I hate the Red Sox, and I think they are very close to being done.

 

As long as they have a healthy Varitek, Manny, and Ortiz to go with some pitching and Papelbon, the Sox will continue to be a playoff caliber team. Unfortunately, like the Yankees, the Bosox are relying too heavily on old arms. I think losing Varitek is a bigger deal than most people [outside of Bosox and Yankee fans] realize. You're not just losing a solid bat, you are losing a guy who knows how to handle his pitchers and studies like a maniac to prepare for each team. There's a reason that pitching staff is falling apart without him behind the plate...

 

BTW - Pena is no slouch. He can become a fixture in the OF for a long time in Beantown. I hope to god we don't go the sentimental route and bring back Trot. I love Trot and am happy with what he has done in his career here and if he doesn't want to take a 4th OF role, then I think we should part ways. This is his first stab at free agency so who knows what he will do or if he would want to accept that but Pena needs to be the no. 5 hitter in the line-up and in that line-up day in and day out.

 

I'm not counting them out or jumping ship, and I don't eve do that, but we've had a brutal mix this year of young guys that have had to take their lumps at the major league level before they were totally ready and alot of crappy over the hill vets that haven't done what we needed them too.

 

It's going to be a very interesting off-season and one that could make or break Theo in Boston, deserved or not.

I hate the Red Sox

 

You're not alone.

 

and I think they are very close to being done.

 

I wouldn't say they're done. Yet.

 

Most of the problems they have are common. The question is does Francona have the mind to fix it? I've always said Francona is an overrated manager and been laughed at for it. I'm pretty sure my point is proven when even Red Sox fans (who, I won't argue, are pretty damn loyal fans) are contridicting him. See Passion's old signature.

I never have been totally sold on Francona, from 2004 on. He managed his ass off for four games and has ridden the coat tails of Dave Roberts, Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, and Keith Foulke for his tenure. His management of the bullpen has always been my biggest problem with him and his lineup setting leaves alot to be desired.

 

I do like the way he handles the clubhouse and he is more media saavy then Grady or Jimy were. Alot of people shouldn't forget that Terry landed the job with alot of help from the suggestion Curt Schilling gave management.

 

If the Sox miss the playoffs when the inevitable shakeup happens I won't shed one tear if Terry is gone.

Bernie and Cooperstown dont mix

 

 

 

 

Wow you must not pay a speck of attention to NY teams.

 

2nd on the Yankees all time list in doubles, 284 home runs as a switch hitter, .297 career AVG, .381 OBP. Stats also show that he was more clutch than Jeter was from '96-'00, the years of Bernie's prime.

 

Not a first ballot, but definitely a hall of famer.

The Sports Guy said it best, This 2006 Red Sox team got swept by the Yanks because the front office did a crummie job for two straight years and we're finally starting to see the full repercussions. They just aren't very good. Take away interleague play (16-2) and the Orioles (11-1) and they're 11 games under .500 (42-53) against everyone else. They have three reliable hitters in the clutch (Manny, Papi, Youk), one reliable starter (Schilling) and one reliable reliever (Papelbon). That's it. These are the facts. They're a borderline playoff team at best. At least everyone realizes it now.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story...=simmons/060823

 

And,

 

Bottom line: They overachieved in the first half because of Papelbon (who was simply out of his mind) and Big Papi (who probably swung 6-7 games in Boston's favor it had no business winning). Now the Sox are underacheiving. It's probably a 92-win team at best. And I could spend the next 3,000 words ranting and raving about the unacceptable performance of the Henry/Theo regime since they won the World Series -- the catastrophic Renteria/Clement signings; lowballing Pedro/Damon, then half-heartedly renewing talks at the last second; overvaluing Beckett (a genuine disappointment) and Crisp (a colossal disappointment); undervaluing their own prospects (Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez) in the Beckett trade; freezing at this year's trading deadline; dealing Arroyo without knowing about the health of Wells and Foulke; allowing 40-year-old Mike Timlin to pitch in the WBC (he's a walking corpse now); letting Roberts and Cabrera go; handing Beckett that unconscionable $30 million extension (I yelped out loud when I saw the headline); and we haven't even mentioned last winter's soap opera with Theo yet -- but I don't want to ruin my chances of getting a key to the office next season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story...=simmons/060816

I couldn't agree less with some of that stuff.

