Boston Red Sox: 2007

[tWoSour]

Re: Boston Red Sox: 2007

weird game tonight.

Lester looked really dominant, and then lost it, and then got it back, and then lost it again.

The offense has looked good the last 2 games, good to have the lineup back

[Misfit]

Re: Boston Red Sox: 2007

The magic number is now 1. Daisuke gets to head into the postseason on a high note as well.

[tWoSour]

Re: Boston Red Sox: 2007

Yeah, nice game from Dice-K tonight. Surprised he came back out for the 8th.

Papi has been on fire lately....using the whole field too

[tWoSour]

Re: Boston Red Sox: 2007

AL East Champs!

[Misfit]

Re: Boston Red Sox: 2007

Magic Number = 11

[tWoSour]

Re: Boston Red Sox: 2007

Magic Number = 11

yesir....

Schilling has been bumped from his start tomorrow...rotation is probably gonna go
Beckett
Schilling
Dice-K
and then Wakefield if we need a 4th starter

It's gonna be interesting to see who makes the roster

[tWoSour]

Re: Boston Red Sox: 2007

Sox win and Indians lose....we have home-field throughout the playoffs! Let's see what format the Sox choose, they have to make a decision within an hour (crazy new rule there).

Good game for Youk and a huge game for Drew. 3 hits, including the go ahead 3R HR. Drew is getting hot at the right time, .393 in his last 17 games. Hopefully he takes it into the playoffs

[ComfortablyLomb]

Re: Boston Red Sox: 2007

Our long regional crisis is over!

[Misfit]

Re: Boston Red Sox: 2007

yesir....

Schilling has been bumped from his start tomorrow...rotation is probably gonna go
Beckett
Schilling
Dice-K
and then Wakefield if we need a 4th starter

It's gonna be interesting to see who makes the roster

They'll definitely use a four-man rotation. Schilling doesn't have the endurance he once had and Daisuke is already running on fumes as is. Only in a do or die situation would they consider bringing Beckett back on short rest.

[tWoSour]

Re: Boston Red Sox: 2007

They'll definitely use a four-man rotation. Schilling doesn't have the endurance he once had and Daisuke is already running on fumes as is. Only in a do or die situation would they consider bringing Beckett back on short rest.

but the Sox picked to have the long series (5 games over 8 days). So the game 1 & 2 starters can start game 4 & 5 on normal rest.

We'll see, the postseason roster should be out in the next day or so

[K_GUN]

Re: Boston Red Sox: 2007

YEAH

:LHF:LHFL" IOP)U()&#70902utruf 05hglohb;lajh


YEAH...SOX WIN

[GBrushTWood]

Re: Boston Red Sox: 2007

First post in this thread on 01-30-2007, 09:14 PM:

2006 sucked for the Red Sox. Hard. I got tired of seeing the number 6 when I entered the official team threads forum. Therefore, I am starting this new thread.

The following is a list of things about the 2007 Red Sox that I am excited to see:

- DiceK striking out Derek Jeter at Fenway Park.
- J.D. Drew peppering the ball all over Fenway Park.
- if Papelbon is a #2, or #4 caliber starting pitcher.
- how Hideki Okajima turns out (is he a LOOGY?).
- how both Matsuzaka and Okajima make adjustments to the hitters after they've gone through the league one time.
- if Dustin Pedroia is not a terrible player (which he showed in his first stint in MLB)
- whether Coco Crisp can get over his injury/general terribleness and contribute.
- Manny Delcarmen making progress.
- Jacoby Ellsbury showing steady progress and improving even more at AAA.

So here's to the official Operation Sports home of the 2007 World Series Champions - the Boston Red Sox. After they win the World Series this year, somebody can open up this thread, read this first post, and begin to witness what a marvelous season it turned out to be. Well, if you have the time to do that you can.

Or, Yankees fans (and if they do not win the World Series, fans of the 2007 champions) can quote this post in October and insert water spitting laughing smiley faces. Whichever one works.

Oh yeah, how horrific does this Red Sox bullpen look? Dear god...

Not bad guys, eh?

[RockyTop1]

Re: Boston Red Sox: 2007

It's amazing how big the move for Papelbon from the rotation back to the bullpen was. Most people forget that he wasn't going to be in the pen this year.

[Misfit]

Re: Boston Red Sox: 2007

Is it too early to think about next year? Maybe, I know I'm gearing up for the parade tomorrow and trying to talk myself into buying a 30 dollar hate, but I can't help but wonder what next year's team will look like. The guys who are locks to return:

1b Youkilis
2b Pedroia
SS Lugo
RF Drew
CF Ellsbury
DH Ortiz
C Varitek
SP Beckett
SP Daisuke
SP Lester
CP Papelbon
RP Okajima
RP Delcarmen

That's 13 guys and a lot of core players. One guy not included who is under contract to come back is Manny, but I don't consider him a "lock" to return. I think he likely will be back, just because there is no replacement out there other than ARod, but he's always available. And of course Crisp, who is still cheap and under contract but Ellsbury clearly took the job away. I like Crisp and am dissapointed we never got to see the "real" Coco Crisp at the plate but oh well. It's impossible to deny that Ellsbury is the more dynamic player and I fully expect to see him batting lead-off on opening day next year.

In the rotation, the Sox have an option on Wakefield. Clearly Wake thinks he has more left in the tank given his comments after the World Series ("I just need to rest, I'll definitely be ready to go next year.") but the Red Sox suddenly find itself with a crowded rotation. The three aforementioned guys are guarantees to be there next year, but there is also Mr. No-hitter waiting for his opporunity. Can they really with good reason leave him at Triple A? And if not, what happens to Schilling? If forced to choose between Schilling and Wakefield who do the Sox take? Ultimately, I think the Sox will decide to keep Buchholz at Triple A so that he can build up his stamina and refine his fastball command but next year could very well be the last for the veterans.

The Sox also have an option on Taveras for 3.5 millions but I don't think they'll bring him back for that kind of money. And I'm surprised to say it but they should probably bring Timlin back for one more year if he's interested. Donnelly was hurt all year, but I believe he's still under contract and will likely be given a chance to work his way back next year.

The Sox definitely need to address third base and bringing back Lowell seems to be the most logical move. I don't like giving a guy his age a 3 or 4 year deal but really what is the alternative? There aren't any dynamic third basemen available (Arod isn't coming to Boston, I won't bother even considering it) so they're pretty much forced to overpay Lowell. Worse things have happened. They do need another arm for the pen too, perhaps a lefty. Delcarmen made good progress this year though I still think he's lacks the swagger a set-up man needs to succeede. I can't imagine Okajima having another year like the one he had this year. I fully expect a major regression from him since he's basically a gimmick reliever. The bench will sort itself out, but the Sox definitely need to start looking ahead for a replacement at catcher to work in before Varitek hangs them up. Tek played as well as can be expected this year, but I don't know what to expect from him offensively next year. They have some chips to trade such as Crisp, and Masterson has gotten some looks (after seeing him pitch live, I would sell high on him if possible as I wasn't impressed) so free agency won't be the only place the Red Sox will be active.

At any rate, it's always an interesting offseason when it comes to the Red Sox. I'll get into the hot stove stuff soon enough, but for now I need to bask in the glory of another championship.

[RockyTop1]

Re: Boston Red Sox: 2007

So, with Schilling filing for free agency, what do you guys think will happen? Think they'll bring Wakefield back?