Red Sox Pick up OPB Machine - Ready for 06 World Series

[Lawrence of Arabia]

Free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez and the Red Sox agreed to terms yesterday on a one-year deal worth $3 million, according to multiple sources, and the defensive whiz is expected in town today, barring weather delays.
Gonzalez is expected to take the required physical today or tomorrow, by which time the Red Sox are expected to announce the deal, which was first reported in the Herald on Jan. 15.
Gonzalez will replace the disappointing Edgar Renteria, whom the Sox dealt, along with $11 million, to the Braves in early December for third base prospect Andy Marte. Since the Renteria trade, the Red Sox have maintained steady contact with Gonzalez while also keeping options for a shortstop open, both internally — Alex Cora, Dustin Pedroia — and via trade — Julio Lugo.


When the club completed its deal for center fielder Coco Crisp this weekend, the trade route dried up and the Gonzalez deal solidified.
No one from the Red Sox was able to comment. Gonzalez’ agent, Eric Goldschmidt, did not return calls.
Gonzalez, who turns 29 on Feb. 15, is a very slick and smooth-handed defensive shortstop without much to show at the plate. A .245 career hitter with a career on-base percentage of just .291,

Noooooooo problem.

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Anyways, all that matters is that we beat the yanks, and with their AARP outfield and rotation, that shouldnt be a problem. Note that Randy Johnson is nearly eligible for social security, and thus will be distracted this year from pitching, since his checks won't be arriving on the first of the month. (bad postal service). Who needs Johnson, we've got Bronson.

[Lawrence of Arabia]

plus, I predict NL wildcard will come outta the NL East this year. With 19 games against the Marlins, theres no way the Mets dont take 2nd in the league. (Could be another reason why the AL wildcard always seems to come outta the AL east, with 19 games against tampa bay)

[Arrian]

If you think the Sox are a lock for AL East Champs, you're delusional. The Sox have a legit shot, sure, now that they've got Crisp.

The Sox have about as many question marks as the Yanks, if not more. For all the health concerns you can point to on the Yanks, the same is true of the Sox.

Is Shilling healthy (and, if so, will he be the Shilling of old... or just Old Shilling?), is Fouke healthy? Will Beckett step up, or will he fight blisters and other nagging injuries and post a 4.5 ERA? What's Wells' deal? Wakefield you can count on. Arroyo or Papelbon for 5th starter/bullpen - that's a nice situation to have, and one I envy. Your SS has a sub-300 OBP. Ouch.

Lowell - washed up has-been? Or will he rebound in Beantown? Some of the key producers are getting older too, and/or are injury prone just like the Yanks (Manny, Varitek, Nixon).

I think it will, as usual, be an eventful season. But I honestly think the Yanks have the edge, and will be Division Champs again.

-Arrian

p.s. Though people are overrating them right now, the Blue Jays *do* have an outside shot at making some noise.

[Arrian]

Oh, and I forgot to mention Loretta. Will he rebound significantly, or is he firmly in his decline phase? All I know is that he was injured last year and was terrible, but the years before were solid. Still, unless San Diego is run by imbeciles (possible, this is MLB, after all), you would think they'd want more than a backup catcher in return if they expected him to rebound... he's what, 36?

EDIT: He's 34. And he wasn't truely terrible last year, he was just run-of-the-mill mediocre. Which, to me, says that SD is run by idiots. Given the three seasons prior to last year, you gotta think he'll rebound somewhat. And looking at the last year he played in a decent hitter's ballpark... yikes. Boston raped SD in that deal.

-Arrian

[Lawrence of Arabia]

Let me attempt to answer some of your concerns for the SAWX:

Is Schilling healthy? You betcha. And he can't wait to make 51,000 screamin fans in the House that George is about to Move Out Of shutup.

Is Foulke health? You betcha. He will, once again, be the rolaids relief man of the year.

Well's deal is simple - 1. the bars in Boston arn't as good as in NY, 2. he realized that last year he got teeded off on, only winning 15 because he enjoyed the best run support in the majors. So we're gonna trade him for a bad of balls and a few minor leaguers, to SD, whom we already fleeced once this year.
Besides, I hear that you can't get any donuts in the greater boston area cuz he's been eating them all.

Beckett will step up and become the second yankee killah in the rotation.

