Zenny

Dude, please believe me on this one. Netsporters know my reputation and what I'm all about, back me up on this because he doesn't know. Scott Kazmir is not ready to be a full-time big league pitcher. He needs next season in AAA. Yeah, he pitched 5 shut-out innings against the Tacoma Rainiers, I mean Seattle Mariners and walked 3 or 4 in those innings. Then he went out and got pounded by real offenses every time since (A's and Yankees, I believe). Scott Kazmir does not have the consistent stuff yet to be an ace. He could someday, he just doesn't have it yet and he needs to face hitters on his level.

Believe me, I know all about minor league baseball and I know exactly who Scott Kazmir is. He is not ready to be a consistent major league starting pitcher. He should be nowhere above AAA right now.

How do we lose to the Tacoma Rainiers? Someone please explain that to me.

Scott Kazmir is one of the least efficient major league pitchers out there. He's going to walk a lot of people and the Sox are going to jump all over every mistake he makes. He's going to be a good pitcher if he can stay healthy, but he's just too inefficient and wild at this point. Sox win this game, especially with the way Pedro is going.

Umm... what exactly does he do? He doesn't hit for power, he doesn't hit for average, he doesn't walk, he doesn't run and he's worse than Alfonso Soriano on defense. Please explain to me where his magical abilities are going to come from.

Hey, it's cool, I have an irrational one for Jason Varitek for some reason. I think it stemmed from reading about his draft situations in Baseball America way back in '93 and '94 (I also still hate J.D. Drew for the stuff he did to Philly, John Elway for the Colts thing and Eli Manning for the Chargers thing; but I digress). I don't feel like the avatar thing either. I may put one, but it looks cool without one for now. Thanks for getting rid of that guy, too.

Click the link I provided. He was one of the top 10 hitters in baseball last season. OPS does not lie.

Wow. One of the 10 best hitters in MLB last season and everyone is willing to trade him? A guy making less than $7 million dollars a season? A guy that has been in the organization for 11 years now? A guy who made sure he signed a contract before becoming eligible for free agency to stay in the place he loved? A guy who didn't make rediculous contractual demands because he was made at the rookie contract he signed? A guy who is worth more than he's getting? The only remaining product of the system in the everyday lineup? Sure, Kapler and Roberts are capable, but Trot put up a .975 OPS last season! To think either of that could come within 300 points over that over the course of a year is crazy. You guys are worried about getting pitching!?! Think about all the money coming off the books and the caliber of pitchers that will be available on the market? Why should we trade the last piece of the mid-'90's farm system for a middle rotation starter when we have a guy capable of a 1.000 OPS and 30 homers? This is just rediculous. He is going to quickly remind everyone this season and in the playoffs how fantastic a player he really is. I'm disappointed in you guys. He was our best hitter today! http://sports.espn.go.com/mlbhist/stats/ba...&hand=a&pos=all

Izzy Alcantara? Go ahead.

The Marlins proved last year that it's the hot team, not the best team, that wins the championship. I guess that would put the Sox and Cards in good position, but the A's are always fantastic down the stretch.

Because you're a jackass? Great rotation, great offense, great defense, good bullpen. They just had a tough series against a superior Sox team. I think the A's will get hot and ride the Big 5 and Chavez to a championship. (I predicted them to win it all last season, too... and the year before... I dunno why I keep picking them.)

Already been claimed. And for future reference, so you can't steal them, I claim all current and future Red Sox prospects so Empire doesn't make some queer thread.

Dammit! Another AAA team. I think to make it fair, the Yankees should have to send the Columbus Clippers to the games. Poor Royals are going to get demolished; they'll never know what hit 'em.

I'm the only one who voted for the A's, huh?

By the way, Trotter was the Sox's best hitter today. I hope he gets his job back; he and Lowe were the only ones to really contribute today, despite Lowe getting tagged with the tough loss.

How come we couldn't beat Ichiro, Edgar and the Tacoma Rainiers at least 3 out of 4? We can sweep the A's, at home, where they are always incredible. Then we go see a team with a .370 winning percentage coming into series and we make two of their pitchers look like aces. At least we have 3 at home against Tampa to hopefully help make up the lost game and potentially add some ground.

And I can see why. One of the better defense 2B's in the league, among the league leaders in walks and much better offensive production than what we got from Walker last year. Granted, Bellhorn's no Pokey defensively, but he's no slouch. Still, it looks like Pokey-mon and Trotter are starting today. Thank God Trot is back.

Travis Hafner, Victor Martinez, Casey Blake and Matt Lawton all have or are on pace for 25 homeruns. I would take their offense over the highly overrated, no walks Angels offense.

I agree that Westbrook is having a fantastic season and should get some Cy Young consideration, but that Guardians are the furthest thing from run-scoring challenged. They have one of the Top 5 offenses in the American League, no way are they offensively inept.

Umm... I don't think anyone would be saying it. I know for damn well sure I wouldn't be; it's just retarded to do so. At least we do agree that Johan is the best pitcher in the American League.

Yeah, because those less than 15 starts really should get him consideration over guys who have been better in 20 more starts. Please, that's just disgusting.

Duh! Playing in 30 games might have something to do with that. Is he suddenly going to lose his ability because he hasn't faced the Yankees much this year? Nope.

You will be reminded soon enough, young one.

Trot Nixon should be #1. It seems like he hit a homerun of Roger Clemens every game he faced him. Yes, I know Rocket's not a Yankee, but he once was.

Snyder and Hyzdu are no longer prospects (and have a good chance at not being in the organization next season), but the rest are very good prospects. In addition to that, Moss was the SAL MVP and hit well over .400 in his time in the FSL. Papelbon was also the FSL's best pitcher and was #1 or #2 in every statistical pitching category except for IP and that is an organziational influence to keep him healthy. Shoppach was the IL's best catcher and was one of the top 10 or so power hitters as well. Sanchez lead the NY/Penn League in ERA, WHIP and K's. West showed good power, but was streaky and left something to be desired in the OBP and defense.