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"Candid" Clay Buchholz itching to pitch in the bigs again...

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baseballguy350

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Clay Buchholz is pitching tonight for the Paw Sox, and NESN will be broadcasting.


Below is a very interesting interview that Buchholz gave. The full video is on necn.com.

http://www.necn.com/Boston/Sports/2009/ ... 29231.html




NECN's Mike Giardi caught up with Buchholz at McCoy Stadium for a candid interview in which Buchholz makes his intentions clear -- he wants to be pitching in the big leagues as soon as possible.

"Until I got to the big leagues is whenever I faced the problems that arose, and I feel like I'm more equipped with everything that I have right now -- as far the pitches, and the mental aspect and I'm physically healthy -- to be up there and helping that team. And if not
that team, I want to be in the big leagues and I do want to go somewhere where I'll be able to play and pitch every fifth day."

As the trade deadline nears, there may be an opening on a Major League roster for Buchholz, either in Boston or elsewhere. Thus far this season, the Red Sox have experienced an uncanny wealth of pitching depth.

When Daisuke Matsuzaka went down with what appeared to be the aftereffects of pitching in the World Baseball Classic, manager Terry Francona filled the need from within his Major League roster, promoting Justin Masterson to the starting rotation.

"There's nowhere to go, and it's sort of a logjam up there (in Boston)," Buchholz said. "Whenever they come to a problem, they seem like they find a way to fix it without me being in the picture. It is what it is -- it's frustrating at times."

Masterson has proven himself capable of handling pressure situations, having pitched meaningful relief innings in the 2008 Playoffs. Buchholz, though, has battled murmurs that he was immature last season -- a potential cause of his troubles on the hill.

"Everybody goes out and has a drink at the bar after they pitch, it's just holding that to a minimum," Buchholz said.

Before being sent down in 2008, the Red Sox tinkered with Buchholz's mechanics. The change did nothing to improve his results.

"I reverted back to what my mechanics were," Buchholz said. "It felt like I was trying to do something that wasn't right to basically stay in the big leagues."

"I needed to be in the minor leagues last year, for sure, and work on the things that I needed to work on. And pitching was the big key for me," Buchholz said. "I feel a lot stronger mentally than I did last year."

Mentally strong, maybe. But Buchholz knows that a pitcher cannot pitch forever. And he does not want to toil in the minor leagues all that much longer.

"Everybody knows that this game doesn't last forever, for a pitcher especially," Buchholz said. "I feel like I don't want to waste bullets here."

"I definitely still have something to prove, and not in a bad way," Buchholz said. "I feel like I'm ready to go, and hopefully in the next couple weeks, month or so I'll get that chance."
 

baseballguy350

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I find it really interesting that Clay mentioned talking to his agent, and it almost seems as if Buchholz wants to get out of Boston. I LOVE the firey attitude that he is displaying, and the overwhelming sense of confidence. He has done everything that he can do to earn the promotion, but with all the talk about the Sox rotation centering around Daisuke, and fitting Smoltz in right now, it's about time we heard how Buchholz feels.

I found this a VERY interesting video.
 

adamondo5

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I hope to god they don't trade Clay. that would be a big mistake. I wouldn't be surprised though...
 

bigpops65

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As someone who has followed Clay for the longest time, I wouldn't be surprised if he is traded. But I am sure Theo and crew have talked to Clay about where he will be slotted next season, with Wakefield being old, Smoltz probably here for one year, same with Penny, etc. I see clay having a spot in the rotation next season if he can keep his mind on things for the rest of this season. He REALLY needed a full season in AAA, and I would love to see him keep the sub 2.00 ERA for the entire season.
 

adamondo5

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As badly as I want to see him pitch for the Sox this year, I'd rather him stay in AAA all year and have a spot set up for him next year, then to trade him. Really does feel like a waste having him in AAA though
 

jbone17

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He talks like that and expects a promotion? What a dummy. He will be traded by the trading deadline it seems.
 

adamondo5

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jbone17 said:
He talks like that and expects a promotion? What a dummy. He will be traded by the trading deadline it seems.

Talks like what? You mean him voicing his opinion?
 

beefycheddar

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jbone17 said:
He talks like that and expects a promotion? What a dummy. He will be traded by the trading deadline it seems.

Yeah because you want a ton of players who have no desire to progress any farther than they are.
 

jbone17

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beefycheddar said:
jbone17 said:
He talks like that and expects a promotion? What a dummy. He will be traded by the trading deadline it seems.

Yeah because you want a ton of players who have no desire to progress any farther than they are.

I did not say anything of that sort. You are putting words in my mouth lol. His time will come. All of the Yankee relievers in AA Trenton or Scranton didn't cry like a little baby. They got promoted accordingly. Clay is being a wee bit to edgy.
 

bigpops65

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adamondo5 said:
As badly as I want to see him pitch for the Sox this year, I'd rather him stay in AAA all year and have a spot set up for him next year, then to trade him. Really does feel like a waste having him in AAA though

If he has a spot in the roster next year, they won't trade him.
 

adamondo5

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Well jbones opinions can already be discredited ;) Talking about Yankees relievers..
 

adamondo5

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bigpops65 said:
adamondo5 said:
As badly as I want to see him pitch for the Sox this year, I'd rather him stay in AAA all year and have a spot set up for him next year, then to trade him. Really does feel like a waste having him in AAA though

If he has a spot in the roster next year, they won't trade him.


