Redsox Off Season Vs. Yankees Off Season

[sarasoxfan]

I think the yankees have improved, but they are still vulnerable. Their bullpen aint much, and their starter rotation is an injury away from being what it was last year. Martinez is old and is a slight improvement over olerud, et al.

let's discuss


from the nypost:

January 1, 2005 -- WHETHER it's Big Unit or small details, the Yankees have improved their roster going into 2005. They landed their No. 1 target in Randy Johnson and made at least minor upgrades in several other areas.
And since these are the Yankees, they might not be through. Carlos Beltran is still available, and if the Yanks sign him some time early in the new year they are going to be considered even more grotesque for taking their payroll into the $230 million range and something close to unbeatable.

Beltran, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Tony Womack would give the Yanks four players who finished in the top 18 in steals last season, and Beltran just might be the most cagey thief ever.

Beltran, A-Rod and Gary Sheffield would give the Yankees three of the majors' top 15 homer hitters last year. Even if Jason Giambi did not come back, the Yanks would be able to offer a lineup in which eight players hit at least 21 homers last year.

Nine switch-hitters hit at least 21 homers last year and three are named Carlos Beltran, Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada. Plus Ruben Sierra (17 homers) still may come back for the bench. Add three righties (Jeter, A-Rod, Sheffield) and three lefties (Tino Martinez/Giambi, Hideki Matsui and Womack) and you have the kind of balance that further threatens the majors' balance of power.

Yet even without Beltran, the Yankees, to date, have elevated their talent level.

In the field, Martinez and Womack are at least a slight improvement on John Olerud/Tony Clark and Miguel Cairo.

Mike Stanton has diminished from the reliever he was in his first Yankee stint (1997-2002), but is still a far better option than Felix Heredia, C.J. Nitkowski or Gabe White. Felix Rodriguez is a workhorse like Paul Quantrill, but with strikeout ability. Rodriguez is clearly more reliable than neophytes such as Bret Prinz and Scott Proctor, who tried to do the job last year.

Can the Yanks expect a full return to effectiveness by Steve Karsay or that Tanyon Sturtze, who pitched with such confidence and quality late last season, really has turned a career corner? A positive result with either will only further enhance a more trustworthy bullpen.

Johnson obviously comes with great risk at age 41 with a suspect knee and a boorish makeup. But the Yanks are the now team of all-time.

In 2004, Johnson was one of the majors' five best starters. The Yankees had no one in the top 20. The Yanks are a tough transition for anyone; even Roger Clemens struggled his first year. But Johnson's aura should make it easier for others in the rotation, particularly newcomers Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright. Are Johnson, Pavano and Wright better than Javier Vazquez, Jon Lieber and Orlando Hernandez?

Yes, mainly because of Johnson and the uncertain health of Hernandez. Pavano and Wright carry terrific stuff over from the NL, but we were saying that last year about Vazquez and Kevin Brown. The Yanks invested $61 million in Pavano and Wright, and will be fortunate if one handles the switch to Pinstripes with excellence.

Which means the Yanks will probably — amazingly — be back in the rotation market come July. Imagine how grotesque and unbeatable the Yankees will feel when they trade Eric Duncan, Robinson Cano and Chien-Ming Wang for Ben Sheets.

[Noah]

The Yankee rotation is overrated, even with Randy.

[roary]

Whoa, what happened to the site? I havent visited in a long time.

[element1151]

Changed from IPB to vBulletin.

[Gertie]

To quote an infinitely shitty movie: Whoa... upgrades.

Yep, we just switched software. New look, new everything.

[yeszir]

Yes, we did switch, but what you see right now is not the final version at all. There will be mega changes, and the current avatar problem will eventually be fixed.

[2090]

The Yankee rotation is overrated, even with Randy.
sure, just like Carl Pavano you hypocrites :lol:

[Yanksin2010]

Yanks and sox are both having good offseasons. Main goal for the sox, sign varitek-done.
Main goal for the yanks, trade for Rj- done.

[yeszir]

Yanks and sox are both having good offseasons. Main goal for the sox, sign varitek-done.
Main goal for the yanks, trade for Rj- done.
I disagree. The main goal for the sox this offseason was to get pitching, and we did it. Varitek was important, sure, but we could have survived without him. Next year sure would have looked bleak had we not signed miller, wells, and clement.

