HeadOfSoxNation

I love this idea...I like the idea of Wily Mo as a fill in for ManRam or Trot on their off-days. With how young WilyMo is, I'd like to see him work with Papa Jack and see if he can get that OBP higher, and if so, we'd have a potential superstar on our hands. We've by no means seen this kids potential, and I think he's gonna be a real masher in the years to come. I have a feeling the Sox would have to pick up a TON of Clements contract though...

I half agree with that...I don't think he'd steal 40 for the Sox, but not because he's lost a step or anything like that. It's just because that's not the RedSox game. But then again, Francona has never had anyone that had the speed of Soriano...he's hands down faster then Damon, and Damon swiped 18, 19, and 30 the past 3 years, respectively. I also think it would depend on where Soriano fit into the lineup...if he batted #2 in front Ortiz and ManRam (who's hair looks freaking AWESOME by the way haha) obviously he wouldn't steal 40. His job would be to get one base and just wait for one of the 85 home runs that those guys are repsonsible for. But then again, if we dropped him down to add force to the bottom of the lineup, like a 7 or 8 guy, I think it's likely that he could get 40, for no other reason by Francona trying to get him into SP for singles and doubles guys like Loretta and Coco. I think the Sox style limits his ability to go 40/40, but definitley not Sori's ability.

We can keep throwing stats back and forth if you want, because there's some that'll be in favor of Sori, and some that would go against Sori...For the record, I started off by saying that I DO NOT want this deal done. And I still don't. All I'm saying is some people are painting it out to be the be all and end all of the team if the trade goes through, and I whole-heartedly disagree. Bringing a guy aboard who swings like Sori wouldn't be fraction of as bad as people are making it out to be. Also...the thought of spending 12 million on a guy to pitch middle relief has to irk you at least a little bit, doesn't it?? And that's realistically what we could be looking at with Clement...

No one is arguing that this would be a downgrade defensivley. I still, however, think your gaining more runs then you're giving up with the defense as is. These guys are professionals. They're going to make 50 and 55 errors, respectivley. And another thing, I really take issue with the "Soriano isn't that good offensivley" Dude you can't be serious...he's scored over 100 runs every year except one out of the past 4...including over 110 one year and over 125 another. And that's beside the OBVIOUS fact that he's a legitimate 40/40 threat. What does it take to be 'That Good Offensively' in your book? .345, 45, 145? He's a free swinger, we'll all give that to you, but he only struck out one more time then Ortiz and 6 more times then Manny last year like I brought up previously. I feel like Bellhorn had more then that by the AllStar break last year Oh...and if they deal Clement, they're actually saving money this year. Clement makes 12, I believe, and Sori makes 10.

Stillllllllllllllll no one as disagreed with this...

If the scenario of moving Loretta to shortstop and bringing Soriano in to play Second...do you honestly feel that Soriano's defense would give up more runs then his speed/bat would create? I KNOW that moving Loretta to SS is a HUGE HUGE HUUUUUUGE (Huge Tom Huge - Reference for fellow 'Cuse posters...) if...but a possiblity nonetheless. Follow the formula below, we all know how huge Theo is on formulas and numbers... Produced/Prevented By Loretta and Zalez - Allowed Due to Errors by Lorreta and Zalez = ? Produced/Prevented By Loretta and Sori - Allowed Due to Errors by Sori and Loretta = ? I really think you're going to get a higher number from the bottom equation. Do you disagree? If they could deal Clement, who's making a solid 12 million next year...and get Sori back making 10 million you're actually CUTTING 2 million of team salary. I don't know, it's really starting to not sound too bad to me. I don't think it'll happen though, I think that the Nationals would ask for somethign platooned with Clement, and I wouldn't be down for that.

I've been thinking about this...and although I don't love the idea...it's becoming a shade more appealing to me when I think about it. I'd get a read to see if Loretta could move to short...and if so, switch him to short and put Sori at 2nd and keep AGone as a late inning defensive replacement. It's a roundabout thing...but can you see Manny, Papi, Sori somewhere in the lineup and then, late in the game, bringing in Gonzalez at 2B? Or, even moreeeeeeee roundabout, bringing Gonzalez in at Short and moving Loretta to second? I'd prefer the former, because I don't like the idea of Loretta having to switch positions mid game. And another thing...say what you want about Sori...but I believe in Fenway he's the most realistic 40/40 threat in baseball (If the RedSox send him EVER, which it's clear they're not keen on doing to anyone) aaaaaaaaaand he only struck out once more then Papi and 6 times more then Manny last year... I'd like to see them deal Clement instead of Arroyo, call me sentimental, but I like the idea of at least keeping some of the 04 squad together. Clement did go 10-2 last year to start the season... s*** I dunno...I could have written a post to the contrary and convinced myself otherwise too. Goddamnit, maybe Theo's job isn't that easy after all

