The CARMINES are loading up to make a run.......with a dominant Left-Handed Lineup.....the BOSOX are early favorites for AL CROWN

We know two things are never going to change in BASEBALL.........there will be a WORLD SERIES....and the RED SOX and PINSTRIPES will be major players in FREE-AGENCY every year. With that said the CARMINES have picked the BRONX BOMBERS and the rest of the American League Teams pockets this winter with 2 key additions that should put them at the top of the AMERICAN LEAGUE.

Ex-Tampa Bay Rays Outfielder CARL CRAWFORD, who was said to be going in the MLB Winter Meetings to the front running RANGERS, ANGELS, NATIONALS, and the DODGERS, slipped pat all of these teams in what was kind of a shock to sign with the BOSOX. CRAWFORD signed a 7 year $142 million deal which will take him to age 36. And reportedly he was the BOSOX target from day 1 and the signing immediately makes BOSTON the prohibited favorite in the American League.

With the SOUTHSIDERS of CHICAGO not interested in re-signing CLOSER Bobby Jenks the CARMINES wanted to get a set-up man and insurance for problematic CLOSER Jonathan Papelbon. Jenks was their guy and this past Wednesday signed a 2-year $12 million deal with BOSTON as a set-up man and if Papelbon struggles JENKS will go to the CLOSER ROLE.

Looking at the Career Stats for both Free-Agent Pick-ups for the BOSOX:

CARL CRAWFORD LF Left-Handed Batter 29 years of age
4-time All-Star
Career .296 Batting Avg. 337 On-Base % .444 Slugging % 104 Home Runs 592 Runs Batted In 409 Stolen Bases

2010 was his best year to date as far as HR and RBI with 19 HR and 90 RBI 47 SB and finished 7th AL MVP Voting

He will be a real asset on the BASES and in the OUTFIELD for the BOSOX......SPEED KILLS


BOBBY JENKS Right-Handed Pitcher Closer 29 years of age
2-time All-Star
Career 173 Saves in 329 Games 3.40 ERA 341.2 Innings Pitched 334 Strikeouts 110 Walks 3 to 1 ratio
2007 was his beat year 40 saves 2.77 ERA 56 Strikeouts 17 Walks

Having added these two free-agents lets take a closer look at the would-be RED SOX Line-Up for 2011

VS Right-Handed Pitchers
1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Carl Crawford LF
3. Dustin Pedroia 2B
4. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
5. Kevin Youkilis 3B
6. David Ortiz DH
7. J.D. Drew RF
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
9. Marco Scutaro SS

VS Left-Handed Pitchers
1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Carl Crawford LF
3. Dustin Pedroia 2B
4. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
5. Kevin Youkilis 3B
6. David Ortiz DH
7. Mike Cameron RF
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
9. Marco Scutaro SS

The Best Line-Up in the American League and maybe all of Baseball......dominant left-handed line-up which means teams must try to throw LHP to the mound and if you can't.......spells a long day for the opposition.

There is no Doubt in my mind the RED SOX are the clear favorites in the American League and the odds on favorite to face the NL Favorite Fightin' PHILS in the 2011 MLB World Series