So Who Wins the East?

[yankeessuck013]

When you pick up Josh Beckett and Coco Crisp, how can you have the worst offseason in the AL? What did Minnesota or Tampa Bay do? Baltimore picked up Kevin Millar....ooooohhhhh scarrrrry.

[KeepTheFaith1229]

Beckett + Crisp > Farnsworth + Damon

[jsinger121]

Beckett + Crisp > Farnsworth + Damon

 

easily would agree with that.

[WildThing58]

Beckett + Crisp > Farnsworth + Damon

 

Really?

[guapo34]

When you pick up Josh Beckett and Coco Crisp, how can you have the worst offseason in the AL? What did Minnesota or Tampa Bay do? Baltimore picked up Kevin Millar....ooooohhhhh scarrrrry.

 

 

I like the Sox chances, and think they've improved more than most people think.

 

Minnesota isn't in the east, but they have a great chance of having a huge year this year. They already have the best pitcher in the game and have the best pitching prospect in the game, liriano, to bring up this year.

[riverside sluggers]

I believe the worst offseason among contenders would have to go to the Angels, additions being: Edgardo Alfonzo, Jeff Weaver, J.C. Romero, Hector Carrasco. Their offseason mission was to find a big bat, Konerko said no thanks and the Angels wanted Manny. But as we know, the GM thought he didnt have to give up a lot for him. This is the Oakland A's season to reign supreme in the AL West I believe.

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Sidetrack:

I just heard on WEEI that the Sox are planning on utilizing more small ball this season (bunts, hit & runs). Loretta is said to excel in those types of plays

[yankeessuck013]

Minnesota isn't in the east

 

I know that, I was just talking about the AL, in general.

[guapo34]

I believe the worst offseason among contenders would have to go to the Angels, additions being: Edgardo Alfonzo, Jeff Weaver, J.C. Romero, Hector Carrasco. Their offseason mission was to find a big bat, Konerko said no thanks and the Angels wanted Manny. But as we know, the GM thought he didnt have to give up a lot for him. This is the Oakland A's season to reign supreme in the AL West I believe.

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Sidetrack:

I just heard on WEEI that the Sox are planning on utilizing more small ball this season (bunts, hit & runs). Loretta is said to excel in those types of plays

 

 

When it comes to free agency I'd agree. However, they do have the best farm system among the contenders. Simply by trading Steve Finley they upgraded over last year because they can move Erstad to center and give Kotchman the everday 1b job. Also, if Brandon Wood breaks through this year, that would be another big upgrade for them.

 

Sidetrak:

I'd be shocked if the Red Sox are in the top 20 in sacrafice bunts this year.

[yankeessuck013]

I really think the Yank fans are in for a surprise this season; their rotation sucks, and their offense isn't as good as their fans think that it is. They may score more runs than ours, but not enough to cover the half-to-seven/tenths of a point higher ERA they're going to put up.

 

I was reading the reaction to this article on NYYfans.com, pretty funny stuff there. They think our bullpen is a weakness, our offense is regressing, and Beckett is only good because he pitched a good game against the Yankees in the WS.

 

I thought thsi quote was the funniest part "If a journalist doesn't pick the Yanks to win the east, they're biased against the Yankees and are just doing it for attention."

[CrespoBlows]

I've got a Papelboner.

[Redguitar985]

I believe the worst offseason among contenders would have to go to the Angels, additions being: Edgardo Alfonzo, Jeff Weaver, J.C. Romero, Hector Carrasco. Their offseason mission was to find a big bat, Konerko said no thanks and the Angels wanted Manny. But as we know, the GM thought he didnt have to give up a lot for him. This is the Oakland A's season to reign supreme in the AL West I believe.

----------------------

Sidetrack:

I just heard on WEEI that the Sox are planning on utilizing more small ball this season (bunts, hit & runs). Loretta is said to excel in those types of plays

 

Yeah you're probably right. That would be fun to see the M's make a run at it though. They had a pretty decent offseason.

