Sox front office...umm not gettin' it done

[a700hitter]

Right on the mark. I feal like the Sox are now run by the Three Stooges, with Larry now the head Stooge. We went into the off season needing pictching ( quality starters 1 or 2 ), bullpen help, center fielder, corner outfielder, and a power hitting quality first baseman. As of now, we have solved little if any of these needs. Yet, we now need a short stop as well ( the most critical infield position ). We have two players that have demanded to be traded ( for which we will not get comprable value, ie. not being able to deal from a position of strength ) and we'll probably need to include Major leauge players and prospects to fill the void of starters. It just doesn't make any sense.

My sentiments exactly. The whole operation became dysfunctional after Theo left. We were lulled into a false sense of security when they pulled off the Beckett move. At that point, the team needed a few tweaks to get it back to championship caliber, but then the wheels fell off. They moved Renteria for a prospect, and I thought to free up some payroll to sign Damon. They were caught napping in the Damon fiasco. Now, they have holes at SS and CF, and in filling these hole, they will probably spend more $ by taking bad contracts and trading prospects than it would have cost them to show Damon the love and sign him. They had a good plan to start, which was to rebuild the rotation and the bullpen. They did a good job with that, but losing Damon was not part of their plan, no matter what some of the experts on this board think. They failed to execute their plan. Someone needs to be held accountable. John Henry has to figure out where the breakdown in process ocurred and fix it before it rears its head again. I'll tell you one thing, if Theo was the GM, they don't get blind-sided. They might not have signed Damon, but Theo would have been plugged into that process 24/7. Nothing would have happened without him knowing about it. Lucchino should swallow some pride and get Theo back.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Nail meet hammer, hammer meet nail. This is spot on. Marte is a definite upgrade over Hanley, and Beckett is a definite upgrade over Sanchez.

True, but part of the equation is that we gave up our starting ss and cash ( appox. 11 million ? ).

[Sox Fan on Cape]

My sentiments exactly. The whole operation became dysfunctional after Theo left. We were lulled into a false sense of security when they pulled off the Beckett move. At that point, the team needed a few tweaks to get it back to championship caliber, but then the wheels fell off. They moved Renteria for a prospect, and I thought to free up some payroll to sign Damon. They were caught napping in the Damon fiasco. Now, they have holes at SS and CF, and in filling these hole, they will probably spend more $ by taking bad contracts and trading prospects than it would have cost them to show Damon the love and sign him. They had a good plan to start, which was to rebuild the rotation and the bullpen. They did a good job with that, but losing Damon was not part of their plan, no matter what some of the experts on this board think. They failed to execute their plan. Someone needs to be held accountable. John Henry has to figure out where the breakdown in process ocurred and fix it before it rears its head again. I'll tell you one thing, if Theo was the GM, they don't get blind-sided. They might not have signed Damon, but Theo would have been plugged into that process 24/7. Nothing would have happened without him knowing about it. Lucchino should swallow some pride and get Theo back.

My guess is that is a major reson why Theo left. Left might be the wrong term, since he has rumored to come back in another capacity and hasn't signed anywhere else.

[jsinger121]

I like to know had theo done these exact same moves would we have been calling the front office dysfunctional. probably not. because everyone would have used the in theo we trust sentiment because he had built the world series team.

[ORS]

True, but part of the equation is that we gave up our starting ss and cash ( appox. 11 million ? ).

I'm aware of the costs to get Beckett and Marte. ARod's claim that it doesn't make sense to trade Sanchez and Hanley if they are retooling is baseless because of who they acquired in the return deals. They upgraded over both of them. I can understand if you don't like the move, but they are consistent with a team trying to build something down the road.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

I like to know had theo done these exact same moves would we have been calling the front office dysfunctional. probably not. because everyone would have used the in theo we trust sentiment because he had built the world series team.

Exactly, success solidifies confidence ( example Bill B of the Pats )..

