Notes: Sox unveil early exhibition plan

[NewsBot]

Notes: Red Sox unveil early exhibition plan

More... (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070223&content_id=1813131&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos&partnered=rss_bos)

[JD10367]

"In order to best gauge the closer competition, Farrell said that the four top candidates will get their work by the fifth or sixth inning during the early games. That way, the quartet will be facing mostly starting players on the opposition.

The four men competing for the job -- Mike Timlin, Joel Pineiro, Julian Tavarez and Brendan Donnelly -- all pitched live batting practice for the first time on Friday."

Oh, God, please, say it ain't so! :icon_hang :icon_oak: :twak: :eek:

[#1Patsfan_chica]

I really hope they are not serious with Julian Tavarez and I like Mike Timlin but he had a horrible year last year.

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Are Delcarmen and Hansen not even in the running?

[Patriots4ever]

Hansen needs to develop another pitch. Sure, the guy can throw 99 MPH gas, but eventually the hitters will time that and adjust, especially if he throws the fast ball every pitch. He can't get his other pitches over the plate, only the fastball, and that's what hitters are sitting on.

Delcarmen is interesting though. I wouldn't mind seeing them giving him a chance, although he is young, but so was Papelbon.

Timlin has done it before, but at 40, can he do it now? He may have had a bad year last year, but everytime Francona brought him in, there were runners either on base or in scoring position. After the 1st couple times I thought nothing of it, but it was consistent. If he couldn't handle that last year, I don't know if you can trust him closing out games, and I don't understand how he would earn "an opportunity" this year of being the closer.

[kgsmith]

I believe decarlmen is in oakland now isnt he? From what I saw, the sox put him on waivers and the A's picked him up.. ans for hansen.. he is a young gun, and I think boston wants to let him develop and see what happens for next year..can you imagine..next years possible starting five.. beckett, pap, matsusaka, lester and hansen.. and if schilling comes back (which I believe he will..)

[oldskool138]

I believe decarlmen is in oakland now isnt he? From what I saw, the sox put him on waivers and the A's picked him up.. ans for hansen.. he is a young gun, and I think boston wants to let him develop and see what happens for next year..can you imagine..next years possible starting five.. beckett, pap, matsusaka, lester and hansen.. and if schilling comes back (which I believe he will..)

Nice avatar buddy! :) :) :)

[Fully Tilted]

I believe decarlmen is in oakland now isnt he? From what I saw, the sox put him on waivers and the A's picked him up..

God I hope not. I think you are referring to Lenny Dinardo. Delcarmen was previously one of our most protected pitching prospects and Theo doesn't seem to want to part with him. I would think Theo was on hallucinogens if he suddenly put him on waivers.


http://www.eyewitnessnewstv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6091992&nav=F2DQ

[EverettsTheoryOfEvolution]

Geezus, I hope they didn't waive Delcarmen! I think they learned their lesson after the whole Cla Meredith thing (at least they said they did).

[Patriots4ever]

They didn't want to part with Delcarmen during the Todd Helton trade talks. They like this guy. He's young, he's still learning how to pitch, and he has major league experience,. Why would they put him on waivers if that was the case? Just because he's not in the running for the closers role doesn't mean that they don't value him.

It's amazing how one unconfirmed statement can cause so much trouble.