a700hitter

That was my position for this past off season. I thought they needed to get a reliable starting pitcher and a RF platoon tandem. They didn't get the starter and let the best closer they ever had walk. I don't think it would have taken a lot. So, yes I agree with your comment.

They had 93 wins in 2002. They only needed some fine tuning for 2003.

They should have won in 2003.

I think you missed Johnny Damon. I believe that he was a free agent signing of Dan Duquette. He was another huge part of the foundation. We really shouldn't give him credit for building just the foundation. He really handed Theo a finished product. The 2003 team should have won the championship. Only a bumbling manager hired by new ownership stood in their way. Theo added Ortiz to the 2003 team, and he fell in his lap thanks to Pedro, who clued him in that Ortiz had been released. Theo will get his chance to build the Cubs from the ground up. Let's see if hew can do it, and if so, how long it takes.

As to your reasons for the grumpiness, all I can say is that the players and the organization brought those reasons upon themselves.

Dempster would definitely improve the pitching if he is healthy, and I agree that it is the pitching that is this team's weakness. Standing pat would be the FO's message that they are packing it in.

The Red Sox problem is that it is very difficult for them to be able to upgrade their roster over the guys who will be returning from the DL. The rotation, even with Dice K, should not be terrible. If Morales can continue his magic, he could be a big boon to the rotation. Bailey will be returning to the bullpen. Melancon looks to be straightened out, and maybe Bard can return to being a useful bullpen piece. When Ellsbury, Crawford, and Ross return, the lineup should be potent with Kalish and Middlebrooks etc. However, by the time these guys get back, it may be too late to make a run at the division because the Yankees are putting some distance between themselves and the Red Sox. The Sox need to keep close to the Yankees. If they are 15 games behind at the All Star Break, they can forget the division. They be playing for a 1 game playoff with a wild card berth. They are caught in-between in this waiting game. There is nothing they can do but try to win as many games as possible with this skeleton crew and hope the Yankees hit a skid.

Good point.

There is usually more than a grain of truth to these stories. Is it fatal to the team's chances? No, teams with horrible chemistry have won in the past.

Cross Dempster off the list:

If you blow it up, I'll guarantee that there will be no playoffs this season or next season. We could hope for 2014 at best. I'm tired of paying premium prices for an inferior product. I am surely not alone in that sentiment. The *******s running this organization have lost their way. They have no discipline and seemingly little clue as to how to fix this mess, because they continue to sit on their hands.

I put him right into the rotation. His multi-inning outings have been nothing short of outstanding. If he is still shooting the lights out when Beckett is ready, Dice K goes to the pen or a 6 man rotation.

But he is right this time. 22 is not a babe in the woods. If he's the real deal he should be dominating at the AA level, maybe he will soon.

This is ridiculous.

No

These teams are a joke!!! Pathetic.

These teams look ridiculous in the field.

You have a very negative attitude.

Pay MVP to take them for you. He already passed them.