Arizona Diamondbacks

Why Is Boston Making A Run At Burnett?

admin — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:17:00 +0000

Just days ago it appeared Boston wouldn't make a big splash in the expensive market for free agent starting pitchers, that apparently has changed.

Several sources have said the Red Sox have gone heavy into the chase for AJ Burnett.

What could have caused this? It probably all points towards the rumors of Tim Wakefield leaning towards retirement being true.

If Wakefield does retire there would be a big hole in the Red Sox rotation that Boston would need to fill either in free agency or from within the organization.

With Boston likely already going with one young pitcher from the system in the rotation they probably feel the safer route for the other slot would be a proven veteran, and that's where Burnett enters the picture.

Boston had and probably still does have interest in having Derek Lowe return to Boston, but probably not at the price he is reportedly seeking, Burnett while likely commanding similar dollars is younger the Lowe so in a way a safer bet.

Boston is also said to be in the running for Kenshin Kawakami, a Japanese free agent pitcher who could slot into the back of the rotation, by signing Kawakami and a veteran like Burnett, Boston could keep Justin Masterson in the bullpen helping strengthening it for the 2009 season or using him in a deal to land a catcher from Texas.

Should Wakefield retire, Boston could also move past having a special catcher on the roster for him, they could then have a younger guy like Jarrod Saltamacchia playing more often and giving Varitek more rest.

If I had to make a guess right now, I would lean towards Varitek having already thrown his last pitch. Being after Burnett points that way.

Update 11:34PM: Here's a look at how the pitching staff would look if Boston signed Burnett and Kawakami.

Rotation
Josh Beckett
Jon Lester
Daisuke Matsuzaka
AJ Burnett
Kenshin Kawakami

Burnett could slot in at #2 and move Lester down to #4.

Bullpen
Jonathan Papelbon
Justin Masterson
Manny Delcarmen
Ramon Ramirez
Hideki Okajima

Boston would have two bullpen slots still to fill. It's unlikely, but possible Daniel Bard could win a spot in spring training, but its more likely he would be someone added mid season.

Coco Traded

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:22:00 +0000

The Red Sox have made their first move of the offseason. The Sox send Coco Crisp to Kansas City for reliever Ramon Ramirez.

Fit and Ready to Fly

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:47:00 +0000

Saj Mahmood has been in the nets at Lancashire this week ahead of his flight to India with the England Performance Programme squad on Friday.

Pedroia Wins MVP

admin — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:02:00 +0000

At this time two years ago, many in Boston doubted the abilities of Dustin Pedroia, the one man who's opinion mattered stuck by him then and again in the early parts of the 2007 when it appeared Pedroia was in over his head.

By the end of that season Pedroia was the American League Rookie of the Year and all doubt was gone from the minds of Sox fans from coast-to-coast.

If somewhere there was a doubter remaining, there no longer is.

Today Dustin Pedroia joined an elite class of Red Sox player to have won an American League Most Valuable Player award when he won a rather easy battle against Justin Morneau, Kevin Youkilis and Joe Mauer.

Pedroia was named first on 16 of the 28 ballots, and amazingly one voter felt Pedroia wasn't among the 10 most valuable players of 2008.

Pedroia becomes only the third player to win ROY and MVP in back-to-back seasons, though others have won both in the same season.

The second baseman in just his second full season has already collected a great deal of awards.

2007 American League Rookie of the Year
2007 World Series Champion
2008 American League MVP
2008 American League Silver Slugger Award
2008 American League Gold Glove
2008 American League All-Star Starter

Turf on a boat - what next?!

admin — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:57:00 +0000

Lancashire's Head Groundman Peter Marron last week swapped a wet Manchester for sunny Miami to help create the world's first lawn on a cruise ship!

Academy intake for 2008/09

admin — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:26:00 +0000

Lancashire County Cricket Club is pleased to announce the four players who have been confirmed in the 2008/09 Lancashire Academy, with a further four cricketers still undergoing a series of re-tests.

