2006 FA Market

[User Name]

I think if you guys were to get Sori that you should bat him leadoff (only if Damon leaves of coarse). He thrived there with us and Ive never seen a leadoff hitter (except maybe Henderson) who can put the momentum in his teams favor so quickly. Remember 2002 when he just went on a tear of leadoff homers.

 

 

Agreed. IF we got him, which I'd LOVE, it's really like to see him batting leadoff. Even if we keep JD, we could perhaps have them alternating leadoff every few games or so.

[jimmycarter05]

I think if you guys were to get Sori that you should bat him leadoff (only if Damon leaves of coarse). He thrived there with us and Ive never seen a leadoff hitter (except maybe Henderson) who can put the momentum in his teams favor so quickly. Remember 2002 when he just went on a tear of leadoff homers.

 

why wouldn't a yankee fan show interest in soriano? i mean i know you have cano, but the yankee way in buying every all star player there ever was

[jimmycarter05]

Agreed. IF we got him, which I'd LOVE, it's really like to see him batting leadoff. Even if we keep JD, we could perhaps have them alternating leadoff every few games or so.

 

 

thank you thank you thank you

 

other people are finally showing interest in soriano

[User Name]

Well, yes, I'd love to see him a Red Sock, but he's not a FA, if I'm not mistaken. And if he isn't, what kind of trade could we pull for him?

 

And has anyone like Theo even expressed intrest in Sori yet? Is Sori even unhappy in Texas?

 

You see, there's lots of questions.

[riverside sluggers]

Well, yes, I'd love to see him a Red Sock, but he's not a FA, if I'm not mistaken. And if he isn't, what kind of trade could we pull for him?

 

And has anyone like Theo even expressed intrest in Sori yet? Is Sori even unhappy in Texas?

 

You see, there's lots of questions.

 

Texas Rangers have expressed they want to trade off Soriano. He is not a free agent until the 2006 offseason, and the Rangers are seeking in return top quality pitching. The Twins could be the front runner, since they need to hype up their offense.

 

Boston.com has already said the Sox's plans are to have Triple A Dustin Pedroia and Alex Cora at that position.

 

Sox will be giving up prospects anyway with the Aubrey Huff deal, Boston.com had already pointed out that a trade with Tampa Bay is targeted

[yankeessuck013]

thank you thank you thank you

 

other people are finally showing interest in soriano

 

I think splooging this much over soriano can be very unhealthy....you shoud really look into this.

[jimmycarter05]

I think splooging this much over soriano can be very unhealthy....you shoud really look into this.

 

ha ha but i turned crazy when i chose to be a boston fan

[User Name]

Well, I guess there's hope we'd get Soriano, but from the looks of it, very little.

[Ray10]

I say the Sox should pursure Burnett Wagner and Konerko and Resign Mueller and Damon but if we happen to loose Damon then try and sign Jaque Jones.

[User Name]

I say the Sox should pursure Burnett Wagner and Konerko and Resign

 

Haven't you figured by now that we won't get Konerko? I have.

[yankeessuck013]

I say the Sox should pursure Burnett Wagner and Konerko and Resign Mueller and Damon but if we happen to loose Damon then try and sign Jaque Jones.

 

i couldn't have said it any better myself

[yankeessuck013]

I want to get durazo. He is awesome.

 

might not be bad if we can't get konerko or huff...although I'm still keeping an eye on dunn even though cincinatti would ask for all of pawtucket and portland

 

Hitting

 

Durazo is a disciplined hitter whose main strength is his power. There is no doubt Durazo can hit, especially righthanders. After showing a tendency to hit better during day games early in his career, he has become a much better night hitter. He also batted .364 with 21 RBI last season with the bags loaded.

 

 

Baserunning & Defense

 

Both Durazo and the Athletics are better off leaving the defensive duties to others. He is fairly fast for a 240-pounder, however, capable of stealing a bag and taking an extra base. Once all that muscle gets moving, it is hard to stop.

[Mannys Tokin Buddy]

if we happen to loose Damon then try and sign Jaque Jones.

