Questions Answered

 Do you think the Red Sox will consider a six-man rotation due to the ages of Tim Wakefield and Curt Schilling, Daisuke Matsuzaka’s history with it and the fact that Clay Buchholz is young?

It is a deffiant possibility. But things happen. Injuries could limit them to 5 starters. If it hapens before the start of the season than Matt Clement could fill in. Right now though it looks like Clement is gone and then they have 5 deffiant starters in Schilling, Wakefield, Matsuzaka, Beckett, and Buchholz. Lester could spend time in the bullpen or start. I feel like it will be off and on. 5 and 6.

As a follower of Brandon Moss since he was drafted, I know that he is known for an outstanding throwing arm, a talent hard to find in the Major Leagues. So why the Red Sox would even consider him playing at first base is beyond me.

If he masters 1B, than Eric Hinske could be gone. Its less money and a secured spot for Moss. It could play out as  (although I hope it doesn’t) a Kevin Youkilis like situation. They could trade him to first base to bring another person into RF/LF. But this would mean dropping Youkilis so I think its just to keep him versatile.
 Do you know if Craig Hansen figures anywhere in the Red Sox’s plans anymore? If not, is he tradeable or is he now officially a bust?

I wouldn’t call him a bust. Hansen is still 24. I think he’s going to turn into the Devern Hansack of 2008. Bring him up for a few scattered weeks and then in 2009, with the probable retirement of Mike Timlin by then, could be in a setup role. But I wouldn’t call it a match yet. He has such a good arm but whether he can or can not adjust to Majot League batters is the real question.

Do you think the Red Sox are going to look for a new shortstop in the offseason or are they going to stick with Julio Lugo for the 2008 season?

I think the one player the Sox will go after to replace Lugo is A-Rod. Seeing as that is unlikly, I think the Sox are going to stick wit Lugo for 2008. They Won a World Series with this SS. Last time they won they dumped their SS and then lost. I think they’re going to stick with Lugo and hope he can turn into Tampa Bay Lugo and not repeat 2007.

Do you think the Red Sox will go after Miguel Cabrera if they don’t sign Mike Lowell? I think he would be a great fit for the Sox.

I think Mike Lowell is #1 on thier list. If that dosen’t work out though Cabrera could be a monster at Fenway. He is a great young player and could hit 5th until the Ramirez and Ortiz era ends then he could be #4. But thats an IF.

 Is it my imagination, or has the clubhouse seemed more harmonious since Terry Francona’s arrival? You don’t seem to read about the in-house fights, arguing, ego trips, etc., like you used to. What is it about his style that breeds champions?

Terry Francona is the best thing that happened to this club since Carl Yaztremski. He keeps a firm when needed and soft when needed grip on the sox. Terry Francona respects his players and they respect him back. The front office also has brought in players that mesh with Francona. So it is a 2 sided affair.
 It’s great that Kevin Youkilis won a Gold Glove at first, but I feel a bit slighted for Coco Crisp in center. After such an amazing defensive year, how was Crisp overlooked?

I have to agree. He made countless sliding and diving plays. Add on an amazing catch to end the ALCS and I think he was defiantly overlooked. It seems the word never got out of Boston. With Youkilis stats jumped out, With Coco it wasn’t stats, it was presence. He just got simply Overlooked.  

Will Jacoby Ellsbury be the starting center fielder over Coco Crisp next season? And will Mike Lowell be back?

There really is nothing more to prove for Jacoby. He is obviously ready for majors. Crisp really is the odd man out. He could stay as a backup but I think a trade is the best way to go with reliable bench player Bobby Kielty already covering the back-up outfield

I think both sides of the Mike Lowell deal want Lowell back in Boston. It’s just all the buisness and money and length seperating them now.

Is there a realistic possibility that the Red Sox will trade for Johan Santana this offseason? I know it would probably require at least Clay Buchholz and other prospects, but as we learned with Beckett, the proven ace is more valuable than prospects.

I wouldn’t call it impossible but i think the Red Sox have seen what the prospects can do and they like it. I really think it’s a one in a million shot. With now Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett established in the rotation and Dice-K really semming like he is ready to be an ace and plus Tim Wakefield, Jon Lester, and Buchholz I don’t think they need him.

 When will we see George Kottaras in the Majors? The spin on him has been that he will take over for Jason Varitek when his deal ends. Is a backup spot next year possible?

Jason Varitek has a relaible glove and bat with one year left on the team. Add on being the team captain I don’t think Kottaras can take over in 2009. Boston loves Varitek and Kottaras only hit .249 last year in AAA Pawtucket so I don’t see him in the plans anytime soon. Maybe past 2011 we might see him starting. as for backup, I really see the Red Sox keeping Mirabelli and if they don’t I think Kevin Cash comes before Kottaras because he has experience in the majors and with Tim Wakefield.

I saw the picture of Dice-K and Kaz Matsui on the MLB.com Web site and I wondered if there had ever been a Japanese pitcher and a Japanese batter face each other in the World Series?

Actually the first time was when Hideki Okajima faced Matsui in Game 2 of the World Series. Also when Hideki made that appearance he became the first Japenese pitcher ever to pitch in a world series game.

What is going to happen with Matt Clement? I saw that he filed for free agency. Is there a chance the Sox may give him a Minor League deal with an invite to Spring Training? I think he could be a very valuable No. 4 or 5 starter.

I just don’t see that deal working out. The Red Sox are so deep at that posistion and to have 7 starters ready for the majors is just not right. I love him as a person but as a player things just never worked out in Boston.

Which young players from Boston’s farm system will have an impact on the 2008 Red Sox besides Buchholz and Ellsbury?

SS Jed Lowrie has shot right up the Red Sox farm system and the Red Sox want him to be the next SS after Julio Lugo. Also Brandon Moss got a good look in September and could take over after the Manny Ramirez era is over. Moss is also playing Winter Ball at 1B to try to increase his versitality. If he masters it he could stay on the 25 man roster for a while this year.

I have seen the countdown to 500 homers for many baseball players, but I have not seen any form of countdown for Manny Ramirez. Are there plans to set up a countdown on the field and show our appreciation for all of Ramirez’s accomplishments with the Red Sox?

The big reason there wasn’t much circling Manny about his long balls was because of his injury in September that basically ended the Regular Season for Manny. I’m sure it will be huge coming into 2008.