Cody Ross

[Dojji]

Just imagine if we'd signed Teixeira. All that would have happened is we'd have found out about all this 2 years earlier.

 

It was always a stretch to just assume that Youk was good for a full season at third. He had never started there fulltime and had had years of nearly full-time first base to fill out and settle into the less athletic position. I said that back when, and was called an idiot. Nevermind that you're moving a player 30_ years old over to a position he'd never played at fulltime in the majors. Of course Youk could play third, and it would be a heck of an infield.

 

And the reason I got back why it was going to work? Because Youks had played fulltime at third in the minors. You know who else did that? Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera and Billy Butler. You'd never move any of those men back either.

 

Sorry to vent, but this is something I took a lot of crap for over multiple years, I feel entitled to one good vent over it.

[User Name]

Except that the above is not fact. Youkilis' problems (like the rest of this team's problems) are probably tied to a lack of conditioning and a s***** medical team. As many here who have played or coached baseball have stated, 3B is not much more demanding than 1B. That is a fact.

 

Not signing Teixeira is probably still a mistake. Sorry if this doesn't help validate your opinion though.

[RedSoxFan84]

I think that's what they are hoping for. They may see Middlebrook at 3B for 2013 and Youks at DH.

 

 

It looks that way to me as well. Middlebrooks seems like he is just about ready to be a full-time 3rd, so by 2013 he should be even more ready. Also, assuming that Ortiz is gone, Youkilis will get the opportunity to play as the full-time DH. That should mean that he can rest enough to stay healthy all season.

 

Regarding Ross, I don't really know how to take it at the moment. What I mean by that is that while I like the signing, I don't even know if it has actually happened yet. There is a video on the Sox website that says that we have signed him, but there is also a headline that says we are only CLOSE to signing him. He also isn't listed on the teams roster or depth chart. I also just checked out another site that I look at from time to time for player profiles, and they don't have him listed on the Boston depth chart either, although they do mention in a report regarding our chase for pitching depth that we have already signed Ross. Can someone tell me what the actual official situation is at the moment? Have we signed him and it just hasn't been announced/approved yet? Or are we still in negotiations with him?

[User Name]

The Ross signing is official.

[a700hitter]

Youk has missed games due to back spasms each year, even when playing 1B. They knock him out for 3-5 games and then he is okay the rest of the way. They usually hit him a little after mid-season-- probably due to fatigue and dehydration.

 

Everyone is concerned about him playing 3B. I'm not. I don't think he is any more likely to suffer an injury at 3rd than 1st. I am concerned about his hip. That was the first of his injuries last year. That can be a chronic thing. I hope that he drops about 20 lbs to start the year. 240 is too much weight.

[RedSoxFan84]

Ok, then that's great news. I feel a lot better about a Ross/Ellsbury/Sweeney OF to start the season with than what we would have otherwise had. I also like the idea of having Crawford/Ellsbury/combo of Sweeney and Ross later in the year, with whichever of Sweeney or Ross doesn't get the start and Kalish providing depth. Now if Youkilis can stay healthy or Middlebrooks is capable of taking over when needed, then all we really need to do is add another starting pitcher and deal with the SS spot (I still hope that Iglesias gets the job and is allowed time to work on his offensive game).

[a700hitter]

It looks that way to me as well. Middlebrooks seems like he is just about ready to be a full-time 3rd, so by 2013 he should be even more ready. Also, assuming that Ortiz is gone, Youkilis will get the opportunity to play as the full-time DH. That should mean that he can rest enough to stay healthy all season.

First of all, let's not jump the gun with Middlebrooks just yet. Maybe he will be ready in 2013. Isn't 2013 an option year for Youkilis?

[User Name]

Ok' date=' then that's great news. I feel a lot better about a Ross/Ellsbury/Sweeney OF to start the season with than what we would have otherwise had. I also like the idea of having Crawford/Ellsbury/combo of Sweeney and Ross later in the year, with whichever of Sweeney or Ross doesn't get the start and Kalish providing depth. Now if Youkilis can stay healthy or Middlebrooks is capable of taking over when needed, then all we really need to do is add another starting pitcher and deal with the SS spot (I still hope that Iglesias gets the job and is allowed time to work on his offensive game).[/quote']

 

Kalish will be the starting RF by mid-season, with Ross getting plenty of AB's at the corners and CF. You can bet on it.

[RedSoxFan84]

Kalish will be the starting RF by mid-season' date=' with Ross getting plenty of AB's at the corners and CF. You can bet on it.[/quote']

 

 

 

So you're predicting a Crawford/Ellsbury/Kalish OF with Sweeney and Ross as depth guys? I didn't realize that Kalish was so ready/so highly thought of that he was being predicted by one of the better posters around here to be the starter in RF. That is great news to hear, as I wasn't predicting him to start, at least not in 2012.

[User Name]

So you're predicting a Crawford/Ellsbury/Kalish OF with Sweeney and Ross as depth guys? I didn't realize that Kalish was so ready/so highly thought of that he was being predicted by one of the better posters around here to be the starter in RF. That is great news to hear' date=' as I wasn't predicting him to start, at least not in 2012.[/quote']

 

It'll be a semi-platoon between Kalish and Ross IMO. If Kalish is healthy, he's a speed/power threat and he can get on base too.

