Sox now "fully engaged" in Burnett talks

[BoSox21]

I fail to understand why the acquisition of Ramirez automatically seems to mean Masterson will go into the rotation, implying our bullpen was/is deep enough as is.

 

If our bullpen was deep enough, Mike Timlin wouldn't have trotted out in game 2 of the ALCS to wave the white flag and blow the game in the 11th.

 

The way I see it, this shores up the bullpen and gives the team the depth it needs to contend next year, provided Masterson stays there.

[BSN07]

The Sox just traded for one.

 

Damn I ment to add that to the bottom but got side tracked.

[Cocos Disciples]

I fail to understand why the acquisition of Ramirez automatically seems to mean Masterson will go into the rotation, implying our bullpen was/is deep enough as is.

 

If our bullpen was deep enough, Mike Timlin wouldn't have trotted out in game 2 of the ALCS to wave the white flag and blow the game in the 11th.

 

The way I see it, this shores up the bullpen and gives the team the depth it needs to contend next year, provided Masterson stays there.

 

Not automatically, but the problem with the bullpen was the Timlins and Aardsmas rather than the MDCs and Mastersons. We still need to address that, if Masterson starts.

[Dipre]

Masterson starting seems like a longshot at best to me.

[Dojji]

Masterson starting seems like a longshot at best to me.

 

Disagree. He was doing fine as a rookie starter before they shifted him to the pen. He had some rookie scuffles but was pretty much a lock for 6 innings and picked up a lot of quality starts. If he developed a bit more and walked lefties a lot less there's no reason why he couldn't be a great starter.

[TheKilo]

Plus there's the argument Masterson will have a greater net impact on the team giving them 180 innings as opposed to 75.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

I'd much rather Masterson remain in the bullpen. A 'pen of Papelbon/Masterson/Okajima/MDC/Ramirez/Lopez is money.

[Dipre]

I still think he'd be more important as half of THE 1-2 bullpen punch in the american league, bsides, his lack of a polished 3rd pitch is a cause for concern.

 

Starter: Serviceable, at least until he gets another year of matchups against quality ML lefty hitters under his belt.

 

Reliever: Damn near elite alongside Pap, will also acquire experience required.

 

But hey, that's just my opinion.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

I still think he'd be more important as half of THE 1-2 bullpen punch in the american league, bsides, his lack of a polished 3rd pitch is a cause for concern.

 

Starter: Serviceable, at least until he gets another year of matchups against quality ML lefty hitters under his belt.

 

Reliever: Damn near elite alongside Pap, will also acquire experience required.

 

But hey, that's just my opinion.

Bingo.

 

 

 

Bullpens win.

[BSN07]

Masterson's value in the BP is hard to duplicate threw FA.

 

A FA #4 SP that could produce what Masterson could in that role is easier to find, and more available.

[TheKilo]

I like Masterson, and think his stuff plays up in the pen, but he is nowhere near an "elite" reliever.

[TheKilo]

Masterson's value in the BP is hard to duplicate threw FA.

 

 

THEY JUST TRADED FOR A GUY LIKE HIM

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

DipreG already stated the fact that he basically throws two pitches. That would make him better served for relief duty. I know he went 6 innings in all his starts last year, and that's great, but didn't Buchholz throw a no-hitter against Baltimore in his first year in the bigs? Nobody knew Buchholz, nobody knew Masterson last year. If Masterson is in the rotation this year, I don't expect to be for too long, and I don't expect it to go very well.

[example1]

Burnett is the JD Drew of pitchers. His potential is limitless but his toughness and willingness to play through pain is suspect. It feels more tolerable to me with Drew because he still manages to get into a majority of the games, but a guy with Burnett's stuff should be at 200 IP every year easily.

 

If the Sox FO has reason to believe that 200 IP is something he can do year in and year out then perhaps I would change my mind; I don't even know why he tends to miss these games (what the injuries were), but it doesn't impress me much.

 

I find it interesting that there are reports of the Sox contacting the agent for Burnett, and nothing but speculation about the Sox involvement with Teixeira. Given that the Yankees have been very public about their desire to have Burnett it wouldn't shock me if the Sox are mostly trying to drive up the price and distract the Yankees from their (Sox) quest for Teix.

 

Personally I just don't see the need to get a guy like Burnett at the cost he will come at. I think they would actually be better off throwing the bank at Teixeira and then using prospects to get a guy like Peavy, or another solid Japanese pitcher when available.

 

So many head games!

[example1]

My sense from Masterson's stuff and build is that he would be a great 'next Mike Timlin' kind of pitcher for this team. His ability to get groundballs is critical for late-inning high leverage situations and he seems to have a really good head on his shoulders. His stuff is nasty and I certainly feel bad for anyone who has to face him once in a series for 4 pitches in an important AB in the 8th inning.