I would start Papelbon in AAA, let him continue learning, maybe teach him a new pitch. When injuries occur, bring him up. It does no good to have him either a) on the bench or b) getting tee-ed off of like Wright will be.

Loretta, doesnt matter what he does since anything will be better than the offensive and defensive black hole that was 2B last year for the sox.

Lowell was prolly on roids during his contract year, and I expect him to do nothing except have to soon be put on the bench while we put in Youkilis to that spot, who will have an OBP around 0.400.

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We can look at it this way - the sox had no 2B, a SS with lead hands, no schilling, and no closer, and we still tied the yanks atop the AL East.
Now we have better defense AND offense at 2B, better defense at SS, schilling and foulke back, plus wells gone, replaced by Beckett, plus a stronger bullpen with possibly arroyo/ papelbon.

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Yanks are older at every position except CF.
Johnson: right handed sox hitters had a .317 OBP with .518 SLG against him throughout the season. (thats 0.835 OPS) We have one less left handed hitter on board now.

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And the jays are highly overrated, I predict that they will do only marginally better than last year.

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Anyone had Bill James prediction spreadsheet for 2006?

[Arrian]

I wonder... should I bother typing a serious response to that post.

How much do I really feel like procrastinating? Hmm.

-Arrian

p.s. I think the Jays will be better, but still 3rd place in the end.

[Lawrence of Arabia]

admitidly, some of that is bs, but there are some important nugs of information in there.

- pps: i agree. jays 2006: still road kill.

[Arrian]

Anything to talk baseball. Here we go...

Is Schilling healthy? You betcha. And he can't wait to make 51,000 screamin fans in the House that George is about to Move Out Of shutup.

Is Foulke health? You betcha. He will, once again, be the rolaids relief man of the year.

Beckett will step up and become the second yankee killah in the rotation.

Three assumptions. You know these things will happen, how? Are they even likely? One or two maybe, but all three? I doubt it. FYI - it's 56,000 screaming fans.

Well's deal is simple - 1. the bars in Boston arn't as good as in NY, 2. he realized that last year he got teeded off on, only winning 15 because he enjoyed the best run support in the majors. So we're gonna trade him for a bad of balls and a few minor leaguers, to SD, whom we already fleeced once this year.

Well, for now he's still on the team and theoretically in the rotation. If you dump him, that gives you this (right? am I forgetting someone?):

Shilling
Becket
Wakefield
Arroyo
Papelbon

Not that that's bad, mind you. Papelbon looks good... although he's still unproven. I like his chances of being a good pitcher in the majors, but it's not like you can just pencil him in for 10-15 wins. You just don't know.

Loretta, doesnt matter what he does since anything will be better than the offensive and defensive black hole that was 2B last year for the sox.

Sure it matters. If you play what-his-face at 1b instead of Youklis so Youk can play 3b, then you have an offensive black hole at 1b. If you play Youk at 1b, you play Lowell at 3b, who stands a very good chance of being an offensive black hole himself. Your SS, as already discussed, is an out machine. Thus production from 2b matters. And it's a genuine question mark.

Crisp will do well, I think, although he has certain weaknesses (IIRC, he's more of a LF than a CF, and he gets caught stealing far too much).

We can look at it this way - the sox had no 2B, a SS with lead hands, no schilling, and no closer, and we still tied the yanks atop the AL East.
Now we have better defense AND offense at 2B, better defense at SS, schilling and foulke back, plus wells gone, replaced by Beckett, plus a stronger bullpen with possibly arroyo/ papelbon.

You can look at it this way: the Yanks rotation was a disaster last year, with tons of starts by a combo of Kevin Brown, Jaret Wright and a collection of AAA'ers. Bad AAA'ers. This time we get a full season of Chacon and Wang (both of whom will likely regress some), and hopefully a healthier Pavano. RJ and Mussina aren't getting any younger, it's true, but I actually do expect a slightly better year from RJ. Pitching, however, remains the Yanks' weakness.

But then there is the lineup. I'd have liked to see some more flexibility in the OF/DH (getting a Michaels type player would've been nice), but it's a lineup that will score a ****load of runs (again). It's a significant upgrade from last year. Damon, whatever you may say of him now that he's left Boston, is a huge upgrade over Bernie/Bubba/Womack. Bernie, in turn, is an upgrade over Ruben Sierra.

