Cody Ross

[Dojji]

Oh' date=' has my 56 year old brain completely failed me or did Youk play 3rd in the majors before moving to 1st?[/quote']

 

He played third off the bench, but he's never started a full season there. He's been a 3B/1B right along. He did split time with Bill Mueller in 05 but he was the junior partner, he's never even played half-time at 3B for the Red Sox before last year.

 

The most games Youks has ever played at third in a single season before last year is 65, in his rookie campaign.

 

It wouldn't be unlike calling Jed Lowrie a full-time shortstop.

[Spudboy]

Clearly the Sox need to go get a real third baseman. You know, like Mark Teahan.

[a700hitter]

Clearly the Sox need to go get a real third baseman. You know' date=' like Mark Teahan.[/quote']He's very cheap these days. I think you can get him for the price of a bus ticket.

[Spudboy]

While I'm being so creative, Isn't the immortal Tug Hullet still available?

[a700hitter]

While I'm being so creative' date=' Isn't the immortal Tug Hullet still available?[/quote']He's in real estate.

[iortiz]

Someone didn't get any last night. Your last 2 lines are the crux of the matter. The goals of the fan and management are antithetical to one another. They always have been and they always will be. The goals of management and the fan are only similar to the extent that the fan wants the team to make money so it can continue to put a championship caliber team on the field and management wants to win championships, because it helps to make money. The ultimate goals differ: make money vs. win championships. That is why people criticize, and I use that word instead of complain, because we want the best possible team, but we have no control except to vote with our feet. However, if things get to that point, they have gotten very bad. Look at the Mets.

 

Yes, Cherrington knows better than the non-professionals how to build a competitive team that will make money, but so do the other 29 GMs. The fans, however, can sit in judgment of whether they think a roster has what it takes to win. Every GM does his best to build his team. However, many know that their rosters don't have a chance to succeed, but they can never say that publicly. There are years when teams like the Sox and the Yankees know that they will have a struggle to make the playoffs. Sometimes they are in a rebuilding mode, but they can't say that they are rebuilding and charge $50-150 ticket. Whether a team is good enough to go all the way is a legitimate topic of discussion for the fans. In that matter the fans may not know better, but we can discuss it more honestly, because we are not also wearing marketing hats. As this team stands, they will have a tough time competing for the playoffs. The Yanks are clearly better and several teams look like tough competition for the wild card. If we get another starting pitcher, that analysis changes. If I end with a :thumbsup::thumbsup:, will you feel better about the situation.

 

Great post. I completely share this point of view. As always, you put it in a clear and objective perspective.

 

BTW Jackson is likely the front runner according with ESPNDEPORTES (Guillermo Rojas). Seems like Oswalt won't land in Boston. Jung's theory is probably in effect.

 

We'll see how it ends, though.

[RedSoxNC84]

Great post. I completely share this point of view. As always, you put it in a clear and objective perspective.

 

BTW Jackson is likely the front runner according with ESPNDEPORTES (Guillermo Rojas). Seems like Oswalt won't land in Boston. Jung's theory is probably in effect.

 

We'll see how it ends, though.

 

I'm reading everywhere that Oswalt is trying to land somewhere else. That's too bad. Hopefully he will change his mind and come here, I'd rather see him over Jackson, but I'd rather see Jackson over Cook/Silva/Germano/Padilla

[iortiz]

I'm reading everywhere that Oswalt is trying to land somewhere else. That's too bad. Hopefully he will change his mind and come here' date=' I'd rather see him over Jackson, but I'd rather see Jackson over Cook/Silva/Germano/Padilla[/quote']

 

The only reason I would prefer Jackson, Floyd or even Wandy these days is because I'm concerned about his health. I've been saying this. Hell, Why didn't NY, Marlins, Angels, Tex, etc sign him?

[RedSoxNC84]

Seems like most of their rotations are pretty solid now. Not sure why NYY would take Kuroda over Oswalt, but it could be due to injury concerns. That and I think that Oswalt wants to stay out of the ALE, and possibly even the AL altogether, he's never been an AL pitcher.

[RedSoxFan84]

You raise a good point regarding Oswalt's health. I've been hoping that we would sign him simply because of the good options left, he seemed to be the most likely to sign a one-year deal. However, I was going with the assumption that he was fine health-wise. Maybe he isn't. That would explain why no one has signed him all off-season.

