BOSTON RED SOX

Israel Alcantara (OF, 28, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 A 38 141 47 5 0 10 21 26 21 29 333 427 582 1 0 1998 AA 68 258 76 16 0 18 44 62 24 52 308 359 566 0 2 1999 AA-AAA 101 374 108 29 0 29 61 83 36 107 289 362 599 4 2 2000 AAA 78 299 92 17 1 29 60 76 25 84 308 364 662 2 1 2000 BOS 21 45 13 1 0 4 9 7 3 7 289 333 578 0 0

Israel Alcantara (OF, 28, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998       A  38 141  47  5  0 10  21  26  21  29  333 427 582   1   0
 1998      AA  68 258  76 16  0 18  44  62  24  52  308 359 566   0   2
 1999  AA-AAA 101 374 108 29  0 29  61  83  36 107  289 362 599   4   2
 2000     AAA  78 299  92 17  1 29  60  76  25  84  308 364 662   2   1
 2000     BOS  21  45  13  1  0  4   9   7   3   7  289 333 578   0   0

Alcantara didn't hit when he was younger. In 1997 he finally started to put up some big numbers, and last year he finally made a big league roster. He's a free swinger, and major league pitchers will likely find some flaws in his swing... but he's got power to spare. Given a choice between Alcantara and Dante Bichette, I think I would give Izzy a chance to play.

Manny Alexander (IF, 30, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 CHC 108 264 60 10 1 5 34 25 18 66 227 278 330 4 1 1999 CHC 90 177 48 11 2 0 17 15 10 38 271 309 356 4 0 2000 BOS 101 194 41 4 3 4 30 19 13 41 211 261 325 2 0

Manny Alexander (IF, 30, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     CHC 108 264  60 10  1  5  34  25  18  66  227 278 330   4   1
 1999     CHC  90 177  48 11  2  0  17  15  10  38  271 309 356   4   0
 2000     BOS 101 194  41  4  3  4  30  19  13  41  211 261 325   2   0

Alexander is a good friend of Sammy Sosa's, and he spent much of the summer yabbering about how much Sammy would like to play in Boston, until Sosa apparently called him on the phone and told him to keep his trap shut.
That was the highlight of an otherwise forgettable season. Alexander's entire career has been a series of misadventures, but he's not a bad player; he can play several positions, and can hit better than he did last year. He will likely be on a roster in 2001.

Rolando Arrojo (33, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 TAM 14 12 32 32 2 2 0 202 195 65 152 356 1999 TAM 7 12 24 24 2 0 0 141 162 60 107 518 2000 COL-BOS 10 11 32 32 0 0 0 173 187 68 124 563

Arrojo's career has gone quickly south after his fine rookie season in 1998. To be fair, he didn't pitch too badly last year, considering that he spent half the season with Colorado. I think he might prove to be a good pickup for the Red Sox; he throws strikes, and should be good for 10-12 wins.

Rod Beck (33, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 CHC 3 4 81 0 0 0 51 80 86 20 81 302 1999 CHC-BOS 2 5 43 0 0 0 10 44 50 18 25 593 2000 BOS 3 0 34 0 0 0 0 41 34 12 35 310

Beck began the year on the DL with a "nerve irritation in the root of the neck." That sounds ominous, but he came back and had a good season. He's no longer a good closer, but I would like Beck as my setup man, assuming he stays healthy. As you probably know, he's not in great physical condition.

Dante Bichette (OF, 37, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 COL 161 662 219 48 2 22 97 122 28 76 331 357 509 14 4 1999 COL 151 593 177 38 2 34 104 133 54 84 298 354 541 6 6 2000 CIN-BOS 155 575 169 32 2 23 80 90 49 91 294 350 477 5 2

Dante Bichette (OF, 37, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     COL 161 662 219 48  2 22  97 122  28  76  331 357 509  14   4
 1999     COL 151 593 177 38  2 34 104 133  54  84  298 354 541   6   6
 2000 CIN-BOS 155 575 169 32  2 23  80  90  49  91  294 350 477   5   2

It had been a long time since Bichette had played with any team but Colorado. Forced to play at sea level, he acquitted himself well with a nice little BJ Surhoff-type season. He scored only 80 runs, which isn't many, and at age 37 he will probably score fewer this year.

Morgan Burkhart (OF, 29, S/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 IND 80 280 113 18 1 36 97 98 85 38 404 557 861 13 1 1999 A 68 245 89 18 0 23 56 67 37 33 363 447 718 5 2 1999 AA 66 239 55 14 1 12 40 41 31 43 230 339 448 3 0 2000 AAA 105 353 90 17 1 23 59 77 69 89 255 392 504 0 0 2000 BOS 25 73 21 3 0 4 16 18 17 25 288 442 493 0 0

Morgan Burkhart (OF, 29, S/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     IND  80 280 113 18  1 36  97  98  85  38  404 557 861  13   1
 1999       A  68 245  89 18  0 23  56  67  37  33  363 447 718   5   2
 1999      AA  66 239  55 14  1 12  40  41  31  43  230 339 448   3   0
 2000     AAA 105 353  90 17  1 23  59  77  69  89  255 392 504   0   0
 2000     BOS  25  73  21  3  0  4  16  18  17  25  288 442 493   0   0

Burkhart began his career in the independent Frontier League, where he was a combination of Babe Ruth and King Kong. In 1998, he signed with the Red Sox, and last year worked his way up to the big leagues. His performance last year, both at Pawtucket and Boston, would suggest that he is a pretty good hitter. He has power, can get on base, and he hits from both sides of the plate; he will be a valuable player on the Sox' bench, and I'm not sure that he couldn't play every day. He'd be at least as good as Troy O'Leary.

Frank Castillo (32, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 DET 3 9 27 19 0 0 1 116 150 44 81 683 2000 TOR 10 5 25 24 0 0 0 138 112 56 104 359

Castillo pulled a Lazarus, rising from the dead to have a good season. And his career had been dead a long time, at least four years. He began the year 1-4, at which point the Jays were just itching to replace him with Joey Hamilton, but then he started winning all of his starts until a strained ligament in his elbow ended his season.
Castillo signed with the Red Sox after the season. The Sox know what they're getting: a pitcher with no history of consistent success who has elbow problems. He might pitch well, but more likely he'll be replaced by Tim Wakefield sometime during the summer.

David Cone (38, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 NYY 20 7 31 31 3 0 0 207 186 59 209 355 1999 NYY 12 9 31 31 1 1 0 193 164 90 177 344 2000 NYY 4 14 30 29 0 0 0 155 192 82 120 691

At age 38, Cone had a horrible season. He has signed to play with Boston in 2001; I think he will make a partial comeback, might post a winning record, then retire on a good note.

Paxton Crawford (24, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 AA 6 5 22 20 1 0 0 108 104 39 82 417 1999 AA 7 8 28 28 1 1 0 163 151 59 111 408 2000 AA-AAA 9 7 21 20 1 1 0 114 97 28 101 388 2000 BOS 2 1 7 4 0 0 0 29 25 13 17 341

Paxton Crawford (24, R)

 YEAR    TEAM  WN  LS  GP GS CG SH SV  IP HIT  BB  SO ERA
 1998      AA   6   5  22 20  1  0  0 108 104  39  82 417
 1999      AA   7   8  28 28  1  1  0 163 151  59 111 408
 2000  AA-AAA   9   7  21 20  1  1  0 114  97  28 101 388
 2000     BOS   2   1   7  4  0  0  0  29  25  13  17 341

Crawford is a young pitcher with the Red Sox. He's a decent prospect, has good control; his progress has been slow to this point, but he's still very young. He needs some more seasoning at Pawtucket, but he could be ready to contribute by 2002.