 

Pedro is not worth 15 million for 5 years. He's getting more and more banged up and his performance is going down in the weaker national league. He is going to end up with his least ammount of IP since '01, lowest ammount of SO since '01, his ERA this year is going to be the 2nd highest of his career.

 

The FO didn't do well with the money they saved from not signing him, that is for sure.

 

I support not signing Damon for 13 million a year because that is money reserved for 35/100/.950 OPS guys that you put in the middle of your lineup. Damon on the Yankees helps them more then it would if he had been with us this year, the problem with this team is not offense.

 

Could the Sox afforded both? Sure, but why would Bill Gates pay 100 dollars for a loaf of bread just because he can when he could save that money and get a like taste for much cheaper and that lasts longer? You have to have one eye on today and another partly on the future and always have that blend of talent together and unfortunately for this year those two met at a crossroads.

 

As for Crisp, I wonder what would be now if he hadn't hurt his hand and missed 40+ games. His struggles have only been exascerbated by Tito still batting him leadoff which he can't handle. I hope the FO retainsh im and possibly looks to move him to LF where has had a .829 OPS compared to just .624 when he plays in center. With Manny's legs and body getting more and more beat up it's probably time to move him to DH anyways and let Ortiz play the field.

 

I don't know how anyone can say we overvalued Beckett I think a ton of teams would have done that deal and I still 100% support it because Sanchez would not be pitching for this team this year and Ramirez wouldn't be on the 25 man either. We upgraded our defense and improved over last year's output at 3B and SS this season. I'm sure Sports Guy will be all over his nuts next year if he turns it around next season which I think will happen.

 

I don't think a huger overhaul is going to be needed in the off-season to create a championship caliber team. I fully expect the FO to make a huge play at Julio Lugo and then go after a front line starter like Jason Schmidt and maybe a guy like a Ted Lilly or around that production.

 

The Sox could potentially look like this next year:

 

1 - Kevin Youkilis, 3B

2 - Julio Lugo, SS

3 - David Ortiz, 1B

4 - Manny Ramirez, DH

5 - Wily Mo Pena, RF

6 - Jason Varitek, C

7 - Coco Crisp, LF

8 - Gary Matthews Jr, CF

9 - Dustin Pedroia, 2B

 

1 - Curt Schilling

2 - Jason Schmidt

3 - Josh Beckett

4 - Tim Wakefield/Other Acquisition

5 - Jon Lester/Other Acquisition

 

CL - Jonathan Papelbon

SU - Keith Foulke

RP - Manny Delcarmen

RP - Craig Hansen

RP - Edgar Martinez

RP - Lenny DiNardo

RP - Mike Lowell Trade

Bernie and Cooperstown dont mix

 

 

 

 

Wow you must not pay a speck of attention to NY teams.

 

2nd on the Yankees all time list in doubles, 284 home runs as a switch hitter, .297 career AVG, .381 OBP. Stats also show that he was more clutch than Jeter was from '96-'00, the years of Bernie's prime.

 

Not a first ballot, but definitely a hall of famer.

Hes been a great player and MIGHT get in the hall of fame but in my opinion he doesnt have the numbers yet

 

The Sox could potentially look like this next year:

 

1 - Kevin Youkilis, 3B

2 - Julio Lugo, SS

3 - David Ortiz, 1B

4 - Manny Ramirez, DH

5 - Wily Mo Pena, RF

6 - Jason Varitek, C

7 - Coco Crisp, LF

8 - Gary Matthews Jr, CF

9 - Dustin Pedroia, 2B

 

1 - Curt Schilling

2 - Jason Schmidt

3 - Josh Beckett

4 - Tim Wakefield/Other Acquisition

5 - Jon Lester/Other Acquisition

 

CL - Jonathan Papelbon

SU - Keith Foulke

RP - Manny Delcarmen

RP - Craig Hansen

RP - Edgar Martinez

RP - Lenny DiNardo

RP - Mike Lowell Trade

 

Thats a scary team