Bye bye Foulke

[a700hitter]

they are running out of options.

How could we possibly know that. Just because FA options are running out doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of trade options for the right price.

[jacksonianmarch]

How could we possibly know that. Just because FA options are running out doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of trade options for the right price.

 

right now the trade options are on teams that dont fit. The Rangers and stros want starting pitching and the pirates want a lefty power bat. The pirates can get the lefty power bat from the braves, but the braves want a young, cheap replacement for Andruw, and Coco is too close to FA to want him. Right now, the sox need to hope someone will ask for power and jump at WMP.

[a700hitter]

right now the trade options are on teams that dont fit. The Rangers and stros want starting pitching and the pirates want a lefty power bat. The pirates can get the lefty power bat from the braves' date=' but the braves want a young, cheap replacement for Andruw, and Coco is too close to FA to want him. Right now, the sox need to hope someone will ask for power and jump at WMP.[/quote']There are plenty of takers for their minor league arms if the Red Sox are willing to part with them.

[SCM33]

they are running out of options.

 

Yeah, youre right because once all of the free agents sign with a team the RedSox will never be able to trade anyone anywhere because every other MLB team will just disappear in to thin air and you cant make a trade with teams that dont exist right?

 

I hate it when teams just disappear, and GMs disappear, and players who want to be traded disappear.

 

Why are they running out of options? Because Eric Gagne (whos pitched in like 1.7 games over the past 3 years, and got a ridiculous contract), Keith "what have you done for me lately" Foulke and Joe Borowski (who will have an awful year in the AL) are off the market? Gimme a break. Its not like they missed out on anything. I doubt none of these "options" as you call them do much better than whatever the Sox bring in.

 

The Sox are not done, and they will get something done.....and it will probably be some blockbuster s*** that nobody knows about, or even thought about since Theo tends to do s*** like that when there is little speculation going around.

[jacksonianmarch]

scm, I am not saying that they are out of options. I am saying that they are running out of options available right now. Options pop up during the season, but to bring this team uncompleted into the season is inexcuseable. As of right now, the only teams with interest in dealing a closer are not a match.

[SCM33]

scm' date=' I am not saying that they are out of options. I am saying that they are running out of options available right now. Options pop up during the season, but to bring this team uncompleted into the season is inexcuseable. As of right now, the only teams with interest in dealing a closer are not a match.[/quote']

 

I didnt mean to jump on you. You worded it as if the RedSox are running out of options because there are not many closers left on the market, and to be honest I would much rather them try to make a deal for another SP and keep Papelbon in the pen, or bring in another true closer.

 

And by true closer I mean someone other than Tom Gordon, Joe Borowski, Keith Foulke and Eric Gagne....all of which have either been hurt, switched roles or have been very ineffective at some point.

 

I think some people around here think that if we go get a Borowski we are all set, because our closer position is filled. None of those guys listed above interest me as a closer. If they cant get a closer, or a starter....look to find another setup man and use Timlin as a closer. A set up man pitches more games than a closer, and if Timlin were closing games out he would get in to less games and probably be more effective than he was last year.

 

There are plenty of options out there because the sox staff has a little bit of flexibility.

 

example:

Mariano Rivera...best closer of all time has averaged 68 games closing the last 4 years.

Mike Timlin as a set up man has averaged about 75 games over the same span as a set-up guy.

[jacksonianmarch]

thing is, Mo had a nagging injuyry but was very effective. Timlin had a shoulder problem, but exploded late. A guy who is old and coming off a 6+ERA second half is not a guy I'd be comfortable with right now.

[elsrbueno]

scm' date=' I am not saying that they are out of options. I am saying that they are running out of options available right now. Options pop up during the season, but to bring this team uncompleted into the season is inexcuseable. As of right now, the only teams with interest in dealing a closer are not a match.[/quote']

 

And because there's no closer on December 23rd it means the front office is bringing the team into the season "uncompleted?"

 

The team may be incomplete as of right now but there are still 3 months+ until the season starts.

[jacksonianmarch]

when all else fails, go for the spelling eh senior? I wont go that low yet.

 

As of right now, there are no viable FA options and the only trade options seem to not be fits for the sox. As it looks right now, the sox will be filling their closer's role internally on a team that had a BP era over 4.5 with papelbon, and without him, the era was 5.1.

[riverside sluggers]

And because there's no closer on December 23rd it means the front office is bringing the team into the season "uncompleted?"

 

The team may be incomplete as of right now but there are still 3 months+ until the season starts.

 

Same arguments were being made on here a year ago from Yankee fans declaring that the Sox are about to enter the 06 season without a shortstop and a center fielder

 

right now the trade options are on teams that dont fit. The Rangers and stros want starting pitching and the pirates want a lefty power bat. The pirates can get the lefty power bat from the braves' date=' but the braves want a young, cheap replacement for Andruw, and Coco is too close to FA to want him. Right now, the sox need to hope someone will ask for power and jump at WMP.[/quote']

 

How is Coco Crisp too close to FA?

[a700hitter]

scm' date=' I am not saying that they are out of options. I am saying that they are running out of options available right now. Options pop up during the season, but to bring this team uncompleted into the season is inexcuseable. As of right now, the only teams with interest in dealing a closer are not a match.[/quote']They'll make their moves before opening day.

