2011-2012 Offseason Thread

[a700hitter]

Well I will say this 700' date=' based on what I know (which may be a far cry from what baseball professionals know) I would tend to agree with you that $5M is not a reasonable offer for Oswalt. If there are no extenuating circumstances that are preventing the Sox from offering him more then [b']I would say the offers the Sox have made to Oswalt amount to a smoke screen as opposed to being a genuine effort to sign the player. Sure the Sox could be just taking a shot that gives them a very slim chance at signing him but that is not what I would consider a genuine effort to sign the player. [/b]Heck I can go buy a lottery ticket as well but buying a lottery ticket does not amount to a genuine effort to generate revenue. It is a shot, a gamble with a slim chance of paying off.

^ This possibility is what really concerns me. If that's what they are up to, then I wouldn't be surprised if the stories about Oswalt preferring the Rangers were planted by the Sox. The stories cited a FO official familiar with the situation. The stories implied that the FO official was neither with the Sox or the Rangers. Why would an official outside of the Rangers or Red Sox be familiar with the situation? If Oswalt signs elsewhere, the Sox say they pursued him and made a competitive offer, but he preferred to play elsewhere. It wouldn't surprise me at all.

[Elktonnick]

^ This possibility is what really concerns me. If that's what they are up to' date=' then I wouldn't be surprised if the stories about Oswalt preferring the Rangers were planted by the Sox. The stories cited a FO official familiar with the situation. The stories implied that the FO official was neither with the Sox or the Rangers. Why would an official outside of the Rangers or Red Sox be familiar with the situation? If Oswalt signs elsewhere, the Sox say they pursued him and made a competitive offer, but he preferred to play elsewhere. It wouldn't surprise me at all.[/quote']

 

For what it is worth I did hear on XM MLB radio Mike Maddux expressing interest in Oswalt but he isn't the decisionmaker. The Rangers have such an abundance of pitching it appears unlikely but signing an Oswalt could allow them to move one of the other starters for prospects, It was also discussed that Oswalt turned down the Tigers flat indicating his preference for the National league. Now, he may have since changed his mind. But the rumor is out there that Oswalt wants the NL.

[NativeBostonian]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/01/red-sox-sign-john-maine.html

 

Red Sox sign John Maine... Any thoughts on this one???

 

Another huge deal by the Red Sox. Boy are they going after top notch players this off-season. <_>

[jung]

It is a good thing that in Spring Training teams actually field multiple teams like A and B squads. They might need an A, B and C squad just to look at all these low cost pitchers.

[mvp 78]

Depending on the pitchers used, Northeastern might have a shot this year.

[jung]

Oh God no....ya' got that stuck in my head now mvp....Northeastern 12, Red Sox 8.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

I just hope during spring training Bobby Valentine gets the lineups together. Last year in the beginning of the season we had no idea what to do with the lineup. Don't come into the season unprepared.

[Elktonnick]

Oh God no....ya' got that stuck in my head now mvp....Northeastern 12' date=' Red Sox 8.[/quote']

 

If that's the final score Ben may sign the Northeastern rotation to a minor league contract on the spot.

[a700hitter]

Oh God no....ya' got that stuck in my head now mvp....Northeastern 12' date=' Red Sox 8.[/quote']What a thrill it would be for those kids.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Meh]

Oswalt looks like he'll be a Cardinal. https://twitter.com/#!/Jim_Duquette/status/163087715208925185

 

I guess it's Gavin Flyod time? I think Kenny targets Brandon Jacobs(young, african american OF... seems to be his fetish along with anyone who can throw faster than 96 mph) and Wilson, but I think he'll settle for Brentz and Wilson for Flyod.

[jung]

I guess Cards would make sense. Gets to stay in the NL. I will be real interested to see what that deal turns out to be presuming Oswalt does go ahead and sign with the Cards.

