Youk & Petey Now Vets

Kevin Youkilis & Dustin Pedroia start the 2010 season as the new veterans of this club. They are great examples of success from the scouting department - 2 homegrown starters from minors to bigs. Both have long-term contracts & will be around for the long haul.

In addition, both are dirt dogs. Both play with a lot of heart & soul on a daily basis. You might say they are a throwback to earlier times when baseball was more of a game than a business. Youk & Petey are the new vets, replacing teammates like Varitek & Wakefield who are now finishing their careers.

It's a pleasure for me to watch them play.

Delcarmen Had Shoulder Fatigue

Per the Red Sox website Manny Delcarmen suffered from shoulder fatigue last year in August & September. I have a couple of thoughts about that.

Delcarmen did pitch better during the first 4 months of the season. However, control & command of his pitches has been his Achilles heal since coming in the majors. He gives up a large number of walks for a reliever.

In addition, especially with arm fatigue, you would think that Manny would mix his pitches more. However, when his control goes, he becomes a 1-pitch pitcher which hitters tee-off on. If I'm in front of a TV at home & can call the next pitch, you know pro hitters can too.

Delcarmen has a plus fastball, curve & change-up. Any pitcher is at their best when they use all of their pitches to keep hitters off-balance. At best Manny is a 50-50 proposition when he enters a game. It could be a good performance or a bad one. Just depends on his control & that separates an average pitcher from a good one. You see a lot of kids who can throw hard, but they have no idea where the ball is going.

My point is that his arm fatigue did not help anything. But fatigue is not the main problem. Control & command of pitches is the issue with Delcarmen. That's why he remains an average pitcher. He will be a good pitcher when he becomes more consistent in the strike zone.

Another Year With J. D. Drew

That's how most fans feel when you ask about J.D. Drew - another year. Drew enters the 4th year of a 5-year deal feeling better about his physical condition. He had off-season shoulder surgery which removed a lot of pain he played through in 2009.

Drew is an asset on the field, both offensively & defensively. Problem is keeping him on the field. Tito regularly gives him days off for his back, days off against lefties sprinkled in with a few trips to the DL. Drew has been a better performer in the playoffs than the regular season.

The trick in 2010, as in the past, will be keeping him on the field. Drew has never lived up to the expectations associated with the big contract that he signed. Maybe 2010 is the year Drew can be a bigger contributor on offense. We need him to be.

MLB Looking Into HGH Test

With a steroids testing & discipine policy in effect for all players, MLB now looks to go further with blood testing for human growth hormone (HGH). ESPN reported that MLB is looking to test players for HGH starting in the minors this season. The MLB Players Association is expected to balk at the prospect of giving blood.

Manny Ramirez got suspended 50 games last season for use of a female hormone, usually taken at the end of an HGH cycle. There is no current test for HGH, a drug of choice to enhance performance.

Such a new program for HGH detection would be a positive step towards creating public perception that players are clean. The problem is that the testing is always a step behind the next illegal substance. Even so, it would be a good step to take.

Lowell Meets the Press

Mike Lowell talked to reporters yesterday for the first time. Nothing has changed. He is still a professional. And he knows Boston is not his home this year.

Lowell feels that he will have a playing opportunity with one of the other 29 teams in the league. With the addition of Adrian Beltre he understands that there is no room on the Red Sox roster for him. Spring Training will be his chance to show other teams that his hip has recovered & his minor thumb injury is healed.

The Red Sox website went on to say that Lowell has been the recipient of high praise from many Red Sox fans. Count me in. I like Mike Lowell a lot. Too bad that the Sox will pay for him to produce somewhere else in 2010.

Is Jed Lowrie Still A Fit?

Coming into Spring Training last year Jed Lowrie was the guy who was ready to be the everyday starting SS. When the Sox left the field for the last time in 2009 it was Alex Gonzalez at short. Things change.

Lowrie has had 2 injury-plagued seasons in 2008 & 2009. He has spent more time on the DL than on the active roster. Does he still fit into the Sox plans with the additions of Scutaro & Hall? I say maybe.

If I were Theo, I'd hate to give up on a smooth fielding switch hitter who can play all 3 infield positions. Perhaps he can showcase Lowrie during Spring Training to compete with Billy Hall. Theo can also get Lowrie healthy & use him as a a chip in a trade package later in the year.

A healthy Lowrie can contribute. It's just a question of whether it will be with the Red Sox or another team.

