bd811
09-24-2002, 11:56 PM
Alright, another offseason is just about here for the Sox, and again pitching is the top priority. The bullpen, save for the beginning of the year and for Foulke's bad stretch in midseason, has been solid. The rotation, on the other hand, could use some work. Buehrle has done great, but he cant pitch everyday. Garland pitched well except for 2 months in the season. Other than that he did great. Glover, Rauch, and Wright were dissapointing, and Biddle pitched decent as a starter. So i think we need at LEAST 2 quality starters for the front of the rotation. So heres the list of free agent starters who have head good seasons:
Greg Maddux, ATL
Tom Glavine, ATL
Omar Daal, LA
Paul Byrd, KC
Kenny Rogers, TEX
Chuck Finley, STL
Ismael Valdes, SEA
Steve Trachsel, NYM
Woody Williams, STL
Jamie Moyer, SEA
Andy Benes, STL
Tim Wakefield, BOS
Now if we got one of the 2 top guys i would pee my paints, and then Id take them off and go streaking around the neighborhood painted black and white. But, I think Ill be keeping my pants on. I think both will stay with ATL, and if they dont, i think they would be out of the Sox price range.
I think Byrd would be a GREAT fit, because he is an innings eater, he is a righty to complement buehrle being left-handed, and the 2 would be interchangeable. Either one could be considered the ace of the staff. I really dont know how much he might cost though.
I have heard rumors that the Yanks might be interested in trading El Duque for Carlos Lee or Jeff Liefer. If its Liefer, I'm all for it. That would give the Sox a decent 1-2 punch. Then, we can sign one of the lefty free agents. Moyer, Finley, or Rogers would be a great 1-year signing probably for cheap. But the guy i would love to see the Sox make a run at is Omaar Daal. He is relatively young, he has decent stats, and he just might fit into the sox price range. If they make those 2 moves, this is what their rotation looks like:
1. L Mark Buehrle, 23
2. R Orlando Hernandez, 32
3. L Omar Daal, 30
4. R Jon Garland, 22
5. Jon Rauch/Dan Wright/Rocky Biddle/Todd Ritchie
All of the first 4 guys are good pitchers. I would say that would be an average-to-slightly-above-average rotation. With the hitting and bullpen we have, that should be enough to get us to the playoffs. And if we're lucky, Todd Ritchie can stop sucking and go back to being an average pitcher! That would be quite the bonus!
Greg Maddux, ATL
Tom Glavine, ATL
Omar Daal, LA
Paul Byrd, KC
Kenny Rogers, TEX
Chuck Finley, STL
Ismael Valdes, SEA
Steve Trachsel, NYM
Woody Williams, STL
Jamie Moyer, SEA
Andy Benes, STL
Tim Wakefield, BOS
Now if we got one of the 2 top guys i would pee my paints, and then Id take them off and go streaking around the neighborhood painted black and white. But, I think Ill be keeping my pants on. I think both will stay with ATL, and if they dont, i think they would be out of the Sox price range.
I think Byrd would be a GREAT fit, because he is an innings eater, he is a righty to complement buehrle being left-handed, and the 2 would be interchangeable. Either one could be considered the ace of the staff. I really dont know how much he might cost though.
I have heard rumors that the Yanks might be interested in trading El Duque for Carlos Lee or Jeff Liefer. If its Liefer, I'm all for it. That would give the Sox a decent 1-2 punch. Then, we can sign one of the lefty free agents. Moyer, Finley, or Rogers would be a great 1-year signing probably for cheap. But the guy i would love to see the Sox make a run at is Omaar Daal. He is relatively young, he has decent stats, and he just might fit into the sox price range. If they make those 2 moves, this is what their rotation looks like:
1. L Mark Buehrle, 23
2. R Orlando Hernandez, 32
3. L Omar Daal, 30
4. R Jon Garland, 22
5. Jon Rauch/Dan Wright/Rocky Biddle/Todd Ritchie
All of the first 4 guys are good pitchers. I would say that would be an average-to-slightly-above-average rotation. With the hitting and bullpen we have, that should be enough to get us to the playoffs. And if we're lucky, Todd Ritchie can stop sucking and go back to being an average pitcher! That would be quite the bonus!