2011-2012 Offseason Thread

[seabeachfred]

 

I don't like how this soup smell Fred, at all.

 

Don't want to leave you, 700, Elk, Ex1 or anyone else in the lurch so I will put on my upbeat cap on and say this could work for us next year but a lot of good things have to happen to make it work so we make up for 2011 and get back into the Playoffs.

 

One, no matter how anyone of us slices it, Beckett, Lester and Buchholz must pitch outstanding baseball next season as our "Big Three". They must not only be effective, they must stay in one piece. Health is an absolute necessity for these three if we are to challene for a division title next year.

 

Secondly, we need to hit just as well next season as we did most of this one, and that includes comeback years from Crawford (bat him second) and Youkilis. That would make up for the possibility that Ellsbury and Papi might not duplicate their solid 2011 seasons. If they do, however, more power to us.

 

Thirdly, here is where we might depart in how we go about it. We still haven't settled the compensation for Epstein going to the Cubs. We could initiate talks and carry them over in trade talks for Matt Garza. To me he is the pitcher we need, a proven solid No. 3 or 4, was tough against us and though his record and ERA against the Yankees was not all that great, that is deceiving because when he was bad against them he was really bad and his ERA shot up, but there were game when he pitched very well and beat them. He is AL East experience and would give us four solid starters.

 

Fourth, I hate to say this because of our miserable experience with Penny and Smoltz, Jason Johnson and Kyle Snyder, but a low risk, high reward for a No. 5 might net us some good luck for a change, especially if our hitting is strong. Maybe Miller, maybe Doubrant and then we wouldn't have to sign anybody and concentrate on our bullpen.

 

Fifth and last, despite all this talk about building a bullpen being a crapshoot, under Epstein, it was more crap than shoot. We are due for some luck down there in our pickings. It would be so much better if we had Bard and Aceves down there to give us two credible people at the least. This is where we really need some luck but there are some arms we could go for that would not be prohibitly expensive.

 

Oh yes I still think we are too lefthanded. We need a RH hitting outfielder with some sock.

OK my friends, tear it apart, praise it with reservations, add or subtract from what I said. I'd like to hear some definitive suggestions on these matters from you. Is this plan of mine even workable?

[iortiz]

Don't want to leave you, 700, Elk, Ex1 or anyone else in the lurch so I will put on my upbeat cap on and say this could work for us next year but a lot of good things have to happen to make it work so we make up for 2011 and get back into the Playoffs.

 

One, no matter how anyone of us slices it, Beckett, Lester and Buchholz must pitch outstanding baseball next season as our "Big Three". They must not only be effective, they must stay in one piece. Health is an absolute necessity for these three if we are to challene for a division title next year.

 

Secondly, we need to hit just as well next season as we did most of this one, and that includes comeback years from Crawford (bat him second) and Youkilis. That would make up for the possibility that Ellsbury and Papi might not duplicate their solid 2011 seasons. If they do, however, more power to us.

 

Thirdly, here is where we might depart in how we go about it. We still haven't settled the compensation for Epstein going to the Cubs. We could initiate talks and carry them over in trade talks for Matt Garza. To me he is the pitcher we need, a proven solid No. 3 or 4, was tough against us and though his record and ERA against the Yankees was not all that great, that is deceiving because when he was bad against them he was really bad and his ERA shot up, but there were game when he pitched very well and beat them. He is AL East experience and would give us four solid starters.

 

Fourth, I hate to say this because of our miserable experience with Penny and Smoltz, Jason Johnson and Kyle Snyder, but a low risk, high reward for a No. 5 might net us some good luck for a change, especially if our hitting is strong. Maybe Miller, maybe Doubrant and then we wouldn't have to sign anybody and concentrate on our bullpen.

 

Fifth and last, despite all this talk about building a bullpen being a crapshoot, under Epstein, it was more crap than shoot. We are due for some luck down there in our pickings. It would be so much better if we had Bard and Aceves down there to give us two credible people at the least. This is where we really need some luck but there are some arms we could go for that would not be prohibitly expensive.

 

Oh yes I still think we are too lefthanded. We need a RH hitting outfielder with some sock.

