What does 25 Minus 4 Equal? Do the Math
Seems like a simple math problem, doesn’t it? The logical answer is 21, but in the Red Sox case it means more opportunities to win. How so, you ask? This is a case of addition by subtraction. Last year we were decimated by injuries to key players, this year we have been fortunate enough to have benefited from injuries. So lets solve this math problem. You have a 25 man roster and you subtract, Bobby Jenks, Dan Wheeler, Daisuke Matsuzaka and John Lackey. Replace them with 4 other players and you wind up with a better 25 man roster than you started with.
How many of you are going to lose sleep that all four of these pitchers are on the disabled list at the same time? Certainly not me. Surprisingly, the one who has performed the best so far and will be the most missed is Daisuke, That alone is scary enough. Is it a coincidence that the Sox are finally over the .500 mark with these four out? Matt Albers, Alfredo Aceves and Rich Hill have definitely been an upgrade to the bullpen. Even with Daniel Bard struggling, I would rather see him out of the bullpen over Jenks. Just look how the past week has gone. No blown games, the relievers have come out and shut down their opponents until the ninth inning when Jonathan Papelbon can come in and do his thing. Michael Bowden was called up when Daisuke went down. He is scheduled to come out of the bullpen on an as needed basis. Wheeler and Jenks have been horrendous at best and that is saying it mildly. I feel bad about Dan Wheeler, being a Rhode Island resident and all. I was really hoping that he would have a great year here. So far that has been far from the case for the veteran reliever.
The disabled list is the perfect way to get a struggling pitcher(s) sent down to work on their mechanics , state of mind or both. I do think that Daisuke is really injured, the start before they took him out due to stiffness in the elbow. I’m not buying that Jenks, Wheeler and Lackey are hurt. But, I’m not complaining either. It will be at least two weeks of peace of mind. No longer do we have to worry that we are going to watch Daisuke and Lackey throw 100 pitches by the fourth inning or Jenks and Wheeler blow a lead out of the bullpen. Before heading to the DL, both Jenks and Lackey supposedly made changes to their mechanics. Pardon me, but I’m really not buying it.
Tim Wakefield is going to take Lackey’s spot in the rotation and Alfredo Aceves for Daisuke. I think the Sox are missing out on an opportunity to bring someone up from the minors and see what they can do. I understand the Wakefield situation. He has been nothing but the perfect team player. He never complains and they change his role when the situation calls for it. He deserves the opportunity to start when there is an opening. Why not let Bowden start instead of Aceves? Aceves has been pitching well, but lets see what the younger guy can do.
This year I have been a fan of the disabled list. So much so that if these four don’t feel 100 % at the end of their 15th day, then feel free to take full advantage of the 60 day DL.
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