Report: Sox Working on Long Term Deals for Youkilis, Lester

[TheKilo]

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3746876&name=olney_buster

 

Heard this: With Dustin Pedroia now locked up to a long-term deal, the Red Sox are hoping to get long-term contracts worked out with Kevin Youkilis and Jon Lester; colleague Peter Gammons reports that the Red Sox may have something wrapped up with Youkilis quickly.

[PATS12RULE]

Anything similar to what Pedroia got would be fantastic

[riverside sluggers]

Yes!!

[BSN07]

Nice to see the Sox are locking up key players for the long term.

 

 

I early stated I thought Papelbon would sign before Youk. After reading his stance on setting the bar for closers, I withdraw my argument.

[Cocos Disciples]

This gets the Coco's Disciples seal of approval.

 

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/2381624/2/istockphoto_2381624-seal-of-approval.jpg

[Dojji]

[/Papelbon]?

[Dipre]

Nice to see the Sox are locking up key players for the long term.

 

 

I early stated I thought Papelbon would sign before Youk. After reading his stance on setting the bar for closers, I withdraw my argument.

 

Who's ya daddy?

 

As i stated earlier, Youk seems to be the next one to sign.

[TheKilo]

[/Papelbon]?

 

Papelbon's already expressed that he wants to hit FA and test the market, IIRC.

[example1]

That's fine. If he really wants to test the market he will test the market. I would rather the Sox not overpay for a closer, even though Papelbon is a very good one. I can imagine a few teams making a strong run at him, and I don't expect the Sox to overpay for a closer. At the same time, I imagine Paps wants to stay in Boston. Papelbon has a little bit of that me-first attitude. I can see why, and I don't blame him. I'm just not shocked that Pedroia would sign a long term deal and Papelbon would prefer to test the market. Hopefully they get Youkilis signed soon.

 

EDIT (speculation to follow, didn't feel like making a second post):

 

Youkilis has a chance to really shape the future of this franchise. If he takes a 'home town' discount like Pedroia did I think the Sox will be in great shape. Youkilis should probably get 10-11m a year in a deal now, whereas if he were a FA I would think his AAV would be closer to 12-14m. A deal along those lines would save the Sox some money and give them a talented corner man to boot.

 

With Teixeira likely to sign before CC, and CC looking like he would rather not pitch in NY, it seems that if the Sox were to sign Teixeira then the Angels would likely jump in with a deal CC would like and he would go there. Hence, the Yankees looking into Teixeira (even though they prefer CC), and the Sox looking at Teixeira. Whew! Deep breath. If the Angels re-sign Teixeira then is it possible that the Sox and Yankees will push very hard to land CC? I think so. I get the sense that the Yankees feel like they have to get one of the two to placate their fans. I don't think the Sox are in the same situation, but they probably want to add something significant this offseason.

 

Would a situation like that (Angels getting Teixeira, Yankees outbidding everyone for CC, or CC going out west anyway) open up the possibility of the Sox looking at making a deal to land Jake Peavy from San Diego? He seems like the silent option that is out there. He's a better pitcher than Lowe and Burnett (considerably better IMO) and the Sox have some young talent they could move, including Bowden or Buchholz, Masterson, Delcarman, Anderson, Reddick, etc.,

 

If the Sox were to land Teixeira would it make any sense to move Anderson in a potential Peavy deal? I believe Peavy said he would have Boston on his veto list, but I doubt this is because he doesn't want to play in Boston and may have more to do with no-trade clauses or something... does anyone else like Peavy, who is under contract for 9, 15, 16, 17 and 22m per year from 09 thru 2013--considerably less than CC, who is a comparable pitcher.

 

A rotation of:

 

Beckett

Peavy

Dice-K

Lester

Wakefield/Buchholz/Bowden/Byrd

 

would be pretty good, especially with Beckett, Peavy, Dice-K and Lester in the playoffs with Buchholz possibly trying to beat some of those guys out.

