[Mike LansWho]

First, I want to point out that I am not yet in panic mode. There were actually some good signs that came out of the series with Detroit, and it has to be remembered that the Tigers are a very good team. I like that the offense is coming alive. Guys like Padilla, Sweeney and Aviles are showing that they have much to offer. The thing that I'm concerned about is history repeating itself. One thing that Terry Francona was very consistent about was letting the team play, not panicking and making drastic changes. In some cases that proved to beneficial, like allowing a rookie Dustin Pedroia to work through his early struggles or sticking with David Ortiz through a couple rough early starts. I feel like the approach needs to be different this year so they won't have to scratch and claw to make the playoffs, or finish 4th. As much as I don't think they will finish 4th, I do believe that it is entirely up to them. They have the talent and depth to finish in the top three. They just need to execute. Here are some changes (or non-changes) I think need to be made more sooner than later:

1.) Address the Josh Beckett thumb injury now. If he needs surgery, do it now. If rest is the answer, put him on the shelf now. I think a healthy Josh Beckett down the stretch is critical. Addressing the situation as soon as possible gets him back that much sooner. There is some depth the Red Sox can use that might actually be better than Josh Beckett with injured thumb.

2.) In light of my feelings with with the Beckett issue, it would be irresponsible to take Bard out of the rotation to become the closer. I think this is a situation where the bullpen just got torched by a very good offensive team. They'll have their work cut out for them this week as they face the murderers' row in Toronto. I think this is a good week to see a.) how Bard can do as a starter in a game that counts, and b.) how Aceves and Melancon in particular can rebound from a bad series. The leash needs to be short though. If both a. and b. can't get it done this week, then they need to mix things up. If Bard falters, but the bullpen can turn in some good outings, let the experiment play out at least through another rotation turn. If the bullpen continues to lose games for the team, then it's time to bring up Aaron Cook and give Bard a shot at closing games. One thing they should not do is mess with Padilla. I think he's perfectly suited for what they have him doing. They should not tinker with making him the closer and moving him to the rotation.

3.) If the case comes where Josh Beckett needs an extended DL stint and Bard has to be moved out of the rotation, then the front office might need to do their mid-season shopping early. Spend that move they saved by traded Marco Scutaro. Make a trade to stabilize the rotation/bullpen. I'd hate to bring up Roy Oswalt, since he comes with health issues of his own, but he'll be a popular name again if the Red Sox have to shuffle 2 rotation spots. I'm not sure what the trade market will have available, and they'll likely be shy about giving up young talent when guys like Daisuke Matsuzaka, Rich Hill and Andrew Miller are expected back at various points this season. I would just be ready to make an acquisition to stop any bleeding if necessary. They'll also need to tap in to the organizational depth where needed.

4.) Offense and defense, no need to change a thing yet. They did get blanked in the second game, but there were some encouraging signs from the weekend as a whole. They were able to get a couple runs off of Valverde in the first game and they put up 12 runs in the third game. What was impressive about the twelve runs was that they got contributions from pretty much everybody, including Nick Punto, Mike Aviles, Ryan Sweeney, Cody Ross and Darnell McDonald. I think this team will score an awful lot of runs this season. Probably enough so that they could survive for a while with Aaron Cook and, say, Ross Ohlendorf in the rotation. If the bullpen can stop handing over games, then this team will thrive. Defense, no glaring issues yet.

That's it for now, aside from daily line up tweaks. I'm sure Bobby Valentine will continue to move bats around until the right order becomes clear. I'm really more concerned about the Beckett issue. I think Buchholz will shake off the rust and turn it around, but the Beckett thumb thing needs to be addressed right away. That's numeral uno in my book.

[BigSlick]

I think the panic is starting to set in not because they lost 3 in a row, but the way they lost them. There was no garden variety 6-3 loss that you can just shrug your shoulders about afterwards. There were 2 gut wrenching losses that bookended a 10-0 blowout. Hopefully that is making things feel worse than they really are, because right now I'm feeling pretty shitty.

[Cudahy]

Beckett & Buchholz each had a bad first start - nothing that unusual there. Aceves & Melancon have had two very bad relief appearances; That's more serious; But we've got 6 other guys in the pen thanks to a wise decision by Valentine to start with 8(when was the last time that happened?)
Are the Yankees panicking?

