jacksonianmarch

The sox pen last yr wasnt all that bad. It just got overworked. Now, even if you somehow get the same performance out of your SU and CL, you still are missing Aceves in the swing role. That's the biggest downgrade. And even as bad as he was, Lackey did give you 5.7IP per start, which is going to be tough to replace with two career relievers getting their first taste of a big league starting rotation. That means your pen may be in for more work without Aceves. That's a recipe for disaster. Imagine what Bobby will do on a nightly basis. Hmm, down by 1, who do I go to.....Melancon. Tied, who do I go to.....Melancon. Up by 1, who do I go to.....Melancon. He's gonna get burned to a crisp, and you're still talking about a kid who sucked under the bright lights of NY and who's only success thus far has been closing for the worst team in baseball in the NLC. Bottom line, if your top 3 stay healthy, and Bard/Aceves can give innings, your pen will stay in the middle of the pack. If anyone gets hurt or if the experiment ends badly, then your pen will die

And if he is injured, he cannot be cut anyway. AND, if they cut him and the players union wins the grievance (which they will), the sox lose Ortiz and have to pay him anyway. The sox and Ortiz are gonna be married for at least another yr. Get used to it

It's just Cash being Cash

where's jsinger and dojji on this one? Dojji said he'd be a 20X all-star, LOLOLOLOLOL!!

Maybe that's why the sox didnt want to deal for him

It not any easier for the person doing the exam. The last thing I want to do is be handling someone's junk. But it's part of the job

Well, a lot of the people I see have those problems. And yes, I am versed in it, I'm a doctor for godsakes! LOL.

He's a lefty bat with huge pop and a good eye. He's signed on a MiLB deal. If he works out, he could hit to an .800+OPS and 20+HRs. If he doesnt, then he's on the scrap heap come May. Good move for all

After posting for the last 7 yrs on red sox sites, I am pretty much immune to most attacks. There are some things that get my Irish up at times, but not many anymore

If the sox do fail in 2012, they do have the right to force feed crow to the optimists on here. I have a feeling, though, that if the sox are successful, he's gonna forget his negativity and be on board the wagon, pink hat and pom poms in hand.

TO each their own my friend, that is why these are FEARLESS!!

The doctor is in.... In my medical opinion, all those who feel offended by this thread must follow these instructions. 1. Tampons- insert them. 2. Midol- take 2 and call me in the morning. 3. Ice Cream- buy some and eat the whole carton 4. Lifetime- watch a chick flick and cry all night with a snotty type yowl so everyone in your complex thinks you're a wolf with a cold Seriously, you guys need to get over this petty s***. It reminds me of a bunch of PMS'ing teenagers. It's pervasive. The season is due to start, hopefully that fixes the issues

Glass completely full and overflowing onto the table. These are all fearless

Someone is going to have to be the big boy and grow up here. And another thing, why the hell is this thread in the Sox forum? It's about the Nats.

All 17 yr olds get developed as starters first, then they see how they project from there