[jsinger121]

theo also had alot of his assistants and aides helping him to make the decisions. guys like hoyer and cherington and lajoie. those guys are still. im not going to judge them until i see a full team constructed by spring training. maybe the organization looked at the beckett deal and said they sold high on hanley ramirez. hes a nice talent but has he ever backed up his hype with his talent. no he has not. we would also be lucky if anabal sanchez became half of what josh beckett is. everyone is frowning over not resigning damon when it was the right move not to give him 52 million dollars over 4 years. he made 8 million last year. he does not deserve a raise of 5 million dollars.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

theo also had alot of his assistants and aides helping him to make the decisions. guys like hoyer and cherington and lajoie. those guys are still. im not going to judge them until i see a full team constructed by spring training. maybe the organization looked at the beckett deal and said they sold high on hanley ramirez. hes a nice talent but has he ever backed up his hype with his talent. no he has not. we would also be lucky if anabal sanchez became half of what josh beckett is. everyone is frowning over not resigning damon when it was the right move not to give him 52 million dollars over 4 years. he made 8 million last year. he does not deserve a raise of 5 million dollars.

I'm not challenging some of those points, I'm questiong th e handling of the Cf needs which includes the Damon negoiations ( or lack thereof ). If a casual observer looked at Damon's history, his book, his agent, and compared them to the Red Sox's analysis of his finacial worth to the club ( what they're willing to spend ), I'm sure to was fairly easy to conclude that they weren't going to sign Damon. Clearly both Damon and his agent have clearly demonstrated a propensaty to go for the highest dollar. When Johnny came here, I put him in the " hired gun " category. Meaning you pay the bucks and hope you get your money's worth. The point being this : in any negoiations, you try to do so from a point of strength ( be it real or perceived ) not after your cards have been played. Before the Yanks signed Damon, we could always say that the price was too high and that we'd just sign Damon. Also, we could have gone for more versatile players, ie. that could play CF or the corners. It is now clearly obvious that the Sox definately have a need for CF and probably two others ( Manny, Trot - I've never heard about the results of the off season surgery that supposed to be needed, Gabe's return, etc ). The Sox knew they had needs, as did the rest of MLB, why not make deals when there were more available players ( free agents and trades ) on the market ?

[a700hitter]

theo also had alot of his assistants and aides helping him to make the decisions. guys like hoyer and cherington and lajoie. those guys are still. QUOTE]Theo would not ave been caught with his pants down. The whole FO had that deear caught in the headlights look when they heard the news. Theo would have been on top of things. If he let Damon walk, he would have been prepared for it.

[DrewDaGreat]

The off season is not over. After we pick up Millwood, Lugo, and Gathright(or someone like them), you guys will be changing your tune.

[mosox]

Say goodbye to Millwood. Texas wins with a 4 year deal and a team option for a 5th. Another quality player gone, along with the trade options it created. Maybe they're still going over the stats and working on a plan.

[sarasoxfan]

at first I thought that theo leaving wouldnt make a difference and that the trades and management of the club was probably done by a committee anyway. The way in which we are getting out flanked and the way these things keep happening is mystifying at best and horrible at worst.

It wasnt so much that damon left that is upsetting it was how he left with our FO being caught so off guard. Granted the game is won and lost on the field but the FO is having a dismal off season and I for one am getting worried and annoyed.

[jsinger121]

millwood got more money than he deserved. the red sox were smart to not give him a deal like the rangers did. hes not a 12 million dollar a year pitcher. hes a good pitcher but not a pitcher who should get 48 million guaranteed with an injury history that he has. the red sox did not need to sign him and have it looked at as a panic move because they lost damon. they will find ways to fill there roster.

[sarasoxfan]

i hope so, the market is getting pretty bleak. And while I dont endorse over paying I do endorse not getting outflanked and caught off guard. PLus, all this stuff about oevrpaying-there is no raeson to assume that we are stuck with a guy for an entire contarct, granted it makes it tougher to gte rid of the dude, but a good exmaple is reneteria..

 

Every one here is so concerned with payroll..I say it might be about time to say f*** it. The yankees dont seem totb e afraid to oevr pay and the club they are compiling is going to wipe up yawkey way.. For all our fiscal repsonisibility we still have the second highest payroll and still pay a luxury tax--maybe it might be time to stop being frugal and say what the f***.

 

Of course, with this attitude it is signicant to point out that my checking account is always oevrdrawn and I am continually short of money.