What's up Everybody... I actually have been on this site for a little while now, but hadn't looked deep enough to find the whole introduce yourself thing. Anyways, I'm Daniel, born and raised in upstate NY and have been a diehard Sox fan since I was 2 years old in '86. My dad is a diehard Met fan, and since I didn't eat my vegetables for dinner, he was trying to hold off desert on me during game 3 (I think?) and I decided, in my 2 year old world, the best way to get back at him was to root for the Sox...and whaddaya know, I've been through the highs and lows ever since. Only now I can eat desert whenever I want Now...I don't expect all the responses that the cute AzianGirl got, (you slyyyyyyyy dogs you) but anyways, wanted to say hello. Here's to the Sox in 06. -Daniel PS - I still don't eat my veggies

All this talk about Soriano being a one year rental is assinine. I'd love some more speed on this team, and even as a free swinger, the guy can mash...especially in a hitters park like Fenway. But...if the Sox are going to give up either Arroyo or Clement to get him, we'd better resign him after this season. I don't agree with the deal at all, but I can't see the Sox even thinking about dealing a young guy like Arroyo who's shown the stuff that he's shown, for a guy for a season. That just doesn't make sense. I guess it's a little bit more feasable to think Clement, but lets not forget he started 10-2 last year, and only fell apart after he got rocked with that Crawford linedrive. Deal sucks...don't do it. But if they do, I'd at least like to see Sori for a couple of years. Let's not forget that Papi wasn't a polished .300 hitter when he came here from Minnesota either. Granted, he K's more now then he did with Minnesota, but he's also playing everyday and getting way more ABs. Maybe Papa Jack could do Sori some good? Crucify me if you want, but I see more raw potential in Soriano then I ever did in Ortiz (if for no other reason, Sori can fly), and Sori's a year younger too...

RF at Fenway is a difficult place to play...and I'd say Trot's done it. Dude is a career .280 guy, and, as recently as 2003, hit over .300 with 18 and 77. Those are solid numbers, if it weren't for the recent astronomic 'roid-induced numbers being put up around the league, you'd be totally fine with that. And plus, I really like what Trot brings to the table...I think he personifies the '04 Club that took us all the way, which is hard to do considering there's been so many cast-offs from that squad. Kind of the 'We're Not Pretty To Look At, But Goddamnit, We Get The Job Done' so to speak. His durability has definitley become an issue, no doubt about it, but we have the depth in the OF with Dustan Mohr, and, eventually, Kapler. I can't see dealing Trot, I really can't. We have AMPLE starting pitching which we almost need to get rid of...I'm as big of a fan as anyone with having choices at SP, but we can't go with a 7 man rotation, and even if Papelbon goes to the Pen, that's still a 6 man rotation which won't work either. On a side note...I like the way this year's team looks, but is anyone else at all concerned with the blatant lack of speed? Crisp can move, and Tek has the occasional delayed steal, but I don't know. I know that's really not American League Baseball anymore, especially when you've got ManRam and Big Papi in the lineup, but I still think it'd be nice to have a few guys who are basepath threats...

Schilling isn't always PC and says what he thinks, regardless of it's repercussions...and Wells likes to have a good time and is a dominant big game pitcher...It's cool to be on a team where the owner doesn't have every player by the balls and restrict what they can and can't do and say. You're right, I'd say they are pretty good influences. Oh, and BTW...Big Bud Selig and the Commissioners office decide what hat a player wears into the Hall, the player has no say in it at all. They made that rule after Wade Boggs wanted to go in as a DRay...I wonder if Margo is going to go to the ceremony?

People always talk about Clemens hating the Sox...he hated the Sox administration at the time of his departure, not the team as a whole. He never had a problem with the fans in Boston, he was just mistreated by Duquette and Co....Part of my would love to see Clemens come back to Beantown...that's the part of me that watches the Sox during the regular season. There's a big other part of me that doesn't want him back, that's the part that roots for the Sox in the postseason...dude's argueably the most dominant regular season pitcher of our time, but can't really do big games. I don't know, I wouldn't throw all the money at him that he's going to command. And I don't think his influence on the younger guys is invaluable like some people say...they do, after all, have Schill and Boomer to learn from...

