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Words cannot describe (especially my words) what Jon Lester has been through and what he has achieved.  From battling cancer, to winning the deciding game in the 2007 World Series and tonight throwing a no-hitter.

Good work Jon.

I'm sure Terry Francona was hoping and praying that Lester finished up his accomplishment quickly in the 9th as he wound up throwing a career high 130 pitches.  I would not have been surprised to see Francona, at Theo Epstein's orders, come out at any point in the 9th telling Lester his night was over, no-hitter or not.

With Clay Buchholz throwing one last year, Lester this year, Derek Lowe in 2002 and Hideo Nomo in 2001, no-hitters are back in vogue in Boston.

Some facts:

 - Jason Varitek has caught the most hitters in baseball history with 4 (see above).

 - Jon Lester is the first Red Sox left to throw a no-no since Mel Parnell July 14th 1956.

 - Red Sox reliever Chris Smith was warming up in the bullpen and with a high likelihood of being returned to Pawtucket after tonight's game, he was probably the only one in Fenway Park, other than the Royals, wishing against a no-hitter.  Instead, he will be sent packing to AAA still never having appeared in an MLB game.  In time Chris, in time.

 - Lester's was the 18th Red Sox no-hitter.

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 09:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

The Red Sox announced their rotation plans for the next few days.

Monday - Jon Lester

Tuesday - Justin Masterson

Wednesday - Bartolo Colon

Thursday - Daisuke Matsuzaka

The most interesting of these to me is Colon as if he does well, it'll force a longer-term decision by the Red Sox.  Options include returning Craig Hansen or even Clay Buchholz back to Pawtucket.  I am still happy the Red Sox were able to get Colon as he could end up being a big help while the younger pitchers find their rhythm.

If Colon struggles, well so what, release him with little financial liability.

As far as Masterson is concerned, I have to assume this is a spot start only what with the Red Sox playing a doubleheader this past Saturday.  Even if Masterson dominates in his start, he will be sent back to the minors for more development, as it should be.

The Red Sox host the Kansas City Royals for 4 starting tonight.

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 10:38 AM | Permalink

Arizona starting pitcher Micah Owings has gotten his career kicked off in a decent fashion.  At 25 years old, he is entering his 2nd season at the Major League level and has won 13 games with 9 losses.

A college boy, Owings attended Georgia Tech in 2003 then transferred to Tulane University in 2004.  He had to wait a year per NCAA rules after a transfer, but picked up the ball again in 2005 for Tulane.  He was selected by the Diamondbacks in 2005 and signed with them thus ending his collegiate career.

Owings continued to pitch well once in the Diamondbacks organization.  Here's a look at this numbers since college:

So what you say?  I agree, his pitching has been just fine, but nothing that would make you run out and buy his rookie card.

As my headline suggests, there is more to Owings than his arm.  Owings can hit too.

There have been many pitchers that could hit a bit.  Yankees fans, you might remember Rick Rhoden was used as a DH.  Tim Wakefield was a star shortstop in high school and started his pro career as a shortstop, although his batting record in the majors is...bad.

Wes Ferrell is probably the best hitting pitcher not named Babe Ruth.  Ferrell put up .280/.351/.446 numbers in his 15 season career.  He was an ok pitcher too.

We all recognize Ruth as the best hitting pitcher of all time.  Because of his hitting talent, he stopped pitching as it was best to get him in there everyday.  I do wonder how long and how well he'd have lasted had he pitched and played OF on his "off-days."

Back to Owings.  In just 2 season at the Major League level, Owings has opened eyes with his hitting.  Check these results out at the MLB level:  .341/.372/.636/1.008.  Sample size you yell!  Ok, how does 95 plate appearances sound?

Fluke! you yell.  Fine, check out his minor league numbers: .371/.375/.516/.891 in 66 PAs.

Where does this come from?  Check out his career numbers at the plate including college:

Micah Owings can hit.  I don't care what his college numbers were so much as how good he has been as a professional.  I dare you to find me a pitcher who has put up such batting numbers in a large a sample size at the pro level that didn't become a star.

I did think of one:  Rick Ankiel.  While he is not a star, he could always hit and for a while could really pitch.  After a "serenity now!" her dropped the pitching thing and his now starting OF for the Cardinals.  Not bad.  But even his "total numbers" which include time as a starting OF, he doesn't quite compare to Owings.

