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Alright, I know we're going to hear the Manny rumors this offseason. I'm not saying trade him at all costs, but I had an interesting thought. Baseball is relevent again in Detroit. They've got a solid core of young arms and are in need of an offensive jumpstart. What if the Sox offered Manny to the Tigers for Bonderman and Magglio? Would you do it as the Sox? Would you do it as the Tigers? On either side of this I'd have to seriously consider it.

If he comes at 13-14 million for 4 years sign this guy. He's a 30+ homer hitter with an improving glove. 28 years old means he's in his prime right now. a 4 year deal puts him at 32 which is the beginning of the decline. Sure, the Cubbies are his first choice... but it'd be hard to turn down a chance to protect Manny effing Ramirez in the 5 hole. This guy is a must sign. Then trade Lowell for pitching.

I could see Pettite in Boston. The Red Sox like guys who have shown they can stand the pressure (ala Pettite) and he's a solid arm. Especially because he should be a deal compared to the Zito/Matsuzaka/Schmidt level of pitcher-- because he's clearly not THAT good. Here's a potential surprise: Roger Clemens actually retires...... Although I don't THINK that will happen. I think he'll be back in the AL East-- just a gut feeling I've got.

I know they're all played at 4:00 am our time, but are any TV stations or MLB.TV replaying these games at a more normal time?

I said FIGURING out Manny Ramirez, I didn't say trading him. if they decide to keep him they've got to stick with that decision and build the team around the fact that Manny's in left field. I don't think they can do anything without making that decision FIRST-- that's all I'm saying.

The offseason game plan has to start with Manny Ramirez. They either need to figure out how to make him happy for 2 more seasons or trade him but they've got to make that decision yesterday. If he's gone they've got some serious restructuring to do. They need to add at least 2 potent bats (because Manny cannot be replaced by one player) and improve in other areas (pitching, defense, speed?) Other than figuring out Manny, figuring out the middle infield and right field, and rebuilding the pitching staff, it should be an uneventful offseson.

and the masseuse would be cheaper, faster, and probably a better hitter than Millar.

While I rarely agree with trading youth, I think this theory has some merit. Lowell's glove and comprable bat to Youkilis' certainly makes him valuable. In my mind he's overpaid at $9 million but I'd rather have a solid, gold glove caliber third baseman here for one year than pay someone else half his salary to play somewhere else. Youk should get better since he's just entering his prime years now, but how much better? He's probably a 40 double 20 homer guy at best. They'd have to bring back a player who represents a significant offensive improvement over Youk to make it worth a deal. I'd trade the guy who brings the most VALUE back, and after Youkilis had a pretty solid first year and at a bargain salary he's the man who would fetch the most. No idea who plays third in 2008 though.

I think the problem is the Red Sox lineup can't afford to have 2 guys like Lowell and Youkilis in the lineup. They're SOLID players, but neither one hits like a corner infielder (where you expect more production) and of course it didn't help that RF and CF were also weak spots last year. Keep in mind that I like Youkilis and was one of the people who said he should be playing MORE in 2005 and praised him in 2006 because he's decent defensively and puts up solid numbers. Not first base numbers in the traditional sense, but solid. If Youk is staying at first and Lowell staying at third, the Sox need to add a big bat who can play right field or shortstop.

Um, for those of you who claim Millar is 100% positive, have you forgotten how he bitched about sharing playing time with Mientkiewicz (even though Doug was only brought in as a defensive replacement) and how he complained about sharing time with Olerud (even though he was in the process of being the worst first baseman in baseball)? How about his "F*CK them all", T-Shirt, referring to the fans who booed him because he sucked so badly? Youkilis is younger, just as good, and a MUCH better defender. Neither one of them belong in the outfield. Millar KILLED us there defensively. Don't you remember the fact that Millar can't hit lefties, he can't hit good pitchers, he can't hit away from Fenway, and he can't hit in the clutch? Youkilis' best years are AHEAD of him, Millar's are BEHIND. Millar isn't as positive an influence as most think, either. Remember, he bitches when he's not playing every day, and this dude is not an everyday player. Just say "no" to Kevin Millar.

