Theo's Plan

[MANNYHOF24]

At first I kind of believed in what Theo was doing, however I realized today, once guys like Lester Hansen, Delcarmen and Ellsbury have hit their prime, Manny and Ortiz will be old. Schill will be long gone, and if we want to be competative we are going to have to make key trades and large off season FA signings. So in a market like Boston their should be a win every year mentality, because we forget that the "real" conerstones of the team will be gone before the young kids are ready to lead us to a w.s title. I think that you always think of next year, next year and not wait to see, if by chance your young kids are good, because a lot of the time things dont work out with prospects. I really think Theos plan is misguided and he should be focusing on 06, rather than 08. I mean honestly a team should at least make the playoffs if they are charing 50 bucks a seat, and it cost 10 bucks for a hot dog and soda.

[a700hitter]

At first I kind of believed in what Theo was doing, however I realized today, once guys like Lester Hansen, Delcarmen and Ellsbury have hit their prime, Manny and Ortiz will be old. Schill will be long gone, and if we want to be competative we are going to have to make key trades and large off season FA signings. So in a market like Boston their should be a win every year mentality, because we forget that the "real" conerstones of the team will be gone before the young kids are ready to lead us to a w.s title. I think that you always think of next year, next year and not wait to see, if by chance your young kids are good, because a lot of the time things dont work out with prospects. I really think Theos plan is misguided and he should be focusing on 06, rather than 08. I mean honestly a team should at least make the playoffs if they are charing 50 bucks a seat, and it cost 10 bucks for a hot dog and soda.

My sentiments exactly. By the time the kids are seasoned major leaguers, Manny will be gone or in the last year of his contract, and there is just simply no guaranty that he an Ortiz will continue to produce at this level. Manny is 34 and both have avoided any serious injury and they have put together a three year record that has not been matched since Ruth and Gehrig. What we have been witnessing has been historic. It's a damn shame that the FO didn't do what it needed to do to put last year's and this year's team over the top. When you think about it, last years starting pitching without Schilling might have been worse than this year's staff and last year's pen was an abomination. Despite those glaring, gaping holes Manny and Papi slugged the team to the playoffs. With just a little pitching help, who knows what that team could've done. Again, this year's team is riding the backs of Manny and Papi, but the other teams like the Tigers and even the Yankees have improved their pitching and overtaken us. Who will take the place of Manny and Ortiz when the kids are ready if they are no longer the fearsome two-headed offensive monster that they are now? You don't just pull guys like this of a FA shelf. And if there is one that is available he will cost a pretty penny.

[Jon_Papelboner]

Yeah, this was a rebuilding year if I ever saw one.

[yeszir]

The price of soda is more of a reflection on ARAMARK and its money grubbiness than the payroll of the team.

 

Just my two cents.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

He wants to be the Atlanta Braves of the AL with the ability to bring in top free agents. I'm not opposed to the plan but they need to evaluate players better.

 

Edgar Renteria

Coco Crisp

Josh Beckett

Rudy Seanez

Matt Clement

David Wells

Jason Johnson

Julian Tavarez

JT Snow

Javier Lopez

Keith Foulke (although I will take it for his 04 performance alone)

 

.....these players have not met expectations. I don't mind if you build a strong farm system but when signing players.....lets make some good signings. With the success Orlando Cabrera had in Boston he should never have been let go for Edgar Renteria. Despite the Red Sox not having a lefty in the bullpen David Riske was not the person to give up. I like Willy Mo Pena but the Red Sox should have worked harder to make a deal based around Matt Clement. Julian Tavarez is a headcase and an ass hole who sucked against AL teams before. Rudy Seanez already had two attempts in Boston prior to this one.

