A few thoughts before I start panicking because I haven't done any homework this weekend:
1. I have to offer grudging congratulations to Derek Jeter for becoming the Yankees' all-time hits leader. To be the best hitter in the history of a club that fielded Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, and Mickey Mantle is pretty damn impressive. Now go burn in hell, Jeter.
2. The Sox are well on their way to dealing the Rays their 11th consecutive loss (it's 4-0 Boston in the ninth inning as I write this). Tampa's last three series have come against very good teams--Detroit, the Yanks, and us--but losing 11 straight is one hell of a way to take yourself out of the playoff race. Better luck next year, boys.
3. Daisuke Matsuzaka will be back on the mound on Tuesday after missing almost three months with shoulder problems; the question now will be whether he'll be the Dice-K of last year (18-3 with a 2.9o ERA) or the one from earlier this season (1-5, 8.23). Dice was the MVP of this year's World Baseball Classic, but you really have to wonder how the added stress on a pitcher's arm from playing in those games will effect that pitcher in the regular season. Based on what I've seen from Dice-K this season--which hasn't been much, since his longest start this year was 5.2 innings--I have to say that the WBC should either be scrapped entirely or should enforce a pitch count similar to the Little League World Series.
4. Theo Epstein apparently doesn't read my blog, or he would have called up at least one of my Backseat GM spotlights by now. That hurts, Theo.
Showing posts with label Theo Epstein. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Theo Epstein. Show all posts
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The Backseat GM's Guide To Postseason Success: Pt 2
Today's edition of The Backseat GM marks a slight departure from last week's pilot episode; while my last post focused on a young pitcher who will hopefully offer some much-needed bullpen relief in coming months, the way Boston has been handled by the ChiSox this weekend convinced me that pitching is not the only thing the team needs.
Boston was outscored 17-3 in the first two games of the Chicago series this weekend. That kind of offensive ineptitude just shouldn't happen against a team like the White Sox, who have somehow found a way to lose 69 games despite having the second-best ERA in the American League. Hell, we didn't even face Mark Buerhle this series; how do we only score three runs off of Freddy Garcia and Gavin Floyd?
GM Theo Epstein has put together an offensive lineup that has the potential to be the best in the Majors. Unfortunately for us, some of the pieces in that lineup--namely David Ortiz and Mike Lowell--have struggled with inconsistency, age, and injury this season. Even reigning MVP Dustin Pedroia has struggled at times this year. The Chicago series only proves that we won't be a realistic threat in the playoffs until we put together a more consistent offense. Manager Terry Francona needs players he can bring off the bench without sacrificing firepower; he needs...
2. Lars Anderson
Anderson has to be one of the unluckiest guys in professional baseball. The 21-year-old from Oakland possesses sublime offensive abilities and is a solid defensive first baseman with some experience in left field. He batted .303 in his first two years in the Minors, was listed as the 25th best prospect in baseball by MLB.com, and has been compared to Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado.
Of course, none of this makes him sound anything but blessed. The only problem is that he plays in the Red Sox organization; his path to the Majors is therefore blocked by the depth of the big club at his defensive positions. How is he going to play first base if Kevin Youkilis and Victor Martinez--both of whom play better defense than Anderson--are locked into the position for the foreseeable future? Anderson hasn't played left field since high school, so how would he break into an outfield patrolled by Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bay, and J.D. Drew?
None of these problems matter much when you look at Anderson's offensive scouting reports, however. He's a left-handed opposite-field slugger, meaning that his swing could not have been tailored any better for Fenway Park's Green Monstah in left field. He has a sweet power stroke but is not overanxious at the plate. His compact swing and knowledge of the strike zone are unusual tools for a batter his size (6 feet 4 inches, 210 pounds).
Anderson may not permanently make the Red Sox roster for a few years, but there is no reason why Theo should not call him up for the postseason. He can pinch-hit for Jason Varitek late in games, serving as an offensive upgrade off the bench similar to Jim Thome's new role for the Dodgers. If Ortiz continues to struggle to hit for average, Anderson can take over as designated hitter (because you can't really be a DH if you can't, you know, hit). This kid has almost unlimited potential at the plate; we need to use him instead of keeping him locked away in the Minors.
Boston was outscored 17-3 in the first two games of the Chicago series this weekend. That kind of offensive ineptitude just shouldn't happen against a team like the White Sox, who have somehow found a way to lose 69 games despite having the second-best ERA in the American League. Hell, we didn't even face Mark Buerhle this series; how do we only score three runs off of Freddy Garcia and Gavin Floyd?
GM Theo Epstein has put together an offensive lineup that has the potential to be the best in the Majors. Unfortunately for us, some of the pieces in that lineup--namely David Ortiz and Mike Lowell--have struggled with inconsistency, age, and injury this season. Even reigning MVP Dustin Pedroia has struggled at times this year. The Chicago series only proves that we won't be a realistic threat in the playoffs until we put together a more consistent offense. Manager Terry Francona needs players he can bring off the bench without sacrificing firepower; he needs...
