What about Buchholz?

Just relax boys... you both will be in Boston in September and then next season... We the fans look forward to the great things you will both do in Boston over the next decade plus.

Buchholz has nothing to complain about. He was given an opportunity last year and failed miserably. If he pitches well last year we aren't having this conversation.

Laptop should calm down and remember that it was his putrid pitching last year that puts him in the position he is now.

Trade Bucholz now. Hes a punk and his trade value will never be higher than it currently is.

The Red Sox need to do what the Atlanta Braves did with Tom Glavine and Tommy Hanson. They need to tell John Smoltz bye-bye and go with the young talent. There is no need to Buchholz to languish in the minors - there is nothing more for him to learn. The Red Sox are treading on dangerous territory by assuming a 42-year old pitcher with 5 surgeries is going to really help the Sox at all.

Buchholz, a huge migrane in the making. I wondered what the issues were with this guy, now it's obvious. His head rivals that of a pumpkin and his teammates seem to notice as well. While he was up in Boston, he'd sit at the end of the top of the steps, wearing his shades, trying to look the part. Perhaps now more than ever, the Red Sox brass realise it might not only be his age and immaturity, but his true personality. They knew when they drafted him there was baggage and not the carry on type. His comments, although prevoked by that hack reporter, were illadvised..He said"I talk to my agent quiter a bit", meaning,can you get me trasded so I can pitch in the big leagues for someone else. ME ME ME, with this guy, a spoiled brat is who he sounds like. He stunk last year period,and needs to prove he not only learned from his mistakes but that he's a team player. He he needs to keep his mouth shut and go out, do his job, and be a team player.
Johnny

tn, exactly. Thanks for posting that comment. Buchholz was not just bad, he was historically AWFUL last year for the Red Sox. That's why they went out and got Penny and Smoltz in the first place.

I wish Buchholz would shut up. What is he even talking about a 'logjam'? He was up in the majors for an entire year. He had his chance up in the majors. Now he has to wait for another chance. I wish they would just trade him so we dont have to listen to this guy whine about everything for the next decade. Bowden seems like a class act and someone you want up here.

Bring up Bucholz. Lose Dice-K

Come up and pitch another no-hitter like Lester did after he went down to Pawtucket.. If he continues to complain he will be traded according to Theo trading the moaners as Manny and Nomar. Get smart and shut your mouth or you could end up in Washington, Miami, or Cinncinatti.

I am with tn.

The Red Sox are doing their best to keep the nagging at bay because in 2010 they want to sport the following rotation:

Beckett
Lester
Matsuzaka
Buchholz
Bowden

This will probably be Wake's last year as a starter, and if he chooses to continue playing, it will likely have to be from the bullpen. Buchholz needs to chill and realize there is light at the end of the tunnel. They're not abandoning him; in fact, they're just trying to keep him fresh down there. He just doesn't fir on the 2009 Red Sox very well (at least not yet).

I feel so very fortunate that tn is not the Sox GM. First, I really don't hear Buchholz complaining. He's frustrated, sure (who wouldn't be), but he's not pulling a Hansen-DelCarmen and pouting. Second, you might look at the stats of Jim Palmer (and if you haven't heard of Palmer, take your crabbiness and go home). Palmer was a World Series hero in his rookie year yet was send back to the minors for two years to further his baseball education. tn, you sound as if you're ready to sell Buchholz down the river because he upsets your delicate sensibilities. I suggest you not quit your day job; I don't think they're keeping the GM chair warm for ya.

Buchholz is a totally different kid/pitcher...He has grown up immensely. He has said before he recognizes he needed to mature and last year was a growing experience for him. He has this confidence and swagger this year, especially during that interview with Giardi like he belongs in the bigs and he'd do well. I love it and love the Red Sox depth. Bowden is going to be a solid #3 or #4 and looks very tough. It's great to be a Red Sox fan.

I agree with tn.. Clay created this situation for himself... Success at Pawtucket is not going to automatically translate to success in the MLB. Smoltz is a proven commodity who, if healthy, will immediately help the Sox.. Clay is still a question mark.