OK my friends, tear it apart, praise it with reservations, add or subtract from what I said. I'd like to hear some definitive suggestions on these matters from you. Is this plan of mine even workable?

 

I'm not sure how this Theo comp could be a key element to get Garza, unless you send some prospects as well.

 

About the BP, still a complete mystery to me what is the damn strategy?

 

Youk and Crawford better comeback.

 

If they don't go over the threshold, who is this RH OF?

 

As you said, this team better works as a clock next year and hope that a lot good things happen.

[jacksonianmarch]

Two things...

 

Every media pundit keeps saying that the sox have $8 million to play with. To me that means one of two things...

 

1. They dont know what they are talking about, that they will soar past the lux tax limit and fill their needs.

 

or

 

2. Cherington is an idiot for putting the ball in Ortiz's hands if he truly cannot exceed the lux tax limit. That leaves $15 mil in the hands of his elderly (in baseball terms) DH and a little more than half that to fill a relief ace role, 2 starting pitching spots and a RFer.

[iortiz]

Two things...

 

Every media pundit keeps saying that the sox have $8 million to play with. To me that means one of two things...

 

1. They dont know what they are talking about, that they will soar past the lux tax limit and fill their needs.

 

or

 

2. Cherington is an idiot for putting the ball in Ortiz's hands if he truly cannot exceed the lux tax limit. That leaves $15 mil in the hands of his elderly (in baseball terms) DH and a little more than half that to fill a relief ace role, 2 starting pitching spots and a RFer.

 

I'm tending to think that it is #2.

 

Hell, why? why? Spend 15 M in a DH who can't even field and leave your #1 prority (pitching) among a lot of good wishes/hopes/ifs? I really don't get it.

[redsoxbeatz]

Red Sox reliever Daniel Bard will have the opporunity to become a member of the starting rotation.

Manager Bobby Valentine said Bard would "get innings as a starter" in spring training and general manager Ben Cherington confirmed, according to WEEI.

"He'll come to camp as a starter," Cherington said. "Daniel knows we’ll do everything we can to help him succeed in that role and ultimately he's ready to do whatever it takes to win games."

Valentine also said Bard would become the closer if things don't pan out in spring training.

"I told him to prepare to be a starter and if that, in fact, does not happen to be ready and willing to be our closer," Valentine said.

 

Bard as a starter? Sounds like code for "We don't have any money left to buy a good starter."

[iortiz]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against Ortiz, but why not fill your #1 priority first and then if there's still money grab your DH.

 

What is wrong from this perspective?

 

Jung, we said that If they sign Ortiz they will likely go over the threshold... Instead, they are moving Bard to the rotation and probably Aceves as well, how should we read this between lines?

[iortiz]

Bard as a starter? Sounds like code for "We don't have any money left to buy a good starter."

 

 

It sounds like a CIA wire.

[jacksonianmarch]

If Bard and Aceves move to the rotation and no major addition is made to the bullpen, you will all be jumping off the Tobin bridge. Nothing like watching your 5-2 leads turn into losses without a shutdown relief corps

[jung]

The scariest thing about the WEEI bulletin is not that Bard will come to spring training as a starter. The scariest bit to the WEEI piece is the part that says that if starting does not work out for Bard he will become the closer.

 

We just found indirectly that there is no plan to bring in Madson or anybody else of consequence as a closer for this team. UNREAL!

[iortiz]

...if starting does not work out for Bard and becomes the closer, who will be the #4? Let's say Aceves... Are they going to prove him as well or what? And again, who will be the #5?

 

This is more unreal, Jung.

[SoxSport]

Maybe Henry is trying to get the FO to sober up after last year's drunken spending spree.

Unfortunately, he should have started by letting Ortiz walk. He's just too soft-hearted.

[redsoxbeatz]

We'll need CC to be playing as his normal +7.5WAR with the same or better production out of everyone else in order to win. Sounds like the Patriots, no defense tons of offense.

