iortiz

I couldn't say who is our current 4th SP... So I guess he is definitely better

Thank you.

+1 BTW A question E1, do you say physical condition or physical conditioning... I think I wrote it in the wrong way, didn't I?

Here's your RH OF gentlemen. I'm not sure if you guys already see this, if no, check this video out. I wonder whether our team trained like this the last three years. BTW, his physical conditioning is quite impresive. http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/15402/sox-to-hold-private-workout-with-cespedes

As Jacko said, we had both! Dammit. IMO both very good relievers at their spots and as competitive as Soriano and Rivera dynamic duo.

That is called collateral damage.

IMO closer's numbers value >>> mid relievers/setup's numbers value I think that Bard has the stuff (mechanics, velocity, repertory, etc). What they need to work with him, is his mind; that gentlemen, is even harder to work with. That's why closers are so special. Jump from a Setup spot to closer spot is not trivial. You have to handle a lot of pressure. If they make Bard the everyday closer, they must work with his mind. Once the pressure got you, it's hard to comeback, mostly in the last inning.

I just watched another chapter of 'Beisbol esta noche' on ESPNDeportes and the panel which has ex-MLB latin players like Candy Maldonado and renown specialist in the Latin baseball media like Guillermo Celis and Fernando Alvarado were saying among other things that baseball is highly overpaid these days. They pointed several cases as Pujols, Reyes, Fielder, etc, and according with sources, media, etc. they agreed that these players, even considered elite players, don't deserve what their agents are asking. They put some numbers, injury tracks, ages, projections, etc. What shocked me was when they went into Papelbon's case. They agreed that his case should be taken out of that bowl. They agreed with some points that some of us already posted. They think that Papelbon is the best closer available and projected in the game for at least the next 3-4 years. They said that Philli got the next closer who could likely be around Mo's numbers since he is gonna face weaker offenses in the NL among other things (age, expirence, handle pressure, etc). Some of them believe that he is in his prime. They said that Paplbon was one of the few rescuable in our team in 2011. They said that he is a natural born winner. They believe that Papelbon was Phili's #1 priority. They believe that they didn't overpay him. BL they made look like Papelbon as SemiGod or something hahahaha. The more I listened the more I went pissed off... I think that these guys, Philli and some of us are not that crazy about this issue hehehehe

I'm not sure what is the team's plan for Youk in the coming seasons. What is evident is that Youk just left his prime time and his career is likely on a decline. On the other hand, Santana is likely entering in his prime; notice that I'm not saying that he is or will be an elite/ace pitcher. I see an interesting upside on him (+- 3.5 ERA) and the risk in terms of money/time is low if he comes to Boston. Tough, as I said, if the team strongly believe that he can bounce back, they must not trade him, otherwise, they should explore this and/or other avenues like this. As I said, I don't see this trade happening anyway.

Yup. If someone/something is no longer in the same highway, they simply get rid of it, as simple as that. As you said, this is business, no hard feelings. BTW LOL @ sig, good one!

I like the way this guy see business, plain and simple. http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111114&content_id=25970748&vkey=news_bos&c_id=bos

Thanks E1, I appreciate you see me that way. Now, about the topic, I'm agree that we have an elite/talented nucleus in our current team, nevertheless some red flags surround that core as well, and I think that we must see both sides of the coin. For example, I see red flags/warnings/opportunities/challenges on: Carl Crawford (unlikely he performs as poor as he did, but who really knows, he better put the numbers.) Opportunity Kevin Youkilis (will he be/stay healthy, will he play as everyday 3B, if no, who is gonnna share the load, how often?) Warning Buchholz (is he going to be the same Buch, will he stay healthy?) Warning Bard (if he takes the full time job as a closer, is he ready? If no, who is coming? How much is he gonna cost?) Red Flag. Aceves (if he takes the 5th spot, is he ready?) Challenge. Plus... We have a limited budget if they don't blow the cap, and we need to cover several holes with this priority... SP BP arms Pitching depth DH/RH OF Closer ........................ Manager Coaching Staff Plus..... Ben Cherington is a mystery to me as GM We can guess a lot of things and put a lot of scenarios but the warnings/opportunities/red flags/challenges are undeniable out there. I've been pointing those issues and maybe I could sound like pessimist or something, but we must point as well our areas of opportunity .

I just figured out what condescension means. Not at all was the intention of my post E1, not at all. if it sound that way, I want to clarify that it wasn't my intention. Hope you accept my apologies if I offended you in someway. Though, I truely believe what I said. Business run that way, don't you think?

Sounds fair to me. I only wish nobody eats Cerington's lunch by then as in Pap's case (IMO). And don't get me wrong, I don't wish any bad to Cherington or our team. We'll see.

Somehow This thread made me want to listen the eye of the tiger song by survivor

Exactly. On the other hand, if the Red Sox really belive that he can bounce back as us, they wouldn't trade him, otherwise they should be exploring those avenues.

This is the only reason I'd trade Youk. Seems like the tendency goes that way regarding on his healthy and conditioning status.