641 replies to this topic

[P'tucket, rhymes with...]

It seems they were fortunate to get where they were with Matsuzaka/Buchholz out for the year, and Lackey being the worst SP in baseball. That's 3/5 of your rotation being gone or a zero....it's caught up with them.

Jenk's zero didn't help either....Albers masked that problem for 3 months...but sadly that was exposed as well.

If Lackey was even remotely competent, we would have likely won 100 games and could have absorbed a short injury to Beckett like this, and Buchholz being gone. Lackey is the true culprit of the season, no doubt.

Make no mistake, we are in harm's way now. This thing is in doubt.

Jesus Christ, do some people never learn? The sort of stuff that happened, and that almost always happens, is precisely why those annual preseason "Will the Sox win 100 games?" or "Will the Sox be the best team ever?" threads should be titled "Are you willing to proclaim your ahistorical ignorance in public?" Lackey and Matsuzaka were unknowns coming into the season--as was Beckett!--so the fact that the starting pitching hasn't rivaled the Phillies shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Given those preseason question marks and the number of bodies we've run out to start games this year, 93-95 wins is arguably exactly how well the team should be expected to perform.

Edited by P'tucket, rhymes with..., 11 September 2011 - 04:30 PM.

[Paul M]

I remember the thread about win predictions and had 93-95 as my estimate because there were 4 potential risks: Ellsbury, Beckett, Lackey, and Dice K. Now, two have gone better than even the most bullish but the other two maybe worse than the most pessimistic.

They are actually lucky in a way given Crawford's 4-5 wins below expected as well.

Losing Buchholz is the real unexpected loss but then again you have to build in this when you deal with pitchers. This rotation for a few years has underperformed and I think it is not as much a strength as was expected. That has to fall to management to some extent. They tried to fix it with Bedard but Bedard is a risky insurance piece.

In sum, the margin of error is maybe 1 game separating these two teams. Let's just be thankful Tampa had to play the service time game with Desmond Jennings.

[dcmissle]

As of right now, 18 members are either total nannies or just trolling. To legitimately believe the Sox have a less than 80% chance to make the playoffs is a belief that employs no math or logic that I'm aware of.

I'd keep an open mind.

The club right now, with almost no dependable pitching and an offense that shows up only every other day, is a pitiful, helpless giant.

If my recollection of the schedule is accurate, the Rays play the Orioles 3 and the Sox play the Blue Jays 2 before this weekend's series is repeated next weekend. That means Rays are most likely coming into Boston Thursday with a 3-game deficit. Given the present course of events, that probably translates into a 1-game deficit this time next Sunday.

That's a jump ball with 10 or so games left.. And if the Rays falter, the LAA with a very manageable schedule are right behind them (or Texas, if the Rangers falter).

I think it's quite fair to put the odds at 50 to 60% at this point (Don't worry, BP will quickly catch up). I think the RS will make it, but only if Beckett and Bedard re-join the rotation soon as themselves, and not Beckett and Bedard lite.

Edited by dcmissle, 11 September 2011 - 05:30 PM.

[Paul M]

BP will lag behind just like it does when a team is gaining fast. This team is not the +150 run differential team nor is it the one built to play 162 games back in March. It is the one with a key injured player in Youkilis, a tired bullpen, and a starting staff that at best is mediocre--it is too volatile and leans too heavily on the bullpen. BP might say 85% but that is 10-15% too high.

[Carl Everetts Therapist]

For better or worse I think it's time Aceves is given a start to see if he can stop the bleeding and this team can jump out to a lead for once. He pitched 4 innings the other night so he's pretty damn close to being stretched out. When Beckett and or Bedard comes back then Aceves can go back to his Bullpen role.

I remember saying this at the trade deadline, that the big problem wasn't Bedard's skillset or numbers , but the fact that if you put your eggs in his basket and he gets hurt... than your up the Charles without a paddle.

