The 2007 Boston Red Sox

Somehow a number of you were pissed the Prez decided to mark the Anniversary of the start of the War in Iraq. Hey, shit happens, deal with it. Here is the Prez's official preview of the 2007 Boston Red Sox. After reading this, check out Around the Blog,where they are writing nifty previews of each team.

As you read this, remember Manny Ramirez is making 20 Million Bucks this season.

I love this country. This is Ourrrrrr Counnntrrryyyyyyy.....

Two Weeks Away Kids…..

Owning a professional baseball franchise takes brass balls. You have to be shrewd, but not overtly evil and bombastic….unless your Steinbrenner. The owner of the Boston Red Sox John Henry is the anti-Steinbrenner. Instead of ruling over the team like Napoleon in drag, Henry entrusts the front office headed by Theo Epstein to do what it can to create a championship worthy team. Henry provides the cash, and Epstein tinkers. It is a combination that won a Worlds Series in 2004. Two and a half tumultuous years later, the Boston Red sox are a 130 million dollar quagmire. See for yourself.

A number of moves this past off-season , and the cash doled out, seemed to signal the death-nell of any possible “Moneyball” connections to the club. Many will see the clubs decision to promote Dustin Pedroia to a starting spot at 2b as a continuation of their “grand plan”. However, the signing of Daisuke Matzusaka, Julio Lugo, and J.D. Drew catapulted the Sox into a position of “most active off season team”. The Patriots are currently continuing this strategy to New Englanders great appreciation.

However, unlike the P-men, the signings by the Red Sox each can be seen as risk.

The acquisition of Drew blew peoples minds. People seem more interested in seeing him act as the prima-donna malcontent everyone outside of Epstein perceives him to be. There is a greater point to the signing of Drew. The fact that he is taking over for Trot Nixon, the ultimate dirt dog, places pressure on him that he has never…ever had to play with. This could be an A-Rod situation minus the position move. The best case scenario is that Drew stays healthy and performs in the spotlight. He could be another Cory Dillion-esque New England sports legend. It’s March, so I’ll stay optimistic on the J.D. Drew front…for now

At the time of publishing, the biggest concern for the 2007 Red Sox is the bullpen. The fragility of the bullpen without Papelbon as its anchor is almost as freighting as Waterbury’s CAPT test scores. With Papelbon sent to the rotation because of a shoulder scare at the end of ’06, the club signed veteran reliever Brandon Donnelly, starter turned reliever Joel Pinero, and former Minnesota Twin JC Romero. These signings were meant to go along with the ancient one, Mike Timlin, and the up can coming Craig Hanson, Manny Delcarmen, Julian Tavarez connection Add in Javier Lopez, Hideki, Okajima, Davern Hansack, and either Kason Gabbard or Kyle Snyder, there are plenty of arms to go around. The Question remains, who closes? We are fast approaching opening day in KC and nobody knows. I think Tavarez gets the call early. (Yes, I picked a Spazz to be the Closer.)

This means that we need Houston to tank. Brad Lidge may have had an ERA over 5 last year…in the NL. However, something drastic may need to happen to acquire a closer. Otherwise, this could be 2003 all over again.

The Offense should be pretty damn good. Assuming Drew is what Epstein feels he can be, “The Dew” provides an interesting link in the line up. Lugo can spray the ball all over the field, and has hit well at Fenway. Staying healthy will be essential. Drew, Lugo, and Varitek have missed extended time in recent seasons. Coco Crisp was god awful at times. Hopefully he starts to live up to expectations, or he could be shipped out for a closer. Hopefully, Manny can be Manny, and Ortiz can challenge for the MVP again. As long as the team stays healthy, Manny won’t have a reason to go AWOL.

I think this team stays competitive all season. Every Matsuzaka start is going to be huge, and may actually help take heat off of the rising ERA of Beckett and Schilling. With Jon Lester making a great comeback, there could be some solid wins we cannot fathom right now.

I love Papelbon. Again, he is an x-factor that could make the starting five the best in the world. If we stay healthy, this can be a club that dominates weaker teams.

The team needs to gel. I think a publicity angle for this team should include the United Nations in some way. Without the comedy styling’s of Gabe Kapler, the 2007 Red Sox could turn into the 2006 New York Yankees….a bunch of steroid using Scientologists. ohhhh snap......

I think we win 91 games and make the playoffs.

(Addendum: The Red Sox radio network made a huge mistake in not bringing back Jerry Trupiano. The fact they brought in Dave O'Brian adds salt to the wound, as O'Brian's effort to single handedly destroy last years World Cup won't soon be forgotten. And don't give me Glenn Geffner as the 3rd guy. That guy was probably John Henry's Pool Boy. You gotta kick it MNF style and bring in Sports Writer. I feel it is now a second rate broadcast overall, but still better then the Yankees, who bring in a broad to make John Sterling sound manly.)

THIS JUST IN….PROFESSIONAL WRESTLERS USE STERIODS……


-I’m Out Like George Washington…..To Pump Iron........Without Drugs....or .....Any Energy Whatsoever.....Strength and Honor