2011-2012 Offseason Thread

[mvp 78]

Well SCM33' date=' I have to admit that I was excited about Ross because I really sworn that we already had a pre-agreement with a SP (beyond the name). Apparently I was wrong. Yes SCM33, If we go like this, I'm with you; this offseason would have been a disaster.[/quote']

 

Why does the acquisition of a SP matter in your excitement of Ross. Would it make him a better player if they got Oswalt too?

[mvp 78]

They were saying on the show that they think the Sox are going to give Iglesias every opportunity to win the job. This is 100% opposite of what i read earlier in the week where some source doubted that iglesias would win the job in 2012. I don't think anyone knows what to make about what is going on. It's baffling. We don't know. The writers and commentators and announcers also don't know.

 

HOF Gammons was making a case forIglesias last week. I'm ok with it if he really has Ozzie Smith defense.

[jung]

The Red Sox would use any extra payroll space on a player later in the season, rather than spend it now in "a bidding war" for Roy Oswalt or Edwin Jackson, a source tells WEEI.com's Rob Bradford.

 

This is very much like the impression I got from BC's WEEI interview in connection with the money the Sox got for offing Scuts.

[Bellhorn04]

This is very much like the impression I got from BC's WEEI interview in connection with the money the Sox got for offing Scuts.

 

At least this makes some sense of the Scutaro move, to me anyway.

[Elktonnick]

This talk that BV didn't want Scuturo at SS and that was the reason for the trade sounds like spin and damage control. It also could be the early signs that FO has some internal issues. Looks like finger pointing over the fact that the whole Scuturo for a pitcher has become a fiasco and everyone is ducking for cover.

[Palodios]

Usually' date=' you acquire the player you want....THEN you do what you have to do to make him fit on the roster. They are saving 6+ million dollars by dumping him, then only offer Oswalt 5 million? [/quote']

 

Oswalt is not off the board yet. I've read a few reports that say he's their primary pitching target right now, and it just doesn't seem like the Rangers/Cardinals want or need him.

 

I think 5 million is the Red Sox's low ball offer. If their worst case scenarios happen with Ortiz/Aceves, that's probably the most they can pay without exceeding their budget. Once those two contracts have been settled, I expect the Red Sox to increase their offer.

[Bellhorn04]

This talk that BV didn't want Scuturo at SS and that was the reason for the trade sounds like spin and damage control. It also could be the early signs that FO has some internal issues. Looks like finger pointing over the fact that the whole Scuturo for a pitcher has become a fiasco and everyone is ducking for cover.

 

It wasn't Scutaro for a pitcher. That perception is coming from fans. They knew when they traded Scutaro that there was a very good chance they weren't going to sign Oswalt or Jackson.

[FredLynn]

Oswalt is not off the board yet. I've read a few reports that say he's their primary pitching target right now, and it just doesn't seem like the Rangers/Cardinals want or need him.

 

I think 5 million is the Red Sox's low ball offer. If their worst case scenarios happen with Ortiz/Aceves, that's probably the most they can pay without exceeding their budget. Once those two contracts have been settled, I expect the Red Sox to increase their offer.

 

We aren't getting Oswalt. He is apparently going to sign with the Cards "soon".

We also aren't getting Jackson, who wants a multiyear contract.

No worries though. We have a whole toilet full of options that we signed this offseason to plug the holes in our SP rotation. And we will be seeing lots of them this year, make no mistake.

[jacksonianmarch]

He has signed with StL. It's a done deal

[Palodios]

We aren't getting Oswalt. He is apparently going to sign with the Cards "soon".

We also aren't getting Jackson, who wants a multiyear contract.

No worries though. We have a whole toilet full of options that we signed this offseason to plug the holes in our SP rotation. And we will be seeing lots of them this year, make no mistake.

 

""It's not yet 100 percent," the source said. "

[Station 13]

Read somewhere Detroit offer Oswalt $10M. Apparently he doesn't want to come to the AL.

[FredLynn]

""It's not yet 100 percent' date='" the source said. "[/quote']

 

Nope. Not until he actually signs.

I think Station is right: he doesn't want to pitch in the AL.

How about a sign and trade with Ortiz? Wonder if the Tigers would like him? Or anyone else, for that matter. Good salary dump move. Maybe we could pick up a midlevel draft pick for him....wishful thinking, I know.

[jung]

"It's not yet 100 percent," the source said. "

 

Ya but what remains undone appears to relate to a pending physical regarding Oswalts back issues. Are you suggesting that if Oswalt does not pass his physical, the Sox should sign him?