If this is about money, he's NOT going to the Red Sox. If this is about playing second, it's POSSIBLE but I doubt it. The Red Sox seem to emphasize defense more than they used to and he is a horrible defensive second baseman. That having been said, he's very athletic and has become an above average defensive outfielder. I haven't seen him play the outfield very much so I'm going on what I've read, but that's what I hear. I just don't see him as a fit in Boston given what we know about the Red Sox front office. UNLESS they trade Manny Ramirez and are desperate for a productive bat. The guy steals 40 bases in a season but the Red Sox don't believe in taking that risk as often. He'd be a 20 steal a season (MAX) guy in Boston. His lack of plate discipline hurts his chances, but then again the Sox signed Alex Gonzalez who suffered a similar problem. However, he's de-valued by the FO's principles a bit. I've always been a fan of his athletic ability but always thought his lack of plate discipline would KILL him eventually. He really hasn't shown that which is kind of a mystery to me. I don't see the Sox offering more than 4 years @ 12 mil a year and he will probably get more than that elsewhere. On Soriano to the Yankees though? This makes no sense to me UNLESS they trade A-Rod and get nothing for him. Where would he play? They already have Matsui, Damon, and Abreu signed for big money in the outfield and Robinson Cano as their team's best value at second base. They've got Giambi on the team as a DH already and have an affordable (for them) option on Sheffield. I don't see Soriano has a place in NY. The Mets, Angels, Dodgers, Giants, all have the resources and need to add a big bat. While it would be cool to see him in Boston because of his sheer athletic ability, I don't see it happening.

I have to agree with ORS about my skepticism of Matsuzaka. It has been said by a ton of people that the Japanese Professional Baseball League can be compared to AAA numbers when they come over. How many pitchers have mid 2's ERAs in AAA and don't translate it to the major leagues? Also during the WBC Japan was in the middle of its season, meaning their players were in mid-season form while all the North American stars were still in Spring Training form. It seems to me that Matsuzaka could be counted on to be a #3 at best until he proves he's something better. That having been said, Zito and Schmidt are probably #3's too (maybe #2's) at this point. At least Zito has pitched well in the AL before (unlike Schmidt) but Schmidt's power stuff IMO would translate better to the AL East than Zito's. The thing about Matsuzaka from a business perspective is that the Sox could make money off of signing him if they play their cards right. The Yankees and Mariners are HUGE in Japan because they've got Matsui and Ichiro. Japanese media flocks to the games. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up in New York or Seattle or even LA just because the Red Sox have shown that they're financially conservative these days, but if they're going to splurge, a 25 year old #3 pitcher with potential is not a bad place to do it.

Bronson Arroyo was a perfect back end of the rotation starter in Boston. He got off to an amazing start in Cincy, but came back to earth mid-season. He is what he is, and he's a very valuable piece to a winning team because he's durable, he eats innings, and he gives you a chance to win every time out. I don't disagree with the trade the Sox made EVEN NOW because if you get the chance to trade a #4 or #5 starter for a potential impact everyday player (Remember Arroyo's 29 and Pena's 24) you do it. Every time you do it. I think the fact that Bronson would be a #3 on our staff this year is more a reflection on out staff than it is on Bronson. That having been said, I'd take him back in a heartbeat because he's a tremendous value at his salary and his current ability level and contract length. The pitching-crazed Wayne Krivsky won't give him up easily though.

One guy who might come cheap and on a 1 year incentive laiden deal is Eric Gagne. He's got an option with LA for something like $12 million which they really shouldn't excercise, putting him on the market. He's huge risk at $12 million but he should be out there. The Sox could sign him to 1 year deal similar to Wade Miller's or Matt Mantei's a couple years ago and he'll have the chance to prove he's healthy on a big stage. Also keep in mind that even though he's stunk up the joint the past 2 years, Keith Foulke will probably be back next year. He's got a $3.75 million player option and there's no way he gets that on the open market.

I'd like to see the Sox go after Julio Lugo and play him at second base. He's got a better bat than Mark Loretta and a shortstop's range at second. Dustin Pedroia can fill Alex Cora's 2006 role of utility infielder and get some ML experience that way. Lugo as a shortstop is a bad idea for the Sox. Lugo as a second baseman would be perfect IMO. He'd be a huge upgrade over Lorreta considering he's got more power, more speed, and more range. His OBP was pretty much the same (.341 to .345) and he'd slot in very well as a #1 or #2 guy in front of Ortiz and Ramirez.