I hear ya tn. Buchholz last year is like DiceK this year. And since it's ALL ABOUT MONEY we have to suck it up and just endure DiceK's miserableness. DiceK of 2009 and Buchholz of 2008 would get hammered every stinking time they took the mound. Take it to the bank: RS trailing 5-1 in the fifth every time. It'll be interesting over the next several days and weeks to see what the RS FO comes up with.

They could test Smoltz and Buchholz when the rotation faces injuries to decide who should come up as a primary starter should Penny be traded for a utility infielder at the trade deadline. Smoltz is in the late years of his career and his activity with Boston could be a final hurrah like when Olerud was a fantastic though temporary first baseman for us. Buchholz could come up for spot-starting this season-post trade deadline and then full-time when we lose Smoltz (whether that be to retirement or another team's contract offer).

Buchholz needs to pull it back a bit. He is coming off a horrible year last year in the Majors and has put togeather a few good months in Pawtucket. I think he still has things to prove to this organization before he gets his chance in the Majors again. Penny and Smoltz will be gone next year which opens up a spot in the starting rotation. He needs to continue to pitch well for Pawtucket wait for September and then prove he deserves to play with the big boys.

maybe Dice-K could use a few starts watching games vs pitching them.

What about Buchholz?? OK, he had a no-no, but his outings in the majors since indicate that was most likely a fluke. It was one exciting "W", but the Sox need a pitcher who can get a whole bunch of "W"s. As they say, you rise to your level of mediocrity. AAA is his comfort zone, and he'll sell tickets in Pawtucket. However, if other teams think he has potential, put one over on them and trade him to Boston's advantage.

"Buchholz has nothing to complain about. He was given an opportunity last year and failed miserably. If he pitches well last year we aren't having this conversation."

He ISN'T complaining. He's saying he feels ready to be in the show, and he wishes he were doing just that. That's not a complaint.

Like TN said.

I think Buch should be up now but there is no where to put him. There is no way that the sox trade him for anything less that a sure fire major league SS. Or two top prospects.

Dear Clay,
Please shut your mouth and continue to do well in the minors. The Sox stuck by you last year and you did not deliver. If you continue to do well then we'll see in in Boston at some point. Are you still dating that Playmate?

tn - Totally agree with you, buch needs to shut up...he had his big chance and crapped it. He'll get another chance, but he better not blow it when it comes...

I don't know if this mean's anything to the Sox but I just read that Hanley Ramirez got into a fight with the Marlins manager, maybe the Marlins will be looking for a trade and we have the pitching they need

the kid needs to shut up and continue learning in aaa. he gad a no-no against baltimore, whooopie. he sucked last year and he can wait till next year when penny and smoltz r gone. wait your turn kid and shut it please, till you learn there needs to be a few more good starts in aaa, september is not that far or injurys.

Time to trade Buchholz, move Dice K back to Japan, and bring Smoltz and Bowden into the rotation. I'm tired of cry-baby Clay feeling sorry for himself and begging for one more chance. As for Dice K, way too much money to begin with for a pitcher who simply doesn't get it no matter how much patience he has been given as he nibbles away and gives up home runs. Please get rid of this guy so the team doesn't have to carry him through many more games which he will do his best to nibble away. And who can make sense out of moving Masterson
to the pen and bringing Dice K back into the rotation? Dumb, dumb.

can't bury the guy cause he wasn't ready last year. Sure looks like he is ready NOW.........Dice-W is unwatchable.......Love to see Buch at Fenway again with the crowd behind him......

Theo overpaid for Dice-K, overpaid for JD Drew, overpaid for Julio Lugo, and had nothing to do with bringing Beckett to Boston (that trade was in the making before Theo had his job). The Red Sox are actually winning DESPITE Theo's decisions. Now a kid like Buchholz is itching to take off because Brad Penny is in his way!?? Just you wait. If Clay is too outspoken Boston will trade him away for a top shortstop like the broken down and worthless Furcal, the head-case Hardy in Milwaukee, or, God help us, Jack freakin' Wilson. There is no person in Boston sports more overrated than Theo Epstein.

