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Francona sticks by Dice-K; move to 'pen unlikely

Email|Link|Comments (83) Posted by Chad Finn, Globe Staff June 17, 2009 02:21 PM

With a 7.55 earned run average and one victory in seven starts, Daisuke Matsuzaka has been a weak link on the Red Sox' deep pitching staff this season. And he knows it.

With John Smoltz set to make his season debut next Thursday and the Red Sox going with a temporary six-man rotation, Matsuzaka said he understands it is imperative that he starts pitching better soon.

"It has been hard, but I know I cannot be in this situation," Matsuzaka said last night in a conversation with Japanese reporters, according to a report on WEEI.com. "I have to bring my [stuff] back as quickly as I can. I really want to pitch for the team to win, with focusing on my details [of pitching]."

Matsuzaka, who won 18 games last season, was the Most Valuable Player of the World Baseball Classic in March while pitching Japan to the title. But he has not been right for the Red Sox all season, and he missed more than a month beginning in late April with a tired arm.

Despite his struggles, manager Terry Francona said the team continues to have faith that Matsuzaka will find his good form.

"He's had a tough run here," Francona said during his weekly chat with WEEI's the "Dale and Holley Show" this afternoon. "We all talked about the [World Baseball Classic] and what kind of shape [his shoulder] was in when he came back. We felt like he wasn't ready to go for the long haul, so we sat him down. He's not been . . . I don't think he's happy with the way he's pitched so far.

"Now saying that -- and again, we always try to make decisions to put our team in the best light -- but saying that, when guys go through tough times, I remember a couple of weeks ago when everybody wanted David [Ortiz] to not be here anymore. We can't make decisions like that."

Is there a chance Matsuzka will go to the bullpen? Francona sounded as if he didn't consider it a feasible option for a number of reasons.

"My first thought was that if we tell him that we're putting him in long relief that's probably not going to build his confidence a whole lot," Francona said. "You know, there's a lot of things to think about. When you put a guy in the bullpen, who comes out of the bullpen? When you send a guy to the bullpen, how does he react to the bullpen?

"Also, Daisuke is typically our guy who takes the longest to warm up . . . he goes out there a good 45-50 minutes before the game and throws a lot, so is that going to work? If you put a guy in the bullpen and he hasn't pitched a lot in three weeks and you need a starter is he capable of throwing a lot of pitches? I think there's a lot of things to look at. We can't just get caught up in what the fans and [media] are caught up in because we'll make some poor decisions."

Francona suggested Matsuzaka's track record during his first two seasons with the Sox should earn him the benefit of the doubt.

"I mean, we're talking about a pitcher who over the last two years has one, what, 33 regular-season games, three postseason games," Francona said. "That's 36 games. I don't care how you do it, that's a lot of games. We can't just put guys on a shelf when they run through tough times. I think a better way to go is to help fix 'em. We've got this guy signed for a long time. We want him to help us win games."

The manager also reiterated that Matsuzaka's status is not affected by either Smoltz's arrival or the six-man rotation.

"As I said last night when we went through our rotation, Daisuke's pitching on Friday," Francona said. "We're gonna back everyone up a day this week and give 'em an extra day [of rest]. The only one that doesn't get an extra day is Wake, and that's why we took him out of the game last night early.

"The idea is to keep this guys fresh so that they can be good all year. We're trying to keep an eye on that. It's not an easy thing to do."

Francona said the six-man rotation isn't the drastic change it has been made out to be.

"You know, there's been way more written and said about this than I ever imagined," he said. "What we're trying to do is make decisions, and make good decisions, not only based on today or tomorrow but based on the rest of the year. Small picture, big picture.

"We talked to Smoltzie in Philadelphia and had a really good conversation. . . . In talking to him, the more we talked, we were like, 'OK, wait a minute. Because we have a enough pitching, could this be in your best interest to maybe make a [minor-league start], go a little short, have a little time off to get yourself ready for the long haul?' He goes, 'Absolutely.' So we're like, 'Wait a minute, then. Why don't we do this?' And it just seemed kind of easy."

