2011-2012 Offseason Thread

[a700hitter]

Next season going to be a tough one' date=' my friend. My hopes for signing the SP are almost reduced to 0.[/quote']Ben has told the press in several different ways that he will not be adding any significant pieces. It's time that we come to grip with the fact that he is telling the truth.

[Bellhorn04]

Ben has told the press in several different ways that he will not be adding any significant pieces. It's time that we come to grip with the fact that he is telling the truth.

 

I'll say this: if Oswalt signs with someone else for 6-7 million, a big chunk of RSN is gonna be royally pissed. And I know the Sox FO knows this.

[seabeachfred]

I am inclined to take him at his word. Our off season is completed. We will not be getting the starting pitcher that we had been hoping to get.

 

I think that settles the hash 700 and I think there were a lot of us who could read the tea leaves and see the way this thing was going. The Red Sox are not going over the LT and with the Ortiz arbitration blunder sucking the wind out of whatever funds we had allocated for pitching and maybe an outfielder, it looks like we're all going to have to hope that Short Order Cook, Hi Ho Silva, Deutschland Germano or Millstone Miller rise to the occasion and do what Colon and Garcia did for the Yankees last season or we could find ourselves in deep s***. I wish it weren't so. Maybe the Gods of fate will look at us kindly for a change and make this work.:dunno::dunno::dunno::dunno::dunno::dunno:

[seabeachfred]

How far does Roy Oswalt's price have to drop before we make a move on the guy. Joe Saunders signed a 1 year 6 million dollar deal.

 

Manny, I wish I could be the bearer of good tidings but it you read what Shaughnessy wrote this morning you would get your answer, sad as it might be. The Red Sox have curtailed spending for the season. What we have is what we're going into battle with. You want to hope? Hope that one or two of those pitchers we picked up off the scrap heap suddenly rediscover their youth and do for us what Colon and Garcia did for the Yankees last season. We do have Alfredo Aceves and no matter what anyone might think this guy finds a way to win. He could be a secret weapon for us this season, and who knows, maybe Bard might just fit in as a starter. :o:o:o:o:o:o

[FredLynn]

Pumpsie' date=' I think you're getting a little too excited about the future benefit of staying under the cap this year. Let's say we do, and that our tax rate for 2013 is 'only' 17.5% or whatever it is. Do you really think that's going to entice them to go over the cap by a big chunk in 2013 and move into the 200 million range?[/quote']

 

I have no idea how much more they will spend next year. I will say that if they stay under the cap this year and the surcharge is 17% next year instead of 40% (or is it 50%), there is much more flexibility. With the crop of FA SP available next year we should be flexible enough to retool. I am going to EXPECT it of them next year. (not that what I EXPECT really matters one bit).

[seabeachfred]

If true then clearly their budget questions were too significant to sign even a guy like Oswalt. It isn't the end of the world but another arm would be really nice.

 

EX1---we may have such an animal in our stable.....Alfredo Aceves. The guy does find a way to win, he loves playing for the Red Sox, his past experience shows that he wins a lot more than he loses, he is a tough hombre on the mound, and he despises the Yankees. I think we all like those attributes, and maybe one of the pitchers we picked up will become our Colon this season. I just wish Aaron Cook's arm would gain enough strength that he could hold his own in the AL East, but I have to be honest with you---I do not hold much hope for Andrew Miller or Justin Germano. We better hope that from Bard, Cook and Silva one of them emerges to carry their share of the load.

[FredLynn]

Next season going to be a tough one' date=' my friend. My hopes for signing the SP are almost reduced to 0.[/quote']

 

Hey-its still possible that things could work out, right? The Yankees lucked out with Garcia and Colon. Maybe some of the dregs we signed will also work out and become functional at the #5 SP slot. Maybe Bard will be great as a SP. The pen is a crapshoot anyway. And we WILL score lots of runs. I wouldn't put money on the Sox, but as long as they are under the cap, I will enjoy this season anyway.

[FredLynn]

I am inclined to take him at his word. Our off season is completed. We will not be getting the starting pitcher that we had been hoping to get.

 

I believe I wrote here a long time ago that it would come to this. I think I said that after a long search and "due diligence" the Sox would announce that they are very comfortable with the roster as it now exists. These buffoons are so predictable.

[iortiz]

Ben has told the press in several different ways that he will not be adding any significant pieces. It's time that we come to grip with the fact that he is telling the truth.

 

Pumpsie has been saying that next season will be rebuilding/bridge one in order to win in the mid/long future. Some have given him bad names for this. The first stage of his prophesy is almost done (stay under the cap). The second stage of this prophesy is failing this season, and the 3rd one is win in 2013.

 

Hopefully, We can avoid the second stage of his prophesy. I really wish that E1 among others are right this time, mostly since I'm planning to travel to Boston in July.

[seabeachfred]

And Ben has finished his morning paper' date=' gotten a shoe shine and is waiting for his chicken salad sandwich and unsweetened ice tea.[/quote']

 

Hey 700, what can I say to top that? At least now we know that no extra help is forthcoming and have to make due with what we now have. The fact that we now have a manager in the dugout who will not cost us about ten games a year is a sign in the right direction, and maybe some of that Yankee Colon and Garcia luck will rub off on us. And right now that's the best that I can offer.

