What I've noticed so far...

Below is some observations I have conquered over the first 12 games this season about the Sox.

• Our pitching is not as scary bad at 4 and 5 that other people(myself included) had thought. Colon is learning how to use his off-speed pitches because he doesn't have his 95+ fastball anymore. Contreras has been decent, but will be better once he gets his control back


• Carlos Quentin is a monster


• Brian Anderson is figuring out how to hit major league pitching and judging it. He has 6 walks through his first 40 at-bats. Last year he had 10 walks through 181 at-bats. If he can keep his OBP over .320 and his average over .240, hit 15-20 HR with 60+ RBI's we should be in good shape.


• Brent Lillibridge looks 12 and sucks at everything but running


• Alexei Ramirez looks lost at the plate. He looked lost at the beginning of last year. Some blame it on the cold weather but that is a bullshit excuse because he would have been hitting at the Trop over the weekend. We just need to be patient and relax


• Paulie looks real good at the plate. His thumb injury has seemed to pass and has his timing back.


• Mike MacDougal needs to go away

Final Word: If the pitching holds up, they should easily win the division.

Contreras to Start Season in the Rotation

Way back, last August, Jose Contreras had an Achilles Tendon injury that was supposed to keep him out until midway through next season. Now after dropping 42 lbs. in the off season, Contreras could join the Sox rotation on Opening Day. This according to Kenny and Ozzie speaking from their new Spring Training home in Glendale, Az. Some teammates of Contreras are even saying that he is throwing the ball better now than he was last season. This year Contreras has reverted back to the windup he used in 2005-2007 where his arms came over his head. Having Contreras in the rotation would be a huge boost for the Sox who are relying on a unproven, young 5th starter. If it were me making this decision, I would either wait until he is finally recovered and is 100% or refuse to pitch him on his normal rotation day and give him an extra day or two of rest.

Here is my Sox rotation with Jose in it:

1. MB

2. JD

3. GF

4.BC

5.JC

Colon Deal Gives Sox Depth

Bortolo Colon pitched a total of 194.2 innings over the last three years. Before this signing, the Sox were going into Spring Training with Aaron Poreda, Jeff Marquez, Clayton Richard, and Lance Broadway all battling for the final 2 spots in the rotation. Although only pitching next to nothing the last couple years, I feel more confident with Colon Heading into Spring Training than I do with the set of young pitching vying for the last 2 spots in the rotation. Colon, last year, made a total of 7 starts with an ERA of 3.92. What was suprising is the velocity on his fastball reached 95 MPH which shows that he still has the arm, if he can keep it healthy. This is a good signing for the Sox, as it was only a minor league deal and gves the club depth. Colon should report to Spring Training healthy.