offseason moves

[jimmycarter05]

i think we should replace a hitter with hitters if we trade manny, so i'm in favor of texas,

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

you can forget about Soriano cause he was just traded to the Washington Nationals

[example1]

Yep, no Soriano. I really don't think there is anywhere we can send Manny without either eating all of his contract or taking horrible flop contracts like Erstad AND paying part of Manny's salary.

 

No dice. I'm keeping Manny.

 

I think they want to move Renteria as a way of assuring that they can afford to retain Damon. That makes a lot of sense, given that Damon is a rare-breed, as a top-notch leadoff hitter and center fielder with decent power. He is a lot harder to replace than .275 with 30 errors. I like Renteria, I want to keep him, but all things being equal I'm keeping Damon instead.

 

Loretta can be a good #2 hitter. Pedroia can play SS at some point this season and in the future. Im' not too worried about it. If one trade off of losing Renteria is being able to resign Damon then I like the deal already. Throw in Marte and I'm a happy camper.

[jimmycarter05]

if we miss out on damon and, couldn't we sign or trade for david delluci as a CF and leadout batter?

[ksushi]

I don't think we will miss out on Damon. I think Damon has no market. He'll come here for something like 4 years maybe 5 and 45 million maybe 55 tops. This Damon thing changes direction everyday though, who knows tomorrow he might be out the door on his way to detroit.

 

edit- why arent the chws more interested after losing rowand?

[MC Hammer]

I don't think we will miss out on Damon. I think Damon has no market. He'll come here for something like 4 years maybe 5 and 45 million maybe 55 tops. This Damon thing changes direction everyday though, who knows tomorrow he might be out the door on his way to detroit.

 

edit- why arent the chws more interested after losing rowand?

I don't think I want Damon for 4-5 years. If I'm signing Damon it's for no more than 3 years. His speed is going to keep speadily declining over the next few years and by the 4th year he would be 36 and likely not a very effective leadoff hitter anymore. If he can't be an effective leadoff hitter than the lists of cons with johnny way out weigh the pros. I don't even like a 3 year deal to be honest but I could live with it.

[ORS]

edit- why arent the chws more interested after losing rowand?

I think one of their top prospects, Brian Anderson, will be patrolling CF for the defending champs. Without Anderson waiting in the wings, I don't think they would have made the Rowand/Thome trade.

[The CUP]

i think if a 4 year at like 45 mill or 50 million will get him here and we need him by the fourth year he may be less of a player but still a solid player and the intangables thqat he give this team is worth the 4th year the sox goota sign him if not they better make a hard push for torrie hunter

[riverside sluggers]

Rotoworld: Sources told the Boston Herald that the Red Sox might not be prepared to move much from the four-year, $40 million offer currently being offered to Johnny Damon. Agent Scott Boras wants more. "I think you’re going to be surprised (where Damon ends up)," Boras said yesterday. "The winter meetings always have a surprise, and in Johnny Damon’s case, you’re going to be surprised. I think Johnny Damon’s case is very much up in the air." Still, there isn't one other reported offer for Damon out there. That doesn't mean there's nothing, but it's entirely possible Boras is trying to get the Red Sox to bid against themselves. For their part, the Red Sox are talking to Juan Encarnacion, who could be an option in center if Damon leaves.

 

Encarnacion, 29, is a free swinger with a career .268 average and .316 on-base percentage. He has averaged 16 home runs and 69 RBI in 495 at-bats the past two seasons. Encarnacion is a candidate to play center field, but replacing Damon at the top of the Red Sox order would be a greater challenge. Depending on the final makeup of the roster, the Sox might be forced to take an unconventional route with right fielder Trot Nixon or second baseman Mark Loretta leading off.

[Beckett95]

Brad Lidge Available

 

The Houston Chronicle's John P. Lopez believes the Astros are using Brad Lidge as trade bait for an outfielder.

"He has been and will be offered," Lopez writes in his blog. Lopez is more circumspect in his Chronicle column today, but still throws out possibilities such as Bobby Abreu, Manny Ramirez and Adam Dunn. Miguel Tejada is also there, but the Orioles and Reds can probably be ruled out, as neither team is an elite closer away from getting over the hump. Abreu makes the most sense of any possibility. In the unlikely event that the Astros do trade Lidge, Chad Qualls would likely be the favorite over Dan Wheeker to close. Dec. 11 - 4:38 am et

rotoworld

[schillingouttheks]

I don't want Brad Lidge. It would help the bullpen but we need a power bat in return, not a pitcher. We already have a few closers (Timlin, Mota, Foulke), and I don't feel like adding another closer in Lidge who absolutely choked during the playoffs.

[guapo34]

I don't want Brad Lidge. It would help the bullpen but we need a power bat in return, not a pitcher. We already have a few closers (Timlin, Mota, Foulke), and I don't feel like adding another closer in Lidge who absolutely choked during the playoffs.

 

 

You'd have to think Berkman would also be included in a trade for Manny. With how much money berkman is making though it might not be worth it. His numbers look good but you have to figure they'd go down after leaving whatever the name of that park is.

[DirtDog]

Whatever happens, we cannot let Trot Nixon go. This guy is the most underrated player on the ballclub. I heard his name in trade rumors and I was just appalled. He's good for .300 average, 25 homers and 85 RBIs no question. He also occasioanlly makes spectacular defensive plays and no one knows right field at Fenway better than him.

[Beckett95]

Whatever happens, we cannot let Trot Nixon go. This guy is the most underrated player on the ballclub. I heard his name in trade rumors and I was just appalled. He's good for .300 average, 25 homers and 85 RBIs no question. He also occasioanlly makes spectacular defensive plays and no one knows right field at Fenway better than him.

