2011-2012 Offseason Thread

[a700hitter]

Agent: 'It would be shame' if Wakefield didn't return to Red Sox

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

 

MILWAUKEE — Tim Wakefield's agent issued what amounted to a challenge to the Red Sox this afternoon. Barry Meister said that if the Red Sox don't bring the 45-year-old knuckleballer back, "he's going to win 15 games somewhere else."

 

"Tim's going to play again, absolutely," Meister said in the lobby of the Pfister Hotel. "I hope it's with Boston and I've expressed that to them. I feel strongly that he can pitch and pitch effectively whether it's in a starter's role or in that hybrid role. I just think if he didn't pitch for the Boston Red Sox it would be a shame. If not, we've got a lot of teams that have called and we're entertaining their offers."

 

The Sox, according to Meister, are focusing on their search for a manager and will deal with Wakefield later on.

 

Wakefield was 7-8 with a 5.12 ERA in 33 games (23 starts) last season. He was 2-5, 5.55 after the All-Star break. Wakefield is 11-18, 5.22 over the last two seasons.

 

"He loves being a Red Sock and he loves being a baseball player," Meister said. "If for some reason they don't feel like he can play, well he's going to win 15 games somewhere else and show them that, once again, they've underestimated him."

 

Wakefield last won 15 games in 2007.

 

"He loves Boston," Meister said. "Whether it's his charity or The Jimmy Fund, this is his community and he feels like he can help this club. He feels like he has unfinished business."

 

In what sense?

 

"He wants to win. He wants to put another ring on his finger. He wants a parade. He's from Boston now. He lives there. He feels pretty strongly about it," Meister said.

 

Wakefield has been with the Red Sox for 17 seasons and has won 186 games, six shy of tying Cy Young and Roger Clemens for the franchise record.

Speaking for myself, it would be a shame if Wakefield kept playing. He will hurt his legacy and the teams prospects in 2012. Time to hang'em up Timmay. There's nothing left in the tank.

[User Name]

From MLBTRaderumors:

 

Recent White Sox notes...

 

GM Kenny Williams won't rule out the possibility of trading both Gavin Floyd and John Danks, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The White Sox GM said he's continuing to lay the groundwork for next month's Winter Meetings, but that some of his fellow GMs are employing a more direct approach this week .

 

"We're not going to make moves unless we get an impact player or impact-type prospects, guys who are close to being ready," Williams explained to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune. Williams has received at least one surprising trade proposal in Milwaukee at the GM Meetings. Danks, Floyd, and Carlos Quentin could be hot commodities around the game.

 

Quentin is fully recovered from a late-season shoulder injury, agent Brodie Van Wagenen told Gonzales. The 29-year-old right fielder is under team control for one more year, and we project him to earn around $6.6MM in 2012.

[FredLynn]

A fit and healthy (touch wood) Buchholz will feel like a new signing.

 

Don't count on him being "fit and healthy". Back problems tend to be recurrent. Once your back acts up once that chances if it happening again are much higher than someone with no history of back problems.

[User Name]

It was a stress fracture though, which is usually not a recurrent problem as far as i'm concerned.

[FredLynn]

It was a stress fracture though' date=' which is usually not a recurrent problem as far as i'm concerned.[/quote']

 

It was, and you are right if thats all that was wrong. I am not confident that we were ever given the full story by the incompetent medical staff the team had, which is now fired-if they even knew the full story.

[a700hitter]

It was' date=' and you are right if thats all that was wrong. I am not confident that we were ever given the full story by the incompetent medical staff the team had, which is now fired-if they even knew the full story.[/quote']And if we don't know what caused the stress fracture, we can't be sure it won't recur. If the fracture was caused by his natural delivery, I am concerned that he could have the issue recur. If it had been caused by a collision or other impact, I would be more confident that it wouldn't recur.

[iortiz]

Speaking for myself' date=' it would be a shame if Wakefield kept playing. He will hurt his legacy and the teams prospects in 2012. Time to hang'em up Timmay. There's nothing left in the tank.[/quote']

 

Timmy's agent is definitely a mercenary.

 

It's clear that Wake is done.

[a700hitter]

Roy Oswalt on outs with Phillies, may be possibility for Red Sox

MILWAUKEE — Last week, the Red Sox watched closer Jonathan Papelbon walk to Philadelphia. In the right scenario, Phillies starter Roy Oswalt could be a fit for the Red Sox.

 

Speaking during the GM meetings here, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said of Oswalt, “I don’t know if he’s going to be able to fit with what we’re trying to do.” The Phillies must address their shortstop situation (Jimmy Rollins is a free agent) and already have Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Vance Worley and Joe Blanton under contract in their star-studded starting rotation.

