Eagle-Tribune Blogs: Burt Talks Sports

OK, so the Red Sox have the best record in the American League and appear to be on course for the year many people, including the experts, expected.

I had asked for your concerns — not to be confused with whines — about this team and now we’re going to address them.

The Trouble Bunch said:

“At this point in the season, my biggest concern is Dusty P not producing at the plate. He’s the kind of hole in the lineup that you usually worry about when Doug Mirabelli is behind the plate (though not so far this year, it seems). My suggestion: give the kid another couple weeks, hope he finds his stride. If he doesn’t? Send him back down to Pawtucket to find his bat and his balls, and split the time at second between Alex Cora and Eric Hinske (who’s .385 OBP in 10 games is nothing to scoff at, especially when compared w/ Pedroia’s perfomance).
Besides Dusty P, straighten out Lugo’s glove, and I say we’re good to go!”

I agree with your assessment of Pedrioa’s problems, which may have been remedied over the weekend in Minnesota (5-for-6, including three doubles). At 20-10, there should be no rush to judgement. What we have to understand is that Theo Epstein’s grand plan is to have a legitimate second baseman and the best possible utility infielder in the game. It appears they have the latter in Alex Cora. We’re still waiting for Pedroia. I would wait, as you said, at least a couple more weeks.

On a side note relating to Pedroia, I spoke to ex-Sox manager Joe Morgan last week and he thinks Pedroia will be fine with the bat and he loves his defense. We will be including Joe in Q&A sessions throughout the baseball season.

Joe said:

“I’m concerned about Dice-K. I’m wondering if the pressure of pitching in Boston is too much. Do you agree?”

I believe Dice-K is the real deal. Besides his variety of pitches, he has been groomed his entire life to be in this situation, with the Red Sox or Yankees, on the world’s biggest stage. He is going through some tough times, which really aren’t as tough when compared to the average pitcher’s struggles. I believe he will win at least 17 games and be an ace-caliber pitcher by August.

Paul from Beverly said:

“Here’s the point: I like Dustin Pedroia. He has shown he can hit at every level, including Triple-A. I think we have to stick this one out. I saw a recent story where the Red Sox have had 11 second basemen in 10 years. It’s time to try and develop one for long term. And the fact that the Sox are winning, we can be a little more patient.”

Mike said:

“Dustin Pedroia — Alex Cora plays much better defense, and he is a better bat (hard to believe you could ever say that Alex Cora is a better bat). Let the kid work out his kinks with the PawSox.”

If the Red Sox were 15-15, I might agree. As I noted earlier, the Red Sox are in a position to wait these issues out. If he isn’t a .250 hitter by June 1, I might consider looking elsewhere and sending him down for some seasoning and a confidence boost. But not yet.

Kenny said:

“Julio Lugo’s defense concerns me. I still don’t know why the Red Sox let (Alex) Gonzalez go. He was the best shortstop, maybe ever, for the Red Sox. He had great range and even a greater glove.
I realize Lugo can hit, but I’d rather see a poor hitting shortstop than a poor hitting second baseman (Pedroia!).”

Kenny, I’m right with you on Lugo’s defense. This is supposed to be the strongest position on any team, from Little League to the majors. I understand why the Red Sox got Lugo, because he is a very good leadoff hitter (though we haven’t seen it yet), but there was such a sense of peace watching a ball go to the left side last year with Alex Gonzalez there. We will be watching Lugo closely, particuarly on the defensive side.

Mike said:

“Dustin needs to lose the ‘big bat.’ He’s helpless getting around anything inside and up (I know that’s tough for anyone). He isn’t a power hitter so he should concentrate with smaller/lighter bat promoting singles and once in a while double. He’s swinging like Yogi when we should be seeing Erikson.”

An interesting observation. I will pursue this the next time I am at Fenway Park. I will ask about his bat.

Eric said:

“Quick thoughts:
1. The days of 2003-2004 are over. This team will not score over 900 runs. That’s fine. I think the reason is that we have taken that money out of the offense and put it into pitching. That may sound a bit strange given the contracts that were doled out to Lugo and Drew. But that still doesn’t make us the Yankees. NY obviously has the means and the willingness to pay for All Star-caliber offensive players at every position on the field. The Sox arguably have those means also. But I don’t necessarily know that I want that from my team. I like the idea of the Sox using young (Wily Mo), relatively inexpensive (Coco), and in some cases home-grown talent (Dustin) to fill roles. Yes, I’d love to see all those players blossom into .300/25/100 guys. And yes, we’re going to need big bats to compete in the AL East. But, pitching will ultimately determine how far we go. And so far, I love our rotation and our bullpen.
2. I could not possibly be less concerned about Dice-K. He’s making a huge adjustment, one that I think perhaps a lot of us fans don’t appreciate. If he has a year in ‘07 like Beckett had in ‘06 (good, not great), I’d take it. Anything more is gravy. Beyond that, I’d expect him to continue to improve and eventually (hopefully) become the dominant pitcher that he’s been predicted to be.”

