Running Red Sox thread

that's cool, but I'm looking long-term and I see Delcarmen as a set up guy, not Timlin. I also see a rotation of Schilling, Lester (hopefully), Papelbon, Beckett and one of the free agents out there (Zito? the Japanese dude?). They're still on the hook for Clement for another year. Maybe he is a spot starter and middle reliever.

How long do you say, "we can squeeze another year out of these guys"? Both are regressing pretty quickly and both struggled mightily last year (ERAs well over 4.00; batter hit over .300 against Timlin. Perhaps they need someone who doesn't suck coming in woith men on). they need to get a closer and a good young starter to replace Schilling after the 07 season.

as a side note, it looks like they're gonna lose Mirabelli again.

 

What do we need to do this winter?

SP - Schill, Wake, and Beckett are a pretty good 1,2,3 start. But we really need a leftty or 2 in there. So, let's say Lester and Papplebon round out the rotation. That's not too bad. I'd feel better if we got a lefty this winter though. I'm just not sold on Zito though.

RP - God, what a mess. We need to get a good lefty middle guy. That really killed us last year. I guess that they could try to let Hansen close, but I wouldn't mind them thinking over the possibility of puttin Hansen in the rotation and keeping Paplebon at closer - although I'm not sure his shoulder can take it. That gives us Hansen, Tillman, Tavarez, Delclarman, and a couple of new guys. That's an awful lot of questions, right there.

C - Varitek and whoever can catch a knuckleballer. They need to let Tek have some extra off days though, because his injury absolutely KILLED the pitching staff last year.

1B - Youk has shown he can play, so we're set there. Pena can cover if needed.

2B - I liked Loretta last year.

3B - Lowell had a damn fine bounceback year. Can it continue? I wouldn't mind it at all if we got either a 1B or 3B as cover (meaning Youk moves to 3B)

SS - We have to upgrade on the offensive end. There are plenty of Lugo rumors out there. Boy, not signing Eckstein after 2004 is looking like a brilliant move, isn't it?

RF - Trot's prolly gone - which bums me out. I guess Pena goes here.

CF - Coco needs to earn his money - and stay healthy. I say he'll be more settled this yaer and put up closer to his normal numbers.

LF - Manny. He's not going anywhere unless they tarde him for pennies on the dollar. And if they do that, I'm gonna be pissed.

DH - Duh.

Bench - Kapler, Pedroira, Cora - and who else. I guess they'll give some young guys a shot.

There are some questions there - but that's not awful, right? Or am I just being overly optomistic?

 

that's a pretty good assessment. Clement's gotta go in there somewhere. who knows, maybe he bounces back strong (wouldn't count on it). Zito could be a good addition but, like you, I'm not solid on him -- not because of his ability, but whether he would perform in a manner suiting what should be a pretty steep pricetag. If they could get him for Beckett money, I'd say go for it. I think Hansen is closer material. Maybe they just give him the ball in the spring and let him run with it. More likely, he's another year away from being able to handle the role. Who knows, maybe Delcarmen developes into a closer. I don't mind having Gonzalez at short. It was great seeing the team actually play defense, but year, with Loretta being a pretty week hitter, it would be nice to have a 15-75 guy there (you know, someone like Hanley Ramirez). Youkilis/Lowell at the corner is good, particularly if Carlos Pena can develop into a solid power hitter. When he does, they can let Lowell go (what's he have, one more year?) and shift Youkilis back to third. Crisp needs another chance. He did well in the field. If he can hit .300 with 20 and 80, great. If not, Jacoby Ellsbury will be ready by '08. RF looks to be Wily Mo's. Sucks losing Trot but that's the business. Varitek's a big question mark, IMO. He really regressed last year, even before the injury. He's invaluable handling the staff, but they need a whole lot more out of him offensively to make him worth the money they're paying him.

free agents now: Loretta, Cora, Kapler, nixon

 

SPLIT G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BA OBP SLG
Season 147 569 100 159 42 2 13 72 5 .279 .381 .429

 

looks like if anyone's getting matzuzaka, it's the sox

lotta dough

 

saweeeeet

a nice one two punch with this guy

 

Hopefully this guy will pitch well his first couple of starts. If he doesn't, he'll need to wear a helmet everywhere he goes.

 

it looks like the sox are gonna sign JD Drew. $14 million a year. they've turned into the Yankees. this just blows.

 

What happened to that farm raised strategy Theo was talking about?

What is Drew like in the clubhouse?

 

you mean for the 120 games or so when he won't be injured? don't know.

I do know this. they had a great clubhouse guy in Johnny Damon who they coulda kept for less than what they'll pay Drew. now watch them blow a wad on Julio Lugo when they coulda kept the best defensice SS in the AL for less than half the cost. Theo's lost it