Boston Red Sox 2007 Young Dynasty Begins

[fenwaymike]

This is a 2007 Boston Red Sox dynasty with a few twists. The dynasty will be played out in conjunction with the 2008 season with daily posts and lots of detail. I will play out each game taking over the Red Sox. The ratings have been hidden to make things harder and more realistic as I will rely on player stats and the evaluation of my scouts. The draft will take place after the season and will coincide with the release od the new Lahman data base in January. I have played many dynasties where I sim through seasons at a fast rate so I wanted to try something different.

I am using OOTP 6.5 because I think that is the greatest version ever released for any sports game in the history of mankind :-)

One of the other twists that I am adding to the dynasty is the free agent compensation. If a team loses a free agent who signs with another team and becomes one of the 5 highest paid players in the league he will be considered a Type A free agent and the team that lost him will be able to bring back a Hall of Fame player from their franchise past.

If a team loses a free agent who is signed for $5 million or more a year but does not get into the top 25 salaries that player will be considered a Type B free agent and that team will be able to select a player from their franchise past. The player can not be a Hall of Famer. I am going to consider guys like Pete Rose and Joe Jackson as Hall of Famers since they are in terms of talent.

I think this will be a fun way to have the greats play in the modern game and also help out the smaller market teams. While I am running the Red Sox I will decide who the teams select to bring back after they lose a free agent. Some choices will be obvious and for the ones that are not I will simply look at their team page and see what is listed as their number 1 weakness.

The players that a franchise can select have to have played the majority of their career with that team.....so my Red Sox can not choose Babe Ruth if we lose a Type A free agent. Some players will have to be judgement calls and I may have to use a poll on here to get feedback on what is fair. I am all about making the game tough.....I would love to win titles for my Red Sox but I want it to be difficult.

Franchises that dont have a history of great players like the Devil Rays and Nationals etc will get to choose from the great Negro League Baseball players.

That is the outline. The next post will break down the 2007 Red Sox roster and decisions that will have to be made.

[giantsfan07830]

Wow nice concept. You said its gonna play out with the season,so does that mean you will post a couple games since theyve played the last 2 days?

[fenwaymike]

The Opening Day Red Sox Roster for 2007

2B Dustin Pedroia
1B Kevin Youkilis
DH David Ortiz
LF Manny Ramirez
3B Mike Lowell
RF JD Drew
C Jason Varitek
SS Julio Lugo
CF Coco Crisp

Bench

Eric Hinske
Alex Cora
Jacoby Ellsbury
Willy Mo Pena

The main issue here concerns Jacoby Ellsbury. He is on the 25 man roster and is out of options. I would love for him to be down in AAA but I doubt he would pass through waivers. As of now Coco will start but he has been put on the trading block and I will listen to offers. However, I doubt I will do anything with Coco for quite sometime. There is no need to. I like the depth on the team

[fenwaymike]

Originally Posted by giantsfan07830

Wow nice concept. You said its gonna play out with the season,so does that mean you will post a couple games since theyve played the last 2 days?

Yes, I have played 2 games already but keep in mind it is a year behind which I like. So I have already played two games against the Royals and I will post those in a few. Thanks for reading

[giantsfan07830]

sure, i have nothing else to do lol.

[fenwaymike]

2007 Red Sox Pitching Staff

1) Josh Beckett
2) Curt Schilling
3) Daisuke Matsuzaka
4) Tim Wakefield
5) Julian Tavarez

Bullpen

Setup-Manny Delcarmen
Setup-Hideki Okajima
Closer- Jonathan Papelbon

Middle Relief

Javier Lopez
Mike Timlin
Brendan Donnelly

The main issue will be the age of Schilling and Wakefield and Tavarez being effective. Lester and Buchholz are in the minors and they could be option if the starters struggle. Crisp and Pena could also be traded for a starting pitcher. The bullpen looks solid

[fenwaymike]

March 30,2007

Last Ride For Timlin and Wakefield


Opening day is right around the corner and two Red Sox veterans announced today that the 2007 season will be their last in baseball. Both talked about age and the desire to be with their family more as main reasons for this decision. They also feel that 2007 could be a championship season for the Red Sox and they would both love to go out on top. Timlin just turned 41 and Wakefield will turn 41 in August. The Red Sox appear to be in good shape when it comes to quality young arms in their system to help replace both next season.

