[JohnnyZ]

I love Fatso for Roberts, but I'd like the money to bring Damon back as well. Play Papi at first more, DH Manny more, and you'll still get Roberts 500 at bats in LF CF RF when Trot gets hurt for a month or three, Damon needs the rest, etc.

Lowell who was a former Gold Glover and had a bad year. Interesting to see what next year brings. (Maybe a juice guy???)

That's why I wonder what the Sox scouts think about his woes ......

[misterrob]

I just keep thinking about Bernie Williams in the last year of his contract. Plus, Damon has bad shoulders. You are buying 2 more good years then after that it becomes a crap shoot. If they are going to go with better pitching then Roberts makes sense because he can manufacture runs. Moneyball doesn't buy that style but without it, the Sox don't win game 4 or 5 for that matter of the 04 ALCS.

[Airborne1986]

"Play Papi at first more"

I am concerned about his durability as an everyday fielder. I agree with all of your other points - particularly Nixon - a gamer but prone to back injuries.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Play Papi at first more, DH Manny more, and you'll still get Roberts 500 at bats in LF CF RF when Trot gets hurt for a month or three, Damon needs the rest, etc.

Play Papi at 1B more and you'll piss away some of his production at the plate. Part of the reason he broke out when he came to Boston was because he DHed and didn't have to sweat playing the field. His knees didn't have to take the extra punishment.