Did we just get Beckett?

[example1]

You don't get a player of Beckett's caliber from a team trying to dump salary without taking a big contract in the deal. Take the good with the bad. On the whole, this a good trade for the Sox. They are getting a young, I repeat young, front of the rotation starter. Beckett is only 6 months older than Papelbon and won the WS MVP when Papelbon was just finished with his first season of short season single A ball. Look at the talent involved, not the balance sheet.

 

I have always drooled watching beckett. much like I did watching Pedro

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Mike Lowell is expensive but he may be worth the money. I know he had a bad season but this guy is a team leader with a great glove. He plays the game hard and has power. He will be this years Kevin Millar but playing better defense. I wonder what they will do with Youkilis. It is possible the Red Sox will aquire another 1B and have Lowell platoon with Nixon in the outfield. The days he isn't in the OF he will play 3B. This places Youkilis in a limited role again unless they decide he can play 1B. I don't see Youk playing 3B when you have a gold glover now on the team.

 

Josh Beckett is a huge aquisition. A 25 year old with a cannon who can strike out lots of guys and can play in the big game. We shall see what our young guys end up doing but at least I'll be interested to follow Florida. Once again injuries could be a problem for the Red Sox but if we can remain healthy this looks like a much better rotation. David Wells will get traded and Bronson Arroyo or Jonathan Papelbon will be in the bullpen. This looks like a much better situation.

[mosox]

This is a great trade, especially for a team with no GM and was supposedly behind in personnel moves. Sanchez may very well become a good major league pitcher, but Beckett is a very good one right now. I wonder if the Lowell salary means Manny is definitely going to be traded.

[example1]

I hope getting Lowell doesn't have anything to do with manny leaving. I really want manny to stay and beat the piss out of American league foes.

 

That being said, I kind of feel like Papi is ready to carry a team on his own (or with a strong supporting cast).

[eZ_d0eS_iT]

The Red Sox have agreed to take on all $18 million of the money owed to Lowell over the next two seasons, a baseball official with knowledge of the discussions told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark

 

 

WTF! he's not worth it...money wise this is a very unfair and stupid trade

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2232211

 

 

dude wtf is your problem? last time i checked this team wasn't tryin to operate on tampa's or kc's budget. obviously if lucchino and henry thought enough to sign off on the deal, what's it to you how much he costs? do you realize we just got an all-star caliber ace in waiting for a couple of prospects? furthermore, so lowell is coming off a bad year, if that roided up freak giambi (no offense) was able to overcome his problems and still have a good year, there's no reason to think lowell can't either. if anything, he's going to have the opportunity to play his home games in a park that is perfect in helping him regain his swing. i say wait and see...

[jimmycarter05]

dude wtf is your problem? last time i checked this team wasn't tryin to operate on tampa's or kc's budget. obviously if lucchino and henry thought enough to sign off on the deal, what's it to you how much he costs? do you realize we just got an all-star caliber ace in waiting for a couple of prospects? furthermore, so lowell is coming off a bad year, if that roided up freak giambi (no offense) was able to overcome his problems and still have a good year, there's no reason to think lowell can't either. if anything, he's going to have the opportunity to play his home games in a park that is perfect in helping him regain his swing. i say wait and see...

 

i say wait and see too

[riverside sluggers]

He will be this years Kevin Millar but playing better defense. I wonder what they will do with Youkilis. It is possible the Red Sox will aquire another 1B and have Lowell platoon with Nixon in the outfield. The days he isn't in the OF he will play 3B. This places Youkilis in a limited role again unless they decide he can play 1B. I don't see Youk playing 3B when you have a gold glover now on the team.

 

ah i still see them now shifting Youk over to 1st base, its only right after what theyve put Youk thru especially this season. Times he has played 1st, he did a great job at doing so. They were even talking about him at 1st base on WEEI. As for Lowell platooning with Trot in the outfield, could be a good idea but Lowell hasnt played any career games in the outfield before. Just 3rd and 2nd base. This deal of course makes Mueller the odd man out.

