Replacing the Captain

[msubulldogs21]

Not that they would, but I wish Pittsburg would be willing to give up Doumit. I'm sure they've got him cheap for several more years.

[Cocos Disciples]

I didn't reaize Laird was 28. Thought he was on the downhill. Still, he sucks offensively. .627 OPS in 2007, .727 OPS in 2008.

[jacksonianmarch]

Salty isnt the answer and I dont think the Rangers will move Ramirez or Teagarden just yet. Bard was just released.

[NomahsHammSammich]

Teagarden. If Bowden alone gets us Teagarden, so be it. If it costs more...we have what it takes. Varitek is toast. I wouldn't resign him unless he played for 3 million and understood he was going to be a backup. Varitek is one of the worst hitters in baseball...truly pathetic. And before anyone gets all sentimental and tells me what a great DEFENSIVE catcher he is, save your breath.. Tek is an average defensive catcher at best. Tek has a cream puff arm, slow release and two PB's this post-season that have hurt the Sox. Thanks for the memories Tek.

[Dojji]

Guys, guys, please, no panic moves. Especially not when our starting pitching isn't exactly loaded with superstars right now.

 

I think there's a pretty clear consensus that Varitek is done. The question of how to replace him has many answers. I for one am all for seeing what a Kottaras/Brown tandem can do before we go nuts trying to secure a catcher by trade. Especially if everyone's answer for acquiring a C is to trade away one of our stud SP prospects -- with 4 SP's lined up for 5 spots as it is that strikes me as 1 step forward 2 steps back.

[Cocos Disciples]

Beckett-Lester-Matsuzaka actually is kind of loaded with superstars, despite the former two's recent performances. Obviously we don't want to trade SP's unless completely necessary, but getting a competent catcher might be one of those cases.

[Dojji]

I agree in principle but I'd want to see all 5 spots filled with a competent (Byrd-level or better) SP before I was anxious to trade a SP for a C, especially if we have a C prospect who might turn in an average performance if given a chance to do so.

 

One thing I do NOT want to see, however, is re-signing both Varitek and Cash. I think that would be a big problem for the team if both of these guys get re-upped.

[Cocos Disciples]

Beckett-Lester-Matsuzaka are 3 certain spots. Then you have 2 open spots, with Wakefield, Buchholz, Masterson if we move him back and Byrd if we re-sign him as possibilities. Then there are free agents, Burnett and Sheets being the most ideal (CC is very unlikely). I think we can probably afford to deal a Bowden for a high ranking catching prospect.

[Dojji]

There is no reason at all that Wakefield would not break camp with the Sox next year.

 

There are 4 certain spots, and one open spot.

[Cocos Disciples]

Yeah that's probably true. There's a slim possibility he's in the bullpen, but I doubt Tits does that.

[YanksHater213]

Coco: As much as I'd love to add a guy like Burnett or Sheets in our rotation, that'd make it pretty stacked. BUT, the odds of us wanted to throw down money on another pitcher is pretty slim. We're gonna have to pay a bunch of guys this offseason, if this list I'm looking at is right (Lester, Delcarmen, Pedroia, Papelbon, Buchholz, Ellsbury... not sure how accurate that list is, there could be more, less not totally sure, but I'd say all of those guys will need a new contract, with Lester, Pedroia, and Papelbon seeing significant increases).

[Dojji]

That's going to be more than offset by contracts coming off the books from Manny, Schill, Timlin and Tek. There should be enough $ to hit the FA market for some pitching, especially if we replace our catcher with a rookie like Kottaras or Saltalamacchia..

 

Interesting names for RP's include Dan Wheeler and Kerry Wood. I'd replace Timlin with either of those in a heartbeat. The Mets and Tigers can't buy up ALL the FA relievers can they?

 

I wouldn't touch Sheets or Burnett though. That's an invitation to trouble. Even more trouble in going after Derek Lowe. In the end I'd stay out of the FA starter's market and trust Masterson, Bowden and Buchholz to fill that last starter's role between them. Maybe sign a Byrd type if you want to keep Masterson in the pen and give Bowden and Buck some AAA time.

 

Oh, and I suppose it's not worth asking but... any interesting Japanese catchers?

