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Some of the fans on this board are smart fans of all baseball teams and statistical probabilities merged in with old fashioned traits of teams such as enthusiasm, want-to, or our fave 'will to win.' So I am asking ... do any of you have a strong feeling (keeping fandom out of it) the Sox "could" be a surprise team this year? A team in which all the major rebuild pieces excel and the roster clicks to where the Sox could dominate the Central and make SERIOUS noise in the playoffs? I'm so negative about the team now I'm not a good one to measure the team's "possible" upside. But some of you understand trends of teams, etc. So are ANY of you thinking Sox could be THE surprise team of baseball this year and have the bodies to win, win, win?? Any reason for hope it clicks and Sox check in and complete the rebuild deal?? Thanks. Notice I have interjected no opinion on the team's strengths and weaknesses. I'm just all ears, listening, reading ...

Looks like the Sox got rid of Jose and have added very little to the roster. Their scouts must be super high on Burger, Eloy, Robert, Colas, Vaughn and Sheets. Screams bad defense to me. And Sox must be high on their bullpen arms. I know we added one starter I think? My point? Boring offseason and the powers that be are showing faith in the rebuild core exploding on the scene this year?? How anybody could buy season tickets is beyond me unless they have a lot of money and like to have something to do 80 days a year.

I was just kidding bout Naha.

I love Benetti and Stone. I feel in this day and age they are as 'honest' as a duo can be that works for the team. Yeah I guess technically they are housemen but I do think Stone and Benetti are more critical of the team or at least buffoonish plays of the team than most duos. True Stoney didn't second guess Tony much or blast the training staff for all the injuries and point out how this team appeared to sleepwalk at times and also was poorly constructed. But perhaps Stoney doesn't share those opinions that I feel were pretty obvious. This team was a trainwreck in spite of the .500 record.

Karkovice waited a long time to get the starter's job at catcher. Not a bad player. No Bill Nahorodny but not half bad. ... As far as catchers go, how can a Sox fan not just love Fisk? My gosh he was a ballplayer. He wouldn't quit til he couldn't see/catch the ball anymore. What a stud. Where does Karko live now? Where does Fisk live now?

Eloy will stink in RF obviously. Teach him how to play 1B. It's not that hard. He can split time there with Vaughn and Sheets. And DH with those two guys too.

I wonder if the umps will enforce it. The umps do what the umps want to do.

All makes sense while giving a reasonable outlook/tone about this team/franchise.

I do agree I also hate MLB postseason setup now. As much as I'm hating on baseball only a surprise Sox season will probably prevent me from not caring at all. As it stands I only follow one and a half teams (Sox and KC somewhat since Iive here).

Tray, I pray (rhyme intended) you are right about Sox pitching being good. I happen to think it blows. If it is good, yay! Sox will be a contender if they have the pitching you suggest they do. Hope u are right.

Such an excellent article. I agree with everything the guy wrote. I've never been so apathetic about the Sox. As u know I see them going nowhere and it's just disgusting to see that new seating plan. I can honestly say I would love for Jerry to sell the team and the new owner build a new suburban ballpark to a abandon the city like the Bears are doing. I'm getting very close to saying, "Let them move to Vegas." Why do I feel this way? That author of the piece captured my feelings well. The Sox finally have broken me even though I got the WS title in 2005. Hard to belive the goodwill from 05 is lapsed in my mind. Sox have done too many disgusting things for me to love them as I did in the past.

Well, I would be looking forward to the possibility of winning baseball. If Sox could be five over .500 in April and do that again in May 2023, it'd help me a lot. Unfortunately I'm very close to giving up on baseball. As readers of my posts know I am disenchanted with baseball right now. I won't go thru all the reasons but baseball is not fun anymore. My main beef is there are now two games within a game, both two hours long. The starting pitcher's game which lasts 4 to 5 innings. Then the parade of relievers game. To have a good team u need to win both games within a game. Sox aren't equipped to win both halves consistently. But what am I looking forward to? Last year it was following Jose's at bats more than the team. Too many injuries for my tastes. Frankly if this board didn't exist I'd probably stop following baseball completely. I still have my MLB subscription and still watched my share of innings (usually 7 til 9) a year ago. But right now I can honestly say I hate baseball. Hope I get over it.

No offense to our new manager but he has a lot to prove considering KCR didn't hire him.

There's a different vibe now, almost like the organization has taken one too many punches and has gone from an exuberant Muhammad Ali to a fat Jerry Quarry. There's a slight chance the new manager could revitalize things but under Tony's direction combined with deflating injuries (whose fault are those? players or trainers or bad luck?) and front office suits who have made a bunch of insignificant moves the past couple years, this organization is .500 at best more likely .five to eight under .500. Since canning players friendly manager Ricky, it's been all downhill since. "These kids can play" under RR turned into "we're zombies and there's nothing you fans can do about it. Have a 10 dollar beer and enjoy our 4 hour games."

There is no window except one toward mediocrity. Sox proved they realize they are blah middle of the road with their choice as manager and by getting rid of their best hitter. Folks, Pedro is not going to lead us to the division title. Sox lineup is relying on oft-injured guys like Tim, Eloy, Robert, plus Vaughn, Moncada et. all. The window is slammed shut. Only 'special players' are Cease and Liam. This team blows, folks.

Going straight by "odds" and "analytics" all these signings are crazy. 12 years? Anything can happen in 12 years but one this is for sure, a lot of money will be wasted on this deal and all deals like this deal. It's insane but I guess TV contracts and 30 dollar beers and 200 dollar parking will easily pay for it. How can teams afford to throw away money like this?

I'm alarmed that everybody is saying Benni has a weak arm. It's not like he's gonna hit 35 home runs. You don't really want a guy with no power combined with no arm playing LF.

So a guy who does not hit for power at all (look at his career stats for gosh sakes) with a bad arm. Hmmm sounds like an acquisition a bad team would make. We shall see. Theoretically he should help the top of the order still if he continues to get on base a lot, but ... Sox certainly have never valued defense.

Beni is OK. I asked a big Royals fan at church Sunday if I will love Beni or hate him? He said 'Just don't expect him to hit for power.' Not making it up. Generally fans liked him but ...

Ugh. Happy? I'm sad. ... I promise it's my last comment on the subject as I know my passion is making me repetitive. You have to understand how sad I am over this. Anyhow ... I'll stop now. Bye Jose.

Geez. Through this whole ugly tank/rebuild, the Sox were suppoed to be a 'winner." How soon we forget or let Jerry/Hahn off the hook. They've made some bad moves including having a blah pitching staff and weird lineup for The Cell.

Benny cannot hit for power. Or does not hit for power. Benni has a lot to prove in Chicago. Some say he's 'just another guy.' My lineup with Jose and Benni is much more productive. It uses what Benni can do. it speaks for itself.

As much as I respect Tony's career he was the wrong man for this team. Hopefully Vaughn can emerge and hopefully they figure out a way to piece together a division winning pitching staff. So many question marks about the pitching to go with what I've said bout the lineup.

Now that we got Benintendi, can u imagine if we still had Jose? Lineup: Timmy, Benny, Robert, Abreu, Yoan, Yasmani (not a bad six-some). Now we go with Timmy, Benny, Robert, Vaughn, Yoan, Sheets, Yasmani (lot of pressure on Vaughn and Sheets this season when it didn't have to be that way. Jose woulda been a huge veteran bat. Cmon Vaughn/Sheets have a nice offseason and show continued improvement and we might have a decent lineup! If we could keep our cool and temper I personally think it'd be nice of some of you to explain to me how my lineup with Abreu wouldn't be kick-butt this season compared to the alternative!! Makes no sense except for Jerry's pocketbook. We also need some leadership and Timmy better fill that void. You gotta want to win. Jose did. Cmon Timmy it's your team!!