The Official 2010 Hot Stove Thread.

[a700hitter]

Sorry about the screed above. I know what Example posted was meant in a lighthearted spirit and there was no intent to criticize. It's just that it's really starting to get to me. 3 years is a long time to be stuck spinning your wheels, and seeing everything you try to do to get on your feet turn to ash -- or worse, get completely ignored while the person you're trying to impress doesn't even give you a chance to sell yourself... well, the amazing thing would be if I wasn't somehow frustrated and depressed.

 

You guys have probably even noticed. I haven't even been up for a good round of arguments with Dipre in months, I just take the disagreement and move on, can't be bothered to hold up my side. I really hope something breaks in my favor soon. I'm well on my way to becoming exactly the last thing I ever wanted to be if things don't change -- the 30+ year old who's still at home with no real prospects of going anyhere or doing anything with his life.

 

Scratch that. I'm 31. God help me, I'm already there.

You are definitely not the only one on this board having these troubles. I think we could form a pretty good support group from our members. I'm 51 and I have been through good economies and bad economies. This is the worst economy since my college days. When I was a junior in High School, I couldn't get a job stocking shelves in the local grocery store. I was lucky enough that the economy was taking off around 1983 when I finished my Law School education, and we were fortunate that the U.S. economy experienced relatively uninterrupted growth for about 25 years-- nearly my entire working career. I really feel for people starting out today. Things need to turn around. The economy is contracting no matter what the government is saying. Jobs are not being created. My niece has a degree in marine biology and she got her masters degree as well. She was teaching as an adjunct and she worked on government grant programs to save the sea turtles in south Florida. The sea turtles thrived and then the funding dried up. She got a job in the Fla. state health department, but that was a dead end job. She just recently graduated from a program to become a technician for administering nuclear medical testing -- a great field. She graduated #1 in the program and was promised a job at the place where she had been interning. Unfortunately, right about the time she finished the program, the guy that made the promise got fired. She's 31 with a masters degree and a certificate in a field where there is a lot of work and she is out of a job. She was #1 in the program and no job-- in a medical testing field. That speaks volumes. The quality of people that can't find jobs is astounding. I'm not going to turn this into a political thread, but I lay this situation at the feet of our government. Business is punished at every level of government. It's over-taxed and over regulated. You can't open any sort of business without having all sorts of licenses and permits and fees, taxes and more fees. It's freaking ridiculous. Opportunity is drying up. I am lucky that I am toward the end of my working career and my kids are adults. I am not affected like young people starting out or people with young kids. I really hope that our leaders get their heads out of their asses and help unleash all of the energy and talent that is sitting at home on the sidelines looking for a break. Good luck to you.

[SCM33]

Sorry about the screed above. I know what Example posted was meant in a lighthearted spirit and there was no intent to criticize. It's just that it's really starting to get to me. 3 years is a long time to be stuck spinning your wheels, and seeing everything you try to do to get on your feet turn to ash -- or worse, get completely ignored while the person you're trying to impress doesn't even give you a chance to sell yourself... well, the amazing thing would be if I wasn't somehow frustrated and depressed.

 

You guys have probably even noticed. I haven't even been up for a good round of arguments with Dipre in months, I just take the disagreement and move on, can't be bothered to hold up my side. I really hope something breaks in my favor soon. I'm well on my way to becoming exactly the last thing I ever wanted to be if things don't change -- the 30+ year old who's still at home with no real prospects of going anyhere or doing anything with his life.

 

Scratch that. I'm 31. God help me, I'm already there.

 

Where do you live? If you live in my area and have a clean criminal record send me a PM and I will give you my phone number. It might be a little bit different work than you are used to....but we are putting through academies in the next year or so. A job is a job. Gimme 3 minutes on the phone, I can tell you whether or not you can do it

[example1]

Every time I finish a task at work' date=' I take a glance. So either I'm really productive, or I take long glances:lol:[/quote']

 

Me too (when I'm in the office). Hence my scathing (but well-meaning) criticism when I came back and people were rambling on about Jeter condoms and being caught masturbating.

 

One of these times I will come here and there will be a new thread, called "Sox sign Crawford/Werth, now targeting Upton". fingerscrossed.