[RedSoxFan84]

First of all' date=' let's not jump the gun with Middlebrooks just yet. Maybe he will be ready in 2013. Isn't 2013 an option year for Youkilis?[/quote']

 

 

 

I didn't mean to jump the gun, as you put it. Most of the posters here no doubt have been baseball fans for longer than I have, but I was just going on what I have read, most of which seems to indicate that Middlebrooks has done everything he can in the minors and is ready for the step up to Boston. I may be wrong, in which case I'd love to get your opinion on where Middlebrooks is at, and how far away you feel he is.

 

As for Youkilis, if my memory serves me correctly, 2013 is an option year for him. Now as to whether that's a team or player option, I'm not sure. I think someone mentioned that his option in 2013 was for $13 mil or thereabouts. I guess what happens there will depend largely on how well Youkilis plays and gets through this season, and how ready they think Middlebrooks is after this season.

[User Name]

Reading all the talk about Middlebrook is a good reminder of just how well positioned the Red Sox are for 2013.

[Spudboy]

Lol.

 

This is all just speculation. If, if, if if.......

[Spudboy]

Oh, has my 56 year old brain completely failed me or did Youk play 3rd in the majors before moving to 1st?

[User Name]

Well that's all you can do on a message board. The one thing that isn't speculation is that Prince Fielder is fat and should low-carb it.

[User Name]

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

 

You would be correct.

[RedSoxFan84]

It'll be a semi-platoon between Kalish and Ross IMO. If Kalish is healthy' date=' he's a speed/power threat and he can get on base too.[/quote']

 

 

With Ross being 31 (or somewhere around there), he obviously isn't a long-term solution. With Crawford and (for the love of God please) Ellsbury around for a long time to come, we only really seem to have one OF hole to fill. Ross and Sweeney are both solid players, but it would be nice to have a young guy come through who can fill that role long-term. What sort of potential/upside do you see in Kalish? How good do you think he'll be? Will he be our long-term answer in RF?

 

Regarding young guys in the OF, what do you think of Brentz and Jacobs? How good do you think they'll become? Will either of them out-play any of the current guys for an OF spot in the years to come? Also, if Bogaerts does out-grow SS as is predicted, do you see him becoming much of an OFer?

[User Name]

He's a potential 20-20 guy with good OBP and good D. That's pretty good if ya ask me.

[a700hitter]

I didn't mean to jump the gun, as you put it. Most of the posters here no doubt have been baseball fans for longer than I have, but I was just going on what I have read, most of which seems to indicate that Middlebrooks has done everything he can in the minors and is ready for the step up to Boston. I may be wrong, in which case I'd love to get your opinion on where Middlebrooks is at, and how far away you feel he is.

 

As for Youkilis, if my memory serves me correctly, 2013 is an option year for him. Now as to whether that's a team or player option, I'm not sure. I think someone mentioned that his option in 2013 was for $13 mil or thereabouts. I guess what happens there will depend largely on how well Youkilis plays and gets through this season, and how ready they think Middlebrooks is after this season.

Middlebrooks has made great progress, but I wouldn't say that he has done wverything that he has needed to do in the minors. I have seen better prospects than him (Hanley Ramirez comes to mind) regress while in the minors. Middlebrooks needs to play well again this season to prove that he can be consistent.

 

As for Youk's, if he doesn't stay healthy and have a good year in 2012, I don't see them exercising his option.

[Spudboy]

He's a potential 20-20 guy with good OBP and good D. That's pretty good if ya ask me.

 

I agree. That injury was unfortunate. It will be interesting to see how he has recovered. The kid is one hell of an athlete and plays very hard and smart baseball.

[Spudboy]

I am compelled to quote Rick Patino.

 

" The negativity in this town sucks".

 

Yes, a message board is a place for speculation and voicing opinions. However, I do not understand why members continue piss on Crawford (still one of the best pure athletes in North America), Youk - hard nosed Gold Glove caliber corner infielder that can hit, and Cherrington - a man that knows much more about baseball and construction of a team than anyone on this board. The Sox remain one of the elite teams in MLB. Assembling a roster that competes on a yearly basis is a perpetual jig saw puzzle. Pieces are always being added. I very much doubt that our team will flounder in 2012. As currently constructed the Sox will be in the hunt. And as I have said several times here, that is the organization's objective. To be competitive and to make money. Winning a championship is secondary.

[User Name]

I am compelled to quote Rick Patino.

 

" The negativity in this town sucks".

 

Yes, a message board is a place for speculation and voicing opinions. However, I do not understand why members continue piss on Crawford (still one of the best pure athletes in North America), Youk - hard nosed Gold Glove caliber corner infielder that can hit, and Cherrington - a man that knows much more about baseball and construction of a team than anyone on this board. The Sox remain one of the elite teams in MLB. Assembling a roster that competes on a yearly basis is a perpetual jig saw puzzle. Pieces are always being added. I very much doubt that our team will flounder in 2012. As currently constructed the Sox will be in the hunt. And as I have said several times here, that is the organization's objective. To be competitive and to make money. Winning a championship is secondary.

