2011-2012 Offseason Thread

[VA Sox Fan]

In all fairness' date=' he did say he was willing to pitch for the Yankees:lol:[/quote']

 

Oh yeah! I think Manny said the same thing!

[a700hitter]

GM Ben Cherington expects definitive resolution on free agents Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield by next week, Cafardo writes.

Hopefully, it will be resolved with the Red Sox announcing nights honoring these two.

[example1]

Hopefully' date=' it will be resolved with the Red Sox announcing nights honoring these two.[/quote']

 

Agreed.

[iortiz]

This and that: Bob Stanley was one of the campers. He's now the Triple A (Las Vegas) pitching coach for the Toronto Blue Jays ... Butch Hobson will manage the Lancaster, Pa., franchise of the Atlantic League this season ... Andrew Miller threw a bullpen session earlier today ... Jon Lester worked out but didn't throw. Lester had told reporters he doesn't plan to speak to the media until next week ... Ryan Kalish is working out, but he can't throw or hit for about a month. There's still a June timetable for his return from neck/shoulder surgeries. "It's been a long road, but I'm feeling a lot better," Kalish said ... Among some of the other players at the fantasy camp: Gary Allenson, Rick Miller, Frank Malzone, Dick Berardino, Bill Lee, Rick Wise, and Frank Viola.

[SoxSport]

If you have Direct TV and the sports package you can get the Boston sports channels NESN and CSNE. Dennis & Callahaan are simulcast on NESN in the AM and Felger and Mazz on CSNE in the aftternoon. MUt & Merloni also on WEEI aren't simulcast. In any case there has been ample commentary on these sport radio shows about the Red Sox clubhouse issues. THis PM Felger and Mazz mainly focused on Beckett but made the negative comment about Ortiz. I think a lot of it stems from his interrupting Francona's news conference last year and his pouting over his contract among other things. Hence some have begun to call him Big Diva because of his apparent prima donna attitude. Anyway that's my take for what it's worth

 

 

I think Papi's attitude is a symptom of what went wrong with the Red Sox.

[User Name]

So we have armchair psychologists here, too. Can i get a free online examination?

[jacksonianmarch]

So we have armchair psychologists here' date=' too. Can i get a free online examination?[/quote']

 

You could, but it's really hard to do a prostate exam through a computer screen

[User Name]

You could' date=' but it's really hard to do a prostate exam through a computer screen[/quote']

 

I'm too young for prostate exams though. Although the "cough" part of my yearly physical always makes me feel uneasy.

[jacksonianmarch]

It not any easier for the person doing the exam. The last thing I want to do is be handling someone's junk. But it's part of the job

[User Name]

That reminds me of a physical i had a couple years ago with a blond intern who was smoking hot. She was very, ahem, gentle.

 

The mental fortitude required to not get wood in such a situation is not mental fortitude i posses.

[a700hitter]

You could' date=' but it's really hard to do a prostate exam through a computer screen[/quote']

 

:lol:Jascko is bringing the A game today.

[User Name]

Can someone tell "The King" that now would actually be a good time for him to go get his prostate exam?

[BSN07]

Can someone tell "The King" that now would actually be a good time for him to go get his prostate exam?

 

They offer weekly exams at the home a700 was put into when he started walking around with a Burger King crown shouting " I am the King, bring my ale wenches!":D

[a700hitter]

They offer weekly exams at the home a700 was put into when he started walking around with a Burger King crown shouting " I am the King' date=' bring my ale wenches!":D[/quote']Everything is all clear in that region. As King, I get the best medical care.

 

[seabeachfred]

I think Papi's attitude is a symptom of what went wrong with the Red Sox.

 

I hope it isn't 25 players, 25 cabs again. I know of that history and it sucked. Hopefully BV can right the ship and get the players thinking as one again.

[FredLynn]

I think Papi's attitude is a symptom of what went wrong with the Red Sox.

 

Agreed. He and Beckett are cancers on the team and it would be best if neither put on the Sox uniform again. We are going to be stuck with Ortiz but we could trade Beckett and hi$ contract for someone who could fill his shoes. His career ERA with the Red Sox is over 4 and right now his value is as high as its going to be for a while. If this is the year we spend fixing the team, we jettison Josh Beckett and his spoiled recalcitrant unapologetic BS attitude. Make an example of him and others on the team will realize that the FO means business.

[User Name]

Beckett's "unapologetic attitude" wasn't a problem when he was setting the league on fire in 2007.

 

Let's be realistic here, they got Bobby V. precisely because they thought he could fix the clubhouse culture, so how does it make sense to jettison two of our most productive players because of their attitude?

 

That makes absolutely no sense.

[FredLynn]

Beckett's "unapologetic attitude" wasn't a problem when he was setting the league on fire in 2007.

 

Let's be realistic here, they got Bobby V. precisely because they thought he could fix the clubhouse culture, so how does it make sense to jettison two of our most productive players because of their attitude?

 

That makes absolutely no sense.

 

I could see giving him a little time to think about his crappy attitude. But if he hasn't changed by midseason, if we are not in the running for a playoff spot, I would certainly try to get rid of him. Clubhouse cameraderie is not to be underestimated, and if Beckett still thinks that no apologies are due for the BS that went on there, he should take his talents elsewhere.

[a700hitter]

Wakefield To Decide On Future Soon

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [February 9 at 10:48am CST]

 

Tim Wakefield may decide whether to pitch in 2012 by the weekend, Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports. Red Sox GM Ben Cherington has said he expects to know soon whether there's a fit between his club and the 105-year-old knuckleballer.

