Let's Grade the GM on the Off-Season

[Muggah]

Does this mean that I can post pictures too?

Mod?

 

I'd say it most certainly does. Post away!!

[Bellhorn04]

It really is. why can't people accept that?

 

Maybe because spring training games haven't even started yet.

[Bellhorn04]

I'd say it most certainly does. Post away!!

 

The moderator already said he doesn't like pictures being posted. Good old Muggah, making it clear he's mainly around to cause trouble.

[Muggah]

The moderator already said he doesn't like pictures being posted. Good old Muggah' date=' making it clear he's mainly around to cause trouble.[/quote']

 

Do you really think that about me Bob? That hurts if you do.

[seabeachfred]

Why is it that SBF tells us about his life all the time?

 

Because I enjoy life and being who I am. I also needed to tell Emmz that I am no male chauvinist. Ju st clearing the air young man. Now back to baseball.

 

You tell me young sir---how do you see this season shaping up?

[seabeachfred]

Do me a favor ok? Don't accuse me of telling people things I didn't and don't tell them. I don't care what you think about anything' date=' why would I care what you think about women?[/quote']

 

Fair enough VA. I have an even better idea. Just put be on ignore and I will do the same. We don't get along, have totally different take on things Red Sox and you seem to have a very intolerant attitude to anyone taking a negative view of anything Red Sox. I thought our relationship would take a turn for the better but it hasn't so let's just agree to disagree and move on.

[Elktonnick]

If your owner gives you a budget' date=' arent you going to make the most out of that budget? I think there's very little substantiate your claim.[/quote']

 

From today's Boston Herald:

 

Both Henry and Lucchino were defiant about suggestions that the Red Sox are done spending as much money on payroll, with Henry reiterating that the club will have the second-highest payroll in the majors this season at roughly $190 million, which would exceed the $178 million luxury tax threshold. “How can you say it’s over when we have the second-largest payroll? When did it end?” Henry said. “If your pre-existing contracts get you to a certain point, it’s hard to go beyond a certain point. Every year we have a budget, and every year we go over our budget. Are we prepared to go over our budget? Yes, if the right situation presents itself.” Lucchino added that the Red Sox are open to adding payroll this season.

 

Quod erat demonstratum.

[Dojji]

Obviously the right situation didn't come along.

 

Who would you have spend on this offseason? Edwin Jackson? Prince Fielder? The only guy I really wanted that we didn't get was Jose Reyes, and the Marlins seriously overpaid him.

[Bellhorn04]

From today's Boston Herald:

 

Both Henry and Lucchino were defiant about suggestions that the Red Sox are done spending as much money on payroll, with Henry reiterating that the club will have the second-highest payroll in the majors this season at roughly $190 million, which would exceed the $178 million luxury tax threshold. “How can you say it’s over when we have the second-largest payroll? When did it end?” Henry said. “If your pre-existing contracts get you to a certain point, it’s hard to go beyond a certain point. Every year we have a budget, and every year we go over our budget. Are we prepared to go over our budget? Yes, if the right situation presents itself.” Lucchino added that the Red Sox are open to adding payroll this season.

 

Quod erat demonstratum.

 

Fine, but still nothing there that indicates that Cherington would have the final say on which further expenditures or offers would be approved. Henry and Lucchino have amply demonstrated that they are hands-on executives, and it's them doing the talking here.

[Emmz]

From today's Boston Herald:

 

Both Henry and Lucchino were defiant about suggestions that the Red Sox are done spending as much money on payroll, with Henry reiterating that the club will have the second-highest payroll in the majors this season at roughly $190 million, which would exceed the $178 million luxury tax threshold. “How can you say it’s over when we have the second-largest payroll? When did it end?” Henry said. “If your pre-existing contracts get you to a certain point, it’s hard to go beyond a certain point. Every year we have a budget, and every year we go over our budget. Are we prepared to go over our budget? Yes, if the right situation presents itself.” Lucchino added that the Red Sox are open to adding payroll this season.

 

Quod erat demonstratum.

 

I'm speaking purely logically. It makes no sense. You don't need experience to know that if theres an amount the owners approve to be spent, its in your best interest to maximize it.

[Bellhorn04]

Also, nick, if 'the sky's the limit' financially, how do you reconcile that to the Scutaro trade.

[Bellhorn04]

The purpose of the statements by Henry and Lucchino seems clear to me. They're defending themselves against charges that they are being tight with money, that their interest in the team is being distracted by the soccer team etc. They think they're getting a bad rap. This has been going on since the 'bridge year' flap.

