An interesting night at Jet Blue; far and away the most lively crowd of the season and they were not cheering for the Sox! There were more legitimate major-leaguers in the PR lineup than in the Sox lineup.

Lackey looked very strong and threw strike after strike and generated lots of ground balls, a very good sign.

Napoli and Middlebrooks hit moon shots. Napoli also had a nice diving stop and throw to first to get an out and didn't end up on the DL as a result. Drew had a big hit to score the go-ahead run and Lavarnway had a huge game with three hits, two of them bombs, and two out of two caught stealing.

Lowlights were a terrible inning from Mortensen (although he had two good innings after a bad start) and some poor shortstop defense from both Drew and Ciriaco. The final line showed only one error, but each commited one from my perspective, so someone from PR got a gift hit. Lavarnway's doubles, especially the second one, should have been triples.

In response to jidgef's comment:

good to hear. a game like this you can draw conclusions from. team PR is trying to get into tourney mode so you know they were giving it their all. Definitely nice to see middlebrooks and Naps show some power as well as the defensive stop from Naps. This is the first i've heard of Lava all spring, hopefully he can keep it up throughout spring and into the season. I think he will be converted to a 1Bman this year.

keep up the great work! it is much appreciated Jid

Thank you jidgef for the update.   Who is the cute child in your avatar?    :)

In response to Ice-Cream's comment:

 

Thank you jidgef for the update.   Who is the cute child in your avatar?    :)

 

My grandson James, now age 4. He was the ringbearer in a wedding when that was taken. He has on a suit but no shoes or sox, too cool.

 

In response to jidgef's comment:

James is a very cute child.   :)

Thank you again for the update from today's game.  Take care and good night.   :)

 

In response to mef429's comment:

Expecting anyone to prove they "mastered AAA pitching" in 2-3 months is not realistic. What would he have to do to prove to you and others (and Ben) he has "mastered" it? .330? OBP .350+?

I do not think we are that far apart on our thoughts here, but I do not think small sample sizes are something to make rash decisions about. A hot Iggy should not be the reason we start Iggy over Drew, he should start because he is better overall. I also do not think drew should lose the job because he gets cold, he should lose it because Iggy is better. Here's one scenario: Iggy is hitting .310 in AAA with an OBP of .340. Drew is hitting .280 with a .340 OBP. He is fielding OK (average) as Iggy is still defending A+. Is that enough for you to trade Drew and bring Iggy up?

To me, I don't need to see that from Iggy. I think he's better even if he hits .225 in MLB, maybe even less, but if he can start hitting only a little better, it becomes no-brainer for me.

My point was that Drew will not be benched for Iggy this year. Traded maybe. DL's maybe? But, not benched.

In response to jidgef's comment:

Thanks Jid. Excellent update. I wish I was there with you watching and talking baseball. I'm getting the fever!

In response to moonslav59's comment:
[QUOTE]

In response to mef429's comment:

 

In response to moonslav59's comment:

 

In response to RedsoxProspects' comment:

 

If the season tanks and we are out of it by the all star break and Iggy is doing well in AAA ball, then why not trade Drew and bring him up. It could happen. Even if both are playing well it could happen.

 

Yes, I said it could happen if we tarde Drew, but Drew will not be benched for Iggy unless 2 very unlikely things happen at once (see above).

 

 

if iggy is playing well and shows he has mastered AAA pitching then i would imagine they trade Drew ASAP and bring Iggy in. They definitely won't bench Drew. Iggy may have to languish in AAA for a week or two longer while BC gets a trade lined up though...

