Will the beatings continue?

Ouch. What a horrible showing by the Sox. It's reminscent of the first Yankee performance vs the Sox this year. Remove it from your memories...

Tonight, the rook from AA Pauley takes the mound. His first major league outing was rough but that is to be expected especially with a tough Jays lineup (best in AL maybe majors). His task doesn't get any easier tonight in NY. Let's just hope he isn't scarred for life by the experience...

A few thoughts...

Has anyone noticed how amazing Youkilis has been this season? He's played first, and seen time at third and in left field. His defense has been gold glove worthy. He leads the league in many categories at lead off, and has hit successfully in almost every other part of the lineup including cleanup. Amazing. The crime is that he is not on the all-star ballot (no DH this year @ NL park).

As the injuries pile up, the Yankees "B" level players are performing well and keeping them afloat, despite inconsistent pitching...

Loretta & Lowell continue to impress despite recent nagging injuries...

Lets not run the 5-4 Clement out of town just yet. How many #4 starters are that much better? He's supposedly working hard on off days & was fatigued after the 6th. He may have righted the ship. Let's not forget the great run he went on at the beginning of last season...

Will Foulke head to the DL with a bad back? He's actually been effective & a good soldier...

Will the Hansen call-up save tonights game for the Sox? What does it mean for Lester? At least the Sox have been very cautious in his development. Remember it is only the first week of June. But yeah, we're dying to see him pitch too...

Will Boomer ever pitch again? Hopefully, we need him...

How about this?

Do you realize that Papelbon will more than likely be an All-Star & rook of the year? Now the staggering part. He also has a legitimate shot at both MVP & Cy Young. While it's waaaay too early to crown him with any honors, it's astounding that its not only possible, but really feasible. This is the stuff of legends if he holds up. The Sox may have just found the new Mariano Rivera. Why do you think the Yanks were so successful? Best part? He's only 25...

The Clemens factor...

What will Roger do? At the very least, he is the master of building up the cash flow. So you know he'll get a ridiculous sum wherever he lands, probably the equal of a $20m season.

Here's the most recent outlook for his destinations:

Texas Rangers
Nope. Sorry Ranger fans, if he stays in Texas it won't be with you. 0% chance

New York Yankees
Money will not be the only driving force which is the Yankees best hope. He makes them a better team, but not dominant. An inconsistent Unit with a banged up squad getting older by the minute doesn't make them overwhelming favorites. 10% chance

Red Sox
Clemens makes this team dominant. A rotation of Schill, Beckett, Clemens, Wake, (and insert any #5) is the best rotation in the majors. Back that with MLB's best defense, best closer, and a solid offense, and October looks very bright. Throw in the relationship with Sox pitching coach & close friend Nipper, ability to break the tie with Cy Young, retire his #, and to wrap up his career where it all began are the other major factors. 30% chance

Houston
They are the clear favorites. His current relationship with his hometown team, including all the perks (right down the street from home, no travel unless pitching, son is in the organization, future job in the organization, etc) are difficult to overcome. Having his best buddy Pettite on the squad, pitching in the much easier NL (era of 2+ instead of 3+), and having to live in Houston when he "retires" will probably make him stay. The only factor not working in their favor is that they are a .500 team right now and Clemens alone may not be able to take them to the World Series. 60% chance

Here are some of the questions/factors he may be grappling with:

Best chance to win a world series (Red Sox)
Performance in AL vs NL (Houston)
Life after baseball (Houston)
Current relationships (Houston)
Place in history/milestones (Red Sox)
Intangibles/convenience (Houston)

He's probably made his choice already but is just driving up the price. It's going to be really difficult for him to pass on Houston. It comes down to what he wants most. Money is not a factor as he'll get paid what he wants by any team. The fans may only affect his thinking in Houston (he may not pitch vs Boston or NY in opposing stadiums anyway, or if so - only once). We'll hear many different reports in the next 2 weeks, but don't believe any of them.

Let's just hope his decision comes quickly...

Yankee Bats take last 2...

Game 2? Wake just didn't have it, result of 7ER. Jaret Wright was able to wriggle out of multiple baserunners against Bosox "B" lineup, but only managed 5IP. Why? Torre has the hook (unlike other managers we know).

A-Rod continues to make himself look silly. Hey coach, where did my pop-up go? It was a homerun, you dope. He's also compiled 8 errors already...

Game 3? Clement has a good 1st, gets hit by a line drive in the second, and implodes. Hey Terry, where the hell was the hook? Was there some reason to leave him in there that long? Was it a "back on the horse" type of deal to build his confidence? Yikes.

Papi looked uncomfortable at the plate to say the least. We're just so used to having him end games in a Bird like manner. Those 4K's were tough to swallow, especially the one with the bases jacked. But, he'll be fine. How hard can we be on the guy after everything he's accomplished?

The good news? Manny's back. He's crushing the ball & driving in runs. He's capable of carrying this team on his back for a while. Let's hope pitching cures itself so he doesn't need to.

Big Unit continues to struggle. You hate to say someone's career is over (even if they are in pinstripes), but we might be witnessing the beginning of the end if he doesn't turn things around in a hurry...

Sox missed a prime opportunity to take advantage of the Yanks while they're reeling with injuries. Game 3 was a gift. Let's just hope it provided a wake up call.