[BigSlick]

Cudahy, on 09 April 2012 - 01:48 PM, said:

Are the Yankees panicking?

My guess would be that Yankee fans are laughing at the Mets fans that are laughing at them.

[Bozzs]

Cudahy, on 09 April 2012 - 01:48 PM, said:

Beckett & Buchholz each had a bad first start - nothing that unusual there. Aceves & Melancon have had two very bad relief appearances; That's more serious; But we've got 6 other guys in the pen thanks to a wise decision by Valentine to start with 8(when was the last time that happened?)
Are the Yankees panicking?

My problem was and still is that the sox took chances on retreads...granted there are no sure things with pitching .
And the free agent market was paper thin.
Still think that they will be fairly decent but if they get off to the same start as last year all bets are off.

[Mike LansWho]

The thing that is worth panicking about is Beckett's health. Buchholz' health is probably also a concern, but the Red Sox didn't send him all over the country to see specialists. I have a little more faith that Buchholz will bounce back, but that Beckett thumb scares me. How much would it suck if he eventually needed surgery, but by that time he would have to miss the remainder of the season? If he needs surgery or just a month of rest, do it now. Get it healed then come back and contribute.

[MrNewEngland]

I just want someone to tell me that everything is going to be OK.

[Mike LansWho]

MrNewEngland, on 09 April 2012 - 03:11 PM, said:

I just want someone to tell me that everything is going to be OK.

I would, but I don't have a good track record for predicting the future. See: Silva, Carlos.

[BigSlick]

MrNewEngland, on 09 April 2012 - 03:11 PM, said:

I just want someone to tell me that everything is going to be OK.

It will be once you change your Twitter password and stop spamming your followers about a small business opportunity.

[Mike LansWho]

Jenny Dell seems nice.

[Manny's PS2]

MrNewEngland, on 09 April 2012 - 03:11 PM, said:

I just want someone to tell me that everything is going to be OK.

Everything is going to be OK.

Mike LansWho, on 10 April 2012 - 07:38 AM, said:

Jenny Dell seems nice.

Until she has you tied up in her basement with a ball gag in your mouth.

[Hail Cesar]

Manny, on 10 April 2012 - 07:41 AM, said:

Until she has you tied up in her basement with a ball gag in your mouth.

Some people like that kind of thing... like GoNM for instance....

[Mike LansWho]

Hail Cesar, on 10 April 2012 - 07:48 AM, said:

Some people like that kind of thing... like GoNM for instance....

I get claustrophobic.

[BigSlick]

Mike LansWho, on 10 April 2012 - 08:55 AM, said:

I get claustrophobic.

That's why it's better to have the other person tied up than to be tied up yourself.

[Hail Cesar]

BigSlick, on 10 April 2012 - 09:11 AM, said:

That's why it's better to have the other person tied up than to be tied up yourself.

Isn't that what GoNM said to your mom before he stuffed her in some luggage? The good news is that you now have the combination to the luggage lock.

[BigSlick]

Hail Cesar, on 10 April 2012 - 09:14 AM, said:

Isn't that what GoNM said to your mom before he stuffed her in some luggage? The good news is that you now have the combination to the luggage lock.

I'm not sure what he said to her before then. Since I got the combination and freed her she is in an almost catatonic state. She basically just stares at the wall and drools.

This post has been edited by BigSlick: 10 April 2012 - 10:00 AM

[Mike LansWho]

BigSlick, on 10 April 2012 - 10:00 AM, said:

I'm not sure what he said to her before then. Since I got the combination and freed her she is in an almost catatonic state. She basically just stares at the wall and drools.

He must have had teddy locked in there at some point as well.

[rominer]

BigSlick, on 10 April 2012 - 09:11 AM, said:

That's why it's better to have the other person tied up than to be tied up yourself.

Trust.

[coloradojack]

rominer, on 10 April 2012 - 10:39 AM, said:

Trust.

Safety words.

[Manny's PS2]

Mike LansWho, on 10 April 2012 - 08:55 AM, said:

I get claustrophobic.

Masochist!

BigSlick, on 10 April 2012 - 09:11 AM, said:

That's why it's better to have the other person tied up than to be tied up yourself.

Sadist!