It had been a very down (and now a far more up) period of covering the Sox. While the road trip that finished up with six straight losses to the Rays and Yankees was about as low as a team could get, the Sox bounced back with a far better showing against the AL Central-leading Tigers. That might not exactly get them back in the mix for their own division title, though there's still time, but it did stabilize a team that had been getting perilously close to the panic stage. Still, I think it's too soon to panic and I think it's far too soon to write off this team.
In fact, I firmly believe that the Sox will make the postseason.
But there's time before that point, time for a lot of things to happen. For now, though, we'll get back to our first post-trading deadline edition of the mailbag -- one full of moving expenses and performance-enhancing drugs and a Justin Masterson vs. Clay Buchholz throw down.
This weekend, though, should tell us something about where the Sox stand. With the standings tight between the Sox and Rangers -- with Texas already having taken the season series -- this weekend could put one team or the other in a major hole. Ultimately I do believe that the Rangers will fade through the heat of August in Texas, but I think it will be very interesting to see how the teams fare head-to-head this weekend. So keep that in mind -- and, as always, enjoy.
Where are you Amalie? I haven't heard any thing from you since before the All-Star break and I am curious if you think it is time to hit the panic button yet. What is your take on the offensive issues that have been plaguing the Sox since the break. Do you really think that they have as many holes in the lineup as they showed in the Yankee's series or is it just that the first half was a fluke and the Yankees are just that much better than the Red Sox?
Matt R, Greenville, S.C
A: Matt, sorry you've missed me! I've been there all along since the All-Star break, though this will be the first mailbag since the trading deadline. I don't quite think it's panic button time. While it was clearly a horrible road trip for the Sox, especially ending in such a demoralizing fashion, I think the Sox will be able to emerge from that series, as they have shown against the Tigers. The Sox have an offense that has proven to be very streaky this season, which does worry me. Still, I think the Sox will ultimately make the postseason, though probably as the wild card. (Not that that really matters anymore.) Once they get in the postseason? Really, anything can happen. I think they could be bound for a short stay once they're there, but you add in Josh Beckett and Jon Lester and a potential first-round matchup with the Angels, and that all goes out the window. At the moment, the Yankees are better than the Red Sox. But that doesn't mean that the Sox won't get to the playoffs, where anything can happen if a team gets hot. So don't worry too much yet. There's plenty of time for that later, if things don't continue to look up as they have been this week.
Hi Amalie. I'm wondering about something I've never really read anything about. That is, when a player gets traded, he shows up in uniform & plays the game. Does someone from the club help him & his family, if they come along, find a place to live & help with all the details that arise from moving from one city to another? It's a lot of stress for anyone (& Laroche gets to do it twice!)
Jeff H, Fairfield, Conn.
A: I talked to travelling secretary Jack McCormick about the issue the other day and he gave me the details. Not only does the receiving club set up all the travel -- McCormick does this for each player coming to the Sox from another club, as well as all those going to and from the minor leagues -- but they also pay the travel expenses. That includes, but is not limited to, his moving expenses, shipping his car from his prior home to his new home, and the payment on the rest of his lease in his former city. So, in the Victor Martinez trade, McCormick helped Martinez find an apartment in which to live for the rest of the season. (Martinez told me he felt fortunate that he wasn't going to have to live in a hotel for the year.) He also paid for his ticket to Baltimore from Cleveland, and the rest of his lease in Cleveland. For players coming up from the minor leagues -- like Clay Buchholz -- the team pays for his lease in Pawtucket. Buchholz, however, pays for his lease in Boston. That ensures that players aren't being doubly hit with leases in multiple locations. Adam LaRoche was a case in and of himself -- not exactly the easiest!
Theo indicated that there were a lot of substantial conversations for big time pitchers and that the foundation may have been laid for offseason trades. Is there any idea who he was refering to? Hernandez? Halladay?
George, Philadelphia, Pa.
