John Farrell is with the Red Sox... send Lackey to Toronto

Seriously. If the Red Sox need to send compensation to the Toronto Blue Jays for manager John Farrell, see if they will bite on John Lackey.

Think that is outlandish? Did you think the Red Sox would find anyone to pick up the tab on Carl Crawford while sitting on the DL counting his tens of millions of dollars.

What's the worst that could happen by asking?



 

BOBBY VALENTINE FIRED - A Bleacher Report Artice

Well that didn't take long.
Less than 12 hours after the Red Sox feebly limped out of the season, dropping their last 8 games and 12 of 13, Bobby Valentine was shown the door. He will not be the Red Sox manager for 2013.

In my latest for Bleacher Report, I ask the question. Why did it take this long?

You can read the whole article HERE.

 

I am rooting AGAINST the Red Sox for the first time in my life

I am doing something this weekend that I have never done in my life:
I am rooting against the Boston Red Sox.

They lost yesterday and I was happy. I want them to lose today and tomorrow.

Let me explain.

I have stood by the Red Sox through thick and thin.
I've been a Red Sox fan since the late 1970's.
I have hazy memories of the red hats of 1978 and vivid memories of the 1979 squad.

I cheered for Carlton Fisk, Fred Lynn and especially Butch Hobson.

I had a Yaz poster and loved Jim Rice. I cheered for Roger Clemens, cried in 1986 and was in the stands in 1988 when they lost the pennant in Oakland.

I have not lived in Massachusetts since 1987 and could have abandoned the Sox many times.
I lived in the Bay Area when the Bash Brothers ruled Oakland and they won three pennants and the 1989 title.

The Giants played a Hum Baby brand of ball and won a division and a pennant.

I lived in New York for the bulk of Joe Torre's run.

I am living in Los Angeles in time to see two Dodgers and two Angels division winners.

I've stayed loyal to the Sox every time.

I wore my Red Sox hat proudly in Oakland and the Bronx for post season games.

I appeared on HBO, ESPN2 and NESN as a representative of Red Sox fandom.

My Red Sox fan credentials can not be questioned.

I have earned them.

So why am I rooting against them for three days?

It is simple.

There is nothing to gain for the Red Sox by winning this weekend.

The season is over. It is a disaster. It has a chance to be the worst season since 1966.

The worst year before the Impossible Dream of 1967 revived the team.

So winning a few games here or there is not going to save the year.

But Red Sox fans can take heart in knowing the Yankees are struggling and could possibly lose the division to the upstart Orioles. And maybe even have to win out to clinch a spot in the post season at all.

There is Red Sox misery this year. It has already happened. But to couple that with Yankee joy would be unbearable.

Hoping the Yankees are scrambling for a playoff spot in the final three games, not resting starters, using Sabathia when they do not want to and having an aura of panic set in the Bronx is worth three more losses in a lost season.

And who do the Yankees play at the end of the year? That would be the Red Sox. And you bet the spirit of Dom DiMaggio, Ted Williams and Johnny Pesky that I will be rooting for the Red Sox in those three games.

It is worth it to see the Red Sox lose Saturday and Sunday to see them have the chance for a spoiler role as the season concludes.

Hoping for misery in the Bronx is almost as important as rooting for success in Fenway.
There will be no success in Fenway this year.

But ending the year knowing that the Yankees could lose the Division and at best use their best pitcher in a one game playoff at the Red Sox hand?

That would be a sweet ending to a rotten year.

All it takes is a 3-2 record the rest of the way. Two losses to Baltimore and three against the Yankees.

Forgive me 2012 Red Sox. But you haven't earned my love this year. Knock the Yankees out. It could be the only thing the team does right all year.

For two games, go Orioles. Then everything goes back to normal.


 

The Bobby Valentine Joke is getting old - a Bleacher Report article

I called for Bobby Valentine to be fired in April.
I wasn't wrong.

I'm not saying the Red Sox would have won the pennant if they did that, but correct mistakes earlier rather than later is what I say.

The Red Sox have an off day today. As I wrote in Bleacher Report. after the 1-8 road trip and his WEEI rant, there is no better time to fire him than now.

He has done worse than lose the respect of the team. He has become a punchline. And there's no recovery from that.

You can read the whole article HERE.

 

Angels Are Back in the Playoff Hunt Thanks to the Red Sox - A Bleacher Report Article

The Angels were dead in the water, hovering slightly above .500 and fading in the playoff hunt. Then a beautiful thing happened to them: They played the Red Sox six times in a nine game stretch.

As I wrote in Bleacher Report, the Angels season was turned around by feasting on the miserable fortune of my beloved yet awful Red Sox.

You can read the entire article HERE.


