The Official 2010 Hot Stove Thread.

[Will617]

I didn't see Buck among the list of FA's or I might have suggested him. Olivo benefitted too much from the altitude at Coors for me to be happy about trying to bring him in.

 

As for "can't hit to safe his life" that's a bit of an oversell, the guy maintains a half decent OBP for a catcher, the only reason he looks bad is because we've been spoiled by a healthy Tek and V-Mart for so many years.

 

Looking at the list of available options at catcher Schneider actually stands up fairly well. He isn't outstanding but he'd only be there as a stopgap starter in case Salty spit the bit, you're not going to sign a superstar catcher to play that role.

 

Olivo's hit fine in the seasons where he didn't play in Colorado. He's also good defensively. Schneider would be the better option only if you are looking at a full-time platoon. I'd rather have Olivo than Buck though, given Buck is not great defensively and his offensive numbers aren't that much better than Olivo.

Plus, Olivo passed a kidney stone during a game, then came back out to catch. That's pretty badass.

[example1]

Plus' date=' Olivo passed a kidney stone during a game, then came back out to catch. That's pretty badass.[/quote']

 

I recall that. Say no more. Olivo it is.

[Spudboy]

Boston.com has reported that the Sox are interested in Kurt Suzuki.

 

LOL!

 

I'm too lazy to post the link. So just search.

 

I'd be OK with Buck or Olivo for two years max.

[a700hitter]

Olivo passed a kidney stone during a game' date=' then came back out to catch. That's pretty badass.[/quote']That is bad ass. When we were going through my current home with a home inspector, my then 68 year old dad excused himself, went to the bathroom, and passed two stones. When he came out of the bathroom, he had the stones in a handkerchief for lab examination. The home inspector went through the rest of the inspection with a stunned look on his face. At the end of the inspection, he asked to see the stones again. He just shook his head and said "you just passed those while we were here?" They weren't that small. At 92, the old man is still a bad ass. He still likes a drink now and then, but he gave up smoking 27years ago after 50 years of smoking.

[a700hitter]

Boston.com has reported that the Sox are interested in Kurt Suzuki.

 

LOL!

 

I'm too lazy to post the link. So just search.

 

I'd be OK with Buck or Olivo for two years max.

That would be a great addition.

[example1]

Buck and Olivo (both FA's) are much much better options if you want to go with Salty as a half-time C.

 

I would actually be comfortable with a combo of Olivo and Salty or Buck and Salty, if this team wanted to go an entirely new direction. There are a few in-house options who could appear in the next 3 years... or not. If they do, then one of Buck/Salty can be pushed aside. If not then they would have some time to sort it out.

 

All of this is assuming that they use the money they could have used on Martinez to get someone else I approve of.

[Dipre]

I would actually be comfortable with a combo of Olivo and Salty or Buck and Salty' date=' if this team wanted to go an entirely new direction. There are a few in-house options who could appear in the next 3 years... or not. If they do, then one of Buck/Salty can be pushed aside. If not then they would have some time to sort it out.[/quote']

 

Please, just......anything but Brian f***ing Schneider. Jesus.

 

All of this is assuming that they use the money they could have used on Martinez to get someone else I approve of.

 

Beltre + Werth + fix the bullpen?

 

Or

 

Dunn + Werth + fix the bullpen?

 

I'd be ok with both scenarios.

[example1]

Beltre + Werth + fix the bullpen?

 

Or

 

Dunn + Werth + fix the bullpen?

 

I'd be ok with both scenarios.

 

Agreed. Adding Beltre and Werth feels like a solid pairing on both sides of the ball for the next few years.

 

What do you think about the RH vs LH batting needs of this team? Does it matter? Would "handedness" change the value of the player for this particular team? I just don't know... If it does matter, then that problem could be fixed by replacing Werth with Crawford, or Beltre with Dunn. If they would benefit from two LH hitters more then Crawford and Dunn could be a possibility.

 

Overall I like Werth's fit for the Red Sox more than Crawford's, but I wouldn't be upset if they found a way to put Crawford's production into the lineup somehow. He's an exciting player and would be an amazing tandem with Ellsbury on the bases.

[jacksonianmarch]

fixing the pen isnt that easy. High priced pen FAs rarely are worth it. Just look down the way in NY. Here are a list of FA signings that didnt work out

 

Paul Quantrill

Steve Karsay

Damaso Marte (extension)

etc etc

 

Fixing your pen is more of a ground up approach.

[SCM33]

Am I the only one that thinks that it is unacceptable that Salty is our starting catcher with the options out there and the fact that VMART WANTS TO REMAIN HERE?

 

Really? Salty is the best option for this team? Maybe if we are the KC Royals......spend some money and bring in a better option please, or spend some money and bring VMart back.

