New Red Sox spreadsheet

[yeszir]

A new one, courtesy of Youkilis Rules.

 

http://talksox.com/06%20Sox%20(projected).xls

[youkilis rules]

this is my new version according to more recent rumors and transactions. please send along your critiques...

[yagmaster]

I think Delcarmen will start in the bullpen and if not will be in the callups list. Great work otherwise though.

[CalvnHobs6]

Wow Dave....5 months? Rock on.

[riverside sluggers]

the only thing Im not all for is Xavier Nad. He doesnt hit for much power and seriously lacks plate patience. 22 walks total in 124 games played this past season ammounts to ugh. Simply put, Nady is a career bench player at best. Im sure Sox would pick Youk over Nady as starting 1st baseman, against left and right handed pitchers.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6610/career

 

According to Gordon Edes, it is said Alejandro Machado is being eyed to have a shot in spring training to make a bid as one of the utility men. He is useful in a number of ways as he showed can have some pop in his bat, choice pinch runner, and can play all outfield and infield positions.

[elsrbueno]

maybe a guy like Victor Diaz could be pryed from the Mets instead of Xavier Nady. Younger, similar 2005 stats, higher ceiling with better power potential.

 

just a thought.

[ORS]

If they move Manny in a deal to the Mets and Milledge is part of the return package, then I think you can kiss Damon good-bye. Milledge would provide a good, young, cheap CF option for 2007 and beyond. I can understand Minaya moving him because he's blocked by Beltran, but it would make no sense for the Sox to trade him for Dunn. Dunn's got tremendous power and is patient at the plate, but he does little else well. Milledge is developing his power (he's only 21) and when he does, he'll be 5-tool player.

[youkilis rules]

two big questions that i'd love a response to...

 

1) if the sox do in fact get their hands on milledge, do they keep him? or do we spin him for a Dunn type. I see huge advantage to both.

 

2) is dustin pedroia actually ready to be our starting 2b? i become more skeptical by the day and believe penciling him in might be wishful thinking. what are the other options (don't say Kent) and what do you guys think of Pedroia's chances?

[riverside sluggers]

well actually its been Theo's choice since beginning of last season to have Pedroia as the starting 2nd baseman. You are not the only one who is becoming skeptical of the idea. The Boston Globe has reported several times now that resigning Tony G is still possible or even bringing over veteran Mark Grudzelanik who is now a free agent.

 

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other Sox-related news

 

Boston Dirt Dogs: Japanese Righty Setup Man Shinji Mori

Could Be on the Red Sox Radar for 2006

 

The following report is from Boston Dirt Dogs contributor and founder of JapaneseBallPlayers.com, Daigo Fujiwara: Here is yet another Japanese bullpen possibility for the Red Sox. According to Nov. 28 issue of the Sports Nippon newspaper, anonymous Red Sox club personnel told a reporter that they are interested in pitcher Shinji Mori of Seibu Lions.

 

The 31-year-old righthanded setup man is said to have a good sinker, fastball in the high 80s, and a two-seam fastball. The Seibu Lions' 1997 second-round draft pick was converted to a full-time relief pitcher in 2000 and had 23 saves that year. He was awarded the "best setup pitcher" award in 2002 and 2003, posting 2.07 and 2.31 ERAs. He has a 44-44 career record with 50 saves and a 3.39 ERA in nine years in Japan. He has been requesting to be moved to a major league club since 2001, and was finally granted his wish. Mori will be free agent next year, so the Lions decided to try to get something for him while they can.

 

Mori may not be as good as Yakult Swallows' lefthanded closer Hirotoshi Ishii, in whom the Red Sox also reportedly had interest, but perhaps similar to Akinori Otsuka of the San Diego Padres, who came into the majors at age 31. However, Otsuka was already an established closer and had 2.39 ERA in seven years in Japan. Mori would be certainly better and younger than Denney Tomori with his 3.96 career ERA, who was 37 when he signed with the Sox last year.

