I don't understand this upside potential??
As far as I'm concerned....Jonathan Papelbon is currently the best closer in the game and isn't showing signs of slowing down. As for Craig Hansen....he's been on the Red Sox for just over half a season. I like Verlander and Zumaya.....but I really like our guys too.
I don't necessarily worry how hard a player throws....there are some guys who have a cannon but aren't that great. I just want players who hit there spots and make the pitches to get outs.
I can understand Justin Verlanders upside but.....Jonathan Papelbon is pretty incredible in the bullpen. I couldn't imagine he could keep this up for the year. Eventually he will give up a run and blow a save....then again he might not.
Meanwhile Craig Hansen has a fastball that hits 98mph with a nasty breaking slider. In the end if the players stay on there current teams, Papelbon and Hansen will probably have better careers because they are on the Red Sox.
I think Delcarmen should come back up. My numbers could be off cause there isn't a box score yet....but I believe Manny Delcarmen struck out 4 of the 5 batters he faced tonight.
Sturtze is on there too besides the fact he didn't do much. Damon is really hurting and Giambi has been bitching about his neck. The way Johnson is going I wouldn't be suprised if he gets hurt just to avoid the rest of the season.
The difference between Willis and Beckett is a few extra pitches and more velocity. Dontrelle Willis really only features a fastball, slider, and a changeup. With the teams in the AL East they can sit on a pitch and figure out a pitcher in the later part of the game.
Josh Beckett has the stuff to completely overpower a team (like he did to Baltimore). Dontrelle Willis relies on being deceptive and being perfect with his location. That being said I love the guys attitude and I think he is a real competitor. I wouldn't mind one bit having him on the Red Sox but I think there are other options I would want to look at before.
Trade bait.
He is decent in the field but I'm not sure his offense fits what the Red Sox are all about. His batting average is pretty low and his slugging percentage is pretty low. He can get on base but I think he would be better served in the NL. Might be good in the leadoff spot and we have a team filled with players who can lead off. We also have Jacoby Ellsbury who should be an excellent leadoff hitter in the future.
At least he is being a good guy about it. From an article I read he understands why he isn't being played. I don't think we can get much for him but I like the idea of giving Choi some at-bats in the majors. He is still pretty young.
Same goes with who finishes the season in 1st place. This is just silly....onto a different thread....
Check out Jon Lester's stats today.....more reason to be excited
hmm....no response.
Guess we can mark that under the "touche" category....again
BTW I love how its a big deal on May 17th.....and we even mentioned the tie-breaker haha
Thanks again SFoC...
called my father and he almost lost it haha. It deffinitly made up for the tough week he's had. Congrats to everyone else that won. Its going to be a great Red Sox victory.