Thursday, April 28, 2005
HUB OPINION:
INJURIES TO DAVID WELLS AND CURT SCHILLING A BLESSING IN DISGUISE. A VIEW FROM THE "HALF FULL GUY."
As Red Sox Nation watched Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe saunter off to other cities this offseason, the Front office sold us on a different approach; The depth of the new Red Sox rotation and, staff overall, had the potential to make the 2005 Red Sox even better than the 2004 World Championship version. Most of the Nation was buying...or maybe they were still just buzzing over the improbable dream ending to the 2004 season.
We will now find out the hard way if Theo and the trio were forthright, or if they simply saved some cash and sold us a bill of goods. Or maybe, once again, their instincts and statistics would defy baseball convention. After all, the Nomar deal had worked out better than even Theo Epstein could have possibly imagined. Maybe depth and payroll flexibility would make the pitching better too, much as it had the offense and defense in 2004. Perhaps, Clement and/or Arroyo will step up big time over the next month or so, and the Sox will have developed a much needed #3 stud for the post season. If they can pull this one off, then it will be time to raise these guys to Belichick/Pioli status in New England. One time can be brushed aside as one part skill and 2 parts luck. Twice in two years, especially with a baseball team that hadn't won in 86 years, can't possibly be a fluke.
As long as Boomer and Schilling are healthy by June and beyond, the Sox will win at least a wild card, and will wind up better off than the Spankees in terms of playoff pitching. Believe it or not, these injuries may actually be a good thing, as the Sox could wind up with a newly confident #3 and two well rested, proven post season arms. -NF
INJURIES TO DAVID WELLS AND CURT SCHILLING A BLESSING IN DISGUISE. A VIEW FROM THE "HALF FULL GUY."
As Red Sox Nation watched Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe saunter off to other cities this offseason, the Front office sold us on a different approach; The depth of the new Red Sox rotation and, staff overall, had the potential to make the 2005 Red Sox even better than the 2004 World Championship version. Most of the Nation was buying...or maybe they were still just buzzing over the improbable dream ending to the 2004 season.
We will now find out the hard way if Theo and the trio were forthright, or if they simply saved some cash and sold us a bill of goods. Or maybe, once again, their instincts and statistics would defy baseball convention. After all, the Nomar deal had worked out better than even Theo Epstein could have possibly imagined. Maybe depth and payroll flexibility would make the pitching better too, much as it had the offense and defense in 2004. Perhaps, Clement and/or Arroyo will step up big time over the next month or so, and the Sox will have developed a much needed #3 stud for the post season. If they can pull this one off, then it will be time to raise these guys to Belichick/Pioli status in New England. One time can be brushed aside as one part skill and 2 parts luck. Twice in two years, especially with a baseball team that hadn't won in 86 years, can't possibly be a fluke.
As long as Boomer and Schilling are healthy by June and beyond, the Sox will win at least a wild card, and will wind up better off than the Spankees in terms of playoff pitching. Believe it or not, these injuries may actually be a good thing, as the Sox could wind up with a newly confident #3 and two well rested, proven post season arms. -NF
