riverside sluggers

roto

An advantage of Youk's is his versitality. He could slide over to 3rd base when Lowell's contract is up, also to make room for the more potential 1st baseman slugger in Lars Anderson. Nice to think of, a homegrown infield of Landerson, Pedroia, Lowrie, and Youkilis

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/padres/20080210-9999-1s10bbnotes.html Tony Clark signs on with the Padres for a 1 year $900,000 deal

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/fantasy/index.jsp On the left hand side there is a box that says 2008 fantasy preview. They arent sorted by teams, just by positions

Good package the Orioles have gotten for Bedard. Next up could be Brian Roberts to the Cubs before ST is over Thus far Baltimore has given up Erik Bedard and Miguel Tejada for Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Tony Butler, Kam Mickolio, Troy Patton, Luke Scott, Matt Albers, Dennis Sarfate, Mike Costanzo

Remember last year's opening day rotation? Schilling- Was the only sure thing to produce, coming off of rebound year with 15 Ws, sub 4 ERA, pitched over 200 innings, and 183 Ks Beckett- coming off of a 15 year and 200 innings, but also one in which he had a 5+ ERA and 36 homeruns allowed Matsuzaka- essentially a rookie to the MLB and America Wakefield- spent 2 months of 2006 season on the DL Tavarez- pray for rain 2008 Beckett- Now fully entrenched as an ace, 20 game winner, 2nd in Cy Young voting, sub 3.5 ERA, reached 200 innings 2nd year in a row, dominant as ever in the playoffs. Giving him confidence can only help him move along Matsuzaka- Has full season under his belt, won 15 games (bad run support in 2nd half hurt chances of close to 20 wins), eclipsed 200 innings, eclipsed 200 Ks (first to do since Pedro), solid start in game 3 of the world series including a 2 RBI single haha Buchholz- Gets his shot to show his nasty stuff in the majors to start off the year. 148 innings last year, the Sox are said to have an innings max somewhere from 160-175 innings Lester- Still only 24 years old, more room to grow for this fighter. Great story to see him game 4 of the World Series. Once he learns to fully harness his control, it will all be gravy Wakefield- Probably entering his final year. He won 17 games last year, will give you 4.5ish ERA, 175+ innings, 12-15 Ws Sox are still poised to have a better year offensively and will have Papelbon at the end to secure the leads if need be. Still feeling as confident as ever that it will be a good season to watch

Now us losing him until at least the all-star break is very bad news, Mitt Romney supporter are we?

Buchholz or Lester would easily supplant Wake as the #3 starter in the playoffs

edited Mike Lowell in

Well this certainly changes the outlook on the rotation... If the Sox do void the contract, course its easy to say "well Buchholz will be in the starting rotation". Though it would be smart to add on a free agent starting pitcher. After Buchholz there isnt a lot of major league ready depth behind him to step in The season hasnt started yet, so any talks about the season or state of the rotation as a question mark... its laughable

mlb.com's fantasy predictions for the Red Sox

March 25th & March 26 are regular season games. They will be started by Beckett and Dice-K, that could change pending Dice's wife who is esxpected to give birth during that week. Then April 1st & 2nd they will be in Oakland for a 2 game series, again that 2 game series will be started by Beckett and Dice-K

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/rosters The Red Sox, entering the 2008 season will be the oldest team in baseball at an avg age of 29.8. Though its worth noting that next offseason we could see retirements of Schilling (42), Wakefield (42), Timlin (42) and Mirabelli (38). Sean Casey (34) will also be a free agent. Varitek and Manny as well but I expect them to be back in 2009 http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/rosters?sortColumn=average_weight But the Yankees will have the fattest team haha

http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/comments/lefty-miller-returns-to-rays/ Trever Miller has signed a 1 year deal to return to Tampa Bay. He joins a bullpen that will be anchored by Dan Wheeler, Al Reyes and Troy Percival http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3234213 I swore the Sox had locked Donnelly up for 08 with an option year for 09, but he has signed a minor league deal with the Guardians. Also Hinske has signed a deal with a team before ST starts up. It is in fact with Tampa Bay, a minor league deal with an invite. If he makes the team it will be $800 K

Coco deserves a starting gig with his speed and gold glove type defense, unfortunately for him was that Jacoby shot up faster than expected. Plus Ive heard that Crisp's agent has said that Coco would not be happy with taking a reserve role. Im a big fan of Kieltys, solid bat against lefties to have off the bench and will give you good defense.

Tavarez is a lock to be in the bullpen as the long man. His 2008 option was picked up for $4 million, hardly think theyll do a buyout

minor update: Damien Miller (38), Jeff Cirillo (38), Shawn Green (35) and Reggie Sanders (40) are all said to be leaning toward retirement

I think the Yankees will make big splashes by signing both CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira

Not acquisition but here 's a list of players who are Still free agents... Catcher Damian Miller 1st Baseman Tony Clark, Eric Hinske, Ryan Klesko, Doug Mientkiewicz, Greg Norton, Mark Sweeney 2nd Baseman Tony Graffanino Shortstop Royce Clayton, Neifi Perez 3rd Baseman Russell Branyan, Jeff Cirillo Outfielders Barry Bonds, Shawn Green, Jerry Hairston Jr, Bobby Kielty, Kenny Lofton, Trot Nixon, Orlando Palmeiro, Corey Patterson, Reggie Sanders, Shannon Stewart, Rondell White, Preston Wilson Designated Hitters Mike Piazza, Sammy Sosa, Mike Sweeney Starting Pitchers Tony Armas, Kris Benson, Bartolo Colon, Josh Fogg (Twins might sign him, those poor Twins fans), Freddy Garcia, Livan Hernandez, Byung-Hyun Kim, Kyle Lohse, Rodrigo Lopez, Eric Milton, Russ Ortiz, Odalis Perez, Aaron Sele, Steve Trachsel, John Thomson Relief Pitchers Antonio Alfonseca, Armando Benitez, Shawn Chacon, Ray King, Jose Mesa, Trever Miller, Ron Villone, Jay Witasick, Bob Wickman

The Guardians shouldve locked up Sabathia sooner. Now he and his agent are drooling like crazy for a potential bidding war if he hits free agency.

Very decent move. No lie, I thought of his name right away to be the backup 1st baseman. Good lefty bat capable hitting above .300, some pop, good defender Whos to say that Casey will indeed stay the full season? An injury can happen at any time, or maybe a DFA if he spirals downward to JT Snow circa 2006

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/tcoast/epaper/2008/01/31/0131mccora.html Failure to appear to court for probation violation. He was later released on $20,000 bond. It dates back to 99 when he had a DUI, very surprising

Giambi, Duncan, Betemit and Ensberg vying for ABs at 1st Base Giambi, Matsui and Damon vying for ABs at DH Damon, Matsui and Duncan vying for ABS at left field I dont want to be Girardi when he makes his daily lineups

Once the Santana signing and Erik Bedard trade is actually completed, should be hearing about the fate of current top free agent starting pitchers Livan Hernandez and Kyle Lhose. Before the offseason kept hearing about how Lohse was supposed to get a Gil Meche type contract.

The Twins also got screwed by the Mets in the Luis Castillo trade, getting 2 low level crap prospects