[example1]

Okay, bleacher report is not news. It's not even crucial reading. Sometimes there's an interesting point or proposal. This one is interesting, but very poorly written. I want to look at Reyes and/or Wright for a minute though:

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/531189-who-should-mets-trade-at-winter-meetings-reyes-or-wright

 

 

The author writes:

 

They can trade guys like Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester which would help the Mets in the rotation and finally give the Red Sox a premiere shortstop. Plus, the Red Sox have asked the Mets about Reyes in the past.

 

Lester is one of the best pitchers in baseball and the Sox are a competitive team. Jon Lester isn't going anywhere.

 

2010: 5.6 WAR, 10th in baseball

2009: 6.3 WAR, 9th in baseball

2008: 5.1 WAR, 12th in baseball

 

17 WAR, 3 seasons: 5.6/yr.

 

At his contract he's one of the most valuable players in baseball--in fact, in mid-2007 Dave Cameron of fangraphs rated Lester as the #7 most valuable player in baseball. Buchholz isn't as good yet, but he's potentially on the verge.

 

So obviously the idea of any trade involving Lester and, for my money, Buchholz is just silly. The Sox are not going to make a move like that by taking 8 steps forward and 7 steps back with their MLB team.

 

With a number of current Sox players off the table, I would be open to a decent sized package to get David Wright. 3B is a very difficult position to fill these days.

 

Reyes worries me a bit.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Sorry about the screed above. I know what Example posted was meant in a lighthearted spirit and there was no intent to criticize. It's just that it's really starting to get to me. 3 years is a long time to be stuck spinning your wheels, and seeing everything you try to do to get on your feet turn to ash -- or worse, get completely ignored while the person you're trying to impress doesn't even give you a chance to sell yourself... well, the amazing thing would be if I wasn't somehow frustrated and depressed.

 

You guys have probably even noticed. I haven't even been up for a good round of arguments with Dipre in months, I just take the disagreement and move on, can't be bothered to hold up my side. I really hope something breaks in my favor soon. I'm well on my way to becoming exactly the last thing I ever wanted to be if things don't change -- the 30+ year old who's still at home with no real prospects of going anyhere or doing anything with his life.

 

Scratch that. I'm 31. God help me, I'm already there.

 

"Good things come to those who wait"

 

Keep your head up.

[BSN07]

Sorry about the screed above. I know what Example posted was meant in a lighthearted spirit and there was no intent to criticize. It's just that it's really starting to get to me. 3 years is a long time to be stuck spinning your wheels, and seeing everything you try to do to get on your feet turn to ash -- or worse, get completely ignored while the person you're trying to impress doesn't even give you a chance to sell yourself... well, the amazing thing would be if I wasn't somehow frustrated and depressed.

 

You guys have probably even noticed. I haven't even been up for a good round of arguments with Dipre in months, I just take the disagreement and move on, can't be bothered to hold up my side. I really hope something breaks in my favor soon. I'm well on my way to becoming exactly the last thing I ever wanted to be if things don't change -- the 30+ year old who's still at home with no real prospects of going anyhere or doing anything with his life.

 

Scratch that. I'm 31. God help me, I'm already there.

 

I've been looking for 4 years. Albeit I am in another country and probably have less qualifications then you. But I know your frustration. Hang in there buddy

[BSN07]

Okay, bleacher report is not news. It's not even crucial reading. Sometimes there's an interesting point or proposal. This one is interesting, but very poorly written. I want to look at Reyes and/or Wright for a minute though:

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/531189-who-should-mets-trade-at-winter-meetings-reyes-or-wright

 

 

The author writes:

 

 

 

Lester is one of the best pitchers in baseball and the Sox are a competitive team. Jon Lester isn't going anywhere.

 

2010: 5.6 WAR, 10th in baseball

2009: 6.3 WAR, 9th in baseball

2008: 5.1 WAR, 12th in baseball

 

17 WAR, 3 seasons: 5.6/yr.

 

At his contract he's one of the most valuable players in baseball--in fact, in mid-2007 Dave Cameron of fangraphs rated Lester as the #7 most valuable player in baseball. Buchholz isn't as good yet, but he's potentially on the verge.

 

So obviously the idea of any trade involving Lester and, for my money, Buchholz is just silly. The Sox are not going to make a move like that by taking 8 steps forward and 7 steps back with their MLB team.

