September 1st waiver/playoff roster deadline

[seabeachfred]

At this rate Hammer if we could get the World Series this year I think most of us would rejoice, even though you think it doesn't amount to much. However, we aren't getting anywhere near the place so this argument is moot. Since you are so opinionated on these things, tell me this. Which way to we go? Rebuild or try to retool and reload for next year?

[MC Hammer]

At this rate Hammer if we could get the World Series this year I think most of us would rejoice, even though you think it doesn't amount to much. However, we aren't getting anywhere near the place so this argument is moot. Since you are so opinionated on these things, tell me this. Which way to we go? Rebuild or try to retool and reload for next year?

Well you don't rebuild teams that have this much talent. So I guess "re-tool". We need an established #3 pitcher to fill out our rotation, a few bullpen arms, and someone who can leadoff.

[a700hitter]

Well you don't rebuild teams that have this much talent. So I guess "re-tool". We need an established #3 pitcher to fill out our rotation, a few bullpen arms, and someone who can leadoff.

Major holes need to be filled. They need two starters and about three good bullpen arms. Other than Papelbon and MDC, no one else can be counted on for next year's pen. Hansen has shown no consistency and no improvement as the season has progressed. Also, they need a #5 hitter. That's a tall order. We can't forget that Gonzo is not signed beyond this year.

[ksushi]

I might start subscribing to the deal coco idea. I like his energy, I like his bat even though its been quiet, but I can't stand his lack of range. I don't know. If you can get bullpen help for next year, good bullpen help, I can't say I wouldn't be temped. I would be dissappointed too if he kept ellsbury in the minors. Thats adding a little, i love ellsbury.

[MC Hammer]

Major holes need to be filled. They need two starters and about three good bullpen arms. Other than Papelbon and MDC, no one else can be counted on for next year's pen. Hansen has shown no consistency and no improvement as the season has progressed. Also, they need a #5 hitter. That's a tall order. We can't forget that Gonzo is not signed beyond this year.

2 starters? Who are you bumping from the rotation? Schilling, Beckett, Wake, Lester. Are you going to send Lester to AAA for the year? That's a sure confidence killer.

 

I said we need a few pen arms. I'm not trying to hide the fact that our pen blows. Although, I hope Hansen can make major strides next year and solidify the back of the bullpen.

 

There are two options already with the team IMO for 5th. That is if we can get a leadoff hitter. WMP, if we can teach him some patience, and Youk. Although, if Loretta isn't back I'd bat Youk 2nd.

 

I dunno about SS it all depends what happens with Loretta.

[MANNYHOF24]

2 starters? Who are you bumping from the rotation? Schilling, Beckett, Wake, Lester. Are you going to send Lester to AAA for the year? That's a sure confidence killer.

 

I said we need a few pen arms. I'm not trying to hide the fact that our pen blows. Although, I hope Hansen can make major strides next year and solidify the back of the bullpen.

 

There are two options already with the team IMO for 5th. That is if we can get a leadoff hitter. WMP, if we can teach him some patience, and Youk. Although, if Loretta isn't back I'd bat Youk 2nd.

 

I dunno about SS it all depends what happens with Loretta.

 

Papelbon's stature is suited best for the rotatation, he is built big and could be a 230+ inning pitcher... Which is just more valuable then 75 innings being a closer. Im sorry i mean right now during this disaster Papelbon hasnt even had many chances to pitch, starting pitching comes first, always... Then you worry about your bullpen. As for short we have to keep Gonzo he was playing great ball for us. I think Pedroia is more suited for second base, I also think the sox should go after A. Ram from CHC, I think Crespo mentioned he could opt out of his contract, also I would sign Gill Meche, he had great stuff on friday night and is only 27. He was consistanly throwing 96-97. Just my thoughts on the conversation.

[seabeachfred]

Hammer, I want Loretta back. He has three or four good years left and he is a 300 hitter, a good second baseman, makes the DP well, is very intelligent and a heads up ballplayer. I know the guy personally; he used to play for the Senior Babe Ruth Team I started back in 1973, though I was coaching elsewhere when he came up to play. I know this is a guy that we really need. As for the rest of you, Schmidt, Linebrink, and Gagne could be the three pitchers we could go after. Again put Pedroia at shortstop, resign Mark and concentrate on pitching. I really think that if healthy we have three guys in the middle of the order capable of hitting 125 homers between them-----Papi, Manny, and Wily Mo. I also have great confidence in Papa Jack as a hitting coach. I also believe that with Tek back, a year under Youk's belt and another solid year from Lowell, there is another 60 homers there. Maybe I'm talking like the coach I was, but you win with good starting pitching. Schilling, Beckett, Schmidt, Lester, Papelbon sound like a good rotation to me. Put Wake in the pen, trade for Linebrink for set-up man, and Gagne for closer and we could be formidable next year. Some of you may think this is madness but I welcome your suggestions. Right now we need this networking from keeping all of us from going raving made. One damn run last night. Is that Red Sox baseball as we have known it?

