2011-2012 Offseason Thread

[jacksonianmarch]

That was pretty good

[mvp 78]

I don't get why writers get sand in their vaginas over Truck Day. I like truck day. I'd never go, but it's nice to see it on the news as it helps me forget about crappy winter weather for a minute or two.

 

How soon til pitchers and catchers?

[Station 13]

Oh Kenny... the Sox could given you future HOF Lars Anderson for Carlos Quentin. Idiot.

[iortiz]

Marlins Have Serious Interest In Matt Garza

By Zach Links [December 31 at 5:17pm CST]

5:17pm: The Cubs are talking to a number of teams about Garza, but no deal is imminent, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN.com.

 

3:25pm: The Marlins have serious interest in Cubs pitcher Matt Garza, Major League sources tell Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.* The Marlins' interest was sparked after they failed to land left-hander Gio Gonzalez from the Athletics.

 

The two sides are not close to a deal and the Cubs continue to speak to other clubs, including the Tigers, according to sources.* The Yankees have also expressed interest in Garza, but the asking price for the 28-year-old is a stumbling block for the Bombers.* The Red Sox and Blue Jays are also in on the pitcher but talks have slowed with both teams.

 

Rosenthal writes that the Tigers might have the upper hand if they are willing to include right-hander Jacob Turner in a deal.* Rival executives say the Cubs are desperate for young starting pitching.* Meanwhile, the Marlins have more position players to offer.

 

Marlins' Class-A outfielder Christian Yelich is likely on the Cubs' wish list and was among the players the Athletics were targeting in a possible deal for Gonzalez.* Rival clubs say Matt Dominguez, Gaby Sanchez, Chris Coghlan, and Jose Ceda are among the other players Miami is willing to part with.

 

[BSN07]

Marlins trade Gaby+ for Garza. Sign Fielder for 7 years 154M, load the first three years at 25M per and give Fielder an opt out clause. He then opts out and signs a 6 year deal at 22M per somewhere. Thus making his total for the 2 contracts 8 years almost 210M. If he struggles for 3 seasons, he doesn't opt out and collects just under 20M for the remaining 4 years of his deal as the Marlins trade him to the AL Boras gets his 200M, Fielder gets top $ for 3 seasons. Marlins get to chase a WS for a few seasons and see if they can get the fan base to keep the ballpark full.

[Spitball]

Oh Kenny... the Sox could given you future HOF Lars Anderson for Carlos Quentin. Idiot.

 

If they had traded for him, where would the White Sox have played Anderson?

[seabeachfred]

It is now 12:00 A.M in the East. Happy New Year to all my colleagues on Talk Sox.

[a700hitter]

It is now 12:00 A.M in the East. Happy New Year to all my colleagues on Talk Sox.

Thanks Fred! And Happy New Year to you in less than 3 hours.

[Palodios]

Start printing the playoff tickets.

 

Hey, no has scored a single run on Rich Hill since 2009:lol:

[a700hitter]

Hey' date=' no has scored a single run on Rich Hill since 2009:lol:[/quote']It's very likely that his streak will continue well into 2012. What is the record? maybe they should be printing WS tickets too.

[Palodios]

What are the odds that the Brewers become sellers at some point in the offseason? With the loss of Braun and Fielder their offense takes a huge hit. With both Greinke and Marcum becoming free agents this offseason, they probably would be best off getting value for one, and trying to re-sign the other.

 

Marcum would be a great move. AL East tested, quality #2/3 guy. He'll cost very little in dollars for the value, and since he only has one year left on his contract, it will probably be possible to make a reasonable deal for him. But then again, I'd take any of that team's top five pitchers...

[iortiz]

No Leader In Garza Trade Talks

By Dan Mennella [January 1 at 9:22pm CST]

 

Matt Garza trade discussions have heated up over the past few days, but there's not yet any favorite to obtain the Cubs right-hander, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, who adds that the Yankees, Blue Jays, Tigers, Red Sox and Marlins are all in the mix.

 

With the Cubs thought to be seeking young pitchers to replenish their farm system, the Yankees, Blue Jays and Tigers may ultimately hold an edge in pursuing Garza, Heyman speculates, as those clubs have pitching prospects and may be willing to spare them.

 

The Red Sox previously cited Garza as a compensation target for losing former GM Theo Epstein to the Cubs, according to Heyman, although it's not known whether they would pursue Garza as part of that compensation deal or separately.

[jacksonianmarch]

Unlikely that the brewers sell in the offseason. They signed Ramirez to try and replace some of fielder's performance and with Pujols gone from StL, their chances to repeat improved even with them getting worse offensively.

[Palodios]

Unlikely that the brewers sell in the offseason. They signed Ramirez to try and replace some of fielder's performance and with Pujols gone from StL' date=' their chances to repeat improved even with them getting worse offensively.[/quote']

 

Improved? They lost Fielder and a half season of Braun and replaced them with Ramirez. The Cardinals lost Pujols and replaced him with Beltran, and Wainright is coming back.

 

And the Reds just picked up Matt Latos, and see Chapman one year closer to his prime.

