The first rule about fight club?

Well, you know...

The 2006 Sox edition is closing out this spring with a "bang". It's great to see some intensity as the season approaches. A little fire from Beckett & a spark from Clement shows these guys really do care about their performance and the way the game is played. These games don't even count. The downside is that "Ju-lie-an" Tavares has been exposed as the psycho his rep portrayed. As long as he doesn't get suspended, it should work in his favor. How can a hitter get comfortable with someone on the mound who is capable of doing just about anything? This advantage is only negated when he faces another lunatic like a Sheffield or Milton Bradley. Lunatics apparently understand each other. Who knew...


This has been one of the quietest camps in recent memory. Until the recent bench clearings, not much has been going on. Is this the way it should be? Even David Wells was relatively quiet - until provoked by a slimy sportswriter attempting to stir the pot for a story. Scumbag. Maybe he was trying to make Shaunnessy look good. Nope, didn't work.

Amazingly, there's been little or no talk about Trot's contract year. The stigma surrounding Foulke has all but disappeared as his performance has been good - although his velocity has not. Schill's health is still in question, but he "feels good". The only story that has even come close to resonating is the apparent lack of bat speed from Mike Lowell. But then you have Youkie that can move across the diamond, and now Hee-sop Choi in AAA to fill in at first. Even the Arroyo trade has been accepted now that the Nation knows about the "potential" of Wily - "I'd like to buy an L" - Mo Pena. It's a little strange, but good!

The pitching is absolutely better than last season. In the rotation, they essentially upgraded Arroyo to Beckett, and Schilling to a healthy Schilling. That alone should translate to more wins. Clement & Wells are your # 4 & 5 starters. Bet you can't even name most teams # 4 & 5 guys. Only disagreement is that Wake is the #2 guy. We love him, but he's only a potential 12-15 game winner, and the whole knuckler thing between 2 fireballers only really works within a game - not different days.

The pen is also much better than last season - how could it not be. Timlin, Papelbon, Dinardo, and Tavares are all solid. Seanez, Riske, and Foulke are still question marks. But remember, you still have Delcarmen and Hansen in AAA who both had fantastic springs. The Sox were pulling guys off the street last year.

The lineup is very solid. It won't be as prolific as the last few years, but with improved pitching & defense, it doesn't have to be. The falloff in runs won't be as significant as you may think. The Yanks have now turned into the Sox of old & will have to bash their way to wins.

Lowell and Gonzalez are your only weak spots. Crisp looks great at the top of the order and had a great spring. Same for Loretta who has been on fire. Remember that the Sox didn't get much out of Renteria in the 2 spot all season. Manny & Ortiz should continue to be themselves, so the top of the order might actually be better. You'll probably see less of Tek, so he is more fresh in Sept & Oct. Trot's health is always a question. But with the addition of Pena and the fact he is in a contract year, expect a lot. Pena may fan often, but he will probably give you close to 20 HR's in a part time role. The Sox certainly didn't have that last season.

This team is better overall than last year. Pitching and defense win in October and they improved both. Health will be the only major roadblock. Schilling is more healthly but not back to his 2004 form. Wells is another year older, but the Sox are being cautious with him. Remember he didn't want to rehab last year and got shelled the first game. Not so this time. Beckett has had a great spring and shown no sign of issues.

Just have a good feeling about things. We'll see, that's why they play the games. Although Toronto will be better, they still don't match up. The D-Rays games will always be tough with their emerging talent, and the recent history & now spring training. If they get any type of pitching, look out. The Yanks of course should be there at the end. They have an impressive lineup - no rest for a pitcher anywhere in there. The bottom line is they don't have the pitching to get it done - especially in the post season. Big Unit & that cartiledge free knee & back is another year older. Mussina is another year older and wasn't himself LAST season. Pavano (headcase) and Wright are already facing injury issues. Their youngest & brightest pitcher, Wang, was on the DL last season. Are Yanks fans really hanging their hat on Chacon & Small once again to pull them thru? Don't count on it.

The bottom line is that the wildcard is not likely to come out of the AL East. Cleveland will give the White Sox all they can handle, and the A's and Angels will have a dog fight as well. The weaker division is the West, so we're predicting the wildcard emerging from there.

Will the Yanks AL East reign end? We think so. And with the Sox apparent youth movement, it may be a while before the Yanks win it again...