ideas for CF

[riverside sluggers]

i see John Olerud being resigned as the 1st baseman backup, he produced in limited at bats for the Sox (7 HRs, 37 RBIs) and quickly became a fan favorite, and is best late innings defensive replacement there is currently. my favorite moment of 2005 of olerud was his 6 RBI game against the O's including 2 HRs.

 

As for 2nd base it will be a platoon of Pedroia/Cora, or Graffanino/Pedroia. I heard on WEEI that Sox in spring training could offer Alejandro Machado a chance to win the 3rd base backup if Youkilis becomes the regular, or they could sign free agent former Blue Jays infielder Frank Menechino to take on the backup duties.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Ok all I did was mention Furcal is a good lead-off hitter......apparently that spawned into us signing him which is silly. Edgar Renteria is our shortstop so get used to it. He is not getting traded and not moving positions anytime soon. But how about for some real controversy:

 

David Ortiz mentioned the other day if you trade Manny you better get someone like Andrew Jones. I guarantee Ortiz was not implying the Red Sox were going after Jones but....it just got me thinking...

 

With Kelly Johnson, Ryan Langerhans, and Jeff Francoeur maybe the Braves think its time for a change...they never seem to get far in the playoffs. If you wanna talk about a CF replacement for Damon then the best defensive CF in baseball sounds pretty good to me. Not to mention he is a nice righty power bat. He can't hit .300 and he strikes out as much as Manny but he would certainly make our pitchers a lot better. It wasn't too long ago that Jones was involved in trade rumors. The Braves may think that this is the time they can get the most for him.

[riverside sluggers]

Amen to that! Andruw Jones to come in after Manny leaves, we would get the same thing in a run producing machine except more all star defense and none of the jogging to 1st base which happened more than once.

 

Or even what if say Damon is signed to the Angels which he's indicated hed love to play for. Andruw Jones would be acquired through a Sox/Braves trade (he's still on contract for 2 seasons for $26 million) and Manny is still on board with any trade talks falling flat

 

3. David Ortiz

4. Manny Ramirez

5. Andruw Jones

 

can you say... a trio that would have opposing pitchers pissing their pants?

[ksushi]

but is it realistic, I don't really think so

[riverside sluggers]

i didnt say it was, i just popped in a certain secnario

[riverside sluggers]

Free agent Johnny Damon reiterated his desire to remain in Boston and hopes to sit down with GM Theo Epstein soon. "I still want to come back to Boston," Damon said. "Those TV games in the World Series were a little quiet this week, no loud Boston fans. I know a lot of teams need a center fielder and there are a lot of teams that I will consider, but Boston is by far my first choice." Damon is represented by Scott Boras, so no quick resolution is likely.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

but is it realistic, I don't really think so

 

Before this season it was very realistic. Jones name came up quite a few times in possible trade scenarios. The Braves are not afraid of change...in fact they do it often and usually it pays off for them. They are a team you can make a deal with but the question would be..do they think they can replace him while upgrading other areas. Its the same thing when we talk about Manny Ramirez. Without hearing the rumors any person on another team would think "thats not realistic to get Manny." It wouldn't be cheap and it may end up costing us Manny but who knows its possible.

[ORS]

Jones is certainly appealing, but what will it cost? The Braves are trying to keep payroll low, so they want to stay young and cheap. Furcal will most likely be lost this year because they won't be able to afford him, and they need pitching. Middle infield and SP are the strengths of our farm system right now, and I can easily see them asking for 3 prospects in return for the best CF in the game. Would you be willing to give up Hanley, Lester, and Delcarmen (or some similar combination) for him? I wouldn't.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Jones is certainly appealing, but what will it cost? The Braves are trying to keep payroll low, so they want to stay young and cheap. Furcal will most likely be lost this year because they won't be able to afford him, and they need pitching. Middle infield and SP are the strengths of our farm system right now, and I can easily see them asking for 3 prospects in return for the best CF in the game. Would you be willing to give up Hanley, Lester, and Delcarmen (or some similar combination) for him? I wouldn't.

 

Well we are kinda back to the point where we try to predict who would be involved in a trade. I have a 1 in a million chance of guessing correctly so I'll just leave that to the GMs. If you wanted names and are talking about Andrew Jones I think most guys are fair game. If they need a SS Edgar Renteria could make a trip back to the NL. They could view that as an upgrade to Furcal. Leaves us without a SS unless Pedroia can take back his old position. I dont really have an answer I know it would cost a fair amount. There is a chance of a three way deal. Maybe the Dbacks, Devil Rays, or Angels. How about this:

 

Send Manny Ramirez and David Wells to the Dbacks for Luis Gonzalez....Dbacks send prospects to Atlanta and we send Atlanta CF Jacoby Ellsbury?? They send us Andrew Jones.