[Station 13]

Nope. Not until he actually signs.

I think Station is right: he doesn't want to pitch in the AL.

How about a sign and trade with Ortiz? Wonder if the Tigers would like him? Or anyone else, for that matter. Good salary dump move. Maybe we could pick up a midlevel draft pick for him....wishful thinking, I know.

 

Tigers don't need another DH.

[Palodios]

Ya but what remains undone appears to relate to a pending physical regarding Oswalts back issues. Are you suggesting that if Oswalt does not pass his physical' date=' the Sox should sign him?[/quote']

 

The source I've seen, from 7:26 this morning on ESPN, says that Oswalt hasn't even signed yet, but they're close. Maybe his agent needed to make a call to a certain other team desperate for pitching first?

[Elktonnick]

MLB radio reported that several days ago that Oswalt didn't want the AL. If that was known then why dump Scut to free up dllrs to sign a pitcher. Someone in the FO needs to get their stories straight.

[FredLynn]

Tigers don't need another DH.

 

Maybe the Yankees will take him.

Anyone who will take him and his $$$$$$ off our hands is good with me.

I am half kidding. Its too late now. All the good SP are off the market except Jackson, and he isn't even that good. We signed someone we didn't need in exchange for a position we really needed help with.

Stupid.

[jung]

The Sox are not going to sign Oswalt. Since the article sort of went into discussions of his physical pretty much right on top of the discussion of his intentions I am inclined to think that will be the only thing that stands in the way. If his agent is contacting another team I would not think it is the Sox. Oswalt does not want to pitch in the AL East and there is no earthly reason why he should. Nobody in the AL East including the Sox are going to offer him enough of a premium to drag him over here. It ain;'t worth it on a 1 year deal.

[jacksonianmarch]

Rotoworld says they have agreed on a contract, he's off the board

[seabeachfred]

I had taped the Red Sox Hot Stove Report earlier in the week. I don't know if SBF gets NESN' date=' but if he does and he taped the show, I urge him to delete it. Cafardo, Abraham and Orsillo were saying that they thought Wakefield would be a mid-season option, sort of like the way Paul Byrd was used in his last few years. They think it is a very real possibility and mentioned that the Sox are keeping the lines of communication open. Goodness, I hope this doesn't happen. Oh yeah, and they were discussing the possibility of Varitek still playing. Good God!![/quote']

 

700---I only get NESN when they air Red Sox games on my MLB Baseball package during the season, but I didn't have to read anything on those two guys. It has been my belief all along that somehow, someway, those two were going to find themselves back on the team polluting the squad with their miserable over-the-hill lack of talent. They are sacred cows to Prune Face and that's why we keep hearing these damn reports. Why all this talk about Varitek still being with the Sox if there was nothing to it? Looks like another miserable decision by Benny the Boob is just around the corner. As you said....Good God!!!!!!!!

 

:thumbdown:thumbdown:thumbdown:thumbdown:thumbdown

[seabeachfred]

So, we are going to go with a platoon at SS?

 

You know what types of teams have platoons at SS? The KC Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates. 185 million spent, but they decide that SS is a place to save a few bucks.....bad idea.

 

Talk about spending money in the wrong areas.

 

Perhaps you're coming to the conclusion that Cherington is in a little over his head. Welcome aboard. If you can make sense out of any of this, please enlighten me because I can only roll my eyes and wonder what the hell is going on.

[SoxSport]

Not much lost on Oswalt, who wisely stayed in the NL. He was declining as a Phillie, and had back problems off and on there. Why spend a lot of money gambling? Take the cheap route, as they are doing.

 

They might just wait on Floyd, to see what they've got. Boras is stuck with Jackson right now, and he will have to back off his position. I doubt he will suffer much financially.

[SoxSport]

Perhaps you're coming to the conclusion that Cherington is in a little over his head. Welcome aboard. If you can make sense out of any of this' date=' please enlighten me because I can only roll my eyes and wonder what the hell is going on.[/quote']

 

Look at Scutaro as a one year rental for $6mil. No future there. Aviles deserves a shot at SS again, and Punto is a good defensive backup. Plus there's Iglesias who has to hit about .240 to be a major league SS with his defense.

 

I think that was a good savings of $6mil. Now if they could dump Crawford's $20 mil, they would really be in business. That should have been the terms to move Epstein to the Cubs. Take Crawford, please. End of discussion. Epstein stays.

[seabeachfred]

This talk that BV didn't want Scuturo at SS and that was the reason for the trade sounds like spin and damage control. It also could be the early signs that FO has some internal issues. Looks like finger pointing over the fact that the whole Scuturo for a pitcher has become a fiasco and everyone is ducking for cover.

