Are the Sox good enough for 2007?

[Gom]

Here is a question for the Nation. Do you think that next year you will seriously contend [i.e. win] for the Wild Card? Truthfully, I put you guys 6th in the AL right now, after [in no real order] the Yankees, Tigers, Twins, A's, White Sox.

 

What do you think, and why?

[ORS]

Here is a question for yet another condescending Yankee fan. Do you really think that they are only limited to winning the WC? Truthfully, I like their rotation going into the hot-stove season better than the rest of the division.

 

What do you think and why?

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Gom, It doesn't make sense to ask that question right now. It's only October and no moves have been made to even think about next season.

[Cocos Disciples]

Yeah, nothing can be said now. With our team NOW? No, there's no chance we could win. We shall see what happens.

[AirPantapas]

who knows talk to me in march

[Gom]

Why not ask the question right now? It's not like either one of us has a game to watch tonight.

 

As for catching the Yankees, I think that it is a remote possibility at this point. The Red Sox took a much worse turn for wear than the Yankees did this year. I think that irrespective of what happens this year, the Sox and Yanks will be much closer to each other in 2008, but thats with the teams as they are now.

 

The Yankees will not cut payroll, but they will keep it where it is. That being said, the Yankees will save approximately $22 million by letting Sheffield go, reworking Mussina, and buying out/trading Jaret Wright. That should get two starting pitchers, which is the huge achilles heel of the team.

 

I'm just stirring up some talk, it's going to be a long 4 months for all of us. At least you have the Patriots. Jets and Giants suck, Knicks are horrible, and who the hell are the Metrostars? Hockey is no longer a sport. It's like barroom darts now.

 

As for the rotation of the Sox and Yankees, there is only one really good pitcher on either team, and that's Wang. Schilling and Mussina are getting up there, only going to get worse, Beckett is a head case, Randy Johnson should be put to pasture and shot along with Clement, and Wakefield is getting up there and coming off injuries. You guys have a few unproven young 'uns who may or may not pan out, but the truth is, at this point, there is only one good starting pitcher on either team. Also, in the pen, outside of Papelbon [who is a question mark only due to health] and Rivera, no one on either staff is an eye-opener. Just how do you like your staff that much? Tell you the truth, the best staff in the AL is probably the Blue Jays. No one touches the Halliday, and B.J. Ryan had an awesome season. They have better young pitching than we do at this point IMHO.

 

Just wanting to know how the Red Sox plan to make up the difference between them and the front-runners. Even the most ardent Sox fan has to realize that they have slipped out of the top 3-5 teams of the AL.

[pudge]

Here is a question for the Nation. Do you think that next year you will seriously contend [i.e. win] for the Wild Card? Truthfully' date=' I put you guys 6th in the AL right now, after [in no real order'] the Yankees, Tigers, Twins, A's, White Sox.

 

What do you think, and why?

go find a yankmee board

[Cocos Disciples]

Why not ask the question right now? It's not like either one of us has a game to watch tonight.

 

 

Yeah good thing the World Series is over.

 

But seriously, talking about 2007's predictions is just repeating what happened this year. We don't know the rosters of anyone yet.

[guapo34]

You can't answer the question now because who knows what the team is going to look like in 4 months. If the Yankees trade AROD to the angels for ervin santana, one of their young 3B, and a prospect and don't sign one of matsuzaka, zito, and schmidt, and the REd Sox do sign one of those guys i'd put the Red Sox as favorites in the east.

 

If no big trades are made the Red Sox season is going to heavily depend on Coco Crisp, Josh Beckett, and Jason Varitek having years more like they had 2 years ago as well as some development from Papelbon in the starting rotation, youkilis, MDC, and Hansen.

 

The Red Sox might win more games than anyone in baseball next year and they might finish 3rd in the East, its way too soon to tell. As for the central teams, Cleveland also has a chance to be better than the Red Sox but those 4 teams in that division are all good and all play each other alot. It should be a very interesting division next year.

