BSN07

The Rays will cause some problems within the division. There not going to be the Sox, and Yanks whipping boys. They will finish 3rd at the highest, but there a decent club. This team could probably make the PO if they where in the NL. I think 88 W's is a fair guess.

This one is growing legs.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/02/25/treading_lightly_here/ Maybe no deal at all.....

I think Bonds might end up playing for the Rays... Just a shot in the dark.... I believe there pick would be protected too.... SF would love that.....

Like the move alot. Hes not a bad insurance policy to have in Pawtucket. Or if he can hold down the 5th SP spot, Buchholz could be the insurance in Pawtucket. Having Buchholz in AAA might save him some innings to use for the stretch run. He be an excellent late season boost.

Nothing new on that front lately, but there was talk earlier the ATL was trying to get a long term deal done. I think there is a good chance they do try to do it.

Plan and simple, he gets it done. Even if we don't always agree with the way he geys there.

Giambi playing 1B all yr....? Hahahahahaha Great video game lineup tho. Gom have we not learned yet over the last 7 seasons or so, that a great Offense is trumped by great pitching. Getting Bonds would be the same stupid move all over again. Sign a old over the hill player with issues, that you really don't need or have room for. Also, thats a fairly old lineup, the odds of it lasting all threw the season is not good at all. The Yanks already have enough offense to get them to the post season, they have proven this alot. They lack " Pitching ", Bonds might get them the East, but he won't help anymore or less come October then what you have now.

Jacko I almost agree with you 100%. I think Coco starts the year in CF, barring injury. Which Gom sees as the "End of all days" for Jacoby if he doesn't beat out Coco. I Don't agree with Drew going down, but hey it could happen. Whoever the 4th OF is, will see a decent amount of playing time, whether it be late inning sub, injury sub, something of this nature. I then think a little later in the season, a team will need a CF, and I'm sure the Sox will need something by then. So the Sox will trade Coco somewhere, and aquire another 4th OF to replace him. Or if Kielty is still around or someone like Moss. If there is a SP injury/ineffectivness during Spring Traning or the Sox decide they would really rather start Buchholz in AAA (to save him for later in the season), then Coco might be dealt sooner. I also think Oakland is a strong canidate, especially if the Sox want Blanton. Texas is another strong possibility. If Bradley flops in CF, they will be interested in Coco.

Damn dude, nice post. I have to admit when you first came here I'd see a post by you and think, " fahk that s*** is just too long to read ". After getting past my initial lazyness, I started to read your post through to the end. Your statistical gathering is top knotch, even tho sometime I disagree. But not always:thumbsup: Along with others you make coming and checking these boards an interesting read. I just thought I'd point this out to others, not saying anyone Bill has a dialouge going back and forth is wrong or not intitled to show there opinion, But the quality of Bill's posts. Keep it up man:thumbsup:

The hell with Petco, lets put our own predictions up. East 1.Sox 2-4. Yanks, Jays, Rays, I honestly think it could end up being any combination of the three. TB has got decent pitching. And if there youngsters continue to produce they could cause problems in the division. The Jays if healthy could hang around for awhile, but there lack of pitching depth/ injury prone pitchers will likely be there downfall. The Yanks as usual could go either way. If they have to throw out 11 different SP in the first couple months, or there older players go down for along period of time, they could have a real problem crawling back up the standings, but hey there the Yanks and seem to do it every yr so we will see. 5. Baltimore, they will be holding up the bottom of the dividsion for a few yrs. Central 1. Detroit 2. Guardians 3. Minnesota 4. White Sox 5. KC, they might beat out CWS for the 4th spot possibly. West 1.LAA 2. Seattle 3.Oakland 4. Texas NL East 1. Mets 2. Philles 3. ATL 4.Florida 5. Nationals Central 1. Chicago 2. Brewers 3-5. Cardinals, Reds, Astros, Like the AL East, any combination is plausable. 5. Pirates West 1. Arizona 2. SD 3. Rockies, I don't think the Rockies where a fluke, But there pitching is suspect, and the other 2 teams have bonified #1's in the rotation. 4. LAD 5 SF Guardians, and Brewers as WC teams.

Exactly:thumbsup:

Hahahaha thats good stuff...

Ummm if you look up my predictions on Beckett last yr, I was pretty close. I said 18 wins and top 3 in Cy Young. He had 20 wins and was 2nd in Cy Young. But like I said it could go really either way. I'm just predicting this might be the yr the Yanks can't rebound from a slow April like they have in yrs passed.

I think Beckett, Matsuzaka, Lester, Buchholz, and Wakefield make more starts then the Yankees group. Mussina is an injury or a few ineffective starts from being done. Hughes has not proven he can stay healthy, Kennedy has proven nothing much at the big league level. Wang and Pettitte are solid and should provide 200 inning a piece if healthy. Beckett, Matsuzaka, and Wakefield will provide 200 innings if healthy. And besides Gom, didn't you pick the Sox to only win like 85 games or something and miss the playoffs last yr? The Sox and Yanks will fight for the division every yr. Its just how it is. And any given yr either one could win it. Whoever stays more healthy and gets production from there players will win the division.... Very plan and simple..... But if we are predicting here I say the Sox win the division by 6 games over Toronto, with the Yanks in 7.5 games out. I think the Yanks starts out slow like normal, but I think this might be the year they can't pull themselves back together in time. Every yr it seems there beginning of the season slump last a little longer then before. But hey they could win it by 10 games for all I know. Go Sox 08!

I can understand why the changed the name. But Florida Marlins just has a better ring to it. But hey if it helps them out then more power to them.

If there is that much of a noticable difference, then I have to say that this + other stuff really must have been hindering Hansen. It will be very interesting to see how he pitches now. Can you imagine if he finally started pitching to his potential? Hansen,Oki,MDC, and Papelbon in your BP cost controlled and signed for the forseeable future. That be nice.

I read the article on the Boston Globe page about Hansen and the surgery he had this off season. It an interesting read, http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/02/13/a_sleeper_in_sox_bullpen/ There it is for anyone who hasn't read it. With less physical stress from lack of sleep, it was probably easier for him to gain a little weight over the off season.

Ya read the report behind that photo. It basically said don't worry, hes not pulling a Schilling circa ST 2007. It also said hes in better shape then what he came to ST last yr.

Hughes/Bailey at this point last yr where considered the best pitching prospects. At the same point this yr, Buchholz is considered to be the best pitching prospect. To compare the two is difficult. Buchholz started pitching much later in his career the Hughes. Both could be #1's if they fufill there potential. Both have good fastballs, complmented by a good selection of off speed pitches. I'm not trying to be a homer, but I beleive its been said that Buchholz repetoire is a little deeper the Hughes. Hughes has shown he can be bit by the injury bug, but nothing substantial. Clay had a weak shoulder by the end of last season. Both are young and still buliding up there bodys. Both teams are lucky to have who they have, and for most people its like splitting hairs between them.

Dice K looks ripped, Buchholz looks good, Beckett is Beckett......... Spring is in the air( dont know the rest of the words to the song) la la la la la la la....

I think the Sox will go with what they got. They will keep Coco around until a SP is definately needed or he starts to be a problem. Or until somone desperately needs a CF, and Theo can get more then he would normally be able to get for Crisp. The only thing is when the hell will Kielty play?

Mussina hands down, he will throw atleast 1 pitch in the 1st half. That is more then Schilling will...

We where warned about this kind of " Back and forth " treatment when it came to Papelbon. The Yanks better be careful. I wonder whos ass is on the line for this idea. 1st time Joba gets hurt there will need to be a fall man...

As far as I'm concerned, I expect no contribution from Schilling this season.