Tagged: Josh Beckett

Saltalamacchia

His last name barely fits on his jersey, he
couldn’t throw the ball back to the pitcher last year, and he’s only hit
twenty-three home runs in his career. Yet, Jarrod Saltalamacchia will be catching Josh Beckett, Jon
Lester, John Lackey, Clay Buchholz, and Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2011.



Jarrod Saltalamacchia was drafted by the
Atlanta Braves with the thirty-sixth pick in the 2003 draft, one pick before
Orioles all-star outfielder Adam Jones.

In 2006 with the braves class A
affiliate, the Rome Braves, Salty had his best year of his young career. He hit
.314, with nineteen home runs, and eighty-one runs batted in. After his
breakout season Baseball America ranked Saltalamacchia as the eighteenth best
prospect in Major League Baseball.

The following year, Saltalamacchia became
the starting catcher for the Mississippi Braves (AA). In twenty-two games,
Salty hit .373 with seven big flies.

The same year, in 2007 Saltalamacchia was
called up on his twenty-second birthday after an injury to Brian McCann and
then made his major league debut.

On July 31, 2007, also in the same year, Elvis
Andrus, Neftali Feliz, Matt Harrison, Beau Jones, and Saltalamacchia were
traded to the Texas Rangers for Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay.

Fast-forward three years latter and
Saltalamacchia was put on the disabled list after the first two games of the
2010 season. He was then sent down to AAA because he couldn’t do one of the
simplest things in baseball. Eventually and thankfully, Salty learned how to
throw the ball back to the pitcher.

On July 31, 2010 Jarrod Saltalamacchia
was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Chris McGuiness, Ramon Mendez, a player to be named later (Michael
Thomas), and some money. He was then sent to Pawtucket.

Saltalamacchia was eventually called up after
an injury to Kevin Cash. In his first appearance in the Red Sox starting line
up on August 12, Saltalamacchia went 2-4 with a run scored.

So far, in his time in Bean town, Salty went
just 3-19 (.158), with one RBI, two runs scored, and no home runs. Yet, despite
those stats, the Red Sox are letting Jarrod Saltalamacchia control one of the
best pitching staffs in baseball.

Continue reading →

Pitching Problems?

Thanks guys for making me number nine on the latest leaders list! My dedication will be coming soon.
I planed writing this entry primarily about Josh Beckett’s stupid suspension and Jon Lester’s poor start. But since this morning Dice-K went on the D.L. and Tim Wakefield flirted with history.
Josh Beckett
Josh Beckett Picture

On Easter Sunday Josh Beckett was pitching against the Angels with Bobby Abreu up to bat. After Beckett stood on the mound for about ten seconds Abreu called for time and the umpire granted it for him. As Abreu step out Beckett had just started his wind up and Beckett threw the pitch at Abreu’s head. Abreu played for the Yankees the last few years so that might have come into play. Then the benches cleared.
If Beckett had not thrown the ball and stopped in the middle of his windup there was a chance of injury and no one wants that to happen.
He ended up getting suspended and fined which was just a joke. It is obvious the ball Beckett pitched to Abreu slipped out of his hand. I mean just look at the replays. It slipped! 
If Beckett did mean to hit Abreu in the head he is a jerk. I mean the Angels are going threw though times after the death of Nick Adenhart. I do not know how you could do that. However I still think it was an accident.
When Beckett heard the news he was shocked. Beckett is currently appealing the suspension. Since the lengths of the appeal process takes a while it is very likely that Beckett will still start against the Orioles Saturday.
So it is pretty official unless Bob Watson, vice president of on-field operations for MLB implements the suspension he will be the most hatted man in Red Sox Nation.
Jon Lester


Jon Lester has experienced the ups and downs of his major league carer. Lester has survived cancer and pitched a no-hitter. Yet now Lester might be experience what seems to be the first of his lows.
I am not sure what to think of Lester’s poor start. Is he just not an April guy or is this serious. Was last year just a fluke? I hope not! I doubt it is serious. I mean it is not like Lester has been pitching with a broken arm and I am 100 percent sure that last year was not a fluke. 
Lester never really had a true follow up year after his rookie year due to his cancer and for me last year was like a second rookie year for me. So maybe now Lester is just experiencing a sophomore slump.
In eleven innings this year Lester is zero and two with a 9.00 ERA and has struck out ten. Lester in my opinion did better in his second game but come could argue that he did better. 
In his first game against the Rays Lester pitched five innings and gave up eight hits, five runs, walked two, and struck out five.
In his second game against the Athletics Lester pitched six innings and gave up ten hits, six runs, no walks, and struck out two. Lester is scheduled to pitch on Sunday against the Orioles.
Daisuke Matsuzaka