[Cocos Disciples]

Just a prediciton right now, pretty vague, but the Guardians, Mariners, Pirates and Rockies will do noticeably better in 2007 than in 2006. Very noticeably.

[ORS]

Why not ask the question right now? It's not like either one of us has a game to watch tonight.

How do you propose to rationally discuss this without knowing the rosters for next year?

 

As for catching the Yankees, I think that it is a remote possibility at this point. The Red Sox took a much worse turn for wear than the Yankees did this year. I think that irrespective of what happens this year, the Sox and Yanks will be much closer to each other in 2008, but thats with the teams as they are now.

How is it remote? The Sox offense was a league leader before the injury bug hit. If they get a bounce back year from Crisp and Tek, they'll score a lot of runs. That's not a big if, either, just look at the predictions for Lowell and Posada going into this year.

 

As for the rotation of the Sox and Yankees, there is only one really good pitcher on either team, and that's Wang. Schilling and Mussina are getting up there, only going to get worse, Beckett is a head case, Randy Johnson should be put to pasture and shot along with Clement, and Wakefield is getting up there and coming off injuries. You guys have a few unproven young 'uns who may or may not pan out, but the truth is, at this point, there is only one good starting pitcher on either team. Also, in the pen, outside of Papelbon [who is a question mark only due to health] and Rivera, no one on either staff is an eye-opener. Just how do you like your staff that much? Tell you the truth, the best staff in the AL is probably the Blue Jays. No one touches the Halliday, and B.J. Ryan had an awesome season. They have better young pitching than we do at this point IMHO.

 

Just wanting to know how the Red Sox plan to make up the difference between them and the front-runners. Even the most ardent Sox fan has to realize that they have slipped out of the top 3-5 teams of the AL.

Halladay and Wang are better than anyone the Sox have returning next year. The only problem with your position is that nobody uses a one man rotation, and Ryan doesn't count as part of the Jays rotation (who, BTW, don't have the best pitching staff in the AL). My point is that the Sox have the best looking rotation in the East before the FA season begins. They have a top-4 of Schilling, Beckett, Wake, and Papelbon (he's starting next year). Which AL East team tops that going into the offseason?

 

I'll realize where they have slipped once I see their roster and the rosters of the competition. Stop living in what happened in the last 5 minutes (ie, the last two months of the season), and you might come to your senses.

[example1]

Okay, this is kind of a stupid question to start with but I'll address it nonetheless.

 

This is pure condesention. It's as if the Yankees somehow achieved some great feat this season, posting yet-another AL Best record, only to collapse in the playoffs. The tigers are a good team but I don't think they're as good as either the 05' Chi-Sox or the 04 Red Sox. They're solid with some good (high ceiling) pitchers.

 

I think we either don't know the whole story from Beckett or he's going to be better next year. He's not a headcase, he's a young pitcher who made a huge adjustment last year and threw more innings and got more wins last year than he ever has before. In a season that's a down year for him and for the sox I consider that a positive thing. Statistically he's on the cusp of being a top-tier pitcher. We all got a little too hopeful about him coming to boston, but I don't hear too many people complaining that we have him.

 

Wang is wang. I wouldn't get too excited about him. He's a good young pitcher but his stuff is not dominating but he's got nice poise. If Wang is the best you got then you certainly will looking up at the other AL teams.

 

If I'm in the playoffs I'll take Schilling over Wang 10 times out of 10 given how they each pitched this seasons and the head they each have on their shoulders. I thought Schill looked pretty darn good this season; much better than I expected.

 

Currently the Sox have 4 pitchers who could be #2 on other staffs throughout the league in Schilling, Beckett, Wakefield and Papelbon. None of them would be a #1 on a World Series team. 4 x #2 is a lot of potential and could be a very good staff if they add a Matsuzaka, Schmidt, Clemens or Zito. Or it could be a slightly above average staff if Matt Clement or Jon Lester returns to fill out the top 5.