[example1]

The need for Lucchino and Henry to defend themselves against accusations that they are tightening the purse-strings reminds me of discussions I have with my almost 3 year old daughter, when she tantrumms about not being able to have a lollipop.

 

Any amount of explaining I do about the lollipop she had earlier in the day, or the one she will undoubtedly have tomorrow, or the cupcake she just ate, or the waffles and syrup she had in the morning falls on deaf ears. It simply doesn't matter. She's reacting emotionally, not logically.

 

Similarily, fans/media who can possibly ask why the Red Sox didn't spend more this offseason are simply responding emotionally, not logically. Henry and LL are right. They have an enormous payroll and have increased it continuously. Year after year they have spent more money than virtually any other team, yet questions are coming that indicate that certain people don't appreciate those previous expenditures...

 

It reminds me that plenty of people--including those here--don't appreciate the fact that the Sox have won the 2nd most regular season games and the most WS since Henry and crew took over. It's all about 'what have you done for me lately'. I would say it is that blinding immediacy of some posters (and media members) views that causes me the most frustration.

 

What have they done for us lately? Put a competitive and interesting team on the field year after year... make huge FA acquisitions, sign highly priced college players, etc.,

 

This team has the potential to be the best team in baseball next year, but some people are saying they will be lucky if they beat out Toronto. Makes me want to pull my hair out.

[a700hitter]

The need for Lucchino and Henry to defend themselves against accusations that they are tightening the purse-strings reminds me of discussions I have with my almost 3 year old daughter, when she tantrumms about not being able to have a lollipop.

 

Any amount of explaining I do about the lollipop she had earlier in the day, or the one she will undoubtedly have tomorrow, or the cupcake she just ate, or the waffles and syrup she had in the morning falls on deaf ears. It simply doesn't matter. She's reacting emotionally, not logically.

 

Similarily, fans/media who can possibly ask why the Red Sox didn't spend more this offseason are simply responding emotionally, not logically. Henry and LL are right. They have an enormous payroll and have increased it continuously. Year after year they have spent more money than virtually any other team, yet questions are coming that indicate that certain people don't appreciate those previous expenditures...

 

It reminds me that plenty of people--including those here--don't appreciate the fact that the Sox have won the 2nd most regular season games and the most WS since Henry and crew took over. It's all about 'what have you done for me lately'. I would say it is that blinding immediacy of some posters (and media members) views that causes me the most frustration.

 

What have they done for us lately? Put a competitive and interesting team on the field year after year... make huge FA acquisitions, sign highly priced college players, etc.,

 

This team has the potential to be the best team in baseball next year, but some people are saying they will be lucky if they beat out Toronto. Makes me want to pull my hair out.

There is one key difference with the example of your daughter. Your daughter does not pay for the lollipopps, the cupcakes or the waffles. In fact, without you, she would not exist, just like the Red Sox would not exist without the fans.

[Elktonnick]

Also' date=' nick, if 'the sky's the limit' financially, how do you reconcile that to the Scutaro trade.[/quote']

 

You can't it was a bad trade unless they really believe they don't need him. But they ccould have gotten something better for him then what they did.

[Elktonnick]

Obviously the right situation didn't come along.

 

Who would you have spend on this offseason? Edwin Jackson? Prince Fielder? The only guy I really wanted that we didn't get was Jose Reyes, and the Marlins seriously overpaid him.

 

Exactly! My point all along is that it wasn't money that kept Ben from improving the club more than he did. Being as charitable as I can it was his own inexperience and inherent indecisiveness. There were other opportunities but his advocates say he is deliberate. I say he is deliberate to teh point of indecision and the club suffers for it.

[jung]

Honestly the Sox are always better off when JH and LL just zip it.

 

Clearly the Sox have one of the biggest payrolls in baseball based on spending commitments that they made in other years. BC basically told us what the Sox were going to do this year early on and it is hard to argue that at least so far things have not gone about the way BC said they were going to go. Although Scuts makes less and less sense as each day goes by and it becomes clear that they are over the LT cap.

 

I guess the problem for JH and LL is that they have taken some flak from folks that have not liked it from day one. Myself I have said from the beginning that I thought I could at least understand their position regarding making more spending commitments this year because they were already committed to spend so much money and it was time for the players they had to step up and play to their potential for a change.

 

I don't think they have to defend themselves at least as it relates to the amount of money spent. They could be called to task for the way some of it has been spent but hard to argue with the amount. They have opened themselves up a bit to criticism for having done things like let go of Scuts to save what in retrospect appears a pretty paltry amount to have had a much more solid SS situation. Even if Iggy comes up they would have been better off with Scuts and Aviles than with Aviles and Punto.

