If not, read on! Apparently Clemens is now claiming that Lidocaine and [vitamin] B-12 are what McNamee injected into him, not HGH or steriods.

Does he really think people are gonna believe him? If this was true, why wouldn't he have first told Mitchell that when he gave him the chance to defend himself way before the report ever came out? Why were these being injected into his butt, when that's not how they are normally administered (especially B-12 which is normally taken in pill form)? Why is McNamee's lawyer ready to sue Clemens for defamation?

Also, B-12? Is it just a coicedence that the drug they chose to claim he was being injected with is the same drug Palmerio used as a defense when he claimed that a tainted B-12 supply from Tejada was what caused him to test positive? Is B-12 becoming the scapegoat drug? Like maybe it is well know to trigger positive results when tainted so people are claiming it was that, a legal drug, that they infact took?

Wasting my whole day reading about the whole Santana issue everywhere in hopes of catching new news I got sick of so many Yankee fans overrating Melky and claiming is a better bargaining chip then Ellsbury, let alone Coco, so I decided to finally put this issue to rest:

Easiest way to do this, compare Coco (who RSN considers expendible and too weak of a hitter) to Melky. Let me start off by noting that Coco had 526 AB and Melky had 545 AB, so their numbers are comparable. Also, Melky had 450 ABs in the previous year and if his numbers got multiplied to equal 540 ABs again, both years are pretty identical.

Continue reading this post »

This seems to be spread across multiple various posts so thought I would try to compile the options and thoughts. I had a comment about the Cabrera option and couldn't figure out where to post it, so I thought an updated universal diary might be helpful (go ahead and delete it Randy or Allen if it's not at all helpful):

Continue reading this post »

Bear with me, I'm a business guy so I like to look at teh business implications on baseball. As within all businesses, the market not only reacts to supply and demand (i.e. last year there was high demand for SP, low supply, hench ridiculous contract to mediocure SP), but also the market reacts to the market itself, and I wonder if the market reacts to the fact that outrageous contracts were given last year did not provide a good return, making them less willing to throw money at FA in another weak FA market (example, no one has even come close to Boras's demands for A-Rod)

It has happened before in baseball history (I think it was Kirk Gibson after winning ALCS MVP 1984 couldn't get anyone to sign him and ended up resigning with Detriot for a pay cut. Obviously this is an extreme example as it was ruled the owners were guilty of collusion that year)

Now there are some speculating that there was collusion again. Looks like the GMs and owners took the right course to make sure it was not collusion, but still, them meeting and taking about goals could easily mean that infact the owners are reacting to last year's FA signings and are backing away from a repeat.

How does this effect Red Sox? Well maybe Lowell won't get the crazy offers we feared (he's been on the market a couple days and already the only reported 4 year offers have all been denied and disproved so far), and though he is sure to get a 4 year offer from someone, maybe it won't be big enough to convince him to say goodbye to Fenway

Apparently Dan Duquette is the front runner candidate to become the new Pirates GM next year.

He always seemed to be a GM that needed a big payroll, so I really don't see him working out with the Pirates, but I guess you never know

Seems like there is a good possibility that Clay will get his fenway debut this weekend

Personally, this is one I can't wait to see

On a side note (but Clay related), Clay has been one of 5 nominated for the USA TODAY top minor leaguer

[editor's note, by Allen Chace]I'm hoping two things with this: One, Clay will absolutely dominate on Friday for 6 and then be pulled. Two, that unless he stays up in a relief role, he's sent back down for the duration. He's almost at his IP total from last season, and anyone (no one here has said this, just saying) who is looking at the possibility of him replacing Lester (especially if he has a bad start tonight), should remember to think of Clay's long-term health. Get his total IP up to maybe 135-140 this season and then shut him down. Then he'll be prepared for a near-full workload of 160-165 IP next season.

I don't know what this guys problem is but out of no where he attacks Wakefield, who has been nothing but a class act who does his thing with out seeking out media attention or the big dollars. He's been nothing but a perfect example of what all baseball players should aspire to be, both on and off the field (with his contributions to the community). I don't know if Wakefield wronged this guy some how in the past, but the whole article is riddled with unwarrented attacks:

"the commissioner of baseball .... [needs to] start looking into how Tim Wakefield has managed to get away with his act for the past 15 years."

Get away with what?? I can't point to one thing that Wake has been doing wrong.

"...how in the world has Wakefield been able to draw a major-league paycheck since 1992 with the kind of stuff you generally see at a family barbecue?"

Are you kidding me? You honestly would take anyone else in the majors then Wake? Really?? Is this a sick joke? If anything he's getting much less then what his set of skills should be making thanks to his love for Boston and for simply playing the game. He has probably one of the greatest hometown discounts in history.

"His knuckleball, or whatever you want to call it, is a bigger menace to the game than steroids, growth hormone or Clomid will ever be."

...what?? you can't be serious

"Wakefield may very well be the least entertaining player ever to appear in a major-league uniform"

I honestly don't get where this hatred is coming from. The way he makes the ball dance with his knuckle ball is probably one of the most interesting and enjoyable things to watch

"And the only thing slower than Wakefield's knuckler is the time he wastes in between throwing it."

If you head over to firejoemorgan.com and see their commentary on this article, you'll see they prove this to be dead wrong, as games that Wake pitches actually go quicker then the average MLB game

"A sweep would still leave the Yankees 7 1/2 games out, and to reach 90 wins, the minimum number any team could expect to need to eke out a playoff spot, they would have to go 70-49 the rest of the way. Under any circumstances, it is a lot to ask. Unless, of course, they get to face Wakefield 70 more times."

The guy had ONE bad game, beyond that he's been pretty damn good this season, I don't get this warped assumption that one game represents a pitchers skills

Honestly, this entire article was completely un-called for to unneccarily and unfoundly rip apart one of the few class acts in baseball...I just don't get it

Random interesting tidbit. Amoung all the drug tests in the past couple years the Red Sox and Houston can boast to have the fewest failed drug test, with just one a piece. The Yankees? Tied for 4th most. Seems pretty in line with what we already know about both teams. You can find the whole article here

Something we all already knew, but for once he finally isn't dodging the question or whether he did steriods. Technically he has admitted it before, but never directly. While talking about steriods he mentioned:

USA Today

Which is funny because he still is dodgy about it even when admitting:

When asked, "So why did you take steroids?" Giambi said: "Maybe one day I'll talk about it, but not now."

...umm, I'm pretty sure he took it becasue it DOES help you hit home runs. I'm sure it doesn't help someone make contact with the ball better, but pushing a regular flyball a couple feet further into the stands with more power...pretty sure that helps

You may have noticed a headline like this in a paper today making it seem like they have come across evidence to suggest Ortiz did steriods

Continue reading this post »

The New Yorker had a long article that was pretty interesting, and for once, unbiased (unlike all these Boston writers).

Continue reading this post »

Someone surprises every year, last year Lowell did and Paps suprised people by not just being good, but being dominant.

Continue reading this post »

Obviously with still missing a closer and Manny supposedly still on the trading block, trades could still happen and final line-up change, but Lugo reportedly signed $36 million over the next four years you can read it here so assuming Manny is staying put (reportedly all the rumored teams thought Theo was in the end asking for too much, our depth chart (minus pitching, which still has plenty of holes to fill) is looking like the following:

OF: (left to right) Manny, Coco, Drew. Pena off the Bench

IF: (Left to right) Lowell, Lugo, Pedroia, Youk. Hinske Corner IF off the bench, Cora Middle IF off the bench/back-up plan if Pedroia struggles

C: Varetik, backup TBD, catching for Wake Varetik/TBD

Biggest holes left: SP(at least until Matsuzaka signs) and closer (Theo reportedly has been talking to Derrick Turnbow and Eric Gagne)

...the TSN awards, the same as the MVP, ROY, Cy Young award, etc. except it's voters are players in the league, and holds less importance then the other awards (which I don't agree with, who cares what a bunch of sports writers think, I would care more about what the players actually think, they're the ones that get to see players in action). This years results? Verlander got Rookie or the Year, Thome got the comeback award, and the MVP equivalent (which is just one for all of baseball unlike MVP that has one for AL and NL) had Howard at first and second? Ortiz. Jeter didn't even get a vote, although he did get voted as the all-star SS. Hopefully this puts light on the MVP voters and they reconsider disregarding Ortiz simply because the sox didn't make the playoffs

...and Theo kicked it off with a press conference where he confirmed that Paps is moving to SP, indirectly inferred that Manny was going no where (and even praised Manny's work ethic prior to his injury...looks like the FO is finally starting to support their players), indicated that there was still a chance that Trot could come back (though he didn't deny that there was a greater chance that he wasn't) and said there would be a big splash in the off-season with focuses on getting another SP, defense for the OF, changes in coaches (not Francona, but the other coaches with Papa Jack's position in most danger, which I actually get, he's been great, I'd worry about the pitching coaches, especially after Meredith's comments about starting to pitch well after he completely disregarded what the sox taught him), more power in the line-up, severely revamping the bullpen, and finding a closer (and mentioned that it may come from within...but I don't see anyone within who I actually would want as a closer going into 2007)

A little while back there was a diary that debated who will win the ROY award and the names posted against each oter was Verlander, Paps, Weaver, and Liriano. Since then Liriano tired coming back but still feeling pain was ruled out for the season, Paps has been out for the season as well. Weaver and Verlander have tired and their numbers have dropped significantly (Verlander more so, it got so ugly I dropped him from my fantasy team. Past ten starts his numbers look like 4-5 W/L record, 5.82 era, 1.81 WHIP. Weaver started to fall off after his loss to the Sox and since has a record of 2-1, era or 4.16 all within 6 games, 4 of the games which he posted ERAs of 5 or higher topped off by his last start where he gave up 10 hits, 5 earned runs in 6.2 innings). So what now? Who deserves the award? Is it someone else besides these four now? Which makes more difference in the voters minds, a falling off at the very end of the season (small enough in Weaver's case that he still has an ERA of 2.56 and record of 11-2 and WHIP of 1.03) or missing the final proportion of the season due to injury? Who should win?

