It feels like every catcher in the Red Sox system is hurt. I'm expecting the bullpen catchers to break something soon. So when we saw Victor Martinez hopping around like someone dropped Ben Gay in his cup... we knew the Sox would be in a bit of a bind.
So everyone's just kinda scratching their heads for a replacement. First up: Kevin Cash
With minor-league catchers Mark Wagner and Dusty Brown both on the disabled list for Triple-A Pawtucket, the Sox are without any minor-league catchers in their system who have meaningful experience trying to corral knuckleballs. Both Wagner and Brown have had occasion to work with Tim Wakefield in spring training, and they also have experience catching former Sox minor leaguer Charlie Zink. But the injuries to both leave the Sox without an obvious in-house alternative to Jason Varitek to work with Wakefield in the pitcher’s next start.
Cash, of course, was Wakefield’s catcher for all of the 2008 season, and he also has experience catching Red Sox pitchers Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and Josh Beckett (as well as relievers such as Jonathan Papelbon, Manny Delcarmen and Hideki Okajima). Cash was designated for assignment last week by the Astros, who wanted to clear a roster spot for top prospect Jason Castro. He was hitting .204 with a .271 OBP, .333 slugging mark and .605 OPS in 20 games for Houston this year.
I'm not exactly thrilled with turning to a guy who can't crack Houston's roster. But I guess we don't have much choice.
And since I"m obviously not in Rah-Rah mode... let's turn to someone who is: WBZ's Dan Roche.
The Sox have gone 42-22 since their dismal 4-9 start. And remember, at 5 games below .500, that's the furthest below .500 the Sox had ever been in the Theo Epstein regime. Ever.
The club should be extremely proud of what has transpired in the past two months.
And now, it's time to dig even deeper.
Injuries have presented a major test for Terry Francona's ballclub. Jacoby Ellsbury and Josh Beckett have basically missed the first half of the season. And now, Victor Martinez(thumb) and Dustin Pedroia(foot) are on the shelf. And the likes of JD Drew, Mike Lowell, Mike Cameron, and Jeremy Hermida have all spent time dealing with injuries. Even first half MVP Clay Buchholz (hyperextended knee) is hurt.
So, to steal a phrase from an old friend.....now is the time to "Cowboy Up". No excuses. Just go out every day and play ball. Find a way to win. Pitching, defense, timely hitting. You name it. Do it. Survival mode.
It would be great if they can summon some of that old Dirt Dog attitude. They're going to need a lot from a lot of guys we weren't depending on a few months ago. The goal here has become simply to tread water until we can get the band back together and make another run.
Let's hope Tampa continues to implode.
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