Red Sox 2012/2013 Offseason Thread

[jung]

I think the B's are the future cornerstone everyday players of this team. They will be playing with Pedey in the remaining productive years of Pedey's career, the early best of WMB's career and are likely central (along with pitching) to the next Sox WS. So I don't really care who comes after them and for what, realistically, I don't see a reason to trade them away on the hopes of cobbling together some sort of interim, lucky to win 90 games "contender".

 

If they get top notch ace quality pitching that is young and healthy that is a different story but trading either of the B's for some package of current MLB level everyday players at this point makes no sense to me at all.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I know I've said this 100 times, but I really hope the Sox take a long, hard look at Michael Morse of the Nats.

 

He can play LF or 1B, but if the Nats resign LaRoche, and a CF (Bourn), then with Harper taking over in LF, Morse would almost certainly be on the block.

 

He'd be a very nice addition at 1B. Over the past 3 years, he's hit .296/.345/.516. He's got a 162 game average of 35 HR, too, so if the Sox can keep him healthy for 150 games, he'd likely be a 30+ HR guy.

[SoxFanForsyth]

 

Sox out of the Justin Upton sweepstakes.

[jung]

With any luck at all, the Sox end up keeping their young, cost controlled everyday ballplayers and have them come up and be starters for the big club....giving them the flexibility and cash to go out and supplement some of their young pitchers coming up with a front line FA pitcher or two. That might be their key to another WS. I think you have to plan your way to a WS. I am not at all convinced and never really have been that the "get into the post season where anything can happen" thing actually works.

 

Anything can happen if you have pitching.

 

As has been said here many times, trading for pitching is almost impossible as the price in prospects is simply to high. That leaves you with paying the price in cash for FA pitchers which can be fine if you at least can develop some pitchers in your system and can feed cost controlled everyday ballplayers into the MLB team from the farm.

 

I have never worried that much about letting go of prospects that have not gone through any development cause those guys have a long way to go before they can make it to the big club and that road is not only long but twisted and full of banana peels and land mines. However I really would have difficulty with the Sox trading off guys that are only a couple years away from being up with the big club because I don't think the team they could construct that way would be more than a long shot contender.

[Soxfan1]

How about bringing back Alex Gonzalez to back up Iglesias and mentor him?

[BSN07]

 

Sox out of the Justin Upton sweepstakes.

 

If they are out already then the price is too high. Move on. Hopefully they are going to check in on Bauer. I don't care about his warm up routine. It's no worse then Buchholz. I watched him play long toss from the garage door in CF to the RF line 10 minutes before his start this year( a few of which laughably went into the stands ). If the Sox are ok with that then Bauer shouldn't be an issue.

 

If they don't get a big bat via FA I think they should flirt with the option of getting an OF that is also a lead off hitter and drop Ellsbury(if he's not traded) to the #3 spot and hope to capitalize on his walk year.

 

Victorino LF

Pedroia 2B

Ellsbury CF

Ortiz DH

RF Hunter

3B Middlebrooks

1B Player X(Sands?)

C Salty

SS Iglesias/player X

 

It's not too bad of a line up.They wouldn't wrap up anything expensive or long term. And should still have plenty of chips and money to do whatever needs to be done for the rotation. Just one of I'm sure many scenarios that will be thrown out here

[BSN07]

The Red Sox have Mike Napoli on their radar for first base, reports Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe (on Twitter). He also reiterates the team's interest in Adam LaRoche, and hears that Boston's rebuilding won't keep free agents away.

 

I like Napoli and think he fit well at Fenway. That said he's not the kind of guy I get wrapped up in a bidding war for. I would start getting uncomfortable with anything beyond 3 years. I have no idea what he made this year so not sure about the $ amount.

[Station 13]

I'd be surprised if Napoli get anything over 2 year.

[Orange Juiced]

I'd be surprised if Napoli get anything over 2 year.

 

I like Napoli (except when he's playing against the Red Sox) and think he'd be a good fit here. But the contract has to be kept short, even if the dollar value goes up per year. Last two seasons:

 

2011: .320/.414/.630/1.046, 30 hr, 75 rbi, 369 ab

2012: .227/.343/.469/.812, 24 hr, 56 rbi, 352 ab

 

Numbers declined from 2011, and he's 31 years old now. Almost certainly on the back side of his career. I think Fenway is ideal for him and think that, if he gets 450 ab, he can put up 25-30 hr, but it would be a mistake, IMO, to give him more than 2 years plus maybe an option.

 

2 years, $24 million, with a team option for a 3rd year at $10 million ($2 million buyout). If he produces, you'll want to pick up that third year, and if he doesn't, at least you can cut him loose after two seasons.

 

Right-handed power would be a superb complement to Ortiz.

 

Ellsbury, Pedroia, Ortiz, Napoli, Middlebrooks.... that would be a nice 1-5.

[jacksonianmarch]

Sox looking at Tino Martinez as hitting coach. Now that would be a strange sight

[SCM33]

How about bringing back Alex Gonzalez to back up Iglesias and mentor him?

 

Ive mentioned this a couple times this offseason......except, I want him to start. I want Iglesias no where near the 25 man roster.

