riverside sluggers

No offense, but you shouldnt have Crisp as your avatar since you're now obviously against the Sox's decision of getting Coco

Who's to say that Theo didnt even ask the Phillies about such a proposition? And its evident that the Phillies wouldve asked more than Mota instead of straight up, which has only been brought up since the Guardians are speculated of doing so. IMO the Phillies are less inclined to ask for more since Cleveland is not in panic mode as the Sox have been this offseason, making other teams asking for the moon from Boston.

yes i know ive seen that post from rotoworld 3 or 4 times in this thread alone. At this time last week, Boston was in a hell of a mess more than Cleveland was, who had all holes filled by the winter meetings. Remember Tampa asking for Marte and even Papelbon/Lester for Lugo? Seattle stepping up request of Papelbon or Lester for Reed? Baltimore asking for Lester or Papelbon to go along with Manny? Teams knew Boston were in a fix and tried to get the best of them, a la Cleveland

I think its plausible to note that the Phillies like any other team wouldve asked more than Mota to deal Michaels to Boston.

I got the Royals pegged, that 20 game losing streak gave them the PR no baseball team wants to have. Even though they have had a "decent" offseason especially with upgrading their rotation. But still they are in the same division as the White Sox, Guardians and Twins. At the most they will overtake the Tigers for 4th

Heres Benson's stats against the AL East Kris Benson (1 game vs. Boston, 0-1 record with a 9.95 ERA) Alex Cora, 0 for 2 Coco Crisp, 2 for 3 (.667 avg) Double John Flaherty, 0 for 2, K Alex Gonzalez, 3 for 19 (.158 avg) Double, 2 RBIs, 3 Ks, 2 SBs Mark Loretta, 8 for 22 (.364 avg) 2 Doubles, 2 RBIs, Walk, K Mike Lowell, 4 for 18 (.222 avg) Double, 2 Walks, K Trot Nixon, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) RBI, K David Ortiz, 2 for 6 (.333 avg) 2 Doubles, Walk Manny Ramirez, 7 for 9 (.778 avg) 3 Doubles, 4 RBIs, 2 Ks J.T. Snow, 6 for 19 (.316 avg) 3 Doubles, 2 HRs, 8 RBIs, 4 Walks, 5 Ks Jason Varitek, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) HR, 3 RBIs, K (2 games vs New York, 1-0 record with an 0.75 ERA) Robinson Cano, 0 for 4, RBI, Walk Johnny Damon, 1 for 8 (.125 avg) Triple, RBI, 2 Walks, 2 Ks Jason Giambi, 0 for 2, Walk, K Derek Jeter, 0 for 4, Walk Hideki Matsui, 1 for 5 (.200 avg) Walk, K Jorge Posada, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) Double Alex Rodriguez, 3 for 5 (.600 avg) Walk Gary Sheffield, 1 for 6 (.167 avg) Kelly Stinnet, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) Double Bernie Williams, 0 for 2, 2 Walks (1 game vs Toronto, 0-1 record with a 30.86 ERA Frank Cattalanotto, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) Troy Glaus, 0 for 3, K Reed Johnson, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) John McDonald, 0 for 2 Lyle Overbay, 4 for 8 (.500 avg) 2 Doubles, 4 RBIs, Walk, K Vernon Wells, 0 for 2 Gregg Zaun, 3 for 11 (.273 avg) Walk, 2 Ks (No starts vs Tampa Bay) Sean Burroughs, 2 for 9 (.222 avg) RBI, K Nick Green, 0 for 1 Travis Lee, 0 for 4 Julio Lugo, 5 for 14 (.357 avg) 2 Doubles, HR, 3 RBIs, 4 Walks, 2 Ks Ty Wigginton, 1 for 1 (1.000 avg) Double, 2 RBIs

What goes around, comes around Denver

In a perfect world, Id love it for the Sox to go after Derek Lee when he becomes a free agent.

damn 24-3, Pittsburgh is taking it to them, no complaints

well then the same should be said about Arod over Ortiz in the MVP award

I didnt say that he would be a better option than Graffanino. I was just pointing out who could be utility shortstop.

Theres still Willie Harris who most likely still has a shot to make the opening day roster

From what Ive heard on WEEI and seen in various news reports, the plan is set to have Crisp leadoff and the following lineup 1. Crisp cf (S) 2. Loretta 2b ® 3. Ortiz dh (L) 4. Ramirez lf ® 5. Varitek c (S) 6. Nixon rf (L) 7. Lowell 3b ® 8. Youkilis 1b ® 9. Gonzalez ss (L)

i believe Capt Tek just a got a glove of a certain color now thats what i call edge

Actually the best chip the Sox have that all teams were asking for has been Jon Lester. Even Cleveland was earlier asking for him to be included with Marte. Florida asked for him in the Beckett deal, Arizona, etc. This doesnt not "deeply" affect our future. The Sox still have prospects in Kelly Shoppach (could be backup this year), Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester (2007 rotation targeted), Craig Hansen, Manny DelCarmen, Clay Bucholz, Jermaine Van Buren from the Cubs, Jacoby Ellisbury, Brandon Moss, and David Murphy. The last 3 seem set to contend for the possible open slot in right field in 2007. Sox also will have 7 picks in the first 3 rounds of this Draft. Theo is a whiz when it comes to help scouting the drafts.

