whats wrong with the red sox

[Chris]

There is clearly something wrong with this team.  They are distracted.  I don't know if it is something that will clear up once the trade deadline passes, or if they actually need to make some changes to fix things (read: trade Manny), but for the first time this year, I am worried.  It is feeling way too much like 2006.

[Donoghus]

I think its a combination of things right now. 

Team looks tired and they've faced some solid competition lately with the Yankees and Angels.  They get back from that 10 game road trip to the West Coast and are thrown into back to back series against two upper echelon AL teams.  On top of that, the bats look cold right now and they seem to have trouble generating runs.  Their starters are falling victim to big 3-4 run innings against teams and the middle relief has been up & down all season. 

[Roy Hobbs]

I don't know, but Theo needs to make some sort of deal, just to get some new blood in there.  I think it was in 2006 the team made no moves, right?  After that, you could see the team was demoralized.  I'd rather not repeat that this year.

[Redz]

There is clearly something wrong with this team.  They are distracted.  I don't know if it is something that will clear up once the trade deadline passes, or if they actually need to make some changes to fix things (read: trade Manny), but for the first time this year, I am worried.  It is feeling way too much like 2006.

Could be more of an `04 Nomar clubhouse cancer type thing.  But I think you're right.  [dang it] Manny!

[ma11l]

We've had the privilege of watching numerous championship teams in the town over the last few years.  We know what one looks like when we see it.  I for one do not see "it" in this team right now.  I'm still waiting for the moment when I see this team and think "this is a championship team."  Something like a huge comeback or walk off home run or something.  A Texas Triangle sweep if you would. 



I don't see this team winning the World Series this year.  I hope we do and then everyone can give me heck for this post, but I just don't think it'll happen this year.

[celticpride07]

i agree that some trades need to be made..we are playing poorly right now...yankees and angels have got better..its time for the sox to make a move.

[mahonedog88]

It seems like something is wrong with this team, but keep in mind...we've played 2 very good teams, 1 of them twice in just a few weeks.

I will agree though that it does seem like something is missing with this team.  Something just isn't right.  They need to get on some kind of a groove, they need to hit a stride.  They're way to hot and cold.  Kind of ironic that David Ortiz COMES BACK to this lineup and our offense seems to be down.

We need to keep reminding ourselves that we should probably be tied or leading the division by at least a few games if our bullpen didn't give it up.

With the Teixeira deal happening, I wouldn't be shocked at all if the Tejada deal happens with the Astros.  The Red Sox have to feel like they need to make a trade.

[Chris]

There is clearly something wrong with this team.  They are distracted.  I don't know if it is something that will clear up once the trade deadline passes, or if they actually need to make some changes to fix things (read: trade Manny), but for the first time this year, I am worried.  It is feeling way too much like 2006.

Could be more of an `04 Nomar clubhouse cancer type thing.  But I think you're right.  [dang it] Manny!

I had this thought too, and I think a Manny trade would have the potential to really turn things around, despite the drop in talent it would likely include.  This is an incredibly talented team, and they are underperforming right now, but sometimes they just need something like that to jumpstart them.

I'm not counting on it though, since I doubt there is enough value out there to trade Manny.

[Big_Matt34]

I think it will get better after the break, there is alot going on with this team and it is obviously affecting the players. The offense is just slumping bigtime but this is a very good lineup so they will snap out of it.

But the biggest things of all is that besides the Mariners they have faced 2 very good teams since the break.

We NEED something out of Ellsbury, he looks awful at the plate. The bullpen has looked a bit better but more consistency from them is neede obviously. Mostly they just need to start hitting, and personally i NEVER want to see Cora start over Lowrie again bsarring injury, the man is an awful baseball player and he cannot even play D anymore.

Tonight the line looked ugly but Buchholz looked pretty good, the Lowell error and Cora misplay killed him. He had good command of all of his pitches but just made a few mistakes, it happens.

Overall im a bit worried but i still think we make the playoffs and once we are in a series with Beckett and Lester pitching 4 times I will feel very good.

I am a Manny fan but if we could get Matt Kemp and another good piece from the Dodgers id pull the trigger, he has insane talent and is already producing at 23 years old and most importantly, he is cost controlled through 2011. If we have to take on Andruw Jones salary and buy him out so be it, it aint my money.