Damon Now A Tiger

Johnny Damon has moved along to another team. He will be a Detroit Tiger in 2010 after signing a 1-year contract for $8 million. The well-travelled Damon will be used this year as a set-up hitter to Cabrera & Ordonez.

Damon has a unique resume that includes 2 World Series rings - one with Boston in 2004 & one with New York in 2009. I bet there's a book deal in there somewhere in the future. Johnny has experienced both sides of the greatest rivalry in all of sports.

I like Johnny Damon because he always plays hard & he often plays hurt. He was productive for his 4-year stint in Boston & his numbers were just as productive for his 4-year term in New York.

To Red Sox fans he was a leader of the "idiots" that brought a long-awaited World Series to Beantown. Then he was labeled a traitor for signing with the Yankees for more money. A love-hate relationship exists with Damon by most Red Sox fans.

Ellsbury & Lester Growing Up Before Our Eyes

The Red Sox boast two very impressive 26-year olds who are home-grown draft picks that made it to the big club. Both are maturing before our eyes & both are unselfish, a trait hard to find in pro athletes these days.

Jacoby Ellsbury played a Gold Glove caliber CF last year. What was his comment about moving to LF to accomodate Mike Cameron? As long as it helps the team, I'm fine with it. Ells & Cameron will be talking during Spring Training & through the regular season to help each other & learn from each other.

Jon Lester was given the usual leading question by reporters about the addition of Lackey & if he still considered himself the ace. Lester said he is only focused on making his starts every 5th day. He has no interest in being labeled the ace. Jon just wants to pitch his 200 innings again & help the team win.

No egos. No long statemnents that start & end with "I" this & "I" that. Jacoby Ellsbury & Jon Lester are just 2 down-to-earth kids that we are lucky to have on this 2010 team & we have the privilege to watch for another season.

Beefed Up Buchholz

According to several report, Clay Buchholz is no longer the wirey, skinny kid of past years. He has put on a dozen pounds of new muscle mass to help his body make it through the grind of 30+ starts during a big league season.

Buchholz pitched as well as any starter down the stretch in August & September. 9 out of 10 starts were quality starts. He could & should have had a playoff win against the Angels to his credit, except for an unusual implosion by Pap that ended the season.

Some say that Buchholz will be fighting Tim Wakefield for the #5 spot in the rotation. Right now, if I'm Terry Francona, Buchholz would be my #4 starter with Dice-K needing to re-prove himself for the 5th spot against Wake.

Tiger Talks

It's sad. Like a tornado that rips through a town, there is a lot of damage left behind.

Tiger joins John Edwards & David Letterman as the latest celebs to reveal extra-marital affairs. Other sports figures from the past include A-Rod & Madonna, Koby & his Colorado incident, even Steve Phillips.

No point to be made other than the obvious. Family, friends & fans needs to find forgiveness for Tiger if they can. I feel the worst for Tiger's kids who live with this scar for their entire life.

It's just sad.

Can C.C. Repeat 2009?

It's never too early to talk about the Yankees.

Would the Yankees has made it through the playoffs to be World Series champs in 2009 without a healthy C.C. Sabathia? I say no.

You can talk about A-Rod & Jeter offensively, but starting pitching has always been a sore spot for the Yankees. Sabathia was a work horse during the regular season & in the playoffs. Burnett was a distant #2 in comparison, more of a 50-50 proposition each time he took the mound. Can anyone remember their 3,4 & 5 starters?

C.C. is in his 30's now & is a very big man physically. You wonder if he can repeat the same type of dominance on the mound in 2010. Health is always an issue with any 200-innings pitcher. If C.C. does repeat, pencil the Yankees into the playoffs. If not, I say the AL East is wide open.

Dice-K's Back

You can take that title a few different ways.

Dice-K's back for his 4th year as Red Sox. After a basic no-show in 2009 he has worked hard to get himself in shape for 2010, including a recent stint at the Athletes Performance Center in Arizona.

Dice-K's back is also mildly hurt. According to the Red Sox website, he will be a few days behind other pitchers in his workouts until his back is 100%. It should be no big deal.

The Sox can use a healthy Dice-K this year as they try to overtake the Bronx Bombers with improved pitching & defense. It's every man on deck to pull their weight so the Sox can go deeper into the playoffs.

Maybe this is the year that Dice-K can get 150 to 200 innings under his belt - like Beckett & Lester & now Lackey. That would go a long way to saving the bullpen for the stretch run.