All I heard is that he can throw 90mph or so. That's all I got

Second Base This was a position of strength when Cano was in the minors. Now, it's a position of ridiculous strength with guys who are close to ready all the way down to some high upside kids in their teens. 1. David Adams, 24 yrs old:- Rehab assignment all season- Adams is a guy who the Yankees just wish could stay healthy. The guy is a big bodied, slick fielding second baseman drafted out of UVA in 2008. He was supposed to be a 1st round pick, but dropped due to a poor final college season. So the Yanks snapped him up and loved his production. He had very good production up through 2009, even spending significant time and excelling in High A in his first full pro season. Starting 2010, he set the world on fire in AA with a .900OPS and a .393OBP. But after 39 games, his season ended due to an ankle injury. Initially diagnosed as a sprain, he eventually found out it was broken. It didnt heal right and he needed surgery costing him most of last season. He finally made it out on rehab assignments, but he just couldnt give it a go. He was actually the reason why the Yankees couldnt deal for Lee, he was the guy the M's wanted but didnt like his medicals. Regardless, he is completely healthy now and was just added to the 40 man roster. He's a solid offensive talent with double digit HR power, a great eye and solid contact skills. He should start 2012 in AA but rapidly be moved to AAA. If he shows he is healthy, he's a top 100 prospect for sure and with Cano entrenched at 2b, would probably be good trade bait should he re-sign with NY in the offseason. I love this kid and think that if he can stay healthy, he is at least a big league average 2b with the capability to be a Mark Loretta type with power. 2. Angelo Gumbs, 19 yrs old:- SI- .264/.332/.406- Gumbs is a very exciting 2b prospect who will play the entire 2012 season as a 19 yr old. Drafted in the second round out of Torrance HS in 2010, he was billed as a kid with a lot of raw skills. Those skills started to get refined in the NY Penn League this past season. He was 18 in a league full of college players and held his own. He's got plus speed, great hands, a solid arm, and projects to have 20+ HR power as he fills in. He needs to work on solid contact and to improve his K rates. His future in terms of position is somewhat in doubt as some scouts think he'll take the BJ Upton route and end up in CF. This kid shows the recent trend of Yankee signees, athletes with lot of raw skills. But this kid looks like he could be the goods. He should spend most of the season in long season Charleston as one of the youngest players in the league. He should be fun to watch 3. Corban Joseph, 23 yrd old:- AA- .277/.353/.415- Joseph seems like he's been around forever, but as a HS kid, he actually has done well for himself. Coming up, the big question was whether his glove could improve. Last yr, it did, and while he wont be a GG winner, he looks like a guy who could play an average to above average 2b. The hitting department has always been his calling card, but last yr was a bit of a stall. He's always had good average capability, but last yr, he dropped to .277. He shows good patience and can hit a load of doubles, but the HR power still hasnt come yet. Regardless, a middle infielder capable of putting up a high .700's OPS as a 22 yr old in AA is good. I don't think he looks the part of the guy he's been compared to since he's been drafted (Utley), but he could be a very solid big league starting 2b without much flash, but solid contact and patience skills. He should spend 2012 in AAA until Adams comes up, then will probably shift off the position to allow Adams to regain his prospect status 4. Anderson Feliz, 19 yrs old:- A- .217/.305/.333- Feliz made his long season debut last yr and struggled as an 18 yr old. But he did show the kind of skills that keep the Yankees high on him. 6HRs and 16 steals for an 18 yr old isnt bad. They expect the power to kick up and his potential sits in the 20HR range. He does have phenomenal speed and as he learns to pick his spots more, he should steal 20-30 bases. He has all the skills defensively to stick at 2b as well. His biggest problem last yr was making contact as he K'd 129 times in 116 games. That should improve as he ages and fills into his frame. Also, the Yankees turned him into a switch hitter upon signing, so he is still working on adjusting to both sides of the plate. It will come in time. I think he gets pushed to Tampa this yr due to the emergence of Gumbs, and I think he might struggle again being the youngest player in the league. But as he ages and fills in, eventually the production will come. He's a solid prospect to watch and eventually, it should all click

mlbtraderumors.com has a good article on the Yankees trying to move Burnett. They are going by his peripherals more than his ERA as his peripherals suggest he is better than a 5+ERA pitcher. They suggest that he would be worth about $12 million on the FA market over the last 2 seasons of his deal. Unfortunately, he's being paid $33 million. So the Yankees run into the conundrum of dealing him and eating $21 million or keeping him and risk seeing his value drop even further should he not win the #5 role. The Yankees have 7 big league starters on the 25 man right now. They also have their AAA level stocked with 5 ready and waiting pitchers should they be needed. Now might be the time to make their move, deal away Burnett, keep Garcia and Hughes in a battle for the #5 spot and use the bevvy of talent in AAA as backup should 2 of the 6 starters they have left get hurt or go to s***.

Can you guys just cyber bang and get the angst out? You're all acting like teenagers. Spring is 5 weeks away, and pitchers and catchers report in 11 days. Hope springs eternal, as should the renewed attitudes.