I agree 100% on both counts. At the time people all over baseball were wondering whether or not Hanley Ramirez had the plate patience and the bat to be a major league player. He was coming off of a pretty mediocre season in AA and even though he was still young, there was some doubt. So far, the doubters look wrong. I'd still like to see how Hanley does after the NL adjusts to him. If he continues to dominate, he can be considered a good player who got away. One season is not enough of a sample size to evaluate a trade. Also, one thing we've got to keep in mind is that Pro Player (or whatever it's called these days) stadium is a COMPLETELY different environment than Fenway park. The opposition is weaker, the fans are indifferent or nonexistant, the park is more pitcher friendly, and there's no DH. Comparing Sanchez to Beckett on numbers alone is pointless and silly. Saying Sanchez would have been the same pitcher in Boston this year as he was in Florida is just plan stupid IMO. SO, in my opinion the jury's still out on that trade. On the Freddy Sanchez deal, I think that's a trade you make every time too. Last year was Freddy Sanchez at his peak performance IMO. He hits for a good average but that's about it. He's unspectacular with the glove and doesn't hit for power or have overwhelming speed. He's a decent player but at the time a decent 25 year old middle infielder with no power and no speed for a serviceable starter and a lefty reliever is a good trade. One thing to keep in mind is that Sanchez is 28 years old, so he's at his peak level (age wise) right now. I don't think he gets any better than this.

Beckett was a 3.50 ERA guy in Florida. That makes him a 4.00ish guy in the AL and Boston. Granted he's just enterting his prime now so he can get better. I'd say at BEST he pitches 200 innings with an ERA around 3.5 Worst case (assuming he's healthy) is 200 innings and 5.0 ERA. My guess is somewhere between 4.0 and 4.5 unless he works miracles in the offseason. It scares me that his K rate went down and that his BB rate went up, but hopefully that's just an adjustment factor. His walk rate in August was lower than his overall seasonal rate, but his strikeout rate was lower too. Not terribly promising if you assume it's just an adjustment period. It's rediculous (IMO) to predict wins for a starter since he's just a small part of what contributes to the win and it's dependant on too much that's not under his control.

The only way it ever happens is in a 3 team deal, and even then it'd be a bit of a stretch. First of all, there aren't many teams that can afford either one of these players. Dodgers, Angels, Mets, ??? Second, A-Rod's postseason struggles probably make him a bad fit in Boston since it's also a very intense market and he's proven that he doesn't have what it takes to stand up to the pressure in New York. Third, quite a few Sox players have bashed the hell out of A-Rod in the media, and he's a self-proclaimed sensative guy with a no trade clause. Why would he come to Boston now, especially considering he was pissed at the organization back in 2003 because of how they handled the negociations with Texas. I wouldn't MIND it happening because if Manny truly wants out A-Rod is the next best thing. He's also a gold glove shortstop playing third base right now so adding him would make a lot of sense. However IMO there's no way the Yankees knowingly trade A-Rod within the division because he's that dangerous with the bat and despite his unpopularity he's an amazing talent. IF Manny is traded, I'd rather see them turn him into Miguel Tejada +.

The Pads will score because the Cardinal pitching staff behind Carpenter's pretty thin. I don't put much faith in Suppan/Marquis/Weaver/Reyes combo. Plus they lost Izzy for the season. I liked the Padres even before they matched up against the Cardinals. Williams/Peavy/Wells/Young is a much better rotation and even if the Cardinals take game 1 (likely considering Carpenter's the better pitcher right now) the Padres should win the rest. Padres in 4.

I've said this to anyone who'll listen and I'm not the first nor will I be the last: Santana is the new Pedro. He's far and away the most dominant pitcher in the game, and the Twins have to LOVE having him be able to pitch 2 games. That and Brad Radke gives them a solid 1-2 punch. The A's though have a deep pitching staff but Zito hasn't been all that great in the playoffs. The Twins should take this series in 5 based solely on the fact that they'll have Santana in the first and Santana in the 5th. They can win at least 1 of the other 3 games and give Santana a chance to clinch it.

I'll take the Mets in 5, what the heck. El Duque's dominant in the playoffs, Glavine's decent, and they've got a potent offense. I like the Dodgers' team and think they've got a shot. This should be a good series.