[BSN07]

The Red Sox have interest in acquiring both Shin-Soo Choo and Justin Masterson from the Guardians, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. It's unclear how far along talks are, but Cleveland is getting calls about those two as well as Asdrubal Cabrera and Chris Perez.

 

Interesting deal, but Choo is only signed through next season, and I believe his agent is Scott Boras. I like the idea of Masterson. I think the Sox could get him. I don't see Cleveland shipping two of it's 4 best trade chips in one deal unless its a big package which I don't want to see.

 

 

SCM33, Unless traded or over taken by Bogaerts, Iglesias is probably the SS next season. What he could mean defensively at SS for the Pitchers is worth giving him a chance to be the full time guy. I think people forget the kid started at AA and went to AAA by his age 21 season, almost with his glove alone. People shouldn't close the book on his bat developing within the next few years.

[BSN07]

Sox looking at Tino Martinez as hitting coach. Now that would be a strange sight

 

That would be interesting, fits the outside the box type I was hoping they would go with. I've also heard they are thinking of having 2 hitting coaches.

[redsoxfan3]

Here are my favorite FA and trade options for this offseason:

 

Sign Anibal Sanchez

Trade for Masterson and Choo

Sign Torii Hunter

Sign Adam LaRoche and/or Mike Napoli

Sign Stephen Drew

Possibly sign Jason Bay as a 4th OF

 

Sanchez, Masterson, Lester, Buchholz, and Lackey are our starting 5. A lot of work to do with the rotation. Possibly trade Doubront in a package for Masterson and Choo.

 

Choo and Hunter start in the OF with Ellsbury. Bay is a buy low, small risk move that gets an invite to ST to compete for the 4th OF role. He could be a nice surprise, but I do not want him as a starter.

 

LaRoche starts at 1B. Napoli is there if LaRoche signs elsewhere. If we can sign both, that would be fine by me as well, because he can split time with Salty at C unless we trade Salty. Lavarnway gets more time in AAA. Sands can be a backup at 1B and in the OF. Gomez is always a backup option at 1B as well.

 

Drew is signed to compete at SS with Iglesias and Ciriaco.

 

I like these moves, but obviously there are still other options out there.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Here are my favorite FA and trade options for this offseason:

 

Sign Anibal Sanchez

Trade for Masterson and Choo

Sign Torii Hunter

Sign Adam LaRoche and/or Mike Napoli

Sign Stephen Drew

Possibly sign Jason Bay as a 4th OF

 

Sanchez, Masterson, Lester, Buchholz, and Lackey are our starting 5. A lot of work to do with the rotation. Possibly trade Doubront in a package for Masterson and Choo.

 

Choo and Hunter start in the OF with Ellsbury. Bay is a buy low, small risk move that gets an invite to ST to compete for the 4th OF role. He could be a nice surprise, but I do not want him as a starter.

 

LaRoche starts at 1B. Napoli is there if LaRoche signs elsewhere. If we can sign both, that would be fine by me as well, because he can split time with Salty at C unless we trade Salty. Lavarnway gets more time in AAA. Sands can be a backup at 1B and in the OF. Gomez is always a backup option at 1B as well.

 

Drew is signed to compete at SS with Iglesias and Ciriaco.

 

I like these moves, but obviously there are still other options out there.

 

Wow.

 

I literally just came in here to say virtually the exact same thing.

 

This would cost none of the top prospects (B's), and would put this team in contention next year

[jung]

Not a bad way ta' go...not really expensive....real gambles in that rotation though. If it pans out that would be great. However Lackey, Masterson and Lester could one or all not pan out. I think Lester will come around. I like Masterson to at least not be a complete bust even worst case. Lackey may be fine especially the way AL hitters are helping pitchers these days. The way AL hitters are hitting if you can hit your spots and control two and especially three pitches as a pitcher, you stand a chance of getting through the order at least twice if not more. I did not like Lackey coming over to the AL East a few years ago. They way hitters have gone in the AL particularly he could end up being lights out IF he regains his control coming off of TJ....very difficult for a guy with multiple pitches.

[BSN07]

Apparently it's just going be one of those days where the "Red Sox are interested in player X".

 

As for all the before mentioned moves. Yes it's a good plan. But that is an absolute ton to pull off in one off season when your going after some of the most sought after players. 4-5 of the top 25 free agents + a significant trade(s) will take time, which is not on the teams side. Because once guys like Grienke and Hamilton sign, all hell is gonna break lose and players could be gone fast. Bidding wars pop up. A lot would have to go the Sox way for all this to happen. Fundamentally though, it would be a competitive team IMO.

[Behindenemylines]

Tori Hunter for two years at a reasonable amount could replace Ross in RF. He is good in the club house and has always hit well in Fenway. If the Sox are waiting for their kids to be ready Hunter could bridge the time. I have heard a lot in regards to Justin Upton, who I like as a player, but I think the asking price is going to be to high.

