Crawford/AGonzo to Sox...Uh Oh

[wake.up.the.echoes]

Yanks will hopefully have enough left-handed arms to shut down the Red Sox. The Rays have lost / will lose a bunch of players, so they might fall out of contention. The Yankees should be okay, with or without Cliff Lee. I would prefer WITH him.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Did the Red Sox or Yankees pick up a closer yet ?

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHarmonica

Did the Red Sox or Yankees pick up a closer yet ?

The Yankees have a pretty good closer under contract. His name is Mariano something or other.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Originally Posted by Jim VB

The Yankees have a pretty good closer under contract. His name is Mariano something or other.

He had his time but the fork has been in him for awhile.

[Robextend]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHarmonica

He had his time but the fork has been in him for awhile.

Going to have to disagree with you Johnny...Mariano is still the best in the business:

1.80 ERA
0.83 WHIP (Best in his career)
33 Saves

The fork is definitely not in this guy yet.

[ChiefBenderForever]

He is good but I just feel like they are the Celtics of baseball, last year both needed to get it done because age has finally caught up.

[Robextend]

It's possible you are right, and Boston's recent moves are going to make things even that much tougher for them. Me being the optimistic Yankee fan is counting on Jeter playing with a chip on his shoulder and Mariano being his old reliable self.

I also think Granderson is gonna hit 30HR, and if A-Rod stays healthy all year Tex/A-Rod/Cano are the best 3-4-5 in baseball. Should be a fun season in the AL East!

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHarmonica

He had his time but the fork has been in him for awhile.

LOL! That's why the Red Sox made him an offer last week. They were ready to jettison Papplebon.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Papplebon cost the Red Sox any shot at the playoffs so anything is better than him. Mariano was the best but he is not the same as he was. I like both teams but they are both on the decline and only looking worse.

[Robextend]

Every year Mariano gets older I used to say this might be it, but he keeps having years with an ERA under 2, and a WHIP under 1. His "decline" still leaves him as the best closer in baseball, or at least still one of the best.

Papelbon - 3.90 ERA, 1.26 WHIP...now that is a little troubling...maybe just an off-year.

[steve B]

You know Varitek has probably re-signed? Still pending a physical, but it seems like a done deal.

He is getting older, and has been a bit fragile and off production at the plate the last few years. But the thing I seldom see mentioned with any catcher is the handling of pitchers and pitch selection. In that category I'd have to think of Varitek as one of the best. A record 4 No hitters as a catcher, none by an established great pitcher. Another "no hitter" in a rain shortened game that would have counted before 1991.

He also had a near no hitter, Schillings one hitter 6/7/07 lost with 2 outs in the 9th.

A good guy for saltamacchia to learn from.