Sox sign Billy Traber

[TheKilo]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2008/12/sox_sign_lefty.html

 

The Red Sox have signed lefthander Billy Traber to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

 

Traber, 29, spent last season between the Yankees and their Triple A affiliate in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. In 19 appearances for New York, all in relief, he had no decisions and posted a 7.02 ERA, allowing 23 hits, 7 walks and 3 home runs in 16.2 innings. He struck out 11.

 

In parts of four major league seasons with Cleveland, Washington and the Yankees, Traber is 12-14 with a 5.54 ERA.

[Cocos Disciples]

Didn't we sign him in 2005, then cut him in ST?

[jacksonianmarch]

Yes you did. I liked Traber in that he had a nasty breaking ball vs lefties, he just couldnt get it over the damn plate. When it was on, he was filthy. When it wasnt, he was getting shelled. If Farrell can get him to throw more strikes, then he'd be a valued addition. Although with Lopez as the LH specialist, it doesnt make a ton of sense.

[Cocos Disciples]

Insurance I guess? It's only a ST invite.

[BoSox21]

BOOM. off-season over

[a700hitter]

This is just a waste. The guy needs two good seasons to elevate himself to journeyman status.

[TheKilo]

A ST invite is a "waste"?

[BoSox21]

worst case, he plays well enough in ST to get sent to 'Tucket and then hes another arm available that has ML experience. Absolutely nothing to lose

[BSN07]

worst case' date=' he plays well enough in ST to get sent to 'Tucket and then hes another arm available that has ML experience. Absolutely nothing to lose[/quote']

 

Yup. He's a depth move. If he doesn't pan out it's no big deal. I think some are over analyzing it because the Sox haven't done much else.

 

I mean, except for a few BP moves, there hasn't been much to discuss or disect. As soon as something more interesting circumstances appear, these minor moves will be an after thought.

[Dojji]

I told you guys at the outset that I expected a slow offseason. I still believe that that's true.

 

Now that we've extended arb to Byrd and Tek, if they both accept our offseason is finished and the question becomes about depth moves, callups, and international FA's. Unless there's an actual hole to fill Theo won't match the best price for Teixeira, CC, Lowe or Burnett. All will be playing for some team not called "The Boston Red Sox" next year.

 

I actually expect Varitek to refuse arbitration though. He can probably get at least a 2 year deal somewhere else -- a good surprise contender might be Milwaukee. At that point it's still an open question whether Salty is a better option than Kottaras and keeping Salty's pricetag in-system.

[BoSox21]

A team that is able to be self-sustaining by building through the farm system aren't typically big wheelers and dealers in free agency which is what happened last off-season and what I think will happen this off-season

 

They'll get mentioned in every conversation about Teixeira or Sabathia or Burnett but that's all because they have some of the deepest pockets in baseball and agents who throw the Sox name in there drive up the price on their client

 

It's boring for us but it's the main the reason the Sox will be perennial contenders for the forseeable future

[Dojji]

 

It's boring for us but it's the main the reason the Sox will be perennial contenders for the forseeable future

 

Hear hear.

 

I'll take being bored now in exchange for being very much entertained every October.

 

Anderson+ Lowell + $20M still in the pocket > Teixeira

 

Kottaras + Buchholz/Bowden/Masterson >>>>>> Saltalamacchia/Teagarden/Clement + Byrd

[BSN07]

A team that is able to be self-sustaining by building through the farm system aren't typically big wheelers and dealers in free agency which is what happened last off-season and what I think will happen this off-season

 

They'll get mentioned in every conversation about Teixeira or Sabathia or Burnett but that's all because they have some of the deepest pockets in baseball and agents who throw the Sox name in there drive up the price on their client

 

It's boring for us but it's the main the reason the Sox will be perennial contenders for the forseeable future

 

This is true. But this FO also has been known to go over the top to get someone they really want. Dice-K and Drew being 2 such examples. I think Tex falls to this category. I believe there interest to be legit. But if they don't get him, I won't be crying "the skiy is falling!".

[BoSox21]

This is true. But this FO also has been known to go over the top to get someone they really want. Dice-K and Drew being 2 such examples. I think Tex falls to this category. I believe there interest to be legit. But if they don't get him' date=' I won't be crying "the skiy is falling!".[/quote']

 

I'll admit, the whole Drew thing was very uncharacteristic, as was the Lugo thing but by now, they've gotta be learning that more often than not, signings like Lugo and Renteria really aren't working out for them while Drew is still up for debate.

 

If they thought Lowrie would be anything, they wouldn't have signed Lugo, they would have extended Gonzalez for another year or two. And if they had a solid outfield prospect at the time, Drew wouldn't be here. They would've signed a Mark Loretta-esque temp for a year or two.

 

The main reason I don't think Tex is coming here is Lars Anderson. By the end of Lowell's deal, Anderson should be ready and Youk will move to third.

 

The Dice-K thing was extremely unique. In terms of the actual contract, it involved a player who didn't want to stay in Japan, a team who didn't want him back, no other teams in on the negotiations and an agent who had his hands tied which resulted in a very reasonable contract for this day and age. They spent a monster amount of money on the posting bid but that's basically an investment in acquiring far east marketing appeal.

[a700hitter]

A ST invite is a "waste"?

It's a waste of space on the server to discuss a bag of waste like Traber. Minor league depth? Who cares. The vendors at Pawtuckett have more value to the organization.

[BSN07]

I'll admit, the whole Drew thing was very uncharacteristic, as was the Lugo thing but by now, they've gotta be learning that more often than not, signings like Lugo and Renteria really aren't working out for them while Drew is still up for debate.

 

If they thought Lowrie would be anything, they wouldn't have signed Lugo, they would have extended Gonzalez for another year or two. And if they had a solid outfield prospect at the time, Drew wouldn't be here. They would've signed a Mark Loretta-esque temp for a year or two.

 

The main reason I don't think Tex is coming here is Lars Anderson. By the end of Lowell's deal, Anderson should be ready and Youk will move to third.

 

The Dice-K thing was extremely unique. In terms of the actual contract, it involved a player who didn't want to stay in Japan, a team who didn't want him back, no other teams in on the negotiations and an agent who had his hands tied which resulted in a very reasonable contract for this day and age. They spent a monster amount of money on the posting bid but that's basically an investment in acquiring far east marketing appeal.

 

Well Papi might be on his way out too. The Sox have shown an unwillingness to sign players that are passed there prime for big money. By the time Ortiz deal ends he could be in line for a raise, not too many players actually take pay cuts. Someone out there will offer him $. So they will need a DH. Tex and Lars can share the duties along with 1B. So I don't believe Lars will keep the Sox from getting Tex if they want him. Some other team offering more money is more likely to keep Tex out of town then Lars needing a spot in '10.

[Cocos Disciples]

You don't pass on Teixeira for a guy who might someday be as good as Teixeira.

[BoSox21]

Personally, Id sign Tex. The guy is just entering his prime, has stayed VERY durable (including playing all 162 games in 2005 and 2006) and has been productive regardless of what league he plays in. Plus, he plays sick defense.

 

I'm just saying this FO will always look within the organization first to fill a need if there is a guy on the horizon, and in this case, there is.

 

But like bosoxnation said, if Ortiz continues to decline, there will be a spot for both Lars and Tex once Papi's contract is up.

[Dipre]

There are always ways to fit a productive bat into a lineup (See: Albert Pujols) Anderson is not a drawback to signing Teixeira, if he becomes what everyone expects him to be, he'll be inserted in the lineup with Papi and Tex both here......being creative is a trademark of this FO.