718 replies to this topic

[BoSoxLady]

In honor of Labor Day, several Red Sox employees are returning to work. Finally, some good news. Get out the bats boys, and WIN!

[WilliamsDimaggio]

In honor of Labor Day, several Red Sox employees are returning to work. Finally, some good news. Get out the bats boys, and WIN!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What do you guys think. Can we even come close to the Wild Card? I've been keeping hope, but every day that hope gets less and less.

[JD88]

5.5 back, and a series and chicago here. If we sweep, we're back in the hunt. Anything less is just getting our hopes up.

[Bob Montgomery's Helmet Hat]

5.5 back, and a series and chicago here. If we sweep, we're back in the hunt. Anything less is just getting our hopes up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm pretty sure we're actually 6.5 back. Still, with a sweep, we're at least in the conversation again. And with Tavarez, Gabbard, and Snyder pitching....well, what the hell, it would be cool to have monkeys fly out of my butt.

[Foulkey Reese]

man this box score hurts..........

Josh Bard got the winning RBI too



San Diego IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Wells 6.0 5 1 1 1 2 0 4.58
Meredith (W, 3-1) 2.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0.84
Hoffman (S, 36) 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1.94

[Klostrophobic]

A sweep and the Red Sox are four back in the loss column. I worry what would happen if this took place, though. Would Jonathan Papelbon be rushed back? Jason Varitek, too? Would Dustin Pedroia be stashed on the bench in favor of Alex Cora and the heavy-hitting Mark Loretta?

Oh, and George Kottaras is 0-8 with two walks since the trade. He's not even safe from the Disease 3000 miles away.

[Manramsclan]

We've got some firepower coming back today. Manny is supposed to play, and Tek too. Soon, we may have a real team again.

Let's make it interesting boys, and show these young guys that we don't quit when we're down.

[PlantiersSquat]

Win it for the Crocodile Hunter!

Edited by PlantiersSquat, 04 September 2006 - 12:55 PM.

[RollingWave]

With the lineup back it's more possible, this series is essentially a mirror match, two team that can bash but it's pitching staff didn't quiet live up to expectation.

with a sweep the Red Sox will be back in it, you never know, the White Sox just lost 2 out of 3 TO THE ROYALS their rotation looks terrible right now for some strange reason. but tomorrow's starter Jon Garland is an exception...

Though to be honest, the whole team has a given up feeling to it, so i don't think the chances are that good...

match ups.

Garland vs Tavarez

....even the most optimistic fans can't like the look of this matchup... Garland has won 4 strait start (though he didn't look sharp in the last one) and Tavarez is....... Tavarez...

Vazquez vs Gabbard

... this also doesn't look good, although Vazquez is far more hittable than Garland lately... this is probably going to be a wild one.

Contreras vs Snyder

This might actually be the most favorable matchup, Contreras seem to be going the same rout as he did with the Yankees... dominating in his first year then starts to suck again... since his win streak died at the hands of the Yankees he's been all too hittable... while Snyder finally look like he's putting it all together lately.

[RollingWave]

On the other front, Chien Ming Wang goes for 17 today...... ouch. that sort of season, it's crazy how NYY seem to be trotting out just about anyone and they do well, Jeff Karstens has a sub 4 ERA in 3 starts. Rasner pitched a beauty yesterday for the win.. Melky Cabrera comes out of nowhere and produce relatively well...

[BenRS]

At 8 pm last night, I was in Fenway; at 9pm last night, I was in South Station. It's now 6 am and I'm in Rochester, NY, about to go to classes.

Damnit, win!

[mfried]

Happy to join the list's urging - let's win tonight an tomorrow despite the terrible pitching matchups. However, talk about the playoffs is a fantasy. The team has low energy, weak pitching and terrible offense. The return of our studs is too late.

