37 replies to this topic

[donchoi]

Watching this opening series was painful, especially the starting pitching. PITCHf/x shows the stuff seems normal, just we faced a hot team in a good home run park with lots of wind. However, I'm worried that the game-calling of Jarrod Saltalamacchia may have something to do with it. He is a young and pretty inexperienced catcher. They interviewed Salty, and he said that maybe they were a bit too aggressive with some calls, though he didn't regret anything they called...

I'm hoping the Francona gives Varitek the start tonight with Beckett on the mound, just to get a reality check here. Anyone notice anything funny about Salty's pitch calls or working with the pitchers?

[WenZink]

Watching this opening series was painful, especially the starting pitching. PITCHf/x shows the stuff seems normal, just we faced a hot team in a good home run park with lots of wind. However, I'm worried that the game-calling of Jarrod Saltalamacchia may have something to do with it. He is a young and pretty inexperienced catcher. They interviewed Salty, and he said that maybe they were a bit too aggressive with some calls, though he didn't regret anything they called...

I'm hoping the Francona gives Varitek the start tonight with Beckett on the mound, just to get a reality check here. Anyone notice anything funny about Salty's pitch calls or working with the pitchers?

In the short run, maybe the Sox starters would have fared better by nibbling, rather than trying to get ahead in the count -- it's week 1 and they may not have fine-tuned all of the pitches in their arsenal.. but, in the long run, it's probably better to keep them from falling into passivity. One DiceK per rotaion is enough, thank you.

btw, No Tek tonight. Salty still on pace to break Randy Hundley's record of most games caught in 1 season (160, Chi Cubs, 1968)

[mikepnq]

However, I'm worried that the game-calling of Jarrod Saltalamacchia may have something to do with it. He is a young and pretty inexperienced catcher. They interviewed Salty, and he said that maybe they were a bit too aggressive with some calls, though he didn't regret anything they called...

Did Salty call for hanging breaking balls and fastballs down the middle? Did he somehow have control over Texas' hitters hitting homeruns on balls way down and in? File this under overreaction. I love Tek, too, but it's a 3 game sample, and the overwhelming majority of Texas' hitting was way beyond the catcher's control.

[Sampo Gida]

The Mariners have held the hot bats in Texas to 7 ER and 2 HR over 2 games so me thinks we give the Ranger bats too much credit. Some of this was due to bad luck (hitters guessing right) ,bad pitching and perhaps bad pitch selection and/or tipping.

Beckett gave up a couple of long FB tonight, but kept the ball in the park. Thats not a very good lineup so I think the Yankees series will give us a clearer picture.

[btmurphy88]

ESPN has a great set of stats that show we might just be getting unlucky and running into buzzsaws.

Red Sox Pitching Stats

	2011 Red Sox	2010 Red Sox	2010 MLB Average
Chase Pct	14.1	24.1	23.7
Opp avg vs Fastballs	.347 (25/72)	0.267	0.279
Opp avg w/2 strikes	.227 (15/56)	0.176	0.181

Edited by btmurphy88, 06 April 2011 - 08:55 AM.

[btmurphy88]

Per Buster Olney in this morning's article.

NOT BUYING: Boston's slow start. Look, it may be that Josh Beckett is more of a back-end-of-the-rotation type of pitcher, now that he works in the 90-93 mph range, and John Lackey's best days appear to be behind him. But the team is loaded with offense and eventually, it will hit, and as with the Rangers, the back end of the Boston rotation is going to work with a lot of runs.

[donchoi]

Clay Buchholz hints that getting comfortable with Saltalamacchia could take some time:
http://goo.gl/L3i22

[BamaBoSox]

I was encouraged to see that the bullpen struck out 8-9 batters faced last night. Just need to get the bats and the bullpen working together. Would be sitting at 2-2 at worst has the bullpen performed like this during the texas series.

Edited by BamaBoSox, 06 April 2011 - 02:41 PM.

[BoredViewer]

I think part of the problem may just be that 3 of our starters (Lackey, Beckett, Dice-K) aren't particularly good pitchers.

[MN Dirt Dog]

I think people didn't look far enough past the "greatest rotation evah" to notice that two big components from last year's pitching squad have changed; the catcher and the pitching coach. In that way, I think expectations were a bit too high to start the season. Not only do the veteran pitchers (and all of these guys are just that) have to adjust to a new catcher and new way of doing things, the catcher does as well; throw into that a new coach....there's been a LOT of transition to deal with. To think it was going to come without any bumps in the road is unrealistic.

