Red Sox Offseason - Sum-up and opinions

[CalvnHobs6]

Players lost via trade:

Hanley Ramirez

Anibal Sanchez

Jesus Delgado

Harvey Garcia

Player to be named later (for Van Buren)

Doug Mirabelli

Edgar Renteria

Kelly Shoppach

 

Players gained via trade:

Josh Beckett

Mike Lowell

Jermaine Van Buren

Mark Loretta

Coco Crisp

David Riske

Josh Bard

 

Players lost via free agency:

Chad Bradford

Johnny Damon

Chad Harville

Adam Hyzdu

Matt Mantei

Kevin Millar

Wade Miller

Bill Mueller

Mike Myers

Matt Perisho

Mike Stanton

Shawn Wooten

 

Players gained via free agency:

Rudy Seanez

John Flaherty

JT Snow

Julian Tavarez

 

Players resigned from free agency:

Tony Graffanino

Mike Timlin

 

Players gained via Rule 5 draft:

Jamie Vermilyea

Victor Ramos

Jason Richardson

David Bacani

 

OKAY. I think I summed up everything lost from the '05 organization and gained for the '06 organization. So here's the projected lineups for '06, let me know if I'm off on anything.

 

C- Jason Varitek

1B - Kevin Youkilis

2B - Mark Loretta

SS - Alex Cora

3B - Mike Lowell

RF - Trot Nixon

CF - Coco Crisp

LF - Manny Ramirez

DH - David Ortiz

 

Bench - Josh Bard/John Flaherty

Bench - Tony Graffanino

Bench - JT Snow

Bench - Dustin Pedroia

Bench - Adam Stern

 

SP - Curt Schilling

SP - Josh Beckett

SP - Matt Clement

SP - David Wells

SP - Tim Wakefield

SP/RP - Bronson Arroyo

SP/RP - Jon Papelbon

RP - Mike Timlin

RP - David Riske

RP - Rudy Seanez

RP - Julian Tavarez

CL - Keith Foulke

 

14 position players, 12 pitchers. Someone's gotta go away, and David Wells' trade request is certainly still pending, as well as the Sox's pursuit of Alex Gonzalez (please, no). There is some deep pitching in this organization, looking at those guys, as well as Dinardo, Van Buren, Hansen, Delcarmen, Lester, and even Meredith. Anything to add or take away, any transactions that I missed, and let's see some opinions and discussions. And for the love of god (myself), let's keep this thread civil.

[Beckett95]

My projected lineup for start of the season...

 

LINEUP

1. Coco Crisp—CF—S

2. Mark Loretta—2B—R

3. David Ortiz—DH—L

4. Manny Ramirez—LF—R

5. Trot Nixon—RF—L

6. Mike Lowell—3B—R

7. Jason Varitek—C—S

8. Kevin Youkilis—1B—R

9. Alex Gonzalez—SS—R (will hit 20+ HR’s this year if signed by the Sox and is a much better option at SS than Cora. He is one of the top 3 SS in the league defensively.)

 

BENCH

John Flaherty—C—R

Dustin Mohr—OF—R

Alex Cora—IF—L

J.T. Snow—1B—L

Willie Harris—UTIL—L

 

BULLPEN

LRP—Bronson Arroyo—R

MRP—David Riske—R

MRP—Rudy Seanez—R

SU—Mike Timlin—R

SU—Julian Tavarez—R

CL—Keith Foulke—R

 

ROTATION

1. Curt Schilling—R

2. Josh Beckett—R

3. Tim Wakefield—R

4. Matt Clement—R

5. Jon Papelbon—R

 

im hoping wells gets trade to S.D. for a couple of quality propsects or maybe part of a deal involving Mirrabelli

[CalvnHobs6]

AH! I forgot about Willie Harris. And I don't want to have anything to do with Alex Gonzalez if it's more than 2 yrs @ 3 per.

[jsinger121]

AH! I forgot about Willie Harris. And I don't want to have anything to do with Alex Gonzalez if it's more than 2 yrs @ 3 per.

 

me too.....gonzalez is not that good of a player where he even deserves more than 2 yr deal at money of 3 million or more.

[Beckett95]

He has no where else to go, so the Sox should be able to get him easily. If he wants to start, he'll have to come to Boston for whatever they offer.

[jsinger121]

He has no where else to go, so the Sox should be able to get him easily. If he wants to start, he'll have to come to Boston for whatever they offer.

 

1 yr 1 million take it or leave it

[Beckett95]

The one thing Gonzalez lacks is discipline, which is supposedly papa jacks specialty. He has 25 HR potential playing in the AL in Fenway Park. Hes better defensivley than Cora, who hasnt played that much SS over the last 4 years compared to Gonzalez. Gonzalez has much more upside to cora. We saw the best of cora last year who is a career backup IF.

[CalvnHobs6]

Also, if anyone knows who become Free Agents at the end of next season that should be considered for extensions...before this coming season. The only major FAs I can think of are Foulke (who i think has a mutual option, not sure) and Nixon. I think Papi has a team option as well. Right now, the most pressing needs seem to be:

Trade Wells for Prospects/4th OF.