[paulftodd]

It has been a tough month. In the next week or so, many of the players who have been out will return. Lester will not of course and we wish him well in his battle, and Pap's status is uncertain. But 2004 has taught us never to give up until the Fat Lady sings. If Tito does not give up as he has done with a number of games this year where we fell behind early, and as Theo and the FO did by trading Wells and not going after I'm afraid of walls so as to at least make the Yankees give up more than they did, then I think we have a chance. The pulse is weak and thready, but we all know baseball is a game of streaks and slumps, and 100 games of 500 ball. Well, we have played 100 games of 500 ball. Had a terrible slump in August, a pretty good winning streak in June against the NL, so we are due for a winning streak in September against AL teams not named Baltimore. Papi will break the AL season HR mark with 62 and carry the 2006 Sox in the same way that Yaz carried the 67 Sox. I wont bet on them getting into the playoffs, but I wont give up on the team yet.

Edit: grammar

Edited by paulftodd, 04 September 2006 - 07:49 AM.

[RIRed]

Time to light 'em up, boys

[WilliamsDimaggio]

Win it for the Crocodile Hunter! What a terrible story...at least he died doing what he loved.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh man!! We loved the Croc Hunter in this house. This is terrible news. The kids will be crushed.

Win one for Steve-o.

[Alex Cole's Rec Specs]

If Tito does not give up as he has done with a number of games this year where we fell behind early, and as Theo and the FO did by trading Wells and not going after Abreu so as to at least make the Yankees give up more than they did, then I think we have a chance.

I think this statement is a bit much to just throw out there...

1. It is Francona's job to put the team in the best position to win over the course of the entire season. If the team is down six runs and the starter goes 4 innings, then he has to go to the bullpen scrubs. If he wastes Papelbon or Delcarmen when the team is down several runs then they are not available to preserve leads. It's frustrating, but it is the way a team has to be managed when there are finite bullpen resources available. You can blame Theo for that if you wish, but it's not Tito's fault.

2. According to Gordon Edes, (linked below) the Red Sox WERE in on Abreu but could not afford to make the trade the Yankees did. You can argue that Henry should have sucked it up and ponied up the cash, but 1) $20 million is not pocket change, even for the Red Sox and 2) adding Abreu for 2006 and 2007 when the team already has Trot Nixon (who was not onthe DL at the time) and Wily Mo Pena would have been foolish. Hindsight tells us the Sox could have used Abreu and acquiring him would have weakened the Yankees. However, it would be a terrible game plan for the FO to spend tens of millions of dollars on redundant position players simply because that player could make a huge impact elswhere.

Edes Story

[Oil Can's Liver]

On paper this looks like a 2:1 split either way. Neither team is playing well enough to sweep. Though the White Sox have more bullets in their holsters, I think the the return of Nixon and Tek will certainly help vs. RHP. I know Tek has not been that great even when healthy this year, but after having to sit through the excruciating AB's of Lopez and
Mirabelli, Tek will be a welcome addition. Here's hoping Manny and Papi make it into the lineups.

I echo the sentiments of some of my fellow lurkers...win it for Steve.."Croiky!"

Edited by Oil Can's Liver, 04 September 2006 - 09:27 AM.

[nomah5]

I think this statement is a bit much to just throw out there...

1. It is Francona's job to put the team in the best position to win over the course of the entire season.  If the team is down six runs and the starter goes 4 innings, then he has to go to the bullpen scrubs.  If he wastes Papelbon or Delcarmen when the team is down several runs then they are not available to preserve leads.  It's frustrating, but it is the way a team has to be managed when there are finite bullpen resources available.  You can blame Theo for that if you wish, but it's not Tito's fault.

2. According to Gordon Edes, (linked below) the Red Sox WERE in on Abreu but could not afford to make the trade the Yankees did.  You can argue that Henry should have sucked it up and ponied up the cash, but 1) $20 million is not pocket change, even for the Red Sox and 2) adding Abreu for 2006 and 2007 when the team already has Trot Nixon (who was not onthe DL at the time) and Wily Mo Pena would have been foolish.  Hindsight tells us the Sox could have used Abreu and acquiring him would have weakened the Yankees.  However, it would be a terrible game plan for the FO to spend tens of millions of dollars on redundant position players simply because that player could make a huge impact elswhere.