 Drew was signed to be a stopgap for Iggy. Once Iggy is ready you discard the stopgap. that is exactly what will happen when the time comes.

when is the earliest you can trade a player after signing him?? I know it's not immediately

 

Expecting anyone to prove they "mastered AAA pitching" in 2-3 months is not realistic. What would he have to do to prove to you and others (and Ben) he has "mastered" it? .330? OBP .350+?

i know when i said mastered you were going to give me flak for it :) He's been in AAA long enough that for me, if he hits well for 2-3 months (not including ST) then that shows that he has learned how to hit AAA pitching and should be ready for the next step. But yeah, if he has a .320+ avg and a .350ish OBP in AAA with a couple XBHs i would bring him up to the bigs and see how he does.

 

I do not think we are that far apart on our thoughts here, but I do not think small sample sizes are something to make rash decisions about. A hot Iggy should not be the reason we start Iggy over Drew, he should start because he is better overall. I also do not think drew should lose the job because he gets cold, he should lose it because Iggy is better. Here's one scenario: Iggy is hitting .310 in AAA with an OBP of .340. Drew is hitting .280 with a .340 OBP. He is fielding OK (average) as Iggy is still defending A+. Is that enough for you to trade Drew and bring Iggy up?

ehhhhhhhhh... that's a tough one, i would go either way with it. So yeah, i'd go with Iggy at that point. but there are some other factors to it. If Drew is killing RHP and the rest of the team is floundering VS RHP i would strongly consider keeping Drew. but using just the numbers you gave me though i would likely go with Iggy.

To me, I don't need to see that from Iggy. I think he's better even if he hits .225 in MLB, maybe even less, but if he can start hitting only a little better, it becomes no-brainer for me.

i just don't think he is a better SS overall than Drew at this point. if Iggy starts hitting better than it tips the scale in his favor.

My point was that Drew will not be benched for Iggy this year. Traded maybe. DL's maybe? But, not benched.

i agree.

Jid, thanks for the nightly update, much appreciated.  Very encouraging to hear about Lackey.  Especially since he faced a pretty good lineup.  Also I was glad to hear Iggy and Lava hit well.  Don't pay attention to any insufferables who might wander here.  Anyone who would find fault with your analysis just simply doesn't have enough to do.

Expecting anyone to prove they "mastered AAA pitching" in 2-3 months is not realistic. What would he have to do to prove to you and others (and Ben) he has "mastered" it? .330? OBP .350+?

i know when i said mastered you were going to give me flak for it :) He's been in AAA long enough that for me, if he hits well for 2-3 months (not including ST) then that shows that he has learned how to hit AAA pitching and should be ready for the next step. But yeah, if he has a .320+ avg and a .350ish OBP in AAA with a couple XBHs i would bring him up to the bigs and see how he does. 

 

But if Drew is hitting .280/.340, Ben won't.

I do not think we are that far apart on our thoughts here, but I do not think small sample sizes are something to make rash decisions about. A hot Iggy should not be the reason we start Iggy over Drew, he should start because he is better overall. I also do not think drew should lose the job because he gets cold, he should lose it because Iggy is better. Here's one scenario: Iggy is hitting .310 in AAA with an OBP of .340. Drew is hitting .280 with a .340 OBP. He is fielding OK (average) as Iggy is still defending A+. Is that enough for you to trade Drew and bring Iggy up?

ehhhhhhhhh... that's a tough one, i would go either way with it. So yeah, i'd go with Iggy at that point. but there are some other factors to it. If Drew is killing RHP and the rest of the team is floundering VS RHP i would strongly consider keeping Drew. but using just the numbers you gave me though i would likely go with Iggy.

I think Ben would never bring up Iggy under these circumstances. He'd just decide to let Drew walk next winter. Now, if we are 13 games out at the dealine, and these numbers are in effect, drew will have trade value, and I think Benw ould pull the trigger.

it's all circumstancial. there are a million ways we could attack this and speculate what ben may or may not do. i just know that Iggy WILL see ML time this year. how much remains to be seen and is dependant on many many factors (one we haven't listed yet is XB. if he is going to stay at SS when the time comes for him to go to pawtucket and both iggy + drew are playing as expected he may move drew and slide everyone up the depth chart. that includes Marerro to AA)

Thanks, Jid.