[giantsfan07830]

Okay lets go youngsters

Ellsbury
Pedroia
Papelbon
Bucholtz

[giantsfan07830]

Originally Posted by fenwaymike

March 30,2007

Last Ride For Timlin and Wakefield


Opening day is right around the corner and two Red Sox veterans announced today that the 2007 season will be their last in baseball. Both talked about age and the desire to be with their family more as main reasons for this decision. They also feel that 2007 could be a championship season for the Red Sox and they would both love to go out on top. Timlin just turned 41 and Wakefield will turn 41 in August. The Red Sox appear to be in good shape when it comes to quality young arms in their system to help replace both next season.

wow I expected you to say Schilling

[fenwaymike]

April 2, 2007

Beckett Flushes Royals


Beckett was dominant and shut down the Royals to get the Red Sox off to a 1-0 start for only the second time in the last seven seasons. Mike Lowell hit a solo homerun in the 4th inning giving the Red Sox a lead they would not relinquish. Beckett went 8 innings and threw just 97 pitches and could of came out for the ninth but with Papelbon there was no need to push Beckett that hard so early in the season. The Royals started Zack Greinke who has had his share of off field problems. Greinke a once prized prospect was able to only get four outs before he had to leave with an arm injury. Early reports show Greinke could be out for a couple months. Another tough break for the youngster.

Red Sox 2 Royals 1

Boston AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI D. Pedroia 2B 4 0 1 1 1 1 0 .250 0 1 K. Youkilis 1B 5 0 2 0 0 1 4 .400 0 0 D. Ortiz DH 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .250 0 0 M. Ramirez LF 4 0 0 0 0 3 2 .000 0 0 M. Lowell 3B 4 1 2 1 0 2 0 .500 1 1 J. Drew RF 4 0 1 0 0 2 0 .250 0 0 J. Varitek C 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 0 0 J. Lugo SS 4 1 1 0 0 2 2 .250 0 0 C. Crisp CF 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .333 0 0 Totals 36 2 9 2 2 11 11 .250 1 2

BATTING Doubles: K. Youkilis (1, 3rd inning off Peralta, 0 on, 2 out.) J. Lugo (1, 4th inning off Riske, 0 on, 2 out.) Homeruns: M. Lowell (1, 4th inning off Peralta, 0 on, 0 out.) Runs Batted In: D. Pedroia (1), M. Lowell (1) Team LOB: 2 FIELDING Errors: K. Youkilis (1)

Kansas City AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI D. Dejesus CF 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 E. German 3B 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 M. Teahen RF 4 1 2 0 0 1 0 .500 0 0 R. Gload 1B 4 0 1 1 0 0 1 .250 0 1 1-J. Gathright PR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 M. Grudzielanek 2B 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .000 0 0 J. Buck C 2 0 1 0 2 0 0 .500 0 0 B. Butler LF 4 0 0 0 0 3 4 .000 0 0 E. Brown DH 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .000 0 0 T. Pena SS 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 Totals 32 1 4 1 2 8 10 .125 0 1

Substitution Notes 1 - J. Gathright pinch ran for R. Gload in the 9th

BATTING Doubles: M. Teahen (1, 1st inning off Beckett, 0 on, 2 out.) Runs Batted In: R. Gload (1) Team LOB: 5

Boston IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA RECORD J. Beckett W 8 4 1 1 1 6 0 97 60 1.13 1-0 J. Papelbon S 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 16 11 0.00 1 SV

PITCHING Batters Faced: J. Beckett 29, J. Papelbon 5 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: J. Beckett 10-8, J. Papelbon 1-1 Game Score: J. Beckett 75

Kansas City IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA RECORD Z. Greinke 1.1 0 0 0 0 2 0 14 10 0.00 J. Peralta 2.1 5 1 1 0 0 1 47 27 3.86 D. Riske L 2.2 2 1 1 1 4 0 44 29 3.38 0-1 O. Dotel 2.1 2 0 0 1 5 0 40 25 0.00 J. Soria 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 2 0.00