 

Again I think they would do better to just zip it. They are not going to satisfy those that are not happy by making pronouncement that they will spend past the budget if they see an opportunity that makes sense. Nobody cares. Pronouncements like that ring hollow for those that have decided that they are not happy with it. Just like stubbornly sticking to the story that they got rid of Scuts so that they could use his $6M more effectively at some point in the future rings hollow. Frankly their "stories" and pronouncements ring hollow to me and I am not in the pissed off camp. Those that recognize they really don't have much of a choice with regard to additional spending commitments this year aren't dinging them anyway. Geez every time they open their mouth it is insert foot. Go off on your yacht and tack left and tack right for awhile JH and take LL with you before you say something stupid again like....I never wanted that guy Crawford in the first place.

[Elktonnick]

Honestly the Sox are always better off when JH and LL just zip it.

 

Clearly the Sox have one of the biggest payrolls in baseball based on spending commitments that they made in other years. BC basically told us what the Sox were going to do this year early on and it is hard to argue that at least so far things have not gone about the way BC said they were going to go. Although Scuts makes less and less sense as each day goes by and it becomes clear that they are over the LT cap.

 

I guess the problem for JH and LL is that they have taken some flak from folks that have not liked it from day one. Myself I have said from the beginning that I thought I could at least understand their position regarding making more spending commitments this year because they were already committed to spend so much money and it was time for the players they had to step up and play to their potential for a change.

 

I don't think they have to defend themselves at least as it relates to the amount of money spent. They could be called to task for the way some of it has been spent but hard to argue with the amount. They have opened themselves up a bit to criticism for having done things like let go of Scuts to save what in retrospect appears a pretty paltry amount to have had a much more solid SS situation. Even if Iggy comes up they would have been better off with Scuts and Aviles than with Aviles and Punto.

 

Again I think they would do better to just zip it. They are not going to satisfy those that are not happy by making pronouncement that they will spend past the budget if they see an opportunity that makes sense. Nobody cares. Pronouncements like that ring hollow for those that have decided that they are not happy with it. Just like stubbornly sticking to the story that they got rid of Scuts so that they could use his $6M more effectively at some point in the future rings hollow. Frankly their "stories" and pronouncements ring hollow to me and I am not in the pissed off camp. Those that recognize they really don't have much of a choice with regard to additional spending commitments this year aren't dinging them anyway. Geez every time they open their mouth it is insert foot. Go off on your yacht and tack left and tack right for awhile JH and take LL with you before you say something stupid again like....I never wanted that guy Crawford in the first place.

 

I said back in November that the Sox have had a disasterous time in the PR dept. I don't know who their PR advisor is but hey should get a new one. The net effect of this interview is to further erode Ben's credibility. I really don't want to see Ben fail even though I am highly critical of his performance thus far, but Larry and JH aren't making the poor kid's job any easier.

[jung]

Larry and JH aren't making the poor kid's job any easier.

 

Just like you can't fire the boss, it is hard to tell the boss that he is not doing himself or anybody else any good when he opens his big mouth.

 

Who knows.....maybe they see an issue with ticket sales and thought they had to say something to help people over to the ticket counter.

[Elktonnick]

Just like you can't fire the boss, it is hard to tell the boss that he is not doing himself or anybody else any good when he opens his big mouth.

 

Who knows.....maybe they see an issue with ticket sales and thought they had to say something to help people over to the ticket counter.

 

I think that's right. They can't appear mto be cutting corners.

[seabeachfred]

I think that's right. They can't appear mto be cutting corners.

 

I've been critical of Cherington myself and have been most of the off season. Who do we believe though? Lucchino and Henry say they are under no financial restraints and Ben acts like he is. Something is amiss here s somewhere.

 

ST is now underway and for better or worse this is the team we are taking into the regular season unless Cherington springs surprise. We'll all be looking at how the players are performing but, truth be told, I'm keeping my eyes on the injury list. For the last three seasons we have been it with a miserable string of injuries, the last two seasons especially hard. I would really like to see how we'd perform if we could keep our guys on the field for almost the whole season. I'd like to say the WHOLE SEASON, but who am I kidding? We never seem to get that kind of a break.

[v2freak]

I said B. I know I'm usually not too hard on the team or management but given the constraints BC had, I think he did alright. For the people saying the team is no better than at the end of last season, I don't think there was much hope of re-signing Papelbon. Whatever his reason for leaving, be it to get the taste out of his mouth of blowing that save to the Orioles to getting more money, it would have been hard to keep him. Ortiz had such a good season, I would have wanted him around again anyway. And I don't like the Scutaro trade, but I'm holding off criticism until Aviles or Punto show what they bring to the table.