David Wells looks to bounce back tomorrow. Don't expect too much out of this outing folks. He's bound to struggle - it's happened too often. But don't worry, Lenny's in the pen waiting...

Enjoy the long weekend folks!!!

Yanks arrive at Fenway with a limp, Wang

Sorry. Just couldn't resist.

Yanks entered Fenway last night with a DL list bigger than any win streak this season. Wang was pitching well before last night, but just couldn't hold on late yielding 7ER. Ouch...

Strange energy in the park last night, almost like not much was expected out of the Yanks. Despite injuries, they still have a very good lineup, and the Sox had Cora & Harris in theirs. The Sox still needed to execute & play well to win. But it almost felt like the beginning of the end for the bombers. That relentless attack just didn't seem to be there. When was the last time a Sox Yanks game lasted under 3 hours? It's usually a grind...

Jaret "don't call me DL" Wright goes to the mound tonight facing a lineup full of guys who have had success against him. You know it's only a matter of time before he gets hurt too.

The Big Unit struggles continue, and he takes the mound on Wed. His 5.62 ERA has Yankee fans wondering if he's done. Get your forks out baby...

Damon (foot & shoulder), Posada (back), and the returning Sheffield (wrist) are all banged up and will probably be in and out of the lineup throughout the season. Add in Chacon (bruise?) and Bubba Crosby to that list as well. By the way, it's more than a contusion if you're put on the DL...
Pavano has been a complete bust, and is probably out for the rest of the season. Sturtze has some sort of tear, and will probably be gone for the year as well. Matsui is gone for the year barring a miracle comeback, but it may be too late by then.

AAA Columbus is now loaded with former MLB talent past their primes (if they even had one) to try and replace the different broken parts. Heck, Terence Long (starter last night) was released from KC's AAA affiliate because he couldn't hit in AAA.

Sorry Yankee fans, but there is no Aaron Small & Shawn Chacon lurking in the background this year to save your season. No way it will happen two years in a row (they won a combined 17 games, most of them in 2nd half). They are not close to what they were last year. Big Unit also won 17 games last season, and you can forget that...

Mussina has been great so far, but has broken down the past two seasons as well. Your only saving grace may be to leverage whatever prospects you have (including top pitching prospect) include a solid performer in your lineup, and eat a ton of cash - just to acquire Dontrelle Willis/Kerry Wood. But don't forget there are 7 or 8 other clubs including the Sox with stacked farm systems as your competition.

So, your only hope is the trade deadline. Only there's not much pitching (your lineup will be fine). Good luck. Here comes Toronto.

It may be the House that Ruth Built, but it's now Papi's Place

That little excerpt is from NY Post writer Mike Vaccaro. You can read the full article in the link below...

http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/63546.htm

Basically he is suggesting that the Yankee pitching staff should literally hit Ortiz. Not pitch him inside, but drill him. He's also suggesting that Johnson, Mussina, and Chacon attempt it 3-4 times PER GAME. OK donkey boy...

Mind you this will be no surprise - as the media in both cities will run with this one. So don't expect things to get out of hand. Would you like to be part of the Yankee lineup with Beckett throwing 97 and Schilling throwing 95? Yeah right...

Papi is also in the midst of a 1 for 20 slump coming in. Most teams now employ the shift and pitch him inside. He will make the adjustment and eventually make teams pay. He's too good a hitter over a long stretch to be counted out.

Is this another big story in the game's biggest rivalry? It remains to be seen, but doubtful. If the Yankee pitchers are dumb enough to hit him - especially more than once - things will get ugly quickly. If Beckett is on the hill, look out. He's only 25, still maturing, and is emotionally charged on the mound. Someone will pay - and hopefully with nothing more than a bruise.

After all is said and done, it's chalked up to another blowhard NY sportswriter trying to create some turmoil out of nothing. At least he provided a good title for us...

Mirabelli, Ortiz, steal the Johnny Show...

The energy level at Fenway was unbelieveable last night, and it came on the coldest night of the season so far. It almost had a playoff feel to it.

Johnny Damon's first reception at the Fens was probably a little different than what he thought. The boo birds were out in force for his first at bat, but turned to cheers once he tipped his helmet. Many fans applauded him out of respect at that moment, but the park was filled with anti-Johnny signs and even chants throughout the game. It must have been a difficult pill for Damon to swallow especially since he's seen former players like Orlando Cabrera came back to standing O's. The difference? Pinstripes.

Fans can't & won't understand the difference between landing $45 vs. $50 million, especially since players have money in the bank already. Heck, Manny STILL gets booed in Cleveland because he left for more money. Damon's "faux-pas" was signing with the hated Yanks. That apparently is an unforgiveable offense in the Nation. Damon may have underestimated that during his decision process - not that it may have swayed him anyway. But, he did appear somewhat wounded by it. It's also notable that he has handled himself in a professional manner and said all the right things. Despite the idiot monicker, he is a class act...

The real story of the night was the return of Mirabelli. From his plane skidding sideways upon landing, to his 100 MPH journey to the park, he barely made his debut. For those of you who have not driven in Boston rush hour traffic, the ride from Logan Airport to Fenway is a nightmare. Dressing into uniform in the back of a state police SUV, he made it in 12 minutes. Wow. He played very well defensively, blocking a number of balls, and throwing out a runner. It was great to see the ovation he received as well.

