cp176

If he is healthy (big if), which he says he is, I think that he gets the right field job because he is better than the rest of the gang that he is competing against. I really would hate to see the Sox just give him away and eat some contract at the same time. He has one year left. With just one year to go, it's probably safe to say that he won't be back but for right now he is the best right fielder they have.

I think that you are right but my order would be Rodriguez and then Owens without a doubt. It's early - let's see how they come along.

If he has has shortened his stroke and has started to become a contact hitter, he could still be outstanding not just good. He is clearly the best outfielder the Sox have already. I am not ready to see this guy traded. He still could be special and not simply as trade bait. One more year.

I have to tell you Fred, I think that people have expectations that Owens won't get to for a while. I would not be a bit surprised to see Rodriguez get to the head of the class a little sooner than expected. Also I think that Johnson has shown that he could make a contribution as well. Hopefully none of them will be needed for some time.

That is imporrtant stuff to remember. Most people who have seen him pitch see him as being a solid contributor some day. Obviously he needs some time to develop.

ok - no one should be heaping anything on those 4 guys after Porcello for sure. Come on - Buchholz said it himself they are all aces.

Is this a case of you using those spring training stats to prove a point Bellhorn? I want you to be right but I think I'll hold off judgement for now. I do think that he is having a productive spring though. I know that Jacko is a homer not unlike us. I don't know much about the Yankees these days. I do know that I don't dislike their team like I did once upon a time. If Buchholtz finds a couple of MPH's and stays healthy he certainly still has the potential to get it done.

I actually think that that could happen. I do think they are two different types of ballplayer. I would certainly have a hard time saying that Betts is a better athlete than Bogaerts for sure. I think that Bogaerts will surprise people who have not been paying attention. It's good for the him that Betts is getting this attention. In terms of athleteticism, I depends on what you are looking for. I like them both.

Regardless of your coaching experience or whatever, it looks like you have good vision. He is going to have his ups and downs but people will continue loving this kid. He is a great contact hitter with a little pop in that stroke as well. He has some work to do like all of them, but I think he is off to a great start. I'm not expecting a sophomore slump though. I really do think that he is the real deal. A Pedroia type of player and I love it.

I am excited to see how this season plays out. I know I might sound a little negative on occasion but to me its just my way of trying to be realistic. I like not really knowing what to expect from these guys. Every indication is that they are coming together as a team. Chemistry means a lot. Bogaerts looks a lot different from the way he looked last year. I don't want to see them trade anyone with a potential future for any pitcher in his 30's right now. Their issue will be who they decide to keep and who doesn't get kept. It will be very interesting to see what happens with Castillo. If he goes to Pawtucket and rips up minor league pitching - ???. Is there ultimately going to be room for both Nava and Craig? I'm not sure I want to lose either one. I think that Betts will eventually be more than just solid in center but I'm not sure that anyone is better than JBJ in the field. All tough decisions that I am glad I don't have to make. They might not all be all-stars but there is an awful lot of talent on the roster.

Agreed - you can't place too much value on spring training stats in general but the overall play of anybody during spring training certainly has value. Not a case where I would use spring training stats as a springboard to future success but it is poor sell if anyone suggests they are meaningless. Performance which kind of has to include stats mean a great to many players. In the spring for sure, you can paint any picture you want with them but they do have meaning. I agree with respect to the hype surrounding many players but Mookie's hype isn't just coming out of New England. Ramirez's comments certainly count for something. Wait - he is in New England again. Statistics can be deceptive at any time of year (obviously in ST) if you don't watch the games. I guess that means I rely on my eyes.

Pretty fair assessment I think. It should be close. No team really stands out as a clear favorite. They all have their issues. Betts isn't going anywhere. Although some would tell us that all spring stats are meaningless. Doesn't mean a thing till the games start for real right? I don't buy that at all. Betts has made it even more apparent that he is for real by having the spring that he has had. I wish that we had seen a little more of Castillo but he won't be pushing Betts out of that lineup. The East will be fun to watch for sure.

Good for you for looking him up. I like that. Wrong game for sure. Still - good for you! I am hoping that I remember my grandchildren's names. Added some new ones this year. Guaranteed Red Sox fans!!!

It is insulting that you wouldn't indulge me. Are you sure that you don't know who Bobby Layne is? Just joking about the insulting part.

C'mon Bellhorn - just tell her the truth. CP176 is old mentally. I keep getting the the two first names mixed up. Tommy - I got it now. He has pitched well enough to make this team. I realize that it won't happen but I would take him over Breslow.

I don't disagree with you at all. The key would be the right arm. I don't think that the right arm is available yet but it might be soon.

Looks like a good thing that everyone on here feels the importance in keeping your best prospects around. Pretty sure the Sox feel the same.

Bobby Layne and I hope that they don't move Barnes to the pen.

I know what you are saying and don't disagree with you but they still have to throw the ball. Bucholtz changeup can be extremely effective if his fastball has the velocity. If he is not somewhere in the low 90's at least, his changeup will get ripped. Not unlike Pedro, it has always been tough tell whether he is throwing the changeup or the fastball because that release action looks identical. His power on that body which doesn't look particularly powerful has always set up his change. I also like the fact that what some of these guys down there are working on is just trying to be on that opening day roster. After Porcello, I don't see any of the starting 5 getting an extended leash. There are young healthy arms just waiting to be called upon. You don't want to rush any youngster into action too soon but they might be needed. I was just a little more like Remy I guess. Outside of just a couple of players on this whole team, I'm thinking that there should be a little nervousness. Regardless of what specifically they are working on, I would like to think that they are all smart enough to know that they need to be motivated on a daily basis. Porcello has looked good but after him - shouldn't be any guarantees.

I agree with you to a certain extent. But, if players really have something to prove to their teams, then I do see the significance of really getting ready in the spring. All 5 of those "potential" starters knows that they have something to prove. I'm for giving guys like Ortiz the days off he feels he needs. We know what we are getting from him if he is healthy. A lot of competition should be taking place in this camp for most of the others. Of the starters, Porcello looks good.

You must be down there watching them! I wish that I could have seen Rodriguez on the mound. Of their young pitchers, I am sticking with what I said earlier. If any of them have the potential to be a frontline starter, he is the one. Pretty soon, we will start hearing from the people who don't see the significance of the power pitcher. We will hear about location, location, which of course is significant but if Bucholtz and Masterson can't find a few more mph's, they will get pounded. I hope that Ramirez has made the mental changes that he said he has made. We will sorely need his bat in the lineup. Not just 75% of the time either.

I think that that is a reasonable assessment. I would very much not like to see Barnes moved to the bullpen primarily because of the reasons above. He is a starting pitcher. Power arm - possibly middle of the rotation kind of guy someday. They will need all of the help they can get. I do think that they will score but not in the huge quantities that some people think they will. I think that they can win 85 games and that might be enough. More likely between 80- 85.

Obviously A won't happen but it is interesting. Over the long haul, I'm just not sure there would be much difference and they might even find a little gem in there. I hope you are right about them making an addition to their staff but I'm just not sure it will happen.

That is what I was hoping to see. I agree. Obviously not going to happen soon as well it shouldn't but the day might come when we see most if not all of those face up with us. I have to admit my love for the power arms.

Aches and pains for sure - if he says he is ok, no doubt he is. Whoever mentioned any kind of tendonitis was just taking a shot at a diagnosis.