Trying To Keep The Faith

Whether you're a Phillies fan or Red Sox fan, you're close to the edge of your seat with 30 games left in the 2010 regular season( Sox fans like me are past the edge and have fell off curled up like a fetus with every passing game). At least Mets fans don't have to worry about this..(sorry, had to throw it out there). The Sox are about 8 games out of first and 6 of the wild-card( after dismally losing to the O's tonight). The Phils meanwhile as I blog, are up 3-1 to the Dodgers in the 2nd inning (off a Brian Schneider 3 run HR). The difference between these two teams is of course health. Both teams were ravaged by injuries to crucial players like Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and etc. However, the Phils have those players back and just aren't hitting. The Red Sox would kill to have Youk and Pedey back (Fans would kill, too). Fact of the matter is, they're done and the Sox hopes die every day, unlike the Phils who are just stuck in an offensive slump.

I'm pulling for both teams, (even if the Mets could make an improbable run I'd be stoked), but I know more than likely my beloved Sox will be home watching the post-season hoping for a better( and healthier) 2011 season. So keep believing Phils fans...

(Mets fans should hope that in a freak event R.A. Dickey wins the NL Cy Young Award lol).

P.S. my reaction to the Delcarmen trade....Not sure how this helps the Sox out. He wasn't the best reliever, but Robert Manuel has yet to reach his effectiveness.

Mike Cameron: Goat

I may not be right about much this season as most of my predictions have bombed at this point, but there is one thing I was certainly more than right about: Mike Cameron was a waste of time and money for the Boston Red Sox. Cameron called it a season earlier citing an abdominal tear that has hurt him since the early portion of the season. This deals the fledgling Red Sox another blow at a crucial time when it appears they're trying to turn their season around and make the playoffs. Can Nava, McDonald, Kalish, and the rest of the scrubs crew get it done? My answer is yes--but by a miracle. That miracle of course, the Yanks falter(unlikely) or the Rays choke up(more likely, but still unlikely). One player doesn't impact an entire team as evidenced by the play of the Sox without Youkilis.

The problem is the Red Sox locked themselves into an unnecessary contract (2yr/$15.5M) with a limited range OF in his decline. Had this been pre 2007, Cameron would be the value he's currently being paid to ride the pine. Worse off is the fact Cameron has hurt since spring training. The Sox never thought, "Maybe we should cut ties now?" Manager Terry Francona credits Cameron with "fighting an uphill battle to return" and help the beleaguered Sox. Cameron did nothing in the first two weeks before injury and was less impressive in spring training. Nothing redeeming have I seen in him. Pedroia is doing more even though he's struggling to get back in the swing of things. Ellsbury in his short return did more. Youk stated earlier this week, "I'd love to return if we can make the post-season." Meanwhile, Francona and Cameron are worried about 2011. Cameron should be gone by 2011 and Francona and Epstein should be discussing a new OF.

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