140 replies to this topic

[Dick Pole Upside]

I think Crawford was spitballing, saying that the extra bunting, on top of the other swing work he was doing, led to some kind of aggravation. The cumulative effect of the workload caused the flare up, not the specific act of bunting.

Now... back to the biomechanics of The Bunt...

[Pearl Wilson]

I've been wondering about the problem with the wrist and Edes lays it out in this piece.

Crawford in early January underwent a debridement of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) of his left wrist, which is on the pinky finger side of the wrist and impacts the ability to rotate the wrist. The wrist bothered him last season, he said, to the point that he had injections several times during the season.

[JimBoSox9]

The longer the wrist saga goes on, I can't be the only one for whom the name Garciaparra keeps popping into my head. Both dynamic players who seem particularly reliant on their physical tools rather than technique to succeed. Here's hoping it becomes a meaningless comparison in a year and not a prescient one.

[Montana Fan]

I can't find the post but early in the pre-season (like 2 weeks ago) wasn't there an article quoting Bobby V as saying that CC wouldn't be swinging a bat too early as they wanted to ease him back in and at the same time he was making that statement, CC was swinging away in a batting cage.

I don't want to get into the CC is dumb debate but at a minimum he seems to be doing his own thing.

[joyofsox]

Crawford, reported by Bradford:

"I was moving too fast, probably."

"I've taken a few days off because my wrist flared up a little bit. Just taking a little precaution and waiting back. Probably over-working it a little bit and it flared u on me. I just have to cut back a little bit. I just felt like I was on my way, but then I had a little setback. I guess this kind of stuff happens. Just got to keep moving on.

"The bunting didn't help it. Doing all the activities didn't make it better, but bunting was the final thing that took it over the edge. ... It was pretty much myself trying to push it a little bit. Probably shouldn't have done as much as I was doing. But it was feeling so good at first I thought I could just keep going and keep going. Now I know what kind of pace I have to do things at. Once the inflammation goes down I know not to try and push it."

http://www.weei.com/...o-fast-probably

[reggiecleveland]

This actually makes me feel better about Crawford since it explains why he was so surprisingly bad last year. It is possible to write last year off if his wrist was screwed I hope he isn't permanently hurt.

I wonder if it is possible our two whipping boys Carl and Lackey were both actually toughing it out for the team.

Take it slow Carl, get healthy. I would take half a season of Good Carl if that's how long it takes.

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

Sean McAdam ‏ @Sean_McAdam
After exam, Crawford told to shut down for 5-7 days. Valentine acknowledges that "probably not realistic" for opener. #RedSoxTalk

[Foulkey Reese]

Cody Ross and Darnell McDonald in our opening day outfield. Yikes.

[Rudy Pemberton]

Cody Ross and Darnell McDonald in our opening day outfield. Yikes.

Well, both were better than Crawford last year.

Besides, isn't it more likely to be Sweeney and Ross, since Sox are probably facing a righty (Verlander)?

Edited by Rudy Pemberton, 05 March 2012 - 03:42 PM.

[redsox2020]

Michael Silverman @MikeSilvermanBB

Expect to see Adrian Gonzalez play the outfield this spring #redsox

[JimBoSox9]

I wouldn't trust A-Gon's range in a Little League outfield.

[dbn]

Is there any, non-stupid, reason to do this?

Lars hits a grand slam in spring training so let's put the superstar cornerstone-of-the-franchise (going forward) in the outfield where he'll go from being a rather good defender to possibly the worst fielder at his position in MLB and increase his risk of injury since he'll be doing things he's not used to. Why not have an Inter-league OF of Papi (LF), Gonzalez (CF) and Youk (RF) so we can get Lavarnway and Middlebrooks in the lineup, too?

[edit to add: I know they aren't going to play Gonzalez in the outfield in real games; my point is: why then why do this at all in spring training?]

Edited by dbn, 06 March 2012 - 01:47 PM.

[EdRalphRomero]

Is there any, non-stupid, reason to do this?

Lars hits a grand slam in spring training so let's put the superstar cornerstone-of-the-franchise (going forward) in the outfield where he'll go from being a rather good defender to possibly the worst fielder at his position in MLB and increase his risk of injury since he'll be doing things he's not used to. Why not have an Inter-league OF of Papi (LF), Gonzalez (CF) and Youk (RF) so we can get Lavarnway and Middlebrooks in the lineup, too?

[edit to add: I know they aren't going to play Gonzalez in the outfield in real games; my point is: why then why do this at all in spring training?]

I think the idea is to play Gonzalez in the outfield in real games, particularly in inter-league games where Papi plays 1st.

[Rasputin]

[edit to add: I know they aren't going to play Gonzalez in the outfield in real games; my point is: why then why do this at all in spring training?]

The manager hasn't seen a lot of these players. He hasn't managed them. He hasn't managed against them. He's getting to know what he's got for every imaginable situation.

[Old Fart Tree]

I've been wondering about the problem with the wrist and Edes lays it out in this piece.

