My Plan For The Red Sox

[elsrbueno]

Pedro's gone, Wells is in. This is what the Red Sox need to do (in my opinion).

 

Let Varitek persue his demands elsewhere. Jason: You've been awesome in a Red Sox uniform, but there's a difference between being loyal and being stupid. Jason Varitek is a mediocre offensive player away from Fenway Park, and there are better defensive choices out there. You're demands are simply too high.

 

Needs:

 

Catcher-- Go after Brian Schneider again. He's got better defense than Tek, could put up good numbers moving from Olympic Stadium to Fenway.

 

Shortstop-- Let Renteria go. Pick up Orlando for 4 years, $32 million. Yes, he's more pricey than Polanco, but I don't have confidence in Polanco as an everyday shortstop. Shift Orlando to second when Hanley Ramirez is ready.

 

#2 pitcher -- One thing to keep in mind is that this team already has an ace. Curt Schilling can and will be the man to lead this staff. The Red Sox do not NEED a #1 pitcher. They do, however, need a #2. Pavano would have been nice, and I'm not high on Clement. It doesn't seem that Hudson is going to work out with LA and Atlanta offering more talent. Who's left?

 

Kevin Millwood- No. He's simply not the same when he isn't under Leo Mazzone.

AJ Burnett- No. Hasn't proven enough for me.

 

Not a whole lot, actually. Theo's got his work cut out for him. His only hope is to pick up someone who's been underacheiving to date, but has the talent.

 

My best guess: He may try again to rescue Jason Jennings from Colorado.

 

My worst fear: He gives the #5 starter spot to BK Kim.

[element1151]

Originally posted by elsrbueno@Dec 14 2004, 07:06 AM

My worst fear:  He gives the #5 starter spot to BK Kim.

Mine also. It better not happen.

 

Now i think your plan is what we should go for. This team is going to be very different to what i thought the 2005 Red Sox would be like.

 

Too bad Schill won't be pitching until May.

[BoSoxfan]

I agree. I'll take Tek for 3yrs/27m, but no more.

there are plenty of No. 2 pitchers we can trade for or still pursue in FA market. If you think about, we only need a pitcher that can win 16 games next year.

Kim is not a good fit here, but we still need to let him pitch at least the first half of next year so we can use him in a trade. That guy need to go and I think by letting him pitch the first half other teams may (hopefully ) find a spot for him on their team.

 

That's my two cents worth.

[sarasoxfan]

I like els' plan a lot. I hear jennings is a stud. Burnett I'd take..clement I think is Lowe again.

Els, makes a good case for not signing tek, but I dont know enough about other guys top compare..I love tek and hope he statys.

 

I think it's a good plan, other the part about kim, he should go back to korea na bother them for awhile. He shouldnt even be allowed in boston, much less on the team,

 

The only thing I'd add about first base situation that has to be resolved.

 

I would prefer someone new and everyday.

[soxonfox]

for the most part, i think your plan is pretty good except for one thing. i think they have to sign tek.ik hes getting old but there anrt many other catchers out there. i also think clement would be a nice 4th or 5th starter for the sox and that i would have like to see pavano in a red sox uniform even though i think he is a little overatted.i think they will do pretty well in 05

[Chitalian Stallion]

who'd we deal for jennings? Millar and Kim? Hopefully not Minky, I like his defense

[soxonfox]

Originally posted by Chitalian Stallion@Dec 14 2004, 07:40 PM

who'd we deal for jennings? Millar and Kim? Hopefully not Minky, I like his defense

we didnt yet.

[yagmaster]

I'd like to see us get Jennings. He can be very effective.

[elsrbueno]

Originally posted by yagmaster@Dec 14 2004, 08:58 PM

I'd like to see us get Jennings. He can be very effective.

A Kim for Jennings type deal may not be too far off... although the Red Sox would have to pay Kim's salary.... which is probably why he still hasn't been traded.

[stocker323]

Originally posted by elsrbueno+Dec 14 2004, 09:38 PM-->

QUOTE (elsrbueno @ Dec 14 2004, 09:38 PM)

[Zenny]

What about signing Josh Phelps? I know his walk totals aren't great, but he's young and would come cheap since the Guardians just non-tendered him. We could trade Millar and Mientkiewicz for prospects (and financial flexibility) to use in a potential Hudson or Burnett or Sheets or whoever trade and we'd have a 26 year-old first baseman with a great deal of power potential.

 

Granted, I'm not saying this is realistic, but it's an option.

[sarasoxfan]

I'd be surprised if we could get an equipment manager with one arm and one leg for Kim..

 

I wouldnt hire him to work in a chinese or even a korean restaurant, he'd be too slow like his f***ing fastball.

[mosox]

I like Burnett, in fact the Sox were rumored to be working on a deal for him last July until the Marlins turned around and dealt Penny to the Dodgers.

[sarasoxfan]

I like zenny's idea...

 

I wouldnt mind seeing either minky or milar gho, or both.

I think there is a lot of room for improvement at first base, and a lot of guys who would a nice fiit with club, if you take both kevin and doug's salary and gave it to one guy we''d be talking an A list type guy.

[elsrbueno]

Originally posted by sarasoxfan@Dec 15 2004, 09:56 AM

I like zenny's idea...

 

I wouldnt mind seeing either minky or milar gho, or both.

I think there is a lot of room for improvement at first base, and a lot of guys who would a nice fiit with club, if you take both kevin and doug's salary and gave it to one guy we''d be talking an A list type guy.

