Who takes Wake's place?

I think it's time to give Zink a shot. What more can he do to earn a chance? Pauley and Hansack have had chances with varying results. Don't rush Bowden (remember C. Hansen?), Colon isn't ready and I don't think they should take Masterson out of the bullpen given they just rearranged his schedule. It'd be nice to see them give the most deserving guy (IMO) a shot.

I was going to suggest Manny for Jake Peavy, but its too late for that isn't it. With plenty of outfielders to go around, did we forget you can never have enough pitching?

I like Masterson to start because he should have stayed in the rotation instead of Buchholtz. It's obvious Masterson has the stuff and temperament to be a good major league starting pitcher. Why put him in a plug-in role in the pen? Love to see Zink given a chance. He's earned it. Try him as a reliever. In fact, plan on both pitching in the same game(s). Can you imagine a hitter dealing with the sidewinder, then facing the flutterball?

My feeling is to give Hansack his scheduled start on Tuesday, only in Boston. This keeps him on his regular rotation and also buys time to juggle either Pauley or Zink to be ready for Wake's next start, in the event that Hansack doesn't fare well. Bowden is too green, it's too risky to rush Colon's rehab as they might need him down the stretch in Bucholz' spot, and Masterson is starting to ooze confidence out of the bullpen. Leave him alone!

I really hope they leave Masterson in the bullpen, he is desperately needed there. Charlie Zink would be best for Tim Wakefield (if for no other reason to almost surprise him on the Rangers on Tuesday, they are all smiles because they don't have to deal with a knuckleballer, and voila, we show up with another one). Plus, there will also be the issue on Saturday and that Clay Bucholtz needs to go to Pawtucket for like a year and get the confidence of burying the other AAA teams (or even to Portland) because that is what they need for him to get in confidence back, not work on new stuff, just beat a bunch of people he can

From bosoxj in Cali, via Waterville Maine; Who ever it is, it had better be good, with the way the Rays are playing. We could find ourselves 6 or 7 back if we're not careful.
HOLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Hansack is down there for a reason... we will live with his start. He threw an unofficial no hitter on the last game of the season a couple of years ago... maybe he can dish out a decent start for us.

In the survey, I voted for Bowden. But if he's available- which I read earlier that he was not- then I think the Sox owe the nod to Zink. I do like "sj's" idea of of a combo start with Masterson and Zink sharing the bump. That would certainly be casue for a popsicle headache for the opposition.

It's not Bowden. He's pitching in Pawtucket as I write (1:40 Monday afternoon)

I think we need Buckholz to pitch one to 2 innings at most 6th or 7th inning. I like the idea of Zink to put other teams off balance like Wakefield, we already made the
move on Masterson in the bullpen, in which I liked him as a starter but I think it's to
late to change that stratergy.

Lavern Hansack (who HAS previous experience unlike some others) when on will keep the ball in the lower half of the zone with the sinker and slider darting in and out... this will induce the grounders that our defense can eat up...but be ready as he might overthrow and leave them hanging...you can usually tell in the first 2-3 innings whether he's on...Buckholz's worst moment came with the no hitter which immediately raised expectations to unbelievably high levels...another young pitcher who could be buried by the Sox in their rush to big league pitching...it's actually quite sad to watch this. Zink will probably be thrown into the breech, but it will be a mistake...better to introduce him in a blowout either way, not a critical game..I'm surprised management has let the Clay saga go this far, but management has surprised me to no end this season...the greatest hitter in a generation is shown the door by a hamstrung maangement...no catching relief, no pitching relief and the wrong guy from the Pirates...the whiz kids are believing their own hype...

I agee with Bob, Clay gives one or two good innings and then falls apart. In my opinion we need 2 starters, not just one. Is there a trade out ther for a good 4th or 5th starter and the bring in Zink or Hansack ?? Tampa Bay is not slowing down. now is the time to act!!

Definitely Zink, otherwise Cash will be inactive as well. Veritek refuses to catch knuckleballs as it hurts his passed ball (error) total. His " hall of fame" chances goes down the drain with error count. Hall of famer Buckholz needs to concentrate on pitching, not playmates!!

Replacing Wakefield is one thing. But which one of these guys is going to replace Buchholz?

Brett Favre

Zink makes the most sense because it will still give V-tek a day off every five. Buccholz should be demoted to AAA, and Pauley should get a shot. 0-7 in has last 8, time to go, Bucc-o.

Bowden is by far the best pitcher in this group, but I do not want to see him in Boston until next year. Adding him to the 40-man roster for just a couple of spot starts here in August is a terrible idea because you'll lose a year of options and control over him. If you wait until next spring to add him to the 40-man, then you have him under control until 2014 instead of 2013.