Did you say quick points? Point 1 — I agree, pitching AND clutch hitting win out in the end. Point 2 — Dice-K is in the perfect situation in that he doesn’t have to carry the team and his growth can be gradual instead of the meteoric expectations he would be under if Sox were 14-16.

Mort said:

“My concern is the #5 hitter behind Papi. J.D. Drew got off to a hot start, but since the NYY series, he is 3-for-29 (.103) with no extra base hits and one RBI. I’m cringing that this is a harbinger for things to come.
Lowell seems to be knocking in the runs. Perhaps moving him in to the #5 slot?”

Another under-the-radar issue because of the Sox early success: J.D. Drew. All I can say is he looks like a great hitter. There will be some growing pains in this league, but he is a legitimate No. 5 hitter. Mike Lowell is perfect hitting behind him. It also gives the Sox the lefty-righy-lefty-righty thing going in the lineup.

Joel said:

“Hell-ooo …
But seriously Bill, I agree with all points except for the Dice K concern. Both in general and in even more so in Boston, we tend to de-humanize athletes and expect their salary to equal their performance on the field day in and day out. If I’m correct, Josh Beckett attributed some of his struggles land inconsistencies last season to issues off the field — including making the move from Florida and his parents’ divorce. Couple that with adjusting to a division with the toughest lineups in basball and a bullheadedness to throw fastballs in every count and he had some problems. Now here’s Dice K, who packed up his family and moves to another country accross the globe where he knows only basic communication skills. He lands in Boston- arguably the hottest of baseball hotbeds- and is trying to settle into a new living situation while facing Major League hitting at 7:05 pm. Now add the demands for interviews and other obligations and the fact that every time he takes the mound it’s a frickin media holiday of international proportions. He’s learning hitters, learning Varitek, and learning the strike zone in the midst of all this.

I’m not saying you should treat him like a wounded bird, but this is one guy you have to give some time to get going here. Anyone who thought he was going to come in and be dominant from day one is neive and unrealistic.

We signed the guy becasue he’s young, has significant upper level experience, and shows promise with a number of pitches. This year won’t determine whether or not he’s a bust. I hope he makes a smooth adjustment soomer rather than later, but at the same time I’m not ready to slot him as an ace.

I’d be curious to know what you know from a media standpoint: the demands on him, his attitude in the clubhouse and his overall adjustment to Boston. I look forward to your response.”

Thanks, Joel

Joel, I am on record as saying this guy can handle the big stage. He appears to be unbothered by the massive following, both the Japanese and American media. He has to make adjustments here, including and especially the stronger lineups, one through nine. I’ve seen a few lapses in concentration when things go bad, but that should subside the more success he has.

Matt said:

“Pedroia is the biggest concern. The reasons why have been stated many times. Here’s an oft overlooked point, thought. The Sox dumped Gonzo for Lugo’s bat, but they also dumped Loretta for Pedroia. So when you combine the middle inflield slots, you get a better picture of the overall progress.
May 5 last year, Gonzo was hitting .190 with 6 RBIs. That’s comparable to Pedroia’s .180 and 3.
Meanwhile, Loretta was at .227 with 12 RBIs, comparable to Lugo’s .231 and 13.
Overall, so far, the dropoff is marginal and asthetic.”

To semi-quote John Lennon: All I am saying … is give Pedroia a chance.

Ike Delock said:

“Concerns?
Just concerned that they can handle the unforseen.
Young second-baseman not adjusting quickly? Plug in the utility infielder and let him hit .400.
Backup catcher/albatross hit under .200 last year? Let him come back and hit .250+ to start the year.
Latest shortstop off to a slow start? Contemplate possibility of using a shift on everybody. Remove shortstops entirely from Sox lineup.
I say they have the pieces that spell “juggernaut”.
Let the season play itself out, and react on an as-needed basis.”

Great points, Ike. When you are winning twice as much as you lose, you shouldn’t complain. If Pedroia’s bat or Lugo’s glove are the biggest problems Sox have this year, they will in the World Series.

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