 

As far as I could gather, the plan was to sign a pitcher to a one-year deal, so that their contract would be off the books this time next year when we would go after one or two really good pitchers. Is that the case? If so, who is going to be available then? As someone who follows the White Sox as well, I would be fine with us trading for Floyd. The reason that I say this is because I'm starting to wonder if trying to get a one-year rental now in the hopes of signing someone next year is going to work, or whether we would be better off going after a guy like Floyd, Garza or even signing Jackson to a multi-year deal so that we're not taking the risk of coming away with nothing this time next year.

[RedSoxNC84]

In my opinion, Jackson isn't worth a multi-year deal at the price Boras is asking for him. The other options you listed would cost prospects as well. Oswalt to me still seems to be the best option, considering he is better than Jackson, even with a potential bad back.

[RedSoxFan84]

OK, I get that Oswalt is your preference over Jackson. However, I'm interested in getting your opinions on what I said about signing a rental now and hoping to spend big next year vs adding someone (not necessarily Jackson) on a multi-year deal now and not taking the risk of not getting anyone next year.

[Emmz]

Clearly the Sox need to go get a real third baseman. You know' date=' like Mark Teahan.[/quote']

 

He's very cheap these days. I think you can get him for the price of a bus ticket.

 

While I'm being so creative' date=' Isn't the immortal Tug Hullet still available?[/quote']

 

He's in real estate.

 

LOOOOOOOL.

 

Tug Hullett and Mark Teahan: The Players to be Named Later.

[RedSoxNC84]

OK' date=' I get that Oswalt is your preference over Jackson. However, I'm interested in getting your opinions on what I said about signing a rental now and hoping to spend big next year vs adding someone (not necessarily Jackson) on a multi-year deal now and not taking the risk of not getting anyone next year.[/quote']

 

I think it would be better to take a one year rental now and sign someone to long term next season, there are going to be more options available next year, and the team will also have a lot more salary coming off the books. So there will definitely be more room to breathe next offseason.

 

As I said, I didn't think Jackson was worth the deal Boras is asking for him. He's a solid back of the rotation piece, but as far as I'm concerned, there will be better pieces available next season.

[RedSoxFan84]

I think it would be better to take a one year rental now and sign someone to long term next season, there are going to be more options available next year, and the team will also have a lot more salary coming off the books. So there will definitely be more room to breathe next offseason.

 

As I said, I didn't think Jackson was worth the deal Boras is asking for him. He's a solid back of the rotation piece, but as far as I'm concerned, there will be better pieces available next season.

 

 

 

So you're happy to wait until next year to sign someone long-term and risk possibly not getting anyone?

[Emmz]

The only reason I would prefer Jackson' date=' Floyd or even Wandy these days is because I'm concerned about his health. I've been saying this. Hell, Why didn't NY, Marlins, Angels, Tex, etc sign him?[/quote']

 

This is my biggest concern. Dude's going to get lit up in the AL East if he's having the same issues as last year. I'm not sold on Oswalt at all.

[User Name]

Wandy's a worst bet to perform than Oswalt even with his bad back. Homer-prone lefty with average stuff and prone to giving up BB's and hits coming to Fenway? Disaster.

[RedSoxNC84]

So you're happy to wait until next year to sign someone long-term and risk possibly not getting anyone?

 

I'd rather see a one year deal for this season. Would I rather go into the season without a definite starting pitcher in at least the #4 spot? No. Would I want to see the team blow the cap and sign someone like Jackson to a four year deal? No.

 

I'd like to see the Sox get Oswalt on a one year deal, maybe even Jackson if they can pick him up on a 1 or maybe even a 2 year deal. Then get Uehara for the bullpen, and we're set.

[iortiz]

Sign Jackson for 2 years could work it out. Maybe 16-18/2 Y.

[RedSoxNC84]

I still don't think we can afford that though. If we could, I would be okay with it.

[User Name]

Sign Jackson for 2 years could work it out. Maybe 16-18/2 Y.

 

This is a great idea. Specially now that his price has dropped.

[RedSoxNC84]

This is a great idea. Specially now that his price has dropped.

 

If they could get him at a decent price yes. I think this move, along with possibly getting Theriot for our starting shortstop, and maybe adding another bullpen piece with Uehara, we'd be set.

 

Too bad I just don't think the team can pull this off without dumping any more salary.

[jacksonianmarch]

This is a great idea. Specially now that his price has dropped.