 

Who plays center??? Jones is a right fielder. If we moved nixon to center, we might have the worst defensive outfield in baseball.

 

IMO, I think Damon walks....between age, injuries and the desire for a long term (4+ years) contract, I think we go our separate ways. One potential deal is a Manny for Beltran. I don't want to see Manny leave, but Beltran would help our defense and baserunning.

 

The free agent I want to see the Sox get is AJ Burnett....28 years old with two plus pitches....the kid has potential.

[yankeessuck013]

The free agent I want to see the Sox get is AJ Burnett....28 years old with two plus pitches....the kid has potential.

 

yep, yep, yep...... exactly!

[User Name]

I don't want Manny for Beltran. Mets are my 2nd favorite team, and I watch them a good amount, and Beltran was a big dissapointment this year, for all that money.

[Mannys Tokin Buddy]

I don't want Manny for Beltran. Mets are my 2nd favorite team, and I watch them a good amount, and Beltran was a big dissapointment this year, for all that money.

 

I agree that Beltran is a downgrade from Manny offensively. But from what I remember (and Beltran was supposed to be one of my fantasy studs) he suffered from a quadraceps injury that limited his speed and his fielding. IMO, I think 2005 is the outlier for Beltran's career. His numbers before that illustrate a very successful player until this year. But the question really is was it the injury or was it the pressure of NYC?

[yankeessuck013]

Who plays center??? Jones is a right fielder. If we moved nixon to center' date=' we might have the worst defensive outfield in baseball.[/quote']

 

http://www.mlb4u.com/freeagent.html

 

check there, it lists Jones as a CF...also when Toriiii Hunter was on the DL at the end of the year didn't Jones switch to CF...Yes he did.

[Mannys Tokin Buddy]

http://www.mlb4u.com/freeagent.html

 

check there, it lists Jones as a CF...also when Toriiii Hunter was on the DL at the end of the year didn't Jones switch to CF...Yes he did.

 

I think you may be right....but honestly, an outfield of Manny, Jones and Nixon scares the hell out of me. There are three decent arms, but none of them have tremendous range. Damon's range hides a lot of Nixon's weaker range.

[ORS]

Did anyone take a look at the 2006/2007 FA class? Talk about a sweepstakes. I'd like to see the team patching holes this offseason in order to be flush with cash for the end of next season. Here's a sample:

 

1B: Derek Lee, Dmitri Young, Shea Hillenbrand, Ortiz (team option)

2B: Alfonso Soriano, Jeff Kent, Adam Kennedy

SS: Julio Lugo

3B: Melvin Mora

OF: Barry Bonds, Cliff Floyd, Juan Pierre, Dave Roberts, Shannon Stewart ....(Edmonds, Rowand, Hunter, Sheffield, Dye, Cameron, and JD Drew all have a team option)

 

RHSP: Jon Garland, Brad Radke, Kerry Wood (mutual option), Mike Mussina (team option), Kelvim Escobar, Jose Contreras, Orlando Hernandez, Adam Eaton, John Smoltz (team option)

LHSP: Andy Pettitte, Mark Mulder, Barry Zito, Ted Lilly, Mark Buehrle (team option), Boomer (if he doesn't retire)

Relivers: Mariano Rivera (team option), Eric Gagne (team option), Troy Percival

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I would imagine most of those options being picked up and some of those guys hitting long term contracts...however...it would set up nice for possible trades by the trade deadline for those teams who can't strike a deal. Personally I think this free agent market can be real good. I'd like to see the Red Sox go after three players: Brian Giles (play CF for a few years until Ellsbury is ready), AJ Burnett (we need that #2 ace), and BJ Ryan (set up lefty). Then I would resign Timlin and Myers. Trade Arroyo for Overbay. Wells would probably do something else and give the sox a look like this:

ROTATION

Curt Schilling

AJ Burnett

Tim Wakefield

Matt Clement

Jonathan Papelbon

 

BULLPEN

CL: Keith Foulke

SU: Mike Timlin

SU: BJ Ryan

SR: Chad Bradford

SL: Mike Myers

LR: Lenny DiNardo

LR: Wade Miller

 