 

Give me 162 games, an offseason full of moves and I agree there are probably 6 teams at the top of the AL, but I couldn't tell you which one is best. It's a crap shoot and it always depends on which team is playing the best.

[Cocos Disciples]

This offseason is one of the very few, I think, that us fans have very little clue as to what will happen. Will we trade Crisp? Will we trade Manny? Will we get a stud pitcher, or a decent pitcher? Will it be from FA or trades? Which of the middle infield will we re-sign, if any? Is Lowell gone? Will Paps close or start (already answered). Will Lester be back, will Clement be back?

 

Many questions. I'm excited. Let's get it started.

[CrespoBlows]

go find a yankmee board

 

:banned:

[Beckett95]

as of right now, this team next year would come in 3rd place again in the AL East. In order for them to be a playoff team, theyre going to have to make a bunch of big moves this offseason.

 

They need:

 

1.) Quality starting pitcher- a 1-2 type pitcher. Either Schmidt, Matsuzaka or Zito would fit this role.

 

2.) 2-3 quality relievers, with Paps going to the rotation- the Sox currently have no reliable relievers. They also need a closer. Id like to see them trade for 1, then pick up 2 in free agency. Fransisco Cordero, Justin Speier, Joe Borowski would be good FA pickups. I would like to see Lowell traded for a reliever, maybe Scott Linebrink or Geoff Geary?

 

3.) a 1st baseman, with some power, who could hit 5th- move Youk to first and trade for a 1st baseman. A guy who i'd like to see is Nick Johnson. Move Crisp, Tavarez (maybe he could start for them) and a prospect thats not one of our top 5 for him. I like Johnson's numbers (.428 obp/.520 slg) and think he'd be perfect to protect Manny in the lineup.

 

4.) Pick up a speedy, left handed CF- preferably one who plays great D. I think Corey Patterson would be a good pickup. Not a good hitter but fine for the 9th spot. Still has a lot of potential and can steal bases (45 last year). He's also one of the best defensive CF's in the game. Only question is what would it take to get him and is he even available.

 

5.) Add one more bench player- probable a righty with some power and some speed and can play OF. Preston Wilson seems like a decent choice. Maybe Millar if Wilson isnt an option.

 

id be happy with something like this...

 

Lineup

Youkilis—3B—R

Pedroia—2B—R

Ortiz—DH—L

Manny—LF—R

Nick Johnson—1B—L

Willy Mo—RF—R

Varitek—C—S

Gonzalez—SS—R

Corey Patterson—CF—L

 

 

Bench

Hinske—1B/3B/OF—L

Cora—INF—L

Mirabelli—C—R

Preston Wilson—OF—R

 

Rotation

Schilling—R

Matsuzaka—R

Papelbon—R

Wakefield—R

Beckett—R

 

Bullpen

LRP—Clement/Snyder

LEFTY—Breslow

MRP1—Scott Linebrink

MRP2—Hansen

SU1—Justin Speier

SU2—Delcarmen

CL—Fransisco Cordero

[Gom]

How do you propose to rationally discuss this without knowing the rosters for next year?.

The point I was trying to bring up was exactly how the Red Sox planned to close the gap between them and the other teams.

How is it remote? The Sox offense was a league leader before the injury bug hit. If they get a bounce back year from Crisp and Tek, they'll score a lot of runs. That's not a big if, either, just look at the predictions for Lowell and Posada going into this year.

Good point.

Halladay and Wang are better than anyone the Sox have returning next year. The only problem with your position is that nobody uses a one man rotation, and Ryan doesn't count as part of the Jays rotation (who, BTW, don't have the best pitching staff in the AL). My point is that the Sox have the best looking rotation in the East before the FA season begins. They have a top-4 of Schilling, Beckett, Wake, and Papelbon (he's starting next year). Which AL East team tops that going into the offseason?

I think the Jays rotation is every bit as good as the Sox and Yankees. With the exception of Wang, Halladay and Burnett are better than anything either team has [schilling may still be in that category, but he isn't a spring chicken]. That changes if Papelbon is anywhere near as good a starter as he was last year as a reliever.