 

In any event I am growing pretty tired of the we dont want to over pay so and so and this guy and that guy arent worth the money. If we open with cora at short and youkillis at first, I'd say maybe we should have overpaid for someone.

[riverside sluggers]

Boston Globe: The club is in position to fill one of those voids as soon as this week if Giants first baseman J.T. Snow chooses Boston among four teams pursuing him. Snow, according to his agent, Dan Horwits, ''would like to get something done in the next couple days." Snow played in 117 games last season, hitting .275 with four homers and 40 RBIs in his ninth season with the Giants. In Boston, his playing time in all likelihood would decrease, given that he'd likely share time at first base with Kevin Youkilis and perhaps Mike Lowell. ''J.T. hasn't said no to it," Horwits said of a decreased role. ''He's open to it. He loves the Boston area. He and his wife are very familiar with the area. He knows Terry. There are a lot of pluses."

 

According to Horwits, the Sox have told Snow that he initially would have a chance to play as often as Youkilis and Lowell. ''They would kind of split the at-bats among them," Horwits said. ''And if one is playing better, or something is working, that guy might get the lion's share of time at first."

 

Getting Snow would at least fill our 1st baseman needs. Having him as a late innings guy would be good, had to win his 6 gold gloves for something.

[SCM33]

I wonder if he takes a reduced role. He did hit .275 and his OBP was .343 which isnt awful. For his career he is a .357 carreer OBP. Has showed some pop in the past. I wonder if he still feels he is productive enough to play everyday.:dunno:

[riverside sluggers]

If brought on board, I believe it would be a platoon. Id be happy with it, we know we'd be getting solid defense there.

[SCM33]

I am not sure how thrilled I would be with a platoon. I wish I could see Youkillis get 500 AB. The baseball forcaster predicts him with pretty solid number for 06' With Snow being the lefty, he will get the majority of the time. Neither one is a masher, but I wish Youks could get some more time and maybe try signing somebody without the credentials that Snow has as a solid verteran because I fear he will demand playing time and have an incentive laden contract.

[riverside sluggers]

Not necessarily...

 

WEEI has just reported in their 20/20 Sports Flash that the Sox are in negotiations with JT Snow to acquire him. Snow has expressed he would like to be a late innings and defensive replacement 1st baseman. Which is what the Sox I bet like to hear. It is expected that an announcement will come sometime from tonight through tomorrow afternoon. The other teams interested are the Yankees, Orioles, and another undisclosed team.

[adam123]

how could he do this to us i flew from las vegas to go see parade saw damon my hero .. spent 3 grand to get there hes the icon ... now hes just a dirty turn coat ..... anyone wana burn his memory from are head

[a700hitter]

Not necessarily...

 

WEEI has just reported in their 20/20 Sports Flash that the Sox are in negotiations with JT Snow to acquire him. Snow has expressed he would like to be a late innings and defensive replacement 1st baseman. Which is what the Sox I bet like to hear. It is expected that an announcement will come sometime from tonight through tomorrow afternoon. The other teams interested are the Yankees, Orioles, and another undisclosed team.

An undisclosed team or a Mystery Team?

[Cityofchampions33]

how could he do this to us i flew from las vegas to go see parade saw damon my hero .. spent 3 grand to get there hes the icon ... now hes just a dirty turn coat ..... anyone wana burn his memory from are head

 

?

[Beckett95]

ESPN says the sox are very close to signing him and it will probaly be announced by tonight or tommorow

[jsinger121]

JT snow is a solid backup option at first base. not but of a bat anymore but is still great with the glove.

[schillingouttheks]

how could he do this to us i flew from las vegas to go see parade saw damon my hero .. spent 3 grand to get there hes the icon ... now hes just a dirty turn coat ..... anyone wana burn his memory from are head

You just made me dumber. Capitalization is cool, but if you so choose not to use it, finishing your sentences completely and not omitting words would be nice too. Oh yeah, this is a comma: , this is a period: . and this is a semicolon: ;

 

Use them, they work wonders.

