Red Sox 2012/2013 Offseason Thread

[Behindenemylines]

D Wright doesn't make sence for Sox who have cleared 3B for Middlebrooks. The Mets would ask for top players in our system. A two for one deal. He is not worth it. Besides I think the Mets will build around him. Sox will target 1B and OF who have some power. With an off season that looks to be really busy can't wait for the hot stove to start.

[example1]

I really don't like seeing good position players move from anywhere to first base. An .850 OPS player's value turns from "very very good" to "decent" instantly. Wright just doesn't fit what the Red Sox need.

 

Is this still the case though? From what I can see, there were only four 1B in all of baseball who had more than 200 PAs and an OPS above .900 (Votto, Encarnacion, Fielder, Moss). Maybe the notion that 1B have to be 900+ OPS guys might not be accurate in this day and age.... or it was just a down year for the position.

 

This year, good teams had 1B who were in the .810-.850 OPS rang, including guys like Teixeira and Konerko. Perhaps those teams did that well despite those players rather than because of them, but it's just interesting.

 

If the issue becomes one of playing time for Middlebrooks vs Bogaerts, we might see them look elsewhere for Will. Of course, LF might make sense too.

[DocHolliday]

Glad to see that the Red Sox have admitted that their current FO lacks leadership and expertise after the recent player evaluation and personnel decision blunders from recent years.

 

Hiring former players Varitek and Pedro and proven talent evaluators like Eddie Bane (former Angels scout who played big hand in drafting players like Mike Trout and Jered Weaver) is a step in the right direction for an organization that lost a lot of gifted evaluators and leaders from the 2004 - 2007 era.

 

There's nothing wrong with giving evaluators the opportunity to interview and advance their careers. But perhaps the Red Sox need to recognize that keeping their top evaluators could prove more important for their long term health than keeping individual players. It seems as though many of the key front office personnel from the successful era were sought out by other teams and the organization was never fully able to replace the voids.

[SoxSport]

Glad to see that the Red Sox have admitted that their current FO lacks leadership and expertise after the recent player evaluation and personnel decision blunders from recent years.

 

Hiring former players Varitek and Pedro and proven talent evaluators like Eddie Bane (former Angels scout who played big hand in drafting players like Mike Trout and Jered Weaver) is a step in the right direction for an organization that lost a lot of gifted evaluators and leaders from the 2004 - 2007 era.

 

There's nothing wrong with giving evaluators the opportunity to interview and advance their careers. But perhaps the Red Sox need to recognize that keeping their top evaluators could prove more important for their long term health than keeping individual players. It seems as though many of the key front office personnel from the successful era were sought out by other teams and the organization was never fully able to replace the voids.

 

I agree with all this and have been saying the same all year. I believe their biggest problem is in the front office: they let go all their saber consultants a few years ago, including Bill James, and also lost a couple of their top FO guys, Byrnes and Hoyer. I don't know if they were ever replaced.

 

To top it off, they never really replaced Epstein--there is a big hole at the top in Team Ops. Cherington was a junior guy in the FO, and he inherited the GM job when Epstein left.A level lower. Asking him to rebuild the team is a bit much, especially after he has had a mediocre first season--wrecking Bard and engineering some mediocre deals. Contrary to some media, Henry pulled off the deal with LA--with Stan Kasten, as documented in several places. Henry, however, likes Ben, and when your boss likes you, you can do no wrong. So some local outlets have been brash enough to claim Ben pulled the Dodger deal off--probably with Henry's blessings.

 

My own feeling is that no manager can turn this team around until leadership in Team Ops is restored. There is too much turf infighting going on for the lack of a Team Ops VP, to get all the ducks in order. Henry still has a management problem, and no amount of special assistants and personnel evaluators in the FO reporting to Ben is going to solve that. Not that he doesn't need the help.

[DocHolliday]

I agree with all this and have been saying the same all year. I believe their biggest problem is in the front office: they let go all their saber consultants a few years ago, including Bill James, and also lost a couple of their top FO guys, Byrnes and Hoyer. I don't know if they were ever replaced.

 

To top it off, they never really replaced Epstein--there is a big hole at the top in Team Ops. Cherington was a junior guy in the FO, and he inherited the GM job when Epstein left.A level lower. Asking him to rebuild the team is a bit much, especially after he has had a mediocre first season--wrecking Bard and engineering some mediocre deals. Contrary to some media, Henry pulled off the deal with LA--with Stan Kasten, as documented in several places. Henry, however, likes Ben, and when your boss likes you, you can do no wrong. So some local outlets have been brash enough to claim Ben pulled the Dodger deal off--probably with Henry's blessings.

