2005 Season (Sox vs. Yanks)

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Overall I think both teams are making the playoffs in 2005. Oakland is no longer a contender to be a wild card team. Texas still lacks pitching, Cleveland may still be a year away, the rest of the east is average at best, and the White Sox lost some serious offense. So lets look at the power house teams:

 

1. J. Damon

2. E. Renteria (upgrade at #2 spot)

3. M. Ramirez

4. D. Ortiz

5. T. Nixon (healthy)

6. K. Millar

7. J. Varitek

8. B. Mueller (healthy)

9. M. Bellhorn (possibly the best OBP for #9 hitter)

vs.

1. T. Womack (downgrade from Cairo but can lead off)

2. D. Jeter

3. A. Rodriguez

4. G. Sheffield

5. H. Matsui

6. B. Williams

7. T. Martinez (I think Giambi will be too much of a distraction)

8. R. Sierra

9. J. Posada

 

I'm going to give the upper hand to the Sox on the offensive side. Yanks have a lot of power hitters.

 

1. C. Schilling (the ultimate competitor)

2. D. Wells (a downgrade from Pedro even though Pedro got it done with a 3.9era)

3. M. Clement (has the run support to get more victories)

4. B. Arroyo (can he repeat?)

5. W. Miller (could be the #2 pitcher, and just needs to do better than Lowe's 5.2era)

6. T. Wakefield (great depth, also have Halama if needed to start)

vs.

1. R. Johnson (one of the best and a matchup against Curt)

2. M. Mussina (getting older but can be effective at times)

3. C. Pavano (more expensive than Clement but is he better?)

4. K. Brown (will get hurt again and be a distraction)

5. J. Wright (we will see what he can do in the AL)

6. ? (better hope nobody gets injured/ how old is Randy, Moose, and Brown?)

 

I think this is pretty even, both have veterans and younger talent BUT...in order for Wells and Miller to make any kind of money they need to make starts. Those Yankee pitchers will get there money no matter what (Kevin Brown knows it).

 

Despite all of this...Yanks will probably finish first with the Red Sox right behind (could be different now that the Sox won a world series). Both will meet each other in the ALCS again. This time the Sox may do it in less than 7 games since most of this Yanks team will be injured.

[Chitalian Stallion]

I'd rather have Minky than Millar, Minky might not be as bad as he was last season, he has had a few .300 seasons

[CrespoBlows]

Why? Millar is the clubhouse leader next to Varitek, he hits a lot better, and will provide protection for Ortiz and Ramirez.

[Chitalian Stallion]

As the sox proved last season defense wins championships

[BoSox Rule]

Why? Millar is the clubhouse leader next to Varitek, he hits a lot better, and will provide protection for Ortiz and Ramirez.

 

He plays much better defense, and when he's playing he's a better hitter than Millar.

[elsrbueno]

Regardless of who's on first, the Sox will be able to compete with the Yankees on the field this season.

 

IF Giambi returns to pre-2004 health and production, the Yankees will be very dangerous. Randy vs Schilling will be an incredible matchup, as will Mussina vs Wells. The bottom 3 I think the Red Sox have the advantage pitching wise.

 

Mantei will be key to the bullpen. If he's on, the Red Sox will be very good late in games. If he struggles, the Sox will too.

 

Overall, I'd say these two teams are pretty even. Both have health questions (the Yankees moreso in my opinion), but both teams will be in contention in September.

 

It's going to be a fun year.

[CrespoBlows]

As the sox proved last season defense wins championships

 

If we deal the "ball thief" then we can call up McCarty who has a great glove as well. Millar is also solid with the glove, and no he isn't a better hitter then Millar

 

Since 2001

 

Millar's average .298

 

HR average: 20 HR

 

OBP: .368

 

OBPS: .871

 

Mientkiewicz

 

average: .276 Edge: Millar

 

HR average: 11 HR Edge: Millar

 

OBP: .366 Edge: Slight Millar

 

OBPS: .778 Edge Millar

 

Is Mientkiewicz defense, actually that big of a deal, espcially when you factor Millar's clubhouse presense

[DOrtiz4prez]

But also the redsox have offense coming out of their ears and they don't really need it that much. You can argue either way.

[CrespoBlows]

Think Clubhouse Chemistry

[elsrbueno]

Think Clubhouse Chemistry

 

How much does Millar really HELP in the clubhouse though? He openly said he'd rather have A-Rod than Manny and Nomar, then made his JD comments....

 

I wonder just how liked he really is in the clubhouse.....

[CrespoBlows]

It appears Manny still loves the guy, so does Johnny D, and Ortiz.

 

Remember why Millar came out late during Game 1 of the WS intros. Manny was holding him down as a joke. You can't teach this kind of chemistry

[papi4prez]

this guy demanded to be traded if he wouldnt start....a real leader would accept it and be happy on the bench

[dirtdogman5]

this guy demanded to be traded if he wouldnt start....a real leader would accept it and be happy on the bench

 

Why's that? Millar just came off of 2 stellar seasons on a World Series winning team, why in the hell would he think that he would be happy on the bench. You don't think Derek Jeter would be a little pissed if the Yankees signed Renteria and forced Jeter to the bench?

 

Now I'm no Kevin Millar apoligist but I have to give credit where credit is due. When I think of Millar I see a guy who has really helped our team these past two years and shows no signs of letting up after a great 2nd half last year. I love Minky too, but he makes us way too left-handed in a division with Randy Johnson, BJ Ryan, Steve Kline, and Ted Lilly. I wouldn't really be bummed out if we traded Millar rather than Minky, but I wouldn't think it to be the right decision.

[Gertie]

I would rather have Mink on the 2005 Sox. He can hit .300, and I think a full spring training with Papa Jack can bring him back to that. I've told people, I'm willing to put money down that if Mink stays with the Sox, he'll hit .300 next season. Millar is a streaky hitter, and doesn't have as much pop as people give him credit for. In my view, I think Mink's defense will save more runs than the difference between their bats would create.

 

On the chemistry front, I agree that I'm not sure he's still the most popular guy. Last year he took a back seat to Manny, Ortiz, and the whole "Latin connection" thing they had going on. Also, the media's turned on Millar, always an important issue in Boston.

[ahhchon]

honestly, either way it's a win win situation for us. i personally think there is more upside to keeping minky, younger, better D and has offensive abilities. ddm does make a good point in him being a left, we allready have a pretty hefty amount of lefties in our lineup.

 

win win

 

john

[CrespoBlows]

I would rather have Mink on the 2005 Sox. He can hit .300, and I think a full spring training with Papa Jack can bring him back to that. I've told people, I'm willing to put money down that if Mink stays with the Sox, he'll hit .300 next season. Millar is a streaky hitter, and doesn't have as much pop as people give him credit for. In my view, I think Mink's defense will save more runs than the difference between their bats would create.

 

On the chemistry front, I agree that I'm not sure he's still the most popular guy. Last year he took a back seat to Manny, Ortiz, and the whole "Latin connection" thing they had going on. Also, the media's turned on Millar, always an important issue in Boston.

 

Since 2001

 

Millar's average .298

 

HR average: 20 HR

 

OBP: .368

 

OBPS: .871

 

Mientkiewicz

 

average: .276 Edge: Millar

 

HR average: 11 HR Edge: Millar

 

OBP: .366 Edge: Slight Millar

 

OBPS: .778 Edge Millar

[BoSox Rule]

So? That includes Doug's injury year this year. Look at his numbers when he's healthy like 2001/2003.