das11209

The big run prevention machine needs oil or something.

Lars Anderson is quickly climbing up in the list 'Prospects we hold on to too long' - should be right after Craig Hansen.

Hitting is part of Ellsbury's game while that is all Ortiz does. Given how he started last year - I think the concerns are legit.

I was really big on V-Mart signing - but now the chances have increased that Minny may actually trade Mauer - should we wait? Last time with Santana - they asked for a fortune from Yankees and Red Sox and then gave him away to the Mets - so I don't know.

Is anyone else little concerned about Ortiz? I know it's spring training - but I am having a bad feeling that he might start the season like last year?

I think these are the question with offense from last year.: 1. Can they hit against good pitching? 2. Can they hit on road? 3. Will they have black holes ( 6-9 in first half last year) in lineup? 4. Will they be streaky ( Ortiz, Bay) or consistent throughout the season. If all the answers are positive - they have the potential to be very good offense.

Let me ask you a question. Would you suggest a GM should just overpay and bid against himself because WAR suggests so? Mind you - the GM does not have infinite cash - he can really use the money to improve other areas of the team.

Drew is a nice player - but Theo totally overpaid him. I do not care what kind of market was there and now - Theo just bid against himself. Of course that is not the fault of Drew - even I would like to be overpaid if my boss for some reason decides to do it.

I have mixed emotions here. He will be the most sought out catcher FA after Mauer signs with Minny. Question is if he will remain a catcher. As a catcher he is very valuable - but as a DH or 1B - he is not even close as valuable. Personally even though it will be risky - I would like to see if he can be a servicable catcher this season. If there is a priority - I want the FA to lock up Becket first.

You guys already got the big questions out. I think offense overall is the big question mark. Can they play somewhat to their potential, overcome horrible road woes of last year and compete with the Yankee line-up? Can they hit good pitching? Can they be injury free for most part? Can they overcome age issue? What happens to Lowell? Will there be black hole in line up like last year 6-9 ( at least before V-Mart came abroad)? How concerned people are with: 1. Bullpen- we lost some poeple here. 2. Defensive shortcoming in both the catcher's positions. 3. A personal big Q for me - most might disagree. Day to day game management of Tito.

You can also go for directtv extra innings and pay an arm and leg. I am personally happy with mlb.tv - using it for last 3 years. If you take the premium - you can switch between home and visitor audio feed and pause/play live games. Personally mlb.tv will be good enough for me as it will have high def quality this time. Black out is not an issue unless you want the local games - but it is sort of an issue for Fox Saturday afternoon when some games at the same time are blacked out. I am looking forward to the IPod app this year - though I am sure AT&T coverage will suck.

I have been extremely critical of the offense of past year. The third place in run scored was so skewed by running score on bad teams - the bats did not do much against good pitching. This year even after loosing Bay - I am more optimistic on offence. I think that we do not have one player any more that needs to carry the offence - but collectively they just should hit better. Moving Ells to left should help his bat. There are two factors that will determine the performance of offence. Can Tito resist playing Tek than he absolutely have to? Can Papi bounce back after having an inconsistant year ( contracft year + better shape + healed wrist)? The rotation and defense has improved - but bullpen has lost a step. Overall - I like this team better - they have better balance. I think with Theo's bridge comment and all - it is clear that this is a transition team before payroll can get big contracts out and we get better free agent class. In light of that - I am OK with this team. But this team is not a championship team - neither are they catching MFY. Wild card will be a realistic goal in my opinion. They really need to do something abot Lowell before spring training.

It sucks to be Mets fan - I have a friend who is ready to commit harakiri over off-season. It will be a miracle if Omar survives till 2011.

Last piece of missing puzzle - next stop - world series.

I have no shame admitting that I want my team to be the best money can buy.

what hindsight? It was a bad deal from get go like the Lugo deal.

No wonder you are smiling to see captain back. Seriously - does he still get a 'C' on jersey? May be he should get a 'BC' - backup catcher. Or a 'F' for performance. Tek coming back is bad- we picked up Wake and he can't catch Wake. If noone is available - Kott should be backup who can catch Wake. We can get better def. backup catchers than Tek and for less than 3 mill. Is there no more Mollina bros? Why did they have to give him the player option....