Trade no one. We're just one tweaked hammy or blown elbow away from an open spot. Pitching wins championships. Hoard as much pitching as possible.

Perfectly understandable. You have a good young player. you WANT him to ask for the ball. Good for him, keep up the good pitching and you'll end up in the bigs shortly. I think Wake should go to the bull pen, he is a GREAT innings eater/mop up man and that is very important on a good team. He keeps the other guys from piling up innings that could hurt them in crunch time. He can come in during the 3-4th inning and go 6 or 7 protecting your bull pen, very valuable. Now we have to use 3-4 guys to perform the same job.

Perfectly understandable. You have a good young player. you WANT him to ask for the ball. Good for him, keep up the good pitching and you'll end up in the bigs shortly. I think Wake should go to the bull pen, he is a GREAT innings eater/mop up man and that is very important on a good team. He keeps the other guys from piling up innings that could hurt them in crunch time. He can come in during the 3-4th inning and go 6 or 7 protecting your bull pen, very valuable. Now we have to use 3-4 guys to perform the same job.

All of your are mental for falling into this fake controversy with Buchholz. Of course he wants to pitch in the majors, he feels like he's ready, his performance for the pawsox suggests he's ready (again), he's a year older, a year wiser, and has major league experience. We know what he can do. Very few young pitchers who start out as strong never struggle later. Maybe he should never have thrown a no-hitter. Then you'd all quit B**ching. Some of you are so quick to turn...allowing the media incite resentment to build public opinion for a trade. Buchholz should get one more solid look in the majors before he's traded...of course, he if succeeds, they won't trade him, and if he sucks, this value will go down. Thank go Theo doesn't listen to the media or any of you, or else it would be 90 years and counting.

Penny ERA last year (in a pitcher-friendly park): 6.27
Penny ERA this year: 5.32

(I was ready to trash Dice K, too, until I realized he had a sub-3 ERA last year. I always thought DiceK gave up too many hits, but I guess he gets the job done.) Just get rid of Penny and call him this year's Bartolo. Bring in Smolz, let Buch have some spot starts, look forward to Buch being a 30-start guy next year.

I don't think he's whining. I think he's 24 and all scouts say he's going to be something special. No shame in asking for a shot. I also don't hold his performance last year against him. Even last year scouts said he's got good stuff, just wasn't ready at the time. Well, he's looking good now.

TN's idea sounds more appropriate for what was done about the Craig Hansen. With Hansen leaving his glory days at college, and Manny testing positive for steroidal substances, the acquisition of Bay only really cost us Brandon Moss. . In comparison to bad investments like Hansen or Carl Pavano's days in NY, Buch is earning his way back to the bigs. All that he needs is a little more patience.
Without trying to sound pessimistic or anything, the Red Sox, constantly have injured starters. Late in the season, we're going to need strong pitchers to act as understudies.

To the Bulcholz haters:

What makes y'all think you're smarter than BOSOX management and all those analysts out there who say Buchholz will be a top of the rotation starter? If the Sox were concerned about his makeup they would have gotten rid of him before now. You message board "gurus" need to get a life.

Someone need to put last years stats sheet in his locker and tell him to chill. he pitches well last year we are likely in the world series. He also needs to talk to one Kevin Youkilis who had a long back and forth to the minors and was always the talk of trades. Youk being Youk just shut his mouth and played and is now a huge fan favorite, nice contract and key cog on the team

Buch is a Soxer, simply put. He's getting it. In believe that the next time he comes up, he'll solidify a spot in the rotation. He just needs to keep doing what he's doing and be patient.

