Greg Maddux
Tim Hudson
Paul Abbott
Kevin Jarvis
Rocky Biddle
Bullpen
Bob Wickman CL
Eddie Guardado
Mike Magnante
Mike Trombley
Carlos Almanzar
Lineup
1: Soriano 2b
2: White cf
3: Guerrero rf
4: Helton 1b
5: Sheffield lf
6: Sierra dh
7: Hillenbrand 3b
8: Hundley c
9: Gonzalez ss
Bench
Johnny Estrada
Terry Jones
Terry Shumpert
Glen Barker
Andy Barkett
Endy Chavez
Chad Curtis
Paul Abbott
Armando Almanza
Bobby Bonilla
Pat Borders
Frank Charles
Giuseppe Chiaramonte
Alex Gonzalez
Todd Hundley
V. Guerrero
Giles
Aurilia
P. Konerko
K. Lofton
R. Durham
E. Guardado
A. Gonzalez
K. Millwood
R. Gutierrez
R. Sierra
P. Abbott
T. Jones
J. Crede
S. Hillenbrand
T. Shumpert
E. Gagne
K. Jarvis
S. Stewart
M. Trombley
J. Bemmel
R. Biddle
T. Redding
J. Pena
M. Jackson
M. Magnante
Team Anlaysis
*NOTE - This analysis is strictly the opinion of the Red Sox GM, and was done as objectively as possible and stricly for the fun of it
A team which may be suffering from neglect. The GM is a very quiet type and from looking at the lineup and rotation maintenance, some TLC or even an Iron Fist would be helpful.
Rotation
Two legit aces in Hudson and Maddux, though Hudson has not pitched well and Maddux has had injury problems. The 3-5 starters are weak, and there is no starting pitching depth. If someone is injured, there isn�t a nother real starter to step in.
Bullpen
Closer is a strong/weak point with both Guardado and Wickman in the role. Wickman has somehow acquired 17 saves in spite of a 5.20 ERA, though one horrendous outing can ruin an otherwise excelletn closer�s ERA.
Lineup
Scary. This lineup can score a lot of runs and that�s with Soriano and Hillenbrand producing at least years numbers. So far they have 11 hr�s and a .253 avg combined in the IBC. Guerrero, Helton, Sheffield is a dangerous 3-4-5
Bench
Unimpressive. The bench contributes very little defensively or offensively
Fielding
Sierra, Sheffield and Soriano are all defensive weakspots. Guerrero is as good a defender as you will find and also posesses the best arm in the OF. Helton is also an exceptional defender.
Minors
By the state of the minors forthis team, I would say they have to �win now�, but they may not even have a deep enough bench or bullpen to be able to support the starters.
Overall Grade
B A good team, but it�s a shell with no support structure.
Over/Under
Under- Alfonzo Soriano and Shea Hillenbrand. These two mirrored each other to start last year, both hot young rookies who couldn�t draw a walk. Soriano pulled away as Hillenbrand slumped. This year they�ve both improved tremendously and while soriano may have an edge, it�s not much of one.
Over- None, if anything, most of the players have underperformed thus far this season.
Prescription
Move wickman or Guardado for some bullpen or rotation depth. Sign some young player prospects and try to prepare for the unexpected. One or two key injuries and this team could be face down in the divison with no sign of daylight.