This team is too good not to be given a shot in October and the hopes lie with the Miller's , Lackey's and Weilland's of the world.... Even if Lester wins all of his starts from now on and Wake splits his that leaves 4 to 5 wins you'll need from the rest. That doesn't seem likely.

[radsoxfan]

Looks like the Rays are now calling up top prospect Matt Moore. Not sure if he will mostly start or relieve, and certainly debatable how much impact (positive or negative) a rookie pitcher in a pennant race is going to have in just a few weeks.

But the guy's stats and scouting reports are completely ridiculous. 22 years old with a 12.7 SO/9 in his career. This year he has a 1.92 ERA, 0.948 WHIP and 210 K in 155 IP (only 46 BB) between AA and AAA. Something tells me he will be outperforming any AAA guys (Weiland, Bowden, Doubront, etc.) that the Sox will be throwing out there.

[drtooth]

I still have my doubts on TB and their ability to catch the Sox. This team is still anemic offensively and (having followed them regularly) can go extremely cold against even mediocre pitching. They now have a shaky situation at closer as Farnsworth has been battling an elbow issue for about 2 weeks now. They are leaning heavily on their starters to go deep as their bullpen is not a group that has any experience in a pennant race (after Farnsworth). This team is not a lock to catch the Sox even if they continue to stumble. Next weekend is crucial.

[MoGator71]

I still have my doubts on TB and their ability to catch the Sox. This team is still anemic offensively and (having followed them regularly) can go extremely cold against even mediocre pitching. They now have a shaky situation at closer as Farnsworth has been battling an elbow issue for about 2 weeks now. They are leaning heavily on their starters to go deep as their bullpen is not a group that has any experience in a pennant race (after Farnsworth). This team is not a lock to catch the Sox even if they continue to stumble. Next weekend is crucial.

I'd agree with all of that. I assume they'll add Moore to the bullpen mix the way they did with Price down the stretch in '08, and he certainly seems like a guy who can solidify tings (assuming Farnsworth can hold it together in the closer role).

This is the week for them to make up the rest of the deficit. If they leave Boston on Sunday more than 3 games back I can't see them catching the Sox, especially with a bunch of Yankee games while the Sox play 7 of their last 10 vs. Baltimore. The X-factor though is that last series vs. the MFYs...if the Yankees clinch early they'll likely play just about nobody in that Rays series.

[kartvelo]

...if the Yankees clinch early they'll likely play just about nobody in that Rays series.

WRT clinching early... If the Rays catch the Sox they'll be close to the MFYs as well. As long as the Rays or the Sox win games, NY has to also.

[Doctor G]

Looks like the Rays are now calling up top prospect Matt Moore. Not sure if he will mostly start or relieve, and certainly debatable how much impact (positive or negative) a rookie pitcher in a pennant race is going to have in just a few weeks.

But the guy's stats and scouting reports are completely ridiculous. 22 years old with a 12.7 SO/9 in his career. This year he has a 1.92 ERA, 0.948 WHIP and 210 K in 155 IP (only 46 BB) between AA and AAA. Something tells me he will be outperforming any AAA guys (Weiland, Bowden, Doubront, etc.) that the Sox will be throwing out there.

I believe the plan is to use him like they used Price when he first came up.

Edited by Doctor G, 12 September 2011 - 10:12 PM.

[Foulkey Reese]

Rays made up the half game tonight. Now just 3 back in the loss column. A metric ton of pressure on Tim Wakefield tomorrow to stop the slide.

[Savin Hillbilly]

Rays made up the half game tonight. Now just 3 back in the loss column. A metric ton of pressure on Tim Wakefield tomorrow to stop the slide.

Well, at least it'll be a refreshing change to watch a Wake start where the focus is on something other than #200.