 

I believe Boras is representing Jackson, so if he agrees to a short term deal, it'll be a one yr contract with a player option. All the big money teams have either filled their holes or are looking for one yr deals. Jackson really lacks a serious, big money suitor. In my predictions prior to FA, I predicted the Sox would get Jackson. I thought it made too much sense. Innings eating pitcher on a team that had trouble getting innings out of their starters just made too much sense. It looks like Oswalt has no interest in pitching in the AL, espectially the AL East, and I dont blame him. If you're a star pitcher coming off an injury plagued season looking to recoup value, why go to the toughest division to pitch in, in all of baseball? Makes no sense.

[Spitball]

If they could get him at a decent price yes. I think this move' date=' along with possibly getting Theriot for our starting shortstop...[/quote']

 

Ah, geez! The Sox do not want Theriot as their starting shortstop...or even on the team. He just doesn't hit well enough to justify his terrible defense.

 

The Red Sox have built a team with good defenders. The Shoppach and Punto acquisitions show that Cherington will continue putting a value on defense. In my opinion, Theriot is not in the Red Sox mold of player.

[SoxSport]

Ah, geez! The Sox do not want Theriot as their starting shortstop...or even on the team. He just doesn't hit well enough to justify his terrible defense.

 

The Red Sox have built a team with good defenders. The Shoppach and Punto acquisitions show that Cherington will continue putting a value on defense. In my opinion, Theriot is not in the Red Sox mold of player.

 

Cherington just said in an interview they view Aviles as a starting SS, as he was in KC before he got hurt. The rumor about them looking for a regular SS is one you have to doubt.

 

I think, though, they have to be concerned about Youks durability at 3B. If Youks goes down, Aviles plays 3B, Iglesias SS. Or maybe Middlebrooks gets called up.

[SoxSport]

The only reason I would prefer Jackson' date=' Floyd or even Wandy these days is because I'm concerned about his health. I've been saying this. Hell, Why didn't NY, Marlins, Angels, Tex, etc sign him?[/quote']

 

Kinda hard to sort out all the rumors about Jackson and Oswalt. My guess is they might prefer Jackson, but want him for short years and less money than what Boras wants. Oswalt carries a health risk with his age and back. Plus he may prefer to be closer to home at this point. The question is whether Texas or St Louis wants him.

 

I think Jackson's problem is he's a 3 or 4 being marketed by Boras as a 1 or 2.

[iortiz]

Kinda hard to sort out all the rumors about Jackson and Oswalt. My guess is they might prefer Jackson, but want him for short years and less money than what Boras wants. Oswalt carries a health risk with his age and back. Plus he may prefer to be closer to home at this point. The question is whether Texas or St Louis wants him.

 

I think Jackson's problem is he's a 3 or 4 being marketed by Boras as a 1 or 2.

 

STL and TEX have showed that they are very interested in him. In fact, I'm reading everywhere that he will likely sign with Texas very soon.

[Dojji]

Ah, geez! The Sox do not want Theriot as their starting shortstop...or even on the team. He just doesn't hit well enough to justify his terrible defense.

 

The Red Sox have built a team with good defenders. The Shoppach and Punto acquisitions show that Cherington will continue putting a value on defense. In my opinion, Theriot is not in the Red Sox mold of player.

 

Actually Theriot has a lot in common with Scutaro to be perfectly honest. I could definitely see the team expressing some interest in him. He's an average defender -- sometimes a little above, sometimes a little below, just like Scutaro -- with the same focus on plate discipline offensively and pretty similar career numbers.

 

Not saying it's a slam dunk that the team is definitely going after Theriot but I can see the logic in bringing up the possibility. He's not nearly as bad as all that.

[Spitball]

Actually Theriot has a lot in common with Scutaro to be perfectly honest. I could definitely see the team expressing some interest in him. He's an average defender -- sometimes a little above, sometimes a little below, just like Scutaro -- with the same focus on plate discipline offensively and pretty similar career numbers.

 

Not saying it's a slam dunk that the team is definitely going after Theriot but I can see the logic in bringing up the possibility. He's not nearly as bad as all that.

 

I disagree...and so do the Rockies. Why would they have taken on Scutaro's contract when they could have had Theriot for about a sixth the price? Theriot is without a team for a reason. He is not very good. He barely plays defense well enough to cover second base and his offense has been on the decline.

 

Scutaro is a much better player than Theriot.

[Spitball]

Btw, has this been posted? Jose Canseco to the Red Sox?

 

http://www.wlky.com/r/30285917/detail.html