[yankeessuck013]

seems like Josh is pretty excited though

 

"'I haven't heard anything yet,' said Beckett, who added he would welcome the chance to pitch in Boston. 'Actually, I'm a little excited about it.' As for his arm, Beckett pronounced himself healthy, boasting, 'I don't need any physical.'... Lowell did not return calls from reporters Monday, but Beckett reached him by phone and said Lowell was happy with the trade. 'I told him he's going to hit 40 homers, 38 of them when I'm pitching,' Beckett said." -- 11.22, Miami Herald

[riverside sluggers]

good to hear. Im glad to welcome Josh to Red Sox Nation ; ). His home park was Dolphins Stadium which had ranked lowest with D-Rays in attendance. Fenway Park will be a welcome change Im betting. I remember after Schilling's 1st performance in Boston saying "I will tell you that with 35000 fans behind me with every pitch, it was really an uplifting feeling. They can pick you up when you need that extra strike or need to get a ground ball to induce a double play. Pitching here is like nothing else really."

 

Mike Lowell is still solid on his defense at 3rd base, just 6 errors committed this past season. And in hitting, 05 might have been an off year for him. He is capable of 25+ HRs/100 RBIs

[elsrbueno]

I'm obviously in the majority here, but I think this is a GREAT move by the Sox.

 

Josh Beckett is a potential ace with proven MLB production. Mike Lowell is a consistent run producer who had an off year last year (IMO) and is moving from one of the worst parks for hitters in Florida to one of the best in Fenway. I think he'll thrive here no matter where they play him.

 

The sentimental side of me would still like to see Mueller back at third, but frankly, Mike Lowell is just as good defensively, better offensively, and also a clubhouse leader. He is an upgrade over Billy at third. If he's shifted to first, he's ABSOLUTELY an upgrade over Millar.

 

It's sad to see Hanley Ramirez go, but it's not like the Schilling trade 2 years ago-- Beckett is 26 years old and is in Boston for at least 2 more years and potentially more if resigned.

 

Depending on which report you read, the Red Sox may eat a portion of Lowell's salary and trade him to the Twins for pitching-- stay tuned.

[riverside sluggers]

very interesting indeed--what pitching would they acquire from the Twins?

 

Hah I just thought of something. Josh Beckett would probably be the opening day starter for the Sox and it just so happens the first series of the season is playing the Texas Rangers

[MANNYHOF24]

very interesting indeed--what pitching would they acquire from the Twins?

 

Hah I just thought of something. Josh Beckett would probably be the opening day starter for the Sox and it just so happens the first series of the season is playing the Texas Rangers

 

Im guessing Schilling will be the opening dat starter, but beckett will probally start the 3rd game, and put wake as the 2nd game starter just to mix it up, thats what Tito did in 04 with Schill and Pedro.

 

Also with Lowel here now i think the Red Sox (if they cannot sign Kenerko) should make Youk their everyday 1st basemen. Heres my opening day lineup

 

Damon-CF

Renteria-SS

Ortiz-Dh

Ramirez-LF

Nixon-RF

Tek-C

Lowel-3B

Youk-1B

Cora/Pedrioa-2B

Starting rotation

Schill

Wake

Beckett

Clement

Papelbon

Bullpen

Arroyo

Delcarmen

Myers

Bradford

Hansen

Timlin

Foulke(give him a chance to get the job done)

To me that is a W.S calibar team

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Depending on which report you read, the Red Sox may eat a portion of Lowell's salary and trade him to the Twins for pitching-- stay tuned.

 

I heard about that too and the Red Sox could be looking again at JC Romero as a lefty setup guy. Now I would like to see Lowell play for Boston but if we can gain a lefty setup reliever to go with Timlin then it may be in our best interest. We could get rid of that money owed to Lowell and continue to go after Damon and Konerko. I feel more comfortable with Lowell at 3rd over Youk but we shall see. Apparently the Red Sox are interesting in Tom Gordon as well so thats interesting. What a kick to the face that would be for the Yanks....unless they come back at us and sign Damon.

 

....Bill Mueller has a good shot at ending up with the Chicago White Sox and what a fit that would be. He is perfect for the type of baseball they play. More trades could be in the works for the Red Sox....this offseason is far from over. Peter Gammons was dead on though when saying the Red Sox are set up nicely for the future with Beckett, Lester, and Papelbon in the rotation while Hansen, Delcarmen, and Martinez take on the bullpen.

