Billy Mueller

[MANNYHOF24]

This guy is one of the most underrated players in the majors. He just goes out their gets clutch hits, has some pop, and plays a great 3rd base. My question is what to do next year, i mean you have Youkilis who is MLB ready, but loosing Mueller would really hurt this lineup. I say put Youk at first and resign Mueller for 2 years.

[Ray10]

Couldn't agree with you more Mueller is way to underated the guy is outstanding and really doesn't get enough credit.

[sarasoxfan]

he is one of my top three or four players, he just does it- all -never a peep..just clutch hits, some awesome defense.love this guy, I pray they re-sign him. I think he has proven he can hold up and while I know there a lot of youk fans in here as far as I am concerned mueller is the man, and hopefully will be back at third next year.

[Sizzlin22]

I'm a huge fan of guys who get clutch hits, so he's definitly high on my list, he is also a gold glove caliber defensive player and should definitly get consideration for a GG this year.

 

As far as him being bak at third next year I doubt it, management appers to be leaning towards letting Youk take over next year.

[ORS]

The Sox need to s*** or get off the pot with Youk. He's going to be a solid player, but he is out of options at the end of this year, so they need to either make a roster spot for him or trade him for as much as they can get.

 

I think letting Bill Mueller go would be a mistake at this point and would be upsetting for Sox fans. I say sign him to a 2-year deal (or 3 if that is a demand of his, he'd be a hell of a PH off the bench that last year if he's showing age in the field) and platoon Youk at first.

 

Youk will play better D than Millar and put up similar offensive numbers. He could platoon with Olerud, if he comes back, or Petagine. Papi could even play a few games in the field. The platooning option would save the Sox from overspending for a FA 1B in the offseason, which would allow them to go after a frontline starter and some BP help.

[riverside sluggers]

Im glad as well for Mueller to break out of his offensive slump, going 2 for 5 in todays game. So far in the Yankee series, he has gone 5 for 9 (.444 avg)

[riverside sluggers]

Youk will play better D than Millar and put up similar offensive numbers. He could platoon with Olerud, if he comes back, or Petagine. Papi could even play a few games in the field. The platooning option would save the Sox from overspending for a FA 1B in the offseason, which would allow them to go after a frontline starter and some BP help.

 

agreed, Id like Sox to either go after AJ Burnett or Jarrod Washburn (Blue Jays and Orioles are interested in seeking him as well.

[CrespoBlows]

agreed, Id like Sox to either go after AJ Burnett or Jarrod Washburn (Blue Jays and Orioles are interested in seeking him as well.

 

Who is that in you're avatar? I've never seen, or maybe I have, that player.

 

As for Burnett, I'd take Papelbon at 300 thousand, rather than Burnett at 12 million.

[Chitalian Stallion]

Who is that in you're avatar? I've never seen, or maybe I have, that player.

 

As for Burnett, I'd take Papelbon at 300 thousand, rather than Burnett at 12 million.

 

(I think it's Harville)

I definately agree w/ Papelbon, neither Burnett or Washburn are appealing to me, I think we have enough Starting Pitching as it is, We have 4 solid starters now (Wells, Clement, Wake, and Schill) and hopefully Miller will recover from his injury by next season. If not Miller, then Papelbon can certainly fill the gap, plus, we got Lester and Sanchez comin up soon. Also I'd love to start both Youk and Mueller everyday at the corners, thatd be a great defensive infield (Mueller, ERent, Tony G, and Youk) and we'd be keeping two no-nonsense, no complaining type players who always give it their all. I'd be very dissapointed if Mueller leaves, but if he ever comes back to Fenway, even in a Yankee uni, I'd give him a standing O

[riverside sluggers]

keep in mind Wells is questionable for 2006, with him mulling retirement

[Sizzlin22]

I'm not and never have been impressed with Washburn, Burnett interests me very much though. He's young, and proven he can be affective down the stretch, tohugh it looks like his favorite in the AL East is the Orioles, and god knows they should shell it all out for pitching.

[MrJimH]

I would swear that I read somewhere that Burnett was pretty high on the possibility of signing with the Red Sox. Am I wrong?