PITCHING Batters Faced: Z. Greinke 4, J. Peralta 12, D. Riske 11, O. Dotel 10, J. Soria 1 Inherited Runners-Scored: J. Soria 2-0 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: Z. Greinke 1-1, J. Peralta 2-5, D. Riske 3-1, O. Dotel 2-0, J. Soria 1-0 Game Score: Z. Greinke 50

GAME INFO Time: 3:20 Attendance: 40765 (40793, 99.9%) at Kauffman Stadium Weather: Rain (53 degrees), wind blowing right to left at 11 mph PLAYER OF THE GAME: Josh Beckett Game Notes: Zack Greinke was injured while pitching. 30 minute rain delay in 3rd inning. Mike Lowell hit the longest homer of his career, it went 365 feet.

[fenwaymike]

April 4, 2007

Schill Killed



The lowly Royals get to Schilling early and often and beat the Red Sox 7-5. The Red Sox will now anticipate the first start ever for Dice K as the Red Sox try to take the rubber game against the Royals before heading to Texas for a three game series.

Red Sox 5 Royals 7

Boston AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI D. Pedroia 2B 5 1 2 0 0 0 2 .333 0 1 K. Youkilis 1B 5 1 3 4 0 1 1 .500 1 4 D. Ortiz DH 4 0 0 0 1 1 4 .125 0 0 M. Ramirez LF 5 0 1 0 0 0 1 .111 0 0 M. Lowell 3B 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .250 1 1 J. Drew RF 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .250 0 0 J. Varitek C 4 1 4 1 0 0 0 .500 0 1 J. Lugo SS 4 1 0 0 0 1 5 .125 0 0 C. Crisp CF 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .167 0 0 Totals 38 5 11 5 2 3 16 .270 2 7

BATTING Doubles: K. Youkilis (2, 3rd inning off Meche, 0 on, 2 out.) J. Drew (1, 2nd inning off Meche, 0 on, 2 out.) Homeruns: K. Youkilis (1, 9th inning off Peralta, 2 on, 2 out.) Runs Batted In: K. Youkilis 4 (4), J. Varitek (1) Team LOB: 5 FIELDING Errors: J. Lugo (1) Double Plays: 2 (Lugo-Pedroia-Youkilis, Schilling-Lugo-Youkilis)

Kansas City AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI D. Dejesus CF 4 1 1 2 0 0 1 .125 1 2 E. German 3B 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .125 0 0 M. Teahen RF 4 2 2 1 0 0 0 .500 0 1 R. Gload 1B 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .125 0 1 M. Grudzielanek 2B 4 0 2 2 0 1 0 .250 0 2 M. Sweeney C 4 1 1 1 0 0 3 .250 1 1 B. Butler LF 3 1 1 1 0 1 0 .143 1 1 E. Brown DH 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 T. Pena SS 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 .333 0 0 Totals 33 7 10 7 0 3 7 .215 3 8

BATTING Doubles: E. German (1, 3rd inning off Schilling, 0 on, 2 out.) M. Teahen (2, 8th inning off Schilling, 0 on, 0 out.) Homeruns: D. Dejesus (1, 4th inning off Schilling, 1 on, 2 out.) M. Sweeney (1, 2nd inning off Schilling, 0 on, 2 out.) B. Butler (1, 2nd inning off Schilling, 0 on, 2 out.) Runs Batted In: D. Dejesus 2 (2), M. Teahen (1), M. Grudzielanek 2 (2), M. Sweeney (1), B. Butler (1) Team LOB: 1

Boston IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA RECORD C. Schilling L 8 10 7 6 0 3 3 95 67 6.75 0-1

PITCHING Batters Faced: C. Schilling 33 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: C. Schilling 8-12 Game Score: C. Schilling 39

Kansas City IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA RECORD G. Meche W 8.2 9 3 3 1 3 0 118 71 3.12 1-0 J. Peralta 0 2 2 2 0 0 1 5 2 11.57 J. Soria S 0.1 0 0 0 1 0 0 6 2 0.00 1 SV

PITCHING Wild Pitches: G. Meche Batters Faced: G. Meche 36, J. Peralta 2, J. Soria 2 Inherited Runners-Scored: J. Peralta 1-1 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: G. Meche 17-6, J. Peralta 0-0, J. Soria 1-0 Game Score: G. Meche 56

