The Official 2010 Hot Stove Thread.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Well we don't know if Varitek will return next year so it would probably be Salty.

[jacksonianmarch]

I dont know. Vmart is the best catcher on the market, so losing him would hurt immensely offensively. They could do way better defensively

[Meh]

Gammons does not think VMart will be back

 

Tigers have a ton of money to spend, could see them grabbing V-Mart and Crawford and perhaps a pitcher.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Tigers have a ton of money to spend' date=' could see them grabbing V-Mart and Crawford and perhaps a pitcher.[/quote']

 

:thumbdown

[jacksonianmarch]

Tigers have a ton of money to spend' date=' could see them grabbing V-Mart and Crawford and perhaps a pitcher.[/quote']

 

The Tigers need to find a direction. They are purging some age and have a questionable core. They have a leadoff hitter in Jackson, a #3 hitter in Cabrera and a bunch of other interchangeables in the lineup. Their rotation has Verlander and Scherzer who are coming off good yrs and the promising Porcello. Their pen is solid at the back with Valverde, but with Zumaya being chronically injured, I think they lack a lot in the middle. Here is their returning team

 

C- Avila

1B- Cabrera

2B- Guillen

SS- Santiago

3B- Inge

LF- Boesch

CF- Jackson

RF- Wells

DH- ???

 

Thats an awful lineup. Adding in VMart and Crawford would turn their #1-4 from pedestrian to solid.

[Divinity]

I think Crawford will be with the Red Sox or Angels next year, whichever team wants him more.

[example1]

I am trying to imagine a Sox team without Martinez next year and it seems difficult. He's an above average bat who can switch-hit and play C and 1B adequately. His bat gives the lineup versatility and makes it a much more potent lineup whether he's hitting 3rd, 5th, or 6th. It seems that letting him go would be counterproductive to the goal of buildling a winning ballclub, especially at his age.

 

At the same time, all of the above qualities make him an extremely valuable piece on the market and there is money to be spent. The Sox will draw a line in the sand, as always, and let him go to the highest bidder.

[BSN07]

I am trying to imagine a Sox team without Martinez next year and it seems difficult. He's an above average bat who can switch-hit and play C and 1B adequately. His bat gives the lineup versatility and makes it a much more potent lineup whether he's hitting 3rd, 5th, or 6th. It seems that letting him go would be counterproductive to the goal of buildling a winning ballclub, especially at his age.

 

At the same time, all of the above qualities make him an extremely valuable piece on the market and there is money to be spent. The Sox will draw a line in the sand, as always, and let him go to the highest bidder.

 

The problem isn't $ with V-Mart, it's years. The Sox may indeed offer the highest AAV, but I don't see them going to more then 3 guaranteed. Maybe 4, but Theo would probably not find that situation ideal. I think on the open market he is going to get 3-5 year offers. And probably a GM or two blow smoke up his ass about how they see him as a long term catcher and wouldn't move him off the position.

 

Also there is another issue with V-Mart long term. It's if he really foes have to come out from behind the plate. Yes he plays a decent 1B. But me personally I'm hoping that spot is filled by Agon long term(which is reasonable). If Agon is there, the they wouldn't be able to move V-Mart to 1B. That leaves DH, and although his bat is good, he's not your typical DH. Ideally I'd like to see that spot filled with a big power bat or leave it open so to speak to add flexibility to the line up.

 

I'd offer him 3 years/40M before he hits the market and see if he bites.

[jacksonianmarch]

The sox formally declined Bill Hall's option today.

[Palodios]

The only way I see the Sox/Vmart deal working is if they give out a well structured frontloaded deal with vesting options.

[jacksonianmarch]

Many teams need catching and every team needs offense. Even though some on here thought his market will be limited, VMart is going to have a ton of suitors. And invariably, one GM will consider him the one that puts them over the top and will overbid, be it yrs or cash. Theo has shown he does not like being the guy to overbid. I expect him to put a 3 yr offer on the table with a club option for a 4th at $13 mil per and see if he takes it. My guess is that he gets a guaranteed 4 yrs from multiple teams and someone will even go to a 5th.

[BSN07]

Many teams need catching and every team needs offense. Even though some on here thought his market will be limited' date=' VMart is going to have a ton of suitors. And invariably, one GM will consider him the one that puts them over the top and will overbid, be it yrs or cash. Theo has shown he does not like being the guy to overbid. I expect him to put a 3 yr offer on the table with a club option for a 4th at $13 mil per and see if he takes it. My guess is that he gets a guaranteed 4 yrs from multiple teams and someone will even go to a 5th.[/quote']

 

I agree with this. Like I said, if he's in Boston next season, it's because he wants to be. Not because the Red Sox out bid everyone.

