The Red Sox could use pitching depth, but it doesn't appear that they're going to get any. GM Theo Epstein doesn't expect to be able to trade for a starting pitcher before the regular season ends, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (Twitter link).
The Red Sox expressed interest in Chris Capuano this month, but weren't able to work out a deal with the Mets. There aren't many realistic alternatives on the trade market this time of year, so it appears likely that the Red Sox will have to make do with what they have this week, when they wrap up the regular season against the Orioles at Camden Yards.
Boston's lead over the Rays in the Wild Card race has diminished to a single game, which explains Boston's interest in pitchers who would be ineligible for the postseason. Getting there will be enough of a challenge for the Red Sox, who have won just six games this month. Josh Beckett, Erik Bedard and Jon Lester are scheduled to start in Baltimore, but the team could use reinforcements, especially after playing two games, including one 14 inning contest, in the Bronx yesterday.
Why would they still be trying to trade for a starter? Even if they got one, he’d just be some scrub. Brandon Duckworth can be recalled if we really needed a starter for 3 games.
I thought they made the playoffs back in March?
they did, but they were bumped out in april
they clinched again in july, but here we are again. i blame everyone except the players
It’s those damn reporters!!!
J.Lack
PS- I seriously think the Sox should eat some of his salary and just move the guy. I just don’t see him as a big market in the East coast kinda guy.
if he’s unthinkably bad again in 2012, maybe. but he was fine last year. overpaid like a mother, but still fine as a #4
I love how if a player fails in Boston or New York, it’s always the
player’s fault (“He couldn’t handle the pressure!”) and not the team’s,
like it seems to be with Werth and the Nats, etc etc.
No way the Choke Sox (Lackey) or Yankees (Burnett, etc) could have made a
bad deal! The player totally didn’t “live up” to the greatness of the
organization!
why don’t they just start Aceves?
Francona thinks he’s more valuable pitching middle relief…
Funny that this could even be a post at this time. But, an interesting question. Say they did somehow pick up a starter in the next couple days and they ended in a tie with the Rays. Would that pitcher be eligible to pitch in the Tie-Breaker?
I’m not sure. But I think a tie-breaker is still considered part of the regular season. Good question. Though, I really am at the opinion that if they haven’t clinched yet then really don’t deserve to be in. The way they’re playing it’s going to be a first round sweep, at least the Rays might make the postseason interesting.
Yes but theo epstein is a failure of a gm is he can’t build pitching depth by drafting.
Yes he’d be able to pitch, as it is considered a regular season game. The Phillies had just lost 8 straight before last night, I don’t hear anyone saying they’re going to be eliminated immediately in the playoffs. Once the playoffs start, all bets are off, anything can happen.
The Phillies clinched the best record in the National League before losing 8 straight. They also ran out half a AAA line up and a line up without Pence and Howard. That’s not a great comparison.
If you listened to sports talk radio in Philly… you’d know most fans believe that may be the case (I don’t.) I think they may lose but not because they’ve lost 8/9. More likely due to the fact that Carpenter and Garcia have owned them the last two years. However, the Cardinals make that a wash…
Anyway… I think the Braves completely collapse. They haven’t done anything against the Phillies since June. I think the Red Sox lose a one game play off to the Rays.
Phillies need to go on a four game win streak, like now.
Phillies are doing their part tonight. Astros and Orioles have brought their A-Game… which is like a B+ for everyone else.
You’re so condescending. I love it!
Phillies are doing their part tonight. Astros and Orioles have brought their A-Game… which is like a B+ for everyone else.
Livan Hernandez. He’s good for three games or 5,000 pitches – whichever comes first.
“oh my gaaa-aaaawd!!!!. I’ve just seen Roger Clemens in the owner’s box!! oh my gaaaa-aawd!!! Roger is with John Henry!!!”
So is Buchh’s season a wrap? Is there anyway he can pitch in the post-season if he doesn’t come off the DL over the next series?
This says that Lester is pitching Wednesday, but the truth it that the Wednesday starter hasn’t been announced yet. They are saying that is Wednesdays game is meaningless they will get Buchh a start. I don’t really see him starting in the post season (simply because of rust/arm strength) but I could see him out of the bullpen.
I don’t think it’d be wise to give him a start… even if it’s meaningless. I’d try to pitch him out of a bullpen type situation to give him a feel for how to prepare.
hey redsox, start harden.
oh wait nm he’s injured, or wait, you didnt trade for him and he’s not injured, my bad
The same Harden with a 7.00 ERA/5.00 FIP/1.75 WHIP in the last month? Might as well stick with Lackey/Wakefield.
so cute when the “GET HARDEN STOOPID LOL” and “DUDE DELMON IS AWESOME NOW” types go quiet as the sample sizes increase beyond like a week and a half. the silence is golden
“the silence is golden” and corey here had to go and screw it up
the silence is golden. and the noise is hilarious
I think the best/only good happening of the NYY series was Tek taking that pitch off of his knee so he ain’t available for tonight’s game, hopefully it will knock him out for an extended period now so ANYBODY else will start. maybe getting one of the useless vets/pets of Francona’s out of the lineup will help more than getting a SP.
Shame he couldn’t have ‘taken one for the team” earlier in the season and been gone for a long period, that way they might have gone out and found someone else that could have actually played at AAA level.