[jacksonianmarch]

Pedroia is a 5 foot nothing, a hundred and nothing player who plays at 100 miles an hour and plays through serious injuries. His game play style will not lend to a long career and any significant dysfunction for him will drop his production more than it would for someone with more physical gifts. It makes sense for a guy like Pedroia to take the money. He's now got a guaranteed fortune that he'll live off for the rest of his life. And if he continues this assault, he'll get paid handsomely when he gets to free agency.

 

Paps, Lester, and Youk OTOH, should not take the big money. Youkilis plays a position that isnt very demanding very well. He's a bigger guy as well and his approach will lend to him being valuable for a long period of time. Also, he's closer to free agency. Papelbon should hit the market because closers are undervalued and he would set records for how much a young closer with lightning stuff gets paid. Lester, OTOH, would be stupid to lock himself in. The sox could come at him with a deal that reflects his career in Boston, while Lester could get a ton of money if he only pitches like the guy who finishes the yr. He showed flashes of being the best lefty in the AL come playoff time. If he continues that, then he's lookin at CC Sabathia kind of coin

[Cocos Disciples]

Pedroia is a 5 foot nothing, a hundred and nothing player who plays at 100 miles an hour and plays through serious injuries. His game play style will not lend to a long career and any significant dysfunction for him will drop his production more than it would for someone with more physical gifts. It makes sense for a guy like Pedroia to take the money. He's now got a guaranteed fortune that he'll live off for the rest of his life. And if he continues this assault, he'll get paid handsomely when he gets to free agency.

 

So, 20 year career?

[Dipre]

That's fine. If he really wants to test the market he will test the market. I would rather the Sox not overpay for a closer, even though Papelbon is a very good one. I can imagine a few teams making a strong run at him, and I don't expect the Sox to overpay for a closer. At the same time, I imagine Paps wants to stay in Boston. Papelbon has a little bit of that me-first attitude. I can see why, and I don't blame him. I'm just not shocked that Pedroia would sign a long term deal and Papelbon would prefer to test the market. Hopefully they get Youkilis signed soon.

 

EDIT (speculation to follow, didn't feel like making a second post):

 

Youkilis has a chance to really shape the future of this franchise. If he takes a 'home town' discount like Pedroia did I think the Sox will be in great shape. Youkilis should probably get 10-11m a year in a deal now, whereas if he were a FA I would think his AAV would be closer to 12-14m. A deal along those lines would save the Sox some money and give them a talented corner man to boot.

 

With Teixeira likely to sign before CC, and CC looking like he would rather not pitch in NY, it seems that if the Sox were to sign Teixeira then the Angels would likely jump in with a deal CC would like and he would go there. Hence, the Yankees looking into Teixeira (even though they prefer CC), and the Sox looking at Teixeira. Whew! Deep breath. If the Angels re-sign Teixeira then is it possible that the Sox and Yankees will push very hard to land CC? I think so. I get the sense that the Yankees feel like they have to get one of the two to placate their fans. I don't think the Sox are in the same situation, but they probably want to add something significant this offseason.

 

Would a situation like that (Angels getting Teixeira, Yankees outbidding everyone for CC, or CC going out west anyway) open up the possibility of the Sox looking at making a deal to land Jake Peavy from San Diego? He seems like the silent option that is out there. He's a better pitcher than Lowe and Burnett (considerably better IMO) and the Sox have some young talent they could move, including Bowden or Buchholz, Masterson, Delcarman, Anderson, Reddick, etc.,

 

If the Sox were to land Teixeira would it make any sense to move Anderson in a potential Peavy deal? I believe Peavy said he would have Boston on his veto list, but I doubt this is because he doesn't want to play in Boston and may have more to do with no-trade clauses or something... does anyone else like Peavy, who is under contract for 9, 15, 16, 17 and 22m per year from 09 thru 2013--considerably less than CC, who is a comparable pitcher.

 

A rotation of:

 

Beckett

Peavy

Dice-K

Lester

Wakefield/Buchholz/Bowden/Byrd

 

would be pretty good, especially with Beckett, Peavy, Dice-K and Lester in the playoffs with Buchholz possibly trying to beat some of those guys out.