 

Many of you know my stance on the front office. Lets see how my theories play out. Beltre isnt coming back. Looks like Vmart might not come back. If they dont open their wallet this offseason and this season becomes another "bridge" season, just about everything I have said about them will be on target.

[a700hitter]

Am I the only one that thinks that it is unacceptable that Salty is our starting catcher with the options out there and the fact that VMART WANTS TO REMAIN HERE?

I am with you on this. I am not buying any of the planted stories about his times on his throws to second base while he was at Pawtucket. He's a train wreck behind the plate, and he hasn't proved anything at the ML level with the bat. I hope it is just negotiating posturing.

[SCM33]

It is in there best interest to make a huge splash this offseason. TV ratings were way down, radio ratings were way down......and I dont care what anyone says, they lost their precious sellout streak this year, at least in the place it matters, which is human butts in seats.

 

Hell, interest on this board was way down. WAYYYYYY down compared to years past.

 

If they nickel and dime this offseason they will risk further losing their fanbase. The pink hats have already stopped caring about Jason Damon, Gabe Varitek and Trot Ramirez.

 

If you are going to have a s***** defensive catcher, at least bring back the guy who can swing the stick.

[Dipre]

Agreed. Adding Beltre and Werth feels like a solid pairing on both sides of the ball for the next few years.

 

What do you think about the RH vs LH batting needs of this team? Does it matter? Would "handedness" change the value of the player for this particular team? I just don't know... If it does matter, then that problem could be fixed by replacing Werth with Crawford, or Beltre with Dunn. If they would benefit from two LH hitters more then Crawford and Dunn could be a possibility.

 

Overall I like Werth's fit for the Red Sox more than Crawford's, but I wouldn't be upset if they found a way to put Crawford's production into the lineup somehow. He's an exciting player and would be an amazing tandem with Ellsbury on the bases.

 

My perfect offseason?

 

Werth, Dunn, Olivo/Buck.

 

Three of:

 

Benoit/Putz/Balfour/Uehara/Frasor/Fuentes/Feliciano/Mahay/Takahashi.

 

I really like V-Mart, but i think the option that makes the most sense is rounding out the IF, getting a strong OF bat and a catcher who won't embarrass himself at the plate (which leaves Schneider out of the equation).

[BSN07]

Am I the only one that thinks that it is unacceptable that Salty is our starting catcher with the options out there and the fact that VMART WANTS TO REMAIN HERE?

 

Really? Salty is the best option for this team? Maybe if we are the KC Royals......spend some money and bring in a better option please, or spend some money and bring VMart back.

 

Many of you know my stance on the front office. Lets see how my theories play out. Beltre isnt coming back. Looks like Vmart might not come back. If they dont open their wallet this offseason and this season becomes another "bridge" season, just about everything I have said about them will be on target.

 

I wouldn't call it unacceptable. I believe the kid has enough talent to get a good amount of playing time and to see what he can do with it. I still think V-Mart will consider a 3 year offer from Boston if it is to catch. Which in that time span he should be serviceable at catcher. They aren't however going to bring him back with a plan to move him to 1B IMO. That would block them from getting who they truly want manning 1B for the future(I won't mention players name since he is under contract of the San Diego Padres;)). That is also the man reason I don't see Beltre coming back either. Youk isn't training for 3B because he is bored.

 

Dipre I agree, I would really like to see them get Dunn even if it means him playing 1B this season. But they might have t over pay to lure him from say CHC, who might offer him a full time 1B gig for his deal.

[The Celtbot]

I think V-Mart should be priority #1. Not sure I would really want Buck for next year. He had one decent year so far, who's to say that will continue. As for Salty, why are the Red Sox so high on him? I haven't seen him do much of anything to merit the starting job, let alone a platoon role for next year.

[The Soxbot]

I think V-Mart should be priority #1. Not sure I would really want Buck for next year. He had one decent year so far' date=' who's to say that will continue. As for Salty, why are the Red Sox so high on him? I haven't seen him do much of anything to merit the starting job, let alone a platoon role for next year.[/quote']

 

 

 

Sox will sign Buck and the Nation will be content. They will alos convince them on how Vmart was a cancer and how Buck will bring the clubhouse together. Some of you will claim that Vmart was a horrble catcher and that with a few tweaks Buck can reach Pudge like heights.

[BSN07]

V-Mart is a passable catcher now. The worry is more towards the end of his next deal. I believe he can pass as a catcher for the next 3 seasons. After that is where is get sketchy IMO. And I wouldn't hold it against the FO if they felt anything past a 3 year offer is too much of a risk. Do we really want another Mike Lowell situation? What if the Red Sox hadn't stuck to their guns and gave him 4 years like some were pining for the team to offer to make sure he stayed in Boston?

[Palodios]

Welcome to Talksox.

 

But no, no one here will seriously believe Buck or Olivo will come close to replacing VMart. They're stopgaps until another elite catcher comes around or one of the prospects turns out. The concern is that other teams will overpay because of how hard it is to find elite catchers, so it might be in the sox best interest to put the money towards other pieces.

