Tuesday, December 4, 2007

The Greatest Rotation Ever?


With news that the Johan Santana talks between the Red Sox and Twins are heating up, the big question comes to my mind. If Santana is added to the Red Sox, would that make this pitching rotation the greatest pitching rotation ever assembled?

You would have baseball's best lefty, best righty, best Asian import, best knuckleballer, and best youth with potential. Oh, and you also have a pitcher who helped win two world series, one in which he earned MVP honors and the other had a bloody sock involved. Just imagine this lineup for a few seconds.

Josh Beckett
Johan Santana
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Clay Buchholz
Curt Schilling
and Tim Wakefield

Hell, you could easily do a six man rotation and not really hurt. Hell, your pitchers would have an extra day or two rest, which is almost always welcome, especially to save their arms. You could alternate between some, or maybe move a few into the bullpen, but I think I would do a six man rotation.

Oh, and by the way you have Papelbon as your closer, and Okajima as your middle reliever. Add all these factors to the already sick batting line up, and I don't know if you'll see a better team on paper in our lifetimes. So I ask to you, if they do get Santana, is this the best rotation ever and is this the best baseball team on paper that you've ever seen?

5 comments:

SayHey Kid said...

This is flat out nasty. Wakefield is better than half of teams Number 1's on top of that.

The offense is beyond good, if they end up keeping Ellsbury in the trade, which is unlikely, then your looking at the most balanced powerhouse lineup ever in baseball history!!

I hate it, I really do, but if the Yanks plan on winning anything, they need to suck it up and trade Joba, Hughes, and Melky to get Santana. Just do it!!!

Jack Gonzo, MD said...

Actually, latest rumor is that the Twins are fine with Crisp, as long as they get two certain prospects, the names I forget.

SayHey Kid said...

Regardless of who is involved this deal could make a dynasty in Beantown.

The Red Sox scouts and minor league affiliates are so good that whoever they trade will be easily replaced.

Dewey, Cheatem, & Howe said...

It has been looking like Jon Lester (I'm actually sad to see him go after the cancer battle), Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie, and possible/probably a fourth player TBNL.

If the Sox keep Ellsbury, this is a great deal for them. I think that this is actually win-win for both clubs. The Twins wouldn't get a prospect in Lester that could replace, or is project to replace, Santana, but they get a decent lefty and a solid defensive outfielder who may have just not fit with Boston. Remember, Coco's numbers were in line with Johnny Damon's at a comparable point in their careers. This could be a great deal for both clubs.

SayHey Kid said...

Being a Giants fan I am very skeptical of a pitcher coming off of cancer. We had Dave Draveky back in 1990 who beat cancer, only to pitch 2 games when it came back, resulting in him losing his pitching arm.

He is an incredible talent though. Id say a rather decent trade, since Boston will eat a massive salary