Francona also explained the rationale for slotting Smoltz between Josh Beckett and Jon Lester in the rotation.

"What we're trying to do is not ruin one of our strengths," Francona said. "We're trying to bring guys back in the middle of the year, and I don't think it's realistic that Smoltzie's going to throw 130 pitches in his first outing. And we're certainly going to try to keep an eye on him and build as opposed to him having one outing and then going backwards.

"So we're trying to keep our bullpen consistent also, maybe not go to them early two nights in a row. So the guys that have been getting us the deepest are Lester and Beckett, so the guys in between them, it makes it a little bit easier to manage the guys that haven't been going as long. The idea is not to ruin our starters and also not to ruin our bullpen."

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83 comments so far...

I hope Dice does well Friday. Even if he does well, I still think someone is going to have to sit when Smoltz comes back. I do not think he should go to the bullpen - I think it would be better for him to go to the minors until he gets it together. He needs to pitch to live batters. It is not going to be easy to pitch under stress.

Posted by Priscilla Griffith June 17, 09 01:05 PM

I hope Daisuke does well Friday. I think even he does well, they still will not go with a 6 man rotation so someone will sit. I am not giving up on him yet. I do not think they should send him to the bullpen; I think he would be better off going on the DL and go to Pawtucket or some other minor league club. He needs to pitch to live batters to get his stuff going again. It is hard to pitch under stress.

Posted by prisgriff June 17, 09 01:16 PM

I have been a big supporter of Dice-K since he came here. But this should be it for him. If he cannot get it together now, he needs to take a seat and get himself right. The team was depending on him to produce and right now he is killing the bullpen and losing games. While he should be commended for wanting to play for team Japan - the cost to the Redsox has been pretty steep and his legacy as a Major League pitcher is in jeopardy.

Posted by karnak June 17, 09 01:17 PM

Let's give him a chance. Tough to cut thatinvestment. And let's also do something about ALL MLB PLAYERS participating in the stupid WBC. I liked the idea of a 50 pitch max that I heard some time ago.

Posted by theskiguy June 17, 09 01:18 PM

Let's give him a chance. Tough to cut thatinvestment. And let's also do something about ALL MLB PLAYERS participating in the stupid WBC. I liked the idea of a 50 pitch max that I heard some time ago.

Posted by theskiguy June 17, 09 01:18 PM

Hummmm. If I were a Japanese national and I was not happy to be in the States; if I had a ton of money and wanted to go home ... maybe I would pull a Manny.

Posted by max penti June 17, 09 01:20 PM

He wouldn't be in this situation if he didn't pitch in the World Baseball Classic. He didn't think of the Sox in March. He should do them a favor now and go on the DL.

Posted by WormtownSoxFan June 17, 09 01:23 PM

Make him agree to a stint in the minors to bring back his confidence obviously something is severly lacking. I'm sure I'm not that only one who can't stand to turn on the game right now and see him pitching. Six man will work but if Smoltz has a slow start then him and Dice K are holding back the other 4 starters!

Posted by Barry June 17, 09 01:26 PM

No more WBC! For chrissakes! And someone, SOMEONE get him out of the rotation 'til he sorts himself out!

Posted by D to the B June 17, 09 01:29 PM

Matsuzaka is by far the most overrated member of this team.

Posted by hateputas June 17, 09 01:29 PM

PUT DICE-K IN THE BULLPEN OR ON DL ...HE HARD 2 WATCH !!!

Posted by SWEETCAROLINA June 17, 09 01:29 PM

I think some of the WBC apologists need to chime in about now. Tell us how popular soccer is too, while you are at it.