Your input and observation is always appreciated.

The boss and I decided to pass on spring training since we'll be going to a few different cities besides the west coast this year to see them play. 

I hope your father-in-law is doing well.  Mine is 85 and just flew back to Sacramento from Orlando to attend a golf school.  The guy plays every day and shoots his age!!  Every time I see him, the pressure his on...

2009 MLB Draft Sox took Fuentes no. 28 @ $1.1M and Alex Wilson $470k in the second round passing on Wil Myers twice and his $2M asking price. 

One year later, Henry had the cash to buy Liverpool.

Hindsight? Of course, but going cheap was the problem not the talent evaluation.

http://bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox_mlb/boston_red_sox/2013/03/wil_myers_coveted_in_boston

Drew's 9.5 million contract makes him very disposable.  Last year the Red Sox traded Youk early and for garbage, and paid 11 million of his 12 million salary for the year.

But last year Youk was hurt, not playing well and not getting along with his manager. None of those issues are in play with Drew/Iggy. I'm sure the team will go the "conservative" route and start Drew, especially since they've spent the money. But I still believe the better lineup, or should I say the better all around team, has Iggy at shortstop. Would it be too outside the box for Drew to be the $10mil backup infielder? If he ever plays anywhere but short down here it might be a sign that they're thinking it's possible.

Think everyone here would love to see Iggy playing SS @ Fenway. But Iggy has much to prove first. Could see a scenario at deadline someone looking for SS help RS could move Drew and eat large part of contract. But if RS are in contention are they going to be willing to take a chance on Iggy's bat again after .118 audition last year. He's going to have to be hitting it pretty well in AAA for RS to make such a move.

This is a big year for Iggy much of his RS career he's played at younger age than most at most every level he's played. Not the case anymore, at 23 [age appropriate for AAA] must prove he's able to contribute w/ bat as well. If he doesn't can see scenario where RS leave Boegarts at SS position and passes Iggy on depth chart. If Iggy proves bat has matured, RS could move Middlebrooks to 1b, Boegarts 3b or LF [depending on Cecchini developement] which really makes the RS a much better team down the road. Lets hope that Iggy's ST is not a fluke. Would love to see that glove for the next 10 yrs @ SS in Fenway.

I would bet that Iggy will eventually be the Sox FT SS. That could happen mid-season, next year, or even 3 weeks after the season starts if Drew gets hurt.

Either way, like ive said all along, I believe Iggy will hit MLB pitching good enough to warrant a starting job in Boston.

In response to Hfxsoxnut's comment:

Yeah, and paying $1.5 to 2.5M of Drew's remaining $3.1.62M deal after a trade (assuming at the deadline) would be brilliant as well.

...going to be willing to take a chance on Iggy's bat again after .118 audition...

It's a tiny sample size that even Ben is hardly paying attention to.

In response to moonslav59's comment:

I'm not making any judgment on the intelligence of such a move.  Merely pointing out that the Red Sox have demonstrated that they are willing to eat this kind of money on a player who is in the way.

 

In response to Hfxsoxnut's comment:

And consider that they might not have to eat any of it at all in the right situation. If Iggy is ready and there is a big need at the deadline for a SS, we could actually get something back depending on how well Drew is doing.

There are just too many scenarios to list with this situation. Like the saying goes... things will work themselves out.

In response to ampoule's comment:

I was looking forward to meeting you and your bride in person. I wish my father-in-law could do what yours is doing but that is not the hand we were dealt. Instead I push a wheelchair. But I do get to go to all these spring training games. Got one today at 1:35 with Lester on the bump.

For what it's worth, MLB Trade Rumors has reviewed the Red Sox offseason:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/03/offseason-in-review-boston-red-sox.html

In response to hill55's comment:

seems about right...Basically it could go either way with them this year. It was an honest view of this team in 2013 IMO.