Red Sox Spring training thread

[glennhoffmania]

Yeah I'm assuming he meant "could be activated" but why expect a professional sports writer to pay attention to what he writes?

 

[curly2]

Surprised on Barnes.  I thought he'd make the Boston roster in the bullpen.

 
I think it's wise to give Barnes one last chance to show he can start before he converted to the bullpen. The Sox will have three lefties in Pawtucket with the chance to be major-league starters (figuring Escobar's future is in the pen), but the cupboard for right-handed starters looks pretty bare above A-ball, other than Wright.
 
Barnes finished his Pawtucket season strongly last year. Maybe it was the start of something good. If not, convert him to a power bullpen arm.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

 
I think it's wise to give Barnes one last chance to show he can start before he converted to the bullpen. The Sox will have three lefties in Pawtucket with the chance to be major-league starters (figuring Escobar's future is in the pen), but the cupboard for right-handed starters looks pretty bare above A-ball, other than Wright.

 
This is a really good point. The Sox went into last year with five non-knuckleballing righthanded SP prospects. With Workman channeled to the pen, they're down to one. It makes sense not to foreclose on that one too soon.
 
 

 
Edes hinted at this yesterday, given the lefty lineups with Philly and NY. 

 
And since Breslow has no platoon split whatsoever, he doesn't really count as a lefty anyway.

 

[Doctor G]

I assume you mean as part of a package right? Even if JBJ remembers how to hit I can't see him bringing back an ace pitcher.

If Jackie looks like his hitting recovery is legit he has a role. The one being filled by Nava, who would be a cheap platoon partner with a track record.

 

[The Celtbot]

If Jackie looks like his hitting recovery is legit he has a role. The one being filled by Nava, who would be a cheap platoon partner with a track record.

At the beginning of spring training there was a bit about the Braves being interested in JBJ and we wanted to let it play out before we make any decisions.  I wonder if they will come back asking for him after his spring performance.

 

[Rasputin]

I'm surprised at three lefties. I kind of wonder if it's part opening in NL park and part unreadiness to just dump Breslow.

 

[Sprowl]

 
This is a really good point. The Sox went into last year with five non-knuckleballing righthanded SP prospects. With Workman channeled to the pen, they're down to one. It makes sense not to foreclose on that one too soon.
 
And since Breslow has no platoon split whatsoever, he doesn't really count as a lefty anyway.

 
There are two sides to the lefty platoon split -- LHP who are really tough on LHB (Layne), and LHB who can't hit lefties of any kind. Breslow and Ross should both be adequate for the latter group.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

I'm surprised at three lefties. I kind of wonder if it's part opening in NL park and part unreadiness to just dump Breslow.

 
Probably a bit of both.  The Phillies and Yankees are both LHH heavy lineups in LHH friendly parks. The rotation doesn't necessarily need a fifth starter until the 15th at home, so they can utilize Wright as an 8th bullpen arm if necessary. I imagine one of the lefties will be the casualty of activating Koji when he's ready.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

And since Breslow has no platoon split whatsoever, he doesn't really count as a lefty anyway.

But Varvaro has a reverse split.  This is getting confusing.

 

[strek1]

Sorry if this has been asked before but this is the first time I've seen Tommy Layne in ST - What the heck does he have all over his hat?  He looks like a filthy vagrant.

 

[Rice4HOF]

Sorry if this has been asked before but this is the first time I've seen Tommy Layne in ST - What the heck does he have all over his hat?  He looks like a filthy vagrant.

I was curious if anyone in twitterland had any ideas. Searched on "tommy layne hat" and saw some interesting tweets. Check it out for yourselves.

 

[Doctor G]

At the beginning of spring training there was a bit about the Braves being interested in JBJ and we wanted to let it play out before we make any decisions.  I wonder if they will come back asking for him after his spring performance.

What i was saying is that i would prefer to see them move Nava, if JBJ provides a servicable bat from the left side. Nava' s track record might be more attractive to trading partners. Essentially the competitions I see are Vic vs. Castillo and Nava vs. JBJ

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

What i was saying is that i would prefer to see them move Nava, if JBJ provides a servicable bat from the left side. Nava' s track record might be more attractive to trading partners. Essentially the competitions I see are Vic vs. Castillo and Nava vs. JBJ

 
The only way I can see a team being more interested in Nava than JBJ is if they are in serious GFIN now mode and their missing piece is a lefthanded bench bat. Next winter Nava will be turning 33 and entering his second arb year--not an attractive combination. Rebuilding teams like the Braves are highly unlikely to have interest in him.

 

[Al Zarilla]

MLB stars recite James Earl Jones' epic "baseball" speech from "Field of Dreams"
 
http://m.mlb.com/video/v60085883/mlb-players-recite-famous-field-of-dreams-speech

Thanks. Made me go look for the original.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SB16il97yw

 

[Al Zarilla]

I'm surprised at three lefties. I kind of wonder if it's part opening in NL park and part unreadiness to just dump Breslow.

Old Smith Barney ad "They earned it". Ross and Layne (and Breslow) pitched very well in ST, guys that got sent down didn't. Farrell said Ross looked like he did in 2012 with Texas and that he's not going to F around with him as a starter. 

 

[Harry Hooper]

Thanks. Made me go look for the original.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SB16il97yw

 
Yes, great decision to have JEJ rhapsodize about the apartheid era of baseball.