Spudboy

Yes. I have been a closet Shield fan since when he emerged in Tampa. Iortiz is correct that he has pitched a bunch in the AL East. I don't know the numbers but Lee has pitched a bunch in the AL and he was always "The Guy" many of us have wanted on our team because The King was never going to be available. That fact alone makes Lee a more than intriguing idea. I don't like the $ involved but it sure would be fun to see him dominate in a Sox uniform.

I'm trying to figure out which dinosaur. Who, Suzuki?

I just read that the Sox are at or over $200. already. How realistic is it to expect them to spend $25. mil more?

Not that I am against getting Lee. I am wondering exactly how much he can help this team this year. Can he be a stopper? Can he face the top pitchers in the AL and prevail? I guess that his health and ability to "get back to normal" are key. At 37 how likely is it for him to be Lee of old? Or even 80% of what he was.

Can't forget Bennys!!!! And of course "Hot Wienahs". I like to eat three all the way with a cuafee cabinet. At Kips.

That sounds about right. I'm sure people will argue "different eras man".

He sucked pond water. Now that he has been jettisoned, many more people are saying this. The guy had a powerful arm and made some spectacular throws. Woopie. I see a pattern in these touted Cuban players. They lack finished skills. Bye bye Viciado.

I can understand the Doc's optimism to some extent. One thing I wonder about is Beltran. I remember a700 asking me if I thought the Sox should take a flier on him several years back. The guy has bad wheels or some kind of chronic ailment. If or when he is healthy he is a dangerous hitter. But he seems to be hurt much of the time. Maybe I'm wrong? I still think that the presence of A Fraud will be a big issue and distraction. Can anyone ever see the Yankees eating his $61. mil contract?

And I mean no disrespect of Gordy Howe!!!!

ESPN has completely lost credibility with me. Aside from some 30 for 30 shows, I have no use for them anymore.

No Fred I live about 15 minutes north of Providence R.I. in lovely North Attleboro, Ma. About 40 miles south west of Fenway Park. I grew up in Newton. That is how I went to so may Sox games as a young person. The Yankees are globally pervasive. Travel in Europe a bit and the most poplar non-European hat is a Yankees hat. Of course when I see them I always confront them.

Don't get me going on Little Rhody! Lol! But Providence does have really good Italian food!!!

Rice is a cheater. No way in hell he is the best FB player of all time regardless.

Good choice Ted. My guess is that some of the younger members of the board have no idea how great Jim Brown was. The same goes for Bobby Orr who changed how hockey was played and viewed. And Jordan was only the best player of all time if you have never used a rotary phone. And I do not care one whit what poles say.

I meant no insult in the usage of that word. It describes me and many of my friends. Do you remember Ray Wietecha? His Son is one of my closest friends.

Exactly.

If I was Hanley I would have been shagging fly balls all winter long. I can see what will happen now the first time Hanley misreads a fly ball, or boots one in the corner. The media will be all over him and he will end up another Crawford. Although I must say that Crawford did not cover himself in glory in anything that he did while in Boston. Hanley has every advantage now. He has the money and now he has at least one real friend on the team. He should put his head down and apply himself. He should keep his stupid and immature mouth shut and try to speak English if he has to say anything. I doubt that he plays out his contract in Boston. We will see.

One thing I have noticed is that there are many Yankee fans around my area. This is probably because of my proximity to NYC and all of the college kids that migrate to the Boston area from the New York area. And of course some people are just plain idiots. There are a bunch of old timers that still follow the Football Giants because for many years they were the only team anywhere near Boston.

lol

Ugh.

Nava has no options left. He seems to be on the bubble each year now. I'm of the opinion that untill Castillo proves that he can play well consistently in AAA that Betts should be in front of him regardless of the money spent on the guy.

While I share your optimism about the team as a whole, I don't think the defense is all that great at the moment. I'm sure that we are all happy to know that X has spent time in Arizona attempting to become more quick a foot and all. I just don't know that he will be so much better than what he was last year at short. His range and footwork / throws to first still concern me. I'm from Missouri when it comes to his ability to be better than average at his position. He has to show me. Sandoval, despite being a hunk of goo, should play decent 3rd base unless he becomes injured. Pedroia will be himself, I assume. Napoili says he is a little behind schedule in his preparation because of the ghastly surgery to his face. I expect that once he catches up, he will once again be at a near Gold Glove level at first. Overall, I don't believe the infield defense is so much improved. This is worrisome given the Sox professed commitment to ground ball starting pitching. Now the outfield is a real question mark if not still a total mess. Bradley will not be in Center. Betts is still a novice in the outfield. Castilllo is unproven at best. Hanley is a potential disaster in Left. I'm just hoping that he can play about as well as Gomes. Victorino could return to play Gold Glove D in right field. Catching appears to be a real strength defensively. Overall, I can not say with a straight face that the Sox Defense is all that great.

I'd feel much more comfortable with the FO if guys like Ben had coached high school ball for 30-40 years. That is more of a bonifed qualification then a dime a dozen MBA.

Fired from chicken driven donkeys.

Yes, of course. I asked who people saw as potential trade pieces going to Phillie from the Sox. I would assume that the Sox would make a smart deal.