 

Maybe i'm just a skeptic, but i don't think Peavy would be an elite pitcher in the AL, let alone the AL East.

[Cocos Disciples]

I agree. He would be good but not worth what we would have to trade.

[BoSox21]

Pedroia is a 5 foot nothing' date=' a hundred and nothing player who plays at 100 miles an hour and plays through serious injuries. His game play style will not lend to a long career and any significant dysfunction for him will drop his production more than it would for someone with more physical gifts.[/quote']

 

1. What serious injuries has he had?

 

2. He's a second baseman, not an NFL running back

[kreinbihl34]

Paps, Lester, and Youk OTOH, should not take the big money. Youkilis plays a position that isnt very demanding very well. He's a bigger guy as well and his approach will lend to him being valuable for a long period of time. Also, he's closer to free agency. Papelbon should hit the market because closers are undervalued and he would set records for how much a young closer with lightning stuff gets paid. Lester, OTOH, would be stupid to lock himself in. The sox could come at him with a deal that reflects his career in Boston, while Lester could get a ton of money if he only pitches like the guy who finishes the yr. He showed flashes of being the best lefty in the AL come playoff time. If he continues that, then he's lookin at CC Sabathia kind of coin

 

I think it's becoming apparent that a lot of the young players that Boston has don't want to leave. They know that they are getting an amazing amount of money if they sign a long term deal. They also know they won't be receiving as much as they could. It's the sacrifice they willingly make to stay on a contending club and an amazing baseball organization. The Sox will not undermine these guys, especially Lester. They've done everything willingly and will be rewarded accordingly.

[Dojji]

I think this is where Tito's value really shines through. He's so good at managing people that he's got these youngsters in the palm of his hands and there's a lot of mutual respect there.

 

At different times Lester, Pedroia, Lowrie, Lester, Delcarmen, and even firey guys like Youkilis and Papelbon have expressed their respect and admiration of Terry Francona. There's a strong sense that these players know that Tito has their back and I bet they give him more on the field because of that than they'd give, say, Ozzie Guillen (an example of a decent manager who wins games, but one who sets himself up as more of a taskmaster and less of a gentle but determined old uncle).

 

Would not be surprised at all if the unspoken part of why Pedroia resigned on the cheap is to keep working for his cribbage partner. And for that reason alone, I do expect Lester, at least, to sign an extension before the All-Star Break next year.

[BSN07]

Who's ya daddy?

 

As i stated earlier, Youk seems to be the next one to sign.

 

Well to be fair, I said Papelbon was more important signing. Only because I believe it's easier to find someone that can duplicate Youk's production, then it would be to get a lights out top of the league closer:D

 

Although Bard and his 100MPH FB, are making steady improvments in the right direction. he could be a canidate if Papelbon decides to chase the $.

[Gom]

You guys can only hope you can hold the core together like we did. A lot of things go wrong over time. A lot of things go right. You just never know what will happen over the years.

 

Papelbon can blow his shoulder out. Pitchers can figure out Pedroia is nothing but a singles hitter on the outer half of the plate. I'll be damned if I can figure out a major hole in Youkilis's swing, but maybe he breaks his wrist punching a water-cooler. Maybe Lester gets a recurrence of his melanoma.

 

Maybe none of it happens, and they remain superstar players, or improve. Who can honestly say?

[example1]

You guys can only hope you can hold the core together like we did.

 

I think the correct way of putting this is "Gom can only hope they don't hold together". Your team's core is aged and less effective than they used to be. Ours is young and blossoming.

 

A lot of things go wrong over time. A lot of things go right. You just never know what will happen over the years.

 

Profound Gom...

 

Papelbon can blow his shoulder out. Pitchers can figure out Pedroia is nothing but a singles hitter on the outer half of the plate.

 

Nice attempt at an insult. "Nothing but a singles hitter" on the outer half of the plate? So when pitchers make their pitch he gets hits, when they mess up he gets great hits? Okay. I think the same was true of guys like Ted Williams, no?

