iortiz

Well, in that case I think we agree sk... I also think there are kook-aid drinkers out there.

oks Bell. haha

I'm not trying to apply logic or whatever... My point is pretty simple actually... IMO This pitching strategy is horrible, I already rest my case... and blame or glory FO will charge it, time will tell.

whoa whoa there. Spud said ¨No way in hell do I believe that Ben really is satisfied with the current rotation for all of 2015¨... then I said ¨Me neither and of course he will not accept it on public, but some here and there are drinking that kool aid.¨ again, not sure what you are disputing. the bold thing? As I said, I do believe that Cherries is not satisfied going forward like this either (notice that it is an opinion), On the other hand... does he think that this rotation as something that can be good enough to not kill this team while the starting pitching trade market opens itself up? he better, but IDK... but I think it must likely is a yes; reason why I think some here and there share that strategy or projection (... drinking that kool aid.). Again, not sure what you are disputing. On the other hand I do think that scenario (trade) is very unlikely, since IMO 1. it will be to late, 2. you will depend on what is available and what your are willing to give up and... 3. it hasn't happened at least in the last 20 Y since I assume it is because the last 2. But yeah, it could happen although very unlikely.

so they couldn't, what?

Yeah, but some think that this squad is good enough going forward since they think we could grab a pitcher in the trade deadline and/or promote a prospect.

Me neither and of course he will not accept it on public, but some here and there are drinking that kool aid.

Sorry Ted, my bad never happen again my friend. Shields wouldn't hurt anybody mostly at that price (75). At 85, still it would have been a bargain to me and likely would have made it done (... and just in case you would have wanted to incentive him). Nobody is saying, spend like drunken sailors like he is presenting. As usual he is taking things out of context. Anyways... problem is AND it has been mostly in recent years... they didn't spend wisely, again IMO; while they opened the wallet at O, the pitching is soooooo thin and full of ?s.... again. For nth time, I would have signed Lester and Shields even if that had meant not landing Panda and/or HR. In that scenario you would have had Vic/Nava/Castillo, Betts, Cespedes. XB, Peddy, Napoli/Craig, WM/Holt, Vazquez.. Still this O looks pretty strong to me. On the other hand the Rotation would have been Lester, Shields, Masterson, Kelly, Buch/Miley. Something like this was pretty affordable. IMO this looks more balanced. Sure It's about how you see your strategy and/or projections, but come on nobody is spending like drunken sailors in this scenario, nor putting in risk any future.

Weren't u all for Shields?

We'll never know, but time will tell if they took the best strategy with this squad.

I think most people agree that Shields would have made any team better, regardless any rationale thought or decision behind. It seemed like a lot of teams were interested, and all of them for sure have their GOOD/BAD rationale/projection behind, time will tell. In our case, he is 2 or 3 steps ahead of any of our arms.

haha It's oks Kim but hopefully it doesn't cause u a stomachache like it did to me last year.

My sister went to Wrigley a couple a years ago and she loved the environment and all, but when I asked her about the game, she asked me, what game? LOL! Seems like Wrigley is just a PR coliseum these days. Life is funny, She doesn't give a damn about baseball and somehow she's been in a couple of parks already, while me, finally next season will be my first time.

Cubs better post something around .500+ this year at least, otherwise a lot of question marks and pressure will be in effect.

Seems like Padres aren't done yet, they are after Moncada as well.

Well, we will never know how it would have worked out for us and while what you are saying is probably true, I still see Shields 2 or 3 steps ahead of any of our current arms.

We better start the first couple of months solid, otherwise a lot of pressure is going to be out there and I'm not sure if our young squad will be capable to handle it.

Shields to San Diego for 75 M or something. Damn! Is it really a bad contract? He's 33 and all but this sounds like a bargain to me. Anyways, 4 months ago, we were told to wait and be patience since it was too early and we had to trust and let the FO work because they were likely going to land at least one No. 1. The time ran and Cherrys signed a combo full of ?s and said that he felt comfortable with the actual rotation going forward and some thought that it was pure BS since it was simply part of his PR strategy or something. Then the speech changed and some drank that kool aid and began to make to the idea that this rotation was good enough since it has a huge potential and/or the ALE pitching is as mediocre as ours and that we could easily grab an ace in the trade deadline if needed. Once again we were told to be patience, fine. Now that we are certain of how we are moving forward, Hopefully Cherry's baby work out because this is the worst rotation I've ever seen for my Red Sox on paper entering into a new season.

At this point, I think it is not about the money... they feel comfortable as the rotation is.

If my assessment is right and he posts something around 4.0, I do not see how we are going to match those games against true No. 1s and even No. 2.

...and it is fine... but you are giving the No. 1 spot to a guy who used to be a No. 5, just because he had one good year. Also he is not used to deal with that kind of pressure (being a No. 1.) and in a team like Boston where spotlights are always there could play against him. Some are saying that we should't care about his 2009-2013 because he was young and all... but when you look at his SO/9, it is still horrible. While his BB/9 and GB could cover his ass with our D (still to be seen, mostly since XB is not that good or at least hasn't proven), his SIERA is still around 4.0 and is not far from his career numbers and from what steamer is projecting as well at his 2015 ERA (3.97) Again, it is just my opinion.

Do not worry, I think I'm the only skeptical here. While the majority expect something around 3.5 and 180+ IP, I expect something around 4.0 at best, and sure probably something around 180 IP. Hopefully I'm death wrong.

Probably. It is an urban say so...I do not know if this in english has the same meaning.

Let's put it this way...I think ALE Lups are good enough to destroy this mediocre rotation. Time will tell, though.

I do not think you are pessimistic here. I think you are realistic. I even think that you are bit more optimistic than me, since I do not even see Porcello posting those numbers (4-, 180+). Regarding MVP, you aren't helping man, he probably could've bitten hahaha. In fact he sees 3 guys under 4 and since we have "inning eaters" he probably could bite. Let's see if he takes the new conditions.