Remember as well....they had to face the Rangers (who can already mash) in their park, with the warm, humid 80-degree air, and the Yankees, who have that lineup that can knock the cover off the ball. They were gonna score some runs against the Sox.


Briefly analyzing each guy.....

Lester: His March/April splits are horrendous. The fact that he came out in his second outing and pitched quite well is actually pretty remarkable.
Lackey is still Lackey. I hated that signing then and I still do now. He's a guy who's always pitched to contact and he's gonna give up hits. The fact that he went from the reasonably light-hitting AL West to the heavy-hitting AL East is gonna account for some of this...but he's never really been "shutdown;" never had an ERA below 3 and only two seasons was it below 3.50. His WHIP, K/9 and H/9 are decent to average. I think Tito's going to be explaining his #2 pitcher status all year.
Beckett: I was hoping since last year was "even year" Beckett, we'd get "odd year" now, but he's older and recovering from injury. He's gonna have to learn how to pitch differently, and he's a stubborn SOB to boot.
Matsuzaka: Daisuke's last outing is what one *should* expect from a #5 pitcher. He is what he is.

Clay worries me the most. I hope what we saw last year was the mean and not the outlier. Yesterday's game, we saw glimpses of him being too preoccupied with baserunners and losing his focus toward the action at the plate.

The whole point of this? It's too early to panic, but not too early to be concerned.

[sisler's mother]

I think people didn't look far enough past the "greatest rotation evah" to notice that two big components from last year's pitching squad have changed; the catcher and the pitching coach. In that way, I think expectations were a bit too high to start the season. Not only do the veteran pitchers (and all of these guys are just that) have to adjust to a new catcher and new way of doing things, the catcher does as well; throw into that a new coach....there's been a LOT of transition to deal with. To think it was going to come without any bumps in the road is unrealistic.

Agreed, to think a complete smooth transition was in order when there is a change is two of the three cogs are changed is foolish, imo it would be like waking up one morning in a different bed next to a stranger and wondering on your way to work how to adjust. There were two games this year so far where the pitching hasn't made me sick to my stomach, the first and last games of the Cleveland series (3-1 and 1-0 loses). Beckett didn't look terrible in that first game and Lester easily deserved a win in the third game. The pitching will come around, there simply is no other way to describe the flukey number of homers given up so far then bad luck.

[petercotte]

I wonder how Beckett would have done tonight if he had been pitching to Salty instead of Tek?

[MN Dirt Dog]

That was simply clinical by Beckett. He had some great hitters looking completely fooled.

His 12-6 change was just sick, and his 2-seamer looked great. He threw hard and the gun showed him hitting 95.

I really hate the idea of the "personal catcher" thing, but Tek called a great game too.

[FinanceAdvice]

Clay Buchholz hints that getting comfortable with Saltalamacchia could take some time:
http://goo.gl/L3i22

I believe that the catcher is the most important position on most any team. Although I admit I do fluctuate with thinking the pitcher is the most important. But when the Catcher is calling the game, he in effect has to be the most knowledgable player on the field. Now there is only a small sampling of nine games but I think what we are witnessing is a young 25 yo catcher learning the ropes. Hopefully the mentoring of Varitek will speed the learning process. I just cant believe that Lackey, Buchholz, and even Lester's first start are indicative of the true quality pitchers they truly are. Equally so, I dont think we can draw any long lasting conclusions from last nights masterpioece thrown y Beckett by saying it was all because of varitek.

The season is about three marathons long and time will tell. But IMHO, we are seeing the growing pains of a brand new catcher. We should also not forget there is a new pitching coach too. I am not making excuses. I am just trying to offer "reasons" for such a poor start.

[LostinNJ]

I believe that the catcher is the most important position on most any team. Although I admit I do fluctuate with thinking the pitcher is the most important. But when the Catcher is calling the game, he in effect has to be the most knowledgable player on the field. Now there is only a small sampling of nine games but I think what we are witnessing is a young 25 yo catcher learning the ropes. Hopefully the mentoring of Varitek will speed the learning process. I just cant believe that Lackey, Buchholz, and even Lester's first start are indicative of the true quality pitchers they truly are. Equally so, I dont think we can draw any long lasting conclusions from last nights masterpioece thrown y Beckett by saying it was all because of varitek.