[Spudboy]

Believe it or not Station 13, these injuries could be coming from NOT THROWING ENOUGH. Once at a clinic former Major Leaguer Claude Osteen said that since the pitching motion is an unnatural one the best way to counteract that is to throw more and develop stronger arm and wrist control, and if you looked back then there were a helluva lot more hard throwers than you might imagine.

 

Ever heard of Bob Gibson of the Cardinals, Dick Ellsworth of the Cubs, Jim Maloney of the Reds, Juan Marichal and Gaylor Perry of the Giants, Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale of the Dodgers Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman of the Mets, Nolan Ryan of many teams, and so on. I think today pitchers try to be too careful and might injure themselves from a lack of consistent throwing as well as bad mechanics.

 

Sam McDowell' date=' Tiant in his Indian years, Lolich, Chance, McLain, Palmer, Carlton, Tannana and on and on.[/quote']

 

Boy are we old farts!

[Spudboy]

Hey! I have been in a coma. Where did Fielder land and what was the deal? Thanks.

[BSN07]

Improved? They lost Fielder and a half season of Braun and replaced them with Ramirez. The Cardinals lost Pujols and replaced him with Beltran, and Wainright is coming back.

 

And the Reds just picked up Matt Latos, and see Chapman one year closer to his prime.

 

It's more like 1/3 of the season. But I see where you are coming from. If they do decide to move one it will have more to do then just where the stand come the trade deadline. First if either player is in their long term plans they absolutely need to try and sign them to extensions before the season. If they can't, and feel as though they are really far apart and they are out of it in July then maybe. Other then that I expect them to maybe go after Pena or Kotchman type to try and stabilize the offense until Braun returns. Even without Braun their offense is average.

[BSN07]

Hey! I have been in a coma. Where did Fielder land and what was the deal? Thanks.

 

Your better off staying coma toast until February if you want to know where Prince is going

[Palodios]

It's more like 1/3 of the season. But I see where you are coming from. If they do decide to move one it will have more to do then just where the stand come the trade deadline. First if either player is in their long term plans they absolutely need to try and sign them to extensions before the season. If they can't' date=' and feel as though they are really far apart and they are out of it in July then maybe. Other then that I expect them to maybe go after Pena or Kotchman type to try and stabilize the offense until Braun returns. Even without Braun their offense is average.[/quote']

 

I rounded up on Braun's timeline, because it seems likely to expect him to play under his MVP ability for his first few weeks back.

 

Morgan, Weeks, Hart, and Ramirez are a solid top 4, but the offense drops off significantly after that. Weeks misses about 50 games a year, and Ramirez may take some time to adjust to Milwaukee. Plus-- look at the pitching in the NL West. The Pirates are actually getting better, they won't feast on the Astros anymore, and the two new aces in the division won't help either.

[seabeachfred]

Boy are we old farts!

 

With a name like Spudboy I had you figured for some hot-shot 20-something stud, but unless you are over 60 you aren't one of the "Old Gang" on here. My pal Elktonnick still refuses to tell me how old he is, but since I admit that I'm 71 I might be the oldest old war horse on the board. I also wonder how long you've been rooting for the Red Sox? I've met some guys here and elsewhere who have followed them for over 50 years.

[a700hitter]

With a name like Spudboy I had you figured for some hot-shot 20-something stud' date=' but unless you are over 60 you aren't one of the "Old Gang" on here. My pal Elktonnick still refuses to tell me how old he is, but since I admit that I'm 71 I might be the oldest old war horse on the board. I also wonder how long you've been rooting for the Red Sox? I've met some guys here and elsewhere who have followed them for over 50 years.[/quote']Spud dates and marries young women, but he is definitely in "old fart land" on this forum. I think that he has been rooting for the Sox since 1967 or longer.

[seabeachfred]

Spud dates and marries young women' date=' but he is definitely in "old fart land" on this forum. I think that he has been rooting for the Sox since 1967 or longer.[/quote']

 

I think I heard you say that your children are no longer living at home so that means that you are getting close to senior citizenship or maybe have gotten there already. One of the problems on this board is that none of us really know how old or how long the various posters have followed the Red Sox. I think it would be good to know that since it would give me and you and other a better perspective of how and why they take the points of view they do about our team. I mean, I know people who go back to the 50's, and most of them think that even with the 2011 collapse, this is still hyperion time for the Red Sox.

 

Then there is me, a convert in late 2000 who never went through anything nearly that bad even with that collapse in 2001, Grady's brain cramp in 2003 and last year. Hell, my fourth full year of following the team I was awarded with a WS Title--and on my birthday to boot. Yes 700, on other boards I have been told to cool it and just be grateful that I wasn't following the team way back when. Admittedly, though, I'm very spoiled and equally demanding, not two of my better qualities. ;););)

[a700hitter]

The Red Sox are still considering a new contract for Jason Varitek, Heyman reports. The Red Sox value his contributions and haven’t ruled out a reunion, despite the presence of catchers Kelly Shoppach, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ryan Lavarnway on the roster. "Our hope is that Tek will always be a part of the Red Sox in some way," GM Ben Cherington told reporters last month.

