I think ARod will be a Red Sock next season. We all know he's going to opt out of his deal. The NY papers are doing their damnedest to drive him out of town with all the StrayRod and "he's not clutch" talk.
After that, I don't see how Boston doesn't make a huge push to sign him. Luchino covets him. Schilling (13 mill), Lowell (9 mill), and Matt Clement (9.5 mill) are all coming off the books, that's 31.5 mill right there. With Lester and Bucholtz, they could easily let Schilling and (obviously) Clement walk. ARod would replace Lowell. You know they'd love to stick it to the Yankees. They could move Lugo to third if ARod wanted to play short. The ballpark dimensions are attractive to a guy with thoughts of becoming the HR king.
Showing posts with label Boston Red Sox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boston Red Sox. Show all posts
Saturday, August 18
Monday, February 12
Do I need to drew you a picture?
So as Spring Training draws ever nearer, I figure I'll start talking about some of the guys I have been giving serious consideration to. The first guy I'll talk about is JD Drew. For a lot of people, he might as well add another letter to his abbreviated "first name." Just call me JDL Drew. People see him as the white, over hyped cousin of RonDL White.
First off, I think if JD hadn't been such a hyped prospect, and hadn't had the nasty holdout with Philly, I don't think he'd have the injury prone reputation. I think the fact that he was a high visibility guy from day 1, magnified everything he did. Look at it this way: two kids go to a tough college (yes, I am drawing parallels from my past here). Both struggle. One was valedictorian (I wasn't) in high school and never really had to work hard, one was in the top quarter of their class, but had to work hard. Most people would find the struggles of the valedictorian more surprising, because they excelled so easily in high school. JD Drew is that valedictorian.
He dominated college fairly easily, coasting on physical talent. Didn't have to work hard at conditioning or really apply himself. I think adjusting to playing 140+ games was tough for him, he couldn't get by on raw talent. He was ill prepared conditioning-wise as well as mentally, because he'd been told he was great for so long.
Short story long, he didn't work hard, and he had a rough go of it to start his career. Happens to a lot of guys, but JD was higher visibility. His struggles were more public, what with batteries being thrown and all, and he got branded with underachiever and overrated labels.
All that said, he's older now. From what I've read, he's applied himself to staying healthy and productive. If you look at his last few seasons he's played 145, 72, and 146 games. The year he played 72 games he got hit on the wrist with a pitch. Could happen to anyone.
The bottom line is that his career line is a /.286/.393/.512. A career 905 OPS is nothing to sneeze at. His 162 game average (yes I know he'll never play 162) is 102 runs, 27 HR, 86 RBI, 12 steals, with gold glove caliber defense. I expect him to stay healthy this year and play 145 games, and I think he'll probably put up numbers close to his 162 game average, due to the fact he's entering his prime, and hitting in a strong lineup. An OF like that is probably a top 12 AL outfielder....
First off, I think if JD hadn't been such a hyped prospect, and hadn't had the nasty holdout with Philly, I don't think he'd have the injury prone reputation. I think the fact that he was a high visibility guy from day 1, magnified everything he did. Look at it this way: two kids go to a tough college (yes, I am drawing parallels from my past here). Both struggle. One was valedictorian (I wasn't) in high school and never really had to work hard, one was in the top quarter of their class, but had to work hard. Most people would find the struggles of the valedictorian more surprising, because they excelled so easily in high school. JD Drew is that valedictorian.
He dominated college fairly easily, coasting on physical talent. Didn't have to work hard at conditioning or really apply himself. I think adjusting to playing 140+ games was tough for him, he couldn't get by on raw talent. He was ill prepared conditioning-wise as well as mentally, because he'd been told he was great for so long.
Short story long, he didn't work hard, and he had a rough go of it to start his career. Happens to a lot of guys, but JD was higher visibility. His struggles were more public, what with batteries being thrown and all, and he got branded with underachiever and overrated labels.
All that said, he's older now. From what I've read, he's applied himself to staying healthy and productive. If you look at his last few seasons he's played 145, 72, and 146 games. The year he played 72 games he got hit on the wrist with a pitch. Could happen to anyone.