 

The Lions will be using a transaction method called the "Posting System" -- players like Ichiro came to US using this system. More about it here. The Japanese team submitted the necessary paperwork to the Japanese Professional Baseball commisioner's office on Thursday, and it is expected that major league clubs will hear about it in a few days (if not already). Once posted, major league clubs have four days to place a sealed bid for the rights to negotiate with Mori. The Sports Nippon newspaper also mentions the Padres, Angels, and Cubs as possible clubs who might be interested in Mori

[elsrbueno]

two big questions that i'd love a response to...

 

1) if the sox do in fact get their hands on milledge, do they keep him? or do we spin him for a Dunn type. I see huge advantage to both.

 

2) is dustin pedroia actually ready to be our starting 2b? i become more skeptical by the day and believe penciling him in might be wishful thinking. what are the other options (don't say Kent) and what do you guys think of Pedroia's chances?

 

1) Based on what I've heard about Millege, that he has the chance to be a great outfielder, I say we keep him with the organization as a potential replacement for a Trot Nixon or starting outfielder in 2007.

 

2) Pedroia struggled a bit at AAA, so he could probably use some more seasoning. One option that's been mentioned before is taking Kaz Matsui's contract from the Mets to help offset Manny Ramirez' gigantic contract. If he's brought in, he could potentially platoon with Pedroia. Otherwise, a Graffanino/Grudzielanek type player to start until Pedroia is ready is the best option. I think Dustin will be given the opportunity to win the job in spring training, but the Red Sox should (and probably already do) have a backup plan.

[yagmaster]

I think Grudzielanek would be a great idea. I think we can sign him cheaply and he produced last year for the Cards to the tune of a .294 batting average and played great defense at second base. I think we should sign him to a one or two year deal, throw him in at second until Dustin is ready, and then keep as an excellent utility player.

 

I would also not mind seeing Graffanino again, he really played great baseball for the Sox last season. He will in no way match his production from last year, but he is another solid, cheap, and versatile option to fill the void until Pedroia is ready. I think it is important not to throw Pedroia in too early, because we really might have something in this kid and it would be a shame to see him not develop.

[Soxfan1]

Yag nice to see you back.

[yagmaster]

Yag nice to see you back.

 

Haha thanks, it's nice to be back...

[youkilis rules]

it's worth mentioning... in acquiring lowell in the Blockbuster we acquired a replacement at 3B for mueller without having to give up a draft pick as compensation for whatever other 3B we might have signed. Along with this we should get a 1st and supplemental pick from whatever team signs Mueller. What I'm really trying to say is that these picks might someday amount to an Anibal Sanchez and at least a Harvey or Delgado, maybe even a Hanley.

[yagmaster]

it's worth mentioning... in acquiring lowell in the Blockbuster we acquired a replacement at 3B for mueller without having to give up a draft pick as compensation for whatever other 3B we might have signed. Along with this we should get a 1st and supplemental pick from whatever team signs Mueller. What I'm really trying to say is that these picks might someday amount to an Anibal Sanchez and at least a Harvey or Delgado, maybe even a Hanley.

 

I hadn't even thought about that. This is a very good point, and makes the trade even better. Especially since we have been making great picks in drafts recently, this could become a factor.

[schillingouttheks]

Yessss!!! All the oldies are back!! What's goin up dudes? And nice spreadsheet

[riverside sluggers]

Boston Herald: Texas placed second baseman Alfonso Soriano on the trade market, and the Red Sox are one of many teams, including the Mets and Twins, who are interested. The Red Sox’ need for a second baseman became public last week, and Soriano should be a name to keep an eye on.

[jimmycarter05]

 

told you so

[schillingouttheks]

We never said it was out of the question. You just kept bringing up tons of possibilities, that together, none of them would happen. I don't think any of us really doubted the fact that the Sox were interested in Soriano.