[JakeRae]

I voted 99% a week ago and still feel just as confident. A 4 game lead with 14 to play is a huge margin. The weekend series with Tampa has both Beckett and Lester slated to pitch. A sweep is highly unlikely and anything less than a sweep still leaves the Red Sox in a fairly strong position. A split leaves them in a commanding position. Anything better than that pretty much locks it up.

[Rasputin]

I voted 99% a week ago and still feel just as confident. A 4 game lead with 14 to play is a huge margin. The weekend series with Tampa has both Beckett and Lester slated to pitch. A sweep is highly unlikely and anything less than a sweep still leaves the Red Sox in a fairly strong position. A split leaves them in a commanding position. Anything better than that pretty much locks it up.

Yeah this.

I think 99% is high but if we win with Weiland pitching tonight, I might change my mind. Two wins in this series means we're four games up with ten to play with seven of our ten against Baltimore and seven of their ten against New York.

[Savin Hillbilly]

Yeah this.

I think 99% is high but if we win with Weiland pitching tonight, I might change my mind. Two wins in this series means we're four games up with ten to play with seven of our ten against Baltimore and seven of their ten against New York.

I think at this point I'd handicap their chances after the series like so:

TB Sweeps: 50%. TB needs to play even to tie. Sox will have the easier schedule, but TB will have the psychological edge, and NY may gear down.
TB 3-1: 70%. TB needs +2 games to tie (e.g. Sox 4-6, TB 6-4). Not terribly unlikely.
Split: 90%. TB needs +4 games to tie (e.g. Sox 3-7, TB 7-3). A long shot, but not a prohibitively long shot.
Sox 3-1: 97%. TB needs +6 games to tie (e.g. Sox 2-8, TB 8-2). Not gonna happen (knock wood).
Sox sweep: 99.999%. TB needs +8 games to tie (e.g. Sox 1-9, TB 9-1). Not gonna happen, period.

[TheoShmeo]

Yeah this.

I think 99% is high but if we win with Weiland pitching tonight, I might change my mind. Two wins in this series means we're four games up with ten to play with seven of our ten against Baltimore and seven of their ten against New York.

You're assuming that the Yankees wont tank games to keep the Sox out of the post-season. They would never do that, right? Even if you check your devious mind at the door or assume they are indifferent to the Rays and Sox, the MFYs will be resting guys for the playoffs and setting up their rotation.

[ShaneTrot]

You're assuming that the Yankees wont tank games to keep the Sox out of the post-season. They would never do that, right? Even if you check your devious mind at the door or assume they are indifferent to the Rays and Sox, the MFYs will be resting guys for the playoffs and setting up their rotation.

Well, if that happens then the Sox have no one to blame but themselves. They control their own destiny.

Plus, if I were the MFY at this time I would prefer the Sox in the playoff before Tampa. Tampa has the best starters in the league right now. The Sox are limping to the playoffs.

[DaveRoberts'Shoes]

0.0?

[Rasputin]

You're assuming that the Yankees wont tank games to keep the Sox out of the post-season. They would never do that, right? Even if you check your devious mind at the door or assume they are indifferent to the Rays and Sox, the MFYs will be resting guys for the playoffs and setting up their rotation.

Yes, I am assuming that a team paid to win is not going to lose on purpose. Go figure.

And yes, I am assuming that a team that is getting itself ready for the postseason is still better than a team that is thirty games back.

[Rudy Pemberton]

I think at this point I'd handicap their chances after the series like so:

TB Sweeps: 50%. TB needs to play even to tie. Sox will have the easier schedule, but TB will have the psychological edge, and NY may gear down.

If the Sox get swept, they'll have lost like 16 of 19, right? And have lost 10 1/2 games to the Rays in less than a month? I guess it's possible that they could get swept by the Rays at home and still right the ship but I'd put it at less than 50 / 50. They'd be pretty demoralized at that point; and likely have the Angels right in the thick of things too.

[Snodgrass'Muff]

Less.

