Gordon Edes states that Bobby Valentine told reporters that Bailey will be out "a while", Michael Silverman reports Bailey may be out "for what sounds like months", and Sean McAdam says that if surgery is necessary, Bailey would miss 3-4 months of the season.
Considering that the Red Sox traded for Mark Melancon (20 saves for Houston last year) before getting Bailey, he would probably be tabbed as the new closer. Valentine hinted that he did not want to shuttle two or three guys into that role, and has not had a chance to speak to any of the pitchers.
Marc Normandin at Over The Monster looks at the bullpen without Bailey. ... WEEI's Alex Speier adds Bailey to the long list of Red Sox players already on the disabled list.
General manager Ben Cherington said that Beckett had had some soreness on and off all spring, but the team, is not concerned about it.
The Red Sox play the Nationals this afternoon at 3 PM and then fly to Detroit for an off-day workout on Wednesday before Thursday's opener. The Opening Day roster must be set by 5 PM tomorrow.
My already low expectations just dropped another notch. I didn't enter the WL contest this season because I didn't want to share just how pessimistic I am, but I think I would drop another ten games off the win column based on this news.
ReplyDeleteOn the upside, having low expectations is a good thing. It will be hard to be disappointed.
Oh, and what is that thing? A thumbscrew?
ReplyDelete(Not that I will ever see the answer if I don't check back since I can't subscribe any more.)
Aceves is another option, I assume?
ReplyDeleteYes, thumbscrew.
ReplyDeleteBecause Aceves can go multiple innings, I assumed he would be the setup/long man/spot starter dude.
Also, if Cook is not in Boston on May 1, he can opt out of his deal. So there could be some shuffling if either Felix or Bard crap the cot out of the gate.
I didn't enter the WL contest this season because I didn't want to share just how pessimistic I am
ReplyDeleteMany entries are as optimistic as always, but there are more entries than usual in the lower win levels. The general range is 88-100.
I'm an 89! Maybe what I said last year too?
ReplyDeleteThis is disheartening news for sure, but I'm still bullish on this pitching crew as long as it lacks Lackey.
I refuse to be pessimistic to start the year. My lackadaisical optimism won't completely shed until mid-summer (not that I expect it to, naturally).
Well, I would have brought that floor down with an 85---before learning that Bailey was out for 3-4 months. I hate being this negative, but I feel what I feel. I am hoping we can break 80. Why am I so negative, you ask? Just bad vibes. Nothing that sabremetrics or science can back up, just my gut.
ReplyDeleteI sure as hell hope that I am wrong and that the one who predicted 100 wins is right.
I guess Nick and I are of opposite philosophies on this. I prefer to see my half empty glass surprising full rather than having my half full glass seem disappointing empty. :)
Amy ,I am suprised that a 25 save guy would knock 10 wins off a season total.
ReplyDeleteThey should just make Bard the closer, I thought that was the plan all along.... I guess Ben's memos are not making it to my inbox...
Wherever your gut feeling put you before Bailey's injury, Amy, I don't think a closer downgrade is a 10-win hit. Not that anyone's happy about it.
ReplyDeleteNot completely opposite, Amy. I'm disappointed the glass is only half full--what a rip!--but hey, there's still something there. What's in the glass for an O's fan?
ReplyDeleteI don't think a closer downgrade is a 10-win hit.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Bonds at his height was worth 10 wins. 10 wins is HUGE. Since we will have *someone* pitch the last inning and he will succeed more often then not, maybe it's a 2 win hit over an entire season. Maybe.
I am hoping we can break 80.
ReplyDeleteThis is not a below .500 team.
I'll buy a Yankee hat and kiss a photo of Jeter if we finish under .500.
OK, I am convinced that ten is overstating it. Let's say my guess is about 83-85 wins. I am just worried about injuries to people like Youk or Papi and more pitching troubles. But I am so glad the rest of you are more optimistic.
ReplyDeleteAmy, we are Red Sox fans of course we are optimistic, shit its opening week, pirate fans are optimistic...
ReplyDelete83-85 wins???? For crissakes, you're writing the season off before we even play one game!
ReplyDeleteI would say "it's too early to be worried" but I can't bring myself to say that ON APRIL 4.
As 9C says, this is the time for total optimism. Spring - renewal - possibility - everything ahead of us. A THUMB? We won the fucking World Series on a bloody ankle!!!
On the upside, having low expectations is a good thing. It will be hard to be disappointed.
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, does it work that way? It doesn't seem to. It appears that the people with the lowest expectations are the most disappointed, griping and grumping their way through the season, while the more optimistic fans are enjoying themselves, focusing on the wins rather than the losses.
Cheer up, Amy! It's April! See you all tomorrow for our first thread of the season!
[I know some folks have been threading, but to me it doesn't count til Opening Day.]
I think I am just in a funk generally, so ignore me.
ReplyDeleteI will miss the first several game threads. I teach tomorrow night and have Passover Friday and Saturday nights. Arrggh. Let them win all three and show me how stupid my concerns are.
I had a feeling you were feeling cranky. I hope spring and baseball can cheer you up.
ReplyDeleteI predict the Red Sox will lose some games this season. Remember that, everybody. You heard it here.
ReplyDeleteBeing done with classes and with preparing for Passover will cheer me up---as will a number of Red Sox wins before those inevitable losses!
ReplyDelete