What an April it was!

[ryanromine]

I was looking back through a 2005 Media Guide and I was comparing Aprils from 2004 and this year! The Sox started of with a great April in that year going 15-6, this year has been close to the same in production going 16-8. In April its always way too early to predict the outcome of a long and grueling season and predictions are pretty insane to make. I mean look at the Tigers last year, who would've thought that they would make it to the Series!

 

I Think that with this start in April we have as good a chance as ever to win the division, pennant, and the Series! I just hope and pray that the rest of the months to come are as good if not better than April!

 

Go Sox

[Thumper]

It was a very good April indeed.

 

Two people I'm really impressed with are Beckett and Lowell. Both have improved since last season.

 

Beckett, 6-0 before May is the best pitcher right now. Especially after his performance last season. He's really on a good hot streak and I don't see him cooling off anytime soon. Good job Beckett.

 

Lowell has turned into a beast of a clutch hitter, when they have guys on the bases, he can knock the ball out of the park. He's really improved as well.

 

I'd say we've got the winning team this year.

[a700hitter]

We've been fortunate healthwise. There will be some injuries during the year. The question is weather this team is deep enough to weather the bad times. We still need to plug the 5th spot in the rotation with someone reliable. Up until now, the 5th slot has not been that crucial. It will become more important as the dog days approach with few of any off days and the Double Headers start to come. The lineup is not very deep. A slump by one or two of the bigs guys exposes the weak bottom half. They should look to add another big bat.

[Thumper]

We've been fortunate healthwise. There will be some injuries during the year. The question is weather this team is deep enough to weather the bad times. We still need to plug the 5th spot in the rotation with someone reliable. Up until now' date=' the 5th slot has not been that crucial. It will become more important as the dog days approach with few of any off days and the Double Headers start to come. The lineup is not very deep. A slump by one or two of the bigs guys exposes the weak bottom half. They should look to add another big bat.[/quote']

 

Who would we give up for a new bat? Who's worth dropping?

[ksushi]

Um, haven't the two 'big guys' been mostly slumping? The whole reason for a lot of this optimism going around like a bad cold is because we don't have double digit losses yet and until he put 2 balls in orbit the other night Manny had been mostly a non-factor. Ortiz has been fairly consistent, but really we have had a quiet offense. We have a crowded bullpen and for the first time in a while its crowded with good pitchers. Donnelly, Okajima, Piniero and we just brought a guy up who can get outs in Hansack. Good pitcher. With any team, you need to keep your starting 5 healthy, but as long as that happens we'll be fine.

 

Our outfield can withstand a hit, our infield has some depth with hinske able to play either corner, Youk has flexibility there too if Lowell goes down and Cora, Pedroia and Lugo up the middle give us wiggle room if we lose one of them.

 

In the pen, outfield, infield we can take hits. We've seen them withstand a Manny dry spell. Right now, and its really early, we're the best team in the majors. I can't wait to see this team in mid-season form.

[CrespoBlows]

We've been fortunate healthwise. There will be some injuries during the year. The question is weather this team is deep enough to weather the bad times. We still need to plug the 5th spot in the rotation with someone reliable. Up until now' date=' the 5th slot has not been that crucial. It will become more important as the dog days approach with few of any off days and the Double Headers start to come. The lineup is not very deep. A slump by one or two of the bigs guys exposes the weak bottom half. They should look to add another big bat.[/quote']

 

I agree.

 

Trade for Barry Bonds.

[a700hitter]

Who would we give up for a new bat? Who's worth dropping?

 

I don't know, but I do know that this team will not go wire to wire without hitting any bumps along the way. The bumps can derail things if a team is not deep enough. I am just looking at the weak spots. I would expect the roster at the end of the year to be different than it is now. If they are going to make some moves, I think they should go for another big bat and another starter.

[a700hitter]

I agree.

 

Trade for Barry Bonds.

Your sarcasm is noted my bitch to be.

[CrespoBlows]

Your sarcasm is noted my bitch to be.

 

I've been a Bonds guy for a while. The Giants suck, and Bonds will already have broken the record.

 

Why not make a move?

[a700hitter]

His bat would be great to have, but we have a DH, and I couldn't see Bonds or Manny holding down RF.

[CrespoBlows]

His bat would be great to have' date=' but we have a DH, and I couldn't see Bonds or Manny holding down RF.[/quote']

 

Bonds - DH

Ortiz - 1B

Manny - LF

Youk - 3B

Lowell - Trade for bullpen help

[a700hitter]

Bonds - DH

Ortiz - 1B

Manny - LF

Youk - 3B

Lowell - Trade for bullpen help

Hmmm. Very tempting. Too bad Bonds would probably not agree to the move.

[mynameisryangomes]

Yo, it's Gomes. I really like Bonds. I think we should pick him up for whatever price they ask.

 

As a big Red Sox fan, I'm really pleased with the start. Beckett is up for the Cy Young this year in the AL, anyone disagree?

[BSN07]

I've been a Bonds guy for a while. The Giants suck, and Bonds will already have broken the record.

 

Why not make a move?