 

As a financial analyst, I understand what Cherington was going for. By signing all these "pitching reclamation projects", he's diversifying the risk in hopes of finding some sturdy starter in the backend of the rotation. I can't really blame him, considering in recent years how disappointing it can be to throw all your money at one player. I don't feel as confident as I did going into last season, but who could have foreseen Carl Crawford and John Lackey struggling as they did?

[redsoxfan3]

I said B. I know I'm usually not too hard on the team or management but given the constraints BC had, I think he did alright. For the people saying the team is no better than at the end of last season, I don't think there was much hope of re-signing Papelbon. Whatever his reason for leaving, be it to get the taste out of his mouth of blowing that save to the Orioles to getting more money, it would have been hard to keep him. Ortiz had such a good season, I would have wanted him around again anyway. And I don't like the Scutaro trade, but I'm holding off criticism until Aviles or Punto show what they bring to the table.

 

As a financial analyst, I understand what Cherington was going for. By signing all these "pitching reclamation projects", he's diversifying the risk in hopes of finding some sturdy starter in the backend of the rotation. I can't really blame him, considering in recent years how disappointing it can be to throw all your money at one player. I don't feel as confident as I did going into last season, but who could have foreseen Carl Crawford and John Lackey struggling as they did?

 

The difference between this year and last year is that a lot of people saw us as favorites to win the World Series. This year people are seeing us as a team that might not even make the playoffs. The expectations are a lot different. This team has a bunch of question marks. Last year we did not have a lot of question marks. We need Crawford and Youkilis to have solid years. We need Bard to be solid in the rotation. We need Bailey and Melancon to be solid. We need to figure out a 5th starter that will give this team the best chance to win. I think we will be fine when Spring Training comes to an end.

 

It seems like the world is coming to an end when this team is not expected to win the World Series. I know several fans who are comfortable with the position we are in. They think everything will work out. I know a few fans who have completely given up hope for this team. Hell, my old supervisor was a Red Sox fan and he said is questioning if he wants to be a fan anymore because the Sox "are not going to be contenders for a few years." I find it laughable. I honestly cannot predict what will happen this year with this team. That is not making me question my loyalty to this team. I just know we went the entire year last year without decent production in the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation. This team will contend for the playoffs this year. There might be some struggles, but we are not going to be the worst team in baseball. We still have a solid core of guys that will lead this team in the right direction.

[SoxSport]

I said back in November that the Sox have had a disasterous time in the PR dept. I don't know who their PR advisor is but hey should get a new one. The net effect of this interview is to further erode Ben's credibility. I really don't want to see Ben fail even though I am highly critical of his performance thus far' date=' but Larry and JH aren't making the poor kid's job any easier.[/quote']

 

Clearly, they don't have a PR spokesperson. They surely do need one. Somebody who also speaks for the players. They've all been suckered by the media, at one time or another, from Henry on down.

[v2freak]

The difference between this year and last year is that a lot of people saw us as favorites to win the World Series. This year people are seeing us as a team that might not even make the playoffs. The expectations are a lot different. This team has a bunch of question marks. Last year we did not have a lot of question marks. We need Crawford and Youkilis to have solid years. We need Bard to be solid in the rotation. We need Bailey and Melancon to be solid. We need to figure out a 5th starter that will give this team the best chance to win. I think we will be fine when Spring Training comes to an end.

 

It seems like the world is coming to an end when this team is not expected to win the World Series. I know several fans who are comfortable with the position we are in. They think everything will work out. I know a few fans who have completely given up hope for this team. Hell, my old supervisor was a Red Sox fan and he said is questioning if he wants to be a fan anymore because the Sox "are not going to be contenders for a few years." I find it laughable. I honestly cannot predict what will happen this year with this team. That is not making me question my loyalty to this team. I just know we went the entire year last year without decent production in the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation. This team will contend for the playoffs this year. There might be some struggles, but we are not going to be the worst team in baseball. We still have a solid core of guys that will lead this team in the right direction.

 

I agree with you. And since I moved to San Diego from Boston, I've begun following the Padres. It hurts to like a team that just isn't good but the Red Sox are far from being in the MLB's basement. And there's always a chance the Sox get Oswalt right? In the middle of the season, or they could pull some trade to energize the team like they have in seasons past with Victor Martinez and Jason Bay.