 

....actually I wonder if we can sneak off with Liriano or Baker from Minnesota

[ORS]

...actually I wonder if we can sneak off with Liriano or Baker from Minnesota

Wouldn't FL have done this and kept Beckett for his last two arb. years if it were possible? I have a hard time thinking that they wouldn't. IMO, Beckett was on the trading blocks since he was the big talent closest to Free-Agency that could sweeten any deal to get Lowell off the books, who I don't think the Marlins could have moved by himself.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Wouldn't FL have done this and kept Beckett for his last two arb. years if it were possible? I have a hard time thinking that they wouldn't. IMO, Beckett was on the trading blocks since he was the big talent closest to Free-Agency that could sweeten any deal to get Lowell off the books, who I don't think the Marlins could have moved by himself.

 

I'm not sure the Twins could pull a deal just themselves where in this case we eat a good portion of Lowell's money before sending him. Thats why the Twins wouldn't be able to make a deal for Beckett and Lowell.

 

On my personal feelings I would rather keep Lowell then go after a pitcher from Minnesota cause I think we have the answers on our team. I think Arroyo or Papelbon will be a huge increase to the effectiveness in our bullpen along with Hansen and Delcarmen having gained experience. We are still lacking a lefty but perhaps we can get away with it. The Angels are able to do it so maybe we can too. I deffinitly like the idea of having gold glove caliber players. Not to mention I still feel Mike Lowell can belt 30+ HRs at Fenway and have an OPS around .800-.900

[riverside sluggers]

Bullpen:

Arroyo

Delcarmen

Myers

Bradford

Hansen

Timlin

Foulke(give him a chance to get the job done)

To me that is a W.S calibar team

 

according to Gordon Edes, craig hansen and manny delcarmen will start the seasons off in Triple A. Manny DelCarmen is said to have gotten an apartment close by to Fort Myers so he can be there as early as possible to try and make the opening day roster. Even if he doesnt, we know he will still play significant time in the majors for 2006.

 

2006 projected bullpen:

Long Relief- Bronson Arroyo

Lefty Outs- Mike Myers

Set Up Men- Matt Mantei or Chad Bradford (rumor Sox working to resign Mantei)

Akinori Otsuka (Sox will push for him in wells trade)

Mike Timlin (deemed as entering his final season, which paves way for Manny)

Closer- Keith Foulke (last season most likely for him with Sox, paves way for Hansen)

 

-----------

 

I was watching ESPN's cold pizza during the 1st & 10th section of the show. Woody Paige who is known as a longtime Yankee fan has just coined the 2006 Red Sox as World Series contenders. "I believe they are World Series contenders now. They now get this 25 year old ace caliber pitcher who has proved to handle the playoffs, hence the World Series MVP shutting out my Yankees. You have him with a healthy Schilling, Jonathan Papelbon who had proved his merit, another prospect is coming up fast and you end with the 5 starter in the workhorse Tim Wakefield. What a trade this was for the Red Sox who seemed to be floundering this offseason."

 

Im not one to say that right away, but I do agree this trade is a step in that direction.

[ORS]

On my personal feelings I would rather keep Lowell then go after a pitcher from Minnesota cause I think we have the answers on our team.

I see what you mean, and I agree about keeping Lowell. I've been in the "It's Youk's time" boat for a while now, but when the "baggage" you have to take for a 25 y/o pitching stud just won a GG at 3B and his last year was his only bad offensive year in the last 5, then you've got to give him a shot. Especially since he is a RHH pull hitter and your home park is Fenway.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I see what you mean, and I agree about keeping Lowell. I've been in the it's Youk's time boat for a while now, but when the "baggage" you have to take for a 25 y/o pitching stud just won a GG at 3B and his last year was his only bad offensive year in the last 5, then you've got to give him a shot. Especially since he is a RHH pull hitter and your home park is Fenway.

 

Exactly...he is proven...gives you a better feeling and its deffinitly his position. So Youkilis will have to find somewhere else to play and its still possible he gets traded. Still many guys who are up in the air when it comes to potential trades on our team but at least our rotation is more defined.

 

...Riverside thats interesting about Matt Mantei. I was hoping the Red Sox would give him another shot cause he has a great arm if he could just get healthy for once. I'm all for keeping Hansen and Delcarmen in triple A so they can work things out and use them as a backup plan. If our bullpen works out and we don't need them...what a great addition they will make in September when the rosters expand.

 

I was curious if anyone has Beckett's career numbers against the Yanks????

