Official Red Sox offseason thread

[Dojji]

700 is right. Harden is just too injury prone, and I wouldn't count on him to remain effective in the AL East at this point.

 

The reason you spend the extra for Bedard is because he's got prior AL East experience and has played well when he has been on the field. Presumably, his health is the only thing holding him back.

[Dojji]

Cut bait with Tranny Delcarmen.

 

You read that right. Might have boys equipment, but pitches like a woman.

 

Enough with the overreaction on Delcarmen. Yes, he's had a wretched last couple of months. Surprisingly enough that doesn't negate the rest of what he's done with us. For crying out loud, the guy's a middle reliever. They. Are. Volatile. Once he gets his command worked out again -- and he eventually will -- he'll be back to being the decent, hard-throwing well above average middle reliever we knew from the first half of the season.

 

There seems to be this tendency to overreact every time Delcarmen hits a bad stretch that you see with only him. Bard sucked last night and has been terrible in the second half as well. I don't see anyone calling for the chop on him. I mean heck, he coughed up a lead to the Yankees and no one even was calling for him to be sent down. When Oki was awful for a month or two earlier in the season everyone just said patience, he'll work it out. Delcarmen has an off year? Gallows are too good for him.

[BSN07]

Cut bait with Tranny Delcarmen.

 

You read that right. Might have boys equipment, but pitches like a woman.

 

LOL I think they should sell on Delcarmen. He could be a closer in the NL. I think the Brewers will have interest.

 

Hardy for MDC straight up.

[Dojji]

Our disappointing but very talented player for yours?

 

Crazier trades have been made.

[ORS]

The fact that he was previously good is exactly the reason I want to get rid of him. His peripherals have been worse than previous years all year long. The 1.00+ ERA we saw in June was backed up by peripherals very similar to his peripherals right now. It was unsustainable.

 

He's like late-stage Javier Lopez right now. He's awful, but Tito's memory is long and he'll continue to use him, like he did with Lopez, when he shouldn't. Theo needs to manage the roster like the parent of a toddler. Don't let the manager play with things he can hurt himself with, because history has shown that he will if you give him the chance.

[Dojji]

There's a huge difference between Delcarmen and Lopez in the stuff department.

 

Delcarmen's command has been off all year, yes, that doesn't mean he'll never get it back.

[ORS]

There's a huge difference between Delcarmen and Lopez in the stuff department.

 

Delcarmen's command has been off all year, yes, that doesn't mean he'll never get it back.

Doesn't mean he will either. His command was an issue in the minors. He's had more years of bad command as a professional baseball player than years of good command.

 

I realize there is still some potential for good there. I just think it's unlikely to be realized in Boston (ie the ALE).

[BSN07]

Doesn't mean he will either. His command was an issue in the minors. He's had more years of bad command as a professional baseball player than years of good command.

 

I realize there is still some potential for good there. I just think it's unlikely to be realized in Boston (ie the ALE).

 

I am on this side of the fence too. MDC will have some good value IMO come this off season.

[Dojji]

I recall at least 3 NL teams asking about Delcarmen during this season. There's definitely some interest there.

 

I wouldn't be against it if the return was good.

[Dojji]

You know, the more I think about Mauer, the more I think the Twins are going to go for broke on keeping him in Minnesota. A franchise catcher with his offensive and defensive abilities is a great thing to have and build around. If you have the young pitching to pull it off, it wouldn't be such a big deal if he was your only superstar hitter. Surround him with some decent power guys and a lot of speed and you could make quite a bit of noise.

 

With Mauer, plus Morneau. Kubel and Cuddyer to sort of flesh out a power corridor, and Denard Span as really an extremely good leadoff man, they have something to build on right now and I can see them breaking the bank to make sure it stays that way.

 

I could even see the Twins buying in the offseason. They're moving to a new stadium after all. Add Abreu and a decent veteran 3B to that lineup and the Twins are suddenly a source of concern in a weak division.

[BSN07]

You know, the more I think about Mauer, the more I think the Twins are going to go for broke on keeping him in Minnesota. A franchise catcher with his offensive and defensive abilities is a great thing to have and build around. If you have the young pitching to pull it off, it wouldn't be such a big deal if he was your only superstar hitter. Surround him with some decent power guys and a lot of speed and you could make quite a bit of noise.

 

With Mauer, plus Morneau. Kubel and Cuddyer to sort of flesh out a power corridor, and Denard Span as really an extremely good leadoff man, they have something to build on right now and I can see them breaking the bank to make sure it stays that way.

