I didn't see or hear any of this game, so i'm going simply by what I have on paper, the boxscore. Tim Wakefield made another push to make Jimy's decision, on who to send to the pen, more difficult by throwing three scoreless innings. Wakes allowed one hit but did walk two in his stint, though that is still a ratio of 1.00, very good in my book.

Other than an inning by Hipolito Pichardo and Pete Schourek, the rest of the game was pitched by players who we will not see on the opening day roster. So even though they didn't do so well, it's not a huge concern for the big club. The combo of Pichardo and Schourek though, didn't exactly give themselves a ringing endorsement. They went a combined 2IP 4H 2ER 1K and a HR. Not completely awful, but not very good either. It's still just the beginning of spring though and I expet Pichardo to come around. Shourek on the other hand is a different story, I really don't see a spot for him on the roster, and I must agree with SRYD in that I think he will retire by the time training camp is over.

So the Sox jumped out to a 3-0 lead after one and held the lead into the 7th (3-2), when the Phillies rallied for four runs off the Sox soon to be minor league bull pen, to make it 6-3. The Sox grabbed two back in the top of the eigth (6-5 phils), then pulled out the woopin' sticks in a four run ninth on three solo homers from Trot Nixon, Mike Neill, and Morgan Burkhart to make it 9-6. Sang Lee pitched the ninth and allowed the Phils to crawl back into it, but was able to record the save and the Sox second spring victory.

Hopefully it turns out to be nothing and blows over. But why do I get the feeling it's more likely the Twins will win the World Series this year, than that happening?

By now you know what my stupid thought was and i'm sure your saying: "Who would we give up?" "We alrady have an outfield log jam." "We can't afford him." "We need pitching not offense."

I know, I know, I know, I know! I said it was a stupid thought. But i'm going to say it anyway.

If we were to get Sheff, he's already signed thru 2004, so worrying about him leaving at the end of the season is not an issue. Either Troy O'Leary or Nixon MUST go in this deal. The Dodgers will want an OF in return and we'll simply have too many OFs if we don't deal one.

Actually, this really frees things up to trade both of them (one in this deal, and the other for a true backup SS). I really like Trot, but Sheff and Everett are signed thru 2004 and Manny for the next decade, so there's really no room for him with this deal. And the thought of a Sheffield, Everett, Ramirez outfield sends shivers down my spine. Not the greatest defense in the world, but they make up for it at the plate.

So either Trot or Troy goes in this deal. Next a pitcher is definetly going to have to be included, and Paxton Crawford would be a prime candidate to go. Most likely he's going to be at AAA to start the season, and even then he's still behind Tomo Ohka. Yes, we'd giving up part of the future, but how much longer are Pedro and some of these other guys going to put up numbers like they are now? We need to go for it.

So the deal would be Nixon, Crawford, and another minor leaguer for Gary Sheffield. Could this happen? Sure. Will it? Not in a million years. I'm out of my mind, I know.

paul@redsox2000.com