Jays 11 Red Sox 5

Josh Beckett was scratched from the start last night with a stiff back, caused by the plane ride back from New York. Michael Bowden took his spot, God he was awful letting up 7 runs over 3 innings of work. The Sox were actually lucky that this game was rained out in the 7th, so they could keep the important guys in the bullpen off the field.

I wouldn't read into this loss too much. I know it is 4 in a row, and they aren't playing great, but think of things that have gone wrong. Lester gets hit in the leg on a comebacker, Beckett's back stiffens up and he can't start, these are just strange things that happen during a season.

The question now is will Beckett pitch again before the playoffs starts. My thinking is that he won't. He has pitched more innings this season then he has ever before. I expect the Sox to rest him until the playoffs with some bullpen sessions and simulated games sprinkled in.

The one positive out of this game was that Boston showed some power. Youk had 2 HRs and Ortiz knocked out another one. These guys are starting to roll, and you add that to the way Bay has played over the past two months and this lineup looks playoff ready.

The Latest On Red Sox Trade Rumors

We will probably be making a lot of updates on this today, but here is what we are hearing this morning...

Victor Martinez - It is being said that the Sox have continued talks with the Indians. From the beginning the Indians have stated that Buchholz has to be part of the deal, which the Sox earlier rejected. It seems the Sox might be changing their tone a bit...

"ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports the Red Sox and Indians were discussing a three-way trade Thursday night that would send Victor Martinez to Boston, Clay Buchholz to Cleveland and prospects flying in all directions. The Red Sox also would attempt to move recently acquired Adam LaRoche, either to a third team or in a companion deal, to make room for Martinez in their lineup, one source said (ESPN)."


Adrian Gonzalez - As of last night things were not looking good for Gonzalez coming to the Sox. The Padres want a package that would at least include Buchholz, Michael Bowden, Daniel Bard and others in the deal. The Sox seem extremely reluctant to trade Bard, as they have plans for him to be the closer after Papelbon retires, and he is doing a great job in the bullpen right now. The deal is not done, and both teams are still talking, but as of right now they are no closer to a deal.


Roy Halladay - Buster Olney of ESPN has come out and said that trade talks for Halladay are "dead" and not just for the Red Sox. It seems the Jays have scared off a lot of the teams that were interested. Still there is always a chance the Sox/Yankees could make a last second push for the All-Star pitcher. There are also reports that the Rangers could jump into this race.


The deadline is at 4 today, and we'll keep you updated, but as of right now the only deal that looks likely is some kind of 3 team deal where the Sox get V-Mart.

Roy Halladay To Red Sox???

I have said it from the beginning that I think there is no way he is coming here, but there are some rumors out there saying it might happen...

"Old friend Gordon Edes of Yahoo! Sports this afternoon reported that the Red Sox offered at least three players -- pitchers Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden and outfielder Ryan Westmoreland -- to the Blue Jays for Halladay, according to an unnamed source. Edes speculates that because the Blue Jays are looking for a shortstop, the Red Sox might be trying to bring a third team into the negotiations to satisfy that need. Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi has set a personal deadline of today to deal Halladay, though he recently said that was not set in stone (Boston.com)."

Would I be happy if the Sox did this? Yes, I would have to listen to endless shit talking from DP, but it would be worth it to have him on the team. Do I think it is going to happen? No. I still think the media loves putting the Sox and Yankees into every rumor mill. Don't get me wrong I think the Sox have kicked the tired here, but I would be shocked if the Jays traded Halladay within their own division, but who knows? I never thought the Sox would put together an off like that (if it is true). We'll keep ya posted...

Also, if the Sox were to do this I hope they could get Scutaro too. I mean if the Jays are doing this deal then they have given up on this year, and Scutaro is in the last year of his contract so why not??

So the perfect in my eyes for the Sox would be...

Buchholz, Bowden, Nick Green (or Lowrie), and Westmoreland for Roy Halladay, and Marco Scutaro.

Red Sox Looking To Make Big Trade

"The Red Sox have not closed the door on an impact deal for Roy Halladay of the Blue Jays or Victor Martinez of the Indians, according to the Boston Globe. Red Sox chairman Tom Werner told the Globe that GM Theo Epstein is "burning the midnight oil" on a possible big deal. A report on FoxSports.com says the Red Sox are looking into not only Halladay and Martinez, but Adrian Gonzalez of the Padres as well (ESPN)."

No shocking names on this list, but for the first time I am convinced the Sox are going to make a deal. The question is what they can give up. It looks like the Smoltz experiment is going to blow up in their face. So the Sox are going to need Wake to come back healthy. Penny is notorious for being terrible in the 2nd half, so could he be the guy out? Maybe a deal of Penny, Bowden, and another minor leaguer for V-Mart would make sense, but the Indians would have to lower their asking price.