[riverside sluggers]

no its true, he said they were high on his list during the trade deadline. He likes the clubhouse and ball park atmosphere and the type of fans that come to root for their team

[Sizzlin22]

I would swear that I read somewhere that Burnett was pretty high on the possibility of signing with the Red Sox. Am I wrong?

You're wrong, apparently his wife has family in the Baltimore area, and I'm pretty sure he was quoted saying around the deadline that if they were going to send him anywhere send him to Baltimore (they were still contending at the time). So I'm pretty sure Baltimore is his top in the AL East, though I'm sure a little cash could bring out a "Honey Boston is close enought to Baltimore".

[riverside sluggers]

i know fully well the story about his wife's family living in Baltimore, I do remember however on a NESN pre-game report Gordon Edes reporting about Gordon Edes, they were high on his list during the trade deadline. He likes the clubhouse and ball park atmosphere and the type of fans that come to root for their team

[Sox Fan on Cape]

i know fully well the story about his wife's family living in Baltimore, I do remember however on a NESN pre-game report Gordon Edes reporting about Gordon Edes, they were high on his list during the trade deadline. He likes the clubhouse and ball park atmosphere and the type of fans that come to root for their team

You might want to edit this .

[riverside sluggers]

yeaaa it was a typo, i guess i'll put my replies thru u before i post them

[noonanberg]

Try not to take this the wrong way, but I'm not sold on Mueller. First I don't think he's that great of a fielder. I'm not saying he's bad, but overall I'd say he's just average. Youk is a better fielder in my opinion. Second, I don't know about all these CLUTCH hits. I'll give him credit that he gets on base a lot and usually ends up getting driven in by some part of the top of the order, but he himself rarely gets clutch hits, and most of his hits are singles anyway, meaning it usually takes a deep hit or two hits to drive him in. However, before you all rip me apart which I know you're gonna, if it could be arranged that he and Youkilis could both play (the 1st and 3rd set- up) I'd be happy with that. Certainly a .300 batter in the 8 or 9 spot is rare, but if it's either him or Youk, I'd put my stock in Youk both for the future and the now.

[MC Hammer]

I'm not going to rip you apart but there are just a few questions that need to be asked. First how do you know Youk is a better fielding 3B when you've barely ever seen him play there? Second, how can you say that just becasue Billy hits singles it's not clutch. Clutch doesn't always mean a gap shot or a HR. Clutch has nothing to do with how far you hit the ball, and everything to do with getting a hit when your team needs it most, trailing, or in a tight game, late in the game.

[riverside sluggers]

Try not to take this the wrong way, but I'm not sold on Mueller. First I don't think he's that great of a fielder. I'm not saying he's bad, but overall I'd say he's just average. Youk is a better fielder in my opinion. Second, I don't know about all these CLUTCH hits. I'll give him credit that he gets on base a lot and usually ends up getting driven in by some part of the top of the order, but he himself rarely gets clutch hits, and most of his hits are singles anyway, meaning it usually takes a deep hit or two hits to drive him in. However, before you all rip me apart which I know you're gonna, if it could be arranged that he and Youkilis could both play (the 1st and 3rd set- up) I'd be happy with that. Certainly a .300 batter in the 8 or 9 spot is rare, but if it's either him or Youk, I'd put my stock in Youk both for the future and the now.

 

first off, your opinion doesnt matter after ripping time and time again Edgar and Francona, now you have to go for Billy Ballgame? Yea he kind of won the MLB batting title in 03. Besides that assine stuff to argue about, and you're ripping the gold glove defense he's had this year?? thats right gold glove, which by the way IMO he is in the list of candidates being considered this season to win that prestigous award.

 

if it could be arranged that he and Youkilis could both play (the 1st and 3rd set- up)

 

Youkilis really doesnt need to do 1st base rest of this season with Millar and Olerud starting to really contribute with their great offense, and Petagine as the other 1st base backup on the bench.

 

Second, I don't know about all these CLUTCH hits. I'll give him credit that he gets on base a lot and usually ends up getting driven in by some part of the top of the order, but he himself rarely gets clutch hits, and most of his hits are singles anyway, meaning it usually takes a deep hit or two hits to drive him in.

