scaffolds

Resigning Alex Gonzalez isn't a brainer, Julio has a better and may have more speed,but his defense isn't anywhere close to Gonzalez.

Who is doing this ranking?

The signing of Cora means a few things,for one it means that more than likely Loretta isn't going to be resigned, it means thn more likely Pedroia is going to be the starting second baseman and that the resigning of Cora will be the back up plan in case he strugles with the bat like he did at the of last season. The signing of Cora is a good move as long its mainly to be the back up second baseman and not to play as many games at SS as he did last season, at SS Cora lack the range and arm for the position. With the resigning of Cora, Timlin and Wakefield means that the Sox's move this fall has been good, but not great, however the grade will drop if Nixon gets resigned and worst if Kapler is brought back.

Like Kevin Youkilis right.

I agree that Spann isn't non touchable, but only in the right deal, however for now he is third baseman of the future.

I disagree again, while i don't expect Spann to be all star I expect him to be an above average third baseman a player who might hit for more power in the ML than he did in the minors. Spann is a lot better athlete than Youkilis, with better range and potential top glove, as a hitter while i don't expect him to have as high as OBP as Youkilis do, but be able to hit with more power and be more productive in general a better player.

Spann had a fine season in Portland in 06 and its playing very well in the AFL. I would like to see Spann hit for more power in Pawtucket in 07 to get him ready for the staring third base position with Boston in 2008.

The following are red Sox hitters that are likely for a break out year in 2007. 1- Aaron Bate when you are a power hitter and be playing in your first full season in the minor leagues not only in a hitters park like in Lancaster but in a hitters league like in the California league. Bate has power to all fields it will be very interesting to see his numbers in 2007. 2- Luis Soto is one of the very few Sox prospects that are 5 tools player. Soto showed in the 2006 Spring training that he was ready for a break out season, however an early wrist injury handicaped the season and even when he came back was never the same player, like with Bate and Turner playing in Lancaster in 07 will be what the Doctor order. 3- Manuel Arrambaris along with Chiang (also in this thread) are the Sox top pure hitters in the Sox system and Arrambaris a right handed hitter who can hit to all fied should start showing the power expected out of him when first signed. 4- Carlos Fernandez was the VSL top hitter in the VSL in 2005 (his first year as a profesional) Fernandez can hit to all fieds, but a stronger Fernandez in 06 showed that that the ball explodes out of his bat and a future power hitter. 5- Chris Turner playing in what isn't known as a hitters park at Greenville in 05-06 has put up one of the top HR numbers in the Sox system, like with Bates and Soto playing in Lancaster in 07 should benefit him and put better power numbers lets hope it will help make him more contact. 6- Chih- Hsien Chiang, Not one on the Sox system has a prettier swing than Chiang and while he isn't strong enough to be power hitter it will be very interesting to see his production in 2007.

Players in Extended in Spring training who should be playing in the GCL. Pitchers; SP- Arbert Jimenez LHP-19 yrs SP- Caleb Clay RHP 19 yrs SP- Jose Alvarez LHP 18 yrs SP- Rayn Colvin RHP 20 yrs SP- Wang-Yi Lin RHP 18 yrs SP- Anthony Alvarado RHP 16 yrs RP- Willy Mota RHP 21 yrs RP- Pedro Perez RHP 19 yrs RP- Carlos Gonzalez RHP 21 yrs RP- Argenis Paulino RHP 21 yrs RP- Victor Galue RHP 19 yrs RP- Armando Zerpa LHP 20 yrs RP- Pedro Rodriguez RHP 19 yrs RP- Scott Blue RHP 20 yrs Catchers; Tyler Weeden 19 yrs, Levi tapia 20 yrs and Rafael Gil 21 yrs Infielders; 1B- lars Anderson L/L 19 yrs 2B- Yamaico Navarro R/R 19 yrs SS- Oscar Tejada R/R 17 yrs 3B- Chih-Hsiang Huang R/R 19 yrs UT- Ricardo Burgos L/R 19 yrs UT- Victor Zerrano R/R 20 yrs Outfielder; OF- Luis Sumoza R/R 18 yrs OF- Engel Beltre L/L 17 yrs OF- Mitch Dening L/R 18 yrs OF- Matt Sheely R/R 20 yrs OF- Willian Reddick L/R 19 yrs

Bosox; To get back for minute to the minor league free agents, the Blue Jays signed one of the better free agents RHP Jean Machi who played in the Tampa system in 06 a reliever signed with Toronto mainly because they offer a ML contract and a 40 man roster spot.

The 2006 free agent catchers class: Bengie Molina (A) Mike Lieberthal (A) Rod barajas ( Greg Zaun ( Henry Blanco © Chris Widger Sandy Alomar Paul Bako Todd Pratt Elnar Diaz Gary Bennett Todd Green Robert Fick

Players in Extended Spring training who should end up in Lowell: Pitchers; SP- Jorge Rodriguez RHP 22yrs SP- Joseph Guerra RHP 20 yrs SP- Jimmy James RHP 22 yrs RP- Mauricio Mendez RHP 21 yrs RP- Emilis Guerrero RHP 21 yrs Catchers; Junior Moreno RH 22 yrs 1B- Jon Still R/R 22 yrs 2B- Pedro Vasquez S/H 20 yrs SS- Argenis Diaz R/H 20 yrs 3B- Jorge Jimenez L/H 22 yrs

The group of players posted above aren't likely returning to Lowell, but won't break out of Spring training with a full scheduled team unless there are injuries on those, also the organization will be pulling players out of this group when there is a need to replace injured players from full scheduled teams. Steinocher, Lawson and Beasly where very good college pitchers with very average stuff that's why they where drafted in the second day of the drat and all of them have a limeted potential. Large on the other hand has better stuff, but is very inconsistent and with a health history and in addition will be 24 yrs early in the minor league season. the two sleepers from that group is Rhoades and Guillen. There where reports of Rhoades throwing in the mid 90's with Greenville in 06 but his numbers didn't translate to that kind of stuff in addition he is a small RHP. Guillen has good size at 6-3 170 and a fast ball around 92-93 and had a good season in Lowell (first in US) but he will be 23 yrs before Spring training will open.

