ORS

Yep.

Hey, I got half his name right. That has to count for something.

It's the same 'pen except you replace a 109 ERA+, 79% SV%, 1.43 WHIP closer with a 170 ERA+, 88% SV%, 1.14 WHIP closer. It's the same rotation except you replace David Bush (99 ERA+) with AJ Burnett (117 ERA+). I think they've definitely improved the run prevention side of the equation. They upgraded offensively at 3B, 1B (Overbay is better than Shea, who they still have to DH), and C. All this for a team that won 80 games last year with a run differential that should have netted them an 88-74 record. They'll be in the mix. Those of you writing off the O's before the season starts may want to think twice. They still have some thumpers in their lineup with Tejada, Mora, and Lopez. Ramon Hernandez is better than Fasano and Gil, who had almost as many ABs as Lopez as a catcher last year. More importantly, they have some decent pitchers who will now be under the tutelage of a first rate pitching coach. The D-Rays will score some runs but will struggle when somebody not named Scott Kazmir is on the hill (unless Jackson lives up to his potential, same goes for McClung). I think this will be one of the most competitive AL East pennant chases in a while. I really doubt a WC comes out of this division. As for predictions, it's just too close to make one IMO. Several question marks await answers for the Sox and Yanks. The Jays and O's have the potential to be better than most give them credit for. And the D-Rays can play spoiler all season long. EDIT: Brain fart, it's Ramon Hernandez not Ramon Martinez.

Completely overpowering inning from Papelbon. K, bleeder single, K, K. More of that, please.

I think there is quite a bit of wishcasting here. The idea that Seanez or Tavarez will be closing is laughable. Timlin is a better pitcher than either of them, and Papelbon showed the stuff and moxie to get the job down during the stretch run last year. If Foulke falters, those two are much more likely to get the nod.

Before your hiatus, you mentioned the same concerns about this injury. I dug up information that he had the same injury and same amount of recovery time, both physical training and MLB game time, prior to his stellar seasons in SD. Given his ST performance, and the fact that it took a serious collision to reinjure it, he's not concern in my book right now.

Personally, I think they should rip it up this offseason and give him big bucks for the next 4 years. First, he deserves it. Second, it may help assuage some of the negative perception about the FO after the way they handled Damon and Arroyo. Whether the perception is deserved or not, it does exist. Lastly, it doesn't matter if he declines or not by the end of it because they have gotten value out of him in spades to this point. I'm not saying it will happen, but that would be the smart move, IMO.

Yeah, '07 is a team option year.

I'll tell you what, if he puts up a line that is 90% of that and Beckett has an early DL stint, then the attack dogs at WEEI will be unrelenting in their assault of the FO for making that move. Personally, that was a textbook "must do" trade from the Sox perspective, but that won't change the hindsight analysis from the talking heads in Boston's aggressive media.

Congrats Hanley! ST Stats AB R H 2B 3B HR BA OBP SLG OPS SB 59 14 20 1 4 3 .339 .361 .644 1.005 3 link

What stats, history, or records have you supplied to the current argument that the SEC hasn't been a power conference in men's hoops in recent history? The answer is none. You brought up UK's 7 championships, none of them in the last 7 years. You brought up the fact that the SEC has had a good year in the tourney this year, but that is just one good year compared to consistent performance by the other conferences in recent history. Quite frankly, you and your preference are the only thing I see in your corner as it pertains to the discussion at hand. Try again.

I heard mention of this on ESPN radio earlier. Their soundbite said he would be going to the Royals as a bench player, so he may not even be getting a starting gig. Sucks for Tony.

That's fine GIARSF, no one is faulting you for loving the SEC. But by saying that you will argue for that which you like over all others, you are painting yourself into a corner as a fanboy. Nobody is going to take you seriously because you will always rate your preference over that which deserves praise, despite evidence to the contrary.