[CrespoBlows]

Yeah you're probably right. That would be fun to see the M's make a run at it though. They had a pretty decent offseason.

 

Have you ever gotten a Papelboner?

[Wangs and papelboners]

Have you ever gotten a Papelboner?

 

 

take a wild guess, honeybun;)

 

crespo stinks at two things..... baseball and taste-ball

[a700hitter]

I believe the worst offseason among contenders would have to go to the Angels, additions being: Edgardo Alfonzo, Jeff Weaver, J.C. Romero, Hector Carrasco.

IMO they weakened their bullpen by getting Carrasco and Romero. Even though Romero's numbers look good, he wilts in big situations.

[Redguitar985]

IMO they weakened their bullpen by getting Carrasco and Romero. Even though Romero's numbers look good, he wilts in big situations.

 

I think a case could made for the Twins too. The only major pickup they made was Luis Castillo, and he's coming off a down year. He only had 10 steals last season. But I mean, after that? They got Rondell White and an old Ruben Sierra...

[CrespoBlows]

I think a case could made for the Twins too. The only major pickup they made was Luis Castillo, and he's coming off a down year. He only had 10 steals last season. But I mean, after that? They got Rondell White and an old Ruben Sierra...

 

The Twins don't make major splashes.

 

If you look deeper, the adding of Fransico Lirano and Scott Baker to the rotation will be huge. Santana, Radke, Silva, Lirano, and Baker could be one of the best rotations in baseball.

[Redguitar985]

The Twins don't make major splashes.

 

If you look deeper, the adding of Fransico Lirano and Scott Baker to the rotation will be huge. Santana, Radke, Silva, Lirano, and Baker could be one of the best rotations in baseball.

 

Yeah, in a few years maybe. But I doubt that rotation beats the Sox or Yanks rotations this year.

[CrespoBlows]

Yeah, in a few years maybe. But I doubt that rotation beats the Sox or Yanks rotations this year.

 

No, they'll both make major contributions this year.

 

Liriano went 9-2 with a 1.78 ERA last year for the AAA affilate of the Twins. He allowed a total of 56 hits, and walked only 24 in 91 innings pitched. Oh, I forgot to throw in 112 strikeouts. He compares favorably to Johan Santana, and is listed as the best left-handed pitching prospect in baseball. He has everything that allows him to succeed at the highest level. Chances are, he has a 3.50 ERA with similar perphial statstics.

 

Baker went 5-8 with a 3.01 ERA. He allowed 123 hits, and walked only 26 in 134.2 innings pitched. He had a good strikeout rate in fanning 107 batters. He also had a good stint with the Twins in September.

 

I think the Twins rotation would kick the Yankees ass.

 

Santana > Johnson

Radke > Mussina

Silva > Wang

Liriano > Pavano

Baker

 

I don't know if the Twins are better than ours, but they certainly aren't worse.

[schillingouttheks]

I don't know much about Liriano, but I've been told to take him for drafts in fantasy and such. What makes him so special?

[CrespoBlows]

I don't know much about Liriano, but I've been told to take him for drafts in fantasy and such. What makes him so special?

 

He's the next Johan Santana. Throws hard, and has two outstanding secondary pitches. Toss in those awesome numbers, and you got the perfect pitcher.

[guapo34]

I don't know much about Liriano, but I've been told to take him for drafts in fantasy and such. What makes him so special?

 

33 K's in 23.2 major league innings last year. He's rated the #1 pitching prospect in baseball (felix hernandez is no longer eligible.)

[jsinger121]

I don't know much about Liriano, but I've been told to take him for drafts in fantasy and such. What makes him so special?

 

he was a throw-in to the aj perzsinki-joe nathan deal. just shows you how brian sabean does not know how to evaluate young talent.

