News Flash: Red Sox relief pitcher, Julian Tavarez, faces possible suspension for instigating a brawl during yesterday’s spring training contest against Tampa Bay. The fight started on a play at home plate involving the Rays Joey Gathright. Tavarez stepped on Gathright and threw a punch because he "thought" the outfielder was going to get up and hit him. "I'm a very calm person," insisted Tavarez. "I'm not a fighting guy."
Teddy’s Take: Be careful what you wish for….you just might get it!
After the 2004 World Series victory, Red Sox management made a conscious effort to change the personality of the team from a bunch of “idiots� to a more professional image. If this is what they were talking about, give me Kevin Millar any day of the week. At least the self-proclaimed “idiots� were winning ballplayers.
The list of blow-ups involving the right-handed reliever is too long to get into here. Suffice it to say that before yesterday’s meltdown, Tavarez was most famous for hurting his hand abusing the clubhouse phone to the bullpen while with the Cardinals in 2004. Oh yeah, that temper tantrum was during the National League Championship series. Guy sure knows how to pick his spots, doesn’t he?
What’s even more troubling is the fact the Red Sox signed Tavarez to a reported 2-year, $6.7-million contract. For a team throwing the word “value� around like beads at a Mardi Gras parade, it’s just not a very smart move. If this guy can’t keep his cool during a spring training game, just imagine what happens when some sarcastic Boston media personality gets on his case.
That’s my take...what’s yours? Is Julian Tavarez what the Sox had in mind when abolishing the idiots? Will he be able to handle the pressure of pitching for the Nation? Will his outbursts be tolerated as long as he produces? Could that kind of money be better spent elsewhere?
I agree, Tavarez is a big risk. The guy is mental. Who knows what they were thinking when they signed him. Maybe to take the focus away from Manny?
The sox management isn't smart enough to come up with a plan to sign Tavarez to take the focus away from Manny. What they are is stupid enough to sign an idiot like that. I can't wait until the season really starts.
Amen George HR. Earlier T2 said if the Sox matched the money Damon and Pedro got they wouldn't have the financial flexibility to make other moves. I almost peed my pants when I read that one.
I'd rather they spend the money on Damon and Pedro instead of flushing it down the toilet for guys like Tavarez, Clement, and Renteria. Their problem isn't having money to spend. It's spending it stupidly. The money we're paying Atlanta to take Renteria off our hands would have more than made up for what Pedro and Damon would have signed for. Where's Butch from the Cape when you need him.
I hope you guys weren't on the scooter together in freezing temperatures like the last time you peed your pants.
One in a million shot . . . you mean there's a chance!?!?!
Hey Tito's Terrors..Pedro's Gone..get over it.
And as far as Tavarez goes...I can't wait to see what he does when A-Rod (Ted's Cousin) steps up to the plate...
The only thing Tavarez will be doing when A-Rod steps up to the plate will be diving out of the way of the line drive that's hit straight at him. Another RBI for A-Rod. Get used to this scenario boys. It's going to be a rough year.
Yeah George, you tell him. Another RBI for A-Rod! Woohoo!!!! Shefeild Rules! Yeah! The Yankees are awesome! The Yankees can do no wrong! Rough year for the Red Sox! Yahoo!
Can't wait to see you disappear as the season progresses as every Yankee fan has done in past seasons. Keep barking and enjoy it while you can. I am impressesed by your loyalty to Arroyo, I mean A-Rod, I mean the Yankees.
How do you think the Sox feel today about the loyalty to Arroyo?
Another question, what are you talking about when you say the Yankee fans disappear when the season progresses. Who's usually on top? Who usually makes it further? You know, you can't live on one year alone? History usually preceeds that theory. When have the Yankee fans ever gone away? Obviously, I need to stop even acknowledging you on this blog. You talk nonsence T2. Even when you're trying to sound intelligent.
George HR, are you serious? I don't think the Sox are thinking about Arroyo at all right now. Why do you keep harping on this topic ? The Sox have plenty of young pitching. Bronson Arroyo is getting paid millions of dollars to pitch, so I don't feel bad for him. He'll be able to play his guitar in Cincinnati as much as he wants.
Hey A-Train, I thought you may have known that Arroyo pitched the lights out of the Sox yesterday when I wrote the response. Check the sports pages. He roped em. Try to keep up with the blog. I was reffering to his outing against the sox. Do you want me to draw you a map?
George HR,...we will forget about Arroyo soon enough, However how does it feel watching Contreras and El Duke win a world series? Or Mike Lowell with the Marlins?
I guess that is what we should expect from a "Yankee Fan" whose allegiance goes ALL THE WAY BACK to the Chilli Davis Era.
Hey GeorgeHR....it was a spring training game !!
Your right A-Train. They probably let him pitch well to boost his morale because they're nice guys.
Hmmm, how long has it been since the Yanks won anything? Any NY team for that matter? You're in a city of champions not NY, so pack your bags and adios you whining baby.
And the only other time Arroyo can pitch against the Sox again is either in inter-league play or the world series. Don't think the Reds have the horses to get there... the Yankees on the other hand have Horses alright but they are all ready for pasture or on growth hormones!! See you in October!!