How will Red Sox finish the offseason?

[MANNYHOF24]

Thoughts?

 

I think they will sign Derek Lowe and resign Varitek. This would give them a very formidable rotation along with a very solid bullpen with great depth. Their offense could be great next season. It could also fall apart and be very average. If Mike Lowell and David Ortiz can bounce back, and Drew can have a good year then the Red Sox offense will be fine and the Sox will easily compete with the Rays and Yanks. If Lowell doesnt come back and be himself, and if David Ortiz's major decline continues this offense is in deep s***. Signing Teixeria would have almost gaurented our offense be excellent next year, but now we have to wait until spring training to find anything out.

 

It should be interesting at least. It always is.

[BoSox21]

They'll sign a former decent pitcher coming off injuries to an incentive-laden contract, find some cheap backup catcher to backup Kottaras and get some irrelevant fourth outfielder and then hope Tampa forgot how to win and the Yankee team plane crashes

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

They'll sign a former decent pitcher coming off injuries to an incentive-laden contract' date=' find some cheap backup catcher to backup Kottaras and get some irrelevant fourth outfielder and then [b']hope[/b] Tampa forgot how to win and the Yankee team plane crashes

 

Why hope? Hire a couple of corrupt muslim pilots and do the job yourself.

[a700hitter]

They'll sign a former decent pitcher coming off injuries to an incentive-laden contract' date=' find some cheap backup catcher to backup Kottaras and get some irrelevant fourth outfielder and then hope Tampa forgot how to win and the Yankee team plane crashes[/quote']Wow, you make me feel like an optimist.

[redsoxrules]

They'll sign a former decent pitcher coming off injuries to an incentive-laden contract' date=' find some cheap backup catcher to backup Kottaras and get some irrelevant fourth outfielder and then hope Tampa forgot how to win and the Yankee team plane crashes[/quote']

 

funny but probly true

[SCM33]

They'll sign a former decent pitcher coming off injuries to an incentive-laden contract' date=' find some cheap backup catcher to backup Kottaras and get some irrelevant fourth outfielder and then hope Tampa forgot how to win and the Yankee team plane crashes[/quote']

 

I know you are being sarcastic.....but I REALLY could see this happening haha.

[MANNYHOF24]

funny but probly true

 

Pedro anyone? haha

[SCM33]

Pedro, Mirabelli, Gabe Kapler

[Teddyballgame10]

They'll sign a former decent pitcher coming off injuries to an incentive-laden contract' date=' find some cheap backup catcher to backup Kottaras and get some irrelevant fourth outfielder and then hope Tampa forgot how to win and the Yankee team plane crashes[/quote']

 

I think this is what they will do. If Lowell cant bounce back and Ortiz continues to decline they are screwed. I think one of the two is going to happen, probably the Ortiz decline. Big man coming off an injurey. Also Dice-K in the WBC I'm sure his nubmers will be down.

[MNSoxChief102]

They'll sign a former decent pitcher coming off injuries to an incentive-laden contract' date=' find some cheap backup catcher to backup Kottaras and get some irrelevant fourth outfielder and then hope Tampa forgot how to win and the Yankee team plane crashes[/quote']

 

 

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[SCM33]

They'll sign a former decent pitcher coming off injuries to an incentive-laden contract' date=' find some cheap backup catcher to backup Kottaras and get some irrelevant fourth outfielder and then hope Tampa forgot how to win and the Yankee team plane crashes[/quote']

 

You forgot about the guy who is 32, a former top ten pick who did nothing in the minor leagues 8 years ago, who cant play any position, but hit 30 Homers in some mexican league with a sick OPS and 450 OB%.

[Cocos Disciples]

Sign Tek for 2/14, trade a pitching prospect for Saltalamacchia. Platoon the two.

 

Sign a 4th OF.

[redsoxrules]

Sign Tek for 2/14, trade a pitching prospect for Saltalamacchia. Platoon the two.

 

Sign a 4th OF.

 

that's not improving this team

[Cocos Disciples]

that's not improving this team

 

Thread title: How will Red Sox finish the offseason?

[redsoxrules]

Thread title: How will Red Sox finish the offseason?

 

My bad.....

[Cocos Disciples]

Also I wouldn't be surprised if instead of getting Salty they traded for Eric Byrnes and Miguel Montero in a Julio Lugo and pitching prospects package. Cafardo talked about it in the Globe on Sunday.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

It'll take more than a pitching prospect to get Saltamacchia, since Gerald Laird's already been moved.

[Soxfan1]

Sheets?

[Cocos Disciples]

It'll take more than a pitching prospect to get Saltamacchia' date=' since Gerald Laird's already been moved.[/quote']

 

Michael Bowden?

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Sheets?

I like that idea.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Michael Bowden?

If we got Salty for just Bowden, I'd piss myself.

[Cocos Disciples]

If we got Salty for just Bowden' date=' I'd piss myself.[/quote']

 

Nevermind on just Bowden, but the Rangers have said they would want Buchholz OR two of Bowden/Masterson/Hagadone.

[example1]

First, I think we should prepare for the Sox to be "screwed" if Ortiz and Lowell don't bounce back.

