JOSE IGLESIAS FOR SCOTT DOWNS..DON'T THINK SO! #redsox #bluejays #portlandseadogs #MLB #tradedeadline

PHOTO BY JEFF SCHOOLS CMSB MEDIA/MR SPARKY

I’ve seen this play before, and it has a nightmarish ending.

August 31, 1990. The Boston Red Sox were looking to solidify a not so great bullpen. The Blue Jays had top to bottom, one of the best staffs in baseball and trailed the Sox by 6 games.  Lou Gorman decided it was time to pull off the now infamous deal with the Houston Astros, Red Sox 3B prospect Jeff Bagwell for middle reliever Larry Andersen.

Ever wonder what the Red Sox did get out of Larry Andersen?  Well, how about 11 games, 1 save and the loss of the 6 game lead over Toronto, not all Andersen’s fault. While the Red Sox ultimately won the division, they were clean swept out of the ALCS by the Oakland A’s, and Andersen lost game 1, the sole purpose for Andersen’s existence on the Red Sox.

How did Jeff Bagwell do in Houston?  I think we all know how that went, minus the alleged steroid issues.

Let’s fast forward to 2010. The Boston Red Sox are 4 games out of a playoff spot looking to solidify a horrible middle relief situation. Downs is considered one of the best middle relievers in the game as we speak. He has a 4-5 record, allowed only 1 HR,  19 holds, a 1.05 WHIP and a 2.44 ERA in 46 games. Very good numbers for a middle relief guy no doubt. Better than what the Red Sox currently have (Delcarmen, Okajima..) , absolutely.

But is Scott Downs worth what will most assuredly be a steep asking price? Simple answer, NO…and here is why.

STATS – While I am not a Bill James-ian or a SABR Guru, I do know how to look at stats and draw conclusions out of what I see. When I look at Scott Downs performance this year, I see a troubling trend. Batters 1 – 4 in a lineup, any teams MEAT of the order, Downs is Plain Jane. He’s allowed 21 hits in 76 at bats for an opponent’s BA of .276. Downs feasts on the rest of the order allowing only 11 hits in 58 ABs with a batting average almost 100 points lower at .189.

CONTRACT – Just like Larry Andersen, Scott Downs is a free agent at the end of the season. Nuff said.

PRICE – Well here lies the rub!

Rumors and quotes from the Blue Jays organization have Scott Downs costing ANY team a pretty penny. For the Boston Red Sox, the cost will most likely be a Class A ballplayer combined with the likes of Jose Iglesias. Most reports have Toronto asking for Iglesias in any deal that would include Downs.
Folks trust me when I say, Jose Iglesias is as sure a thing as Jeff Bagwell was and ended up being 449 home runs later. Jose Iglasias will make you forget everyone in between Nomar Garciaparra and now. Hell, he might even make you forget Nomar too. Iglesias will not be the power threat any of the modern shortstop marvels are (Jeter, A-Rod, Nomar) but he just might provide you Ozzie Smith type D and hit .300 to boot.

Obviously 2010 has been a messed up year for Iglesias. He was injured on May 29th after being hit by a pitch on his right hand against New Britain. The injury has been described as a deep bone bruise, slight fracture and a sprain all in one. One thing for certain, Iglesias hasn’t seen the field, in a game, since that day.

What Iglesias has done since that day is be a great teammate, work on his English and work on his glove skills. Yep, you read it right, he has taken grounder after grounder and working solely on his glove skills, right out of the Dustin Pedroia taking grounders on his knees routine. I have personally seen him make glove passes to 2nd base during batting practice that would make Ozzie Smith blush..really…no exaggeration.

When healthy, Iglesias was a stellar defender, making spectacular play after spectacular play. Now he is 20 and was prone to the making the occasional play harder than it actually might be scenario, but none so egregious to make one think it will be a problem down the road. Every person that has seen Iglesias play knows this kid, given health and continued determination, will be a very special infielder for many years to come. What most scouts and people in the know had questions on Iglesias was his bat. Could the kid from Cuba come right into pro ball and adapt. Early projections have an emphatic yes. In all the many games I have watched Jose, he never look overmatched. He always had a good approach at the plate and always looked to work counts. All his batting approaches were right out of the Boston Red Sox school of batting. He stands at .306, 9 doubles, 3 triples and a .340 OBP. Now he does have 20 plus strike outs, but that sort of thing works its way out with more experience. BTW, the kid is only 20 and defected from Cuba to the US to play baseball. Just saying…

At the end of the day, I really want no part of Scott Downs, or any other middle relief help for any one of the Top 20 prospects in the Red Sox system. The cost is simply too high to pay for a wing and a prayer, Larry Andersen taught me that 20 years ago.

JEFF SCHOOLS

CASEY KELLY KS 7 IN 5 INNINGS FOR WIN DOGS BEAT CATS 5-1 #portlandseadogs #redsox

OFFICIAL PORTLAND SEA DOGS GAME WRAP

Wednesday night featured some pretty intense storms in the state of Maine, but the biggest storm might be the baseball team headed back to the Pine Tree State. After winning two straight games in New Britain, the Portland Sea Dogs went to Manchester and came away with a three-game sweep. In the series finale, the Sea Dogs received six strong innings from Casey Kelly, as well as a pair of RBI from Ryan Lavarnway, as the visitors picked up a 5-1 win.