I'll realize where they have slipped once I see their roster and the rosters of the competition. Stop living in what happened in the last 5 minutes (ie, the last two months of the season), and you might come to your senses.

Come to my senses? You try dealing with watching A-Rod all season, and try seeing how that wrecks your sensibilities.

[Ray10]

No doubt the Sox need to make some serious changes on their team if they want to contend next year and make the playoffs. But as of right now it's way to early to say what they will do next year. I mean who would have thought last year that the Tigers would be in the World Series this season.

[Papelbon58]

I think the Yankees rotation is worse than the Red Sox. You have an aching Randy Johnson, possibly departing Mussina, and I do not think Wang could be considered ace material. He is nowhere near Halladay or Burnett. Quit with the wishful thinking. The Yankees are just as questionable as the Sox right now, because it is not even fully the offseason yet!

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

I like your Nick Johnson idea Beckett. I wish the Yankees held on to him because they could really use a good defensive 1st basemen with some pop as opposed to Andy Phillips or starting the statue AKA Giambi at 1B.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

I think the Yankees rotation is worse than the Red Sox. You have an aching Randy Johnson' date=' possibly departing Mussina, and I do not think Wang could be considered ace material. He is nowhere near Halladay or Burnett. Quit with the wishful thinking. The Yankees are just as questionable as the Sox right now, because it is not even fully the offseason yet![/quote']

How do you figured Burnett is better? His stuff?

[Beckett95]

Beckett and Johnson are both 1 injury away from retirement. However, I would almost gurantee Beckett has a better year than RJ. Papelbon could be as good as Wang, but he hasnt started a game in a couple of years so we'll have to wait and see. Each team needs another quality starter and IMO, the Yanks NEED to resign Mussina. Schilling and Mussina are the same for their teams. The veteran ace who wont put up cy young stats but will almost always keep your team in the game. As far as the bottom of the rotation goes, its a toss up. Wake and Wright are about even and both teams really only have 4 MLB starters as of now. IMO, if the yankees re-signed Mussina and signed Matsuzaka, they would have the edge over the Sox. Mussina's the key.

[Cityofchampions33]

Lineup

Youkilis—3B—R

Pedroia—2B—R

Ortiz—DH—L

Manny—LF—R

Nick Johnson—1B—L

Willy Mo—RF—R

Varitek—C—S

Gonzalez—SS—R

Corey Patterson—CF—L

 

 

Bench

Hinske—1B/3B/OF—L

Cora—INF—L

Mirabelli—C—R

Preston Wilson—OF—R

 

Rotation

Schilling—R

Matsuzaka—R

Papelbon—R

Wakefield—R

Beckett—R

 

Bullpen

LRP—Clement/Snyder

LEFTY—Breslow

MRP1—Scott Linebrink

MRP2—Hansen

SU1—Justin Speier

SU2—Delcarmen

CL—Fransisco Cordero

 

I like that bullpen a lot, and getting Johnson at first, but no way Id want Corey Patterson over a 100% Crisp, Id liek him on the bench instead of Wilson though

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

I expect Mussina to be back. Mussina wants to come back and Cashman has made it sound like he wants him back. A 2 year deal should get it done. IMO I would prefer a 1 year 17 million dollar deal over a 2 year 20-25 mill deal because after next year I dont know if I'd want him back again.

[Beckett95]

Theres something about Crisp that i just dont like. Maybe the fact that his arms worse than Damon's or that he cant hit for s***. He has a bad approach to hitting, swinging when he shouldnt alot and puts nothing behind his swing. Hes as good a hitter as willy taveras or juan pierre. I guess I could live with Crisp, but only if he hits 8th or 9th, unless he has a career year, He SUCKED last year, injured or not-injured.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

I also doubt Wright comes back. They can buy him out. That leaves another spot open.

[EvilDonut]

Here is a question for the Nation. Do you think that next year you will seriously contend [i.e. win] for the Wild Card? Truthfully' date=' I put you guys 6th in the AL right now, after [in no real order'] the Yankees, Tigers, Twins, A's, White Sox.