[elsrbueno]

I think the Yankees have a slight edge so far. Randy Johnson, Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright, Stanton, Rodriguez... the pitching staff is much improved.

The 04 Yankees had 2 weaknesses: Rotation and bullpen. if 2 of the above starters pan out, they'll be improved. And Rodriguez/Stanton is better than Proctor/Heredia.

The Sox also improved, but the bullpen is still a concern for me, and losing Pedro was tough. The Sox are deeper, but not as good at the top.

There's still time for this to swing a bit... but as of 1/3/2005... I'm giving a SLIGHT edge to the Yankees.

[Chitalian Stallion]

Though the yanks have gotten RJ and will probably get Beltran I'm still not afraid of them. They will (if they land Beltran) have a good balanced line-up (3 righties, lefties, and 3 switch) and at least 8 of them can hit 20+ HR's next year (or so I hear).
The Sox have somewhat of the same balance with Tek, Bellhorn, and Bill Mueller switch hitting, Minky (if we keep him), Nixon, Damon, and Papi hittin lefty, Then Renteria, Manny, and Millar (if we keep him) batting righty. We will also have 7 players returning with at least 11+ in HR's not including Renteria.
As for pitching I am happy with our pick ups in Clement and Miller, both have talent. Clement, according to the new Bill James book, had 5 "Tough Losses" mostly because of the low run support and if you count those his record is 14- 8 not including the no decisions that when he left, left the cubs leading.
Miller can be excellent (2001, 2002) if he stays healthy and has a very good slider when his wind up is smooth.
I also like the Dave Roberts trade. Now we have an excellent bench with starting material in Payton.

[sully777]

The Yankee's offseason depends on acquiring Beltran. If they get him, then I shall concede that the Yankee's had a better offseason. Other than that this is how I look at it. The Johnson trade tops any of our individual acquisitions. However I think signing Renteria and re-signing Varitek puts us close to that degree of off season success. Pavano-Wright vs. Clement-Wells-Miller is in our favor. Clement is not a huge downgrade from Pavano, and Miller healthy is the best pitcher out of them all. Also Jaret Wright is not a great pitcher in my mind, so by adding Wells to our staff with the afore mentioned, 2-5 we had the better offseason. In terms of offense, we had a much better off season by far, since the Yankees one big pickup was Tino, and this was just a ridiculous attempt at bringing back the old Yankee dynasty. Honestly, he isn't that good a first baseman. So there we have it, as of now, I think the Red Sox addressed more concerns and also increased talent, while the Yankees increased talent but did not necissarily address all of their concerns. They still have holes at second, center, bullpen, and in my opinion, first. The sox right now have a pretty solid infield, pen, and starting rotation.

[elsrbueno]

The Yankee's offseason depends on acquiring Beltran. If they get him, then I shall concede that the Yankee's had a better offseason. Other than that this is how I look at it. The Johnson trade tops any of our individual acquisitions. However I think signing Renteria and re-signing Varitek puts us close to that degree of off season success. Pavano-Wright vs. Clement-Wells-Miller is in our favor. Clement is not a huge downgrade from Pavano, and Miller healthy is the best pitcher out of them all. Also Jaret Wright is not a great pitcher in my mind, so by adding Wells to our staff with the afore mentioned, 2-5 we had the better offseason. In terms of offense, we had a much better off season by far, since the Yankees one big pickup was Tino, and this was just a ridiculous attempt at bringing back the old Yankee dynasty. Honestly, he isn't that good a first baseman. So there we have it, as of now, I think the Red Sox addressed more concerns and also increased talent, while the Yankees increased talent but did not necissarily address all of their concerns. They still have holes at second, center, bullpen, and in my opinion, first. The sox right now have a pretty solid infield, pen, and starting rotation.

Second: Tony Womack. Not a dominant player, but a defensive upgrade over Cairo. He doesn't scare me offensively (unless he gets on base).
Center: Bernie Williams (hit .262 with 22 HR last year. Yes, he's declining, but if he's their weakness... that's not bad at all).
Bullpen: Stanton/Rodriguez represent upgrades to their 2004 guys, and with those + Randy it's safe to say Quantrill/Gordon (who were very good early) won't be worked as hard.