For the fifth straight game, it was Portland who struck first. Luis Exposito led off the top of the second inning with a double. Anthony Rizzo followed with a walk, before Yamaico Navarro singled to load the bases. After driving in five runs on Tuesday, Ryan Lavarnway continued his hot hitting, putting the Sea Dogs ahead with an RBI single to left field. Jorge Padron then grounded into a double play, but Rizzo came in to score the second run.

In the third inning, the visitors added to their lead. This time, Anthony Rizzo led off the frame with a double. After an error by Luis Sanchez that allowed Yamaico Navarro to reach base, Ryan Lavarnway hit into a fielder's choice, knocking in his eleventh run in just six games in a Portland uniform.

The Fisher Cats got a run back in their half of the third, when Travis Snider smacked a solo home run to right-center field. For Snider, it was his second homer in as many nights. However, the Sea Dogs had an answer, getting that run back in the fourth. With one out, Che-Hsuan Lin tripled, then scored on a ground out by Nate Spears.

On the pitching side of things, Casey Kelly was tremendous for Portland. Boston's top pitching prospect tossed six innings, allowing one run, six hits, and one walk, while striking out eight. Jo-Jo Reyes also went six innings for New Hampshire, allowing four runs, six hits, and two walks, while striking out four. Both starters earned decisions, as Kelly (3-4) beat Reyes (1-1).

Jorge Padron's RBI single in the ninth gave the Sea Dogs an insurance run, as they completed their series sweep of the Fisher Cats with a 5-1 win. Blake Maxwell and Jason Rice finished the win with three scoreless innings out of the Portland bullpen.

On Thursday night, the Sea Dogs will return to Hadlock Field, as they begin a four-game series with the Harrisburg Senators at 7:00. The pitching match-up for the series opener will feature Portland's Alex Wilson (2-2, 5.89) and Harrisburg's John Lannan (1-2, 4.11).

LAVARNWAY PACES SEA DOGS WITH 5 RBI IN 13 - 6 WIN #portlandseadogs #redsox

LAVARNWAY HAD 5 RBI TUESDAY

OFFICIAL PORTLAND SEA DOGS GAME WRAP
For the second night in a row, the Portland Sea Dogs brought their bats to MerchantsAuto.com Stadium. After scoring eleven runs on Monday, the visiting Sea Dogs did themselves two better on Tuesday, pounding out 13 runs on 19 hits in a 13-6 victory over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

The Sea Dogs got the offense going early with a two-out rally in the first. Ray Chang walked, Luis Exposito reached on a two-base error, and Anthony Rizzo ripped a two-run double into the left-center field gap. The Fisher Cats got one run back in their half of the first, but Portland had an answer in the second. Jorge Padron led off with a single, and quickly scored on Chih-Hsien Chiang's RBI double down the right field line.

WEILAND CONTINUES ROLL IN SEA DOGS 11 - 2 WIN #portlandseadogs #redsox #fishercats #bluejays

OFFICIAL PORTLAND SEA DOGS GAME RECAP
It took a while to get things started on Monday night, but for the Portland Sea Dogs, the wait was well worth it. Portland scored eleven runs, including a seven-run outburst in the fifth. After the clock struck midnight, the Sea Dogs were able to celebrate their 11-2 win in the series opener.

Thanks to mother nature, the two teams had to wait through a rain delay, ultimately starting at 9:09. At that time, the Sea Dogs were more than ready to get started, as the first three batters all reached base. Two singles and a walk were followed by back-to-back strikeouts, but with two down, Ryan Lavarnway was hit by a pitch, bringing home Che-Hsuan Lin with the game's first run.

SEA DOGS TAKE ON NH FISHER CATS #redsox #portlandseadogs #fishercats #bluejays

LEWISTON NATIVE RENE RANCOURT SINGS ANTHEM

OFFICIAL SEA DOGS GAME WRAP UP

Adam Loewen blasted a two run homer in the eighth inning to snap a 3-3 tie as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (50-34) went on to defeat the Portland Sea Dogs 5-3 Monday night at Hadlock Field in front of the Sea Dogs fifth sell out of the season (7,368 fans).  The Sea Dogs (41-42) drop below the .500 mark for the first time since May 28^th.

Loewen and David Cooper both contributed with three hit performances and two RBI to lead the Fisher Cats to their third straight win.

The Fisher Cats drew first blood of the series, picking up a run in the second inning off Kyle Weiland.  Lowen singled with one out and advanced to third base on a double by Cooper.  Jonathan Jaspe picked up his 13th RBI with a ground out.

GAME DAY - SEA DOGS SALVAGE A WIN IN NH 4-3, EXPO GAME WINNING DOUBLE #FisherCats #bluejays

Steven Fife kept the Sea Dogs close, even thought allowing Adam Calerone's 4th HR in as many days, going 6 strong, scattering 7 hits and allowing 2 ER. Luis Exposito (@Expo2323 on Twitter) came up big offensively for the Dogs wiht 2 doubles, including the game winner in the 9th.