 

“We’re discussing the options — and he has some options — and over the next few days, we’re going to try to figure it out,” agent Barry Meister told Lauber.

 

Wakefield posted a 5.12 ERA with 5.4 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 in 154 2/3 innings as a swingman for the 2011 Red Sox. 186 of his 200 career wins have been with the Red Sox, which means he's six victories away from tying Cy Young and Roger Clemens on Boston's all-time wins list.

[User Name]

I could see giving him a little time to think about his crappy attitude. But if he hasn't changed by midseason' date=' if we are not in the running for a playoff spot, I would certainly try to get rid of him. Clubhouse cameraderie is not to be underestimated, and if Beckett still thinks that no apologies are due for the BS that went on there, he should take his talents elsewhere.[/quote']

 

If he's doing good, they won't wanna trade him. If he's sucking and so is his attitude, no one will want to trade for him.

 

Also, he's very expensive, so the Red Sox would have to eat a chunk of money to get anything in return while losing him in the process.

 

I don't see a scenario where the Sox can get rid of Beckett without screwing themselves in the process.

[Bellhorn04]

If he's doing good, they won't wanna trade him. If he's sucking and so is his attitude, no one will want to trade for him.

 

Also, he's very expensive, so the Red Sox would have to eat a chunk of money to get anything in return while losing him in the process.

 

I don't see a scenario where the Sox can get rid of Beckett without screwing themselves in the process.

 

Exactly.

[FredLynn]

If he's doing good, they won't wanna trade him. If he's sucking and so is his attitude, no one will want to trade for him.

 

Also, he's very expensive, so the Red Sox would have to eat a chunk of money to get anything in return while losing him in the process.

 

I don't see a scenario where the Sox can get rid of Beckett without screwing themselves in the process.

 

This is the year to correct the problems in the clubhouse, and Beckett IS a problem in the clubhouse. Did you listen to the interview he did with Mazz and Fegler on the radio? He rationalized the crap that went on during games as "stuff that happens in the clubhouse should stay in the clubhouse". Way to take responsibility for mistakes there, big guy.

I don't think we can get equal value for him, but we should be able to come close. His ERA is over 4 in Boston, and his attitude sucks. Maybe we could trade him for someone with a better attitude whose ERA is similar. But for now, I would give him a little more time with Bobby V, who might be able to fix the problem.

[Flynnatic10]

Wakefield should just hang it up now.

[User Name]

This is the year to correct the problems in the clubhouse, and Beckett IS a problem in the clubhouse. Did you listen to the interview he did with Mazz and Fegler on the radio? He rationalized the crap that went on during games as "stuff that happens in the clubhouse should stay in the clubhouse". Way to take responsibility for mistakes there, big guy.

I don't think we can get equal value for him, but we should be able to come close. His ERA is over 4 in Boston, and his attitude sucks. Maybe we could trade him for someone with a better attitude whose ERA is similar. But for now, I would give him a little more time with Bobby V, who might be able to fix the problem.

 

I don't care about the interview, and i don't care whether his attitude is liked or not. I care about the Red Sox winning.

 

As i mentioned above, there is no plausible scenario where the Red Sox get rid of Beckett without screwing themselves. Making 17 million per year, the Sox are not getting anything close to real value for him unless they eat a huge chunk of money. Saying otherwise is unrealistic.

 

While clubhouse chemistry is important, talent is more important. They need production, and getting rid of a productive guy because of his attitude after they hired a manager to specifically to correct attitude issues would be stupid on top of stupid.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington has said he expects to know soon whether there's a fit between his club and the 105-year-old knuckleballer.

nice one

[Muggah]

Agreed. He and Beckett are cancers on the team and it would be best if neither put on the Sox uniform again. We are going to be stuck with Ortiz but we could trade Beckett and hi$ contract for someone who could fill his shoes. His career ERA with the Red Sox is over 4 and right now his value is as high as its going to be for a while. If this is the year we spend fixing the team' date=' we jettison Josh Beckett and his spoiled recalcitrant unapologetic BS attitude. Make an example of him and others on the team will realize that the FO means business.[/quote']

 

Just as we predicted, Beckett has no intentions of changing anything. It'll be up to Valentine and Larry as to how much they want to put up with. They'll designate him off-limits to the vast majority of the press and see how that works to start off. If things get ugly, then ya, I could see them look to move him. It's a transitional year anyway, so what's the harm?

 

IMO, a perfect fit for Josh would be the Rangers. I think Nolan Ryan would jump at the chance to bring him home to Texas. But we also have to remember, too, that this is an even numbered year, and if history is any judge, this will be a season in which Josh just mails it in--so that might play into things too if they're looking to move him.

[User Name]

The whole "transition year" idea is a personal machination with no basis in reality, just so you know, mr. realist.

[Muggah]

 

 

 

This ******* Wakefield has turned into one of the greediest, most disgusting pieces of s*** I can ever remember in all my years of following pro sports.

[a700hitter]

nice one

I was wondering if anyone would catch that little edit.

[redsoxfan3]

I was wondering if anyone would catch that little edit.

 

haha, that is funny. I wouldn't be surprised if we see Wake and Varitek with a camp invite. I hope that they both retire. I would not mind one bit if either tries to work with the organization as a coach in one way or another, especially Tek. I think Tek could help with working with catchers and would be a good mentor for a guy like Lavarnway. I just don't think either has what it takes to play anymore. I hope they both realize that. I want both to retire after playing their last years as a Red Sox. That means they both have to retire this year though.