Beckett and Lester are the key. They both need to step up and carry this team to the playoffs. If Beckett needs a couple of weeks to get back to being himself or Lester is in the process of collapsing for some reason, the Rays are going to make it really interesting (read: terrifying) during the last week.

[dcmissle]

It's understandable for us to be self absorbed at this point, but the whole NYY's discussion is upside down.

Taking Olney at his word, Gardner and Cano are "gassed" and, of course, others are hurt. Which means that these people will get days off, as many as they need. And the NYY's rotation will be set right. And if there is any experimentation that they believe needs to be done, they will have the opportunity to do it. And insofar as the Rays and Sox are concerned, the chips will fall where they fall.

It takes a navel gazing pussy to assign the word "tank" to any of this, or to be upset about it. Especially when you've had 152 games to get your shit straight and another 10 to salvage the season. And especially when this is precisely what the RS do, and rightfully so, when they have taken care of business and nailed things down.

Edited by dcmissle, 15 September 2011 - 09:59 PM.

[Fratboy]

Come on guys, you knew a week ago they were gonna lose this one. Weiland, who's only up here because of injuries, was clearly overmatched by Hellickson, the possible the AL Rookie of the Year. The next two are the most winnable games of the series.

[terrynever]

It's understandable for us to be self absorbed at this point, but the whole NYY's discussion is upside down.

Taking Olney at his word, Gardner and Cano are "gassed" and, of course, others are hurt. Which means that these people will get days off, as many as they need. And the NYY's rotation will be set right. And if there is any experimentation that they believe needs to be done, they will have the opportunity to do it. And insofar as the Rays and Sox are concerned, the chips will fall where they fall.

It takes a navel gazing pussy to assign the word "tank" to any of this, or to be upset about it. Especially when you've had 152 games to get your shit straight and another 10 to salvage the season. And especially when this is precisely what the RS do, and rightfully so, when they have taken care of business and nailed things down.

I agree. Yanks will rest guys next week. Cashman said today that A-Rod's thumb will not heal until he gets a long rest in the offseason. He's going to try to play this weekend but once the division is clinched, he won't be playing much in the final week. Cano also rests. Teixeira needs time off. Swisher. They all do. Yanks will be interested observers in the wild-card race but they won't run guys into the ground so they can determine the winner.

Besides all this, Beckett and Lester are going to end the nonsense tonight and Saturday. Relax, everyone.

[Rudy Pemberton]

The guy the Sox are facing tomorrow has a 2.70 ERA and 11 CG's, though; and Beckett is not 100%. No gimme.

[Wingack]

It's understandable for us to be self absorbed at this point, but the whole NYY's discussion is upside down.

Taking Olney at his word, Gardner and Cano are "gassed" and, of course, others are hurt. Which means that these people will get days off, as many as they need. And the NYY's rotation will be set right. And if there is any experimentation that they believe needs to be done, they will have the opportunity to do it. And insofar as the Rays and Sox are concerned, the chips will fall where they fall.

Not only these two but I think you can add players with nagging injuries such as ARod, Martin and a few nicks on Jeter.

I think the problem for the Sox over the next few days is that even if Beckett and Lester pitch good games, the Rays are throwing guys out there that can be as good or better on any given day.

[Rasputin]

The guy the Sox are facing tomorrow has a 2.70 ERA and 11 CG's, though; and Beckett is not 100%. No gimme.

If you want a guarantee you're not going to find it in sports.

In fact, you're not going to find it in anything with real results.

[dcmissle]

Right, Rudy and Wing, which is why some of us have suggested in the Francona thread that it might have been a good idea to consider Paps in the 8th in those two Bard meltdowns vs Toronto -- and why it still merits consideration tomorrow or Saturday, when Beckett and Lester go.

[Paul M]

It comes down to what % of the time would you expect the Sox to go 6-7 or worse AND Tampa to go 9-4 or better? My best guess would be 16% of the time (40%*40%). The more adverse estimate would be 25% which is a result of continued bad luck and injuries. 75% is a big drop from the peak but as a low end number not as bleak as expected.