Posted by SoxFanInIL June 17, 09 01:34 PM

I've been a defender of Matsuzaka since he signed with the Sox. I can no longer defend him as of this year. He's not doing the job for which he's exceptionally well-paid and he's too expensive to park in Pawtucket. Frankly, I don't know who came up with this idiotic World Baseball Classic, but he ought to be taken out back and shot. Dice K misses a month because his arm is tired. Pedroia got hurt (thankfully, not seriously) and if I remember, Youk got a little banged up, too. It's a waste of time, a distraction from camp and it puts high-priced MLB talent at risk for the season. If Matsuzaka and the BoreHole find the WBC is so important, perhaps they should return the remaining portion of his salary to the Red Sox organization and get on the next plane to Narita Airport.

Posted by Susanth June 17, 09 01:46 PM

SO MUCH FOR THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC. ARE YOU LISTENING SELIG?

Posted by SOXFANWEST June 17, 09 01:49 PM

The only place we want you to bring your stuff back to, is the bullpen for mop up duty.

Posted by Erik June 17, 09 01:52 PM

trade him

Posted by chris coyne June 17, 09 01:58 PM

Finding it in one start isn't good enough for me...no matter what he does this Friday Dice has to be the odd man out. Dice cannot be trusted and is the last pitching option I would go to at this point. The Sox have a real chance at another title and could have a special season and to have it sabotaged by this guy simply cannot be allowed. He needs to recognize he stinks and take one for the team here..do what the team asks of you for once in your time here you stubborn overpaid Boras client and sit and collect your free money. Japan doesn't pay him but he gave 200% for them in the WBC and what do the Sox get? A big fat headache. I don't care he was 18-3 last year...to a man that record is the most empty 18-3 ever. This guy just has not adjusted to the game played here and all of Sox nation is paying the price. We can only hope he steps aside and takes the time to figure it out so he can EARN his salary.

Posted by David June 17, 09 02:03 PM

Tell you what if DiceK pitches pourly next time out he could see another DL stint. I think his arm is still tired. DL him and get his shoulder wicked strong. Trade Penny and Saito for a blue chip prospect. Call up Bucholtz and Cabrera or Cherry. Then make a sick package of prospects and trade for a superstar maybe Hansley or Fielder

Posted by jason kelley June 17, 09 02:03 PM

Ideal what if scenario: package, Penny (or Saito), Matsuzaka (agree to pay for bulk of remaining 3 years), and young prospect for Roy Halladay.

then trade bucholz or bowden and lars anderson and julio lugo (eating his contract) for Hanley ramirez.

therefore, you have a strong rotation with Halladay, Beckett, Lester, Wakefield, smoltz and either bucholz or bowden waiting to fill in. getting rid of the inconsistant dice-k. getting great return for a surprisingly well-preforming Brad Penny and making room in the bullpen for bard. As well, shoring up th infield for the next 5-6 years with ramirez and pedroia in the middle and youk and lowell in the corners and with eventual 3rd base replacement for mike lowell in jed lowrie

Posted by Bill June 17, 09 02:07 PM

"Matsuzaka recognizes situation"

Good. He has 20/20 vision, then. Send him to the 'pen or Pawtucket. Let's hope he not only recognizes his liabilities, but also the fact that the Sox have a number of other pitchers who deserve a shot at the starting slot he's squandering.

Posted by Mister Snitch June 17, 09 02:15 PM

I think we need to pull the plug. He's a big investment. Cut this year's losses and just focus on arm strenght after a suitable resting period. He's a big part of the next two seasons, and we can cover for him this season.

Posted by VTtoNC June 17, 09 02:18 PM

then take an assignment to AAA!!!!

Posted by mark June 17, 09 02:20 PM

JUST STOP SENDING PLAYERS TO THAT DAMN WBC.

Posted by Joe June 17, 09 02:30 PM

Chad,
Lots of typos. Must have been in a hurry today...

Posted by Jessie_1958 June 17, 09 02:43 PM

"won" not "one" 36 games

Posted by bams June 17, 09 02:44 PM

trade him!!!

Posted by Mike M June 17, 09 02:57 PM

In Tito, we trust.

Posted by Sam Adams June 17, 09 02:59 PM

Can't we just get this guy some eyedrops or something?

