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Right now I would say they need some kind of shake up, kind of like what they did in 04. I guess if I had to pick what kind of shake up it would be to get a “rent -a-hitter”. They seem to have the pitching this year, its the offense that hasn’t been consistent but how can it be when Francona is constantly giving guys days off and sometimes on the same night. Last night, for instance, they had both Lowell and Lugo out. Lugo has been on fire and Lowell always adds pop to a lineup, why have both of them out on the same night? Nevermind that Ortiz is coming back so he isn’t going to be as sharp as he would be normally and was given breaking balls all night that he couldn’t pick up. I think they are all panicking, the mental mistakes were an indication of that last night, players not picking up hit and run signals, Crisp slowing up going home ESPECIALLY in a one run game and where was Manny? Little leaguers know the on deck batter has the responsibility of telling the runner to get down or stay up. They need a shake up, I am just unsure what it sound be!!

A quality contact right handed bat for the bench with some pop. The pitching is just fine (starters are averaging over 6 innings with 4.17 era) and the bull pen is great, especially with Delcarmen stepping up. So, not worried about them, but another shut-out does have me worried.

I don’t think that they really need to do much. I don’t believe that they need bullpen help because one they get into the playoffs, Gabbard or Wakefield or another one of the starters will be put in the bullpen. They could use a right handed bat off the bench that doesn’t strike out alot but I wouldn’t mortgage the future right now for anything that is out there. Their young players are too good to give away for a rent a player like Jermaine Dye.

In the offseason, I think that they will make a major move to address the hitting of the team. If i were Theo, I would:

1. Ship out Manny for some prospects and free up money to..
2. Sign A-rod
3. Send Drew back to the National League
4. Have an outfield of Ellsbury, Crisp, and either Murphy or Moss. The Red Sox have shown over the last few years (with the exception of Pedrioa) that they have a tendency to wait too long before letting a young player show what they have (i.e Hanley Ramirez and Freddy Sanchez). They need to mix in these young players with the veterans that they have so that the rookies don’t have too much pressure on them and some of them will flourish like Pedrioa has. The fans will have to be patient with some of these players and not be calling WEEI screaming to send them down to Pawtucket like so many did earlier in the year when Pedrioa was hitting .200. I bet all those idiots still want Alex Cora to be the everyday second baseman right??

Rentaslugger.. WIN NOW

WMP out. (Yes, after his four hits last night. He’s probably tapped out on production til the middle of September now.) Rent-a-slugger OF-er for the bench (and to spell Ortiz as DH if he’s going to keep getting hurt). Bring up Ellsbury for next year. Other than that, I think they need to leave well enough alone!

Dawn
You are a lot more optimistic about this team, as constructed, than I am. And by that I’m talking about winning a World Series. While I think the pitching is very good, maybe even better, it seems too easy for a good pitchers to shut this team down. Maybe a Jermaine Dye, who could be a full-timer or reserve, might be the answer. Plus he wouldn’t be too, too expensive to acquire.
Anyway, you know your stuff.

I would have the Celtics trade for Kevin Garnett,and take all the heat off the Red Sox to make a major move…lol