I hope Loretta comes back next year

[example1]

In his last two years as a Devil Ray' date=' he has gotten on base at a .360 clip.[/quote']

 

More upside than I thought then. Career .340, so I don't know which is the abnormality. I don't like the idea of Lugo leading off or hitting in front of Papi. You need a hitter who can really take advantage of the meatballs that will come his way with Papi standing off to the side.

[CrespoBlows]

You need first to third speed and second to home speed in the leadoff spot. Manny and Ortiz cannot be expected to get Xtra base hitrs all the time. You need a guy that can score on their singles' date=' and that can score from first on a double. Otherwise, there will be a repeat of the LOB #'s that we saw this year. We don't play little ball, but if Youklis gets on first and Pedroia pops up, he needs to got to third on an Ortiz single, so Manny can get him in with a Sac Fly. That's just one example. Crisp isn't the answer. Damon was the answer, but that's over and done. The Sox need a good #5 hitter and a leadoff guy with speed to get back to 900 + runs.[/quote']

 

The two hit a combined 90 HR's this year. The more that Youkilis is on base, the more chances you have to have multiple RBI's.

 

This team scored 820 runs this year, and in early July, it was the most productive offense in baseball. That's when Youkilis was leading off, and the team was healthy

 

It isn't like the lack of speed cost this team runs. If this team was healthy throughout the year, it may have well scored 900 runs.

 

Though, if we can find a leadoff hitter that can post similar OBP number to Youkilis and can run, we should put him there. I don't see anyone like that on the market.

[CrespoBlows]

More upside than I thought then. Career .340' date=' so I don't know which is the abnormality. I don't like the idea of Lugo leading off or hitting in front of Papi. You need a hitter who can really take advantage of the meatballs that will come his way with Papi standing off to the side.[/quote']

 

Personally, I'd rather have Bonds hitting in front of Ortiz, and Ramirez behind him. That's just me, though.

[a700hitter]

Though' date=' if we can find a leadoff hitter that can post similar OBP number to Youkilis and can run, we should put him there. I don't see anyone like that on the market.[/quote']You are right. We let one of the few in baseball walk to the enemy. Maybe we can lure Ichiro away from the Mariners. That would solve the RF issue.

[BoSox Rule]

Personally' date=' I'd rather have Bonds hitting in front of Ortiz, and Ramirez behind him. That's just me, though.[/quote']

Bonds in Fenway :dance:

[SCM33]

Bonds in Fenway :dance:

 

No thank you to another guy over 40 years old. Lets be realistic, Theo would NEVER bring him in.

[MC Hammer]

You are right. We let one of the few in baseball walk to the enemy. Maybe we can lure Ichiro away from the Mariners. That would solve the RF issue.

And the leadoff issue. I couldn't see that happening, but it would be great.

[Papelbon58]

Bonds in Fenway :dance:

 

No Bonds, No ARod. Keep them away from Fenway!

[CrespoBlows]

No Bonds' date=' No ARod. Keep them away from Fenway![/size']

 

Don't let the liberal media tell you how to think. If you got hate in your heart, let it out.

 

Seriously guys, Barry f***in' Bonds. .450 OBP 40 HR's. And it's only a two year commitment. Think of him and Ortiz lumbering to the plate against the Yankees in the Stadium. If none of you guys would sprout wood, then you're gay.

[pudge]

You forgot to mention all the games that bonds is going to miss due to injury .hes also a huge distraction to any team he is on and he doesnt hit 40 HRs anymore .Put your viagra down .I watch fox news

[ORS]

He hit 26 in 360+ ABs this year. He was healthier at the end of the year - less knee problems. I think they can get him 540+ ABs as a DH/LF. Think of it, Manny, Papi and Barry split time between 1B/DH/LF. The D wouldn't be pretty but there wouldn't be a better 3/4/5 in baseball by a mile. They'd have to be historically bad by an order of magnitude in order to wipe out the offensive value.

[CrespoBlows]

You forgot to mention all the games that bonds is going to miss due to injury .hes also a huge distraction to any team he is on and he doesnt hit 40 HRs anymore .Put your viagra down .I watch fox news

 

He doesn't get injured, he just can't play everyday. He played in 130 games last year. If he plays DH, he probably can get 150 games in.

[pudge]

Guys that are 40 plus years old get injured all the time .

[riverside sluggers]

I truely believe that the Sox are leaning towards Julio Lugo over Alex Gonzalez, myself Ive been a big fan of Gonzo's in his first season in Boston. The Sox do need a speedy leadoff guy, and they might go back to their ways of offense over defense. Heres the current Sox lineup for 07

 

1. Youkilis 1b

2. Pedroia 2b

3. Ortiz dh

4. Ramirez lf

5. Lowell 3b

6. Pena rf

7. Varitek c

8. Crisp cf

9. Gonzalez ss

[a700hitter]

I truely believe that the Sox are leaning towards Julio Lugo over Alex Gonzalez, myself Ive been a big fan of Gonzo's in his first season in Boston. The Sox do need a speedy leadoff guy, and they might go back to their ways of offense over defense. Heres the current Sox lineup for 07

 

1. Youkilis 1b

2. Pedroia 2b

3. Ortiz dh

4. Ramirez lf

5. Lowell 3b

6. Pena rf

7. Varitek c

8. Crisp cf

9. Gonzalez ss

Any pitcher that would throw strikes to the #3 and 4 guys should have his head examined.

[example1]

He hit 26 in 360+ ABs this year. He was healthier at the end of the year - less knee problems. I think they can get him 540+ ABs as a DH/LF. Think of it' date=' Manny, Papi and Barry split time between 1B/DH/LF. The D wouldn't be pretty but there wouldn't be a better 3/4/5 in baseball by a mile. They'd have to be historically bad by an order of magnitude in order to wipe out the offensive value.[/quote']

 

You CAN'T be jumping on board this lunicy ORS! Let's just go ahead and bring the Steroid King onto our team! Maybe we could get Giambi on our team too...