Posted by Jerry June 17, 09 03:02 PM

Francona hit on one of the main problems. DIce-K leaves a lot of himself in the bull pen. There is no reason why the guy has to have 50 minutes to warm up. He had a nice beginning against the Phillies the other night by coming out and firing strikes. The rain delay screwed him up. Stop leaving your best game in the bull pen and stop being a nibbler. Coming out firing fastballs

Posted by Phil June 17, 09 03:07 PM

Non American teams took the WBC very seriously. It could be in the middle of the season 2-3 weeks long (no all star break). Or spread though out the season like interleague play?
Money and expanding markets talk. The WBC isn't going anywhere. Get used to it. Don't people want ballplayers to play hard for their teams and not for personal glory and more money? Isn't that exactly what the WBC is?
The injuries will never go away but the WBC is very good for baseball.
Other sports have successfully incorparated international competition along with domestic club games, why can't baseball?

Posted by gc June 17, 09 03:12 PM

I love you idiots and your stupid trade scenarios.

Penny can and might be traded, but he's not drawing a "blue chip prospect". He's on a one year contract. He's not an ace. Would you trade Bowden, or Anderson, or Bucholz for a mediocre half year rental? Oh, throw in a half year rental of a fragile relief pitcher....right. Penny will get you a veteran utility infielder or 4th outfielder. Tops.

The Marlins are not trading Ramirez anytime soon. Give it up.

Posted by Jim in SD June 17, 09 03:13 PM

Bill,

If you called WEEI with your comment (number 21), they would blow you up.

Posted by A June 17, 09 03:13 PM

Matsuzaka is dragging the team down. He affects the game he pitches as well as the next game because the bullpen's been overtaxed. He ends up costing us two games instead of one. You want your best starters to pitch the most games, and we are dragging the team down by putting the worst starter in baseball on the mound once a week. His ERA is higher than Dontrell Willis's!

Posted by Highandinside June 17, 09 03:13 PM

No action can really be taken until Smoltz pitches. Who knows how he'll do.

Posted by Blanche June 17, 09 03:16 PM

send him to the minor leagues and tell him it's an American tradition . . . he won't know the difference, he's from JAPAN.

Posted by colin June 17, 09 03:19 PM

I hope Matsuzaka does great. He's available in my fantasy league and I might pick him up for the K's alone! Throw a no-no Matsuzaka!

Posted by Tomen8r June 17, 09 03:21 PM

Six-man rotation. Beckett and Lester can't be too happy about that.
There's NO WAY the Jays would trade Halladay to the Sox. He's not going to be a FA at the end of the year and there's no way he's traded to a division rival.
Dice is a lame duck. He can't be moved because of his contract. The best option is to keep on running him out there even if he does suck; either that or send him to Ohio for the rest of the season.

Posted by jack June 17, 09 03:21 PM

what if we miss out on the playoffs by a couple of games while we continue every 5th day to let Dice K try to find himself from going all out in the WBC enough already SIT HIM

Posted by decker June 17, 09 03:34 PM

"Francona sticks by Dice-K; move to 'pen unlikely"

Yada yada yada, but the bottom line is this: The Sox have 6 guys for, at most, 5 starting slots. That's with just Smoltz coming in, but Clay and Bowden are also circling the airport. SOMEONE is going SOMEWHERE. Who's it gonna be? Lester? Beckett? You know better than that. Wake? Maybe Wake goes to the pen, just because he's willing, but there's lots of reasons that's unlikely. Who's left? Penny and Dice-K. Yeah, maybe Penny will get cut loose, like everyone's been saying. But Penny's on the rise, while Dice is going nowhere fast, so a Penny trade now is hard to pull the trigger on.

When you ask Francona he'll tell you everyone's starting slot is secure. That's just not possible. Something's gotta give.

Posted by Mister Snitch June 17, 09 03:34 PM

Heck if Francona can stick with David Ortiz than rightfully he should stick with Dice-K...just pull him early regardless.