POSITION

C: Jason Varitek

1B: Lyle Overbay

2B: Dustin Pedroia

3B: Kevin Youkilis

SS: Edgar Renteria

RF: Trot Nixon

CF: Brian Giles

LF: Manny Ramirez

DH: David Ortiz

 

 

....a big question on the defensive side with a young infield and slow outfield...but if you look closely...a majority of the pitchers are strikeout guys which would help a lot

[ORS]

I'd like to land Giles and Ryan this year. Burnett's stuff can dominate, but he's going to command a lot of money and the injury/effectivness question mark still looms over his head. I'd prefer some patience to get a good lefty next year. I doubt Pettitte would come here, but Zito and Mulder are both appealing.

 

Your roster appears to be missing Hansen. Pawtuckett start or an ommission?

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I think both Hansen and Delcarmen will start in Pawtucket. Certainly making an appearance in the majors for 2006 at some point. Hansen needs to get his slider back and Delcarmen needs to work on his curve so he can throw it for strikes. Things don't work out the way you want and I'm sure injuries will take a run as well as some players being ineffective. With the outfield I listed its very important to have defensive backups. With the infield I listed its important to have experienced players to help out the young guys.

 

I think I agree 100% about Burnett. I'm real high on him but with the problem he had with McKeon I now question his character. I don't like bringing in guys with an attitude problem. If this team is going to get a facelift I want leaders to come in and a team that doesnt have drama.

 

I think you are also right as far as adding a lefty starter cause the list I provided doesn't include one. I'm wondering how long it will be for Jon Lester to finish up his minor league career. Theo has been saying a lot about building from within and maybe he doesn't address a free agent starter. Perhaps moves a "finally" healthy Wade Miller back to the rotation for now. I don't see the Sox making a move for another starter other than Burnett cause I don't see many guys being upgrades from what we alreay have. So you are right as far as waiting for those prime pitchers to hit the market or waiting for Lester.

[jimmycarter05]

Did anyone take a look at the 2006/2007 FA class? Talk about a sweepstakes. I'd like to see the team patching holes this offseason in order to be flush with cash for the end of next season. Here's a sample:

 

1B: Derek Lee, Dmitri Young, Shea Hillenbrand, Ortiz (team option)

2B: Alfonso Soriano, Jeff Kent, Adam Kennedy

SS: Julio Lugo

3B: Melvin Mora

OF: Barry Bonds, Cliff Floyd, Juan Pierre, Dave Roberts, Shannon Stewart ....(Edmonds, Rowand, Hunter, Sheffield, Dye, Cameron, and JD Drew all have a team option)

 

RHSP: Jon Garland, Brad Radke, Kerry Wood (mutual option), Mike Mussina (team option), Kelvim Escobar, Jose Contreras, Orlando Hernandez, Adam Eaton, John Smoltz (team option)

LHSP: Andy Pettitte, Mark Mulder, Barry Zito, Ted Lilly, Mark Buehrle (team option), Boomer (if he doesn't retire)

Relivers: Mariano Rivera (team option), Eric Gagne (team option), Troy Percival

 

 

 

i like this list of free agents much more than this year...i think everyone we sign this year we should do 1 year deals with team options so we can get some of these players for next year

[Cityofchampions33]

2006 Wanted Roster

Catcher: Varitek should do fine, hopefully he can put togetehr a full season, he hasn't lost anything on his defensive side, making a few great plays at home. Belli has 1 year left on his contract and his average dropped a little but overall is still the best backup in baseball.

 

First Base: I wouldn't mind at all pulling the trigger on a Arroyo, Alvarez deal, but I doubt TB will be quick to accept it. If we do get Huff we get a much needed power hitter behind Manny, improving our 3-4-5. Not only can Huff jack the ball, he can use his glove too. That is the biggest reason why I want him, it would provide a much needed defensive boost and would virtally be having Olerud w/ more pop.

 

Second Base: I'd like to have Graffy back at least 1 more season before we hand it over to Pedroia, who seems to have a promising career ahead of him.

