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Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Boston Red Sox - Will Middlebrooks out of the Red Sox lineup - The Boston Globe

Best laid plans.

Middlebrooks left Sunday’s game after an awkward slide into second base in the ninth inning. He had occasional hamstring tightness earlier this season, but this was worse.

“He feels better today than he did yesterday and better than he expected to be today,” manager Bobby Valentine said. “That’s the only news we have and that’s good. It’s not discolored and that’s good. But it’s going to be some days . . . maybe DL; maybe a few days. It’s just one of those injuries.”

Jim Furtado Posted: July 03, 2012 at 10:41 AM | 39 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: injury, red sox

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1. Dock Ellis on Acid

Posted: July 03, 2012 at 10:46 AM (#4172034)

Of course.

2. boteman Posted: July 03, 2012 at 10:49 AM (#4172040)

So an accurate headline might read: "Will Middlebrooks injured, day-to-day".

3. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: July 03, 2012 at 10:55 AM (#4172044)

If we're picking nits I don't think I'd call it "day to day." It sounds like it's probably a few days minimum. I hear "day to day" and I think there is a chance he could play tonight or tomorrow but from what I'm reading that sounds remote at best.

This comes at a pretty bad time. I'd rather not DL him if he's going to be ready next week. With 4 with the Yankees this weekend then 3 after the break with Tampa the Sox have some meaningful games coming up.

4. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: July 03, 2012 at 11:31 AM (#4172091)

So an accurate headline might read: "Will Middlebrooks injured, day-to-day".

Well, "Will Middlebrooks out of the Red Sox lineup" is also accurate. It contains less information than yours, but is no less true.

5. charityslave is thinking about baseball Posted: July 03, 2012 at 11:44 AM (#4172107)

Thanks goodness they got rid of the oft injured Youkalis fellow.

6. Dale Sams Posted: July 03, 2012 at 12:13 PM (#4172139)

Even before we got rid of Youk, I noted that WMB seems a little delicate in the hamstring dept. I also noted that we were going to see a lot of Aviles and Punto on the left side of the field this year. Not that Youk seems to be an improvement, unfortunatly.

Meanwhile in NY:

AROD, age 36, 29 million, 76 games, 112 OPS+
Jeter, age 38, 16 million, 77 games, 101 OPS+

Well at least their big buck guys are playing...and actually contributing positive WAR when doing so, as opposed to say Crawford or Lackey.

7. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: July 03, 2012 at 12:22 PM (#4172157)

AROD, age 36, 29 million, 76 games, 112 OPS+
Jeter, age 38, 16 million, 77 games, 101 OPS+

Hey, that's Starting All-Star SS Derek Jeter to you!

8. John DiFool2 Posted: July 03, 2012 at 12:56 PM (#4172210)

Fun with selective endpoints, Jeter since May 7th:

.242/.295/.294

He may not be above 100 for long...

9. Cowboy Popup Posted: July 03, 2012 at 01:34 PM (#4172250)

Hey, that's Starting All-Star SS Derek Jeter to you!

I was really hoping he wouldn't play this year. I think it's extremely likely at this point that he plays much better with a few days off now and then. Since the Yanks absolutely refuse to give him time off, I was hoping the All-Star break would force it. But nooooo, stupid Indians fans didn't show up to vote.

10. Fly should without a doubt be number !!!!! Posted: July 03, 2012 at 01:43 PM (#4172259)

Frankly, this makes me even more in favor of the Youk trade.

11. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: July 03, 2012 at 01:57 PM (#4172283)

Frankly, this makes me even more in favor of the Youk trade.

Why would this be the case? Is your position that Lillibridge or Punto is superior to Youk? That seems to be the only way a Youk trade is improved by a Will Middlebrooks injury.

12. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: July 03, 2012 at 01:57 PM (#4172284)

Since the Yanks absolutely refuse to give him time off, I was hoping the All-Star break would force it.

I agree, although carrying Jayson Nix as your back-up shortstop rather compels a team to run even since May 7th Jeter out there pretty often. Interestingly, since June 10th Jeter had DH'ed 3 times and gotten 2 days off. From May 10-June 10, he DH'ed once and had one day off. So maybe the Yankees are realizing the rest is good for him.