Posted by walk2run June 17, 09 03:36 PM

I despise the WBC. It's a farce of a baseball tourneyment. It means jack.

Dice-BB will do nothing for us this season thanks to arm fatigue from pitching in that baloney tournament.

Posted by Rick V June 17, 09 03:43 PM

National League. Send him.
Any team with a decent shortstop or shortstop prospect. Send him now.
The single most irritating Red Sox pitcher. Ever. Even more than Matt Young.
End the torture. Not at Gitmo, at Fenway.
Trade him. Now.

Posted by Garden Keeper June 17, 09 03:48 PM

Dice-K has not been right, and I think the WBC is to blame. Selig should mandate that no MLB players participate: Venezuela, Japan, Dominican Republic, etc. are not paying the salaries of these players. Yet the MLB teams get stuck when one of the players who participated for their country goes on DL. And that goes for USA players too! As for what to do now with Dice, I say put him on DL or send him down to AAA to get himself straightened out.

Posted by Petey G. June 17, 09 03:57 PM

you know, there is a reason why boston.com constantly posts minor league scores and updates here on extra bases. and, any one who's paid attention to them or been to pawtucket lately knows not to so much as suggest trading lars anderson. ok? specially when advocating, literally within the same line, for the return of hanley ramirez to the fens. don't some of you fools learn anything? i mean it's infuriating reading so many "possible scenario" posts 'brainstorming' on trades of top rated, farm-system developed prospects for 'name' players for reasons none other than... wait for it... oh yes, their friggin' name. how the hell do you think matsuzaka his doggone self found his way to boston if not bolstered by a "get dice-k at all costs" (sox) nation-wide campaign? ... oh, i'm sorry, i was just polishing prince fielder's mvp trophy, but pray tell genius, who would you like to trade five minutes after fielder or halladay or any other of your look-at-me-i-so-think-outside-the-box acquisitions breaks down or hits a momentary slump? ... or loses it altogether? oh god i'd like to run into you in a dark alley.
but seriously, enough already with the "pride" hogwash in baseball. go back to japan if you want guys to like "respect" your corners or whatever, and spare us the tired, hurt-puppy-eyed schtick. i mean this guy's gotta be the most 'uncoachable' athlete since terrel owens, sans the hot cougar rep or driveway bench pressers, and unless your last name is simpson-romo, why the hell'd you want that?

Posted by ruke June 17, 09 04:02 PM

If he can't throw strikes, what good would he do in the bullpen? What, you're going to bring him in and he'll walk in a few runs before he gets into a groove? There's no way he goes to the 'pen. Let's just hope he straightens things out soon.

Posted by Esrucesrever June 17, 09 04:04 PM

Those people who want to trade Daiske or send him to the minor really don't know the facts. HE CAN'T BE TRADED OR SEND TO THE MIRROR (it's in his contract), wake up people. People who want to send him to the bullpen for mod up duty are really didn't read or listen to Teri's interview. HE CAN'T GO TO THE BULLPEN B/C HE TAKES A LONG TIME TO WARM UP and for other reasons (please read the article). You can't put him to the DL if he is not really hurt. So, please stop all of these BS ideas because you guys don't know the facts. The Redsox can't do anything but to pitch him until he figures it out.

Posted by nguyen June 17, 09 04:11 PM

Bill, Toronto won't trade Halladay, ESPECIALLY for that and especially not to someone in the division.

And Buchholz/Bowden, Anderson and Lugo will NOT land Hanley Ramirez either.

Everyone on the PawSox would go to Toronto and Florida to get those to players. Maybe even some in Portland. It's a pipe dream.

Posted by Jon1498 June 17, 09 04:22 PM

Lots of typos! Who edits this stuff!?

But as for Dice-K, Francona is right, gotta have some patience. This guy didn't win 18 games last year, finish third in the CY Young voting(right?), win the MVP of the WBC, then all of a sudden stink. Baseball is a funny game, gotta give him some time to work it out. How about some support people!? Gotta be behind your guys when it's going bad as well as when it's going good!