So, to recap, a pivotal player in bringing home a World Series gets booed, and a backup catcher hitting under .200 gets a standing O. Only at Fenway. The moral? Don't mess with the Nation...


Big Papi comes through in the clutch once again. The Yankee nemesis continues to punish. Joe Torre will continue to have those Papi nightmares. It looks like their major acquisition of Mike Myers (lefty specialist) to come in and shut down Papi wasn't as critical as they thought. Sweet dreams Joe... That shot Papi hit against the wind was absolutely crushed. Nothing else came close to going out.

So, this is only game 1, with 18 to go. It just has that feeling that every game will be a grind. Nothing will come in under 3 1/2 hours. Would love to have been a fly on the wall to see the reactions of all the new additions to this rivalry - Loretta, Lowell, Beckett, Gonzalez, etc... The words "you have got to be kidding me" was probably said about 50 times. Guess what, it's going to be said a lot more over 18 games...

Evil Empire makes first visit to Fenway with "Johnny Cash" in tow...

The Yanks make their 2006 debut at the Fens. The biggest story is of course the return of Damon. Will the boo's outweight the cheers? Don't count on it. After all, he played every game with an intensity unmatched by most. He also drove daggers into the Yanks during game 7 of the ALCS. Also remember that he brings any negativity uopn himself - for simply taking the money, and more so for joining his former archrivals. (This will mostly go away after his next visit back here anyway).

Our favorite quote from a Yankee fan upon the Yanks signing Damon: "It's like having some guy that had an affair with your wife, suddenly get married to your sister". Priceless... And by the way, we hope you Yankee fans are now enjoying the many insights only Johnny can point out. Yikes.

These two teams start the year off in first gear and still manage to stay at the top of the division. Toronto is greatly improved, Baltimore has had some show of life, and if the D-Rays ever get consistent pitching, they could challenge as well.

The Yanks have been surviving on mostly their powerful lineup. Their starting 5 only has one guy below 4.50 ERA, but their pen has been a bright spot. Giambi has been a surprising performer as well (MLB still not testing for HGH yet...). Defense has been average, and age will certainly become a factor as the year progresses. For those of you waiting for a big splash come July 31 to shore your rotation, don't hold your breath. You've got nothing to trade and no one to go after.

The Sox have been struggling at the plate, especially since the injury to Crisp. His replacements in CF have not performed well, other than the small sampling from Pena. Gonzalez is becoming an automatic out, and his glove alone may no longer secure his position. Manny, Tek, and Loretta are all off to slow starts. The rotation has looked good with Schilling returning to his 2004 form, Beckett looking like a potential all-star, Wake being himself, and Clement looking OK. Filling Wells' spot has been a concern so far, and arms in the minors won't be ready for a while. Papelbon is the best closer in the league right now, and Foulke has been better than last season. Defense has been far better than any team in recent memory.

The Yanks need to get more pitching, which doesn't grow on trees. An aging Johnson with knee & back issues, Pavano who has literally been a pain in the butt, Wright who is destined to go back on the DL multiple times, and even Wang who ended up on the DL as a rookie last season, all spells bad news. The brightest spot, Mussina, is another year older and has broken down the last few seasons as well. The pen is carrying them when the bats aren't, but just ask Tom Gordon & Tanyon Sturtze how effective they were after being overused all season. Your lineup features one player under 30. Your Yankees are built like the Red Sox of old. It's a collection of aging former all-stars on the back nine of their careers, that must rely on bats to slug out wins. That formula may let you see October, but not past the first week...

The Sox obviously need to get more pop from the lineup. Tek, Loretta, and Gonzalez need to get it going. Manny will be fine. Don't be surprised to see a change at short before long, and speaking of changes, welcome back to Doug Mirabelli! It's been great to see Youkilis taking over the leadoff spot with a .406 OBP, and also Mike Lowell (who many had written off) with a .318 BA. It will be interesting to see if Wells makes it back. If not, will they pull Papelbon out of his role? That probably depends on their confidence in Foulke, and the progression of Hansen who was promoted to AAA after dominating in AA. The Sox have many things going for them including youth. It will be much easier to address any issues come July 31 because they will be mostly offense, not defense or pitching. The other major factor is the clubhouse. This team has not jelled fully, and that will come as the season progresses.

Things are looking good in the Nation, even though things are off to a sluggish start. Not much will be settled after this 2 game set, but the Hatfields & McCoys start it off once again...

The future is now...

Wow. Impressive start for Beckett in his Sox debut. After giving up a double and a couple of infield hits in the first, he shut down a tough Texas lineup. It's amazing to see a guy consistently throw 96 and hit 97. It's been a while since we've seen that. Add in that nasty breaker, and look out. Wait until he pitches the opener at Fenway...

Nothing like adding a little fire to the rotation and pen...

Papelbon was equally as impressive especially since it was his first major league save opportunity. He's fearless. It's going to be a while before Foulke sees a close game after that performance. Just getting that giddy feeling...

The scary thing is that they are only going to get better...

Let's run Bard out of town...

Give it a rest. You have to be kidding. We've heard rumblings of fans all upset about the way Josh Bard performed in game 2. The first official panic button has been pressed (maybe some with Foulke in game 1).

We should trade David Wells to get Mirabelli back!