Owings is putting up numbers that are amazing.  He his getting on base (mostly via the hit) and hitting for power.  I challenge the Arizona Diamondbacks to give this kid regular PT as a batter.  Heck, you can use the offense, who couldn't?

While his pitching numbers have been good, I think Owings might better help a team with his bat.

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 09:18 PM | Permalink

No, that's not a Yiddish curse word.  Rather it's the name of Japanese baseball's next superstar.

ESPN.com had a great look at Darvish courtesy of Jim Caple.

Darvish has dominated in his brief time in the Japanese League.  At 21 years old, he isn't eligible for free agency for years, but his current team, the Nippon Ham Fighters has said it would consider the wishes of any of its players to play abroad.

Of course the Ham Fighters are saying that, they stand to make a nice windfall.

The question I pose to you:  Is paying a posting of say $50mm plus just for the right to talk with Yu a good idea?  Consider also you need to sign him to a contact.  Using recent examples, the Red Sox ponied up $51mm for the right to speak with Daisuke Matsuzaka and then signed him to a 6 year, $56mm deal.  So that's $107mm over 6 years for an untested player.  So far so good, although he hasn't dominated quite the way I had hoped and he is probably the most frustrating player in the Red Sox what with his tendencies to walk too many.

One of the original post/sign transactions was for Ichiro and that turned out to be a fantastic transaction for all involved.

There are other examples that haven't worked out so well, at least not yet.

For the purpose of appealing to the site constituency, let's imagine you are the GM of the Yankees or the Red Sox and it is ultimately up to you what to do regarding Darvish.  Let him go somewhere else, or put down your best offer and hope for the best?

My answer:  If I'm Theo Epstein, of course I make an offer to Nippon.  Without knowing what, if any financial obstacles the Red Sox are dealing with, I would make my offer in the low 50mm range.  Assuming you could sign Darvish for a similar $8-10mm a year deal like Matsuzaka did, that means your commitment is $106mm - $112m over 6 years or around $18mm per year.  Mentally I would want to avoid any contract over $20mm a year (I understand that by paying $50mm a year upfront makes it an even more expensive deal, but for simplicity, I'll use average per year).

The reason this posting system can be so good for MLB teams is that they needn't pay luxury tax on the posting fee and they don't owe any draft pick compensation.  At the same time, the system can be a disaster as no one yet has figured out a way to determine if players will thrive here or flop.

So I'm penciling in Yu Darvish in as the # 3 next year in the Red Sox rotation.  Done and done.

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBacks (0)

In a stunning move, the Red Sox have designated Julian Tavarez for assignment.   That means Tavarez will either be traded, released or assigned to Pawtucket within the next 10 days.  I'm kidding about the stunning part.

What it really means is this.  We will never see a professional baseball player bowl a baseball to first base.  We will never see a pitcher try to pick off an opponent by running from the mound to second base, only to flop in the general vicinity of second base all the while missing the runner by yards and seconds.

It was easy to poke fun at Tavarez, as I just did, but at the same time, he was a good person.  WEEI interviewed Tavarez during either the 2006 or 2007 season and I came away with great appreciation of him.

Tavarez was born in the Dominican Republic and unlike his current lifestyle, he was raised in relative poverty.  Tavarez spoke of sleeping on a dirt floor.  For those of us who've faced difficult times (or what we perceived as difficult times), try calling a dirt floor your bed.

Tavarez is unorthodox, but found a role in Boston.  Being in the last year of his deal, Tavarez was expendable.  Rumors abound that Boston was close to dealing him to the Colorado Rockies.  In fact, Manny Ramirez was quoted as saying the Red Sox should deal him for one of Milwaukee's sausages.  Ahh...Manny, a man of thoughtfulness.

Now that we've covered the human side, what it means is that Sean Casey is back.

On another note, Red Sox pitchers need to walk fewer batters or give up fewer hits.  When you keep your WHIP (Walks plus Hits divided into Innings Pitched, basically the number of base runners you allow per inning) below 1.30 or so, you have a much better chance of success.  Take for example:

Wakefield:  1.38 Whip, 2-2

Buchholz:  1.63 Whip, 2-3

Beckett:  0.94 Whip, 4-2

Matsuzaka:  1.22 Whip, 6-0

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 10:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Julio Lugo is just awful right now.  Let's see, the Red Sox as a team have committed 21 errors as a team.  Lugo has 11, that's more than half.  Lugo was never considered an elite SS, but he was considered at worst average.