Phelps isn't exactly an "A list" type guy.

 

That being said, I like the idea. He's a lot younger and cheaper than Millar, and has similar overall ability. The thing that worries me is Phelps' lack of plate discipline, but that could improve.

 

I like the idea, but Theo would have to do some serious finagling to get it done.

[YANKEESRULE]

I wouldn't be so confident on getting Ben Sheets in 06'. The Brewers are gonna throw everything they have at him and if he likes it there he will stay. Plus I know you've probably been sick of hearing this but, the Yanks were interested last year and would probably get him (if they need him) just so Boston could not.

[sarasoxfan]

why are we even talking about someone for 06 its ridiculous...

 

 

we need a #2 guy now.

[CrespoBlows]

Originally posted by Zenny@Dec 14 2004, 11:23 PM

What about signing Josh Phelps? I know his walk totals aren't great, but he's young and would come cheap since the Guardians just non-tendered him. We could trade Millar and Mientkiewicz for prospects (and financial flexibility) to use in a potential Hudson or Burnett or Sheets or whoever trade and we'd have a 26 year-old first baseman with a great deal of power potential.

 

Granted, I'm not saying this is realistic, but it's an option.

Why would we trade for prospects? This team is coming off a World Series run, and Phelps isn't that great anyway.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Now that we got Renteria I think the Sox will trade for Burnett. Forget the injury problem, he pitched great at the end of last year and was hitting 97 mph. This guy has some sick pitches and will be the next great Red Sox pitcher for years. I'm sure Curt Schilling would give him plenty of insight into pitching, Wells would give him insight into drinking.

[Zenny]

Originally posted by CrespoBlows@Dec 15 2004, 03:55 PM

Why would we trade for prospects? This team is coming off a World Series run, and Phelps isn't that great anyway.

We would trade for prospects to move on for a young ace. I know Phelps isn't that great, but trading Millar and Mientkiewicz for those potential prospects means we need a first baseman.

 

Granted, I'm not a big Josh Phelps fan. He needs more plate discipline, but he could hit 30+ homers some day. Again, I didn't say it was a realistic plan. I was just trying to think outside the box.

[ahhchon]

Originally posted by YANKEESRULE@Dec 15 2004, 02:53 PM

I wouldn't be so confident on getting Ben Sheets in 06'. The Brewers are gonna throw everything they have at him and if he likes it there he will stay. Plus I know you've probably been sick of hearing this but, the Yanks were interested last year and would probably get him (if they need him) just so Boston could not.

if ben sheets EVER made it into the fa market boston and ny would NOT be the only two teams bidding on him. it'll come down to us two, possibly with the angels but if it really came down to a bidding war the sox would win. with schilling being gone after 06 we'de definately need an ace.

 

you guys will allready still have pavano, vazquez and moose.

 

john

[DOrtiz4prez]

Originally posted by ahhchon+Dec 15 2004, 06:35 PM-->

QUOTE (ahhchon @ Dec 15 2004, 06:35 PM)

[yeszir]

Unfortunately Els, you were wrong about letting Rent go.

 

As for Burnett, I think he'd make a great, albeit risky #2 (or even 3) guy behind Schill (and/or wells). He's young and has amazing potential. Imagine if we could secure him and then got Sheets next year. We'd have a great young pitching staff. Burnett is 27, and he can throw 100. Through careful work load (basically treating him like Pedro), I'm sure the sox can get a great season out of him.

 

Anyway, it looks to me at least that Burnett would be the best pitcher to get. It's doubtful that Hudson will sign in my mind.

[Zenny]

I don't see why Burnett has such a huge injury prone reputation. Tommy John Surgery should make him better than ever, as his monthly splits proved from this year. I don't see him as much of a risk.

[DOrtiz4prez]

AJ Burnett:

 

In 1999 he started 7 games.

In 2000 he started 13 games.

In 2001 he started 27 games.

In 2002 he started 29 games.

In 2003 he started 4 games.

In 2004 he started 19 games.

 

I'm not sure if any of these seasons he didn't start because of injuries but those are his started games for his career.

[Zenny]

Only '03 and '04 were injury related (Tommy John). The rest were because he was 22 (1999) or 23 (2000) and inexperienced. Plus, the fact that he's already had Tommy John as a young pitcher reduces the risk that he could potentially have it while under contract with us.

[DOrtiz4prez]

Can anybody explain exactly what Tommy John is to me?

[yeszir]

Originally posted by DOrtiz4prez@Dec 15 2004, 09:53 PM

Can anybody explain exactly what Tommy John is to me?

From wikipedia:

In the 1974 season, Tommy John permanently damaged the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm and a revolutionary surgical operation was performed. This operation, known as Tommy John surgery, replaced the elbow tendon of his pitching arm with a tendon from his right wrist. The surgery was performed by Dr. Frank Jobe on September 25, 1974, and although it seemed unlikely he would ever be able to pitch again, he spent the entire 1975 season in recovery and returned to the Dodgers in 1976. John went on to pitch until 1989, winning 164 games after his surgery—one fewer game than all-time great Sandy Koufax won in his career.

[elsrbueno]

Originally posted by yeszir@Dec 15 2004, 07:55 PM

Unfortunately Els, you were wrong about letting Rent go.

I still would have rather seen Orlando at a cheaper price than Renteria.... but I guess I'll get over it.