 

What do you think, and why?

 

Hmm, right now i think id put us third in the east, and 8th in the AL.

[a700hitter]

The FO has a lot of work ahead and they know it. I don't think they will get caught with thin talent this year, because they learned the hard way that when you have a thin team and you get a few key bad breaks, the result is an unwatchably boring inferior product.

[mar_022]

as of right now, this team next year would come in 3rd place again in the AL East. In order for them to be a playoff team, theyre going to have to make a bunch of big moves this offseason.

 

They need:

 

1.) Quality starting pitcher- a 1-2 type pitcher. Either Schmidt, Matsuzaka or Zito would fit this role.

 

2.) 2-3 quality relievers, with Paps going to the rotation- the Sox currently have no reliable relievers. They also need a closer. Id like to see them trade for 1, then pick up 2 in free agency. Fransisco Cordero, Justin Speier, Joe Borowski would be good FA pickups. I would like to see Lowell traded for a reliever, maybe Scott Linebrink or Geoff Geary?

 

3.) a 1st baseman, with some power, who could hit 5th- move Youk to first and trade for a 1st baseman. A guy who i'd like to see is Nick Johnson. Move Crisp, Tavarez (maybe he could start for them) and a prospect thats not one of our top 5 for him. I like Johnson's numbers (.428 obp/.520 slg) and think he'd be perfect to protect Manny in the lineup.

 

4.) Pick up a speedy, left handed CF- preferably one who plays great D. I think Corey Patterson would be a good pickup. Not a good hitter but fine for the 9th spot. Still has a lot of potential and can steal bases (45 last year). He's also one of the best defensive CF's in the game. Only question is what would it take to get him and is he even available.

 

5.) Add one more bench player- probable a righty with some power and some speed and can play OF. Preston Wilson seems like a decent choice. Maybe Millar if Wilson isnt an option.

 

id be happy with something like this...

 

Lineup

Youkilis—3B—R

Pedroia—2B—R

Ortiz—DH—L

Manny—LF—R

Nick Johnson—1B—L

Willy Mo—RF—R

Varitek—C—S

Gonzalez—SS—R

Corey Patterson—CF—L

 

 

Bench

Hinske—1B/3B/OF—L

Cora—INF—L

Mirabelli—C—R

Preston Wilson—OF—R

 

Rotation

Schilling—R

Matsuzaka—R

Papelbon—R

Wakefield—R

Beckett—R

 

Bullpen

LRP—Clement/Snyder

LEFTY—Breslow

MRP1—Scott Linebrink

MRP2—Hansen

SU1—Justin Speier

SU2—Delcarmen

CL—Fransisco Cordero

 

1) Cordero is signed for 07

2) No way does the FO land schmidt AND matsuzaka, and even if they could, they wouldnt spend that much money

3)This lineup is way too similar to this past year's lineup...too many role players

 

i do like your pen though, minus cordero, i'd take borowski or mike gonzalez as closer (preferably gonzo)

[guapo34]

I think the Jays rotation is every bit as good as the Sox and Yankees. With the exception of Wang' date=' Halladay and Burnett are better than anything either team has [schilling may still be in that category, but he isn't a spring chicken']. That changes if Papelbon is anywhere near as good a starter as he was last year as a reliever.

 

While saying I like him isn't the right way to put it, I actually think Wang is a pretty good pitcher. He however, is not nearly as good as Halladay. Over the last 6 years Roy Halladay has been the second best pitcher in the American League. Wang had a decent year last year and a good one this year. Without looking he probably was the 8th-14th best pitcher in the american league. That doesn't mean he is going to be that good every year. He'll probably have a pretty good year next year, but when pitchers have career years they're often followed by a year not quite as good.

[ksushi]

The only pitcher better than Halladay in the AL is that lefty guy in minnesota... whats his name? Well, there is a much bigger list of guys better than wang. Theyre in totally separate categories.