As a sure sign of Spring, found the Rotisserie League Guide edited by roto guru John Benson and others at a bookstore today. They analyze every player in the big leagues.

 

There's too much info to report it all here, but I'll break it down to the Sox players (current and 2003) that they like for this year, those they don't like and the ones they seem a bit blah about

 

Like

 

Joe Borchard -- shocked me because he was dreadful last season, but they insist he will hit if given a chance in the big leagues.

 

Joe Crede -- project .280 and 25 home runs this season. I'll take that.

 

Carl Everett -- project 25-30 HRs and 100 RBIs -- for the Expos, of course

 

Paul Konerko -- will bounce back with 30 HRs and a .300 average

 

Carlos Lee -- finally maturing as a hitter.

 

Maggs -- as solidly consistent as they come

 

Frank -- praised him strongly for his offense last year.

 

Juan Uribe -- made strikes at the plate and they love his D

 

Jose, Jose, Jose -- good offense for a SS. Seem to suggest he'd be best as a Tony Phillips type utility player.

 

FLAT

 

Sandy Alomar -- he is what he is

 

Graff -- Never be a regular but he's solid a couple of days a week.

 

Miles -- bad baserunner without power who should start the season in the minors.

 

Olivo -- No better nor worse than the average big-league catcher.

 

CRITICAL

 

Robbie Alomar -- can't turn on the fastball any more and lost a step in the field. Not going to turn around the decline.

 

Brian Daubach -- a platoon player who can't play the outfield and is a below average first baseman.

 

Willie Harris -- Can't hit left-handers well enough to be a big-league regular.

 

Aaron Rowand -- Has to show more patience at the plate to be an everyday player and his career numbers show that he can't do that.

 

PITCHERS

 

PRAISE

 

Buehrle -- expect his ERA to drop under 4 and him to win 15-18 games.

 

Bartolo -- will win 20 with a solid offensive club behind him.

 

Garland -- will eventually blossom into staff ace but probably only 12-14 victories again this season.

 

Koch -- figures to bounce back if his arm and shoulder are healthy.

 

Marte -- very productive reliever

 

Wunsch -- deserves a chance to be more than a left-handed specialist.

 

BLAH

 

Politte -- will never close in the big leagues but could be a set-up man

 

Rauch -- might be helped by a move to the bullpen. (never heard that suggested with him.)

 

 

CRITICAL

 

Danny Wright -- Only pitched more than 6 innings four times and must eventually head to the pen.

 

Flash -- High injury risk.

 

Loaiza -- No chance to come close to 20 wins again.

 

Jose Santiago -- Jose Mesa without the notoriety.

 

Schoeneweis -- Easy for right-handers to hit so he probably will end up a left-handed specialist.

 

Sullivan -- Showing signs of breaking down because he was overworked by Cincinnati for the last four seasons.

 

There's a ton more material than that. But I thought it would start the conversation flowing.

hope so, but I'm not surprised by that analysis on Estey.

 

All the numbers' gurus are going to project him to revert to 12-15 or 13-11 because that was his career track until last season. Hopefully that criticism -- and the final year of his contract -- will keep him motivated for another big season.

 

Winning 20 for this team won't be easy -- unless we add some better players. But I think Loaiza can continue to pitch well because the difference last season was he threw that 'cut' fastball and he threw it for strikes on both corners.

Loiaza will win at least 15 games this year, he showed all the critics last year that even after the All-Star break he pitched well. he had a 3.84 era and went 10-4, not bad.

Mark and E-lo will combine for the same amount of wins. (put on broken record) who's going to replace Bart?

i'm still holding out hope for Ponson, I guess.

 

and maybe we'll get something from a rookie

Always fun to read these analysis' and break downs, but the problem is I haven't seen many come true. It is way to early to put much stock in these statements. You almnost have to wait till the end of spring training to see what is developing.

Loiaza will win at least 15 games this year, he showed all the critics last year that even after the All-Star break he pitched well.  he had a 3.84 era and went 10-4, not bad.

I don't expect E-lo to put up numbers like he did last year... But I do think, as long as he can be consistent, he'll put up simillar numbers to the second half last season.

Always fun to read these analysis' and break downs, but the problem is I haven't seen many come true. It is way to early to put much stock in these statements. You almnost have to wait till the end of spring training to see what is developing.

Very true....Unfortunately, I end up putting a lot of stock in what I read, though I know I really shouldn't. It's definitely fun reading some baseball right now though w/ there being 5 inches of snow outside.

Sox have to hope that several guys from this group of players -- Borchard, Reed, Rowand, Harris, Rauch, Diaz, Cotts, Ginter -- step up.

 

With the dynamics and direction of the payroll, it's essential.

winningugly, do you think you could give us the report on Ponson?

 

Thanks.

Miles -- bad baserunner without power who should start the season in the minors.

 

 

Willie Harris -- Can't hit left-handers well enough to be a big-league regular.

 

Aaron Rowand -- Has to show more patience at the plate to be an everyday player and his career numbers show that he can't do that.

 

 

Wunsch -- deserves a chance to be more than a left-handed specialist.

 

.

Hence why Miles was traded for Uribe, Ozzie wants speed on da bases especially from his infielders. I don't like what they said bout Harris, we need a backup guy who can hit lefties which is what Tony G. did. I don't agree with what they said bout Rowand, give him a full season but I dunno if he's durable enough to last it or not. Wunsch if healthy will be a big part of our bullpen, his early numbers last year were insane.

The remarks about Borchard and Crede were good to see. I think ARow is gonna shock 'em though.