FredLynn

Wheeler is a pen guy. We need, in addition, a decent #4 SP like Kuroda or Jackson or possibly Oswalt. Those guys (#4s) are not dominant pitchers, usually. But they should be able to keep their team in the game.

I did not intend to compare their jobs directly, but I think that Friedman is doing his job much better than Epstein did his job here. They are similar jobs, but not identical.

Sure you are Ortiz. Its because UserName cannot accept the facts here either. Friedman has done a GREAT job in Tampa, much better than the job Epstein did here.

Yes. Dan Wheeler was very effective after his return from the DL on May 25. His ERA after that was 2.54 and his OPSa was .567. I don't know who he signed with, but he is another costly loss from the pen.

FWIW, here is what Gammons had to say about the Rays: Q: Who wins the AL East this season? Peter Gammons: I think in January, Tampa is the favorite. That’s because of their starting pitching, their flexibility, and their defense. That said, I think any one of the three best teams could finish first.

Some of it was due to high draft choices relative to us, but Friedman is a much better GM than Epstein ever was. He has less room for error. A single mistake like Lackey would ruin the franchise for years. He was not available for us to hire, unfortunately. Showalter said last year that, essentially, Epstein would fail in a small market franchise. He later recanted it, unfortunately, because he was correct. IMO.

Truth is, Ortiz, that no team has great pitchers in their "depth" positions. Our problem is that we have NO #4 SP and an untested #5 SP. Unless we get very very solid at those five top SP spots its going to be a very very long summer.

See above. I edited the post to review what I actually wrote. It is a FACT that the "experts" at Bleacher Report ranked us below the Rays and Yankees. That is their OPINION. And it is my opinion that they are right.

I believe I called it "evidence". Here is the post: Here you go. I am providing some evidence that some experts also think that we are no better than THIRD BEST in the ALE right now. The Bleacher Report ranks us at #8, the Rays at #6, and the Yankees... Its opinion, the opinion of a respected source with more baseball knowledge than most. Its not quite "expert testimony". But there is a reason they are a published group. If their opinions were consistently nonsense then they would be no better than you or I. The Bleacher Report has a certain amount of credibility..but its still opinion (educated). Here is how our pitching ranked relative to the rest of the AL for the last three years: 2011: 9th 2010: 9th 2009: 7th Why would you expect that the additions made so far would suddenly put us in a position to have a much better result? We lost our closer; we lost Wheeler (who was actually very effective after mid May). We gained to pretty good guys who might work out in the pen. We have not hired a single good SP. The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. Its possible that Jenks could have an ERA under 2, or that Miller will suddenly become a ML pitcher. But I would not bet my farm on it.

Which of the facts I presented are opinions? And all we can deal with is the way things are right now. If and when they change then a new reality will be present, and we can discuss that then. If we manage to sign Kuroda and get another good arm for the pen, then my opinion of our chances this year will change. That hasn't happened yet. It may never happen. As Belichick says, "it is what it is"

I am done addressing the behavior problems you have. But here are the FACTS I presented. Do you want to dispute them? Fact: if Bard starts, he isn't in the pen. The pen is, therefore, weaker, since he was the most effective reliever last year. Another fact is that he will not be able to toss 200 innings, no matter how effective he is. He will be limited. Fact: we finished NINTH in ERA in the AL last year. Fact: we have not improved our pitching. We lost our closer and gained two question marks. Fact: we finished in third place last year

For the record, I would rather have Aceves in the starting rotation and leave Bard in the pen. Losing either one from the pen is going to hurt, but in that role Bard is more effective, slightly. In addition, if Aceves becomes a SP he is more likely to be able to throw more innings because he already was a SP for a few games last year. Bard would probably not toss more than 130-140 this year. Then what? Silva? Cook?

Just pointing out, again, that you have a problem with the way you address other posters here. Its not good etiquette to label someone as a "grade-A *******" on public boards. Its not a reasonable way to conduct yourself here or anywhere else. You have had issues with 700 and with Elktonnick as well, and others, and in your exchanges with them you have embarassed yourself then as well. I am here to discuss baseball, so I am going to leave this issue for now. I think you need to look in the mirror and decide if this is the kind of language you would recommend your kids ought to use on a public forum. I was a moderator on another board once, and people got banned for personal attacks of this nature. Now, back to baseball.

Congratulations! You finally learned your sixth word in English!

I thought you were taking a break from the board. Is it over already?

I have presented the facts. Period. I have also expressed my opinion, which is based on the facts I presented. Do I really need to state the facts again? Facts like we finished NINTH in ERA in the AL last year and that even if Bard is successful as a SP (not a given), he isn't going to throw 200 innings. There are more. Shall I review them.............again?

Fact: Crawford will show significant improvement this year This is a "fact"? Its an opinion. Its my opinion too, but its certainly not fact. Its always been about the pitching, and when you have Doubront, Miller, Bowden, Germano, Silva, and Cook as options its hard to make the case that we have improved our pitching. Injuries will happen. To cite injuries as an excuse is a copout. WHEN (not if) some of our SP go down, we have dregs to replace them.