[jacksonianmarch]

Oswalt looks like he'll be a Cardinal. https://twitter.com/#!/Jim_Duquette/status/163087715208925185

 

I guess it's Gavin Flyod time? I think Kenny targets Brandon Jacobs(young, african american OF... seems to be his fetish along with anyone who can throw faster than 96 mph) and Wilson, but I think he'll settle for Brentz and Wilson for Flyod.

 

Once again, he asked for Montero and Banuelos for Danks, and Floyd has been the better pitcher lately. He's gonna ask for the moon

[User Name]

Once again' date=' he asked for Montero and Banuelos for Danks, and Floyd has been the better pitcher lately. He's gonna ask for the moon[/quote']

 

Conjecture. Knowing the inconsistency of Kenny Williams, he may give him up for a bad contract.

[example1]

I just have a hard time believing that the Sox have played their hand so transparently. Trading for Gavin Floyd isn't a gimme, and I don't see why the Sox would legitimately believe that it is. This has all the makings of a media story that isn't based on substance, or which should at least be taken with the "we would be happy to start the season where we are at" line. It isn't worth moving significant chips for Gavin Floyd and he's not worth that. Kenny should know this.

 

If they truly believe they can get FLoyd then they must know he's not going ot cost an arm and a leg. If they are still in the negotiation period, then nobody should assume Floyd is a done deal.

[User Name]

Neither Oswalt nor Jackson have signed. Until they do, they are still a possibility.

[Emmz]

Oswalt looks like he'll be a Cardinal. https://twitter.com/#!/Jim_Duquette/status/163087715208925185

 

I guess it's Gavin Flyod time? I think Kenny targets Brandon Jacobs(young, african american OF... seems to be his fetish along with anyone who can throw faster than 96 mph) and Wilson, but I think he'll settle for Brentz and Wilson for Flyod.

 

African american? What is this, Dateline?

[seabeachfred]

I have been advocating for Wheeler for a long time. We blew it when we didn't get him after he declined arbitration. He could have been had for cheap.

 

You've been on one of your travels again so you missed some of this Wheeler stuff, but you are right Pumpsie. You and Palodios were talking up Wheeler all off season and I'm surprised some people didn't pick up on it. I'll tell you this, I would much rather have Wheeler on our team than Germano or Silva. In addition, Henry can wear the dunce cap because from all reports I've read it was him who forced the patsy to offer Big Diva arbitration, the dumbest move of the off season.

[Spitball]

The specifics of the offer aren't known, but Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported this week that the Cardinals made an offer to Oswalt earlier this winter "approaching $5 million." According to Duquette, the Red Sox, Astros and Rangers remain in the mix. The Astros would be a weird landing spot considering that the alternatives are all expected to contend, but the veteran right-hander was originally drafted by the club in 1996 and spent the first 10 years of his major-league career there. For what it's worth, Michael Silverman of the Boston Globe hears that Oswalt will not make a decision this week regarding where he'll sign. Stay tuned.

[seabeachfred]

Red Sox Off Season thus far:

 

Lost:

 

Papelbon

Scutaro

Lowrie

Reddick

Lackey (injury)

 

Added

 

Bailey

Sweeney

Shoppach

Punto

Ross

 

Also Added:

 

Various bags of trash called pitching depth.

 

You be the judge.

 

It was only moderately in the debit column until you had to spoil it my friend and mention the bags of refuse we signed. Aside from one Cherington clone and one over the top poster I think it is fair to say that this off season has not been our finest hour.

[seabeachfred]

The problem is no competent GM trades away his starting shortstop to get a starting pitcher and then doesn't get the starting pitcher. If he gets the pitcher then good but if he doesn't he look a boob who just fell off the turnip truck

 

Well Elk, you've given me an inspiration. How about Benny "Turnip" Cherington? Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Calling people names was cool in 2nd grade....but then I grew up.

[seabeachfred]

If the Sox trade for/sign a good SP' date=' this thread is going to be so delicious to read. So easy being an armchair GM.[/quote']

 

And if the Sox don't Ben will have earned the nickname "the turnip". So far he has done pretty much everything ass backwards. You don't trade a starting shortstop who hit 299 last season so you can have money to sign a pitcher and then not sign him because you didn't have a deal in place. Benny is fast becoming a boob and I think there are at least a dozen people on this board who would have handled it differently and better. Obviously you're not one of them since you think Benny Turnip walks on water.

