scaffolds

The key word is maintaining it, sure Papelbon can touch 95-96, heck he has done as a closer, but Beckett can throw it deep into games.

Jonathan Papelbon showed in 2006 to be one of the top ML relievers, showing a mid 90's fast and a splitter, its well known that because his health issues its very unlikely that Papelbon will be a closer again (at least for the time being) As a starting pitcher Papelbon isn't anywhere close to as a closer, as his fastball drops into the low 90's and even at 92 there is questions if he can maintened deep into a game, of course the splitter, but the third pitch which a starting pitcher needs is an average at best slider. Josh Beckett had a hard time adjusting to the Al in 2006 and the high amount of HRs allowed is one of the signs of it, another reason was the pitching coach with Dave Wallace being out most of the season and Al Nipper not being a quality ML pitching coach. Beckett has plus, plus stuff with three above average pitches with a mid 90 fastball which he can maintain deep into games that could touch as high as 97-98, a curveball and a change up. Beckett's curveball was somewhat inconsistent in 06 and his change could be better if he could take some speed from it, with a new pitching coach those adjustments could take place. In conclusion Beckett is the better starter a # 1 or 2 in a starting pitching staff while Papelbon doesn't project more than a #3 or 4.

While BA has DAvid Pauley in the 30-40 categorie as a prospect in the Sox system he showed again in the AFL that he isn't a prospect.

Defense wise Alex Gonzalez has been the ML best shortstop since Ozzie the wizard.

Defense wise Jeter can't shines Gonzalez shoes.

Bernero is what he is a filler, it will have to be an emergency for him to be called to the ML.

Coco had a bad year because he wasn't healthy, not because of talent, a healthy Coco will be a different player than the one he showed in 06 and be back to be the lead off hitter that the Sox badly needs.

Embree, Oliver ????????? you can't be serious

According to rumors (very strong rumors) the Blue Jays are heavy after Alex Gonzalez, if indeed the Blue Jay signs Gonzalez it will be a major mistake by the Sox FO.

AZBlue; Baseball in Puerto Rico isn't what it was perhaps in 20-30 years ago, the Puerto Rican youth isn't any more as baseball crazy as it was back them, but mainly because of the Puerto Rico baseball academy it has been producing and getting drafted a decent number of players the last few years, just not as many as before and many of them aren't ready for pro ball that why you would see a lot of them going to JC and universities in the States.

The Red Sox have released Dominican OF Moises Santa. The release in my opion isn't talent related, Santa has had a few issues the last couple of years and may not had been matured enough.

The Sox recently hired a new scout for Puerto Rico, Edgar Perez and the top Puerto Rican prospect going into the Spring for the 07 June's draft is OF Angel Morales.

We all know that Sox's pitchers allowed a ton of runs, if Gonzalez wouldn't had play a 100 some games at shortstop it would had been a bunch more.

Signing Lugo to play second base at 8-9 Millions per year doesn't make one bit of sense.

With the recent signing of profesional scouts it brings to eight the total of profesional scouts. David Howard Jerry Stephenson Galen Carr Gus Quatltlebaum Jaimie Bane Keith Champion Dave Klipstein Jesse Levis To answer my question from a few post ago, according to my sources Ray Fagnant remains with the Sox as scou for New York/ New Jersey and New England.

City of championship; i got two words for you, BETTER DEFENSE.

I disagree you need offense from the first baseman, if you have Youkilis in the line up there is a offense problem and as a lead hitter even worst.