I loved Buchholz's interview. It was very candid for a professional athlete, and I did not sense any sort of over the top, ego-maniacal outlandishness coming from Buchholz. He did not appear to be trying to grind any axe with the front office through the media. He is simply a professional athlete who realizes that he cannot play forever and he wants a chance to make good on his talents while he still has them. Yes, he did get a chance last year, and may not have put forth maximum effort while in Boston. I believe however, that his time languishing in the minors has given him perspective on his career and life in general. It is time for Boston to make whatever moves necessary to get him into their rotation. He has ace stuff. A pitcher like him does not come around often. If it costs Dice-K his starting spot, so be it. I can't stand to watch him nit-pick at hitters, anyway. Bring up Buchholz ASAP!!!

Why not a rotation of Beckett, Lester, Wakefield, Bucholz, Smoltz...move Penny to middle relief for now, and send Dice-K back to Japan!

Buchholz wasn't that bad last year.

His ERA was awful, but he managed 72 K's in 76 innings, had a complete game and didn't walk terribly more batters as he did the year before. It was the long ball that killed him - 11 homers in 15 starts - and that's now clearly under control.

Remember, this isn't a kid that pitched a no-hitter and otherwise stunk, indicating it was a fluke (as some here suggest). He had amazing numbers in his 4 appearances in '07 (going 3-1), showed some flashes of brilliance in '08 (6 shutout innings against Texas at Fenway, 9 K's on the road against the Rays) and has consistently dominated at the minor league level.

It gets to a point where holding back a young kid like this does more harm than good. There isn't much more for Clay to learn in Triple A - it's time he starts in the majors again.

Sure, the Sox could trade him, but I think that would be a trade we'd all be regretting for years to come.

Buchholz wasn't that bad last year.

His ERA was awful, but he managed 72 K's in 76 innings, had a complete game and didn't walk terribly more batters as he did the year before. It was the long ball that killed him - 11 homers in 15 starts - and that's now clearly under control.

Remember, this isn't a kid that pitched a no-hitter and otherwise stunk, indicating it was a fluke (as some here suggest). He had amazing numbers in his 4 appearances in '07 (going 3-1), showed some flashes of brilliance in '08 (6 shutout innings against Texas at Fenway, 9 K's on the road against the Rays) and has consistently dominated at the minor league level.

It gets to a point where holding back a young kid like this does more harm than good. There isn't much more for Clay to learn in Triple A - it's time he starts in the majors again.

Sure, the Sox could trade him, but I think that would be a trade we'd all be regretting for years to come.

Keep Buchholz. Dump most of these idiotic posters.

Trade Clay.
Get a terrible feeling watching that clip. He may get his head on straight some day, but it's not close now. Guessing he's a tumor in the clubhouse.
Bowden, on the other hand seems like a great addition.

What a bonehead! If a trade were in the works, I'm sure that little interview is not going to help. He comes across as Immature, cocky and not a team first kind of guy. Way to go Clay.

I'd like to see Dice K go back on the DL. That would be optimum. Some day, I hope to hear that his WBC Manager got shot in the face by an irate Red Sox fan, who subsequently successfully copped Diplomatic Immunity.

In that scenario, I'd love to see Smoltz take the 4th spot in the Rotation, and let'er rip. That would enhance our Return on Penny by two means: First, we could, as JR suggests, enhance his perceived value by giving him time to work down his ERA, which does, indeed, not effectively reflect the quality of his recent performance...and Second, by easing the traffic up, we'd eliminate the ~ accurate ~ perception that we're under the gun to make a move...and can, instead, put the screws to anyone needing to make a move. Indeed, the dawning resurgence of Papi, combined with the solid play of Green at ShortStop, and, hopefully, the approaching return of Lowrie...would ALL conspire to GREATLY enhance our bargaining position in the eventual Penny trade, more so with each passing day! By holding off, rather than making an hasty move, our Return on Investment could be VERY nice, INDEED!

In other words: A Penny saved, is a Penny earned.

I'll just see my own way out...

Regarding Dice K...

I'd love to see him recommence his recovery from the WBC ~ DL, baby! ~ allowing us the time and leisure to enhance our bargaining position with Penny's services.

