Plumpamania

I just can't think of a better option that doesn't involve dealing away Marte/Papelbon/Lester. That trio is not moving.

Is he even a sox fan?

Beckett/Schilling/Clement/Arroyo/Papelbon/Wakefield is immediately a better rotation: that was I think the FO's biggest concern.

Damon said he'd rather retire than go to the Yankees. Arroyo can go if it betters the team. I don't care about PR. Most fans don't understand the ins and outs of running a team.

Unless CIN picked up most of his tab or they took Matt Clement instead of Arroyo, I'm against this trade. I don't like it. I still think Arroyo and Declarmen would be better suited to Seattle for Jeremy Reed.

DaVannon is a better person to man CF right now than Stern, Harris or Murphy. Of course we'd love to see Jeremy Reed or CoCo Crisp, but they would both cost to much in terms of prospects for us.

The predictions weren't made by James himself as he doesn't believe in predictions. They were made by two of the men who helped him write the handbook and whom work for him.

Hitters: C- Kelly Shoppach: .242/.310/.466/.776 17 HR 55 RBI 47 RC Jason Varitek: .286/.353/.457/.810 20 HR 75 RBI 78 RC 1B- Kevin Youkilis: .278/.395/.442/.837 14 HR 68 RBI 87 RC 2B- Mark Loretta: .299/.369/.400/.769 7 HR 45 RBI 40 RC SS- Alex Cora: .241/.308/.344/.651 5 HR 28 RBI 32 RC 3B- Mike Lowell: .269/.341/.441/.782 16 HR 72 RBI 69 RC Andy Marte: .252/.353/.459/.812 7 HR 28 RBI 26 RC LF- Manny Ramirez: .305/.407/.603/1.010 45 HR 141 RBI 141 RC CF- No Option (not posting Reed or Crisp) RF- Trot Nixon: .283/.373/.486/.860 19 HR 72 RBI 78 RC DH- David Ortiz: .289/.382/.574/.956 40 HR 132 RBI 129 RC Pitchers: Name----------------GS----IP----W----L----ERA-----------BB-----K Bronson Arroyo---32----206--12----11--4.09----------58-----135 Josh Beckett------31---194---14-----8---3.42----------69------192 Matt Clement----32----190--12-----10--3.98----------83------166 Keith Foulke-----0-------66---3------1----3.09-33SV---8------31 Curt Schilling---31------190--14----7---3.31----------35------193 Mike Timlin-----0--------74----5-----3----3.63---------18-------52 Tim Wakefield--34-----241--14----13---4.11--------86-------173 Guillermo Mota--0----68----5-------3----3.41--------26--------57 Rudy Seanez--0------62----4-------3----3.62-------28---------68 Julian Tavarez-0------76---4------3-----4.18--------24--------35

Bill James' Handbook 2006 Predictions show that Youk will have a good year. I'm waiting on PETCOA to see what they say too. Check out my new thread for this.

Youk will have a great OB. I still don't see why you guys are hating.

Before I even saw your last line I thought of Mota. If they do that, I'll be delighted.

Mark Loretta Kevin Youkilis Will do fine in the 1/2 spots of the lineup.

So the Sox lose: Ramirez/Wells/Lester AND Arroyo And receive Crawford and Huff A big hell no.

Possibly but if we could get away with Meredith I'd much rather that

Personally I'd rather trade Meredith before Declarmen.

Payton is in a spot now in OAK where he probably won't be starting again. Swisher, Bradley and Kotsay would all start over him. And then there is also the spot of Dan Johnson playing 1B and Daric Barton with an ETA of mid season. Payton's 'bad blood" came from the fact that he wanted to be a starter. And with Ramirez/Damon/Nixon from left to right, he didn't have a shot. Now he does. All Payton wants to do is start.

Wells for Payton would be done in a three way deal. However I'd assume that would include Wells to the Dodgers, someone from LA to OAK and Payton to Boston. I agree that it could hurt all three. I think Stern and Murphy should be given the more idealistic chance to compete. Ellsbury needs to play at AA. I saw him play against the Hudson Valley Renegades several times and was VERY impressed, but he surely needs more time. And personally I wouldn't call Kevin Youkilis a weak hitter. He is projected to have a .400 OB. I think with pure defense in CF and at SS we'll be fine. Afterall if we go by winshares, Cora would almost pretty much equal out Renteria.

Well from what I last heard about the Reed deal, is that Seattle wanted Lester or Papelbon. Which is a def. no! Anyways I think Ellsbury isn't ready yet, he only played in the NYPL. Stern and Murphy and Ellsbury however should be given the shot to compete for the starting job.

No but: Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine, Cliff Floyd, Carlos Delgado, Billy Wagner, Paul LoDuca, Steve Traschel all are. And FYI, Reyes is a BAD baseball player.

His last two seasons were solid. If not there are plenty of teams in need of MR help;.

Very good pickup. Should give Hansen a full AAA year. However if Hansen rapes in AAA, look for Seanez and Tavarez to be traded.

Michaels is also 31, but the more I think about it, it could be a very solid deal, good thought.

I think they might bite more for Clement for Michaels, but if that were the case I'd offere Clement for Rowand and see what they say. Declarmen no, Meredith yes. DiNardo and Meredith would be a little heavy price still. Shoppach for Michaels?

He should be. He really has nothing left to prove in the minors. However I think he'll start off there this year as they give Lowell a chance. If Lowell busts, they will deal or waive Lowell and bring up Marte.

Stern has some more, but he has no stick whatsoever. The Double Headed GM even spoke of placing Marte in the OF when they acquired him, due to Lowell's presence at 3B. He'd basically follow the M. Cabrera route (not Melky ..)