 

ya but he hasnt played a full season in 3 years. From the proposed trades ive read, i agree we should not trade him. Hopefully this year he can get back to playing like he did in 2003.

[yankeessuck013]

Whatever happens, we cannot let Trot Nixon go. This guy is the most underrated player on the ballclub. I heard his name in trade rumors and I was just appalled. He's good for .300 average, 25 homers and 85 RBIs no question. He also occasioanlly makes spectacular defensive plays and no one knows right field at Fenway better than him.

 

I agree, but Bobby Abreu is in a whole other league.

[DirtDog]

I agree, but Bobby Abreu is in a whole other league.

 

Yeah, the National League.

 

At the most hitter friendly park in the majors.

[Beckett95]

Yeah, the National League.

 

At the most hitter friendly park in the majors.

 

Abreu is much more durable, faster and a better all around hitter. Citizens Bank Park is a top hitters park but Fenway has to be up there to

[jimmycarter05]

Not to mention Abreu can run too, a 30/30 guy for like 5 straight seasons

[example1]

Brad Lidge Available

 

 

rotoworld

 

Interesting. Its not something we need for the long term, but I could imagine having Lidge for a year and trading him for something good in the future. Of course, I'm not sure how Foulke would respond to that. I'm also not sure that Manny is only worth Lidge. Lidge and Berkman perhaps, but not Lidge alone.

 

I don't see this happening though.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Brad Lidge Available

 

 

rotoworld

 

Fantastic talent who is not cheap. This guy is a top closer in the league and I wouldn't look too deep into his numbers for the postseason. The guy can pitch. However, the Red Sox and Astros are not really a match for a trade. We have a couple starters to offer in David Wells and Matt Clement but I'm sure neither of those guys are worth a top closer. Houston is not about to take on Manny's contract I don't believe. Not to mention I would want more than Lidge in return for Manny Ramirez.

 

....like I said the teams don't match up and I think Houston should be smart and keep him. With a top closer they will win more games rather than adding another bat.

[riverside sluggers]

Huckaby in line to replace Mirabelli

By Michael Silverman

Monday, December 12, 2005 - Updated: 01:04 AM EST

 

The Red Sox may have found a replacement for Doug Mirabelli by agreeing to a minor league deal with Ken Huckaby. The deal includes no guarantees that Huckaby will be knuckleballer Tim Wakefield’s personal catcher, but Huckaby could be the Sox catcher with the most passed balls next season. The club is not expected to pursue other catchers this offseason. Huckaby will be given the opportunity to cement a spot on the major league roster when spring training rolls around.

 

An official announcement on the deal for Huckaby could come from the Red Sox today. Prospect Kelly Shoppach can also be considered in the mix for the backup catcher’s job behind Jason Varitek. Shoppach is still considered to have high value, both with the club and on the trade market. Huckaby played on Team USA in 2001 when current Red Sox manager Terry Francona was the American skipper, and he has experience catching knuckleballer Tom Candiotti when they were in the Los Angeles Dodgers system. Next month, Huckaby plans to move to Melbourne, Fla., and catch Wakefield there, a month before spring training opens up in Fort Myers.

 

“Ken’s excited at this opportunity,” agent Kevin Kohler said. “One, to be back playing for Tito, and two, to be playing for the Boston Red Sox. At this point of his career, this is a dream opportunity.”

 

Huckaby doesnt hit for much power, but is a defensive catcher as they come. He's not afraid to sacrifice his body at the plate. Yankee fans know about that Im sure. Him doing that one time had Jeter dislocate his shoulder

[The CUP]

hopefully he can dislocate jeter's shoulder a few more times

[ahhchon]

I'm also not sure that Manny is only worth Lidge. Lidge and Berkman perhaps, but not Lidge alone.

 

I don't see this happening though.

 

neither do i, houston would never trade berkman and the inexpensive lidge for a player like manny, especially at his price.

 

i'de much rather berkman and lidge over one manny.

 

john

[MC Hammer]

I just don't understand why you would want Lidge and Berkman. Yes Lidge has been very good, but like someone said before we have Foulke, Timlin, and Mota ... and don't forget Hansen is waiting in the wings for the closer job. I just don't see how Lidge and Berkman are worth Manny.

[The CUP]

i hear you, i dont see it either berkman has been injurey prone aswell. its manny to the angles, dodgers or orioles thats it if not hell be back at fenway

[Beckett95]

The Red Sox have reportedly signed catcher Ken Huckaby to a minor league contract.

Huckaby, who has some experience catching former knuckleballer Tom Candiotti, could be Tim Wakefield's personal catcher next season. He'll compete with Kelly Shoppach for a roster spot, assuming that Shoppach isn't traded.

 

rotoworld

[MC Hammer]

rotoworld

Riverside posted that this morning.

[pats55sox45]

i really see manny staying put now, to be quite honest

they should hold a lil meeting with him, hire him a consultant to help him keep private anything

cuz were not getting anything for him

[yankeessuck013]

From Huckaby's time in Syracuse (Jays AAA team)... I know defensively, the guy is great. But, because of his weird set-up, he doesn't allow many passed balls. As well, he has a great arm to catch stealers.

 

A downside to him is that he isn't too great offensively. He doesn't hit that well nor can he run fast. He does have power to hit the long ball though.

[example1]

From Huckaby's time in Syracuse (Jays AAA team)... I know defensively, the guy is great. But, because of his weird set-up, he doesn't allow many passed balls. As well, he has a great arm to catch stealers.

 

A downside to him is that he isn't too great offensively. He doesn't hit that well nor can he run fast. He does have power to hit the long ball though.

 

Yeah, that's not why we're getting him though. So it doesn't matter all that much. On days when he catches we'll basically be an NL team with Manny, Ortiz, (hopefully) Damon, Loretta, Trot, Lowell, Youkilis, etc., to score the runs.