Okay, so it sounds like we're not that far apart on the pitching:
CC is a wash, at best, over what Mussina gave in 2008. Maybe he throws thirty more innings.
Pettitte is the same, at best.
And Joba is slotted to throw 140-160 innings. But I can't see how at that workload we can still expect him to be as good as he's been.
So that leaves:
Burnett at 25 starts of 4.02 ERA is a HUGE upgrade.
And Wang at 2X.
That alone is maybe a 3 to 5 win improvement.
To expect 100 wins you have to assume all the things you do (alot of Swisher, marginal improvement from CF, and comebacks from all of Cano, Jorge, and Matsui but with no regression from Jeter and Damon.
Sorry, but I don't see all of those things break their way especially since they're already losing a month, if not more, from their best hitter. If anything, I see a team more likely to be the 2008 Jays (all pitching, little hitting) than the 2008 Rays (very good hitting and pitching).
And wow, Jeremy Remy defends A-Rod! Pointing out that there were 104 names on the list, but Alex's name is the only one which gets leaked. I actually do like Remy, sure he's pro Red Sox, but he is fair.
[1] Of course, they lost just about a month of their best hitter last season too. Teix is a big upfrade, and Posada can't be any less valuable than last year.
Jerry Remy really is good, it's true. I wonder how much it would take to pry him loose :-o
[1] I've heard this a lot, but Mussina wasn't really *that* good last year. He got the big sack of wins, but his ERA wasn't close to Sabathia's (nor was his WHIP).
I love how Wang-er gets credit for 1 earned runs and two homers. He'll be all right though, right? RIGHT?
Okay, so it sounds like we're not that far apart on the pitching:
CC is a wash, at best, over what Mussina gave in 2008. Maybe he throws thirty more innings.
Pettitte is the same, at best.
And Joba is slotted to throw 140-160 innings. But I can't see how at that workload we can still expect him to be as good as he's been.
So that leaves:
Burnett at 25 starts of 4.02 ERA is a HUGE upgrade.
And Wang at 2X.
That alone is maybe a 3 to 5 win improvement.
To expect 100 wins you have to assume all the things you do (alot of Swisher, marginal improvement from CF, and comebacks from all of Cano, Jorge, and Matsui but with no regression from Jeter and Damon.
Sorry, but I don't see all of those things break their way especially since they're already losing a month, if not more, from their best hitter. If anything, I see a team more likely to be the 2008 Jays (all pitching, little hitting) than the 2008 Rays (very good hitting and pitching).
Huh. Red Sox announcers for the game on MLBN.
And wow, Jeremy Remy defends A-Rod! Pointing out that there were 104 names on the list, but Alex's name is the only one which gets leaked. I actually do like Remy, sure he's pro Red Sox, but he is fair.
[1] Of course, they lost just about a month of their best hitter last season too. Teix is a big upfrade, and Posada can't be any less valuable than last year.
Meanwhile, it's the Miranda defensive highlight show at 1B--not.
Bring back Karim Garcia. ;-)
The best player in Korea hit pretty well for Mexico. He went 4-4 with 2 homers and 4 RBI the other day, and hit another home run yesterday.
[5] Who?! ; )
I miss out on all the good stuff a-gain [5],[6] >;)
Jerry Remy really is good, it's true. I wonder how much it would take to pry him loose :-o
[1] I've heard this a lot, but Mussina wasn't really *that* good last year. He got the big sack of wins, but his ERA wasn't close to Sabathia's (nor was his WHIP).
I love how Wang-er gets credit for 1 earned runs and two homers. He'll be all right though, right? RIGHT?