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You're pretty spot on with some of your evaluations. I would like to see Lavarnway up here in the big leagues if there is a place for him. I think he's proved all he can in the minors. I think the whole wrap abotu him being bad defensively was blown out of proprotion. He's adequate enough. I'd like to give him some burn back there and see how he does. It's tough to follow in Varitek's footsteps. The Shoppach signing kind of surprised me. I guess it's good we have 3 catchers, but wasn't expecting them to immediately make Varitek irrelevant.

The Red Sox just for some reason are always hesitant to stick a minor leaguer in a role and just declare him "the guy" in spring training. Hasn't happened since Pedroia. Jacoby, rotted on the bench for Coco until the playoffs. Youk bounced back between the majors and AAA forever. Same with Buchh. I think it's just the regime. They think fans would be disapointed to see some no name come up be named the starter with little or no experience. It's Boston. It's a big market. Remember Michael Bowden? 2 or 3 years ago they throw him into the fire of a meaningful Red Sox/Yankees game and he blows up and seems to be permanently shell shocked. He was supposed to be a good prospect. Now he can barely win mop-up duties.

Although scouts are really doubting Iglesias can hit. He may be ultimately a utility guy. What a difference a year makes. I agree to let him burn maybe this spring see where you are in May. If it doesn't work out I think it's safe to say we should explore other options at short.

You're probably right that they wont hand the job to a kid with no experience. I do hope that they give Iglesias a fair chance to prove himself in Spring Training though. I have also heard the reports that he can't hit well, but I think that the only way that he will improve is if he gets a chance. Maybe we start him in AAA and see how he goes for another season?

As for Lavarnway, I was also a little surprised to see them sign a backup to Salty when they have Lavarnway ready to step up. I had heard a lot about his poor defensive game/game-calling abilities, but as you, and others that I have spoken to recently, have said, he has made huge strides in those areas and is by most accounts ready to at least fill backup duty in Boston. Obviously he will come up if either Salty or Shoppach get injured, but otherwise I can see him possibly coming into the Red Sox lineup at DH in 2013 (assuming Ortiz is gone), or, if we use Youk as DH and Middlebrooks on 3rd, then I could see Lavarnway getting the full-time backup job at C.

What is also puzzling about the Shoppach signing is that while he is obviously not a great offensive player (albeit there is a little pop) he's not a tremendous defensive guy either. While he can throw guys out fairly well, he's not great in other areas such as handling a pitching staff, defensive prowess and overall athleticism. Is the drop off between him and Lavarnway that substantial defensively? All Lavarnway has done since being called up and the few spring training games is rake. Maybe there is room for a major league spot on the roster for him as pinch hitter or backup 1B? Stranger things have happened and teams have been known to carry 3 catchers before.

It will be really interesting if the major league club decides to carry him or Iglesias. I like Bobby Valentine's approach of really evaluating everything he's got. He's even making David Ortiz get substantial time at first base so far. Bobby may be a bit of a character, but he's got a great baseball mind. I like him so far. If one of these guys shows it in Spring Training I think Bobby might be open for either guy to make the team.

Speaking of Bobby giving the young guys a fair chance, I read somewhere a while ago that he was very impressed by Iglesias and wanted him as the starter from day 1, but either management or ownership (can't remember which) were against it. I'm personally in favor of Iglesias getting a shot, so you could say that I'm biased, but I agree with Bobby V. I understand the importance of ownership and management, but at the end of the day it should be the managers call as to who he wants on the field. It is his job afterall that is on the line if the team sucks. Also, what is the point of hiring a manager if the GM and owners are going to run the team anyway?

Will Middlebrooks in 79 ABs in AAA so far in 2012:

8 HRs, 26 RBIs, .375 BA, .430 OBP, 1.208 OPS

Youkilis is so history after this season.

Middlebrooks is hitting .313 with 2 doubles and a grand slam in 3 games since being called up to the show. On the bad side, he had a throwing error today. Also, in the 11th, he leisurely trotted to first on a fly ball to left that dropped in the corner in which should have easily been a double, yet he only got a single due to not hustling. Would have been nice to have a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the 11th there. But, all in all dude has shown some nice promise, hopefully he can keep it up.

