Moss, Ellsbury, and Soto starting with Murhpy as our 4th would make a great future Outfield. Two power guys, and above average backup, and an essential Johnny Damon (plus a better arm) in CF. Combined with Marte we should have a nasty middle of the order if they all come through.
Johnson has already stated his decline, and with age comes wear and tear which can only down his performance further. His back and knee should land him on the DL at least once.
Ks: (2004) 290 - (2005) 211
Innings: 245 - 225
W.h.i.p: .900 - 1.126
Hits: 177 - 207
Runs: 88 - 102
HRs: 18 - 32
There are a few other signs of delining but theyre minor
Shouldn't be that hard of an accomplishment for the Past to beat them. Look for a lot of blitzes up the middle to get Leftwich to throw of his back foot (no velocity).
Yes, i can't wait for them to reach the Mjors. We gain in speed, defense, and Pedroia's hitting for average. Buchholz has now cracked our top 10 i guess, he's pretty solid but no Lester/papelbon just yet.
I like both of those rumors and I think the lineup would look like so
1) Loretta, ss
2) Reed, cf
3) Ortiz, dh
4) Ramirez, lf
5) Lowell, 3b
6) Nixon/Werth, rf
7) Varitek, c
8) Youkilis, 1b
9) Graffanino, 2b
I'd much rather see him in the rotation than in the pen even though he has the right closer mentality. Foulke IMO will re-gain 2004 form or something better than last year. He had 2 bad knees, and bad mechanics, now with the surgically repaired knees, and time to work on his mechanics, he could do much better.
Gammons is saying that we're workin out a deal involving Marte for Lugo and Gathright, and use Gathright in a swing deal for Reed. That makes absoutely no sense to me. You trade a rare and blue chip 3B rospect for a 1 year contract SS, and an average and inexperinced CF (Reed). I really don't feel an urgaency anywhere but to fill the CF hole, and I' pretty sure we could get someoen decent as a fill--gap for a year until Ellsbury is ready.
I wouldn't mind getting Green at all, of whom has 19+ HRs for about the past decade. He is still a solid hitter and combined with a back-to-normal Lowell, and improved power at SS, 2B, and maybe even 1B (due to Millar's dismal year) we could get back whatever we lose in Manny. If we get Markakis out of this deal it is an even better deal for us. If we could get Patterson, I would be happy as he is a better option than preston Wilson, or giving up Lester/papelbon for Reed.
Agreed, the recent deals I'm hearing are basic swaps for something we don't need. Kaz Matsui is an overpaid underachiever, in which we don't need at all.
Yeah, i don't mind it, though I'd prefer Youkilis to get the majority of the playing time, as it looks like will happen. If anything, Snow serves as a good mentor for Youk there defensively. Also is Snow better than Mienkiewicz or Olerud defensively?
I wouldn't mind any prospect besides our blue chippers (Lester, Papy, Pedroia, Marte, etc.) and would willingly give up Shoppach and Alvarez for Huff if needed.