People always talk about Clemens hating the Sox...he hated the Sox administration at the time of his departure, not the team as a whole. He never had a problem with the fans in Boston, he was just mistreated by Duquette and Co....Part of my would love to see Clemens come back to Beantown...that's the part of me that watches the Sox during the regular season. There's a big other part of me that doesn't want him back, that's the part that roots for the Sox in the postseason...dude's argueably the most dominant regular season pitcher of our time, but can't really do big games. I don't know, I wouldn't throw all the money at him that he's going to command. And I don't think his influence on the younger guys is invaluable like some people say...they do, after all, have Schill and Boomer to learn from...

Alex Gonzalez? Alex f***ing Gonzalez? Are you serious right now? How can anyone be excited about this? This guy could potentially K 130 times this year...he lacks all sorts of plate discpline, and has only shown glimses of power. And that's giving him the benefit of the doubt considering that he hit his 23 dongs in '04 (pre increased steriod testing), and that number plummeted to 5 in 05 (post increased steroid testing). Dude f***ing sucks. Straight up. As far as Marte goes...Coco f***ing Crisp? I'm not big on the profanity here, but my head is just going nuts right now. Marte is one of the highest prospects IN BASEBALL...not in the Sox Organization, not in the American League, in freaking BASEBALL. If we're going to deal him, we should get something a helluva lot better than Crisp. Marte is a corner infielder with crazy power potential...and he's freaking 23. What made us decide on Crisp? Is Larry Anderson not available? I agree that we need a SS, and a centerfielder, and I agree that we need them badly...but this is the equivalent of us sending Renteria and $11 mil for Coco Freaking Crisp. I don't think anyone would have pulled the trigger on that, not with that much money involved. I'd rather find a temporary solution for center and keep Marte in Sox for a year or so, we can see him progress, and progress to our liking. And if not, at least progress whereas his trade value will be increased. If we were getting a Beltran or something along those lines I'd understand...but Crisp is about as close to a superstar as I am. And that's likely what we'll have should we hang onto Marte for a couple of years. Sheesh. Oh, and Theo, Ben, Jed, Johnboy, Jimbob, whoever the hell else is moseying around the Sox Front Office...I'm going to go dig my glove out of the garage and oil it up, in the event you need me to play shortstop. My god fellas, get your heads out of your asses.

I don't feel confident with Graffanino at 2nd...let's be honest here, he played really well for the Sox last year, but he's by no means a .310 hitter. There's simply no way. I'd say .260, .275 at best. I loved what he did last year, but you're ignorant if you're already expecting the same thing this year. And as far as Loretta goes, I like what I've seen thus far from him, but who knows how he's going to handle the big market exposure of Boston? I'm pretty sure you don't get the kind of scrutiny in San Diego, Milwaukee, and Houston that you do in Beantown, where as Soriano started off in the only market in the League bigger than Boston. As far as his plate discipline, it is definitley something that needs to be improved...but he strikes out less than a lot of power hitters in the league, and is a prototypical 30/30 guy...and potentially 40/40. Which again leads me to reiterate, that the Sox have NO SPEED. I like the idea of Loretta in the lineup, at least giving him a shot...but I feel like the Sox would greatly be improved with Soriano at 2nd, and shifting Loretta to fill the hole at short.

I think the Tejada thing is a lost cause...and, to be honest, I think dealing Manny is kind of a lost cause too. I don't really see what the big deal with that is. Manny demands a trade every single year, and then goes back on it, then goes ahead on it, then goes back on it...this is something we've seen year after year. But, the fact of the matter is, weather he hates Boston or loves Boston, he still puts up sick numbers. I'm happy to keep his Sox Red...the real issue at hand here is second base, shortstop, and center. Am I the only die-hard Sox fan who doesn't feel comfortable going into a season with Alex Cora at SS? Maybe it's an outside chance...but is there any talk at all of the Sox making a run at Soriano? He could stay at 2nd which he's repeatedly said he wants to do...and fill the GAPING hole we have there. I love the idea of bringing Pokey back to and sticking him at SS...guy is a sick defensive player. Also...a bat like Soriano's in the lineup could lessen the boom on Ortiz if Manny is to be dealt. (which, like I said, I still doubt) He (Sori) asked for 12M from the Nationals...the Sox have the money, and maybe the Dominican influence of Ortiz and ManRam would entice him? Aaaaaaaaaaand, as if we need more reasons...the dude can run. Fast. This current Sox team is going to look like a bunch of geriatric patients on the basepaths... Any thoughts?