[jimmycarter05]

We never said it was out of the question. You just kept bringing up tons of possibilities, that together, none of them would happen. I don't think any of us really doubted the fact that the Sox were interested in Soriano.

 

 

i kept on bringing up the trade if manny goes because soriano was a 30/30 guy with the potenial to hit 50+ doubles, i just got dissed because everyone was talking about his lousy OBP and who cares if he can steal and he doesn't put effort into the game, but i still like him alot

[ksushi]

Yag, the sox should sign erik for a 5 year deal and 17 million pack-dacks. Please dayve?

 

erm, yeah sorry, boredom at 10 at night avoiding some hw.

 

I like soriano a lot at the plate but his defense is truly horrendous. He plays defense like he doesn't care. Sure, hes athletic, but he can't catch a beach ball. I don't think that you trade your future away for a guy like Soriano. I think if you trade manny, and not that this would ever happen, but if you could get the team recieving manny to send prospects to the rangers and somehow pry Soriano from their grasp that way, maybe, sure why not. I personally would have no interest in giving up my own teams future for him because I don't think hes a long term solution for 2nd base in boston. He would play here for one season and then command too much money for the sox to have a chance to resign him when we have pedroia waiting in the wings. I would rather see an Eckstein-esque player like Pedroia at second base, then a bad glove man with an pretty good power bat, like soriano. My take, sorry if it was jumbled, im thinking about the Electoral College right now, writing a paper on that its really exciting if you don't have anything to do on a friday night I highly reccomend you devote your night to learning all the ins and outs of it...

[yagmaster]

Yag, the sox should sign erik for a 5 year deal and 17 million pack-dacks. Please dayve?

 

I have no idea what this weirdo is talking about and am in no way affiliated to him.

 

Anyway, I personally do not like Soriano at all, he's a terrible clutch hitter, his batting average has declined in three straight seasons, and he plays terrible defense. Yes he does hit for excellent power, but that is not what the Red Sox need out of a second baseman. Granted, we would need power if we trade Manny (and Soriano would replace some) but I think Soriano will have his worst statistical season next year since his rookie season.

 

PS - Andy, I'm only kidding. I love you with all my heart.

[youkilis rules]

Texas is DESPERATE for pitching. what about a swap of clement and a prospect or two (hopefully acquired in Manny trade) for Soriano. We then put Soriano at 2B for this season and in CF the following seasons (i.e. bye-bye johnny). we spend the money to resign sori and have saved $ on clement, manny and johnny -- probably an eye popping amount of $ annually that we could spend in a whole variety of ways. intrigues me greatly..

[youkilis rules]

oh yeah and can we PLEASE go after Zito. Pitching is far and away the most important thing. Give up Youkilis, Alvarez, cash and even another prospect for Zito. Seeing as Beane just gave out huge money to Loaiza he has clearly lost his genius and would probably accept this offer. DO THIS TRADE.

 

Schilling

Beckett

Zito

Wake/Clement

Paps/Arroyo

 

Umm, yes.

[riverside sluggers]

Papa Jack would really have his hands full on trying to teach Soriano something called plate presence. He averages under 40 walks a season.

 

That rotation would be sick in 2007: a younger hard throwing rotation that includes Beckett, Zito, Papelbon, Lester and Wake/Schil. Salivating here of the thought

 

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Boston Herald: The Red Sox have talked to free agent Tony Graffanino, but they've yet to offer him a contract. Graffanino wants at least a two-year deal and he'd like to be a regular. If he re-signed with the Red Sox, he'd just be holding down the fort until Dustin Pedroia was ready.