Rick Croushore (31, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 2000 AAA 2 5 44 2 0 0 0 58 56 42 55 593 1998 STL 0 3 41 0 0 0 8 54 44 29 47 497 1999 STL 3 7 59 0 0 0 3 72 68 43 88 414 2000 BOS-COL 2 1 11 0 0 0 0 16 19 11 14 788

Rick Croushore (31, R)

 YEAR    TEAM  WN  LS  GP GS CG SH SV  IP HIT  BB  SO ERA
 2000     AAA   2   5  44  2  0  0  0  58  56  42  55 593
 1998     STL   0   3  41  0  0  0  8  54  44  29  47 497
 1999     STL   3   7  59  0  0  0  3  72  68  43  88 414
 2000 BOS-COL   2   1  11  0  0  0  0  16  19  11  14 788

Croushore was another pitcher whom the Red Sox rescued from Colorado. He had an ugly season, but he's been given a second lease on life and I expect him to make the most of it. He's a decent middle reliever.

Brian Daubach (1B, 29, L/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 AAA 140 497 157 45 4 35 102 124 80 114 316 421 634 9 3 1999 BOS 110 381 112 33 3 21 61 73 36 92 294 360 562 0 1 2000 BOS 142 495 123 32 2 21 55 76 44 130 248 315 448 1 1

Brian Daubach (1B, 29, L/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     AAA 140 497 157 45  4 35 102 124  80 114  316 421 634   9   3
 1999     BOS 110 381 112 33  3 21  61  73  36  92  294 360 562   0   1
 2000     BOS 142 495 123 32  2 21  55  76  44 130  248 315 448   1   1

As an old rookie in 1999, Daubach had a dream season. Last year he struggled; unfortunately, that .248 average is closer to his real level of ability. He hit only .216 vs left-handers; Daubach could help himself and his team by sticking to a platoon role.

Carl Everett (CF, 30, S/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 HOU 133 467 138 34 4 15 72 76 44 102 296 359 482 14 12 1999 HOU 123 464 151 33 3 25 86 108 50 94 325 398 571 27 7 2000 BOS 137 496 149 32 4 34 82 108 52 113 300 373 587 11 4

Carl Everett (CF, 30, S/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     HOU 133 467 138 34  4 15  72  76  44 102  296 359 482  14  12
 1999     HOU 123 464 151 33  3 25  86 108  50  94  325 398 571  27   7
 2000     BOS 137 496 149 32  4 34  82 108  52 113  300 373 587  11   4

Everett is the best player in baseball who has never batted 500 times in a season. He also announced sometime during the summer that he didn't believe in dinosaurs. I read it in my local newspaper, so it must be true.

Bryce Florie (31, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 DET 8 9 42 16 0 0 0 133 141 59 97 480 1999 DET-BOS 4 1 41 5 0 0 0 81 94 35 65 465 2000 BOS 0 4 29 0 0 0 1 49 57 19 34 456

Florie was having a decent year until September, when a line drive struck him in the eye. The damage was extensive, and is unlikely to heal; his career is almost certainly over.

Rich Garces (30, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 BOS 1 1 30 0 0 0 1 46 36 27 34 333 1999 BOS 5 1 30 0 0 0 2 41 25 18 33 155 2000 BOS 8 1 64 0 0 0 1 75 64 23 69 325

The Red Sox have both Garces and Rod Beck in their bullpen; who's the dietitian out in Beantown? Despite the size of his belly, Garces is an outstanding pitcher. He's one of the best setup men in baseball, and should remain effective in 2001.

Nomar Garciaparra (SS, 28, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 BOS 143 604 195 37 8 35 111 122 33 62 323 362 584 12 6 1999 BOS 135 532 190 42 4 27 103 104 51 39 357 418 603 14 3 2000 BOS 140 529 197 51 3 21 104 96 61 50 372 434 599 5 2

Nomar Garciaparra (SS, 28, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     BOS 143 604 195 37  8 35 111 122  33  62  323 362 584  12   6
 1999     BOS 135 532 190 42  4 27 103 104  51  39  357 418 603  14   3
 2000     BOS 140 529 197 51  3 21 104  96  61  50  372 434 599   5   2

He raised his batting average for the third straight year, amazing when you consider that he started out as a .300 hitter. Garciaparra is an almost perfect player, hits for a high average and for power and plays a good shortstop and runs the bases well. He makes the occasional trip to the DL, but has yet to have a major injury. He might be the best player in baseball.

