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QuestGAV · 10-25-2006, 02:28 PM

I think Wily Mo Pena is the most likely suspect for the #5 hole in the Sox lineup next year. I think it will be tough for the Sox to significantly upgrade their run scoring capability for next year. Maybe if the Orioles are willing to dump Tejada cheaply (to a division rival). Even then, that's a pretty big step down defensively. They really need to pick up someone who can step in if Varitek continues to suck. Everywhere else, they're more or less above average offensively so improvements are not easy or cheap to come by.

Pitching is always more difficult to come by of course. I think the price for Zito is going to be too rich for what you get. Pitchers are just too big of a risk to make long-term commitments to for $20Mish per year. I'd like to see them take a step down from that and take a look at Jason Schmidt. If they can get him on a two year deal for $12-13M per then I think that's a giant upgrade. Schmidt is obviously a bigger injury risk, but with a lower commitment I think it's the smarter way to go. I'm not sold on throwing cash at Matsuzaka, though I know others who are high on him. The risk is too high, and at that price the reward is too low, IMO.

I think Tavarez' emergence and the continued development of Hansen will leave the middle of the bullpen pretty solid. But who do you slot in as your closer? I have a hunch Theo will do something creative to fill that hole.

10-25-2006, 02:28 PM	#4
QuestGAV Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,008	I think Wily Mo Pena is the most likely suspect for the #5 hole in the Sox lineup next year. I think it will be tough for the Sox to significantly upgrade their run scoring capability for next year. Maybe if the Orioles are willing to dump Tejada cheaply (to a division rival). Even then, that's a pretty big step down defensively. They really need to pick up someone who can step in if Varitek continues to suck. Everywhere else, they're more or less above average offensively so improvements are not easy or cheap to come by. Pitching is always more difficult to come by of course. I think the price for Zito is going to be too rich for what you get. Pitchers are just too big of a risk to make long-term commitments to for $20Mish per year. I'd like to see them take a step down from that and take a look at Jason Schmidt. If they can get him on a two year deal for $12-13M per then I think that's a giant upgrade. Schmidt is obviously a bigger injury risk, but with a lower commitment I think it's the smarter way to go. I'm not sold on throwing cash at Matsuzaka, though I know others who are high on him. The risk is too high, and at that price the reward is too low, IMO. I think Tavarez' emergence and the continued development of Hansen will leave the middle of the bullpen pretty solid. But who do you slot in as your closer? I have a hunch Theo will do something creative to fill that hole.