The season is about three marathons long and time will tell. But IMHO, we are seeing the growing pains of a brand new catcher. We should also not forget there is a new pitching coach too. I am not making excuses. I am just trying to offer "reasons" for such a poor start.

This is right. It is too early to reach any conclusions about Saltalamacchia's effectiveness with the staff, but it's not too early to ask questions, like do the pitchers feel comfortable working with him? My hope -- no, I'll say my prediction -- is that the starters will become more confident with him and will start performing better.

Edited by LostinNJ, 11 April 2011 - 12:35 PM.

[TigerBlood]

That was simply clinical by Beckett. He had some great hitters looking completely fooled.

His 12-6 change was just sick, and his 2-seamer looked great. He threw hard and the gun showed him hitting 95.

I really hate the idea of the "personal catcher" thing, but Tek called a great game too.

Beckett was shaking Tek off all night...

[steveluck7]

At what point do Curt Young and his procedures, etc. get put under the microscope? Is this stretch of poor performance at all typical of a team who changes pitching coaches after having the same guy in the position for a pretty long time?

[LostinNJ]

At what point do Curt Young and his procedures, etc. get put under the microscope? Is this stretch of poor performance at all typical of a team who changes pitching coaches after having the same guy in the position for a pretty long time?

New pitching coach + new starting catcher = terrible pitching in April? Maybe. The question is: are the new guys new and good, or are they new and bad? Time will tell.

I'm reminded of something Bill James wrote years ago about Cal Ripken's rookie year. It did not start well, so fans and media were howling for a change. But Earl Weaver stuck with the plan, and eventually the team turned it around. As James put it, Weaver knew better than anyone else what he had, and he just waited patiently until it manifested itself.

I keep thinking about that story these days. I don't suppose we have a future Hall of Famer here, but maybe the qualities that led Theo to get these guys in the first place will finally gel or something and we'll see a similarly dramatic turnaround.

Or else he was just wrong.

[TigerBlood]

At what point do Curt Young and his procedures, etc. get put under the microscope? Is this stretch of poor performance at all typical of a team who changes pitching coaches after having the same guy in the position for a pretty long time?

To answer your first question, not yet.

Yes the starting pitching is underperforming to a small degree, and yes i fully agree that swapping coaches could lead to a few hiccups, but - Lester's line last night 7 IP 7H 3ER was not 'poor', quite literally it was a 'quality start' especially considering that the 3 runs all came in one inning. His last start was solid as well. Beckett looked amazing last time out. DiceK is DiceK - are you really going to blame his problems on the coaching at this point? He is not on the same page as this team if he's even reading the same book.

The bullpen as a whole has been acceptable, Jenks, Paps, Bard, Albers atleast, and the rest of the pieces of the bullpen are about as predictable as Matsuzaka. WE have Lack and Clay left, both of whom just look like sh*t giving up one hard hit ball after another. I believe over the next few starts we'll get to see what kind of pitching coach Young is based on what he can do with these two guys, especially with Buch because everyone from Theo down to the pink hatters know he can pitch like a Cy Young candidate - its Young's job to show him what he's doing wrong.

Curt Young can help Lackey too, but only to a degree. He won't turn him into an ace, but he does need to be able show a pitcher with the experience of Lackey him how to make it out of the 3rd inning. I expect 6 innings, 4 ER from lackey tonight. Not unreasonable expectations for John or Curt.

[Sampo Gida]

Beckett was shaking Tek off all night...

I was watching the Yankees game on Yes tonight and Al Leiter was going on about how he used to shake off Posada so as to cause a hitter to 2nd guess what he thought was coming. For example if Posada called for a cutter, he would shake it off even though thats what he wanted to throw. After 3-4 shake offs, Posada would call for a cutter again and Leiter would throw it. Finally, Posada wised up and when Leiter shaked him off, he would call for the same pitch again which would not be shaken off (saving himself from putting down 3-4 more signs that would be shook off until he got back to the first pitch called off).

On the main board, they mentioned that the Red Sox actually have a sign for the pitcher to shake off the catcher, and throw the pitch called for on the first sign that he shook off. Thats probably what you saw on Sunday. Tek knows all the tricks.

[donchoi]

And Dice-K showed tonight why he's still deserving of the 5th spot in the rotation - 7 innings, 1 hit, no runs.

I'm sorry, but I don't think Wakefield on his best night can do that anymore.

And Varitek catching again, coincidentally.