 

You bet they are ducking for cover. Wouldn't you if you were left looking like a dumb moron? Of course, putting Valentine into this quandry can be eliminated if Bobby comes out and says whether it was true or not that he wanted Scutaro gone. I doubt he ever said that and if that is so I don't see why he has to take part of the rap for something Il Duce Lucchino or the Turnip were behind. This whole thing is one big clusterf***!!!!! Now I know why the team didn't go outside to get a fresh GM for the team. They figured that with Benny the emerging Boob in that position they could pretty much play organ grinder and monkey, that is when the Turnip wasn't running errands for Lucchino g etting him coffee and donuts.

[Elktonnick]

You bet they are ducking for cover. Wouldn't you if you were left looking like a dumb moron? Of course' date=' putting Valentine into this quandry can be eliminated if Bobby comes out and says whether it was true or not that he wanted Scutaro gone. I doubt he ever said that and if that is so I don't see why he has to take part of the rap for something Il Duce Lucchino or the Turnip were behind. This whole thing is one big clusterf***!!!!! Now I know why the team didn't go outside to get a fresh GM for the team. They figured that with Benny the emerging Boob in that position they could pretty much play organ grinder and monkey, that is when the Turnip wasn't running errands for Lucchino g etting him coffee and donuts.[/quote']

 

Well said in your own colorful style.

[SoxSport]

This talk that BV didn't want Scuturo at SS and that was the reason for the trade sounds like spin and damage control. It also could be the early signs that FO has some internal issues. Looks like finger pointing over the fact that the whole Scuturo for a pitcher has become a fiasco and everyone is ducking for cover.

 

Doubt it. It looked like a sound business decision to me. Especially after they got Punto.

Their thinking has evolved the last couple of months. They had Marco at SS and Aviles in RF when they picked up Marco's option and dealt Lowrie. That clearly has changed, though I'd still deal Lowrie for what they got. Lowrie seems to one of those guys who can't avoid injury--not uncommon in sports.

[seabeachfred]

Not much lost on Oswalt, who wisely stayed in the NL. He was declining as a Phillie, and had back problems off and on there. Why spend a lot of money gambling? Take the cheap route, as they are doing.

 

They might just wait on Floyd, to see what they've got. Boras is stuck with Jackson right now, and he will have to back off his position. I doubt he will suffer much financially.

 

No So Sport, nothing lost at all on Oswalt.....except for embarassment and humiliation for the deadbeats who are trying to run our team into the ground. Of course, there is the consolation that if we really need an arm in an emergency this season, we can, as Pumpsie put it, to call into the toilet to get one.

[Palodios]

I am not pleased with how the free agent market is developing. Oswalt should have gotten a much larger offer from the Red Sox. Edwin Jackson is a lose-lose. Either they pay him about 5x what he is worth, or they don't get a FA pitcher at all. Scott Boras has started playing his "the mystery team gave up a 4 year offer" ********, and who knows, maybe the Orioles will pay it.

 

I have been holding out to see what the Red Sox do... and unless they steal Floyd at good value, the pitching situation has turned into a complete nightmare. Their best bet now is to sign Harden AND Duke, and hope that their crapshoot of ten starting options turns into two respectable options and one quality option.

[SoxSport]

HOF Gammons was making a case forIglesias last week. I'm ok with it if he really has Ozzie Smith defense.

 

It doesn't take "HOF" Gammons to see that Iglesias doesn't have to hit over .250 if he can play defensive all-star SS. Especially on a good hitting team. All this stuff about not hitting in a partial AAA season is overblown. He's only 21. I'd rather see him on the Red Sox bench than in Pawtucket. Reddick hit better in Boston.

[SoxSport]

No So Sport' date=' nothing lost at all on Oswalt.....except for embarassment and humiliation for the deadbeats who are trying to run our team into the ground. Of course, there is the consolation that if we really need an arm in an emergency this season, we can, as Pumpsie put it, to call into the toilet to get one.[/quote']

 

I think they are doing OK. It's just that the top teams in the AL are getting better spending a lot of dough this year, after the Sox blew their wad last year. The Sox have to hope that Bobby V can get this team to achieve to their potential this year. That in itself may be enough of an improvement to make the playoffs--especially if they add a wild card team.

 

Millar last night on MLB TV said he didn't think the Sox would get to the WS this year.

He didn't say why, but clearly the competition is stiffer this year. I doubt the Yankees will get there, either.