 

Here is a great line from Jack McKeon after the 2003 World Series in Bill Simmons page.....

 

"I told you Josh Beckett was special. He's got the guts of a burglar. This guy is going to be something special. I was not about to take him out in the ninth."

 

That's right, folks … he's got the guts of a burglar. I don't even know what that means and I'm excited.

 

hahahahaah Bill Simmons is the man

[DrewDaGreat]

I hope he wears 21. Clemens wants to be known as a Yankee. Let him. I don't care.

[riverside sluggers]

I was curious if anyone has Beckett's career numbers against the Yanks????

 

The only games he has pitched against NY is the 03 World Series.

[ksushi]

I would have figured that arroyo would be setting up. Just because i think his curve ball is dominant in early innings and his fastball can stay low ninties early too. If hes given 1 inning to pitch, or 2, he'll be able to set guys down. I think that mantei should come back though, I really think he is great... when healthy. Timlin is a rock. Foulke worries me, but i think its possible he could end up coming back and being effective. but i like the idea of having delcarmen up for the whole season. I wouldn't mind hansen spending alittle more time in AAA sharpening his tools, but i think that delcarmen will earn his keep. I like this bullpen a lot right now. I think we need to have one more reliever, maybe otsuka, or someone from the FA market. Taveras? Someone who could close in an emergency who isn't mike timlin, but because timlin isn't good but because im in love with him as a set up man. I like this team a lot right now. We have to figure out centerfield, but pieces are starting to come into place.

 

I also hope that papelbon gets his shot in the rotation, he earned it big time. I think thats where his worth is.

[Ray10]

The only games he has pitched against NY is the 03 World Series.

 

 

Yeah where he was amazing.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I wonder what reaction the other Red Sox have to this deal. I know Mike Lowell will fit right in and Josh Beckett has the cockiness of Curt Schilling which is a plus. These guys will fit in.

 

I'm sure David Wells still wants to get traded since he has been removed at this point from the rotation.

 

How about Manny?? With the addition of another ace he has to be thinking a Worls Series is still within range.

 

Johnny Damon already wants to come back to Boston....he has to be excited with this move.

[riverside sluggers]

The biggest problem with Beckett is his hand blisters, which Im sure could be corrected. Correct me if Im wrong. But didnt a certain pitcher named Derek Lowe used to have that problem?

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

The biggest problem with Beckett is his hand blisters, which Im sure could be corrected. Correct me if Im wrong. But didnt a certain pitcher named Derek Lowe used to have that problem?

 

Some other hall of famer had that problem too....someone named Nolan Ryan....guess he did pretty well

[ksushi]

Clemens had them too early in his career. I'm very optimistic about this trade. More and more. If Beckett passes this physical, I think any doubt anyone has about his shoulder should be forgotten because this is gonna be a tought physical to pass im sure. Blister issues to me are no big deal. I get blisters from my split and while they hurt like a bitch, they usually hurt afterwards and not during, and there are some pretty nice remedies at Olympia Sports, so whatever, ill buy the cream for him if he wants, its not a big deal.

[yankeessuck013]

I wonder what reaction the other Red Sox have to this deal. I know Mike Lowell will fit right in and Josh Beckett has the cockiness of Curt Schilling which is a plus. These guys will fit in.

 

I'm sure David Wells still wants to get traded since he has been removed at this point from the rotation.

 

How about Manny?? With the addition of another ace he has to be thinking a Worls Series is still within range.

 

Johnny Damon already wants to come back to Boston....he has to be excited with this move.

 

I love your avatar

[yankeessuck013]

Great article by bill simmons on page 2

 

Beckett's stats during the 2003 playoffs: Six games, five starts, 42.7 innings, 47 K's, 21 hits, 12 walks and just 10 earned runs allowed, capped off by a complete game, five-hit shutout on three days' rest at Yankee Stadium (earning him the World Series MVP award). And he was only 23 at the time. Considering that it's all about beating the Yankees these days, what's wrong with acquiring the most famous Yankee-killer of this century? How many guys have gone into the Stadium and brought the place to its knees?

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/051122

[gosox613]

Great article by bill simmons on page 2

 

 

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/051122

 

 

wow this article is siickk

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

wow this article is siickk

 

Yea I was mentioning it above....Burglar Guts....I love it