example1

Which of those catchers has the highest upside? Which one is their next probable catcher?

Supposedly this is him: (Tazawa) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxRKY_Xg5tQ

I thought he did, but the attraction of MLB must be pretty big for a kid with his stuff. I've watched some of Darvish's videos and have been pretty impressed but it is hard to tell with these things. Yu Darvish is a pretty cool name though.

I know I'm blowing in the breeze on this one, but Wake is right on that line of useful players to me. He's just good enough, versitile enough and experienced enough to be better than "average", but he is no longer good enough to be "good". The question is, are the Red Sox good enough to not have to deal with "just better than average" anymore, or is that unrealistic for any team?

I guess I see the 5-spot as being a place for developing talent. I agree that Wake is on par with many of the other #5 guys, but I think the Sox rotation would be best served if Beckett, Lester and Dice-K didn't have to pitch like All-Stars because #4 and #5 were exceeding expectations. The ideal situation for a #5 in my book is someone who is waiting for his chance to step in as a #2 or #3, not someone who has been penciled in the #5 spot until 2015. Does having Wake keep guys from getting their shot? Even guys like Hansack or Pauley or whoever else has had a chance the past few years... It is hard to find a diamond in the rough when you don't look for them. God love Wakefield. He's about as good a Sox and (from what I can tell) man as Boston has had. That's why it hurts to write negative things about him, and why it hurts to look the preverbial "gift horse in the mouth" when we complain that he only gives us 'average' results from the #5 spot. But I said the same things last year. When the team is generally moving to get younger and more versitile, an old horse like Wake slows down that process IMO. I would rather have Sonnanstine or Price as a #5. (or Masterson or Bowden or Hansack or Buchholz... on the Sox)...

I don't hear any realistic catching scenarios here. Russ Martin ain't happening. It's another potentially unrealistic scenario, but what would it take to land Victor Martinez? He's at $5.7m next year and the club has a $7m club option in 2010, so he's either off contract or in his "free-agent to be" season in 2010. He had a down season last year, but he's been a naturally gifted hitter throughout the past 5 seasons, career .370 OBP. Switch hitter. I'm not sure he can play C everyday, but the Sox have shown over the past few years that a low-level platoon with catchers can be a good thing. They can certainly afford to give him some off days. I don't know, I think he would be a Theo type acquisition. Would Michael Bowden be too much to give away for VM? That's a tough one... I'm not sure what Cleveland needs right now

No. Any production he gives you is morally tainted and questionable. He's best out of the game and I don't want the Sox to be the ones to bring him back.

Yep. There's missing spots, giving up cheap hits and getting nervous; then there's getting rocked. He was regularly getting rocked and it's not what this team needed and its not what he needed.

No Millar. I really liked him there for awhile, but he ultimately got too comfortable and demanding in Boston. No need to add ego to this squad.

E1 random stat: Here are expected W-L records: Cubs: 76-46 Sox: 73-49 Rays: 68-53 Phillies: 68-54 Angels: 66-54 Mets: 66-56 Yankees: 65-57 Jays: 65-57 Interestingly, the Sox and Cubs have very similar offensive numbers this season: Team stats: Cubs: .281/.358/.448 Sox: .281/.358/.445 The teams are first and second in walks, and unsurprisingly, second and third in runs (behind TX). The Sox are 6th in Runs Allowed, Cubs are 5th (Rays 4th, Angels 7th) Runs Scored Sox: 3rd Rays: 20th Runs Allowed Sox: 6th Rays: 4th Random numbers, but I think they bode well for the Sox over the long run. I don't know if it is safe to see the Angels as a hands-down favorite in the AL, and the Sox compare favorably with the Rays in terms of run differential (Sox: +128, Rays: +73) and combination of offense and defense overall.

How about 'The Red Sox FO being good?'