 

Third Base: Unfortunuatly I think Mueller has seen his last day in a Sox uni, finally giving Youk the full time job, with his salary goe we can bloster the bench.

 

Shortstop: Hopefully Rent will work on his glovework and I think he'll have a much better season now that he has his 1st AL season under his belt. I see his power and average coming back.

 

Outfield: I don't want Manny to go mostly because there's no way to replace him, and we'll be losing Damon in CF. I'd wait a season and sign someone to a short term deal then go after Pierre next year. Then again, I have a feeling Hanley will start there ina couple of years. Trot, though he is great defensively and can be an offensive threat when healthy has become somewhat of a nuisance. His injuries have sent the Sox in a scramble to find a replacement and left a big hole in the Sox order. I'd much prefer we trade him if possible and sign Giles to the shortest deal possible. Hopefully our OF spects will be ready soon.

 

Rotation: Not sure I want another #3 starter in Burnett, we already have 4 of him. I'd also like to wiat on this and go after Zito next season, whos hinted he wanted to be in Boston. Schilling will be a big factor into our success this year, if he returns to ace form it could mean a 100 win season. Papelbon really excites me, if he can get some easy outs on less pitches I see him being very effective going 7 strong each time.

 

Bullpen: Our faulter here was mostly due to injuries in Foulke and Mantei, who were a big part of the plan last year. Worst comes to worse this year is we have Hansen and Delcarmen to back them up this year. This however doesn't mean I wouldn't love having B.J. Ryan backing up Foulke.

 

1) SS Edgar Renteria

2) RF Brain Giles

3) DH David Ortiz

4) LF Manny Ramirez

5) 1B Aubrey Huff

6) C Jason Varitek

7) CF Preston Wilson

8) 3B Kevin Youkilis

9) 2B Tony Graffanino

 

1) Curt Schilling

2) Tim Wakefield

3) A.J. Burnett

4) Matt Clement

5) Jon Papelbon

 

1) Lenny DiNardo

2) Craig Hansen

3) Mike Myers

4) B.J. Ryan

5) Mike Timlin

6) Keith Foulke

[User Name]

I'd love to sign Giles, but maybe to a 3 year deal. If we have prospects ready earlier, then we can just have them or even Giles as a bench player.

[CalvnHobs6]

What's up with Wade Miller? He's arbitration eligible...will he be healthy? A healthy, effective Wade Miller sounds more promising than another NL to AL pitcher. I am totally anti signing AJ Burnett right now. Pavano mean anything to anyone? Arroyo could certainly still be in the rotation next year, he could be involved the anticipated Huff trade, but don't be surprised to see the Sox go with Johnny Olerud again, or if for some heavenly reason the A's don't pick up Hatteberg's option, there's some underrated talent there. Also, for the bullpen, you can almost guarantee Manny Delcarmen seeing some time there.

 

And Trot Nixon isn't going anywhere. As for Johnny Damon's replacement...Preston Wilson is intriguing, as well as Jacque Jones. Your outfield will have Manny in left, Nixon in right, and Damon's replacement. I don't see Manny getting traded - again, Theo will want comparable production in return, and that's just not easy to find.

 

Alex Cora is under contract for '06, and will be a rock off the bench, and can serve as an alternater with Pedroia, who most likely won't start in the Majors, but will definintely see time there come May-ish. I'm very excited for Youk to see a full season, as much as I love Mueller. Edgar could leadoff, as could Youkilis (OBP purposes, the Sox don't steal anyway). I'd love to see some defensive improvements while sacrificing a bit of offense...after all, Manny, Papi, Nixon, Varitek is a pretty solid group of run producers. If Edgar produces like he's capable of, the Sox can afford a low-end defensive option in center or second base.

 

The important thing to remember is: WHO KNOWS? There are NO guarantees during the winter hot stove. Just remember guys, trust Theo, he will pull us through.

[jimmycarter05]

2006 Wanted Roster

Catcher: Varitek should do fine, hopefully he can put togetehr a full season, he hasn't lost anything on his defensive side, making a few great plays at home. Belli has 1 year left on his contract and his average dropped a little but overall is still the best backup in baseball.