[jung]

I don't know if the Sox meant to let slip that there was no plan to bring in a closer that would be better than Bard in that announcement but I suspect that the jury is just about in at this point with regard to the LT cap limit. I don't see any chance of them breaking it at this point because they have now commented directly or indirectly with regard to every part of this team and they have surely made very specific comments with regard to pitching. If they were not going to spend money on pitching, there is little sense in spending it anywhere else.

[mvp 78]

The scariest thing about the WEEI bulletin is not that Bard will come to spring training as a starter. The scariest bit to the WEEI piece is the part that says that if starting does not work out for Bard he will become the closer.

 

We just found indirectly that there is no plan to bring in Madson or anybody else of consequence as a closer for this team. UNREAL!

 

Paps did that one season after closing the year before. Not a big deal. I'm sure there is a backup plan, he's just not on the roster yet, unless it's Aceves.

[jung]

The point is that saying that he will be the closer if starting does not work out, is the same thing as saying they are not going to briing in anybody that would be a better closer than Bard. By default they are saying Bard would be the better closer on the roster but they value him more as a starter.

[Soxfan1]

Maybe we can give Manny some pity AB's to get back some deferred payments?

[BornToRun]

Isn't the whole reason we made Dan a reliever his inability to pitch as a starter?

[a700hitter]

700' date=' the lineup would not work. It wouldn't work because of who is leading off. How much does everyone have to see and have to hear to finally believe that Carl Crawford hates batting leadoff and when he bats in the spot his numbers show it glaringly. Of the many blunders FrancoMa made in, thankfully, his last year as Red Sox skipper was ignoring advice and stories about how much Carl hated the leadoff position and stubbornly putting him there early in the season with extra disastrous results. Joe Maddon said Crawford didn't like leading off, David Martinez said he didn't and even Crawford himself said he'd rather not bad there. Carl's preferred spot is No. 2, and if you say that's where Pedroia has to hit, then those who say Crawford's signing was a mistake are absolutely right. If we want Carl to make a serious comeback next year he must find his comfort zone and that place in No. 2 in the order. If we do trade Ells for a big pitcher, Pedey could hit there, he could hit fourth, he could hit third, he could hit anywhere because it makes no difference to him. Unfortunately it makes a hell of a lot of difference to Crawford and since we are in hock up to our asses with his contract it stands to reason that we try to program to succeed, not fail again. Please guys, no more ******** about Carl batting leadoff. It is a losing proposition.[/quote']Fred, you are probably right about this. Pedroia should hit leadoff if Ellsbury gets traded. Crawford hoits better in the 2 hole. That being said, I still don't like bottom of E1's lineup, unless the Sox can land Beltran and the Cards seem to be all over him.

[a700hitter]

Maybe Henry is trying to get the FO to sober up after last year's drunken spending spree.

Unfortunately, he should have started by letting Ortiz walk. He's just too soft-hearted.

The drunk was shown the door. He's in Chicago now.

[a700hitter]

Don't want to leave you, 700, Elk, Ex1 or anyone else in the lurch so I will put on my upbeat cap on and say this could work for us next year but a lot of good things have to happen to make it work so we make up for 2011 and get back into the Playoffs.

 

One, no matter how anyone of us slices it, Beckett, Lester and Buchholz must pitch outstanding baseball next season as our "Big Three". They must not only be effective, they must stay in one piece. Health is an absolute necessity for these three if we are to challene for a division title next year.

 

Secondly, we need to hit just as well next season as we did most of this one, and that includes comeback years from Crawford (bat him second) and Youkilis. That would make up for the possibility that Ellsbury and Papi might not duplicate their solid 2011 seasons. If they do, however, more power to us.

 

Thirdly, here is where we might depart in how we go about it. We still haven't settled the compensation for Epstein going to the Cubs. We could initiate talks and carry them over in trade talks for Matt Garza. To me he is the pitcher we need, a proven solid No. 3 or 4, was tough against us and though his record and ERA against the Yankees was not all that great, that is deceiving because when he was bad against them he was really bad and his ERA shot up, but there were game when he pitched very well and beat them. He is AL East experience and would give us four solid starters.

 

Fourth, I hate to say this because of our miserable experience with Penny and Smoltz, Jason Johnson and Kyle Snyder, but a low risk, high reward for a No. 5 might net us some good luck for a change, especially if our hitting is strong. Maybe Miller, maybe Doubrant and then we wouldn't have to sign anybody and concentrate on our bullpen.