Edited by donchoi, 18 April 2011 - 10:24 PM.

[BoredViewer]

I think part of the problem may just be that 3 of our starters (Lackey, Beckett, Dice-K) aren't particularly good pitchers.

Oops!

2 out of 3 ain't bad.

Just wanted to say that "contract" Papelbon has been quite awesome.

[SpruceTrap]

I just wanted to say that I think Bedard is a God-send. When he's healthy, he's been a #2 caliber pitcher throughout his career and I think he's the type of player that will flourish when he plays on a team that matters as opposed to the Mariners or Orioles. At least that's what his former teammate Bruce Chen had to say about him. I've always been a big fan of his and there's nothing about this 3.38 ERA in three starts that's discouraged me. What makes that even more impressive is that the first two starts were rehab starts and he was squeezed comically in his first start with us.

[bobesox]

Last night's start another solid outing, 3 run jack aside. Perhaps taking into account the extra pitches he threw to get past the "trap call" on Reddick, Bedard may have had a little extra in the tank to not give up any runs - period.

There is no way the Sox were going to win with what I will classify as their "prevent offense". Hopefully they can get a split. Not exactly a "hitting woes" thread but... Anybody else think that Adrian's shoulder is feeling the load of a full season after his surgery? And that the All Star HR Derby was not a good idea from that perspective alone?

Bedard continues to impress.

Edit: after Gonzo 2 HR night. I will write 100 times. I am an idiot!

Edited by bobesox, 24 August 2011 - 09:10 AM.

[QuinielaBox]

How are Kyle Weiland and Andrew Miller working out at the 4 and 5 spots?

http://espn.go.com/m...21/kyle-weiland

http://espn.go.com/m...3/andrew-miller

Neither of these guys inspire a lot of confidence.

I know this maybe politically incorrect but I have to question Tim Wakefield, too.

http://espn.go.com/m...8/tim-wakefield - consistently giving up 5 ER per 9 IPs But yesterday, the Rays would advance consistently on WP, PB and SBs.........

[plucy]

In a world where Tim Wakefield needs to throw 150+ innings for your team, good things will not happen. They had use the "break in case of fire" option too many times. It's not his fault. A few spot starts was all they could expect from him at this point when he was re-signed two years ago.

As for Lackey, I am very curious as to what will transpire health-wise with him this offseason. Is that elbow hanging on by a thread? Gammons alluded to surgery and Lackey reacted angrily earlier this year, but his loss of command is obvious: too many fastballs in the middle of the plate and high breaking pitches.

And for those who stick to those good old-timey statistics for evaluation, they're both .500 pitchers .

[Robert Plant]

Someone in the locker room needs to roll up a towel nice and tight, soak it in water and whip John Lackey till he cries.

[plucy]

Pick your poison, Lackey or Wakefield.

Next 3 games: 2 vs BAL, 1@NYY: Bedard (Tues), Beckett (Wed),Lester (Fri)
Next 2@NYY: Wakefield (Sat), Lackey(Sun) or, Wakefield or Lackey on Sat and Bedard (Sun)
Last 3 @BAL: Bedard, Beckett ,Lester or Beckett (Mon), the leftover from Wakefield/Lackey(Tues), Lester (Wed)

We have to throw Wakefield and Lackey each one more time unless Tito tries to steal a bullpen game in BAL next Tues. I think we can forget Weiland and Miller for the rest of the year.

So of the last eight games, Bedard, Beckett and Lester get two starts each. The question is whether we punt two games in NY or one in NY, one in BAL. I would take my chances in BAL.


And, if the Sox survive to the playoffs, Bedard gets game one, or a play-in with TB.

[bobesox]

Pick your poison, Lackey or Wakefield.

Next 3 games: 2 vs BAL, 1@NYY: Bedard (Tues), Beckett (Wed),Lester (Fri)
Next 2@NYY: Wakefield (Sat), Lackey(Sun) or, Wakefield or Lackey on Sat and Bedard (Sun)
Last 3 @BAL: Bedard, Beckett ,Lester or Beckett (Mon), the leftover from Wakefield/Lackey(Tues), Lester (Wed)

We have to throw Wakefield and Lackey each one more time unless Tito tries to steal a bullpen game in BAL next Tues. I think we can forget Weiland and Miller for the rest of the year.

So of the last eight games, Bedard, Beckett and Lester get two starts each. The question is whether we punt two games in NY or one in NY, one in BAL. I would take my chances in BAL.