[ORS]

And don't forget his control, 2.35 MiLB and 2.66 MLB BB/9, which was good enough for a 4+ K/BB. He looks like a special one. Guapo, I think it's about 50/50 depending on who's list you are reading, but Cain gets a lot of #1 attention too. I'm pretty sure he's still got prospect status.

[jsinger121]

And don't forget his control, 2.35 MiLB and 2.66 MLB BB/9, which was good enough for a 4+ K/BB. He looks like a special one. Guapo, I think it's about 50/50 depending on who's list you are reading, but Cain gets a lot of #1 attention too. I'm pretty sure he's still got prospect status.

 

liriano is easily number #1 because he is lefthanded. cain is also very good as well but hes not #1.

[guapo34]

And don't forget his control, 2.35 MiLB and 2.66 MLB BB/9, which was good enough for a 4+ K/BB. He looks like a special one. Guapo, I think it's about 50/50 depending on who's list you are reading, but Cain gets a lot of #1 attention too. I'm pretty sure he's still got prospect status.

 

Both BA and BP rank Liriano #1. BA has Velander of Detroit also ahead of Cain, while BP has Cain 2. I know its not a big difference, but do you know anyone ranking Cain in front?

[seabeachfred]

Riverside, Wells cannot be on the team by opening day. He says he wants to be traded and refused to be in the unofficial team photo taken yesterday or Friday. That cinches it. He has to go; he doesn't want to be here and it could become a real distraction for us if he's still around when the bell rings. If he changes his mind, an unlikely scenario, fine, but it won't and we shouldn't be in the position of reacting to his moves. Trade him away right now.

[ORS]

Both BA and BP rank Liriano #1. BA has Velander of Detroit also ahead of Cain, while BP has Cain 2. I know its not a big difference, but do you know anyone ranking Cain in front?

No, I went back and checked BA, BP, Baseball Analysts, and Baseball HQ for a quick look, and I had it mixed up in my head. Liriano is #1 on every list.

[Ray10]

I think the keys to the Sox winning this division this year are this.

 

1. If Curt Schilling can return to 100% health again there's no reason why he can't pitch like he did in 2004 and give us 20 wins from him.

 

2. Wells has a stronger year this year. Don't get me wrong he pitched awesome last year but I still think he is capable of a bit more.

 

3. Matt Clement has a strong season instead of a strong half of a season like last year when he pitched amazing in the first half then bombed in the second half.

 

4. Josh Beckett returns to full health and has a strong season.

 

5. Wakefield pitches like he did last year.

 

I think if these things happen and we get strong batting again this year the Sox will have no problem taking first place in the East.

[guapo34]

Riverside, Wells cannot be on the team by opening day. He says he wants to be traded and refused to be in the unofficial team photo taken yesterday or Friday. That cinches it. He has to go; he doesn't want to be here and it could become a real distraction for us if he's still around when the bell rings. If he changes his mind, an unlikely scenario, fine, but it won't and we shouldn't be in the position of reacting to his moves. Trade him away right now.

 

He has skipped every photo day for his 18 year career according to Bob Lobel on sports final, so don't read too much into that. The chances of him pitching for the sox this year is small, but I wouldn't say 0. More like 5%

[schillingouttheks]

I think the keys to the Sox winning this division this year are this.

 

1. If Curt Schilling can return to 100% health again there's no reason why he can't pitch like he did in 2004 and give us 20 wins from him.

 

2. Wells has a stronger year this year. Don't get me wrong he pitched awesome last year but I still think he is capable of a bit more.

 

3. Matt Clement has a strong season instead of a strong half of a season like last year when he pitched amazing in the first half then bombed in the second half.

 

4. Josh Beckett returns to full health and has a strong season.

 

5. Wakefield pitches like he did last year.

 

I think if these things happen and we get strong batting again this year the Sox will have no problem taking first place in the East.

Hahah so basically you're just saying pitching wins championships, especially if your pitching is good

 

Hahah, it's very true though. All of our pitchers need to perform to their highest capabilities if we want to have a shot.