The Official 2010 Hot Stove Thread.

[jacksonianmarch]

60.1IP 75K 11BB 1.34ERA 0.68WHIP. Those are closers numbers. He has a closer's repertoire. And he is a FA. The only other guy on the wire who truly fits as a closer is Soriano. I guarantee you that Benoit will have suitors who view him as a closer and others who view him as a setup guy. Especially teams like Milwaukee

[Dipre]

Career:

 

4.47 ERA, 1.34 WHIP.

 

This season was an outlier compared to his whole body of work. Teams will be looking at his whole body of work, not last year. They'll also see his .201 BABIP. He has a good arm with good stuff, but his performance screams fluke. (95.1 LOB%, 12.2 LD%). Unsustainable.

 

Then again, some teams live for giving stupid contracts, so it may happen.

[jacksonianmarch]

Career:

 

4.47 ERA, 1.34 WHIP.

 

This season was an outlier compared to his whole body of work. Teams will be looking at his whole body of work, not last year. They'll also see his .201 BABIP. He has a good arm with good stuff, but his performance screams fluke. (95.1 LOB%, 12.2 LD%). Unsustainable.

 

Then again, some teams live for giving stupid contracts, so it may happen.

 

He converted to the pen in 2005. When he was in the pen that yr, he was dominant.

 

2006 he was average, with a high 4's ERA but more than a K per inning and a WHIP of 1.33.

 

2007, he was dominant, lights out.

 

2008, he got hurt and wasnt effective

 

2009, he missed with arm surgery

 

2010, he was dominant to a ridiculous level.

 

As a reliever, he has shown he has the stuff and has proven he can be effective. His last 2 full seasons as a reliever, he's had an ERA in the low 2's and a WHIP around 1 with well more than 1 K per 9IP. Deny it all you want, but he has closer stuff and has shown the capacity to put up closer numbers

[Dipre]

So what you're saying, that because he has "good year, bad year" streak going on mostly pitching garbage innings in LRP and one dominant year (in which he still wasn't a primary setup man) he's demonstrated the consistent ability to pitch high-pressure innings, and his composite stats show this?

 

I'm convinced. The man will be a closer.

[jacksonianmarch]

Not good yr, bad yr. Good yr, injured yr. If he stays healthy, he will put up closer numbers. Plus he has the stuff. I am not saying that he is going to close next yr. Just that he will be a possible closer next yr, which might up the ante for a team looking to sign him as a setup guy.

[Dojji]

Putz

[example1]

So what you're saying, that because he has "good year, bad year" streak going on mostly pitching garbage innings in LRP and one dominant year (in which he still wasn't a primary setup man) he's demonstrated the consistent ability to pitch high-pressure innings, and his composite stats show this?

 

I'm convinced. The man will be a closer.

 

Not good yr' date=' bad yr. Good yr, injured yr. If he stays healthy, he will put up closer numbers. Plus he has the stuff. I am not saying that he is going to close next yr. Just that he will be a possible closer next yr, which might up the ante for a team looking to sign him as a setup guy.[/quote']

 

Benoit's season was better than most will be.

 

He's still a very effective pitcher. His numbers over the past few years back that up. Visually, he looks like a good pitcher who is tough on right handers. I think it is a reasonable theory that something "clicked" and he now knows how to attack hitters, not give up walks, and get big non-productive outs when it matters. Would I trust him with closer? No. Would I trust him beyond 2 years? No.

 

I think his skillset could lead to an offer as a closer, though probably not for anyone very good. It's probably a small group of teams that are both bad and wanting to hire a closer via FA, so the chances of it happening seem pretty slim, but I can think of a few teams that might be willing to offer as much as the Sox are likely to.

[jacksonianmarch]

Benoit's season was better than most will be.

 

He's still a very effective pitcher. His numbers over the past few years back that up. Visually, he looks like a good pitcher who is tough on right handers. I think it is a reasonable theory that something "clicked" and he now knows how to attack hitters, not give up walks, and get big non-productive outs when it matters. Would I trust him with closer? No. Would I trust him beyond 2 years? No.

 

I think his skillset could lead to an offer as a closer, though probably not for anyone very good. It's probably a small group of teams that are both bad and wanting to hire a closer via FA, so the chances of it happening seem pretty slim, but I can think of a few teams that might be willing to offer as much as the Sox are likely to.

 

Thank you very much. Sometimes I just cannot put things as eloquently. This is what I meant to say. He'll get offers to close for non-contenders

[BSN07]

I've read a couple places that CWS might non tender Jenks. Anyone think he would be a set up candidate next season?

[boston22407]

i bet Carlos Pena goes to the A's

[BSN07]

i bet Carlos Pena goes to the A's

 

Nationals

[Dojji]

pena2braves

[Rdsxmbnt]

~.700 OPS first baseman? who cares

[jacksonianmarch]

pena2braves

 

The Braves have Freddy Freeman, a solid rookie who is ready.

[BSN07]

While the Red Sox rotation seems full, don't forget that there is a strong Greinke tie-in to Boston with Allard Baird, the assistant to general manager Theo Epstein. Baird was the GM in Kansas City when Greinke went through his anxiety issues and has been like a father to him. Nobody understands Greinke more or believes in him more than Baird.

