iortiz

The way I see the thing sk is that he STILL can save you a lot of games. Most of them, actually. That's all that matters to me. This is why SV% & IPs are the metrics I care when I want to choose a closer, mostly after 11 Y of service. I don't care if he saves you most of the times with a low K/9. I don't care if he saves you most of the times with 65 mph pitches. I don't care if he saves you most of the times with a "high" ERA/FIP/SIERA. I don't even care if he saves you with a "low" WAR numbers..... and still some of these and other stats are really great in the last couple of years. BL, I don't care what a closer has to do in order to save a game as long he gets the job done. Period. This is why you pay closers: Save games, regardless how they do it, and this is why closers are special and different to other relievers to me. For example, Look at Taz, he is a great reliever, but he can't close. Papelbon is still one of the best regarding this matter, saving games. In the last two years his SV% are even above his career average and still pitching a lot of innings. Again, consistency and durability. Sk, The question should be: How many closers can post you 65+ SVs with a SV% above 92%? Pap has recently proven that he still can do it. How long is he going to last at this level? IDK, but 3 years ago a lot of people said that he was finished, and look at him, he's like the good wines.

I think you are the only one on this board and out of this, who say that he is "not that good" (whatever that means). He is not good, he is great!. One of the best of all time considering his consistency and durability, and still have gas in that tank. That's out of question. While I like Koji, Kimbrel, Chapman, etc, they simply don't have his track record. Not even close. The numbers are there. Go figure.

Well, this summarize pretty well what I've been saying about Papelbon since I've been in this board. Great post, Doji. Also, Papelbon himself said in 2013 that he was not a fastball pitcher anymore. I remember that he said that he was trying to compensate that with better command/control in his fastball and tunning his other pitches/repertory. The funny thing is that in 2013, "a year of adjustment", he had a "tough year", and still he posted a decent 2.94 ERA. Everybody in that year said that he was finished. Well, after that year, the adjustments seemed that worked out; in 2014 he posted a ridiculous 2.01 ERA and saving 39 games in 66 IP, one of his best years in his career. How long is he going to last at this level? IDK, but trying to compare some names with him after 11 years of consistency and durability as a closer in the ALE, simply doesn't make sense. BTW, for those who say that his contract didn't worth it, the guy has earned every penny, that's out of question. Hopefully Kimbrel follows his steps just as Pap is following Mo's.

I see. Even if you live outside the US like me, MLB.TV only transmits few ST games everyday. For example today they just transmitted 5 games. At least you can watch today's Sox game On the other hand, once the regular season starts, I can watch every game.

Btw I think you can download a software (I do not remember the name, let me check out) in order to change your IP and avoid blackouts.

When you say MLBN you mean MLB.TV?. Since I live in Mexico I never experiment blackouts on MLB.TV or on sky when I buy the 'Extra innings' package. Not sure whe Kimi lives, but you are right, you have to check out your blackout conditions.

Tomo is scheduled the Sox game on MLB.TV among 4 other games Kim.

Seems like this year is going to be really competitive. Is the draft going to be on April 2 at 12:00 or at what hour is it set?

LOL! Great to hear. Keep us informed, as always.

I just bought MLB.TV but it isn't broadcasting Today's Sox games. Hopefully they transmit some SOX ST games there. Btw Ted, Did you make the trip this year?

I think ESPN is seeding us at 10.

Hi MVP, yeah, I think that's the way I see the team.

85-89. Still I do not see enough pitching to be a real contender, but hopefully they make a move at some point.

Well, I'm giving them a D because the corners. Panda and Hanley sound scary to me. Also Pedroia seems like a injury prone player moving forward and XB is not that good at D, so a D or at best a C is what a I see right now.

Well, this is how I see my team. Power B Getting on base. B Starting Pitching. C Relief Pitching B Infield defense D Outfield defense A Position player depth C Management C Farm System B

Well, I haven't had the opportunity to read the threads in last couple months or so but IMO I like what DD has done so far. Not sure about Price's contract but it is what it is. Still I think we need another SP. We have an ace surrounded by a bunch of No. 4s-5s, so a guy like Cuero or Kazmir would be a perfect fit in our team and to call it great offseason.

Seems like landing Hamels wouldn't have been a bad idea after all.

Congrats my friend. You really earned it. You managed your team very good. Adam did a terrific work all year long too. Congrats to him too.

Tomo Lackey vs Lester. I still can't believe we let them walk, just like that. It will very fun to watch. I will root the Cubs in that game and for the rest of the POs. I like their fans.

Believe it or not, most of the times I do not post in game threads when he pitches haha. Said that and to be fair, he has been way better since he hit the DL. It is going to be interesting to see what kind of pitcher he is going to be in 2016.

The line after the 6-0 was at +2500 for the NYY. I should have bet, dammit!

.... Not to fast my friend.

Yup. Hopefully DD cleans Cherington's mess.

I was referring to the major legue moves/ team-building. As I said, the new GM is not going to make the calls. He is going to make the paper work for DD, in whatever subject he demands in order to make the decisions.

GMs are becoming coffee boys. In Boston the new GM is gong to be puppet (like Cherington) , DD (like Luchino) is the one who is going to make the calls, for good or for bad. Said that, It's irrelevant who takes the position.