[FredLynn]

Pumpsie has been saying that next season will be rebuilding/bridge one in order to win in the mid/long future. Some have given him bad names for this. The first stage of his prophesy is almost done (stay under the cap). The second stage of this prophesy is failing this season, and the 3rd one is win in 2013.

 

Hopefully, We can avoid the second stage of his prophesy. I really wish that E1 among others are right this time, mostly since I'm planning to travel to Boston in July.

 

FWIW, I hope I am proven wrong about stage 2. It could happen. Unlikely, given our pitching issues, but if we can stay healthy and one or more of the bums we signed experiences revelation, it could happen. Not impossible.

I still think that this is the best long term business strategy, though it will hurt this year, probably.

[iortiz]

FWIW, I hope I am proven wrong about stage 2. It could happen. Unlikely, given our pitching issues, but if we can stay healthy and one or more of the bums we signed experiences revelation, it could happen. Not impossible.

I still think that this is the best long term business strategy, though it will hurt this year, probably.

 

If we fail again, This time will be very painful. This would have marked 4 years in a row of failures my friend. Whatever the scenario is, I'll be supporting this team but always pointing the good and the bad that I see.

 

BTW Have a nice trip to DR.

[example1]

I'll say this: if Oswalt signs with someone else for 6-7 million' date=' a big chunk of RSN is gonna be royally pissed. And I know the Sox FO knows this.[/quote']

 

There has been discussion about the many reasons Oswalt might not want to come to the AL (and especially AL East) if his goal is to do a one year deal and then sign for big money. In all honesty, none of us are realistically assuming that him signing in Boston increases his value at this point next season. We want him to eat innings, get battered around like a true professional, and.. eat some more innings. I doubt that's his goal.

 

I hope I'm wrong, but I can understand Oswalt wanting to stay in the NL and/or not wanting to pitch in Boston without an overpay from the Sox.

 

Beyond Oswalt, I don't see a whole lot of good bets on the market.

[a700hitter]

There has been discussion about the many reasons Oswalt might not want to come to the AL (and especially AL East) if his goal is to do a one year deal and then sign for big money. In all honesty, none of us are realistically assuming that him signing in Boston increases his value at this point next season. We want him to eat innings, get battered around like a true professional, and.. eat some more innings. I doubt that's his goal.

 

I hope I'm wrong, but I can understand Oswalt wanting to stay in the NL and/or not wanting to pitch in Boston without an overpay from the Sox.

 

Beyond Oswalt, I don't see a whole lot of good bets on the market.

So, do you think Oswalt is turning down Ben's $8 million?

[iortiz]

“I think we have more questions right now than Tampa and New York. ... The Yankees made moves to strengthen their rotation. Tampa has had a strong rotation. Ultimately the answer will be written on the field.”

-- Red Sox GM Ben Cherington

 

Nothing more to say...

[a700hitter]

Athletics To Sign Jonny Gomes

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [January 20 at 12:12pm CST]

 

The Athletics have agreed to sign Jonny Gomes, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports tweets. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported yesterday that the A's were nearing a deal with the Petaluma, California native.

 

Gomes, 31, posted a .209/.325/.389 line with 14 homers in 372 plate appearances for the Reds and Nationals in 2011. The ACES client has a career .311/.407/.456 line against left-handed pitching, so his skillset should complement left-handed hitting outfielders such as Seth Smith and Josh Reddick.

 

Conor Jackson and Johnny Damon were also considerations for the A's, who were looking for an outfielder capable of hitting left-handers, according to Slusser. GM Billy Beane has traded for Smith and Reddick and re-signed Coco Crisp this offseason to build his 2012 outfield.

I could have lived with him in a platoon role.

[a700hitter]

Guardians To Sign Ryan Spilborghs

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [January 20 at 12:42pm CST]

 

The Guardians announced that they have agreed to sign free agent outfielder Ryan Spilborghs to a minor league deal. The Boras Corporation represents the outfielder, who was non-tendered in December.

 

Spilborghs posted a .210/.283/.305 line in 223 plate appearances for the Rockies in 2011, appearing at all three outfield positions. The 32-year-old has a career .273/.357/.443 line against left-handed pitching and could add balance to a Cleveland lineup that includes a number of outfielders who hit from the left side: Michael Brantley, Shin-Soo Choo, Ezequiel Carrera and Grady Sizemore. The Rangers also expressed some interest in Spilborghs, who has an overall career line of .272/.345/.423.

 

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com first reported the news on Twitter. Troy Renck of the Denver Post reported this morning that a deal was likely to occur and MLB.com's Jordan Bastian added detail.

I also could have lived with him in a platoon role.

[User Name]

Nothing more to say...

 

This means what?

 

The team you were hyping up to be better than the Sox was not the Rays, it was the Angels. But for the record, Tampa does have its fair share of question marks.