[Cocos Disciples]

Yeah that's true about all the young guys' contracts rising due to arbitration and such. I don't really expect the Sox to make a big FA splash in the SP market, just throwing names out.

[schillingouttheks]

It seems like Sheets can't go a full year without spending a bunch of time on the DL.

 

Burnett seems like less of an injury risk, relatively speaking, but still a large one despite that.

[Cocos Disciples]

If I were to guess, I'd say the 09 rotation is: Lester-Beckett-DiceK-Wake-Buchholz/Trade

[msubulldogs21]

If I were to guess' date=' I'd say the 09 rotation is: Lester-Beckett-DiceK-Wake-Buchholz/Trade[/quote']

 

I'd say so too. Wouldn't be 100% confident in Wake coming back, but most likely he will. I think the most interesting thing to see is what we plan to do with Masterson. Also will be interesting to see if Buchholz will start with Boston or Pawtucket.

[Cocos Disciples]

Wake will definitely be on the roster if he doesn't retire. A 4 mil option is just too cheap to pass up. And I'm pretty pleased with Masterson being a setup man. We'll see on Buch.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Trade Ellsbury, Cora, Varitek, and Francona for Teagarden and Maddon.

[NomahsHammSammich]

Salty isnt the answer and I dont think the Rangers will move Ramirez or Teagarden just yet. Bard was just released.

 

Oh please...more like you HOPE the Rangers won't trade the Sox Teagarden. Here's a little tip for you.. If the Red Sox offer Michael Bowden, they can have Teagarden or Ramirez. Do you think the Rangers will keep all three catchers including Salty. Have you seen their pitching staff, or lack thereof?? The Red Sox will have one of the Rangers catching prospects by the start of next season...book it.

[jacksonianmarch]

Catching is thin among MLB teams right now and not too many teams have them developed at the higher levels. This includes the sox and yankees who have some solid C prospects, but most of them reside in the lower levels. The Rangers have a dilemma. THey have a solid defensive catcher in Laird, they have a terrible defensive C in Salty and two young kids who seem to be pretty complete in Ramirez and Teagarden. They'll be pushing the first 2 before they move the latter two. And it will take a big package to nab Teagarden or Ramirez. More than just one pitcher. Bowden for Salty would be done, but like I said before, Salty isnt a catcher in the future

[ORS]

Jacko has established the Sox end of the market. Tomorrow we hear about how Shelley Duncan and Colter Bean get it done if the Yankees were interested. Film at 11:00.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think the captain status stays vacant for awhile, but I think Pedroia will end up wearing the C eventually

[Dojji]

Captain Mike Lowell.

 

Could definitely see it happening.

[TheKilo]

Mike Lowell and Michael Bowden to the Twins for Scott Baker, sign Teixeira.

 

GET IT DONE THEO

[Cocos Disciples]

I doubt anyone else gets the C for a while.

[Dojji]

Mike Lowell and Michael Bowden to the Twins for Scott Baker, sign Teixeira.

 

GET IT DONE THEO

 

Good luck getting the Twins to take on Lowell's salary.

 

Oh, and please, please, PLEASE do not block Lars Anderson with Teixeira's mammoth contract! We've already got a 1B who's VERY close and poised to be a superstar -- on a lot of teams he'd be in the big leagues right now and probably be average to above average. Given this, why go for Teixeira?

[TheKilo]

Good luck getting the Twins to take on Lowell's salary.

 

Oh, and please, please, PLEASE do not block Lars Anderson with Teixeira's mammoth contract! We've already got a 1B who's VERY close and poised to be a superstar -- on a lot of teams he'd be in the big leagues right now and probably be average to above average. Given this, why go for Teixeira?

 

Tex is a proven commodity. When Ortiz's contract is up you can have Tex and Lars DH.

 

Any trade of Lowell obviously brings the caveat of eating some of that contract.

[CrespoBlows]

This team wins the World Series without Varitek.

[Cocos Disciples]

This team wins the World Series without Varitek.

 

Tough to say, but he had a god awful year. Sucks to see him go out (probably) like this.

[Paradisecity]

Regardless of how we feel about his performance, Tek will be back in some capacity. His value, far and away, is highest to the sox.