Smith and Cross help St Kilda to 2nd

admin — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:56:00 +0000

Lancashire's Tom Smith and Gareth Cross continue to make important contributions for St Kilda in the Victorian Premier League as the club remains second in the table.

Du Plessis on a roll in South Africa

admin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:53:00 +0000

Francois Du Plessis has notched up a second century in as many matches after scoring 114* for Nashua Titans in their MTN Domestic Championship match against the Gestetner Diamond Eagles in Bloemfontein on Friday.

Lancashire Line Weekly Draw - Week 33

admin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:12:00 +0000

Have you won a £1,000 prize in this weeks draw? Here are the winning numbers for Friday 14th November 2008.

Croft makes a winning start

admin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:24:00 +0000

Steven Croft has got off to a winning start in New Zealand, as his Auckland side beat Canterbury by 73 runs in their first First-Class match of the season.

Anderson leads the way

admin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:51:00 +0000

Will Lancashire's James Anderson be named England's Overall MVP player for the 2008?!

Jimmy's out to prove a point

admin — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:00:00 +0000

James Anderson has established himself as England's strike bowler in all forms cricket ahead of the keenly anticipated seven-match one-day international series against India.

New outfield nears completion

admin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:19:00 +0000

Lancashire is into the final phase of completing the installation of the new £600,000 Outfield and Drainage system at Old Trafford.

Trivia Night Shenanigans

admin — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:16:00 +0000

Truly Lacrosse Cares - 2009 Marathon Game

admin — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:14:00 +0000

The spirit of lacrosse will be put to the test on Friday April 24, and Saturday April 25, 2009, when a group of lacrosse players will play in the longest indoor lacrosse game ever at 30 hours. The game will take place in Whitby, Ontario Canada at the Iroquois Park Sports Complex. It will begin at 12:00pm on Friday and will finish at 6:00pm on Saturday.

Presented by members of Lacrosse Inside The Game, the group comprised mainly of citizens of Whitby, Oshawa, and surrounding towns will organize and play in the marathon game, with all of the proceeds benefitting the Children’s Wish Foundation. Game participants and volunteers are welcome from all across Ontario. This game is in response to the challenge put forth in June 2008 by the Aurora Masters Lacrosse Association, with their DOVE (Determined to Oppose Violence Everywhere) effort.

The Children’s Wish Foundation was formed in 1983, on the kitchen table of an inspired and committed volunteer, named Laura Cole, and has blossomed into a national organization with chapters in every province in Canada. From humble beginnings granting fewer than 20 wishes a year The Foundation has established the capacity to fulfill upwards of 800 wishes annually.

The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada grant wishes to children with high-risk life-threatening illnesses, and have never denied an eligible child a wish, having fulfilled some of the most complex wishes imaginable.

“We are delighted to be the recipients of the generosity of this spectacular event”, said Sandra Hancox; Director of the Children’s Wish Ontario Chapter. “We look forward to working with these great volunteers to make as many wishes come true as possible”.

Lacrosse Inside The Game (LITG) is an organization, founded in 2006 aimed at promoting Canada’s National Sport. LITG runs a Co-Ed Masters Adult Lacrosse League each year in Whitby. Proceeds from the league are used to sponsor children to play lacrosse in the Durham Region area.

“I have always truly believed in helping our youth and young children”, said Gary Mark, LITG Founder. “But to be able to assist the Children’s Wish, in all of the incredible work that they do for children, I know will be something very special for all of the great lacrosse people in this area.”

The game will also feature a Legends Lacrosse Game featuring players from the Brooklin Redmen and the Peterborough Lakers. There are even plans to include members of the National Lacrosse League playing in the event.

Information on the event will be constantly updated at www.lacrosseinsidethegame.com,as well as http://tlclax.wordpress.com. Player registrations, sponsorship forms, and more are available on this site under the Forms link at the top of this page.

Gary Mark - gmark@lacrosseinsidethegame.com
Sandra Hancox – Sandra.Hancox@childrenswish.ca

Posted in Inside The Game, Lax "Stuff", Masters