The Natural Question Today

[Crash Course]

Can/will the Red Sox repeat?

[Crash Course]

OK, I'll go first, if no one is biting.

It's very hard to repeat winning a WS. I would not be shocked to see the Red Sox not repeat next year.

Too many factors working against them: Fat Cat-itis, Free Agents, & Being The Team To Beat included.

[Jim Rice]

Can/will the Red Sox repeat?

Can they? Yes. Will they? Probably not since few do.

But, at this moment, I don't really give a sh**. :beer:

[huskerdru]

Can/will the Red Sox repeat?

Ask Theo! As you noted, the plethora of FAs is likely the biggest challenge for the BoSox. Whom to keep? There's ALL SORTS of buzz around here that the Tigers will make a big run at D. Lowe, though who knows now. Pedro? Damon? Varitek?

[TimmyB]

Today? Who cares??? :cool2: :jaw: :bounce: :bounce: :hooray: :shockbig:

One of the numerous thoughts that hit me last night was how close we came to already having repeated (one Grady Little brain-cramp away).

But, that sort of proves the point. It's possible. Lots of things can complicate it along the way, though.

Ask again in February after the Sox have dealt with the FAs and such.

[captain_napalm]

Can they? Yes

Will they? Who knows? I don't see why they can't or couldn't

[KCBOOMER]

Probably not. The Sox have too many free agents of their own to cope with to improve in the off-season. Not likely that Steinbrenner and Cashman can have as bad an off-season as they did last year.

[Crash Course]

Not biting Boomer.
I hope they're just as 101 wins-bad next year. :cool:

[PianoMonkey]

Not trying to provoke anyone here, but I wouldn't rate the Yankee's OFF-season last year as being particularly good. Sure, their season was a dream, but losing Andy, Roger, David, and the boys kind of offsets, in my mind, gaining Kevin Brown, ARod and Sheff.

[Crash Course]

Worst 101 Win Team Ever. :willis:

[mainsr]

Average of hitters, 2004, AL
1. Yankees 32.5
2. Mariners 31.5
3. Red Sox 30.5
4. Orioles 30.2

Average age of pitchers, 2004, AL
1. Yankees 32.9
2. Red Sox 32.5
3. Rangers 30.6
4. Mariners 30.5

Every other team is below 30.

My point is that the Red Sox are in a tough situation. Unlike the Yankees, they don't have an unlimited payroll. So they either sign their free agents, who are old, for scads of money and limit their flexibility elsewhere, or they let 'em go and rely on a farm system that, come to think of it, reminds me more of the Yankees' than the Twins', to name two.

Nah, they won't repeat. But who cares. This ranks as one of the greatest thrills of my life, up there with the '86, '87 and especially '91 Series.

[TimmyB]

Worst 101 Win Team Ever. :willis:

Well... yeah, sorta...

[captain_napalm]

Probably not. The Sox have too many free agents of their own to cope with to improve in the off-season. Not likely that Steinbrenner and Cashman can have as bad an off-season as they did last year.
So did Toronto in '92, no?

Did the Yanks really have that bad an offseason last year? Clemens was retiring, Pettitte's elbow was suspect, as was Wells' back. Weaver wasn't going to do it here, so he had to go.

[nyy26wc]

Players the Yankees got rid after 2003--Alfonso Soriano, Nick Johnson, Juan Rivera, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, David Wells, Jeff Weaver, Chris Hammond, Antonio Osuna, Sterling Hitchcock, Jeff Nelson

Players the Yankees acquired during 2003-04 offseason--Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Miguel Cairo, Kenny Lofton, Tony Clark, Javier Vazquez, Kevin Brown, Paul Quantrill, Tom Gordon, Orlando Hernandez

OFFENSE
ADDED: 72 RCAA
SUBTRACTED: 13 RCAA

PITCHING
ADDED: 25 RSAA
SUBTRACTED: 55 RSAA

TOTAL
ADDED: 102 RCAA/RSAA
SUBTRACTED: 68 RCAA/RSAA

Not bad, but not as impressive as it looked before the season started.

[Crash Course]

How did the Sox do 2003 to 2004?

[PianoMonkey]

Those are some great stats, Lee. Any chance for more of them?

[nyy26wc]

How did the Sox do 2003 to 2004?

Got rid off after 2003--Todd Walker, Damian Jackson, Lou Merloni, Casey Fossum, Jeff Suppan

Acquired--Pokey Reese, Brian Daubach, Ellis Burks, Curt Schilling, Keith Foulke, Lenny DiNardo

OFFENSE
ADDED: -26 RCAA
SUBTRACTED: -2 RCAA

PITCHING
ADDED: 69 RSAA
SUBTRACTED: -35 RSAA

TOTAL
ADDED: 43 RCAA/RSAA
SUBTRACTED: -37 RCAA/RSAA

[nyy26wc]

Those are some great stats, Lee. Any chance for more of them?

Name a team.