Sign Papi to an extension (whatever he wants, for however long he wants).

MAYBE Sign Alex Gonzalez...but definitely not a requirement.

[Redguitar985]

Also, if anyone knows who become Free Agents at the end of next season that should be considered for extensions...before this coming season. The only major FAs I can think of are Foulke (who i think has a mutual option, not sure) and Nixon. I think Papi has a team option as well. Right now, the most pressing needs seem to be:

Trade Wells for Prospects/4th OF.

Sign Papi to an extension (whatever he wants, for however long he wants).

MAYBE Sign Alex Gonzalez...but definitely not a requirement.

 

How soon until Gabe Kapler returns? If it's soon enough, do we really need that fourth outfielder in a trade?

[yankeessuck013]

They signed Mohr for a 4th OF, and Willie Harris could also fill that void.

[Redguitar985]

Yeah, we're probably all set there then.

[jsinger121]

plus kapler might not be back to at least july if not longer. that was a real serious injury he had and even though he says he is progressing well i doubt he will be back even by mid season. i hope i am wrong and wish him the best of luck.

[a700hitter]

This team needs a top quality defensive SS. Cora is a nice infielder, but is not Gonzalez's equal with the glove. Sign Gonzalez for two years at 5/year and put the finishing touch on this team going into Spring Training. Pedroia needs a full year at AAA. In 2007, Pedroia can be the caddie unless he shoots out the lights this year in AAA and has a good Spring Training in 2007. Once you move Pedroia into the starting spot, there should n't be much of a problem moving a gold glove SS, maybe the Sox pick up $1 million when and if they move him in '07. You don't put all the work into building this team with improved pitching and a younger CF to pull some guy off last year's bench or a minor leaguer to play starting SS. $5 million is a good value for a gold glove caliber SS with the capability of hitting 20+ HRs.

[jsinger121]

5 million is a little too pricey for alex gonzalez. he is a bad hitter who has a career obp of .291. he made 3.4 million last year and sucked with the bat. the red sox better not give him anything close to that. there are no other teams out there knocking down his door. he doesn't deserve anything close to 5 mil a season.

[a700hitter]

5 million is a little too pricey for alex gonzalez. he is a bad hitter who has a career obp of .291. he made 3.4 million last year and sucked with the bat. the red sox better not give him anything close to that. there are no other teams out there knocking down his door. he doesn't deserve anything close to 5 mil a season.

If the Cubs are offering him 3, the Sox need to offer 4. If they are offering 4, the Sox need to offer 5. Playing SS in Boston on a team with high expectations to win and an over-bearing print press is a pressure-cooker. Look at what it did to Renteria. The negative intangibles in Boston justify the premium. Chicago is serene compare to Boston. At the same price, the player goes to Chicago. We tend to think the intense baseball atmosphere is a big plus for players, and it may be for players with a certain personality, but for just as many players it is a negative. The Sox need a top defensive SS. To quibble over a million or so at this point would be penny wise but pound foolish.

[CalvnHobs6]

Anyone know projected payroll/salaries for the 06 team?

[jsinger121]

who even says the cubs are even looking at him. i think the cubs are going to give every chance for ronny cedeno to start at short. id like to see more teams fighting over his services other than the red sox before i even guarantee 5 mil a season. no other team has been knocking down alex gonzalez door.

[a700hitter]

who even says the cubs are even looking at him. i think the cubs are going to give every chance for ronny cedeno to start at short. id like to see more teams fighting over his services other than the red sox before i even guarantee 5 mil a season. no other team has been knocking down alex gonzalez door.

I couldn't give you a link, but I have heard and read spec that the Cubs are negotiating with him. I agree with you that if no other team is after him, low ball him and get him for one year, but if there is another team or two looking at him, the Sox should do what it will take within reason to get him .

[example1]

I just don't see them blocking Pedroia any more at this point. If they could eventually establish a Pedroia/Loretta duo up the middle they would do it. His projections for this year are crazy and the guy is just waiting to become a sox star. I don't see signing a questionable Gonzo to an extended deal when you could sign a less-questionable Loretta to a long term deal and have an above average 2B for awhile to go with your above average SS. If you can get him for 1-2 years at a reasonable price then do, giving Pedroia time to comfortably develop into a middle infield option. Otherwise, he is probably worth more to another team than to the sox for the price he will be asking.

[riverside sluggers]

Also, if anyone knows who become Free Agents at the end of next season that should be considered for extensions...before this coming season. The only major FAs I can think of are Foulke (who i think has a mutual option, not sure) and Nixon. I think Papi has a team option as well. Right now, the most pressing needs seem to be:

Trade Wells for Prospects/4th OF.

Sign Papi to an extension (whatever he wants, for however long he wants).

MAYBE Sign Alex Gonzalez...but definitely not a requirement.

