Casey Kelly is one of several non-roster invitees to the Red Sox camp in Fort Myers. Kelly is considered untouchable in trade talks by Red Sox management. He will be retiring his SS glove to become a full-time pitcher this year.
I saw Kelly in the Arizona Fall League in November. He was playing SS that game. Casey went about his business in a professional manner & just looked like he belonged on a Major League field. He had that "something" & should be a good one for the future.
Kelly will join Ryan Kalish, Laars Anderson & many other invitees to see if one of them can earn the last spot or two on the 25-man roster. As history has shown us, the roster for Game 1 may be completed different than the roster in Game 162. You just can't have enough good players.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Spring Training
The Super Bowl would be more fun to watch if the Patriots were in it. But it's still an event that let's you gather with family & friends, so that's a good thing.
For me the Super Bowl means we turn to baseball on Monday. With Spring Training about 2 weeks away it will be fun to put the emphasis back on the Red Sox. Can they hit? Will Beckett sign an extension? Will Big Papi rebound? What to do with Mike Lowell? There are no shortage of questions this year as in past years.
The name "Spring Training" gives people hope that Spring is coming. The winter is fading away. It's time to get out the gloves, bats & balls once again. The worst is over & we survived another off-season.
For me the Super Bowl means we turn to baseball on Monday. With Spring Training about 2 weeks away it will be fun to put the emphasis back on the Red Sox. Can they hit? Will Beckett sign an extension? Will Big Papi rebound? What to do with Mike Lowell? There are no shortage of questions this year as in past years.
The name "Spring Training" gives people hope that Spring is coming. The winter is fading away. It's time to get out the gloves, bats & balls once again. The worst is over & we survived another off-season.
Friday, February 5, 2010
What Happens With Lowell?
I've been thinking about Mike Lowell's tenure with the Red Sox. It's been quite a ride.
He arrives with the Red Sox in 2005 as the "other player" that had to be taken in order to complete the deal for Josh Beckett. Lowell was considered excess baggage.
In 2007 he is named as the World Series MVP. He was a tough out & played great in the field. After the Series he resigns a 3-year deal with the Sox for less money & less years than he could have gotten elsewhere.
2008 & 2009 are injury-plagued years. Both years there are rumors of trades for Todd Helton & Mark Tiexiera. Hip surgery slows him down to a crawl.
This off-season the Sox trade Lowell to Texas, only to have the deal nullifies because of a hand injury. Lowell has the necessary surgery & is expected to be ready for Spring Training in March.
As odd as Lowell's tenure has been in Boston, you can't feel that bad for him since he will still make his $12 million this year - whether with Boston or somewhere else. That's the business side.
On the personal side everyone mentions Lowell as a great clubhouse presence & a professional in his work ethic. No steroid rumors. No cheating on his wife. No arrests at strip clubs.
I hope that the Sox find a way to use him this year. You never know about injuries.
He arrives with the Red Sox in 2005 as the "other player" that had to be taken in order to complete the deal for Josh Beckett. Lowell was considered excess baggage.
In 2007 he is named as the World Series MVP. He was a tough out & played great in the field. After the Series he resigns a 3-year deal with the Sox for less money & less years than he could have gotten elsewhere.
2008 & 2009 are injury-plagued years. Both years there are rumors of trades for Todd Helton & Mark Tiexiera. Hip surgery slows him down to a crawl.
This off-season the Sox trade Lowell to Texas, only to have the deal nullifies because of a hand injury. Lowell has the necessary surgery & is expected to be ready for Spring Training in March.
As odd as Lowell's tenure has been in Boston, you can't feel that bad for him since he will still make his $12 million this year - whether with Boston or somewhere else. That's the business side.
On the personal side everyone mentions Lowell as a great clubhouse presence & a professional in his work ethic. No steroid rumors. No cheating on his wife. No arrests at strip clubs.
I hope that the Sox find a way to use him this year. You never know about injuries.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
How Will the New Guys Fit In?