[The Soxbot]

V-Mart is a passable catcher now. The worry is more towards the end of his next deal. I believe he can pass as a catcher for the next 3 seasons. After that is where is get sketchy IMO. And I wouldn't hold it against the FO if they felt anything past a 3 year offer is too much of a risk. Do we really want another Mike Lowell situation? hat if the Red Sox hadn't stuck to their guns and gave him 4 years like some were pining for the team to offer to make sure he stayed in Boston?

 

 

Victor's 31 yrs old, i think a 4 yr contract would do. He's a C/1B/DH so if healthy there's a good chance he can be productive through year 3-4 of the contract. Victor's also a passionate leader, and if we lose him we'll lose two leaders this winter in Tek and Vmart and another who leaves it all on the field in Beltre.

[The Soxbot]

Welcome to Talksox.

 

But no, no one here will seriously believe Buck or Olivo will come close to replacing VMart. They're stopgaps until another elite catcher comes around or one of the prospects turns out. The concern is that other teams will overpay because of how hard it is to find elite catchers, so it might be in the sox best interest to put the money towards other pieces.

 

 

Thank you.

 

Agree, reason more for the sox to pay Victor what he's worth instead of waiting around for the hometown discount. Sox had the second highest payroll in baseball with a few contracts coming off the books, they can afford to give Vmart what he's worth.

[a700hitter]

Replacing VMart and Beltre with Werth and Dunn is a step down IMO. I am hoping that the FO wants to improve upon the 2010 team.

[The Soxbot]

D'backs are shopping Mark Reynolds and after the year he had he might come cheap.

 

 

•The D’Backs are “shopping” Mark Reynolds and looking for relievers and contact hitters.

 

 

Good defensive 3B, signed a 3yr $14.5m contract in march so he wouldn't break the bank and his swing would put dents in the green monster.

[BSN07]

D'backs are shopping Mark Reynolds and after the year he had he might come cheap.

 

 

 

 

 

Good defensive 3B, signed a 3yr $14.5m contract in march so he wouldn't break the bank and his swing would put dents in the green monster.

 

No thanks.

 

This teams best hope of improving the offense for now and the future is to make smart short term deals for 2011(get over it a700, offensively it's going to be another bridge season at 1B/3B IMO), that will allow them to remain flexible in the roster so that they can add one of the big 3 for 2012-2018 run.

[BSN07]

I read that Crawford is expecting more then 100M. Werth has already turned down 4/66M. I thnk it's reasonable to start looking at the plan B's and C's that may be out there.

 

Beltran makes sense if they don't have to take on his whole salary.

 

What about Magglio Ordonez on a 1 year deal? Would add a RH bat to the lineup. I haven't heard anything bad about his rehab. I read Detroit is interested in bringing him back, so he can't be too bad off.

[jacksonianmarch]

Reynolds is coming off a very bad yr, but still smacked 30 homers. The guy is what he is. A K machine who should hit in the .240-.260 range and club 30+ homers. He can also steal a few bases too. He would be an ideal fit in Fenway especially surrounded by better hitters in a park that will allow a bit more carry

[Dojji]

I like the idea of Reynolds, many of the objections to him applied to Beltre as well (bad year, poor OBP, etc). And when he gets hold of the ball it goes a very long way. Basically there's a Carlos Pena like aspect to Reynolds that I really endorse looking into.

 

The strikeouts are the only really alarming thing, he's going to be facing some fairly decent pitching in the AL East after all. But as long as he can keep his BA somewhere in Jacko's range, I'm for taking a look.

[a700hitter]

Beltran makes sense if they don't have to take on his whole salary.

It's a 1 year deal. If we take his salary, the mets will take any warm body, maybe even a couple of cold ones.

[BSN07]

It's a 1 year deal. If we take his salary' date=' the mets will take any warm body, maybe even a couple of cold ones.[/quote']

 

Yes but as it's been pointed out the Sox have somewhere around 30-40M to spend to fill out the roster(I believe this estimate was prior to Ortiz's option was picked up). 17.5M is a large chunk of that.. If they could kick in a prospect the Mets like and make it more like 10M it would be a better deal.

[a700hitter]

Yes but as it's been pointed out the Sox have somewhere around 30-40M to spend to fill out the roster(I believe this estimate was prior to Ortiz's option was picked up). 17.5M is a large chunk of that.. If they could kick in a prospect the Mets like and make it more like 10M it would be a better deal.

The Mets are in financial distress. If the Sox don't take his salary, they'll find another team that will if they can.

[BSN07]

The Mets are in financial distress. If the Sox don't take his salary' date=' they'll find another team that will if they can.[/quote']

 

Not many teams have 17.5M to risk on a player like Beltran. That's what some teams have for a whole off season to spend. Some less.