Edes Story

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree that the manager is the least of our problems. The problem really isn't all Theo, either, although he has made some mistakes that were fatal to the 2006 hopes. The biggest part of the problem is the 49% debt load that the team has, with rising interest rates and 18 partners that are looking for an R.O.I.. They were not the best choice financially for ownership, but as been stated many times before were brought together and handpicked by Selig. Theo was handcuffed at the deadline, as he couldn't take on substantial salary and go over the luxury tax threshold. For the same reason, he couldn't deal the young arms that were near major league ready...He needs to use cheap young players to fill out the roster and keep the payroll down, still giving him the flexibility to acquire some high priced pitching in 2007 and beyond. So the two chips that allow teams to get better at the deadline, the ability to take on bloated salary and give up good, near major league ready prospects, were simply not in Theo's pile. Part of this is his own fault, as he made big mistake$ on guys like Renteria and Clement, thus limiting his payroll flexibility.

The Sox obviously need to get younger in the rotation for both financial and reliability reasons, as they came into the season with 3 of 5 starters around or over 40. The Beckett deal was a solid attempt to remedy this(It was still a good risk IMHO). We were told that 2006 was a transitional year, but what we weren't told is that 2007, and possibly 2008, also fall under this label. Despite the trend bucking performances of young aces like Verlander, Johnson, Papelbon etc. this season, young pitchers, especially starters, generally take until their third big league season to show their true colors, so even before the Lester setback, it was unrealistic to think that the Sox could count on the young guys next season. The Sox will have to fill in the gaps with short term pitchers via trades and free agency until the likes of Hansen and Delcarmen sink or swim. A mid level free agent like Ted Lilly comes to mind as someone who might fill in the gap in the rotation for reasonable dough. Papelbon should also be moved into the rotation, with a stopgap closer signed. Pap has been Riveraesque in the pen, but you just aren't going to find a potential #1/#2 rotation arm like Papelbon's on the market. This could repair the rotation quickly.

[StatGeekNY]

Tavarez "guarantees" that Manny will be in left field tonight. Ortiz will likely take batting practice and could be back tomorrow. If he takes BP today, does that mean he's available to pinch hit? Let's hope Tavarez can keep it close enough for that question to come up.

At least the returns of Tek, Nixon, Pena, Gonzalez and possibly Ramirez make me want to actually use my tickets for tonight.

[Alex Cole's Rec Specs]

They were not the best choice financially for ownership, but as been stated many times before were brought together and handpicked by Selig. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You can feel free to disagree, but Seth Mnookin points out in his book that what you said above was a creation of the Boston media. Henry and his group got the team because they were able to put together the strongest financial case. The mudslinging against the current ownership group reached a crescendo during the sale of the Red Sox because of Boston's xenophobia towards those who are not "local."

Also, faulting anyone for not being able to put up $700 million in cash to buy the team outright just isn't fair

[Max Power]

Win it for the Crocodile Hunter! What a terrible story...at least he died doing what he loved.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He loved getting stabbed in the heart by stingrays?

[Ehb1026]

He loved getting stabbed in the heart by stingrays?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Brilliant! Classic stuff.

[KevMyster]

We probably won't win all three, but IF we do, that makes the wild card more of a possibility. The Twins haven't been as good lately, and the White Sox have shown weaknesses all year. Manny may be back tonight, Ortiz tomorrow, and we'll have Tek and Trot back as well. The Sox might actually look like a major league ballclub on paper for these games, so let's hope the start playing like one.

[PlantiersSquat]

He loved getting stabbed in the heart by stingrays?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Touche.

[Scott Cooper]

I have NOT given up on this season...with Tek, Nixon, and Manny back tonight, and Ortiz tomorrow...we have a completely different team on the field.....Let's win this series and get back in it.

