Eric Hinske

[riverside sluggers]

maybe cause he went 10 for 20 the entire series not to mentioned 7 walks 5 runs scored and 3 RBI's , if he was with boston instead it would have been a big difference , he was accountable for 8 runs in that series and not to mentioned making the opposing pitchers throw alot of balls ,take him out of the lineup and you have a crappy guy replacing him for an easy out wich would have helped preventing quite a few runs in the series

 

also since with the yanks he is hitting 368 with a 477OBP he would be deadly infront of ortiz and manny

 

And put him in Boston, he would cost the Sox altogether $27 million with taxes included... hence taking away money they could use on beefing up the pitching staff, have to look long term

[a700hitter]

Hammer and Schill, looks like I came a cropper on my two suggestions. Hammer, I don't know why you dislike Schmidt, but he is some pitcher in my book. He is a real competitor and has terrific stuff. He would be a valuable asset to our team. As far as Zito is concerned I have gotten hammered (no pun intended) here and on another board for making that suggestion. Well one out of two isn't bad considering how poorly we've been playing. Maybe go after Eric Gagne as our closer, put Papelbon in the rotation, get Schmidt and trade for Linebrink from San Diego for a great set-up man. What you have to realize Hammer and Schill is that I am throwing out names in an attempt to see what the consensus is for us to get out of this pathetic rut we are in right now. This reminds me so much of 2001 except that collapse came in September. If you have better suggestions I am all ears. Hell, we are all in this together anyway, right?

The Sox need to consider all possibilities , because they can't go with what they've got. Nothing wrong with considering Zito, and at the right price they should sign him. He'll probably be too pricey and not a very good value. If the Sox can't get what they need from the FA pool, they'll have to get creative and pull off a trade or two.

[schillingouttheks]

Hammer and Schill, looks like I came a cropper on my two suggestions. Hammer, I don't know why you dislike Schmidt, but he is some pitcher in my book. He is a real competitor and has terrific stuff. He would be a valuable asset to our team. As far as Zito is concerned I have gotten hammered (no pun intended) here and on another board for making that suggestion. Well one out of two isn't bad considering how poorly we've been playing. Maybe go after Eric Gagne as our closer, put Papelbon in the rotation, get Schmidt and trade for Linebrink from San Diego for a great set-up man. What you have to realize Hammer and Schill is that I am throwing out names in an attempt to see what the consensus is for us to get out of this pathetic rut we are in right now. This reminds me so much of 2001 except that collapse came in September. If you have better suggestions I am all ears. Hell, we are all in this together anyway, right?

I didn't mean to "hammer" you, just wanted to explain my opinion on Zito.

 

I wouldn't mind adding Gagne to the bullpen, but I'd sign him to a salary based largely on incentives with the recent problems he's been having (which, IMO, is a result of steroid use. I never get on players for using steroids, but the only 2 players which I talk about with steroids are Gagne and Oliver Perez). I'd sign Francisco Cordero to set up for Papelbon, and Linebrink wouldn't be a bad addition to just have out of the bullpen.

 

If the Sox are willing to pay the kind of money that it's going to take to sign Zito, then they should go after Matsuzaka instead. I like the Schmidt idea.

[seabeachfred]

Well Mr 700, how did you like it tonight. We actually had to start Julian Taverez? I mean can you or anyone else on this board believe that? It is so ridiculous that I am almost at a loss for words to describe such a calamity. Wierder still, we actually won the game against the best pitcher in the AL---Roy Halladay----although through no help from Taverez. Still, you have to admit that we have a hell of a lot of work to do in this off season. The aura of our title two years is getting further and further away from our memory and, I don't know about the rest of you but I haven't time to wait another eight decades; I don't have more than two or three left, God willing. I want another title before 2010.

[seabeachfred]

Schill, here is how I see it. Too many of us on this board, Dirt Dogs, Uponthemonster, and the regular Red Sox board are moaning and complaining that the Yankees do this and that and then we try to react. s*** on that. My take is that as soon as the FA signing period starts we go and grab Jason Schmidt with a big contract and launch a premptive strike against the Yankees as we did in late 2003 when we took Schilling right from under their noses. As for Zito, we may not need him if the rest of the crowd comes around, but I would love to get my hands on Gagne. It means Papelbon for the rotation which I think would really give us a staff to be proud of. This season? We are playing for pride and that only. If you have a NL team that you root for now is probably the time to get behind them.

