Aaron Rowand

[CWSGuy406]

Let me first say I still think that Rowand might be able to get the job done. However, if he doesn't: rather than rushing a young Jeremy Reed up to the majors, why not give Joe Borchard a shot? IIRC, he had a hot start to Spring Training (limited at bats) before his injury, and so far at AAA, hasn't he done pretty well so far? He could provide some serious power at the bottom of the lineup, and switch-hitting power at that. I believe he has improved his batting eye. Plus, I really don't want to see Reed rushed up here unless we know, absolutely 100%, that he is ready to handle being an everyday big league center fielder. Eventually, IMO, Joe has to be given a chance to see if he can be what we all once believed that he'd be.

 

Off Topic: I'm watching the Royals/Twins game on Extra Innings. The Sox still don't get much respect, even from the Royals announcers. Talking about contenders, the Royals and the Twins, and their bullpens, and they don't even mention the Sox. Tisk tisk.

[Cali]

Jeremy Reed tonite: 3 for 4 with a Triple, 2 Stolen Bases, 2 RBI's and a walk.

[BrandoFan]

Aaron has not proven he can hit righties. Most if not all of the damage in 2003 came off lefties - same as Miguel Olivo and Tony G.

 

Unfortunately, southpaws comprise only 30% of all AL pitchers -- if that.

 

With a short/quick swing and a strong upper body Aaron has, there is NO reason why he should be a pull guess hitter. ML pitchers are VERY smart and they will exploit your tendencies and mechanical holes and impatience in a second. I am not liking the adjustments Aaron is purportedly making thus far.

 

Back to pitch selection and strike-zone management....The more I think about it, the more I realize how damn indispensable they are; not everybody is born with Soriano quickness or McGwire strenght, so a hitter's ability to hit is directly proportional with the quality of pitches he swings at.

 

Sounds so damn simple, but watching the Sox get shut down by nobodies in the last 3 years, only reinforces it time and again -- if Carlos is hacking at a 1-0 pitch up and tailing inside or if Rowand is cheating fastball on a 1-1 slider 6 inches outside and low.....What possible outcome can there be, but some series jammage or whiffing?

 

Aaron's awesome winter league were promising as far as his hitting IQ was concerned; now, he's just taken a step back. Let's see how he rebounds; Sox might be in trouble if he, Crede and Harris don't shape up soon.

[greg775]

Shouldn't Aaron be given a full year in center so we can see what he can do,

ala Crede last year?

[BrandoFan]

Shouldn't Aaron be given a full year in center so we can see what he can do,

ala Crede last year?

No.

 

This franchise is in a must-win-to-rekindle-fan-interest mode.

 

Time to learn was in 2001 and 2002 and even in 2003.

 

Look, I like Aaron; outside of that bike accident-related slump to begin 2003, I think he has proven he can be a 780-820 OPS hitter in the bigs.

 

His time has come NOW. If he can't right himself by early-mid-May, bring on Reed.

[Rex Hudler]

Unfortunately, southpaws comprise only 30% of all AL pitchers -- if that.

 

You are right and you are wrong.... lol

 

Currently, LHP's comprise 33.7% of all AL rosters. The 4 other teams in the AL Central where the Sox will play a large bulk of their games, have 39.6% of their staffs as lefties.

 

This is a different year, so I am not sure what those numbers were like last year. But I did look at some of the Sox everyday players last year to see what their splits were. Surprisingly, approx. 27-28% of at bats from Frank, Carlos and Maggs last year were against LHP's. I wonder if that will hold true this year?

 

My initial thought is that there are more LH starters than relievers so that number should be higher due to more IP by the starters. I didn't look up each team's starters only, so I very well could be wrong on that. Anybody want to finish my research? lol

[YASNY]

I feel confident that Rowand and Crede will get it going. I still have to be sold on Willie Harris.

[BrandoFan]

I feel confident that Rowand and Crede will get it going.  I still have to be sold on Willie Harris.

Yes, but WHEN will it happen, that's a burning question.

 

Last year, both Kong and Joltin' Joe, Jr DID get it going....after sucking for 3 months.

 

You want to avoid yesterday-type embarassment? Then you CAN'T have half the team take a month off or go into existential funks.

 

The Yankees right now are full of selfish, stupid overswingers and LOOK at how they are struggling despite literally having an All-Star roster. In the long run, by the virtue of their scary talent, they will STILL prevail and make postseason somehow.

 

Sox, on the other hand, can't really afford to struggle because their talent is vastly inferior. Sure, losing to Vasquez is understandable (although Red Sox knocked him around pretty good), but shut down by Paul f***ing' Abbott? Gimme a break.

 

So to Sox and Aaron Rowand....Shape the f*** up and win these 2 games with ease.

[greg775]

Fair enough Brando.

I do respect your opinion.

I like the fact you're giving aaron til mid May.

I agree that's long enough.

If he's not up to .270 and continuing to play

good def. by mid May, bring up Reed.

s*** if Reed is ready and hitting like he is,

I aint against Reed.

but for some reason I do like Aaron even

though he has what, 1 ribbie?

[aboz56]

No, but I would prefer him over Aaron.  I would also prefer Reed and a number of other people over him.

Have you ever even seen Reed in person?

 

Just wondering on that, but I'd agree with you that I'd prefer him to Rowand in CF at this point. The guy is raking at Charlotte through 10 games with a .400 avg.