redsoxfan3

That was my only concern after posting that. I didn't put too much thought (obviously) into Nava in RF. The only real option is to start Bradley in CF and Victorino in RF. I was putting too much emphasis on Nava possibly getting more exposure there in Spring Training, but even with more reps in RF, we still either need Victorino there or to trade or pickup a FA if Bradley is not ready to start in the majors.

If it came down to Lavarnway or McDonald. I think we need to stick with Lavarnway. He is more of an offensive threat as a pinch hitter. Pedroia is going to play through almost any injury. Middlebrooks and Bogaerts can play 3B and Drew and Bogaerts can play SS. I don't think McDonald is that valuable as of right now without an injury. Lavarnway would be able to give us more value offensively as a pinch hitter.

Gomes and Carp in LF. Nava in RF. Victorino in CF. Nava can be a backup CF in an emergency. He only played there once in his career, but like I said, he could play there in an emergency. Bradley also can play CF. Assuming he starts the year in AAA, he is just a call away if we need a true CF for an extended period of time. The flexibility isn't that bad. Nava, Carp, and Gomes can all play LF. Victorino can play CF. Nava and Victorino can play RF. I assume Bradley can play in RF on a consistent basis. We already know he can play LF and CF. If we look internally for a CF replacement, I don't think it is a dire need to get just a backup CF. If we only carry four outfielders, then Bradley is only a call away. If we choose to carry 5 outfielders and Victorino plays in about the same amount of games as he did last year, that means that Bradley would get roughly 40 starts in CF and would be able to pick up some games in RF and LF. Probably more in RF to give Nava some games off. The big question is if Bradley will be ready to be on the MLB roster to start the year (which is impacted by whether we resign Ellsbury). Obviously, we should go after Ellsbury. If not, BC will explore FA and trade options for a RF and/or CF, preferably someone who can play both. Worst case scenario is that we do not sign or trade for another OF, which brings up the Bradley situation. I am all for trying to sign Carlos Beltran to play in RF, meaning we have a similar situation in LF as we did this year. That would allow Victorino to move to CF. Nava, Carp, and Gomes in LF. Nava picks up some games in RF, and we use him or Beltran in an emergency in CF. Bradley is still an option as a CF if Victorino goes on the DL. We are not in a bad situation. In my opinion, we are fortunate to have the depth that we do, even with potentially losing a great leadoff hitter. Defensively, I know that Nava is not the ideal RF, but he will be able to get more practice there in Spring Training. He did start 51 games in RF this year.

I love the lineup and I know a lot of people do not like how Gomes is starting over Nava, but Farrell is obviously going with the unbeaten record with Gomes as a starter. I like the offensive potential in this lineup. Maybe Drew will finally do something offensively. We could use a huge game from Big Papi. We have to get to Scherzer early. The less he is in the game, the better our chance is to win.

That is true. I just don't see us resigning Drew. That is just my personal opinion. Of course, the FO will have to feel that Xander is ready to start everyday at SS and that Middlebrooks will be consistent enough to play 3B. Obviously, if we do not resign Drew, we need a solid utility infielder to be able to play 2B, SS, and 3B. I would prefer a veteran guy over a guy like Holt. That is not going to be easy to find, at least one with a decent bat and that is solid defensively.

Sure, compare me to whoever you want. Just giving my opinion. jung has more quality posts than a lot of other posters on this site.

We need to stop swinging at pitches out of the strike zone. It seems like everyone needs to shorten up on their swing. We do not have to hit a home run every at bat. The plate discipline has been crappy. Gomes finally gets a hit. Nice compact swing and hits it up the middle. We just need base runners and need to start stringing together some hits.

At this point, if we can win the game with no hits, I don't care. We need to just win!

West f***ing things up evenly for both sides.

I know, man. I completely understand. I am on the same page as you.

2 walks and 5 strikeouts so far. Put the ball in play!

Nothing wrong with that. I love the way he plays. I still have always liked the way Pedroia has played since '07, otherwise Nava is up there on my favorite player list.

Nava is the epitome of a kid that has not always had the talent of top level prospects who has made a name for himself this year in the majors. If I were still a kid, this would be my role model.

I completely agree with you, I am just throwing out alternatives. You always have to have the mind frame to think of what if scenarios. Just throwing that out there.