[example1]

scm' date=' I am not saying that they are out of options. I am saying that they are running out of options available right now. Options pop up during the season, but to bring this team uncompleted into the season is inexcuseable. As of right now, the only teams with interest in dealing a closer are not a match.[/quote']

 

If the Sox are truly out of GOOD options then how is it inexcuseable to bring the team in uncompleted? If they get a marginal closer that's not going to be the answer that this team really wants. So they're not going to pay Ray King 5m a year to be a closer just because they need someone who can have that title. (I know nothing of Ray King's specific situation... picked him out of thin air )

 

The bullpen they have now is largely the pen they'll have this year. What they lack is a bullpen ace type pitcher that can come in after the 6th inning to shut the other team down.

 

He's said he will be at Spring Training, the Sox have announced that the cancer is gone, so I have to wonder what role the Sox will have for Lester this season. Don't call that sacreligious, its an honest question given the public statements that have been made.

[jacksonianmarch]

If the Sox are truly out of GOOD options then how is it inexcuseable to bring the team in uncompleted? If they get a marginal closer that's not going to be the answer that this team really wants. So they're not going to pay Ray King 5m a year to be a closer just because they need someone who can have that title. (I know nothing of Ray King's specific situation... picked him out of thin air )

 

The bullpen they have now is largely the pen they'll have this year. What they lack is a bullpen ace type pitcher that can come in after the 6th inning to shut the other team down.

 

He's said he will be at Spring Training, the Sox have announced that the cancer is gone, so I have to wonder what role the Sox will have for Lester this season. Don't call that sacreligious, its an honest question given the public statements that have been made.

 

the guy is a small guy to begin with. He is said to have lost anywhere between 15 and 20 lbs. You also must consider that the kid just had all of his rapidly dividing cells killed in his body (gut, hair, etc). This means he is weak, very weak in a game where power and finesse are necessary. Plus, you must consider his emotional state. He is gonna be 23 I think. It would benefit everyone involved if he goes to AAA where there is no pressure and rebuilds himself from ground zero. Therefore, when he returns he will he a lot in the tank both physically and emotionally. Dont rush him.

 

Plus, he is cancer free for now. This will be hanging over his head for his whole life. Lymphoma is classic for recurrences. I hope that the high profile nature of this case yields biyearly examinations to see how he is doing and hopefully can maximize his life in both quality and quantity. Don't trivialize this into being "cancer-free". Consider it halftime in a lifelong battle. Here is to hoping his cancer NEVER returns, but we all must see that there is a high likelihood that it will in some form or another.

[jacksonianmarch]

Same arguments were being made on here a year ago from Yankee fans declaring that the Sox are about to enter the 06 season without a shortstop and a center fielder

 

 

 

How is Coco Crisp too close to FA?

 

my point on Coco was that he costs 5 mil a yr and he has 2 yrs left (i think) until this contract runs out and 3 yrs left to FA. That means he will be a rather expensive replacement (5 mil per for now then arb if he amounts to anything). Melky still is under a full yr of service time, so he is controllable for at least the next 5, maybe 6 seasons in the majors.

[riverside sluggers]

http://mlb4u.com/profile.php?id=877

 

Coco's contract is for 3 years/$15.5 with an $8 million option for a 4th year. Even if the option isnt picked up for the 4th, he will be a free agent. If Coco can rehash 2003-2005 numbers, 4 years/$23.5 million for a 26 year old center fielder is a bargain in this market

 

But yes I do agree that the Pirates would look at Cabrera more because of having him for more guaranteed years/less money

[jacksonianmarch]

http://mlb4u.com/profile.php?id=877

 

Coco's contract is for 3 years/$15.5 with an $8 million option for a 4th year. Even if the option isnt picked up for the 4th, he will be a free agent. If Coco can rehash 2003-2005 numbers, 4 years/$23.5 million for a 26 year old center fielder is a bargain in this market

 

But yes I do agree that the Pirates would look at Cabrera more because of having him for more guaranteed years/less money

 

I have thought about why the braves havent called up the sox about Crisp. They typically get the best out of their deals and the fact that they are laying off the Coco could be that they arent sold on him bouncing back.

[a700hitter]

Keith Foulke will be attempting a comeback. If he's healthy, i wouldn't mind giving him a spot in the pen.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2007/10/13/foulke_planning_comeback/

[ORS]

I agree, they ought to work him out this winter and see what he's got. He's obviously not going to close, but if he's healthy and got it, he'd be a nice compliment to Okajima as part of the bridge.

[example1]

I agree' date=' they ought to work him out this winter and see what he's got. He's obviously not going to close, but if he's healthy and got it, he'd be a nice compliment to Okajima as part of the bridge.[/quote']

 

Argh. Really?

 

As simple a cut-off as it appears, I would prefer to not have anyone on the team who cannot throw above 88 mph unless they are a knuckleballer, left-handed, or side-arm. Foulke's 87 MPH fastball and his 83 mph changeup were like watching Mike Timlin without a sinker. Painful.

 

I'd rather error on the side of guys who don't throw batting practice. I guess giving him a shot to see what he's all about would be okay. Perhaps he could enjoy some Burger King with Tito afterwards.