Still plenty of baseball left.

[BronxBomber61]

A sweep and the Red Sox are four back in the loss column. I worry what would happen if this took place, though. Would Jonathan Papelbon be rushed back? Jason Varitek, too? Would Dustin Pedroia be stashed on the bench in favor of Alex Cora and the heavy-hitting Mark Loretta?

Oh, and George Kottaras is 0-8 with two walks since the trade. He's not even safe from the Disease 3000 miles away.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After 2004 the RS fan should never give up hope but this year a late push could cause serious long term injury to many key players for future seasons.

[guido57]

No one on this team has thrown in the towel,so how can we?
Win.

[Al Zarilla]

I have NOT given up on this season...with Tek, Nixon, and Manny back tonight, and Ortiz tomorrow...we have a completely different team on the field.....Let's win this series and get back in it. 

Still plenty of baseball left.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ortiz tomorrow? Is this his first start after the heart monitoring for the weekend plus a day and hopefully no problems?

[Jack Sox]

Wow, Ramon Ortiz is pitching a no hitter into the ninth. Oh yeah, he just hit a home run too!

[Soxanalyzer]

I am still pissed at the completely RIDICULOUS trades that Boy Wonder has consumated in the past two years. I laughed at his press conference after the trading deadline passed where he commented that he was not going to mortgage the future just to make some short sighted deals. DUHHHHHHH. That is what you have done the past two years!!!! The list of trades is well documented on this site. All I see is a a bunch of our young players starring around the league, while we are paying for Renteria in Atlanta, Clement is a basket case, and our CF plain out sucks. Nice job Theo. You sure are lucky that Posada's throw was not 6 inches to the right and that Tony Clark's ground rule double took a lucky bounce.

[Jack Sox]

I am still pissed at the completely RIDICULOUS trades that Boy Wonder has consumated in the past two years. I laughed at his press conference after the trading deadline passed where he commented that he was not going to mortgage the future just to make some short sighted deals. DUHHHHHHH. That is what you have done the past two years!!!! The list of trades is well documented on this site. All I see is a a bunch of our young players starring around the league, while we are paying for Renteria in Atlanta, Clement is a basket case, and our CF plain out sucks. Nice job Theo. You sure are lucky that Posada's throw was not 6 inches to the right and that Tony Clark's ground rule double took a lucky bounce.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hindsight... always... 20/20...

[Jack Sox]

No No is done. Miles just broke it up.

The Nats announcers suck.

[BoSoxLady]

You sure are lucky that Posada's throw was not 6 inches to the right and that Tony Clark's ground rule double took a lucky bounce.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How many times must you repeat the same tired phrase? You sure are lucky that the GT were open to Lurkers so you have an opportunity to spew your venom in the direction of the GM.

[JD88]

I believe Varitek, Nixon and Varitek come back. We're only a David Ortiz, Alex Gonzalez, Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield, Matt Clement, Jon Lester, and Jon Papelbon away from having a real team.

[Soxanalyzer]

Hindsight... always... 20/20...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

not getting the job done. that is what he is paid $$$$ for. Give me, you, or most on this board $125 mill and we could do just as well.

[Soxanalyzer]

How many times must you repeat the same tired phrase? You sure are lucky that the GT were open to Lurkers so you have an opportunity to spew your venom in the direction of the GM.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

sometimes the truth kinda hurts. keep on waving the pom poms and all will be well.

[Jack Sox]

not getting the job done. that is what he is paid $$$$ for. Give me, you, or most on this board $125 mill and we could do just as well.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Okay, then I'll put you to the test. What moves would you do with this team that you supposedly think would be better than what Theo's done?

[BoSoxLady]

sometimes the truth kinda hurts. keep on waving the pom poms and all will be well.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No pom-poms here, bud. What did you think of Theo in 2004, before he got "lucky?"

not getting the job done. that is what he is paid $$$$ for. Give me, you, or most on this board $125 mill and we could do just as well.