 

Found this for you Calvin

 

As it stands right now for 06 free agents, considering some players mentioned are still likely to be traded or cut

 

David Wells (slight chance he'll stay for 06 and he most likely will retire next offseason)

Mike Timlin (This will be his last season in the majors its looking like. So lets hope for a good one, and have a standing O his last game at Fenway this year)

Keith Foulke (2007 option)

David Ortiz (2007 option) Get it done Theo!!

Trot Nixon (With 4 outfielders in the mix rising the ranks and Trot's capabilities declining, 06 could be it for him in Boston )

Mark Loretta

Alex Cora

Tony Graffanino

Rudy Seanez (2007 option)

John Flaherty

J.T. Snow

Ken Huckaby

Willie Harris

Dustan Mohr

David Riske

Josh Bard

[Cityofchampions33]

I wouldn't mind Gonzalez at all. I mean we could potentially have a 20 HR lineup from 1 to 9. Especially with him, I mean look at his HR totals at PRO PLAYER STADIUM than double it when he plays in AL Parks, not many pitcher friendly fields.

[kreinbihl34]

who even says the cubs are even looking at him. i think the cubs are going to give every chance for ronny cedeno to start at short. id like to see more teams fighting over his services other than the red sox before i even guarantee 5 mil a season. no other team has been knocking down alex gonzalez door.

 

 

 

If the was going to give Cedeno every chance to start then why did they go after Furcal?

Plain and simple Cubs need a SS and they will get what they need like we did. We do not need him give Cora a chance he'll turn some heads i promise.

[Americal Man]

I'll be surprised if Tony G breaks camp with the club. he won't get much playing time playing behind Cora and Loretta if they sign Gonzalez. If they don't sign him, look for Cora to open at SS and pedoria to join them mid-season if he does well at aaa. I don't think they will overpay for Gonzalez.

 

also, with crisp now under control for the next 4 years, what happens to Murphy? Wonder if he will be trot's replacement.....

[Sox Fan on Cape]

I'll be surprised if Tony G breaks camp with the club. he won't get much playing time playing behind Cora and Loretta if they sign Gonzalez. If they don't sign him, look for Cora to open at SS and pedoria to join them mid-season if he does well at aaa. I don't think they will overpay for Gonzalez.

 

also, with crisp now under control for the next 4 years, what happens to Murphy? Wonder if he will be trot's replacement.....

Speaking of Trot, I distinctly remember it being said last tear that Trot was playing hurt, and would require surgery after the season. Has everyone heard that he had the surgery, what it was for, or how it went ?

[elsrbueno]

Maybe I'm wrong about this, but don't the Sox see Dustin Pedroia as a future second baseman? I always thought getting a 1 year stopgap like Mark Loretta was a perfect solution. Start Dustin in AAA and bring him up midseason as a bench guy, and get him enough experience to be able to hand him the starting second baseman's job in 2007.

 

I've said this before but I think Alex Gonzalez would be a perfect fit here. He's a gold glove shortstop with offensive potential. I think Cora is ideal as a bench guy (utility infielder) and would like to see him fill that role.

 

Graffanino and Wells (IMO) have got to be traded before opening day. Unless of course Cora's the starting shortstop, then Graffanino is the utility infielder.

[Americal Man]

Speaking of Trot, I distinctly remember it being said last tear that Trot was playing hurt, and would require surgery after the season. Has everyone heard that he had the surgery, what it was for, or how it went ?

 

 

he had some quad problems and i haven't heard/read anything about surgery or how he is doing in the off-season. Of course, now that football is basically over the info will start seeping out - rumor or fact will have to be evaluated as it emerges.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

he had some quad problems and i haven't heard/read anything about surgery or how he is doing in the off-season. Of course, now that football is basically over the info will start seeping out - rumor or fact will have to be evaluated as it emerges.

Thanks, I was beginning to think I was imagining it.

[Americal Man]

I was watching game 2 of the 2004 ALCS and we had Millar on 1st, Bellhorn on 2nd, Cabrera at ss and Billy M on 3rd. Plus damon was in center and Pero was pitching - a few changes have been made since then.

[riverside sluggers]

I'll be surprised if Tony G breaks camp with the club. he won't get much playing time playing behind Cora and Loretta if they sign Gonzalez. If they don't sign him, look for Cora to open at SS and pedoria to join them mid-season if he does well at aaa. I don't think they will overpay for Gonzalez.

 

also, with crisp now under control for the next 4 years, what happens to Murphy? Wonder if he will be trot's replacement.....

 

I agree that unfortunately this could be Trot's 9th & final season with the Sox. Outfielders such as David Murphy, Brandon Moss, Luis Soto, Chris Durbin and prized Jacoby Ellisbury are all viable options that Theo & the Sox will take into consideration for right field in 2007.

[VA Sox Fan]

I was watching game 2 of the 2004 ALCS and we had Millar on 1st, Bellhorn on 2nd, Cabrera at ss and Billy M on 3rd. Plus damon was in center and Pero was pitching - a few changes have been made since then.

 

Just a few huh A-Man? Imagine how weird the team will look Opening Day. 2 1/2 weeks until Pitchers/Catchers report.