Posted by raf69 June 17, 09 04:32 PM

In Bill we trust. In Terry we trust. He was right about Papi. I'll trust his judgment on Dice-K.

Posted by DaddyD June 17, 09 04:47 PM

If no bullpen then it should be the DL...I am OK with the start on Friday but if he does not show improvement or any positive progress whatsoever it is to the DL. Every game is vital in the AL East and we simply cannot allow this guy a start every 5th day to figure things out....he needs to do what is right for the team and step aside....bow his head and shame and find a way to figure things out. There are 100 million reasons why he needs to do this and listen to his employer. This guy has been a joke this season and we have better options we should be exercising. Trading Penny shouldn't be the answer either...he is really coming around and makes this team better.

Posted by David June 17, 09 04:47 PM

Posted by David June 17, 09 04:48 PM

Posted by David June 17, 09 04:49 PM

Posted by David June 17, 09 04:50 PM

Why does Francona have to add an ie on every freakin players name? So insignificant I know, but so juvenile. These are grown men, not little Tommie in 3rd grade.

Posted by lree June 17, 09 04:50 PM

Finally Francona speaks up and tells Boston fans and media to shove it. Your not managing, he is, this isn't NY you just don't sign a man for $100M then toss him aside like a toy you get sick of. Yea he looks bad so far, but remember this is boston, they have one of the most resourceful organizations in the majors, they'll work their way through these issues and come out the other side for the better. Stop asking for trades, or DL, or minors. He's a proven stud the last 2 years and helped take boston to the WS title, relax. Stop acting like New Yorkers.

Posted by dizzzzledogs June 17, 09 04:56 PM

He's not going to AAA. His contract has a clause that says he has to approve any reassignment to the minors. He'll either keep pitching, or they'll send him to work on his problems.

Posted by W June 17, 09 05:02 PM

Dice-K is brutal and his " experiment " should come to an end soon if he doesn't understand how to pitch in the major league. Throwing 60 pitches in 3 innings is not the way you should handle a game and Dice_k should understand that, once and for all..

Posted by Latrappe June 17, 09 05:34 PM

Instead of hedging their bets by signing Penny and Smoltz, they should've just signed Lowe.

Posted by chluke June 17, 09 05:42 PM

I understand that moving dice-k to the bullpen could hurt his confidence further; and I know he won 18 games last year....haven't had time to check - how deep into games did he go last year, my recollection is it wasn't far enough.......maybe it is time to move him into long relief (er, well maybe short knowing dice K)

Posted by redsoxfilly June 17, 09 05:46 PM

Remember that Mazz article earlier this spring...about this being Dice-K's third year...and historically the 3rd year is the roughest for Japanese pitchers? Finally Mazz was bang on.

Posted by mudbugger June 17, 09 06:32 PM

Remember that Mazz article earlier this spring...about this being Dice-K's third year...and historically the 3rd year is the roughest for Japanese pitchers? Finally Mazz was bang on.

Posted by mudbugger June 17, 09 06:32 PM

This is such typical, sappy, gooey, feel good, stand by your man Terry Francona bullsh*t. This is a manager who doesn't know when to lift a pitcher during a game. Why would anyone expect this same manager to know when to sit a pitcher during the season?

Posted by JPC June 17, 09 06:34 PM

If he throws a lot before the game, maybe his arm is tired before throwing the first real pitch. Send him out with a shorter pre-game warm up.

Posted by caseyg5 June 17, 09 07:12 PM

"a pitcher who over the last two years has one, what, 33 regular-season games..."
Funny how transcribers sometimes can do weird things...obviously it should be "has WON, what, 33 regular-season games..."
Lucky he wasn't described as a picture instead of a pitcher...

Posted by John B June 17, 09 09:01 PM

He has "one" 33 games? "This" guys in place of "these" guys? Does anybody proofread this stuf?

