A few wild swings

By Chad Finn

July 10, 2009

3 minutes to read

Playing nine innings while wondering whether Jonathan Papelbon will find his AWOL command in the second half . . .

1. Have to imagine the Red Sox front office’s internal conversations about Roy Halladay went something like this: “Man, can you imagine a front three of him, Josh, Jon? Pretty close to unbeatable — well, as long as we have enough offense to score three runs a game, anyway. Which reminds me of the real reason we’re gathered here right now — to figure out how to get the bat this team needs . . . ” In other words, a little bit of daydreaming about acquiring the Blue Jays’ 32-year-old workhorse/ace, followed by a healthy dose of reality. We’d all love to see Halladay on the Sox, including those who get paid to consider such things. But if Theo Epstein is going to spend his prospects on an upgrade for this year’s club, a quality bat (Garrett Atkins need not apply) must come in return, particularly since you have to be skeptical that Mike Lowell can last the season on his gimpy hip. Halladay would make the rich richer. But another hitter would make them better.

2. I’ll admit, there is some level of pinstripe paranoia lingering in the back of my mind regarding the supposed Halladay sweepstakes. I don’t know if the Yankees could put together a package of prospects to J.P. Ricciardi’s liking — I imagine it would start with Phil Hughes and Austin Jackson — but they certainly should try. It’s noble of Brian Cashman to pretend that he is also following the Red Sox blueprint of trying to build a player development machine, but at some point the Yankees might be best served by admitting they are what they are — a high-priced collection of big names, most of whom came up through another team’s farm system. They should have made the Johan Santana deal two years ago, and they should deal for Halladay now. Here’s hoping they’re not smart enough to realize as much.

3. Burned a few minutes the other day trying come up with a list of Sox infielders through the years who had a stronger throwing arm than Nick Green. Rick Burleson was one — he’d hold the ball just so he could show off his hose, unleashing a laser at the last possible second and nipping the runner by a half-step at first. (That also may explain why the Rooster blew out his rotator cuff.) Glenn Hoffman, who in retrospect might have been better served by taking the career path of his kid brother, was another. Who would you add to the list? And don’t say Lugo.

4. I’ve never been happier for or more encouraged by a .224 hitter than I am for David Ortiz right now. He was batting .185 with one homer as of May 31, and the word excruciating doesn’t begin to describe the start to his season. But since June 1, he’s hit 10 homers and driven in 26 runs in 103 at-bats, and he really does look like his old self. Big Papi is Big Papi again, and it sure is nice to write those words.

5. Baseball is better when Pedro Martinez is involved, and so it’s encouraging to hear that he’s close to returning to the big leagues and inking a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. I would have rather seen him end up with the Dodgers or Cubs — I’m not sure that Williamsport-style bandbox the Phillies play in will treat him well — but having him back in the majors where he belongs will be reward enough.

6. Maybe we’re hairstyle profiling here, but I don’t know, I think I’m with Orsillo. The Eck certainly looks like a Bee Gees fan to me. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)
7. If I were a really cynical jerk, I might suggest Joe Maddon’s selection of Tim Wakefield to the AL All-Star team was essentially a thank-you note for Wakefield’s 16.88 ERA against the Rays in last year’s ALCS. But as you longtime TATB readers know, I am not a really cynical jerk, but only a slightly cynical one, and Maddon’s intentions certainly seemed pure. So let me join the chorus — late, I know, but sincere nonetheless — that it’s very cool to see a plugger like Wakefield finally get his chance to shine among the stars.
8. Giving up on John Smoltz yet? Ready to dump him in the Ramon Martinez Home For Failed Reclamation Projects? I hope not. Sox fans have made major progress in terms of patience since, oh, October 2004, and if there’s anyone who deserves the benefit of the doubt as he comes back from major shoulder surgery, it is Smoltz, the ultimate pro. I said it the day they signed him, and I’ll say it again now: The Red Sox brought him here for October, and he will deliver when the stakes are high.
9. As for today’s Completely Random Baseball Card:

If there’s been a worse jersey design in the history of professional baseball, I’ve yet to see it.