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I hate to be a prick about it, but there is a section for rumors on this site.... Perhaps Yeszir could move it there? Anyway, I'm not sure I like this idea. I know you feel that Nixon is overrated, but so is Zito also. He's gone downhill a lot in the past few years, and nobody seems to know why. I know pitching wins, but I can't stress this enough: It's not players like Manny Ramirez who win championships.... it's guys like Trot Nixon who play hard and play the game RIGHT. Let's not forget who saved the Red Sox in game 5 of the ALCS with an AWESOME play on Hideki Matsui with the bases loaded and the Sox down by a run. If that ball falls in, the Red Sox would just be "that team who lost to the Yankees on their way to their 40th pennant." Trot Nixon is a BIG part of this team, and I hope he stays, personally.

Everything I hear points to them cutting salary, and keeping it low. They're contemplating putting Smoltz back into the rotation and using Cruz or Capellan (a rookie) to close out games. They'll probably lose Ortiz, and if JD Drew asks for a ton of money... him too. I'd say their smartest bet is to keep Jones at third for now, and go find a decent outfielder to replace Drew. It's really too bad this organization doesn't have a constant flow of money, because with Estrada, Giles, Furcal, and the Jones', they have a good foundation. With Hampton, Ramirez, and possibly Smoltz in the rotation, they may contend again next year too.... The NL East is wide open right now, but the 3 teams to watch are Atlanta, the Phillies, and the Mets. All could step up and take that division next year. Washington could eventually contend, but they don't even have owners yet, so I don't imagine they'll make a splash in the market. Probably in 2006....

do you have any sources to back this up?

Only lately. They went to the World Series and lost in 91, 92, 96, 99. They also went to the NLCS in 99. The of course won it all in 95. And guess what? They've won the same number of World Series titles as the Red Sox have in the past 15 years, but have been to 4 more World Series. With the exception of 2004, the Yankees got further than the Red Sox in the postseason.... so what are you bragging about? I hate the Yankees with every fabric of my being, but if you're not jealous of the Yankees and Braves success in the past 10 years, you're being stupid. I derive no greater (baseball) satisfaction than seeing the Red Sox win the World Series and beating the Yankees in the process... but what the Yankees are able to do (compete EVERY YEAR) is amazing.

Manny to the Mets? I highly doubt it, but if they DO, they'd be stupid to deal him for Mike Piazza. Here's why: They trade a DH who can play below average LF (Ramirez) for an aging catcher (who was below average defensively behind the plate to BEGIN with) who plays a below average first base. Mike Piazza is a downgrade offensively from Ramirez Mike Piazza is a downgrade defensively from Ramirez. This team has proven that it can win with Ramirez as its left fielder. Why trade him for another good bat who is also a defensive liability? that trade makes no sense to me.

Where do you get your info? Trot Nixon finished? He only had the game winning hit in game 4. What makes you think he's finished? I heard on the radio this morning: Pedro Martinez files for Free Agency, although the Sox have exclusive rights to talk to him until November 11th. I'm sure Steinbrenner's already preparing his offer. Ramirez is nowhere near ready for 2005. Word is the Red Sox want him to take over fulltime in 06 or 07, they may be more inclined to sign a Larkin or Vizquel as a stopgap. Below are statistics for Vizquel, Larkin, and Cabrera for 2004 FP RF ZR BA OBP SLG Vizquel .982 4.31 .840 .291 .353 .388 Larkin .988 4.22 .812 .289 .352 .419 Cabrera .978 4.39 .838 .294 .320 .465 Based on these numbers, one would deduce that in the short term, the Red Sox wouldn't be sacrificing TOO much bypassing Cabrera for someone like Vizquel or Larkin. Larkin and Vizquel are nearing the end of their careers, and Cabrera is in his prime years, so Cabrera is more valuable. After looking at these statistics, I would not be terribly upset if Cabrera signs elsewhere IF: The Red Sox replace him with Vizquel or Larkin (preferably Vizquel) AND The Red Sox use the money saved to sign Varitek, Martinez, and either Lowe or a comprable replacement.

Clemens has said himself he's 99% retired, and he said the same thing last year, but I gotta believe with Roger, it's Houston or NOTHING. Any rumor about Clemens pitching for ANY team in 2005 who DOESN'T play their home games in Houston, Texas is false until proven true by an official press conference. This guy's ultra-competitive, and Houston can flat-out dominate with a rotation of Miller, Pettite, Oswalt, Clemens... Why go anywhere else? If he comes back, he'll be pitching for the Astros.