 

I could even see the Twins buying in the offseason. They're moving to a new stadium after all. Add Abreu and a decent veteran 3B to that lineup and the Twins are suddenly a source of concern in a weak division.

 

 

Here's a quick glance at the Twins upcoming payroll allocations,

 

2010

 

Will need to find a SS, 3B, SP(replace Pavano),

 

Arbitration for Young, Liriano, Span, Gomez, Slowey(maybe more not sure)

 

 

 

 

2011(notable players on the books already)

 

Morneau 14M

Nathan 11.25M

Mauer 15M?(if they keep him)

Cuddyer 10.5M(option)

Punto 5M(option)

Kubbel 5.25M(option)

Baker 5M

 

 

Thats 65M(current payroll) right there for 2011 and 7/25 of the players on the roster. If they plan on keeping everyone and staying in contention there are really going to have yo up the payroll to like 90M+ IMO. Unless they really bring up a lot of young talent to fill in the rosters spots. And who knows how that will turn out:dunno:

[Dojji]

If you're ramping up for a run, $90M isn't that bad. If the new stadium is the revenue stream it's supposed to be they may look at increasing their payroll anyway. Minnesota is not a huge market but the twin cities aren't a tiny one either. They're somewhere in the middle of the pack. With a guy like Mauer as the draw guy, a new stadium and a reasonable shot at postseason play they can probably draw enough fan and corporate interest to let revenue keep up with the payroll increase.

 

In fact I'm pretty sure that's almost exactly the way the Twins themselves have it planned.

[BSN07]

If you're ramping up for a run, $90M isn't that bad. If the new stadium is the revenue stream it's supposed to be they may look at increasing their payroll anyway. Minnesota is not a huge market but the twin cities aren't a tiny one either. They're somewhere in the middle of the pack. With a guy like Mauer as the draw guy, a new stadium and a reasonable shot at postseason play they can probably draw enough fan and corporate interest to let revenue keep up with the payroll increase.

 

In fact I'm pretty sure that's almost exactly the way the Twins themselves have it planned.

 

They may bring in more revenue, doesn't mean they will spend it on the field. Minnesota's owner has been known as a pretty cheap guy. He may have issues with all his new stadium money going straight into Mauer's pocket:dunno:

 

It might be more realistic and better for the club overall for Minnesota to pick one of the M's and trade the other to fill in other rosters spots on the ball club.

 

It could really go either way. Should be interesting non the less.

[Dojji]

Polahd is dead. We've got a new guy running things so we'll see how that goes.

[Dipre]

They may bring in more revenue, doesn't mean they will spend it on the field. Minnesota's owner has been known as a pretty cheap guy. He may have issues with all his new stadium money going straight into Mauer's pocket:dunno:

 

It might be more realistic and better for the club overall for Minnesota to pick one of the M's and trade the other to fill in other rosters spots on the ball club.

 

It could really go either way. Should be interesting non the less.

 

The Twins' owner died this year.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/twins/2009-01-05-pohlad-obit_N.htm

[Dojji]

Maybe a possible Lowell destination if we acquire that mythical power hitting 1B.

 

Also a possible landing spot for Chone Figgins.

[BSN07]

Polahd is dead. We've got a new guy running things so we'll see how that goes.

 

The Twins' owner died this year.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/twins/2009-01-05-pohlad-obit_N.htm

Doh! I knew that, I don't what the f*** I'm thinking sometimes.

Maybe a possible Lowell destination if we acquire that mythical power hitting 1B.

 

Also a possible landing spot for Chone Figgins.

 

Could be.

 

There going to be a few teams looking for a 3B this off season.

[Dojji]

I've been saying it for more than a year now -- a good 3B in his prime is solid gold right now. There aren't a lot of them and most of those are either way old or young and unproven. Only real exceptions I can think of are Evan Longoria and maybe Gordon Beckham..

 

Just one more reason Kevin Youkilis is awesome.

[BoSox21]

I've been saying it for more than a year now -- a good 3B in his prime is solid gold right now. There aren't a lot of them and most of those are either way old or young and unproven. Only real exceptions I can think of are Evan Longoria and maybe Gordon Beckham..

 

Just one more reason Kevin Youkilis is awesome.