Failing that, I say dump him in the bullpen, where we let him rest that weary arm for a month or so, and bring Masterson back for a few turns. That would annoy the crap out'f me, but we can move forward a lot more effectively with a dead spot at the bottom of our bullpen, than with a dead spot in our Rotation.

Then, when it looks like he's rested and recovered, I'd switch him back.

Yes. I am DELIBERATELY excluding You Know Who from this phase of the solution, and there's a reason for it; a good one I think.

First off, we give our team an excellent chance to win every single day, instead of 4 out of 5 days, with everyone cringing every time Dice K's due to go.

Second, we don't mess around with anyone in AAA. Been there, done that. Give the lad a chance to develop so much confidence that he's ready to KILL somebody...and God knows: He's almost there!

Third, by giving Dice K a chance to heal ~ or, if health isn't his problem: to find his Game, once again! ~ and then come back and start a few, we would have the option, by the end of July, of either trading him for Value ~ because we DAMNED sure wouldn't get anything for him NOW, and would be forced to eat his bloated salary! ~ or moving Wakefield into the Bullpen.

Dumping Dice K NOW...would be a sheer DISASTER. Why not wait 6 weeks and let things evolve, probably, to our GREAT advantage?

And THEN...oh, yes, THEN...Bring up HIM.

Clay Buchholz.

Josh Beckett.
John Lester.
Clay Buchholz.
John Smoltz.

And the best bullpen in the WORLD.

My GOD.

With Papi appearing to finally be finding his way out'f the darkness...and with Green and the prospect of Lowrie ~ and perhaps even Lugo's healing from surgery? ~ finally assuaging the bleeding at ShortStop...and with Lester and Beckett starting to REALLY rock and roll...and with Buchholz steaming our way with a full head of steam...Do y'all realize we could be on the verge of ANNIHILATING the field???

This season could be HISTORIC. I'm talking CRAZY sheyott; 108 wins, and noise like that!F

The comments shows night and day. Buchholz casually works in the trade comment, on a weekend no less when there are less readers. (it was a weekend, right??). Yes, he had a chance and it didn't work out, but he certainly deserves another. As mentioned, his trade value is pretty high right now. Will he turn out to be just a great AAA pitcher or will he have success in the majors? Maybe his chance will be with another team.

Bowden towed the company line, as all wanna-be MLB players should. He is excited to be in the organization and can't wait to not only pitch, but to hang out with his professional teammates.

These two are coming from two different directions right now. Besides, maybe if Buchholz was pitching for the Sox all year, he might be the candidate to be sent back to Pawtucket for Big John. We will never know.

Let us all wait till after the All Star Game and than talk about Buchholz,Bowden and a few others like Smoltz, Dice K as examples. Enough said.

You Red Sox Nation members are quite quick to part with a young, power arm like Buchholz just because he stated he wanted to play in the big leagues. Please...continue your stupidity and maybe you'll trade that rare arm for a band aid like Michael Young.

Trade Buchholz NOW!!!!

I think Dice-K has never really settled in to the American game. There are just too many differences from the Japanese. Culture shock may be part of it too. I suspect he regrets the whole thing, even with the money. Could be wrong, but he looks like someone who is just not comfortable with himself. So - Bullpen for him - and bring up Clay. I thought his comments in the interview were very reasonable.

BTW, Tomen8jr, Bowden never TOWED the company line - (what the heck would that mean?) He TOED it - as in putting your feet where you're told, standing in exactly the right place.

Head case. Forget the no-hitter. It was an anomaly. Trade bucholz now and get our future catcher or third baseman. Bucholz' value likely will never be higher.

Beckett
Lester
Buchholz
Penny/Smoltz
Wake

get rid of the way overpriced talentless hack Dice-K, trade whomever brings greater value between Penny and Smoltz (assuming Smoltz hasn't lost it totally)

sometimes tactical instead of strategic thinking, brings you the title

som

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Major attutude from Bucholz! I can't imagine that will sit well with Theo and the Trio!
Bowden on the other hand has company man written all over him! It will be very interesting to watch how this shakes out.

