Chat transcript wth the Globe's Nick Cafardo
BerkshireChris__Guest_: Nick, As I was watching the game without audio, I felt that Wakefield made a decent pitch to Victor Martinez and that Francona should have left him in for Peralta. Other than Blake's HR, they did not exactly crush Wake that inning and Delcarmen did not pitch well in game 2. Beyond that observation, the most significant difference in the series (IMHO) is the production at the bottom of the batting orders. Drew, Crisp, Lugo, in particular have not pitched in. I can't see Francona starting Ellsbury against Sabathia, but if the Sox win game 5 and Crisp does not produce I expect he will start game 6. What do you think? And did you get the sense the last two games that the Sox were trying to do too much at the plate. Pressing? Game two was the one that got away.
Nick_Cafardo: Well, on Wake, I think John Farrell especially has a great sense when it's time to take him out of the game. I rarely dispute that because Farrell is so good at knowing his pitchers. There's no question there's been more of a reliance on Delcarmen, mostly due to Gagne's failures. The Red Sox felt the had to see what he could do under pressure. We've seen guys throughout the playoffs who have been thrown into the fire - Manny Copras in Colorado - and who have performed well. For me the problem is the starting pitching because you can't have three starters lasting 4-2/3 innings. That's unacceptable, but the lineup shares the blame. I'm guessing Francona needs to shake something up and get Ellsbury in there for spark.
BoSox83__Guest_: Nick, big fan. I guess my question is the same as most of Red Sox Nation. What is Francona's thought process? This Lineup obviously needs to be shaken up, they have been dead since the big inning 3 days ago. Now is not the time to stick with people that aren't producing. What are the chances of at least Jacoby being in the lineup on Friday? He adds a whole lot of speed to the top of the order and a better bat than Coco recently, its a no brainer and I just can't see why it wasn't done 2 games ago.
Nick_Cafardo: There's a big cry for Ellsbury and with reason. He's exciting. everytime you put him in the lineup,something good happens. I think there's loyalty to Crisp and the defensive factor is also huge in their minds, especially with flyball pitchers like Wakefield. But down 3-1, you have to pull out all stops. You needEllsbury to be your Dave Roberts.
HALIFAXBOB__Guest_: Nick, we've all heard about the Red Sox belief in the use of statistical data. Yet in spite of our obvious need for offence last night, they did not start Kielty, who was 10 for 30 lifetime against Byrd with 4 HR. Can you see any logic in this?
Nick_Cafardo: You're right. They are a stats team and the numbers indicate Kielty would be the best choice. But you've got a $14 million a year player in right field and right or wrong it's awfully tough to sit that down.
sportsreporter16__Guest_: At this most inopportune time the Sox have reverted to their post-All Star break hot-and-cold routine. Can they really throw the switch and turn it back on now? Or are they simply delaying the inevitable?
Nick_Cafardo: I would never bury them. I know what they did in '04 is in the back of the minds of some of the guys who played on that team. They are capable of coming back from this. I just wonder whether Beckett can keep being unhittable, or will the Indians make adjustments against him this time around. I also wonder whether Sabthia will continue to be that bad.
Ricko__Guest_: In thinking about this forgone season, my family and I have come to the belief that the beginning of the end for the Sox this season was the trade for Eric Gagne. Up until that time (July 31st), things were going pretty well. However, after the trade, virtually everything went south. What's your take?
Nick_Cafardo: I must admit I endorsed the trade when it happened. But it's proven to be a disaster. They not only acquired a reliever who is completely messed up by his change of role, but one who will leave as a free-agent after this season. The Red Sox gave up a lefty starter in Kason Gabbard, who I think is going to be pretty good, a fourth outfielder (Dave Murphy) who had a great September and a prospect (Engel Beltre) with excellent raw talent. But I did endorse the deal at the time.
Gold-dust-twins__Guest_: Hi nick, thanks again for a great season, I am not a manager, however, outside of Beckett in game 1, the only thing effective against the tribe seems to be lefthanded pitching, I hope Lester is in the rotation next season, and I hope he is ready to go the second schill or dicek should falter, assuming we reach that far, Your thoughts?