 

Fifth and last, despite all this talk about building a bullpen being a crapshoot, under Epstein, it was more crap than shoot. We are due for some luck down there in our pickings. It would be so much better if we had Bard and Aceves down there to give us two credible people at the least. This is where we really need some luck but there are some arms we could go for that would not be prohibitly expensive.

 

Oh yes I still think we are too lefthanded. We need a RH hitting outfielder with some sock.

OK my friends, tear it apart, praise it with reservations, add or subtract from what I said. I'd like to hear some definitive suggestions on these matters from you. Is this plan of mine even workable?

Fred, I agree with almost everything in your post. A lot of things need to go right for the Sox this year to be a strong playoff team. We have both been around long enough to know that when you enter a season with lots of "ifs" it almost always turns out bad. The only disagreement I have is with the suggestion to dumpster dive for a 5th starter. That has a low probability of working out. That's why it is not "low risk high reward" like Theo used to like to call it. They are long shots which by their nature are high risk, no matter how little you spend on them. Theo either had a fundamental misunderstanding of investments or he was just deliberately misleading the fan base when he used that completely ignorant term.

[Elktonnick]

Fred' date=' I agree with almost everything in your post. A lot of things need to go right for the Sox this year to be a strong playoff team. We have both been around long enough to know that when you enter a season with lots of "ifs" it almost always turns out bad. The only disagreement I have is with the suggestion to dumpster dive for a 5th starter. That has a low probability of working out. That's why it is not "low risk high reward" like Theo used to like to call it. They are long shots which by their nature are high risk, no matter how little you spend on them. Theo either had a fundamental misunderstanding of investments or he was just deliberately misleading the fan base when hje used that completely ignorant term.[/quote']

 

I also agree with Fred's post. The issue for me is that I don't see Ben being up to the challenge of filling the holes. I see no way of getting either a 4th or 5th starter, assuming Bard and Aceves both aren't moved into the rotation, without dealing a Youklis. If the lux tax were such an issue then why re-sign Ortiz. Their moves so far this off season don't add up. Their strategy when it comes to pitching appears to be quantity over quality hoping for some one to exceed expectations. They aren't going to keep diehard fans like us on the reservation with moves like that.

[Meh]

Here's some ideas....

 

Trades:

 

 

Trade Josh Beckett and Jed Lowrie to the Rangers for Koji Uehara, Mark Lowe, Scott Feldman and Julio Borbon

 

Trade Josh Reddick, Anthony Ranaudo and PTBNL(Matt Barnes) for Andrew Bailey

 

Trade Micheal Bowden for Joe Saunders

 

Free agent signings;

 

Carlos Beltran 3/39

 

Ivan Rodriguez 1/4

 

Arbitration raises:

 

Jacoby Ellsbury $8M

Jarrod Saltalamacchia $1.6M

Mike Aviles $1.4M

Franklin Morales $975K

Rich Hill $750K

Matt Albers $1.1M

Alfredo Aceves $2M

Daniel Bard $1.8M

 

Line up:

 

Jacoby Ellsbury CF

Dustin Pedroia 2B

Adrian Gonzalez 1B

David Ortiz DH

Carlos Beltran RF

Kevin Youkilis 3B

Salty C

Scutaro SS

Carl Crawford LF

 

Rotation:

 

Lester

Buchholz

Saunders

Aceves

Feldman

 

Bullpen:

C- Bailey

8th- Bard

7th- Uehara

7th- Lowe

RH- Jenks

LH-Morales

Long man - Hill/Miller

 

Bench

 

Pudge

Aviles

Laranway

Borbon

 

 

Justification:

 

 

First letting Beckett go might be best for Lester. He's a bad seed. Getting maximun value for Beckett now might be best and given his large salary and long term deal will be good to unload. Creates payroll space to plug other holes. Rangers get a hometown hero and a nice #2 pitcher who could slot in behind Holland and maybe even Darvish. Red Sox get to add death to their bullpen in Uehara and Lowe. The depth will not be overlooked come August and September. Games become 6 innings with the reworked bullpen. Also looking for rebound from Feldman and Bourbon.

