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Mid-Season Thoughts  

Big Papi

It's time to treat the big guy like a man. For a while I thought he was a little whiny about the fact that the Red Sox were not giving him his due by signing him to a multi- year deal like he asked for at the end of last season. But watching him perform this season and how he pulled it out in '10 and '11 says to me that he does deserve a two year deal with maybe an option for a third. Why? Because he has not only produced batting wise but has become the preeminent team leader on and off the field. He is the one constant on a team that is loaded with inconsistencies. There were the tough starts to the 2010 and 2011 seasons but Big Papi still came through at the end with 32 HRs and 102 RBIs in 2010 and 29 HRs and 96 RBIs in 2012. Respectable numbers and he put them together in the last four months or so of each season. He found his problems and worked them out. His one major drawback was that he had a hard time hitting left handed pitching - not any more. This season he is tearing the cover off the ball with pitching from both sides of the mound. He has proven himself over and over and it is time to give him his due. Remember, the Red Sox gave Curt Schilling an atta-boy contract in 2008 for $8 million and he never threw a pitch. I think Big Papi deserves the respect due him and he needs it now. Look, the last thing we need is another disgruntled player, especially the only player, at this point, who is holding the Red Sox together.

Trades

I think the Red Sox need to take a page from just about every other team's book and look more to their home grown talent for support. To a degree they have done that, maybe more this season than any other in recent memory and they need to continue to promote from within. Let's face it, most of their trades this year have been disasters. Case in point. The Red Sox traded Josh Reddick for closer Andrew Bailey. Ummm, anyone care to hazard a guess how that has worked out for the Red Sox. Well, the Red Sox don't know- and neither do we - because the oft injured Bailey hasn't thrown a pitch in anger for the Red Sox yet this season. Why? Because he is injured again! We may see him take the mound after the All Star break but when after the break is anyone's guess. And, Reddick? He has 19 HRs, 41 RBIs, he's batting .259 and has an OPS of .858. Our outfield, on the other hand, has a combined total of 17 HRs. The Red Sox have to stop trading what they have for what might be.

Daniel Bard

It's good to hear that Daniel Bard feels comfortable on the mound - pitching in relief! This is where he should have been, he should never have been moved from and should stay until it's time to retire. He is the closer -in- waiting and if Bailey doesn't work out and they need to move Aceves to a starting spot in the rotation, Bard is the closer later on for this season.  Period! And that's all I'm going to say about that!

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I am not sold on Ryan Kalish, especially from a defensive standpoint. He is shaky at best, and really does not look like he belongs in the majors playing CF. Is he a better RF? It's been so long since we saw him play there, I can't remember. Who knew that we traded the wrong guy to Oakland? Once Jake and CC return, send Kalish back to AAA and let him get his AB's and play nothing but right. The platoon of Cody Ross and Ryan Sweeney will work there for the remainder of the year. Daniel Nava has earned the right to stick around, especially since he's a switch hitter.

As for the infield, I hope Middlebrooks is a quick healer, because if we have to live with Punto for any extended time.......also worried about Pedey, if he had gone on the DL he'd be back by now, and he'd be at full strength, he's the main man in the lineup (sorry Papi). Gonzo seems to be coming to life, and the afore mentioned Big Papi is just doin' it - Congrats on #400!! Is this a playoff team....I don't know. But if they don't hit, it really doesn't matter how good the bullpen is, does it?

Rip * Kendall Park, NJ

Josh, Thank you for answering for Fredd. He only replies when you agree with him. Most people liked the Gonzalez acquisition when it was made. Youk wanted to play third because that was his normal position.

Fredd, Beltre was a rent-a-player. He had no intention of staying with the Sox.

Ed, Two years ago Youk's contract had too much money owed to make a trade where the Sox would pick up his salary.

The All star voting depends on fans voting multiple times per day in order to get players elected.

Tony * Ashland

Nice to hear from all the great gals of RSN and their thoughts are right on the money.If they don't pull out at least a split with the Yankees, it's lights out for us. However ladies, I am still adamant that Bobby and the management are at fault at not the players themselves and now maybe Pawtucket can help. And it did not take Cashman long to cash in on McDonald who if we remember came in and pitched and did a good job. Hopefully we can take all the games over the weekend and we will there cheering them on.

Dave from R I

Enough already. Back in the last century there was a group of fans not yet known as Red Sox nation. We were cursed and downhearted about never winning it all. A truly sad bunch we were. Then, lo and behold, a miracle occurred. Not once but twice. Two World Championships in four years. The curses were lifted and a new attitude engulfed the northeast corridor. 2007 is not that far in the past people. I heard on the tube last night that the Pirates haven't been over .500 this late in the season since 1992 !!! That's 20 years!!! 

To have a contending team year after year is not something every fan base can enjoy. Please stop bashing everyone from the owners to the batboys over every game loss. Also, hindsight is 20/20. No more they should have traded this guy or not signed that guy. Agon was huge out west. Who really knew he would fade in Boston. Recently the team was in the cellar. Now it's third. A handful of games from the top and those hated Skankees. Let's get Ells and others back and see if a second half run is in the cards. You could live in Kansas City or Pittsburg or Seattle.

Billy the Bandit

Enough already with the negativity in this forum. So the Sox lose some games. Is everyone ready to throw them under the bus? We have to be supportive of the team in the good times and bad. I'm not a Pollyanna but maybe it's time to talk about the good in the team, like the young guns and the fact that Adrian is starting to come around. So let's be positive. We WILL beat the Yankees this weekend.

Nellie * Belmont

I was watching the AAA game tonight and I couldn't believe the quality if the umpires. The home plate umpire was far superior than most of the "Major League" umpires. I think the umpiring office should be taking a look at these men for subs or maybe replacements.

Ed * Morro Bay, CA