 

Red Sox should try to sign Roger Clemens - A Bleacher Report Article

Seriously. Why shouldn't the Red Sox bring back Clemens for a month?
Afraid it will ruin a season?
Afraid it will upset chemistry?

Have you SEEN this team?

In my latest for Bleacher Report, I argue that there is no real reason to at least offer a return to the Rocket.

After all the fried chicken and beer consumed by Red Sox pitching, it would be nice to see a starter putting a substance in his body with the intention of improving his performance.

You can read the whole article HERE.

 

Just Like in 1997, The Red Sox are Ending One Era and Beginning Another - A Bleacher Report Article

The last time the Red Sox had a losing season, it was 1997. They are probably going to have another one this year.

But as I wrote in Bleacher Report, 1997 also marked the beginning of a great new era for Red Sox baseball because of how they reacted to the losing season.

Hopefully the great house cleaning of 2012 will start a new glorious era.

You can read the whole article HERE.


 

Red Sox Are Essentially Trading Adrian Gonzalez for a Brighter Future - A Bleacher Report Article

There are no words to express how much I want this trade to happen.
You know what trade I am talking about. THE trade. The trade that will help wipe away 2011 and 2012 and move the Boston Red Sox forward.

In my latest for Bleacher Report, I make the argument that dealing Adrian Gonzalez is worth having a hopeful future for the team.

The new era of the Red Sox starts now.

You can read the whole article HERE.


 

Red Sox Have Given Their Fans No Reason to Root for Them - A Bleacher Report Article

The 2012 Boston Red Sox have done the impossible. They have made Boston fans nostalgic for 2011. In my latest article for Bleacher Report, I break down why the last straw has been put on the camels back for Sox fans. Read the whole article HERE.

 

Kelly Shoppach Texting Red Sox Management Story Doesn't Even Make Sense - A Bleacher Report Article

So wait a second. NOW we are being told that Adrian Gonzalez didn't send the text messages to the front office.

It was back up catcher Kelly Shoppach who sent the message USING Gonzalez's phone.
Really? THAT'S the story they are telling?

Shoppach denies it. Don't worry, Kelly. Nobody believes it.

On my latest for Bleacher Report regarding this twist in the story, I bring up the letters "B" and "S". And they do NOT stand for Boston and Sox.

You can read the article HERE.

 

Red Sox Should Dump Bobby Valentine for Brad Mills - A Bleacher Report Article

Brad Mills managed the Astros to their first 100 loss season and was well on his way to their second when he was fired yesterday.

So naturally I want him to be the manager of the Red Sox.

Think I'm kidding? Nope. And in my latest for Bleacher Report I describe why I think he is the right fit.

You can read the article HERE.

 

How stupid is this Red Sox season?

The Red Sox beat the Yankees in Yankee Stadium.
Lester pitched great.
Adrian Gonzalez hit a key home run.

Any other year, that would be the buzz among Red Sox fans.

Instead what are people talking about? Kelly Shoppach sending text messages on Adrian Gonzalez's phone.

As I wrote on Bleacher Report, this is the lest fun Red Sox season ever.


 

Red Sox vs. Yankees Is the Least Interesting Series This Weekend - A Bleacher Report Slideshow

How boring is this potential Red Sox and Yankees series this weekend? I argue it is the least interesting series of the weekend.

And on Bleacher Report, I do more than make a statement like that... I back it up with an insane slide show.

You can see the slideshow HERE.

 

Hey #RedSox! Some of my Twitter rant today

 

Red Sox give middle finger to their fans

The Red Sox lost a game to the Minnesota Twins where they were one strike from winning.
I guess there is no shame to letting up a home run to Joe Mauer.

Do you know what there IS shame in?
Losing the first three games at home to the Minnesota Twins.

There are not many teams left in the American League that are worse than the Red Sox, so they can't afford to lose to teams that actually suck.

But then again, the Red Sox suck.
And not the kind of suck that someone would say to a team that blew a playoff series or a big lead like last year.

They are a losing team in August.
They lost a four game series to the Minnesota Twins.

If EVERYTHING goes right tomorrow and Franklin Morales throws a perfect game and the entire team hits for the cycle, the only thing that would accomplish is they would not be swept in a four game series at home to an awful Twins team.

The next announcer who lists the Red Sox among Wild Card contenders should be fired immediately.


I was going to say the Red Sox should give free tickets to everyone in attendance for today's game, but those people have suffered enough.

 

The Red Sox have three catchers because......? - A Bleacher Report Article

With Ryan Lavarnway joining the team, the Red Sox have three big league catchers active.
In my latest for Bleacher Report, I question the wisdom of a team with this many holes not making a deal with one of their catchers.

You can read the who article HERE.

 

Pedro Ciriaco made the Red Sox and Yankees fun again

I had virtually no interest in this Red Sox and Yankees series that just ended.
The Red Sox are a dead from the neck up mediocre team going nowhere this year. The Yankees were on a roll, stampeding to another division title.