 

 

Second adding a low salary closer like Bailey is key. Beane will not give him away but the nice thing about Billy is he sees value at all levels. I'd try to protect Bogarts and Middlebrooks but sacrafice Barnes. Reddick will give them a RF to plug into their offense until they find a better bat. Selling high on Ranaudo was key for me as well, before he turns into Brackman V2.

 

 

Taking a gamble with Saunders in basically a salary dump. Bowden gives the D-Backs someone they can toss into their bullpen and Saunders gives the Red Sox a chance to compete with their offense every 5th day.

 

 

Beltran was key in moving Beckett for me. Adding a bat like his would do wonders for the Sox and gives instant depth the lineup has been lacking.

 

Pudge is just a move to mentor Salty and Ryan. I see a three team trio handling the duties behind the plate. As well as a three team trio at DH with Ortiz, Lavarnway and Youk

 

 

The bullpen becomes one of the best in the league and rivals even the Yankees and now depleted Rangers. The rotation lacks firepower but I'd look towards the deadline to make a deal for Wandy Rodriguez or perhaps John Danks if the Sox sell him then. The bench looks interesting to me. Borbon is a super sub out there. Could run for the catchers, Ortiz, Youk or Beltran late in innings.

 

I really like this team and think the trades are realistic compared to others I've seen. Remember people aren't going to give away talent for the people you don't want. I did all the time when I was younger. I'd have Alba, Kennedy, Karstens, Betemit, DeSalvo, TJ Beam, etc in every one of my trade offers. Every teams fan base does it. I remember saying Hughes, Betemit, Karstens and Horne for Matt Holiday and Manny Corpas and trying to justify it haha.

[commenter]

Here's some ideas....

 

Trades:

 

 

Trade Josh Beckett and Jed Lowrie to the Rangers for Koji Uehara, Mark Lowe, Scott Feldman and Julio Borbon

 

Trade Josh Reddick, Anthony Ranaudo and PTBNL(Matt Barnes) for Andrew Bailey

 

Trade Micheal Bowden for Joe Saunders

 

Free agent signings;

 

Carlos Beltran 3/39

 

Ivan Rodriguez 1/4

 

Arbitration raises:

 

Jacoby Ellsbury $8M

Jarrod Saltalamacchia $1.6M

Mike Aviles $1.4M

Franklin Morales $975K

Rich Hill $750K

Matt Albers $1.1M

Alfredo Aceves $2M

Daniel Bard $1.8M

 

Line up:

 

Jacoby Ellsbury CF

Dustin Pedroia 2B

Adrian Gonzalez 1B

David Ortiz DH

Carlos Beltran RF

Kevin Youkilis 3B

Salty C

Scutaro SS

Carl Crawford LF

 

Rotation:

 

Lester

Buchholz

Saunders

Aceves

Feldman

 

Bullpen:

C- Bailey

8th- Bard

7th- Uehara

7th- Lowe

RH- Jenks

LH-Morales

Long man - Hill/Miller

 

Bench

 

Pudge

Aviles

Laranway

Borbon

 

 

Justification:

 

 

First letting Beckett go might be best for Lester. He's a bad seed. Getting maximun value for Beckett now might be best and given his large salary and long term deal will be good to unload. Creates payroll space to plug other holes. Rangers get a hometown hero and a nice #2 pitcher who could slot in behind Holland and maybe even Darvish. Red Sox get to add death to their bullpen in Uehara and Lowe. The depth will not be overlooked come August and September. Games become 6 innings with the reworked bullpen. Also looking for rebound from Feldman and Bourbon.

 

 

Second adding a low salary closer like Bailey is key. Beane will not give him away but the nice thing about Billy is he sees value at all levels. I'd try to protect Bogarts and Middlebrooks but sacrafice Barnes. Reddick will give them a RF to plug into their offense until they find a better bat. Selling high on Ranaudo was key for me as well, before he turns into Brackman V2.