 

They could be screwed if they DO bounce back. I don't think it will necessarily happen, I just think it is always good to be prepared. Teams don't win every year, and although it is easy to say that teams who spend as much as the Sox do should win every year, it simply isn't realistic.

 

That said, I feel confident that over the next 5 years the Sox will be in good shape overall and should be competitive with the Yankees and the Rays, though I don't put them head and shoulders better than either team at this point.

 

Things I would consider doing:

 

Find a catcher on the FA market. Hopefully Varitek for two seasons. Hope Boras shows up and wants to get Tek's deal out of the way. Don't worry too much about offensive production and don't worry about getting a young catcher like Salty or Teagarden right away. They are likely to get fleeced if they try to get one of those young studs during the off-season, they may be able to get another catcher in the next few years, or could develop one of the many catchers that they have drafted in that time.

 

Set longterm goals and specific objectives re: potential available players. I think the Sox have a 'deep' farm system, but not one that is overly stacked with high level, high caliber talent presently. Masterson, Buchholz, Bowden and Anderson are all pretty much top tier, but beyond that they have a lot of high upside guys who still need some improving: Bard (100mph, little to show for it), Almanzar (big, projectable frame), Lin (potential 5 tool player, not there yet). In other words, they can't go trading away all their talent to get guys they want, but I would think they have the talent to get some very good pieces back, and they seem to have the strategy for developing more talent in the years ahead.

 

Currently, they don't have two or three Hanley-for-Beckett kind of moves in them, the probably have about one, so they will need to pick carefully.

 

My personal preference would be to talk to Seattle about Felix Hernandez, but I don't quite know how that would work logistically. Seattle is f***ed, they need a lot of help but I think short of trading a package of something like Anderson + Buchholz I can't see the Sox getting him and now that there' sno Teixeira, Anderson is looking more and more valuable.

 

Otherwise, look into getting Jake Peavy, possibly with some of the players saved by not dealing for a catcher. He's owed 15, 16, 17 and 22m over the next 4 years, and may cost a pretty penny in talent. However, I get the sense that the Padres are eager to move him. I also think that the Sox getting Peavy would be a really big boost to their team. There is disagreement on this board about that, but my personal view is that he would be the Sox #2 for the next few years. If he can be had for someone not named Buchholz, Bowden or Anderson then do it, even if that means dealing Masterson (who may be the key piece). If he can be done for Buchholz + someone else, I think strongly about making it happen. He's signed for 4 more years (with that option) and I think he makes them a pretty sick team in all games that he pitches. He will cost a little more than D-Lowe, but he's a better pitcher and he's younger (28 next year).

 

Beyond that I like the idea of Ben Sheets or John Smoltz, or both for a few years. s***, it's just money and they probably won't require a no trade clause or anything like that and can save them some prospects for a LATER move on FA eligibles like Felix, etc., in the next few years.

 

Of course this team needs the standard 4th OF, and probably a corner infielder or something. I'm not sure who fills those roles. I bet someone turns up.

 

It isn't anything perfect, and none of my suggestions will probably happen, but it's the best I could come up with tonight.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

I think Peavy only makes 8 million next season. Pretty sure, actually.

[Cocos Disciples]

I think Peavy only makes 8 million next season. Pretty sure' date=' actually.[/quote']

 

Yes, but then in 2010 his extension kicks in and he gets 15 mil, then 16, 17 and an option for 22.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Yes' date=' but then in 2010 his extension kicks in and he gets 15 mil, then 16, 17 and an option for 22.[/quote']

Yes, but for next season, Peavy's a good pitcher at an insanely cheap price, financially. Not sure why San Diego is looking to get rid of him now, as opposed to a year from now.

[a700hitter]

The off season will end without a major acquisition for a second year in a row. Last year, the major acquisition was Sean (No Homers) Casey. This year we got some reliever guy Ramirez from KC for the starting CF Crisp.

[jacksonianmarch]

You forgot about the guy who is 32' date=' a former top ten pick who did nothing in the minor leagues 8 years ago, who cant play any position, but hit 30 Homers in some mexican league with a sick OPS and 450 OB%.[/quote']

 

Roberto Petagine?

[jacksonianmarch]

Jake Peavy was a guy I did not want under any circumstance. His splits show he is an average NL pitcher away from home. He also recorded 6 outs past 7IP. That shows a lack of durability in the worst league in baseball. Move him out of Petco, into a short porch stadium like Fenway or Yankee Stadium and you are talking about a 180IP 4+ ERA guy at 15-22 mil after dealing away 2 top tier prospects and 2 B level guys. Peavy is not the right move

[Cocos Disciples]

Jake Peavy was a guy I did not want under any circumstance. His splits show he is an average NL pitcher away from home. He also recorded 6 outs past 7IP. That shows a lack of durability in the worst league in baseball. Move him out of Petco' date=' into a short porch stadium like Fenway or Yankee Stadium and you are talking about a 180IP 4+ ERA guy at 15-22 mil after dealing away 2 top tier prospects and 2 B level guys. Peavy is not the right move[/quote']

 

100% agree.