Send Matsuzaka to some minor league team where he can continue his miserable pitching and nobody will care. I saw him pitch in Tokyo during the World Baseball classic where he was brilliant, but he shot his arm out before the MLB season began. He won the world title for Japan, and maybe he can win a title for Boston's Salem VA team--but get him out of here now.

Send Matsuzaka to some minor league team where he can continue his miserable pitching and nobody will care. I saw him pitch in Tokyo during the World Baseball classic where he was brilliant, but he shot his arm out before the MLB season began. He won the world title for Japan, and maybe he can win a title for Boston's Salem VA team--but get him out of here now.

After ignoring Red Sox requests concerning "use of Dice K" - maybe the WBC manager could find a spot for his star back home - and arrange to send us Yu Darvish in exchange.

Yep, patience is probably a good idea SC. In the meantime, they're winning games. What a luxury problem, all these good or potentially good pitchers. An enjoyable time to be a RS fan.

It used to take pitchers five years to mature and develop before reaching the big leagues. Then, with the obsession with a radar gun, GMs forgot to let pitchers learn how to pitch (i.e. locate all their pitches, not just a fastball). Hansen is a most recent example of a front office mistake in not forcing a pitcher to develop in the minors. Clearly Buchholz still needs to grow up. As he matures, he'll be able to handle pressure situations better. Let him stay in Pawtucket.

I said this in a previous posting but does anyone fine it odd that they rained out the Pawsox game with Bucholz on the mound and it wasn't even really raining? Now they are saying that Buch won't even be pitching for another 4 days instead of pushing his start back to tonight. Anyone think that this is an odd sequence of events? Maybe Buch is heading out of town or someone else is and he is coming to Boston. . . . might be looking too much into this but I found it odd.

What, besides his good MINOR LEAGUE numbers and the fact that reporters stuck a microphone in his face, give Buchholz the right to complain? Notwithstanding one good game two years ago, he has yet to prove that he's a major league talent. He may be able to whine like a superstar, but we have yet to see him pitch like one.

What, besides his good MINOR LEAGUE numbers and the fact that reporters stuck a microphone in his face, give Buchholz the right to complain? Notwithstanding one good game two years ago, he has yet to prove that he's a major league talent. He may be able to whine like a superstar, but we have yet to see him pitch like one.

I say they trade penny, send Dice K down until he works out the kinks and bring up buchholz to trade off starts with smoltz since smoltz might have to skip starts anyways...
Buchholz is still young and has so much potential...

Mowing down AAA hitters is swell.
The point here is Buchholz was up in "The Show" last year and was "shallacked".
Mentally, he also was beat down harder than a prison riot.
He was sent back to Double-A Portland's Instructional Leagues to recover (between the ears) as well mechanically.
Now, he's back to mowing through AAA hitters.
Great.... but his insurgance now on "I need to be in the bigs" still (to me) shows the immaturity between the ears -
Bowden (who is just as talented) knows he's a year or so away and wants to remain where he is, so when he does come up, he isn't the next Craig Hansen.
"THAT" is maturity between the ears and mental toughness.

Whining, Clay?
When you are in a winning franchise, and yes....maybe a year from returning to The Show? Feel free to go pitch for The Orioles of Pittsburgh Pirates like Craig Hansen ended up.

Or....ZIP IT & learn mental toughness like Bowden, so when your day comes (and it will) you are ready.

Choose....

Post #65 - It's not that easy.
Dice-K has it in his contract that he can't be sent to the Minors. (Without his own agreeing to do so). He was successful in 2007 with near 15 wins. In 2008 was 18-3 not by mistake !!
Yes, Dice-K's culture relegated that Team Japan was extremely important (country) to him for the WBC and he blew it all out there. He will recover fine. This is all way too-hasty.
He may not be "exciting to watch" - but opponents batting average against him is below league average....with bases loaded opponents batting average is .000
He picks and pokes and dances around the strike-zone but gets it done when the crunch is on. His last start can't even be used as an example when he pitches 1 flawless inning and 1 hour 40 minutes later he is re-warming up after a rain-delay. I don't know many pitchers that do that. The Phillies starter didn't.

