clujer420

The numbers support me -- that's all the support I need.

What years did Frank have those averages? '94, '96, and '97, respectively. That's been six years. I still think that Magglio is the best hitter in the lineup right now. I hate to do this, because I love Mags, but... The last season that Frank was himself was 2000. In that season, Frank was .328, 43, and 143. Mags was .315, 32, 126. Frank's OBP was .436, compared to Mags' .371. Mags was good, but Frank was great. Even look at last season. Frank had what was probably his worst year, and Mags had his best year. Yet, Mags' OBP was only 20 points higher than Frank's (.381 to .361). So again, Mags is good, but Frank is (still) better. Maggs' ba was 68 points higher last year, had 105 more total bases and his slugging was about 125 points higher. Comparing one person's best season to another's worst proves absolutely nothing. It's a waste of time to write it, and a waste of time for others to read it. I don't see how referring to how Thomas did 6 seasons ago proves how good he will do now either. My main argument from the outset was that Mags has never hit as high as Frank has, even as recently as 2 years ago, when BOTH are playing like they're supposed to be. This season will be the true test -- Frank has no more excuses (not that he ever really did, honestly), and Mags has evolved into a better hitter every year. They should compliment each other very well, to say the least. Even if you compare Mags' best year (2002) to Frank's most recent "no excuse" year (2000), Mags still comes up short. Great numbers, yes, but not quite up to the standards that Frank has set, and will continue to set in 2003.

What years did Frank have those averages? '94, '96, and '97, respectively. That's been six years. I still think that Magglio is the best hitter in the lineup right now. I hate to do this, because I love Mags, but... The last season that Frank was himself was 2000. In that season, Frank was .328, 43, and 143. Mags was .315, 32, 126. Frank's OBP was .436, compared to Mags' .371. Mags was good, but Frank was great. Even look at last season. Frank had what was probably his worst year, and Mags had his best year. Yet, Mags' OBP was only 20 points higher than Frank's (.381 to .361). So again, Mags is good, but Frank is (still) better. Maggs' ba was 68 points higher last year, had 105 more total bases and his slugging was about 125 points higher. Comparing one person's best season to another's worst proves absolutely nothing. It's a waste of time to write it, and a waste of time for others to read it.

How unfortunate that missing a season with a very serious arm injury and a sub-par following season makes people forget what happened just 2 years ago. When Frank is healthy, he's the best hitter in the line-up, and one of the best hitters in the game. There is no disputing that.

What years did Frank have those averages? '94, '96, and '97, respectively. That's been six years. I still think that Magglio is the best hitter in the lineup right now. I hate to do this, because I love Mags, but... The last season that Frank was himself was 2000. In that season, Frank was .328, 43, and 143. Mags was .315, 32, 126. Frank's OBP was .436, compared to Mags' .371. Mags was good, but Frank was great. Even look at last season. Frank had what was probably his worst year, and Mags had his best year. Yet, Mags' OBP was only 20 points higher than Frank's (.381 to .361). So again, Mags is good, but Frank is (still) better.

What years did Frank have those averages? '94, '96, and '97, respectively.

When hitting like himself, it's Frank, hands down... Mags is still improving, so maybe soon it will be him, but until he hits .353, .349, or .347, it's gotta be the Hurt.

Speak for yourself

We've gotta get Rauch in there and give him a full season. With Buehrle, Colon, Garland, and Wright, we've got 4 pretty good starters. I think we can afford to let JR go through some growing pains. Learning at the big league level is invaluable, and the Sox have to let him come up some time. Then, if something unfortunate should happen, such as an injury, or Rauch REALLY doing poorly, someone like Loaiza, Heredia, or even Stewart can step in and pick up the slack. I think the Sox should give Stewart a full season in the minors (either at AA or AAA) so he can get experience for 2004. If Colon departs via free agency (or if the Sox are tanking in July and they trade him to the Yankees), Stewart could be a front-runner for a spot in the rotation in '04.

Don't get me wrong, I really like Damaso, and his season last year was a great surprise after an unimpressive start early in the season. But let's not get too high on him just yet -- he's only been in the bigs for 1 full season. This season is going to be the true test. Hitters are going to have lots of tape to review, and are going to make adjustments that they may not have made last year. The best pitchers are those that can make adjustments to those adjustments -- hopefully he'll be one of those pitchers.