[a700hitter]

Well Mr 700, how did you like it tonight. We actually had to start Julian Taverez? I mean can you or anyone else on this board believe that? It is so ridiculous that I am almost at a loss for words to describe such a calamity. Wierder still, we actually won the game against the best pitcher in the AL---Roy Halladay----although through no help from Taverez. Still, you have to admit that we have a hell of a lot of work to do in this off season. The aura of our title two years is getting further and further away from our memory and, I don't know about the rest of you but I haven't time to wait another eight decades; I don't have more than two or three left, God willing. I want another title before 2010.

It is really disappointing to me that the FO took full advantage of the goodwill they had from the fans and let a short window pass by where they might have been able to win one or two more titles. I really thought the that 2004 was a turning point and that the Sox would beat the Yankees like a drum for a few years. THe '04 team had learned to win and that was the final hurdle. They were not given the chance to see if they could repeat. The White Sox kept their key pieces and added Thome.

 

Now that the Red Sox have crashed and burned, we can hope that FO will make moves with an eye towards winning next year.

[schillingouttheks]

Schill, here is how I see it. Too many of us on this board, Dirt Dogs, Uponthemonster, and the regular Red Sox board are moaning and complaining that the Yankees do this and that and then we try to react. s*** on that. My take is that as soon as the FA signing period starts we go and grab Jason Schmidt with a big contract and launch a premptive strike against the Yankees as we did in late 2003 when we took Schilling right from under their noses. As for Zito, we may not need him if the rest of the crowd comes around, but I would love to get my hands on Gagne. It means Papelbon for the rotation which I think would really give us a staff to be proud of. This season? We are playing for pride and that only. If you have a NL team that you root for now is probably the time to get behind them.

Well, I've gotten behind the Padres (unfortunately for you, I know you're a Dodgers fan as well ), only because of Wells going there, who I have tremendous respect for after this season. I'm right on board with you about signing Schmidt. What do you think about Matsuzaka, the WBC MVP as well as, most likely, the biggest signing of this upcoming off-season? If we were to get Schmidt and Matsuzaka, acquire some sort of closer (I wouldn't give the closers role to Gagne because he's had too many injuries and problems), and moved Papelbon to the rotation, our rotation would look like the following:

 

Schilling

Schmidt

Papelbon

Matsuzaka

Beckett

 

I don't know how they would order the pitchers, but any way that you spin it that's a sexy rotation. I would also give Lester (I pray that these tests that he's undergoing come up clean and that he's able to pitch for us in '07) a spot in the rotation so we could have 2 lefties out of the 'pen in DiNardo and Lester. What do you think of that plan? No Zito in there.

[seabeachfred]

700, we are thinking along the same lines on that one. I was befuddled how all of a sudden the Red Sox wanted to dismantle a World Championship team. Sure, you don't stand pat but I guess fine tuning was not in the FO's lexicon. In two years most of our team has gone to other places and we've not emerged stronger for it. My guess is that there is going to be a lot of soul searching this off season and the owners are going to decide to go for it; that is, spend the money and try to make a go of it next year. I really believe if we get the pitching, both starters and relievers, we could contend for the Big Prize next year. I hope the FO is thinking along the same lines. How's that for optimism for you? Yes, I really believe it.

[seabeachfred]

Well, I've gotten behind the Padres (unfortunately for you, I know you're a Dodgers fan as well ), only because of Wells going there, who I have tremendous respect for after this season. I'm right on board with you about signing Schmidt. What do you think about Matsuzaka, the WBC MVP as well as, most likely, the biggest signing of this upcoming off-season? If we were to get Schmidt and Matsuzaka, acquire some sort of closer (I wouldn't give the closers role to Gagne because he's had too many injuries and problems), and moved Papelbon to the rotation, our rotation would look like the following:

 

Schilling

Schmidt

Papelbon

Matsuzaka

Beckett

 

I don't know how they would order the pitchers, but any way that you spin it that's a sexy rotation. I would also give Lester (I pray that these tests that he's undergoing come up clean and that he's able to pitch for us in '07) a spot in the rotation so we could have 2 lefties out of the 'pen in DiNardo and Lester. What do you think of that plan? No Zito in there.