Meanwhile, Youkilis is hitting a paltry .219 with 20 k's in 64 at bats. He also got scratched on consecutive occasions, and has since been put on the DL with a "strained back". The Youkilis days might be coming to an end.

Middlebrooks had another throwing error but also had a monster game at the plate tonight with 2 HR's and a double. He is now up to .381 average with 3 HR's, 3 doubles, and 9 RBI's in 4 games. Dude is smashing it right now. Keep it up young buck (other than the errors of course.)

I personally am very excited to see Middlebrooks get a chance, and to make the most of it. I think he is going to be a really good player for us as he gets more experience.

Anybody hear about red sox prospect, Michael Almanzar?

He has set what is likely a minor league record by reaching base safely in 16 straight appearances.

That same mark, ties Ted Williams for the most ever in the Majors.

Xander Boegarts and Jackie Bradley. Ready for 2014? What about Matt Barnes?

I'd like to see Bogaerts get a call up later this season, although a lot depends on who the short stop is for the Red Sox. But if he dominates again this season, no reason not to give him a crack.

Jackie Bradley yeah I think your looking at 2014. He's a very good defender and had a solid bat. Had a very good first season for the Sox farm.

Matt Barnes not really ace guy, but right under that. He was okay last year with Salem and I'm looking forward to see what he can do in AA.

The next list of guys who will see major league time really all come from the Dodgers.

Rubby De La Rosa is the first, who I think can be a 2/3 in the rotation. I think he may start in the pen with the Sox out of spring training. Very good fastball and changeup...if he can get his slider to that level watch out.

Jerry Sands has shown a plus bat in the minors did no translate to the Dodgers tho in about 200 ab's. Not sure if he's a full time player, but he could make for a nice platoon partner this year at either first or left.

Bryce Brentz he could very well be a middle of the order hitter. Had a very good year with AA last season. Reminds me a lot of Middlebrooks in the aggressiveness at the plate. I would expect to at least see him being a sept call up.

Alex Wilson you could very well see Wilson in the pen this year. He's a converted starter and had a pretty good year with the Pawsox last year. Mid 90's fast with a decent enough slider. Not sure if he's closer material, but could be a nice setup guy.

I don't know if you follow Chris Mellen on twitter but it's good stuff with Sox prospect discussion.

He linked to a top ten list and said both Bogaerts and Bradley could see 2013 call up. I don't know if that just means September or what. But I'd like to see if they start in AA or AAA. Also there is growing concern Bogaerts doesn't have all the tools defensively to be at SS long-term.

Sox minor league system is starting to get stacked. Especially on the left side. With Jose Iglesias seemingly sticking in the majors, Sox are in a logjam if Xander Boegarts is ready for a call up (my guess is Septemeber) because he just abused AA and is getting his feet wet in AAA. Gavin Cecchini is looking like an absolute stud at third and just got promoted to AA. Could be interesting to see what happens with Middlebrooks in a year or two if Cecchini is the real deal and Will is still struggling in the majors. As for pitching... Ranuado, Webster, Workman, Barnes, Owens.... All look like future solid rotation guys. Even Drake Britton has turned it around after the DUI. De La Rosa has great stuff, might actually end up as a good closer or something if the Andrew Bailey experiment continues to fail.

i think we either will try WM at 1st or move him for Xander or cecchini

Dirty Water wrote:Sox minor league system is starting to get stacked. Especially on the left side. With Jose Iglesias seemingly sticking in the majors, Sox are in a logjam if Xander Boegarts is ready for a call up (my guess is Septemeber) because he just abused AA and is getting his feet wet in AAA. Gavin Cecchini is looking like an absolute stud at third and just got promoted to AA. Could be interesting to see what happens with Middlebrooks in a year or two if Cecchini is the real deal and Will is still struggling in the majors. As for pitching... Ranuado, Webster, Workman, Barnes, Owens.... All look like future solid rotation guys. Even Drake Britton has turned it around after the DUI. De La Rosa has great stuff, might actually end up as a good closer or something if the Andrew Bailey experiment continues to fail.

Ahhh 3 years and a champipnship later.

Iggy- gone
XB-stud
Cecchini-bust
Middlebrooks-bust
Ranuado-bust
Webster-bust
Workman-TBD
Barnes-solid
Owens-TBD
Drake Britton-Bust
Owens-TBD
RDLR-traded


Wow.