That's really unfortunate. However, as an athlete and quite frankly as a human being, we have to know our limitations. It sounds like he was pushing himself, obviously, beyond his capabilities. And why? It was like the first day of spring training. What's the point? I just hope he didn't have a family of his own (like a wife and/or kids)...that would make this story all the more tragic.

Well, I don't mean to rain on everyone's parade, because I love Frank just as much as the next person, but let's not forget how 2002 started. Frank came to camp supposedly happy and ready to be a team guy, and that didn't last long. So while it's a great sign that he's at camp early, let's not get carried away -- "good Frank" was a guy who hit .325 with 35 and 120, and hopefully that's what we'll see in '03.

I'd have to say that they are pretty darned even in terms of ability. It's probably going to come down to who is #1 and who is #2. Since the #1 guy will usually face the opposing team's #1, he have more 3-2 or 2-1 losses. Either Buehrle or Colon will be one of the elite #2's in baseball, so I like our chances vs. pretty much anybody. With the offense we're likely to have, both should win 20, barring injuries.

Well, I definitely like Kelly, and as long as he's healthy, I want him as the Sox's "crafty lefty" out of the pen. We've got the flame-thrower with Marte from the left side, and having Wunsch will be a stark contrast, and will keep the opposition on their toes if both are warming up. Having another hard thrower wouldn't necessarily be the best thing for the Sox.

3 time MVP -- the voters gave Giambi a present in 2000... In any case, if Frank can get his groove back, Jose will get more fastballs to hit, which will make his numbers skyrocket. Then, D'Angelo will see more fastballs, which will make his OBP skyrocket. Then, Mags, Paulie, Carlos, and of course Frank himself will have opportunities up the ying-yang to drive in runs. For those reasons, I think he'll be the key to our offense. However, for the team as a whole, I think Jon is going to have to break out of his mediocrity shell and finally live up to his potential. He had a pretty decent season last year, but as we saw in the game at Fenway, he's capable of much more. Plus, Bartolo and Mark aren't going to be able to do it all by themselves.

While his name is being discussed, I guess now would be a good time to bring up the issue of his new contract. I'm sure you guys have gone over this already, but since I'm new, I missed out. The contract is a 1-year contract worth $5M, with the next 3 or 4 seasons engulfed in options -- that much is pretty straight-forward. But, when the season ends, there is the whole "mutual option" issue. Now, let's say Frank has a year comparable to 2000. His value, presumably, would be more than whatever the Sox would be offering for 2004 (I think it was something like $6 or $7M). He, then, could opt to buy out his contract and become an unrestricted free agent. However, if he has a season like 2002, the Sox could decline the option and Frank would become an UFA, believing he's not worth the $6-$7M for 2004 -- right? So, being a huge fan of Frank, am I supposed to hope he has an average year (something like .300, 30, 115 -- for him, that's probably below average, sickly enough) with the hopes that he will stay in a Sox uniform? I wish the Sox would just sign him to a standard, uncomplicated contract. Anyway, if anyone can simplify it for me, I'd appreciate it.

At this time, there are so many things that are unknown that it's really impossible to have a sure idea as to what this team will do. It's unclear who the 3-5 starters will be (if Rogers takes the Sox' offer, that will really complicate things), and we've got some youngsters who will be playing a full year in the majors for the first time (Aaron, Miguel, Joe C). Also a question mark is the health of Bartolo -- will he come to camp in shape, or will he look like David Wells? There's no doubt in my mind that this team is going to put some crooked numbers up on the scoreboard. With Jose, Frank, Mags, Paul, and Carlos in the 2-6 spots, we've got 5 guys with 25+ HR power (all 5 did it last year), and 4 of the 5 capable of hitting .300 w/ 100 RBI. If Joe, Miguel, Aaron, and D'Angelo can just put up decent numbers, that will be gravy. If our young pitchers can continue to improve, I see the Sox at least advancing to the ALCS -- and if a few people step up, perhaps even further.