Comments on: Daniel Bard strikes out seven in final rotation audition

By: bigharold

bigharold — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 16:05:53 +0000

I think I’d leave Aceves in the pen. Aside from his versatility I;m not certain that his back can stand up to then’t grind of the rotation with 30 starts.

I really like Aceves and wasn’t at all happy when the Yankees let him go but with that said I think his best slot is the pen especially if they are looking to protect his health.

By: sasquash20

sasquash20 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 03:49:40 +0000

I’m not even a Sox fan and I think you suck!

By: cur68

cur68 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:35:34 +0000

Clearly missing the word “easier” between “the Red Sox’s decision” & “for them” in that sentence. Somebody’s ADD posting.

By: bozosforall

bozosforall — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 00:09:41 +0000

Red Sox…fourth place in the AL East this year.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:58:12 +0000

One additional thing to consider is the performance of Melancon this ST. He has not looked very good and the Sox could be in trouble if they start the season with him as the set up guy.

I’m thinking Aceves and Doubront get the 2 final spot and Bard goes back to being the set up guy with Melancon being the 7th inning guy.

By: firstandonlywarning

firstandonlywarning — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:34:41 +0000

Because it’s barely english

By: baseballisboring

baseballisboring — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:27:53 +0000

Agreed, I think Bard will at least get the chance. I was a little more optimistic about his chances of starting before the spring training stats he put up, but he does have a great fastball/slider combination, and his two seamer and change have been good at times. Control is really the issue though…when you’re throwing 98-99 you can get away with more mistakes than at 93-94. He definitely tends to miss his spots, but given our lack of depth I say we run him out there for at least a few starts and see how he looks.

By: deadeyedesign23

deadeyedesign23 — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:24:50 +0000

I nearly went cross eyed trying to read the first sentence of this post.

By: buffalomafia

buffalomafia — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:21:26 +0000

Lets go Yankees?

By: aceshigh11

aceshigh11 — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:11:42 +0000

See? This is what kills me…

He hunkers down and gives a great performance, which is going to help him win his spot in the rotation…and then watch: he’ll completely fall apart.

By: bigharold

bigharold — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:46:31 +0000

Bard really needs to go back to the pen. He’s pretty much a two pitch pitcher and his stuff doesn’t translate well in the rotation. He’s a classic thrower, .. not a pitcher and when the lineup starts seeing him for the second and third time they are going to hit him hard.

He better be making progress on that change up.

By: hammyofdoom

hammyofdoom — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:46:03 +0000

With how great Bard’s fastball/slider combo can be, I think he has to beat out aceves as the 4th starter. Last year when he DID start, I believe Alfredo’s ERA was above 5 and his control really suffered as a starter (I remember seeing him plunk the leadoff hitter in a game more than once, as well as having bad control in general). Also he is far more versatile out of the ‘pen, with something like 49 out of his 105 relief appearances in his career have been for over 2 innings. He is a perfect swing-man, to be able to come in a game in the 5th inning to pitch for 2-3-4 innings, or to pop in during the 7th to hopefully shut a team down late in the game