[jsinger121]

Hammer, I want Loretta back. He has three or four good years left and he is a 300 hitter, a good second baseman, makes the DP well, is very intelligent and a heads up ballplayer. I know the guy personally; he used to play for the Senior Babe Ruth Team I started back in 1973, though I was coaching elsewhere when he came up to play. I know this is a guy that we really need. As for the rest of you, Schmidt, Linebrink, and Gagne could be the three pitchers we could go after. Again put Pedroia at shortstop, resign Mark and concentrate on pitching. I really think that if healthy we have three guys in the middle of the order capable of hitting 125 homers between them-----Papi, Manny, and Wily Mo. I also have great confidence in Papa Jack as a hitting coach. I also believe that with Tek back, a year under Youk's belt and another solid year from Lowell, there is another 60 homers there. Maybe I'm talking like the coach I was, but you win with good starting pitching. Schilling, Beckett, Schmidt, Lester, Papelbon sound like a good rotation to me. Put Wake in the pen, trade for Linebrink for set-up man, and Gagne for closer and we could be formidable next year. Some of you may think this is madness but I welcome your suggestions. Right now we need this networking from keeping all of us from going raving made. One damn run last night. Is that Red Sox baseball as we have known it?

 

I hate to say this but Loretta is not coming back and would be lucky to have 2 good years. The sox won't give him a multi year deal when Pedroia is easily going to slide into the position he has been groomed in the minors for.

[ORS]

Yeah, I like Loretta, but Pedroia has nothing left to prove in the minors, and rotting on the bench will slow down his acclimation to the bigs. He's not a SS -- not enough arm for the play in the hole. He's a 2B, and the job should be his next year.

[MANNYHOF24]

Hammer, I want Loretta back. He has three or four good years left and he is a 300 hitter, a good second baseman, makes the DP well, is very intelligent and a heads up ballplayer. I know the guy personally; he used to play for the Senior Babe Ruth Team I started back in 1973, though I was coaching elsewhere when he came up to play. I know this is a guy that we really need. As for the rest of you, Schmidt, Linebrink, and Gagne could be the three pitchers we could go after. Again put Pedroia at shortstop, resign Mark and concentrate on pitching. I really think that if healthy we have three guys in the middle of the order capable of hitting 125 homers between them-----Papi, Manny, and Wily Mo. I also have great confidence in Papa Jack as a hitting coach. I also believe that with Tek back, a year under Youk's belt and another solid year from Lowell, there is another 60 homers there. Maybe I'm talking like the coach I was, but you win with good starting pitching. Schilling, Beckett, Schmidt, Lester, Papelbon sound like a good rotation to me. Put Wake in the pen, trade for Linebrink for set-up man, and Gagne for closer and we could be formidable next year. Some of you may think this is madness but I welcome your suggestions. Right now we need this networking from keeping all of us from going raving made. One damn run last night. Is that Red Sox baseball as we have known it?

 

I would rather have Wake start next year over Lester. Wake is solid, Lester is not, wake throws strikes, Lester dosnt, Wake gets deep into the game, Lester is not, If Wake is around next season he is in the rotation.

[jsinger121]

I would rather have Wake start next year over Lester. Wake is solid, Lester is not, wake throws strikes, Lester dosnt, Wake gets deep into the game, Lester is not, If Wake is around next season he is in the rotation.

 

Lester will be taking Clements spot in the rotation. He is unlikely to come back and the Sox will likely eat money to dump him.

[seabeachfred]

Well they had better not give Gonzales a multi-year contract. He is not the ballplayer Loretta is. He certainly cannot carry hit jock when it comes to hitting and he was slumping badly before he went on the DL. Then we need a shortstop next year because to let Loretta go and resign Gonzales is a slap in the face to all Red Sox fans. Remember, if the Sox did not sign Alex he would he out of a job today because no other team even made an attempt to sign him. That spells reject in my book. Maybe Julio Lugo.

[riverside sluggers]

Well they had better not give Gonzales a multi-year contract. He is not the ballplayer Loretta is. He certainly cannot carry hit jock when it comes to hitting and he was slumping badly before he went on the DL. Then we need a shortstop next year because to let Loretta go and resign Gonzales is a slap in the face to all Red Sox fans. Remember, if the Sox did not sign Alex he would he out of a job today because no other team even made an attempt to sign him. That spells reject in my book. Maybe Julio Lugo.