Agreed. He brings up a legitimate concern. Very good points. Here's another thing to consider, and it may help explain the AGon and Snow pickups. Pitcher '05 G/F Career G/F Wake 0.94 0.97 Wells 1.51 1.16 Clement 1.29 1.67 Schilling 0.78 1.17 Beckett 1.25 1.14 Arroyo 0.85 0.98 Replacing Arroyo with Beckett will produce a significant number of more ground balls. A healthy Schilling should too. While I don't expect him to have the dominant stuff he had pre-2005, he'll at least have his command back and be able to keep the ball down, which will produce more grounders. Wells' outperformed his career average, but he did the same thing in SD in '04 (1.51 GB/FB), so I think a ratio of 1.20+ is a reasonable expectation. Clement probably won't have a ratio as high as his career average, but 1.30+ sounds right. In total, I think the Sox rotation in '06 will be lot better than the Sox rotation in '05 at keeping the ball on the ground. Combine that with good gloves all around the IF, and they should hold the opposition to quite a bit fewer runs. Millar did get on base pre-2005, but I don't think his '05 production is a wash when compared to Youk. His '05 OBP was .355. Not horrible, but it's no stretch to think a guy with a career .376 OBP won't exceed that. Yeah, Youk has only had 270+ career ABs, but I think the telling thing is his .100+ IsoOBP. That has been consistent throughout his MLB and MiLB career, so he only needs to hit .260ish to accomplish that. And, historically players start showing more power in their late '20s. Youk is entering his age 27 season, so I think an improvement over his ~.130 IsoP is another reasonable expectation. ST performance seems to be bearing that out as he is slugging north of .500. Something to consider. Graffanino was acquired at the deadline. While his performance for the Sox was very good, they only got 2 months of it. I agree, that Loretta will likely be a wash in terms of the rates that Graffanino gave the club from August on, but they will get it for a whole year (barring injury). That is an upgrade. AGon is likely to be an offensive blackhole. But, he's one with pop in his bat, so some of his infrequent hits will likely be denting the Monster or clearing it. Yes, this is an offensive downgrade. It will be tough for Lowell to provide what Mueller did in terms of stepping up and being a tough out in big spots. But, if he bounces back to career averages, he will produce what Billy Baseball did in a context-free environment. Mueller '05: .295/.369/.430/.799 Lowell Career: .272/.339/.461/.800 I'll admit, that is a big assumption based on his '05 and early ST reports, so 3B is likely to be a downgrade offensively. But the potential is there for it to be a wash. That's two upgrades and two downgrades, but it is with a vastly improved defensive environment (in terms of skill and likely more chances). The infield may not produce more runs than last year, but it is very likely that they have a better run differential, which is really the most important thing.

Brilliant analysis! Loretta's ST numbers are irrelevant, but Lowell's are telling. Could you contradict yourself more? And, I thought Gammo was an idiot according to the Pinstriper's Guide to the Media. Suddenly, his opinion means something when he isn't giving praise? Transparency at it's best. Best, I tell ya!

Maybe on planet GIARSF. But here on planet Earth, the east coast of North America means states that f***ing border the Atlantic Ocean. Geography Grade: F

It would be nice if you could source that information. And, BTW, it's a three game series, not a just a single game.

True.

When UF's 3s are dropping, they can put numbers on the board quick. I do like UF, but I'm torn about wanting them to win. If they do, we can count on another foolish post from the SEC's #1 fanboy. Bleh.

I think that could be circumvented if everyone agreed to contribute a "prize" to the winner. In that case it is no different than the NFL playoff contest you ran.

If 'Nova doesn't change their lineup, Noah is going to have a monster game.

Agreed. All Aboard! Just think how vindicated the selection committee feels. GMU was considered a questionable at-large pick.

The HS I went to is less than a 1/2 a mile from the GMU campus. This is biggest thing to happen to their BBall program. Go Pats!

I defended the fact that they were consistent. You have some serious sour grapes issues.

No, I didn't say it was right, I said that is how they call it, and they call that way for both teams. Williams palmed the ball. That's an unusual call, but not because they don't call it often, but because it doesn't happen often. Unlike contact in the paint.