2011-2012 Offseason Thread

[a700hitter]

If the Red Sox don't get another starting pitcher' date=' I will join you in the "let's all panic!!!!" crowd. Seriously, it is a huge need, and I just can't seriously think they spent 20 mill this offseason, and completely disregarded what they simply could not do without.[/quote']That's what I have been saying all along. A RH OF er would be nice to have but not critical. A starting pitcher that can be penciled in for 180-200 innings is a big need. As the days click off the calendar, I am getting increasingly nervous that they might not get one.

[FredLynn]

If the Red Sox don't get another starting pitcher' date=' I will join you in the "let's all panic!!!!" crowd. Seriously, it is a huge need, and I just can't seriously think they spent 20 mill this offseason, and completely disregarded what they simply could not do without.[/quote']

 

Nobody is panicking here. Its early. Nor are the realists here saying that everything is just fine yet.

They could still do what they need to do to make the team better (not that I think thats what they should do this year-I think they should fix the clubhouse and reset the tax so they can spend next year). If they get another good SP and another good arm for the pen they could be right badk in the thick of things.

[a700hitter]

I imagine a rotation and pen with the aquisition of Kuroda would look something like this

 

Beckett

Lester

Buchholz

Kuroda

Doubrant

 

Bailey

Bard

Aceves

Melancon

Morales

Albers

Miller/Jenks/Bowden/Atchinson

 

I thinks also that Zumaya or Harden would be excellent acquisitions if we could get both of them on incentive laden contracts.

 

a700 would this be an improvement on last years rotation and pen?

No argument with this. I'd rather have Doubront in the pen as a swing man with Bard in the rotation to start the season. If Bard bombs in the rotation, then i try Doubront.

[a700hitter]

I think we have the makings of a rare consensus on TalkSox-- that we need another established starter. Ben Cher, take not. We can't all be wrong.

[iortiz]

If the Red Sox don't get another starting pitcher' date=' I will join you in the "let's all panic!!!!" crowd. Seriously, it is a huge need, and I just can't seriously think they spent 20 mill this offseason, and completely disregarded what they simply could not do without.[/quote']

 

I don't know if I'm going to panic but you bet that I'm going to have a lot of question marks and concerns.

[a700hitter]

I don't know if I'm going to panic but you bet that I'm going to have a lot of question marks and concerns.

I won't panic, but I will be disappointed.

[iortiz]

I won't panic' date=' but I will be disappointed.[/quote']

 

In Mexico, MLB baseball is not a big deal. Almost all my friends are soccer fans. Soccer here is a serious thing. On the other hand, You surly have a lot of friends who are NY fans. Another failure in a row won't be easy to deal with in your environment.

[a700hitter]

In Mexico' date=' MLB baseball is not a big deal. Almost all my friends are soccer fans. Soccer here is a serious thing. On the other hand, You surly have a lot of friends who are NY fans. Another failure in a row won't be easy to deal with in your environment.[/quote']It would cause me problems with several members of my family.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Something I didn't really think of -

 

If we start the season with Bard in the rotation, it may very well be a situation where he is a SP for the 1st half of the season, and then we acquire someone at the deadline, and move Bard to the bullpen where we can kind of cool him down in terms of innings.

 

So go into the season with Bard as your 5th man, see if anyone in the farm kind of breaks out and builds value, and then make a run at an established SP. You help your rotation AND your bullpen out with 1 move, Bard doesn't have to throw more than around 90 IP as a SP, and then about 30 as a RP and he's at 120 on the year rather than 150.

 

I wouldn't mind that route at all.

[VA Sox Fan]

A big jerk at 51 posts.

 

Be sure to put him on ignore

[a700hitter]

Be sure to put him on ignore

Only Dutchy goes on ignore. If he's Dutchy, he'll out himself.

[seabeachfred]

I would imagine that some of these guys' date=' after battling it out in spring training for the depth role, that at least a few of them will either be stashed away in the minors, or even released. I can't see the Sox keeping all of these guys around, especially when all of their contracts are chump change, and it would barely cost anything to cut them out if we get any better options down the road.[/quote']

 

That's very true RedNC84 but some will make the team and a few of them may be called on to pitch if any one of our "Big Three" go down, which seems almost inevitable if past history is called into account. What then? I mean not one of these stiffs looks to have any ability to win even a couple of games for us, a la Kyle Weiland? Remember him? I could see my way clear to some of these signings if we had taken care of business and gotten that solid starter we need so badly along with another decent reliever but all we've seen so far is one stiff being signed after another. It is almost like Cherry Cola is throwing this trash against the wall and see if some of it would stick and that isn't the way to go because one of the things I know that sticks against the wall is horse s***.