Dice-K pitched just one inning last night against the A’s and gave up five runs. He ended up leaving the game after the first inning with what appeared to be arm fatigue. We now know he has a strained shoulder which is pretty much just arm a fatigue.
It is possible that this injury was because of pitching in the World baseball Classic. Dice-K pitched a lot for team Japan in the WBC. Japan made it to the finals and won it all again and Dice-K pitched 14.2 innings in three games.
Dice-K was hurt last year and was in Cy Young talks. So I am not nervous
or worried about this injury. If Dice-K did not get hurt he probably would have won twenty games last year.
I looks like Justin Masterson will be Dice-K’s replacement in the rotation. Last night Masterson threw four innings for the Sox. So far this year Masterson is zero and zero with seven strikeouts and a 4.50 ERA.
I am really not worried about Dice-K. The only thing that makes me upset is the fact that he is on my fantasy team and now I have three starters on the D.L.

Tim Wakefield

His vaunted knuckleball was only one weapon Tim Wakefield employed in his eight shutout innings (two hits, six strikeouts).

The Red Sox bullpen needed a day off after Dice-K only pitched one inning yesterday . . . and they did. Tim Wakefield had a no hitter through 7.1 innings till Kurt Suzuki broke it up with a clean single.
Wakefield’s near no-hitter was practically a tribute to Jackie Robinson. He wore 42. He was making his 402 MLB start. He was 42 years old. He gave up 4 hits and 2 runs. He struck out 4 and walked 2. I mean that is pretty crazy.
Of course as soon as I turn on the T.V. I see one out and then the hit. So I am probably one of the most hatted persons in Red Sox Nation. So you guys better not tell anyone about this.
The other day a kid on my baseball team said it was easy to hit a home run off of Tim Wakefield. He was wrong not just about the game but about his whole carer. Wakefield has not given up a big fly so far this year and in 2,870 carer innings pitched Wakefield has give up just 362. Meaning he gives up one home run almost once every eight innings. Okay that is not the best but lets change innings to games. Wakefield has pitched in 543 games. Meaning he gives up one home run every 1.5 game. Okay so maybe he was kind of right.
Wakefiled also showed me. Yesterday I said in the playoffs Jon Smoltz should join the rotation and move Wakefield to the bullpen because more hitters are learning how to hit the knuckleball. Boy, I was wrong!
So Boston we kind of have a problem. Our ace is suspended, our second ace is in a slump, our third ace is hurt, and out forth ace is well awesome!
PHOTO CREDITS
1- zimbo.com
2- baseball.about.com
3- masslive.com
4- boston.com

Pitchers, Catchers, and the Rest of the Team

Today, Friday the 13th was the first full day of pitchers and catchers camp. It came just in time although it could have been earlier. Today there are two college basketball games, seven hockey games, a golf tournament, four women’s basketball games, and the 2009 Rookie Challenge. Some could argue that today is the loneliest day in the history of sports. It would be the loneliest day in sports if the NBA Rookie Challenge wasn’t today at nine P.M. eastern. I’m getting off track though. I know that all the first few days of pitchers and catchers camp is just conditioning, stretching, and throwing the ball around. The real work doesn’t start until Monday when position players report to camp. The only problem is Kevin Youkillis and Chris Carter will not arrive at camp . . . because they are already there. I think it would be kind of boring to be the only two position players (besides catchers) to be there. Like all of the drills would be mostly related to the pitchers and catchers. I’m sure they have someone else training Youk and Carter though. Everyone seems healthy or better. It looks like Brad Penny and Jon Smoltz or doing great but Mike Lowell might need a little extra time maybe till the end of spring training but he should be able to practice Monday. Josh Beckett is also looking great. When he threw yesterday he seemed like when he had his 2007 form according to reports. Jed Lowrie who got a left wrist sprain and an unknown fracture should also be ready to compete for the starting spot at shortstop. Julio Lugo also will be after recovering from a torn right quad. David Ortiz looks healed and should have a Big Papi type season smacking 40 homers out of the yard. Mark Kotsay looks to be the only Red Sox position player not ready for spring training. He underwent back surgery and looks like he will be ready in May. Another big question for the Red Sox in spring training is will Josh Bard be able to catcher knuckleballer, Tim Wakefield? I think he will. There will be a few rough spots, most of them coming in spring training but I think he will. Sure he stunk last time he tried t catch him but he saw a guy catch a knuckleballer in San Diego with the Padres and that must count for something. Spring Training is where champions are made. Prospects get called up, players meet new teammates, and baseball starts again.

P.S.- Sorry for no pictures extra ones tomorrow.

Glavine to Boston?!?

