I tend to agree with the idea that the Red Sox are in good shape - my concern as a Red Sox fan going forward, is that I think the Yankees might actually be in better shape. Their baseball ops group has shown nothing but competence if the split between the Cashman moves and the Steinbrenner moves is to be believed, and they do ultimately, have more money (with that advantage only to increase in '09).

I tend to agree with the idea that the Red Sox are in good shape - my concern as a Red Sox fan going forward, is that I think the Yankees might actually be in better shape.

Oh, wah.

Don't mind the rest of us, we'll just be over here eating cake.

(with that advantage only to increase in '09).

We will hear this quite a bit from Mr. Lucchino in the next 18 months and beyond.

Is it so bright...that they have to wear shades?

Don't mind the rest of us, we'll just be over here eating cake.

Thank you! I was really worried this thread would degenerate into fans of others teams complaining.

Everybody's going gaga over Red Sox just because this is the year those damn Yankees didn't win the division.
But I'm not sure that the Red Sox can replicate this success - I mean they only have so many souls to trade to the devil.

But I'm not sure that the Red Sox can replicate this success - I mean they only have so many souls to trade to the devil.

In the quiet words of the Virgin Mary... come again?

Boston will undoubtedly pass on its option to bring back Julian Tavarez for $3.85M.

Surprise!

In the quiet words of the Virgin Mary... come again?

Well I can't very well make ARod play for us if he doesn't want to. Can I?

Their baseball ops group has shown nothing but competence if the split between the Cashman moves and the Steinbrenner moves is to be believed, and they do ultimately, have more money (with that advantage only to increase in '09).

However, there's absolutely zero objective reason to believe that split is a real one. We'll see, I suppose.

Their baseball ops group has shown nothing but competence if the split between the Cashman moves and the Steinbrenner moves is to be believed, and they do ultimately, have more money (with that advantage only to increase in '09).

But for the presence of a younger, just-as-interfering Steinbrenner, I might agree.

Curse lives!

Aren't there TWO younger, interfering Steinbrenners now? I have to admit, I always thought he just had one son with name beginning with 'H', but sometime in the past few months they seem to have cloned him.

Aren't there TWO younger, interfering Steinbrenners now?

Jennifer and Jessica ought to get in on the act too.

You know, just a year ago there were people talking about how the Red Sox were so messed up that they'd need a couple years to rebuild. Now they're going to dominate for years to come. I think people tend to overreact to the latest year of action. The Red Sox are in good shape but not much better than they've been over the past 5 years or so.

Darren, I agree with you in general that people overreact but there are some legitimate reasons people have yoyo-ed on the Sox. One important difference is that Beckett really made a lasting statement this year. Also, maybe you've known about them, but one year ago the baseball public knew nothing about Pedroia, Ellsbury or Buchholz (Lester is another wrinkle). The fact that all four have done something special this year has been well documented by the press. So while you saw the Sox as in fine shape at the end of last year, many prognosticators did not.

One important difference is that Beckett really made a lasting statement this year.

Beckett had a great year and changed what he projects to be, no doubt. But was his statement in 07 strong than his statement in 06?

Also, maybe you've known about them, but one year ago the baseball public knew nothing about Pedroia, Ellsbury or Buchholz (Lester is another wrinkle).

I agree that public perception of the Sox future has gotten a big boost. But for guys like Rich and readers of this site, I don't think that applies as much.

So while you saw the Sox as in fine shape at the end of last year, many prognosticators did not.

Stop, you're making me blush. But overall, maybe I understated things a bit. Their future is probably a bit brighter than expected for some of the reasons that you mention as well as others. I just don't agree with the dynasty in waiting talk. They're well-positioned to battle the Yanks and come out on top but that's about it.