Posted by George Lyons June 18, 09 01:16 AM

I like Francona: he finds solutions to problems and doesn't step on players' toes in the process. Last time I looked, all of you second-guessers aren't managing the club, are you? Everyone else who despises these decisions by Francona and the front office can just zip your yappers.

We fans shouldn't also forget that Boston still has the best record in the AL and the second best record in the majors, and Francona has steered the Red Sox to 2 WS championships, so just calm down, people.

Posted by Manila Red Sox Fan June 18, 09 01:54 AM

JPC, you make me laugh, Yankee troll.

Posted by Manila Red Sox Fan June 18, 09 01:59 AM

I just can't see the emergency in this - it's a luxury problem. The Sox have the pitching to allow Dice an opportunity to find his stuff again, give the rest of the rotation a break, and have well-rested, strong stuff all the way into October. Their solutions are probably going to be a lot more interesting than what the comment boards come up with. Enjoy first place and the wins!

Posted by pmc105 June 18, 09 06:41 AM

"This is such typical, sappy, gooey, feel good, stand by your man Terry Francona bullsh*t." WOW, JPC (#60), why don't you tell us how you really feel !! But you are right on about this fraud...he hasn't got the marbles to hold any player accountable. (See Man-Ram, Damon & Pedro)...and the reason he ads "ie" to every player's name is he wants everyone to think he's really tight with his players. And most of all, his name is Terr(ie), not Tito - he is absolutely nothing like his father, who was a tough dude...not all mouth like his offspring.

Posted by samteka June 18, 09 07:38 AM

I can't believe the Red Sox would agree to a 6 year contract with someone who never pitched in the major leagues, yet allow this player a no-trade clause and remove all of his minor league options. That is absurd. So if he sucks for the next few years, there is nothing the team can do about it? And to think for a while during the negotiation that the Sox had Boras by the ear. Turns out they bent over ant ook it from him like they do every other time!

Posted by Ed Sarkavakian June 18, 09 07:49 AM

DiceK HAS A CLAUSE IN HIS CONTRACT for him to play in the WBC...

Posted by Herman June 18, 09 07:57 AM

Dice K should have some honor, the thing his people pretend to value so much, and go down to the minors. Pitching the way he has but refusing to go down is shameless!

Everyone should stop blaming the WBC. Let's face the music: Dice K's stuff is not very good. That's why he nibbled the last two seasons. As soon as he stops nibbling, the balls got hit a long way. He himself knows the fact too well!

It's only down hills from here for the National Treasure.

Posted by Face The Fact June 18, 09 08:56 AM

By the way...

Lugo is a Yugo... again!

Posted by Nevadin June 18, 09 09:45 AM

Dice-K is a BIG BIG problem! Warming up 50 pitches, 1st 3 innings 50 pitches,
out of game after 100 pitches! Get used to it Red Sox Nation, Dice-K has NO
easy answers - what Tito will NOT do: 1. Send down 2. Pen 3. DL (unless he is really hurt), so, what we WILL see is Dice-K pitching with the Red Sox for a long,
long time, better or worse. For me, it will be worse, but hey, that's life.

dice-K

Posted by Ron Richardson June 18, 09 12:38 PM

Couple facts guys:
1) Dice-K has a stipulation in his contract that states he has to agree to any reassignment. Does anyone seriously think he'll go to Pawtucket willingly?
2) Dice-K can not go on the DL just for the hell of it. Its not there to be used as vacation time.
His contract is the major problem for the Red Sox, and its written in the best interests of Dice-K, not the Sox.
Now, figure out how you get thru this under these constraints in aPOSITIVE way(not a knee jerk reaction) for everyone, not just Dice-K.

Posted by Davey Boy June 20, 09 06:29 PM

Do any of you red news or on baseball b4 you make comments prob not Most you say put him in minors or TRADE HIM but if you paid attention in his CONTRACT it states he remains in boston ONLY in mlb Cant get traded or play in the minors so those oppitions are out he has to play in boston till 2015

Posted by drake June 24, 09 03:45 AM