I hear Pedro might make the start.
I have a general question that maybe those in Boston have heard discussed more. While it’s not a “nice” thing to bring up personal business regarding Lackey and his wife, why oh why, didn’t he wait until the offseason before filing for divorce? It just seems like a bad idea to file during the season, especially during September, rather than waiting until the offseason when the glare might not be as bright? It’s already a “douchie” thing to do considering his wifes very public ailment and he had to expect some bad pub regarding it, but why do it now?
I have a general question that maybe those in Boston have heard discussed more. While it’s not a “nice” thing to bring up personal business regarding Lackey and his wife, why oh why, didn’t he wait until the offseason before filing for divorce? It just seems like a bad idea to file during the season, especially during September, rather than waiting until the offseason when the glare might not be as bright? It’s already a “douchie” thing to do considering his wifes very public ailment and he had to expect some bad pub regarding it, but why do it now?
As far as I can tell we basically know nothing about it; it could have actually been her pushing to get it done sooner rather than later, he could be thinking that this season is ruined for him already anyway, so why not start next season fresh and not have this for them to talk about. Who knows really at this point.
As far as I can tell we basically know nothing about it; it could have actually been her pushing to get it done sooner rather than later, he could be thinking that this season is ruined for him already anyway, so why not start next season fresh and not have this for them to talk about. Who knows really at this point.
clearly john’s control issues extend beyond baseball
clearly john’s control issues extend beyond baseball
Technically he brought it up. Nobody asked him “did you recieve a text before the game asking you about your pending divorce?”
I think the real question is why was he stupid enough to say something about it to the baseball media?
Technically he brought it up. Nobody asked him “did you recieve a text before the game asking you about your pending divorce?”
I think the real question is why was he stupid enough to say something about it to the baseball media?
The Rays would have to sweep the Yankees with the Sox not winning more than one against the Orioles, or the Orioles would have to sweep the Red Sox while the Rays take at least two from the Yankees for the Rays to take the Wild Card. Anything less than that and it is at worst tied.
In other words, yes, they likely do still expect to make the playoffs.
Any pitcher they added at this point would only be to try to win one regular season game so they make the playoffs. Once they make the playoffs they already have their top three set, and the “new” pitcher wouldn’t be one of them.
By three games, I mean the final three games of the regular season. Not the playoffs. Just to make sure we’re on the same page…
hahaahaha great comment
The Rays are playing the Yankees B-squad pretty much aren’t they?
I think it’s going to end in a one game playoff. Does that count as a playoff game or is it just an exhibition…? (not sure how it’s classified in terms of recognition in the statbook). I think the Rays beat the Sox in a one game playoff if it comes to that. No way Wakefield or Lackey beats one of the Ray’s young guns.
____________
But I really don’t see a starting pitcher who a team would let them rent that would give them a better chance to win than Beckett, Bedard, or Lester.
Didn’t the Red Sox lose 3 of 4 to the Orioles last week? Not to mention the Rays will face Noesi, Colon, and a unknown. So in other words, yes it is entirely possible and likely.
don’t expect any help from the Yankees. Giradi may tell reporters that he is trying to win every game, but his actions say something different.
Yankees fans are okay it with that, if it means sticking it to the Sox.
fyi, it’s pretzel day
The way the rotation is set up the one game playoff game would be normal rest for Lester, assuming it was played the day ofter the regular season ended.
Also, it would be silly to expect a sweep even if they were literally playing the Yankees AAA team. I know that’s not what you were suggesting, but I think the Sox taking 2 out of 3 from the Orioles is reasonable, and if that happens the Rays have to sweep the Yankees just to tie.
then again isn’t a Yankees B-squad the same as playing an Orioles A-squad?
Technically the Yankees could just fold to the Rays to strategically keep out the Red Sox. It would be pretty damn funny.
It’s possible, but it’s anything but likely.
I think the Rays sweep. James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, and David Price are pitching this series against a Yankees team that has nothing to play for and is starting their B/C squad rotation.
If the Red Sox start Lester in the one game playoff, it would mean they forfeited the final game of the season… isn’t the plan to pitch him against Baltimore?
yes Lester would be on full rest if they was a one game playoff Thursday, But, that screws up the Sox rotation for the playoffs. Either Wakefield or Lackey would have to go in Game1 and three. Beckett could not go until Saturday. Lester would not be able to go until Game 4.
The Wednesday starter hasn’t been announced yet, but if Lester does pitch Wednesday I’m pretty sure it would be on short rest.
Again, the Rays could sweep the Yankees, but any time you expect a sweep you should also expect to be disappointed. The odds are just too low to count on it regardless of the pitching match-ups/how “good” the teams are.
“…three hundred, sixty-four days, till the next pretzel day.”
They could do that but they take the chance the Rays come back to haunt them.
I’m not sure about that; honestly I think they’d rather face the Sox pitching than the Rays pitching in the post season, so it might be best for them to try to get the Sox into the post season.
Plus what would be better for a Yanks fan than beating the Sox in the playoffs right?
Honestly, it is looking pretty impossible to beat Texas with that beast of an offense, or Verlander twice in a short series. I wouldn’t be surprised if both of the AL East teams were eliminated in the first round, regardless if it’s the Rays or Sawx.