Craig Grebeck (IF, 36, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 TOR 102 301 77 17 2 2 33 27 29 42 256 327 346 2 2 1999 TOR 34 113 41 7 0 0 18 10 15 13 363 443 425 0 0 2000 TOR 66 241 71 19 0 3 38 23 25 33 295 364 411 0 0

Craig Grebeck (IF, 36, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     TOR 102 301  77 17  2  2  33  27  29  42  256 327 346   2   2
 1999     TOR  34 113  41  7  0  0  18  10  15  13  363 443 425   0   0
 2000     TOR  66 241  71 19  0  3  38  23  25  33  295 364 411   0   0

Grebeck's a useful utility infielder. He's a little guy who hits for a solid average, plays all the infield positions, will draw a walk and hit the occasional double. He's valuable when kept within his limits.

Scott Hatteberg (CA, 31, L/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 BOS 112 359 99 23 1 12 46 43 43 58 276 359 446 0 0 1999 BOS 30 80 22 5 0 1 12 11 18 14 275 410 375 0 0 2000 BOS 92 230 61 15 0 8 21 36 38 39 265 367 435 0 1

Scott Hatteberg (CA, 31, L/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     BOS 112 359  99 23  1 12  46  43  43  58  276 359 446   0   0
 1999     BOS  30  80  22  5  0  1  12  11  18  14  275 410 375   0   0
 2000     BOS  92 230  61 15  0  8  21  36  38  39  265 367 435   0   1

After missing much of 1999 with an injury, Hatteberg came back and had a solid season. He's a left-handed catcher who can hit, and those guys usually last a long time; he's best suited for 200-300 at bats a season.

Mike Lansing (2B, 33, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 COL 153 584 161 39 2 12 73 66 39 88 276 325 411 10 3 1999 COL 35 145 45 9 0 4 24 15 7 22 310 344 455 2 0 2000 COL-BOS 139 504 121 18 6 11 72 60 38 75 240 292 365 8 2

Mike Lansing (2B, 33, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     COL 153 584 161 39  2 12  73  66  39  88  276 325 411  10   3
 1999     COL  35 145  45  9  0  4  24  15   7  22  310 344 455   2   0
 2000 COL-BOS 139 504 121 18  6 11  72  60  38  75  240 292 365   8   2

The Red Sox gave up Jeff Frye as part of a deal to get Lansing, and I don't think it was a wise move. Lansing hasn't played very well since he left Montreal in 1997; his decline has been masked, to some degree, by playing in the thin air in Colorado (last season, he hit just .209 on the road). There is little evidence that Lansing can be a quality regular player; he's not old, however, and might still help in a backup role.

Sang-Hoon Lee (30, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1999 AAA 2 0 26 0 0 0 1 40 28 10 53 158 2000 AAA 5 2 41 1 0 0 2 71 51 24 73 203 2000 BOS 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 12 11 5 6 309

Lee has spent the past two seasons at Pawtucket, and has pitched brilliantly. If the Red Sox decide they don't want him, I'm sure there are plenty of other teams who will take a chance.

Darren Lewis (OF, 34, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 BOS 155 585 157 25 3 8 95 63 70 94 268 352 362 29 12 1999 BOS 135 470 113 14 6 2 63 40 45 52 240 311 309 16 10 2000 BOS 97 270 65 12 0 2 44 17 22 34 241 305 307 10 5

Darren Lewis (OF, 34, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     BOS 155 585 157 25  3  8  95  63  70  94  268 352 362  29  12
 1999     BOS 135 470 113 14  6  2  63  40  45  52  240 311 309  16  10
 2000     BOS  97 270  65 12  0  2  44  17  22  34  241 305 307  10   5

Lewis is a terrific defensive outfielder who doesn't contribute much at the plate. He's a decent fourth or fifth outfielder, but his playing time should continue to decrease over the next few seasons.