 

like I said the guessing game with trades can get messy haha.

[elsrbueno]

While I'd welcome a persuit of Andruw Jones, let's first get a better handle on what exactly the Red Sox would be getting.

 

One of the best defensive centerfielders in the game, yes.

 

51 homers a year? Not likely. Andruw's been with the Braves since 96, and his average is more in the 30 HR range. Granted, half of his games are in a pitchers' park, so he'd have 35-40 homer potential in Boston IMO.

 

.267 career average. This guy doesn't walk a ton and gets a fair amount of strikeouts. He doesn't necessarily fit in with the organization's philosophy ov high OBP players.

 

Andruw, while VERY talented, has also been accused at times of lack of effort and some analysts think his defensive skills are declining already-- and the man's only 28. His range factor has been on the steady decline since 2001 (when it was 2.95) and was just 2.48 last season.

 

At $13,000,000/year I don't see the Red Sox persuing him aggressively.

 

My guess is that they'll try to go after a short-term replacement in hopes that in 2-3 years, at least ONE of the following players: Luis Soto, Brandon Moss, David Murphy, Jacoby Ellsbury will be ready to be a full time outfielder.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Those are all valid points but in the big picture:

 

1. upgrade the defense (no matter what analysts say he is a top CF)

2. Red Sox get younger (on the correct side of 30)

3. not the typical Red Sox hitter BUT he gives us more speed which we need

4. friends with David Ortiz (gotta keep the big guy happy)

 

Jones is fairly expensive but I guess his contract is only another couple years. After those years we could let him float and move the position over to one of the young guys. Sounds strange saying Andrew Jones could be a temporary solution....but thats an option

 

however on that note...I wouldn't want to give up great talent for a temporary solution. If the deal revolved around current players on the big league team...then it makes more sense...trading MLB players for MLB players seems to make more sense in this case.

[riverside sluggers]

um are sox are trying to take themselves out of the johnny damon deal? Just 3 years? Boras would laugh at this Im sure

 

Meanwhile, the Sox are expected to make their opening offer to Damon in the next couple of days -- it's expected to be in the three-year, $25 million-$27 million range -- and are making their interest known in both Burnett and Ryan.

 

I dont blame for the Yankees taking themselves out of this bidding war.

 

The Yankees were discouraged by Scott Boras' asking price of $84 million over seven years for Johnny Damon, so they will look seriously at signing Brian Giles with the thought of using a rotation in centerfield."The Yankees are thinking about offering Giles, 34, close to $30 million for three years, but they want to investigate whether he seriously will consider coming to New York, a person familiar with the situation said.

[ORS]

um are sox are trying to take themselves out of the johnny damon deal? Boras would laugh at this Im sure.

Boras may laugh, but not any harder than teams must be at the thought of paying $84M over 7 years to an aging CF with a noodle arm. Anyone who gives him more than 4 years or more than $10M per is overpaying IMO.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Boras may laugh, but not any harder than teams must be at the thought of paying $84M over 7 years to an aging CF with a noodle arm. Anyone who gives him more than 4 years or more than $10M per is overpaying IMO.

 

Matsui just got a 4 year 52 million contract. Brian Giles was offered a 3 year 21 million contract (will probably get a 4 year deal in the end). Johnny Damon fits in somewhere around there and if he thinks he is above Brian Giles and Hideki Matsui he is mistaken. A contract of 4 years and $40-$50 million seems accurate. Chances are the Sox offer a 3 year deal to start and work there way up to a 4 year deal like they did with Varitek.

[riverside sluggers]

oh johnny

 

according to newsday, scott boras has made the 7 year $84 million asking price not just to the yankees but all teams interested including the Red Sox. Boras you little bitch, even the Yankees arent even biting at this ******** offer. Get back down to earth

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

It could be that Johnny has no interest in playing for NY unless they are crazy....that seems too rediculous. Might have just done it to piss them off but who knows.

[26 to 6]

Boras may laugh, but not any harder than teams must be at the thought of paying $84M over 7 years to an aging CF with a noodle arm. Anyone who gives him more than 4 years or more than $10M per is overpaying IMO.

Agreed, I just shook my head when I read that 7yr thing.

[26 to 6]

It could be that Johnny has no interest in playing for NY unless they are crazy....that seems too rediculous. Might have just done it to piss them off but who knows.

Doubt it. Boras always does this, remember before 2004 Boras guaranteed that he would get Millwood a 4yr/$35mil deal...he just sets those ridiculous prices so that he can get a higher number on the contract.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Doubt it. Boras always does this, remember before 2004 Boras guaranteed that he would get Millwood a 4yr/$35mil deal...he just sets those ridiculous prices so that he can get a higher number on the contract.