[BSN07]

Tori Hunter for two years at a reasonable amount could replace Ross in RF. He is good in the club house and has always hit well in Fenway. If the Sox are waiting for their kids to be ready Hunter could bridge the time. I have heard a lot in regards to Justin Upton, who I like as a player, but I think the asking price is going to be to high.

 

Hunter + prospects > Upton -prospects.

 

If they sign any OF this offseason it should be Hunter. I like Upton too, but the cost has got me leaning towards pass.

[mvp 78]

Why would Hunter come here when he's openly complained about racial taunting at Fenway?

[Palodios]

But that knowledge may keep Cleveland's asking price down somewhat. I like Choo as a one-year player, giving guys like Jacobs, Bradley Jr., and Brentz more time to develop.

 

I was thinking about this earlier, and I started to wonder if the Red Sox really screwed up by not offering Ross a qualifying offer. They have a good number of quality outfield prospects between Bradley, Brentz, Kalish and Jacobs who are only a year or two away.

 

Worst case scenario, you get a 20 home run guy for 13 million. A little expensive, but I don't think there is a better one-year contract available this offseason.

 

If he rejects the offer, his value goes down significantly and he either comes back for cheaper AAV, or the Red Sox get yet another protected draft pick.

[Palodios]

The Providence Journal had an interesting article up today. It had one key point -- There won't be many suitors for Adam Laroche. The Red Sox really don't have anyone in the pipeline, so filling the position for 3 years won't really block anyone.

 

http://blogs.providencejournal.com/sports/red-sox/2012/11/adam-laroche-could-have-more-value-to-red-sox-than-any-other-team.html

[example1]

I don't mind the idea of Laroche, but I think fans would be pretty underwhelmed by him fairly quickly if he's a major acquisition.

 

Sadly this is going to take awhile. I like the Choo and Masterson idea. I wonder if they would try to turn Masterson back into a dominant force out of the bullpen rather than starting. Choo is a good OBP guy with the potential to put up a mid-800s OPS. He's a pretty dangerous offensive piece when he's on. If the cost weren't too high they should strongly consider both of these guys.

[SCM33]

Torii Hunter hates Boston and its fans. Its not a secret.

[SCM33]

I don't mind the idea of Laroche, but I think fans would be pretty underwhelmed by him fairly quickly if he's a major acquisition.

 

Sadly this is going to take awhile. I like the Choo and Masterson idea. I wonder if they would try to turn Masterson back into a dominant force out of the bullpen rather than starting. Choo is a good OBP guy with the potential to put up a mid-800s OPS. He's a pretty dangerous offensive piece when he's on. If the cost weren't too high they should strongly consider both of these guys.

 

Double post, sorry...

 

I don't mind the signing of Laroche...but only if its short money and years (which it probably wont be). It wouldn't be a bad platoon with a player like Gomez, who I think will be given a shot to make the team.

 

I said before as well, Youkilis....on short money and a 1 year contract is still very good value.

[InfernoOrangeSS]

Sox looking at Tino Martinez as hitting coach. Now that would be a strange sight

 

Miami Marlins hired him.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/tino-martinez-hired-miami-marlins-hitting-coach-new-york-yankees-world-series-hero-110812

[BSN07]

Hunter already stated he would play in Boston, Especially now that big Papi is back. I'm sure Hunter is smart enough to know ignorance is not only found in Boston. And he's smart enough to not base a whole city on a few morons who have had too much to drink at a game and yell something ignorant. It's something your going to take the chance of no matter where you play. If he didn't come to Boston because he made an assumption on the whole fan base/city because of a couple people, well then he isn't any better then the knuckleheads in the stands. Which he doesn't seem to be, he seems like a smart guy.

 

Laroche is an ok option. I'd rather see a younger guy get a chance, Sands, Gomez or X(from trade, could be prospect?).

 

Ross at 1/13M wouldn't have been bad. I think it would have been worth the risk to offer it. Ross is probably happy they didn't because it might have really hurt his value. But I'm not overly hung up on the team not offering it.

 

ex1, I'm on the fence if it's going to be a long process or not. With the teams payroll flexability they should put together a competitive team on 1 and 2 year contracts while they wait for the next waive of prospects. If they are going the complete rebuild path(3+ years before contention, what I would consider a "long" process) then they should have let Papi walk, collect the pick and make pretty much anyone on the ML Roster available.

 

The fact they signed him makes me think they are going to try and fill the team with short term contracts to stay competitive for the next season or two. Then see who's developed to the point of taking over for those short term deals.

 

My GF emailed me this morning saying she read somewhere that the Sox are in talks with Swisher for around 4/40M? That seemed odd to me, anyone else see anything about this?

[mvp 78]

They signed Papi for PR first and foremost. I don't think it was entirely a baseball decision. This ownership group cares more about NESN ratings than the product on the field.

[Bellhorn04]

They signed Papi for PR first and foremost. I don't think it was entirely a baseball decision. This ownership group cares more about NESN ratings than the product on the field.

 

Well, I guess it's a good thing that NESN ratings are heavily influenced by the quality of the product on the field.

[jung]

Swisher at 4/$40 well OK I guess if you want a guy that performed at the plate in the regular season and then was totally overmatched when he saw better pitching game after game.