 

There are too many bad moves lately. Make better use of the teams resources and scout better. If its not the players then figure out whats wrong with the coaching staff and why they can't get more out of these guys.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

At first I kind of believed in what Theo was doing, however I realized today, once guys like Lester Hansen, Delcarmen and Ellsbury have hit their prime, Manny and Ortiz will be old. Schill will be long gone, and if we want to be competative we are going to have to make key trades and large off season FA signings. So in a market like Boston their should be a win every year mentality, because we forget that the "real" conerstones of the team will be gone before the young kids are ready to lead us to a w.s title. I think that you always think of next year, next year and not wait to see, if by chance your young kids are good, because a lot of the time things dont work out with prospects. I really think Theos plan is misguided and he should be focusing on 06, rather than 08. I mean honestly a team should at least make the playoffs if they are charing 50 bucks a seat, and it cost 10 bucks for a hot dog and soda.

You realized today. Where have you been the last two years. Oh, I want your contacts. Tell me where you can get decent seats of $ 50 per seat. Not a prayer in hell. Not to mention ticket sales and concession sales are shared under the MLB contract.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Yeah, this was a rebuilding year if I ever saw one.

Try transition year. I doubt you've been around to see either.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

I'd really like to know which one of you Theo sat down with and gave an inside track to. Hey here's why I made all my moves and where I want to be in 3 or 4 years. You try and field a competitive team and build your farm system up. The days of consecutive WS are pretty much over. How many WS for the Yanks this century ?

[riverside sluggers]

I really dont have that much of a strong objection to the trade for Javy Lopez (catcher). He's just a 2 month rental who cost us a 4th/5th outfielder in Adam Stern. With more playing time his offense is starting to gel nicely. IMO its a lot better solution than Belli/Huckaby holding the reins for a month or so

 

First 3 games

0 for 10, 2 Ks

 

Last 5 games

7 for 17, 3 Doubles, 4 RBIs, 2 Runs

[ORS]

SPECULATION:

 

Around the time Manny's contract (and possible extension) are done and Ortiz is nearing the end of his contract, the best player to hit the market since ARod will be available in the FA market (if he isn't available via trade before then). He is not happy with his current team, so the likelihood of an extension is very remote. This administration has proven they have their eyes on a future prize, so perhaps he is in their sights. With less big contracts on the team they will be able to compete with, and possibly exceed the offer of, the Yankees for this particular player. And, in three more years, the fruit of their building the farm will be more plentiful, so moving the pieces necessary to get him won't be a big hit to the system. Any idea who I'm talking about?

[ksushi]

I love what Theo is doing, teams able to bring in pitching from within the organization save a ton of money and can spend more on the FA market. Its just a new way of going about things. I'm not convinced the Sox are going to sit tight this offseason. The way things seem to be lining up, an impact pitcher will be coming here this offseason. They've shed some payroll, they've got a great closer, they have one spot in the rotation and 3 or 4 impact guys looking for contracts this winter.

 

btw, I have no idea who you're talking about ORS. Guessing games are fun. NL or AL?

[ORS]

NL.

[rician blast]

NL.

 

pujols

[ksushi]

But is Puljols unhappy with his team? Puljols is kind of like Ortiz in that I don't think he could ever be unhappy. Miguel Cabrera?

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

I think its Cabrera also. Pujols just signed a 7 year extension last year.

[ORS]

Yeah, it's Cabrera.

 

EDIT: Personally, I don't think he hits the market. I don't think there's any chance the Marlins extend him -- he doesn't want to, and neither do they. They could land a bumper crop of prospects with him, and that is what I think will happen since so many teams will be interested.

[a700hitter]

I'd really like to know which one of you Theo sat down with and gave an inside track to. Hey here's why I made all my moves and where I want to be in 3 or 4 years. You try and field a competitive team and build your farm system up. The days of consecutive WS are pretty much over. How many WS for the Yanks this century ?

Not so fast, the White Sox are looking pretty solid right now. They kept the core of their team together by re-signing Konerko and Garland. If Garland had walked, their pitching would really have been hurting from the off years of Buehrle and Garcia. Those guys are suffering from tired arms, but they are still quality starters. In addition to keeping their core together, they added Thome. There lineup is considerably stronger although their pitching is not quite performing at last years level. All in all, IMO they have an improved version of last years team, and they have that intangible resilient characteristic that the '04 Sox had. They never think they are out of a game.