BSN07

Tim Linecum, Ryan Braun, Evan Longoria, Josh Hamilton, Brian McCann, Justin Verlander

And you expected?

Jacko I see where your coming from. I also see Dutchy's side of things. But I doubt the FO is leaking these things. Maybe a low level guy leaked something, but I doubt it was on Theo's orders. And I doubt that Theo has The Globe on speed dial. It's probably more due to the reporter's. Whether it be bias or whatever. Maybe some of these guys don't like these players and decide to pile on when they see a shot at them leaving town:dunno: Or, The Red Sox are #1 in Boston. They drive a lot of media there. When one of there players becomes a FA it's a story. And in any story the more attention it has, the more reporters working on it, things tend to get dug up. And whoever get's the best scoop gets the front page of the sports section. Which gets the reporters name out there, blah blah blah. You catch my drift. As far as Theo goes. I like him and hope he is around for a very long time. The continued stream of quality players from the minors has been great. His FA signings and trades seem to be a bit polar. A few absolute winners, and a few absolute bombs. And with 2 championships in the last 5 years(even if 2004 was a lot of Duqette(sp) guys, Ortiz, Schilling, Foulke, and a couple others where all brought in by Theo. And without them it's a different team), I find it hard to not like him. The team is in contention year in and year out for the most part. What more really can you ask then that? You don't think Pirates fans would kill to be in contention for the Playoffs and or making the Playoffs every year?

Don't know much about the kid. But considering his age and the numbers he's putting up I'd be excited if he was in the Red Sox system. He still has a lot to prove. It's a nice start though.

Agreed.

Light off some fireworks for me guys, Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

Same thought LOL Bay is in a slump. It happens. I'm sure it won't last two months like Ortiz's did.

I don't think he's ML ready. But if the Red Sox get him, I'll be fairly confident they could remedy that. They have shown they can develop pitchers with the best of them.And I don't think it would take long to develop him. Put him with some good pitching coaches and he could develop fast. If not then I wouldn't think it be a stretch to expect to see him by 2012 . By then Buchholz and Bowden might be in the rotation. And the Sox would still have Tazawa and Chapman waiting in the wings. That wouldn't be a bad situation to be in. At worst he could probably be a dominating late inning RP.

Pedro looked like he had good stuff in the WBC. I think he can be effective for someone as a SP. I think he could be very effective as a closer. Not sure how his shoulder would fair on back to back days or multiple times a week though. But if he could handle it, Pedro letting it loose for 1 inning could get some results.

I'm actually a little surprised this isn't a hot topic around these parts yet. This could end up getting really interesting. For all the talk about Strasburg, this guy looks comparable and he's a LHP. Like it says, his secondary stuff needs work so he's probably not MLB ready. But this guy would be awesome to get. This could end up being a big time bidding war. Should be fun to watch.

Detroit absolutely stole Edwin Jackson.

Thanks for the update Jacko. The 2 seem like good high upside signings. I look forward to anything else you can find on them.

I like the idea of Teahen. I also think Huff would be good insurance for Lowell as well.

If that shot doesn't prove he has some legit pop in his bat I don't know what will. But it was an 86MPH FB. Or tired cheese as Ecks put it.

Evening all. Smoltz has looked very good so far. I wasn't able to watch his first start.

Can you imagine being traded to the Pirates and it being an improvement? I think The Nationals gave up on Hanrahan too quickly. The Pirates are really trying to build a young core. I think dojji is right in thinking it probably wouldn't take too much to get Laroche. He would be a nice insurance policy for Lowell.

It pretty much lists and above average player in 2003.

Francona has his flaws. But the positives far out way them.

Ronald Belisario, RP