 

Schill, it sounds good to me. I just wonder if we could sign both Schmidt and Matsu??? It would be great if we could. Zito? Man, I have really gotten for suggesting him. I could take it if it was just here but I think the grapevine has spread to other boards that this is one guy we DO NO get. So, ok, those two you suggested are fine with me. We need pitching and as Joe Morgan has said so many times, "You win championships with starting pitching." The Marlins, Red Sox and White Sox proved it the last three years, so I would say there is something to that. The Padres seem to have the Dodgers' number this season, but I expect that finally in the next series the worm will turn. I have attended a number of Dodger games this year and plan to go to a few others---like against your team. However, I have to admit, it is not like the Red Sox. If you are a Red Sox fan you can never love another team the way you do them. Whatever other team you may root for, they are strictly number two and light years away.

[a700hitter]

700, we are thinking along the same lines on that one. I was befuddled how all of a sudden the Red Sox wanted to dismantle a World Championship team. Sure, you don't stand pat but I guess fine tuning was not in the FO's lexicon. In two years most of our team has gone to other places and we've not emerged stronger for it. My guess is that there is going to be a lot of soul searching this off season and the owners are going to decide to go for it; that is, spend the money and try to make a go of it next year. I really believe if we get the pitching, both starters and relievers, we could contend for the Big Prize next year. I hope the FO is thinking along the same lines. How's that for optimism for you? Yes, I really believe it.

I think that this will be a critical off-season for the FO. They had a good core with the 2004 team to build around and improve, but they let major pieces of the core leave. The replacements for those guys: Clement, Renteria (gone), and Crisp have flopped and they would not represent part of the team's core, which is shrinking. When you think of it, with Schilling and Wakefield at 40, Loretta and Nixon likely gone, and Manny with only two years on his contract, this team has no core of veterans to build around except Papi. Papi is great, but this year has proved that the big guy can't do it all by himself. The kids are not ready to be major building blocks-- none of them are proven except Papelbon. They have to take some serious steps to rebuild the core of this team or they will not be in contention in '07 or '08.

[seabeachfred]

There are two schools of thought there. One is to rebuild from the ground up, but I say blend a few new faces with the hard core veterans and get the pitching we need to contend. It can and must be done. Don't get down on Pedroia too quickly. I still say that this kid is going to be one solid ballplayer for us. Pitching is what we need, and if Pena can develop further into the No. 3 power hitter for us we could be in good shape. I don't ever recall a team getting smashed two years in a row with the injuries we've had. The FO does its job and we can give it to the American League back in kind within a season.

[schillingouttheks]

Schill, it sounds good to me. I just wonder if we could sign both Schmidt and Matsu??? It would be great if we could. Zito? Man, I have really gotten for suggesting him. I could take it if it was just here but I think the grapevine has spread to other boards that this is one guy we DO NO get. So, ok, those two you suggested are fine with me. We need pitching and as Joe Morgan has said so many times, "You win championships with starting pitching." The Marlins, Red Sox and White Sox proved it the last three years, so I would say there is something to that. The Padres seem to have the Dodgers' number this season, but I expect that finally in the next series the worm will turn. I have attended a number of Dodger games this year and plan to go to a few others---like against your team. However, I have to admit, it is not like the Red Sox. If you are a Red Sox fan you can never love another team the way you do them. Whatever other team you may root for, they are strictly number two and light years away.

Yeah, the only reason I'm rooting for the Padres is because of Wells. I don't have any attachment to them except for Wells, so they're nothing special to me. I don't really have a second favorite team, it's really just whoever plays the Yanks or whoever has an ex-Sox guy that I lots of respect for. Wells could have called it quits this season, some never thought he'd pitch again, and now he's going to San Diego and is going to pitch well out there for them and help them to the playoffs. I'm really very proud of him. I wish him the best.

[riverside sluggers]

Yeah, the only reason I'm rooting for the Padres is because of Wells. I don't have any attachment to them except for Wells, so they're nothing special to me. I don't really have a second favorite team, it's really just whoever plays the Yanks or whoever has an ex-Sox guy that I lots of respect for. Wells could have called it quits this season, some never thought he'd pitch again, and now he's going to San Diego and is going to pitch well out there for them and help them to the playoffs. I'm really very proud of him. I wish him the best.

 

Yes agree, Wells & Dave Roberts are my only connections to that team but will be rooting for them if they make the playoffs

[seabeachfred]

Schill, that stands tall with me. I think Wells is a class guy. He pitched well for the Red Sox. I wish the Dodgers could have gotten him. Hopefully he will not pitch in that upcoming series so I don't have to root against him. I only hope the catcher we got for him turns out to be a solid player.