A: Those were the two biggest names that Theo Epstein was speaking of when he made that statement. But while the Red Sox were not quite so involved in the talks for Roy Halladay, they were very involved with talks for Felix Hernandez. Though the Sox and Mariners exchanged names on potential packages of players, they ultimately didn't consummate a deal. There wasn't any accelerating factor for the Mariners to deal Hernandez this summer. He is under their control for two more years, giving them ample time to ship him off to another team, say, in this offseason. Seattle will have to determine its ability to sign Hernandez for the long-term, and whether that long-term extends far beyond his arbitration years. That can be better determined in the offseason. Then, the Mariners can decide whether to keep or part with the young pitcher.
I hated to see the Sox give up Masterson in the Martinez deal because I think Masterson is going to be a very good or possibly a great pitcher down the road. Who do you view as a better pitching prospect? Clay Buchholz or Justin Masterson? Call me crazy, but I like Masterson much better and I think he has proven himself worthy of being on the big league roster for the last two years, whereby Clay hasn't yet proven he belongs on a big league roster.
David D, Reading
A: If you're just judging by stuff, then Clay Buchholz is the better pitching prospect. But, of course, there are always other issues involved. Justin Masterson has proven to be ready -- physically and mentally -- to pitch at the big league level. He has shown a level head, and an ability to deal with the pressures that come with pitching in the major leagues. That being said, I would take Buchholz over Masterson. I think Buchholz will eventually put it together. He's shown, in spurts, that he can pitch at the major league level, including his last couple of outings. Yes, I know that last season was horrendous, and I know that he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire so far this season, but the pure stuff is there and it seems like he's improving on the mental side. Listening to him and watching him after games when he's not quite successful this season is a far different experience than it was last season, when you could see him crumbling at each mistake and each bad pitch. The maturity seems there, and I believe the results will eventually follow.
Could you provide some more details on the Adam LaRoche for Casey Kotchman deal? This deal makes less sense to me than most of the things Theo does. Also the Victor Martinez deal overshadowed the 1st baseman swap providing less coverage than I would have hoped. Thanks.
Rob Black, Brookline
A: Rob, that's true. The Victor Martinez deal did take some focus away from a swap that appeared weird on its surface. The deal was done because the Sox felt that Casey Kotchman was a better fit as a bench player who wasn't going to get a lot of playing time. Since the Sox would already have five players for four spots, they decided that they didn't need an addition player who was essentially a starter sitting on their bench. But, yes, you don't see first baseman-for-first baseman straight-up trades very often. Here is general manager Theo Epstein's explanation after the trade happened: "With [Adam] LaRoche's timing mechanism with his swing and with his approach in general, he kind of needs to play to be productive. He needs to play every day or close to it, whereas Casey Kotchman has a little different approach at the plate that might play better, a little different type role, and Kotchman also is an elite defender and somebody you could see coming into the game late for defense on days when Victor Martinez starts at first base."
I understand that people are disappointed Ortiz tested positive for some kind of PED in 2003, but that was before the PED rules were put in place. How many over-the-the-counter type supplements/substances that are not federally controlled "steroids" are on the banned list? How many drug tests has Papi taken and passed since 2003? Just because he tested positive for a PED in 2003 that may or may not have been illegal (by either federal or MLB standards) does not mean he continued their use once the 2004 rules were enacted. I'd hate to see such a beloved figure torn down over a creatine shake he had in 2003.
Jay D, Tampa,Fla.
A: That's something that David Ortiz did address in his comments on Saturday in New York. He said he'd taken at least 15 drug tests (and passed all of them), not including the two times that he was tested before participating in the World Baseball Classic. It's true that just because he tested positive in 2003 it doesn't necessarily mean that he took illegal drugs, as was discussed at that session. But it also doesn't mean that he didn't take PEDs. The MLBPA has been able to create reasonable doubt with every single player named to the list of 104 because eight of those names were reported to have been because of androstenedione, a supplement that has since been labeled a steroid. There are 13 more tests that are disputed by the MLBPA, which says that it didn't follow up on those disputed tests because the list was supposed to be anonymous. Because the number of positive tests even with those 21 taken out (83) already was enough to trigger new standards in PED testing for Major League Baseball, the rest of the tests didn't matter -- until the names began to come out, of course. Right now, Ortiz can't even get any more information on what he tested positive for (nor can any other player) because that information is tied up in the courts. If that information is eventually able to be legally disseminated, we might finally get our answers. Until that point, each person is left to believe what he wants to believe, to believe that Ortiz took PEDs or just supplements and vitamins.