-Arrian

[Ming]

Frankly, it doesn't really matter who wins the East.

Because whoever it is will just get slaughtered by the World Champion White Sox anyway

[Stuie]

Originally posted by Lawrence of Arabia
plus, I predict NL wildcard will come outta the NL East this year.

I'd like to say something optimistic about the Phillies, but I'm not that optimistic.

However, the Mets have proven time and again that they can make big splashy off-season deals and still only manage 4th place or a tie for 3rd. I predict more of the same for them.

[Lawrence of Arabia]

Originally posted by Arrian
Anything to talk baseball. Here we go...

I agree, thats the only thing I miss here in europe. sitting down watching a baseball game w/ friends

Three assumptions. You know these things will happen, how? Are they even likely? One or two maybe, but all three? I doubt it. FYI - it's 56,000 screaming fans.

Faith.
The only thing wrong with Schilling last year was his foot. Now its healed, so I don't see why he would lose anything else, or become ineffective. Can it happen again? Sure, but its not like say Beckett's shoulder. The foot is important, but doesn't take as much as a shoulder or elbow, or finger on every pitch.

Foulke had an operation on his knee (both?) Knee's are tricky things, so he is more of a question. Plus, I've watched him pitch dozens of times, and I still havn't figured out how he gets anyone out. Everything is over the plate, above the strikezone.

Beckett, like I said earlier, is the only real liability. Between shoulder (they threw in Mota because of red sox concerns) and blister, I wouldnt be surprised if he doesnt get to 200 IP.

Wells, for now he's still on the team and theoretically in the rotation. If you dump him, that gives you this (right? am I forgetting someone?):

Shilling
Becket
Wakefield
Arroyo
Papelbon

Not that that's bad, mind you. Papelbon looks good... although he's still unproven. I like his chances of being a good pitcher in the majors, but it's not like you can just pencil him in for 10-15 wins. You just don't know.

You missed Clement. Which puts, on Opening day at least, Arroyo in the bullpen, and Papelbon back in AAA. Injuries/ ineffective starters etc can move arroyo into the rotation and Papelbon into the bullpen, or Papelbon into the rotation. Depends on who's pitchin well, and who is hurt. I don't plan on penciling him in for 10-15, but for spot starts, and depth.

Sure it matters. If you play what-his-face at 1b instead of Youklis so Youk can play 3b, then you have an offensive black hole at 1b. If you play Youk at 1b, you play Lowell at 3b, who stands a very good chance of being an offensive black hole himself. Your SS, as already discussed, is an out machine. Thus production from 2b matters. And it's a genuine question mark.

Snow at first? Consider him similar to Mienkievnasdjnocz or an Olerud. Late inning replacement. Which means if Lowell crash's and burns (which I think will happen) , you put Youkilis back at 3rd, and you have yourself a gold glove 1b who will give you about .340 OBP, similar to Millar, but with defense. (still an upgrade I would say, although not offensively.)

Crisp will do well, I think, although he has certain weaknesses (IIRC, he's more of a LF than a CF, and he gets caught stealing far too much).

Crips will bat around .300, and will make defensive mistakes, with not many HRs (and he bats much better as a #2 than #1) and is probably the only spot where the sox are definitly weaker this year. However, in two, three years, he will be outperforming Damon, no doubt, for 1/10th the price.

You can look at it this way: the Yanks rotation was a disaster last year, with tons of starts by a combo of Kevin Brown, Jaret Wright and a collection of AAA'ers. Bad AAA'ers. This time we get a full season of Chacon and Wang (both of whom will likely regress some), and hopefully a healthier Pavano. RJ and Mussina aren't getting any younger, it's true, but I actually do expect a slightly better year from RJ. Pitching, however, remains the Yanks' weakness.

The problem is that you are still loaded with albatross', and old albatross' at that. I dont see Mussina putting up and better numbers than last year. At least Kevin Brown is out of there (and bellhorn too).

(Note: Holy crap I forgot - you guys had Hideous Nomo START 19 games last year!!!)

But then there is the lineup. I'd have liked to see some more flexibility in the OF/DH (getting a Michaels type player would've been nice), but it's a lineup that will score a ****load of runs (again). It's a significant upgrade from last year. Damon, whatever you may say of him now that he's left Boston, is a huge upgrade over Bernie/Bubba/Womack. Bernie, in turn, is an upgrade over Ruben Sierra.

