Red Sox - 6/30/02
June 30, 2002
THE SOX AT A GLANCE
After losing seven of their last 10, the Sox stand at 46-30. They have lost their precarious lead to New York and are trailing the Yankees by a game in the AL East. The Sox have 4 games in hand on New York, so it will be interesting to see who's on top when their games played are equal. The Sox still can't win at home. They are sitting at .500 (18-18) in the confines of "Friendly" Fenway. They continue to impress on the road, going 28-12.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
It has been an eventful week in Beantown. Manny Ramirez returned from his stint on the disabled list. The Sox aquired a left handed reliever and banished two others. A certain shortstop has an ailing wrist. Trade talk is running rampant. Baseball is heating up here with the temperature here in the Hub.
Manny Ramirez finally returned to Boston after his recent adventures in Pawtucket. He has hit decently since being activated from the disabled list. He's hitting .267 with 2 RBI, but he has had some uncomfortable looking swings. It is all a matter of him getting comfortable and being able to regain his timing.
The Sox made a major aquisition for Alan Embree, a left-handed reliever, from San Diego. Embree has a 0.87 ERA and opponents are hitting just .198 off him. Lefties are hitting only .140 and being held to an OPS of just .508. Embree has filled a gaping wound in the Sox bullpen as they have been looking for a pitcher to get lefties out. The Red Sox did have to part with promising, young pitcher Brad Baker, but the Sox had an immediate need to fill and they got their man.
Rich Garces also returned from the disabled list. His 10.67 ERA is moving in the right direction: down. He will look to form a solid tandem with Embree coming out of the bullpen.
To make room for Manny, Embree, and El Guapo, the Sox sent Casey Fossum, Darren Oliver, and Juan Diaz to AAA. Oliver must clear waivers as he has no options remaining. He also has the option of becoming a free agent, which will be the likely outcome. Fossum will toe the slab as a starter in AAA and may be counted on later in the year or the beginning of next season to grab a rotation slot.
Pitcher Frank Castillo was suspended five days by the league for his behavior June 19 vs. San Diego. He argued a balk call and cleated an umpire. He is lucky he only missed five games. Castillo, usually the most mild-mannered member of the team, has already been suspened twice this year. He did appeal the suspension so he could make a start against Cleveland on June 25, which he lost. The Sox play a double-header this week against Toronto, so it is likely he will drop his appeal and try to make a start when his suspension is over.
The Red Sox have stolen 47 bases thus far through 75 games. The Sox only had 46 all of last year, worst in the American League.
LOCAL PERSPECTIVE
Pedro Martinez is making some noise that he wants to be on the All-Star team and he wants to pitch. He knows he may not start, as that honor will likely go to teammate Derek Lowe. He feels like it is a testament to his mental toughness and struggles with his shoulder during the offseason if he is selected to join the American League squad. Who can argue with Pedro's numbers? He's 9-2 with a 3.07 ERA and a 119/21 strikeout to walk ratio. Pedro is a deserving All-Star and Joe Torre would be foolish not to include him on his roster.
Sox fans see the Embree trade as a key aquisition. Sox lefties just weren't getting the job done against left-handed batters. Embree gives the Sox perhaps the best lefty reliever in baseball this season. The clincher was when he entered a game June 22 while still a Padre and he whiffed 7 Yankees in 3 innings. Boston beat out Seattle and Cincinnati for his services.
Don't think the resident base-stealer on your fantasy squad will rack up big steal numbers versus the Red Sox this season. They rank 5th in the AL in gunning would be base thiefs down this year with a 34.1 percentage. This is a marked turnaround from previous years, when the emphasis was getting the ball to the plate, rather than holding runners on. Last season, they ranked last in the AL with a 19.1 percentage. What's the biggest reason for this? ``A healthy catcher,'' said manager Grady Little, referring to Jason Varitek. ``But that's a team play. Everybody's kind of involved in that when you throw a runner out. The stat goes on the catcher, but it's a team play.'' Last season, Varitek missed the second half of the year with a broken elbow. Varitek ranks third among qualifying AL catchers, throwing out 31.1 percent of base stealers. Teammate Doug Mirabelli has thrown out 36 percent of base stealers. It is nice to see runners thrown out rather than being able to run at will. The pitchers appreciate it more than anyone.
The feeling around town is that Tony Clark's best days are behind him. Sox skipper Grady Little has even insinuated that the team may cut him and eat the rest of his salary. He has said Brian Daubach, despite his slump, will start against all right handers. Jose Offerman will likely see most of the action versus lefties. It is disheartening to see Dauber fade like he has. It is even more discouraging to witness the total loss of skill suffered by Clark. When Jose Offerman is a better option at first base, it's time to cut your losses and open the roster spot for someone else.
RUMOR MILL
Rumors abound about bringing a slugger and a prime arm to the team. Obviously, Jim Thome is the name on everyone's mind. The Sox are in dire need of a first baseman, but there are other teams involved in trying to aquire his services. A more realistic option may be Philadelphia's Travis Lee. He has heated up of late, but he may not satisfy the Fenway Faithful.
The team is also looking into Cliff Floyd from Florida. The primary reason is to block the Yankees from getting him, but the Sox have become disenchanted with this process. They feel Florida is playing New York and Boston against each other and price gouging the value of Floyd.
The pitcher getting the most attention here is Jeff Weaver. Red Sox Assistant General Manager Lee Thomas was in Atlanta recently to scout Weavers start against the Braves. The Tigers are reported to be asking for too much for Weaver, however. A more viable option maybe Cleveland's Chuck Finley. He is on the trading block and is a free agent after this year. He would likely waive any no trade clause to be traded to a contender with his career winding down.
Trot Nixon is having a dissapointing year. He is on the block for the Sox. If any deal is done, look for Nixon to be involved in it. He has potential, but has not lived up to most of it. He was the #2 overall pick in 1993 (behind Alex Rodriguez) and was projected as a five tool player. He has fallen far short of those expectations. His small contract and large upside makes him valuable in a trade, especially to a team looking to rebuild. ESPN's Peter Gammons reports that there may be a deal in the works with Oakland. Boston would send Nixon and in return would get Adam Piatt, Carlos Pena, and another player. This would be a great deal, as Piatt would fill Nixon's vacancy in right field and Pena would produce more than what the Sox currently have at first.
INJURY REPORT
Rey Sanchez (hamstring): Sanchez is getting closer to returning. He should be activated from the disabled list July 11 against Toronto.
Dustin Hermanson (groin): Hermanson still can't throw from a mound. His return date is still uncertain.
Justin Sherrod (hand): Sherrod, a promising outfielder in Boston's AA affiliate in Trenton, broke a bone in his left hand and will likely miss the rest of the season. His play may have warranted a late-season call-up, but surgery on his hand should effectively end that dream.
Nomar Garciaparra (wrist): Nomar has had a soreness in his left wrist and had an MRI conducted on it. It revealed no damage and he is playing through it. It is not his right wrist, which cause him to miss most of last year.
Rolando Arrojo (shoulder): Arrojo was placed on the 15-day DL with tendonitis in his right shoulder. He should be able to come back without any problems. His injury comes at a bad time with Castillo in line to serve his suspension. Sunny Kim was recalled from AAA Pawtucket to take his spot in the rotation.