Wake doesn't perform the same without Mirabelli!

Why is Wake the #2 starter (OK, well we question that one...)

Reality check folks - it's only game 2 of a marathon season. Did we all forget that Mirabelli struggled at first? In his first game, there were 2 passed balls and a wild pitch - and that was in late June. Wakefield did find a way to win 12+ games in each season before Mirabelli.

Lets put those short term memories in check for just a moment. Bard just played his first game as a Red Sox. His big league experience is scattered over 4 years in which he's played in 156 games TOTAL. He's not exactly a seasoned vet. His nerves were probably getting the best of him in his first big start.

Replacing Mirabelli is a tall task for any backup. We love the guy, but don't forget that it wasn't exactly smooth sailing before 2 years ago. He performed well over the last couple seasons, which is what people remember.

Give Bard a shot. Let some chemistry develop. Let him at least get comfortable. Remember that the Sox essentially traded Shoppach for him, and he beat out Huckaby in spring training. The Sox believe he has value. Most importantly, he doesn't throw the knuckleball & has no affect on it. Did Mirabelli have some magic voodoo? What about the other catchers before him?

Relax. Stay off the Shaughnessy "disaster" bandwagon. Remember, he's a "!*@#".

Stay tuned for game 3: The emergence of a new Boston star...

(might as well throw the other extreme in early too...)

Optimism Rewarded...

Not many fans are as optimistic as the Nation, especially on opening day. It's been tempered since 2005, but it's also a birthright to have thought "This is the Year". As we all know, the team on the field in April is rarely the same team in August. There's not much you can read into a team, good or bad after one outing.

However, the Nation had to be more than pleased with Schilling's first outing. It's clearly better than any performance from last season, and also Spring Training. Texas has an outstanding lineup. You knew that Schill was making a statement when the bullpen was quiet after the sixth inning, after his 95th pitch. Hitting 94-95 on the gun in the 7th along with 118 pitches, and a 1-2-3 inning put every other team on notice. Schill's back...

On the other hand, Foulke looked like he kept his 2005 form. Note that he pitched fairly well in spring training, but he hasn't pitched enough to be truly ready. Why else would we see him in the 9th with a 5 run lead? He needs more work and to build his confidence. At least reports say that he hit 88-89 on the gun. Don't worry, he's on a short leash, and Papelbon is in the wings. Don't be surprised to see Hansen by late July...

Few other notes:

Nice to see Mike Lowell get the HR monkey off his back. Let's hope the end of spring training (raised avg to over .300) translates into the season

Coco Crisp looked great in the outfield (saving Foulke's behind), and he is unbelieveably fast on the basepaths. If he gets on base, he'll score 100+ runs without much effort...

Ortiz is Ortiz... Still amazing...

There's 161 games left. The biggest injury question is looking good, the other not. A healthy Schill & #3 starter Beckett both could easily win 20 games. The lineup has plenty of weapons. The pen is light years ahead of last year. You'll probably have a defense in the top 3 (can you remember the last time?). This could be better than the 2004 edition. Stay tuned & keep the faith baby!

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...

Sox trade Arroyo for Wily Mo...

The Sox move one of their most popular players and cash for a part time outfielder. Our first response was "What?" We've heard the name Wily Mo Pena, but never associated him with the better outfielders in the game. Throw in the emerging Adam Stern, the solid Spring Training by non roster invitee Dustin Mohr (righty bat), and the minor league signing of Juan Gone, and further questions arise.



There were rumors that the Sox were in talks with Cincinnati, but they involved Clement, not Arroyo. He was apparently stunned when he heard the news. After all, he did take a below market 3 year offer to try and stay in Boston. It's really unfortunate that this type of thing happens. Players should be applauded, and rewarded, for this type of loyalty. But reality is that they are commodities. Tell us this situation won't come up in the next contract negotiation with every team. Prices just went up folks, and hometown discounts just became more rare...



Who was the winner in this deal? At first glance, Cincinnati. They get a proven starter with a rubber arm who won 14 games, all at a price of less than $3M per season. They had to give up a part time outfielder to do so. How do you not make this deal if you are Cincinnati coming off the worst ERA in the majors? No brainer. He's probably their #2 starter...



Sox get a 24 yr old outfielder who can play all 3 positions. His power numbers are outstanding - hitting 45 HR in 2 part time seasons, and has an .881 OPS vs lefties (Manny's is .885) - which is when he'll replace Trot . He's very athletic but is still fairly raw. At only 24, he's still learning, and plate discipline will be his biggest lesson. He has plenty of time to rid himself of bad habits, and his best years are still in front of him. Give round 1 to Cincy, but long term goes to the Sox.



Upside

• Pena is only 24, inexpensive, and under control for several years
• His skills should improve
• Still raw, but not too old to change bad habits - plate discipline
• Should hit 20 HR as part time OF (they don't grow on trees)
• Backup for: Trot, Coco, Manny, & Ortiz
• Forces Trot to have a monster contract year
• OF of the future (next to their 26 yr old CF)
• Short term option at 1B if Lowell struggles? (Youkie back to 3rd)

Downside

• Lose a 14 game winner
• Lose 200+ inning pitcher & bullpen flexibility
• Trot to free agency at year end - leadership presence

Overall it looks promising. As much as we hate to see Arroyo go, his 4.51 ERA wasn't exactly stellar. He was 10th in the league in quality starts, and rung up 14 wins. Arguably he was one of the best 5th starters. But with Schill, Beckett, Wake, Wells, Clement, Papelbon, and a rising Lester, he became expendable.



