think that KW is convinced that Loaiza is his new #2 thus is out looking for a #3/#4 guy in the FA market?

think that KW is convinced that Loaiza is his new #2 thus is out looking for a #3/#4 guy in the FA market?

with our "budget" it wouldn't surprise me at all.

My guess is he's doing what he said he'd do, which is making sure he's got a guy at the front of the rotation.

 

That could be Colon, or someone else.

 

KW said all along the #5 starter spot was going to Schoeneweis. He pitched in the bullpen last year after they got him because the staff felt his arm couldn't be stretched out in time to start games. They've got him on a throwing program this winter to build up his endurance and pitch count.

 

If Shoeneweis doesn't cut it in the spring, I'd imagine we'd be looking at one of the young guys for the #5 spot, like Rauch, Pacheco, or Cotts if he's lights out.

 

If I were KW, I'd be more worried about the bullpen. They really need to get long relief settled, and the whole 7th/8th inning situation too. If Koch doesn't cut it, I'm guessing it'll be Marte. Koch looks to be untradeable and it appears they're trying to work with him to get him on track.

 

If you've got 11 pitchers to carry, that means 5 starters, 6 relievers.

 

Starters look to be a #1 guy, Buehrle, Loaiza, Garland, and Schoe.

 

6 relievers are anyone's guess. I'd have to assume Koch and Marte for now. After that, it's up in the air. Gordon appears on the way out. Sullivan, who knows. Wunsch, who knows.

 

I think one of the lefthanders in the bullpen will be a kid ... Munoz or Sanders.

 

So there's a lot of work to be done in the bullpen.

 

2B and CF are holes right now too.

KW said all along the #5 starter spot was going to Schoeneweis. He pitched in the bullpen last year after they got him because the staff felt his arm couldn't be stretched out in time to start games. They've got him on a throwing program this winter to build up his endurance and pitch count.

 

 

No, he did not say Schoeneweis would be the fifth starter. He said he'd get a shot at being the fifth starter. Big difference. There could be any number of guys fill that fifth slot.

Even recently KW has said the Sox are looking to add a "Top of the rotation" guy.

Kenny wants a SOLID 1-2-3.

think that KW is convinced that Loaiza is his new #2 thus is out looking for a #3/#4 guy in the FA market?

I think Loaiza is a #2 for next year, he's earned it. I think we can all agree that Loaiza is not a #1. I don't think MB is a #1 starter either, but I think a lot of him as a starter, (3 good pitches, not a power arm so no injuries, good control & composure). I still think Colon may be back, if not, Williams will make a move for a #1. He's done it before, and I love that attitude considering the acquisition of quality starting pitching. My best case starting rotation would be Colon, MB, Loaiza, Garland, fill in the blank for 5. All four of them were solid enough in '03, the hitting let us down.....we're a bit closer than we think.

No, he did not say Schoeneweis would be the fifth starter.  He said he'd get a shot at being the fifth starter.  Big difference. There could be any number of guys fill that fifth slot.

Semantics.

 

Of course there'll be competition, and rightfully so.

 

Unless they non-tender him, Schoeneweis is first in line to be the 5th starter, which was the intent of the post.

as happy as i was with Loaiza last year.. it worries me that he may be a 1 hit wonder.

 

how much confidence can you really place on a guy who's had 1 great year?

 

hell, mike caruso had 1 great year too.

as happy as i was with Loaiza last year.. it worries me that he may be a 1 hit wonder.

 

how much confidence can you really place on a guy who's had 1 great year?

I've been thinking about that as well. Some reasons to think he might be decent (better than average, but not necessarily this past year good) is that he added another pitch, canned his attitude (supposedly he had a bit of a 'tude in Toronto) and fixed some of his mechanics. But anything can, and usually does, happen.

I've been thinking about that as well.  Some reasons to think he might be decent (better than average, but not necessarily this past year good) is that he added another pitch, canned his attitude (supposedly he had a bit of a 'tude in Toronto) and fixed some of his mechanics.  But anything can, and usually does, happen.

I think reports of Esteban's attitude in Toronto have been blown way out of proportion. "Unnamed teammates" griped to the press that his head and heart weren't completely in the game at a time when his girlfriend was in the hospital paralyzed after having given birth to their first child. The same players b****ed when he would skip town on off days to (*gasp*) be with his kid and hospitalized girlfriend. I don't think my mind would be completely on baseball in that situation either. Now, evereyone is home and healthy, and he's pitching well for a team he wants to play for.

 

That said, I'm not expecting another 20 wins in 2004, but I'm certainly expecting hime to have another very good year. His struggling at the end of the season seemed to be the innings pitched finally catching up with him, not the rest of the league necessarily figuring him out.

I remember reading a quote from Esteban that he had a bit of attitude or something like that and getting this chance made him see how lucky he was or something like that. It sounded like most of it stemmed from not being happy being on the Jays...maybe I misread it or something.

It's not like he was awful this year. 20+ wins next year, prob not. But, he isn't going to suck.

After seeing events unfold in the past week with Schilling, and Kelvim Escobar, I seriously think Bartolo will be back on the Sox.

I am now starting to wonder if JR and KW are gonna welcome him back. All along I have thought they gave Bartolo a weak half hearted offer knowing Bartolo wouldn't take it. Now the way things are going they may really get him whether they wanted him or not.

Even recently KW has said the Sox are looking to add a "Top of the rotation" guy.

Kenny wants a SOLID 1-2-3.

At least he knows what we need. Lets just see what happens here. We all have to remember the offseason is still relatively new. A lot of the deals don't go down until after the new year.

Semantics.

 

Of course there'll be competition, and rightfully so.

 

Unless they non-tender him, Schoeneweis is first in line to be the 5th starter, which was the intent of the post.

Hardly semantics. Those are two completely different statements. Also, I've never seen anything saying that Schoenewicz would be "first in line" for the fifth spot. Just that he'd get the opportunity. Just like anyone else who has a shot, he'll have to outpitch his competition.