I took Pedroia last year, and I'm taking him still. Of course, I expected more out of Cano than I've seen this season, but he will still have a great career. Pedroia OWNS 2B at Fenway and will likely be there for a long, long time. Different personalities, dispositions and fielding positions, but Pedroia is an invaluable member of a big market team who constantly shows the right approach on the field and seems to really help his team win; a la Derek Jeter. ==== I see a lot of discussion about what happened to the Yankees. The way I see it, the Yankees haven't kept up with the Red Sox because the Sox: a) theorized better--having a game plan and sticking to it (acquire draft picks by letting middle-aged players go, draft power arms, train to OBP and plate control, generally use more money to sign players above slot in the draft, all relievers pitch from the stretch, etc.,) scouted better--scouting opponents, scouting draftees, scouting internationally, developing international resources (training facilities in DR, relationship with Seibu Lions) finding talent for above slot draft. c) signed/released players more strictly-- the Sox have a HUGE baseball budget every year, but they treated every dollar with high scrutiny. Not every move was perfect, but many of the most difficult proved to be good. They are patient and meticulous; an interesting parallel to the approach they expect of their hitters. Acquiring Beckett and Dice-K have been really beneficial and were pivotal for this franchise even though they gave up a lot to get them. d) had luck bordering on dynastic: even with all the draft picks it seems really lucky that so many of them are panning out as they are. Groups of guys like Papelbon, Youkilis, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Lester, Lowry, Buchholz, and Masterson (totaling roughly $6,105,500,--from Cot's) dont' come around that often. The luck is a huge thing, but the Sox put themselves in the position where that luck can make them great. It may make Yankee fans to feel good that the Sox are as good as theya re because of the luck, but getting guys like Jeter and Mariano were what put the Yankees over the top for years and years.

Per SI - this is nothing but baseless speculation. "It's all speculation now, but it's not all that farfetched."

Manny-tangent: Thank you Mr. Ramirez/Would Babe Ruth blow our minds?: Commentators and sports pundits sometimes (rightly) devalue old-time baseball players' achievements due to the improved athleticism, racial tolerance, and world-wide scouting that we have in the 21st century. That said, when I hear people talk about how Babe Ruth wouldn't be "Babe Ruth" if he played today, I can't help but think he might be a player like Manny Ramirez. In truth, Barry Bonds would be the easiest comparison (both LH and by far the best of their age) but Bonds' accomplishments don't seem real to me. In this age, he's one of the few who I feel comfortable comparing historically with other greats. His production has been pretty consistent, as has his body size, his intensity level and his personality (though consistently weird). Here are the players who B-R say are most similar to Manny, which ones are free from any suspicion? (Larry Walker, Jim Thome, Frank Thomas, Willie Stargell, Jeff Bagwell, Alex Rodriguez, Chipper Jones, Joe DiMaggio, Gary Sheffield, Juan Gonzalez). When I eliminate my personal list I end up with 4, maybe 5 players remaining. Easy HOF all. Manny is just an amazing hitter and, upon reflection, clearly has been for years and years. Watching him hit is probably what was felt when people watched (and rooted for) Williams or Ruth. He controlled ABs better than anyone I've ever seen and he seemed to take as much pride in drawing walks as hitting HRs. There was something charming and boyish about him even in his mid 30's; I've heard the same was absolutely true of Babe Ruth. There was always the sense that Manny didn't see himself as fitting in--not identifying himself as American despite growing up in NY, discussing his interest in spirituality one day then peeing in the green monster the next, impulsively saying he loves being in Boston (or LA) and saying he wants to stay forever, then taking the first plane out of town if the mood (or money) strikes him. Babe Ruth grew up in an orphanage in Baltimore and was never comfortable being extremely wealthy and popular--hence the drinking and prolongued immaturity. Not exactly parallel, but I'm left to think that if Babe Ruth was around many would talk about "Babe being Babe". "yeah yeah Example1, shut up already! Manny's not as good as Babe Ruth!" I don't know how to readily compare stats across generations, but I'll grant that Ruth's numbers, even if reduced by 20%, are unbelievable. Would Babe Ruth blow our mind if he played today? ===== Just FYI (I'm looking it up, figured I would share ) : Manny's career: He's 78th in career AVG (.313) 10th in career OPS (1.0005) 36th in career OBP (.4095) 8th in career SLG (.591) 20th in career HR 51st in career 2B 47th in career TB 58th in career BB 22nd in career IBB 24th in career XBH 9th in AB per HR This guy has 4-5 more productive years in him too. Thanks for everything Man-Ram. You're as good as they get. I'm glad we have Jason Bay now.

At least one of Manny's HR's would not have left Fenway--probably a long single off the monster. It was a tremendous blast, but a line drive. It will be hard to compare much other than the W-L of the various teams and the players' individual performances.

Where would the Sox play Teixeira? Move Lowell or Youkilis? I see that as too complicated. I could see the Sox sending Ellsbury + pitching prospect to COL for Holliday's last season and a good shot at signing him longterm. Bay and Drew can play CF, so a corner OF spot can be opened. That would weaken the team defensively, but the lineup would be something like Pedroia Youkilis Ortiz Holliday (LF) Drew (RF) Lowell Bay (CF) Varitek/FA replacement Lowrie/Lugo pretty sick top 7. Could happen :dunno:

Reeeeeally? Flipping to Yanks game...