Addressing your points.

(2) The natural tendency is to try and slot relief pitchers into roles—and after Masterson became 8th inning guy, it sort of left MDC as the “well, what does he do?” guy. After all, you had the “lefty specialist” in Lopez, 7th inning guy (Okajima), closer (Paps), trash time guy (Timlin), and so on. But MDC didn’t really have a niche, and so that leads to rash conclusions that he’s not that good.

Personally, I think this has the potential—on paper, at least—to be one of the filthiest, stingiest bullpens ever assembled.

(6) I believe Lester is under the Sox’s control until 2012. Right now, there’s no incentive to give him a major long-term deal. However, Lester’s made it clear that he’s willing to talk whenever the Sox are. (No Paps-like route for Lester.)

(5) Along with Pedroia and Lester, Lowrie might have been one of the 10 biggest bargains in baseball last year. As I said on a post on another board last year, what Lowrie had to do wasn’t much: he just had to play pretty much every day after the All-Star break; switch back and forth between SS and 3B, sometimes in the middle of games; switch-hit from five different spots in the lineup; and do it all in the middle of a heated pennant battle in one of the most heavily scrutinized markets in the country. Oh yeah, and do it all while playing with a fractured wrist.

I agree that Lugo should be asked to do more—but clearly he’s not willing or not able to do so. There are only reason 9 million dollars reasons we’re even having a competition for the shortstop spot. And while Lugo has slightly more range and a stronger arm, he’s much less accurate—and accuracy is probably more important at SS on everything except throws to the plate.

Lowrie seems to have enough confidence to be comfortable at the plate, regardless of where he plays on defense. That said, given everything he had to do last year, I’d argue that Lowrie and the Sox will be better off if he gets used to being batted where needed—although the 2- and 7-holes are probably his “natural” spots. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with showing Youk-like versatility; especially this season, the ability to move around on short notice will probably be more critical than ever before.

Were going to have alot on our plates soon.
I mean how long can we ignore Papelbon? I know he’s gonna want money and is talking like a MFY, but is hands down the best closer this team has seen in 20 years! Does 4 years 50 million sound fair?

Agree about everything—especially MDC. Delcarmen has wicked stuff and has been far more effective than many Sox fans think.

Lots of people are excited about Ramon Ramirez. In fact, I’ve heard many who think that now that Ramirez is in Boston, MDC is trade bait. I’d rather have MDC. Ramirez couldn’t get left-handed hitters out last year. Here are Ramirez’s 2008 splits:

v. RHB: .153 AVG/ .244 OBP/ .212 SLG
v. LHB: .300 AVG/ .370 OBP/ .375 SLG

These splits aren’t that much of a fluke, as Ramirez also had trouble with lefties in 2006 (his other full season). In contrast, MDC is tough on both lefties and righties:

2007
v. RHB: .194 AVG/ .265 OBP/.290 SLG
v. LHB: .167 AVG/.278 OBP/.300 SLG
2008
v. RHB: .218 AVG/ .292 OBP/.366 SLG
v. LHB: .190 AVG/.275 OBP/ .270 SLG

Unlike Oki, who needs to be handled carefully because he tires (kudos to Tito), or Saito, who is coming off an injury and may need to be spotted, MDC thrives on work. I’m curious to see what Masterson does this year, as I feel he was a bit lucky last year. I think MDC is far too good—and important—to trade.

Masterson and Ramirez are tough on righties. Saito, Oki, and MDC are tough against both sides of the plate. And then there’s J-Lo, who last year was very tough on LHB but the year before couldn’t get them out. I’d move J-Lo or Ramirez before MDC.

Corpse starting at C with no one much better there. That’s awful. The Yankees and the Rays both improved this off-season, and the only spot we had to improve, we didn’t.

1. I haven’t read CHB in years. Even when someone posts an article of his they don’t like, I won’t click on it, because clicks are good for his business, whether they’re positive or negative.
2. I like MDC, and he’s a good reliever. But there’s some evidence to suggest his best pitching comes in low-leverage situations. Take a look at last year:

2 out, RISP: .715 OPS against (47 PA)
Late and Close: .721 OPS (132 PA)
Tie Game: .743 (46 PA)
1-run game: .745 (100 PA)
Within 2 R: .694 (158 PA)
Within 3 R: .669 (209 PA)
Within 4 R: .646 (226 PA)
>4-run game: .496

His splits were similar, though not quite as dramatic and overall better in 2007. Ramon Ramirez, as an example, was similarly dominant in blowouts, but was also dominant in 2-out, RISP situations (.411 OPS against) and Late and Close (.649).

If I remember correctly, MDC was used in high leverage less as the season went on. Some of this was probably due to Masterson pitching well in relief and Okajima getting his stuff back, but it could also show that Tito et al agree that he doesn’t do as well in high-pressure situations.

The sample size is small enough that he could turn it all around this year, though. But I’m pretty happy to have Papelbon, Okajima, Masterson, Ramirez and Saito ahead of him on the depth chart.

3. Eh. Whatever.

4 and 5. There’s a chance these two positions could keep us out of the playoffs. But what can ya do. It’s been discussed.

6. Lester only has slightly over two years of service time. Once he shows he can handle his increased workload from last year and is arbitration-eligible, then I would talk extension. I don’t think it’s good business to lock up any pitcher for very long, though.

I can’t figure out why all of the SB Nation blogs are shwoing up as text only.

MDC will fit in with Okie, Masterson, Saito, and Ramirez. Trading away bullpen arms seems a little like a knew jerk reaction during spring training.

Wait to see what we get from Lugo + Bard/Tek, maybe one of them can turn it around and have a career year, or in Tek’s case a much better year.

Unless we are going to move people for a Roy Halladay or Jake Peavy, no reason to make a move. There will be a much better selection of players to trade for latter on after a few months.

Texas can sit all year on their catchers…or until they come down from their asking price.

That’s what’s pissing me off.

The Sox are deep as heck, but Tito losing Ortiz, Youk, Pedroia, Bay and Matsuzaka to the WBC is putting added stress on Tito and the remaining players…

I’d much rather have Dice-K and Ortiz in camp… I’m not as concerned about the other guys…

Bottom Line: That, and my fear that Lowell is going to be useless this year, are the only things bugging me right now… overall things looks very positive so far this spring.