The key measuring stick is: Are the Sox better? The short answer is yes. They have plenty of depth in the OF, also gaining a power right handed bat. With Arroyo slated for the pen anyway, they still have plenty of depth in the rotation. Pena is still somewhat raw, but now has teachers in Papa Jack & Ortiz to bring him along. He also has the benefit of a stronger lineup around him. He is inexpensive and could be the new RF in 2007, decreasing age and payroll significantly. You could easily be looking at a 40HR 100+ RBI guy. He is a project, but if the Sox can teach him to prepare and be more disciplined, look out. There's a new Mo in town...

Spring Training rolling along...

Things have been very quiet across the Florida camp. Amazing how the storm of the offseason is a distant memory now. Good news is the Sox finally rewarded Francona with a 2 year extension. Well deserved & congrats to Terry.
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For those of you panicking about spring training stats, cool your jets. There isn't a pitcher on the staff who has thrown a TOTAL of 9 innings yet. Keep in mind that they are tinkering with deliveries. Papelbon, for example, threw mostly fastballs to work on something. We also heard that a relief pitcher was booed recently. Are you freakin kidding us? Just stop. This goes for Mike Lowell as well. The talk of his "slow bat" & "slow body" is a load of you know what. Do you really want to take the bat out of his hands before the season starts? Lame.
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The WBC seems to be a real success at this point. It's actually enjoyable to watch teams & fans from the Carribean & Asia. The only real causalty right now is Damon's shoulder (tendinitis). You know Georgie boy is steaming about this one. The Yanks new CF is only able to pinch run. No batting and no throwing. His doctor stated he'd be ready for the start of the season. Still feel that bad about not signing him?
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Speaking of signings, Pedro continues to have issues with the toe. He's been very forthcoming about the cortisone injections from all of last season & the playoffs in Boston. Surprisingly, he's thrown out the word "surgery" a little too often. Uh oh. A Clement & Graffanino package might yield the Sox some nice dividends...
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Pedroia had a disappointing shoulder injury. We would have loved to see him in action to see what he could do. Interestingly, his counterpart a step behind in the minors, SS Lowrie, is having a fantastic spring. Maybe Lowrie to Pedroia will be the double play combo in 2007 and beyond...
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Sox only have a couple of issues. Wells has yet to throw in a game, but they are being deliberate with him. Great news that he rescinded his trade request - it gives the Sox more options. Apparently the Sox are exploring catcher options. Bard is just OK & they may try to deal with the Rangers. Stay tuned. In the meantime, enjoy the WBC, forget about spring training stats, and get warmed up for April. And good luck with your brackets!!!

"New" Manny lands in camp, WBC kicks off

Don't look now folks, but Manny made it. And he appears to have grown up some. It's on a rare occasion that he handles himself in a professional manner in front of the camera off the field. But he actually made lucid and surprisingly candid statements to the press yesterday. The soon to be 34 year old reflected on his career and noted he didn't want to screw it up. He handled the press like a seasoned vet. Maybe it wasn't Schillingesque, but more so than we've seen out of him in the past.
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Does he truly get it now? Doubtful, but at least he's taking steps in the right direction. And if actions do in fact speak louder than words, his offseason conditioning should speak volumes. A much trimmer Manny showed up in camp. He hired a new personal trainer in the offseason to help address the hamstring problems he has year after year.
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Manny also stated he would not participate in the WBC. He didn't want to make a fool out of himself by not being able to play at a high level. He stated he wanted to get ready for the season and that the WBC would hinder his progress. Thats not the statement of a carefree or freespirited flake.
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We're not naive enough to think that he mysteriously transformed into a Cal Ripken or John Olerud in the offseason. It's only a matter of time before he slips into a "Manny moment". However, we've finally seen flashes of what we hoped was behind the hitting machine. Maybe he's finally seen the light. Well, judging by the new hairdo, he still may have a ways to go. Let's just hope that translates into less Manny being Manny...
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The WBC is getting under way shortly. We think the overall concept is great, especially since baseball was removed from the Olympics. The timing is what we don't like. This entire tournament will be re-assessed once injuries occur - which they will. If a major star, or stars, go down before the start of the regular season, you can bet money on the fact that this will get scrapped next year.
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There are too many downsides to this happening in March. Every GM is holding their breath right now. Is there a better timeframe to hold it? Midseason around the all-star break? You would have to decrease the 162 game season, or start it earlier. Great, March in Boston is not too cold. Late October after the World Series? Not much interest from players exhaused from the season. The only viable timeline is to replace winter ball. But, the same issues of injuries exist. It's a fantastic idea conceptually, but its not practical.
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Players will break down this season. You may hear rumblings in Sept that they peaked too early in March. This will affect pitchers more than position players. You know once they get on the mound to represent their country, adrenaline will kick in. Even if they are on a pitch count, they will probably fire the ball harder because they are only throwing a limited number. As exciting as it may be, lets hope it's not a nightmare.
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A recent ESPN poll asked users who would win the WBC. Of 50K+ pollers, 49% said the US would win, followed by the Dominican at 38%. The interesting thing is that only the New England states & Maryland had more Dominican votes than US votes. Look out for Venezuela and the winner of the Asia pool. Remember that this is a one game elimination tournament, and anything can happen. Lets just hope it's all good...