 

First Base: I wouldn't mind at all pulling the trigger on a Arroyo, Alvarez deal, but I doubt TB will be quick to accept it. If we do get Huff we get a much needed power hitter behind Manny, improving our 3-4-5. Not only can Huff jack the ball, he can use his glove too. That is the biggest reason why I want him, it would provide a much needed defensive boost and would virtally be having Olerud w/ more pop.

 

Second Base: I'd like to have Graffy back at least 1 more season before we hand it over to Pedroia, who seems to have a promising career ahead of him.

 

Third Base: Unfortunuatly I think Mueller has seen his last day in a Sox uni, finally giving Youk the full time job, with his salary goe we can bloster the bench.

 

Shortstop: Hopefully Rent will work on his glovework and I think he'll have a much better season now that he has his 1st AL season under his belt. I see his power and average coming back.

 

Outfield: I don't want Manny to go mostly because there's no way to replace him, and we'll be losing Damon in CF. I'd wait a season and sign someone to a short term deal then go after Pierre next year. Then again, I have a feeling Hanley will start there ina couple of years. Trot, though he is great defensively and can be an offensive threat when healthy has become somewhat of a nuisance. His injuries have sent the Sox in a scramble to find a replacement and left a big hole in the Sox order. I'd much prefer we trade him if possible and sign Giles to the shortest deal possible. Hopefully our OF spects will be ready soon.

 

Rotation: Not sure I want another #3 starter in Burnett, we already have 4 of him. I'd also like to wiat on this and go after Zito next season, whos hinted he wanted to be in Boston. Schilling will be a big factor into our success this year, if he returns to ace form it could mean a 100 win season. Papelbon really excites me, if he can get some easy outs on less pitches I see him being very effective going 7 strong each time.

 

Bullpen: Our faulter here was mostly due to injuries in Foulke and Mantei, who were a big part of the plan last year. Worst comes to worse this year is we have Hansen and Delcarmen to back them up this year. This however doesn't mean I wouldn't love having B.J. Ryan backing up Foulke.

 

1) SS Edgar Renteria

2) RF Brain Giles

3) DH David Ortiz

4) LF Manny Ramirez

5) 1B Aubrey Huff

6) C Jason Varitek

7) CF Preston Wilson

8) 3B Kevin Youkilis

9) 2B Tony Graffanino

 

1) Curt Schilling

2) Tim Wakefield

3) A.J. Burnett

4) Matt Clement

5) Jon Papelbon

 

1) Lenny DiNardo

2) Craig Hansen

3) Mike Myers

4) B.J. Ryan

5) Mike Timlin

6) Keith Foulke

 

 

 

i like that lineup alot...not sure who brain giles in though...your pitching staff i disagree with..you don't have a single lefty in there....take away burnett and replace him with morris and trade clement and replace him with washburn(lefty)....who are your bench guys?

[riverside sluggers]

Arroyo could certainly still be in the rotation next year, he could be involved the anticipated Huff trade, but don't be surprised to see the Sox go with Johnny Olerud again, or if for some heavenly reason the A's don't pick up Hatteberg's option,

 

John Olerud will be 38 next year and like its been brought up numerous times, he is only capable now of being a backup, with his bad legs that deny him of speed nowadays. Scott Hatteberg is a good player but will also turn 37 next season, I want the Sox to sign a 1st baseman thats for long term not just a temporarily fix.

[ARod2212]

You guys really ought to keep Damon. The offense will take a bigger hit than you think if he's gone.

[Cityofchampions33]

i like that lineup alot...not sure who brain giles in though...your pitching staff i disagree with..you don't have a single lefty in there....take away burnett and replace him with morris and trade clement and replace him with washburn(lefty)....who are your bench guys?

 

Washburn is too shaky for me to sign, same with Morris, I still have faith in Clement. keep in mind thats only a one year staff, then sign Zito who goes to the Berklee school of music.

 

Bench:

1b Mark LeCroy/Travis Lee

C Doug Mirrabelli

Utl Alex Cora

Of Gabe Kapler

Of Todd Hollandsworth