I know it's early, but I'll post this here for ongoing reference. Here's the list of potential Free Agents from ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1911763

Schilling was AWESOME, no doubt about it, we wouldn't have won it without him. However, his contributions to the World Series were for ONE GAME. Same with Petey, and DLowe. They were needed, but can you give MVP for a SERIES to a player who contributed to ONE win? I said Foulke because he closed out all 4 games. He played a big part in this win.

It's safe to talk about this now that we begin the offseason trying to defend our WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!! I say: Resign Varitek. It was obvious that his leadership was instrumental in this win. What he did for Lowe in game 4 of the World Series to get him back on track was CRUCIAL. Try Very hard to resign Lowe and Martinez. OK, Lowe's earned the chance to come back, hasn't he? Martinez is still one of the best pitchers out there. Sign Pavano, move Wake to the bullpen. Pavano's said he wants to come back, he's entering the prime of his career. Wakefield's rubber arm would serve this team well if he could pitch more than just every 5th day. Resign Williamson (if healthy). This guy was NASTY when he was healthy. What a compliment to Foulke he'd be in 2005. Resign Cabrera. The amount of energy he brings to this team was a big boost. He's got a great glove, good bat, and he plays the game hard. Work with Bellhorn. If this guy could cut down on his strikeouts, he'd be a FORCE. Who cares about Beltran, Delgado, or any of those other big money FAs? Proof is everywhere that to win baseball championships you need a TEAM. The Yankees who were so dominant were a great TEAM. Don't break up this chemistry by bringing in other high priced free agents. That's my opinion. I really hope this team doesn't fall apart with so many guys who COULD be playing elsewhere next year....

This was like the most amazing dream I ever had... except it was true! 2004 Boston Red Sox, October 27th, what a day. Thanks to all. You made the lows bearable, and the highs even higher.

I would have given it to Foulke too, just because he pitched EVERY game. The great part about this team was that there was no ONE guy who stood out, they got meaningful contributions from EVERY starter in the lineup. Ramirez had hits in every game, but he also made 2 errors in ONE INNING! If I had a vote, I'd have gone for Foulke, but I can see the argument for guys like Mueller, Cabrera, etc.

I went home to my parents house to see the game. I was with my dad when we won the World Series, and there's no place I'd rather be. After the game, he pointed to the sky, and said "This is for you, Grandpa." I get tears in my eyes just thinking about it. Yesterday was an intensly emotional day for Red Sox everywhere. To All: Thanks for a great season, and Congratulations.

Some facts about today's game: before this season, Derek Lowe was 1-4 with a 3.49 ERA in the postseason. 2 of those losses came in the ALCS last year against the Yankees. This year, he's 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA. Overall this season, he was 6-8 with a 6.21 ERA on the road. He deserves a TON of credit for pitching well enough to beat the Yankees TWICE in the ALCS this season. Jason Marquis has no record and a 6.48 ERA this postseason. He pitched 1 inning in the World Series (game 2) and walked 2 batters. He averaged 6.17 K/9 over the season, but walked more than ANY other St. Louis starter this season (70). Given Lowe's 2 good performances in the ALCS, and Marquis' lack of experience (and has not pitched well this postseason), I give the edge to Boston as far as starting pitchers go. Key for Lowe: Stick to what works. Don't try to get Ks, just groundouts. Stay with your strength, you'll be fine. Key for Boston hitters: Make Marquis work. He's got GREAT stuff, but if you make him work, he'll have to come into the strike zone. I'm getting chills just thinking about tonight.

I think for a lot of Sox fans, we aren't willing to accept victory until it happens. Yes, we realize that we're just 27 outs away (please don't tell me you'll change that text at the top of the page as a countdown), but until we're 0 outs away, I'm not celebrating. Right now, I'm just dying in anticipation of tonight's game.

I actually made fun of Yankee fans last year for saying "The ALCS was the REAL World Series," because I thought they were just saying that because they lost. They probably WERE just saying it, but I can see where that might be true for some. In New England, you just can't match Red Sox/Yankees. Can't be done. I was so emotionally invested in the ALCS that I lost sleep, showed up late for work, re-visited the painful moments AND the winning moments over and over again in my head.... I slept like a baby last night. Maybe it's because the Sox are comfortably ahead, maybe it's because I still haven't recovered from the ALCS. Who knows. When it happens (be it 2004 or sometime in the near future), Winning a World Series will be incredible feeling. What will happen when the Red Sox win the World Series? to their fans? to the city? Who knows. Certainly nobody alive can predict what will happen.... I hope we all find out tonight.