13. Kurt Posted: July 03, 2012 at 02:15 PM (#4172308)

Why would this be the case? Is your position that Lillibridge or Punto is superior to Youk? That seems to be the only way a Youk trade is improved by a Will Middlebrooks injury.

He's out for a few days, maybe a week or two; it's not like he's out until 2014.

The benefit is that it's very clear that the job belongs to Middlebrooks. When he comes back from his injury there won't be any controversy about who gets to play; you don't have to worry about how happy Youk would be about going back to the bench; there won't be any clubhouse divisions.

I don't know if that's Fly's point, or whether that justifies the trade, but that's a reason to be in favor of it.

14. KT's Pot Arb Posted: July 03, 2012 at 02:20 PM (#4172323)

The benefit is that it's very clear that the job belongs to Middlebrooks. When he comes back from his injury there won't be any controversy about who gets to play; you don't have to worry about how happy Youk would be about going back to the bench; there won't be any clubhouse divisions.

And if Middlebrooks goes down for the rest of the year, having Youk shipped off for nothing also makes it clear it's his job.

Even if it's on a last place team.

15. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: July 03, 2012 at 03:11 PM (#4172409)

Alfonso Soriano's available.

16. Fly should without a doubt be number !!!!! Posted: July 03, 2012 at 03:15 PM (#4172417)

The benefit is that it's very clear that the job belongs to Middlebrooks. When he comes back from his injury there won't be any controversy about who gets to play; you don't have to worry about how happy Youk would be about going back to the bench; there won't be any clubhouse divisions.

I don't know if that's Fly's point, or whether that justifies the trade, but that's a reason to be in favor of it.

This is exactly my point.

17. Nasty Nate Posted: July 03, 2012 at 03:53 PM (#4172462)

I hope Wily Mo Middlebrooks has the same serious injury that has plagued Papelbon for the past 5 years.

18. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: July 03, 2012 at 03:56 PM (#4172467)

The benefit is that it's very clear that the job belongs to Middlebrooks. When he comes back from his injury there won't be any controversy about who gets to play; you don't have to worry about how happy Youk would be about going back to the bench; there won't be any clubhouse divisions.

If that's the benefit it's a hell of a cost to have to play Nick Punto and Brent Lillibridge for the next two weeks or more if Middlebrooks is either hurt worse than we think or simply stops producing which is not out of the question.

19. The Yankee Clapper Posted: July 03, 2012 at 04:15 PM (#4172494)

Probably too early to worry about The Curse of Youk . . . but . . .

20. Fly should without a doubt be number !!!!! Posted: July 03, 2012 at 04:23 PM (#4172506)

If that's the benefit it's a hell of a cost to have to play Nick Punto and Brent Lillibridge for the next two weeks or more if Middlebrooks is either hurt worse than we think or simply stops producing which is not out of the question.

I think you're severely overrating the effect that 2012 Youk can have in 14 games. Or, for that matter, the effect that 2012 Punto can have.

21. Fly should without a doubt be number !!!!! Posted: July 03, 2012 at 04:24 PM (#4172507)

And don't get me wrong, I love Youk. Love him. I just think he's done.

22. Dale Sams Posted: July 03, 2012 at 04:26 PM (#4172514)

I'm wondering if all this free-swinging from the Sox is cumulative from seeing everyone else free-swinging...if you know what I mean. No Ellsbury (last year he was selective), no Youk...no Tito or Theo to preach.

23. Dale Sams Posted: July 03, 2012 at 04:33 PM (#4172524)

Aviles 84 OPS+
Punto 56 OPS+ (couldn't help but go up with more time, but shouldn't exceed 80)
Pedroia 95 OPS+
AGon 94 OPS+

...and some people wanted to let Papi walk, DH Youk and save the money.

24. Walt Davis Posted: July 03, 2012 at 04:57 PM (#4172567)

Well, that'll teach 'em to ever trade anybody!

Alfonso Soriano's available.

And can almost always make the throw from third on less than two hops!

25. karlmagnus Posted: July 03, 2012 at 05:53 PM (#4172614)

Youkilis 43 OPS+ for Chicago. Just saying.

26. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: July 03, 2012 at 07:24 PM (#4172700)

Youkilis 43 OPS+ for Chicago.

Exactly what I was thinking. Yes, we all know Punto and Lillibridge suck, this is not news. Sure, it would be nice to have 2010 Youk to replace Middlebrooks, however that guy ain't coming back either way. The only drawback on the trade thus far is that the magic beans we received apparently have no mystical powers.

27. Fly should without a doubt be number !!!!! Posted: July 03, 2012 at 08:25 PM (#4172734)

I'm wondering if all this free-swinging from the Sox is cumulative from seeing everyone else free-swinging...if you know what I mean. No Ellsbury (last year he was selective), no Youk...no Tito or Theo to preach.

I hope so. I want them up there swinging and having fun. Makes the games MUCH better to watch.

28. Textbook Editor Posted: July 03, 2012 at 09:42 PM (#4172777)

Youkilis 43 OPS+ for Chicago.

Ah, but that is an upgrade over what they had at 3B, right? That's what keeps getting written...

All things being equal, if this is a lost year, at least I think we're in better shape moving forward than, say, the Phillies. Their current lost year has folks enraged and in a blind panic around my neck of the woods. I don't get the same sense of outrage from Boston-area folks, but then (a) we're not 10 games out like Philly is, and (b) we had a collapse last year that I think made lots of folks dial back expectations for this year.

29. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: July 03, 2012 at 11:18 PM (#4172810)

dial back expectations

Did any of us really have any expectations at all for this season? Their off season was not good and most of us figured the reliever to starter conversions were not going to go well. They really needed to focus on picking up some starting pitching and they didn't do that. I had no expectations and they pretty much are the team I expected. I always hope for more, but no, did not expect any more.

30. Ray (RDP)

Posted: July 03, 2012 at 11:24 PM (#4172812)

Maybe they can get Youkilis from the White Sox. I'd be happy to give them, oh, Lillibridge and Stewart but I doubt the White Sox are dumb enough to go for it.

31. Dale Sams Posted: July 03, 2012 at 11:44 PM (#4172821)

Maybe they can get Youkilis from the White Sox

I understand that some people think Lowrie should be 'sold high', maybe we can get him for Melancon and Punto.

32. Textbook Editor Posted: July 04, 2012 at 12:25 AM (#4172842)

Maybe they can get Youkilis from the White Sox. I'd be happy to give them, oh, Lillibridge and Stewart but I doubt the White Sox are dumb enough to go for it.

I understand that some people think Lowrie should be 'sold high', maybe we can get him for Melancon and Punto.

We're gettin' the band back together!

33. Ray (RDP)

Posted: July 04, 2012 at 01:21 AM (#4172904)

That top of the 9th the Sox put up against the A's tonight was hilarious. I suppose bunting into a double play can happen (if you like to bunt in the first place - which I don't - though the sac bunt there I know was defensible), but how in the world does Kalish think it's a good idea to try to steal third with two outs?

34. Jim Wisinski

Posted: July 04, 2012 at 03:10 AM (#4172915)

I like Punto starting to throw a fit at first base because he didn't even realize the bunt was caught.

35. RickG Posted: July 04, 2012 at 03:29 PM (#4173091)

karlmagnus Posted: July 03, 2012 at 05:53 PM (#4172614)
Youkilis 43 OPS+ for Chicago. Just saying.

And 24 hours later, his OPS+ is 89. I know everyone hit the Rangers yesterday, but small sample size, anyone?

36. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: July 04, 2012 at 03:39 PM (#4173096)

Pedroia out with a jammed thumb. Punto at short at Mauro Gomez who last played third base in 2009 is at third base. I'm not sure if I'm pissed at Cherington for this dreadful roster management or Valentine for going with Gomez over Lillibrodge with a ground ball pitcher on the mound.

37. Dock Ellis on Acid

Posted: July 04, 2012 at 03:41 PM (#4173097)

Darnell McDonald announces on his twitter that the Yankees have claimed him on waivers.

38. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: July 04, 2012 at 03:56 PM (#4173104)

Gomez 31 errors in 71 minor league games at third base.

39. The Yankee Clapper Posted: July 04, 2012 at 04:06 PM (#4173111)

Darnell McDonald announces on his twitter that the Yankees have claimed him on waivers.

Unless there is an injury that hasn't been announced, I'm not sure why the Yanks made this move. Maybe they are hoping McDonald can help them steal the Red Sox signs, but I don't see him as an improvement over Dewayne Wise.

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Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Boston Red Sox - Will Middlebrooks out of the Red Sox lineup - The Boston Globe

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