Going into Spring Training this year the talk is about the new acquisitions & how they will intertwine with the rest of the team.
John Lackey will push Beckett & Lester to keep their #1 & #2 spots in the rotation.
Mike Cameron will play Jacoby-like CF for the Sox, but it will be up to Ellsbury, Cameron & Drew to have big offensive years to make-up for the loss of Jason Bay.
Adrian Beltre will play Gold Glove defense at 3B, but he needs a return to better offense as the replacement for Mike Lowell.
Speaking of Lowell, will he & David Ortiz rotate at DH this year? That's as interesting a question as to whether or not Ortiz will produce as he did in the past.
Lots of questions, but lots of excitement as well. We'll know in October if the Sox won the chess match of personnel over the Yankees.
John Lackey will push Beckett & Lester to keep their #1 & #2 spots in the rotation.
Mike Cameron will play Jacoby-like CF for the Sox, but it will be up to Ellsbury, Cameron & Drew to have big offensive years to make-up for the loss of Jason Bay.
Adrian Beltre will play Gold Glove defense at 3B, but he needs a return to better offense as the replacement for Mike Lowell.
Speaking of Lowell, will he & David Ortiz rotate at DH this year? That's as interesting a question as to whether or not Ortiz will produce as he did in the past.
Lots of questions, but lots of excitement as well. We'll know in October if the Sox won the chess match of personnel over the Yankees.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Spring Training Almost Here
Alleluia! It's been a long month of January since the Patriots lost to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Celtics and Bruins are having average years to date. With all due respect no great excitement about either team for me.
It's time to focus on baseball & the Red Sox once again. 6 starting pitchers. 3 new everyday starters. Questions about Mike Lowell & David Ortiz. Let the fun of Spring Training begin!
Expect a new podcast with the Brain Trust before the start of camp. We have no shortage of topics to explore. Stay tuned!
The Celtics and Bruins are having average years to date. With all due respect no great excitement about either team for me.
It's time to focus on baseball & the Red Sox once again. 6 starting pitchers. 3 new everyday starters. Questions about Mike Lowell & David Ortiz. Let the fun of Spring Training begin!
Expect a new podcast with the Brain Trust before the start of camp. We have no shortage of topics to explore. Stay tuned!
Technical Difficulties Over
Hey blog fans! I'm finally back after a 3-week hiatus due to some nasty computer viruses that wouldn't allow me to enter 3nohitters. Thanks for your patience.
Spring training is almost here. We'll have a lot to talk about.
I love the Geek Squad...
Spring training is almost here. We'll have a lot to talk about.
I love the Geek Squad...
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Beckett & Sox Looking for Extension
Josh Beckett has been the ace of the Sox staff since 2007. When healthy he is as good a pitcher as you can face in the bigs.
According to the Red Sox website, the Sox & Beckett are looking to get an extension done in Spring Training, if possible. Given the recent Lackey & Burnett deals, the Sox will need to put a comparable offer on the table.
To me Josh Beckett is worth whatever the magic number is. He took over from Curt Schilling as the #1 guy & still has electric stuff. With Tim Wakefield nearing the end of his career & Dice-K coming towards the end of his first contract there will be room for new arms in the rotation. Casey Kelly & other guys will get their shot.
Beckett is special. He's a no-hitter waiting to happen. I say sign him & keep him in a Red Sox uniform for the rest of his career.
According to the Red Sox website, the Sox & Beckett are looking to get an extension done in Spring Training, if possible. Given the recent Lackey & Burnett deals, the Sox will need to put a comparable offer on the table.
To me Josh Beckett is worth whatever the magic number is. He took over from Curt Schilling as the #1 guy & still has electric stuff. With Tim Wakefield nearing the end of his career & Dice-K coming towards the end of his first contract there will be room for new arms in the rotation. Casey Kelly & other guys will get their shot.
Beckett is special. He's a no-hitter waiting to happen. I say sign him & keep him in a Red Sox uniform for the rest of his career.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