 

Mark Reynolds says hi

[Emmz]

The Twins' owner died this year.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/twins/2009-01-05-pohlad-obit_N.htm

 

His son is notoriously cheap as well, I live here, I know, and his son is about 70 some years old too. He's cheap, the Polahds are all cheap *******s, so I am very worried about not signing Mauer, considering that he's one of our two players who could easily be considered Top 5 caliber in the AL. I love the Sox, it'd be cool to see them get someone like Mauer, but tbh? I'd rather see him stay with the Twins, without him the Twins are going to be pitiful

[The_Destroyah]

His son is notoriously cheap as well' date=' I live here, I know, and his son is about 70 some years old too. He's cheap, the Polahds are all cheap *******s, so I am very worried about not signing Mauer, considering that he's one of our two players who could easily be considered Top 5 caliber in the AL. I love the Sox, it'd be cool to see them get someone like Mauer, but tbh? I'd rather see him stay with the Twins, without him the Twins are going to be pitiful[/quote']

 

Mauer is easily one of the top 3 players in the MLB

 

1.Pujols

2.Mauer/Hanley

3.Mauer/Hanley

[SoxFan02]

Does anyone think that the Angels would be interested in trading away Maicier Izturis? With Vlad about to about to be a free-agent, maybe the Sox could swap Lowell for Izturis (I'm certain that we would have to throw in some cash). I personally don't believe that Gonzalez will be able to produce the way that he has the last month over an entire year and Izturis has a .287 BA in his last 4 seasons.

[Dipre]

Does anyone think that the Angels would be interested in trading away Maicier Izturis? With Vlad about to about to be a free-agent' date=' maybe the Sox could swap Lowell for Izturis (I'm certain that we would have to throw in some cash). I personally don't believe that Gonzalez will be able to produce the way that he has the last month over an entire year and Izturis has a [b'].287 BA in his last 4 seasons.[/b]

 

Seriously, i give up.

[Dojji]

Does anyone think that the Angels would be interested in trading away Maicier Izturis?

 

I don't think so. Izturis is well liked in Anaheim and is quite versatile. In a lot of ways he's the perfect Anaheim player -- versatile with a good OBP and speed.

 

I was all for going for the guy instead of what turned into the Lugo signing and I wouldn't half love to get him now but I don't think it's possible at any price that would be worth it given the talent level of the player.

 

Besides, the guy's only a bit above average at SS and Lowrie duplicates most of his skillset alteady.

[SoxFan02]

I don't think so. Izturis is well liked in Anaheim and is quite versatile. In a lot of ways he's the perfect Anaheim player -- versatile with a good OBP and speed.

 

I was all for going for the guy instead of what turned into the Lugo signing and I wouldn't half love to get him now but I don't think it's possible at any price that would be worth it given the talent level of the player.

 

Besides, the guy's only a bit above average at SS and Lowrie duplicates most of his skillset alteady.

 

Yeah, I know that the Scioscia likes him but they already have to good, young middle infielders in Kendrick and Aybar and I think that the FO would rather re-sign Figgins then Vlad or Abreu so there would be a deifnite lack of power if they lost those two bats. Mike could give them the power that they need and allow them to re-sign Figgins to play the OF and finally give Wood a starting job.

I do agree that Izturis is a good comparison to Lowrie, however, Jed hasn't really shown that could can do it consistently. Plus, Lowrie has already been on the DL longer the Izturis has been in his entire career despite playing in 400 fewer games then him.

[Dojji]

Honestly, the Angels value defense and Lowell's range has gone through the floor. If they need to trade for a 3B, I think they'd be more likely to go after Scott Rolen.

[The_Destroyah]

Lowells value is now as a DH with some upside in that he can play 3B in a pinch.

[SoxFan02]

That's why I said that they would only do this deal if they didn't re-sign Vlad or Abreu. That way Lowell would be their DH, Figgins would play RF and Wood would play 3B. Mike would be their 3rd string Third baseman.

[Dipre]

Lowells value is now as a DH with some upside in that he can play 3B in a pinch.

 

He makes a ton of money.

 

Unless the Sox are willing to eat a ton of his contract, he has no value.

[The_Destroyah]

He makes a ton of money.

 

Unless the Sox are willing to eat a ton of his contract, he has no value.

 

this is true, I was just thinking of his value in terms of production without thinking of one of the most important things: $$$

 

but he could be an extra throw in in a trade, I just dont know where, The Rays could probably use a DH but I dont know if we have any type of potential for a deal there for anyone worth mentioning.