So the Red Sox are moving Jonathon Papelbon back to his closer role. This is going to **vastly** improve their shitty bullpen, but....

I really don't like this idea. He was rocking as a closer last year, before wearing out at the end and inevitably was shut down for the last month or so. Not suprising why, either. The guy was pitching every other night or more, and throwing heat every time. The bottom line is- he's a starting pitcher, and while he was amazing as a closer, they're over-using the arm of their best young pitching prospect. Thinking too much about this year and not the long-term.

I don't like it. But now that this is the way it is, we have Julian Tavarez as number 5. Pewwww. Time to shell out the big bucks for Roger, or hope that Lester can make it back sooner than later.

I don't like it.

Labels: clemens, papelbon, red sox

Starting rotation:

Curt Schilling
Dice-K
Josh Beckett
Jonathan Papelbon
Tim Wakefield

A LOT of potential here, but also some question marks. Schilling is a legend, but he's up there in years. Beckett didn't exactly come out like gangbusters in his first season with the Sox. Now that he's got an AL season under his belt, could he be ready to quit fooling around and get down to brass tacks? Dice-K. Well, we've heard all winter long how amazing this guy is. Let's see something amazing against some AL hitters. Papelbon was lights out in the closer role, until the wear and tear of pitching everyday caught up to him. Now he's back to starting, a role he's familiar with. And Wakefield is Wakefield; ole faithful. The guy eats innings, and is capable of going on big winning streaks.

I think of all these guys Papelbon is gonna turn the most heads. I'm a big fan.

Also- Let's not forget that Jon Lester is battling back after being diagnosed with cancer. Great guy. And a good lefty, too. Roger Clemens can't be counted out either, but I'm not holding my breath on that one. We'll see...

The bullpen is a little dicier...Timlin, Delcarmen, Hansen, Tavarez, Donnely, Pineiro... Yikes (potentially). This was the achilles heel last season. However, with so many potential starters and only 5 open spots, there are countless options. We're gonna need some good coaching to utilize the given talent to the max.

Defense I think will be par....we'll see.

Offense....shouldn't be a problem. Ortiz/Ramirez for Prez '08. 'Nuff said.

I'm gonna miss Trot Nixon though...one of my favorite players over the years. A guy not scared to get his hands dirty.

Hey...these guys aren't the underdogs anymore. It's taken me some time as a lifelong diehard to get used to that role. Can't really complain about the Yankees spending money anymore. Fight fire with fire, I say.

Enough Spring Training...let's get it on!

Labels: red sox