 

You guys can't be serious. For whatever reason the Sox have largely dodged the steroid bullet, despite my personal skepticism of some of our players over the past few years (I will name them if asked, otherwise I will not level any charges here) nobody has been in the cross-hairs, so to speak. Let's keep it that way.

 

Screw Bonds. I don't care how many HRs he hits. He said he would never play in Boston because its a racist town. The truth or falsehood of that statement could be disputed, but any blanket statements like that are not deserving of admiration. This guy is an ass and I hope he stays in some benign NL team until he breaks (gasp) Aaron's record and goes off as the greatest home run hitter in history. hecheated

[ORS]

I think, given the names that have come up, that it's pretty clear that a whole shitload of players were cheating. If a lot of them were doing it, I don't see a real big competitive advantage.

[example1]

I think' date=' given the names that have come up, that it's pretty clear that a whole shitload of players were cheating. If a lot of them were doing it, I don't see a real big competitive advantage.[/quote']

 

I have no problem admitting that probably 50% of players (probably WAY more) have used some performance enhancer before, be it HGH or Roids or speed.

 

I just don't agree with actively seeking the granddaddy of them all to play for the Sox; that's all. He's taciturn and explosive and arrogant. He's like Pedro without the sense of humor and twice the ego and chip on his shoulder.

[CrespoBlows]

How can no one not love this lineup?

 

1. Youkilis, 3B

2. Pedroia, 2B

3. Bonds, DH

4. Ortiz, 1B

5. Ramirez, LF

6. Delucci, RF

7. Pena, CF

8. Varitek, C

9. Cabrera, SS

 

This lineup would kick ass.

[a700hitter]

How can no one not love this lineup?

 

1. Youkilis, 3B

2. Pedroia, 2B

3. Bonds, DH

4. Ortiz, 1B

5. Ramirez, LF

6. Delucci, RF

7. Pena, CF

8. Varitek, C

9. Cabrera, SS

 

This lineup would kick ass.

I would make one change. I'd put Cabrera in the 2 hole with Pedroia batting 9th.

[CrespoBlows]

I would make one change. I'd put Cabrera in the 2 hole with Pedroia batting 9th.

 

I think Pedroia is more Loretta with a higher OBP.

 

I'd start him off in the nine hole, because he might flop. If he starts hitting we can move him up then.

[SCM33]

Crespo, I kinda like what I see, assuming Ortiz works on his D game significantly in the offseason. I still dont think they sign Bonds. I can see this:

 

Delucci RF

Cab SS

Ortiz DH

Manny LF

Sheffield 1B

Pena CF

Lowell 3B

Varitek C

Pedroia 2B

 

Deal Youk

Sign Millar for bench duties

Let Gonz and Loretta walk

Let Nixon walk

Bring in another guinea pig or 5 for wakefield

Let Machado compete for uitility INF position

Deal Crisp, if not hes on the bench and spot start/platoon/match him up

[a700hitter]

Is DeLucci a FA this year?

[SCM33]

Is DeLucci a FA this year?

 

Not sure, someone else posted a lineup with him, so I was assuming he was. Either way I like him a lot. Takes a ton of pitches, has a little pop, not terribly slow. I think he is more suited for leadoff than Youk.

 

 

EDIT: I believe he is. He signed a two year extension in 2004 and was dealt. I beleive he is a FA.

[seabeachfred]

:rolleyes:

Put me in the Loretta camp. I want Loretta back for another two or three. I don't like the way Pedroia takes huge hacks' date=' I love Loretta. Class act, Good ball player.[/quote']

 

Ksushi, I've always been in the Loretta camp. Remember, even last year he was not completely recovered from the injury he suffered in 2005 at San Diego. He will be a lot stronger next year. The guy knows how to play and he knows how to hit because he gets a lot of them. We need offense and I would be willing to take my chances with Pedroia at SS next season. He has played there most of his life and he will become a good hitter just as he was in the minors and in college. We need to be able to score runs next season becuause many teams in the AL can and we still aren't all that sure about our pitching. I would like to see on the high end of those 5-4 and 6-5 scores instead on the low end.

[rician blast]

Crespo, I kinda like what I see, assuming Ortiz works on his D game significantly in the offseason. I still dont think they sign Bonds. I can see this:

 

Delucci RF

Cab SS

Ortiz DH

Manny LF

Sheffield 1B

Pena CF

Lowell 3B

Varitek C

Pedroia 2B

 

Deal Youk

Sign Millar for bench duties

Let Gonz and Loretta walk

Let Nixon walk

Bring in another guinea pig or 5 for wakefield

Let Machado compete for uitility INF position

Deal Crisp, if not hes on the bench and spot start/platoon/match him up

 

is OC a FA?

[Papelbon58]

OC not a FA according to Cot's Baseball Contracts

 

Why would get rid of Youk?!

I take Mark Derosa over Delluci

[BoSox Rule]

I take Mark Derosa over Delluci

David Dellucci

2005: .251/.367/.513

2006: .292/.369/.530

 

Mark DeRosa

2005: .243/.325/.439

2006: .296/.357/.456

 

Why?

[CrespoBlows]

If the Red Sox were to acquire Cabrera, they'd likely trade Mike Lowell and have the Angels send $5 million to cover an additonal year of Cabrera.

 

Cabrera is an offensive and defensive upgrade from Gonzalez. Youkilis can match Lowell's production.

[Papelbon58]

I think Derosa is on the way up and Dellucci is on the way down