 

I wonder if they will really try and get him? Do they move the trade chips for Grienke and wait on Agon another season?

[BSN07]

I also saw Orel Hershiser's name in the same article being mentioned as a possible PC replacement for Farell. The other name mentioned I like was Rick Peterson.

[a700hitter]

I wonder if they will really try and get him? Do they move the trade chips for Grienke and wait on Agon another season?

What is the source of the quote used in your post?

[a700hitter]

I also saw Orel Hershiser's name in the same article being mentioned as a possible PC replacement for Farell. The other name mentioned I like was Rick Peterson.

No Rick Peterson... please!

[BSN07]

What is the source of the quote used in your post?

 

Cafardo on the Globe,

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2010/10/24/with_right_pitch_greinke_could_be_pried_from_kc/?page=4

[boston22407]

Manny going up north to play

 

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/2147475/report-manny-would-play-farrell-jays

[Keeper]

Manny going up north to play

 

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/2147475/report-manny-would-play-farrell-jays

 

Manny won't be playing for anyone next year. His skills have declined, there's too much baggage, and MLB wants to get rid of their steroid image.

 

Hershiser sounds like a good candidate to replace Farell.

[Northern Star]

Manny won't be playing for anyone next year. His skills have declined, there's too much baggage, and MLB wants to get rid of their steroid image.

 

Hershiser sounds like a good candidate to replace Farell.

 

Not that I really care what the Dodgers do, but it was an outrage to give him that contract when they were basically bidding against themselves. Dude can't field, so a NL team pays him $25mil per just for the bat?? :thumbdown

[Northern Star]

I wonder if they will really try and get him? Do they move the trade chips for Grienke and wait on Agon another season?

 

Still don't want him.

[Palodios]

Manny won't be playing for anyone next year. His skills have declined' date=' there's too much baggage, and MLB wants to get rid of their steroid image.[/quote']

 

Manny's OPS in an injury shortened 2010 was .870. In 2009 he hit .949. The 14 years prior, his OPS has dipped below .900 only one time. Saying he's done is just plain ridiculous-- he would probably still be one of the best DHs in the AL, and that includes the Sox.

[Keeper]

Manny's OPS in an injury shortened 2010 was .870. In 2009 he hit .949. The 14 years prior' date=' his OPS has dipped below .900 only one time. Saying he's done is just plain ridiculous-- he would probably still be one of the best DHs in the AL, and that includes the Sox.[/quote']

 

Terrible outfielder, lack of hustle, prima donna, will be 39 years old, steroid usage, losing pop... I think that about covers it.

 

You know who else would have still been productive? Barry Bonds. There's more to baseball than OPS.

[example1]

I wonder if they will really try and get him? Do they move the trade chips for Grienke and wait on Agon another season?

 

It sure seems like an intersting option--another offseason of focusing on "pitching and defense" (terms that were pejorative last offseason), but few could argue with the results if they landed one of the best young pitchers in baseball for the next few years.

 

If they were able to swing Greinke, they would still need to have a very busy offseason. It seems that adding a couple nice relievers from this bumper crop would be wise to go with your Rolls-Royce of pitching staffs.

[BSN07]

It sure seems like an intersting option--another offseason of focusing on "pitching and defense" (terms that were pejorative last offseason), but few could argue with the results if they landed one of the best young pitchers in baseball for the next few years.

 

If they were able to swing Greinke, they would still need to have a very busy offseason. It seems that adding a couple nice relievers from this bumper crop would be wise to go with your Rolls-Royce of pitching staffs.

 

With all the veterans on the staff I think Grienke would blend in nicely and not be overwhelmed by expectations. He's a FA after 2 years, so if worse come to worse they can let him walk. If he pitches well, then there is always the chance of an extension down the road. I also think it's the type of move that really limits an advantage gained by NYY if they land Lee. A rotation of Lester, Buchholz. Grienke, Beckett and Lackey trumps anything league wide and by a lot. That kind of move put them as one of the heavy favorites for next season and that's with out any of the offensive ?'s answered.

 

I still think Beltre is gone and Youk is moving to 3B. 1B/DH/C is where the off season could go in so many different directions that we are going to have to wait for at least one domino to drop before we have any idea of the direction they are trying to go in. I don't believe they are going to want to clog 1B long term this off season. I really believe they have full intention of signing Agon next off season. I believe he is target A.Fielder I think is choice B and really a fall back option in their eyes. He has the most ?'s. If some how Pujols is a FA well then that changes just about everything.

 

As far as 2011 goes, 1B, DH, C could be filled with any combo of the following,

 

Dunn/Papi/Konerko/Pena/Salty/FA or traded for C.

 

The OF will get Werth or Crawford. Maybe a trade candidate we aren't considering. Or they could even try and go with the original OF from this season. Maybe Kalish gets in a year early. This will also depend on how much they spend on the IF.

 

Point is, if they add Grienke they probably will only need league average offense to compete next year. It could really be a big move.

[alphilip77]

Sox to interview former A's pitching coach Curt Young:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb/news/story?id=5729620

 

And according to the article, it seems like he's the front runner for the job.:thumbsup:

[boston22407]

great news!

[a700hitter]

Ortiz says he will be back with the Sox in 2011.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/