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Obviously the Sox will need to do something if Manny's gone, but otherwise I don't think a major upgrade is necessary. Also, I don't think Randa is a good option because he's basically an older version of Youkilis..... I don't think AJ Burnett and Carl Pavano are really comprable pitchers. Sure, Pavano was 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA in his last season as a Marlin, but like I've said before, he doesn't have swing and miss stuff. He averaged just 5.6 K's/9 with the Marlins and allowed a .253 average despite playing in front of a very good defensive team. So going to the Yankees (or the Red Sox for that matter) was going to expose the fact that he relies heavily on his defense to get outs... which with either of our defensive teams is not good. Burnett on the other hand has struck out over 8 batters per 9 each of the past 4 years. That's almost a batter per inning. In my mind, a strikeout is the ultimate dominance, and Burnett has that ability to dominate hitters better than Pavano does. His injury issues in the past are a major concern, but I don't think that pitching wise, there is really a good comparison here.

the last time Millar hit 2 homers in a game he was so tired from having to jog all around the bases twice (instead of jogging back to the dugout after a popup/strikeout/double play ball) that he didn't hit another homer for 2 months. In the words of Chris Rock, you're giving Millar credit for what he's supposed to do. "What you want, a cookie?" -- Chris Rock.

ooh ooh, pick me, pick me (hand raised). Sorry to beat a dead horse here, but there's a HUGE difference between these two players. First of all, fatass Millar. DESPITE his 2 homers last night he still has only 7 for the season. And his two homers don't change the fact that he can't hit away from Fenway, or that he can't hit lefties... (you've heard this all before I'm sure). Second, Millar plays first base, the easiest position in baseball-- badly. He plays the outfield very badly. Cora plays shortstop and second base (two very difficult positions) well, and is a servicable third baseman. Since the All Star Break, when Kevin Millar's been "hot", he's hit .290 .385 .420. Alex Cora? 295 .333 .410 Millar had 3 homers and 13 RBIs in 131 ABs Cora had 2 homers and 10 RBIs in 61 ABs So he's got a higher average, and a slightly lower OBP and SLG in the second half, while playing 3 different positions and dealing with rustiness from not playing every day, while Millar can't be bothered to play good defense or run fast.

Pedroia or Graffanino if Dustin fails.... My proposal: (reserves in parenthesis) outfield: Manny Damon Nixon (Kapler, Stern) infield: Mueller Renteria Pedroia Youkilis (Graffanino, Olerud/Snow, Cora?!? Maybe Machado fits in here next season) Catcher: Varitek and Mirabelli Rotation (with Wells): Schilling Wells Burnett Clement Wakefield Rotation (without Wells): Schilling Burnett Clement Wakefield Miller Bullpen as listed above-- Except add in Arroyo as Setup man to backup Delcarmen/Hansen Additions: Burnett, Wagner/Ryan Resign: Damon, Kapler, Graffanino

Ponson is a violent drunk. The Yankees will probably sign him within a week. They love violent drunks and drug addicts.

Sounds like a quartet that could really help us out. Having Harville and Perisho as warm bodies in the bullpen certainly helps, and like TEK_ME_etc said we can replace any pitcher who's on the DL with anyone in the SYSTEM. It's the same loophole (I believe) that allowed K-Rod to join the Angels in 2002. Having a third catcher is a luxury you can't afford with a 25 man roster, but Wooten's availability could be key in a pennant race. I think often times the team doesn't put Varitek into games that Mirabelli starts because then you leave yourself with no options if Varitek gets hurt.... but with that third guy, you could pinch hit for Mirabelli and pinch run for Varitek in the same inning if you needed to because you've got Wooten waiting on the bench to catch. VERY important. Machado I don't see getting a lot of playing time, it seems Graffanino/Cora/Renteria have the middle taken care of, but at least he looks like a good base stealer, which is something we haven't had since Dave Roberts. Should be invaluable down the stretch. There will be more additions once Pawtucket's season is over. No doubt DiNardo, Alvarez, and Delcarmen will join the staff in mid-september, and I wouldn't be surprised to see at least a cameo from Hanley Ramirez and/or Dustin Pedroia after their seasons end. Of course, adding Pedroia would require a roster move, so that's a lot less likely.