The bottom line is that his career line is a /.286/.393/.512. A career 905 OPS is nothing to sneeze at. His 162 game average (yes I know he'll never play 162) is 102 runs, 27 HR, 86 RBI, 12 steals, with gold glove caliber defense. I expect him to stay healthy this year and play 145 games, and I think he'll probably put up numbers close to his 162 game average, due to the fact he's entering his prime, and hitting in a strong lineup. An OF like that is probably a top 12 AL outfielder....
Thursday, February 8
SABR Toothed Tiger
Yup, that's pretty much the best I've got. I mean, I like to think I'm pretty funny, but I'm more of an off the cuff funny than a premeditated funny. Anyway, it's worth checking back just to see some more good one liners like that.
I've been pondering what direction to take this thing, but I'm just gonna start heading off in any direction and see where I end up. So in no particular order:
I liked the Gil Meche signing by the Royals this offseason. Being a Tigers fan (see, the title IS funny) I can sympathize with being so deeply buried in terrible-ocrity (like mediocrity, but more terrible) that you can't bribe people to sign at any price. I can remember Miggy Tejada telling the Tigers he would return their calls if they started their bidding at something like 126 mill. Of course he ended up signing for about 90, so that gives you an idea how much extra he wanted. Anyway, if Jason Marquis can get 8 mill a year, I don't think Gil Meche making 11 mill to eventually be a decnt #3 is the end of the world. Too much money for him? Yes, but it's symbolic of the Royals finally deciding to try to compete.
I think Daisuke is in for a big year. And that's all I've got to say about that.
I blame the Red Sox for diminishing my hatred of the Yankees. Growing up in Red Sox country, I tend to pull for them when the Tigers aren't involved (which has been from April 15th on every year until last year). Well I can't be hating on the Yanks for being bad for the game when the Sox are spending just as much.
My stat of the moment is BABIP. For those who aren't savvy on the SABR tip, that stands for something like Batting Average on Balls In Play. I've been turning it over in my mind for a few days, but I'll eventually make a full blown posting about this.
I think the Tigers are winning the World Series this year.
My wife is watching Ace of Cakes on the Food Network right now and they are making a rat shaped cake for two woman's commitment ceremony. That is supremely weird on so many levels.
You know when the hat stretchers head south to Florida, baseball is right around the corner... Until next time...
I've been pondering what direction to take this thing, but I'm just gonna start heading off in any direction and see where I end up. So in no particular order:
I liked the Gil Meche signing by the Royals this offseason. Being a Tigers fan (see, the title IS funny) I can sympathize with being so deeply buried in terrible-ocrity (like mediocrity, but more terrible) that you can't bribe people to sign at any price. I can remember Miggy Tejada telling the Tigers he would return their calls if they started their bidding at something like 126 mill. Of course he ended up signing for about 90, so that gives you an idea how much extra he wanted. Anyway, if Jason Marquis can get 8 mill a year, I don't think Gil Meche making 11 mill to eventually be a decnt #3 is the end of the world. Too much money for him? Yes, but it's symbolic of the Royals finally deciding to try to compete.
I think Daisuke is in for a big year. And that's all I've got to say about that.
I blame the Red Sox for diminishing my hatred of the Yankees. Growing up in Red Sox country, I tend to pull for them when the Tigers aren't involved (which has been from April 15th on every year until last year). Well I can't be hating on the Yanks for being bad for the game when the Sox are spending just as much.
My stat of the moment is BABIP. For those who aren't savvy on the SABR tip, that stands for something like Batting Average on Balls In Play. I've been turning it over in my mind for a few days, but I'll eventually make a full blown posting about this.
I think the Tigers are winning the World Series this year.
My wife is watching Ace of Cakes on the Food Network right now and they are making a rat shaped cake for two woman's commitment ceremony. That is supremely weird on so many levels.
You know when the hat stretchers head south to Florida, baseball is right around the corner... Until next time...
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