Thanks for clearing up that Theo is paid to "get the job done." His job looks pretty easy to someone like you who sits in front of the TV swilling beer and watching sports. I love the arrogance of people who think they could handle someone else's job so easily.

[Andrew]

People who keep saying "It's not over!" Are downright bizzarre.

I mean, barring the entire New York Yankee team dying in a plane crash.. it's OVER. (and even then, the Blue Jays might still overtake us)

[PseuFighter]

You sure are lucky that Posada's throw was not 6 inches to the right.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I mean, he was safe by like a foot.

[SeoulSoxFan]

Thanks for clearing up that Theo is paid to "get the job done." His job looks pretty easy to someone like you who sits in front of the TV swilling beer and watching sports. I love the arrogance of people who think they could handle someone else's job so easily.

I have to agree -- I understand (and concur wholeheartedly from time to time) regarding specific instances or commenting on general trend, but ideas like "we can do a better job" smacks me of nothing but frustration (but yes, I know there's no rule against venting.)

There's real expertise involved in anything we do for a living -- how ridiculous would it be for someone else to say "hey I can do your job better if I just had xxxx and yyyy."?

Theo operates out of a philosophy and he's sticking to his guns. Kevin Towers does, Beane does, and so does a lot of the better if not the best GMs. And he also shoots for riskier signings with bigger upsides which can make him look foolish in hindsight.

He's got younger guys coming in, signed the first 13 players in the draft in a weak draft, have room to get some free agent help (I know that's an oxymoron to some) and no one can say this team won't compete next year.

Theo doesn't deserve anymore slack for the Garciaparra trade, but I don't think there'd be very few, if any, of us can do a better job than he does given the same dollars and cents.

Edited by SeoulSoxFan, 04 September 2006 - 02:58 PM.

[Shroyer_the_Destroyer]

In a few days, we could all be fans of the 3rd Place team in the AL East.

[SWelker58]

Lineup for tonight, Youks back in the leadoff spot, Manny back in there.

1. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
2. Mark Loretta, 2B
3. Eric Hinske, DH
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Trot Nixon, RF
6. Mike Lowell, 3B
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Gabe Kapler, CF
9. Alex Gonzalez, SS

[Soxanalyzer]

Okay, then I'll put you to the test. What moves would you do with this team that you supposedly think would be better than what Theo's done?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Where do I start???

This is WAY too easy.

Coco Crisp?? One AMAZING catch in CF and nothing else, probably one of the worst CF in baseball. PATHETIC SIGNING. Hmmm. Damon or Crisp?? They could have easily paid Damon with all the $$$ they blew.

Renteria, he would not give him a chance to get his feet wet in Boston so we are paying his fat salary in Atlanta. AWFUL SIGNING.

Julian Tavrez. Another whack job, another bad signing.

Seanez?? Gone. Enough said.

Yankees come to town and we have one stiff lefty in the bullpen, Lopez. Meanwhile Yanks have Myers. Brutal.

No trading deadline deals. Say what you want. yanks made moves, we did not, they got better, we did not.

starting pitching?? Schilling will be 40. He should have done research on Clement who may be the nicest guy in the clubhouse, but is no tiger on the mound. Wells is gone, Wakefield is 40.

Hanley Ramirez, Marte, Bard, Meredith, Sanchez. We would be better off right now with them playing then the stiffs Theo has brought in.

Don't for a second blame the injuries for this years collapse. This team was relatively healthy when they lost 3 out of 4 to TB and 3 straight to KC.

Hey, I give him credit for the Nomar deal and getting Ortiz. Of course he wasn't smart enough to keep Cabrerra) However, in no way, shape or form has Theo been a great or even a good GM. This team is not going in the right direction. It is old and the crop of youngsters in the minors are not good enough to step in and make a big impact.

He simply can not put a bullpen together. it is basically throw it against the wall and see what sticks. Anyone on this board can wheel in retread after retread and hope one eventually catches fire.