Why would I want to watch the Red Sox get their brains beaten in? After Friday night's 10-3 whuppin' by the Yankees, my fears were verified.

Watching the games was going to be a joyless and lumbering exercise of masochism.The team had no life in them.

Or maybe not.

Maybe they will get some new life in them. Maybe the rivalry needed Pedro Ciriaco.

Show of hands. When the Yankees tied Saturday's game in the 8th and then last night's game in the 8th, how many of you thought the Red Sox had a chance of winning?

I am assuming no hands are going up right now.

When the Red Sox found a way to ground into 20 double plays in one game (look it up), did you think they had a game winning rally in them?

With all the big priced players on the field and veterans of post seasons and World Series struggling, it was the most anonymous player, the skinniest Red Sox with the highest number that got the big hits.

He got the 9th inning game winning triple (aided by Curtis Granderson's interesting navigation of centerfield) on Saturday and the bloop go ahead single in the 10th of last night.

Anytime the Red Sox can beat the Yankees bullpen in back to back nights is a good thing. But there is something unexpectedly sweet about Ciriaco being the hero.

It is a strange message to both the Red Sox and Yankee fan bases.
Sure the rivalry does not have much to it this year. The Red Sox aren't winning squat and the Yankees should start printing playoff tickets.

But there are some young players on the Red Sox. Beware. They are getting their experience and when this becomes a rivalry again, some of these young players will be there.
 

What could possibly get me excited about the Red Sox-Yankees series?

I am at a total loss for what could get me pumped up for the Red Sox playing in the Bronx for a late July weekend series.

These are usually the highlight games of the year. The Red Sox and Yankees squaring off, post season positioning on the line. At the end of the year when they are bunched together, one side can look back and say "Man, if we won that close game in July we'd have another game to work with in the standings."

Remember Jeter dove into the stands and the Varitek - ARod brawl and Bill Meuller's home run all took place in July.

What a difference eight years makes.

The Yankees are a superior team in every aspect of the game.
Seriously, with Ortiz injured, name one position where the Red Sox are clearly better than the Yankees right now.

Good luck with that.
The Red Sox are dead in the water.

If any veteran has as much as a bad hair day, they should be shut down and a kid from Pawtucket should be brought up.

Now if Jon Lester throws a no hitter today or Pedroia hits for the cycle or Adrian Gonzalez hits four homers, then I would that is cool.

If the Yankee bullpen blows a lead, I would laugh.
But there is no long term excitement for this game. This is a good team playing a bad team.

The greatest rivalry in sports?
Well, it is taking a hiatus for a while.

 

I didn't realize the Red Sox were playing the Yankees tonight

Let that sink in for a minute.
It wasn't that long ago that I circled Red Sox and Yankee games on my calendar before the season began. I would arrange my schedule around them. I would look forward to them for weeks.

In my single days, I once ended a date early because I felt it was going nowhere but I saw the Sox were beating the Yankees and I wanted to catch the end of it.

And today?
Nothing.
No interest.

Sure I want the Red Sox to win. I'm a Red Sox fan. But this isn't "SAWKS-YANKS!" This is a team having a crisis ridden transition season playing a far superior team.

Let me put it this way.
The Yankees are the best team in the American League.
The Red Sox are a last place team with a losing record.

The Yankees should circle this game on THEIR calendar as an easy win.

Go Sox... but don't expect much enthusiasm from me.

 

Here lies the 2012 Boston Red Sox.

I am sitting a hotel room tonight watching the Red Sox and Rangers game on ESPN.
Tim Kurkjian was just talking about how the Red Sox are looking for a starting pitcher for the stretch run.

Great. And when they get that starting pitcher, can they get four more?

The Red Sox are not going to win this game. (As I am typing this, they are down 9-1.)
Their season is over.
I said they were no longer contenders back in April.

But tonight is the final straw.
Don't talk to me about how close they are to a Wild Card spot.
Do not bring up schedule or head to head match ups.
Stop looking at who is coming off of the disabled list.

It is late July and this is a sub .500 team.
Felix Doubront is the team's best pitcher. No offense, Felix, but that is a problem. And Felix got hammered tonight.

Jon Lester has an ERA of 5.46. Clay Buchholz has an ERA of 5.19. Each has pitched over 100 innings.

They are not going to catch the Angels, White Sox. Rays nor the A's.

Playing the Rangers on the road tonight, Karl Ravech, Rick Sutcliffe and Aaron Boone kept talking about how little energy was coming from the Red Sox dugout when they briefly had the lead tonight.

They know they are a dead team playing out the string.

It's over, Red Sox fans.
Bow your head and say a prayer for the departed.

There will be life again in 2013.