krazeebrainz

I think that "conviably" is a contraction...I think that it is a fusion of "can" and "viably." Well, my new word for the day is going to be "cantviably." The Mets are going no where this year. They are a first-round-and-out in the playoffs at best. The Mets just don't have the starting pitching. Pedro had a great year last year, but I'm very curious to see if he can duplicate it. Last year was on of vengence for Pedro because the Sox didn't wish to give him a 4-year deal. Now that the burner has cooled, I wouldn't be surprised if Pedro clocked in an ERA somewhere between 3.7-4.00 this upcoming season.

One Red Seat, I am sure that "formulas" produce figures that are used by the front office in any organization. This is a fact, and "formulas" are used by all in all professional sports; calculations limit random variability and hone in on predictability. What separates the Sox from others is the fact that we have Theo. Now, I know that this has been touched upon in other posts, but I truly believe that Theo has a knack for eye-balling talent that works. He not only uses calculations, but he also has a blood hound-like cunning to sniff-out those potential talents that will fit in with the ball club and produce accordingly. Ya can't buy chemistry...There is no equation for this. With this said, I strongly feel that both instinct and number crunching are what make our front office different from many in MLB. Numbers make the world go 'round, but solid calculations and instinct are what win championships. With all of this said, I agree with One Red Seat's statistical analysis. I also appreciate that fact that he can make sound judgements based on ball player's tendencies (i.e. Lowell and Crisp doing well in Fenway) and back-up a number of his statements with sound evidence. Analyze away, kraze

There is no way Pedro will ever pitch for the Sox again. The primary reason that he is on the Mets right now is because he has a definitive 4th year promised to him. This was the problem that the Sox had with Pedro...The Sox front office saw a big-money pitcher throwing an 86 mph fastball in the '04 W.S. Pedro's arm just doesn't have the juice to grind it out for the next (3) years, let alone the post season. The post season is where the money is, and this is why he is a perfect Met, seeing as they're going nowhere.

There is no doubt that Clemens is one of the best that this game has ever seen. To be perfectly honest, we all know that his best years are behind him. I think that if Clemens comes back to the A.L. he will get racked. I would much rather invest money in young talent as opposed to mirroring what the Yanks are doing. It is bad enough that Schilling remains a huge "?" in our rotation. Why invite more potential adversity? I honestly hope the Yanks do pick him up. I think that the Sox would have a field day against him. That pin-straight 93 mph fastballwould look good plastered against the monster when our lineup gets ahold of it. In this past W.S., I saw something that I'd never seen before; Clemens looked human. I do not want a 40 y.o. mortal, do you?

This upsets me...Granted, Crisp is a good ball player, no doubt about that. I would have been insanely happy if the Sox went after Peralta instead. Even if we had to give up a little bit more, I think that Peralta would have been worth it both in the short term and in the long run. I suppose I also just hate seeing Marte go without ever seeing him don a Sox uni...:thumbdown

Riverside, I agree. I think that Benson is going to sport a mid-4 E.R.A. at best this season. He doesn't have anything that is head topping...I think that Mr. Ortiz will give him a warm welcome when the O's come to town. Get out your tape measurer boys...

The major difference between Theo and Duquette is postponed gratification. Theo is an ideal G.M. because he not only manages to sign ball players that will make an instant impression on the field, but manages to maintain and build the farm as well. We as Red Sox fans have never seen a front office do this to this extent before. Yes, Theo did sign Renteria who didn't work out as well as we'd hoped last year. But in all honesty, how could you blame him for signing him? Renteria was known not only for his gold glove caliber play at short, but was also revered as a solid hitter. I don't blame Theo for signing Renteria at all. I was upset when Cabrera wasn't resigned because what he brought cannot be bought. Orlando brought the team together and was the missing link that fueled the team's chemistry. All of those wacky hand shakes and gestures were not only fun to watch as funs, but defined the 2004 team's attitude. I have never seen a baseball team have more fun than the one that we loved in 2004. That team truly was special... With all of this said, I think that Theo not only has an eye for talent but also has one for chemistry. I honestly feel that he and others in that front office can sense if a particular player is going to fit the complexion of the existing team. Call me crazy, but given the Yankee's line-up in the recent past, there is no reason why they shouldn't have won the WS at least once in the past 3 years. I honestly feel that what separates "good" teams from "great" teams is chemistry. Hopefully the front office will continue to add players that will, with any luck, gel as the team in 2004 did.