First base could be a problem for them, but as I said, Tino will probably hit .260 with 20ish homers. Bad production for a first baseman, but the Yankees WILL have a darn good lineup regardless of who plays first.

[Chitalian Stallion]

Our bullpen also has the advantage over theirs, especially if mantei comes through

[YANKEESRULE]

What are you smoking? Sox bullpen is better than New Yorks.Ha Ha Ha that's kinda funny. Our bullpen was better then yours last year and we upgraded so yea I can see that the Sox bullpen is better.

[sully777]

I agree that the Yankee's offense isnt in trouble with Womack or Tino. I am merely saying they are weaknesses in the sense that those will be two spots pitchers will hope to use as outs. Tino isn't a bad player, and neither is Womack, but in terms of value as offseason acquisitions, there are a bunch of free agents out there who could have the same kind of production value. Maybe not in Homers, I'll give Tino that, but most definitely in average and OBP. All I'm saying, is that offseason vs. offseason, the Red Sox in my mind, have a slight advantage, based on the quantity and quality of players, where the Yankees have a higher quality pickup (Johnson) but in terms of the greater pitcure, i believe the Red Sox have the better mean average.

[elsrbueno]

I agree that the Yankee's offense isnt in trouble with Womack or Tino. I am merely saying they are weaknesses in the sense that those will be two spots pitchers will hope to use as outs. Tino isn't a bad player, and neither is Womack, but in terms of value as offseason acquisitions, there are a bunch of free agents out there who could have the same kind of production value. Maybe not in Homers, I'll give Tino that, but most definitely in average and OBP. All I'm saying, is that offseason vs. offseason, the Red Sox in my mind, have a slight advantage, based on the quantity and quality of players, where the Yankees have a higher quality pickup (Johnson) but in terms of the greater pitcure, i believe the Red Sox have the better mean average.

I can see what you're saying, but think about it this way:

The Yankees had 2 weaknesses last October: The Rotation, and the Bullpen. They've improved BOTH of those areas:

Johnson > Vazquez
Pavano > Lieber
Wright = Loaiza

Rodriguez > Proctor
Stanton > Heredia

The Red Sox won the World Series, so you can't say they were weak, but I'd say the bullpen was the biggest weakness. They lost Myers, Williamson, Mendoza, and Adams.... Williamson when healthy was NASTY, but he unfortunately didn't contribute a whole lot to the team last year, and certainly not in October.

Myers was replaced with Halama. Neither one is really dominant, so I'm gunna call this equal.

Williamson was replaced with Mantei. Equal again. Both are dominant relievers when healthy, but Mantei is certainly no guarantee.

So, in my book, the Yankees have improved this offseason, and the Red Sox have basically stayed the same. I like the rotation because it's deeper, but ONE of the 3 newcomers (Clement, Wells, Miller) needs to step up and take that #2 spot before I consider the rotation BETTER than 2004.

I give NY the offseason edge for that reason.

[sarasoxfan]

once again-- a yankee fan has appeared and made an absoulte fool of himself..

Rarely, do yankee fans have anything interesting or accurate to contribute...they are arrogant, argumentative and almost always wrong.

I guess the owenership and the fans have quite a bit in common--they are smug arrogant bully's- or in a word assholes.

With that said there is no question at all that the sox bullpen was vastly superior to the yankees bullpen...as was our starting rotation.

I guess it depends on the criteria you use to define "better", but in the long run the better bullpen was the one that won the world series, as oppposed to the one that contributed to the biggest choke in the history of baseball.

[elsrbueno]

once again-- a yankee fan has appeared and made an absoulte fool of himself..

Rarely, do yankee fans have anything interesting or accurate to contribute...they are arrogant, argumentative and almost always wrong.

I guess the owenership and the fans have quite a bit in common--they are smug arrogant bully's- or in a word assholes.

With that said there is no question at all that the sox bullpen was vastly superior to the yankees bullpen...as was our starting rotation.

I guess it depends on the criteria you use to define "better", but in the long run the better bullpen was the one that won the world series, as oppposed to the one that contributed to the biggest choke in the history of baseball.

It does depend on what you mean by "better." During the regular season, Tom Gordon, Paul Quantrill, and Mariano Rivera formed a pretty dominating trio of relievers. Because of the weak rotation, and Torre's mistrust of anyone BUT these three, they were horribly overworked. Tom Gordon did not pitch well against the Red Sox at all, and Rivera (although got credit for blowing 2 saves, really only blew one in my opinion) was left as the lone reliable reliever.