If there is any truth to this story, Ben must be a boob.

[example1]

I highly doubt it. Is possible they are trying to grease the skids for a Salty trade or Lavarnway trade, with Tek as 3rd option, I just don't know how that would work. I suppose as a backup catcher after a Salty trade to give Lavarnway time to develop; however, I don't think that could end with anything other than cutting Tek midseason or Lavarnway withering at AAA. Neither option is a good one.

[SoxSport]

I highly doubt it. Is possible they are trying to grease the skids for a Salty trade or Lavarnway trade' date=' with Tek as 3rd option, I just don't know how that would work. I suppose as a backup catcher after a Salty trade to give Lavarnway time to develop; however, I don't think that could end with anything other than cutting Tek midseason or Lavarnway withering at AAA. Neither option is a good one.[/quote']

 

One of their objectives is to reduce the runs allowed due to stolen bases. Last year, it was about 20% of the difference between runs scored and runs allowed. That's why Shoppach is here. He throws out runners pretty well. The FO is aware of the problem. If Tek is around, it would be mainly in an advisory capacity--or maybe as bullpen coach.

 

 

Last year, their runs scored due to SBs was way below their runs allowed--with a team that has a few base stealers. I posted that data somewhere back a while ago. That indicates SBs were not really a part of their runs scoring strategy--which will surely change with Bobby V. Look for CC to be a significant part of that--probably batting 2nd.

[a700hitter]

I guess today's big news will be which team signs Coco Crisp.

[seabeachfred]

Jason Varitek is a no-good washed up bum who made some great contributions to the team in his tenure with us and for which we all should be grateful, but he doesn't seem to know when enough is enough---and for that I blame both him and the front office. They can see that at no time after he became a FA after 2008, and again after 2010 and now that he had never received even one offer from any other team. He is that s***** now; he can't hit a lick after June, can't throw his mother out with that rag arm of his, and that captaincy is a complete fraud. When some leadership was needed last September as the team was collapsing he was AWOL--then denied there was any such problem with the team. The Yankees were smart enough to send Posada on his way after a fine career because they know it's time to move ahead, but Yawkeyism is still alive and well at Fenway Park as Lucchino and his pet canary Cherries Jubilee hold fast to their sacred cow mantra, and this why it is starting to become evident that we may be forced to swallow both Varitek and Wakefield again for another year even if we have to trade Salty and keep Lavarnway blocked in order to do it. If this happens, fans ought to consider a boycott because it will become crystal clear that winning is not part of the equation this coming season.

 

Oh, some of you say, keep Varitek as a bullpen coach!!!!!!!!! BULL@@IT on that too because the temptation to activate him in a demonstration of auld lang syne would be too great for Lucchino and Company to pass up. This day is not starting out well having to read about Wakefield and Varitek still possibly playing again with the Red Sox. For God's sake, enough is enough of these two guys.

[mvp 78]

WTH is Yawkeyism?

[a700hitter]

Jason Varitek is a no-good washed up bum who made some great contributions to the team in his tenure with us and for which we all should be grateful, but he doesn't seem to know when enough is enough---and for that I blame both him and the front office. They can see that at no time after he became a FA after 2008, and again after 2010 and now that he had never received even one offer from any other team. He is that s***** now; he can't hit a lick after June, can't throw his mother out with that rag arm of his, and that captaincy is a complete fraud. When some leadership was needed last September as the team was collapsing he was AWOL--then denied there was any such problem with the team. The Yankees were smart enough to send Posada on his way after a fine career because they know it's time to move ahead, but Yawkeyism is still alive and well at Fenway Park as Lucchino and his pet canary Cherries Jubilee hold fast to their sacred cow mantra, and this why it is starting to become evident that we may be forced to swallow both Varitek and Wakefield again for another year even if we have to trade Salty and keep Lavarnway blocked in order to do it. If this happens, fans ought to consider a boycott because it will become crystal clear that winning is not part of the equation this coming season.

 

Oh, some of you say, keep Varitek as a bullpen coach!!!!!!!!! BULL@@IT on that too because the temptation to activate him in a demonstration of auld lang syne would be too great for Lucchino and Company to pass up. This day is not starting out well having to read about Wakefield and Varitek still possibly playing again with the Red Sox. For God's sake, enough is enough of these two guys.

I am with you Fred. Of course, people will get bent out of shape about the "no-good washed up bum" comment, but I love it. That's how we would call it in Brooklyn, and we'd still love the guy. People here don't understand that. The one defense that I have of Tek is that the hardest thing for an athlete to do is to admit to himself that he doesn't have it anymore. Not too many leave the game when they have anything left to give. Why should they... they are still young men playing a great game and living a great lifestyle. It's up to management to realize when a player no longer has anything to offer. The Varitek case is a clear one and Ben would have to be a boob to bring him back.

[VA Sox Fan]

WTH is Yawkeyism?

 

....and Cherries Jubilee? OMG :dunno: