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Boston Red Sox
David Ortiz lashed out at perceived criticism of his leadership ability after a Red Sox win put the team back at .500. Is this just a temporary outburst?
- randallroberson: "If you don't feel respected in Boston Big Papi, demand that the front office trade you to Cleveland. We would throw a parade for you down Carnegie Ave. before you played a game."
- doorhingedude: "He's making 14.5 million dollars this year, sounds like respect to me."
- oconnor2114: "Yanks fan here...I think he is right. Papi and Pedoria have been the glue of this team the past 3 years. You can't count on anyone else consistenly. Not sure what he is trying to do with his comments though. I for one, have a ton of respect for this guy."
- edross22: "Ortiz and Dustin are definitively the leaders of this team. So as long as your team sees you as a leader forget about the rest Papi. I really see you as a leader, you are showing it in the field and off the field. "
- zimmerolls: "The fans know Ortiz offers huge leadership to the team. He walks the talk. It's the ridiculous media that portrait it as something different and discount it. Ask the fan on the street and they will tell you the leaders on this team are Papi and Pedroia."
- rnewmanjr1: "Ortiz does make some good points. But as far as he himself getting respect. That is wrong. He has been put on a pedestal for years for a good reason. His problem is after years of playing in Boston his skin has gotten thinner and he sees everything as an insult"
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Did you know that the Boston Red Sox have the fourth-best offense in all of baseball? It's true. You can totally look it up if you don't believe us. That's a pretty good offense! It's just that the pitching is, well ... less than stellar. Only the Minnesota Twins have a higher team ERA, and considering Clay Buchholz is looking to avoid being the only pitcher in history to give up five runs or more in seven consecutive starts tonight, don't look for that ranking to be set in stone. It's officially gotten bad in Boston, as ace pitcher Josh Beckett was booed on Thursday night after bring lifted in the third inning. Is this as bad as it gets for the Red Sox?
Worst of the worst?
It seemed like the Red Sox had everything figured out a few weeks ago, but that was before they lost six straight games at home.
Who's to blame?
The Ben Cherington/Bobby Valentine era in Boston has not gotten off to a great start, but most of these starters were on the Red Sox before those two took over.
Bigger disappointment?
Clay Buchholz has a much higher ERA, but Beckett is the ace of the Red Sox franchise and an ostensible leader in the clubhouse.
Just a fluke?
A 5.29 ERA is awfully high for an entire pitching staff. Are the Red Sox just going through a teamwide slump?
You'd think that a major league team would be able to hold a nine-run lead after five innings, right? You evidently haven't met the current Boston Red Sox bullpen. Boston blew one such lead on Saturday against, let's face it, the worst team against whom they could possibly blow a lead. The Yankees left Boston having taken two from the Red Sox, leaving their rivals at 4-10 and wondering where it all went wrong. Bobby Valentine is taking the brunt of the criticism, but is it really his fault?
Blame Valentine?
It's easy to point fingers at Bobby Valentine, but it's also tough to fault him for a bullpen which can't seem to get anybody out.
Bard's role?
Daniel Bard's time as a starter did not last long -- he'll be available out of the bullpen as of today.
Playoffs still possible?
The Red Sox started badly last season and, despite a September collapse, still finished within one game of making the playoffs.
Bobby Valentine has never been one to censor his thoughts, as Kevin Youkilis and the Red Sox have just found out. Valentine apologized to Youkilis for appearing to question his commitment and emotional state. Valentine said he was trying to refer only to Youkilis' swing, and that the way he worded his answer added to the confusion surrounding it. What likely matters most right now to a number of Sox fans? The Red Sox are 4-6 and in last place in the AL East early.
The right fit?
Bobby Valentine's managerial style is somewhat different from Terry Francona's.
A cunning plan?
Valentine may have been trying to defend or motivate Youkilis, albeit in a roundabout way.
Youkilis' future?
Youkilis was a frighteningly productive hitter in 2010, but injuries in 2011 robbed him of much of his effectiveness.
When have the Red Sox not had some kind of horrible bullpen issue early in the season? We'd have to go back a few years, especially since this year's 0-3 start is causing blood pressure to rise all across Massachusetts. Can Boston power through its bullpen issues?
- dbpgh: "Man, the Tigers did this against Bostons best? What are they going to do against the lesser rotations? "
- gobluewolverines928: "I think the AL East winner may only have 92-94 wins because the top four will beat up on each other all year. Sox could definetly end up winning the division no doubt"
- BostonCeltic1888: "The fact is every team has problems & no one is running away with anything....Not this year. MLB will be as close to the NFL then ever before"
- CalaisYaY: "this bullpen will continue to be a problem all year. if the sox had a decent bullpen i'd give them a shot at the world series, but that is not the case"
- spartyon 12: "After these three games I still think Boston will be a good team. The tigers just overpowered them, it is hard to beat a team with that lineup"
- KSizzle474: "Why did the Sox let Papelbon walk away? Did they somehow think that they were upgrading with Aceves? He isn't even a power pitcher like most of the best closers in the game today... He threw an absolute grapefruit to Cabrera on the first pitch!"
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Opening Day -- well, Opening Night, really, and we technically already had one of those in Japan, but who's counting? -- is finally here, as the Cardinals will take on the Marlins tonight in the first stateside regular-season MLB game. It's bound to be an exciting season with so many players having changed teams, but has the power structure been altered significantly?
Vote: Pick each division and pennant, and the winner of the World Series
Rank: Baseball's best teams? | Top players in the game?
World Series repeat?
The Cardinals prevailed over the Rangers in the 2011 World Series, but St. Louis lost its biggest gun this past offseason ...
Best player?
... which is a pretty big loss, considering he might be one of the best players of all time.
Odd one out?
The Red Sox missed the playoffs last season after an epic September collapse. Will they be on the outside looking in once again?
AL's best?
Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols were probably the two biggest additions to teams in the American League, meaning the balance of power could shift.
NL's best?
Likewise, the addition of Jose Reyes to the Marlins could give the team a huge upgrade -- offensively with new third baseman Hanley Ramirez, and defensively at shortstop.
Bobby Valentine has called out the Yankees before, but usually after spring training. This time, he's decided not to wait until the regular season, criticizing Joe Girardi for forcing a tie in a game going into extra innings. Does Bobby V have a point?
- Too Krunk: "Who cares if it's spring training, this is America! We don't like ties."
- Mr4tee4: "Sox might not have a lot in terms of team chemistry, but they're not lacking for a big mouth manager."
- Ny State of Mind 19: "Red Sox fans get ready for a lot of drama this season. Bobby V. craves attention."
- Spevy18: "its not about winning or losing in pre-season, its about getting your guys reps. apparently Girardi thinks his guys are ready. he might as well just cancel the rest of him games until opening day."
- thegourleys: "Bobby goes over the top a lot. And maybe he is doing it again here. But I can tell you that I would be upset if i had paid money to go the game and it ended in a tie. "
- GMB04: "Yankees/Red Sox games usually last a brutal 4-5 hours.Thank God they cut it short."
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Worth the price?
The Red Sox finally made a significant move in the offseason, trading for A's closer Andrew Bailey and giving up outfielder Josh Reddick.
An injury risk?
Bailey has a history of going on the disabled list, with stints in 2010 and 2011. He's even already had Tommy John surgery, although he's fully recovered from it.
The Cardinals, Cubs, Dodgers and Red Sox own 26 World Series titles between them, and as fans in the Windy City will attest, their team hasn't added a lot to that haul in a few years. So with the Dodgers on the market and managerial vacancies for the Cardinals, Cubs and Red Sox, baseball has some rather high-profile job openings. We know Ryne Sandberg won't manage the Cubs, and Mark Cuban won't buy the Dodgers unless the price comes down, but which vacancy will provide the most hot-stove entertainment?
- "Once again, the Cubs have a chance to do the good/right thing and they go the other way. Sandberg should have been in a Cubs uniform coaching. And this is coming from a Sox fan. It will come back to hurt them imo." -- SN commenter bigdolla300
- "If Garvey and Hershiser's group is deemed satisfactory in buying the Dodgers, then I'm all for it. If it's Cuban, then great. I don't know how Dodgers fans can all of a sudden resort to griping about any group's interest in the team after all the hullaballoo this past summer about McCourt and his constant court-related antics." -- SN commenter JohnR1959
Most interesting vacancy sign?
Only one of these openings requires a deposit up front, and a potentially hefty one at that, but is a transfer of power in Los Angeles the best hot-stove story?
Who inherits the most history?
The Red Sox began play in 1901, and they're the newbies here. The Cardinals have the titles, the Cubs have charm, the Red Sox have the Nation and the Dodgers opened California.
Who should be careful what they ask for?
It's safe to say each of the managerial openings comes with some strings attached. Would replacing Tony La Russa, potentially without Albert Pujols, be the most daunting?
So who should defend the title?
Theo Epstein told Ryne Sandberg, now the manager in Triple-A for the Phillies, he's not in the running in Chicago, but the Cardinals may be interested.
Go West, rich man?
Cuban said the Dodgers aren't worth a billion, but is he a better prospective owner than a Steve Garvey/Orel Hershiser combo or the return of the O'Malley family?
If there are two things Massachusetts is known for it's the Red Sox and, well, witch hunts. Jon Lester brought up the latter, thankfully not of the Salem variety, in responding to criticism that included the clubhouse actions he was reportedly a part of alongside Josh Beckett and John Lackey. Are you buying Lester's defense?
- "I think Lester wanted to support his manager and clear his teammates names. Not sure he succeeded at either, but his intentions seemed good." -- SN commenter mckayg12
- "He admitted he was wrong, but at the same time, all the side stories were not contributing factors because they were a way of life, and have been for every team since the beginning of baseball. He admitted to stinking, which is refreshing for a big time athlete to admit he sucked for a year and is actually more hungry for next year to come back strong." -- SN commenter devin2987
Is this a witch hunt?
Lester, Beckett and Lackey weren't good in September, but then again, neither were the Red Sox in the dugout. Are all of them being scapegoated?
Was it at least Sam Adams?
Lester played down reports of clubhouse beer drinking, suggesting it was just an occasional ''ninth-inning beer rally'' beverage.
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