WEEI guys down in Fort Myers

[JD10367]

Flipped to Dennis and Callahan this morning and listened to their interview with John Lester, with the crack of the occasional bat audible as someone took batting practice.

Does anyone know when Meter is gonna try to hit Curt's fastball? I've GOTTA listen that morning. I know Schilling's gonna drill him in the ass, LOLOL....

[Patriots4ever]

I'd rather see what Curt would do to Butch Stearns, but Meter works too, I suppose. :icon_supe

[SlumpBustR]

Flipped to Dennis and Callahan this morning and listened to their interview with John Lester, with the crack of the occasional bat audible as someone took batting practice.

Does anyone know when Meter is gonna try to hit Curt's fastball? I've GOTTA listen that morning. I know Schilling's gonna drill him in the ass, LOLOL....how did Lester sound JD? I read that he was pronounced cancer-free as of 12/21/06 (or so)

did he mention whether he felt strong at this point or working up his stamina? I ask because he had the same type of C as the Mrs. RG and 6 chemos (1 every 3 weeks) is the usual regimen so he would be about 2- 2 1/2 months off this treatment (approx) at this point

[Mikiemo83]

it is undetermined based on Shilling needing a bit of time to get ready and schedule it for a throwing day - Callaghan is catching

- I am sure it is soon and will look for a link on WEEI to pop up soon, should be on NESN and ESPN also

[JD10367]

how did Lester sound JD? I read that he was pronounced cancer-free as of 12/21/06 (or so)

did he mention whether he felt strong at this point or working up his stamina? I ask because he had the same type of C as the Mrs. RG and 6 chemos (1 every 3 weeks) is the usual regimen so he would be about 2- 2 1/2 months off this treatment (approx) at this point

He sounded good. He said he's pretty free to do anything now, although both he and the Sox would be monitoring him and that they'd probably be pulling the reins in on him every now and then (the Sox brass more than Lester). He said he usually starts throwing around Thanksgiving and didn't get back to throwing until mid-December, which doesn't sound like a big deal. And he said his weight's back up to around 215 which is where it was before.

The nice thing is that they have enough arms in camp and shouldn't have to work him too hard. I think he'll be ready for April, and whether or not the Sox have a roster spot for him is up to them. At worst, I think he'd start the season in Pitukit and get called up when someone goes down with injury.

[SlumpBustR]

He sounded good. He said he's pretty free to do anything now, although both he and the Sox would be monitoring him and that they'd probably be pulling the reins in on him every now and then (the Sox brass more than Lester). He said he usually starts throwing around Thanksgiving and didn't get back to throwing until mid-December, which doesn't sound like a big deal. And he said his weight's back up to around 215 which is where it was before.

The nice thing is that they have enough arms in camp and shouldn't have to work him too hard. I think he'll be ready for April, and whether or not the Sox have a roster spot for him is up to them. At worst, I think he'd start the season in Pitukit and get called up when someone goes down with injury.TYVM, JD -- I don't listen to 'EEI much at all any longer and I was wanting to know how Lester was doing.

if I were the Sox I would work him like you suggested in Pawtucket as it seems the rotation would be set at least with Shilling, Beckett, DiceK and Papelbon/Wakefield until we see more from ST.

I would want to know asap about the "tired-arm" Amish-boy Matt Clement -- if he is "OK"-- then I would ride his arse HARD right away, early in the season to eat innings before his inevitable 2nd half collapse. get some work out of him and his what? $9MM annual salary? I think this is his final year in the current contract.

Lester can be brought back slowly depending on how the above plays out, especially if Papelbon has to go back to the closer role / how Wakefield's back is / how Shilling's arm strength is / whether Beckett continues his way-back-Wasdin-torrid-HR serves routine / and what do we REALLY have in DiceK

[Patriots4ever]

I would want to know asap about the "tired-arm" Amish-boy Matt Clement -- if he is "OK"-- then I would ride his arse HARD right away, early in the season to eat innings before his inevitable 2nd half collapse. get some work out of him and his what? $9MM annual salary? I think this is his final year in the current contract.

I thought the Sox already determined that he won't pitch this year. I don't have (nor can I find) a link to confirm this, but I know I heard it somewhere. I thought he had some shoulder surgery, again, during the offseason that contributed to this decision???

It could just be wishful thinking on my part.

[Patriots4ever]

Here's something from 1/22/07

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070119&content_id=1782280&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos

Where is Matt Clement? How is he progressing from his right shoulder surgery? Should we have any expectations?
-- Brian L., McLean, Va. Clement, from what I can gather, is at his Pennsylvania home rehabbing his surgically repaired right shoulder. I think that it's too early to say how well he's progressing. As far as expectations, I wouldn't be shocked if Clement returned to the mound at some point in the second half of 2007. Dr. James Andrews did a similar surgery on NFL quarterback Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, and that has obviously worked out pretty well.

[SlumpBustR]

Here's something from 1/22/07

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070119&content_id=1782280&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos

thanks P4......

I am way, way out of the Sox loop at this point but will catch up soon. it will be too bad if Clement can't earn this final year's salary or serve as trade material or something for cryin' out loud

[Patriots4ever]

thanks P4......

I am way, way out of the Sox loop at this point but will catch up soon. it will be too bad if Clement can't earn this final year's salary or serve as trade material or something for cryin' out loud

Yeah, me too. And I want Clement out of here at any and all costs. I don't care what it takes, just get him the F OUTTA here.

Clement, from what I can gather, is at his Pennsylvania home rehabbing his surgically repaired right shoulder.

LOL, amish country, LOL

[PatsDVD]

thanks P4......

. . . or serve as trade material . . .

:blink:

What team would even consider taking Clement in a trade??

Worst case, the Sox paying Clement $9M to NOT pitch this year is still money well spent.