 

 

Taking a gamble with Saunders in basically a salary dump. Bowden gives the D-Backs someone they can toss into their bullpen and Saunders gives the Red Sox a chance to compete with their offense every 5th day.

 

 

Beltran was key in moving Beckett for me. Adding a bat like his would do wonders for the Sox and gives instant depth the lineup has been lacking.

 

Pudge is just a move to mentor Salty and Ryan. I see a three team trio handling the duties behind the plate. As well as a three team trio at DH with Ortiz, Lavarnway and Youk

 

 

The bullpen becomes one of the best in the league and rivals even the Yankees and now depleted Rangers. The rotation lacks firepower but I'd look towards the deadline to make a deal for Wandy Rodriguez or perhaps John Danks if the Sox sell him then. The bench looks interesting to me. Borbon is a super sub out there. Could run for the catchers, Ortiz, Youk or Beltran late in innings.

 

I really like this team and think the trades are realistic compared to others I've seen. Remember people aren't going to give away talent for the people you don't want. I did all the time when I was younger. I'd have Alba, Kennedy, Karstens, Betemit, DeSalvo, TJ Beam, etc in every one of my trade offers. Every teams fan base does it. I remember saying Hughes, Betemit, Karstens and Horne for Matt Holiday and Manny Corpas and trying to justify it haha.

 

1. Why would you trade the Red Sox #1 or #2 pitcher for mediocre relief pitchers & Julio Burbon? Even with his attitude, you could get a lot more for him than Koji Uehara (1 year left on his deal), Mark Lowe (not that great of a pitcher), Scott Feldman (really a reliever with a injury history) and Julio Burbon (not that great either).

 

2. Overpayment for Andrew Bailey. He's a relief pitcher, that's all. So you're trading away the 2 best pitching prospects in the Red Sox system for a relief pitcher? Hah, funny. That's the future of the rotation you're trading away. Lester and Buchholz's contracts are up in a few years and while they may re-sign them, they're going to need replacements in case.

 

3. Eh. He's too expensive. Most likely will make $9 million next year & that'd put the team over the luxury cap.

 

4. Beltran is old & the offense is fine anyway. He's also too expensive & would put the team over the luxury cap.

 

5. Rodriquez? Eh.

 

You think Wandy Rodriquez could pitch in the AL East the same way Beckett did? You think the Red Sox are going to trade for half a year of Danks when they wouldn't get draft pick compensation if he left? You think they're going to extend him when they already have a ton of money tied up into Lester, Buchholz, Beckett, Dice-K & Lackey to go over the luxury cap next year?

 

And you think Ortiz is going to "share" the DH? He whined when he was sat in 2009. He's not going to be sharing it with Youkilis & Lavarnway. If they were going to do that, he wouldn't have been re-signed because what else is he doing for $14 million next year besides hitting?

[seabeachfred]

Fred' date=' you are probably right about this. Pedroia should hit leadoff if Ellsbury gets traded. Crawford hoits better in the 2 hole. That being said, I still don't like bottom of E1's lineup, unless the Sox can land Beltran and the Cards seem to be all over him.[/quote']

 

I don't like the bottom of that lineup either 700, and I would guess it doesn't pass muster with a lot of people on this board. I'm still perplexed why we wouldn't go after Cuddyer and help ourselves to a RH hitter who eats lefties alive and gives you good production. I would also put in a plug for Ryan Lavarnway but with Ortiz stupidly resigned he might be on the outside looking in unless his catching improves so much that he supplants Jarrod behind the plate. Well maybe Salty will have a better year an Scutaro will be solid because right now it looks like that's the way we'll be going.

 

Know what I can't understand my friend? Next year is the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park and the front office is acting like it's writing off the season. Unless everything breaks t he way I laid it out in one of my posts last night we could be is some trouble next season. I keep thinking Fenway opened up in 1912 and the Red Sox won a World Series and wouldn't it be great to celebrate its centennial with another one? I guess it's might start to be looking like a pipe dream. Maybe the FO has a secret plan none of us know about. RIGHT!!!!!!!