Masterson hasn't pitched since August 6th, so he could make a spot start, and then they could skip Zink or Pauley in the Pawtucket rotation and call one of them up to make the second start that Wake is going to miss.

Zink and Pauley (Colon whne ready).....send Clay to the PawSox .....don't bring him back until next year

I think you should see what you got in Zink....finally. He has done all he can at the minor league level and it's time to give him his shot. I agree it gives cash some purpose but more over gives tek his scheduled off days which he seems to need. Right now Zink could eat up innings which you need given the poor performance by Bulcholz last outing. I also agree not messing with Masterson again.

Showcase Charlie, see what you got..

I'm going to make a guess they pull up Hansack for Tuesday's game due to his days rest being adequate. Then send him back after the start, and also send down Buchholz. At that time bring up Pauley and Zink both and slot them into the 4 and 5 positions. Whichever one does better will stay up after Wakefield comes back.

They will want to avoid putting Masterson into the rotation as they need him for long relief and he is doing well at it.

It never ceases to amaze me that so many Sox fans still have the Chicken Little Syndrome. No matter who they bring up, it's a temporary fix. Colon is certainly the next starter in line once he's got the stamina back. For now...likely Zink, or Masterson for the first 4/5 innings.

Bucholz was not rushed, that's insane. He's been in the minors, has done well, and it's his time to shine or fail. Should every blue chipper stay in the minors until they're 28 to baby them? Bucholz is prone to the same mistakes every young pitcher goes through, dealing with adversity. That's why he has one horrible inning per outing, it snowballs...every time. One bad pitch turns into two, then three, and so on, and all of a sudden they put up 5 runs in 12 pitches. He will learn, or he won't, dominating lower levels of players will not help that.

Some people still think getting rid of Manny was a bad idea I see...you must long for the days of 25 players and 25 cabs. How'd that work for 86 years? Manny was, I repeat WAS, a great Red Sox player, he had no desire to be anymore. What he's now doing in LA he would have NEVER done here. Never. To think otherwise is, well...grass is always greener ain't it?

There are no decent pitchers to be had via trade at all. Every team in baseball needs pitching every game of the year, someone is not going to suddenly remember the expendable 4th starter they stashed in the back of the closet. They don't exist.

Varitek refuses to catch knucklers? That's one of the more absurd things I've read in a while...and I read the Herald.

When was the last time the Sox were four out? Oh right, a week before the All Star break...right before they stormed back to be in first at the break. Huh. Pull your heads out of the sand people. Management knew what they were doing when they won 2 rings, and they still know now. Bay will bring far more to the Sox at this point than Manny. The bullpen will be fine. The hitting will come around. Lester will still be impressive. Dice-K seems to have sorted it out and has Cy Young worthy numbers. I'd still trot out Beckett against any other starter and feel confident. Pap is still Pap. The Sox WILL WIN THE DIVISION. Have some pride and confidence in your Olde Towne Team people!

agreed with Mike. I'd like to see Zink's stuff. Always liked Pauley, he looked good in his first couple Sox starts (handled himself well in that game at Yankee Stadium) and has really encouraging AAA numbers right now. He just got a win at Fenway the other night in the Futures game, so he's got a decent level of familiarity, ability to stay level-headed in front of a rowdy friendly or not-so-friendly crowd, and he's got momentum.

With Bowden's triple-A struggles at the moment, how timely would a promotion be? I look forward to seeing him in the future, though.

It's time to give Charlie Zink a shot. I get the impression that the Red SOx brass has already decided Zink can't pitch in the majors and they have no intention of putting him on the 40 man roster after the season. If Zink isn't put on the 40 man roster he will be able to declare himself a 6 year minor league free agent and can sign with any team. I suspect he'll make a big league roster next spring and turn out to be a pretty nice starter.

With Manny Gone I heard he wants to be a Yankee next year! Is this turning out to be a new curse? "The Curse of the Latino"
Why isn't Papi batting Cleanup?

Masterson threw 2 2/3 innings yesterday, so I don't think he'd be starting tomorrow. Give Zink a shot.

As for Buchholz, the kid is all shook up, send him back to AAA and let him try to work it out, and give David pauley a chance.

Due to favorable timing since his last start, Hansack is the best person to pitch on Tuesday. However, he ranks # 3 in record behind Pauley and Zink. Therefore Hansack should be brought up for one start only.

Afterward, send both Hansack and Buckholz down to Pawtucket and bring up Pauley and Zink. Once Wakefiled is back to good health, keep whichever of those two (Pauley and Zink) is doing better, and send back the other.

Masterson is filling a needed role in the bullpen and should be kept there.