 

Of his 135 hits he's had 8 HRs, 32 Doubles, 3 Triples

He has the highest batting avg in the mlb with bases loaded (even been said on ESPN several times). 10 hits in 19 at bats (.526 avg) Double, 18 RBIs

 

let alone with RISP, he has had 42 hits in 125 at bats (.336 avg) 10 Doubles, Triple, HR, 45 RBIs, 18 Walks

 

by the way those numbers would be considered clutch, ass

[Sizzlin22]

Try not to take this the wrong way, but I'm not sold on Mueller. First I don't think he's that great of a fielder. I'm not saying he's bad, but overall I'd say he's just average. Youk is a better fielder in my opinion. Second, I don't know about all these CLUTCH hits. I'll give him credit that he gets on base a lot and usually ends up getting driven in by some part of the top of the order, but he himself rarely gets clutch hits, and most of his hits are singles anyway, meaning it usually takes a deep hit or two hits to drive him in. However, before you all rip me apart which I know you're gonna, if it could be arranged that he and Youkilis could both play (the 1st and 3rd set- up) I'd be happy with that. Certainly a .300 batter in the 8 or 9 spot is rare, but if it's either him or Youk, I'd put my stock in Youk both for the future and the now.

I would tear you apart for saying this but people have already taken care of this.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I have to go just the opposite and say I'm not sold on Youkilis. I like how he takes pitches and works at every at bat. That fits right in to being a Red Sox hitter but I'm not sure what to expect from the 26 year old Kevin Youk who can't seem to get enough at bats to warrent being a solid everyday player. Now I like Youkilis but I'm into a player who is so good Francona can't keep him on the bench. Bill Mueller was so good the Sox turned around and traded Shea Hillenbrand. Personally thats what I like to see is a player do so well the team has no choice but to play him. Papelbon came up and has pitched so well Francona has to put him on the 25-man roster for the playoffs...otherwise he looks rediculous. Graffanino out played Mark Bellhorn at 2nd base. Now its not easy to take out Bill Mueller who is one of the best 3rd basemen in the league....I would prefer to trade Youkilis in the off season and keep Bill Mueller. I just don't know if I see Youkilis being a gold glove .300 Avg.-25 HR hitter.

[MrJimH]

I for one would hate to see him move on.......Mueller........has been a real plus both with his hitting and fielding skills........and I'm not sure that Youk will be that much of an improvement over Mueller.....yes, Youk is younger, but Mueller is proven......Youk is still a work in progress!

[ORS]

Andrew Pinckney's breakout year in Greenville will be an added variable into the decision making process for the FO this offseason concerning 3B. He's still probably 2-4 years away (2 if he keeps improving like he did last offseason). If they like what they see in him, it wouldn't surprise me terribly to see Billy signed for 2-3 years and Youk either dealt for pitching or platooned at first. I'd like to see him platooned at first.

[Varitek33]

This guy is one of the most underrated players in the majors. He just goes out their gets clutch hits, has some pop, and plays a great 3rd base. My question is what to do next year, i mean you have Youkilis who is MLB ready, but loosing Mueller would really hurt this lineup. I say put Youk at first and resign Mueller for 2 years.

 

I like your idea but I say put Olerud at first and keep Youk a replacement.

[riverside sluggers]

I like your idea but I say put Olerud at first and keep Youk a replacement.

 

Olerud can just be a backup player, his legs arent that strong for him to start each game

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Olerud can just be a backup player, his egs arent that strong for him to start each game

At most, I think Olerud will sign as a back-up. Personally, I think he'll seriously consider retiring, or go to a team strictly as a DH ( this would pretty much eliminate him from the Sox, re Papi ).

[pennyco]

I heard somewhere that Bill Mueller wasn't really happy on the east coast and that he may be looking to move west. That would be a shame. He's a great player with a great attitude and he adds a lot to the team.

[MC Hammer]

Well I know somewhere is a very reliable source.

[CrespoBlows]

Pennyco, actually has a valid point. Bill Mueller (according to WEEI back in July) hinted that he'd rather move out toward California, his home.