Spring Training tidbits...

The Manny Chronicles continue. It certainly didn't take long for Manny being Manny to make an appearance. His reluctance to show up with his teammates isn't a good sign. He's showing up on March 1st. Why? Because the MLB CBA requires him to. Reporting dates are set by the individual teams, but players are not required to show until March 1st. The good news? He's not playing in the WBC, not as of today anyway. The Dominican manager hasn't been able to contact him either. At least he's unresponsive to everyone. And Manny, if you don't want the media attention, pull a Ricky Williams. Otherwise, get to camp, lace up your cleats, and quit your whining. March 1st is going to be "Ringling Bros, Barnum & Manny" time...
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You've got to love Terry Francona. Everyone has different opinions about the day to day decisions (without knowing the circumstances or reasoning behind them by the way), but he doesn't get enough credit. He continues to take heat for his players. Manny is the latest, and Wells is the other. Francona is way too underappreciated in Boston. Here's a perspective:
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Picture walking into a locker room. Your health sucks and it hurts just to walk. You've got salsa music blaring in the background. Manny is only wearing a do-rag and one sock, dancing. Big Papi is dancing but has his back to Manny unaware. Millar is in motormouth mode in the corner talking to the press about not playing. The media is in your face about yesterday's lineup, today's lineup, why didn't you try to steal second, why you didn't bunt, how much they water the infield, when injured players are returning, young players performances in Single A, and expiring contracts. You get "advice" in truckloads of "fan mail". Then Pedro knocks on your office door and wants to go home early for the break. Then Manny wants his day off even though you're short a player. Your team just played like crap at home, multiple injuries occured, and some reporter wants to ask you why everything sucks so bad, during post game interviews. You coach in one of the biggest media markets, have one of the highest payrolls, and get paid near the bottom of the league. You work everyday from 9am to 11pm.
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Holy crap. Who in their right mind would sign up for that? For $350k? What a bargain for the Sox. Oh and by the way, he has a World Series under his belt...
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Georgie Boy just couldn't help himself. In his latest faux-pas, he's declared the Yankees will win the World Series this year. Nothing like heaping more pressure on your own team. Nothing like adding more stress and wear & tear on those aging bodies. So, thanks George. The Nation appreciates your efforts. And special thanks from us - the "YEAR 2000!" campaign continues to gain steam...
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Damon looks good in pinstripes. But not to most Yankee fans. We've heard many commentaries, but there is one that stands out amoung the rest. Referring to Damon's performance in game 7 of the ALCS: "It's like someone sleeping with your wife, then having him marry your sister." Enjoy Johnny everyone!
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The latest Pedro rumors have him missing the initial part of the WBC. We'd actually be surprised to see him pitch at all, especially since he hasn't been able to throw off the mound yet. Very interesting tidbit from last week was that his "toe" has been an issue since the playoffs in 2004. Apparently he was administered cortisone during those playoffs, and it was a recurring issue in 2005. So it sounds like the "special shoe" has been in the works for a while. Surprising that it's only been reported now. Remember too that the Mets shut him down early last year once they were out of it. Makes Sox management look smart by not re-signing him. Not sure he has another 3 years left...
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Special note: Condolences to the family of Curt Gowdy. The sportscasting legend was 86 and will be truly missed.

Signs of Spring, Finally...

Well, it's only a day before pitchers & catchers report. Always get a little excited this time of year. It's very different since the spring of 2004, when "wait till next year" finally evaporated. This will also be a very different spring in that there were so many changes in the offseason. The infield has been completely revamped which will undoubtedly change one of the league's weakest into one of the strongest. The acquisiton of Beckett and the rise of Papelbon makes us giddy just thinking about it, not even considering the up and coming lefty Lester waiting in AAA. The bullpen is very deep and has the potential to be one of the best in the majors.

There are many questions to be answered before the season starts, but overall, this should be an improved club over the 2005 version. Is it good enough to win in October? On paper it is. But as we all know, they have to play the games. Pitching & defense wins championships, and the Sox improved both. Many things will shake out in Spring Training...
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Health:

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Schilling - can he regain the form of 2004? Probably not, but we think he'll be close. According to reports, he's slimmed down & was able to get back to his old routines. Never count out anyone with the amount of determination he has...
Beckett - Will this be his first season of 180-200 innings? Reportedly, he cut his offseason workouts in half. He's only 26, so the ability to bounce back is very high. Frankly, we're more worried about the blisters. We predict around 30 starts & 18 wins...
Foulke - We are not as concerned as everyone else seems to be. Even if he is horrible, you have Papelbon & ultimately Hansen to fill the role. Timlin faired well last year too...
Trot - Similar to Schill, reports say that he is in great shape. If he does stumble, look for Theo to deal him in July as he is in a contract year.
Unknown - There is always an injury. Add in the WBC, along with 7 or 8 Sox starters, and chances have doubled. Let's hope if there is an injury, the depth the Sox have will cover it...
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Offense:
Youkilis - We think he is poised for a breakout year. He's ready. We're projecting .280, 15HR, 80RBI in platoon with JT Snow. If he can put up 5HR & 20 RBI, they're at the top of the league.
Lowell - No telling how he will rebound. We think he'll be better. Remember that Mueller's #'s were virtually the same as Lowell last season. Anything higher is gravy...
Overall - There will be a drop off in production, no question. However, they should still score plenty of runs. A significant drop from last year still puts them in the top 5 offensively. Ask the White Sox how that worked out last season...
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Intangibles:
How will Crisp handle the pressure in Boston? According to reports, he might thrive in it. He apparently likes the big stage. The best part is he's only 26 and will get better. He may be an all- star by year 2.
What is the personality of this club? It will take time to develop. The characters keeping things light are mostly gone. From all reports, the new guys all have solid character. If nothing else, they will be professional. Chemistry will grow from winning, which they should do. They also have Schilling as a lightning rod if things go south.
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Outlook:
You have to be optomistic right now. The offense won't be as goliath as it has been, but that's the bad news. Pitching and defense are both improved, and thats what it takes in Oct. Even if some players don't rebound or meet expectations, this team has enough talent to carry them. Unless they are decimated with injuries, we're in for a good ride in 06. And don't forget the GM mantra:
Assess what you have in April, evaluate until July, and add pieces before Aug. Oh yeah, and "In Theo we Trust"...

Rocket to make final launch in Boston?

Don't count on it folks. But apparently the front office is making the push for it. Supposedly they put together a video of fans pleading for his return, and highlights of his career in a Boston uniform. We wouldn't be surprised if they included the standing ovation he received at Fenway in a Yankee uniform during his last "retirement".
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Does it make the team better with him? Can he pitch in the AL again? We think so. He had a masterful season in 2005. Add 1 1/2 runs to his ERA from last year and he's still only at 3.50ERA. He's pitched 200 innings & 30 starts in multiple seasons with one exception - 2002 with NY. It's safe to predict an ERA around 3 with 15+ wins. A Schilling, Clemens, Beckett trio? Wow.
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Money - There is talk that the Sox would have to jettison payroll to meet a predicted $18M salary. It would put payroll around $150M. Sox would probably bite the bullet here. Adding him would increase the brand name. They probably don't recover the cost in the first couple years, and you are naive if you think they would lose money.
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Golf or baseball? We'll know soon...

Clubhouse - You can just hear Schilling biting his tongue in Arizona. Will Clemens get the same conditions as Houston - no travel unless he's pitching? The only one who won't notice is Manny. Hopefully Theo asked the team before actively pursuing this one...
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Intangibles - Significant buzz would be created wherever he pitched. Fans would line up to see his last start ever at their ballpark. Signing on with Boston would signify he wanted to end where it all started. Imagine the merchandising $ in the Boston fan base alone. They can stick it to the Yankees, and the rivalry is stoked to a new level. What will the atmosphere be like during his first game back at Fenway, and New York? Wow...
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We'd love to see this deal get done. There are several reasons why he should return. Do they outweigh his other options? Doubtful. He's reached every milestone including pitching at "home". Now it comes down to where he wants to end it. Let's hope it's where it all started...

If it wasn't so funny...

We wouldn't have posted it. But the Manny trade talks have resurfaced...
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Apparently the front office is making sure that Manny thinks they are really trying hard to move him.
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The latest uh, um, "deal" with the Angels would have the Sox send Manny for the following:
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1) Ervin Santana - 23yr old rising star (remember 5+ innings of relief vs Yanks in ALDS?)
2) Chone Figgins - .290, 8HR, 57RBI - one of fastest guys in MLB
3) 2 or 3 of their top 4 prospects - including highly touted SS Brandon Wood (43HR 122 RBI in AAA last season)
4) Most of Manny's remaining salary
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Well, we want Johnny "Don't call me Cash" Damon's new Ferrari, and we'll trade him an NYchoker for it. Our deal has a better chance of happening...
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And don't expect Enrique Wilson to make the squad. He's there as a "binky" to help Manny from being Manny in Spring Training. Especially with Cora, Graffanino, Pedroia, and Machado all ahead of him on the depth chart...
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But here's an interesting twist. Pretend you're the GM for the Angels for a second. Do you seriously consider doing this - with these options:
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1) Angels include Santana, Figgins, and Wood only
2) Sox add Wells (gets his west coast wish), Graffinino, and Delcarmen
3) Sox pick up some salary
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Not so far fetched now?

Spring Training roster is set...

Finally. At long offseason last, the Nation knows what to expect. Well, kind of. There is depth at the middle of the infield, in the rotation, and even in the pen. But with every spring training, there are injuries. Throw in the World Baseball Classic in March, and you've dramatically increased that potential. So, lets talk about depth on April 3rd...

As far as non-roster invitees, check out this link in Boston.com sports:

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/

There are a few Triple-A players from other organizations who have surprisingly good numbers. However, their old teams didn't keep them for one reason or another.

One of the best internal guys is Dustin Pedroia. If Gonzalez struggles at short, Pedroia will be waiting in the wings, most likely at AAA. Because pitching is so deep this season, Baucher and Seibel (coming off Tommy John in 2004) should start things off in Pawtucket as well.

Also of note is Gabe Kapler, who by early reports will not be ready physically to play until May.