GAME INFO Time: 2:57 Attendance: 29323 (40793, 71.9%) at Kauffman Stadium Weather: Clear skies (49 degrees), wind blowing left to right at 16 mph PLAYER OF THE GAME: Kevin Youkilis Game Notes: Mike Sweeney hit the longest homer of his career, it went 373 feet. Billy Butler hit the longest homer of his career, it went 413 feet. David Dejesus hit the longest homer of his career, it went 376 feet. Jason Varitek set a career high for hits in a game! Kevin Youkilis hit the longest homer of his career, it went 348 feet. Kansas City's manager was ejected in the 9th inning!

[fenwaymike]

Originally Posted by giantsfan07830

wow I expected you to say Schilling

Me too. I guess Schill wants to stay around for next season as well. He looked awful against the Royals though

[fenwaymike]

Since I am following the Red Sox season there will be no games played until Tuesday. There will be a post Tuesday night though as Dice K makes his debut

[fenwaymike]

AL Standings

Eastern Division

Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Baltimore 2 1 .667 - 1-2 1 0-0 2-1 0-0 1-0 160 W1 2-1 Boston 1 1 .500 .5 1-1 0 0-0 1-1 0-0 1-0 - L1 1-1 New York (A) 1 1 .500 .5 1-1 0 1-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 - W1 1-1 Tampa Bay 1 1 .500 .5 1-1 0 0-0 1-1 0-0 0-0 - L1 1-1 Toronto 0 2 .000 1.5 0-2 0 0-0 0-2 0-0 0-0 - L2 0-2

[giantsfan07830]

wow im going to have to wait almost a week awwww.

[AZTarHeel]

WILL BE FOLLOWING !!! Love red sox dynasties and love your concept...

AZ

[fenwaymike]

April 2, 2007

DEVINE INTERVENTION?


The Red Sox may not be in action until Tuesday but it did not stop them from making moves. The Red Sox yesterday claimed Joey Devine off waivers. Devine was a much heralded prospect in the Braves organization two years ago but has fallen out of favor with the front office in Atlanta. The Red Sox hope a change of scenery and working with their coaches in the minor leagues may turn the kid around

AROUND THE LEAGUE

Brian McCann of the Braves will miss about 8 weeks with a torn groin muscle. The Braves have called off Catcher Brayan Pena. Pena will backup and hot prospect Jarrod Saltlamacchia will get his shot at being the Braves every day catcher.

Trade winds are already blowing around the majors as two deals were announced:

Trade between Kansas City and Chicago (A) :
Chicago (A) gets :
1B Ross Gload
Kansas City gets :
3B Joe Crede

Trade between Arizona and Minnesota :
Minnesota gets :
3B Chad Tracy
Arizona gets :
P Juan Rincon

The Royals move raised some eyebrows. Last week the Royals placed prospect Alex Gordon on waivers and lost him to the Rangers. Now the Royals trade for a third baseman in Joe Crede who has all kinds of question marks. I guess that is why they are the Royals. George Brett is rolling over in his grave...if he was dead...maybe George Brett could come back and put these Royals back in the spotlight. We will see

[AZTarHeel]

COOL! I covered Joey Devine a little bit while he was at NC State, and interviewed him on the day he was drafted by the Braves ... hope he becomes a star for the Sox!

[giantsfan07830]

still following cant wait til tuesday

[fenwaymike]

April 6, 2007
Bannister Keeps Sox Quiet


The Red Sox fall to 1-2 and lose their opening series of the 2007 campaign to the lowly Royals. The Royals outplayed the Red Sox in every phase of the game during this series and look to be a much improved club. The story of the game coming in was the debut of Daisuke Matsuzaka. Dice K did not pitch poorly but wa outpitched by Brian Bannister who kept the Red Sox off balance all night. "He pitched well, he just made a few mistakes and I am sure he had some nerves" said catcher Varitek when asked about Dice K's performance. Through 3 games the debate is already starting and you can here the calls for Ellsbury all the way from Kenmore Square. Francona was non-commital on when and if Ellsbury will get a start in the upcoming series. The Red Sox travel to Texas next and hope to get back on track as Tim Wakefield will be on the bump to open the series.

