Red Sox Mailbag: Carl Crawford’s Lineup Placement Debate, Pitching Woes, High School Hitting Slumps

Thanks to everyone who submitted their questions this week, even if some came with a little bit of anger after the Red Sox dropped three straight to start the year. Several had to do with Jarrod Saltalamacchia, wondering if his presence is one of the reasons that the pitching struggled so much in the Texas series.

In the interest of brevity, the first question we will answer is the one we chose on Saltalamacchia, since most asked roughly the same thing. Not playing favorites, but the question came from someone in Toronto, and I like that town, so she got the pick.

Here they are. If you don't see your question this week, keep them coming.

Tony, would you say it's fair to assume the pitchers quite simply are NOT comfortable with Saltalamacchia yet? I find it hard to put the opening weekend on pitchers that "weren't ready." Nobody knows our staff like Jason Varitek. Do you see him getting more starts sooner, rather than later, to build up momentum? Or am I talking crazy?
–Meg Black

No, Meg, you're not crazy. At least I don't think you are. Your questions certainly aren't. I think it's safe to say there may still be an adjustment process going on with the staff and Saltalamacchia. He's only been with the team for 13 regular-season games, he's still just 25 and it might take a turn or two through the rotation before everyone is on the same page.

That said, many of the pitches that were hammered by Rangers hitters were not necessarily a matter of pitch selection, which would directly involve Saltalamacchia, but pitch execution. All three starters left way too many pitches out over the plate, some with an almost-alarming ease. I think of the pitch that John Lackey threw Adrian Beltre with the bases loaded in Saturday's contest. It was supposed to be a fastball inside, which if executed could've resulted in a weak fly to left or a soft grounder, but Lackey threw it straight, true and without much velocity right over the heart of the plate. Good hitters will make pitches like that look bad, and Beltre did with a grand slam.

As for Varitek, yes, he will get more starts in time. Expect to see him catching Josh Beckett on Tuesday and to get a good share of starts against left-handers.

Why did Terry Francona start Saltalamacchia again instead of Varitek on Sunday?
–Robert Sexton

Knowing Robert had this question lined up, I withheld some of my prior response to explain what went into the Saltalamacchia-Varitek situation over the weekend. With a day game Sunday after a night game Saturday and with a lefty on the mound, we expected to see Varitek. But Francona said the night before that game that he was leaning toward Saltalamacchia in an effort to get the youngster going.

Saltalamacchia was hitless at the time (still is), but Francona's statement may have had just as much to do with his starting catcher getting as many early reps behind the plate with as many members of the rotation as possible.

What the heck just happened!? Why are the Red Sox stinking? Is it because it is just a new team with little chemistry? Or is it because of the terrible pitching of late?
–TJ

Had to include a "what the heck just happened?" inquiry. It's OK, TJ, this stinking shouldn't last too long, and there really aren't any chemistry problems, unless you want to include some "in-progress" on-field relationships like Saltalamacchia and the pitching staff. In the understatement of the year, it was a bad weekend for the pitching staff. And in another colossal understatement, pitching is key. But we have yet to even have one turn of the rotation and Francona has yet to be able to use any of his top-notch relievers when he wants to, so let's make an assessment once we see a little more.

Tony, what was your opinion on Josh Beckett's last start? Could it be a sign that he was just working on things during spring training, and now that the season is upon us he knows what works, or do you think it was more of revelation?
–John

To begin with, Beckett looked excellent stuff-wise. His fastball clocked into the mid-90s and he showcased some quality off-speed pitches, particularly the changeup. Beckett's spring training numbers before that start weren't so hot, but he had that whole "one bad inning" thing working against him. He would throw three or four solid frames and then give up a few in his last inning and leave on the wrong end of the score.

I'm not sure there was any revelation for Beckett in his last start, but he is happy to be leaving spring training with his health, a rarity for him of late. He talked a lot about falling in love with certain pitches last year when they worked once. Look for him to diversify a bit more, and based on the Houston start, everything is working right now.

Why is Francona messing with a lineup that looked productive in the first two games?
–Tooth

Tooth. What a great name. And a solid question, too, one that many people had after they saw the lineup card for Sunday's game.

There were reasons behind each of Francona's decisions, however. He felt that Carl Crawford was pressing a bit, and with a lefty on the mound (Crawford is rather average against southpaws) the decision was made to give him a little more time to ease into the game. Francona often talks about guys in that top third of the lineup and when they aren't right mentally or in a bit of a slump, they can have an 0-for-1 on their plate pretty fast. That can just make things worse upstairs.