 

Likewise, the free-agent market for starting pitching is shallow. Left-handers C.J. Wilson and Mark Buehrle are widely considered the top pitchers on the market, and several teams are waiting to see if Japanese star Yu Darvish to be posted. A baseball source has confirmed a WEEI.com report that the Red Sox are set to meet tonight with Bob Garber, the agent for both Wilson and Oswalt. And while it’s unlikely the Red Sox will compete for Wilson, Oswalt may be a possibility if he’s open to a short-term (two-year?) contract.

 

Oswalt, 34, went 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA in 23 starts for the Phillies this season. He missed time in July with a back injury and went 5-4 with a 3.59 ERA down the stretch, allowing 76 hits and 15 walks in 67-2/3 innings.

I am not in favor of this. Oswalt has been injury prone, and he can no longer go deep into games in the NL. The AL East would eat him up IMO.

[iortiz]

I am not in favor of this. Oswalt has been injury prone' date=' and he can no longer go deep into games in the NL. The AL East would eat him up IMO.[/quote']

 

That is exactly what we need to avoid this 2012 offseason. Beyond the name, position or contract type. We have to learn from last 3 years.

 

We shouldn't bring players who are likely injury prone.

[mvp 78]

I am not in favor of this. Oswalt has been injury prone' date=' and he can no longer go deep into games in the NL. The AL East would eat him up IMO.[/quote']

 

As a 5th starter and short money ok. Multi year deal and high expectations? No thanks.

[a700hitter]

As a 5th starter and short money ok. Multi year deal and high expectations? No thanks.

I don't think we can get him for short money.

[iortiz]

Here's your RH OF gentlemen.

 

I'm not sure if you guys already see this, if no, check this video out.

 

I wonder whether our team trained like this the last three years.

 

BTW, his physical conditioning is quite impresive.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/15402/sox-to-hold-private-workout-with-cespedes

[example1]

Here's your RH OF gentlemen.

 

I'm not sure if you guys already see this, if no, check this video out.

 

I wonder whether our team trained like this the last three years.

 

BTW, quite impressive Cespedes' physical condition.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/15402/sox-to-hold-private-workout-with-cespedes

 

I posted that a few days ago. It's hilarious. I hope they take a serious look at the guy. He could be an interesting option in RF, especially if he's "only" $30m over 5 or 6 years. That's a good salary for someone who hasn't been an American professional before. Lots of teams are intersted.

 

The video is really, really silly. People should note the difference between the "sailing away" (or whatever it was called) silly '80s song, and the rap song about banging ladies in the behind.

 

The writer at Baseball Prospectus noted how absurd it was for Cespedes' agents to think that a baseball owner wouldn't be at least a little thrown off by the Busta Rhymes (I think that's who it was.. could be wrong) and the lewd imagery.

 

Anyway, I hope they look at him seriously.

[iortiz]

I posted that a few days ago. It's hilarious. I hope they take a serious look at the guy. He could be an interesting option in RF, especially if he's "only" $30m over 5 or 6 years. That's a good salary for someone who hasn't been an American professional before. Lots of teams are intersted.

 

The video is really, really silly. People should note the difference between the "sailing away" (or whatever it was called) silly '80s song, and the rap song about banging ladies in the behind.

 

The writer at Baseball Prospectus noted how absurd it was for Cespedes' agents to think that a baseball owner wouldn't be at least a little thrown off by the Busta Rhymes (I think that's who it was.. could be wrong) and the lewd imagery.

 

Anyway, I hope they look at him seriously.

 

+1

 

BTW A question E1, do you say physical condition or physical conditioning... I think I wrote it in the wrong way, didn't I?

[example1]

BTW A question E1, do you say physical condition or physical conditioning... I think I wrote it in the wrong way, didn't I?

 

You could say "his physical conditioning is quite impressive" (which I would take to mean his workout routine)

 

or

 

You could say "his physical condition is quite impressive" (which I would take to mean that he is a very conditioned person)

 

There's probably other ways to say it too.

[iortiz]

You could say "his physical conditioning is quite impressive" (which I would take to mean his workout routine)

 

or

 

You could say "his physical condition is quite impressive" (which I would take to mean that he is a very conditioned person)

 

There's probably other ways to say it too.

 

 

Thank you.

[Laser Show]

I'd be down for signing this guy, but we have a lot of competition.

 

I'd also offer Buehrle a 3/45, move Aceves to the rotation, and try to sign K Rod to a 3/21.