The trade that really intrigues me is for Adrian Gonzalez. He is in a horrible slump, but from everything I have read the Sox want to make a deal not just for this year, but long term. Papi is on his way out, not this year, but the signs are there that he is nearing his end. So, maybe Gonzalez in a hitter friendly park could be a 40-45 HR hitter, who has a great OBP. Seems like a Sox guy, and he would add some much needed power. San Diego would be really pissed if the Padres traded him, so they are going to need some talent in return, but a deal that included Bowden, Anderson, and either Buchholz, or a couple of the single A guys that are ripping it up could get it done.

Anyways all interesting stuff to keep an eye on.

Red Sox Minor League Report

Here is a look at how some of the Sox young guys are doing in the minors...

Michael Bowden:

Wow this kid has been unreal. I have said it before, I am not a big believer in Bowden. It is not that I don't like him it is just pop up pitchers have a tendency to get crushed at Fenway. He throws soft, but you can't agrue with his results...In 42 innings he has allowed just four earned runs and has 28 strikeouts. He has an ERA of .86.


Clay Buchholz:

Another kid who has just been tearing it up in the minors. We all know he has the talent the question is whether he can handle the pressure. I think he can, and at some point we will get another look at him (DP disagrees). Buchholz has a 1.60 ERA and 42 strikeouts over 39 1/3 innings. He held a 21-inning scoreless streak until May 18, during which he struck out 27 and allowed only eight hits.


Fernando Cabrera:

If the Sox bullpen wasn't so awesome this kid would be up already. Well I really shouldn't call him a kid he is 27 years old, but right now he is the closer for Pawtucket, and has an impressive 1.29 ERA and 7 saves.


Lars Anderson:

Anderson started out horribly this year, but has turned it around recently. With Big Papi and Lowell near the end of their carrers this kid could get a shot at the big leagues as early as next year. The first baseman is batting .241 with five home runs and 23 RBIs. He needs to do a lot better or it could be a while before we see him, which is fine since he is only 21 years old.


Josh Reddick

The center fielder has been playing well. He is hitting .288 with Double A Portland this season and has six home runs. His OPS is an impressive 1.002, which is a lot like Jason Bay who is second on the Red Sox with an OPS of 1.090.


Junichi Tazawa

Tazawa has been a nice surprise this year. He has slowed down recently but is only 22 years old, so that can be expected. The starting pitcher was optioned to Double A Portland on March 22, where he has a 4-3 record with a 3.12 ERA. He's allowed 15 earned runs in 43 1/3 innings and has struck out 42.

DC Meet Mr. Michael Bowden

You have been hearing about this kid everytime the Sox are in trade rumors for a player. He has great command, but his "stuff" is average. We all know you can get by without nasty stuff if you can command the strikezone affectivly (think Greg Maddux). Still, I am not as high on this guy as a lot of writers are. I see his stuff a lot like how I see Paul Byrd. Yes, he will not walk people, and loves to battle, but he scares me playing at Fenway. I feel that in Fenway Park you do need that "stuff" to become a top of the line pitcher for the Sox. I think in the NL, or a bigger ballpark, this could could be a very good #2, or #3 starter, but I have to say I would give this kid up over Buchholz anyday, just because I believe that Buchholz has a much high ceiling.

I also worry about this kid getting hurt. I have read 3 different reports on him that says he relies on his "arm strength" rather then the tourque of his body. That could mean that his arm/shoulder will wear down over time. I think he will be a very good MLB pitcher, but much like the man he is being compared to (Jeff Suppan), I just don't see him being affective pitcher at Fenway.

Red Sox 8, White Sox 2

If you had told me at the beginning of the season that Jed Lowrie would be batting 2nd, Pedroia batting 4th, Lowell would be injured, Beckett injured, Drew injured, Jeff Bailey at first, a new right fielder, new left fielder. and Michael Bowden starting a game on August 30th; I would have told you that the Sox must be 6 or 7 games out of the wild card.

Instead they're 3.5 games ahead (4 games in the loss column) of the Twins, and 7 games ahead of New York.

Pedroia was outstanding at cleanup. 4 for 4 with a double, a walk, and 2 runs. Mark Kotsay was even more impressive, going 3 for 5 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI. Jason Bay and Jed Lowrie each knocked in a pair. Jeff bailey hit his 2nd career homerun.

Michael Bowden was the 7th Red Sock to make his Major League debut in '08. He's also the 11th different starting pitcher the Sox have used. And for a guy who only has 2 starts in AAA, he did pretty well. He went 5, allowing 2 runs off 7 hits and 1 walk.



Let's not go crazy and think that Bowden belongs in this rotation full time. He's 21 years old. He just got to AAA. The most he could give the Sox right now would be 5 innings of average to below average quality. He's not a long-term solution to any of the Sox rotation problems.

But if the Sox need another spot start, he'll get the call.

The Red Sox go for the sweep this afternoon as Tim Wakefield faces 14-6 Gavin Floyd. Floyd also has a 3.70 ERA, so he's not messing around.

-The Commodore