Re: My non-statistical thoughts on this off season so far !!!

DonFromBarre@xxxxxxxxx wrote: 
It's been my intention to wait until closer to the season to do this
because clearly this team is still a work in progress but everybody else
is doing it so here goes.  And maybe it will defuse that other thing I
helped start.
Changes by position:
Back up catcher:
Flahrety (S?):
 Good thing he's only a back up.  Questions are can he catch Wake?  (One
would think so, assuming that was the plan from the start.) How does he
compare to Mirabelli both offensively and defensively?  Not thrilled but
will reserve judgement.

First Base:
Youk doesn't seem to be the classic corner infield type power wise and
is more or less an unknown quantity defensively.  But can we be sure he
won't hit for more power in time?  Overall I see him as maybe being a
bit better or at least no worse than last year's Millar.
First Base back up:
I'd hope Snow is mostly a late inning replacement. Sounds lie a not
quite as good a hitting version of Olerud.

Second Base:
Lorretta sounds like a definite up grade from Bellhorn from both sides
of the game.

Shortstop:
Part of the work in progress.  I think most of us agree that losing
Renteria was a good thing even not knowing who will replace him. I'd
still prefer a trade (Yes, I know "the fantasy" is dead.) but I could
live with Cora getting a shot.


Graffanino, perhaps?

Third Base:
Yes Lowell makes too much money.  Yes he had a bad last year and a half.
But the money doesn't really concern me and that aside he had some
fairly productive years.  And he's not bad with the glove. Despite what
many here think I'm hopeful.

Two words = Lowell Bandwagon. Get on it now. I'm calling for a huge year from Lowell.

Left Field:
Though it's not a change, it's seemed that Manny leaving was
pre-ordained for so long that his probably staying seems like a change.
If him not going happens this may be the best news of the off season.
You can't replace him and we'd have way too many 2 - 1 type loses
without him.

Center:
The one must address spot on this team (assuming short can be reasonably
filled in house.)  I won't try to pretend he's equal to "the traitor"
but Hunter would be my ideal choice.  Or Baldelli.  At least both would
be fun to watch patrol center field.


If I see Gathright out there opening day, I'm going to puke.

The bullpen:
I'm not counting L'il Pape or L'il Manny as new.  Everything I gather
about Mota and Seanez is that they could go either way but are more
likely to be slight upgrades over last year.  I'm counting Foulke as a
change assuming he's healthy and not last year's pitcher.  So I think
the pen should be better.

At NO POINT DURING THIS UPCOMING SEASON, should we see Hansen or Meredith. Terry will put them into a close game, and RUIN them as well as the game.

The starters:
I know Beckett has questions, low annual inning totals and blister
problems, but his youth and limited pedigree are very promising for now
and the future. I'm also counting Schilling as new for the same reason
I did Foulke. Assuming he's healthy and even a reasonable imitation of
his old self the starting should be better. And with so many starters
right now so much can be done. You really never can have enough
starting pitching. 

So there are my general feelings on the plethora of changes we've been
through so far.  I think our biggest problem is not the particular
changes but that there's been so damned many of them this year. More
than I can remember in any one season in my 40+ years as a fan.  Some
good, some not so much, some work still to be done.

I think the Red Sox should push for a CF. If a SS comes along, perhaps we should go for it, but if there is no good fit for a SS, then Pedroia or Graffanino should do. CF, however, is one need we cannot fill from within, except for Stern.

--
Griffin
.

Relevant Pages

  • My non-statistical thoughts on this off season so far !!!
    ... First Base back up: ... Part of the work in progress. ... I'm not counting L'il Pape or L'il Manny as new. ... I'm also counting Schilling as new for the same reason ...
    (alt.sports.baseball.bos-redsox)
  • Re: Beatiful Katamari
    ... For some reason, I can't get anywhere with this game. ... I am about three vignettes into it, and can't progress at all. ...
    (alt.games.video.xbox)
  • Re: Dice-K
    ... here in the 1st inning (5 runs and counting), ... started the game with 3 in the top of the 1st. ...  You think the reason he has stunk this ...
    (alt.sports.baseball.bos-redsox)
  • Solid defence is laying platform for progress
    ... Solid defence is laying platform for progress ... was jostled and harangued into his least influential game of the season. ... more entertainment - or in other words, the goals. ... and if Liverpool are to thread ...
    (uk.sport.football.clubs.liverpool)
  • Re: Stern Pinball: This just in
    ... I guess I'm envisioning a larger display capable of capturing the ... progress, ... Stern did'nt *uck me out of $4000. ... and it was surely a modern evolution in the game. ...
    (rec.games.pinball)
Loading