One of the must talk about subject this Winter among Red Sox fans is who will play short stop in 2007. Before we discuss Gonzalez and Lugo, we know who won't be regular and that will be Dustin Pedroia or Alex Cora while both should be on the 07 roster neither has the range or arm to a short stop for a contending team. It has been reported that in order to sign Julio Lugo it will take a multi year contract about 8 to 9 million per year. Lugo is mainly an offensive Shortstop one who could hit for a high average, that will score a lot runs, who has very good speed and will steal bases, one who has gap power, but not Home run power. With the glove is an average shorstop one who has an OK range and arm, but one who is very capable of comiting 30 errors in a season or one who will cost a game like he did a few years ago with the Astros when in the playoffs he cost them a couple games before the Astros bench him for the rest of the playoff. It has been talk about that Alex Gonzalez wants a multiple years contract. In my opinion Gonzalez would sign a contract for two years around the 4.5 millions per year plus a option for the third year. Anyone who has seen Gonzalez play the last few years will know that he is capable of making the routine play and the spectecular one, very few Shortstop (if any) has the range that he does and none one turns the DP as well as he does. As a hitter we all know that he doesn't make as much contact as we will like, that he has average speed, but he is capable of hitting 15-20 HR (if he plays 150 games) and can drive in some runs. In conclusion when an organization looks for shortstop it looks for one that will give a top defense, one who could make the routine play and has the range and arm, one who won't cost you a game with his glove, one that what he gives you with his bat will be frosting, not one that you depends in his bat. The Sox needs more offense production we all know that, but they needed from a production positions like first base, that is why they need a change at first base and the answer who should be the Red Sox shortstop for 2007 is Ales Gonzalez not Julio Lugo.

For the last few last years top college middle infielders has been very hard, but so has been depth at the positions, for the 2007 draft while its has a better depth it lacks a top prospect. The top 10 college middle infielders in the order that they should be drafted is. Josh Horton North Carolina university* Zack Cozart Mississippi University# Darwin Barney Oregon State @ Brian Friday Rice University Andrew Romine Arizona State Ryan Wehrle Nebraska University Damon Sublett Wichita State @ Taylor Harbin Clemson University ^ Dominic De La Osa Vandervilt University Erric Farris Loyola Marymount University @ * Is mainly a offensive short stop. # Is perhaps the most pure SS in college @ Projects as a second base man as a pro ^ Has played second base in college In my opinon the sleeper as a college middle infielder is Brandon Douglas from Northern Iowa. Douglas is a draftable college sophomore.

The rest of the players who should go in the first round, after the first ten picks and not counting the 9 lleft handers already mentioned in the order that they should be pick is. Justin Jackson SS TC Robertson H.S. Asheville, North Carolina Josh Fields RHP Georgia University Michael Main RHP Deland H.S. Deltona, Florida J P Arrencibia C Tennesee University Blake Beavan RHP Irving H.S. Irving Texas Matt Mangini 3B Oklahoma state Tim Alderson RHP Horizon H.S. Phoenix Arizona Jason Heyward OF Henry H.S. McDonough, Georgia Greg Peavey RHP Hudson Valley H.S. Vancouver, Washington Beau Mills 3B Lewis Clark State college Phillippe Aumont RHP Ecole Du Versant Gatineau, Quebec Eddie Kunz RHP Oregon state university John Tolisano 3B Estero H.S. Sanibel, Florida Todd Frazier 3B Rutgers university Josh Vitters 3B Cypress H.S. Anahein, California

In pure talent those nine LHP should go in the first round, but there is 6 and half month away and the baseball season hasn't even begin, so a lot of things can happen, but for now that its how I see it.

Besides catchers hard throwing left hander pitchers are the hardest to find for scouts, however there is quite a few in the 2007 draft, below there is a list of left hander pitcher who throws a fastball 90 or harder. The list is in the order that they may be drafted; David Price Tennesse University Daniel Moskos Clemson University Joe Savery Clemson University Ross Detwiler Missouri State Madison Bumgamer South Caldwell H.S. Lenior North Carolina Cole Saint Clair Rice University Nick Shimidt Arkansas University Josh Smoker Calhoun H.S. Sugar valley H.S. Georgia Jack McGeary H.S. Roxbury Latin H.S. massachuset Tanner Robles Cottonwood H.S. Murray Uthat Brett Cecil Maryland University Charlie Furbusch LSU Zach Brewster North Hall H.S. Murrayville Georgia Brake Britton Tomball H.S. Magnolia Texas Aaron Poreda San Francisco University John Gast Lake Brantley H.S. Lakewood Florida Tony Watson Nebraska University In addition the following touches 90; James Adkins Tennesse University Sean Doolitle Virginia University Dave Duncan Georgia Tech

Hansesn doesn't need to change teams, what he needs its a change of organization philosophy or way to coach its pitchers.

Going in to Spring training with Tavarez as the fifth starter isn't a good plan, if there is a market for him they should trade him, if not long reliever should be his duties.