9 Innings

Posted by Mike Giardi June 13, 2009 at 8:54 pm

Time to play 9 innings, especially fitting on a Saturday night when the Sox/Phillies game is in a rain delay. I hate it when that happens.

1. Do you think Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi got a little queasy when he saw Roy Halladay walk off the mound Friday with a groin injury? That’s the big chip in this year’s trade market. Ricciardi could get a king’s ransom for Halladay if he so chooses, but a lingering injury would change all that. Ditto for Jake Peavy’s breakdown in San Diego. What a crusher that is for that organization.
2. The next person who suggests that the Sox should deal for Orlando Cabrera or Alex Gonzalez better not do it around me. Those two were here in the past, and if you look at their numbers, they are both past their prime. Period. End of story. Please move on.
3. Is it possible that if/when the Sox DFA Julio Lugo, GM Theo Epstein will be critical of himself for his unhealthy obsession over a mediocre player to begin with? Just wondering…
4. That said, I can live with J.D. Drew. Yes, he makes too much money, but the guy fits in perfectly here. He doesn’t want to be the star and he doesn’t garner that kind of attention here. Okay, so what? Drew always seems to do something to help this  team win, and his move toward the top of the lineup was the right thing to do, now and for the entire year as far as I’m concerned.
5. As an aside, with absolutely nothing to do about sports, Julia Stiles is rock solid.
6. I wouldn’t trade Brad Penny now, but I’m no johnny-come-lately to that line of thinking. Unless you’re getting an everyday shortstop who upgrades the Green/Lowrie duo, you hang on to him until you see exactly what you need 6 weeks from now. And we do know that could change and change quickly. See number one for examples.
7. Not enough bad things can be said about Luis Castillo dropping the 9th inning, two-out, two-on pop up off the bat of A-Rod Friday night. There is no excuse for not catching the ball with two hands, under any circumstance. These guys get away with it all the time, but as a reminder, they should be shown that video in a loop until it sinks in.
8. Why do I get the feeling that some Sox fans think the John Smoltz that will join the rotation eventually is the 32-year old Smoltzie, not the 42-year old one? Even though he knows how to pitch, you have no idea how that will translate to the American League, nevermind after major shoulder surgery. Let’s relax and see what transpire. I could see Clay Buchholz being more important in the stretch run.
9. Can someone please tell Jon Papelbon to lose the slider? It is a big reason why his pitch count has been driven up and have people like me worrying about his year-long effectiveness.