Being the biggest Millar hater probably ever, I feel obligated to chime in. Hating Millar does not make me a fairwhether fan. Expressing my opinion about what's best for the team doesn't make me a fairwhether fan, it makes me a RED SOX FAN. Why I feel Kevin Millar shouldn't be playing every day: 1. He can't field. 2. He can't run. 3. He can't hit lefties. 4. He can't hit away from Fenway. 5. He can't hit with runners on base. 6. He can't hit in the playoffs I have never questioned his leadership ability, because I've agreed that I have no idea what his impact is in the clubhouse. If Terry wants him as the 25th man, FINE. I'm OK with that... just don't put him in the lineup in the abovementioned situations, and for the love of god please never put him in the outfield. Even in his BEST season, Kevin Millar was a below average first baseman offensively, and that was his career year. He's been declining ever since and in 2005 he's a sad excuse for a Major League Baseball player. Saying that does not make me a fairwhether fan. It makes me an observant, analytical baseball fan.

If I'm the Red Sox I resist the tempation to sign a high priced slugger to play first. With the offense that we'll be packing in 2006 it's MUCH MUCH more important to bring in some players who can PREVENT runs from scoring. Try to sign: EITHER Billy Wagner or BJ Ryan AJ Burnett Re-Sign: Billy Mueller Johnny Damon (IF he'll accept a 3 year deal). Graffanino (to a reserve role) I say resign Mueller to a 1 year deal and put Youkilis at first base fulltime next year. Olerud (or someone comprable, maybe JT Snow?) can be signed cheaply to share duties, but give the job to Youk. Will be a MAJOR upgrade over the 2005 first baseman, who will remain nameless. If Damon comes back, the offense is basically the same. If Graff doesn't come back, why not Pokey Reese? I loved that guy. IMO, this team doesn't need to overspend this offseason on the likes of Konerko or Huff. Youkilis has proven that he can hold his own at first base, and we're a devastating offensive team DESPITE Millar... so we don't NEED a masher there. Any offseason spending should focus on the pitching staff. As I see it, next year we'll have Schilling, Clement, Wakefield, MAYBE Wells (if he doesn't retire) in the rotation. I really think Arroyo will be sent to the bullpen for good relatively soon. Wade Miller has an option we should pick up, and Burnett would fill that other spot. That would give us a rotation of Schilling, Clement, Wakefield, Miller, Burnett. If Wells comes back, keep 6 starters. 2005 proved that 6 is by no means too many. If Foulke of 2006 is the Foulke of 2004, the bullpen should be good. The one thing it needs is a dominant lefty to complement Myers, that's why I said Wagner or Ryan. CL: Foulke SU: Wagner SU: Hansen SU: Delcarmen LS: Myers RS: Bradford A bullpen with these arms in it should be pretty good (and assuming Foulke's healthy and effective return, MUCH MUCH better than this year).

Not going to be Papelbon. Theo said on WEEI last night that he was OK with his inning count as long as he stays in the bullpen. Sounds like it's down to DiNardo, Alvarez, or Gonzalez?

While the Sox have to be careful not to give up too much for this guy, I'd love to see him here in Boston. I don't think too much is really up in the air SITN... Clement, Schilling, Wells, and Wakefield are starters the rest of the season without question. Barring a miracle comeback by Miller or a trade for a guy like Steve T., Arroyo's got that #5 spot. All those other guys you've mentioned are relievers, barring one spot start for Wells. I don't think there's much question that if Trachsel came in Arroyo would move to the pen and hopefully help stabilize that situation down there. Timlin's the closer until Foulke is ready and effective. Hansen has been shut down for the season according to Gordon Edes.

Obviously if Theo could convice the Mets to take on fatass that would be nothing short of a miracle. I knew Millar for Trachsel was too good to be true. If they want Petagine or Olerud, I say Petagine. Olerud is better defensively, and he doesn't have the same power potential, but he's much more experienced at the major league level. C'mon Theo, bring us Steve Trachsel. This guy is an innings eater who could really help save our bullpen-- and he's a decent pitcher to boot. We don't really have relievers to spare though.

Proving again how ignorant Yankee fans are. Alan Embree is NOT a lefty specialist. BAA against lefties in 2005: .310 Righties? .260.

Which makes you a little curious as to why they would just release him... maybe a trade is in the works that hasn't been announced yet?

I think the only thing that can be taken from the first couple Foulke outings is that he's not ready yet. I'm not too concerned that his first two outings weren't perfect, but the fact remains that he's got to get that fastball back where it was last year or he's still in the same boat he was in June. He was throwing 86-87 before the surgury and was very ineffective. Talk was that he needed to get back to 89-90 with his fastball in order to get separation from his offspead stuff. Until he's able to do that consistently, Red Sox fans can't expect Foulke to help at the Major League level.