The Red Sox bullpen did the job in October, but wasn't exactly feared by anyone. Keith Foulke was the postseason hero pitching in 11 games and having a 0.64 ERA.

I wouldn't speak so fast saying Boston's bullpen is better though. Would Gordon have been so ineffective in the ALCS had he shouldered a lighter workload? The same can be asked about Quantrill and Rivera, too.

Do ANY Sox relievers (other than Foulke) strike fear into batters hearts? Not really.

[Chitalian Stallion]

What are you smoking? Sox bullpen is better than New Yorks.Ha Ha Ha that's kinda funny. Our bullpen was better then yours last year and we upgraded so yea I can see that the Sox bullpen is better.
The Yanks bullpen was better then the Sox bullpen? What are YOU smoking? Maybe they were in June july but the Sox were better from then on. Especially in the playoffs when Mariano blew at least 2 saves and we held you scoreless in games 4 and 5.

[1949 1978 1986 2003]

they are arrogant, argumentative and almost always wrong.



Holy crap!!!!! :wtf:

Red Sox fans are exactly what you stated, except you left out: immature, bias, cry babies and whiners!


RED SOX FANS ARE ALL OF THE ABOVE!

Exception to some true sox fans that know what they are talking about.

[stevece80]

2004

[yeszir]

Exception to some true sox fans that know what they are talking about.
You've added this to all of your posts. Most likely to delay the inevitable ban that's coming your way (again).

[schillingouttheks]

Loving this new guys name :lol: . Doesn't make a difference anymore. Anyway, I think saying that Yankee fans are stupid, arrogant, etc is false. I know lots of Yankee fans that know what they are talking about and they know a lot of correct shit.

And are you telling me that Yankee fans aren't biased!?!? BULL FUCKING SHIT. Suddenly, even though the Sox won the World Series, no fans tip their caps and say good job and even admit we have a good team, meanwhile all the time we accept the fact that the Yankees beat us (well most of us, not all) and we all know that the Yankees are, arguably, the greatest franchise in all of sports. We don't hide anything. Also, true Sox fans won't whine or bitch when something goes wrong. They accept what happens and decide what needs to go correctly in the future.

Just needed to defend and attack both sides. Nothing against anyone.

[Zenny]

That new guy was retarded. He didn't even have half of the years in his name right. Moron.

By the way, I've got a year for him: 2004. That's all that matters, motherfucker.

[RedSoxRooter]

So, in my book, the Yankees have improved this offseason, and the Red Sox have basically stayed the same.Exactly. This is why the Sox have had a better offseason so far. The Yankees only needed to upgrade, much like we upgraded last year with Schilling and Foulke. The Red Sox HAD to go out and replace their #2 and #3 starters, replace their SS and try to sign their 3rd baseman and catcher. We lost Pedro, Cabrera, Williamson, Lowe, Roberts, Reese, Millar or Minky and Kapler - yet we are almost as good, if not deeper than last year. AND, we still have some holes to fill.

The Yankees surely upgraded from last year, but Theo basically rebuilt 1/3 of the team with players that can come close to/match/or even exceed last years FAs. Oh, and our payroll will be more flexable since we are spending I think 10 million less than last year and, AND, we didn't lose a single prospect in doing so.

Come the trade deadline, the Sox will be sitting pretty and the Yankees - should they need someone - will not be as flexible. This is why the Sox have had the better offseason if you ask me.

Just an interesting Sox tid bit here:

Last year's opening day rotation plus the number 6 starter win totals for 2004:
(yes, I know wins are overrated, but here they are anyway..)

75 wins.

This year's opening day rotation plus the number 6 starter - if they collectively total the same number of wins they had last year.

71 wins.

I think Miller and Clement, if healthy, can win more than the 16 total games they won last year, don't you? They could probably both win 16.

B)

[yeszir]

Just an interesting Sox tid bit here:

Last year's opening day rotation plus the number 6 starter win totals for 2004:
(yes, I know wins are overrated, but here they are anyway..)

75 wins.

This year's opening day rotation plus the number 6 starter - if they collectively total the same number of wins they had last year.

71 wins.

I think Miller and Clement, if healthy, can win more than the 16 total games they won last year, don't you? They could probably both win 16.