[SlumpBustR]

:blink:

What team would even consider taking Clement in a trade??

Worst case, the Sox paying Clement $9M to NOT pitch this year is still money well spent.I dunno right now but there are plenty of dumb ones out there that seem to take anything with an arm

I mean Cleveland was going to pay Foulke to pitch, right?

I was presuming that Clement does in fact come back and does pitch without his arm falling off this year in a "trade him before his contract ends" scenario -- and that would be in a package with others -- would hate to see him just fade away, not pitching this year and we can't parlay something for him is all

[Patriots4ever]

Gil Meche got $11 mil from KC of all teams. :blink:

[oldskool138]

Gil Meche got $11 mil from KC of all teams. :blink:

Yeah, but Gil isn't coming off of major shoulder surgury. The only way the Sox could trade him is if they ate a substantial part of his contract (a la Rent-A-Center). And what would you get in return for Mr. Clement? I know the Sox are basically eating his contract anyways if he doesn't pitch but what are you going to do? Get an average AA guy who may never sniff the majors?

This is, thankfully, his last year. I'm Theo will be more than happy to drive him to the airport. Hell, I'll even do it. Matt's going to be lucky if he can find a minor league deal out there.

[Patriots4ever]

oldskool138: I wasn't the one who suggested that they trade him. I know that nobody will give anything up to get him, in all liklihood. All I said is that teams will overpay for pitchers, because it's at a premium, and you probably know as well as I that Gil Meche aint worth $55 mil/5 years. ??? That is the exact reason, I believe, why the Sox took a flyer on Clement. I was pissed the day I heard of his signing.

I agree with what you said, and I am with PatsDVD on this one: the Sox paying Clement $9M to NOT pitch this year is still money well spent. The quicker he's gone, the better. The Sox are going to eat that salary one way or another. Might as well be paying him while he's a "member" of the Red Sox as opposed to pitching for someone else.

[oldskool138]

I know a lot of teams are spending a lot of money for average pitching. I'm sure some small market team like the Brewers or even KC will take a flyer on Clement in '08. Matt's already made his money. I wouldn't be suprised if he hangs it up.

I wanted to like Clement during his tenure with the Sox. When his slider is on it's darn-near unhittable. His only problem is that he can't throw it consistently and does not have the mental toughness to play for a big to mid market team.

The bottom line is that I don't want to see him pitch another baseball in a Red Sox uniform...unless there are multiple injuries to the starting line-up.

[Mikiemo83]

Clement goes back to the National league and become Jeff Suppan

[Patriots4ever]

I know a lot of teams are spending a lot of money for average pitching. I'm sure some small market team like the Brewers or even KC will take a flyer on Clement in '08. Matt's already made his money. I wouldn't be suprised if he hangs it up.

I wanted to like Clement during his tenure with the Sox. When his slider is on it's darn-near unhittable. His only problem is that he can't throw it consistently and does not have the mental toughness to play for a big to mid market team.

The bottom line is that I don't want to see him pitch another baseball in a Red Sox uniform...unless there are multiple injuries to the starting line-up.

Agree.

His slider is unhittable, but as you mentioned it's too inconsistent. But so is his fast ball, change-up, and every other pitch he has in his arsenal. His AWHIP is way too high, as was his ERA. The only reason he had a decent W-L and made the All-Star team was because of that, and the fact that he did have the highest (or one of the highest) run support of any starting pitcher that season. Plus, he takes about 20 minutes in between pitches, which has to affect the guys behind him in the field.

I don't want to see him pitch another baseball in a Red Sox uniform, regarless of injuries to other pitchers, period. As you mentioned, I, too, wanted to like him, but he frustrated me beyond no end when it was his turn to pitch.

[JD10367]

I'm not enough of a baseball fan to know the acronyms. Aside from being a sex toy used in RG's dominatrix-styled basement, what's AWHIP?

[Mikiemo83]

I'm not enough of a baseball fan to know the acronyms. Aside from being a sex toy used in RG's dominatrix-styled basement, what's AWHIP?
average walks hit / inning pitched

[JD10367]

average walks hit / inning pitched

That helps... a little, LOL.

Now... what does it mean? "Average walks hit per inning pitched"? How can you hit a walk? :confused:

[Mikiemo83]

That helps... a little, LOL.

Now... what does it mean? "Average walks hit per inning pitched"? How can you hit a walk? :confused:4.5 whip would mean that for every 9 innings pitched he averages 4.5 hits and walks given up.


or 3 hits and walks over 6 innings if you go by the typical length of a start these days

[Patriots4ever]

What mikie said.

I tend not to look at a pitchers W-L record. ERA and WHIP are the 2 that stick out. I hate walks. HATE EM! That is why I'm not a Clement fan. His WHIP and ERA were too high before he got here, and it hasn't changed. When he got hit in the head with that baseball, it generated a built in excuse for (most) fans and media alike.

AWHIP - average walks/hits per 9 innings pitched may be more of an indicator of how efficient a pitcher is whereas ERA would be how productive they are. That is my opinion, and I hope it helps. :D

[JD10367]

Yeah, I think W-L is kinda BS, since one day a team could give you 9 runs and you win 9-8 and the next they lose a 1-0 game.

(Another BS stat is passing yards in football. If Manning throws a 5-yard pass and the guy jukes his way for a 90-yard TD, why the f*** does Manning get credited with a 95-yard pass TD? It should be yards in the AIR, not what happens on the ground. JMO.)

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

I thought WHIP was per inning. 4.5 walks + hits per inning (!)

4.5 per game would be legendary

[Mikiemo83]

I thought WHIP was per inning. 4.5 walks + hits per inning (!)

4.5 per game would be legendary
correct I was trying to find a number easy to place into my 6 inning example and screwed up by giving Clements Stats:)