero (5)	Homers: Ortiz (7)
RBI: Seager (20)	RBI: Ortiz (25)
Leaders on the mound	Leaders on the mound
Wins: Vargas (4)	Wins: Buchholz (4)
ERA: Hernandez (2.29) | League (2.12)	ERA: Lester (4.29) | Atchison (1.17)
K's: Hernandez (58)	K's: Doubront (37)

Last time

The Red Sox dropped 2 of 3 against the Mariners in Seattle last August. When Lackey is the pitcher recording the only win in the series, you know it didn't go well. Beckett handed the Mariners the win in the middle game, giving up 5 runs in the first. That seems familiar. Tim Wakefield continued his struggles in his quest for 200 wins, recording the loss in the final game.

This time

Laser Show: Adrian Gonzalez, David Ortiz, and Dustin Pedroia

Adrian is heating up and he has hit Vargas and Beavan well in the past. Gonzo has a .333 and .500 average against the pair respectively, giving him good odds to continue his progress.

David Ortiz is still the top offensive performer and I will leave him in this category until he performs otherwise

Dustin Pedroia is riding the league best 14-game hit streak, and is looking much better at the plate. His average has climbed well over .300, right where it should be.

Pitch Around: Kyle Seager

 I would normally throw Ichiro in here, but he is just not what he used to be. Kyle Seager is their top offensive performer and that should raise no concern. It seems like anyone can hit Beckett, but if good pitching is contagious, Beckett won't have to worry about Seager or the rest of the offense.

Don't Fall Behind: Jason Vargas

The Sox are very lucky that they are not getting Hernandez. Unfortunately, they do get Vargas, Seattle's next best starter. Vargas will overpower and get a lot of outs via the strikeout. The Sox need to jump on him early and get to the pen.

How we see it goin' down

Boston is flying high and this is their chance to gain some ground. The Sox are going to take game 1 behind good pitching and win the second game by out-hitting the Mariners.