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You hate the moneyball craze more than the Yankees? Impressive. I don't agree with it (obviously), but it's a good start. OBP is important because you need guys on base to score runs... but it doesn't work because if you can't move them over (either via sac bunt, stolen base, etc) when you need to it's sorta pointless. Also, I don't think Beane would agree with you... since he still builds his team around the moneyball philosophy.

it begins.... Wow. I expected there to be problems when Randy pitched badly... but he's already having problems with the media and he hasn't even put on a Yankee uniform yet?!? That's pretty bad.

There's more to it than that. The moneyball theory, which has been attributed to Billy Beane, is developing offensive teams that work counts, take walks, etc. They value high OBP players and power hitters over speedsters/bunters. They build their offensive attack around getting runners on base, then getting them in by way of the "3-run homer." Why do they call it "moneyball?" That I'm not positive because I haven't read the book, but based on what I HAVE heard/read, Billy (and a few other teams) believe that these types of players have been undervalued, and thus they can get these players for less money and still win baseball games.

He definately signed with Anaheim upon leaving Boston. I don't know the specifics of that deal, so it's possible the Mets gave him an extension afterwards. However, Anaheim dumped a fair amount of money on Mo also.

Hey Folks, Looking for advice. I'm headed out to the LA/Anaheim area in April and I want to go to at least one baseball game out there. Has anyone ever been to Dodger Stadium or Angel Stadium? If so, where'd you sit? I don't necessarily have an exact budget, I'm basically looking for the best value as far as seating location. I've looked at the website so I have all that knowledge, but it's hard to tell from the site just how much baseball you can see from any particular seat. Any info is appreciated! Thanks in advance.

I have to agree with Zenny here. The Dodgers essentially replaced Green with JD Drew, who has always had potential, but has had exactly 1 season that wasn't marred by injuries. He's replaced Beltre (essentially) with Kent, who won't match Beltre's 2004 offensive numbers, isn't a gold-glove caliber fielder, and is a decade older. Derek Lowe pitched well for the Red Sox in the playoffs, but before that he didn't have the reputation as a clutch pitcher. He's wildly inconsistent in the regular season, and got hot at just the right time for the Red Sox (and as it turns out, himself). I don't see the Dodgers as having improved themselves this offseason, and at this point I certainly don't see them as overwhelming favorites to win the NL West

How quickly we get off topic... I have argued in past threads that the "moneyball" theory doesn't work, because teams like the A's, Braves, and Red Sox (pre 2004) had never won it all. Waiting for the 3-run homer works in the regular season, because you can beat crappy pitchers that way. However, if you're players don't know how to MANUFACTURE runs, you won't go deep into the playoffs. I still believe that. Anyway, RE: Beltran Omar Minaya is trying to steal the NY spotlight from the Yankees. He's gone out and signed the best position player on the market, and the best pitcher. He's accomplished that goal, but will the Mets win in 2005? They'll have a decent rotation with Martinez, Glavine, Benson, Zambrano and Trachsel, and will have a solid offensive team with Piazza, Beltran, and company.... I think they've still got questions: Will Kaz Matsui make a successful transition to second base? Will David Wright/Jose Reyes be productive enough to carry the expectations on them? Who's playing first base? Will Piazza stay productive and healthy as the full time catcher? I am psyched that the Yankees didn't get Beltran, and that he signed with the Mets so the Red Sox don't have to face him.... but I'm still not convinced the Mets will be contenders in 2005

McCarty resigning is a good move. The minor league deal means there's no risk involved, and I believe McCarty WILL make the team and do exactly what Mientkiewicz did at the end of last year: late inning defensive replacement. I think this clears the way for the Sox to move Doug.

How many times has he pitched in Yankee Stadium since 91?

I predict something will happen that nobody predicted. I'm only half kidding there... anyway, it seems this club's pretty solid all around. I see the following happening BEFORE Opening Day: Doug Mientkiewicz is traded-- Don't know where to, but both him and Millar have said they don't want to share playing time. Someone's got to go. I also predict that the Red Sox rotation proves satisfactory (and potential upgrades like Sheets, Burnett, etc are unavailable), but the Sox feel the need to upgrade the bullpen mid-season and do so.

The Yankees won't win the WS this year. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=1960725 Note: I didn't write this, and for a couple of these he's really reaching... but I just figured I'd pass it along.

Since the Sox already have 5 starters, I don't see them showing much interest in Nomo. However, I am surprised nobody's signed him to an incentive laden deal. Nomo is in the same class as Jose Lima. Capable of being dominant, but terribly inconsistent. He'll probably get a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training and a chance to prove himself.

His last year in the American League (15-7, 4.14 ERA) I'd settle for that from David Wells.

Since Red Sox fans haven't thrown batteries, or caused game delays as a result of a call we didn't agree with... we are already above Yankee fans as a group by default. I have to admit that the "Who's your dealer?" chant made me laugh, but I'd rather see the Sox' fans elevate themselves above chanting negative things, and stick to promoting the 2004 World Champion Red Sox.

Here's a shocker: I agree with Zenny. Beane knows what he's doing, and he's not afraid to rock the boat. Hudson and Mulder have both had health issues too, in addition to having downward career paths. All he got was one of the top lefthanded pitching prospects in the GAME (Meyer), a prospect who's ready to step in NOW (Haren), and 2 good young relievers (Cruz and Calero). Cruz can even start in a pinch. Beane sold when stock in Hudson and Mulder was at its highest, and got some good talent in return. Controversial? Sure, but so was trading Nomar.....

