2011-2012 Offseason Thread

[Elktonnick]

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.

 

I think this is Iggy's opportunity. I do agree that his glove is far more important than his bat. His range, stronger arm and sure hands should more than compensate for any loss in production at the plate

[SoxSport]

I think this is Iggy's opportunity. I do agree that his glove is far more important than his bat. His range' date=' stronger arm and sure hands should more than compensate for any loss in production at the plate[/quote']

 

 

Yeah. Remember Aparicio, Belanger, etc. Good field, no-hit guys. Even Ozzie Smith didn't hit until later on with the Cardinals. These guys are remembered for their D.

 

Ted Williams said Aparicio was the best SS he ever saw.

[a700hitter]

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

He doesn't. He was the second baseman on the Cuban team. What does that tell you? I don't think they had 2 Ozzie's.

[Elktonnick]

He doesn't. He was the second baseman on the Cuban team. What does that tell you? I don't think they had 2 Ozzie's.

 

Well I think we'll get a chance in a few weeks to see for ourselves whether Iggy is the real deal or not.

[a700hitter]

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.

Neither Punto or Aviles are full time shortstops. Neither has range. Punto is just another Alex Cora. We'll love him for about a week, then after two weeks we will realize why he is a bench player.

 

As for Oswalt's decline... he's 33 years old. If his back is okay, he should have plenty left in the tank.

[a700hitter]

Well I think we'll get a chance in a few weeks to see for ourselves whether Iggy is the real deal or not.

Maybe he is Rey Ordonez, but he ain't Ozzie Smith. Don't get your hopes up.

[a700hitter]

There is lots of confusing and contradictory stuff on the news wires about Oswalt and Jackson. It makes me wonder who is bullshitting who in this process. I guess everyone is bullshitting each other.

 

Edwin Jackson Has Multiple Three-Year Offers

By Mike Axisa [January 28 at 9:33am CST]

 

Free agent right-hander Edwin Jackson has multiple three-year offers, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links). Rosenthal says he could also take a one-year pillow contract and re-enter the market next offseason, when he'll still be just 29 years old.

 

We know the Red Sox have made Jackson an offer, and it's believed that he'll take a one-year deal to pitch in Boston. The Orioles also have interest and the Cardinals checked in on him recently. They're reportedly closing in on a deal for Roy Oswalt, however.

Jackson has 3 three offers, but he'll take a 1 year deal in Boston? Yesterday they said his going to Boston was a long shot.

 

Cards Close To Deal With Oswalt; BoSox, Astros In Mix

By Mark Polishuk [January 28 at 8:03am CST]

 

SATURDAY, 8:03am: Oswalt is likely to sign with the Cardinals "soon," reports Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston. His source cautioned that it's "not yet 100 percent," however. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that Oswalt turned down a one-year, $10MM offer from the Tigers, and that being close to his Mississippi home is a major factor in his decision.

The Tigers offered Oswalt $10 million, but we offered $5 million. How could we be in the mix?

[Station 13]

Jackson has to know the many FAs will hit the market next year, like Hamels, Cain, Marcum, Greinke, he won't get any better offers.

[Palodios]

There is lots of confusing and contradictory stuff on the news wires about Oswalt and Jackson. It makes me wonder who is bullshitting who in this process. I guess everyone is bullshitting each other.

 

Jackson has 3 three offers, but he'll take a 1 year deal in Boston? Yesterday they said his going to Boston was a long shot.

 

The Tigers offered Oswalt $10 million, but we offered $5 million. How could we be in the mix?

 

When the Cardinals get Oswalt, their interest in Jackson drops to zero. No free agent wants to go to Baltimore, for any reason. The Red Sox will probably end up with Jackson, overpay him quite a bit, and everyone will be cursing the front office before the end of January.

[example1]

He doesn't. He was the second baseman on the Cuban team. What does that tell you? I don't think they had 2 Ozzie's.

 

When was this and how old was Iglesias at the time? Every scouting report I've ever seen lists his defense as superb. This deduction seems like a stretch. Perhaps the other Cuban SS would have been more of a liability making a switch to 2b than Iglesias was.

[Palodios]

Maybe he is Rey Ordonez' date=' but he ain't Ozzie Smith. Don't get your hopes up.[/quote']

 

Now you're questioning Iggy's glove? I'm not even sure how to respond to that.

[a700hitter]

When the Cardinals get Oswalt' date=' their interest in Jackson drops to zero. No free agent wants to go to Baltimore, for any reason. The Red Sox will probably end up with Jackson, overpay him quite a bit, and everyone will be cursing the front office before the end of January.[/quote']They'll have only themselves to blame. They should have locked down Oswalt-- a $5 million offer is a joke. This guy is really good.