Sure it can. If Schilling can right himself, why can't Johnson? The jury's still out on the 05 Foulke, so if he comes back and pitches well, I'll be as happy and excited as any other Sox fan. He just hasn't shown me much of anything before the injury and according to reports from his rehab he's still throwing 87. Remember, he has to get into the 89-90 range to have the proper separation between his fastball and changup, so he's got work to do. We have the ability to fix the problems yes. Clement CAN dominate. So can Arroyo. WILL they? nobody knows, because they've been inconsistent at BEST this season. The point of my post was not to hit the panic button. I was simply refuting an assertion that our 1.5 game lead is safe-- which in my opinion, it is NOT.

To me that does sound crazy. As bad as the Yankees pitching has been (and it HAS been bad), it's been BETTER than Boston's. Just take a look at team ERA. They've got problems no doubt, but so do we. Johnson and Mussina have been inconsistent, but at least they've had their moments. Curt Schilling has looked more like John Wasdin than Curt Schilling this year. I'm just throwing this out there, but maybe Chacon just needed to get out of Colorado? He's gaining credibility with every great start. Leiter and Wright have their issues, and I've been saying all along that I'm not sold on Jaret Wright, so I agree with you there. Just like the Yankees, we've had ONE reliable starter all year: David Wells. Clement and Arroyo started off GREAT, but both have fizzled in the second half. Wade Miller (even though I've supported him all year) did a great jeckyl and hyde impression himself before getting injured. Jon Papelbon has been impressive for a rookie, but who knows what he's capable of down the stretch? He's had just 3 big league starts, and he's already pitched more innings in one season than he ever has before. The Red Sox HAVE to be careful with him. The bullpen is even worse. Sure, the Yankees have tired out Gordon and Sturtze this season, but they still have Rivera. The Red Sox don't even have that. They have 3 solid relievers in Timlin, Bradford, and Myers, but none of those guys can close games, and none of those guys can strand inherited runners. A few weeks ago I thought we all agreed that this team's success was directly linked to the returns of Schilling and Foulke. And I'll sleep a lot easier if we can get those 2 anything close to their 2004 forms... but so far the 2005 versions of these guys does not instill a lot of confidence. YES, I've been accused of being negative in the past and no doubt will again after posting this. YES, I hope that I'm wrong and live and die with the Red Sox every night... but a 1.5 game lead on the Yankees, with a month to play, and all our problems... has me incredibly nervous. Call me whatever nasty names you want to.

First off, I'd like to join the group who thank Bellhorn for his contributions last year and wish him the best of luck except when/if he plays against us. The Red Sox were retarded to let the Jay Payton senario get that bad. As it turned out, they desperately needed him and should have done what was necessary to keep him on the club. Let's face facts: Jay Payton is a better player in EVERY FACET OF THE GAME than Kevin Millar, yet who was getting more playing time? The Red Sox could have done themselves a favor and DFA'd fatass a long time ago and freed up a spot for Jay, then picked up his option for next year and solved that problem. On one hand I'm thrilled to see Gabe Kapler back, and that wouldn't have happened with Payton here, but there's no way Millar deserved to be here and playing more than Payton did. He contributed more in a reserve role for 3 months than Millar has as a starter for 5. NO BRAINER. No wonder the man got pissed off.

