A note from Chris Carpenter


Dear Red Sox Nation,


So as you all know by now, I’m not “that” Chris Carpenter.

Disappointed? Understandable. I may not be exactly what you were looking for, but give me a chance before you go calling for Ben Cherington’s job. Because let’s get one thing straight - this was Larry Luchino’s fault.

I mean, you guys could have gotten Starlin Castro before you let Theo walk without initial compensation, you lost all leverage and this thing got out of hand. Even still, didn’t you at least think the Red Sox would want to bring in a top-10 prospect? Shit, the Cubs have a Rhode Island guy who was their Minor League Player of the year last year – that would’ve been something huh?

But instead you guys get me!

Who am I? I'm a 26-year-old former third-round pick who has yet to log any significant time at the big league level. And while my minor league stats may be extremely underwhelming, I was still the Cubs sixth rated minor league prospect going into 2011.

What’s that? It’s 2012 you say? I’ve slipped outside of the top 10?

Doesn’t matter – I can throw 100 miles per hour! So what if it’s reportedly flat, and I struggle to spot my other pitches. Triple digits is legit no matter how you cut it, folks. Just ask Joel Zumaya. He had one good year and went and got flames tattooed all over his right arm. Why? Because he’s a goddamn stud who blows straight fire. And you can’t.

A simple breakdown of my numbers can show you that I do have some promise. Sure, that promise has been doubted because of my potential for injury. What were those injuries, you ask? Well, leading up to the draft there was that small Tommy John surgery in 2005, a "clean-up" procedure on the same elbow elbow in 2006 and a case of "tired arm" that forced me out of the Cape League in 2007. Nobody wants to focus on the fact that I haven’t been hurt in the three years I’ve spent moving through the minors.

Bullshit right?

Well, maybe not. I mean, I have been getting absolutely racked since midway through 2010. I’m talking way more hits than innings, an ERA that hasn’t been as low as four since the last World Cup and just abysmal walk numbers. I mean I walk a LOT of people.

I’m hoping, however, that the bright lights and big stage of Fenway – coupled with the fact that you guys in Red Sox Nation can turn on players in an instant – will help those walks to go down.

So maybe I’m not the caliber of player that you guys were hoping for. And yeah, I’m sure you still have blue balls from the first time you saw "The Sox get Chris Carpenter" headline, but come on - it isn't all bad.
You received a possible seventh inning guy who has yet to show he’s elite at any level and seems to be going in the wrong direction in exchange for one of the most coveted GM’s this side of Brian Cashman.

Ok, never mind. You guys got hosed.

Lets go Sox!

Sincerely,

Chris Carpenter