who should close for the BoSox this year Papelbon or Foulke?
437079
Papelbon's done pretty well so far. Why not let him do it until he shows he can't?
578034
Come on man Mike Lowell. Word? that can't be a fa real answer. there are only three 3rd baseman worth having in the AL. A-rod, Chavez, and Crede. I was ready to go with Chavez, who plays a mean hot corner. but after reading the page, Notso_25 makes  pretty good arguement for Joe Crede so I'ma have to go with Joe. I mean no one is more clutch than Joe. Sox wouldn't be the best team in baseball right now with out him.
427022
I would like the Red Sox. It will be tough to unseat the White Sox. They are essentially the same team that won the WS last year *plus* they added Jim Thome and Javier Vazquez. Thome's been hotter than hell and Vazquez pitched a great game yesterday against KC.
1046149
Red Sox are a good bet, but don't rule out the White Sox either.  They could move Scott Podsednik to center field and put Lee back in left field, plus they have been known to open their wallets when they see a need.  Can you inmagine a middle lineup of Thome, Konerko, Dye and Lee?
1034894
Im gonna have to say the white sox.  They have the best 3-4-5 hitting combo in baseball today.  They are all right at or over 300 in batting average and they have the top 2 homerun totals in the AL.  They also have good speed on the bases and good contact hitters.  Their pitching has been a little streaky this year but they still have six capable starters.  Their bullpen is getting better everyday too.  They have a good minor league system behind them and will be able to make a trade if they need to for the final push at the end of the year.
9228
Manny Ramirez or Bobby Abreu depending on which team will part with them. They need pitching, but there isn't much out there.
450237
last year there were about 45-48 save opportunities for the red sox, with them converting 38-- this is my buest guess fellow sox fans, dont kill me i dont know the stats exactly and i cant find them  around.  I do know that with a platoon of closers they converted 38. \n\nso lets assume they do the same this year. and you do a bit better and have 42.  its not assured that pap will remain the closer for the entire season yet. faulk is still running hot and cold, but he is looking better, and injuries happen, meaning at some point in the season pap could be made a starter, and faulk could go back to closing. in which case you traded away 25-38 homers and around 87 runs. for a good pitcher, but fewer saves than you epected.\n\non the other hand, glaus has been injured 2 of the past 3 years and is getting older.  he's been on 3 teams over the past 3 years, and is facing a murderers row in boston, new york, and some good guys in baltimore. \n\nthe upsides- pap has got some hot stuff, and has looked stellar. there is the possibility of 40+ saves if he remainss the closer.\n\nglaus does play in toronto and will play 17 more in TB, places known for allowing guys on base. and if last year is any indication, he's back.\n\n\n i the end it's all you.  if you need a closer, and are stocked for hitters, than its worth the gamble.  if you are a marginal hitting team, but are looking to shore up pitching stats, it might not be so good.
559230
I'd have to go with A-Rod at the moment. His stats are similer to Pujos but A-rod plays a slightly more demanding defensive posisiton. A close second is Pujos. \n\nFor the season that's close. Pujos, Berkman, Swisher, Hafner and Thome are having really good years. Nobody is really just taking the year by storm yet. Several other players with a hot streak could be right up there with this group. \n\nJose Contraras on the other hand is having a monster year so far. 5-0 with a 1.41 ERA. Webb is next closest with 6-0 2.30 ERA. \n\nSo best player this season I'd hand it to Contraras so far.
1150826
1. papalbon\n2. schilling\n3. ortiz\n4. ramirez\n5. varitek
1141867
Not a chance. In the American League Liriano or Papelbon have it locked up.
1011707
They all have different kinds of strengths and compliment each other so well that its hard to pick one.  They dont have a cut and dry ace so people criticize their staff and call them overrated but thats not what its all about.\n\nMark Buehrle-this guy is great.  He is real layed back and easy going.  He also is great at eating innings and is very reliable.  You can always count on him for at least 7 innings and thats great for the bullpen.  He always puts the team in position to win and thats big.\n\nFreddy Garcia-this guy is another inning eater.  He is a day game and road specialist.  This guy is lights out on day games and road games.  He is a great tool to have for the playoffs.  Hes another guy that always has his team in position to win games.\n\nJose Contreras-he seems to be severly overacheiving and Ill admit I am one of the skeptics but I think his getting out of the spotlight in New York has revamped his career and he has a few more solid years left.\n\nJon Garland-  This guys hot and cold all the time.  One day hell go out and dominate, the next hell get shelled.  He is settling down now and just resigned for 3 more years.  He is young and should have a great career with the Sox.\n\nJavier Vasquez-  This guy is new to the rotation and all sox fans had a soft spot intheir heart for El Duque after his magic escape from an inning against the Red Sox in the playoffs last year but he is another inning eater that protects the bullpen.  he is pitching well this year.\n\nBrandon McCarthy- this guy is being hyped up big this year and for good reason.  He is young and hasnt pitched to his potential but scouts know his upside is huge.  Unless the sox get a big name and trade him he will be the cornerstone of this staff soon.\n\nBobby Jenks-  going round and round the carousel of closers the Sox use Jenks seems to be the real deal.  He is very young but he got a lot of experience in the playoffs last year and can throw some heat.  With some tutelidge frim Don Cooper he might be a great closer for years to come.
439604
How you say that they don't have enough offense?  Ortiz and Manny will again be dominant.  Beckett and Schilling are lights out.  Their bullpen is solid.  AND, if rumors come true, Clemens would be the final piece of this team.  Even without him, I feel that the Sox are poised to stop the Yankees' run in the AL East.  They also have a great shot at taking the Series this year, too.
1104666
roger clemens. the rocket. hes the best active pitcher all-time, and current, even though he hasnt pitched a major league game yet this year. by the end of the year he'll prove hes still the best. the best reliever is jonathon papelbon
449514
The question is, who would you replace in the rotation.\n\nJohnson, Mussina, and Wang are locks. I would certainly leave Chacon alone in the 4 spot. I guess you could make a case for replacing Wright, but they have paid him an awful lot of money to not start. You also have Pavano and Small coming back soon. I would leave Proctor where he is in the pen and let him come in and throw his hesat for an inning or two at most.\n\nNot to mention you gotta leave a spot open for the rocket \n;-)
1071689
Right now i'd have to go with Scott Rolen. In the past month he has hit .380 and made some amazing defensive plays. He gets it done on both sides of the ball. He has really stepped up his game while Albert Pujols is injured.
525511
A. Francouer is not having a fluke season. He is having a sophmore slump.\nB. Neither is Swisher.  This is a sign of things to come.  Billy Beane has always believed that he would be great player and now he is.\n \nShelton is a fluke\nMaddux isn't\nWe'll have to see about Arroyo. I wish the Bosox hadn't traded him!
1051023
I would say Kevin Millar to face LHP at 1B and also give some power in the OF.  No Padre has 10 HR this year.\nMaybe Aubrey Huff to play 3B and release/trade Castilla.