Nick_Cafardo: I agree. It's too bad there wasn't a spot for Lester in the rotation because I think he would have off-set some of their fine left-handed hitters. There are so many good left-handed hitters out there. The Yankjeesdidn't have a lefty in their bullpen for the playoffs and it hurt them quite a bit.
chelle1141__Guest_: How bad are Fox executives sweating at the prospect of a Rockies/Indians series?
Nick_Cafardo: Big time. I've talked to a few of them. They could lose their shirts.
Canuck__Guest_: What's with Manny's showboating? You would think he just won the game, rather then pull them to within 4.
Nick_Cafardo: A little too much and I heard a few of the Indians weren't pleased. Most teams know Manny does what he does. I don't think he means any harm by it. I really don't. But it doesn' look good.
jp__Guest_: How much blame does Terry get for the pitching staff?
Nick_Cafardo: For me, not much. These are professional pitchers who won a lot of games. It's not as if they were burned out. This team protects pitchers with limited innings and pitches more than most. I think it's on them.
chief23__Guest_: Hi Nick, Are you suprised the offense has dried up? This seems to be consistent with the way they hit since the all-star break. Lugo,Drew and Crisp have struggled all season long. Pedroia is the only one that hit well during the season.
Nick_Cafardo: Not totally surprised. Other than Ortiz and Manny and sometimes Lowell, they just didn't have enough people step up. They really depended on Drew to give them some left-handed power and he's come up way short. Crisp is spotty. Youkilis tends to fade in the second half. Varitek gets fooled a lot by off-speed stuff. Pedroia is just trying too hard. Over-swinging.
Eck_s_Cheese_Shoppe__Guest_: Hi, Nick. Personally, I feel that if the Sox lose tomorrow night the haunting question will be "Where was Ellsbury?" Are there signs that he will play for Coco on Thursday? Please say yes.
Nick_Cafardo: I've got to believe Ellsbury is going to be in that lineup. As I said earlier, simply for spark.
Lewis__Guest_: Who will be the 2007 version of Dave Henderson tomorrow night?
Nick_Cafardo: Great question. Let me see....J.D. Drew?
DavyB__Guest_: Good afternoon Nick, thank you for joining us. what is the future for Manny Delcarmen? Is he going to be a starter some day or will he always be in the bullpen? How long does he belong to the Sox?
Nick_Cafardo: I think he's their future set-up man. Hopefully the results will be better than last night.
very_nervous_pervis__Guest_: If this thing miraculously gets to a Game 7, who will be pitching? Dice-K? Beckett? Lester? Gagne? Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Nick_Cafardo: Looks like Dice-K. Schilling worked with him yesterday. Maybe he's got him all straightened out.
De__Guest_: Given Jed Lowrie's put .......up Pedroia-like #s in the minors, and Omar Minaya's longstanding interest in Julio Lugo as a 2ndbaseman, what do you think the chances are of a deal being made sending Lugo to the Mets. I know it's only been a year but the guy is not a leadoff hitter as billed and is clearly not right for this team.
Nick_Cafardo: Not sure Omar would bite now, but if there's one possibility of that, there it is.
Bostondotcom: Greetings all. Nick will be here for five more minutes to answer your Red Sox questions.
De__Guest_: How can the front office be so good lately at evaluating their minor league players, who've never seen an MLB pitch, but have such a bad track record in the last 2 years with free agents who have major league track-records (I am speaking of Drew, Lugo, Renteria, and G....agne specifically)? I mean how brutal is it that we have to watch JD Drew in right for the next 4 years!? .....
Nick_Cafardo: I wish I knew. I think they married to their analysis and projections of players and they stick with their criteria. They had enough people tell them Drew wouldn't be a good fit. Thy had enough people tell them that Lugo probably wasn't the answer at shortstop. But they went with their own evaluations, their emphasis on OBP as a major criteria for going after players. They feel that's very important. They did win 96 games and made it to the ALCS, so it's a method that works to some degree anyway.
steve__Guest_: Nick, the starting pitching needs to be upgraded. If I were Theo, the minute the season ends, I would make an all out full court presson SANTANA from the TWINS, you can blame TITO all you want but you got to have the players to do the job.
