Category Archives: off-season (’04/’05)
Is Jayson Stark a card-carrying member of the Nation?
Hey Yankee Fans….. read this!
The venerable, distinguished, and obviously astute Jayson Stark points out 5 reasons why the 2005 Yankees will not need to place an order for a pallet of champagne in October. All good points that I have been spouting off about here in the heart of the World Champs Nation the last few weeks as the Unit trade talks have been on-going. Folks are saying that the Yanks are building to beat the Sox in a seven game series. IMHO, they might not make it that far.
Here is the list…really quick.
1. The team is OLD!
2. RJ has no knee cartilage
3. Pavano, Wright, and RJ are moving from the NL. No more Brewers!
4. No help in center, at second, or at first. Oops.
5. NO $207-MILLION TEAM HAS EVER WON A WORLD SERIES
If you think that the Red Sox haven’t gotten better this off-season, then bully for you. I can explain that away for you if you’d like. Obviously, Stark listens to me!
And just in case you missed it…..Mientkiewicz still has the ball!
‘State of the Red Sox Nine’ – (12/31/04)
‘State of the Red Sox Nine‘ – December 2004
This is the 2nd State of the RS9, a monthly recap and outlook report on the Old Towne Team. Sorry, it is a little late, been on holiday.
Let’s get to it…..
Standings: I need not remind you that the Sox are World Champs. They have not lost a baseball game since October 16, a total of 45 games. Terry Francona’s club won 11 out of 14 playoff games, including sweeps of the Angels and Cards to win World Championship #6.
Upcoming Important Dates
Not Soon Enough: Spring Training starts
April 4: 2005 Season Opens at NYH
Cooking in the Hot Stove
Free Agent Signings: The Sox signed Doug Mirabelli to a 2 year contract for $3 million.
Players Gone: Ellis Burks retired and Gabe Kapler signed with Yomuiri (Japan) . Pedro Martinez signed with the Mets.
Injury Updates: Curt Schilling had ankle surgery after the World Series and may miss the start of the regular season.
Prospects Report
Hanley Ramirez, Manny Delcarmen, and Anastacio Martinez are the most notable winter league players. John Stephens
Rule 5 Draft
Where We Are Going
Still putting together the club for 2005. With about $30 million left to spend, the Sox still need a starting pitcher, a starting catcher, and a couple of utility/bench guys.
Analysis
That is this month’s State of The Red Sox Nine….World Champs and all is well!
Left in ’04, Back in ’05
Hi all, I’m back from vacation (two weeks in Spain) and I am trying to catch up on everything that has happened in the world since I left on Dec. 20th. I was pretty happy with the world up until Dec. 26 (Varitek signing), but the big wave really put the kibosh on the New Year’s glee that I was preparing to have in Barcelona’s central plaza. After trying to read everything I can on the tsunami and the aftermath, I will get back to work on this blog and get the State of the RS9 for December finished, probably tomorrow.
I hope everyone who reads this is well and safe in the New Year.
Holiday Break
Even though our love of the Red Sox and the work at Fenway to put together the 2005 version of the Red Sox Nine never take a break, yours truly will be away from Dec. 21 until Jan. 4. When I get back, I am sure there will be much to catch up on.
My break will allow me the opportunity to prepare for the December ‘State of the Red Sox Nine’, which will be delivered on January 4th. Also, I’ll finish up the “My Lifetime Red Sox Nine’ and start a countdown of the ‘Top Red Sox Nine Playoff Home Runs’, a look at the most important 9 dingers in Sox post-season history. There is still plenty of time before Spring Training to take a look back at ’11 Plays in 11 Days’, a peak at the key plays that sparked the eight straight wins that resulted in the Sox championship. Right before we embark on the ’05 campaign and camp opens, I will say thanks to the 25 guys on the roster who won the big one with ’25 Guys, 25 Rings’, a slight mocking of the old ’25 Guys, 25 Cabs’ montra. All that and a look into the 2005 season and the battles that will be renewed with the NYH and the rest of the American League.
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
WWTD – What Will Theo Do? (12/16/04)
A Winter Meetings Recap
Don’t get too worried about Randy Johnson pitching in pinstripes. They are very old, RJ, Moose, Brown, Williams, Sheffield, Rivera, Gordon. Old. Gonna breakdown. They have no bench. Their bullpen is not deep. They have no minor leaguers left to trade. Theo needs to stick to his guns and not overpay, overstretch, or over-compensate due to the RJ trade. The Sox have pitching coming up in the next 18 months that may be MLB ready. That is very valuable.
I don’t worry about the NYH! They have the Curse of A-Rod.
Starting at Short and Batting Second
It will be Edgar Renteria…ER…to the Sox. The same guy whose soft grounder ended the 2004 World Series and sharp liner up the middle ended the 1997 World Series. He has played in 5 post-seasons in 8 years.
So lets take a look at ER vs. OC.
- ER is a year younger, but has one more season of big league experience.
- ER has played in 5 post-seasons, OC only 1.
- ER has played in 4 All-Star games, and has 2 Gold Gloves, OC has only 1 Gold Glove and has not played in an All-Star game.
- ER has a career OPS of .746, OC is at .725.
- ER has 237 SBs (72%), OC has 97 career SB (76%).
- ER has a career BA of .289 with 3 years above .300; OC has a career BA of .268, with no .300 seasons.
Here is the bottom-line….ER is better offensively, especially more consistent, defensively they are a wash, and ER has been a big time player for a much longer time. If they were close in their monetary demands, ER is the wiser choice
Now the infield is nearly set…. 1B Mientkiewicz/Millar, 2B Bellhorn, SS Renteria, 3B Mueller. I really like the flexibility that they have lineup-wise, but this makes Varitek a must! Not that he wasn’t yesterday or last week or last month, but now it is his turn to sign on the dotted line.