Tom Glavine a low risk high reward player said he felt good after throwing of the mound for the first time since elbow and shoulder surgery in August. Glavine is a local guy according to Julia (Julia your “dream” came true) over at Julia’s Rants. Glavine’s longtime teammate John Smoltz recently signed with the Red Sox. Glavine, a free agent, made thirteen starts last season. He went two and four, with 37 strikeouts, and a ERA 5.54. Tom Glavine is 42 years old. Glavine is a sure first ballot hall of famer he has 305 carer wins, an ERA of 3.54, and has 2,607 strikeouts. Glavine has played twenty-two seasons with the Braves on two different occasions and the New York Mets. He has won twenty games five times. While Glavine is a great player and I am sure he would love to go to the Red Sox, but Boston already has eight starters in Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Dice-K, Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny, Smoltz, Clay Buchholz, and Michael Bowden. Smoltz though could come out of the bullpen and I think Clay could too. As for Bowden he’ll come up from AAA in mid-season. He would probably cost a around the amount of Smoltz and is better. Am I saying that I would rather have Glavine then Smoltz? No, Smoltz will not pitch till June but he can be a starter or come out of the bullpen which I wish every pitcher could. Glavine will should sign with a team with young pitchers, the Rays, Twins, A’s, D-Backs, Reds, Pirates, Brewers, Nationals, Marlins, or maybe even the Padres. he also could resign with the Braves who have signed Derek Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami. The Braves also traded for former Chicago White Sox, Javier Vazquez. Vazquez is listed as the Braves ace on Braves.com don’t get that one. I would put my money on the Brewers or the Braves. The Brewers lost C.C. Sabathia to the Yankees. Ben Sheets, the other Brewers ace is still on the market. One game I would love to see, Red Sox vs. Brewers, Jon Smoltz vs. Tom Glavine, at Fenway Park. 

Tom Glavine (left) John Smoltz (center) Greg Maddux (right)

Former Met Tom Glavine retired the final 17 batters he faced during the Braves' 6-1 win in the first game of a day-night doubleheader today.





Baldelli, Penny, Smoltz, Saito, and Kotsay

First- Sorry I didn’t blog the past few days, I had a ton of home work.

Second- Wow. A lot of news since I haven’t been blogging.
Third most of those moves have been by the Red Sox
Roco Baldelli
player
Roco Baldelli signed with the Red Sox on a $500,000 with some performance incentives. Roco played for the Tampa Bay Rays last year. Roco grew up in Rhode Island only 50 miles away from Fenway Park. Baldelli will probably be the forth outfielder unless the Red Sox trade Jacoby Ellsbury for catching help. Which sadly means if that happened Jason Varitex wouldn’t be coming back. Baldelli had rare mitochondrial disease, but got an update and the disease he now has is highly treatable. Baldelli will wear number five. The first Red Sox since Nomar Garciaparra. Baldelli is 27 years old. This year Baldelli won the Tony Conigliaro award, given to the player that overcomes adversity. Baldelli has been know for his strong character, spirt, and is a great influence in the clubhouse.
Brad Penny

player

Brad Penny officially became a Red Sox today, on a one year deal. He passed his physical and will join the rotation in spring. Penny was an all-star in 2006 and 2007 with the Dodgers. In 2008 he was hurt. Penny will get payed $5 million dollars plus performance incentives up to $3 million. Penny is 30 years old. Brad Penny has a carer record of 94-75, a 4.06 ERA, and 1,032 strikeouts. The Red Sox rotation is now set, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Dice-K, Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny, and Jon Smoltz by June (more on him in a second). Penny spent nine years in the National League before joining the Red Sox.


Jon Smoltz 

player

Jon Smoltz signed the offer sheet from the Red Sox. The deal is worth $5.5 million plus incentives which could bring the total to $10 million dollars. Smoltz will not be able to play till June. Smoltz is 41 years old and has played with the Braves his whole carer, 21 years before joining the Red Sox. Smoltz has a 210-147 carer record, a 3.26 ERA, 3,011 strike outs, and 154 carer saves. One thing is will he start or be in the pen. I think Smoltz would be the ultimate setup man in the Boston bullpen.  

player

Takashi Saito

player

Takashi Saito signed with the Red Sox on a one year deal with a club option for 2010. I found this out when I was working on this entry. Saito was the Dodgers closer last year and will now be a setup man/ back up closer. Saito was hurt for most of 2008. Satio’s deal is worth between $1.5 million and $2.5 million. He could earn up to $7 million if he does all of his incentives. Saito is 38 and will join Manny Delcarmen, Hideki Okajima, Justin Masterson and maybe Jon Smoltz in a great Boston bullpen. Saito will also join Dice-K and Okajima as three Japanese born players on the same team.

player

Mark Kotsay

player

Mark Kotsay resigned with the Red Sox on a one year, $1.5 million dollar deal. The deal would also include incentives that are unknown. Kotsay was a vital clog during the Red Sox postseason run last year. When Mike Lowell went down, Youk moved to third and Kotsay who plays outfield most of the time moved to first. Last year in 22 games for Boston Kotsay hit 19 hits, zero home runs, 12 RBI’s, and had a .226 batting average. Kotsay has played 12 years with the Marlins, Padres, A’s, Braves, and Red Sox. Kotsay had zero errors in the outfield and one error at first base last year.