Oops, I meant to say "tradionally NOT a second half pitcher." I'm tired and hitting the sack!

I think that Clemente is a better pitcher than people are giving him credit for. Bear in mind that at All Star break, he was one of the better pitchers in the American League. He didn't slide into the all star game, he should have been there in the first place. He just wasn't the same pitcher after he was struck by that line drive in Tampa. He suffered greatly afterward. I know that he is traditionally a second half pitcher, but I have to think that this incident greatly effected his psyche and performance. Clemente has fantastic movement on his pitches. From what I have heard, both hitters and Varitek alike say that he has good stuff. Give him one more year with 'Tekcatching him and I think he gives us about 15 wins this season...

Ken Griffey Jr. is a household baseball name that has also but tainted by the thought and question "Imagine how good he could have been if he stayed healthy." I know that Griffey did have a good season last year, no questioning that. The question is do you want to work toward the World Series for one year, or set the table for years to come? I think that picking up Griffey would be a mistake. His history of injury is enough to have me shy away from him. I would much rather see the Sox put someone between 22 and 30in center field and set the table for the upcoming season and seasons to come. Though Griffey remains a solid fielder, he has lost a step. He isn't nearly as fast as he used to be and as the body gets older, healing takes that much longer. His injuries are bound to surface once again in the near future; it's the nature of the beast. Bearing this in mind, I think that I would rather pay a young ball player 8-10 million per year who shows serious promise and upside as opposed to signing a ball player who has had only 1"healthy" season in four years. The cost-to-benefit ratio is not only out of wack, it strikes me as a very expensive gamble. I just keep thinking of his 2002 through his 2004 seasons. Griffey only played 70 games in 2002, 53 games in 2003 and 83 games in 2004. Dis a no looka too good... -krazeebrainz:thumbdown

How do you all think Johnny Damon will be received when he makes his way back to Fenway in a Yankee uniform? I think that he is going to get razzed like hell...

26 to 6, I'll be honest; I wasn't happy with how the Damon deal went down. What we have to do now is realize that what's done is done and move on. I am a firm believer that the F.O. will put a quality team on the field that will make a push for the A.L. East pennant.

This is fantastic news. The reason that I am so happy isn't because he made moves to make the Sox better...This was just a bonus. Theo kept the farm intact and didn't deal our young prospects (Papelbon, Lester, Van Burren, etc.) during that late season push for the playoffs. Our farm system is as strong, if not stronger, today asit was the day Theo first stepped into the lime light. I am a firm believer that this farm system maintenance will surely continue now that Theo is back in the saddle. Hopefully the Bean Town Wiz Kid can get us a quality CF. In all honesty, if we started with Cora opening day, I'd be happy. The key is getting a well rounded center fielder that isn't too top heavy in any one category. If Cora is to start at short, then we need a center fielder that will hit somewhere between .285-.300, have a solid OBP, play a solid CF and potentially steal a base or two. -krazeebrainz;)

Point well taken riverside. The reason Gathwright entered my mind was when these talks of Johnny Peralta entered the forum. I figured that with Peralta's offensive prowess, taking a chance on a good fielding speed demon like Gathwright may work well. The other angle to look at with Gathwright is his age. I believe he is going to turn 22 this season...I feel that if this kid was taught to take a pitch-or-two, hit the ball on the ground and really learn how to bunt he could very well be a .285 hitter with a much higher O.B.P. Well gotta go, off to work... -krazeebrainz

That's fine. I just wanted to throw an idea on the table. I can see all of your points.