[cknox0723]

Boston's solution to missing the playoffs by a game was to throw millions and millions at relief pitchers Alfonseca and (Grant) Roberts, both fine pitchers, but I doubt that their 120-160 innings, no matter how high-leverage, will be the be-all and end-all determination as to reaching their Mount Blanc. Rather, in my estimation, the key will be whether Anastacio is actually "The Lesser Martinez" or a fine complement to Pedro, B.K. Kim, and A.J. Burnett, and whether Mike Mussina's 5.23 ERA for the Empire last year was a product of DIPS and Clutch Jetes' "defense" or the beginning of the end. I'll bet on the former.

Manny Ramirez could have put more clams in the chowder last year had he posted an OPS just 100 points lower than his career average rather than 250+, but even at age 34, our scout/trout likes his chances of a rebound. Dumping Robbie Alomar and Scott Spiezio, who combined to hit an empty .210 last year, will only help, but it may be balanced out by a not-so-graceful fall from the surprisingly productive backstop duo of Vance Wilson and Michel Hernandez. OOTP only knowing ratings aside, you want to bet on those two combining for a .300 average and 20 long balls again? I wouldn't.

This club is a souped-up version of the Baltimore franchise, and it really shows that one man, whether that man is Nomar or Miggy Tejada, can't carry a franchise unless he's in a Bondsian stratosphere. Slightly above-average players like Bill Mueller and Kevin Millar make a world of difference when trying to compete. Combine that with a fine pitching staff, and you've got the recipe for an unorthdox competitor in this world of Moneyball. Maybe it's the clam chowder.