[CrespoBlows]

This has been one of the worst offseasons in redsox history, and why? Could it possobly be that stuck-up Larry Lucchino didnt resign Theo Epstein?, absoultly, New Red Sox Gm duo Mary Kate and Ashley, have really gotten no goals acomplished. First off dont credit them with Getting Beckett, Beckett fell into their lap. Next off you trade Doug Mirabelli for washed up Mark Loretta.Why couldnt we have just see that Tony G. was coming back and let him play second, that way we could keep Mirabelli. I belive wakefield was like 16-7 with a 3.00 Era with Dougy catching. Next off we still havent found a solution for firstbase, they let Toronto off all teams snatch Lyle Overbay from us, which is absured, next they traded our Short-stop Edgar for a prospect who may be good oneday. Oh to top it all off they let Johnny Damon sign with our arch enemies.

Now, with no CF and SS the 2006 Red Sox are screwed, thanks Larry!

 

Theo couldn't have prevented this. In fact, his two flawed signing may have put us in this hole. Renteria was never going to do anything in Boston. He couldn't take the pressure of being scrutinized, also he looked slow and terrible in the field, it's better of they traded him. They actually scored a coup in landed Andy Marte, he's probably one of the most talented players to enter our farm system.

 

Mirabelli was a backup, that's all he was. Wakefield is wildly streaky, you can't say Mirabelli would make Wakefield an all-star. Loretta however, is one. He hit over .330 in 2004 (when he was healthy), had an OPS of .876, and hit 16 HR's at PETCO Park, he also has a gold glove caliber glove, why would you complain about this move.

 

Damon got a overpriced contract, if the Red Sox land Jeremy Reed or Coco Crisp either of them will be better in the field then Damon would be, and in a couple of years they'll both be better overall than Damon will.

 

While it hasn't been a great offseason, the Red Sox do have some positive things to look at. If Schilling can return to norm, and Beckett stays healthy, then the Red Sox have a pretty good 1-2-3 punch at the top of the rotation. Matt Clement, and Tim Wakefield are pretty serviceable backend starters.

[26 to 6]

Not necessarily...

 

WEEI has just reported in their 20/20 Sports Flash that the Sox are in negotiations with JT Snow to acquire him. Snow has expressed he would like to be a late innings and defensive replacement 1st baseman. Which is what the Sox I bet like to hear. It is expected that an announcement will come sometime from tonight through tomorrow afternoon. The other teams interested are the Yankees, Orioles, and another undisclosed team.

I wouldnt mind bringing J.T. back to the Yankees. It would allow his career to come full-circle if you will. BUt it appears he is headed for beantown and the "Yankees and Red Sox" thread

[riverside sluggers]

I wouldnt mind bringing J.T. back to the Yankees. It would allow his career to come full-circle if you will. BUt it appears he is headed for beantown and the "Yankees and Red Sox" thread

 

Is there like an unspoken bond for the Red Sox and Yankees to sign their arch rival's former players

[26 to 6]

Is there like an unspoken bond for the Red Sox and Yankees to sign their arch rival's former players

lol, I guess so. I guess they agreed to give all of the players both perspectives of the rivalry

[SCM33]

Why do Yankees fans post their opinions about their team under the "Talk Sox" board? You guys know there is a general baseball talk forum for you guys to express your opinions about your hometown teams. I dont give a s*** about how you think JT Snow will look on the Yankees or how he will be coming full circle. I dont go on NYYfans.com and tell everyone how much I would enjoy it if Clemens came full circle. I believe the Forum "Talk Sox" is for Sox fans to talk about the Sox. Its not "Talk Yanks". There is general baseball forum set up for you to express your opinion elsewhere. I dont want to be a dick, but honestly when you make usernames like the ones some of you Yankee fans have, its a direct shot and a calculated blow to piss people off, then your signatures are created in a fashion to further piss people off, then you come in telling everyone how many championships blah blah blah. The funny thing is, I probably know more about your team than you do. Any baseball fan knows the Yankees won 26 championships. Great! grand! wonderful!....you had nothing to contribute to it. Funny how in the early 90's when the Yankees sucked nobody attended their games. I bet when the Yankees sucked in the early 90s you were an Atlanta Braves fan.