And, if the Sox survive to the playoffs, Bedard gets game one, or a play-in with TB.

I think that a lot will depend on what happens in the 4 game TB MFY series. I am going to assume that the Sox win their 2 games vs Balt. If TB losses say 3 of 4 then the Sox are +4 in loss column. Then it doesnt much matter. If TB kicks some butt then I think that Tito goes to a starter by committee. Every pitcher only goes through the lineup once - or less if not effective.

Anybody know what happens if there is a three way tie?

[TigerBlood]

Honestly the pitching problem is twofold.

We've been sending AAA/replacement/below replacement level starters out there 3 out of 5 days for the past month and a half. We've been in a 3-4 run hole in ever other game by the 2nd inning for just as long, which just as often turns into a 5-6 run hole over the next couple innings. The offense is either pressing the entire game or they've given up - how can you expect anyone in that lineup to be in any sort of rhythm?

I don't want this team in the playoffs.

[Quahogish]

Honestly the pitching problem is twofold.

We've been sending AAA/replacement/below replacement level starters out there 3 out of 5 days for the past month and a half. We've been in a 3-4 run hole in ever other game by the 2nd inning for just as long, which just as often turns into a 5-6 run hole over the next couple innings. The offense is either pressing the entire game or they've given up - how can you expect anyone in that lineup to be in any sort of rhythm?

I don't want this team in the playoffs.

While it's true the Sox offense has shown no patience at the plate, are making terrible swings, swinging at first pitches and getting into bad hitter's counts, (etc. etc. ad nauseum), and while it is also true the loss of Buchholz has really hurt, the fact is Lester and Beckett have not sacked up when they were needed most. To be honest, 3 runs last night should have been enough run support for Beckett vs. Baltimore in what essentially amounted to a playoff game in terms of importance. Not laying it all at their feet either, there's plenty of blame and bad karma to go around, but the buck has to stop somewhere. Beckett and Lester HAVE to perform. Period.

In terms of wanting them in the playoffs, I just overheard the exact same agument while sitting at my desk, essentially "Why watch them be swept and fold"? I disagree. I'm a Red Sox fan, I want them in, no matter how bad things look right now. Things have to turn around at some point and seriously, could it get any worse? While they may not win, I'd bet my bottom dollar their play would be above what it has been these past two weeks, if for no other reason than adrenaline alone.

[sancap14]

While it's true the Sox offense has shown no patience at the plate, are making terrible swings, swinging at first pitches and getting into bad hitter's counts, (etc. etc. ad nauseum), and while it is also true the loss of Buchholz has really hurt, the fact is Lester and Beckett have not sacked up when they were needed most. To be honest, 3 runs last night should have been enough run support for Beckett vs. Baltimore in what essentially amounted to a playoff game in terms of importance. Not laying it all at their feet either, there's plenty of blame and bad karma to go around, but the buck has to stop somewhere. Beckett and Lester HAVE to perform. Period.

In terms of wanting them in the playoffs, I just overheard the exact same agument while sitting at my desk, essentially "Why watch them be swept and fold"? I disagree. I'm a Red Sox fan, I want them in, no matter how bad things look right now. Things have to turn around at some point and seriously, could it get any worse? While they may not win, I'd bet my bottom dollar their play would be above what it has been these past two weeks, if for no other reason than adrenaline alone.

[rglenmt]

some fans seem to have enjoyed being critical of Ben Cherington. It could after games are played, some of us may think it is a good result that the Red Sox have a new GM. By not making desperate FA signings and trades, Ben is improving the team. April and September demonstated kinds of team problems, rather than just how much talent Red Sox have. In various posts, it has been stated that the Red Sox might be very happy with young organizational outfielders like Josh Reddick, Ryan Kalish and Juan Carlos Linares who shown RH power and defensive skills. I don't think Ben deserves criticism just cause some have suggested the Red Sox should smart with its money, many people think the Red Sox should disregard the luxury tax and many think the Red Sox are making a mistake by not spending and trading big time. Not at all sure the Red Sox would be better if Ben had signed Aramis Ramirez, instead of the Brewers and Carlos Beltran,instead of the Cardinals. When the team is convinced Jose Iglesias has benefitted as much as he can from hitting for the PawSox, Jose will either be the Red Sox SS or traded. By then the team will also know whether Will Middlebrooks is the real thing at 3B so that Kevin Youkilis can become the DH, which will also not necessitate the Red Sox trying to sign Big Papi for 2013. Putting together a team is a longer term process, with some short term tweaking such as signing Punto, Shoppach, and acquiring Melancon and I, for one, don't think fans should be so impatient with Ben Cherington, who before he is settled in as the Red Sox GM, may, in every respect, be thought to be a better and more successful GM than Lou Gorman, Dan Duquette, and even Theo Epstein, whose teams except for Theo had not won World Series. And we should not forget that Ben Cherington may have been more instrumental than any of us know in the 04 and 04 World Championships?

