ORS

Sure, but I'm sure it's been a while since Berman played any ball. Oh, you meant Wells, fahgedaboudit.

And the hits just keep on rolling for Anaheim. Colon will miss the ALCS with shoulder inflamation. Esteban Yan is filling his roster spot for the series. They did get a bit of good news though. Jarrod Washburn is OK to start game 2. source

I have a hard time believing that Wagner and Ryan will both be willing to move to a setup role. There are a few contenders that would be able to offer a greater role in the BP. Namely, the Red Sox (Foulke is still a ?, his rehab/attitude could influence things), Atlanta, the Cubs (they'll contend next year, and they can spend), Cleveland (depending on Wickman), the Mets (their BP sucked, and they look really willing to fork out some dough). I think the sweepstakes on effective relievers will be very competitive this FA season.

I'd like to land Giles and Ryan this year. Burnett's stuff can dominate, but he's going to command a lot of money and the injury/effectivness question mark still looms over his head. I'd prefer some patience to get a good lefty next year. I doubt Pettitte would come here, but Zito and Mulder are both appealing. Your roster appears to be missing Hansen. Pawtuckett start or an ommission?

Did anyone take a look at the 2006/2007 FA class? Talk about a sweepstakes. I'd like to see the team patching holes this offseason in order to be flush with cash for the end of next season. Here's a sample: 1B: Derek Lee, Dmitri Young, Shea Hillenbrand, Ortiz (team option) 2B: Alfonso Soriano, Jeff Kent, Adam Kennedy SS: Julio Lugo 3B: Melvin Mora OF: Barry Bonds, Cliff Floyd, Juan Pierre, Dave Roberts, Shannon Stewart ....(Edmonds, Rowand, Hunter, Sheffield, Dye, Cameron, and JD Drew all have a team option) RHSP: Jon Garland, Brad Radke, Kerry Wood (mutual option), Mike Mussina (team option), Kelvim Escobar, Jose Contreras, Orlando Hernandez, Adam Eaton, John Smoltz (team option) LHSP: Andy Pettitte, Mark Mulder, Barry Zito, Ted Lilly, Mark Buehrle (team option), Boomer (if he doesn't retire) Relivers: Mariano Rivera (team option), Eric Gagne (team option), Troy Percival

From the sound of things, Texas is looking to unload some lumber for pitching. The only problem is that Soriano is the one they are shopping. Buck doesn't like him, so they are trying to get what they can for him this year because he will walk as a FA next year. Texas can spend some money, so I'd be surprised if Teixeira doesn't stay there with a big contract when he is a FA.

The White Sox catch a huge break with the rainout and Anaheim having to win in 5 games. The Angels didn't get to set their rotation, and their BP could be running on fumes the whole series without a deep game by a starter in the first 3 games. Pitching matchups: Contreras vs. Byrd? Buehrle vs. Washburn/Colon? Garland vs. Lackey Garcia vs. Santana The first two games are looking rough for the Angels. Colon and Washburn are very questionable due to injury/illness. That being said, Lackey and Santana have looked impressive. A split in the first two games in Chicago could throw a bunch of momentum their way with their best two pitchers on the hill in games 3 and 4.

Here are the first 3 games pitching matchups as I see them: Carpenter vs. Pettitte Mulder vs. Oswalt Morris vs. Clemens From there on out, the situation will most likely dictate later games' matchups. St. Louis is looking like the most complete team in the postseason this year, but Houston's big 3 pitchers could dominate a 7 game series. It should be a very good series.

I actually think he has been fairly consistent. He's generous on the corners and low but isn't calling the highish strike.

Drop the jar of vaseline and Soriano poster; he's not coming here either.

Nothing but the best Cape. Stay strong and pull through it.

Colon is one swing away from having a 1 ER outing in 7 IP against the Yankees in game one. The pitch Sheffield blooped over Kennedy's head was an absolute pitchers pitch. Nine times out of ten, that pitch is put into play for an out. I'm not trying to take anything away from Sheff, but that was the difference maker in game one. I'd ice some champagne if I were the Yankees, but I'd think twice before popping the corks until the last out is recorded.

I'll bet you dollars to donuts that YH213 is mostly upset about the frequency of Riverside Sluggers and YankeesSuck013's posts. He's one of the old guard (ie the people who were here from the begining) and has spent the last few months sniping at some of the new people who have posted with a greater degree of relevancy and usefullness than he is willing to partake in. Nothing personal YH213, but you are as transparent as they come. Your most frequent complaint about the two mentioned is how quickly they compiled their total post number.

I'd be shocked if they don't pick up the option, because then he walks for nothing, and I have a feeling he is part of a future trade.

Papelbon's starts 7/31 vs MIN: 5.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB 7 K 8/16 vs DET: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K 8/21 vs ANA: 6.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K No, that's not Sandy Koufax, but a 2.11 ERA is light years better than our next best starter. I can't understand why you'd want him in a relief role.