 

That said, his frame is such that if he could be stretched out he could be a very durable innings eater, which any team could use. Remember, this doesn't have to be decided now. The Sox have him for a number of years and they can let it play itself out. If they need another starter then Masterson is a great choice. Personally, I think Buchholz's stuff is better suited to starting, as is Bowden's, but nobody can argue with Masterson's effectiveness last year. Plenty of options IMO.

[BSN07]

Burnett is the JD Drew of pitchers. His potential is limitless but his toughness and willingness to play through pain is suspect. It feels more tolerable to me with Drew because he still manages to get into a majority of the games, but a guy with Burnett's stuff should be at 200 IP every year easily.

 

If the Sox FO has reason to believe that 200 IP is something he can do year in and year out then perhaps I would change my mind; I don't even know why he tends to miss these games (what the injuries were), but it doesn't impress me much.

 

I find it interesting that there are reports of the Sox contacting the agent for Burnett, and nothing but speculation about the Sox involvement with Teixeira. Given that the Yankees have been very public about their desire to have Burnett it wouldn't shock me if the Sox are mostly trying to drive up the price and distract the Yankees from their (Sox) quest for Teix.

 

Personally I just don't see the need to get a guy like Burnett at the cost he will come at. I think they would actually be better off throwing the bank at Teixeira and then using prospects to get a guy like Peavy, or another solid Japanese pitcher when available.

 

So many head games!

 

I thought this as well.

[Dojji]

You don't make a multimillion dollar offer to a player you don't want playing for you. Any other conpsiracy theory nonsense about driving up the price, even if it does exist, is a secondary issue.

[BSN07]

You don't make a multimillion dollar offer to a player you don't want playing for you. Any other conpsiracy theory nonsense about driving up the price' date=' even if it does exist, is a secondary issue.[/quote']

 

There offering a 4 year deal. Burnett will obviously turn it down, he is looking for 5, and the Yanks have already offered that.

 

Essentially this might force the Yanks to go 5/100M.

[example1]

You don't make a multimillion dollar offer to a player you don't want playing for you. Any other conpsiracy theory nonsense about driving up the price' date=' even if it does exist, is a secondary issue.[/quote']

 

What does 'secondary issue' even mean? What do you mean by 'nonsense' and then, in the same breath, 'even if it does exist'? It is either nonsense (and does not exist) or it is not-nonsense and does exist, right?

 

Do you think they don't attempt to drive up the price on players for teams with whom they compete? I think as many games are won in this kind of acquisition battle as they are by sacrifice flies, well-pitched games, and game winning home runs.

 

Imagine if the Yankees had had Matsuzaka in 2007 and 2008. The Sox got him, they won in 2007 and the Yankees didn't make the playoffs in 2008 largely because they didn't have the pitching. Seems like this time of year that is a primary issue, not a secondary one.

[Dojji]

You're making the assumption that baseball always made sense.

 

If they did make an offer just to drive up the price, that would be nonsense, but it would in fact exist.

 

Stop trying to dredge up contradictions where there are none.

 

And if you really don't know what a secondary issue is, I don't know what to say. A world in which every reason for doing something is equally valid would be a strange one.

[example1]

You're making the assumption that baseball always made sense.

 

If they did make an offer just to drive up the price, that would be nonsense, but it would in fact exist.

 

Stop trying to dredge up contradictions where there are none.

 

And if you really don't know what a secondary issue is, I don't know what to say. A world in which every reason for doing something is equally valid would be a strange one.

 

Honestly, I still don't know what you're talking about. I do, however, see that you are telling me what to do and I don't really appreciate it.

 

Do you think that it is possible that they handle different FA negotiations differently based on how much they actually want the player? I do. I think it makes perfect sense for the Sox to get the Yankees to sign Burnett for a shitload of money, because he is semi-fragile and could be an albatross.

 

I think this type of jockeying actually happens all the time and that if we only discussed the "official reports" this site would be dead until something like "Sox sign Teixeira" comes across the board.

[Dojji]

I think it makes perfect sense for the Sox to get the Yankees to sign Burnett for a shitload of money' date=' because he is semi-fragile and could be an albatross.[/quote']

 

Sure, but what it comes back to is what happens if the Yankees say screw it, we're going to bring in Lowe and CC, end of offseason, or even decide to roll the dice again with the kids. Then we're the ones stuck paying a shitload of money for a fragile player who could become an albatross, because we couldn't get our of our own way and got left holding the bag.

 

This is a gambit you only make if the player is someone you actually want to get. If going seriously for a guy forces another team to go over the top and overpay for him, so be it, good for them, but you can't approach contract negotiations and wind up not wanting to win them.