Camp questions:

Health:
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Schilling - we he be back to 2004 form? Close? He is the real key to the season...
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Foulke - did the knee surgeries cure him? Was it his head? Don't agree that the season rests on him. Papelbon would be a good sub until Hansen is ready hopefully by Aug.
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Beckett - Can he go 200 innings without blister or arm issues? We'll take 25 starts...
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Trot - supposedly in the best shape he's ever been in. Will it translate into 150 starts?
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Injuries:
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This is always a GM's nightmare. The WBC isn't helping matters for the Sox that are playing:
Varitek, Timlin, Ortiz, Manny, & Lowell...

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Other issues:
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David Wells - will Theo be able to change his mind about staying in camp? Maybe not. Be if we end up keeping him out of necessity (Schill or other injury), will he be a poison pill? Sox will get more in return if another team has an injury, but what are they looking for in return?

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Graffanino - He's #2 at second, but Sox also have Cora and Pedroia. How many utility guys will they keep? Could be a good chip if another team has an injury...

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2006 Outlook

On paper, this team is better than last years version. Why? Pitching. Probably the deepest in the majors (as of now anyway). Wells will more than likely go, but that still gives you 6 quality starters, also with Lester (supposed to be better than Papelbon) waiting in AAA. The bullpen has 8 or 9 potential solid guys, of which they only carry 6 or 7. Health is the only major concern. Schilling will be better (according to offseason reports) and Foulke can't be worse. Papelbon is a rising star. Defense will finally be an asset, especially up the middle.

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The offense will have a drop off, but not as significant as you may think. They should remain in the top 5 in runs scored. They were so far ahead of the pack the past few seasons, that even a significant drop keeps them that high.

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Pitching wins in October, bottom line. They have enough right now. Defense has been significantly upgraded. The heart of the offense remains. There's an influx of younger talent. There are many reasons to think this team can win 95 games.

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But don't get too giddy just yet. Many questions remain and hopefully can be answered in Spring Training. Health and injuries are the only stumbling blocks right now. During the season, the Jays should put pressure on both the Yanks & Sox. If Tampa finds any pitching, they could be really tough - what a good young team too. So the chance of 3 teams winning 90+ in the same division are slim. Let's hope any mid-season issues can be fixed by July 31st. In Theo we trust, again...

Sox lineup finally coming into focus...

Yes folks, you have someone named after a cereal in Center field. Actually his real name is Cavelli believe it or not. For those of you that have seen "A Bronx Tale" (starring DeNiro, and one of our top 10 films of all time by the way), we will be referring to Coco as "C" going forward. (Also note that in the movie, "C" was once a Yankee fan, and now the actor is in jail. No kidding - "You little Mary".)

Apparently the Sox have been very busy & managed to stay under the radar for the past month. Kudos to management "post & pre" Theo for keeping it quiet. Reportedly there have been around 75 calls back & forth with Cleveland to get this thing done. The only hurdle remaining is for Cleveland to spin off part of the trade to get an outfielder (Michaels) from the Phillies to replace Crisp.

The Details

Sox get:

CF - Coco Crisp / Relief Pitcher - David Riske / Catcher - Josh Bard

Indians Get:

Relief Pitcher - Guillermo Mota / Catcher - Kelly Shoppach / 3B - Andy Marte

Who gets the best of this trade? Both teams improved their clubs - both short & long term. Because the trade-off of relievers & catchers is somewhat a wash, the value is Marte for "C".

Sox did fairly well considering they essentially plugged 2 holes with "C" in CF & leadoff. He's a younger version of Damon, probably with more range in the OF, more speed, and a substantially better arm. His numbers aren't all that different from Damon's, and he's only 26, so they should increase. Is he a potential all-star? The only question is how he handles the pressure in Boston, one of Damon's strengths.

The Indians get one of the best rated prospects in the game in Marte, who should be a full time starter no later than next season. He was rated higher than the Sox former prospect Hanley Ramirez in the Beckett deal. Supposedly a good defensive player, but his real value is the pop in his bat. Something that is coveted in corner infields these days. He could also be a potential superstar.

Bottom Line

The Sox improved themselves both now & in the future. They get an above average CF who is 6 years younger than his predecessor, and will more than likely improve especially with this lineup behind him. They did lose a potential superstar (still unproven), but may have received an all-star themselves, who is an established everyday player. They got younger, will be paying less than half of what they would have for Damon, and didn't give up any pitching. In fact, Riske had better numbers than Mota (whose health could be a concern). They also saved a couple dollars with Riske only getting $1.8M in 2006...

Other News:

Sox are supposedly on the verge of signing free agent SS Alex Gonzalez. They are probably waiting for the "C" deal to be final before pulling the trigger. So much for all that "faith" in Alex Cora. Here's a look into Gonzalez's #'s:

2003 - .256 BA, 18HR, 77RBI, 16Errors

2004 - .232 BA, 23HR, 79 RBI, 16E

2005 - .264 BA, 5HR, 45RBI, 16E

Not outstanding, but he's your #9 hitter and solid defensively. Might be a little expensive at $5M per for two seasons, but he's also a mentor to Pedroia. Let's hope that dropoff in power wasn't due to "enhancers". He should be primed to prove folks wrong...

UP NEXT:

Once the deals are final, we'll take a look at the numbers from last year vs what we project for 2006. Stay tuned for updates on Wells & Graffanino...