FWIW, Kensing was shut down with elbow problems in August, and it's not clear how healthy he's going to be in '06.

He pitched without incident in the Arizona Fall League - they were using him out of the pen there and it looks like that's where his future is.

Josh Johnson is a 22-YO righty who spent most of the season with Carolina. Excellent stuff, inconsistent command. I don't think he has a lot of upside, though.

I'd disagree with that. Six-foot seven righthanders throwing 92-94 mph sinkers usually have a decent future. Many in the organization reportedly prefer him over Olsen.

How about Jason Stokes to replace the traded Delgado?

Stokes missed almost the entire season with some thumb problem. Don't know if he's healthy now or if that's still lingering.

Stokes = Dave Kingman.

I think the Marlins would take that, at least while he's doing it for 316K

</blockquote>Lowell had 500 ABs and only 58 RBIs. For a "power man," or even an "average man," that blows. His worst enemy is the new drug policy. David Eckstein knocked in 61, Mark Grudzielanek had 59 RBIs. Christ, even Julio Lugo had 57 RBIs. Lowell is a liability.<blockquote>

You don't strike me as the overly intelligent type. Sure he sucked last year, but of all stats to use to say that you pick RBI's? Are you related to Joe Morgan by any chance?

Six-foot seven righthanders throwing 92-94 mph sinkers usually have a decent future. Many in the organization reportedly prefer him over Olsen.


Johnson's big advantage over Olsen is that his mechanics, compared to Olsen's, make him a better bet to stay healthy. But his problem has been that the 92-94 MPH sinker doesn't show up all the time, and when it doesn't he doesn't have enough quality in his other pitches to get by. We used to have the conversation about which Josh Johnson was going to show up before every game he pitched, and usually within the first two innings we could tell.

-- MWE

Red Sox fans. The ballyhood of anger. A "nation" of hatred, and envy, of a bigger apple. Sadly, their sole offense and defense has always been primitive and unsophisticated insults, such as "Yankees Suck." More energy should focus on their collective love, instead of their communal hate. Their negative band is in desperate need of a creative press agent.

Catfish you are a complete and utter loser. Stop posting your stupid crap in two different threads.

mota goes to boston as well...

Red Sox, Marlins complete Beckett deal
By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer
November 24, 2005

BOSTON (AP) -- The Marlins and Red Sox completed their trade that sends ace Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell to Boston, but not before reliever Guillermo Mota was added to a deal that netted Florida four prospects Thursday night.

The trade was reported and confirmed by baseball officials earlier in the week, but it wasn't finalized until the players passed their physicals. The announcement Thursday included two new names: Mota is headed to Boston and minor league right-hander Harvey Garcia to the Marlins.

Florida also gets top shortstop prospect Hanley Ramirez along with pitchers Anibal Sanchez and Jesus Delgado.

What is Mota's ZiPs in Fenway for '06?

49 hits in 43 innings means he got hit hard?

Garcia looks like a guy he has a 50/50 chance of making the majors. He struck out a lot but got hit hard too- 49 hits in 43 innings.

The greenville defense was dreadful, but what on earth makes you think an A-ball reliever has a 50% chance of making the major leagues? His chances at making the major leagues have nothing to do with 6 stray hits in A-ball.

Garcia gave up only 3 homers in 44 2/3 IP, striking out over 9 per 9ip, and with k/bb ratio of 3 (54/18). Those 49 hits mean very little. He probably throws pretty hard, and if he can keep up the K and K/BB rates where they are as he's climbing up the ladder, he'll have a good shot at cracking the Marlins roster one day. If he can stay healthy.

50/50? I'll take some of that action.

kevin, you realize that, according to the odds you gave, you think much more highly of Garcia than anyone else here, right?

There's also not enough information in a pitcher's H/BIP in 40 IP to draw a meaningful conclusion about a player, no matter the level.

No, I don't.

You said he had a 50/50 chance of making the big leagues. That's reason enough to disregard everything else you have to say on the matter. Here's what you said:

Garcia looks like a guy he has a 50/50 chance of making the majors. He struck out a lot but got hit hard too- 49 hits in 43 innings.

By your list above, he was about average in H/IP on his team in a microscopic 43 IP sample. Even if he were the worst on his team in a 43 IP sample, though, your argument is ridiculous on its face. There are a dozen reasons that Garcia is not a very good prospect and his H/IP at Low-A this year isn't one of them.

I know it's been asked above, but what is Mota's ZiPS projection for the Red Sox in 2006?