What's the Goal of Spring Training?

How many times have we seen issues that we think are important going into Spring Training become inconsequential as the regular season rolls along? Didn't we have too much pitching last year with Beckett, Lester, Wakefield, Dice-K, Buchholz, Smoltz & Penny? We know how that turned out.

To me the 6-weeks of Spring Training give the players - new & old - a means of getting to know each other. It will be hard for new guys to make the Red Sox team since it's pretty well set already. There may be one or two spots up for grabs on the Opening Day roster.

Veterans get their work in & prepare their bodies for the grind of the season. It makes no difference how they hit, field or pitch. I remember seeing Cliff Lee get lit-up in his Spring Training starts last year & look what he accomplished in the playoffs for the Phillies. As I said in my last article, don't look for too much from David Ortiz or other starters.

The new kids, like Casey Kelly, will be trying to impress management for a job later in the year. A few relievers will jockey for the remaining spot in the bullpen. Some may hope to graduate to the Triple-A team from the lower minor leagues.

Spring Training is a chance to see your established players play for 2 or 3 innings. Mostly, it's a chance to see the future. Don't read too much into it.

What About David Ortiz?

What will 2010 hold for David Ortiz / Big Papi? Don't look for any signs in Spring Training.

2008 was an injury-plagued year with the wrist. Big Papi could not help in the ALDS against the Rays. Francona said that, even though Ortiz was not at 100%, he was still a bat to be reckoned with in the lineup. No question. He did & still does have an intimidating personna when stepping into the batter's box. He is a presence.

2009 was a half-year sprint in the middle of the season. After a 2-month horrible start in April & May Big Papi put together 3 good months in June, July & August. He would not be a force in the playoffs against the Angels, but finished the regular season just 1 RBI short of 100 for the season. A decent year, all things considered.

What to expect from David in 2010? It's a contract year, so motivation is there. There is talk of split DH time with Mike Lowell. I think the first month of April may set the stage for the Sox to explore options at DH as the year progresses. Francona is so loyal to his players that he will give Big Papi every chance to succeed. Look for a definite plan at DH to emerge by the end of May - especially if Ortiz is not productive by then.

I think Ortiz will be on a shorter rope to produce this year. What do you think?

First Podcast of New Season

As the famous equipment truck leaves Fenway Park today bound for Fort Myers, pitchers & catchers will officially report to Spring Training on Thursday, February 18th. I thought that the 18th would be an opportune time for our first podcast to coincide with the first day of Spring Training.

My buddies Gaff & Steve are ready to brush off the cobwebs & discuss the topics of interest. The Red Sox head into this season, as in past years, with the hopes of surpassing that Evil Empire in New York.

If you would like to share your thoughts on a future podcast, just drop me an e-mail at 3nohitters.com. I'm always looking for new podcasters. Take a listen to our first offering next week.

Thanks for your continued support.

Jon Papelbon & Daniel Bard

Red Sox players have been sighted in Fort Myers already per the Red Sox website. Kevin Youkilis & Jon Papelbon were joined by Jon Lester & Manny Delcarmen.

It will be an interesting year for Papelbon who signed a 1-year, $9.3 million contract to avoid arbitration. Pap is coming off a decent 2009, but his 1-2-3 clean innings were few & far between. His last performance was an implosion against the Angels in the ALDS.

With Daniel Bard in the wings to takeover as future closer Pap will be challenged to rebound in 2010. He needs to regain the use of all 3 pitches versus just 90% fastballs. That got him in trouble a lot last year. In the meantime, Bard benefits from another year of seasoning.

We'll see what Cinco Ocho has in the tank this year.

Which Rookie Breaks Out This Year?

From Dustin Pedroia to Jon Lester. Kevin Youkilis to Jonathan Papelbon. Jacoby Ellsbury to Daniel Bard. It seems like the Red Sox are able to tap their farm system every year & bring up an impact player.

Who will it be this year? The Red Sox website is talking about Casey Kelly & Jose Iglesias. My long shot is Ryan Kalesh. I saw Kalish play for the Portland Sea Dogs & in the Arizona Fall League. He is a smooth outfielder & has a good bat. I was impressed when Kalesh took an extra base on a heads-up running play this fall. No one phase of his game will overwhelm you, but he is one very solid player.

Good luck, Ryan. I hope you make the big team this year.

Casey Kelly Invited to Camp

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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...