Hello all,
You make a lot of sense, Joe T.
Red Sox nation should face facts: It's time to blow this sinking ship & start rebuilding. If they don't realize this & wait, the Red Sox will struggle for the next decade or two.
Mark this day, November 23, 2011. The day Doc became a kneeling supplicant to Joe.t.
So you are making predictions for two decades. Rumples this displays to you why I reacted so harshly to having my name linked to Doc when he wants to be more silly than the master of DUH! Incredible Doc. You act like you want to be laughed at.
I totally agree with you. My take on the Sox soap opera is that the blame should not be put on the players, but on upper management. I'm sorry to say this, but George Steinbrenner must be loving this if he's watching!
My take has nothing to do with yours. For one, my position is honest and realistic, about straightening out fixable issues...NOT the self-indulgent bitterly angry wishing for the fall of the team.
Steinbrenner is too busy revisiting his nutty fights with Martin, a show that set the standard for psychotic owner-manager dysfunction.
Merlot, please read this for a reasoned, dispassionate view of the Sox' strengths and weaknesses at this point in the offseason.
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/offseason-decisions-how-much-change-does-boston-need/
As for me, I'll start worrying if Papi signs elsewhere.
Okay, I read it. At first look it doesn't sound like the situation is going to be different from last year. I'm not inferring anything about collapse, but rather the ability to compete more successfully against the best. The possible addition of Buehrle could be a good idea. Colon, not liking that one. Wakefield, hey I'll always love the guy, but eating innings isn't enough. He was damn ineffective and the cause of too many losses. Jenks...God help us. Matsuzaka will be motivated to prove himself to have future value anywhere else. Drew...have a nice life. Taking the option on Scutaro was a no-brainer.
I am also worried about Papi and the lack of realistic money they offered for him, regardless of the market for DHs. It's such a cut that it looks like an excuse to say, well, we tried without really trying. I believe Crawford will improve significantly between .275 to .280. He knows what he is dealing with now and I believe he has the character and talent to become significant.
One stat I heard that bothers me was the near total lack of late game comebacks by the Sox. If they didn't lead in the 8th in 2011 it was almost a guaranteed loss. The best teams need to do better than that. It's the kind of thing that has to come from the gut, and it's critical. See 2004 ALCS.
To me the stats on Madson look preferable. The idea that any decent pitcher should be able to close for one inning seems pretty logical, but the actual getting it done when it counts most is the issue, not simply a general successful set of numbers. The Sox didn't go out and grab Foulke because the position can be done by any decent pitcher. It matters in crunch time who is closing, regardless of real money value per game or inning.
The team needs a couple of critical pieces and a complete team attitude of dedication. I get the feeling that after the criticism of the September fall, everyone will have a highly competitive attitude.
If Valentine can help keep competitive dedication in every player that's great. Despite the knowledge and skill, the vibes I feel from this guy is that some of his purpose is about craving the spotlight for the sake of it. I'd be very happy to be totally wrong. I hope I am.
Cheers,
Merlot