Nick_Cafardo: They are definitely one of the teams that could be in the hunt. Problem is you'd have to give up Ellsbury and Buchholz. That's the decision you'd have to make. Knowing the Twins' management as well as I do, they aren't going to give him away for anything less.
nodice__Guest_: Isn't that a big mistake to pay 100 millions to get Dice-K when he couldn't deliver in Game2?
Nick_Cafardo: He's a 15-game winner in his first year. Right now I can't say that. I know Schilling thinks he could be a 25-game winner, which might be a little bit over the top. I don't see that "special" side of him yet. I see a pitcher who could be very good. But special? I would have to see more next season and see how he adjusts.
Bostondotcom: OK Nick will answer one more and he is done for the day. Thanks for chatting. Tomorrow Dan Shaughnessy will be chatting at this time.
Marcos76__Guest_: Hi Nick. I'm wondering what you think about the Red Sox philosophy of protecting the young players like Ellsbury and Bucholz. I'm watching Cleveland play great baseball with Carmona, Asdruble, and Nelson, and I'm wondering if Boston is being too cautious.
Nick_Cafardo: You make a good point. It's a different market. The Indians are operating with $80 million less so they are willing to throw those guys out there and hope for the best. Their fans buy into it. The Red Sox seem to think Boston fans wouldn't accept struggling for a few years while young guys develop in the majors. I'm not so sure about that anymore. I think we've seen enough examples of how exciting teams with young players can be.
Creighton__Guest_: Nick, thanks for your great write-ups. My question is simple: when are people going to recognize that the Indians, who finished the season strong and then decimated the Yankees, just might be a better team than the Sox? I mean, what is there besides hitting and pitching, both of which they have more of?
Nick_Cafardo: The Indians are very solid. I asked Mark Shapiro if you had the extra $80 million the Red Sox spend on their payroll what would you do with it? He basically said he wouldn't approach it much differently. He's be able to sign Sabathia long-term and maybe acquire another top closer, but other than that he's got solid players at virtually every position. They aren't all superstars, but they kind of fit like those Yankee teams in the 90s.
yawkeyway__Guest_: I don't think pitching next year will be the issue. What is the possibily of picking up a bat....A-Rod
Nick_Cafardo: I have to believe A-Rod is on their radar. We'll see whether he accepts the Yankee offer here after the World Series. I spoke to a Yankee official who is very strong in his belief that if A-Rod does not accepot the offer the Yankees are moving on. That leaves the Red Sox up at the plate having to decide whether $35 million a year is the way to go. I suppose another team - the Cubs, Dodgers, Angels - could get into it. But the feeling in New York is if we can't afford him, who can? The Sox will have to do something at third if they don't re-sign Lowell. I would not endorse Youkilis moving to third at all. But if they do that, they'd have to bring ina first baseman. Though it could be Brandon Moss, who will play first in the Dominican in winter ball.
shave_your_face__Guest_: Regarding Manny, I was shocked that no one got hit after his immature behavior
Nick_Cafardo: Again, I think the Indians probably weren't thrilled by it, but the playoffs when you're in command like that is probably not the time to pick your battles. If you're the Indians, you don't want to awaken a sleeping giant. You just want to win at home and keep on going.
big_red__Guest_: Any opinion on benching Crisp? Do you think that Francona will take the attitude of "he's due" and leave him in?
Nick_Cafardo: I think he has up until this point. But that might have to change as desperation sets in.
Kdog__Guest_: do you think we see cora for lugo in game 5?
Nick_Cafardo: My gut feeling is no.
hoagles__Guest_: Nick, please speak some reason to Red Sox Nation...we are getting beat in all phases of the game...our pitching isn't good right now and nobody is hitting. People blame Francona, what a joke...his players just aren't producing. I thought Sox fans were supposed to be smart and educated?? All I hear is complaining about the manager making bad decisions.
Nick_Cafardo: I tend to side with you on that. This is a team where the players normally take responsibility for their own failures. It's a high payroll team that has veterans who have been through the baseball wars. It's on them. Now I do believe the manager's job is to inspire.
OLTIMER62__Guest_: Manny Delcarmen is he going to be a legit setup man or should they trade him?