 

My own feeling is that no manager can turn this team around until leadership in Team Ops is restored. There is too much turf infighting going on for the lack of a Team Ops VP, to get all the ducks in order. Henry still has a management problem, and no amount of special assistants and personnel evaluators in the FO reporting to Ben is going to solve that. Not that he doesn't need the help.

 

Agree with all of this as well.

 

As Edes pointed out yesterday, they are apparently still not done restructuring the FO. A few candidates have been mentioned for that position as well. They really need a presence near the top of baseball ops - as you and others have mentioned.

 

They seem to have brought back James in a more serious role than in previous years and, if they have any common sense, ought to bring the saber consultants back in as well. It makes no sense to me why they let them go in the first place. It's almost as if they thought that they could get by with their own crew and systems for analyzing and evaluating. Never hurts when you can have an outside take on potential decisions.

 

Hoyer and Brynes were highly sought out and were allowed to leave with a promotion in other places. Bill Lajoie, who was essentially the GM of the Sox while Epstein left after 05, left to work with the Dodgers before passing away a couple of years ago. There was a lot of talent and leadership that left this organization between 2006 and 2009 that, at the time, was largely left unnoticed by the fans and media. From the coaching staff side, I think there was a big void when Brad Mills left. Say what you want about how the Astros fared while he was in charge, but many accounts suggest he was relied on heavily by Francona much like Joe Maddon relies on Dave Martinez.

 

I'm not necessarily suggesting that the people who were brought in to replace leadership positions on the coaching staff and in the front office are incompetent. But perhaps they were not fully prepared to assume the roles of the person they were replacing. Hopefully these new evaluators and executives who are being hired on now can fill the gaps that exist within the current group.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

I know the SP is bad but please please please for the love of god fix this bullpen.

[jung]

Bullpen has simply had to many guys that were coming back off of surgery or other repair and we did not know what we had. I think Tazawa is our closer next year. He has recovered enough of his velo to do that job.

 

Tazawa closer

Breslow, setup

Menlancon, setup

Miller, left hand specialist

Hill, long and middle relief

Morales, long and middle relief, spot starts

Padilla, middle relief

Atch, possible TJ

Bailey, Aceves...gone

 

I can see Menacon possibly gone as well as the Sox may shuffle more pieces. However I think Tazawa is their closer next season. Forget trying to copy or have some sort of version of Mariano Rivera. Rivera's come along very rarely. It does not matter what Paps was or is. We no longer have Paps and we need to think about our closer the way 90% of the league thinks about closers. You work to have a good one for the current season and keep moving guys into that role in the years that follow. Having a single closer for years and years is just not the way it is done. The Yanks have the guy in Rivera and Paps may be one as well or he may not be. At any rate planning on having a team year in and year out that can afford a long term contract closer at big money or planing to have the guy that can do it and the team is simply wasting a bunch of time and money on short odds for success. Tazawa is the closer for 2013. You plan on having someone in the wings for 2014 or if possible, use Tazawa in the role again.

 

The time needs to be spent finding at least one good SP for the rotation for the 2013 season that will slot in somewhere from the 2 to the 4 and possibly two although they really need a 1 for the rotation and that is probably something they will not get done until 2014.

[a700hitter]

Bullpen has simply had to many guys that were coming back off of surgery or other repair and we did not know what we had. I think Tazawa is our closer next year. He has recovered enough of his velo to do that job.

 

Tazawa closer

Breslow, setup

Menlancon, setup

Miller, left hand specialist

Hill, long and middle relief

Morales, long and middle relief, spot starts

Padilla, middle relief

Atch, possible TJ

Bailey, Aceves...gone

 

I can see Menacon possibly gone as well as the Sox may shuffle more pieces. However I think Tazawa is their closer next season. Forget trying to copy or have some sort of version of Mariano Rivera. Rivera's come along very rarely. It does not matter what Paps was or is. We no longer have Paps and we need to think about our closer the way 90% of the league thinks about closers. You work to have a good one for the current season and keep moving guys into that role in the years that follow. Having a single closer for years and years is just not the way it is done. The Yanks have the guy in Rivera and Paps may be one as well or he may not be. At any rate planning on having a team year in and year out that can afford a long term contract closer at big money or planing to have the guy that can do it and the team is simply wasting a bunch of time and money on short odds for success. Tazawa is the closer for 2013. You plan on having someone in the wings for 2014 or if possible, use Tazawa in the role again.

 

The time needs to be spent finding at least one good SP for the rotation for the 2013 season that will slot in somewhere from the 2 to the 4 and possibly two although they really need a 1 for the rotation and that is probably something they will not get done until 2014.

I can't see handing Tazawa the closers job next season. He has not spent an entire season on the MLB roster in any capacity. I'd make him the late inning/multi inning guy and if he wins the closers role along the way, great. Even the great Mo was not handed the closers job. He did the 8th inning multi inning thing until it was clear he could handle closing. If you hand Tazawa the closing job, and he can't get it done, late inning losses can quickly turn a season into a fiasco.

[iortiz]

I can't see handing Tazawa the closers job next season. He has not spent an entire season on the MLB roster in any capacity. I'd make him the late inning/multi inning guy and if he wins the closers role along the way, great. Even the great Mo was not handed the closers job. He did the 8th inning multi inning thing until it was clear he could handle closing. If you hand Tazawa the closing job, and he can't get it done, late inning losses can quickly turn a season into a fiasco.

 

Yup, I'm not sold with the Tazawa thing either.

 

We need a true closer. Do not take me wrong, I like what I've seen from the guy, but IMO this move could be very risky; guy needs to prove consistency and durability first before you give him the closer role.

 

Guys no named Tazawa, Miller, Morales and Hill must go.

[Station 13]

I can't see handing Tazawa the closers job next season. He has not spent an entire season on the MLB roster in any capacity. I'd make him the late inning/multi inning guy and if he wins the closers role along the way, great. Even the great Mo was not handed the closers job. He did the 8th inning multi inning thing until it was clear he could handle closing. If you hand Tazawa the closing job, and he can't get it done, late inning losses can quickly turn a season into a fiasco.

 

 

Him not being on the roster all year is pure ignorant of this FO. Justin Thomas made the roster opening day and Tazawa stayed in AAA for 5 weeks for that turd. Not Tazawa fault and his 12K/9 in AAA was getting wasted for 40+ innings. Stupid FO.

[a700hitter]

Him not being on the roster all year is pure ignorant of this FO. Justin Thomas made the roster opening day and Tazawa stayed in AAA for 5 weeks for that turd. Not Tazawa fault and his 12K/9 in AAA was getting wasted for 40+ innings. Stupid FO.

Agreed. He would have been very helpful in the pen this season. He might have already earned the closer's role if he had been with the team.

[jung]

I am not saying that they would just hand it to Tazawa but I suspect he will win it next year. Now you could argue that he will win it if they do not bring anybody else to contest him than the "studs" we already know about in Red Sox unis but I am inclined to think that is how it is going to work out.

[a700hitter]

I am not saying that they would just hand it to Tazawa but I suspect he will win it next year. Now you could argue that he will win it if they do not bring anybody else to contest him than the "studs" we already know about in Red Sox unis but I am inclined to think that is how it is going to work out.

Whether he closes or not next season, they need to bring in at least 1 big late inning bullpen arm capable of closing. There is not enough of late inning talent on this roster.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Whether he closes or not next season, they need to bring in at least 1 big late inning bullpen arm capable of closing. There is not enough of late inning talent on this roster.

 

I would be shocked if Balfour, Broxton, or League aren't with the Sox next season.

[Station 13]

I would be shocked if Balfour, Broxton, or League aren't with the Sox next season.

 

Broxton and League makes me gag.

[jung]

I suspect that whoever they likely bring here will have a hard time competing with Tazawa's single inning stint heat, one off season stronger post TJ from where he is today.

[jacksonianmarch]

Tazawa should be in the discussion for closer next yr as well as Bailey

[jung]

God I hope not...Bailey is a product of the current FO mess.....he is a distraction....hopefully will be outta' here. Would rather that than seeing the Sox FO waste more time on him.

[redsoxfan3]

Tazawa should be in the discussion for closer next yr as well as Bailey

 

Tazawa, Melancon, and Bailey all deserve a look for closer next year. Bailey has been shaky his last few appearances. Melancon has been strong in his last 10 innings, by only giving up one run. Tazawa has been consistent so far in his stint in the majors this year. Keep all FA options open and all potential trade options. If we can get a legit closer and still have Bailey, Melancon, and Tazawa pitching in late inning situation, I think we will have a solid pen. I am still not sold on Bailey being our closer, although the potential is definitely there.

[a700hitter]

Tazawa, Melancon, and Bailey all deserve a look for closer next year. Bailey has been shaky his last few appearances. Melancon has been strong in his last 10 innings, by only giving up one run. Tazawa has been consistent so far in his stint in the majors this year. Keep all FA options open and all potential trade options. If we can get a legit closer and still have Bailey, Melancon, and Tazawa pitching in late inning situation, I think we will have a solid pen. I am still not sold on Bailey being our closer, although the potential is definitely there.