Any of the other changes Sunday (Adrian Gonzalez batting third, Jed Lowrie playing shortstop, Darnell McDonald playing right field) were not moves that I would qualify as "messing with a lineup." Gonzalez will hit third very often this year, and both Lowrie and McDonald do pretty well against lefties.

How long do you think J.D. Drew will be with the Red Sox? How much longer do you think he will be in the majors?
–David

I would be very surprised if Drew is still in Boston after this season, the last of his current deal. The only way that could happen is in a limited role. As far as his future goes, Drew has hinted at retirement, but with a solid season he could test the market and try to latch on somewhere else where a veteran outfielder is needed.

Hey Tony, a couple of things came to mind during the Texas massacre. After David Murphy homered, some scribes recalled he was part of the Eric Gagne deal. Back then, I was more upset about a young starter the Red Sox traded. Who was he and what ever happened to him? Also, ESPN's Jon Miller insisted on the air last season that Adrian Beltre had told him his name is properly pronounced "bel-TRAY" but the hometown voices never followed along. Beltre never seemed to have any sense of humor so I doubt he was pranking Miller. Could someone ask him?
–Gary

A solid two-parter from Gary. The answer to your first question is Kason Gabbard, who is currently a free agent. He last appeared in the majors with Texas in 2008 before being returned to Boston. Gabbard, whose shining moment came when he threw seven shutout innings in a 1-0 win over Chicago at Fenway Park in 2006, always had some control issues (96 walks against 103 strikeouts in his major league career). He walked 28 men in 13 innings for Double-A Portland in 2009 when he came back to the Red Sox system and 15 more in 14 1/3 innings for Pawtucket last year before being released.

When Beltre gets to Fenway this year I'll try to remember to ask him again what we should be calling him. For a guy who has been around as long as he is, it would take a pretty massive campaign to get people to pronounce his name in a different manner, so perhaps that's why it hasn't really changed, even if he told somebody that the emphasis was on the second syllable.

Hey Tony, do you think Francona should be worried about his future with the Red Sox if they continue to play like they don't care out there? Also, how the heck can the best lineup in the AL East not produce runs? I have a feeling it's going to be a VERY long season.
–George Herman Ruth (he says it's his real name)

The Overreaction of the Year Award goes to George. No, I do not think Francona has anything to worry about right now. And I'm quite positive the players care. Also, I do not think that the fact that the lineup scored 11 runs in a three-game span is enough to act like the world is coming to an end. Give Francona, and the lineup, a little time.

Tony, wouldn't it make sense to just eat Drew's salary or as much as they have to and bring Ryan Kalish up, someone hungry that can hit and field? I know there is a good ol' boy network here but for what Kalish makes, it may result in a few more wins, and at the end of the day, Drew will probably retire and Kalish gets the promotion he deserves and the Sox get a few additional wins.
–Kevin C

Eating $14 million in an effort to bring in Ryan Kalish is a bit rash, but I could see the team eating a portion of it if they can get something worthwhile in return in a trade involving Drew. There is plenty of outfield depth in the system, including Kalish, the presumed successor in right field. But let's not paint Drew as someone without value and Kalish as a guy that would automatically bring the team "a few more wins," as you say. Drew is still a productive, valued member of the team, even if he only plays against right-handers and even if his value does not match his contract, and Kalish could benefit from a few more months in the minors.

It is set up for Kalish to get that promotion if and when Drew leaves or retires after the season. With so much talent up and down the lineup, there is no rush to alter this situation.

How do you find out about getting season passes for the Red Sox spring training. I've heard there's a list and want to put my name on it.
–Bob Wentworth

Hi Bob, not my area of expertise but here is a link to the packages that were offered this time around. Since the team is moving into a new spring training facility next year, I imagine packages will be finalized later on. Perhaps you can find a way to get on a list through the link. Hope that helps.

Why do lefty pitchers throw "sweeping" curves, and why do lefty hitters like the ball down and in? I've been asking these questions for a long time, but no answers so far.
–Richard Regan

That's one of those things that has always been a bit quirky. For whatever reason, things happen on the left side of things that don't always happen on the right. You also almost never hear a right-hander's swing defined as "sweet," like you would with Ted Williams, Will Clark, Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., Adrian Gonzalez and many others. Just something about it.

That said, I was/am a right-handed hitter and actually liked the ball down and in, too. The book must've been out on me, for I went 2-for-16 my senior year in high school. Of course, mono had something to do with it as well.