 

I'll be damned if I can figure out a major hole in Youkilis's swing, but maybe he breaks his wrist punching a water-cooler.

 

You see holes in Pedroia's swing, but not Youk's? I think both of them have exceptional plate discipline and plate control. Pedroia has an MVP under his belt at an age (24) where Youkilis had not yet entered the MLB ranks. I think you're doing some wishful hoping here my friend.

 

 

Maybe Lester gets a recurrence of his melanoma.

 

We all know this is a possibility, but so is the possibility that Jeter gets hit by a car or that Joba gets fat and injured. Right? Or, Wang could just keep getting injured like he has a few times.

 

Maybe none of it happens, and they remain superstar players, or improve. Who can honestly say?

 

You can't say for damn sure, so why even bring this stuff up? Wishful thinking on your part, not ours, that's for sure.

[riverside sluggers]

so the mvp who ranked high on extra base hits is nothing but a singles hitter? I love Gom's logic haha

 

On to a serious note, saying Sox should think long & hard on giving Lester an extension... because his cancer could come back is a damned thing to say, or think any FO should be skeptical because he is a cancer survivor

[BoSox21]

I think what Gom was saying is that once pitchers learn to pitch Pedroia on the outside of the plate, he becomes nothing more than a singles hitter.

 

That being said, he's full of s***. Every hitter is less effective if the pitcher hits his spot, either inside or outside. But Pedroia is one of the best bad ball and contact hitters in baseball and he's gotten more than his share of doubles by cuing an outside pitch down the line.

[a700hitter]

I think what Gom was saying is that once pitchers learn to pitch Pedroia on the outside of the plate, he becomes nothing more than a singles hitter.

 

That being said, he's full of s***. Every hitter is less effective if the pitcher hits his spot, either inside or outside. But Pedroia is one of the best bad ball and contact hitters in baseball and he's gotten more than his share of doubles by cuing an outside pitch down the line.

if they start coming inside on him, he'll adjust and pull balls into the LF corner and off the monster.

[example1]

Do you guys really think that teams haven't tried to find Pedroia's weak spots yet? How many times has he played the Yankees, D-Rays, etc., in games that mean a lot? My sense is that he will lay off pitches that are in his weak spots, and swing at ones he knows he can hit.

[BoSox21]

I think his sheer ability to put his bat on almost any pitch will make him one of the toughest outs in baseball for years to come

[BSN07]

Pedroia is to Yanks fan, as Jeter is to us.

 

Gom get over it, he's going to be a thorn in your side for many years to come.

[Dipre]

But why compare him to Jeter if he can actually play defense?

[Paradisecity]

Haha

 

Jeter could play defense when he was younger. He was overrated defensively but its hard not to be overrated when even the media is likening you to Mays in the infield.

[TheKilo]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/12/18/red_sox_youkilis_talk_deal/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Red+Sox+News

 

The Red Sox and infielder Kevin Youkilis have taken initial steps toward a possible long-term contract extension, said Joe Bick, the agent who represents Youkilis.

 

"We've had some what I would term early-stage conversations," Bick said. "That's really where it is. To predict which way it's going to go at this point in time would be pretty tough to do."

 

"Kevin is perfectly content to do it one year at a time," Bick said. "There's no urgency whatsoever. If we are presented with a multiyear deal, he's fine with it either way. We're all pretty confident that Kevin is going to remain an outstanding player. He is not the kind of guy that is going to be antsy if he has to do a one-year contract."

 

Bick said it would be "difficult to predict" if and when a potential deal might be completed, and neither he nor the Red Sox have set any timetable or deadline.

 

"Well, the system is in place for determining what's going to happen with Kevin from a salary standpoint," Bick said. "If we have conversations that aren't fruitful regarding a multiyear contract, we'll go to the next option. In terms of comfort, we're interested in what's right for Kevin. Regardless, I'm sure it's all going to work out."

[Cocos Disciples]

If it happens, I'm for it.

[BoSox21]

I wouldn't think any kind of deal would be negotiated until the Teixeira thing plays out