BTW, getting Tejada is NOT the answer to anything, Lowrie would basically match his numbers minus HR's for MUCH cheaper.

[Green Mountain]

I think it will get better after the break, there is alot going on with this team and it is obviously affecting the players. The offense is just slumping bigtime but this is a very good lineup so they will snap out of it.

But the biggest things of all is that besides the Mariners they have faced 2 very good teams since the break.

We NEED something out of Ellsbury, he looks awful at the plate. The bullpen has looked a bit better but more consistency from them is neede obviously. Mostly they just need to start hitting, and personally i NEVER want to see Cora start over Lowrie again bsarring injury, the man is an awful baseball player and he cannot even play D anymore.

Tonight the line looked ugly but Buchholz looked pretty good, the Lowell error and Cora misplay killed him. He had good command of all of his pitches but just made a few mistakes, it happens.

Overall im a bit worried but i still think we make the playoffs and once we are in a series with Beckett and Lester pitching 4 times I will feel very good.

I am a Manny fan but if we could get Matt Kemp and another good piece from the Dodgers id pull the trigger, he has insane talent and is already producing at 23 years old and most importantly, he is cost controlled through 2011. If we have to take on Andruw Jones salary and buy him out so be it, it aint my money.

BTW, getting Tejada is NOT the answer to anything, Lowrie would basically match his numbers minus HR's for MUCH cheaper.

While I agree that Ellsbury is struggling, you can't complain about him without mentioning Varitek's atrocious batting avg. This team isn't going anywhere except down. Manny is bad kharma at this point and the bullpen is rocky at best. Daisuke has been walking a fine line all year as well despite the good record and ERA. Hell even Beckett hasn't been himself this year. Lester seems to be about the only bright spot to my eyes. New blood is definetely needed. This team looks old. Even the young guys.

[MBz]

Ellsbury is more then struggling.  I just don't think he's that good.  He can't handle the breaking ball at all and clearly pitchers know that.

[libermaniac]

It's just baseball.  Generally good teams have a 50-60 game stretch where they are 15 games over .500, another 50-60 game stretch where they play .500 ball (like the Sox are doing now), and another 50-60 game stretch where they go 15 games over again.  Best thing about it is the Sox won last year and the C's just won too.  I'm not in the least bit stressed.  We can't all be greedy as fans.

[crownsy]

Ellsbury is more then struggling.  I just don't think he's that good.  He can't handle the breaking ball at all and clearly pitchers know that.

toughest pitch to master hitting, not real surprising considering he's a rookie, lets not call him washed up yet eh?

[libermaniac]

We've had the privilege of watching numerous championship teams in the town over the last few years.  We know what one looks like when we see it.  I for one do not see "it" in this team right now.  I'm still waiting for the moment when I see this team and think "this is a championship team."  Something like a huge comeback or walk off home run or something.  A Texas Triangle sweep if you would. 



I don't see this team winning the World Series this year.  I hope we do and then everyone can give me heck for this post, but I just don't think it'll happen this year.

Come on.  Did you see the Sox as a championship team last year as Gagne was blowing games down the stretch and the Yanks were gaining on them?  How bout when they were down 3-1 to the Tribe and looking pathetic?  Did you see the C's as a Championship team last year when they were taken to 7 games by a sub-.500 ATL team?  This is sports.  Teams go in streaks.

If the Sox make the playoffs, and they get to trot out Beckett, Lester, Dice-K and Wakefield as their starting 4, with Papelbon at the end of the  pen, and Manny (assuming he stays), Papi, Pedroia, Youks, Lowell and Drew in the lineup, they have as good a shot as anybody.  They are just going through a rough patch.

[Triboy16]

Redsox biggest problem are this

1. No ortiz and mannys whinning = lack of leadership in the clubhouse. Ortiz is back, and things will be in better order soon

2. Pitching is huting this year. Everyones a little older(wakefield), a little injured(beckett is no way 100 percent still), inexperienced(bucholz last chance in my eyes from now till next year).

For insurance sake the sox should grab a bullpen long reliever and either let masterson or bucholz take that 5th spot in the rotation(i'm leaning towards masterson now)