 

With a number of current Sox players off the table, I would be open to a decent sized package to get David Wright. 3B is a very difficult position to fill these days.

 

Reyes worries me a bit.

 

I like the idea of Wright. Not sure if I like him more then Agon though. And bringing in Wright reduces the chances they get Agon IMO. Not sure if he's going to want to split 1B/DH with Youk. But technically Youk would only be under contract for 1 more season + an option. So it's conceivable that 1B would open up for the latter 2/3 of Agon's deal. So maybe it wouldn't be a big deal for him.

 

If they are going after Wright then I would add Beltran and his $ to the deal and hope it may lower the cost in prospects.

[BSN07]

D'Backs GM Kevin Towers told MLB.com's Steve Gilbert that he'll know by the end of next week's winter meetings whether it makes sense to trade Justin Upton.

 

I wasn't really expecting anything to happen before then anyways. But at least we got something to look ahead too Could be one of the 1st big dominoes to fall :thumbsup:

[a700hitter]

Or maybe this is the plant story. It's on some obscure website called redsox.com so it may just be some know-nothing crack-pot writing out of his behind:

 

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101129&content_id=16225100&vkey=news_bos&c_id=bos

Wouldn't Red Sox.com be the best place and most convenient place to disseminate propaganda for the FO?

[arbitrary]

Wouldn't Red Sox.com be the best place and most convenient place to disseminate propaganda for the FO?

 

Then its more obvious that its propoganda. Take a listen to the media, there's the real propoganda.

[a700hitter]

Then its more obvious that its propoganda. Take a listen to the media' date=' there's the real propaganda.[/quote']If propaganda is good, you don't know that it is propaganda. Cloaking propaganda in some official capacity such as an MLB approved website adds to its believability. E1 seems to think that it must be true if it is on RedSox.com. Let's just say that RedSox.com is the official propaganda arm of the Boston Red Sox-- like the state run newspaper was in the USSR.

[a700hitter]

Rangers To Make Lee An Official Offer

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [December 1 at 8:50am CST]

 

The Rangers are on the verge of making Cliff Lee an official offer, according to George A. King III of the New York Post. A source tells King that the Rangers are prepared to offer a five-year deal and believe the Yankees have already offered a five or six-year deal. Though Lee’s agent wouldn’t confirm specifics, he did acknowledge that talks are progressing.

 

"We are starting to move stuff along," Darek Braunecker told the Post.

 

If the Rangers lose Lee to the Yankees, they will likely consider trading for Zack Greinke. The Royals like Rangers prospects Martin Perez and Tanner Scheppers, according to King.

 

Though Yahoo’s Jeff Passan reported that Greinke would not necessarily mind pitching in the Bronx, the Yankees aren’t so sure. They don’t believe that the right-hander wants to pitch for them, according to King.

 

If the Rangers land Lee, I am concerned that the Yankees will turn their attention to Crawford/Werth. Two years ago they had no interest in Texeira. We waited and negotiated and walked away from the table, and then all of a sudden the Yankees were interested and he was gone. Theo needs to accelerate this process IMO. It could get very very expensive if the Yanks throw in.

[Dojji]

Where do you live? If you live in my area and have a clean criminal record send me a PM and I will give you my phone number. It might be a little bit different work than you are used to....but we are putting through academies in the next year or so. A job is a job. Gimme 3 minutes on the phone' date=' I can tell you whether or not you can do it [/quote']

 

Can't PM you. You need to clear your inbox. I'd be willing to try anything that might work but won't give contact details on the public forum.

[a700hitter]

Daily Reminder to FO:

 

Sign Carl Crawford!!

...

or Jayson Werth

...

or make a big trade

...

 

or just announce that you will be doing nothing so I can denounce you, argue with members of this board about you, and we can all move on with our lives. You are really cutting into the work, study and job search time of many of our members, and that is just inconsiderate.

[SoxSport]

Kouzmanoff might be a good candidate for 3B. His numbers could improve close to Beltre's in Fenway.

And he's a decent 3rd baseman. Don't be surprised if his name comes up. Epstein has liked him in the past.

[SoxSport]

Then its more obvious that its propoganda. Take a listen to the media' date=' there's the real propoganda.[/quote']

 

Nobody in sports takes chat groups very seriously--except maybe curt schilling.