[Palodios]

They'll have only themselves to blame. They should have locked down Oswalt-- a $5 million offer is a joke. This guy is really good.

 

+1

[a700hitter]

Now you're questioning Iggy's glove? I'm not even sure how to respond to that.

Rey Ordonez was a very slick fielding SS, so comparing Iggy to him is no insult to Iggy. Do we really expect Ozzie? Come on. I have been watching baseball for 45 years and no one has been as good as Ozzie.

[a700hitter]

When was this and how old was Iglesias at the time? Every scouting report I've ever seen lists his defense as superb. This deduction seems like a stretch. Perhaps the other Cuban SS would have been more of a liability making a switch to 2b than Iglesias was.

I read it a while back that he was the second baseman on the Cuban team. They didn't knock his defense, just said that he was not the SS.

[Elktonnick]

They'll have only themselves to blame. They should have locked down Oswalt-- a $5 million offer is a joke. This guy is really good.

 

Just heard that ESPN Boston have withdrawn their report on the Oswalt deal. MLB radio also reported within the hour that the deal isn't finalized yet. Although all sources are reporting a deal with the Cards is close.

[SoxSport]

I get the impression the Cardinal deal for Oswalt is stalling because he doesn't want to relieve.

They have 5 good starters. He'll be a starter in Boston for sure.

[Palodios]

I get the impression the Cardinal deal for Oswalt is stalling because he doesn't want to relieve.

They have 5 good starters. He'll be a starter in Boston for sure.

 

They'll just move Westbrook. I wonder if he'll be available via salary dump-- he should definitely be worth 3 million to the Red Sox.

[SoxSport]

Neither Punto or Aviles are full time shortstops. Neither has range. Punto is just another Alex Cora. We'll love him for about a week, then after two weeks we will realize why he is a bench player.

 

As for Oswalt's decline... he's 33 years old. If his back is okay, he should have plenty left in the tank.

 

Scutaro is just an average defensive SS, and a year older at 36. Maybe below average at this point. Aviles hits at least as well on average. And Punto is there for late inning D.

 

The Phillies would have re-signed Oswalt if he wasn't declining. I doubt he's a full season pitcher anymore. His value goes up with visibility as a FA, but the pickings are pretty thin right now. They'll have to get lucky with their pitching this year.

[Spitball]

They'll just move Westbrook. I wonder if he'll be available via salary dump-- he should definitely be worth 3 million to the Red Sox.

 

I was just going to post this same idea. He and Lohse (the Sox definitely don't want Lohse) both have no-trade contracts, but Westbrook might agree to a trade if he wants to avoid the bullpen.

[Palodios]

Lohse explicitly said he didn't want to go anywhere, says mlbtraderumors.

[Spitball]

I get the impression the Cardinal deal for Oswalt is stalling because he doesn't want to relieve.

They have 5 good starters. He'll be a starter in Boston for sure.

 

I believe he'd rather work with Dave Duncan and have a great one year in a NL city before testing the market again.

 

I have the feeling he will either pitch well this coming year or retire. Boston and the AL were going to be a tough places to have a good season.

[a700hitter]

I believe he'd rather work with Dave Duncan and have a great one year in a NL city before testing the market again.

 

I have the feeling he will either pitch well this coming year or retire. Boston and the AL were going to be a tough places to do that.

Didn't Duncan retire or take a leave of absence?

[iortiz]

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?

 

[Elktonnick]

Didn't Duncan retire or take a leave of absence?

 

I thought he retired.

[iortiz]

I know no one wants to think it' date=' but it may be true: [b']The Scutaro deal may have been made just to pay for Ortiz's arbitration.[/b]

 

Or there's something we aren't being told...

 

 

 

Perhaps we won't have a pitcher before spring camp.

 

As SCM33 said, why did they offer Oswalt/Jackson 5 M? Save 1 M?<_>

[a700hitter]

Lohse explicitly said he didn't want to go anywhere' date=' says mlbtraderumors.[/quote']The poor Cardinals will have 6 starters. That's a terrible problem.

[User Name]

Free agent right-hander Edwin Jackson has multiple three-year offers, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links). Rosenthal says he could also take a one-year pillow contract and re-enter the market next offseason, when he'll still be just 29 years old.

 

We know the Red Sox have made Jackson an offer, and it's believed that he'll take a one-year deal to pitch in Boston. The Orioles also have interest and the Cardinals checked in on him recently. They're reportedly closing in on a deal for Roy Oswalt, however.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Please sign him so that some posters can get the "I told you so" post.

[User Name]

Please sign him so that some posters can get the "I told you so" post.

 

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