ducks
08-18-2006, 02:35 PM
Red Sox bring in reinforcements for Yankees series
Red Sox bring in reinforcements for Yankees series
By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer
August 17, 2006
BOSTON (AP) -- Let the other ballclubs worry about the trading deadline. The only deadline the Boston Red Sox care about is the arrival of the New York Yankees.
For the second time this season, the Red Sox are bringing in reinforcements just in time for a series against their AL East rivals. This time, Boston made a deal to get 2002 AL Rookie of the Year Eric Hinske from the Toronto Blue Jays and stashed first baseman Carlos Pena at Triple-A in case he's needed, too.
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"Our manager, coaching staff and players know that we always have and always will do everything we can to put this franchise in the best possible position to succeed," said Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, who couldn't find a deal to his liking at the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline.
"We'd been looking for a left-handed bat. When we were able to get the salary for 2007 at least subsidized, we thought it was a good fit."
Before the Yankees' first visit to Boston, the Red Sox rushed catcher Doug Mirabelli to town, getting him a police escort from the airport so he would get to Fenway Park in time to catch knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Josh Bard, who had 10 passed balls in Tim Wakefield's first four starts, was sent to the San Diego Padres to reunite the battery that had worked well together in 2001-05.
This time, the Red Sox brought in Hinske, a lefty batter who can back up the corner infield and outfield positions and help them fix an imbalance that left them with 13 pitchers and 12 position players.
"It was frustrating for all of us, but I think it was out of necessity," Epstein said in a conference call on Thursday. "We just weren't doing a good enough job at run prevention to get by with 12 pitchers."
The Red Sox were off on Thursday but pulled within 1 1/2 games of New York in the AL East when the Yankees lost 12-2 to the Baltimore Orioles.
"This game has nothing to do with tomorrow," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "We go up there. It will be the usual craziness."
New York's lead was a season-high three games on Tuesday, leaving Boston as far back in the division as the wild-card race.
"I don't care about the wild card," Red Sox ace Curt Schilling said, shooting down a postgame question after getting a no-decision against Detroit. "We can't think like a second-place team."
The Red Sox got the 29-year-old Hinske from Toronto along with $2,812,500 to offset part of the $6,688,525 he is owed for the rest of this year and next in exchange for future considerations or cash. He has made 53 starts this season and is hitting .264 with 12 homers and 29 RBIs in 78 games.
"Every time you get traded, it means somebody really wants you," Hinske said Wednesday night after being scratched from the lineup against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays minutes before the start. "It's not a negative thing."
The Yankees made their move just before the deadline, acquiring outfielder Bobby Abreu and pitcher Corey Lidle from Philadelphia. Lidle will return from bereavement leave for the death of his grandmother to start on Monday.
Boston had been carrying 13 pitchers and 12 hitters because of the strain its pitching staff faced while losing five consecutive games. The series against the Yankees will force the Red Sox to start Jason Johnson and Jon Lester in Friday's day-night doubleheader, and neither has been able to pitch deep into games.
In addition, Boston doesn't have a starter for Tuesday's game in Anaheim against the Angels, and Epstein's attempts to find help haven't worked out.
"The pitchers that are available right now are available for a reason," he said "It's a tough time of year to acquire a pitcher that will make a difference."
New York will pitch Chien-Ming Wang and Sidney Ponson on Friday, followed by Randy Johnson, Mike Mussina and Lidle. Josh Beckett, Schilling and David Wells will finish the series for the Red Sox.
"There's been such a rivalry over the years, it boils your blood," Torre said. "I love the city. You walk around. The people are great. Something happens when they hit that turnstile. The baseball is the highlight of my day."
Red Sox bring in reinforcements for Yankees series
By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer
August 17, 2006
BOSTON (AP) -- Let the other ballclubs worry about the trading deadline. The only deadline the Boston Red Sox care about is the arrival of the New York Yankees.
For the second time this season, the Red Sox are bringing in reinforcements just in time for a series against their AL East rivals. This time, Boston made a deal to get 2002 AL Rookie of the Year Eric Hinske from the Toronto Blue Jays and stashed first baseman Carlos Pena at Triple-A in case he's needed, too.
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"Our manager, coaching staff and players know that we always have and always will do everything we can to put this franchise in the best possible position to succeed," said Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, who couldn't find a deal to his liking at the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline.
"We'd been looking for a left-handed bat. When we were able to get the salary for 2007 at least subsidized, we thought it was a good fit."
Before the Yankees' first visit to Boston, the Red Sox rushed catcher Doug Mirabelli to town, getting him a police escort from the airport so he would get to Fenway Park in time to catch knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Josh Bard, who had 10 passed balls in Tim Wakefield's first four starts, was sent to the San Diego Padres to reunite the battery that had worked well together in 2001-05.
This time, the Red Sox brought in Hinske, a lefty batter who can back up the corner infield and outfield positions and help them fix an imbalance that left them with 13 pitchers and 12 position players.
"It was frustrating for all of us, but I think it was out of necessity," Epstein said in a conference call on Thursday. "We just weren't doing a good enough job at run prevention to get by with 12 pitchers."
The Red Sox were off on Thursday but pulled within 1 1/2 games of New York in the AL East when the Yankees lost 12-2 to the Baltimore Orioles.
"This game has nothing to do with tomorrow," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "We go up there. It will be the usual craziness."
New York's lead was a season-high three games on Tuesday, leaving Boston as far back in the division as the wild-card race.
"I don't care about the wild card," Red Sox ace Curt Schilling said, shooting down a postgame question after getting a no-decision against Detroit. "We can't think like a second-place team."
The Red Sox got the 29-year-old Hinske from Toronto along with $2,812,500 to offset part of the $6,688,525 he is owed for the rest of this year and next in exchange for future considerations or cash. He has made 53 starts this season and is hitting .264 with 12 homers and 29 RBIs in 78 games.
"Every time you get traded, it means somebody really wants you," Hinske said Wednesday night after being scratched from the lineup against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays minutes before the start. "It's not a negative thing."
The Yankees made their move just before the deadline, acquiring outfielder Bobby Abreu and pitcher Corey Lidle from Philadelphia. Lidle will return from bereavement leave for the death of his grandmother to start on Monday.
Boston had been carrying 13 pitchers and 12 hitters because of the strain its pitching staff faced while losing five consecutive games. The series against the Yankees will force the Red Sox to start Jason Johnson and Jon Lester in Friday's day-night doubleheader, and neither has been able to pitch deep into games.
In addition, Boston doesn't have a starter for Tuesday's game in Anaheim against the Angels, and Epstein's attempts to find help haven't worked out.
"The pitchers that are available right now are available for a reason," he said "It's a tough time of year to acquire a pitcher that will make a difference."
New York will pitch Chien-Ming Wang and Sidney Ponson on Friday, followed by Randy Johnson, Mike Mussina and Lidle. Josh Beckett, Schilling and David Wells will finish the series for the Red Sox.
"There's been such a rivalry over the years, it boils your blood," Torre said. "I love the city. You walk around. The people are great. Something happens when they hit that turnstile. The baseball is the highlight of my day."