reYoukilis

This could be a deficiency of the new sabre metrics type thinking which takes away from gut reactions. Everybody has days where things go as smooth as butter and others, not so much. I think its good practice to be in tune to the moment and not look at pie charts etc. for answers.

Me too. To have such a seemingly bright future go astray because of control problems must be scary as hell.

Theres no doubt in my mind that we made the right decision because of Peavey and winning the WS but I would like to see the alternate reality with Iglesias still here because his offense may improve and he may turn into a great base stealing threat. We'll see with Detroit. Also any fans of Lance Berkman who announced his retirement? He's underrated.

Iglesias at short and Xander at third? I wouldve liked to see if that panned out.

And didnt Papelbon talk stuff against the Red Sox and then change his tune after we won WS? I guess he wanted the Phils to get smart AFTER he was signed.

I myself considered them #3 in the East and said so but at the time but I also saw that they could have been #1 but didnt say. I wish I did, with money. Ill also say Uehara was not as a surprise to me because I live in Texas and liked him very much with the Rangers. Having said that, yes they were good all year long.

Thats true. Girardi is a believer in sabremetrics. However I dont know if the manager and FO are on the same page like the Sox's are. Also they havent built up their bullpen which goes hand in hand when all that plate discipline has worn out the starter. Excuse me. The Yanks havent capitalized on that discipline with a good bullpen like we have. In a way good discipline makes up for a crappy bullpen because their starters will outlast the opposing teams.

Maybe but I dont think anyone said that before the season started. I think the Blue Jays were supposed to be the team to beat.

I think the playoffs can be somewhat of a crapshoot but the Sox, I believe, know how to put the crapshoot in their favor more than the Yanks. How? With a gameplan first. They get a good gameplan, like having good plate discipline, and then get the players and coaches that fit the system. Add depth and a great bullpen to that and you have a system that gets more stressful to the other team the longer the game goes on, and us more confidence. Basically if you work with a system you dont have to get the gods, you can get complimentary players and in the end pay less enabling you to get more depth giving you less holes.

If the price is right. He could be insurance in case the Sizemore thing doesnt pan out. I wonder though if he's fast enough still to be for just a pinch runner.

This season will definitely be a question mark for us considering the new faces as well as the older ones and losing Ellsbury frankly. Having said that we have a great system in place and its through that system that we got where we got. Why? Chemistry. Not only in terms of getting along but skills that complement each other like a high OBP across the board, being a team that sees more pitches than others, which works well with our good bullpen in that we outlast the opponent, having good veteran pitching with good prospects in waiting and smart catchers to call the games. Its a good question about Ortiz and whether we need a repeat performance from him, especially without Ellsbury. If everybody that stays, stays the same, the only major differences are Pedroia's new thumb, Pierzynski, Middlebrooks, X, JBJ and the promising pitching prospects. If 2/3rds of those things turn out positive, not to mention Sizemore, I think Papi can have merely a good year. Will we win the East? I still think we can because of our chemistry and our system

Why would they be smiling? They have no obligation to take him if no one else does. If the Sox dont want him they can just not sign him and move on. Hes too good though to be a bench player IMO but money doesnt seem to be an object for the Yanks.

Well as someone said they did it internally, and listed multiple years ('96-'00) and externally and listed one year ('09). Now for all the big name signings theyve had (Randy Johnson, A-Rod, Clemens, Damon) theyre bound to have some success but to only come with one title while fielding basically all-star teams makes me think cultivating talent with a plan works better than purchasing it. And really, of all the big name signings, Cano was their most talented player, another internal guy. As for our payroll, yeah but its short contracts with the overall goal of cultivating our young talent. Its actually brilliant because not only are our guys good players but their good character guys and hustlers and smart which will make them good teachers to the up and comers.

Yeah but people were saying the same thing about the Blue Jays last year and the Florida Marlins the year before. Throwing money at a situation is not the solution. Having a plan like we do is the way to do it, ask the Yankees of the Nineties.

Let me amend what I said by saying he doesnt seem to change his strategy when its two strikes vs zero or one where as Pedroia, at least will foul off balls or go for the single. Napoli makes up for the negatives of trying for the long ball all the time by having a high OBP. I actually think WMB tried to alter his approach after his stint in the minors but I would like to see a bigger pattern before making a total commitment.

I dont think they should give Drew more than one year. Just enough to see where we are with the rookies. I may advocate a good chunk of change for that one year to not be disrespectful but I only see Drew as someone to help ease us into the youth movement, and insurance in case it doesnt work out. Ive got to find out if WMB is good enough before I give him the reins. Sometimes I wonder if WMB fits into our system of working the count and getting on base. It seems as if hes always swinging for the fences.

But theres also a chance of losing momentum. Sure winning a championship was probably a surprise to everybody and was supposed to be the beginning of a building phase but since we got there, I think it would be a mistake to take too big a chance on these rookies. I think Bradley, X and WMB, and a few pitchers is plenty a load to carry for a youth movement. Also a good SS goes along way towards making for good pitching. Keep the band together I say.

If it doesnt work out theyll wish they had Drew. If they have Drew theyll be able to see WMB's potential and XB's while still ensuring a solid SS in Drew. If they do get Drew itll probably be a one year contract so if WMB and XB fulfill their potential its only a one year loss but at least we'll know and not have the possibility of being left empty handed.

Im not giving up on another outfielder.

Its hilarious that this time last year we were saying that our bullpen was going to be one of our strong points, which it was, but not for the reasons or with the people that was thought to be. Uehara was considered to be a good pickup but he was supposed to be set up at the most. Amendment - looking at the stats, when I say "strong points" I mean, when it counts.

As much as I hate A-Rod, I think Selig is just as or more of a scum bag in this situation. Hes trying to act like mister tough guy now, when he let that PED stuff happen unaltered for years. It is Selig that couldve stopped it. Because PED use was so rampant, if you were a borderline player, you pretty much had to use the stuff if you wanted to stay. Selig was the only one with the power to stop the cycle. And now hes trying to save face because his hand is being forced. I hope history gets the truth right because there seems to be a smear job going on trying to make Selig look good. What I really love about all this is that it all started with Canseco's book. That pathetic attempt at grabbing attention is still causing tsunami sized ripples today.

Right, and Tanaka should be good enough to start even on a good team, or all this is a sham. Though wouldnt be the first time.

Boston seemingly has the better system in place which would be incentive in itself. Can we have him and Lester?

Hell yeah! But Im not telling them that.

If we do trade for a pitcher I think it should be a package deal for another good or great pitcher. Or even just add another experienced mlb starter. With our somewhat depleted offense, itll be more imperative for us to have strong pitching. Besides Lester and Bucholtz we have aging veterans and unproven minor leaguers. Theres alot of question marks their and I thing Farrells and Cheringtons intention is to bring along the newbies while still staying strong.