[Harry Hooper]

I believe Lester is 6-7 against TB since Game 7 of the 2008 ALCS.

[TheoShmeo]

It's understandable for us to be self absorbed at this point, but the whole NYY's discussion is upside down.

Taking Olney at his word, Gardner and Cano are "gassed" and, of course, others are hurt. Which means that these people will get days off, as many as they need. And the NYY's rotation will be set right. And if there is any experimentation that they believe needs to be done, they will have the opportunity to do it. And insofar as the Rays and Sox are concerned, the chips will fall where they fall.

It takes a navel gazing pussy to assign the word "tank" to any of this, or to be upset about it. Especially when you've had 152 games to get your shit straight and another 10 to salvage the season. And especially when this is precisely what the RS do, and rightfully so, when they have taken care of business and nailed things down.

So full of piss and vinegar.

If given the chance to send the Sox home, I do think that many in the Yankee organization would prefer that, even though the Rays are the better team right now. But that's not the point.

The point, as you yourself said, is that when the Rays play the Yankees, they will be playing a team that has the luxury of not caring about the results, and that will be focused only on what comes next and getting their team best prepared for that.

The Orioles, on the other hand, have been the Sox bitch for the last several years, and will undoubtedly be taking their role as spoiler seriously and doing all they can to end the Sox season.

So while the Orioles are 30 games back and generally suck ass, the Sox will most likely not have an easier draw than the Rays, regardless of what the Yankees' Sox-centric motivations are.

Last, of course the Sox have no one to blame but themselves. It's not about blame or being upset. It's about the crappy situation the Red Sox find themselves in and what they do about it.

Edited by TheoShmeo, 15 September 2011 - 10:45 PM.

[EvilEmpire]

I don't think there is any way the Sox miss the playoffs, but I'll be thankful if they have to push hard all the way to the end and have a harder time getting guys healthy.

[RedOctober3829]

I don't think there is any way the Sox miss the playoffs, but I'll be thankful if they have to push hard all the way to the end and have a harder time getting guys healthy.

No matter what teams do at the end of the year, you won't be getting players healthy this time of year. If they are hurt now, they'll be hurt in October too.

[Rasputin]

I don't think there is any way the Sox miss the playoffs, but I'll be thankful if they have to push hard all the way to the end and have a harder time getting guys healthy.

Oh there's a way. It's not a likely way but let's not kid ourselves, there's a way this could all go completely in the shitter.

[dcmissle]

It comes down to what % of the time would you expect the Sox to go 6-7 or worse AND Tampa to go 9-4 or better? My best guess would be 16% of the time (40%*40%). The more adverse estimate would be 25% which is a result of continued bad luck and injuries. 75% is a big drop from the peak but as a low end number not as bleak as expected.

Have you done the math on the LAA? I suppose it's about the same.

One of the Rays fans, probably dr tooth, expressed skepticism because their offense can suddenly grow cold. There was evidence of that as recently as Baltimore. And there is the burden of exhaustion; the Rays have been at this for a bit, and their hole was huge. (But then again, the Rockies met both challenges).

The thing that scares me is that there are two fighter jets behind us, not one. And the Angels' next 10 games -- before they finish with 3 vs Texas -- would frighten no one. Are they capable of almost running that table? Haven't seen enough so I honestly don't know.

EDIT:

No matter what teams do at the end of the year, you won't be getting players healthy this time of year. If they are hurt now, they'll be hurt in October too.

But there is the matter of setting your rotation, which is important to everyone but the Phillies and especially vital to the Sox right now. I have not begun to figure how it would set up if the RS have to fight near to the end.

Edited by dcmissle, 15 September 2011 - 10:46 PM.