 

They do take the mainstream media very seriously, because they are concerned about ticket sales and TV ratings. Especially the latter. They tie the media to the fans, perhaps overly so, since many fans distrust the media which is longer on opinion than facts these days.

[a700hitter]

Kouzmanoff might be a good candidate for 3B. His numbers could improve close to Beltre's in Fenway.

And he's a decent 3rd baseman. Don't be surprised if his name comes up. Epstein has liked him in the past.

He has shown little or no ability to hit the long ball.

[Spudboy]

He has shown little or no ability to hit the long ball.

 

You Sir, are a Kill Joy!

[Keeper]

In defense of Kouzmanoff, he's played at Petco and the Oakland Coliseum. His career line on the road is .272/.315/.461 for an OPS of .776. He definitely has a little pop and has become a good defensive third baseman. My biggest problem with him is his inability to take a walk.

 

To me, Kouzmanoff would be a stopgap last resort guy if the Sox couldn't sign Dunn, Lee, Konerko, or Berkman to play first.

[a700hitter]

Astros Avoid Arbitration With Nelson Figueroa

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [December 1, 2010 at 2:26pm CST]

 

The Astros announced that they avoided arbitration with Nelson Figueroa, signing the 36-year-old righty to a one-year deal worth $900K plus incentives. He posted a 3.22 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in 67 innings as a swingman last year.

This burning issue has finally been resolved.

[Palodios]

This burning issue has finally been resolved.

 

You sir, are one bored Red Sox fan.

[Spudboy]

This burning issue has finally been resolved.

 

You sir' date=' are one bored Red Sox fan.[/quote']

 

I was loosing sleep over his status.;)

[example1]

http://twitter.com/TBrownYahoo#

 

Apparently the Sox have been in Houston meeting with Crawford's agent. This "tweet" says they are "serious" about Crawford.

 

Probably doesn't mean much, but it shows that the silence does not mean inactivity.

[Palodios]

Hmm... certain posters have been frantic about the description of the FO as "calm" in such a low time for the team. But now they are "calm" AND "serious". People who are calm and serious get s*** done.

[a700hitter]

Hmm... certain posters have been frantic about the description of the FO as "calm" in such a low time for the team. But now they are "calm" AND "serious". People who are calm and serious get s*** done.

You can be calm and serious without procrastinating. Plus, I am bored out of my mind.

[SoxSport]

http://twitter.com/TBrownYahoo#

 

Apparently the Sox have been in Houston meeting with Crawford's agent. This "tweet" says they are "serious" about Crawford.

 

Probably doesn't mean much, but it shows that the silence does not mean inactivity.

 

They will have to bag him quick--before Lee decides to stay in Texas. If that happens, the Yankees will be all over guys like Crawford. Anything left-handed.

 

It's a plus Crawford doesn't have Boras. Better chance to bag him quick. Like the Tigers bagged VMart.

[GoBruins2011]

They will have to bag him quick--before Lee decides to stay in Texas. If that happens, the Yankees will be all over guys like Crawford. Anything left-handed.

 

It's a plus Crawford doesn't have Boras. Better chance to bag him quick. Like the Tigers bagged VMart.

 

Agree. If I am remembering right, thats how the Lackey deal went down. Right?

[example1]

Many hours without any comments, yet today was the most active rumor day of the hot stove season. Gammons said the meeting went very well and there is mutual interest.

 

http://www.nesn.com/2010/12/peter-gammons-carl-crawford-red-sox-meeting-went-very-well-but-he-wont-come-cheap.html

 

FWIW, Gammons has been banging the Sox + Crawford drum for a few months now so either he's a crazy old man talking out of his ass--certainly possible--or he's right that they would secretly really like Crawford.

[example1]

http://twitter.com/TBrownYahoo/status/10148002958155777

 

Predictably, Sox meeting with Boras to discuss Beltre and Werth tomorrow.

 

Is there ANY scenerio that makes sense for Beltre to come back? I don't think so.

[Palodios]

how about a 1/20 deal where Beltre tries to increase his value by showing the major leagues that he can do it more than once every six years? He makes more money now, the Sox aren't locked up long term, and next year if he actually performs to that level again, teams will give him a much bigger contract without the inconsistency doubts.