[ksushi]

I don't know, I think the price tag on Zito will be very high. Hudson and Mulder didn't go cheap last year and I don't expect beane to let Zito go either. I think if we were to trade for him it would have to be Arroyo, Shoppach and Lester, or more. Lester Delcarmen and Shoppach maybe. I'm not willing to pay that for Zito. No way. The guy doesn't exactly throw heat, and all his pitches look different out of his hand which is why hes been hit so well in recent years. He added a slider last year, but thats the same story. He has terrible deception, and an 87mph fastball isn't the crazy heat that lets you get away with having no deception. Yes, his curveball is gorgeous, but its HUGE. You know right away when its coming, and the fact that he really only goes with one other pitch, that 87 mph screamer, means that hitters are ready to watch the curve and ready to bang the high heat up and out. Look at some of the home runs hes let up over the past couple seasons since hes really been hit, theyve all been on high fastballs. When you have a curve like his you throw your heat up high to try and get the hitter off balance and cause some hesitation because a fastball up in the zone looks just like a curveball until it doesn't drop. That will make guys way late on your gas. However, when your curveball doesn't look like a fastball out of your hand like Zito's that trick is hard to pull off and guys will recognize that fastball so quickly even if he could throw 90 it wouldn't matter. Its not like he gets absolutley lit up, its just that I think Lester is a future ace, and I think Zito is a really good #3. We've already dealt Sanchez this offseason so I'm not too keen on losing another hot pitching prospect especially not lester. The Beckett deal would lose a lot of its thunder lester was dealt too. You have to admit the thought of Beckett Papelbon and Lester heading up the front of any rotation is scary, and then you learn the average age of them all will be 25.

 

Zito is ok, when he gets hot, he will put together some pretty starts. His curveball is a work of art, but his fastball is on slow motion. I'm not willing to make Billy Beanes job easy for the next five years by giving him Lester and/or Arroyo and Delcarmen. I would rather just say Manny stays in Boston and we don't really make anymore deals aside from maybe alittle something for Overbay.

[elsrbueno]

I'm not crazy about Soriano's defense, but he's a scary talented with the bat. Imagine how dangerous he'd be with some plate discipline?

 

What about Clement to Texas for Adrian Gonzalez and Alfonso Soriano. Texas wants pitching, the Red Sox can move Matt Clement. They save money on Clement and get two things they need: a stopgap 2b (who can eventually move to the outfield when Pedroia is ready) and a lefty power first baseman with a good glove.

 

I like the idea of Zito but like others have said not if the price is Lester. I would, however, consider a package that includes Abe Alvarez and Kevin Youkilis (a guy Beane really likes) and probably another prospect (Shoppach?). If Billy insists, Arroyo can be included somehow, but try to do it without him and put Bronson in the bullpen.

 

If the Sox could pull off both of those trades, plus sending Wells to San Diego for a reliever and probably Dave Roberts, the rotation would be as follows:

 

Beckett, Schilling, Zito, Wakefield, Papelbon. Damn good IMO.

[riverside sluggers]

Rotoworld: The Twins could be close to signing Tony Graffanino, according to the Kansas City Star. The Royals wanted Graffanino back until they found out he wanted a multiyear deal and assurances that he'd play regularly. The Twins could be willing to make him their starting second baseman. The Red Sox and Mets are also considering him.

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Rotoworld: The Red Sox are keeping a close eye on the situation of Yakult Swallows left-handed reliever Hirotoshi Ishii, who could be freed to play in the U.S. in the near future. We're not sure what's changed to make the Red Sox believe Ishii could be posted soon, as reports earlier this month indicated that the Swallows had refused his request. The 28-year-old closer has long been on Boston's radar, but he's not eligible for free agency until after 2008. Ishii had a 1.95 ERA and 37 saves last season.

[ksushi]

Beane said last year he had no interest in Arroyo or Shoppach, they were offered in a deal with Hanley for Hudson that was rejected.

[riverside sluggers]

wow big yes to this guy. According to the Globe's Gordon Edes, the Padres effective reliever Scott Linebrink is on Boston's radar. As you can see from what he delivers consistently, just wow is all i could say if able to bring him onboard.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6455