Where is Kason Gabbard. We heard sometime ago that the Red Sox
had bought his contract again and that he would be in a minor league
contract. We need pitchers,please.
N.Soto, Middleboro
A: Don't expect Kason Gabbard to be the answer. He was a serviceable pitcher a few years ago when Curt Schilling went down, but he's not going to be joining the Sox rotation any time soon unless something goes very wrong. With the Sea Dogs this season -- he recently rejoined the Double A team after completing a rehab assignment with Lowell -- Gabbard has an 0-3 record and a 19.64 ERA in eight starts.
So, Penny, Smoltz and Buchholz all specialize in belt high fastballs, Daiske is mothballed, Wake is sore...why not let Bard start a game?
David S, East Burke, Vt.
A: Not only would it take Daniel Bard a significant amount of time to prepare for being a starter after having been a reliever for the past year and a half, but he wasn't exactly successful as a starter. There was a reason that, after a terrible year in 2007, the Sox decided to move Bard to reliever full time. He has thrived in that role, and looks primed to take over in the closer role whenever the reign of Jonathan Papelbon is over. But it would be a mistake -- his recent struggles of this past week notwithstanding -- to take a piece away from a bullpen that was already depleted by the Justin Masterson trade to insert someone into the rotation. That would seem to be counterproductive.
On Sunday Nick Carfado wrote that with the acquisition of Victor Martinez likely means no Joe Mauer in Boston. Do you agree with his assessment? I absolutely do not. Looking far far ahead, after the 2010 season the Red Sox will be clearing a lot of money (Lowell, Ortiz, Lugo's remaining salary,) which gives them about $32M is savings. They could resign Victor Martinez and add Joe Mauer, this would move Youklis to 3B, put Martinez at 1st with Mauer catching, this would allow them to add another young or veteran backup catcher and give them Martinez as another 3rd option at catcher. Tito and Theo love versatile players who can play multiple positions, resigning VMart would give them so much flexibility.
Patrick, Amherst
A: You know, I have to say that I'm not sure I believe that Victor Martinez negates the need for a real, honest-to-goodness catcher in Boston. While Martinez is a good catcher, he seems better suited to a revolving role, one in which he plays first base and DHs, in addition to playing behind the plate. And if any team does not shy away from increasing their talent and fitting in the pieces as they see fit, it's the Red Sox. The Sox could easily make Martinez a full-time first baseman, shifting Kevin Youkilis to third, and using Joe Mauer behind the plate, as you suggest. I think that the Sox love Mauer enough that they'll be after him, no matter what, if he reaches the free agent market. Of course, he'll get an insanely rich deal. But if anyone can afford it, it's the Sox (and the Yankees). Ultimately, I think Mauer will re-sign with the Twins because he means too much to a franchise (with new stadium income) to let him get away, but I certainly don't think that Martinez will preclude the Sox from going after Mauer.
Any idea why Tazawa was brought up ahead of Bowden? Don't get me wrong, Tazawa has been impressive in his short minor league career and I'm excited for his future, but it just seems premature to thrust a guy who was pitching in the Japanese Industrial League this time last year into the middle of a pennant race. At least Bowden has started a major league game in his career. After the Sox dealt Masterson, I thought for sure Bowden would at least be called to fill his spot in the 'pen. So, what's up?
Evan, Milwaukee, Wis.
