Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

[ILLCHILL]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Not tryin to knock you Thrasha, your one of my favorite posters here, but it sorta sounds like your afraid of a ALCS against the Yanks.

[Thrasha]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Not tryin to knock you Thrasha, your one of my favorite posters here, but it sorta sounds like your afraid of a ALCS against the Yanks.

I can see what your saying, no offense taken. But I'm honestly not afraid of another ALCS showdown.

I think I'm probably sick of seeing the Red Sox vs. Yankees because I hate the Yankees so much. Especially ARod and Giambi. I could see them under the wheels of an 18 wheeler and probably would start laughing.

But if it comes down to these two teams in the LCS again, as I think it probably will, I have the confidence that this team can defeat them, again.

[Misfit]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Unfortunately, Wakefield was due for an outing like the one he had today. Oh well.

[primo1]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Anybody know what the rotation will look like against the Chi Sox's????

[Thrasha]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread




I'd love to see a splintered bat hit that prick square in the face.

god I hate Arod.

[Misfit]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

And thus, the 2005 season for the Boston Red Sox has come to a close. And let's face it, how many of us really thought this team was going to repeat? I thought they could get past Chicago but I'm not at all surprised with the way things turned out. Matt Clement having a meltdown in game was a foregone conclusion for me, though the manner in which they lost game 2 came as a surprise. I saw them losing today's game, and that bases-loaded no-out situation where they scored 0 runs was indicative of this season's team.

The offense was not the offense we had seen all season as far back as early September. Really, once Damon was injured to the point of ineffectiveness this offense started to unravel. Ortiz and Manny were the only ones hitting in September and neither Olerud or Millar could get hot again. Also having to wait until the final weekend to clinch really hurt this team as it prevented them from aligning their rotation properly. If Schilling goes in game 1 and delivers a win maybe he sets the tone for the series.

Anyways, I'm not upset with this team and I can't help but laugh at some of the fans who burried their face in their hands and wept at the end of today's game. As a region, we have received 2 superbowl championships and 1 world series in the past 2 years, we've been spoiled. The Red Sox are in their grace period and as long as they remain to be competetive I'll be happy with them.

Now the focus moves to next year. Clearly, this team needs some work. First the front-office needs to decide if they're going to bring back Damon. With no one out there to replace him, I think they should keep him though it depends on what he'll cost. If he demands a 4 year deal I might shy away if I'm the Red Sox. He's taken a beating in his time with the team and I can't see him being an effective player in 2009. The bullpen definitly needs work, and the starting rotation needs some youth as well. I think Burnett, despite his late season collapse, will be a target for this team and if they're willing to go the distance they'll get him. The Red Sox need a power pitcher in their rotation as 4 of the 5 members in it now are breaking ball pitchers, and the fifth is a question mark going into next season (Schilling). I think Wade Miller is gone and the Red Sox might try to move Arroyo to make room for Papelbon, who should be in the rotation next year. And I bet they'll be willing to listen to offers on Matt Clement, as I have him as the odd man out at this point (if they go after Burnett). Though the trio of Schilling, Wells, and Wakefield are unlikely to make it through the regular season un-injured, so a sixth starter is necessary but I bet they'll look to Jon Lester in such a situation. Delcarman and Hanson should make the opening day roster for the Red Sox, and I expect Foulke to be the closer on opening day with Hanson assuming the role if Foulke goes down or can't fulfill his duties. And if he can do it, second base should be the position Hanley Ramirez is looking to earn come March (maybe he battles it out with Pedroia in the spring).

[Stu]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Well I had a whole post typed up but they closed the offseason thread. Personally it doesn't make sense to have us sort through a 200 page thread to talk about the offseason, especially when its not cluttering up a major forum, but whatever.

I'll post my thoughts at some point today.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Well I had a whole post typed up but they closed the offseason thread. Personally it doesn't make sense to have us sort through a 200 page thread to talk about the offseason, especially when its not cluttering up a major forum, but whatever.

I'll post my thoughts at some point today.

It also makes no sense to have 2 Red Sox team threads. It's still 2005. I don't see what the big deal is. Once next season starts, there will be new baseball team threads. Your thread wasn't deleted, so you can copy it and paste what you wrote over here if you want.

[Stu]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

It also makes no sense to have 2 Red Sox team threads. It's still 2005. I don't see what the big deal is. Once next season starts, there will be new baseball team threads. Your thread wasn't deleted, so you can copy it and paste what you wrote over here if you want.

Nah I typed up a long post with my thoughts on the offseason but the thread got closed before I could post it. Whatever, It's not a big deal.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Nah I typed up a long post with my thoughts on the offseason but the thread got closed before I could post it. Whatever, It's not a big deal.

Sorry about that man, nothing personal. I locked the Yankees offseason thread too.

[Stu]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Ok here are my offseason thoughts. This is a list of the positions they need filled and how I think they will/should fill them. Obviously a huge part of the offseason depends on what they decide to do with Damon and Manny.

CF - Damon. There isn't a leadoff man in baseball that can replace Damon. He is the spark that drives their offense and he was having an MVP type season until he got hurt. He also plays a very good CF, despite the weak throwing arm. Again, they simply cannot replace him.

3B - Mueller/Youk. I think they should resign Mueller to play 100-120 games with Youk playing the rest. His hitting has gone down but he is an excellent 3B and a good situational hitter. He also comes pretty cheap.

1B - Youk/Olerud/Petagine - Unless they can sign a Konerko in FA, a platoon is the best option. Youk is an upgrade over Millar while Olerud is a professional hitter and fielder. Petagine can step in if Olerud gets hurt.

2B - Graff/Cora/Pedroia - Cora is already signed, so I expect them to try to fill 2B with some combination of these three over the course of the year.

SP - AJ Burnett. They have Schilling, Wells, Clement, Wakefield and Arroyo returning but they need an ace. With the money saved elsewhere, they should be able to afford him. If everybody else is healthy, Arroyo would probably move to the pen.

Closer- Foulke/Papelbon. Unfortunately the job will be Foulke's unless he can't stay healthy. If he can't, I think Papelbon is the best choice because it would allow Timlin to stay in the setup role. Papelbon has the stuff and mental makeup to be a successful closer and with the staff they have now, I don't think he will make it into the rotation.

Bullpen - The pen could actually be a strong point for them next year if Foulke returns to form. Foulke, Timlin, Papelbon, Hansen, Myers and Bradford are a very good group. Even if Foulke doesn't come back I think the combination of Papelbon, Hansen and Timlin could easily replace him.

[Beantown]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

You also can't forget the #1 thing they have to do...

Re-sign Theo!

[Misfit]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

I think they really want to get Papelbon into the rotation and they'll try their best. Which is why Wells retiring wouldn't be the worst thing. Graffanino is most likely done and the Pedroia/Cora platoon looks like the plan going into the spring. I would let Olerud go as well, as I'd expect a drop-off next season and he is injury prone. Youkilis as the potential everyday first baseman is intriguing and not something I considered. It would keep Mueller around another year which would make a lot of guys in the clubhouse pretty happy.

[Stu]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Dale Sveum, the Red Sox' third base coach for the last two seasons, was
today named third base coach for the Milwaukee Brewers.

[Thrasha]

Re: Official Boston Red Sox 2005 Thread

Dale Sveum, the Red Sox' third base coach for the last two seasons, was
today named third base coach for the Milwaukee Brewers.

How depressing