[VA Sox Fan]

thanks' date=' I tried the "the cup is half empty" for a couple of posts, but it doesn't fit me. It looks like I'll stand out from the Majority on this board.[/quote']

 

The "cup is half empty" entourage is not really the majority out here. It'll get better closer to Spring Training. I understand negativity and criticism but not constantly and consistently. It's boring. So is constant optimism. Find a balance folks. If we listened to and bought into the naysayers, we'd go crazy.

 

Not one person on this board knows how the 2012 season will begin or end. Regardless, I'll be there for every moment of it.

 

Pardon my optimism without hard facts to back it.

[VA Sox Fan]

Only Dutchy goes on ignore. If he's Dutchy' date=' he'll out himself.[/quote']

 

Username? is not Dutchy, I assure you. Has Username? really pm'd you?

[seabeachfred]

Ah, geeze! With the rumors of Red Sox pitchers drinking in the clubhouse, I bet ol' Vincente begged Boston management for a shot at making the club.

 

Back in 2002, Peter Gammons reported that a pitcher got too drunk in the clubhouse during the All-Star game to pitch. Rumors circulated that the pitcher was Padilla. When he was abruptly released by the Rangers a few years ago, it was rumored to be because of his drinking.

 

What was it Abraham Lincoln supposedly said when questioned about U.S. Grant's drinking? "Find out what he drinks and buy a case for each of our generals." Maybe the plan plan with Padilla is something along those lines.

 

Yes Spitball, it was the great Lincoln who said that. We both know, though, he wasn't using that example as an inspiration for a pitcher's future prowess. However, we seem to be in desperation city and right now Vincente Piddler Padilla looks good in comparison to some of the other no-accounts we've signed. Then, again, if we go by last September, he ought to fit right in.

[a700hitter]

Username? is not Dutchy' date=' I assure you. Has Username? really pm'd you?[/quote']He could be Dipre, but I haven't been able to verify. Dipre would not be on ignore.

[seabeachfred]

Unless you think Doubront is functional as a RP' date=' he cannot be a depth option. He is out of options. He will not go back to Pawtucket. Neither will Bowden, Atchison, or Morales.[/quote']

 

That's assuming two things Pumpsie.....One, that some other team claims them or two, they are rammed down our throats this season because we don't want to lose such choice talent. Either way we're still in deep sh!t!!!!! On our team they become human pinatas; in Pawtucket they block a couple of young pitchers who might do well enough to be eligible to be promoted. This whole thing is one big clusterf@@k!!!!!!!! :thumbdown:thumbdown:thumbdown:thumbdown

[VA Sox Fan]

He could be Dipre' date=' but I haven't been able to verify. Dipre would not be on ignore.[/quote']

 

You didn't answer my question. Has UN ever pm'd you?

[a700hitter]

You didn't answer my question. Has UN ever pm'd you?

If you have proof of UN's true identity, I'd be interested to hear it.

[VA Sox Fan]

If you have proof of UN's true identity' date=' I'd be interested to hear it.[/quote']

 

Thanks for answering my question. He did not pm you as I suspected.

[jacksonianmarch]

Something I didn't really think of -

 

If we start the season with Bard in the rotation, it may very well be a situation where he is a SP for the 1st half of the season, and then we acquire someone at the deadline, and move Bard to the bullpen where we can kind of cool him down in terms of innings.

 

So go into the season with Bard as your 5th man, see if anyone in the farm kind of breaks out and builds value, and then make a run at an established SP. You help your rotation AND your bullpen out with 1 move, Bard doesn't have to throw more than around 90 IP as a SP, and then about 30 as a RP and he's at 120 on the year rather than 150.

 

I wouldn't mind that route at all.

 

Who's your #4?

[FredLynn]

The "cup is half empty" entourage is not really the majority out here. It'll get better closer to Spring Training. I understand negativity and criticism but not constantly and consistently. It's boring. So is constant optimism. Find a balance folks. If we listened to and bought into the naysayers, we'd go crazy.

 

Not one person on this board knows how the 2012 season will begin or end. Regardless, I'll be there for every moment of it.

 

Pardon my optimism without hard facts to back it.

 

Well said VA!