 

Pedroia is a natural 2nd baseman, I know I wont be slapped in the face if I see Gonzo resigned and Pedroia being given the starting 2b slot

[Mr Crunchy]

loretta is a 300 hitter

agon probably a .270 guy tops as a 9 hitter

agon is a smooth smooth glove at short and that cannot be underestimated

give him a year with pedroia to break the kid in

as jsing says

loretta is gone here

and yes

that was loretta hitting 3rd today

yes

i played the sox and over 7 1/2 runs

no

im still sane

[MC Hammer]

I would rather have Wake start next year over Lester. Wake is solid, Lester is not, wake throws strikes, Lester dosnt, Wake gets deep into the game, Lester is not, If Wake is around next season he is in the rotation.

Well we might as well just cut Lester then, because sending him to AAA next year will ruin him.

[CrespoBlows]

loretta is a 300 hitter

agon probably a .270 guy tops as a 9 hitter

agon is a smooth smooth glove at short and that cannot be underestimated

give him a year with pedroia to break the kid in

as jsing says

loretta is gone here

and yes

that was loretta hitting 3rd today

yes

i played the sox and over 7 1/2 runs

no

im still sane

 

What exactly is keeping Loretta aroung going to do? He's going to tell Pedroia something profound, right? Let him do it for the next month, or so.

[MC Hammer]

What exactly is keeping Loretta aroung going to do? He's going to tell Pedroia something profound, right? Let him do it for the next month, or so.

Give us a .300 hitter that can bat 2nd rather.

[CrespoBlows]

Give us a .300 hitter that can bat 2nd rather.

 

Pedroia's going to be the second baseman for the Red Sox next year. Loretta's not a young guy anymore, he's going to show some decline for the last few years of his career. His defense has really slipped over the last month, and he's not hitting for much power. This is also his last chance to make a few million a year to be a baseball player. He'll likely get a two year six million dollar deal. For a team that already has a 2B who could match that level of production, they need to take that money, and go get some pitching.

[Anuj09]

think we will offer him arbritration ?Hes sure to be a class A free agent

[jsinger121]

think we will offer him arbritration ?Hes sure to be a class A free agent

 

hopefully not....it would diminish his market and anyways their is talk of scrapping compensation picks anyways.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Red Sox, Padres closer to Wells deal

 

 

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Red Sox and Padres are nearing an agreement on a David Wells trade.

 

The Red Sox are targeting George Kottaras, which would be an excellent return if they could pull it off. Kottaras certainly doesn't rank with Matt Kemp, who isn't going to be unavailable, but he a top-100 prospect. Aug. 30 - 9:38 pm et

Source: ESPN.com

[MC Hammer]

16 Hits in 64 ABs at the AAA level.

 

He has gotten steadily worse every level he moves up.

A = .310

A+ = .303

AA = .287

AAA = .25

 

 

Please don't trade for this guy

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Heres a scouting report from Baseball America prior to this season:

 

Strengths:

Kottaras profiles as an offense-oriented catcher. He displays natural hitting instincts and commands the strike zone. He generates easy line-drive power with a quiet setup and fluid swing, projecting to hit 15-20 home runs annually. He’s athletic behind the plate and has plus arm strength.

 

Weaknesses:

Kottaras has a tendency to get pull-happy, and needs to focus simply on centering the ball and letting his strength work for him naturally. His arm plays only average because of a slow glove-hand exchange and a long release. He’s a bit small for a catcher, leaving some to wonder if he can handle the rigors of a full season.

 

The Future:

Kottaras’ bat separates him from the rest of San Diego’s catching prospects. He’ll begin 2006 back in Double-A and is on schedule to be the starter at the big league level by the end of 2007.

[CrespoBlows]

A = .310/.415/.461/.876

A+ = .303/.390/.469/.859

AA = .287/.397/.451/.845

 

Pretty damn good numbers, especially for a backstop. This guy's also got a cannon behind the plate. He can succeed Vartiek in '09.

[jsinger121]

This would be a steal for trading Wells.

[MC Hammer]

I don't see why getting a guy that has shown a steady decline at every level is a steal, but OK.

[ORS]

I don't see why getting a guy that has shown a steady decline at every level is a steal, but OK.

He's cranked out a .840+ OPS at every level other than AAA, and his AAA #'s were with only 64 ABs -- 64. Do you think 64 ABs is a good indicator of performance? s***, that's only 16-18 games.

 

It's a steal because the farm system has no serious catching prospects in the upper minors and Wells is retiring at the end of the year, meaning in one month, they'll get nothing for him.

[Mr Crunchy]

agreed

it doesnt cost us anything but a goodbye

wells showed me an awful lot of courage this year by coming back and making an effort to help this team despite his disgust for fenway and boston in general

his august efforts were the best of our entire staff

heres hoping he has success wherever he lands outside of ny

[schillingouttheks]

I'm thinking that the team I want to win the world series this year will be the team with David Wells on it, assuming they make the playoffs...which may not happen because the Padres won't win that division IMO.

[Papelbon58]

the Padres are going to win the wild card