• Offense- The only people who thought the Shea Hillenbrand trade was a bad one were either (a) women who think he's cute; (b) gay men for the same reason (not that there's anything wrong with that); (c) those that don't realize the Sox have more than enough hitting even without Shea (check out team batting avg. at break of .294); (d) those that don't know WHY the YankMees have been successful the past several years...  Anyway, the Sox definitely have a potent line-up this year from regular "stars" Nomar and Manny to newcomers Ferris Bueller Mueller, Kevin Millar, David "Mo" Ortiz, and Todd SkyWalker.  Jason Varitek is finally playing up to his full potential, and Trotski Nixon is showing that all those Krispy Kreme doughnuts he ate in the off-season have made him either legitimate trade bait or the next Sox All-Star.
• Starting Pitching- It's ALWAYS about Pedro, at least in his mind, but in reality it's pretty true as well.  As long as he's healthy, he's going to be the best weapon the Sox have.  Derek has dropped off some since last year, but if he keeps the sun screen on and maintains his confidence, he'll be the #2 guy down the stretch.  Wakefield has been Wakefield.  Apparently, that mirror-thing has been working...  Sometimes I feel that even I could get a hit off John Burkett, but his "junk" is working about half of the time.  For a #4 starter, that's fine.  Ramiro Mendoza has come off his "Vin Baker rehab" quite nicely, wouldn't you say ???  If starting is what works for him, then keep him in there unless/until he falters.
• Bullpen- Yes, this has been the downfall up until the last couple of weeks, but lately things have been turning around.  Maybe it's karma ???  Or could it be that a "bullpen by committee" was never a good idea ???  Hell, I've worked on countless committees over the years, and we've never gotten ANYTHING done.  Lots of meetings, free food, no responsibility, no ownership.  Good idea, maybe, but ZERO results...  With Burger King Kim in the closer role, there's some solidity there.  Then you have a Lyon and a Fox setting him up, not to mention some crafty veterans that can succeed if they know their role and get their rest.
• Theo & Grady- These two are a perfect match just like Fred & Barney, Thelma & Louise, Ricky & Lucy...  On one hand, you got the experienced field manager who has seen everything who has the patience of Job.  On the other, you have a twenty something, Billy Beane disciple who believes more what he sees on paper than his own four eyes.  Good mix.  Don't be surprised if even more pitching is added before the trading deadline, but who's bobble head is on the block ???

You can email Jack at jacksox@walpole.org