Good Im starting to see some optimism, though Im not surprised by yours. The offseason worries can be put to rest and get going comfortably in spring training. Im looking forwrad very much so to Crisp being the new leadoff man. Its an exciting time for RSN as this year and next season begins the youth movement. What a defensive infield we have now. Youkilis hasnt really been error prone and he's got a 6 gold glove winner to back him up, Loretta at 2nd, Gonzo though weak on offense is rated one of the best "D" shortstops, Cora & Harris can come in the late innings to give Loreatta & Gonzo a spell, and we have the 2 gold glove winner in lowell at 3rd. Id like to see Graff as the 4th outfielder/platoon partner with Trot so he would get more time. But so far unfortunately its not looking like he will make it past spring training. Whether it be cut, traded, or kept down in Pawtucket as insurance.

thats true "a700", Wells can be appealing moreso to teams now that the Sox are set with their positions, now asking for instead a 4th outfielder/prospects. It is appealing nonetheless to keep him for his last season. Arroyo and Papelbon have proved to be very effective out of the bullpen and dont pull a "Jay Payton" about it. This also gives the sox 2 reliable spot starters. Im interested in what Theo does next. He's there for 2 days and already pulled off the Coco trade afterall. 2006 Rotation Curt Schilling Josh Beckett David Wells Matt Clement Tim Wakefield 2006 Bullpen Bronson Arroyo Jonathan Papelbon Lenny DiNardo Rudy Seanez Mike Timlin Julian Tavarez Keith Foulke Thats a deep 12 man staff and they got a stack of arms in Pawtucket if need be. 2005 was all about the offense, this year is def looking like it will be all about the pitching.

They also said this before the deal was announced as close to done. Also mentioned the Sox could be getting a relief pitcher along the lines of most likely David Riske.

Gonzalez would need a lot of walks IMO to imprive his OBP. Career OBP is .291, Cora's is at .310. Its most likely a 2 year contract, thats how his agent wanted it to be. Dont rule out that Pedroia can still take the starting 2nd baseman job in 2007. Besides Pedroia was even likely to start the year off in Triple A if Cora was pegged the starter, according to various reports Though an added bonus is that, in just 8 games mind you, has hit well vs NYY with a .324 batting avg and .351 OBP

im not jumping off of the marte bandwagon, he has potential to give them the big slugger that they have missed out on since Manny signed with us, wish him the best of luck. This just goes along the lines of how hard it can be to run a sports team, tough decisions have to be made. Boston acquired Coco who has the possibility of being here a good while as a cornerstone in the outfield.

My friend makes t-shirts in his part time job and is already set work on a coco crisp shirt haha It has a picture of a Coco Crisp cereal box on the front, the back will say "The Balanced Breakfast for Red Sox Nation"

Want a quote from the "great" Dukey, from what I can recall? "At this time we belive Roger Clemens has reached his Twlight year. Therefore, we have chosen not to resign him and wish him the best of luck in his career."

If thats true about Harris as the 4th outfielder, then Tito is probably going to stop taking Trot out when there are lefty starting pitchers.

eh dont get too happy yet. Mota was still a question mark coming into the season if he could handle the AL or not. The bullpen hasnt really been weakened that us Red Sox fans should start get worried. Now its a good possibility that Craig Hansen or Manny DelCarmen will be able to compete for a spot in the bullpen 2006 Opening day Bullpen **Bronson Arroyo **Jonathan Papelbon Lenny DiNardo Manny DelCarmen or Criag Hansen Rudy Seanez Julian Tavarez Mike Timlin Keith Foulke --------------------- I wish all the luck for Marte and his career. Yay Optimism Still I dont see why this thread has been such a downer. We have our center fielder, we have our leadoff hitter. Coco Crisp brings versitality and speed. With Fenway Park as his home now for 81 games, he has the potential even moreso to bash 20-25 HRs. He is in his prime at 26 years old and its like its a short term fix as he is under contract really for 4 seasons until he can hit free agency. The Red Sox are also expected to have another player in return, so its not just Crisp. career .291 batting avg with RISP .301 batting avg with RISP/2 outs Myself with others though, Im not getting this Alex Gonzalez signing. He's basically an expensive version of Cora. And Cora probably wouldve had a better year than him on the "D" side. Im guessing a 2 year deal, which would then push Pedroia back to getting ready for 2nd base in 2007. This move also might unfortunately mean the end of Tony G's short stint in Boston. Nonetheless, a sigh of relief has lifted from me now. I cant wait till the season starts now.

Just my opinion, but Benson is going to be lit up by the AL batting lineups, especially the Sox & Yankees. Good to see Julio gone, he had given Boston fits in his career with a 2.70 ERA, and a 1.50 ERA when pitching at Fenway