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Also, what does that have to do with the original topic of conversation, or anyone else's ideas on the current thread for that matter? The man has officially joined the SoxSport school for lovers of the non-sequitur.

How could he become valuable trade bait by performing at AAA? He'll be 26 during the season. Also, how are these two things connected?

I think that would be Brady Anderson and his 50-HR season.

http://www.royalsreview.com/2011/2/14/1992424/success-and-failure-rates-of-top-mlb-prospects Not exactly what you're looking for, but there's some semblance of correlation.

I recall reading a study about this subject, but if focused on BA's prospect rankings, and those usually correlate pretty closely (at least the top 20) with the rounds the players were taken in. I'll see if i can find it.

His speed rates a 70 on the 20-80 scale, with his defense and arm both rating a 60. He's basically your typical all-glove, no-hit bench guy.

Someone will go down and he'll get his chance. The problem is that he's not exactly young, so his performance up to date is obviously suspect.

Just like Lin with the OF, with the glut of infielder possibilities the team currently has (Gonzales, Pedroia, Aviles, Punto, Youkilis, Iglesias, two catchers, carrying a full-time DHs Ciriaco simply has no spot on the roster.

Focus on one point at a time: Can he get an opportunity somewhere? Sure, and the Carlos Gomez comparison is valid. Can he be a starter in Boston? No, and you're grossly twisting the corner OF situation. When crawford gets back, a RF platoon of Ross and Sweeney would be infinitely more productive than anything Lin could bring to the table, because he simply can't hit.

You have to take into consideration that it's a very disciplined lineup. Also as a fifth starter, if he's giving you 6 per start, you're receiving a blessing from the baseball Gods.

Ryan Sweeney is a better overall player than Lin. If you think otherwise, you're deluding yourself.

I was referring specifically to the idea of bringing Wakefield back from retirement......just no. Also, Aceves or Wakefield in the 5 spot are not the only two options obviously.

Wakefield is not the answer, and it's early in spring.

You're kidding right?

Shank represents the epitomy of trolling. I've heard from several people who have met him similar opinions to that of Fred, as in he's actually nice in person, which leads me to believe that he's created that douche-nozzle persona to promote his articles, and he's succeeded.

There's no point in arguing about either issue anymore. You just don't have a leg to stand on, but keep on hangin' on. Good luck with that.

They signed the best SS available, best CF available (you just said they didn't trust the numbers and sabermetrics, then made a move to replace Ellsbury from the CF spot after an atrocious defensive season-per sabermetrics, just fyi), best 3B available and best pitcher available. The only true hole they had was at Catcher, and that corresponds to the Sox' philosophy of not putting a lot of weight into C defense. An incorrect one, but a philosophy nonetheless.

But he doesn't have the baserunning ability Ellsbury had in the minors. There's a lot of assumption here. Taveras didn't work out so well, and he's a pretty good comparison to Lin. Absolutely brutal at the plate to the point where it underminded the baserunning and defense. What's the point here? Also, you keep mentioning his "elite" defense and speed, but where are the scouting reports or numbers that back this up? What i've read about him talks about very good speed and great defense chops, but not the once-in-a-generation tools you're talking about, Based on what? What makes you think he can put up a positive oWar in the Majors? And based on what information do you assume that he can be a better package than Sweeney? The "if" the defense holds up line is exactly the point, and maybe the defense isn't as good as you advertise anyway. Let's stay realistic here. Doubtful, at best. And it's safe to expect Ross' WAR to improve last year in a ballpark that's better suited to his skills anyways. Lots of conjecture here. And also, apparently they do trust numbers and sabermetrics a lot more than you say, which is why Lin will not become a starting OF on this team, because it doesn't make any sense. What point?

This is laughable, and unsurprisingly so.