I hope the next move I get to blog about is Jason Varitex resigning with Boston.

Red Sox, Yankees, Rays- Rotation

First- WOW! Today is the slowest day in sports ever. So slow I was going to put this story up around spring training.

Second- Some of my NFL predictions were off, but who would have thought that the Chargers would have beat the Colts.
Third- My Celtics better start another streak. If they win tonight against the Knicks it will be a two game win streak.
Now to the Entry.
Who will win the A.L. will it be the Rays, Sox, or that team in New York (I’m to mad at them for some reason to say their name). I will lock at every thing from the players to their ballparks to their fans.
Rotation
C.C. Sabathia, NYY, A.J. Burnett, Chein-Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes/ Alfredo Aceves
Josh Beckett BOS, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Brad Penny, Tim Wakefield/ Clay Buchholz
James Shields TB, Scott Kazmir, Matt Garza, Andy Sonnanstine, David Price/ Mitch Talbot
The Yankees have two real aces along with one ace. To be a real ace you have to be an ace no questions asked. To be an ace you only need some people to think your an ace. C.C. and A.J. are real aces while Wang is just an ace. The Red Sox have three real aces being Beckett, Lester, and Dice-K. They also have an ace being Brad Penny. they Rays have two real aces being Shields and Kazmir. Garza is an ace while Price is a future ace. Joba needs to stay in the bullpen so if I were the Yankees I would get Smoltz or someone and move Joba to the ‘pen. The Red Sox need to have a sixth man ready like Clay or Masterson in case Penny or Beckett gets hurt. I would start Clay in the bullpen at first. Masterson should stay in the bullpen. Bowden needs half a year then the Sox should call him up in the summer. The Rays just need to get better every year. Their rotation is great, just not ready to compete with the rotations of Boston and New York.
Note- If a “/” is in front of their name then they are the “sixth” or backup starter. If they are bold that means they are one of the top five starters, which gives their team a point. If underlined then they are an honorable mention and gives their team 1/2 a point.
Sorry not showing much love to the Rays.
Todays points
Red Sox- 3.5
player
Yankees- 2.5
player

Rays- 1.5
player
Look out for the infield tomorrow

Could Hanley Ramirez be a Red Sox, again?!

First- COME ON CELTICS!!!!! The Celtics should be at least 3-1 but they are 1-3, on their western game road trip.

Si.com and sikids.com is reporting that the Red Sox tried to trade for Florida Marlins star  shortstop Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez played two games with the Red Sox in 2005 then got traded to Florida for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell. The Marlins wanted Red Sox prospect Clay Buchholz and Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury for Ramirez. The Red Sox first started showing interest in Ramirez after losing Mark Teixeira to the New York Yankees. The Red Sox are happy at shortstop with Jed Lowrie so it is possible that the Red Sox could have used Hanley Ramirez in centerfield, making Ellsbury the forth outfielder that the Red Sox needed, unless Jacoby Ellsbury got traded in that trade. Ellsbury led the A.L. in stolen bases while Ramirez is one of the best young players in the game. The trade didn’t go throw,making Ramirez still a Marlin.

Red Sox top prospect, shortstop Hanley Ramirez works on his double play pivot form in Ft. Myers in February.

Image: Clay Buchholz

P1jacobyellsbury

Why the Red Sox will be a dynasty

The Red sox will be a dynasty because they
have vets., young talent, guys in there prime, a good minor
league system and $$$$$. With young talent Jacoby Ellsbury,
Jed Lowire, Justin Masterson, Jon Lester,and Dustin Pedoria.
Vets Mark Kotsay, Paul Byrd, Tim Wakefield, Jason Varitex,
Mike Lowell, and Sean Casey. Guys in there prime like Jason
Bay, J.D. Drew, Josh Beckett, Dice-K, Paps, Manny Delcarmen
(the new manny), Papi, Youk, and Oak.The Yanks will stink
will the steinbreniner bros. because they stink! The rays
will stink because of no vets. but the o’s and jays will
compete by 2012. The Sox will win 08 and i honestly think
that as a baseball fan.