Top 20 Questions Of 2006

[yankeessuck013]

found #13 interesting

 

13. Will the Yankees end the Curse of Not Winning the World Series? Hey, you get used to certain things when you win three consecutive World Series, as the Bronx Bombers did from 1998-2000. And when every subsequent offseason brings monster acquisitions, you expect even more. So now that Johnny Damon is on board, people are wondering if this mini-drought will end for the Yankees. They lost the 2001 and 2003 World Series and were knocked out by the Angels in the first round in 2002 and 2005. Then there was that 2004 American League Championship Series meltdown against the rival Red Sox.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051222&content_id=1286694&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[ksushi]

Wow, I didn't notice how good Seattle might be. I am really excited to watch Felix Hernandez pitch. He is unreal. His stuff is filthy. Not trying to over hype but I haven't seen stuff like that since 99 pedro. Washburn is a solid addition, and I think Beltre is going to have a season somewhere between 04 and last years production. They could be really good.

[26 to 6]

I love watching Felix Hernandez pitch. I was hooked last year, watched all of his starts.

[Optimist]

That kid was amazing last year.

 

Being a fan of pitching, that game where he matched up with the Big Unit was one of my favorite games last year.

[26 to 6]

I was GLUED to the TV last year when he was pitching against Toronto up at Rogers Centre, where he had the perfect game through 7, ABSOLUTELY AMAZING

[ksushi]

He is going to be great. Absolutley great. I saw that game too, I was rooting for him. His stuff is so electric and his mechanics are flawless. I have no idea why the pitching coach in seattle quit, felix is about to make his replacements career.

[jsinger121]

he is something special to watch. the only concern i would is having him getting overworked before he even reaches age 25. he is tall but only is listed at 170. i wouldn't want to see a talent like him turn out to be like doc gooden. not saying he will do the coke like gooden but you have to worry about him getting hurt.

[Soxfan1]

Zach Duke will be great too.

[ksushi]

You have to worry about any guy getting hurt. Its part of sports. He won't get over worked before he is 25, but you can't predict injury.

 

To me, Felix has that buzz about him that only a hall of famer really carries as they develop. Hes gonna be good any way you look at it.

[Sox fan in Tex]

I'm actually wondering about #15:

 

15. Will the Blue Jays pass the Yankees and Sox in the AL East? Toronto was 80-82 last season and finished 15 games behind both of those clubs. But the Blue Jays landed the most-desired starting pitcher on the free agent market in A.J. Burnett, as well as one of the most-desired closers in B.J. Ryan.

 

I'd still give the Jays another year or two, but they are certainly making steps in the right direction in taking over the East. It's scary thinking how good the AL East could be in a couple of years, or atleast how tough it could be to win. I haven't heard too much, but even Tampa Bay is making some pretty decent moves this offseason.

[26 to 6]

Zach Duke will be great too.

Zach Duke will be good, but still has a lot to prove. He is not on the same level as Felix though.

[Moose]

Zach Duke will be great too.

 

So will Matt Cain.

[ORS]

Zach Duke will be good, but still has a lot to prove. He is not on the same level as Felix though.

Agreed. Duke is good, but he's a finesse pitcher, so he won't be able to completely dominate an opponent like Felix will.

[riverside sluggers]

from mlb.com

 

New blood, fresh faces will impact Sox

How new arrivals perform will be key to Boston's season

By Ian Browne / MLB.com

 

Transition time has officially arrived for the Red Sox. Sure, some of the old stalwarts remain, from a universally respected captain (Jason Varitek) to a blood-and-guts pitcher (Curt Schilling), a lovable slugger for the ages (David Ortiz) and quintessential ageless professionals (Tim Wakefield and Mike Timlin). However, there is a new feel to this team, nowhere more apparent than in the infield, where not one incumbent starter remains. Or at the top of the order, where the defection of Johnny Damon to the (gulp!) Yankees figures to be jarring, at least in the beginning.

 

There is also a new fireballing right-hander in Josh Beckett who could -- perhaps should -- claim the top spot in the rotation if only he can stay healthy enough to pitch 200 innings for the first time in his career. There is new leadership in the front office, where Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington have taken over as co-general managers. There should be a new feel to the clubhouse, with the jovial banter of Kevin Millar no longer there to soothe tensions. Change, in itself, is not a negative. It all depends on how these Red Sox handle the changes that will define their 2006 season.

 

One of the big things the Red Sox have in their favor in this new year is a stabilizer in the dugout. Over the past two years, manager Terry Francona has handled exceedingly well all that comes with his demanding job, ably handling the demands of a market that has overwhelmed many of his predecessors over the years. Last year, some of the youthful arms began to break in (Jonathan Papelbon, Manny Delcarmen and Craig Hansen). In '06, their responsibilities will continue to increase, bringing a fresh feel to a team that has been made up mostly of veterans in recent years.

 

Some veterans have also been added to the mix, including second baseman Mark Loretta and third baseman Mike Lowell.

 

The next 12 months figure to be yet another fascinating chapter in the history of the Red Sox.

 

Offseason report card: Considering what a jolt the Red Sox had at the beginning of the offseason with Theo Epstein stepping down as general manager, the front office deserves high marks for keeping dead-eye focus on improving the team. From the additions of Beckett and Loretta to the subtraction of Edgar Renteria in exchange for top third base prospect Andy Marte, the Red Sox stayed in the news with some noteworthy moves. On a scale of 1 to 10, give them a 7: expected to contend.

 

Arrivals: RHP Beckett (trade), 3B Lowell (trade), 2B Loretta (trade), 3B Marte (trade), RHP Guillermo Mota (trade) and RHP Jamie Vermilyea (trade).

 

Departures: CF Damon, 3B Bill Mueller, SS Renteria, 1B Millar, 1B John Olerud, LHP Mike Myers, C Doug Mirabelli.

 

The Road Ahead: The Red Sox have pressing needs to fill in center field and at shortstop. First base might be handled internally with Kevin Youkilis, but the Red Sox will continue to look for a left-handed bat to complement him. Also, the front office will need to bring in executives to help take the load off Hoyer and Cherington.

[ksushi]

Where did Jamie Vermilyea come from?

[ORS]

Where did Jamie Vermilyea come from?

Rule 5 draft.

[thewarriorscode12]

Wow, I didn't notice how good Seattle might be. I am really excited to watch Felix Hernandez pitch. He is unreal. His stuff is filthy. Not trying to over hype but I haven't seen stuff like that since 99 pedro. Washburn is a solid addition, and I think Beltre is going to have a season somewhere between 04 and last years production. They could be really good.

Agreed. This rotation could rock.