I've said this before and I'll say it again. Millar getting on base doesn't to s*** for us. He's fat, and slow, so it takes 2 or 3 hits to score him if he gets his typical measly single or walk. A man that slow has got to be able to MASH to make himself valuable, and he's never been a masher. Jason Varitek is the team's captain, it's his JOB to support his fellow players in the media. How often does Jeter call out his teammates publically? Never. Because that doesn't help anybody. Varitek saying, "Yes, Millar is the worst everyday player in the history of the Boston Red Sox," would be foolish and detrimental. Besides, Millar (for all his faults) is a hard worker and seemingly a decent human being. Varitek sees that more than we do and feels for Millar the person, and is supportive of him. He's emotional, and has a tie to Millar that no fan has. I can understand that Terry Francona might also have that emotional attachment. He's "in the trenches" with this group every day and is constanly professing his "love" for his players. He even mentioned how hard it was to cut Remlinger, despite his 14+ ERA with the team. It's obvious that decision has got to come from the folks in charge of looking at this team objectively, the front office. Until Theo DFA's Kevin Millar, we're doomed to suffer through his bumbling play. I've always said that Major League players make baseball look too easy, well thanks to Kevin Millar, we're reminded just how hard this game is. Meanwhile, Millar's smoking cigarettes and making too frequent trips to Dunkin Donuts by way of the liquor store.... Supporters of fatass Millar say we don't NEED him to produce because we've already got the best offense in baseball. That'd be all well and good if we had a pitching staff that could keep the opposition from scoring 10 runs a game, but we unfortunately don't have that. This team needs all the offensive (and defensive) support we can get, and unfortunately Kevin Millar doesn't provide help in either one of those areas. I will admit that we as fans don't see the clubhouse impact Kevin Millar has on the team. Maybe, just maybe, he helps in that area..... but there's no reason he should ever step out onto the field (Except maybe to hand out the lineup card, or rake the infield), and as long as he's on the active roster, Francona's going to put him in. We need him off the roster, and fast. Can't he hurt his thumb diving for a ball, or strain a hammy, or can't Foulkie bean him in a simulated game? I don't like to wish injury on ANYONE, but that seems to be our only hope at this point.

And the Red Sox should have been on the list from the start. a 1.5 game lead with the way we're playing should make all of us VERY nervous.

Who cares? Why allow him to kill your team for the next month and a half? Millar has no business on a Major League Baseball field, and no business wasting a perfectly valuable roster spot. Innocent until proven guilty, but Millar has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that he does not have enough talent to help the Red Sox win baseball games. Millar hurts the Red Sox more than any opposing player ever could. A-Rod, Jeter, Sheffield? They're dangerous, but could only impact 19 games a season. Millar has been given 112 games in which to hurt this team, and taken full advantage of it. Regardless of how long he has left on his contract, there's no reason to give him 1 more AB or allow him to step back on the grass of Fenway Park. DFA him now, give him an hour to clean out his locker, then have security escort him out.

I'm a fan. This guy's doing for this team what they hoped Halama would do: EAT INNINGS. Except he's doing a lot more than that of late. I've liked this guy since his first start. He doesn't have the most talent in the world, but he's a battler. He had 2 bad outings in August but since then has not been scored upon in 6 outing and 12+ innings. He doesn't dominate guys (4.69 K's/9), but doesn't kill himself with walks (2:1 K:BB ratio), but he's 1-0 with a 3.97 ERA after the All Star Break. He's been one of the team's best relievers in the second half.

I was bashing him, saying "it's a big IF" that he catches the final out.... meaning he doesn't catch it.... because he's so horrible a baseball player.

As good as Ortiz is at the plate, I'd have a hard time giving the MVP to a guy who doesn't play the field. He's a terrifying hitter, but part of that reason is because all he has to do is focus on hitting. I would be surprised if he won the MVP award, just because DH's don't usually get taken seriously by the voters.

That's a big IF though, given Millar's defensive abilities and performance in the clutch. OK, enough Millar bashing for now.... but has everyone forgotten that he also requested a trade earlier this season because he thought he wasn't getting ENOUGH playing time? Then when he realized nobody else wanted him he retracted his statement. Millar's talking publicly about how he's OK with this because he knows the Red Sox (and Terry Francona) are the only team who'd still have him on a big league roster after how badly he's sucked this year... and how very little he contributes on the field.

As much as I hate the Yankees, it pisses me off when people complain about this. You think the Twins owner, or the Royals owner, or the Devil Rays owner are in debt? HELL NO. The difference between the Yankees and the "small market" teams is simple-- George Steinbrenner runs his team like a fan would. He puts his effort and his money back into making the team as competitive as it can be, and he could give two shits whether he cuts a profit. As a result, he spends a boatload on good players (and some not so good) because he wants to win. Other owners run the teams like a business. Their objective is to maximize profits, and most of them could give 2 shits whether or not the team makes the playoffs. I don't know the exact figures, but teams like the Devil Rays and Royals get money from the Red Sox and Yankees through revenue sharing-- they just don't spend that money towards improving the team or if they do, they don't spend it properly. Do the Yankees spend more money than any other team in the majors? Absolutely. Is that a shame? YES. However, MLB is already taking steps through revenue sharing and the luxury tax to try to even out that money difference. It's the owners fault for pocketing that money and not spending it to improve the on-field product.