krazeebrainz

One Red Seat, Your point is well taken. I still like having a lefty in the starting rotation...If all went well with Wells' meniscal surgery, I think that he will be able to give us some quality innings and rack-up at least 12 wins. When his curve was breaking last year, he was nasty. I think that the sub-par outtings that we saw from Wells all point back to his knee. With that said, though Roberts would be a "stopgap" I think that I healthy David Wells is just as, if not more valuable. -krazeebrainz

Here are some of Zito's cummulative E.R.A.s against various teams in the A.L.from 2005 vs. BAL 5.11 vs. NYY 7.59 vs. SEA 2.63 vs. BOS 5.73 vs. TEX 4.29 vs. LAA 2.68 vs. ATL 5.40 vs. CWS 2.91 vs. WAS 3.00 vs. CLE 4.42 vs. PHI 7.50 vs. DET 1.46 vs. SF 2.45 vs. KC 2.57 vs. TB 7.84 vs. MIN 1.26 What strikes me is that against teams with slightly better to noteworthy offenses, he really didn't do all that well. The only impressive teams that he threw well against were the Angels and the White Sox. Plus, he hasn't thrown exceptionally well at Fenway Park. Granted, he was facing a potent Red Sox lineup that traditionally does well at home but isn't good pitching supposed to fare well against good hitting? Just some thoughts, -krazeebrainz:dunno:

Yeszir, Thanks for the welcome. I look forward to reading people's thoughts and leaving my own. -krazeebrainz

Hello all, I gave myself the handle "krazeebrainz" because this was a nickname that my father gave me when I was young. I was always pretty scattered and I'd have to say that I still am! I have to appologize for doing this in reverse...See, I have already posted a couple of times and just realized that I should have introduced myself first. Well, I suppose this just goes to show that the "krazeebrainz" motif holds as true today as it did over 25 years ago! I have been a Sox fan for as long as I can remember. I am 31 years old, live in CT and grew-up loving Wade Boggs, Dwight Evans, Jim Rice, Roger Clemens and the rest of the 80s Sox teams. I work in what is seemingly "Yankeeville", so I have ordained my office as the Red Sox embassy! Looking forward to reading and contributing, -krazeebrainz

I just don't want to see the Sox turn into the likes of the geriatric infested Yankees...If I am going to shop for a center fielder, I'd want him to be 30 or younger. I'd like to think that the Sox are not only playing for this season, but are stacking the deck for the next few seasons. You can seldomly go wrong when you bring in good, young talent. -krazeebrainz

I just hope that the Sox would not trade Manny for Mark Prior. If Prior is healthy, he's great, but his health is as unpredictable as Manny's desire to be traded. I think that the only trade that makes sense is the one originally set for Tejada. The only problem with Tejada is that you are getting another Pedro Martinez...He always seems to be opening his mouth and saying something rediculous. The advantage that you have by keeping Manny is that he doesn't readily speak to the media. Tejada on the other hand loves the spot light and seems to speak without thinking first... -krazeebrainz:dunno:

Granted, we do have the ocean on the east coast, but the east coast isn't exactly known as "surfing country." I also remember hearing that he often surfs between starts to clear his head. On a different note, the only starting Oakland pitcher that I would be willing to trade for is Rich Harden. I think that the benefit-to-cost ratio for Zito just doesn't make sense for the Sox. If I am going to give-up good, young talent then I'd rather get a young kid on the rise as opposed to one that is seemingly on his way down. -krazeebrainz

Seeing as Young is considered the number one prospect and was signed to the D-Rays, I figure it like this...Find which scout was responsible for signing Young, Crawford, Baldelli, Huff and Cantu and offer him a contract! The D-Rays are just 2 starting pitchers away from being a wild card contender. Their scouting is rediculous! -krazeebrainz

I think that Barry Zito's best years are behind him. for starters, the guy is a surfer and would probably suffer mentally if he pitched on the east coast. Secondly, he is a space cadet...He definitely has a few screws loose. With this being said, I think that he would have a difficult time in Boston. I just can't see him being receptive to the scrutiny of Boston/New England media. It just seems as though people have learned how to hit him. Because his fastball is typically in the mid-to-high 80s, you can sit on it. Though his curve ball remains incredible, he has had some control issues which forces him to utilize his fastball on a more consistent basis. This has definitely made him more hittable. On that note, I think that he would be a decent pick-up at best. I just think that you'd have to give up too much for a pitcher that seems to have limited upside. I'd rather see the Sox shop around and leave Zito in Oakland. -krazeebrainz

I think that this was a wise pick-up. Given the fact that Timlin is getting older and has thrown a rediculous # of innings the past few seasons, I think that Tavarez is going to give his arm the rest that he needs. Though Tavarez is good, I can easily see this guy pulling a Kevin Brown and punching a wall if he happens to have a sub-par outting...Walls always win.

Woody Williams is a joke. This guy just doesn't impress me. He is straight-up batting practice. I'd rather have Wells than Williams.

I was thinking about all of the options that the Sox have for center field and shortstop. We all know the names that have been tossed around; Tejada, Reed, Crisp, etc. Well, I just wanted to post a trade that I think would ultimately work well for the Sox for this season and the future. Yes, it is rather outlandish, but I figured why not? Here are my thoughts: If I could choose 1 player to put in center field, it would undoubtedly be Carl Crawford. Crawford strikes me as the total package that is only going to get better in time. If the Sox ever landed Crawford, the lose of Johnny Damon would seem minimal...I also really like Aubrey Huff. Though he had a slightly off-season last year, I still feel that he is a very strong batter and can fill a gap in the outfield (or infield at the corners). Hey, and if the D-Rays didn't want to deal Crawford, Rocco Baldelli is supposedly healthy... How do you get Crawford or possibly Baldelli and Huff? Propose a 3-way trade with the Mets. -The Sox send Ramirez and Wells to the Mets. I love Manny, but it has got to be difficult to deal with his inconsistencies as both a player and as a manager. David Wells is also a nice-to-have #5 starter, but it is no secret that he wants out of Boston. -The Mets send three of their best minor league prospects (IF and OF) to the D'Rays. -The Sox send Lester and Arroyo to the D'Rays. -The Sox get Crawford and Huff. At this point, you can have Cora play shortstop. Even if he only bats .250, you know that you are going to get great defense and an incredible baseball thinking-mind at short. Proposed lineup if trade worked: 1. Crawford or Baldelli-CF 2. Loretta-2B 3. Lowell-3B 4. Ortiz-DH 5. Huff-LF 6. Varitek-C 7. Nixon-RF 8. Youkalis-1B 9. Cora-SS I honestly think that Lowell is going to have a productive season in Boston. Given his power numbers in the recent past, he should put a few shots of his own both on and over the monster. I realize that this is far-fetched, but what prompted this is the D-Rays consistent efforts to keep their salary down. With 4 minor leaguers and Arroyo, their team salary would drop even lower. I know that Lester is going to be good, but you have to give up quality to get quality... What do you all think? -krazeebrainz:dunno: