Why do you guys like Theo?

[riverside sluggers]

Agreed. But you cannot convince a FA to sign with you if you dont have a rotation spot for them. At the same time' date=' last yr the sox didnt have any glaring holes coming into the season, they just fell apart in all aspects down the stretch. [b']This yr they have holes in the infield[/b] and in the pen already while guys are signing in droves.

 

1 hole... that being shortstop

 

They could have a slot available if the "I'll do whatever my team asks of me" good guy Wakefield would go to the pen as a middle reliever/spot starter

[jacksonianmarch]

I think the sox are going into this offseason thinking that they may have as many as 4 holes in that infield. There has definitely been some rumblings about the readiness of 2b Pedroia. With the sox not offering arb to Loretta, it seems like he will be the man at 2b now, but this was not something that was easily agreed upon. There have also been rumors of the trade of Mike Lowell which would have opened up 3b and many on here have called for Youk to be moved. Therefore, there has been speculation about all 4 infield spots. Right now, I agree, there is at most 2 in my opinion with Lowell still being on the chopping block. With the release of Nixon, it sure seems as if they are going to need to find a place for Wily Mo. With Drew being acquired and with Manny seemingly on his way out, it will be interesting to see where WMP fits. Also, moving Wake to the pen is a 100% mistake. Would you trust him with a lead that someone else acquired? He is so hot and cold, as is the nature of all knucklers, that he is completely unreliable in the bullpen. In the rotation he is the perfect back of the rotation pitcher. He is a guy who will go 200IP+ and will go .500 for the most part. Perfection at #5, something that if the yankees had at #5, they probably would have been much better prepared for the playoffs last yr.

[riverside sluggers]

Well with Drew coming into right field, and if Manny leaves... Wily Mo Pena could shift to being the starting left fielder where his defense wont be as bad bad compared to the right field adventures. That is of course unless a Manny trade would involve a left fielder

[schillingouttheks]

I have a really bad feeling that watching Wily Mo play left field will be like watching Lastings Milledge play our left field all over again.

[Fried Neckbones]

I have a really bad feeling that watching Wily Mo play left field will be like watching Lastings Milledge play our left field all over again.

 

I don't know ... even Manny, he of the atrocious defense, learned to play the carom pretty well. It would take a while for WMP to adjust, but Milledge only played, what, 3 games there? Once he figures out what is going to hit the wall and what isn't, he'd be fine.

[Cocos Disciples]

Yeah, once he adjusts he'll be fine. Nothing special, but we won't cring on a regular basis.