129 replies to this topic

[koufax37]

I wouldn't mind seeing Aceves get a chance, but I think ultimately Felix is better, Miller is coming back as a long man (at Albers' expense?). I wanted to see Tazawa over Albers, but that won't be happening as we break camp.

Exactly. While I think that Bard will be a starter, it's unclear whether Doubront or Aceves will. It may be better to have one lefty starter and two lefty relievers (one long and one short) rather than vice versa. I can definitely seeing the Sox go that way. Then, when Cook or Dice-K come along, Aceves moves to the pen at the expense of someone like Bowden or Albers. That would be the most elegant scenario and may well be what they decide to do.

[Buzzkill Pauley]

This is where that third pitch would appear to come in handy.

[koufax37]

Glad to see him extend and get through it, but it would have been nice to see a sharper sixth inning. Hard to tell without seeing it on TV, since it sounded like at least one of the hits was a good pitch and bad luck.

Overall, a very impressive job by Bard. Anybody have a pitch count?

[Red(s)HawksFan]

@IanMBrowne says 95 pitches

[ThePieholeOfDavidWells]

From Extra Bases blog:

"

Bard has thrown 95 pitches and is surely done for the day.

His line: 6 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K"

Obviously the R & ER are wrong.

[ThePieholeOfDavidWells]

CIRIACO!

[SoxScout]

Ciriaco steals 2B, scored from 2B on a sac bunt....

[soxhop411]

Did we really just score from second on a bunt?

[Red(s)HawksFan]

From Extra Bases blog:

"

Bard has thrown 95 pitches and is surely done for the day.

His line: 6 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K"

Obviously the R & ER are wrong.

PeteAbe, I'm assuming. He just corrected himself on twitter. 3 R, 3 ER

Also, @brianmacp says Bard was at 92-93 in the sixth after sitting around 94-95 in the early innings. Encouraging.

[MalzoneExpress]

My Gameday is stuck on Punto leading off the 7th. The data guy must be taking a crap.

[InsideTheParker]

Ciriaco steals 2B, scored from 2B on a sac bunt....

How do you get your info? My Gameday has no such thing.

[ThePieholeOfDavidWells]

PeteAbe, I'm assuming. He just corrected himself on twitter. 3 R, 3 ER

Also, @brianmacp says Bard was at 92-93 in the sixth after sitting around 94-95 in the early innings. Encouraging.

He hit 96 a couple of times, but the Twins radio guys were saying he was laboring and the FB was down in the 6th. I'd say there's a tiny cause for concern that he's not saving enough for later innings, but I think overall he's earned a shot in the rotation. Whether or not he can keep it remains to be seen.

[ThePieholeOfDavidWells]

How do you get your info? My Gameday has no such thing.

Listening to the radio broadcast through MLB.tv. The Twins broadcast is the only one available today.

[Red(s)HawksFan]

He hit 96 a couple of times, but the Twins radio guys were saying he was laboring and the FB was down in the 6th. I'd say there's a tiny cause for concern that he's not saving enough for later innings, but I think overall he's earned a shot in the rotation. Whether or not he can keep it remains to be seen.

I think that tiny cause for concern lies more with the wavering of command in the sixth rather than the slight drop in velocity. If he can still command it in the later innings, losing an MPH or two isn't going to hurt him.

[ThePieholeOfDavidWells]

I think that tiny cause for concern lies more with the wavering of command in the sixth rather than the slight drop in velocity. If he can still command it in the later innings, losing an MPH or two isn't going to hurt him.

I guess I think they're related phenomena. But you're right, and it reminds us of the reason he was stuck in the bullpen in the first place. The velocity was always good, he just didn't have command.

[Sprowl]

More power from the scrubs! Gomez goes yard.

[Buzzkill Pauley]

Right on both command and velocity, but since Bard's been a reliever so long, the only way to get him over that hump is to continue to pitch him through the point where he starts to waver.

I think BobbyV has a quick, quick hook with Bard and the Aceves/Doubront winner, though. Starting in April.

[SoxScout]

Some MiL extra just took Albers yard

[E5 Yaz]

Ciriaco steals 2B, scored from 2B on a sac bunt....

They'll send him down as the last cut, he'll get injured in Pawtucket, and never will be heard from again

[SoxScout]

They'll send him down as the last cut, he'll get injured in Pawtucket, and never will be heard from again

Even if he stays healthy he will never be heard from again because he isn't good.

[Buzzkill Pauley]

"Matt Albers, One-Inning Pitcher" is on the mound.

I was pretty sure we confirmed that as his full title last year, right?

[Ahh, ST Gameday. Not any more -- now Melancon?]

Edited by Buzzkill Pauley, 30 March 2012 - 02:41 PM.

[E5 Yaz]

Even if he stays healthy he will never be heard from again because he isn't good.

I thought that was a given

[Rasputin]

So, can someone explain to me why Albers is supposed to be safe this spring?

[InsideTheParker]

Yeah, I'm in the Tazawa is Better camp. Oh, well.

[ThePieholeOfDavidWells]

They'll send him down as the last cut, he'll get injured in Pawtucket, and never will be heard from again

Haven't been following this, but there was speculation he could be sent to the White Sox. Anyone know if that's still the case?