Derek Lowe (28, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 BOS 3 9 63 10 0 0 4 123 126 42 77 402 1999 BOS 6 3 74 0 0 0 15 109 84 25 80 263 2000 BOS 4 4 74 0 0 0 42 91 90 22 79 256

Lowe assumed the closer's role in Boston without any problems. He's been outstanding for two straight seasons; I can't see any reason why he shouldn't make it three.

Pedro Martinez (29, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 BOS 19 7 33 33 3 2 0 233 188 67 251 289 1999 BOS 23 4 31 29 5 1 0 213 160 37 313 207 2000 BOS 18 6 29 29 7 4 0 217 128 32 284 174

      Martinez is the ultimate equal opportunity pitcher; everyone is equally helpless against him. It doesn't matter if you're man or woman or black or white or fat or thin or a northerner or a southerner. Your race, your creed, your religion - not relevant. Republican or democrat? Doesn't matter to him.
     For the record, Martinez allowed 32 fewer hits and 5 fewer walks than he did in 1999 - a year that some people were calling the greatest ever by a pitcher. He held opposing batters to a .167 batting average; that's a new record, breaking the one set by Luis Tiant in 1968. Left-handers hit just .150 off him.
      Martinez held opposing batters to a .213 on-base percentage; that's the lowest by any starter since 1884. He only allowed 7.22 baserunners per nine innings, the best by any pitcher since 1882. With runners in scoring position, batters hit just .133. The opposition slugging percentage was just .259. I could go on like this for quite awhile, but the point is that Martinez is the best pitcher in baseball, maybe the best you and I will ever see.

Kent Mercker (33, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 STL 11 11 30 29 0 0 0 161 199 53 72 507 1999 STL-BOS 8 5 30 23 0 0 0 129 148 64 81 480 2000 ANA 1 3 21 7 0 0 0 48 57 29 30 652

Mercker had a scary season, going on the DL in May with a cerebral hemmorhage. Incredibly, he managed to make a comeback in August. I wish him well, but given his recent struggles on the mound, and the seriousness of his latest injury, I find it hard to believe that he has many more games ahead of him.

Lou Merloni (IF, 30, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1999 AAA 66 229 64 14 1 7 45 36 30 38 279 383 441 1 1 2000 AAA 11 39 16 2 0 1 6 5 3 3 410 452 538 0 1 1998 BOS 39 96 27 6 0 1 10 15 7 20 281 343 375 1 0 1999 BOS 43 126 32 7 0 1 18 13 8 16 254 307 333 0 0 2000 BOS 40 128 41 11 2 0 10 18 4 22 320 341 438 1 0

Lou Merloni (IF, 30, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1999     AAA  66 229  64 14  1  7  45  36  30  38  279 383 441   1   1
 2000     AAA  11  39  16  2  0  1   6   5   3   3  410 452 538   0   1
 1998     BOS  39  96  27  6  0  1  10  15   7  20  281 343 375   1   0
 1999     BOS  43 126  32  7  0  1  18  13   8  16  254 307 333   0   0
 2000     BOS  40 128  41 11  2  0  10  18   4  22  320 341 438   1   0

Merloni had a weird year. After the 1999 season, he signed to play in Japan, hoping to get more playing time. It wasn't a good experience; apparently, he spent quite a bit of time in the Far East sitting on the bench, so he returned to North America... and signed with the Red Sox.
And he hit .320. Merloni will likely begin the 2001 season in a battle for playing time at third base, along with John Valentin, Wilton Veras. Chris Stynes, Mike Lansing, Manny Alexander and anyone else you can think of. Merloni can also play several other positions, plus he can hit a little bit; I think he is a good guy to have on the roster.

Trot Nixon (RF, 27, L/L)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 AAA 135 509 158 26 4 23 97 74 76 81 310 400 513 26 13 1999 BOS 124 381 103 22 5 15 67 52 53 75 270 357 472 3 1 2000 BOS 123 427 118 27 8 12 66 60 63 85 276 368 461 8 1

Trot Nixon (RF, 27, L/L)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     AAA 135 509 158 26  4 23  97  74  76  81  310 400 513  26  13
 1999     BOS 124 381 103 22  5 15  67  52  53  75  270 357 472   3   1
 2000     BOS 123 427 118 27  8 12  66  60  63  85  276 368 461   8   1

Nixon had almost the same year that he had in 1999; the Red Sox may have been expecting more, but I don't think that he's ever going to be a star. 2001 should be Nixon's best season, but he won't get much better than he is now. He's an okay outfielder.