B)

Are you counting Kim as the "number 6 starter"? If so, that isnt very B) looking to me I dont think. It shows how our rotation isnt severely degraded (or degraded much at all), but its not great news, is it? We have six legit starters this time around, and their wins dont match our 5 and a third starters from last year. Sure, some played for bad teams (Wells), but still. I'm not freaking out or anything, I'm just wondering.

[elsrbueno]

Are you counting Kim as the "number 6 starter"? If so, that isnt very B) looking to me I dont think. It shows how our rotation isnt severely degraded (or degraded much at all), but its not great news, is it? We have six legit starters this time around, and their wins dont match our 5 and a third starters from last year. Sure, some played for bad teams (Wells), but still. I'm not freaking out or anything, I'm just wondering.

Keep in mind to take those numbers with a grain of salt. Matt Clement had only 9 wins, but horrible run support. The Red Sox are a better team in the field, and at the plate than the Cubs, so it's not totally unreasonable to predict 15ish wins from him in 2005.

Miller won 7 games last year in 15 starts. Give him 25-30 starts, he should be able to win 13-15 games if he's healthy.

Wells was 12-8 last year, I'm assuming he'll do the same...

If Clement OR Miller win 15 games, we're back to where we were last year.

[yeszir]

If Clement OR Miller win 15 games, we're back to where we were last year.
Not to be a nay-sayer, but if Clement OR Miller win 15 games, we're back to where we were last year, except this time around we have 6 legit starting pitchers instead of 5. Some wins will be lost in the shuffle somewhere, right?

[YanksHater213]

Right.

[Chitalian Stallion]

Just an interesting Sox tid bit here:

Last year's opening day rotation plus the number 6 starter win totals for 2004:
(yes, I know wins are overrated, but here they are anyway..)

75 wins.

This year's opening day rotation plus the number 6 starter - if they collectively total the same number of wins they had last year.

71 wins.

I think Miller and Clement, if healthy, can win more than the 16 total games they won last year, don't you? They could probably both win 16.

B)

According to Bill James Clement had 5 "tough Losses" probably because of the low run support so thats 14 wins from him (if he repeats the performence) and Miller, if he's healthy will get the extra wins we need.

[2090]

Keep in mind to take those numbers with a grain of salt. Matt Clement had only 9 wins, but horrible run support. The Red Sox are a better team in the field, and at the plate than the Cubs, so it's not totally unreasonable to predict 15ish wins from him in 2005.

Miller won 7 games last year in 15 starts. Give him 25-30 starts, he should be able to win 13-15 games if he's healthy.

Wells was 12-8 last year, I'm assuming he'll do the same...

If Clement OR Miller win 15 games, we're back to where we were last year.
Wells was 12 - 8 with a 3.73 ERA in pitcher friendly San Diego (Petco is the name I think (?)). Switching to the AL AND a hitter friendly park wouldn't hurt his numbers?

[stevece80]

Yeah, I wonder if Wells could handle the AL. Good point.

And a tremendously better awesome shouldn't provide him with better run support?

[elsrbueno]

Wells was 12 - 8 with a 3.73 ERA in pitcher friendly San Diego (Petco is the name I think (?)). Switching to the AL AND a hitter friendly park wouldn't hurt his numbers?

His last year in the American League (15-7, 4.14 ERA)

I'd settle for that from David Wells.

[2090]

Yeah, I wonder if Wells could handle the AL. Good point.

And a tremendously better awesome shouldn't provide him with better run support?
ya, but his ERA will definitely be in the 4's because :

1) Pitching in an NL park last year with already a near 4 ERA

2) Going back to the AL with a DH.

[2090]

His last year in the American League (15-7, 4.14 ERA)

I'd settle for that from David Wells.
He's 2 years older now.

[BoSox Rule]

Wells was 12 - 8 with a 3.73 ERA in pitcher friendly San Diego (Petco is the name I think (?)). Switching to the AL AND a hitter friendly park wouldn't hurt his numbers?

Look at his splits.

[2090]

Look at his splits.
If there's a risk with Randy Johnson's knee acting up in NY, isn't there a greater chance for Wells's back to act up considering:
1) Boston is even colder than NY (by a few degrees)

2)Wells doesnt stay in any shape whatsoever?


