Sox ink Saito

[Dojji]

No they won't, but Jacksonianmarch is right in one thing --- all these signings of cheap, injury-prone veterans do nothing to "free up" young pitchers for trading purpooses.

 

In fact it's that young depth that makes this whole thing work because if a reliever goes down we can call up Jones and if a starter goes down we can see what Buchholz or Bowden can bring. It makes it palatable to have multiple of these guys on the roster at all.

[riverside sluggers]

Jacko, there is no sense in trying to compare the Saito signing with Schilling's 08 contract. Schilling was counted on to be the #3/4 starter (Also injury talk didnt start up until as ST came nearer). Saito is currently projected for middle relief, setup man if he returns any close to hid old form. Even before his acquisition, the Sox were looking pretty good in the set up corps before Papelbon

[a700hitter]

I am hoping that all of these acquisitions will help in 2009. I remember that Nolan Ryan had a shredded elbow tendon when he was in his 30's pitching for the Astros. He opted not to get the surgery and shut it down and it healed by the following season. He pitched for several more seasons. Hopefully, Saito is healed. He is tough when healthy. As for Smoltz, sure he would be a huge addition if fully healthy. I am not quite as positive about penny even if he is healthy. He throws too many fastball, and I don't think you can live that way in the ALE. I would have preferred some healthy acquisitions. I am hoping that these guys pan out, but history shows me that I should not be hopeful about old injured players.

[BSN07]

Atleast Jason Johnson isn't in the running for our #5 spot in the rotation.

[a700hitter]

Atleast Jason Johnson isn't in the running for our #5 spot in the rotation.

That's true. lol! That Yankee acquisition did give me a good laugh.

[BoSox21]

apparently there's a strong chance Saito will be wearing #24

 

Nikkan is reporting that Takashi Saito may be getting Manny Ramirez's No. 24. Saito wore No. 44 for the Dodgers last season but that is Jason Bay's number in Boston. Saito's next choice was No. 29, but that just went to John Smoltz. His other request was for No. 24, and "[Red Sox] seemed OK with me taking that number," according to the NikkanSports.com report translated by the Globe's Daigo Fujiwara.

[Cocos Disciples]

Fine by me.

[italstallianion]

That's kind of funny that Manny's number is replaced that quickly. I kind of like it after the way he left...

[BoSox21]

There's no reason it shouldn't be given out. He doesn't deserve to have his number retired eventually anyway

[a700hitter]

What about some respect for Dwight Evans? Letting a superstar like Manny wear it is one thing, but an injured middle reliever?

[BSN07]

So can we please pass #21 onto someone now. If someone can wear Manny's # then all of the #'s should be available(except the retired ones of course).

[BSN07]

There's no reason it shouldn't be given out. He doesn't deserve to have his number retired eventually anyway

 

With all do respect, my personal view is, if the # isn't retired then it should be available. If they want to not issue it for a few seasons so be it. But after awhile let's move on.

[riverside sluggers]

My thoughts as well. I remember Beckett requested #21 when he came over from Florida but ended up settling for 19

[Cocos Disciples]

^ I agree. If it's not retired, it's fair game. 5, 21, 24, 45, etc.

[BoSox21]

What about some respect for Dwight Evans? Letting a superstar like Manny wear it is one thing' date=' but an injured middle reliever?[/quote']

 

The issue died when Manny first wore #24. The number's successor shouldn't depend at all on what kind of player wears it next.

 

And yea, if the number isn't retired then it's fair game. If the Sox didn't want Beckett wearing 21 then they should've retired it, right or wrong.

[a700hitter]

The issue died when Manny first wore #24. The number's successor shouldn't depend at all on what kind of player wears it next.

 

And yea, if the number isn't retired then it's fair game. If the Sox didn't want Beckett wearing 21 then they should've retired it, right or wrong.

Usually the clubhouse guys will not issue a uniform number of a highly respected leader who has just retired to a rookie or some bench player. If a rookie had asked for #14 in the last 20 years, he would have been told to go blow, but if a guy like Manny wanted it, he probably would have gotten it. They will hold back on issuing a number out of respect at times without formally retiring it. It can take teams years to make that decision.

[jacksonianmarch]

So question for you. When Manny eventually does go to the HOF, do the sox retire his number? If you say no, then the sox will have a player in Cooperstown in a Boston cap without having his number retired. Doesnt that kinda stink?

[Cocos Disciples]

Don't players have a choice of HOF cap? Does Manny really choose Boston?

[jacksonianmarch]

Not any more. Boggs ruined that when he tried to auction off the TB cap to ownership. Now, the HOF makes the decision. In cases where its VERY close, they'll let the player decide I think. But in looking at Manny's numbers, he won two WS in boston and spent more time there. It makes more sense for him to be in a sox cap even if he left on less than pleasant terms

[Cocos Disciples]

Ahh I didn't know that. In that case it's probably Boston.

[a700hitter]

Don't players have a choice of HOF cap? Does Manny really choose Boston?

Manny might choose the Yankees cap even if he never plays for them.

[Dojji]

More seriously, nothing stopping Manny from going in with the Guardians on his cap.

[example1]

More seriously' date=' nothing stopping Manny from going in with the Guardians on his cap.[/quote']

 

I agree. Unless there is some reconciliation, I expect Manny to choose the Guardians as his HOF uniform.

 

Personally I don't care if the Sox retire Manny's #. I don't expect they will retire Clemens's number when he (likely) doesn't wear a BOS uniform. Manny was a great player, but I don't get the sense that the fans feel like they owe him anything. He got extremely rich, dogged it regularly and caused numerous seasons worth of headaches with his drama. One of the best hitters of all time? Yeah. Invaluable member of some WS teams? Yep. Guy we feel forever beholdened to because he was somehow 'underappreciated'? No. He wanted out of Boston year after year and, personally, I found it offensive given the coin he was making.

[Cocos Disciples]

According to Jacko the players have no choice.

[riverside sluggers]

Fisk is the only Sox player to have his number retired, while ending his career with a different team

[26 to 6]

According to Jacko the players have no choice.

He's right, it is not the player's choice.

[jacksonianmarch]

More seriously' date=' nothing stopping Manny from going in with the Guardians on his cap.[/quote']

 

yes there is. The players no longer have a choice. Its up to the HOF

[example1]

Then Manny will go in a Red Sox uniform.

[Cocos Disciples]

He's right' date=' it is not the player's choice.[/quote']

 

I was telling this to ex1 and Dojji, not opposing Jacko. I believe him.