elsrbueno

Gosox, If I had a choice between significantly upgrading the pitching staff and significantly upgrading first base, I'd choose pitching. BUT, first base has been a big problem for the Sox this year. Ortiz is a great bat, and is still the team's top clutch hitter. His defense isn't all that great. Millar seems lost at the plate this year. He also has made a bunch of big errors at first base this year. I also think some of the throwing errors would have been outs with a better first baseman. I like an idea I heard a while back about Nick Johnson of Montreal (patient, solid hitter, good defense) but I don't know if Montreal would trade him

I didn't hear that rumor, although I wouldn't be surprised. Based on Francona's comments after Lowe's latest horrible start....the organization is pretty frustrated with Lowe. They've already tried to trade him (without any luck) to San Diego. How soon will Kim be back? Any word?

Olerud's got the glove, but does he still have the bat? His production this year is way down. If the Sox want a good glove, no bat first baseman, they already have McCarty.

The AL has a prayer, because it's the All-Star game and because both teams have incredible rosters. The NL looks like it has the advantage, but keep in mind: Unless this game is a blow-out, the starters will have very little to do with the outcome of this game. Hank Blalock beat Eric Gagne in last year's game for the winning hit. The disadvantage for the AL is that they have 2 STARTERS who don't even deserve to go to the All-Star game (Giambi, Jeter)

If everyone's hitting up to par (which I agree hasn't happened yet this year) I don't mind the Bellhorn for Reese offensive downgrade. That being said, I really like Bellhorn and don't think he's really the cause of this team's horrible play. I think the biggest problem has been first base. Ortiz is an awesome bat over there, but his best value is as DH. I think the Sox will be better of IF: Kevin Millar never plays OF. He's OK at first, but I really don't have confidence in him as an outfielder. This team needs more RANGE out there! The Red Sox upgrade at first base. The Red Sox upgrade PITCHING!!

I'll post the ones I've heard: Nomar and possibly Lowe to Florida? Red Sox reportedly interested in John Olerud, but indications are that he doesn't want to leave Seattle. Red Sox, Yankees, and now the Mets looking into Randy Johnson. Still he's unlikely to be dealt. Steve Finley possibly on his way to San Diego? Phil Nevin is out 3 weeks...This could accelerate this potential deal. Kris Benson's available, Mets seem most interested. If Houston falls out of the race, they may go into selling mode, and may move Beltran before July 31st, and ask Jeff Kent to waive his no-trade clause. Any others?

I'm not sold on Pavano, although I think the Cubs gave up on Choi a little too easily. I think a Nomar/Lowe deal for Choi,Penny, and another decent arm wouldn't be horrible.

Considering the Sox' defensive woes, I'm shocked you all left Reese out of the lineup. Noony got it pretty decent, because I love Daubach. Here's my take: 1) Damon CF 2) Youkilis/Mueller 3B 3) Ortiz DH 4) Ramirez LF 5) Nixon RF 6) Garciapara SS 7) Varitek C 8) Reese 2B 9) Daubach 1B Tony LaRussa (a pretty good manager) once made a comment about alternating lefty/righty hitters in the lineup so it's harder for the other manager to make the decision to put in a "specialist." I still remember when Atlanta was a powerhouse, and got dominated by otherwise worthless lefty's (Grahme Lloyd) because Chipper Jones/Fred McGriff/Ryan Klesko hit back to back to back in the middle of the order. (Yes, Chipper's a switch hitter, but was dreadful while hitting right handed at the time). Thus, my reasoning for the alternation. Other comments: I think Garciaparra's got to break out of his slump. He simply isn't this bad a player. Ortiz is a VERY dangerous hitter. He should be really dangerous with Manny behind him. (Note. This MAY cause Ramirez to be walked more, but when Nixon's on, he is also very dangerous). I gotta have Reese in there because of his defense. I have Youk hitting #2 because of his history for OBP. Call up Daubach, send Millar to AAA (if he refuses assignment, let him go)

The fact that the Yankees got bitch-slapped this weekend by the Mets has to give us (Red Sox fans) hope. They are not unbeatable. I still think the Sox need to buy up for 2004 (without giving up Shoppach/Youk) and shoot for the wildcard. I still think this team can be as dangerous as anyone in a 5 or 7 game series.