At best, Melancon should be extended the opportunity to compete for a bullpen spot, but not a late inning slot. He stinks. The need to bring in an established late inning guy to compete with Tazawa and Bailey.

[redsoxfan3]

At best, Melancon should be extended the opportunity to compete for a bullpen spot, but not a late inning slot. He stinks. The need to bring in an established late inning guy to compete with Tazawa and Bailey.

 

I agree with you on bringing in another established late inning guy, but I still do not think you can count out Melancon. He has pitched pretty bad this year, except for his last few outings. I think he deserves a look this Spring. Realistically if we can sign an established closer and have Bailey and Melancon as the set-up men, then I think we will be in an ideal situation. Melancon's role will then be determined by how he performs in the Spring. I think it is too early to count him out though.

[a700hitter]

I agree with you on bringing in another established late inning guy, but I still do not think you can count out Melancon. He has pitched pretty bad this year, except for his last few outings. I think he deserves a look this Spring. Realistically if we can sign an established closer and have Bailey and Melancon as the set-up men, then I think we will be in an ideal situation. Melancon's role will then be determined by how he performs in the Spring. I think it is too early to count him out though.

He has very little MLB success on his resume. He had good 1/2 season with the Astros in 2011-- a team in a bad division that no one cared about. He doesn't throw hard and without pinpoint control, he is toast. There are not many successful relievers without live fastballs that rely on the curve.

[redsoxfan3]

He has very little MLB success on his resume. He had good 1/2 season with the Astros in 2011-- a team in a bad division that no one cared about. He doesn't throw hard and without pinpoint control, he is toast. There are not many successful relievers without live fastballs that rely on the curve.

 

I am not saying I disagree with you at all, because I don't. You are providing facts and have good points. I am definitely more optimistic with him than most. I guess it is just a matter of opinion when it comes to being hopeful with him. I am taking his bright spots and hoping that he can be more consistent with those moments.

[Station 13]

Chances are, the Angels won't pick up Dan Haren $15.5M option for 2013. The FO need to be on board with Haren.

[RedSoxNC84]

Tazawa, Melancon, and Bailey all deserve a look for closer next year. Bailey has been shaky his last few appearances. Melancon has been strong in his last 10 innings, by only giving up one run. Tazawa has been consistent so far in his stint in the majors this year. Keep all FA options open and all potential trade options. If we can get a legit closer and still have Bailey, Melancon, and Tazawa pitching in late inning situation, I think we will have a solid pen. I am still not sold on Bailey being our closer, although the potential is definitely there.

 

Melancon closing out games in the AL is f***ing frightening. Not in a good way either.

[Station 13]

Melancon closing out games in the AL is f***ing frightening. Not in a good way either.

 

Good thing, he won't be.

 

I'll give bailey a mulligan, he missed almost the entire season. If he really struggles next spring training he's on a short leash when the season began.

[Station 13]

The Cubs has absolutely no idea what to do with Brian LaHair after they promoted Rizzo. He started the year absolutely on a tear hitting around .350 for the first 2 month, and hitting for power. The downside to him is he cannot hit lefties. But he has 16HR in 340 AB, and a closer look at his split, he's a platoon 1B. He hits .291 .362 .503 off RHP and that's very good. We should take a wire on the guy and he's a local product.

[a700hitter]

Cherington isn't sure if the Red Sox will contend in 2013 and wouldn't offer a timetable, but insists that they will get back to winning at some point, Lauber tweets.

The GM acknowledged that he didn't do enough to "help stabilize" the starting rotation last winter, MacPherson tweets. Cherington went on to say that the team's struggles in 2012 could not simply be blamed on injuries (Twitter link).

At least, he is taking accountability.

[Plumpamania]

I'm an idiot and didn't see this thread already open about the Off-Season and will keep my ideas in here.

 

Brian LeHair if cheap (let's be honest Theo knows our system better than anyone else outside of the current Red Sox front office) which isn't likely.

[Behindenemylines]

Melancon would be a trading chip to get something of value from a small market team. He has a good arm, but doesn't have the head needed to pitch in Boston. Find a chip that you want from a small market team and use him to get it. Haven't seen enough of LeHair to make a call, but have to question if you want a young guy who is already being targeted as a platoon guy. Unless you get him for nothing, I can't see it happening. Like it was mentioned Theo is going to ask for the moon. I already feel violated by what we got in return for letting Theo go to Chicago early.