[a700hitter]

Red Sox Sign Aaron Cook

By Dan Mennella [January 20 at 1:40pm CST]

 

The Red Sox have agreed to terms with right-hander Aaron Cook on a minor league contract. The deal is worth $1.5MM prorated if Cook is called up to the Major Leagues, according to Rob Bradford and Alex Speier of WEEI.com. Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports that Cook, who has passed his physical, could earn an additional $2MM in incentives based on games started. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com first reported the deal.

 

Cook, 33 next month, has spent his entire Major League career to date with the Rockies, posting a 4.53 ERA in 1,312 1/3 innings over parts of 10 seasons. His best work came during a four-year stretch from 2006-09, when he averaged 187 innings per season and recorded a 4.11 ERA. At his peak in 2008, Cook was worth as many as 4.7 wins above replacement, according to FanGraphs.

 

The groundballer (57.4% career rate) battled injuries each of the past three seasons, however, with his 97 innings in 2011 marking his fewest since 2005. With Cook falling short of expecations the past couple seasons, the Rockies unsurprisingly declined his $11MM 2012 option in October, making him a free agent for the first time.

 

With the Red Sox, Cook will compete for a rotation spot, according to Rosenthal. If he's healthy and inducing wormburners, he could prove to be a valuable, low-cost addition for the Sox. MLBTR's Tim Dierkes included Cook among such candidates in a post last week.

^ Old news. He should not be competing for a rotation spot. he should be competing with Tim Wakefield for a bed in an Assisted Living facility. The guy is a physical wreck.

[jung]

I know the question sort of includes it answer but No, I don't think Oswalt is turning down an offer of $8M from the Sox. I do not think the Sox would offer him $8M. I have posted here that as insane as it may seem I thought they would be interested in getting a super bargain and nothing less would do. So they would be interested in my view if Oswalt fell to something like $5M.

[a700hitter]

I know the question sort of includes it answer but No' date=' I don't think Oswalt is turning down an offer of $8M from the Sox. I do not think the Sox would offer him $8M. I have posted here that as insane as it may seem I thought they would be interested in getting a super bargain and nothing less would do. So they would be interested in my view if Oswalt fell to something like $5M.[/quote']Oswalt will not take less than Jenks will be getting. but I agree that they have not offered him $8 million. If we don't sign Oswalt, it will have nothing to do with him not wanting to pitch in the AL East. That might be a bogus cover story that the FO might try. They haven't made the guy an offer, IMO.

[Muggah]

I could have lived with him in a platoon role.

 

 

Me too.

[RedSoxNC84]

^ Old news. He should not be competing for a rotation spot. he should be competing with Tim Wakefield for a bed in an Assisted Living facility. The guy is a physical wreck.

 

I was curious myself why MLBTR would repost this. That signing is at least a week old now, right?

[RedSoxNC84]

I'll say this: if Oswalt signs with someone else for 6-7 million' date=' a big chunk of RSN is gonna be royally pissed. And I know the Sox FO knows this.[/quote']

 

Even though this may be true, I doubt the FO truly cares. They are still going to fill seats, and people will still pay for Sox merchandise regardless.

[RedSoxNC84]

I'm under the impression that if they are going to add any pieces, even though BC has said that they most likely won't, and he has even said he is comfortable with the team as is. IF they do add a piece before ST, it will be after the Ortiz arb case is settled, that way they'll at least know what little flexibility they have left in the payroll, if any.

[a700hitter]

I was curious myself why MLBTR would repost this. That signing is at least a week old now' date=' right?[/quote']Slow news day. Plus, I guess that the contract was actually signed today.

[Muggah]

Manny' date=' I wish I could be the bearer of good tidings but it you read what Shaughnessy wrote this morning you would get your answer, sad as it might be. The Red Sox have curtailed spending for the season. What we have is what we're going into battle with. You want to hope? Hope that one or two of those pitchers we picked up off the scrap heap suddenly rediscover their youth and do for us what Colon and Garcia did for the Yankees last season. We do have Alfredo Aceves and no matter what anyone might think this guy finds a way to win. He could be a secret weapon for us this season, and who knows, maybe Bard might just fit in as a starter. :o:o:o:o:o:o[/quote']

 

 

It's crazy that after all the crap that happened last September that the biggest splash they're going to make all winter is the signing of the manager.

[a700hitter]

Ben is going to workout in the players facility so he'll be done before Happy Hour.

[RedSoxNC84]

Slow news day. Plus' date=' I guess that the contract was actually signed today.[/quote']

 

 

Jeez. Every day seems like a slow news day now hahaha, mlb.com's redsox page is almost laughable with the articles they put up.. For example "Red Sox's Bogar hopes to manage a team soon" Who cares? That and "Red Sox confident about current rotation." That last one does not forbode well.

[a700hitter]

Jeez. Every day seems like a slow news day now hahaha' date=' mlb.com's redsox page is almost laughable with the articles they put up.. For example "Red Sox's Bogar hopes to manage a team soon" Who cares? That and "Red Sox confident about current rotation." That last one does not forbode well.[/quote']Here's an article that they can put up for a slow news day: "Red Sox fans never again want to see Bogar coach 3rd base."