Boston Red Sox

Solat13 wrote:

Some updates from the weekend:



Sox sign Bartolo Colon to a minor league deal for rotation depth:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3262747

You forgot to mention the doubling of the post game buffet budget.

Poncier wrote:

You forgot to mention the doubling of the post game buffet budget.

Can we start calling him El Guapo Nuevo?

1STmammal2wearPants wrote:

Nothing but upside to the signing of Colon though. Provides some insurance, got him for nothing, and he's a former Cy Young award winner who if (and it's a big if) comes in shape and healthy, could win you 16-18 games.

Very true and he also came cheap. It's a no risk gamble and if he makes the majors he's only due about 1 mil this season.

Plus, if he's healthy that allows the Sox to unload Tavarez.

Hartydog wrote:

I was trying to find if Colon had surgery in the offseason. I know he was hurt last year. Anyone know?

No surgery ... he had both shoulder and elbow prolems last year, was left of the playoff roster becuase of it ... but no surgery.

Again, minor league contract is low risk.

Here is some positive Colon news.


FORT MYERS, Fla. -- With several reporters and cameras serving as the audience, Bartolo Colon had a successful first bullpen session on Monday morning at City of Palms Park.
The 42-pitch, 11-minute workout off the mound in the left-field bullpen served as an important step toward a return to game action sometime this month.

"He'll have a bullpen again on Wednesday," pitching coach John Farrell said. "At that point, we'll evaluate when BP will be next for him. He's making very solid progress as far as progression as it's outlined."

Staying in the full windup the entire time, Colon threw all fastballs and changeups to catcher Doug Mirabelli.

"For not being on the mound for three-and-a-half weeks, I thought he threw the ball to both sides of the plate," said Farrell, who alternated watching Colon from the side and in back of the mound. "He followed the glove well, he got through his front side to allow him to really carry the fastball through the zone. I'd say there were a few pitches that approached 90 [mph] -- I think a very good day for him."

Colon is at least one bullpen and a batting practice session away from game action. The 34-year-old had expressed a desire to pitch on March 9 against the Dodgers in Vero Beach. But a more conservative plan would have him debut against Cincinnati at City of Palms on March 15, with two more bullpen sessions more likely to allow him to introduce his breaking pitches.

"I know that's something he's on record as saying," Farrell said of Colon's March 9 target date. "I think the one thing we have to do is take this session by session before getting too far ahead of ourselves, but there's no reason to think the 15th [can't] be a definite possibility at this point. Whether we look to quicken that timeframe, that will be decided later this week."

Colon, who is coming back from right elbow inflammation, hasn't pitched in a game since throwing 4 1/3 innings in the Caribbean Series in early February. Farrell said the right-hander is showing no ill effects and was throwing from at least 180 feet in long toss on Monday morning prior to his bullpen session.

"I think long-toss has been a huge part of his overall program," Farrell said. "The previous throwing sessions have been out to 120 [feet]. He's made several requests to get out further. His arm strength looks to be solid at this point.

"Until we get into actual live situations, we'll get a much better and more accurate read on where he's at as far as readiness for the regular season. At this point I think the progress that's been made is very positive."

I left the tv on and woke up to the Sox playing. What a nice play by Elisbury, nice catch.

Peace

Huston street already killin' me in Fantasy ball :rolleyes: