The Official 2010 Hot Stove Thread.

[diony]

If you're the Dodgers' date=' do you listen if Theo calls you and offers Papelbon, Lowrie, and a low tier prospect for Kemp?[/quote']

 

[The Celtbot]

Joe McDonald: 6:34

Hearing the Red Sox are not involved with free agent left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes.

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove10/notebook/_/id/5838237/winter-meetings-live

[Palodios]

Former Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell recently had a lengthy conversation with Boston's new pitching coach Curt Young. Farrell gave him the ins and outs of Boston's staff. Farrell called the conversation "right and just" despite his new role as manager of the Blue Jay[/Quote]

 

I hope Young doesn't take his advice too seriously.

[WhiskeyBreath]

I wonder if Colby Rasmus is still available. He'd cost a lot less in prospects than Upton' date=' and he's not a bad player either. Sox system is a bit depleted, though. And it wouldn't make a lot of sense for the Cardinals to drop him given their poor OF depth, regardless of what Tony La Russa thinks about Rasmus' "toughness" and "scrapiness".[/quote']

 

I'd be shocked to see St. Louis deal Rasmus just because he doesn't get along with La Russa. Kid has huge upside and doesn't cost much. He isn't going anywhere without a ridiculous haul going to St. Louis.

[WhiskeyBreath]

so if the Gonzalez contract is in fact 8/160 total .

 

Gonzalez >>>> crawford by a mile

 

crawford should not get 100M

 

Agreed.

 

Carl Crawford is not worth $100MM.

[Dipre]

Relievers coming off the board fast. Theo needs to do something.

[WhiskeyBreath]

Was Balfour offered Arbitration?

[The Celtbot]

Was Balfour offered Arbitration?

 

Don't think so.

[SoxSport]

Watching hot stove on MLB.com from Orlando meetings. Very entertaining but not much that's tweetable.

Heyman on right now: Greinke talk with Jays and Rangers. Crawford: Angels favorite, Lee : Yankees (predictable for Heyman). Damon: Rays or Sox (don't think so). Mostly interviews with GMs and managers. Kevin Millar and Mitch Williams are havin' fun as commentators. Millar says Sox are now best team in baseball. Yeah, but the Yankees haven't spent a dime yet. They have to satisfy their FA addiction.

 

Shh. Steinbrenner didn't make the HOF. Congrats to Gillick.

[SoxSport]

That'd make sense. And I agree that its a long shot and that Willingham is the much more likely option. It was just an interesting idea that popped into my mind.

 

What they really need is a platoon guy to play against LHP. Maybe a Willingham or Ordonez.

No need to trade for a prime time guy like Kemp. I do think they will unload Pap if they get a good deal. Pap was a run of the mill closer last year who is looking for Rivera bucks down the road.

 

They put Papi batting 5th in the lineup on MLB.com right now. But clearly they need a RHd bat against LHP instead of Papi. Hopefully Papi will be able to have another good year against RHP. That's enough.

[SoxSport]

so if the Gonzalez contract is in fact 8/160 total .

 

Gonzalez >>>> crawford by a mile

 

crawford should not get 100M

 

Fortunately AdGon was not on the Yankee radar. That kept the price down. Plus no Boras factor.

With Crawford, the Yankee factor is in play.

[Northern Star]

Was Balfour offered Arbitration?

 

What a shame he didn't write that expose of the Yankees. Ball Four by Balfour.

[WhiskeyBreath]

What they really need is a platoon guy to play against LHP. Maybe a Willingham or Ordonez.

No need to trade for a prime time guy like Kemp. I do think they will unload Pap if they get a good deal. Pap was a run of the mill closer last year who is looking for Rivera bucks down the road.

 

They put Papi batting 5th in the lineup on MLB.com right now. But clearly they need a RHd bat against LHP instead of Papi. Hopefully Papi will be able to have another good year against RHP. That's enough.

 

I don't see how they could deal Papelbon the way their current BP is looking.

[VA Sox Fan]

Epstein lists his priorities

 

Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff December 6, 2010 09:34 PM

 

Just back from Theo Epstein's suite, where the beat writers met with him with about half an hour. A few of the highlights:

 

• Asked to name his priorities at this point after trading for Adrian Gonzalez, he said: "Bullpen, bullpen, integrate a right-handed bat into the mix."

 

Epstein said he is fine with the lineup as it is and doesn't believe it is too left-handed provided they have right-handed options on the bench. An outfield move, he said, would be "more complementary" at this stage.

 

That would seem to indicate the Red Sox are not willing to meet the demands of Carl Crawford. Of course that could change at any time.

 

• Epstein said he expected to acquire at least two relievers via trade or free agency.

 

• With the Gonzalez trade would give him pause about using more prospects to make a major deal, he feels the 2010 draft was strong, they're well-equipped with picks for the 2011 draft and they like their volume in the lower levels.

 

• He did not rule out Adrian Beltre, saying anything was possible. But he said Kevin Youkilis is the third baseman and there are no plans to play him in left field.

 

• Epstein said Ryan Kalish still needs time in AAA but if the team's needs are such, he could start the year in the majors.

 

• The Sox are still talking with Hideki Okajima's agent. Hopefully it's about him cleaning out his locker.

 

• He expects there to be a lot of activity this week based on the chatter so far and the players who have already signed or been traded.

 

• The Sox, he said, offered "a mammoth five-player package" for Gonzalez at the trade deadline in 2009 and thought they had a chance at him.

[jacksonianmarch]

So, it sounds like the sox are out of the Crawford sweeps. Not surprising. The potential suitors for him are drying up. He very well may end up with less money than Werth

[WhiskeyBreath]

He won't end up with less money than Werth.

[Meh]

Right now I'll give it to you that Lars and Reddick have fizzled out a bit. By no means are they done at 23 years of age. Reddick has shown some flashes the last couple years. Hopefully this is there year. The Guys in the Gonzalez trade is a big hit to the Minor league system this season. In no way does it deplete us. Bowden turning into crap has hurt more than the others. Doubrant has been a nice surprise. Another Key is Tazawa coming back as well. We're OK.

 

Zach McAllister is a perfect example of what Lars Anderson can bring back. McAllister was once a top 5 Yankees prospect. I think even two years in a row. I remember being excited about him, but last year was the first year he didn't put up numbers and it showed in the return. We got Austin Kearns for him.

[jacksonianmarch]

Meh, it isnt just about one down year, it is about progression. If a pitcher has a bad year, but shows increased velocity or was working on something, or was injured, then they dont typically get down on him. The problem with Zach was that his FB velocity disappeared after 2009 and his performance suffered as a result. Lars is similar. It isnt like he is out of time or chances, but he strikes out far too much and didnt seem to make much progress from 2009 through the end of 2010. Once a prospect stops showing progress, then they drop. If a prospect shows regression, then they plummet. Reddick and Anderson showed stalled progress. McAllister showed regression

[jacksonianmarch]

He won't end up with less money than Werth.

 

Well, right now, in terms of big spenders known to be in on him, you're down to the Yankees and the Angels. The Angels are said to not be willing to go past 5-6 years and the Yankees are just sitting back and seeing how the negotiations go. It wouldnt shock me at all to see the Angels go 6/100 and the Yankees upping it to 6/105 or something like that

[Meh]

Someone is going to offer Lee 7 years... I'm guessing it's the Nats and they come out of no where and sign him. Just a guess, but meh.

[Meh]

Meh' date=' it isnt just about one down year, it is about progression. If a pitcher has a bad year, but shows increased velocity or was working on something, or was injured, then they dont typically get down on him. The problem with Zach was that his FB velocity disappeared after 2009 and his performance suffered as a result. Lars is similar. It isnt like he is out of time or chances, but he strikes out far too much and didnt seem to make much progress from 2009 through the end of 2010. Once a prospect stops showing progress, then they drop. If a prospect shows regression, then they plummet. Reddick and Anderson showed stalled progress. McAllister showed regression[/quote']

 

I've never like Reddick, but I will admit I thought Anderson was the real deal until I read about landcaster and all, but at the same time I thought Bard was a bust just due to that ballpark.

[jacksonianmarch]

I never doubted that Bard could make it as a reliever, I just didnt think he would rise as fast as he did. Anyone who can throw 100 mph cannot be ruled out for a relief role, hence why nobody should be surprised if Romulo Sanchez makes the Yankees this yr. Anderson, I thought had the tools, but was far from a sure thing. The big strikeout numbers in the minors should have been a bit of a predictive tool. But the scouts outside the sox org talked about his long swing, and it showed in spades when he came up and when he got to the upper levels

[SoxSport]

The money being bandied about in the media for Crawford ($180 mil) looks excessive. He'll probably get somewhere between Werth and AdGon money--closer to Werth. Werth and Crawford will probably be more overpaid than AdGon, in terms of value. The Werth contract is out of whack, and will make the Crawford deal out of whack. The Sox are lucky they aren't players.

[jacksonianmarch]

The thing is, Crawford's suitors havent materialized yet. They very well might, but I wouldnt be surprised if Crawford takes forever to sign, and therefore the Yankees swoop in an get him

[a700hitter]

If in addition to AGon the Sox add a RH hitter like Ordonez, Nady or Quentin and some bullpen pieces, but the Yankees add Lee and Crawford, will the Sox have closed the gap or lost ground?

[bsox0407]

If in addition to AGon the Sox add a RH hitter like Ordonez' date=' Nady or Quentin and some bullpen pieces, but the Yankees add Lee and Crawford, will the Sox have closed the gap or lost ground?[/quote']

 

I would see it as a loss if it was Nady or Quentin but if Mags prolly a gap close.

[Palodios]

Even if the Yankees add Lee, I think the Sox have a leg up on rotation if Pettite does in fact retire. Lineups will probably be a push, with a slight edge lost by the Sox because of C. Bullpens are a complete question mark.

[Cocos Disciples]

I think Magglio is most realistic at this point and I like him as a 1 year option before Kalish takes over. I would love to see him as a 6 hitter at Fenway if he can stay healthy.

[Palodios]

Ordonez isn't a one year option. Detroit reportedly already is considering 2 years, and that's the team he wants to go back to. I see him costing more than he should, but it won't be world-ending if he doesn't perform.

[italstallianion]

I wouldn't mind overpaying for Ordonez. Considering his age, it's not like he'd be asking for a 5-7 year contract. Over paying for him isn't great, but it'd be a short term loss. I think he has a lot to contribute, and he won't cost prospects or draft picks. He seems like the best option, although I don't see him ending up in Boston. If I had to predict who we end up with, I'm guessing Willingham.