Lester's Recovery

by Dfarth on Feb 1, 2007 2:26 PM EST

I've been reading up a bit on the recovery of Jon Lester. First and foremost, I'd like to congratulate Jon on a successful recovery from cancer.

Now that's out of the way, do yall think that Lester will start the season in the rotation? Reports have come out today that Lester says he will be ready when pitchers and Molinas report in two weeks. He reportedly weighs 208 pounds which is supposedly 7 pounds under his ideal playing weight of 215. But, the Red Sox's rotation is already pretty full...with Schilling, Dice-K, Beckett, Papelbon, and Wakefield.

I'm sorta thinking that the Red Sox have made a mistake by transitioning Paps back to the rotation. For one, he has already proven he can be a great closer. For another, Schilling, Dice-K, Beckett, and Papelbon are all hard throwing right-handed pitchers. It seems like it might help all the pitchers to have a little bit more variety. In the Sox defense, they did not know that Lester was going to be healthy for ST. Still, I wonder if they will consider putting Paps back in the pen. What do yall think?

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props

to Lester, wish him the best

great post by the way: "pitchers and Molinas". That's excellent!!

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." -Steve Prefontaine

by jrose643 on Feb 1, 2007 2:32 PM EST reply actions

yep

i laughed the first time i saw it too, in the new york times a few days ago. nothing against memes, i'm just sayin'.

by wily mo on Feb 1, 2007 6:38 PM EST up reply actions

I think I heard it last ST

But I admit I didn't come up with it...

by Dfarth on Feb 1, 2007 6:53 PM EST up reply actions

feeling fine doesn't equal being fine

first of all let's hope this is the end of it and a great recovery by Lester.

Look at how much mono affected Kotchman.

While Lester feels fine it's probably only relative to how he was feeling while undergoing treatment.

Personally for Lesters sake I hope Boston puts him on a conditioning program and doesn't let him compete the first couple of months, then transitions him slowly.

Look at how Kubel felt 100% and then really deteriorated as the season went on.

Also, lets not forget his control wasn't ready anyways.

Arthur: "Look, you stupid bastard, you've got no arms left!" Black Knight: "Yes I have." Arthur: "Look!" Black Knight: "It's just a flesh wound!"

by pedrophile on Feb 1, 2007 2:33 PM EST reply actions

Good Point

Not sure why I was thinking this, but I'm pretty sure that teams often don't need 5 starters at the beginning of the season. Thus, I was sorta thinking that Lester could serve as the fifth starter and the Sox could skip his turn here and there to make it easy on him....But, I just looked at the Sox schedule and they play 26 games in 27 days (from April 4th - 29th).

Is it just me or does that seem like a lot for the first month of the season?

by Dfarth on Feb 1, 2007 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

I think Papelbon is more effective as a starter

His value over 200 IP should exceed his value over 70 IP unless the Sox pen completely implodes. I think Wakefield could easily be replaced by Lester Eventually midway through this year or next (maybe Schilling next year, depending on how he does). But by next year they should have 3/5 of their rotation consisting of under 30 highly talented pitchers, which would be pretty awesome for them.

by Fett42 @ Minor League Ball on Feb 1, 2007 2:40 PM EST reply actions

Lester

Will not be starting in the Red Sox rotation. Whether he is a starter in Pawtucket or a reliever in Boston remains to be seen, but I think it will probably be starting in Pawtucket to build up his strength, keep some pressure off and have him as an insurance policy in case of injuries to the rotation.

God rested one day out of 7, Felix rests 4 out of 5.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Feb 1, 2007 2:50 PM EST reply actions

I would move

Wake to the pen and make him the alternate starter which would allow Lester to start, provided he has a good spring. Wake is over 40, didn't have a great year in 2006, and got hammered in the 2nd half. Will this happen? Probably not, but it would be the smart move if Lester is fully recovered.

by Havok1517 on Feb 1, 2007 2:58 PM EST reply actions

Meanwhile

Lester is still recovering from cancer and while his results were great in 2006, his peripherals were not.
Wakefield was also injured last year (for the first time)
Lester won't be starting in Boston barring injuries.

God rested one day out of 7, Felix rests 4 out of 5.

by CrimsonLiederhosen on Feb 1, 2007 4:59 PM EST up reply actions