SoxnCycles

The only at bats that count are the ones that annoy us.

No problem I'm able to pick and choose. I've read enough posts here to know when to start ignoring some of them. I don't expect anyone to change because of what I post.

If you don't mind sounding like you're 12, have at it. I prefer more mature means of expression.

If you're going to compare a .250 hitter to a .300 hitter, then sure, there will be more opportunities for 'things to go right'. I'm sure Napoli would like to boost his BA some, but whether he Ks or grounds out to to second is inconsequential.

Yup. I tend to cringe whenever I find that one of them has made public comments. It hardly ever goes well.

"Ditto, but wow, you set things off now. The FO made plenty of money on the team's success. They don't need adulation too. It's not like they worry about popularity with fans. Unlike players, there is no market for their autographs and memorabilia." This was in response to the replies to Spudboy's comment, including mine, correct? I don't like my comments mischaracterized. I'm funny like that.

Nope. Does my appreciation for what they've done with former also-ran team have to be characterized as adulation? They royally screwed the pooch with the Lester negotiations, or lack thereof. They royally screwed up by signing Crawford to such a large contract. Feel better?

Yeah, it's not like they're competing with other teams for those spots, or anything. They're just handed out at random.

They don't need a pitch clock. There are existing rules for the length of time a pitcher has to deliver the ball. They just need to teach the umps how to count to 15. I did not see Lee's comments? Got a link?

I think taking comments like "this FO has done a better job than previous FOs" and twisting it into "adulation", is a bit odd, myself. This FO has made plenty of mistakes. They've also been more successful than a lot of teams out there. It's a fact, not adulation.

Yup. That was one of the factors that killed the Sox chances last year, abysmal hitting with RISP. Particularly with Pedrioa and Napoli. K's with RISP are definitely frustrating, but an out is an out.

Most successful business men are. I'll take these pukes everyday over the Yawkeys and Yawkey trust folks.

Why? Frankly, I've got better things to do than catalog the Sox FO's failures. That goes for their successes too. 2013 was great, but it was two seasons ago. 2014 sucked, but it was last season. I'm more interested in this season.

Better may not be the correct term. How about more consistent? When Napoli is on, he's a scary hitter, but he does have some pretty nasty slumps. I'd like to see what Craig can do when fully healthy.

Ortiz does have a point. If you want to speed up the game, concentrate on the pitchers. Guys like Mark Buehrle don't seem to have a problem with controlling the pace of the game. If the pitcher is ready to pitch, batters aren't going to be taking leisurely walks around the plate.

Disappointed ...again.

The Sox final offer to Lester was 6/135. That's a fairly generous offer to a player that they've decided they don't want. They obviously did not value him as much as the Cubs, but saying that Lester was never in their plans is a stretch, IMO. Where they screwed up was last spring. If they offered Lester a contract comparable to Homer Bailey, somewhere in the 110 mil range, he's the Sox Opening Day start this year. They low-balled him, thinking they'd negotiate up to the 95-100 mil range. They thought wrong. I guess one could debate endlessly about "how much they wanted him". I believe they, as well as we, know how much more solidified this rotation would be with Lester at the top of it. They screwed up and now, rather than take on even riskier contracts, they are rolling the dice with what they have. I like the idea of waiting to see how this rotation performs, without going all in with a deal with Philly. Decent pitching will be available at the deadline. But, I would've liked having Lester in the rotation much more.

Thanks. There's really not much to say at this time of year, except let's play ball already! Back to Moncada, I though this was an interesting read A 6.6 60 yd dash is impressive. It'll be nice to see the Sox stealing a lot again, when this kid comes up.

Yup, I expect Pedroia to have a big year, if he can just keep from re-injuring his hand.

Probably should have done the safe thing and just referenced "Chicken & beer". It's silly, but safe.

I don't either. I'd much rather start the year off with the rotation as is and see where the Sox are in June/ July. A lot of the questions hovering over the rotation will be answered, one way or another by then. I don't see another team in this division running away with it, so the Sox should be in a position to to help themselves in the last two months. It'll cost too much in players and money to get Hamels.

The Sox battle the Jays and O's most of the season for the division lead. The Yankees with make a run but fall short of a WC. Sox win the division, The Jays get a WC. The Rays bring up the rear. What do I get if I'm right?

If this was directed at me, I'm no Lazarus. I've posted on the RedSox.com in the past, but don't care for the format they've switched to. If you believe I'm someone else, I hope they were, at least, interesting.

Thanks. I'm more of a reader than a poster.

Yup, Tanaka is the real deal, as long as his elbow holds up. The Yankees seem to have as many question marks with their offense as the Sox do with the rotation. Should be an interesting spring.