HE HAS GOT THE SECOND HIGHEST PAYROLL IN BASEBALL AND THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE FOR A TEAM??? Good freeking luck next year.

Edited by Soxanalyzer, 04 September 2006 - 03:07 PM.

[E5 Yaz]

while that whole post undoubtedly belongs in the analytical game thread, i'm struck by this bit of revisionism:

Renteria, he would not give him a chance to get his feet wet in Boston so we are paying his fat salary in Atlanta. AWFUL SIGNING.

so you're saying that theo is to be blamed for not alloying renteria to adjust to boston, for paying his salary in atland, and for signing him in the first place

waiter ... check please

[Soxanalyzer]

I have to agree -- I understand (and concur wholeheartedly from time to time) regarding specific instances or commenting on general trend, but ideas like "we can do a better job" smacks me of nothing but frustration (but yes, I know there's no rule against venting.)

There's real expertise involved in anything we do for a living -- how ridiculous would it be for someone else to say "hey I can do your job better if I just had xxxx and yyyy."?

Theo operates out of a philosophy and he's sticking to his guns. Kevin Towers does, Beane does, and so does a lot of the better if not the best GMs. And he also shoots for riskier signings with bigger upsides which can make him look foolish in hindsight.

He's got younger guys coming in, signed the first 13 players in the draft in a weak draft, have room to get some free agent help (I know that's an oxymoron to some) and no one can say this team won't compete next year.

Theo doesn't deserve anymore slack for the Garciaparra trade, but I don't think there'd be very few, if any, of us can do a better job than he does given the same dollars and cents.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<<theo operates out of a philosophy and he is sticking to his guns???>>HUH?? his philosphy according to his post trading deadline press conference was that he was not going to trade his young players to mortgage the future. WELL, that is EXACTLY what he has doen the past two years. A ton of young talent gone for a bunch of stiffs. the REAL reason he did not make any trading deadline deals is because after TWO years of trading potential stars he finally got cold feet and decided to stay pat.

[Rooster Crows]

Where do I start???

This is WAY too easy.

Coco Crisp?? One AMAZING catch in CF and nothing else, probably one of the worst CF in baseball. PATHETIC SIGNING. Hmmm. Damon or Crisp?? They could have easily paid Damon with all the $$$ they blew.

Renteria, he would not give him a chance to get his feet wet in Boston so we are paying his fat salary in Atlanta. AWFUL SIGNING.

Julian Tavrez. Another whack job, another bad signing.

Seanez?? Gone. Enough said.

Yankees come to town and we have one stiff lefty in the bullpen, Lopez. Meanwhile Yanks have Myers. Brutal.

No trading deadline deals. Say what you want. yanks made moves, we did not, they got better, we did not.

starting pitching?? Schilling will be 40. He should have done research on Clement who may be the nicest guy in the clubhouse, but is no tiger on the mound. Wells is gone, Wakefield is 40.

Hanley Ramirez, Marte, Bard, Meredith, Sanchez. We would be better off right now with them playing then the stiffs Theo has brought in.

Don't for a second blame the injuries for this years collapse. This team was relatively healthy when they lost 3 out of 4 to TB and 3 straight to KC.

Hey, I give him credit for the Nomar deal and getting Ortiz. Of course he wasn't smart enough to keep Cabrerra) However, in no way, shape or form has Theo been a great or even a good GM. This team is not going in the right direction. It is old and the crop of youngsters in the minors are not good enough to step in and make a big impact.

He simply can not put a bullpen together. it is basically throw it against the wall and see what sticks. Anyone on this board can wheel in retread after retread and hope one eventually catches fire.

HE HAS GOT THE SECOND HIGHEST PAYROLL IN BASEBALL AND THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE FOR A TEAM??? Good freeking luck next year.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If the team was so bad from the start - then Tito must have been near godlike to attain and maintain 1st place for so much of the season. By the way, how about the vaunted BJs - a team who made all the moves during the offseason it seems you would like to have made - how are they doing? You have a lot of judgments, but no facts AND its not about today's game. Isn't that what a game thread is?