[JimD]

But there is the matter of setting your rotation, which is important to everyone but the Phillies and especially vital to the Sox right now. I have not begun to figure how it would set up if the RS have to fight near to the end.

On their current rotation and assuming regular rest, Beckett could pitch Monday 9/26 (game 160) vs. the O's and Lester could pitch Wednesday 9/28 (game 162) if needed. That would line up Beckett to then pitch game 1 in the ALDS but Lester couldn't go until game 3 if he's needed to pitch against Baltimore.

[BroodsSexton]

It is extraordinarily appropriate that the season is ending this way after the way it started. I'm still expecting to see them in the playoffs, but shit this is pathetic.

[BucketOBalls]

No matter what teams do at the end of the year, you won't be getting players healthy this time of year. If they are hurt now, they'll be hurt in October too.

This is why I'm starting to leaning toward them missing the playoffs. Who is actually healthy at this point? Ellsbury and Pedroia seem to be the only healthy hitters(Maybe Scooter, but he isn't that good already). Everyone else seemes to be hurt to the point that it's effecting them or has regressed to the mean. Now you add in the injuries to pithers and with Bard and Lester being shakey....not good.


Even if they back in though, the chance of them actually doing anything is pretty much nil. Kinda feels like watching the Celtics actually.

Edit: Yeesh. Stuck ortiz in the wrong group even.

Edited by BucketOBalls, 16 September 2011 - 09:07 AM.

[MyDaughterLovesTomGordon]

This is why I'm starting to leaning toward them missing the playoffs. Who is actually healthy at this point? Ortiz, Ellsbury and Pedroia seem to be the only healthy hitters(Maybe Scooter, but he isn't that good already). Everyone else seemes to be hurt to the point that it's effecting them or has regressed to the mean. Now you add in the injuries to pithers and with Bard and Lester being shakey....not good.


Even if they back in though, the chance of them actually doing anything is pretty much nil. Kinda feels like watching the Celtics actually.

Ortiz? The guy in the back brace yesterday? Yeah, he's healthy as a horse. This team is battered. Has to be expected somewhat with a veteran team, but it would have been nice for Lavarnway to come up and have a Reddick-like hot start.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

It comes down to what % of the time would you expect the Sox to go 6-7 or worse AND Tampa to go 9-4 or better? My best guess would be 16% of the time (40%*40%). The more adverse estimate would be 25% which is a result of continued bad luck and injuries. 75% is a big drop from the peak but as a low end number not as bleak as expected.

You're assuming the Sox are capable of winning 6 games over the rest of the season. What have we seen recently that gives any indication that this is true? They're playing like the 2003 Tigers at this point. They've lost 7 of 8 and 9 of 11, plus 6 straight to Tampa.

Win expectations should be dialed down accordingly. They are in bad shape.

[Paul M]

Steve, if they can't even win 6 of 13 do they honestly deserve to make it? Just win 2 of 6 vs. NY/Tampa and go 4-3 vs. Baltimore and that's a tall order. You are probably right; I just have to assume even a couple starts from non-replacement level pitchers and a little home-cooking helps.

Can you imagine this place if this were pre-2004?

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Steve, if they can't even win 6 of 13 do they honestly deserve to make it? Just win 2 of 6 vs. NY/Tampa and go 4-3 vs. Baltimore and that's a tall order. You are probably right; I just have to assume even a couple starts from non-replacement level pitchers and a little home-cooking helps.

Can you imagine this place if this were pre-2004?

Look at the way they've played this month and tell me if you can honestly see them winning 6 games over the rest of the season. Or even 2 against Tampa/NY. I don't see it. Those are good teams playing good baseball; the Red Sox are not. Home cooking hasn't helped, starts from Lester haven't helped...nothing has helped. They are playing awful baseball, the manager's taken a huge brain dump over the past two weeks, and they're pressing so badly I think assuming they're capable of going .500 for the rest of the year is a huge stretch.

