If the Red Sox are selling, I'm buying.
The team thus far is shaping up pretty well.
The rotation could be its best asset. And, I'm not alone in that belief. The official site says the five have the potential for greatness.
I've seen most of the starters thus far, though I have yet to see Wakefield (he pitched three shutout innings last night however).
But I have seen glimpses of Jon Papelbon, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Curt Schilling.
The five of them could be near close to 90 wins this season. Okay maybe 80. That's only 16 wins each. Even in Beckett's off-year he earned 16.
Beckett needs to get his curveball back - blisters or not. Without it, he is just as good as done.
Schilling has got to lose some pounds, unless he wants to miss portions of the season on the DL, that could ruin any chance to an offseason payday.
Matsuzaka, near as I can tell, needs not do anything but stay the course.
Papelbon needs to be on a short leash for a while. If he is to stay in the rotation, Boston had better treat him with kid gloves.
As I said I have not seen Wakefield, but do I really have to? There's little surprise there. He's 41 and though his arm may not take a beating throwing the knuckler, the back could be a concern. And he's trying to perfect his curve.

This could be fun, but it is not the only thing necessary for wins.
The thing that most concerns me is the lack of closer and besides Brendan Donnelly no one appears to be ready to take that role. And he got rocked last evening.
In a conversation with a co-worker, he speculated that there may not be room for Delcarmen. This would truly be a shame, but he may be ight.
The Sox are sure to at least start the season with 12 pitchers. Obviously the starting five are already in. Doing quick math, that leaves seven spots. Let's list 'em: Donnelly, Romero, Timlin, Tavarez, Piniero, Okijima and ????.
That leaves one more opening. Now I realize that some guys are going to be making a push to make the club. But how can the Sox pass on Delcarmen?
Who else is going to challenge?
Well right now the frontrunner is Kyle Snyder. He's having an impressive spring an apparently he is out of options. He either makes the 25-man roster or he is free to sign elsewhere.
I'd say farewell, but he has shown to be a different pitcher thus far. My fear, this is only spring and once the season starts and the Sox commit, how will he do then?
So who else is challenging?
Javier Lopez - He closed out yesterday's session, but honestly I haven't seen him.
Jon Lester - He'll start the season in Pawtucket. He needs to build up his strength. Though Schilling says he's a special pitcher.
Abe Alvarez - He needs more work. Appears a bit gun shy to me.
Runelvys Hernandez - Give me a break. This guy is looking rather large and I never could understand why the Sox would actually give him a go. Remember, the Royals gave up on him and with good reason.
I still want to see Delcarmen make the team. All he needs is a little confidence. If this is the Sox only problem, 2007 is sure to be a good year.

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