Can't we somehow trade Bard, Seanez and a cool million to San Diego for Mirabelli? Sheesh...Seanez sucks big time I wish we'd at least bring up one for the fireballers like Delcarmen to eat some innings...much better then this old retread losing ballgames for us

Be patient...he's been really bad a few times but he's also looked real good too. I mean he has 7 k's in only 6 innings, and he's not really walking too many people either. Francona came out today and basically said that when he throws his breaking stuff, he gets results, but that he's having trouble locating his fastball and keeps getting hammered when he throws it. Even against the Mariners, when he gave up that 2-run shot to Everett, before that happened he had struck out two batters swinging. Given another month in non-crucial situations he has the potential to get a hold of his fastball command, and if he does, to be a very useful pitcher. I think Boston would rather see Delcarmen, Hansen, et al keep getting consistant innings in AAA. Hansen in particular is working on adding a changeup, and according to the double-A website, is starting to get good results. There's no need to rush him or the other Manny up now, 20 games into the season.

2006 Blue Jays = 2005 White Sox!? The Jays may be hitting a lot of homeruns with a similar 3-4 player offensive pop and good defense, but I think the similarities stop there. The Jays don't have a lead off man or anyone else with Podesdnik's base stealing ability and I don't think their pitching will be anywhere close to what the White Sox had last year-- two of the most essential components to the White Sox success.

Ummm...the 2005 White Sox had the best pitching staff in baseball, that can hardly be said for the Blue Jays. Whats with Francona giving all the hitters a day off when we are throwing DiNardo and facing Halladay. Wouldn't a day off be better served when Schilling/Beckett is throwing?

I think Francona gave his hitters the day off because a) it seemed very unlikely that DiNardo vs. Halladay would result in a W. And b) they had just gotten through a VERY grueling and long night game. If the game ever got to a winable point, I'm absolutely sure he would have called back up his regulars.

It's a defendable move, unlike the last time he pulled regulars, which was during a well pitched Tim Wakefield complete game outting where he got stuck with an L because the big bats of Adam Stern and J.T. Snow somehow weren't able to score a run.

Good points Hunter!

Yeah I had no problem with his sitting regulars, although Halladay didn't exactly mow em down over his 5, so who knows what would have happened with a full lineup. Also, have to be pleased with Van Buren's performance (3 IP, 2 H, 1BB, 1K) against such a hot offense. In any case, to those who are interested in Red Sox minor leaguers, I decided to take a look at Boston's top pitching prospects. Besides Lester, who's been absolutely dreadful since spring training, things look good. Also as bad as Lester's line is, he did just throw his best game a few days ago, going 4 innings with 2 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, and 6 k.

In AAA:
Jon Lester: 8.1 IP, 10H, 8ER, 6BB, 11K, 8.64 ERA.
Cla Meredith: 11 IP, 9H, 3ER, 5BB, 12K, 2.45 ERA.
Manny Delcarmen: 10 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 10 K.
Abe Alvarez, (Possible spot starter?):
23 IP, 11 H, 5 ER, 7 BB, 12 K, 1.96 ERA, .78 WHIP

AA:
Craig Hansen: 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4BB, 8K, BAA.111
Edgar Martinez: 7.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 13 K!, BAA.143

Alvarez isn't really a top prospect anymore, but he's still only 23, and while it's early, he's been absolutely dominant so far in AAA. Meredith had been perfect until his last game, where all 3 ER scored along with 2 of the walks, 2 K, and 3 of the hits.

In my opinion, based on these numbers so far, the 4 players with the best potential to play important roles for Boston in the next few months, or maybe even weeks, are Alvarez, Hansen, Martinez, and Delcarmen. I know it's AA, but Edgar's 13k in 7.2 innings is just ridiculous. Hansen's numbers would be better if he were pitching to get outs; right now he's pretty much throwing the changeup exclusively, trying to master an offspeed pitch to go with his high-90's fastball and high-80's slider. Alvarez could be the lefty out of the bullpen if DiNardo keeps struggling, as well as a spot starter in his stead. He's been pretty bad in Boston in the past, but he's also never been this good in the minors. Again, 23 innings isn't a heck of a lot, but this was an exceptional 23 innings. And Delcarmen...Delcarmen was great in his 9 big-league innings last year...I can't seem him staying in the minors past June or July.

Update: The Red Sox just replaced Van Buren with Delcarmen. I don't really understand why they didn't just call him up in the first place or what Van Buren did wrong, (did anyone see him pitch? Did he just get lucky or something?) but the little Manny's getting another shot in the bigs.