I mean trade him during this season, when no one knows what the rotation will be next year
 

mredsox89

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bigpops65 said:
As someone who has followed Clay for the longest time, I wouldn't be surprised if he is traded. But I am sure Theo and crew have talked to Clay about where he will be slotted next season, with Wakefield being old, Smoltz probably here for one year, same with Penny, etc. I see clay having a spot in the rotation next season if he can keep his mind on things for the rest of this season. He REALLY needed a full season in AAA, and I would love to see him keep the sub 2.00 ERA for the entire season.

The key is whether or not the sox resign Beckett. He becomes a FA after next season. Lester and Dice-k are locked in. That leaves 3 spots for the near future. Bowden, Buchholz, Masterson, Beckett?, Wakefield.

And this is the guy that truly wants to be in Boston, unlike Buchholz who feels he is entitled.

http://www.boston.com/video/viral_page/ ... 6287887001


The 22-year-old Michael Bowden (3-3, 2.48 ERA) is another member of the PawSox rotation who could be pitching in the big leagues were he with another organization, but he seems perfectly content, at least for now, waiting for his opportunity with the Red Sox.
"It's out of my control, and if I can't control it why worry about it?" Bowden told Giardi (video at left). "If it happens it happens I understand it's a business and there will be opportunities elsewhere. But I love this organization and would hate to leave ..."

I'd rather stay in the minors an extra year or so to play for Boston, to play in Boston at Fenway with that group of guys."
 

adamondo5

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mredsox89 said:
bigpops65 said:
As someone who has followed Clay for the longest time, I wouldn't be surprised if he is traded. But I am sure Theo and crew have talked to Clay about where he will be slotted next season, with Wakefield being old, Smoltz probably here for one year, same with Penny, etc. I see clay having a spot in the rotation next season if he can keep his mind on things for the rest of this season. He REALLY needed a full season in AAA, and I would love to see him keep the sub 2.00 ERA for the entire season.

The key is whether or not the sox resign Beckett. He becomes a FA after next season. Lester and Dice-k are locked in. That leaves 3 spots for the near future. Bowden, Buchholz, Masterson, Beckett?, Wakefield.

And this is the guy that truly wants to be in Boston, unlike Buchholz who feels he is entitled.

http://www.boston.com/video/viral_page/ ... 6287887001


The 22-year-old Michael Bowden (3-3, 2.48 ERA) is another member of the PawSox rotation who could be pitching in the big leagues were he with another organization, but he seems perfectly content, at least for now, waiting for his opportunity with the Red Sox.
"It's out of my control, and if I can't control it why worry about it?" Bowden told Giardi (video at left). "If it happens it happens I understand it's a business and there will be opportunities elsewhere. But I love this organization and would hate to leave ..."

I'd rather stay in the minors an extra year or so to play for Boston, to play in Boston at Fenway with that group of guys."

I have to admit I was a bit let down when he seemed like he'd be willing to pitch anywhere to be in the bigs
 

bigpops65

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I see next year's rotation as:

Beckett, Lester, Dice-K, Buchholz, Bowden

* Wakefield retires
* Penny is a 1-year deal, and might get traded this summer
* Smoltz is probably one-and-done
* I wouldn't be surprised if the Red Sox tried to make a move on Dice-K in the offseason
 

adamondo5

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bigpops65 said:
I see next year's rotation as:

Beckett, Lester, Dice-K, Buchholz, Bowden

* Wakefield retires
* Penny is a 1-year deal, and might get traded this summer
* Smoltz is probably one-and-done
* I wouldn't be surprised if the Red Sox tried to make a move on Dice-K in the offseason


That is my dream rotation for next year. Testing the waters on Daisuke wouldn't be a bad idea either..
 

beefycheddar

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adamondo5 said:
bigpops65 said:
I see next year's rotation as:

Beckett, Lester, Dice-K, Buchholz, Bowden

* Wakefield retires
* Penny is a 1-year deal, and might get traded this summer
* Smoltz is probably one-and-done
* I wouldn't be surprised if the Red Sox tried to make a move on Dice-K in the offseason


That is my dream rotation for next year. Testing the waters on Daisuke wouldn't be a bad idea either..

Dice K brings the most money to the team of any player, he will not be traded.
 

mredsox89

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adamondo5 said:
bigpops65 said:
I see next year's rotation as:

Beckett, Lester, Dice-K, Buchholz, Bowden

* Wakefield retires
* Penny is a 1-year deal, and might get traded this summer
* Smoltz is probably one-and-done
* I wouldn't be surprised if the Red Sox tried to make a move on Dice-K in the offseason


That is my dream rotation for next year. Testing the waters on Daisuke wouldn't be a bad idea either..

Full no trade clause for Dice-k. Not sure where he would be willing to go and the sox make too much money off of him.
 

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