[User Name]

Obviously you're not one of them since you think Benny Turnip walks on water.

 

This is (and this is a recurring theme) an exaggeration. What i've said, and accurately so, is that until the roster is actually completed, trying to judge it is an exercise in futility.

 

That's a simple concept. It's not rocket science.

[example1]

This is (and this is a recurring theme) an exaggeration. What i've said, and accurately so, is that until the roster is actually completed, trying to judge it is an exercise in futility.

 

That's a simple concept. It's not rocket science.

 

Isn't it also silly that the move that will make or break the offseason in the minds of so many of the "better GMs than Cherington" here is Roy Oswalt or Edwin jackson?

 

I think they are either going to sign one more bottom of rotation starter, trade for one, or go in as they are. That difference isn't significant in my mind. Yes, it would be nice to add another SP but it isn't going to make or break them. What will make or break them is the performance of all the other guys they already have... guys like Pedroia, Youkilis, Ellsbury, Gonzalez, Beckett, Buchholz, Lester, Bard, etc.,

[a700hitter]

If Oswalt goes to the Cards, Benny Boy has a real uphill battle getting a good starter. Jackson apparently wants a multi-year deal. Floyd is just so-so.

[Station 13]

Jackson has a multi year deal from the O's. But who want to go there?

[a700hitter]

Isn't it also silly that the move that will make or break the offseason in the minds of so many of the "better GMs than Cherington" here is Roy Oswalt or Edwin jackson?

 

I think they are either going to sign one more bottom of rotation starter, trade for one, or go in as they are. That difference isn't significant in my mind. Yes, it would be nice to add another SP but it isn't going to make or break them. What will make or break them is the performance of all the other guys they already have... guys like Pedroia, Youkilis, Ellsbury, Gonzalez, Beckett, Buchholz, Lester, Bard, etc.,

Are you saying that they will get another starter although it may not be Oswalt or Jackson or are you saying that it doesn't matter whether they get another starting pitcher?

[Elktonnick]

And if the Sox don't Ben will have earned the nickname "the turnip". So far he has done pretty much everything ass backwards. You don't trade a starting shortstop who hit 299 last season so you can have money to sign a pitcher and then not sign him because you didn't have a deal in place. Benny is fast becoming a boob and I think there are at least a dozen people on this board who would have handled it differently and better. Obviously you're not one of them since you think Benny Turnip walks on water.

 

If Oswalt does sign with the Cards then Ben's options are getting fewer. To be fair I can't call him a boob just yet. As Yogi said "It ain't over til the fat lady sings!" Come to think of it if she can pitch as well as sing Ben might just sign her to a minor league contract as well.

[jung]

If the offers are still low across the board, it would make sense for Oswalt to wait a bit longer. Again though I think if all the offers are in line, then Oswalt is very likely to stay NL and even if the Sox only exceed an NL offer by a little, I still think Oswalt goes NL. So far don't see any indication that the Sox are going to exceed the going market for Oswalt by enough to make a difference...all opinions of course but I am off the school of if it walks like a duck, talks like duck and looks like a duck.....its a duck.

[Elktonnick]

Isn't it also silly that the move that will make or break the offseason in the minds of so many of the "better GMs than Cherington" here is Roy Oswalt or Edwin jackson?

 

I think they are either going to sign one more bottom of rotation starter, trade for one, or go in as they are. That difference isn't significant in my mind. Yes, it would be nice to add another SP but it isn't going to make or break them. What will make or break them is the performance of all the other guys they already have... guys like Pedroia, Youkilis, Ellsbury, Gonzalez, Beckett, Buchholz, Lester, Bard, etc.,

 

As several have said repeatedly, I think the point is you don't trade a starting shortstop to get a starting pitcher and then not get the starting pitcher. That just isn't a smart thing to do.