[E5 Yaz]

The Braves signed Livan Hernandez

[ThePieholeOfDavidWells]

From Pete Abe Extra Bases again:

"Just spoke to Daniel Bard, who was very pleased with his outing.

He said he hasn't been told whether he's in the rotation or not. But he was told he would stay behind and pitch in a minor league game on Wednesday if he was."

[rembrat]

So, can someone explain to me why Albers is supposed to be safe this spring?

I'm puzzled too. I think they can get him through waivers, I think he sucks so bad.

[E5 Yaz]

Jed Lowrie's injured

[SoxScout]

He was awesome for 4 months last year before something happened and he got gopheritis

[Carl Everetts Therapist]

did I hear correctly that Iglesias hit another homer in a AAA game today?

[Buzzkill Pauley]

did I hear correctly that Iglesias hit another homer in a AAA game today?

Aargh...Hulk SMASH!

[Foulkey Reese]

From Pete Abe Extra Bases again:

"Just spoke to Daniel Bard, who was very pleased with his outing.

He said he hasn't been told whether he's in the rotation or not. But he was told he would stay behind and pitch in a minor league game on Wednesday if he was."

What the heck is the delay at this point?

[Carl Everetts Therapist]

He was awesome for 4 months last year before something happened and he got gopheritis

Beer and Fried Chicken happened, I heard Albers was clearing a Bucket of the Colonel's Secret Recipe by himself during the 7th inning stretch

[E5 Yaz]

What the heck is the delay at this point?

Trade in the works

[ThePieholeOfDavidWells]

I'm puzzled too. I think they can get him through waivers, I think he sucks so bad.

You guys need to smoke the objective pipe. He's perfectly cromulent.

[InsideTheParker]

Unknown just stole 2nd! Gameday is SO exciting!

[ThePieholeOfDavidWells]

Trade in the works

Edes (I think) was speculating on that this morning, although it might have been someone at the Herald. I can't figure it out. there are 4 guys for 3 spots: Cook, Aceves, Doubront and Bard. The only one I can see being traded is Doubront; Cook and Aceves don't seem particularly valuable. Bard isn't going anywhere. The most likely outcome is: Cook to AAA, Aceves to the pen, Doubront & Bard in the rotation. I don't see how a trade has any bearing on whether or not Bard is in the rotation.

[Carl Everetts Therapist]

Gomez has 3 homers this Spring? He put up sick numbers for the Garnett team last year, what do we have in this guy? Why hasn't he recieved a legit shot?

[E5 Yaz]

Gomez has 3 homers this Spring? He put up sick numbers for the Garnett team last year, what do we have in this guy? Why hasn't he recieved a legit shot?

Where would you play him?

[Carl Everetts Therapist]

Edes (I think) was speculating on that this morning, although it might have been someone at the Herald. I can't figure it out. there are 4 guys for 3 spots: Cook, Aceves, Doubront and Bard. The only one I can see being traded is Doubront; Cook and Aceves don't seem particularly valuable. Bard isn't going anywhere. The most likely outcome is: Cook to AAA, Aceves to the pen, Doubront & Bard in the rotation. I don't see how a trade has any bearing on whether or not Bard is in the rotation.

I don't see why you'd want to trade Doubront, As far as I'm concerned he's a exactly what this team needs...... A cost controlled, young back of the rotation starter, capable of being an innings eater down the road

[Rasputin]

I'm puzzled too. I think they can get him through waivers, I think he sucks so bad.

I don't think he's that bad, he's just not that good.

[ThePieholeOfDavidWells]

Gomez has 3 homers this Spring? He put up sick numbers for the Garnett team last year, what do we have in this guy? Why hasn't he recieved a legit shot?

Too many Ks?

[Carl Everetts Therapist]

Where would you play him?

As Pawtucket DH........... But I mean how come he never got a shot with the Braves or anyone else and the sox picked him up for nothing

[MalzoneExpress]

You guys need to smoke the objective pipe. He's perfectly cromulent corpulent.

Fixed that for you.

[ThePieholeOfDavidWells]

I don't see why you'd want to trade Doubront, As far as I'm concerned he's a exactly what this team needs...... A cost controlled, young back of the rotation starter, capable of being an innings eater down the road

Doubront's ceiling is as a back of the rotation innings eater. That's why you trade him right now, because he's pitched very well.

[Carl Everetts Therapist]

Is there anything that would lead you to belive that Punto is a better player than Ciriaco? other than the ability to draw a walk here and there?

[SoxScout]

Is there anything that would lead you to belive that Punto is a better player than Ciriaco? other than the ability to draw a walk here and there?

Go look at Ciriaco's career.

[Rasputin]

I don't see why you'd want to trade Doubront, As far as I'm concerned he's a exactly what this team needs...... A cost controlled, young back of the rotation starter, capable of being an innings eater down the road

Yeah. A trade to bring in a starter would make some sense though, if you though he could be better than Doubront or Bard. Bring in X, Bard to the rotation, Aceves and Doubront to the pen.

[Rasputin]

Doubront's ceiling is as a back of the rotation innings eater. That's why you trade him right now, because he's pitched very well.

But that is exactly what we need right now.