The Sea Dogs return home Tuesday to face the New Britain Rock Cats. The Sea Dogs announced that Red Sox Left Fielder Jacoby Ellsbury will rehab his rib injury at Hadlock Tuesday. Tickets going fast, visit Portland Sea Dogs.com or call (207) 879 - 9500 for tickets.

OFFICIAL PORTLAND SEA DOGS GAME WRAP
The Sea Dogs hadn't been swept in a four-game series to New Hampshire since 2007, and Luis Exposito made sure that held true. The Sea Dogs' catcher drove in three of the team's four runs, including an RBI double in the top of the ninth, as Portland picked up a 4-3 win over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Merchantsauto.com Stadium.

SEA DOGS VS CATS PROSPECT PITCHERS KELLY, DRABEK FACE OFF #redsox #fishercats #bluejays

Anyone in Manchester New Hampshire tonight were treated to a dream prospect match-up. The Portland Sea Dogs Casey Kelly and Fisher Cats Kyle Drabek hooked up and didn't disappoint. Unfortunately the Sea Dogs came up on the short end of the stick, losing to the Fisher Cats 5 - 0.

PORTLAND SEA DOGS OFFICIAL GAME WRAP

For the first three games of the series, Adam Calderone has left the Portland Sea Dogs with nightmares. After five RBI in the first two games, Calderone added three more on Saturday night, including a solo home run. Kyle Drabek made those runs stand up, pitching seven scoreless innings, as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats blanked Portland, 5-0, at Merchantsauto.com Stadium.

The story entering the game was the fantastic pitching match-up, featuring Portland's Casey Kelly and New Hampshire's Kyle Drabek. Both starters began with pairs of scoreless innings, before the Fisher Cats scored first in the bottom of the third. Jonathan Diaz and Brian Jeroloman started the rally, receiving back-to-back walks. After Darin Mastroianni's sacrifice bunt, Adam Calderone singled to center, driving in Diaz.

That run was the lone blemish on Kelly's line, as the Sea Dogs' starter allowed just two hits and three walks, while striking out six, in four and two-thirds innings. Kelly's final batter of the night was Mastroianni, who went down on strikes. Tommy Hottovy replaced Kelly on the hill, and was greeted rudely by New Hampshire's hottest hitter. Adam Calderone picked up his second RBI of the night, hitting a solo home run to right-center field.

Two innings later, the Fisher Cats extended their lead. Jonathan Diaz led off the frame with a walk, and advanced all the way to third base on Brian Jeroloman's single to right. Two batters later, Adam Calderone stepped to the plate, and continued his strong night at the plate, singling to right, scoring Diaz. Eric Thames loaded the bases with yet another single, ending Hottovy's outing. Bryce Cox took over for Hottovy, and immediately allowed a two-run double to Brad Emaus. However, that was the only hit allowed by Cox in the seventh, as New Hampshire took a 5-0 lead.

When the top of the eighth inning began, Trystan Magnuson took the mound, putting an end to Kyle Drabek's outing. Drabek was as good as advertised, tossing seven scoreless frames, allowing six hits, while striking out four.

Magnuson completed the shutout, keeping Portland off of the scoreboard in the eighth and ninth innings.

The Sea Dogs and Fisher Cats will play the final game of the four-game series on Sunday afternoon at 1:35. Stephen Fife (2-1, 3.26) will make the start for Portland, while New Hampshire counters with Randy Boone (1-2, 2.70).

POST GAME HIGHLIGHTS COURTESY CELLULAR ONE RADIO NETWORK

GAME DAY - SEA DOGS VS NEW HAMPSHIRE GM2 #FisherCats #bluejays

GAME DAY - SEA DOGS VS NEW HAMPSHIRE #FisherCats #bluejays

CHECK OUT OFFICIAL SEA DOGS NOTES. ALSO BELOW, SALEM RED SOX NOTES

The Portland Sea Dogs were outmatched early as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats launched 3 HRs in a 9 - 2 rout. The win puts the Cats 2 full games up on the Sea Dogs for 1st place in the division.

PORTLAND SEA DOGS OFFICIAL GAME WRAP
Power was the name of the game for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Thursday night. Adam Calderone (2) and Brad Emaus both went deep, as the Fisher Cats defeated the Portland Sea Dogs 9-2 at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium.

The Fisher Cats wasted little time in jumping on Sea Dogs' starter Ryne Miller. After Darin Mastroianni led off with a fly out, Adam Calderone put the home team ahead, launching a towering home run to right field. Two batters later, Brad Emaus added to the lead, hitting a two-run homer for a 3-0 New Hampshire advantage.

Miller settled down, keeping the Fisher Cats off of the scoreboard in the second and third innings, but in the fourth, more trouble was presented. New Hampshire's first four batters of the frame all reached base, with Brian Jeroloman and Darin Mastroianni each picking up RBI. However, the biggest hit of the inning came when Adam Calderone went deep for the second time in three at bats.