2. Lars Anderson
Anderson has to be one of the unluckiest guys in professional baseball. The 21-year-old from Oakland possesses sublime offensive abilities and is a solid defensive first baseman with some experience in left field. He batted .303 in his first two years in the Minors, was listed as the 25th best prospect in baseball by MLB.com, and has been compared to Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado.
Of course, none of this makes him sound anything but blessed. The only problem is that he plays in the Red Sox organization; his path to the Majors is therefore blocked by the depth of the big club at his defensive positions. How is he going to play first base if Kevin Youkilis and Victor Martinez--both of whom play better defense than Anderson--are locked into the position for the foreseeable future? Anderson hasn't played left field since high school, so how would he break into an outfield patrolled by Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bay, and J.D. Drew?
None of these problems matter much when you look at Anderson's offensive scouting reports, however. He's a left-handed opposite-field slugger, meaning that his swing could not have been tailored any better for Fenway Park's Green Monstah in left field. He has a sweet power stroke but is not overanxious at the plate. His compact swing and knowledge of the strike zone are unusual tools for a batter his size (6 feet 4 inches, 210 pounds).
Anderson may not permanently make the Red Sox roster for a few years, but there is no reason why Theo should not call him up for the postseason. He can pinch-hit for Jason Varitek late in games, serving as an offensive upgrade off the bench similar to Jim Thome's new role for the Dodgers. If Ortiz continues to struggle to hit for average, Anderson can take over as designated hitter (because you can't really be a DH if you can't, you know, hit). This kid has almost unlimited potential at the plate; we need to use him instead of keeping him locked away in the Minors.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Harvest Time
September 1 is a glorious day in baseball. With the humidity of July and August behind them and the postseason a short month away, the 29 teams of Major League Baseball--and the Pittsburgh Pirates--can focus on the future by expanding their rosters to hold 40 men.
The Sox began their harvest of the farm system today by calling up five players with previous Major League experience. Joey Gathright (OF) is a speed freak who will complement Jacoby Ellsbury on the basepaths; George Kottaras (C), who seemed expendable after the Sox picked up Victor Martinez at the trade deadline, deepens the backstop; Chris Woodward (SS/2B) and his prominent ears have already filled in for Jed Lowrie this year (but then again, who hasn't?); defensive wunderkind Brian Anderson (OF) played three games with the Sox after being acquired from Chicago in the Mark Kotsay deal; and Junichi Tazawa (SP) makes his return to Boston after a meaningless two-day stint in the Gulf Coast League.
What strikes me as odd is that GM Theo Epstein hasn't yet called up more pitchers. The Sox are among the top teams in baseball both offensively and defensively; our only glaring weakness is on the mound, particularly at the back of the starting rotation and the middle of the bullpen (I'm talking about you, Manny Delcarmen). Why try and fit Gathright and Anderson into an already stacked and healthy outfield when Daniel Bard can't control his 100-mph fastball enough to get outs? Daisuke Matsuzaka is on the way back from the injury problems that have nagged him all year, but how is third-string catcher Kottaras going to help the team if Dice-K continues to struggle?
Theo still has time and ten roster spots to work with before the postseason starts in October. With that being said, my next few entries will highlight the three players from the Sox farm system that I think need to be called up in order for the team to make a legitimate run at the World Series trophy. Check back tomorrow for the first installment of "The Backseat GM's Guide To Postseason Success."
The Sox began their harvest of the farm system today by calling up five players with previous Major League experience. Joey Gathright (OF) is a speed freak who will complement Jacoby Ellsbury on the basepaths; George Kottaras (C), who seemed expendable after the Sox picked up Victor Martinez at the trade deadline, deepens the backstop; Chris Woodward (SS/2B) and his prominent ears have already filled in for Jed Lowrie this year (but then again, who hasn't?); defensive wunderkind Brian Anderson (OF) played three games with the Sox after being acquired from Chicago in the Mark Kotsay deal; and Junichi Tazawa (SP) makes his return to Boston after a meaningless two-day stint in the Gulf Coast League.
What strikes me as odd is that GM Theo Epstein hasn't yet called up more pitchers. The Sox are among the top teams in baseball both offensively and defensively; our only glaring weakness is on the mound, particularly at the back of the starting rotation and the middle of the bullpen (I'm talking about you, Manny Delcarmen). Why try and fit Gathright and Anderson into an already stacked and healthy outfield when Daniel Bard can't control his 100-mph fastball enough to get outs? Daisuke Matsuzaka is on the way back from the injury problems that have nagged him all year, but how is third-string catcher Kottaras going to help the team if Dice-K continues to struggle?
Theo still has time and ten roster spots to work with before the postseason starts in October. With that being said, my next few entries will highlight the three players from the Sox farm system that I think need to be called up in order for the team to make a legitimate run at the World Series trophy. Check back tomorrow for the first installment of "The Backseat GM's Guide To Postseason Success."
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