scaffolds

Edgar is a far better pitcher than he was in 2005, not a fished product, but he is getting closer.

The Venezuelan regular has ended its 2006 season and the Sox prospect who played the league are first base man Luis Jimenez who hit for an 307 Ave in 39 games with 137 AB 24 R 42 H (4 doubles, 0 triples 5 HR) 25 RBI 21 Bb 24 So 1 SB 1 CS 445 SLG, 410 OBP. Edgar Martinez 20 G ( all in relief) 0-3 2.28 ERA 23 2/3 IP 18 H (0 HR) 1 HB6 ER 1 HB 12 BB 16K 209 Ave.

Let me try to answer this questions, In Venezuela there's the regular Winter league composed mainly of AA-AAA players and a sprinkle of ML players, the development league or Paralela is for young players and that is where the mentioned Sox farmhands played. There is also a Winter league in the Dominican, Puerto Rico and Mexico. The Hawaian league its very similar to the Paralela. The stadiums in the Winter leagues are similar to those that you find in the minor leagues, which means there are hitters park and and pitchers park.

The Venezuela's paralela or development league has been the first one to finisg its season and the Sox had its share of players in this league, lets see how they did. Carlos Fernandez; showed why he its one of the Sox top hitting prospects by hitting for a 416 ave in 154 AB 36R 64 H 9 8 doubles and 6 HR) 10 BB, 13 strike outs a 584 SLG%, a 452 OBP the only thing he showed that he couldn't very well was stealing bases as he stole 4 out of 12 tries. The 20 Venezuelan wasn't challenged this Winter but people should remember that he has only played one year in the States, Fernandez should play in Greenville in 2007. Manny Arrambaris; 327 Ave in 162 AB 23 R 54 H (6 doubles and 4 HR) 24 RBI a 438 SLG% a 366 OBP. Arrambaris like Fernandez wasn't challenged this Winter and should be in Greenville in 07. Luis Sumoza; hit for a 298 Ave in 124 AB27 r 37 H (11 doubles and 2 HR) 21 RBI. a 435 SLG%, a 399 OBP. the Righr fielder should play in the GCL in 2007. Argenis Diaz, hit for 360 Ave in 100 AB 20 R 36 H (7 doubles 1 triple 0 HR) 9 RBI a 450 SLG%, a 404 OBP. Diaz who may be the Sox top SS prospect will battle Kris Negron for the short stop position in Greenville in 2007. Christian Lara; hit for a 266 Ave in 79 AB 21 R 21 H ( 4 doubles, 1 triple and 1 HR) 10 RBI a 380 SLG%, a 427 OBP. Lara should be the SS for the new Lancaster team in the California league in 2007. Tony Granadillo; hit a 310 Ave in 71 AB 11 R 22 H (8 doubles and 4 HR) 18 RBI a 592 SLG%, a 444 OBP. Granadillo should be lancaster third baseman in 2007. Ricardo Burgos, hit for a 308 Ave in 78 AB 16 R 24 H (6 doubles, 1 triple 2 Hr) 10 RBI a 487 SLG%, a 432 OBP, 7 stolen bases. Burgos a left handed hitting second baseman should his first year in the States in the GCL in 2007. Ronald Bermudez; hit for 302 Ave in 126 Ab16 r 38 H (8 doubles and 4 HR)21 RBI a 460 SLG% a 333 OBP. Bermudez a 18 yrs Venezuelan CF may be the top hitting prospect for the Sox's DSL to follow in 2007. Luis Segovia; hit for a 220 Ave in 41 AB 10 R 9 (no extra hits) 2 rbi. segovia continued having problem hitting and may have a fight in his hands for playing time in 2007. Jackvid Avila; hit for a 202 Ave 103 AB 13 R 21 H (6 doubles and 4 HR) 21 RBI 379 SLG% a 299 OBP. Avila an infielder while he hit for some pop continus having problem making contact and should return to the DSL in 2007. Alan Attacho and newly signed Pedro Chourio had very limeted playing time. Miguel Scolovitch RHP; Pitched in 10 G (all in relief) 4-0 1.38 ERA 26 IP 12 H 4 ER 6 Bb 14 K 141 Ave. Socolovitch maybe Greenville closer in 2007. Carlos Gonzalez RHP; pitched in 12 G ( all in relief) 2-1 2.25 ERA 20 Ip 20 H 5 ER 2 Bb 14 K, a 256 AVE. Gonzalez should go back to the CGL in 2007. Yesper Castillo RHP;15 G (1GS) 1-0 2.82 ERA 22 .3 IP 24 H 7 ER10 Bb 11K 273 Ave. Castillo should be one of the better pitchers in the Sox DSL team in 2007 Victor Galve RHP; 12 G 2 SV 0-1 4.40 ERA 14 1/3 IP 13 H 7 ER 5 BB 7 K 245 AVE Raul Mayorca LHP; 15 G (6 GS) 5.46 29 2?3 IP 31 H 18 ER31 Bb 17 K 270 Ave. The young converted Of continues to struggle as a pitcher, specially in throwing strikes and should return to the DSL in 2007.

