riverside sluggers

The offense is still an upgrade over 2006's version. And remember that the 2006 Sox offense was one of the best by the All-Star Break even with the inconsistencies in the rotation that is also a downgrade compared to this year's version As Ive said last year's opening day rotation threw a combined 614 innings. Id find it hard believe that will replicate. Jackson you actually think that all 5 Yankee starters will get close to or exceed 200 innings? Thats basically banking that each of them will make every start, and will average 6.5 innings or longer

Tomorrow's Headline "Trent Green was found in an abounded alley, beaten to a pulp and left for dead. The lead suspect is Ty Law"

Ty Law baby! God I wish he was still on the Pats. Hey Peyton its your old buddy haha

Even with the Ortiz walkoff hits of 06, didnt anyone else get more excited with adrenaline when Loretta was the hero on Patriots Day?

We are going to see the same thing from Schilling very soon? Unlike RJ, Curt's still a better pitcher in the AL East. He is also 3 years younger and doesnt have even close to the back injury that's keeping RJ from being what he used to be. He's got motivation from the addition of potential ace Matsuzaka and the urge to walk into the sunset as 07 is his final season in the major leagues. As Bosox said, expect an ERA of like 4-4.25, 13-16 wins, 180+ Ks

Who said anything about us being drop-dead excited about Pineiro? Most of the fans on here are either expecting the worst, or others (me included) are hoping this is an under the radar signing and he will at least be decent. Yea every player the Sox get... everyone is excited. Did you see the same "sentiment" in your view when they signed Jason Johnson, re-acquired Rudy Seanez, Runelvys Hernandez, re-signing of Doug Mirabelli, JC Romero, Kevin Jarvis, Bryan Corey, Mike Burns, Willie Harris, etc. And those players were acquired throughout the past year Considering the Astros just extended Oswalt to a big contract and he's now their ace, it would have to take a BIG offer by the Yankees to even get Houston interested in chatting.

When was the last time the Sox traded star players with big contracts for a basket of prospects?

Basically Igawa could be a serviceable reliever... I dont see what the big hassle was to first post $26 million to talk to him then sign a 5 year contract. Basically it could turn out to be 5 years/$46 million for a guy who could be a serviceable reliever in the end, Im not yet seeing how this was an impact move by New York

"jackson", if you heard the Yankees turned down the Twins' offer of Johan Santana for Phillip Hughes... youd really be pissed about it?

Oh yea, he's going to get booed at Fenway Park. Although that was a given when the rumors were starting to fly earlier this offseason. He's sure to give the Yankees a solid glove at 1st base

Atta boy Mark turn down the Yankees offer, it wouldve been bad picturing you in pinstripes A class act all the way, thanks for the memories. The Patriots Day walkoff was your day in the sun here.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070103&content_id=1772705&vkey=hotstove2006&fext=.jsp The Rangers have offered Mark Loretta a 1 year deal w/ an option for 08 to be their utility guy. Loretta turned them down, saying he is set to sign with someone else

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=175264 Updated news from the Boston Herald, Piniero will in fact most likely be the opening day closer for the Red Sox. An option for 2008 will be triggered if he finishes 35 games. Long Man/Spot Starter- Julian Tavarez Middle Relief- JC Romero Manny Delcarmen Hideki Okajima Set Up Men- Brendan Donnelly Mike Timlin Closer- Joel Pineiro Hope this is an under the radar signing, the 25-man team is set now lets just look towards spring training. Pitchers and catchers report in 6 weeks

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spyanks0104b,0,1001758.story?coll=ny-main-bigpix Randy Johnson has agreed to an extension thru 2008 with Arizona. Also its been established that the Yankees would receive Luis Vizcaino (not Brandon Medders). The # of prospects will be sorted out when it comes clear how much New York is willing to fork over

3 months out with a back injury would do that to any pitcher... Oh and the offense helped him not win starts for majority of the season. Look at his stats, the Sox backed him up with 3 runs or less most of the time

I doubt the Sox would worry about save situations for every game, wouldnt that set a record for save opportunities?

Once I heard Pineiro's name come up as one of the expected non-tendered free agents, I just had this ankling the Red Sox would nab him. Since obviously its a major league contract (barring a trade) this could be the pitching staff entering the season. Nick Carfado did recently say that they will add another middle reliever and have the bunch contend in spring training for possible closing duties. Piniero however (as of right now) seems the best bet to be the long man/spot starter EDIT: Up to Date, possible opening day 25-man roster Catcher- Jason Varitek Backup-- Doug Mirabelli 1st Base- Kevin Youkilis DH/1st Base- David Ortiz 2nd Base- Dustin Pedroia Shortstop- Julio Lugo Backup-- Alex Cora 3rd Base- Mike Lowell Left Field- Manny Ramirez Center Field- Coco Crisp Right Field- JD Drew Backups-- Wily Mo Pena Eric Hinske Starting Rotation: Curt Schilling Daisuke Matsuzaka Josh Beckett Jonathan Papelbon Tim Wakefield Bullpen (no specific order): Julian Tavarez Mike Timlin Manny Delcarmen Brendan Donnelly JC Romero Hideki Okajima Joel Pineiro

Aubrey Huff will see most of his time in left field, according to various reports Ive heard already. The bulk of 1st base time will go to Millar. The one that will be pissed of is Jay Payton, unless the O's pull off a trade of Corey Patterson as has been rumored