As the weather starts to slowly warm up and the crisp winter air morphs into a faint smell of spring, I can’t help but daydream about the impending rollercoaster ride that the Sox are destined to take me on in 2008.

They are undoubtedly a nasty team, and it’s only the first leg of the 162-game marathon, but I am truly irked about the way the staff has been throwing. I mean, if you aren’t, you’re nuts. They have combined to allow a grand total of 36 runs over five of their last six contests. The supernatural arms of the “kids” have been so-so at best and the bullpen is starting to resemble a backyard barbecue wiffle ball pitching performance by an overly intoxicated family member. Worried? Yes! Distraught? Not yet.

I live and breathe sports in this town and I remember far worse starts by this team. It’s just watching the guys that were supposed to be included in the acquisition of newly anointed New York Mets ace Johan Santana throw and not succeed that bothers me. Not to mention, Jacoby Ellsbury has been reduced to a part-time player and he’s not happy, you can see it in his face.

Take note of who I threw on this list. This is MY top-10, I’m sure some of you will have differing opinions, but we shall see what reality brings by the end of the season.

Of course, there are very talented pitchers outside my top-10. For instance, I think that Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez is in for a breakout season, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim starting pitcher Jered Weaver will shine bright and Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano will finally throw consistently.

Once again, my apologies for the late rankings this season, it won’t happen again. But I was in pretty rough shape after I got my spine shaved and a herniated disc surgically repaired.

I know I’ve thanked you before Dr. B, but thanks again.

Good luck guys, here are MY rankings.

Home Cooking

Daisuke Matsuzaka (SP) Boston Red Sox

Here are some key dates to remember:

Feb. 14: Voluntary reporting date for pitchers, catchers and injured players.

Feb. 19: Voluntary reporting date for all other players.

Feb. 26: Mandatory reporting date.

March 30: Opening Day, active rosters reduced to 25 players.

There you have it folks, it’s pretty ridiculous how close the approaching 2008 campaign really is. I highly suggest if you’re serious about Fantasy Baseball to start devising strategies and paying close attention to the happenings and injury reports that are filtering out of big league cities. Like I mentioned in the “Hitters on the Move” piece a while back, the flat beers and stale popcorn are just around the corner. As a matter of fact, I’m sure the kegs from last season are still sitting in the storage closets of major league parks as we speak.

Francisco Cordero (CL) – Cincinnati Reds