02:33 PM EST on Monday, January 9, 2006

Frank the moderator: Hey all. Drop a note for Steve Krasner here. He'll be online around noon today. See you then.

Frank the moderator: From an email from Tim
I was wondering why no one has been able to recognize that we already have the pieces we need to fill our SS and CF holes.
SS-Pedroia/Cora/Machado
CF-Murphy/Machado/Stern
What's the sense in developing a farm system if you're never going to give them a chance? These guys couldn't be much worse than the names that have been kicked around by the media lately. Of course, this is all predicated on keeping Manny.
Steve Krasner : It's not as if the Red Sox don't have players to fill those holes. It's just that they don't have any proven standout players to fill those holes. Could these players get the job done defensively? Most likely? Would they hit? Would they be able to drive in runs and hit with any kind of pop? Not at all likely. Not now. Cora is a bona fide big leaguer and he would play a decent shortstop, but he's by no means an on-base machine and has little pop. The others are totally unproven. I agree that at some point you have to give your prospects a chance to play in the majors. Maybe they could be stars and are just in need of a chance. But I think the Red Sox would be more comfortable having Pedroia, Stern, Machado and Murphy at least be dominant forces in Triple A before calling them up to star in the cauldron that is Red Sox baseball in Boston. They may be a half-season away, they may be a full season away. But at this point, just plugging them into the lineup and having them endure on-the-job training might result in a mediocre record -- and are you, and the rest of the fans, okay with that??

wrosenberg: Do you think the sox might play Ortiz more at first this year ?
Art Martone: Oh, I hope not.
Steve Krasner: Not likely. Ortiz is on the payroll to hit, and he is very good at that specialty. Now that the Red Sox have signed veteran J.T. Snow, the position is in good (defensive) hands for the time being, and it's likely that Kevin Youkilis will be given the chance to at least platoon with Snow at first. Ortiz might play first base in the interleague games on the road, but I would think that would be it for his appearances in the field.

ddupre: Any other SS rumored to be available by trade?
Steve Krasner: Maybe the Red Sox could lure Ozzie Smith out of retirement. Or maybe they could counter the Yanks' bold Johnny Damon signing by luring Phil Rizzutto out of retirement. Otherwise, I'm not sure there are a lot of terrific options for the Sox on the trading market for shortstops. Of course, the rumors continue to circulate that Boston will try to satisfy Tampa Bay's demands for Julio Lugo, a nice player who could fill two holes -- as shortstop and as a leadoff hitter. But the Devil Rays are driving a hard bargain, so the Sox may have to overpay if they fell Lugo is their best option. There's always the free agent market, and former Marlin Alex Gonzalez has been mentioned.

wrosenberg: Might we see Kaplar back with the sox next season ?
Steve Krasner: The Achilles tendon injury suffered by Gabe Kapler was severe enough that it cast doubt as to whether he would be able to play in 2006. Knowing Kapler a bit, he will work as hard as possible to come back, so it's not outside the realm of possibility that he could be back before the year is over. But he is not somebody the Red Sox can count on in putting together their 2006 roster.

Frank the moderator: So are the Blue Jays going to be greatly improved this year? Are they legitimate contenders for the AL East crown?
Steve Krasner: The Blue Jays most definitely have an improved team -- on paper. They have added a closer (BJ Ryan), a starter (AJ Burnett), a first baseman (Lyle Overbay) and a third baseman (Troy Glaus). They'll still be youthful up the middle on the infield, but adding a quality starter to go along with Matt Halladay (recovered from broken leg) and Gustavo Chacin, among others, plus having a flame-thrower for the ninth makes them much stronger. Will they be able to topple the Yankees and Red Sox at the top of the AL East standings? I'm not sure at this point if they can overtake the Yanks, who appear stronger, especially after signing Damon, but if I were pressed to make a pick right now, I'd pick the Jays to finish second, ahead of the Red Sox. Looking good on paper isn't nearly as important as getting it done on the field, but Toronto should be greatly improved.

Frank the moderator: What is the latest on Keith Foulke? Will he be back in good form?
Steve Krasner: No one knows if he will be back in good form, not even Keith Foulke, I would suspect. The reports are that he's feeling better, but how that translates to his work on the mound won't be known until he starts pitching in games this spring. And even that won't be the best indicator. If his knees can take the pounding, and he stays off the DL, then it might not be until some point in May when the Sox and Foulke will have a reading on what the veteran closer will be able give the team this year. I will offer one scouting report that I think will hold up from today through the rest of his career in Boston -- Foulke will remain sour on playing in the city. Sox fans can only hope that negative attitude won't affect his pitching.

PutJimIn: Is this Rice's year? How did you folks vote? Sean McAdam voted for him, as listed on ESPN.com
Steve Krasner: I don't know if this will be Rice's year. I will tell you that I have consistently voted for Rice's inclusion into the Hall of Fame. He was a dominant player for a decade. His production fell off drastically very quickly, so he didn't pad his numbers with longevity. The fact there's a weak crop of first-timers can't hurt Rice's bid.

Frank the moderator: With Theo Epstein still in the news in Boston, will the REd Sox management ever to able to move on? Do they want to? and are they going to get Theo Epstein back into the organization.
Steve Krasner: I think they should either turn out the light in his office or bring him back -- now -- one or the other because the issue still hangs over the Sox. I feel for Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherrington, laboring under the looming shadow of Theo Epstein. It makes you wonder what other teams, agents and players are thinking in their dealings with the Sox. Does any of this have anything to do with the Sox losing Damon, or not signing Millwood or not finalizing a deal for Glaus or not being able to find takers for Manny and Wells? I don't know. But it has to make you wonder. Maybe the Sox won't be able to move on until they either bring Theo back or he takes a job with another organization.

Frank the moderator: What about the this World Baseball Classic? Will Cuba be included? Seems a little thin if the Cuban team is not part of this?
Steve Krasner: It's definitely thin without Cuba. It's hard to see the US changing its stance and allowing Cuba to compete, though, which is unfortunate from a baseball point of view. What I find interesting is the potential the World Baseball Classic has for determining the Major League balance of power because of the potential for injuries. If I were an MLB owner, that's what I would be concerned about, playing such competitive emotional games early in the spring when players aren't normally ready to go nine innings. As a baseball fan, though, I love the concept!

Frank the moderator: Thanks, Kras. Great stuff. We'll talk with you soon!
Steve Krasner: Sounds good. Keep warm by the hot stove!