Matt Thornton's team photo:

 

Does anyone know which Thornton will show up opening day? The lefty may have to setup again if Linebrink continues his Spring inconsistency through the Indians series. He is one of the key's to the bullpen rebounding from 2007's debacle.

 

Some recent news:

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...,1,641507.story

 

Thornton won't throw his first batting-practice session until before Thursday's game. He said he informed the Sox before spring training that his arm was sore.

 

"I got it taken care of, and it set me back a little bit. I didn't throw for a little bit," Thornton said. "[Trainer] Herm Schneider got me on a throwing program that I just finished up and now I'm letting the reins loose. I'm ready to go."

 

So, he seems okay, but he probably should be watched throughout early April.

 

 

Just for Soxfan1 from wikipedia:

 

Thornton played college baseball for Grand Valley State University and was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the first round as the 22nd overall pick in 1998.

 

 

Do you believe that we'll see a good Thornton or a bad one in 2008?

Thornton is the bullpen's version of Contreras, in that in order for the sox to contend in 08 he must bounce back to a large degree to his 2006 form. While Boone Logan may fill the loogy role admirably in the short term, I would much rather have Thornton pumping his mid-high 90s gas at the Sizemore, Hafner, Mauer, Morneau, Big Papi type left handed hitters in the in the late innings. This would also allow Ozzie to use Logan earlier in the ball game in other matchups vs tough left-handed hitters. Not too many AL teams have two quality lefties to mix and match. If Thornton returns somewhat to his 06 form the Sox will have that.

I think we get middle Thornton this year. Not as bad as last year, but not as good as his first year with us. ERA in the high 3's.

LA...CLAP CLAP....KE...CLAP CLAP...R. U. A LAKER? HELL YA!

Just out of curiosity, what does everyone think about Ehren Wassermann's chances of making the team?

Not great.

 

Masset seems likely to win a spot because of his option.

 

That means it's down to Mac and Wasserman for that 7th spot. Mac easily has the better stuff, but he hasn't pitched well at all.

 

There's a thought that Ehren is simply just a ROOGY though.

I don't get why they want 12 pitchers.

 

Contreras, Floyd and Danks' unreliability?

Well considering how bad the pen was last season, they probably figure they need all the help they can get there.

 

And yeah, Contreras, Danks and Floyd will have points where they get shellacked and can't go many innings, for you need a long guy in there definitely, and a few others to pick up the slack.

 

I have no problem with it, so long as the pen performs overall better as a group than it did last season.

 

That's a MUST.

I thought Wasserman had a good shot at the team? He had a good showing last year, and I don't recall him struggling this spring, has he?

I thought Wasserman had a good shot at the team? He had a good showing last year, and I don't recall him struggling this spring, has he?

Wasserman's problem is not one of his own making. Wasserman could be perfect this spring and he may still not matke the team, his problem is that he has minor league options remaining and guys like Masset do not. So the question is...would we rather lose Masset for nothing and keep Ehren in the pen or would we rather send Ehren down and try to develop Nick. If the team thinks Nick has any future at all, and can't get a solid trade for him, they're pretty much forced to send Ehren down. If you throw Ohka and MMac in there, we've got 4 guys competing for 2 spots, 1 of whom has to be on the roster, and 3 of whom can be sent down.

I'd like to believe that Thornton will rebound with a good, but not great, season.

Wasserman's problem is not one of his own making.

If it is the case that he can't reliably get lefties out, then it is (partially)of his making. I do agree that Masset having no options left is a significant factor as well. But if Wasserman was as good at getting out lefties as he was righties, he'd have a spot, and Mac and Masset would have to fight for the other.

 

 

 

We had 12 pitchers all last year. Seems like that's Ozzie's preference.