riverside sluggers

Exactly my point, the 06 free agent list of closers/top set up men pales in comparison to last year's class. A trade maybe? Hansen is not yet near being our closer of the future, MDC is more ready to handle the pressure of MLB late inning games but I see him more as a 7th/8th inning guy. Sox might bite the bullet and resort to keeping Paps as the lights out closer, right now hes the best option to close games for 07.

My way of thinking for the pitching staff is that they need to keep Papelbon in the closer's role, he's born into that role and besides theres no big closers out on the free agent market this season. Id like to see a Matsuzaka or Jason Schmidt be acquired to help boost the rotation to back up Schilling & hopefully a rebounding Beckett. For relief, top of my list is the Blue Jay Justin Speier. Also send Theo a book called "How to find good relief pitching for Dummies"

Well as far as the offense goes- Varitek, Youkilis, Ortiz, Pedroia, Cora, Manny, Wily Mo & Hinske are all but set to still be on team in 2007 Shortstop is a question because Sox are said to be intent on getting Julio Lugo this offseason Less than 50% chance Coco is still here, a new player could be manning center field. Rehasing my statement, there will be an overhaul in the pitching staff (specifically bullpen). Say goodbye to Clement, Wells, Timlin, Foulke Yes Sox are holding onto Schilling because he's right now such the declining player for us. Trying to stray from the truth that he is still a solid pitcher for the Sox? Its all about drive, The f*** they are just holding him onto sentimental purposes. Schil will be intent on making his last season in the bigs a good one. Its funny how Yankee fans cant admit he's actually having a good season (but wait haha look at his stats since July) even though 3 out of his last 5 starts he has allowed 3 runs or less including your own team. EDIT: I find it much more appeasing for 2007 to have a 40 year old Schilling than an even more decling pitcher in 44 year old RJ

--Varitek was out for majority of spring training, the World Baseball Classic --Schilling will be here in 2007, thats bottom of the barrel for the Sox front office to think about. He's still the ace and has allowed 3 runs or less in 3 out of his last 5 starts including the Yankees. --2 straight rebuilding offseasons? Thats music to Yankee fans' ears

Not all hope is lost on Beckett becoming teh ace of the staff, or a solid #2 starter for years in a Sox uni Lowell was a great pickup and has out-perforned shunning expectations It cant be acted as if it was a one-sided deal Also it is not a given that the Marlins will win the wild card. They have to leap frog the Reds, Padres, Phillies & Giants. Take a gander at their September schedule http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/fla/schedule?v=cal&m=09&y=2006

Johnny Damon was regarded as a Red Sox and was remembered for putting the final nail into the coffin of the 04 Yanks with his 2 HRs, 5 RBIs in game 7. Yankee fans have qucikly turned their stance 180 about him Its all about production, if he manages a winning team for Boston, you'll be hearing no complaints. Personally I would be for it but I think Tito will be given another chance in 07

rotoworld

I wouldnt actually say that Josh Bard was an untestesd rookie when he joined the Sox 4 seasons (156 games) with Cleveland

Pedroia shouldnt be mentioned in a pool of Gabbard, Huckaby, and Cora A lot of first-timers in the majors need to settle down their mind about actually being in the bigs now. His steady swing will start coming. Besides he has already hit his fair share of hard liners that opposing players have been able to do great jumps/dives for.

The Sox wont move Wakefield. I can guarantee that. Even if they did, lets talk about something called 10/5 rights.. He loves the team, Boston, and he has raised his family here in the hub. They traded Belli because they had the chance to get Loretta, any team would do that.

Yea but Sox would end up giving up $27 million altogether for the services of Bobby Abreu. Id rather see that money be used towards pitching in the offseason

The Sox are having the cut off men deep for Coco because he has been dealing with a sore shoulder thats been effecting his throws & swings this season Doug Mirabelli jammed his ankle during batting practice yesterday Wily Mo Pena could sit out the series against the A's Manny continues to struggle with his sore quad

They buried the Sox by sweeping a 5 game set at Fenway (even before then the Sox were playing pitiful). The Yankees are having a small bump in the road yes... just so happens who is involved, the Angels who always take them down

I was just making the point that a 2nd baseman who will be 36 will not get a bigger payday than a 32 year old center fielder coming off of a career year

updated stats .208 avg, .264 obp, 4 Doubles, HR, 3 RBIs, 5 Runs, 4 Walks

Phillips should be in line to start off at Single A Wilmington next year updated stats 2-6, 2.87 ERA (14 starts) 69 innings, 58 Hits, 32 Runs (22 ER), 3 HRs, 37 Walks, 64 Ks

If Tito was smart, he'd hand the ball to Foulke in the 8th inning. Hell Id like to see him give more opportunities to MDC

updated stats 21 appearances-- 0-1, 10 saves, 1.46 ERA 24.2 innings, 19 Hits, 10 Runs (4 ER), 3 Walks, 27 Ks

Teams dont go for players who have had career years during the season that their contract is up? You should know that GMs are known to overpay even if its obvious that they shouldnt Loretta will be 36 next year, you honestly think he will be paid more than Matthews Jr?

Timlin continues to back up his statement

Loretta Matthews JR Both players will be free agents, only comparison you can make about them. Matthews by far has the edge to cash in Mark Loretta, 2nd baseman, age 35 .307 avg, 4 HRs, 50 RBIs, 62 Runs, 3 SBs Gary Matthews Jr, Center Fielder, age 32 .305 avg, 14 HRs, 65 RBIs, 73 Runs, 7 SBs

They can afford him yes, money wise... But think about this, Toronto will still try to be a contending team next year... Boston is one of their main rivals... considering its Vernon Wells and it would be an in-the-division trade, the Blue Jays will want proven major league players in return and/or at least 2 of the top prospects that are still down on the farm (Ellsbury, Bowden, Bucholz)

.258 avg, .300 obp, 21 Doubles, 3 Triples, 8 HRs, 34 RBIs, 59 Runs, 23 SBs 23 Walks, 78 Ks 2 errors