[redsoxfan3]

I'd be down for signing this guy, but we have a lot of competition.

 

I'd also offer Buehrle a 3/45, move Aceves to the rotation, and try to sign K Rod to a 3/21.

 

I agree with Buehrle and Aceves, but personally I would love to see us sign Heath Bell. Bell has even been talking about potentially teaming up with Gonzalez again. I don't mind K-Rod at all, but I guess it just depends on their asking prices. I would also love to see us get Buehrle and then one other SP to add some depth. I would love for Aceves to be given the chance to start, but I would also like for us to sign one more or trade for one more SP to get some pitching depth. I really hope we don't sign Wake again, even though his agent is playing the guilt card with the Red Sox. This is a business, he should officially be done here. Also, if Aceves competes for the starting job and doesn't win it, the worst case scenario is that he ends up in the pen as one of our most reliable relievers.

[a700hitter]

I'd be down for signing this guy, but we have a lot of competition.

 

I'd also offer Buehrle a 3/45, move Aceves to the rotation, and try to sign K Rod to a 3/21.

I could live with this plan. I like KRod much better than Bell. KRod is still young. He should have 3 good years left in his arm. I like Buehrle a lot. He is very consistent and to have a 3.83 career ERA after all his innings is impressive especially pitching in the AL in a hitters park.

[seabeachfred]

I could live with this plan as well, but a red flag jumped out at me this morning in the papers. In 2013 there will be 30 Inter-League games and dispersed throughout the season. That is another big reason we must NOT SIGN DAVID ORTIZ. It would clutter up and disjoint our lineup and I don't want to see Adrian Gonzales benched or put in the outfield. If we do make a mistake and sign Papi it has TO BE FOR ONE SEASON ONLY, NO OPTION. We have to clear the decks so that by 2013 we are not lugged down with a situation that is untenable. Buerhle and Bell? Sounds fine with me if we can throw in Cuddyer for RF and a couple of other relievers who can get the job done for us.

[Bellhorn04]

I could live with this plan as well' date=' but a red flag jumped out at me this morning in the papers. In 2013 there will be 30 Inter-League games and dispersed throughout the season. That is another big reason we must NOT SIGN DAVID ORTIZ. It would clutter up and disjoint our lineup and I don't want to see Adrian Gonzales benched or put in the outfield.[/quote']

 

30 interleague games? Man, that's terrible.

 

And why not just go ahead and abolish the DH if they're going to do that.

[User Name]

I still don't understand the fascination with Cuddyer. He's good, but there are other options. He's also a 33-year-old looking for a three year deal. Don't want any part of that.

[FredLynn]

I'd be down for signing this guy, but we have a lot of competition.

 

I'd also offer Buehrle a 3/45, move Aceves to the rotation, and try to sign K Rod to a 3/21.

 

I don't see the Red Sox signing anyone of Beuhrle's caliber and cost this year. There is simply too much money already allocated to SP right now. Cherington has intimated as much.

Not to mention that his career BAA/OPSa vs the NYY are .333/.871 respectively.

Furthermore, the list of potential FA pitchers for the 2013 season includes Cain, Greinke, Hamels, and Shields among others. I would wait until that year to sign another top tier SP.

[jung]

I don't see how you go past 2 years and a club option if you are going to consider Cuddyer.

[SoxSport]

I don't see them in the running for Buerhle or Wilson. Too much $$. To stay below $160 mil, they will have to get somebody on the cheap. And to get another decent RHd OF bat, they may have to let Papi go.

 

Epstein's spending spree the last 2 years--especially Crawford--has limited their options unless they want to go into Yankee luxury tax territory.

[jung]

If I am not mistake the tax limit for 2011 was $172 expected to go to $186 for 2012 pending the new CBA. However your point about the tax is accurate, Soxsport. The Red Sox have no interest in crossing the 2012 tax threshold limit.

 

I do expect the Phils to get over the threshold for 2012 and the Yanks have been stuck there for several years. The earliest they might have a shot at coming in under the threshold might be 2013.

[Meh]

The 40 man roster has to be set tomrrow for the rule 5 draft. Any guesses who the Sox will add?

[wyo-sox]

What was Aceves era as a reliever compared to his era as a starter? I hear lots of comments about moving him to the rotation. I think he is incredibly valuable and proven as an asset out of the bullpen. Seems like he lost lots of control after pitching for a while as a starter last year.

[User Name]

Career 2.62 to 4.18 reliever/starter.

[SoxSport]

I'm hearing Papi is signing with the Blue Jays. That means Beltran to Boston.