Odd-man out is Penny. He currently looks like our horse....but you trade him while his value is high. He's on a 1-year deal anyways, so even if he has a great season you aren't going to pay him what he will demand in Free-Agency for 2010 at 32 years old.
Trade Penny while his value is high and teams need pitching. Get back "quality".
You have Smoltz....and if he busts....you can go to Buchholtz or Bowden. (Or even Masterson back in the starting rotation).

You aren't keeping Penny past 2009 - irregardless .... so trade while he's got high value.

Post #65 - It's not that easy.
Dice-K has it in his contract that he can't be sent to the Minors. (Without his own agreeing to do so). He was successful in 2007 with near 15 wins. In 2008 was 18-3 not by mistake !!
Yes, Dice-K's culture relegated that Team Japan was extremely important (country) to him for the WBC and he blew it all out there. He will recover fine. This is all way too-hasty.
He may not be "exciting to watch" - but opponents batting average against him is below league average....with bases loaded opponents batting average is .000
He picks and pokes and dances around the strike-zone but gets it done when the crunch is on. His last start can't even be used as an example when he pitches 1 flawless inning and 1 hour 40 minutes later he is re-warming up after a rain-delay. I don't know many pitchers that do that. The Phillies starter didn't.

Odd-man out is Penny. He currently looks like our horse....but you trade him while his value is high. He's on a 1-year deal anyways, so even if he has a great season you aren't going to pay him what he will demand in Free-Agency for 2010 at 32 years old.
Trade Penny while his value is high and teams need pitching. Get back "quality".
You have Smoltz....and if he busts....you can go to Buchholtz or Bowden. (Or even Masterson back in the starting rotation).

You aren't keeping Penny past 2009 - irregardless .... so trade while he's got high value.

In response to line #13 Jim Palmer. Isn't he the guy who did the undewear commercials before Michale Jordan. Yea thats the ticket. I know who Jim Palmer is, now tell me this smarty pants, name me the 4 Oriole starters in 1968 that won 20 games.

Clay is a great AAA pitcher . . not a major league pitcher!

Clay's situation is not to be blamed on himself but rather the amount of success he has achieved so early in his career. Throwing a no-hitter in his second major league start, how many pitchers have done that? Clay unfortunately did not encounter to many tough situations during his quick rise through the minors until he was thrown into the number five spot last season. Now in the spotlight with all this hype surrounding him and the toughness of facing big league hitters he wasn't sure how to handle everything. Precisely why he participated in the Arizona Fall League, to get his head straight. The Red Sox front office does know exactly what they drafted in Clay Buchholz, a top of the rotation starter for years to come. Just a personal opinion but he is no such punk as stated in prior posts. You have to understand his frustrations and eagerness to contribute where he should be contributing, IN BOSTON. Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka,Clay Buccholz and Michael Bowden sounds like a very good starting 5 to me. Once again just an opinion.
Hopefully in the near distant future there is some team out there that needs a number 4 or 5 starter like Brad Penny and will give the Red Sox a reasonable farm league talent back just to create space in the rotation for Smoltz. Then with all do sense right now absolutely place Dice in the pen until he irons things out and can co-contribute in spot starts while Buch fills in the open place in the rotation.

I think some of you think it is so easy to be out there abusing your body trying to get as much out of a career as you can. #1 - People aren't perfect, yes Clay had his chance, he struggled, he was young, he learned from his experience. #2-He now obviously feels confident that he can do the job and would like another stab at it, isn't that what matters most? #3 - He knows pitchers have a short career and wants to make the best of it. He's already said he's very grateful to be where he's at, what more does anyone want from him. I say get off the soap box and if the other pitchers aren't cutting it, give him a try.