A: There are a couple of reasons, not least of which is that Michael Bowden had pitched two days before the Sox needed a body to replace John Smoltz. He had pitched on Wednesday, and had not done well, allowing six runs in three innings. So he wouldn't have been the protection that the Sox thought they might need (and eventually did). Had the Sox been forced to go to Junichi Tazawa for more than the 1 2/3 innings that he pitched on Friday, he would not have gotten the start on Tuesday, and Bowden would have been a candidate at that point. The Sox feel that Tazawa is mature enough to handle the majors, and were prepared to bring him up in September, when rosters expand. So, for them, bringing him up at this point doesn't feel all that premature. I think there certainly is a future for Bowden -- who has had a slightly up and down season -- but the expectations on Tazawa are probably higher at this point. Bowden projects to more of a back of the rotation starter.
Since the Sox have adapted the month-old adage, "one can never have too much corner infielders," do you have any insight as to whether they may try a more creative placement of Mike Lowell in the lineup -- more to the point will they consider putting him at first -- especially if the offense continues to struggle? His bat is still so impressive even if his range at third is not. Would Lowell consider it and would doing so give his hip rest, or wear him out equally as it would him playing 3rd? Thanks!
Jon B, Brooklyn N.Y.
A: That seems like an extremely unlikely scenario. It would be silly for the Sox to train a corner infielder to play first base, a position he has never played in the major leagues, when you have a Gold Glover at the position. I do think that, if Mike Lowell continues to hit as he has been over the past couple of days, you'll see him taking a few extra games at DH away from David Ortiz. Lowell has been very hot at the plate, something the Sox needed over the past road trip. He's batted .393 (not including yesterday's game) since coming off the disabled list, which makes it surprising that he's spent as much time as he has on the bench. I know the Sox are trying to rest him, given the situation with his hip, but it's getting to the point that he'll have to be in the lineup a bit more with the way he's hitting. That could be through a few more games at DH.
Isn't it true that if the Red Sox and Texas end up tied for the wild card, they will play a 1 game playoff at the end of the season to determine who wins the wild card? I have seen/heard it mentioned numerous times that since Texas has already won the season series vs. the Red Sox, they would win the wild card if the two teams ended up tied, but I don't believe season series record is the tiebreaker. Please clarify, thanks.
Jayne L, Haverhill
A: If the Sox and Texas end up tied for the wild card, yes, they will play a one game playoff. The season series comes into play only in cases where one team would win the division and the other would win the wild card. If both teams make the postseason, then there is not seen to be a need for the teams to play an additional game. But if the difference is making the playoffs vs. not making the playoffs, then the teams get a single game to make that determination. In other words -- you are correct, sir (or ma'am).
Hello Amalie, first of all great job, always look forward to your column. my question. What is the latest with jerry remy. I am sure alot of people are wondering, and worried. Nothing has been mentioned, since his leave. Is the plan still to have him back? He is Red Sox Nation, and i am sure i speak of the many fans when I say that. Its not the same without him. Also on a minor league note, is there anyone at shortstop close to major league ready? It seems like a giant endless hole to fill for the team.
Marty B, Fitchburg
A: Jerry Remy was at the park on Wednesday, in case you missed it. He was very sincere about his battle with depression, following his battle with cancer. He was at Fenway to sort of simulate a game with Dennis Eckersley and Don Orsillo, as he hopes to be back in the booth in not too long, though he also admitted that he has already passed two deadlines he has set to return. As he said during his on-air stint, "I lost between 20-25 pounds. You saw me in spring training, you saw me at the beginning of the season. It was my fault, I wasn't ready to start the season. It probably would have been wise to take a month off, and maybe come back and be OK after that. You [Orsillo] saw the kind of decline happen in Cleveland early in the season where I started to slip into a depression really. I think everything came crashing down at one time. The cancer stuff, the infection. I wasn't able to do my job. And basically for the last couple of months, I've been getting treatment for that." He added that it had been "therapeutic" to come to the ballpark on Wednesday. He got an incredible standing ovation from the crowd. As for a major-league ready shortstop at the minor league level? There isn't anyone in the Sox organization. The closest is Yamaico Navarro, and he just got to Double A, though he is regarded as a very promising prospect.