We're getting close enough to start speculating who's going to the big show and who's gonna be doing the victory dance in the end...so here's my predictions. (Personally, I never get when sports writer make their predictions like beginning of August, there's just too much that can happen). There should be enough debate that I'll break it to two posts, one for each division series

Continue reading this post »

I just read in the paper this morning how Pena desperately wants to stay in Boston even if it's not a starting role but that Sox won't even discuss a extension yet (he's technically a Free agent at the end of the season) which got me thinking, what should the sox do with him? Not willing to grant an extension doesn't at all mean they don't want him (if anything it would be a slap in the face to Trot, Damon, and others in the past who deserved but get the chance to discuss contracts until after they hit the free agent market). He had good numbers his one year as a starter (bad BA of .241, but did have 27 HR, 89 runs, 91 RBIs) and could hold value in two roles: 1. Keep him as back-up for Youk at 1B. With questions of whether Loretta will be back next year we may be spreading Hinske as back-up to too many positions. Then again, maybe not. 2. Keep him simply because we can for relatively cheap, use him as a back-up like mentioned before, and wait for a team to be exposed with a 1B need and trade him away. His numbers could be good, but his low BA and OBP don't fit with this FO's philosophy and there's no way Youk's starting position is being taken away any year soon  so there's no reason to keep him in hopes of him developing into a every day player (Youk with his patience, plate command, OBP, solid defense, etc. exemplifies this FO's philosophy, Theo must be saying "Told you so" daily for having full confidence in naming Youk the starting 1B during the off season when there was a good amount of those wanting go out a find a FA 1B or at least re-sign Millar despite his low HR production that season.) Thoughts?

[editor's note, by Randy Booth] Injury update thanks to Realistic!

With so many missing I had to take some time and figure out what's up with everyone:

I posted this else where in an old string, but figured I'd also put it somewhere where people will actaully read it

Continue reading this post »

I may simply be stating the obvious for some of you, I may be speculating and giving more credit to one man then most would, and I may in fact be pointing out something new to some, but to put something positive amidst recent events I had to pay tribute to our Hitting coach, Papa Jack

Continue reading this post »

Baseball god's we're rooting for us last night...

Continue reading this post »

I hate stating the obvious, but every time I hear another comment by a yankee that annoys me I feel I have to say something

Continue reading this post »

When we talk about prosects in the farm system we throw around all sort of names, but why Seibel? Isn't what he's done this season worth mentioning

Continue reading this post »

[editor's note, by Randy Booth] Realistic posted this diary and it's getting some good attention. So I thought I should move it to the main page.

This is complete speculation based on rumors, but thoughts on Lugo at 2nd next season with keeping Gonzo at SS?

We all know the story, aparrently the Sox pissed off Tampa Bay by contacting Lugo's agent "illegally", and to get back they claimed Stern off waivers blocking him being traded to the Orioles until the off-season (which is actually really stupid because that hurts the Orioles more then us...we still get Javy). At the time I thought it was really pointless, why consider a trade for Lugo when we already have Gonzo who is the best defensive SS in the game and a slow start put aside is doing spectacular offensively...that was until I heard the supposed conversation was regarding his willingness to play 2nd and if he would be willing to either sign in teh off-season or sign an extention if we traded for him now.

If there's truth to this, do you think this means the FO plan on keeping Gonzo over Loretta (it has been rumored that they would probably be keeping one of them, but not both). If you put aside the injury, Lugo is having a career year, do you think he will be able to repeat this level of performance next year? If so I would love having an IF of Youk-Lugo-Gonzo-Lowell, Lugo would be a huge speed up-grade, a huge power-hitting up-grade (consider Loretta only has 4 hrs. while Lugo has 12 despite having about 130 less at bats), a minimual defense upgrade (very minimual, but still somewhat) and just as much a hitting machine (okay, actually a little less, but still damn good).

As for Gonzo, that's a man I hope we resign, his offense has bounced back from a slow start to the point that he is playing like he was in 2004 with much better avg. and OBP (and this is after a .200 first portion of the season) and his defense makes such a huge difference (especially when accompanied with the rest of our IF...the number of outs they've created has kept an already shaky starting rotation from being a complete disaster. (i.e. remember Pauley and the number of DPs getting him out a jams? There's a reason he hasn't been doing so well since being sent back down to the minors without the same IF behind him))