Crawford/AGonzo to Sox...Uh Oh

[Robextend]

As a Yankee fan, I was obviously a little distraught when I woke up this morning and saw that Carl Crawford is going to be signing with our nemesis.

I think even if the Yankees do land Cliff Lee, we are going to have a tough time dealing with the Red Sox all year.

Thoughts?

[wake.up.the.echoes]

But they'll have an easier time dealing with the Rays...

Good pitching beats good hitting. Hopefully they sign Cliff Lee and maybe get some bullpen help (Kerry Wood? Mark Prior?).

[pgellis]

Being a huge Red Sox fan, I was ecstatic this morning about Crawford. I was surprised. I thought they were done when they got Gonzalez. What a lineup they will put up there next year.

Probable Lineup:
1. Crawford, LF
2. Pedroia, 2B
3. Gonzalez, 1B
4. Ortiz, DH
5. Youkilis, 3B
6. Drew, RF
7. Scutaro, SS
8. Saltalamacchia, C
9. Ellsbury, CF

Starters:
1. Lester
2. Beckett
3. Lackey
4. Buccholz
5. Dice-K

Looks like it will be a fun year at Fenway!

[sox1903wschamp]

Originally Posted by pgellis

Being a huge Red Sox fan, I was ecstatic this morning about Crawford. I was surprised. I thought they were done when they got Gonzalez. What a lineup they will put up there next year.

Probable Lineup:
1. Crawford, LF
2. Pedroia, 2B
3. Gonzalez, 1B
4. Ortiz, DH
5. Youkilis, 3B
6. Drew, RF
7. Scutaro, SS
8. Saltalamacchia, C
9. Ellsbury, CF

Starters:
1. Lester
2. Beckett
3. Lackey
4. Buccholz
5. Dice-K

Looks like it will be a fun year at Fenway!

+1
Let's hope Salty can actually come close to throwing out a runner compared to the departed VMart

[pgellis]

Yeah, getting rid of VMart did not bother me one bit!

[Robextend]

Defense at the catcher position is so critical especially in big games and playoffs. If you have a good offensive squad, you can certainly afford to have a catcher that throws out runners and doesn't allow passed balls. Watching Posada/Cervelli behind the plate last year in big games was brutal.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Rob, your Yankees are about ready to start collecting social security so the Red Sox are the least of your worries. Derek Jeter is the man but the Yankees shipped has sailed..................

[Robextend]

I hear ya Johnny. But as it stands for 2011 I think we still arguably have one of the top 3 lineups in all of baseball. Our offense will keep us in a ton of games. I am just worried that after CC/Hughes we are going to be in a little trouble. If we whiff on Lee it could be a long year...

[wake.up.the.echoes]

Yanks will hopefully have enough left-handed arms to shut down the Red Sox. The Rays have lost / will lose a bunch of players, so they might fall out of contention. The Yankees should be okay, with or without Cliff Lee. I would prefer WITH him.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Did the Red Sox or Yankees pick up a closer yet ?

[steve B]

You know Varitek has probably re-signed? Still pending a physical, but it seems like a done deal.

He is getting older, and has been a bit fragile and off production at the plate the last few years. But the thing I seldom see mentioned with any catcher is the handling of pitchers and pitch selection. In that category I'd have to think of Varitek as one of the best. A record 4 No hitters as a catcher, none by an established great pitcher. Another "no hitter" in a rain shortened game that would have counted before 1991.

He also had a near no hitter, Schillings one hitter 6/7/07 lost with 2 outs in the 9th.

A good guy for saltamacchia to learn from.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHarmonica

Did the Red Sox or Yankees pick up a closer yet ?

The Yankees have a pretty good closer under contract. His name is Mariano something or other.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Originally Posted by Jim VB

The Yankees have a pretty good closer under contract. His name is Mariano something or other.

He had his time but the fork has been in him for awhile.

[Robextend]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHarmonica

He had his time but the fork has been in him for awhile.

Going to have to disagree with you Johnny...Mariano is still the best in the business:

1.80 ERA
0.83 WHIP (Best in his career)
33 Saves

The fork is definitely not in this guy yet.

[ChiefBenderForever]

He is good but I just feel like they are the Celtics of baseball, last year both needed to get it done because age has finally caught up.

[Robextend]

It's possible you are right, and Boston's recent moves are going to make things even that much tougher for them. Me being the optimistic Yankee fan is counting on Jeter playing with a chip on his shoulder and Mariano being his old reliable self.

I also think Granderson is gonna hit 30HR, and if A-Rod stays healthy all year Tex/A-Rod/Cano are the best 3-4-5 in baseball. Should be a fun season in the AL East!

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHarmonica

He had his time but the fork has been in him for awhile.

LOL! That's why the Red Sox made him an offer last week. They were ready to jettison Papplebon.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Papplebon cost the Red Sox any shot at the playoffs so anything is better than him. Mariano was the best but he is not the same as he was. I like both teams but they are both on the decline and only looking worse.

[Robextend]

Every year Mariano gets older I used to say this might be it, but he keeps having years with an ERA under 2, and a WHIP under 1. His "decline" still leaves him as the best closer in baseball, or at least still one of the best.

Papelbon - 3.90 ERA, 1.26 WHIP...now that is a little troubling...maybe just an off-year.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Papelbon has one pitch and is a headcase, even if an off year Red Sox are in serious trouble, the longevity of Mariano is amazing. But to lose to a hack team like the Rangers is not looking good going into next year but will be fun to watch. Red Sox will not make the playoffs again so no need to even worry about them.

[canjond]

If the Yanks land Lee, there is no way the Sox can match up with their rotation.

[Robextend]

I absolutely agree Jon, but we better get him!

I also think regardless that the Red Sox/Yanks will end up either as the AL East champ or wild card winner. If the Rangers don't sign Lee, it is a serious blow for them, but as it stands I think the 3 best teams on paper right now are the Yankees, Red Sox and Rangers.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Originally Posted by Robextend

but as it stands I think the 3 best teams on paper right now are the Yankees, Red Sox and Rangers.

I don't know about that, but Yankees are always the best on paper, but we'll see what happens on the field !!!