Hideo Nomo (33, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 LA-NYM 6 12 29 28 3 0 0 157 130 94 167 492 1999 MIL 12 8 28 28 0 0 0 176 173 78 161 454 2000 DET 8 12 32 31 1 0 0 190 191 89 181 474

Nomo still gets strikeouts, and he is still relatively tough to hit, and his control isn't awful. But he still gives up a lot of runs; he must groove a lot of fastballs, because he gave up 31 homers, despite playing in a park where no one hits home runs. He's moving to Boston, where he will be expected to eat up innings and keep his team in the game; he should be okay.

Troy O'Leary (OF, 32, L/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     BOS 156 611 165 36  8 23  95  83  36 108  270 314 468   2   2
 1999     BOS 157 596 167 36  4 28  84 103  56  91  280 343 495   1   2
 2000     BOS 138 513 134 30  4 13  68  70  44  76  261 320 411   0   2

O'Leary had a terrible start to the season, then went on the DL for, umm, personal reasons. When he came back he was better, and finished the year with decent numbers. He's not my favourite player; I don't think he helps the team much unless he hits .300. At age 32, it's unlikely that his batting average will recover much.

Jose Offerman (IF, 32, S/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998      KC 158 607 191 28 13  7 102  66  89  96  315 403 438  45  12
 1999     BOS 149 586 172 37 11  8 107  69  96  79  294 391 435  18  12
 2000     BOS 116 451 115 14  3  9  73  41  70  70  255 354 359   0   8

Offerman was bothered by injuries all year, including a groin strain in May and a knee contusion in July. He couldn't run, as you can probably tell from his stolen base total, and he also struggled with the bat. He's a good player, a guy who can get on base and drive the ball in the gaps, and he also played surprisingly well at second base. The Sox have acquired Manny Ramirez to drive in runs; it will be up to Offerman to score them.

Tomokazu Ohka (25, R)

 YEAR    TEAM  WN  LS  GP GS CG SH SV  IP HIT  BB  SO ERA
 1999  AA-AAA  15   0  24 24  1  1  0 140 123  36 116 231
 2000     AAA   9   6  19 19  3  2  0 131 111  23  78 296
 1999     BOS   1   2   8  2  0  0  0  13  21   6   8 623
 2000     BOS   3   6  13 12  0  0  0  69  70  26  40 312

I like everything about Ohka; his record at Pawtucket is sensational, and he pitched well in 12 starts for the Red Sox. His time has come; he will begin the year in Boston's rotation, and he should be outstanding.

Steve Ontiveros (40, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 2000 IND 4 4 9 9 2 1 0 63 56 16 55 359 2000 AAA 4 1 8 8 0 0 0 43 36 10 33 291 2000 BOS 1 1 3 1 0 0 0 5 9 4 1 1013

You may or may not recall that Ontiveros won the American League ERA title in 1994. Injuries ruined his career; when he took the mound for Boston in September, it was the first time that he had pitched in the majors since 1995. I doubt he will win 20 games this year.

Jesus Pena (26, L)

 YEAR    TEAM  WN  LS  GP GS CG SH SV  IP HIT  BB  SO ERA
 1998      AA   0   2  22  0  0  0  2  23  20  10  28 386
 1999      AA   3   2  40  0  0  0  5  40  46  18  49 236
 2000  AA-AAA   1   2  44  0  0  0 14  39  29  16  44 326
 1999     CHW   0   0  26  0  0  0  0  20  21  23  20 531
 2000 CHW-BOS   2   1  22  0  0  0  1  26  28  19  20 513

The Red Sox acquired Pena from the White Sox in September for a player to be named later. I think Chicago gave up on him way too early; he is a talented left-hander who has struck out a lot of batters in the minors. His control deserts him at times, but he is still young, and his record with the White Sox wasn't too bad. I wouldn't have just given him away, and I think he could be an important member of Boston's bullpen this year.