If they miss the playoffs there had better be a harsh accounting after the season. This is a catastrophe.

[Rudy Pemberton]

If they miss the playoffs there had better be a harsh accounting after the season. This is a catastrophe.

I don't disagree, but what can they do? The biggest issue has been the horrible performance (and injuries) to really high paid players. Lackey and Crawford aren't going anywhere. If you are John Henry, do you give Theo a bunch of money and trust him to fix it? There doesn't seem to be a lot of help on the farm at positions of need.

hopefully this isn't a topic we have to discuss for at least a month, though.

[irinmike]

Look at the way they've played this month and tell me if you can honestly see them winning 6 games over the rest of the season. Or even 2 against Tampa/NY. I don't see it. Those are good teams playing good baseball; the Red Sox are not. Home cooking hasn't helped, starts from Lester haven't helped...nothing has helped. They are playing awful baseball, the manager's taken a huge brain dump over the past two weeks, and they're pressing so badly I think assuming they're capable of going .500 for the rest of the year is a huge stretch.

If they miss the playoffs there had better be a harsh accounting after the season. This is a catastrophe.

With the pitching staff in shambles, and possibly four starts for our only two reliable pitchers in Beckett and Lester, I too am wondering if they cna win six more games. That's why it is imperative that if we have a lead after the seventh inning, we nail the victory down. Games like Wednesday's against Toronto can loom larger and larger now because we are sending questionable starters to the mound three out of every five games. I still like our chances to find a way to hold off the Rays, but I sure am not very optimistic about any playoff series with the state of our present group of players health wise. Kind of ironic that we rest players as much or more then other teams all season long, and we still end up with more injuries per capita then any contender in baseball at this point of the season.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

I don't disagree, but what can they do? The biggest issue has been the horrible performance (and injuries) to really high paid players. Lackey and Crawford aren't going anywhere. If you are John Henry, do you give Theo a bunch of money and trust him to fix it? There doesn't seem to be a lot of help on the farm at positions of need.

hopefully this isn't a topic we have to discuss for at least a month, though.

Start eating sunk costs.

[Rudy Pemberton]

Start eating sunk costs.

So you are going to highly subsidize the contracts of Lackey and Crawford....and replace them with...who, exactly?

As bad as Lackey has been- the Sox have had no better options to replace him.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

So you are going to highly subsidize the contracts of Lackey and Crawford....and replace them with...who, exactly?

As bad as Lackey has been- the Sox have had no better options to replace him.

I'm sure they can dig around for a starting pitcher in the offseason. Given that Lackey's the worst starting pitcher in all of baseball, improving on his performance should be easy. Eat the contract, kick him to the curb, and get someone in here who will pitch competently for once.

If they're concerned about on-field performance, that's the only sensible course of action to take. If they're going to keep Lackey around just because they're paying him a lot of money, that's reprehensible.

[NomarRS05]

So you are going to highly subsidize the contracts of Lackey and Crawford....and replace them with...who, exactly?

As bad as Lackey has been- the Sox have had no better options to replace him.

Maybe they re-evaluate how they approach free agency after this season, particularly with regards to pitching. The Yankees were able to add some quality depth with Colon and Garcia off the scrap heap, and maybe that's a wiser approach when it comes to pitching unless you're acquiring a sure-fire stud free agent SP.

[Rudy Pemberton]

Agree to disagree, I don't really think getting rid of Lackey now will serve any purpose other than making you happy. They aren't going to release a guy with 3 years, $48M left on his deal. Same goes with Crawford. Sox are stuck with these guys, better or worse. Selling low is never a great strategy. Think back to last year, there were folks ready to dump Papelbon (some suggested a non-tender) and Ellsbury, weren't there?

[JimD]

At what point does having Lackey go for TJ surgery become the best option? At least they could hope to get two good years out of him at the end of his contract.

Related question – if a player is injured but refuses surgery, are there provisions for a team to void the contract?