Let me just preface this by saying that I generally enjoy Larry Mahnken’s work. But I couldn’t help but chuckle at this excerpt in his running item over at The Hardball Times, Rivals in Exile. Mahnken writes…

Still, I say the Yankees have the edge on Boston next year. I don’t expect much of a drop-off from anyone next year except maybe a small net decrease at second (remember, Wilson played for much of the season). I expect A-Rod to be better, Giambi to be better, Tino to be an improvement on Clark and Olerud, Johnson to be a big improvement on Vazquez, Pavano to be no worse than Lieber, and Wright to be as good as or better than Loaiza and Contreras were. I expect Mussina to bounce back big, and Brown to bounce back a little. The bullpen is deeper, and should be fresher in October. I think they have a better team than they did last year, although with more risk. I think the Red Sox are about the same, with much less risk. Over the course of the season that should even out for a close race, but in October I don’t think Schilling/Clement/Wells/Arroyo can match Johnson/Mussina/Pavano/whoever.

I thought I would try my own version.

Still, I say Boston has the edge on the Yankees next year. I don’t expect much of a drop-off from anyone next year except maybe a small net decrease in center field (Damon had a huge year in 2004). I expect Renteria to improve the overall production at short, Nixon to be better, Payton to be an improvement over Kapler and Roberts, Wells to be a big upgrade over Lowe, Clement to be no worse than Pedro and Miller to be as good or better than what the Sox got from their back end last year. I expect Wakefield to bounce back big and Arroyo to improve a little. The bullpen is deeper, and should be fresher in October. I think they have a better team than they did last year though with less risk. I think the Yankees have spun the living hell out of their wheels and taken on more risk. Over the course of the season, I’d be surprised if the race were even close though it’s possible. But in October, I don’t think Johnson/Moose/Pavano can match up with Schilling/Miller/Clement/Wells/Arroyo/Wakefield.

Aren’t assertions fun?

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