Submitted by Mitch Forman, Dec 14, 2006 15:24

The rough beast, slouching towards Bethlehem to be born, includes:

A 26 year-old who gave up 36 HR and pitched to a 5.01 ERA.

A 40 year-old who was hurt last year and gave up 28 HR himself

Another 40 year-old who was hurt (for a long time) last year and had a 4.63 era and a 7-11 record

A 26 year-old whose arm broke down after 68 innings and has never attempted a starter's workload.

Oh, yeah, and a guy who has never pitched an inning in the major leagues.

Projected Closer: 1.605 WHIP 6.63 ERA

Projected Set-up Guy: 1.469 WHIP 4.61 ERA

Other team highlights:

A shortstop with a glittering below-league-average 7.62 OPS (at least is was higher than his career 7.42 OPS)

A second baseman currently named Doe, John

A center fielder, given name Covelli Loyce, with an OPS that exactly equals the Las Vegas area code.

The best position player available who, after playing in a career-high 146 games, actually hit 20 HOME RUNS! (and stole 2 out 5 bases!) Soriano: 159 games, 46 HR, 41 steals, higher OPS, 2 months younger.

The Red Sox may well prove formidable, but could we look at this team in the cold light of day?

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