I had TFCC surgery in October. It sucks, but mine was a full tear. The debridement is typically for a lesser injury, except in situations where you fully tear the tiny little connective tissues that are too small for an actual suture and reconstruction type thing, in which case debriding- shaving, as I understand it, those connective tissues - prompts a healing response that may get you 80% of the way there.

It's highly likely that my experience has nothing to do with that of an elite pro athlete with access to the finest medical care in the world, but for what it's worth, mine was on my bottom (left) hand, which I've found has slowed my bat speed a little and made me more of a top hand dominant hitter. Since his is on his top hand, I would think that his bat speed would be affected very little, and if anything his power could be diminished during the healing and strengthening process. For someone of his athletic caliber, I have no idea how long that would be.

[BoSox Rule]

[edit to add: I know they aren't going to play Gonzalez in the outfield in real games; my point is: why then why do this at all in spring training?]

They did last year.

[ToeKneeArmAss]

I had TFCC surgery in October. It sucks, but mine was a full tear. The debridement is typically for a lesser injury, except in situations where you fully tear the tiny little connective tissues that are too small for an actual suture and reconstruction type thing, in which case debriding- shaving, as I understand it, those connective tissues - prompts a healing response that may get you 80% of the way there.

It's highly likely that my experience has nothing to do with that of an elite pro athlete with access to the finest medical care in the world, but for what it's worth, mine was on my bottom (left) hand, which I've found has slowed my bat speed a little and made me more of a top hand dominant hitter. Since his is on his top hand, I would think that his bat speed would be affected very little, and if anything his power could be diminished during the healing and strengthening process. For someone of his athletic caliber, I have no idea how long that would be.

To check my understanding, let me paraphrase.

Ev had a surgery that was similar to but different from Crawford's.

Since he's a different person having a different surgery under different circumstances, he's unsure whether his experience can provide any insights as to what to expect with Carl.

Did I get that about right?

[dbn]

They did last year.

Wow, you are correct. It seems he played two games in RF last year (the only time in his MLB career he played a position other than 1B), which I obviously missed.

Can anyone comment on how it went?

[Old Fart Tree]

To check my understanding, let me paraphrase.

Ev had a surgery that was similar to but different from Crawford's.

Since he's a different person having a different surgery under different circumstances, he's unsure whether his experience can provide any insights as to what to expect with Carl.

Did I get that about right?

Sure. Alternatively, It's a similar surgery on the same body part, and multiple surgeons walked me through the scenarios that might result from having both types of surgeries on said body part.

Tough crowd.

[rembrat]

Wow, you are correct. It seems he played two games in RF last year (the only time in his MLB career he played a position other than 1B), which I obviously missed.

Can anyone comment on how it went?

He played in 2 small RF (Philly, Houston) and fielded some singles and watched a HR go over his head. I think he might have made a putout as well.

What's funny about this deal is that it puts 2 guys into positions they don't feel comfortable playing. Ortiz, during a ST game, told Remy and Don he would be ready to play 1B if Bobby asked him to but that he would rather not. And I'm sure if you had an off the record conversation with Gonzalez he would say the same thing.

[Doctor G]

Tito only did this because the Sox had a 9 game road trip to Pittsburgh Philly and Houston, and he was concerned with Ortiz not getting regular at bats for an extended number of games.

The longest stretch of games in NL parks this year is only six with the last three in Wrigley which might be the only time they would consider playing AG in right.

[Div School Sox Fan]

What's funny about this deal is that it puts 2 guys into positions they don't feel comfortable playing. Ortiz, during a ST game, told Remy and Don he would be ready to play 1B if Bobby asked him to but that he would rather not. And I'm sure if you had an off the record conversation with Gonzalez he would say the same thing.

This is definitely the Bobby V / Tito trade-off. Bobby V is going to risk annoying or even alienating his players. But he's going to do it in the service of winning ballgames - the Sox are obviously better with both Gonzalez and Ortiz in the lineup. I don't know what the right balance is, but I have a general tendency to believing that these guys are professionals and their job is to win ballgames - even if that means taking the field fifteen times a season. The manager's job isn't to be their friend, it's to get the best work out of them and put guys on the field in the arrangements that will win the most games.

I could be wrong, and Bobby V could be wrong. He might fail. But I like that he's going to be fighting to win games, and I think there's a good chance it'll work for the best.

[Savin Hillbilly]

the Sox are obviously better with both Gonzalez and Ortiz in the lineup.

I think it would be interesting to test that theory analytically. Say you put Adrian in RF instead of Sweeney so Papi can play first. You're gaining considerable offense at one position, but losing considerable defense at two. Are you really better off?

[Toe Nash]

I think it would be interesting to test that theory analytically. Say you put Adrian in RF instead of Sweeney so Papi can play first. You're gaining considerable offense at one position, but losing considerable defense at two. Are you really better off?

We talked about it last year, which apparently multiple people forgot about (and I don't personally blame them for forgetting everything they could about last year.