Hipolito Pichardo (32, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 KC 7 8 27 18 0 0 1 112 126 43 55 513 2000 BOS 6 3 38 1 0 0 1 65 63 26 37 346

Pichardo vanished for all of 1999, but last season made a remarkable comeback, pitching well for the Red Sox. There's nothing obviously impressive about him, and there's no reason to think that he will be any better than he was in Kansas City... except that he may be working with the right manager for him right now.

Manny Ramirez (RF, 29, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     CLE 150 571 168 35  2 45 108 145  76 121  294 377 599   5   3
 1999     CLE 147 522 174 34  3 44 131 165  96 131  333 442 663   2   4
 2000     CLE 118 439 154 34  2 38  92 122  86 117  351 457 697   1   1

Ramirez signed a big, big contract with the Red Sox but is still not the highest paid player in baseball. As a hitter, he is better than Boggs was or Rice or Lynn or even Yastrzemski. He should be the best hitter the Sox have had since... Ted Williams, obviously. Williams was never able to bring a World Championship to Boston, but then Teddie's teams never had Pedro Martinez, either.

Pete Schourek (32, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 HOU-BOS 8 9 25 23 0 0 0 124 127 50 95 443 1999 PIT 4 7 30 17 0 0 0 113 128 49 94 534 2000 BOS 3 10 21 21 0 0 0 107 116 38 63 511

Schourek was released by the Pirates before the season, and signed with Boston. He struggled until July, when he went on the DL with soreness in his left shoulder. Schourek won 18 games in 1995, but has since posted five straight losing seasons; his arm just never recovered from the major surgery he had.

Andy Sheets (IF, 29, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 2000     AAA  83 281  64  9  3  8  38  36  38  48  228 321 367   4   2
 1998      SD  88 194  47  5  3  7  31  29  21  62  242 318 407   7   2
 1999     ANA  87 244  48 10  0  3  22  29  14  59  197 236 275   1   2
 2000     BOS  12  21   2  0  0  0   1   1   0   3  095 095 095   0   0

Sheets is now 29 years old, and is a career .213 hitter. Last year, he spent most of the season at Pawtucket, and was not good. I don't know how he's going to convince anyone this year that he can play.

Dan Smith (26, R)

 YEAR    TEAM  WN  LS  GP GS CG SH SV  IP HIT  BB  SO ERA
 1999     MON   4   9  20 17  0  0  0  90 104  39  72 602
 1998      AA  13   9  26 25  1  0  0 153 162  58 105 581
 1999     AAA   5   4  11 10  0  0  0  71  61  27  59 368
 2000     AAA   7  10  24 21  2  1  0 125 134  41  70 484

Smith apparently has less talent than I thought he did. He spent most of the year at Pawtucket and pitched poorly; there is little hope now that he might someday be a good pitcher.

Rob Stanifer (29, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 2000 AAA 3 4 41 0 0 0 16 52 40 20 42 189 1998 FLO 2 4 38 0 0 0 1 48 54 22 30 563 2000 BOS 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 13 22 4 3 762

Stanifer pitched brilliantly with Pawtucket, but got only a limited opportunity with Boston and didn't do much with it. The good news is that there is a market for guys like Stanifer, an ordinary reliever who's capable of having a decent year; the bad news is that there are dozens more just like him, and only so many will get jobs.

Dernell Stenson (1B/OF, 23, L/L)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998      AA 138 505 130 21  1 24  90  71  84 135  257 376 446   5   3
 1999     AAA 121 440 119 28  2 18  64  82  55 119  270 356 466   2   1
 2000     AAA  98 380 102 14  0 23  59  71  45  99  268 349 487   0   0

Stenson is a young player with the Red Sox, has some power. His second season at Pawtucket was almost the same as his first; he may eventually be a decent player, but first he has to show us that he can improve.