Gotta love the hypocrisy.

[2090]

also, didn't Pedro have a 3.90 ERA last year? It certainly was NOT 2.27.

[BoSox Rule]

also, didn't Pedro have a 3.90 ERA last year? It certainly was NOT 2.27.

What the hell does Pedro have to do with this?

I'm talking about Wells' home/road splits. He had a 3.31 ERA on the road, and over 4.00 at home in this AMAZING pitcher's park you speak of.

[stevece80]

I know many of you Yankee fans have a bit of a hard time grasping the concept of years closest to the current one being most significant, but can you understand that 2003 is much closer in the year view mirror than 2001? Significance? 2001 is the year Wells missed significant time with a back injury, the only year in a span from 1995-2004 in which he's pitched less than 200 innings. 2003 is the year RJ missed significant time with a knee problem. Wells doesn't keep himself in good enough shape? Randy Johnson has no frigging cartilage in his knee. None.

Want to know something even more significant? If Wells' injury causes him to lose effectiveness and have to retire, the Red Sox are on the hook for a low base salary and have to work to replace their #4 starter. If Johnson, who's been more injury prone in both his career, and in recent years, is ineffective or sits on the DL for most of his time with the Yanquis, they're on the hook for 48 million dollars and they lose their number one starter. Quit comparing the two pitchers, their situations are hardly analogous considering the expectations and monetary commitments.

The Red Sox clearly view 40+ year old starters are excellent depth moves. The Yankees are pinning all their overpaid hopes on one to make everything okay in Yankeeland once again. It's amazing how much a team that spends in it's own orbit continues to spin it's tires. Here's a hint, 2005 will be no different than 2002-2004 for the Yankees. I've seen this story before, it's called the 1980s. Get used to it.

[stevece80]

also, didn't Pedro have a 3.90 ERA last year? It certainly was NOT 2.27.

Can you read? Try again.

[yeszir]

The Red Sox clearly view 40+ year old starters are excellent depth moves. The Yankees are pinning all their overpaid hopes on one to make everything okay in Yankeeland once again. It's amazing how much a team that spends in it's own orbit continues to spin it's tires. Here's a hint, 2005 will be no different than 2002-2004 for the Yankees. I've seen this story before, it's called the 1980s. Get used to it.
Sounds eerily reminscent of Dan Duquette, to tell you the truth. Great to see that its the yankees we're talking about for once.

[stevece80]

If there's a risk with Randy Johnson's knee acting up in NY, isn't there a greater chance for Wells's back to act up considering:
1) Boston is even colder than NY (by a few degrees)


Hey genius, try this on for size. Let's say, by some chance, the Red Sox choose to have David Wells start Opening Day, so he'd be on the same schedule as Randy Johnson. Alright now, listen up, here's something that might take you a little bit of brain power to grasp, but here we go.....

First start of the season, they'll both be pitching the same night, in the same weather, in the same city of New York. Next start, Wells will be pitching inside of a dome, in Toronto, while Randy has to pitch in New York, which is colder than room temperature in April. Next start, David will be pitching in Boston while Randy will be in sunny Baltimore. Next start, Wells will be in Baltimore, while Randy pitches on the climate-controlled turf of Toronto. Then, it's off to Fenway to face those pesky Orioles on the frozen tundra of Fenway, while Randy takes on the warm Los Angeles Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles in the sunny confines of Yankee stadium. That's April, that's the extent of the cold weather, which typically is over by the middle of the month, but let's just assume it's so frigid in Boston all month just to give some validity to your argument.

I don't know how Wells' alledged back problems will hold up, while Randy's lack of cartilage in his knee will somehow be better off in temperatures mildly warmer.

[stevece80]

Sounds eerily reminscent of Dan Duquette, to tell you the truth. Great to see that its the yankees we're talking about for once.

Actually, Duquette's problem was he viewed stud starters over the age of 33 (see Clemens, Roger) who were a bit inconsistent, to be washed up. His main problem was giving good money to players who were a bit better than league average. To counter this, he found a few players that could produce league average or better numbers for very little money, like Daubach and O'Leary, and didn't know when to cut bait with them. O'Leary would certainly fall into the "good money for a player a bit better than league average". If Duquette were around in 2003, I have little doubt that Daubach would have been retained, and Ortiz would never have been in the fold. On the same token, I can see Mueller getting a fat 3 year extension after 2005 if he were in charge. I love Mueller, but his value to the team is right now, with the reasonable contract he's under.