I don't think your post was overly optimistic, unrealistic, or pessimistic. The fact is that this board, or any Sox board, would be as boring as watching the paint dry if everyone agreed on everything. There needs to be a mix of viewpoint. When we disagree, however, we ought to try to disagree agreeably and not resort to name calling and personal attacks.

Right now, without a #4 SP, IMO there is not much reason to be optimistic for this team this year. Get a good #4 and another arm for the pen and all that changes.

[Palodios]

I imagine a rotation and pen with the aquisition of Kuroda would look something like this

 

Beckett

Lester

Buchholz

Kuroda

Doubrant

 

Bailey

Bard

Aceves

Melancon

Morales

Albers

Miller/Jenks/Bowden/Atchinson

 

This is the setup that I like the most so far. If Doubront is healthy enough to start, he will be fine as a #5 option. Elite rotation, elite lineup, elite defense, elite bullpen. If only these guys could stay healthy...

[FredLynn]

That's assuming two things Pumpsie.....One' date=' that some other team claims them or two, they are rammed down our throats this season because we don't want to lose such choice talent. Either way we're still in deep sh!t!!!!! On our team they become human pinatas; in Pawtucket they block a couple of young pitchers who might do well enough to be eligible to be promoted. This whole thing is one big clusterf@@k!!!!!!!! :thumbdown:thumbdown:thumbdown:thumbdown[/quote']

 

If they pass waivers they can be send down again...I think. Which team with a reasonably intelligent GM would want Bowden or Doubront? No team that hopes to win anything, thats for sure.

[seabeachfred]

In Mexico' date=' MLB baseball is not a big deal. Almost all my friends are soccer fans. Soccer here is a serious thing. On the other hand, You surly have a lot of friends who are NY fans. Another failure in a row won't be easy to deal with in your environment.[/quote']

 

Well iortiz we have our man south of the border holding down the fort for us, but I'll bet you will be as pissed off as some of us up here in El Norte if we have another crapola season this year. What boggles my mind is that either Cherry Cola doesn't see what our team needs or is going to try and establish his reputation by hoping some of the turds he signed hit the jackpot and then be called a genius. Ain't gonna happen iortiz because our amigo in Boston has his head between his legs and can't see front from back. He needs to get his sh!t together and it may take the press and media to get him freed from his rapture.

[iortiz]

This is the setup that I like the most so far. If Doubront is healthy enough to start' date=' he will be fine as a #5 option. Elite rotation, elite lineup, elite defense, elite bullpen. [b']If only these guys could stay healthy[/b]...

 

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[a700hitter]

You didn't answer my question. Has UN ever pm'd you?

I'll send you the PMs that he sent to me under his prior identity which I have mentioned before that I have saved because they were so over the top. A few of his favorite phrases which he continues to use are peppered throughout. I am convinced that UN is Dutchy until someone can establish conclusively otherwise.

[Bellhorn04]

Well said VA!

I don't think your post was overly optimistic, unrealistic, or pessimistic. The fact is that this board, or any Sox board, would be as boring as watching the paint dry if everyone agreed on everything. There needs to be a mix of viewpoint. When we disagree, however, we ought to try to disagree agreeably and not resort to name calling and personal attacks.

Right now, without a #4 SP, IMO there is not much reason to be optimistic for this team this year. Get a good #4 and another arm for the pen and all that changes.

 

That's just about what I'm saying. Not far away from reasons for optimism. Almost sounds like a consensus was reached here today. Except for Fred who still thinks it's all one big clusterf**k.

[win red sox]

This is the setup that I like the most so far. If Doubront is healthy enough to start' date=' he will be fine as a #5 option. Elite rotation, elite lineup, elite defense, elite bullpen. If only these guys could stay healthy...[/quote']

 

that health thing is bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[seabeachfred]

In Mexico' date=' MLB baseball is not a big deal. Almost all my friends are soccer fans. Soccer here is a serious thing. On the other hand, You surly have a lot of friends who are NY fans. Another failure in a row won't be easy to deal with in your environment.[/quote']

 

Well iortiz we have our man south of the border holding down the fort for us, but I'll bet you will be as pissed off as some of us up here in El Norte if we have another crapola season this year. What boggles my mind is that either Cherry Cola doesn't see what our team needs or is going to try and establish his reputation by hoping some of the turds he signed hit the jackpot and then be called a genius. Ain't gonna happen iortiz because our amigo in Boston has his head between his legs and can't see front from back. He needs to get his sh!t together and it may take the press and media to get him freed from his rapture.

 

Let's try to keep the faith my friend.