Comments for Strange Land

Comment on Hot and Cold, Issue 2.5 by Valentine

Valentine — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:09:43 +0000

Hi Gerry,

I’ve been posting over at sawxheads.com…

Zink has (finally) been looking good this year. He’ll definitely get a chance in September, possibly earlier if Buchholz continues to struggle.

The asking price on those relievers has been very high. Doesn’t make sense to part with Masterson, Buchholz, or Bowden for a short-term fix, and teams aren’t showing that much interest in the other names.

The #1 issue right now is figuring out the Manny situation. They either need to square things with him over the last two months of the season, or they need to trade him within the next week. Neither will be easy.

Comment on Hot and Cold, Issue 2.5 by Gerry

Gerry — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:03:44 +0000

Where are you? Your input is needed with just 58 games to go, in and out of 1st place, the Rays hanging tough, the Yankees marching forward and trading wildly, the Sox standing pat and NOT going after Rauch, Marte, Fuentes, Street, Sherrill, or Holliday, Nady, Bay, Texeira (good thing); at the same time NOT getting a good look at Carter, Bailey, Moss, Smith; or even considering Zinc, Pauley, Hansack, Kottaras, all 8 of whom seem to be hitting their stride, and are ready to shine in the Show. Bowden is being rushed while all-star Zinc is being suppressed. Sounds like even the coaches get enamoured of great potential, put blinders on, and bypass solid talent, often to the long term detriment of these kids (Hansen, Buchholz, Ellsbury, Sanchez come to mind).

Comment on Playoff Outlook by Gerry

Gerry — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:23:34 +0000

Great info as usual. I see the Marlins as a dark horse or spoiler here, and can’t quite rule out the Jays over the Rays; although watching the BA of the Rays continue to swell, and Longoria continue to emerge, and that pitching . . . they get more real every day.

Comment on Will the real Drew step forward? by Gerry

Gerry — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:13:59 +0000

We all saw JD’s bat come alive last year the day after his son had the body cast taken off, which was also about the time he was figuring out American League pitching and adjusting to Boston and the move.

As your #’s show, he really hasn’t slowed down much since then. This is the old JD, though he is neither old nor beyond his prime. JD will continue to clutch hit, and we know his phenomenal pace should slow, and that Papi will be back in a couple of weeks. Can’t wait to see them in the same lineup again.

In the meantime, with his bat, glove, and cool approach, during a time of great need, he is re-establishing himself as one of the best multi-tool players in the game, and making all those who begged for patience during his tough transition last year, look like geniuses.

Comment on SPEID kills by Gerry

Gerry — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:54:10 +0000

The need for speid.

IMO, depth is key here to sustaining a contending position. You are probably right about the Sox and future injuries, but by my count, this team has already sustained more than 16 injuries (plus pandemic flu) during the longest and toughest road trip in the league, in a schedule front loaded with division leaders. Where do they stand now? Besides being in first place (”S”), they exhibit an ever increaing “P”; and they possess talents that were not around or performing for early projections (”E”) (Colon, Masterson, Hansen, Aardsma, Lowrie, Cash, Carter). IMO, the Sox Depth (”D”) has already demonstrated that Injuries (”I”) can be consistently dealt with . . . despite real concern for having both Papi & Manny out at the same time. However, the 2008 Red Sox have a rotation with 7 MLB starters and Schlll, Zinc, Pauley, Bowden in the wings; a strong Pen of 7, which is solidifying nicely, and Smith, Gronk, Bard, Jones waiting for a shot; and an incredible 4-man OF, with MLB experienced big boppers Moss, Carter, Bailey, vanEvery hoping to sub. And Casey, Cora, Lowrie, Thurston standing ready on the bench. Not to mention, of course, additional support, if needed, from speedy Danielson, Hansack and W.S. experienced Kyle Snyder and Bobby Kielty. So, IMO, in the case of the Sox, “D” trumps “I” in 2008.

Comment on Will the real Drew step forward? by Scott Kanna

Scott Kanna — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 02:02:28 +0000

Drew was the first person I thought of to hit third in Big Papi’s absence, it certainly looks like it’s working so far although I know Tito will play with the line up in certain situations. Maybe Drew’s hot streak will take the pressure off of Big Papi to hurry back to soon. This Red Sox team is one of the deepest I have seen, big improvement to what happened in August 2006 when they had so many injuries.

Comment on Will the real Drew step forward? by Jason O'Neil

Jason O'Neil — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:54:32 +0000

Valentine huh..Really Nice piece of writing..very informative..Really love Drew’s swing, it seems like the ball jumps off his bat..

I predict a 25 HR , 120 RBI season for JD if he stays relatively healthy for the rest of the seaason. with familar NL pitching in hitter friendly parks in Cincinnati and Philly, there is no reason to think JD would slow down soon..

Man does lowell chases sliders out and away..Even I would have better pitch recognition than that…

Theo(from Boston board)

Comment on Will the real Drew step forward? by James Curtis

James Curtis — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:29:44 +0000

In a clutch situation, Papi is the man I want at the plate. Numbers may tell one story but at the end of the day, Drew has a LOT of clutch hitting to do before he can step in and make me “barely miss Big Papi.”

Comment on Will the real Drew step forward? by mpieretti

mpieretti — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:17:16 +0000

Drew is tearing it up– so glad to see him doing well.
He’s finally getting some regognition and has certainly quieted SOME of the bashers.

Comment on Will the real Drew step forward? by Valentine

Valentine — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:50:59 +0000

Won’t miss him at all **IF** Drew comes through. Ortiz is better than Drew, but the gap is narrower than their reputations would suggest.