Tonight's starters: Bronson Arroyo vs Jaret Wright

Let's hope Theo completes a trade for Russ Ortiz and Andruw Jones BEFORE they have a chance to beat us.

Here's an article from ESPN on Nomar. Basically saying the stuff already said.... http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story...ons/take/040702

As long as it's not a long-term thing. The last thing this team needs is another key player on the DL

When Kevin Millar is playing RF for the Sox AT ALL, this shows a lack of depth that needs to be corrected. It would be one thing if he hit like Ortiz or Manny....but he doesn't. I agree Kapler should have been in there.

Noah, The Rangers would be getting Nomar, who replaces Soriano. Plus it frees them of the financial burden of Soriano's arbritration next year, while still competing this year. Of course this is speculation, but the Rangers would be getting Embree (quality reliever) and Kim who could contribute in a less-pressure situation. What I don't get is the Mets dealing (essentially) Glavine for Rogers and cash. Didn't they already try Rogers and he did poorly for the Mets? As a Red Sox fan I love the trade...but from the Mets' perspective it doesn't make a lot of sense. RedSoxFan, do you have a source on this?

Perez scares me with his latest injuries.... Have there been any updates on that?

Lester was almost sent to Texas in teh A-Rod deal. Glad to see he's still around, and hope he does well! Please update on his injury situation whenever there are updates!

Reverting this back to Nomar.... What should the Sox do with him? I say send him down to AAA where he can get himself right in a no-pressure situation.

and I hope he goes 0-4 with 4 ks. Go mets!

It also proves that just because you spend lots of money, it doesn't guarantee ANYTHING. Some teams poorly spend their money (The Mets, The Rockies) PLUS....The Red Sox getting swept had little to do with the big-money players. Look who killed us last night: Tony Clark, Miguel Cairo, John Flaherty. Woop-de-freakin' do. It's not like the Yankees outbid ANYONE for these guys. The other two nights, it was the Sox' bad defense. The Yankees didn't beat the Sox, the Sox beat themselves.

It's the overall effort, YanksHater. You have to respect the fact that he goes all-out, all the time.

No apologies needed. I still really dislike the idea of seeing Nomar in another uniform.....but we got used to it with Roger Clemens, Mo Vaughn, Wade Boggs, etc. To bring in a pitcher, and a run producer....it would be hard not to pull the trigger on a deal like that.

Good point Cal..... But even though the Sox are #2 in payroll....there's a HUGE difference between $120 mil and $180 mill. That's 6 $10 million players (V-Tek, Lowe, etc), or 3 A-Rods. I think MLB has done a decent job of evening things out without a salary cap. The trend back in 2000/2001 was rising contracts. Now, things are evening out a little more. The only thing the MLB can't solve is the Yankees. They are out of control. They simply don't care about paying the extra $$ for revenue sharing, because they are still cutting a profit. It's like fining Manny $100,000 for not running out a grounder. Think he cares? Nope. That's like pennies to me and you. I think that the MLB is returning to the point where more teams are competitive, which I think is a great thing. The only reason to have a cap would be: Control the Yankees.

I'm one of those naiive people who doesn't WANT to believe players take steroids. Many people have written articles about how the offensive production this year is UP (in an attempt to prove that there wasn't rampant steroid use, because in theory, those who used to use will have stopped now with increased testing). One theory that I think is interesting is this: If Pitchers were also juiced, and now they aren't, in theory wouldn't the numbers balance themselves out? Pitchers wouldn't be throwing as hard if they had to cut back (this is the argument I read). One thing I noticed this year is the increased amount of injuries. Could this be directly related to a cutback in steroid use? Who knows. Just a few ideas on this topic that have been tossed around....figured I'd share them.

vaman, I agree. These athletes should realize it is a privelage to be on that field. These guys make more than I make in a YEAR per GAME.....They owe it to US (the fans) to give 100%. Maybe I'm wrong, but I know I'm not alone when I say that it just doesn't look like Nomar wants to be here. I was against the idea of A-Rod, because I never wanted to lose Nomar..... If he could go back to the old Nomar, who gave 110% and loved playing for Boston...I'd sign him in a SECOND. I just don't feel like he's helping the team right now. If he needs some more time in AAA to get himself RIGHT, I say do it.