I'm not hearing a lot of love from Buch with regards to the Sox organization. Doesn't sound like a team player to me. Look at Bowden; he's talking with maturity by understanding that the time now is to the time develop and get those mistakes out of his system where they don't really hurt the organization. After last year's mess, Buch is a clear example of why you don't rush players to the bigs. I guess it's all about him, though.

Memo to Clay:

If you had taken care of business last year, you'd still be in the bigs. I'm not saying that your head was in girly magazines, but you have to ***take responsibility*** for the fact that you sucked wind last year.

Thanks for listening... Now, the next time you have a chance in the bigs- make something of it! 'Til then... minor league pitchers should be seen and not heard.

There are a couple of knowledgeable posters here and a bunch of dolts!

It should be said that, if I were employed in the Red Sox front office, I wouldn't want to have a guy in my farm system who wasn't hungry for a promotion. It shows that Clay is hungry… and, IMO, that’s a good thing.

The bottom line is that Clay has done everything he’s been asked to do in the minors this season... and he has done so brilliantly. He is chomping at the bit for a call-up to the big leagues, and rightfully so.

I don’t blame him for being frustrated, but there is a bigger picture here that the Sox front office must keep in mind. If I were counseling Clay, I would ask him to be patient awhile longer.

The Sox have to navigate a minefield — they don’t want to do anything that will diminish the value of any of their potential trade chips. And they shouldn’t.

Clay is still very young. He took a big step back last season (sometimes you HAVE TO take a step back so you can take two or three steps forward). The front office did not know what to expect from him this year. They did the responsible thing that any business manager SHOULD do -- they planned for a worst-case-scenario knowing that anything better than worst-case would leave them in the cat-bird's seat.

And THAT is precisely where they find themselves now.

As I have said on my website REPEATEDLY: I still expect that Clay will be in Boston later this season — sometime after the ASG — and that he will never again find himself in Pawtucket.

Those of you who wanna ship him out of town will be the same band-wagon riders who, a year or two from now, will declare that you ALWAYS knew how good he would be. Phooey!

He has off-the-charts talent... once-in-a-lifetime kind of talent. His arm was ahead of his head last year because he is SO GOOD that he never experienced failure. He had to take the step back, re-group, figure some stuff out.

He went to Arizona. He went to Pawtucket. He has applied himself... studied... learned... applied himself. And he has again found success!

If he has rediscovered a little of the cockiness he lost last year I say GREAT!!! All truly great athletes have a little cockiness... few great athletes have none. I, for one, PRAY he has found his mojo again.

I cannot wait until he arrives in Boston for good... because he is going to be an OUTSTANDING major league pitcher.

Those of you who wanna ship him outta town, go join the Yankees fans in the Bronx -- cuz they are PRAYING the Sox will do something stupid like trade Clay.

Gawd!

I'm really surprised to read all the Buchholz hate in these comments.

I always hear announcers talk about the "knowledgeable" fans in Boston, but judging from these comments, I'd have to guess they're dead wrong about that one.

Buchholz has three plus pitches and is talented enough to dominate in the major leagues for years to come. And you'd dump him because he opens his mouth and says he wants to play?? He wasn't ready last year, but this year is showing the kind of dominance in AAA that will translate readily to the major leagues. Still, all you can do is berate him for his performance while he was learning the ropes last year?

That's incredibly shortsighted. Worse than that, it's downright stupid. Yes, that's right -- all of you clamoring for Clay Buchholz to be traded are IDIOTS. Bow your heads in shame and eat some brain food. You need it. Meanwhile, it's better for everyone involved if you keep your ill-considered opinions to yourselves so as not to advertise your pathetic foolishness. Seriously, your self-righteous criticisms are more than embarrassing. You disgust me.

Unreal. Young guy wants to pitch for the big team. How many would like it if he said that he loved pitching in AAA? Buch made his point, now zip it. Keep pitching really well in AAA and wait for one of the older guys to tweak something. It's coming. I wouldn't move him. He's going to be goooooood.