Red Sox 3 Royals 6

Boston AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI D. Pedroia 2B 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .385 0 1 K. Youkilis 1B 3 0 0 0 1 1 1 .385 1 4 D. Ortiz DH 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 .167 0 1 M. Ramirez LF 4 1 1 1 0 1 2 .154 1 1 M. Lowell 3B 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .250 1 1 J. Drew RF 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .250 0 0 J. Varitek C 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .417 0 1 J. Lugo SS 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 .091 0 0 C. Crisp CF 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 .222 0 0 Totals 33 3 8 2 1 5 8 .262 3 9

BATTING Homeruns: M. Ramirez (1, 2nd inning off Bannister, 0 on, 0 out.) Runs Batted In: D. Ortiz (1), M. Ramirez (1) Team LOB: 1 FIELDING Errors: J. Lugo (2), D. Matsuzaka (1)

Kansas City AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI E. German 3B 4 0 1 0 0 1 4 .167 0 0 M. Grudzielanek 2B 3 0 1 2 0 1 1 .273 0 4 M. Teahen RF 4 0 0 0 0 2 3 .333 0 1 B. Butler 1B 4 0 1 0 0 1 2 .182 1 1 D. Dejesus CF 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 .182 1 2 M. Sweeney DH 3 2 0 0 0 0 1 .143 1 1 J. Buck C 3 2 1 1 1 0 2 .400 1 1 E. Brown LF 4 1 2 3 0 1 0 .200 0 3 T. Pena SS 4 0 0 0 0 2 3 .200 0 0 Totals 32 6 7 6 1 9 17 .216 4 14

BATTING Doubles: E. German (2, 1st inning off Matsuzaka, 0 on, 0 out.) D. Dejesus (1, 2nd inning off Matsuzaka, 0 on, 0 out.) E. Brown (1, 6th inning off Matsuzaka, 2 on, 1 out.) Homeruns: J. Buck (1, 8th inning off Okajima, 0 on, 1 out.) Runs Batted In: M. Grudzielanek 2 (4), J. Buck (1), E. Brown 3 (3) Team LOB: 8 FIELDING Double Plays: 2 (German-Grudzielanek-Butler, Grudzielanek-Pena-Butler)

Boston IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA RECORD D. Matsuzaka L 6.2 6 5 3 1 7 0 107 61 4.05 0-1 H. Okajima 1.1 1 1 1 0 2 1 16 10 6.75

PITCHING Batters Faced: D. Matsuzaka 31, H. Okajima 5 Inherited Runners-Scored: H. Okajima 1-0 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: D. Matsuzaka 9-5, H. Okajima 1-1 Game Score: D. Matsuzaka 52

Kansas City IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA RECORD B. Bannister W 8 8 3 3 1 4 1 102 65 3.38 1-0 J. Soria S 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 10 7 0.00 2 SV

PITCHING Batters Faced: B. Bannister 31, J. Soria 3 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: B. Bannister 15-3, J. Soria 1-1 Game Score: B. Bannister 57

GAME INFO Time: 2:57 Attendance: 25270 (40793, 61.9%) at Kauffman Stadium Weather: Partly cloudy (53 degrees), wind blowing left to right at 10 mph PLAYER OF THE GAME: Emil Brown Game Notes: Manny Ramirez hit the longest homer of his career, it went 368 feet. John Buck hit the longest homer of his career, it went 422 feet.

Around The Majors Big injury news hits the Bronx as Jorge Posada has been lost for the season. Posada was involved with a collision at home plate in a game against the Rays. Posada was knocked unconscious. Posada then had an MRI and it showed he had a broken wrist. Joe Girardi, who is working for the YES Network called it a bush league play by the Rays and their manager. Girardi said there are certain rules when playing games in April and one of them is you don't try to run over the catcher. (I could not resist lol) Wil Nieves was called up and it looks like he will now backup Josh Phelps who appears to be in line to be the everyday catcher. The Nation's Capital also got some bad news as pitcher Jon Rauch looks to have a career ending shoulder injury. Rauch had a career record of 12-11 with an ERA of 3.79 and 2 Saves. Winston Abreu was called up to take Rauch's place in the bullpen.