Good discussion in here:

http://sonsofsamhorn..._1#entry3599528

I think it's not worth hurting the team defensively at two positions just to get Ortiz's bat in the lineup over Lavarnway's or whoever, and the numbers in that thread basically back this up depending on just how bad defensively Ortiz and Gonzalez are (and the risk of injury).

Last year they had nine consecutive road games in NL parks I believe, so a lot of the concern was Ortiz getting rusty sitting for nine games straight. That's not the case this year.

[tims4wins]

Elbow injury

[Sprowl]

Elbow injury

Does that explain why his throwing arm is so bad? And does the team get a bulk rate on Tommy John surgery?

[Harry Hooper]

Crawford seems like a new person...Pervis Ellison

[Pumpsie]

Just give the money back, Carl, and we'll call it even and no hard feelings.

[Plympton91]

Does that explain why his throwing arm is so bad? And does the team get a bulk rate on Tommy John surgery?

No, seriously, have they considered an exorcism?

[Jinhocho]

This actually makes me feel better about Crawford since it explains why he was so surprisingly bad last year. It is possible to write last year off if his wrist was screwed I hope he isn't permanently hurt.

I wonder if it is possible our two whipping boys Carl and Lackey were both actually toughing it out for the team.

Take it slow Carl, get healthy. I would take half a season of Good Carl if that's how long it takes.

I think Lackey definitely was. Unless you believe he tore it in his last start or in the shower after his last start lol.

[Hendu's Gait]

This seems like a good place as any for the discussion: Everything I recall seems to signify that he does not want to play center and/or is a significantly weaker center fielder than a left fielder. Given the elephant in the room, does the RS brass ask him to play CF, and how strongly?

Personally, if I was manager or gm, I would pretty forceful in asking him to play center, at least until he proves he's less capable than Ross/Sweeney. (I'm fairly certain McDonald is better defensively in both CF and RF than Crawford, at least at Fenway, but I much prefer Crawford bat potential in the SL, and McDonald's flexibility on the bench ).

[Van Everyman]

That is essentially what I was suggesting above. Listen, I know we're all imagining that this team may well be screwed without Ellsbury. But the fact is, we have another guy waiting in the wings who has a long career of demonstrating he can give us 90% of what Ellsbury produced last year (not as much power being the obvious difference).

Last year, Crawford was able to hide his horrible year because the other 8 guys produced so well. This year, the team actually needs him to produce. Maybe it's just wishful thinking but my sense is that Crawford is more likely to thrive in an environment where he is expected to lead than one in which he can hide behind his teammates.

[Rudy Pemberton]

How does having Crawford play CF help? The guys who would be playing CF, and have experience doing so, would be playing LF. It doesnt allow for anyone better to get in the lineup. Keep Carl in LF.

[Hendu's Gait]

Theory is that it is easier to find a corner OF on the market than a CF.

[Buzzkill Pauley]

How does having Crawford play CF help? The guys who would be playing CF, and have experience doing so, would be playing LF. It doesnt allow for anyone better to get in the lineup. Keep Carl in LF.

Yes. The idea of even asking Crawford to play CF when the team has multiple other players likely able to play CF just as well, or better, is silly.

[Plympton91]

Well, if Lars Anderson looks competent in LF, that would be a reason. I'm confident that Anderson isn't going to look competent in CF or Fenway's RF.

[Van Everyman]

If the Rays series is any guide, we just may have the horses on offense to hold the line until Carl comes back. Sweeney has been a revelation. Ross is just tearing lefties limb from limb. And Ortiz looks like he's in full rice and beans glory. Even though we're still not getting much from Youk and Gonzalez isn't quite in the swing of things yet.

Which means, if I'm the FO, I don't activate Carl until I'm confident he's pretty much 100% -- and give him the opportunity to make the most of his return. Yes, Carl was terrible last year. And I know a lot of folks have been cursing his contract not just because it felt like sunk money but also because it seriously reduced the odds of re-signing Ellsbury.

But if Carl can return to his career norms--not as big of an "if" as it probably seems--it's going to go a long way toward easing the pain of Ellsbury being out for the season and leaving at the end of next season for some ridiculous contract the Sox never likely should have matched in the first place.

This is Carl's opportunity to prove the haters wrong and earn his money.

[HriniakPosterChild]

This is Carl's opportunity to prove the haters wrong and earn his money.

Another opportunity. (At $21m AAV, he's not going to have any shortage of those opportunities.)

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

https://twitter.com/#!/bradfo/status/192352358938853377

Edited by BannedbyNYYFans.com, 17 April 2012 - 03:59 PM.

[kneemoe]

Theoretically he could do that without arms... no comment(s) on his wrist or elbow.
At least this one mentions making contact - https://twitter.com/#!/MaureenaMullen/status/192368558863417344 - still nothing to write home about just yet.

[barclay]

Butherus chimes in -- a bit more detail about the wrist and the (failed) attempt (contra Bradford) at a steal:

http://www.naplesnew...-game-action-fo