[jsinger121]

I will root for the Padres to win the division like hell and the dodgers to miss it and for wells to be the key to the padres winning the division so Ned Coletti will have something to think about this winter when he did not trade us andy laroche for wells.

[a700hitter]

I am still going for the Mets and Pedro to beat the tar out of the Yankees, but I'd like to see OTH Johnny hit about .550 in the post-season.

[ImissPedro]

I am still going for the Mets and Pedro to beat the tar out of the Yankees, but I'd like to see OTH Johnny hit about .550 in the post-season.

 

Step right up and greet the Mets

[seabeachfred]

Well Jsing, I can tell by your post that you are in an irritable mood and are on the warpath again. Look, I am a little taken back by the fact that we couldn't get a deal with the Dodgers for Wells and that being Andy LaRoche, but I think Theo asked for more than just one player and if he did then he overpriced himself out. As it is, the Dodgers have Wilson Betemit playing third and there is no room for Andy, even though he hit 319 when called up to Triple A. The Dodgers are either going to have to trade WB, move him to another position or trade AL. The Red Sox should be ready to offer a good deal for LaRoche who I think could be a good 25-30 homer man and an excellent 3Bman for the Red Sox if we could get him.

[seabeachfred]

It is a no-brainer if the Mets play the Yankees in the WS who we Red Sox fans root for. Maybe the Mets can make amends for their less than stellar performance in the last Subway Series. Interesting about that. That was the last year the Mets were my favorite team; I had gone to Fenway late that 2000 season and by the next spring the Red Sox had become my main team, so much so that I pretty much deserted the Mets on the fly. This year I am following the Dodgers f or the first time since they left Brooklyn.

[jsinger121]

Well Jsing, I can tell by your post that you are in an irritable mood and are on the warpath again. Look, I am a little taken back by the fact that we couldn't get a deal with the Dodgers for Wells and that being Andy LaRoche, but I think Theo asked for more than just one player and if he did then he overpriced himself out. As it is, the Dodgers have Wilson Betemit playing third and there is no room for Andy, even though he hit 319 when called up to Triple A. The Dodgers are either going to have to trade WB, move him to another position or trade AL. The Red Sox should be ready to offer a good deal for LaRoche who I think could be a good 25-30 homer man and an excellent 3Bman for the Red Sox if we could get him.

 

Lets be honest, the Red Sox would have made deal instantly with the Dodgers if they said Laroche was in the deal. LaRoche is a better prospect than Kottaras and Theo definitely would not have asked for more if he was offered LaRoche. He would have made out like a bandit if he made that trade with the Dodgers. But now if the Dodgers fail to make the playoffs and now I hope they do no offense to you but I want Ned Coletti to have something to think about this winter if they fail to make it.

[riverside sluggers]

Well Jsing, I can tell by your post that you are in an irritable mood and are on the warpath again. Look, I am a little taken back by the fact that we couldn't get a deal with the Dodgers for Wells and that being Andy LaRoche, but I think Theo asked for more than just one player and if he did then he overpriced himself out. As it is, the Dodgers have Wilson Betemit playing third and there is no room for Andy, even though he hit 319 when called up to Triple A. The Dodgers are either going to have to trade WB, move him to another position or trade AL. The Red Sox should be ready to offer a good deal for LaRoche who I think could be a good 25-30 homer man and an excellent 3Bman for the Red Sox if we could get him.

 

Theo asked for one of the Dodger's top 3 prospects (Kemp, LaRoche, and another). As Jsinger said Theo wouldve thrown a party at Fenway if the Dpdgers offered a LaRoche for Wells swap

[riverside sluggers]

I am still going for the Mets and Pedro to beat the tar out of the Yankees, but I'd like to see OTH Johnny hit about .550 in the post-season.

 

Sorry he might be a former Red Sox, but Im not even close to rooting him on as a Yankee in the playoffs

[a700hitter]

Sorry he might be a former Red Sox, but Im not even close to rooting him on as a Yankee in the playoffs

It's not his fault the FO didn't want him back. They low-balled him. He wanted to come back. He was practically begging to come back and the fans wanted him back. Only the FO didn't want him back, screwing him and the fans. It kills me to see him in a Yankee uniform, but I bear him no ill will as long as the Yankees lose.