As long as these guys seem like they are hanging in trying - I'm on board as far as it takes us.

GO SOX - WIN TODAY!

[Soxanalyzer]

while that whole post undoubtedly belongs in the analytical game thread, i'm struck by this bit of revisionism:
so you're saying that theo is to be blamed for not alloying renteria to adjust to boston, for paying his salary in atland, and for signing him in the first place

waiter ... check please

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you can spin the Renteria signing into a positive than you are a better man than me. All I remember is watching Rent in the playoffs and the WS and never once did i say to myself, "Boy, he would look great playing short for us."

LaRussa gets ripped because he says that Boston is not a good fit for Rent. Of course, LaRussa was right. Rent was even quoted saying that he never felt comfy in Boston. So, Wonder boy signs him and can not WAIT to dump him as soon as the season is over. Most teams would be stuck with him, but because Theo has the 2nd highest payroll in baseball he can afford to sweep the bad signing under the rug. Forget giving him a second chance. Gone, see ya. Crisp is Renteria with a smaller salary. he will be gone by November.

[Soxanalyzer]

No pom-poms here, bud. What did you think of Theo in 2004, before he got "lucky?"
Thanks for clearing up that Theo is paid to "get the job done." His job looks pretty easy to someone like you who sits in front of the TV swilling beer and watching sports. I love the arrogance of people who think they could handle someone else's job so easily.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As I said, the Nomar trade was solid. However, he was one lucky ground rule double bounce or one stolen base from being swept 4 straight. I know I know I know that Roberts did steal the base and yes Clarks ball did bounce into the stands and the rest is history. It was a great year. Well, that was '04 and the fact is this squad is heading in the wrong direction.

One more thing, Tito gets ripped on this board all the time for his bullpen mismanaging. In reality, Tito deserves a freeking big fat raise for trying to win games with the stiff relievers that Theo has wheeled in here.

[Jack Sox]

Where do I start???

This is WAY too easy.

Coco Crisp?? One AMAZING catch in CF and nothing else, probably one of the worst CF in baseball. PATHETIC SIGNING. Hmmm. Damon or Crisp?? They could have easily paid Damon with all the $$$ they blew.

Renteria, he would not give him a chance to get his feet wet in Boston so we are paying his fat salary in Atlanta. AWFUL SIGNING.

Julian Tavrez. Another whack job, another bad signing.

Seanez?? Gone. Enough said.

Yankees come to town and we have one stiff lefty in the bullpen, Lopez. Meanwhile Yanks have Myers. Brutal.

No trading deadline deals. Say what you want. yanks made moves, we did not, they got better, we did not.

starting pitching?? Schilling will be 40. He should have done research on Clement who may be the nicest guy in the clubhouse, but is no tiger on the mound. Wells is gone, Wakefield is 40.

Hanley Ramirez, Marte, Bard, Meredith, Sanchez. We would be better off right now with them playing then the stiffs Theo has brought in.

Don't for a second blame the injuries for this years collapse. This team was relatively healthy when they lost 3 out of 4 to TB and 3 straight to KC.

Hey, I give him credit for the Nomar deal and getting Ortiz. Of course he wasn't smart enough to keep Cabrerra) However, in no way, shape or form has Theo been a great or even a good GM. This team is not going in the right direction. It is old and the crop of youngsters in the minors are not good enough to step in and make a big impact.

He simply can not put a bullpen together. it is basically throw it against the wall and see what sticks. Anyone on this board can wheel in retread after retread and hope one eventually catches fire.

HE HAS GOT THE SECOND HIGHEST PAYROLL IN BASEBALL AND THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE FOR A TEAM??? Good freeking luck next year.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Again hindsight is always 20/20. I don't think Theo is immune to criticism but you seem to have an agenda against him.