[YanksHater213]

Troy O'Leary. I remember him, he was the man back in the day.

[Chitalian Stallion]

Even if Wells doesnt hold up we can try to get Ben Sheets with some of our prospects (that the Yankees dont have). But if Johnson doesnt hold up, who do they have to replace him? Sturtze?Oh yeah did you know that johnson hasnt won in yankee stadium since '91?

[elsrbueno]

Even if Wells doesnt hold up we can try to get Ben Sheets with some of our prospects (that the Yankees dont have). But if Johnson doesnt hold up, who do they have to replace him? Sturtze?Oh yeah did you know that johnson hasnt won in yankee stadium since '91?

How many times has he pitched in Yankee Stadium since 91?

[yeszir]

How many times has he pitched in Yankee Stadium since 91?
He's pitched 13 games there in his career, so it can't really be a lot.

[CrespoBlows]

2)Wells doesnt stay in any shape whatsoever?


Your basing this on what he did 5 to 10 years ago? Wells has lost nearly 20 pounds since 2003, when he signed with the Yankees, and he had back surgery in '02, he'll be fine. He did not miss a start due to his back, he missed those 4 due to his bad hand.

Wellsy, should be 16-5 with probably around a 3.75 ERA

[Yanksin2010]

Even if Wells doesnt hold up we can try to get Ben Sheets with some of our prospects (that the Yankees dont have). But if Johnson doesnt hold up, who do they have to replace him? Sturtze?Oh yeah did you know that johnson hasnt won in yankee stadium since '91?
Thats just great, but he's still an extremely dominating pitcher.

[yankeessuck013]

Keep up the good humor, Bronx.This year, will the Yankees money be enough to fill the void between the admriable baseball intelligence in Boston and the cover-your-mistakes- with-George's-money stupidity in New York? Only time will tell. With $ and players who cheat with drugs and ball slapping, NY should have the edge. Too bad, though, the title has to be won on the field and not in the purse department of a NY department store.

[YanksHater213]

Whats with the *

[goyanks9]

Our bullpen also has the advantage over theirs, especially if mantei comes through

Mantei has huge upside, and he could end up being a brilliant find by Theo. Just as much however, he could end up pitching just the way he did last year. The Red Sox bullpen does not have tremendous depth, with Foulke, Embree, and Timlin being your only reliable returning relievers. The Yankees have Rivera, Gordon, Quantrill, Karsay, Rodriguez, Stanton, and Sturtze--all who are reliable to some degree.

[Chitalian Stallion]

At least most of our bullpen isnt 35, 36, or 37

[stevece80]

Mantei has huge upside, and he could end up being a brilliant find by Theo. Just as much however, he could end up pitching just the way he did last year. The Red Sox bullpen does not have tremendous depth, with Foulke, Embree, and Timlin being your only reliable returning relievers. The Yankees have Rivera, Gordon, Quantrill, Karsay, Rodriguez, Stanton, and Sturtze--all who are reliable to some degree.

Actually, Quantrill, Karsay, Stanton and Sturzte were hardly reliable. Please, take your rose-colored glasses off when it comes to any of them. Gordon is a very good reliever, that is a habitual postseason failure. Mo's the only slam dunk, when he's not pitching against the Red Sox it seems, and I'd much rather have Foulke/Timlin/Embree in the postseason than Rivera/Gordon/(flavoroftheweek). Depth is BS, as you only carry 6 relievers in the regular season, one of which is the mopup guy, and you're relying on your 3 primary relievers in the postseason. It's nice to have "depth", but when there's two good relievers, and a bunch of interchangable parts, you're not a lights-out crew by any means.

Sturtze is feces personified.

[BoSox Rule]

Nah, goyanks9 knows what he's talking about. I'd say the only thing he was off about was Sturtze, but he can get hot.

And why would he be wearing rose-colored glasses? I would think they'd be dark blue, but that's just me.

[stevece80]

I know who goyanks9 is. I still don't agree.

[ahhchon]

Troy O'Leary. I remember him, he was the man back in the day.

gotta love that grand slam against cleveland!

john

[Tek04]

gotta love that grand slam against cleveland!

john

that was great