Theo Epstein got himself into this mess signing Lugo to a 4 year, $36mm deal.  Lugo's Red Sox career has been bad, and that's being generous.  So what can the Red Sox do about it?  With 2+ years left on his deal, benching Lugo seems a bit silly but trading him also seems silly as the Red Sox would likely have to pick up a big part of his deal (baring receiving an equally bad contract in return).

If they do sit him down, I suppose Alex Cora (due back Sunday) could play each day or at least be put into a platoon situation.

If I'm Epstein, I find a way to cut this guy loose ASAP.  Trade him or bench him, but just don't keep him out there.  Jed Lowrie has proven that at worst he is an equal swap and by giving him the job, the Red Sox get to see another component of their future.  If Lowrie stumbles, Cora can lend a hand.

I think the most telling thing about Lugo and his inability to fit in here is this quote after Thursday's game given to the Herald's Steve Buckley:

“I don’t care, but sometimes it would be nice to say something positive,” he said. “But all the time it’s negative things, you know? Sometimes, you know, people should say something that’s positive. But every time it’s something negative . . . bring it up, bring it up, bring it up. Why?

“I understand you (the media) are going to write whatever you want . . . but I come here every day and bust my ass . . . if things don’t work out sometimes, that’s the way it’s going to be. You understand? But sometimes you bring up the same things . . . You get tired of that.”

This is what Red Sox players have to prepare themselves for mentally.  Those that can handle it excel, those that cannot are, well, Edgar Renteria.  Take your game somewhere else Julio.  If you want to play to empty stands and non-caring fans, go to Florida (14,980 fans a game).

No matter Lugo's capabilities, it's time for Boston to move on and find someone who can handle playing in Boston.

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 09:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It seems as though Brandon Moss has developed quite a reputation of late.  As you probably know already, he was DLed Saturday, the result of an emergency appendectomy (which ones aren’t emergency?  “Mr. Moss, I don’t like the look of your appendix, let’s take it out.  Shall we say February 2010?).

The legend of Moss, a legend I’ve been largely unaware of, has been growing, here’s evidence:

From Sunday’s Globe feature “On Baseball” by Nick Cafardo:

"He can do a lot of things. Strong left-handed bat. Good head for the game, but the Red Sox aren't inclined to deal him. We've tried, believe me."

In addition, the day before his surgery, Moss had complained of abdominal pain, but then played in Friday night’s game going 2-4 with a home run.  A legend building feat, no?

I guess we should all be happy he is on the Red Sox.  For whatever reason, I’ve considered him a 4^th outfielder with maybe the chance to be a starter on a team other than the Red Sox.  Let’s hope I’m wrong.

With Moss’s injury, once expected to sideline him 3-5 weeks, the Red Sox promoted Craig Hansen, thus fulfilling my wish.  I expect Hansen will stay here for the long haul with the Red Sox instead deciding to get rid of another reliever when the time comes.  Mike Timlin and Javier Lopez are the leading candidates.  Lopez because he is a side-throwing lefty who lets too many lefties get on base.  In 6.1 IP against lefties this year, he has only given up 4 hits, but walked 5.  Terry Francona wants Lopez to challenge lefties, not walk them.  Against righties, he has allowed 9 hits and 1 walk in 5.2 IP.  His 3.75 era might look good, but it’s soft.

I haven’t said much lately on this, but the late Will McDonough is being proved right about Roger Clemens more than ever.  Clemens is the Texas Con Man.

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 09:47 AM | Permalink

Perhaps Newton's theories are readily applied to baseball, and specifically to the Red Sox offense.

Last 7 day performance for the Red Sox offense:  .198/.260/.264/.524 (avg/obp/slg/ops).  Yes, it got worse after last night's win.  Included in the past 7 days:  39 H, 197 AB, 2 HRs, 13 runs, 13 RBI, 16 BB, 37 K's.  For an entire offense to do that, especially one with at worst decent hitters, is just amazing...amazingly bad.

The good news?  The pitching has also done well:  2.55 ERA over the same timeframe.  Yes they have a 2-4 record over the last week, but it could have been worse had the pitching not stepped up.

Given Peter's comments on the Yankee offense and the numbers to back it up, .211/.286/.336/.622, it is amazing to see such apparent powerhouse offenses struggle so badly.  Perhaps if the two teams merged you could patch together a league average offense.  Did I just say merge the Red Sox and Yankees?  That's a sacrilegious thing to say on this sight, please forgive me.

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 01:24 PM | Permalink