Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBambino
I know that Boston needs to shore up theyre pitching rotation even with Papelbon. But its a catch 22. Do we need a power/run producing hitting more thena #4? Do they cancel each other out? Who knows, but as a personal preference i think we should go and shore up the middle opf the lineup then maybe grab a middle of the road pitcher to gapo the bottom of the rotation.
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I'm looking at your team, position by position (and I'm assuming no FA departures this offseason):
C - Varitek had a down year with the bat in an otherwise great career (wasn't he injured this year?). Plus, he brings a lot to the table in intangibles, so C is not a problem for you.
1B - Is that Youkilis? I can't recall who else plays 1B for the Sox. OK, not bad with the bat and seems pretty fair with the glove. Could be improved but not a priority.
2B - Loretta, I would love this guy if I were a BoSox fan. Getting a bit old, however, but not showing signs of it yet.
SS - Gonzalez, decent bat for a SS makes up for his less than spectacular fielding. Still, this position could be improved.
3B - We used to have Lowell, did you know that? The way I'm feeling about A-Rod just now, I would trade him straight up for Lowell and throw in some of Steinbrenner's cash to cover the difference in contracts.
LF - You'd better stand on your head if you have to in order to keep Ramirez in Boston.
CF - Ah, Coco Crisp. Yes, he had a couple of decent years in Cleveland, but basically you have a utility outfielder starting in CF. What a come down from Johnny Damon. Definitely an upgrade possibility.
RF - Nixon here, I think, not Kapler? Either way, you could do with a better RF in terms of power and RBI's.
CF/RF - Hmmm. Forgot about Wily Mo. This guy takes Crisp's or Nixon's job next year if he has not already.
DH - Steinbrenner still is steaming about not getting Ortiz when we had the chance.
OK, so we have 1B, SS, CF and/or RF as positions you need to look at. Now let's look at your pitching staff.
Schilling is about to turn 40, but let's say he has another great year or two left. Let's also say that Beckett turns around in 2007, and Papelbon becomes a good #3 starter. Who is #4 and #5? You mention Lester; isn't he the guy with lymphoma? Clement never was very good anyway and he's coming back from shoulder surgery; he had a couple of decent years ERA-wise with the Cubs but his W/L record those years was nothing to get excited about. Take a look at Tavarez's career stats - he's always been much better as a relief pitcher than a starter. Who's left, Wakefield, 40 and surviving on his knuckleball, inconsistent and mediocre?
Now, let's say at least one of my assumptions in the first three sentences of the last paragraph turn out to be bad. Now you have only two or three dependable starters in your rotation. IMO, it's your pitching staff that needs attention. Your starting rotation is short and your bullpen, in which only the names of middle-of-the-road Foulke and Timlin (who is your closer?) stand out, is as big a problem.
Your priority should be pitching. If you come across an upgrade at 1B, SS, and either of CF or RF, fine, but go for better pitchers in 2007.
Now, feel free to ignore my advice. Make no changes! As TheCartel says, your team is good enough to win by a landslide (hee, hee).