 

You realize there in 2nd place and 1.5 back right? And they just recently pulled off a 8 game winning streak. Bonds will never play for Boston, the move would make no sense at all.:thumbdown

[ryanromine]

I agree..yes Bonds is a great hitter, but there is always going to be that shadow that follows him around! I think we got the pieces together to win another championship this year! We do need a 5th man in the rotation, possibly Lester or Clemens ( I am a big Clemens advocate to Boston) the bullpen is very solid thus far with the exception of Timlin on the 15 day DL. He is strong down the stretch.

 

If the Sox stay healthy, unlike last year, look for a Championship year!

[Thumper]

Bonds - DH

Ortiz - 1B

Manny - LF

Youk - 3B

Lowell - Trade for bullpen help

 

Why give up Lowell? He's really been doing great this year. I'd say trade off Cora. Even if Pedroia sucks, having Bonds would make up for that. But then you've got to talk some things into consideration... Would the Giants go for the trade? And if Bonds reaches his Home Run goal before the season in out, will he continue to play to help the team? Or is he only thinking for himself and gonna slack off?

[ryanromine]

Why give up Lowell? He's really been doing great this year. I'd say trade off Cora. Even if Pedroia sucks' date=' having Bonds would make up for that. But then you've got to talk some things into consideration... Would the Giants go for the trade? And if Bonds reaches his Home Run goal before the season in out, will he continue to play to help the team? Or is he only thinking for himself and gonna slack off?[/quote']

 

I figure when Bonds breaks the homerun record he will retire soon after the seasons over, yeah he has a great bat, but I don't see where he would fit in this Sox lineup. You can't trade of Cora just yet, because he is having a decent season and trading Lowell would be just plain retarded! I'd say come the TDL the Sox will be looking for some more Bullpen help and possibly a 5th starter if Lester doesn't return yet and Clemens chooses to go to another team

[Cocos Disciples]

Why give up Lowell? He's really been doing great this year. I'd say trade off Cora.

 

Cora isn't meeting your expectations as much as Lowell? :dunno:

[a700hitter]

Cora is exceeding expectations, but that is because expectations were so low. He still is nothing more than a utility guy.

[CrespoBlows]

Why give up Lowell? He's really been doing great this year. I'd say trade off Cora. Even if Pedroia sucks' date=' having Bonds would make up for that. But then you've got to talk some things into consideration... Would the Giants go for the trade? And if Bonds reaches his Home Run goal before the season in out, will he continue to play to help the team? [/quote']

 

1. Contract

2. Age

3. Youk's superior OBP skills.

 

Or is he only thinking for himself and gonna slack off?

 

Bonds has been on some pretty bad teams and it hasn't affected his performance, so just toss that s*** out the window.

[CrespoBlows]

I figure when Bonds breaks the homerun record he will retire soon after the seasons over' date=' yeah he has a great bat, but I don't see where he would fit in this Sox lineup. You can't trade of Cora just yet, because he is having a decent season and trading Lowell would be just plain retarded! I'd say come the TDL the Sox will be looking for some more Bullpen help and possibly a 5th starter if Lester doesn't return yet and Clemens chooses to go to another team[/quote']

 

He would bat 3rd. He would f***ing own.

 

This is probably a pipe dream, I know. So, let me have that. Don't discourage me.

[ryanromine]

So far this season Cora's batting .394 (13H/33 Ab) with a .788 SLG! Yeah he has only played in 18 games, but his bat has been hot and has come up with some clutch hits, like in the first Yankees series. Lowell is batting a .302 (32H/106 Ab) with a .491 SLG. These two guys have been getting the job done at the plate this year. Cora has a .444 OBP and Lowell's OBP is a .356! If these two guys keep hitting like they are and getting on base I believe that this will be a key to a Sox championship

[ryanromine]

He would bat 3rd. He would f***ing own.

 

This is probably a pipe dream, I know. So, let me have that. Don't discourage me.

 

I wont discourage you. You're allowed to dream!

[Cocos Disciples]

Cora is exceeding expectations' date=' but that is because expectations were so low. He still is nothing more than a utility guy.[/quote']

 

I agree and I think if he started his numbers would regress dramatically. It was just funny how Thumper worded it.

[ryanromine]

I would have to say that Cora is one of the best utility men in the league right now!

[CrespoBlows]

You realize there in 2nd place and 1.5 back right? And they just recently pulled off a 8 game winning streak. Bonds will never play for Boston' date=' the move would make no sense at all.:thumbdown[/quote']

 

I expect their pitching to regress, and when it does their bats won't be able to sustain the winning streak.

[CrespoBlows]

So far this season Cora's batting .394 (13H/33 Ab) with a .788 SLG! Yeah he has only played in 18 games' date=' but his bat has been hot and has come up with some clutch hits, like in the first Yankees series. Lowell is batting a .302 (32H/106 Ab) with a .491 SLG. These two guys have been getting the job done at the plate this year. Cora has a .444 OBP and Lowell's OBP is a .356! If these two guys keep hitting like they are and getting on base I believe that this will be a key to a Sox championship[/quote']

 

If Cora has a .444 OBP at the end of the year, I will drop a deuce on a cop car.

[CrespoBlows]

I would have to say that Cora is one of the best utility men in the league right now!

 

Lose that.

[TheKilo]

I'd be OK with Bonds.