Red Sox fans

Since there are many here, just curious what you think the outlook is for the team this year. I think the starting pitching is strong enough and improved enough that they possibly will be much better this year. A good part of their disappointing season last year can safely be chalked up to a ridiculous spat of injuries in the second half to key players.

But I dont really love their offense this year. Its OK, but I think they need another major basher in there. And the defense is questionable at best. Bullpen looks to be well below average.

Looks like a good team to me, but not a world series winner type team.

probably world series this year.

Isn't their bullpen in need of a fixing now?

possibly closer by committee.
papalpon now a starter

The_Man said:

probably world series this year.

Click to expand...

u have to be kidding... way too many holes in this team.... they wont be in the playoffs...

BRUINS and CELTICS......

ELIMINATED

Well the yanks didnt do much to get better did they? They just got older and they are stuck with RJ and Pavano.

So if the pitching got better, we have a shot at taking down the division. Is that enough to make up 10 games?

"The team is counting on possible fifth starter Carl Pavano to return to form after two injury-plagued seasons, but Pavano may have fences to mend in the clubhouse. Pavano's continued absence became a point of mockery for some teammates last season. Mike Mussina said recently that Pavano would have to earn trust from players, coaches and manager Joe Torre, but that Pavano could be an asset if he gets past those hurdles. Pavano has been working out for the entire winter in Phoenix and has planned an early arrival at the team's spring training complex in Tampa. "

Click to expand...

See when youre a yankee, you dont even want to go to work.

The Yankees got better in the offseason...unloaded some contracts, got young arms, got rid of two cancers in the clubhouse (RJ and Sheff) and brought back Pettitte. The getting rid of RJ is HUGE

Oh ya thats right.

I wonder if Andy will be the Andy of old.

I hope they didnt damage Papelbons arm too much wasting him as a closer last year.

Beckett needs to step it up now and the red sox will have to trade for a filthy closer to shore up the otherwise mediocre but servicable stable of arms out there

Yankees should win the east.

tons if IF's this year for the redsox...i love when people say "on paper"....what do they have for starting pitching?

schilling, love the guy and a total gamer but he is over 40 now...i think you can put down 17-18wins without much of a worry...but then again he is over 40 and has been a workhorse his entire career...

wakefield, another guy where you can pencil in 12-14wins with an era in the high 4's low5 range.....not bad for a #4 or #5...ill igve them that much...,

beckett has been horrible....you dont know what your gonna get from this guy

the japenese guy...and even BIGGER ?mark....i think he's gonna be a bust...i HATED the signing...ya he looked great in the world baseball tourney...lets see him do it over 35 starts...i dont think he can....

pappelbon, had shoulder problems at the end of last year so they put him on the shelf, that was throwing an inning or 2 out of relief, now he's gonna come in and start...ok good luck...another HUGE IF...ya IF he stays healthy and his arm holds up...people expecting him to come in and start and think he's gonna win 17-20 with an era in the 2's are nuts...

they have no clear closer...timlin is 40 and is more apt to come in for the 8th and set up for the 9th, than to be the closer...

the lineup looks great...but the division top to bottom will be IMO the toughest in baseball this year....everyone has improved...they gotta face all those teams 19times apiece...

the WILDCARD IMO comes once again out of the central, the tigers arent going ANYWHERE IMO, team is young and full of talent....that staff is will win them many games just like they did last year...zumaya is a beast (i dont know if they have moved him to closer or not as i dont follow them closely)

if its not the tigers winning the division it will be cws and even without liriano you cannot count out minny as they still have the best starter in baseball and i watched them closely down the stretch last year, they have several young arms who will only improve bonser/garza (forgetting someone else)...and they play small ball...bunt/hit n runs/steal bases/dont committ errors....this year will be there all year and win their fare share of games...

AL is LOADED

yanks/redsox/toronto in the east
minny/det/cws in the central and there is only room for 3teams outta the 6....the jays are the sleeper team this year...their lineup is solid...and they have what has the potential to be the BEST 1/2 in ALL of baseball with halliday and burnett IF THEY CAN STAY HEALTHY...thats the key to anyone's season anyways....staying healthy...

i dont think boston makes the playoffs this year...

i just hope they stay in it long enough for me to clean up on ebay

Matsuzaka and Papelbon are not the question marks. Papelbon has always been a starter. Matsuzaka has very good stuff. other than injury, these two cant miss

Both the Red Sox and the Yanks have question marks it doesn't matter who has the most question marks it matters what question marks pull thru.

Hopefully they are both red hot the whole way thru and that makes for a great summer.

I have to agree with huskerfan. Beckett needs to show up this year. If he could pitch like the year the Marlins won it that would be superb.

Mr. Smith said:

Matsuzaka and Papelbon are not the question marks. Papelbon has always been a starter. Matsuzaka has very good stuff. other than injury, these two cant miss

Click to expand...

Didnt Papelbon hurt himself in just a closer role? Im not convinced yet about either of them as starters but think their upside is huge.

The good thing about the Sox these days in that now seem to be willing to chase $$$ players during the season to fill holes.

Manny,Ortiz and their offense are here.....no question marks there.

Sox will do fine.I think theyve improved on paper.

Until they beat the Yanks for 1st place, how can we predict a 1st place finish for Boston? That's almost like Buffalo Bills fans saying THIS is their year in the Super Bowl.