We still have the rest of the series and the World Series (if we get there) to make that decision. He did K in the first, but his HR's and RBI's are hard to replace. He does strikeout way too much, but he can provide us with some power. Realistically, the only way I do not want Nap back is if we can get this Abreu guy from Cuba. He could be a great power bat in the middle of the lineup. I either want Nap or Abreu. Of course, if we cannot get either, I am okay with trying Middlebrooks, Nava, or Carp over there (only Middlebrooks if we resign Drew, allowing Bogaerts to play 3B).

We need to make some contact. Big Papi chased two horrible pitches. It doesn't matter what the calls were, he shouldn't have tried to swing. Napoli had a couple chances to make some contact. We have two guys on with one out. We have to do get something done. Sanchez had four strikeouts!

That is right on track as to what I was thinking. Byrd is 36 and he had the most HR's this year in his career. He had a great comeback year, but I think it would be hard for him to repeat those numbers. It is a huge risk to expect that type of production from him again as he gets older. Choo would be a viable option to play RF. The OBP, 20 steals, and 20 HR's could be a big help if we were to lose Ellsbury. Beltran would add another power bat that we could use. He could be a solid player that could help us on a short-term contract, which would help give Bradley some more time in AAA. That would potentially leave us with Gomes, Nava, and Carp in LF. Victorino in CF. Beltran in RF, with Nava and Victorino being capable of playing there. Not to mention if Beltran would get injured, Bradley is only a call away.

Since we are on the topic of Ellsbury and talking about the offseason, if we cannot resign him, who would you guys like to see replace him? I know there is the chance we might, but it is hard to tell what could happen this winter. Would you want to try our luck with Bradley? We also have the option to move Victorino to CF and sign a RF. I am not sure if Bradley would stay in CF, or if Victorino would move over to CF and Bradley would be in RF. Signing Choo is an option. He could play in RF or CF. Signing Beltran to play RF could be an option. I know he is getting older, but I think a one year deal (or at most two) could be a decent move. He could add some pop in the middle of the lineup. Would you even consider Nelson Cruz to play RF? Would you consider a reunion with Marlon Byrd to play in RF? Age is also not on his side. I am sure there are more options, but those are just off the top of my head. I think it is interesting to consider. Obviously, I want to resign Ellsbury if I had the choice. Choo finished his third career 20 SB and 20 HR season. He would be able to provide some power and still be able to be a threat on the bases. With Beltran, you get an aging OF who can still hit for power and a good average. With Byrd, you get a guy that made a huge comeback this year. He hit the most HR's in his career this year. He is also aging and he might be more of a gamble if his numbers start to decline. PED Cruz says it all. We did a great job of bringing in great team players last offseason and developed great team chemistry this year. You can't ignore Cruz's power numbers over the last five seasons, but do we want a guy like him to be part of our team?

This thread is f***ing great so far. I wore my "We Own The East" shirt today (I live in Florida) and I got a lot of dirty looks from October Rays fans. I would actually call them Rays fans, but they only come out around here when their team is doing good or in the postseason. Let's send these little bitches home for good. Everyone is always talking about their pitching, but guess what? We have good pitching too. Not to mention an offense who can whoop their ass on any given day. Let's start the "f*** the Rays" chant. Postseason baseball is back in Boston and the best fans in the world have a great team to cheer on. It all starts tomorrow.

Nice! I am still waiting on mine. I ordered mine last Friday and they finally shipped it today. I don't know why it took a week to ship, but I can't wait. Definitely looks like a great shirt.

haha, it is Peter Abraham. He doesn't seem like he gives a f***.

Last year at this time, there were so many Rays fans sporting their gear here in Fort Myers. This year, there are hardly any Rays fans that are supporting their team. I am rooting for them to not make the wildcard. There are four teams within 2.5 games of them in the WC standings. It should be an interesting finish to the season.

Exactly why I didn't.

I am not going to post the lineup, but it is interesting to see Pedroia batting leadoff with Victorino playing. IIRC, Pedroia does not like to bat leadoff. If anything, why not have Victorino leadoff and have Pedroia bat second?

TIGERS (81-57) Jackson CF Hunter RF Cabrera 3B Fielder 1B Martinez DH Infante 2B Tuiasosopo LF Pena C Iglesias SS Cabrera is back in the lineup and is 10-16 against Lester.