Buckholtz to the bullpen --Masterson back to the starting rotation if we want to keep up with Tampa and ----and the one thing we lost big time with Manny leaving was the "Fear Factor" we don't have it anymore-- sure he had to go, no question, but no one has the presence he has in the "on-deck" circle-------not A-Rod not Dave O-----In a bad economy one of the best buys Is "Bonds"----as much as I hate to think it, we need a Presence in the batting order---as much as we need a replacement for Wake----

masterson back to starting role and -bucholtz in bullpen middle innings- bring up bowden... the future is now ...

I think the best candidate for this occasion is to bring up the other knuckleballer. Charlie Zink has done a phenomenal job in the minors over the years and will more than likely never see any other opportunities with the Red Sox unless he is to replace Tim Wakefield. I believe Charlie Zink's record speaks for itself.

Masterson back to starting rotation Bucholtz to middle relief plug Bowden in for Wake.

It would appear for tuesday's start Laverne (or possibly Shirley) Hansack would make sense. Butafter that I would bring up Zink and see what he can do. Bowden is too green and it's too much pressure for this talented guy. Also don't you think it's time to promote Bard to AAA for a possible Sept call up?

Why can't they just pitch Beckett 5 innings today and then 5 innings tomorrow? He should still be loose enough and we could give him an extra day's rest next week.

Zink for now. Only one that makes sense. No reason to waste on option on Bowden right now and no reason to rush Colon. Whoever made the 'remember Hansen' comment on Bowden should realize that Hansen came up shortly after being drafted, whereas Bowden has been in the system for a few years now. Anyway, Zink has earned the chance to show what he's got. I don't want to see them jerk Masterson back and forth and risk an arm injury on him. He should stay in the pen for the rest of the season and be stretch out next spring if they plan on having him start.

Once Colon is ready perhaps Clay needs to go back to AAA or be put in the pen where he can come in and just show a few pitches. Then again, aren't his struggles out of the stretch?

Can't find the right place to ask the following, so I'll just post it here.

In Clay's game, he gave up 5 runs in 3 innings...not good and deserving of a loss; however, Red Sox eventually score 5 runs also, and it's Aardsma's earned run that was the difference. Why doesn't Ardsma get the loss?

Thank you in advance to who has the answer.

Can't find the right place to ask the following, so I'll just post it here.

In Clay's game, he gave up 5 runs in 3 innings...not good and deserving of a loss; however, Red Sox eventually score 5 runs also, and it's Aardsma's earned run that was the difference. Why doesn't Ardsma get the loss?

Thank you in advance to who has the answer.

Yeah Bucco needs to layoff the Playmates! Dude's done nothing and he thinks he's Hugh 'friggin' Hefner. Whiz kids are definitely overrated. Theo can't win with his guys. It's all Duquette's coattails - and I hated the Duke. Biggest problem right now is the decision not to land Johan Santana. What a difference he would be making in this rotation. Sending Bucco and Coco or Moss would seem like a no-brainer. Gotta go with the proven commodity. Nice work Theo!

PUT CLAY BACK TO PAWSOX REST OF SEASON! GIVE ZINK A SHOT! SOX SHOULD HAVE GOT A PICTURE IN THE TRADE WITH MANSHE 'THE CURSE OF THE LATINO" MAYBE A FUTURE YANK!

Zink!

And if you want to keep him on regular rest, bring Hansack up on his day Tuesday, send him back down, bring Zink up on Wed and move everyone else back a day (extra rest!). Leave Zink up here until Wake comes back or Buchholz goes down.

In other words ZINK.

BUT CLAY BACK TO PAWSOX! GIVE ZINK A SHOT! SOX SHOULD HAVE GOT A PICTURE IN THE TRADE WITH MANSHE 'THE CURSE OF THE LATINO" MAYBE A FUTURE YANK!

Zink!

And if you want to keep him on regular rest, bring Hansack up on his day Tuesday, send him back down, bring Zink up on Wed and move everyone else back a day (extra rest!). Leave Zink up here until Wake comes back or Buchholz goes down.

In other words ZINK.

we should trade wakefield with manny since he hasn't done anything since 04 playoff vs yankees he haven't won a game vs yanks and were paying him 4 million towin he crys like manny

The bigger question is who will take Clay's spot. Buchholz has been a disaster in the majors. He hasn't won since May 2. He was terrible in the majors early in the season. He was injured, pitched well in the minors, and resumed being terrible as soon as he was recalled. I understand the Sox needed bullpen help, but moving Masterson and having Buchholz make a terrible start every fifth day puts more pressure on the pen by taxing them for more innings. Plus, it doesn't help a pennant race when every fifth game is a guaranteed loss. They need to get him out of there and stop the bleeding. Long term, both Buchholz and Masterson belong in the rotation, but this season only the latter has proved himself capable of delivering quality starts.