The Sox have signed Dominican RHP Runelvys Hernandez to a minor league contract. hernandez who is 28 yrs and 6-1 200 and Ed Rogers signed out of the Dominican as 19 yrs in 1997, Hernandez by the Royals and Rogers by the Orioles.

Like i posted before its a weak group.

Rolando Petit recently signed heralded Nicaraguan pitcher Danilo Alvarez to Altlanta braves contract. another prove that Petit remains with the Braves. The Sox where also in the hunt for Alvarez before he signed with the Braves.

The Sox have signed Dominican shortstop Ed Rogers and veteran minor leaguer Kerry Robinson (OF) as minor league free agents and resigning their own minor league free agents Jeff Bailey(1b/C) and RHP John Barnes, in addition the signing of minor league free agents Jimenez, Scales and Hughers who where reported in earlier posts has become official. The Sox 2006 minor league free agent class isn't a strong one. The Sox also released Australian catcher Matt Kent.

Seibel has some talent, but he couldn't stay healthy. Seibel will be 28 yrs before Spring training but some LHP mature a lot later, it needs how this works out.

Obrien is excellent, he worked for the Marlins for a few years before he joined ESPN and i am sure the fact that he is Bostonian didn't hurt him in getting this job.

The key in the signing of J.C. Romero its how much it cost to sign him, its well known that he had a bad year in 2006, but according to what i have been hearing it was mainly because of mechanic issues in his delivery not because of health issues or lack of stuff. Romero had good years with the Twins, so if they can fix those problems they may have something there. In addition the Sox are going to carry to LH in the pen this yearOkahima is going to be one of them but Lopez or Breslow are very average.

David Murphy had a very good carreer at Baylor and became Theo's first amatteur pick in the 2003 June's draft. Murphy a RF in College was signed as a Cf. Murphy doesn't have the plus tools of a top Cf prospect, speed and range, but he has an above average arm for a Cf, gets good jumps on balls and positioned himself well. As a hitter Murphy hasn't change much since his days at Baylor. In 3 plus years Murphy hasn't being able to gain the strenght not only to be a HR hitter but to be a top hitter, in at lot of bats Murphy shows the lack of strenght to handle the pitches. In 2007 Murphy chances to stick with Boston isn't not better than as a fifth OF and unless the Sox trades a OF at the ML level his playing chances are very slim. Because having a young player sitting on a ML bench isn't a good idea the Sox brass would have to make a desicion on Murphy. 1- Keep Murphy as the 5th OF 2- Send Murphy to Pawtucket to play LF (Ellsbury will play CF and Moss RF) 3- Which is my choice, its well known that Marlins have a need in Cf and have been scouting Murphy for some time. The Marlins have a lot of pitching depth in the minors and if the Sox can get a middle level starting pitcher prospect, one who could perhaps starts the season at Portland, they need to make the deal.

Two Additions and subtrction to the Sox roster with Phil Seiber being traded to the Angels for Brendan Donnelly and the Sox signing LHP reliever J.C. Romero which means the Sox roster stands at 40 players.

Jackson, by any chance do you who lead the Sox in victories in 2006?

Josh Becketts is part of the Red Sox future, specially when more than likely Schillings and Clemens would retired after the 2007 season.

With Cora around Mc Ewins isn't needed, but he will be a insurance policy in Pawtucket in case of an injury in Boston

Qualls is more of a setup pitcher than a closer.

With the signing of Matsuzaka and Mirabelli the Sox roster stands at 39 players with the last slot being save for who the closer may be.

With the signing of Julio lugo signing the sox loose their first round pick ( Pick #20) but because of the signing of Alex Gonzalez and when Keith Foulke signs the Sox will getl a sandwitch pick for each, which means the Sox will have two pick between the 40-50 pick.

The Sox have signed minor free agents RHP Edgar Guaramato and C Alberto Castillo to minor league contracts. Guaramato is a 22 yrs 6-1 170 venezuelan whom the Mariners signed as a 16 yrs catcher. After 4 years as a catcher in the Mariners system he was switched to pitching in 2005, as a pitcher he has a very good arm but its very raw and hasn't pitched in a full season schedule league. Castillo is 36 yrs Dominican 6-0 200 who has played in the Majors and could be in Boston before of the 2007 season ends. Also there has been that the Sox has resigned Venezuelan first baseman Luis Jimenez and signed minor league free agents Travis Hughes and Bobby scales, but haven't been able to confirmed.

I disagree.

The chances of Chris Smith would be very slim, while he was decent in Portland in 2006 he had problems in Pawtucket.