Keep in mind to take those numbers with a grain of salt. Matt Clement had only 9 wins, but horrible run support. The Red Sox are a better team in the field, and at the plate than the Cubs, so it's not totally unreasonable to predict 15ish wins from him in 2005. Miller won 7 games last year in 15 starts. Give him 25-30 starts, he should be able to win 13-15 games if he's healthy. Wells was 12-8 last year, I'm assuming he'll do the same... If Clement OR Miller win 15 games, we're back to where we were last year.

I'm with Gertie. Minaya seems to be on a spending spree. He wants to put the "other" New York team on the map. Signing Pedro Martinez, and Beltran would CERTAINLY do that. I believe the Mets will be big players for him and have a really good shot at signing him. I won't believe it's a done deal though until I see it from a credible source.

Schilling-- THANK YOU. I'm not the first to say this, and I won't be the last-- I was at a Red Sox/Royals game a few years ago and fans started chanting "Yankees Suck." What's the point? Doing this only makes Red Sox fans look stupid. Chanting things like "Who's your dealer?," "Who's your Papi?," "year two-thousand," whatever you're planning on chanting is a BAD idea. Let's elevate Red Sox fans ABOVE Yankee fans maturity levels, and stick to "Let's go Red Sox." Tell your friends. Tell your children, parents, anyone you can. Stop any chant that brings Red Sox fans down to the level of a Yankee fan. Let's go Red Sox.

It does depend on what you mean by "better." During the regular season, Tom Gordon, Paul Quantrill, and Mariano Rivera formed a pretty dominating trio of relievers. Because of the weak rotation, and Torre's mistrust of anyone BUT these three, they were horribly overworked. Tom Gordon did not pitch well against the Red Sox at all, and Rivera (although got credit for blowing 2 saves, really only blew one in my opinion) was left as the lone reliable reliever. The Red Sox bullpen did the job in October, but wasn't exactly feared by anyone. Keith Foulke was the postseason hero pitching in 11 games and having a 0.64 ERA. I wouldn't speak so fast saying Boston's bullpen is better though. Would Gordon have been so ineffective in the ALCS had he shouldered a lighter workload? The same can be asked about Quantrill and Rivera, too. Do ANY Sox relievers (other than Foulke) strike fear into batters hearts? Not really.

I can see what you're saying, but think about it this way: The Yankees had 2 weaknesses last October: The Rotation, and the Bullpen. They've improved BOTH of those areas: Johnson > Vazquez Pavano > Lieber Wright = Loaiza Rodriguez > Proctor Stanton > Heredia The Red Sox won the World Series, so you can't say they were weak, but I'd say the bullpen was the biggest weakness. They lost Myers, Williamson, Mendoza, and Adams.... Williamson when healthy was NASTY, but he unfortunately didn't contribute a whole lot to the team last year, and certainly not in October. Myers was replaced with Halama. Neither one is really dominant, so I'm gunna call this equal. Williamson was replaced with Mantei. Equal again. Both are dominant relievers when healthy, but Mantei is certainly no guarantee. So, in my book, the Yankees have improved this offseason, and the Red Sox have basically stayed the same. I like the rotation because it's deeper, but ONE of the 3 newcomers (Clement, Wells, Miller) needs to step up and take that #2 spot before I consider the rotation BETTER than 2004. I give NY the offseason edge for that reason.

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of trading Mientkiewicz. The Red Sox have got another option in Dave McCarty, who can play good defense late in games and would come at far cheaper money wise than Doug. Anyone who reads my posts knows I'm not high on Kevin Millar. The big mouth, the below average defense, the below average production for a first baseman.... I say ship Kevin to Toronto for prospects (save $3.3 million) Trade Kim to Colorado for prospects. ($2 mil saved assuming we pay half his 2005 salary) Trade Mientkiewicz to whoever needs a first baseman for prospects ($2.8 mil saved). that's $8 million saved that can be spent on the 2005 team. Delgado rejected a $10 million/yr offer from the Mets, so he'd probably cost too much...

or the Microsoft Mariners of Seattle's Pioneer Square. Yep, this comes down to money unfortunately....

Second: Tony Womack. Not a dominant player, but a defensive upgrade over Cairo. He doesn't scare me offensively (unless he gets on base). Center: Bernie Williams (hit .262 with 22 HR last year. Yes, he's declining, but if he's their weakness... that's not bad at all). Bullpen: Stanton/Rodriguez represent upgrades to their 2004 guys, and with those + Randy it's safe to say Quantrill/Gordon (who were very good early) won't be worked as hard. First base could be a problem for them, but as I said, Tino will probably hit .260 with 20ish homers. Bad production for a first baseman, but the Yankees WILL have a darn good lineup regardless of who plays first.

Yes. It's safe to say the projected 2005 Red Sox will be BETTER offensively than the 97 team: C: Jason Varitek > Scott Hatteberg 1B: Kevin Millar 2B: Mark Bellhorn > Jeff Frye 3B: Bill Mueller = Tim Naehring SS: Edgar Renteria LF: Manny Ramirez > Troy O'Leary CF: Johnny Damon > Darren Bragg RF: David Ortiz > Reggie Jefferson Better at 5 of 9 positions, equal at one. You could even make this comparison a little better saying Ortiz > Mo Vaughn, and Millar > Jefferson, but I didn't do that. This team is easily superior to the 1997 squad offensively.

Absolutely none. I was commenting on a post above that said he made ALL the right decisions in October.