Jay Payton LF
Trot Nixon RF
Jim Edmonds CF
Phil Nevin 3B
Ryan Klesko 1B
Ramon Hernandez C
Ramon Vasquez SS
Bench
Eli Marrero
Ron Gant
Donaldo Mendez
Rotation
Aaron Sele
Denny Neagle
Brian Lawrence
Brett Tomko
Chris Reistma
Bullpen
Tom Davey
Jeremy Fikac
Jake Peavy
Dennis Tankersly
Jose Nunez
Closer Jay Powell
Brian Tollberg ( DL)
Adam Eaton (injured)
Kevin Walker (injured)
Julius Matos
Kevin Eberwein
Ben Howard
Jake Gatreau
Oliver Perez
Jason Middlebrook
Xavier Nady
Mike Phillips
Eric Cyr
Tagg Bozied
will get later.
Team Anlaysis
GM Steve Valdez
*NOTE - This analysis is strictly the opinion of the Red Sox GM, and was done as objectively as possible and strictly for the fun of it
Lineup - A solid 2-3-4-5 in Nixon, Edmonds, Nevin and Klesko. Klesko isn't spectacular, but he's pretty consistent. Nixon is still learning to hit lefties (how long have Red Sox fans been saying that?). Nevin and Edmonds are both excellent hitters. Hernandez provides a fair amount of popfrom behind the plate while Vasquez is present more for his glove than his bat.
Bench - Very shallow bench with only three batters coming off. None of them has a very big bat either.
Defense - This defense has no real holes but also has no Gold Glove level stars or even anyone close really. Rather bland.
Rotation - Lawrence has a good young arm, Neagle is doing better away from Coors, leading the team with 8 wins, but not great. Sele's been roughed up quite a bit. Reitsma is new to the team but could be a good young arm given time also.
Bullpen - Walker and Fikac have good arms, as does Jay Powell, but none are doing anything special right now. Tankersly may be the best arm in the bullpen, possibly in the rotation given time, but not quite yet. He is a good young pitcher with a high ceiling, provided he cares to climb that high.
Minors - Here's the strength of the team. A good minor system with some good high prospects already on the 25 man
Overall Grade - C+ A team for next year, or possibly the year after. Has a lot of potential, but how much of it will be realized The team has few relly weak spots, so the addition or developement of one or two stars could turn him quickly into a contender, especially in the wide open NL West.
Over/Under
Over - Neagle, adios Coors, Hello 4.33 ERA
Under - Jose Nunez, getting shelled to a 7.11 ERA. Not pretty. (to his credit, there aren't many players underperforming, it took a little while to find one.)
Prescription - A Solid Ace or #1. There isn't one on this staff. The offene is solid, but the pitching is pretty weak.