Chris Stynes (IF/OF, 28, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     CIN 123 347  88 10  1  6  52  27  32  36  254 323 340  15   1
 1999     CIN  73 113  27  1  0  2  18  14  12  13  239 310 301   5   2
 2000     CIN 119 380 127 24  1 12  71  40  32  54  334 386 497   5   2

You know, if Stynes could hit .334 every year, he would be a star. I guess that's a silly statement to make... but hell, he's done it twice now. His career has been two very good seasons mixed in with some remarkable mediocrity. He was dealt to Boston during the winter; though Stynes can play a number of positions, my guess is that he will be used mostly at third base. What he will hit is anyone's guess.

John Valentin (3B, 34, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     BOS 153 588 145 44  1 23 113  73  77  82  247 340 442   4   5
 1999     BOS 113 450 114 27  1 12  58  70  40  68  253 315 398   0   1
 2000     BOS  10  35   9  1  0  2   6   2   2   5  257 297 457   0   1

Valentin missed most of the season with a torn patella in his left knee. He was a terrific player in his prime, but there's little evidence that he could again be a good regular. He might still help someone in a utility role.

Jason Varitek (CA, 29, S/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     BOS  86 221  56 13  0  7  31  33  17  45  253 309 407   2   2
 1999     BOS 144 483 130 39  2 20  70  76  46  85  269 330 482   1   2
 2000     BOS 139 448 111 31  1 10  55  65  60  84  248 342 388   1   1

Varitek's numbers were a little disappointing, thanks (but no thanks) to a power shortage. Otherwise, he wasn't too bad; he drew more walks than before, and had his best on-base percentage. Varitek's a decent player, a .260 range hitter who has been durable behind the plate. If he hits a few more homers he will be among the better catchers in the league.

Wilton Veras (3B, 23, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998      AA 126 470 137 27  4 16  70  67  15  66  291 319 468   3   2
 1999      AA 116 474 133 23  2 11  65  75  23  55  281 318 407   7   6
 2000     AAA  60 218  46  9  0  3  18  25  12  18  211 258 294   0   1
 1999     BOS  36 118  34  5  1  2  14  13   5  14  268 323 398   0   2
 2000     BOS  49 164  40  7  1  0  21  14   7  20  244 278 299   0   0

The Red Sox have tried to rush Veras into the third base job, but he's been a disaster to this point. He's still very young, and he may eventually be a decent player, but he needs to return to the minors, and I wouldn't expect him back for at least two years.

Tim Wakefield (35, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 BOS 17 8 36 33 2 0 0 216 211 79 146 458 1999 BOS 6 11 49 17 0 0 15 140 146 72 104 508 2000 BOS 6 10 51 17 0 0 0 159 170 65 102 548

That was a pretty ugly season. And those 31 home runs he gave up, they were especially ugly. Wakefield's durability and versatility have made him a valuable member of the Boston staff for several years, but he has to start getting people out to justify keeping his job.

Bryan Ward (29, L)

 YEAR    TEAM  WN  LS  GP GS CG SH SV  IP HIT  BB  SO ERA
 1998      AA   2   3  29  0  0  0 12  42  33  25  40 236
 2000     AAA   3   2  28  0  0  0  7  34  35   9  20 267
 1998     CHW   1   2  28  0  0  0  1  27  30   7  17 333
 1999     CHW   0   1  40  0  0  0  0  39  63  11  35 755
 2000 PHI-ANA   0   0  27  0  0  0  0  27  22  10  14 329

Ward has spent the past three seasons trying to establish himself as a left-handed reliever in someone's bullpen. He has bounced around from Chicago to Philly to Anaheim and now Boston. He has good control, but he has yet to demonstrate that he can get out left-handed batters consistently, and that's what he is getting paid to do.

Tim Young (27, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 AA-AAA 4 4 46 0 0 0 5 62 54 22 86 303 1999 AA 4 4 31 0 0 0 2 45 38 26 52 436 2000 AAA 1 1 32 0 0 0 6 41 35 12 43 240

Young got into a few games with Boston, but spent most of the year at Pawtucket. It has taken him a few years to get his career rolling in the right direction, but he is left-handed and he appears to have some nasty stuff, so I presume he will have a job before too long.