about to be 10 straight losses in the playoffs, the Angels need to imagine that they are playing the Yankees
Anaheim is playing scared at the plate...Unreal. It's just a control thing, and Boston controls Anaheim pretty bad.
I fell asleep in the bottom of the 8th and woke up to see Papelbon end it. Great job by Lester. He's turned into an ace this year. Pretty happy they kept him and Ellsbury instead of getting Santana. Up 1-0 with Matsuzaka and a rested bullpen tomorrow and Beckett in Game 3? I like the Sox' chances.
Sort of. I was very unhappy with the trade deadline, not because Manny left and not because they got Bay, but because they gave up too much and got too little in return, and did NOTHING to help the bullpen, which was the biggest issue. I'm also opposed to the constant nonsense about Epstein being the best GM in baseball, when he's actually pretty average, and I put that in as a reaction. Saying that he's the worst is hyperbole, but he certainly isn't the best. I was actually going to change my avatar yesterday for the playoffs, but decided not to out of superstition because they're playing well.
I see, to each his own. I would say however that at least 80% of the time Epstein has made a decision...especially when it comes to moving players...it has been the right one. I have faith that his Bay-for-Manny decision will be as well. Only time will tell I suppose. As far as bullpen help I agree, but I do have faith in Okajima (would've felt more comfortable seeing him last night) setting up for Pap. Either way I like our chances this year. Angels were the team to beat, and we have them right where we want them. I actually see Tampa making an early playoff exit, and can see us and the White Sox having a hard fought ALCS (6 or 7 games). Then of course whatever sad excuse for an NL team that faces us or the White Sox will be embarassed and sent packing in 4 or 5 games as usual. Go SOX!!!
Knowing with they both know now, I wonder what the Red Sox and Yankees trade packages for Santana would be. I had to go look it up again just to convince myself that I remembered it right - Lester, Masterson, Lowry, and Crisp (or Ellsbury, Masterson, Lowry, and Crisp) for Santana. That's no reflection on Santana, who was worth a hefty package. The Twins gave up Santana and only needed TWO friggin' games to make the playoffs. They have a bright future, but they should be kicking themselves hard these days.
Santana's got a torn miniscus in his knee that he will have surgery on now. That's on top of the rumored debilitating problems in his arm. Our trade would have been Hughes, Kennedy, (1 of) Cano or Melky, and a top-tier AAA-prospect. Knowing what I know now, I'd still have not made the trade. Go Sox!!! (The White ones.)
I never wanted Santana in Boston, at all. I've always contended he was over rated and not worth the money.
Well, for every Ortiz (which Epstein gets WAY too much credit for) there's a Lugo. As for last night, I LOVED Francona's move of putting Masterson in there. Throw the kid right into the fire. If he gets in REAL trouble bring in Papelbon. Now he won't have the first time jitters next time out.
To be honest, when the rumor was Crisp, Lester, Lowrie and Masterson, I was all for it. I didn't know Lester would become what he has, so I saw it as an upgrade in the rotation to a dominant pitcher and trading a 4th OF and two prospects. In hindsight I wouldn't do it, but without knowing how Lester would perform, I definitely would have.
The question in September 2008 is: Would you swap out Lester with Buchholz and make the deal? A hypothetical only, since I can't imagine ever carrying two lefty starters in Fenway. I ask more on the point of Masterson. I don't know if he's a second-player-in for the purposes of deal-making anymore.
Right now, no. Not only am I not ready to give up on Buchholz, but Crisp, yes, Coco Crisp has proven to be too valuable to this team to trade away. Masterson (and this goes against my general belief) should stay in the bullpen. If he can develop into a dominant setup guy, that would be HUGE. I say this because I don't see him as more than a 4th or 5th starter, but in the pen he's better. EDIT: Didn't really answer you. I would include Masterson in a deal, but it would have to be the right one. For Santana specifically, no. For say (hypothetically) Lincecum or Ryan Braun, yes. It would have to be for a star, young player who would be around for reasonable money for a while. Something like the Beckett deal. It might be beside the point though. I don't know if he's the throw in guy anymore. He might be at the point where he's the main guy in some deals.