[BeantownIdaho]

Good post above...All of this talk of this being the worst off-season in history...Ben Cherrington isn't the right guy for the job...this franchise is in decline is hilarious. Especially those over on the "big board". I don't see many guys that have been signed already that the Sox could have afforded or needed. I think people mistake patience for being inept. The funny thing is that the Sox could insert some young talent to surround the core and win a lot of games and a lot of the same posters will just ride the wave and say how they "thought that all along". Lots of players out there to be had to fill in nicely with some weaknesses we have and time to see how some of the youngsters are doing. Maybe this off-season will get rid of some type A ride the wave fans.

[Towney007]

I think the 'big board' is more in line with you beantownidaho than you realize.


Still though, I think Cherington has done well this offseason. Punto's an obvious upgrade over Lowrie and Melancon is going to bring a lot of continuity to that bullpen. Shoppach is an obvious upgrade over Varitek at this point - so I think it's been a very measured, surgical approach to things. I'd LIKE to see them add a better RH option in RF, but I don't know if it's OMGNEEDED~! Pitching is where they need to improve. We've seen three chips fall so far - Gonzalez to Washington, Buehrle to Miami and Wilson to Los Angeles, but outside of that - most of the market is in tact and it may well take some twists. There's nothing out there worth going bananas about - thus you've seen the Yankees, Tigers and Red Sox stay mostly quiet. I think this year, prudence and patience will win the day.

[MikeM]

this franchise is in decline is hilarious.

Personally, i don't find it very funny that the Red Sox have not won a playoff game since 2008. But don't get me started

That said, barring an attempt to play up the psychological angle into such a statement, claims of this being the "worst offseason ever" are kinda silly imo. Maybe replace that "ever" with "since this ownership group took over", as prior to that i can certainly remember some pretty depressing winters. Coming off crap - spending the winter doing crap - going into the season expecting crap. THOSE off-seasons sucked, and i recall quite a few of them. At least worst case scenario in the here and now, we go into next season with a legitimate shot to contend, even if we have to endure a season of people hating on the Bobby V Show every step of that journey (personally, i'm actually looking forward to it).

I also believe Ben is getting a raw deal in some premature evaluations here. I mean the guy is taking the reigns of a team that just spent the previous two winters weathering atom bomb explosions being detonated on it's roster. By every account we've seen thus far, he's starting off with his back against a financial wall, which in essence puts a fair share of unfair spin on any potential criticism over what he does or doesn't do in his first winter on the job. Thus far he's upgraded our BU catching situation, and our bullpen at the spare parts expense of Lowrie and a guy who realistically was a couple of bad relief appearances from never seeing the light of day here again. And while i may not be the biggest Nick Punto fan, i certainly understand the logic there behind the desire to have a durable backup that can actually play a reasonable level of SS if needed. Especially when that left side of your infield consists of a Youk/Scutaro combo (odds those 2 + Lowrie all end up spending time on the DL next season? I'd say better then average). Plus it's only $1.5m over 2 years, and while that second year initially struck me as questionable, it's a fraction as questionable as the significant amount more his predecessor has committed up in another BU IF type who might never make it past AAA pitching.

As far as i'm concerned with Ben, he's been as good as can be reasonably expected so far imo.

[starfailure]

Another back surgery for Jenks.
Not expected to be ready for S/T.
http://espn.go.com/b...econd-procedure

[TOleary25]

Another back surgery for Jenks.
Not expected to be ready for S/T.
http://espn.go.com/b...econd-procedure

I'm not expecting much from Jenks this season after hearing this news. The potential to have a back end of Jenks, Melancon, and Bailey was exciting. If the Sox go into the season as is, there are serious question marks about pitching depth once again. I believe it's pretty necessary to find a 4th or 5th starter in case Bard/Aceves need to move back to the pen.

Edited by TOleary25, 05 January 2012 - 11:56 AM.