[example1]

As far as I know, until the contract is signed the Sox can back out at any point.

[Dojji]

And embarrass themselves, but yes.

[example1]

I bet John Henry would take a little embarassment for NOT spending 80m over 5 years on a guy who isn't worth it. I don't think they would actually do that, but my point is that teams get in bidding all the time.

 

It isn't like, all things being equal, the Sox wouldn't want Burnett on their team. Of course they would, but there's a ceiling to how much they would be willing to spend and the Yankees--desperate for pitching as they are--are likely to go above that threshold.

[naptownsoxfan]

I would hope for 80 big ones the sox would not be just playing games. I would hope that they are focusing on what they THINK they need and not trying to trick the Yanks into a contract with a over rated player...and yes Burnett is very much overrated. Look for him to sign a big contract and then under perform until his next contract year.

[BSN07]

Your all forgetting the Sox only offered 4 years at a higher AAV. The Yankees have offered 5 years at less AAV. He's going to want a 5 year deal. The Sox won't go there. But AJ will be able to threaten the Yanks, and they will up the AAV too match the Sox, but be offering 5 years instead of 4.

 

But really it's all rumor so take with a grain of salt.

[naptownsoxfan]

Your all forgetting the Sox only offered 4 years at a higher AAV. The Yankees have offered 5 years at less AAV. He's going to want a 5 year deal. The Sox won't go there. But AJ will be able to threaten the Yanks, and they will up the AAV too match the Sox, but be offering 5 years instead of 4.

 

But really it's all rumor so take with a grain of salt.

 

good point...trust me we really don't want this guy. Let em give him 5yrs

[TheKilo]

Your all forgetting the Sox only offered 4 years at a higher AAV. The Yankees have offered 5 years at less AAV. He's going to want a 5 year deal. The Sox won't go there. But AJ will be able to threaten the Yanks, and they will up the AAV too match the Sox, but be offering 5 years instead of 4.

 

But really it's all rumor so take with a grain of salt.

 

Where did it say the Sox offered 4 years?

[BSN07]

Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein spoke with A.J. Burnett's agent by phone Tuesday to express the team's interest in the free-agent right-hander.

 

 

A.J. Burnett

 

Starting Pitcher

Toronto Blue Jays

 

Profile

 

2008 Season Stats GM W L BB K ERA

35 18 10 86 231 4.07

Epstein's decision to reach out and call agent Darek Braunecker was a clear sign that the Red Sox are ready to jump into the fray and compete with Toronto, the New York Yankees and several other clubs for Burnett, an 18-game winner for the Blue Jays in 2008.

 

Braunecker told 1050 ESPN New York's Andrew Marchand on Wednesday that he had indeed heard from the Red Sox and that "there is mutual interest."

 

 

 

 

Until recently, it appeared that Boston's sights were focused primarily on a free-agent hitter -- most notably, first baseman Mark Teixeira. With Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield in the rotation and Justin Masterson a candidate to move over from the bullpen, several people with knowledge of Boston's thinking had said the team wasn't interested in signing another high-priced starter.

 

 

The possibility exists that Boston is now getting involved as a ploy to drive up the price on Burnett for his other suitors -- which include three American League East rivals. But Newsday reported Tuesday that the Red Sox are now "fully engaged,'' and a source told ESPN.com that the team considers Burnett a "priority.''

 

"They've got a lot of balls in the air,'' the source said of the Red Sox, "but they're involved now.''

 

 

Braunecker also told 1050 ESPN New York that he is seeking a long-term deal.

 

 

 

"The framework of a deal is five years," he said. "If a team can't do that, they will be behind the 8-ball a little bit."

 

 

 

Earlier this winter, baseball officials and agents speculated that Burnett might be seeking a contract with a higher average annual value than Jason Schmidt's three-year, $47 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

 

Burnett signed a five-year, $55 million contract with Toronto in December 2005, but recently exercised a contractual clause to opt out of the deal with two years and $24 million remaining.

 

Although a deal in the neighborhood of Carlos Zambrano's five-year, $91.5 million contract with the Chicago Cubs might seem far-fetched to many baseball executives, the number of interested suitors can only serve to drive up Burnett's price.

 

 

 

Along with the Yankees, Blue Jays and Red Sox, the list of Burnett's top suitors includes the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves and world champion Philadelphia Phillies.

 

Burnett, 31, has had injury issues in his career. But he posted an 18-10 record with a 4.07 ERA this season and established career highs with 34 starts and 221 1/3 innings.

 

Good grief, no thanks if this is true, Maybe 4 years 13.5M. But not Zambrano money.