Nick_Cafardo: I think he's going to be their set-up man. I think I wrote last winter they should have dealt him to Colorado in the Todd Helton deal. I had a lot of people disagreeing with me.
eotrop__Guest_: Why is Pedroia still hitting lead-off? What are your thoughts on flipping Youk and Pedroia batting order and having Jacoby bat in Crisps order?
Nick_Cafardo: Perfect lineup you've just suggested.
603pride__Guest_: what do you think the biggest problem for the sox has been?
Nick_Cafardo: Starting pitching. This was the reason you got this far. Now they're letting you down.
4_2_3_Club__Guest_: Nick, do you know why Julian Tavarez was not included on the playoff roster? He seems like a better candidate to give you a few innings of relief (after Oki and Pap) if the game goes beyond 9 innings. I wouldn't trust Lopez or Gagne with the game on the line.
Nick_Cafardo: I don't think they trust him in the late innings and I think they felt they didn't need him as a long man.
Greg__Guest_: Nick, do you think with how well Lester pitched, he may get a good look for a possible Game 7?
Nick_Cafardo: I doubt it. That would sound like Jim Burton to some.
FJM_fan__Guest_: Do you think its fair that fans are criticizing francona for his decisions and Theo for the team he has put together? After all they did have the best record in baseball, its not their fault the team is not hot right now.
Nick_Cafardo: You're right that they won 96 games. But some of the weaknesses lie in the areas they addressed in the off-season. Drew being one of them. It just seems to me that when you spend $143 million, you've got to be able to solve most of your needs.
spectram__Guest_: Is there anything that can be done to lower the number of grond-ball out? What about aiming our pop-flys better? Our boys always seem to hit it right to the outfield players.
Nick_Cafardo: Westbrook made them offer at his sinker and pound the ball into the ground because he was throwing strikes and they had to swing. Carmona threw bals in the dirt and they were able to layoff. Sox are a very patient team and usually do a good job of wearing down the pitchers. But Westbrook and Byrd really had outstanding approaches to them.
Tony__Guest_: I get the sense the Sox are pressing a bit and making bad decisions, specifically with Youk and Padroia missing that foul ball. Do you get the sense that this team doesn't have the same mental toughness the '04 team had?
Nick_Cafardo: It is a different team with different players. Theo made the perfect trade at the deadline. Cabrera, Mientkievcz and Roberts were all hungry players who wanted to win in the worst way. It just fit so well, so perfectly at the time in concert with the Bill Muellers, Kevin Millars, Johnny Damons. Having said that, it's still a team capable of coming back from this.
LugoCrispDrew__Guest_: I am so terrible! Why do I keep playing?
Nick_Cafardo: Lotta money.
irishram7__Guest_: nick; is manny"s act wearing thin with other players......the homerun trot was so over the top considering the score?
Nick_Cafardo: Like I said, I heard it riled a few Indians, but most of the league is aware of what Manny does and that he doesn't man any harm.
JT__Guest_: Nick, with the talk about 2004 and coming back, the fact that only 8 players on the roster were on that team, is it as overwhelming for the others (i.e. Crisp, Lugo) as it seems watching on TV?
Nick_Cafardo: One thing I would say is nothing is "overwhelming" to this group. The Red Sox are a very confident team. They believe they're as good as anyone when they're on the field. So you're not going to hear any panic from these guys even down 3-1.
TitoHater99__Guest_: Do you think the red sox, in hindsight, might have been better off leaving Matsuzaka 2 and Schilling 3, that way you have Daisuke at home and the veteran pitching the first game on the road? Not that they would have done any better, but after losing game 2, isn't Schilling the guy you want more in that situation. Ideally, it works like in the previous series where you win game 1, dice-k might be shaky game 2, but then atleast you have Schilling game 3. Also, any chance that Tito isn't back next year if they do anything other than win it all?
Nick_Cafardo: I think they set it up the way they did based on optimum rest for Schilling. It comes down to someone other than Beckett has to win and pitch well. It's really that simple. As for Francona, I think he's back no matter what happens. I'm guessing the team will announce an extension after the series is over.
Nick_Cafardo: Thank you all for your questions. Got to run.
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