No sir I do not. I don't want any more drama. My heart can't take it. The last thing we need is for the Cardinals to feel like they've got any life left in them. I want Marquis to get LIT UP in the first inning and for the Sox to never look back. I don't even want the Cardinals to LEAD in this game. The only way this gets back to Fenway is if St. Louis wins 2 straight games, then the pressure's on our guys and EVERYONE's talking about Billy Buckner, Bucky Dent, The Babe, etc. We've had the drama already in the ALCS. We celebrated winning the AL Pennant AT YANKEE STADIUM for crying out loud. I want them to win tonight.

I have to admit that last Saturday I was thinking to myself: "Well, if we don't win it this year, AT LEAST we beat the Yankees." The World Series hasn't been as emotional as the ALCS, because I don't have that same hatred for the Cardinals. That being said, a World Series win won't feel real until the last out is recorded. This team has been closer to a championship and let it slip, so I personally won't be celebrating UNTIL that last out is recorded. I am confident. This team is playing SO well right now. We are OOOOH so close to victory. OOOOH so close to never hearing "1918" again. Please guys, don't let us down. I can't wait for tonight. C'mon Derek Lowe and company!

It's the manager's job to decide when the starter no longer has that control. Too many times a pitcher gets left in too long and gets fried in the 7th or 8th inning even though he cruised through 6 because his arm is TIRED. Martinez ESPECIALLY. He's just not the same after 100 pitches. He should pitch 6 or 7 innings (depending on pitch count) and then Francona should yank him out of the game! The bullpen guys are effective, and are there for a REASON. Why burn out your starters if the bullpen guys are ready and able? in Game 7, Derek Lowe was pitching on 2 days rest, and YES, he was cruising... but it gets to the point where your arm is just too tired to get the job done. It would be nice if the starters could go 9 innings every time out, but in 2004, it's just not going to happen. It doesn't happen. You've got to be smart and bring in a reliever BEFORE the starter blows the lead.

I think Francona's doing a great job in these playoffs. He brought in Embree to pitch the whole inning instead of a a situational lefty, he brought in Timlin for the 8th, and Foulke for the 8th and 9th. That's how the Sox should do it. Get 6 innings from their starters and let the rest of the bullpen close it out. I like Cabrera hitting second. I like Varitek hitting behind Ortiz. I think Terry's done a good job. All his moves seem to be working right now. I also believe that Joe Torre was victimized by having an inferior team, but he also made some curious moves. I thought Loaiza pitched really well in the ALCS (despite losing game 5), and I'd have used him after Brown (instead of Vazquez). Both managers were forced to overuse thier closers (ALCS) and Foulke outpitched Rivera (I still can't believe it, what an amazing job by Foulke). Torre is a GREAT manager. I firmly believe that. The Red Sox were a superior team in 2004, and that's why they won the ALCS. Torre did a good job to get that group to game 7 of the ALCS, considering Brown, Vazquez, and Mussina all performed below expectations during the regular season. I have a lot of respect for Torre and the job he does in New York. That being said, Francona's done a fantastic job in the playoffs so far too!

OK. Now that all the comparisons are done, here's my synopsis: The Red Sox have the better starting pitchers, but the Cardinals have a deeper bullpen. Only problem is, the man at the end of the bullpen isn't quite as strong as the others, and didn't pitch particularly well in the NLCS. The Red Sox have a slight edge in offense, but it's VERY close. The key to this series as usual will be get early leads for the starters, and carry it to the bullpen. The regular season stats are misleading, because the Red Sox bullpen did a FANTASTIC job in the ALCS and we wouldn't be talking about game 1, Fenway Park without it. I can't wait till tomorrow night. I'm actually gunna see the game on TV!!!!! (that's a big deal for me)

Rotation Analysis. This was thrown together REALLY quickly, let me know if I made a mistake. Otherwise, enjoy, and GO RED SOX! http://www.18eaststreet.com/articles/cardsvssoxpart4.html

Bullpen analysis. Starting to get worried, guys. http://www.18eaststreet.com/articles/cardsvssoxpart3.html

Defensive analysis. Ouch http://www.18eaststreet.com/articles/cardsvssoxpart2.html

I've got no problems playing Mirabelli in game 1. I love Tek but we've got to stick with what got us to the playoffs, and that's Mirabelli catching Wakefield. Mirabelli had 9 HRs and a .525 slugging percentage this year. That's better than Varitek's! I'm not saying he's better than Jason, but he's the best backup catcher in the bigs. We saw what happened when Varitek caught Mirabelli in game 5. We're lucky it didn't cost us the game. Dougie's gotta catch Wake tomorrow night.