[a700hitter]

I don't like the bottom of that lineup either 700, and I would guess it doesn't pass muster with a lot of people on this board. I'm still perplexed why we wouldn't go after Cuddyer and help ourselves to a RH hitter who eats lefties alive and gives you good production. I would also put in a plug for Ryan Lavarnway but with Ortiz stupidly resigned he might be on the outside looking in unless his catching improves so much that he supplants Jarrod behind the plate. Well maybe Salty will have a better year an Scutaro will be solid because right now it looks like that's the way we'll be going.

 

Know what I can't understand my friend? Next year is the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park and the front office is acting like it's writing off the season. Unless everything breaks t he way I laid it out in one of my posts last night we could be is some trouble next season. I keep thinking Fenway opened up in 1912 and the Red Sox won a World Series and wouldn't it be great to celebrate its centennial with another one? I guess it's might start to be looking like a pipe dream. Maybe the FO has a secret plan none of us know about. RIGHT!!!!!!!

If they are thinking of getting through this season on the basis of a year long celebration of Fenway's 100th birthday, that will not go over well with the fans if they don't build a team to win in 2012.

[seabeachfred]

1. Why would you trade the Red Sox #1 or #2 pitcher for mediocre relief pitchers & Julio Burbon? Even with his attitude, you could get a lot more for him than Koji Uehara (1 year left on his deal), Mark Lowe (not that great of a pitcher), Scott Feldman (really a reliever with a injury history) and Julio Burbon (not that great either).

 

2. Overpayment for Andrew Bailey. He's a relief pitcher, that's all. So you're trading away the 2 best pitching prospects in the Red Sox system for a relief pitcher? Hah, funny. That's the future of the rotation you're trading away. Lester and Buchholz's contracts are up in a few years and while they may re-sign them, they're going to need replacements in case.

 

3. Eh. He's too expensive. Most likely will make $9 million next year & that'd put the team over the luxury cap.

 

4. Beltran is old & the offense is fine anyway. He's also too expensive & would put the team over the luxury cap.

 

5. Rodriquez? Eh.

 

You think Wandy Rodriquez could pitch in the AL East the same way Beckett did? You think the Red Sox are going to trade for half a year of Danks when they wouldn't get draft pick compensation if he left? You think they're going to extend him when they already have a ton of money tied up into Lester, Buchholz, Beckett, Dice-K & Lackey to go over the luxury cap next year?

 

And you think Ortiz is going to "share" the DH? He whined when he was sat in 2009. He's not going to be sharing it with Youkilis & Lavarnway. If they were going to do that, he wouldn't have been re-signed because what else is he doing for $14 million next year besides hitting?

 

Well Commenter, you hit Meh's suggestions pretty hard and you might find the one I put down a little less to your liking as well. Well it's your turn---and, please, believe it that I do NOT mean that sarcastically. This is the time of year we can pretend to me GM's and apparently you have some ideas and I would like to hear your suggestions. I get the impression that while a few of us suggest patience and caution there are a lot of us who want to see some action from our semi-comatose GM. So, it's your turn. What would you do?

[Meh]

1. Why would you trade the Red Sox #1 or #2 pitcher for mediocre relief pitchers & Julio Burbon? Even with his attitude, you could get a lot more for him than Koji Uehara (1 year left on his deal), Mark Lowe (not that great of a pitcher), Scott Feldman (really a reliever with a injury history) and Julio Burbon (not that great either).

 

2. Overpayment for Andrew Bailey. He's a relief pitcher, that's all. So you're trading away the 2 best pitching prospects in the Red Sox system for a relief pitcher? Hah, funny. That's the future of the rotation you're trading away. Lester and Buchholz's contracts are up in a few years and while they may re-sign them, they're going to need replacements in case.

 

3. Eh. He's too expensive. Most likely will make $9 million next year & that'd put the team over the luxury cap.

 

4. Beltran is old & the offense is fine anyway. He's also too expensive & would put the team over the luxury cap.

 

5. Rodriquez? Eh.

 

You think Wandy Rodriquez could pitch in the AL East the same way Beckett did? You think the Red Sox are going to trade for half a year of Danks when they wouldn't get draft pick compensation if he left? You think they're going to extend him when they already have a ton of money tied up into Lester, Buchholz, Beckett, Dice-K & Lackey to go over the luxury cap next year?