-Arrian

Its funny, every year the yanks have better players at nearly every position offensvily, yet fail to score as many runs as the sox (I think this year tho, you guys will do it, maybe even reach 1000, with 240 hrs. I dont know what bernie is still doing there, there had to be someone out there you coulda signed for less who could at least play somewhere in the field.

[Arrian]

Originally posted by Ming
Frankly, it doesn't really matter who wins the East.

Because whoever it is will just get slaughtered by the World Champion White Sox anyway

We'll see. Seems to me that the '05 White Sox were a very good team that came together just so. It's hard to repeat.

-Arrian

[Arrian]

Faith.

Yep. Not much to say other than we'll see.

You missed Clement. Which puts, on Opening day at least, Arroyo in the bullpen, and Papelbon back in AAA. Injuries/ ineffective starters etc can move arroyo into the rotation and Papelbon into the bullpen, or Papelbon into the rotation. Depends on who's pitchin well, and who is hurt. I don't plan on penciling him in for 10-15, but for spot starts, and depth.

Right, right, Clement! Oops. Anyway, this is all reasonable stuff. I don't disagree.

Snow at first? Consider him similar to Mienkievnasdjnocz or an Olerud. Late inning replacement. Which means if Lowell crash's and burns (which I think will happen) , you put Youkilis back at 3rd, and you have yourself a gold glove 1b who will give you about .340 OBP, similar to Millar, but with defense. (still an upgrade I would say, although not offensively.)

Snow was a good defender for a long time. Is he really good anymore, though, or is it just reputation? He can't hit. But then again, you're right about Millar... he didn't really hit last year either, and Snow's gotta be better with the glove.

Crips will bat around .300, and will make defensive mistakes, with not many HRs (and he bats much better as a #2 than #1) and is probably the only spot where the sox are definitly weaker this year. However, in two, three years, he will be outperforming Damon, no doubt, for 1/10th the price.

Basically, yeah. For 2006, the Sox are weaker there and the Yanks are stonger. Going forward... we'll see, but you gotta like Crisp's chances of improvement given his age (26, right?). And what a name.

The problem is that you are still loaded with albatross', and old albatross' at that. I dont see Mussina putting up and better numbers than last year. At least Kevin Brown is out of there (and bellhorn too).

(Note: Holy crap I forgot - you guys had Hideous Nomo START 19 games last year!!!)

Huh? Nomo? I don't recall him starting a single game. He pitched in the minors, I think. Brown out in favor of a full season of Chacon has GOT to be an upgrade (even though Chacon will not put up a 2.8 ERA over the course of a season).

As for Moose, yeah, he's basically a 6-inning pitcher now, good for a 4-4.5 ERA.

Its funny, every year the yanks have better players at nearly every position offensvily, yet fail to score as many runs as the sox (I think this year tho, you guys will do it, maybe even reach 1000, with 240 hrs. I dont know what bernie is still doing there, there had to be someone out there you coulda signed for less who could at least play somewhere in the field.

The Sox do play in Fenway And besides, the Yankees have had major depth problems over the last several years which has hurt them more than I think management realizes.

Bernie's a sentimental choice. They probably could've done better, but I'm not sure they could've done much better w/o a trade (involving prospects, which is a no-go, since we cannot afford to get rid of the few we have left). There is some reason for optimism about Bernie, though: in limited time last year as a DH, he hit decently. Sample size is the issue, of course, but it's possible that w/o the wear & tear of playing the field his bat might revive a bit. He's still a weak choice for DH, but given the team's strengths in other areas it's not terrible. Besides, like I said, it's a clear upgrade: last year, his role was filled by Ruben Sierra.

-Arrian

[Sava]

Originally posted by Ming
Frankly, it doesn't really matter who wins the East.

Because whoever it is will just get slaughtered by the World Champion White Sox anyway

[Arrian]

We shall see. We'll see if Jose Contreras remains the '05 edition... or if he reverts to his prior form. We'll see about some of those other pitchers, too (is Garland really that good, or did he put up a fluke year?). We'll see if they miss Rowand's defense in CF.

There are so many things that can go wrong. They're a strong team, and (given the division), I'd be optimistic if I were a WS fan... but not to the point of assuming a repeat.

-Arrian