We aren't getting him. Not this year, not next. Get used to the idea.

Papelbon pitched twice in a 3 game series that we got swept in. He never pitched with the lead. That should tell you that if he has the talent to start, he's more valuable to team starting games, because if the other starters can't get him the ball with a lead, then his effective innings are wasted.

I'll be totally shocked if he ends up in Florida over Tampa Bay. Tampa's previous miserly owner, Lamioli (sp?) has lost control of the team, with controlling interest going to Sternberg. I've heard some radio interviews of his down here, and he seems interested in producing a quality product for the Central Florida market. The Marlins FO always seems to have its head up its ass, and ownership seems only interested in keeping the margins that line their pockets right. Plus, Tampa has a crop of good young hitters that can fly on the basepaths, which fits in perfectly with Girardi's desire to play aggressive.

He's a FA next year. Why trade away the future for what can be had for free (I know he will cost money, but he's free in terms of not giving up talent) next year? EDIT: I honestly don't want to go after him next year either. I think everyone will be pleasantly surprised with Pedroia.

I'd do the Arroyo for Huff deal in a heartbeat. However, since I'm a Boston fan and I like it so much, I would expect that the other side may be a little skeptical. Decent hitting 1B/corner outfielders usually require more than back end of the rotation starters that can't get lefties out.

You have a major hard-on for Soriano don't you? The FO wouldn't do that, and I wouldn't want them to. He's got power but absolutely NO plate discipline. Our FO values OBP and working the pitch-count. Besides, our problem is pitching anyway. Recent FA busts have shown that even proven pitchers are a considerable risk. Why not try and do it on the cheap with some homegrown arms? I think that is the FO's mantra at this point.

I agree that Alvarez is not integral to the Sox future, especially since we have DiNardo. Those two give us two soft-tossing lefties. Keep one, trade the other. I think Tampa will expect more than we are willing to part with in the deal though. Ever since the Kazmir trade, they have had a high asking price for everyone who comes calling. I think they expect to rip everybody off now.

Here's some of the names available at each position. C Ramon Hernandez Mike Piazza Bengie Molina Ivan Rodriguez (Poss. Team Void Option) Gregg Zaun (Team Option) Brad Ausmus 1B Paul Konerko Travis Lee Erubiel Durazo Eduardo Perez Doug Mientkiewicz (Vesting Option) John Olerud Roberto Petagine Kevin Millar Scott Hatteberg (Team Option) Tino Martinez (Team Option) 2B Mark Grudzielanek Tony Graffanino Ronnie Belliard (Team Option) Todd Walker (Team + Player options) Bret Boone SS Rafael Furcal Nomar Garciaparra Rich Aurilia (Mutual Option) Royce Clayton Neifi Perez 3B Bill Mueller Joe Randa OF Johnny Damon Jacque Jones Preston Wilson Brian Giles Hideki Matsui Reggie Sanders Carlos Lee (Team Option) Juan Encarnacion Larry Walker (Team Option) Sammy Sosa (Team Option) Moises Alou (Player Option) Jeromy Burnitz (Mutual Option) Brian Jordan Jay Payton (Team Option) Bernie Williams Kenny Lofton RHSP A.J. Burnett Jeff Weaver Jason Schmidt (Team Option) Matt Morris Jeff Suppan (Team Option) Paul Byrd Kevin Millwood Esteban Loaiza (Mutual Option) Roger Clemens LHSP Jarrod Washburn Glendon Rusch (Player Option) Kenny Rogers Tom Glavine (Mutual Option) Al Leiter Jamie Moyer Relievers Billy Wagner B.J. Ryan Bob Wickman Eddie Guardado (Mutual Option + Player Option) Ugeuth Urbina Mike Timlin Bob Howry Kyle Farnsworth Julian Tavarez Mike Myers Ricardo Rincon Tom Gordon Matt Mantei source There are many others. That list is from the beginning of the season. I'm not sure who's options have been picked up, or who has already signed with their current team. If a player you think we should try to get isn't on the list on the link, then we are going to have to give up something to get him. If that is the case, please suggest a possible trade instead of just saying "we should pick up so-and-so".

Encarnacion is a FA in the offseason. We don't need to trade for him. Just pony up the dough, and he could be ours without a trade.

Last year has nothing to do with this year, so I'm not trying to excuse this years loss just because the Sox have allowed so many to say "Now I can die in peace". Am I upset the team's season is over? Absolutely. Am I surprised? Not really. This team lacked pitching; it did all year. Ortiz and Ramirez carried the load in September and played well in the 3 postseason games, but nobody else was doing anything at the plate with any consistency. Was this due to a lack of desire? I highly doubt it. If anything I would say they were pressing because they had the lead down the stretch instead of chasing (this would be an interesting study as they seemed less patient at the plate coming down the stretch, I'd wager money their pitches seen per PA is lower than the first 5 months). Rationalizing is making excuses. These aren't excuses; they are the reality of why the season is over.