According to BA Sox's 2006 34th round pick LHP Brian Morgado who didn't sign with the Sox and its attending the University of Tennessee had TJ surgery and will Red Shirt his first year year in college.

Players who should go to Extended Spring training, but not Lowell: Pitchers: SP- Kevin Guyett RHP 24 yrs SP- Adam Blackley LHP 22 yrs SP- Travis Beasly RHP 23 yrs SP- Ryne Lawson RHP 21 yrs SP- Brian Steinocher RHP 22 yrs SP- Jeffrey Farrell LHP RP- Chad Rhoades RHP RP- Will Mann RHP 22 yrs RP- Terry Large RHP 23 yrs C- Jon Still* R/R 22 yrs 1B- Jon Still* 2B- Michael Chambers R/R 23 yrs SS- Chuck Jeroloman R/R 24 yrs 3B- Zak Farkes R/R 23 yrs UT- Matt Mercurio R/R 24 yrs OF- Paul Smyth R/R 23 yrs OF- Reid Engel L/R 19 yrs OF- Jeffrey Vincent L/R 23 yrs * Very good chance of going back to lowell

What does this has anything to do with the price of bread. i am a scout, not a doctor. I haven't see bagwell in more than a year, there's a lot of talk of his health issues, but unless you are an inside doctor you don't the actual fact, besides i am a amateur talent and minor league scout not an ML scout. Coco Crisp wasn't healthy after his finger injury, a healthy Coco in 07 will show the same type of player that he was in 04-05.

Bosoxnation; I have news for you, lead off hitters lead off only once per game, hitters don't hit for more power or less power depending where do they hit in the line up, is either they have power or not. Youkilis isn't going to hit for more power just because he is going to hit eighth in the line up. One more point the Sox do have a lead off hitter his name is Coco Crisp.

The Sox are looking Justin Masterson as a starter in 2007, however the general scouting view is that his stuff is more suited as a reliever, but not as a closer someone similar to former Sox Bob Stanley.

I agree with 700, don't like him Nady as an OF, but do like him as a first baseman, don't know how healthy Bagwell is, but is worthed doing some research on it.

Seabeach, Nady was mainly a third baseman in college and most scouts projected his best position as a pro would had been first base. The Padres moved Nady to the OF because first base wasn't open and they wanted his bat in their line up, so i disagree in your believe that he is more of an OF than a first baseman. i have talk enough about Youkilis and his play and how he will hurt the Sox if he would be a regular in the line up. A name that a poster (sorry don't remember who it was) posted about and makes good sense is Jeff Bagwell. Assuming that he is healthy enough, Bagwell who will be 39 yrs in May 07 and may have a couple year left on him and if he does Fenway will be a great park for him and be the first baseman that the Red Sox so badly needs.

Bosox, Do you really believe that Josh Papelbon has any trade value? He was passed on almost 48 times by all the 30 organizations. At best he is a filler.

Boxsox; let me try to answer your questions, Minor league free agents normally are looking for two things, one is for an organization that will place them on their own 40 man roster, a Spring training ML invitation or a good opportunity to make the ML roster and the other one is an organization that offers the best financial deal. I really haven't spend much time this off season to find out who are the best minor league free agents are. From the names that you mentioned Mike Restovich is by far the best prospect and one worthed to sign, in 2006 the 6-4 240 who will be 28 yrs in the early part of the new year hit for a 293 ave in AAA with 29 doubles and 27 HR, but 121 strike outs and 51 BB. You're correct Burnhan and Burkhardt are very similar players, non athletic, who's only tool that they can hit. Sorry but neither Butler, Meadows or Enrique Cruz does much for my interest.

Guapo; You're right I left Moss out.

Pawtucket: Pitchers; 01- Devern Hansack RHP * 02- Kason Gabbard LHP 03- David Pauley RHP 04- Abe Alvarez LHP 05- Chris Smith RHP 06- Lenny Dinardo LHP 07- Barry Hertzler RHP 08- Javier Lopez LHP or Craig Breslow LHP 09- Kyle Jackson RHP 10- Randy Beam LHP 11- Edgar Martinez RHP * If doesn't make the ML roster out of Spring training. 1-5 starters 6-7 middle relievers 8-11 short relievers Catchers 1- George Kottaras 2- Alberto Castillo Infielders; 1B- Jeremy West 2B- Joe Mc Ewin SS- Ed Rogers 3B- Chad Spann UT- Bobby Scales UT- Jeff Bailey (1b/C/LF) Outfielders; LF- Kerry Robinson CF- Jacoby Ellsbury RF- Brandon Moss OF- Chris Durbin DH- Luis Jimenez ( also a first baseman)