 

True but 7 years $85 million for a 32 year old who just had injury issues and a weak arm? I guess if he is going to throw out that kind of stupid number he might as well make it to the team with the most money. Millwood was a decent pitching option several years back. He had some good years in there and now I'm curious how far back from that number he will be this year.

 

He was asking for 5 years now suddenly its 7. Even more strange after we see the number set out for Giles and Matsui....it just doesn't add up. I understand if he makes a 5 year 50-60 million offer but 7 years $85 came out of nowhere. Thats far beyond the realm of realistic which seems like a shut down offer to the Yanks.

[riverside sluggers]

Torre calls Giles; Damon discussed

BY KEN DAVIDOFF AND JON HEYMAN

STAFF WRITERS; Staff Writer Jim Baumbach contributed to this story.

 

November 17, 2005

Now that Hideki Matsui is officially back, the Yankees can focus on the rest of their offseason issues. Today, general manager Brian Cashman will meet with George Steinbrenner and other front-office members at the club's Tampa complex to reassess their options. But even before Matsui finalized his four-year, $52-million deal to stay, the Yankees had begun moving on other fronts. Manager Joe Torre, the team's top recruiter, placed a call to free-agent outfielder Brian Giles on Tuesday; Torre left a message, and Giles was expected to return the call yesterday, his agent Joe Bick said.

 

While Giles has minimal experience in centerfield (17 games in the last five years, all in 2005), the Yankees would consider tendering a three-year, $33-million offer to Giles - if they can be convinced that the Southern California native wants to play for them. As part of a limited no-trade clause in his previous contract, Giles included the Yankees as a club to which he could block a trade. Furthermore, the Yankees have investigated the asking price of free agent Johnny Damon. The team was discouraged by the seven-year, $84-million request, but there is significant interest among Yankees officials if the price drops to something more in the four-year, $44-million range.

 

In addition to finding Bernie Williams' replacement in centerfield, the Yankees want to upgrade their middle relief corps. Their top choice, B.J. Ryan, appears focused on other clubs at the moment. Ryan spent yesterday with Tigers officials, after spending Monday with the Blue Jays. He intended to return to his Louisiana home last night. Both clubs would make Ryan their closer. The Yankees would like to use the lefthander as a setup man.

 

In their pursuit of a centerfielder, the Yankees have been all over the map, checking out high-end items such as Damon and lower-end trade possibilities like the Tigers' Craig Monroe. But Torre's call to Giles, whose strength is offense, seemingly indicates the Yankees' sincere interest in him, even with Matsui in the fold.Damon, 32, could take over as the team's leadoff hitter and allow the Yankees to move Derek Jeter back to the second spot in the lineup, where he largely produced his finest seasons.

 

"I believe the Yankees would dominate with Johnny Damon on their team," Damon's agent, Scott Boras, said. "The key component is, how do you maximize A-Rod and Jeter? Damon makes A-Rod, Jeter and Matsui better." The Yankees could go with Matsui in centerfield, but both Torre and Cashman said they would prefer to keep him in leftfield. Matsui, at a Yankee Stadium news conference yesterday to herald his signing, said, "For me, it doesn't matter. I'm prepared to do both." Cashman and Torre both said they would like to try homegrown Yankee Andy Phillips as the backup first baseman to Jason Giambi.

[MC Hammer]

I think if the price and years drop to 4/44 the Sox will resign him. As it stands right now I can't see anyway that Johnny will be back unless he comes WAY down on the money and the years.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

There's nobody in their right mind that will give Damon 7 yrs at 84 million.

[guapo34]

Does anyone really think the yankees are serious in their interest in Damon? They way I see it is no one but the red sox seemed interested in him and the sox initial offer was really low. Yankees got scared that no one would overbid the sox low offer so they felt the need to drop the rumor they'd go 4/44. I mean we've heard rumors about specific teams interesting in Burnett, BJ Ryan, Billy Wagner, Paul Konerko. Have there been any rumors about another team having serious interest in Damon before the yankees dropped this? I think the sox should stay at 3/30 and see what happens. If we're giving 12 a year I'd rather see Giles for 3/36.

[riverside sluggers]

the Cubs, Angels and Tigers have spoken interest in damon

[ksushi]

probably not for 7 years 80 million, though.

[Sizzlin22]

BOras isn't expectin 7 yr at 82 million. He's jsut saying that so he drives down the price ot make it look liek a discount. It's all negotiation strategy.

[ksushi]

I know, but really that doesn't make him attractive to very many teams. If you and I know what hes doing, so do the teams who Boras wants to shell out the cash. It takes teams out of the running and this case a great many teams. Not even the yankees want any part of damon, so they say now.

[riverside sluggers]

Interesting enough to say the least. Tony Masarotti today on Cold Pizza that if Damon isnt resigned and the proposed Wells trade is done, a fall back plan could have them place Dave Roberts as the starting center fielder.