[Station 13]

The sox formally declined Bill Hall's option today.

 

I wouldn't mind him back.

[Station 13]

I agree with this. Like I said' date=' if he's in Boston next season, it's because he wants to be. Not because the Red Sox out bid everyone.[/quote']

 

I think he does likes it here. He's looking for a minimum 3 year at around 12M a year. I wouldn't hesitate to offer him that and throw in a vesting option on 575 PA for 10M.

 

His bat is pretty big in a lineup. 20-25HR/100RBI and hits .300 and tough as nails to strike out. I think he can catch around 2 more year and will serve as backup and mostly DH the final year.

[jacksonianmarch]

Vesting options are almost always for more money than the AAV

[BSN07]

Heyman hears that the Phillies suggested a Jason Bay-like contract to Werth this summer (four years, $66MM) and he rejected the idea.

 

If this is true, then I don't expect him to be in Boston next season.

[Station 13]

Beltre declined his option. Offer him arbitration and move on.

[BSN07]

Beltre declined his option. Offer him arbitration and move on.

 

Standard routine at this point.

[Spudboy]

If this is true' date=' then I don't expect him to be in Boston next season.[/quote']

 

Good point.

 

4 years at $16.5 Mil./year sounds good to me. Especially to stay where you are.

 

Who will value him higher? Someone may, but who? Will someone offer 5 years?

 

I wouldn't. Not for him.

[BSN07]

Good point.

 

4 years at $16.5 Mil./year sounds good to me. Especially to stay where you are.

 

Who will value him higher? Someone may, but who? Will someone offer 5 years?

 

I wouldn't. Not for him.

 

I agree it sounds like a good deal to stay where you are. He did sign with Boras. Boras must see more $ on the market. I would wager Werth signs after Crawford. Boras is going to bank on the desperate team that loses out on Crawford. If the Sox wouldn't go that far for Bay(who is a decent comparable), then I don't see them going that high for Werth.

 

Right now I would say Crawford or Beltran may be in LF next year. I mentioned Beltran before and after reading an article about his upcoming meetings with new management, it sounds like he will be available. And with his high price tag for next season, he's likely not command too much other then salary relief. And although he will make something like 17M next year. I'd rather they do that then sign Werth to 4+ years.

[Station 13]

Rangers declined Vlad 9M option. Ortiz is going to have an interesting day ahead of him.

[Will617]

I still think that one year of ortiz is better than two cheaper years.

 

Miguel olivo is on the market right now. Theo might target him; he hits for power and plays decent defense, but doesn't get on base much. He's a lower risk than salty, and would probably be very cheap.

[BSN07]

I still think that one year of ortiz is better than two cheaper years.

 

Miguel olivo is on the market right now. Theo might target him; he hits for power and plays decent defense, but doesn't get on base much. He's a lower risk than salty, and would probably be very cheap.

 

Well everyone outside of Ortiz thinks one year of him under contract is better the two. This is really going to be an interesting development. I don't foresee many outcomes that Ortiz is going to be happy with. Might be time t move on and push for Dunn.

[Dipre]

I've always liked Olivo. Besides his good D and ability to hit for power, he can actually run really well for a Catcher.

[Station 13]

Ortiz option is exercised.

[BSN07]

Ortiz option is exercised.

 

So it begins..

[BSN07]

The Red Sox acquired Brent Dlugach from Detroit for a player to be named later or cash considerations, according to the Tigers (on Twitter). The 27-year-old shortstop batted .258/.303/.360 at Triple-A this year.

 

woot!

[boston22407]

Red Sox exercised DH David Ortiz's $12.5 million option for 2011.

Makes sense. Ortiz was hoping to negotiate a multi-year contract, but Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein is smarter than that. The 34-year-old batted .270/.370/.529 with 32 homers, 102 RBI and an 899 OPS this season. If he could repeat those numbers around a healthier supporting cast in 2011, the Red Sox would be thrilled

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Hoping Brent contributes to the Sox.

[BSN07]

It doesn't look like David Ortiz will get the extension he was looking for. Red Sox GM Theo Epstein says the club explored an extension with Ortiz before picking up his 2011 option and determined to go one year at a time, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com (on Twitter). Epstein says the one-year, $12.5MM option made the most sense for the Red Sox, according to Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald (on Twitter).

Is this a ticking time bomb or is Papi going to smarten up and realize that is the absolute most money he is going to make? If he want s 2 years he better show up and produce next season, and be ready to leave Boston as well.