 

And you think Ortiz is going to "share" the DH? He whined when he was sat in 2009. He's not going to be sharing it with Youkilis & Lavarnway. If they were going to do that, he wouldn't have been re-signed because what else is he doing for $14 million next year besides hitting?

 

Well first Ortiz would get about 75% of that DH time. Youk 10 and Larva 15-ish.

 

Second Well I don't think Danks will be there at the off season. I believe he'll be traded but I just used him as an example.

 

1. You're not going to get more for Beckett than that. He's going to be 32 and be making 17 million for the next three years. Uehara is actually a good RP... he's also a lefty and the market is sky high right now for 'em. Lowe is also a good power arm.

 

2. Thats the type of return Billy will be looking for. If you're counting on Ranuado to be a fixture in your rotation then I'm sorry and I really mean that.

 

4. Beltran... hmm almost all the Red Sox fans have been jizzing their pants at the thought of him. I guess you're not one of them haha.

 

5. I was just looking around for a 3rd catcher, someone who can teach your two young catchers.

[commenter]

Well Commenter' date=' you hit Meh's suggestions pretty hard and you might find the one I put down a little less to your liking as well. Well it's your turn---and, please, believe it that I do NOT mean that sarcastically. This is the time of year we can pretend to me GM's and apparently you have some ideas and I would like to hear your suggestions. I get the impression that while a few of us suggest patience and caution there are a lot of us who want to see some action from our semi-comatose GM. So, it's your turn. What would you do?[/quote']

 

They could trade for Bailey, but not overpay for him. Cahill cost Parker (a better pitcher than anyone in the Red Sox system as of right now), Cowgill (not great to me from what I've seen but could be something), and a reliever. Getting Bailey wouldn't cost 2 top pitching prospect (in the Red Sox system at least) & Reddick. He's a relief pitcher, that's all. Especially one with injury history.

 

Beckett is their #2 best pitcher in theory (sometimes #1, sometimes less like in 2010). Trading him away for mediocre relief pitchers & Julio Burbon with no one of his caliber seems short sighted. I know he has attitude problems but pitching is the main problem. So unless they can replace him (and not with Joe Saunders, Feldman, Wandy or Danks) then trading him to Texas for that group seems like their making an emotional decision. Even with his problems, they could get a better return for him than that in this pitching market.

 

I have no idea what they're going to do. I would have said a few weeks ago to start by not offering arbitration to Ortiz, but they did that & that pretty much boxed them in now.

 

I'm perfectly fine waiting for them to make their moves though. I have no idea what they're doing because if they were so concerned with the luxury cap, I have no idea why they offered Ortiz arbitration.

[commenter]

Well first Ortiz would get about 75% of that DH time. Youk 10 and Larva 15-ish.

 

Second Well I don't think Danks will be there at the off season. I believe he'll be traded but I just used him as an example.

 

1. You're not going to get more for Beckett than that. He's going to be 32 and be making 17 million for the next three years. Uehara is actually a good RP... he's also a lefty and the market is sky high right now for 'em. Lowe is also a good power arm.

 

2. Thats the type of return Billy will be looking for. If you're counting on Ranuado to be a fixture in your rotation then I'm sorry and I really mean that.

 

4. Beltran... hmm almost all the Red Sox fans have been jizzing their pants at the thought of him. I guess you're not one of them haha.

 

5. I was just looking around for a 3rd catcher, someone who can teach your two young catchers.

 

2. I'm not counting on Ranaudo for anything. But Trevor Cahill, a young starting pitcher with a pretty good contract cost a top pitching prospect, a relief pitcher and an outfielder. So you think a relief pitcher with an injury history is going to cost 2 top pitching prospects (in the Red Sox system at least) and Reddick. That just makes no sense.

 

4. I'd be fine if they got him. But he'd have to DH & Ortiz whines to much for him to do that. Plus I'm pretty sure he said last year he did not want to DH.

 

5. I'd be fine with Pudge, I mean anyone can be better than Varitek.

[a700hitter]

We are coming up on the middle of December. When are the Sox going to do something?