 

This is an excellent post.A lot of Red Sox "fans" do nothing but attempt to belittle the team at every possible opportunity. Then hide their negativity behind the veil of "realism". Realism is objectivity, not negativity. Different things.

 

However, i would argue that winning a championship and making money go hand in hand, so they are both part of the primary objective.

[VA Sox Fan]

I am compelled to quote Rick Patino.

 

" The negativity in this town sucks".

 

Yes, a message board is a place for speculation and voicing opinions. However, I do not understand why members continue piss on Crawford (still one of the best pure athletes in North America), Youk - hard nosed Gold Glove caliber corner infielder that can hit, and Cherrington - a man that knows much more about baseball and construction of a team than anyone on this board. The Sox remain one of the elite teams in MLB. Assembling a roster that competes on a yearly basis is a perpetual jig saw puzzle. Pieces are always being added. I very much doubt that our team will flounder in 2012. As currently constructed the Sox will be in the hunt. And as I have said several times here, that is the organization's objective. To be competitive and to make money. Winning a championship is secondary.

 

Amen to that Spud!

[VA Sox Fan]

This is an excellent post.A lot of Red Sox "fans" do nothing but attempt to belittle the team at every possible opportunity. Then hide their negativity behind the veil of "realism". Realism is objectivity' date=' not negativity. Different things.[/b']

However, i would argue that winning a championship and making money go hand in hand, so they are both part of the primary objective.

 

True!!

[a700hitter]

I am compelled to quote Rick Patino.

 

" The negativity in this town sucks".

 

Yes, a message board is a place for speculation and voicing opinions. However, I do not understand why members continue piss on Crawford (still one of the best pure athletes in North America), Youk - hard nosed Gold Glove caliber corner infielder that can hit, and Cherrington - a man that knows much more about baseball and construction of a team than anyone on this board. The Sox remain one of the elite teams in MLB. Assembling a roster that competes on a yearly basis is a perpetual jig saw puzzle. Pieces are always being added. I very much doubt that our team will flounder in 2012. As currently constructed the Sox will be in the hunt. And as I have said several times here, that is the organization's objective. To be competitive and to make money. Winning a championship is secondary.

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.

[User Name]

My head hurts.

[redsoxfan3]

Positivity is what this team needs. I know that it really doesn't matter a whole lot, but if there are more optimistic fans out there, that is better for Red Sox Nation. With the addition of Ross and with the addition of either Oswalt or Jackson, I think that this team will be capable of winning a championship. With guys like Kalish, Crawford, Ellsbury, Ross, and Sweeney all in the outfield and healthy together, then that is one hell of an outfield in my opinion. It is always good when you have to make a decision between Ross, Kalish, and Sweeney to start in RF. We just need to get Kalish and Crawford healthy and hope that everyone can stay healthy.

 

Our infield is going to be solid, I am comfortable with Aviles at SS, but the addition of Theriot would be nice. That would allow us to have to decide to start Theriot or Aviles at SS, with Punto trying to get playing time as well. That would create competition as well.

 

I am excited to see what happens this Spring. I cannot wait until the offseason is done and Spring Training starts.

[a700hitter]

Positivity is what this team needs. I know that it really doesn't matter a whole lot' date=' but if there are more optimistic fans out there, that is better for Red Sox Nation. [/quote']Do you go to Fenway? There is no lack of positive energy in that ballpark every single night.

[redsoxfan3]

Do you go to Fenway? There is no lack of positive energy in that ballpark every single night.

 

That's not what I am saying. This offseason there has been a lot of negativity, especially since how last season ended. I am just saying that it is good for us to have fans that are starting to think optimistically about this team again. Also, just for the record, I have been to Fenway but I live in Fort Myers, so it is tough for me to get to Boston a lot. I know all of the positivity. I saw the line at City of Palms Park for fans to get tickets for Spring Training games at JetBlue for this Spring. There is no lack of support for this team, that is not what I was saying. I am just simply saying that I am happy to see more and more fans becoming optimistic about this team.

[a700hitter]

That's not what I am saying. This offseason there has been a lot of negativity' date=' especially since how last season ended. I am just saying that it is good for us to have fans that are starting to think optimistically about this team again. Also, just for the record, I have been to Fenway but I live in Fort Myers, so it is tough for me to get to Boston a lot. I know all of the positivity. I saw the line at City of Palms Park for fans to get tickets for Spring Training games at JetBlue for this Spring. There is no lack of support for this team, that is not what I was saying. I am just simply saying that I am happy to see more and more fans becoming optimistic about this team.[/quote']I'll be in Ft. Myers for the 9th yr in a row to see Spring Training. How does the new ballpark look?

 

The players feed off the vibe in a full ballpark. There is no doubt about that. Outside of the ball park, it doesn't really matter if we are positive or negative on the internet..