[rmjvol]

The past couple years have been pretty good for BoSox fans. Who thinks that 2006 continues that trend and sees the BoSox back in the series again?

[wvuauthor]

I totally agree that the BoSox may be able to make another run at the World Series Title. Even without Damon I feel that the sox may be improved over last years team.

With the additions of Beckett, Crisp, and Gonzalez the BoSox have sured up some positions that needed help. I can only hope that the Sox can hold off the Yankees in 2006!!

Does anyone think the Yankees improved enough over the off season to regain complete dominance in the AL East?

[Lefty Noob]

... signing the Rocket would definitely put them over the top, at least in the AL East. A staff with Beckett, Clemens, Schilling, Clement, and either Wells or Wakefield would be awful tough for any lineup to contend with.

As for the Yanks, I'm not sold. Damon's a good acquisition, but I'm just not sold on their pitching staff. Johnson and Mussina are getting a little long in the tooth, and Chacon-Wang-Pavano doesn't seem like a 3-4-5 combo that'll hold up for the entire season. Just a hunch.

[EmpireWF]

Boston was in the mindset to cool off for 2006 and make another run in 2007. I just don't like all the moves they've made. Their pitching is a little suspect. Their overall defense, may have improved a bit but we'll have to see their.

One thing you can count on, Manny + Ortiz to blast the bejesus outta the ball. I am looking forward to the Mets taking a trip to Fenway this year, that'll be sweet!

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

As a Sox fan, I'm worried about how much the Yankees' offense has improved with the addition of Damon. But as one of the posts above mentioned, their pitching is still very much in question. They've got all the same issues with their rotation as they did last year, except now those guys are all one year older.

As for the Sox, their offense will take a hit in the first half of the season. But look at JD's numbers over the last couple of years, and he always declines rapidly after the All Star break. I'm a bit worried about the Sox having to face him so many times during the season, though. Hopefully the Sox new rotation will be enough to overcome any lost offense.

As for the other Sox offseason moves, I'm thrilled that Renteria is gone. That was a failed experiment, to say the least.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

Peter Gammons' latest ESPN article predicts Coco Crisp will have a breakout year.

"He has gone to the right place -- big crowds, pressure," says one NL GM. "He will love the attention, and as one of the best fastball hitters in the game, he will prosper in front of Manny and Ortiz." Here's his career track over the last three years: 15-24-42 doubles, 3-15-16 homers, .655-.730-.810 OPS.

I'm also pretty excited about the upgrade at 2nd from Bellhorn to Loretta. Bellhorn had a fantastic 2004, but he was beyond atrocious last season.

[Lefty Noob]

Potentially very dangerous. If Crisp and Loretta do a good enough job of setting the table, and I think they will, the 3-4-5 hitters can almost certainly bring them in. Not sure there's any middle of the order I'd rather have than Ortiz, Ramirez, Varitek, to be honest with you. And think of how deadly this could be if Mike Lowell can rebound!

[mcclain06]

The Soxs should be a good team this year it will be like there worl series team. They will be getting some new young players mixed in with the veterans to make them better. So the Yankees better watch their backs!

[Lefty Noob]

Welcome to the GoTeamsGo forums, mcclain06. I'm guessing you're a BoSox fan, and judging from your post, you must be pretty excited about their chances this year. Which of their new young players to you expect to have the biggest impact in 2006?

[rmjvol]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo, mcclain06. Glad to see another Red Sox fan here

[mcclainbabygirl]

I've always loved the Soxs since I was a little kid. So I'm gald to see some other fans. GO SOXS!!!!

[anthony]

The soxs will have great 2006 season they will be better than ever. I just hope they can keep their pitching. Maybe Manny will stay too. GO SOXS!!! Good luck beat those YANKS!

[ThePundit]

Anthony (Welcome again) & McClain: Sorry you two: Here comes a Yankee fan to rain on your parade. But the both of us had better be careful and not take Toronto for granted.

They have made some serious off season acquisitions. They may just sneak up on the Yanks or Sox and send them home to watch the playoffs on TV.

P.S. Thanks for Damon.

[MVB]

Yeah, Harold Renolds (of Baseball Tonight) predicted that the Blue Jays might beat both the Yanks and the Sox.

[Vladman]

Lefty hit it right on the "noob". Yanks pitching is suspect. That being said ... they could probably through South Africa's starting pitchers on the mound, including that 17 year old kid who pitched a couple scoreless innings against the A's spring squad, and they would still win games with their bats. I wish they couldn't, but Jeter, A-Rod, Sheff, Damon ... forget it, we're looking at a lot of softball scores this year when the AL East in on the field.

As for the Sox... they may run into problems when Papi breaks Bonds record for walks in a season with 500 walks.... all intentional.