Red Sox 2012/2013 Offseason Thread

[a700hitter]

Where would we use Jones primarily. I know really nothing about him?

 

He plays 1B/OF

[wyo-sox]

How much time do you see him getting at first?

[BSN07]

How much time do you see him getting at first?

 

20-30 games. Expecting Napoli to play more then 130-140 games is a bit rosey. He's likely to get a good amount of time in the OF platooning with Gomes in LF and injury insurance for Ellsbury. Getting Jones would really limit Kalish and I'm not sure they are ready to do that. Jones is someone they could come back to later in the season if Kalish isn't working out or someone gets injured.

[mvp 78]

... which could easily make the difference between a shot and no shot.

 

A shot at what? 3rd place in the division? Without better pitching, this team is going nowhere.

[Spudboy]

A shot at what? 3rd place in the division? Without better pitching, this team is going nowhere.

 

This remains to be seen. However, your concern is mucho valid.

 

Since the FO did nothing in the off season to "Bolster" the rotation, we all can only hope.

 

Buch, Lester, Face of Cows Crotch, pitch up to norms? This team competes for a WC.

[BSN07]

This remains to be seen. However, your concern is mucho valid.

 

Since the FO did nothing in the off season to "Bolster" the rotation, we all can only hope.

 

Buch, Lester, Face of Cows Crotch, pitch up tonorms? This team competes for a WC.

 

Be careful, you'll be labeled a "honk" with that kind of optimism for the pitching staff. There are some under the impression that those guys won't be able to find the mound, let alone the strike zone ever again.

[a700hitter]

How much time do you see him getting at first?

Jones would get at least 20 games at 1B, more if Napoli has injury problems. He'd probably get about 50-60 games in the OF.

[SoxSport]

I don't think they're sold on any rush to judgement with Iggy yet. They probably want to wait and see how he hits in AAA. Hasn't had enough seasoning at that level yet at 22-23. They have $8 mil invested in him and he's a talent defensively. If they were going to trade him to the Pirates, they would have done it in the Hanrahan+ deal. Though Napoli's hip condition may have come into play at that time, affecting their thinking on 1B.

[Spitball]

How much time do you see him getting at first?

 

 

With Napoli's hip, Gomes' splits versus right handed pitching, and Kalish's recent health issues, I'd say Garrett Jones would be the perfect final piece to the offense. He has spent his career bounced back and forth between the outfield and first base.

 

I can see him getting 380 to 420 at bats. The number of games at first would depend on Napoli's hip, and if he takes the primary platoon in left. I'm betting the Sox will give Napoli plenty of off days, especially on the road.

[Dojji]

20-30 games. Expecting Napoli to play more then 130-140 games is a bit rosey. He's likely to get a good amount of time in the OF platooning with Gomes in LF and injury insurance for Ellsbury. Getting Jones would really limit Kalish and I'm not sure they are ready to do that. Jones is someone they could come back to later in the season if Kalish isn't working out or someone gets injured.

 

I think Jones and Kalish is a fine bench, all things considered.

 

I suspect we'll regret signing Victorino.

[seabeachfred]

A shot at what? 3rd place in the division? Without better pitching, this team is going nowhere.

 

Kuddos mvp!!!!! We're on the same page with this one. We have to get solid pitching and right now our rotation is a big questionmark---and that may be being kind about it. I think added a No. 1 type is now a pipe dream but a Marcum or Lohse would certainly give us some needed depth in starters, especially if one of the regulars comes up lame.

 

I've seen it bandied about that we have between $9 and $17 million dollars short of the ML limit and reports are the team would spend over that amount if they feel they could g et a a quality player or two. We do have a glut at catcher and a few extra relievers. Either we could use that extra money for pitcher on the FA level or one of our surplus of catchers and or relievers for that extra starter.

 

The starters have to come through this season or we face the prospect of a third place finish at best, but we wouldn't even be having this conversation if Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz would pitch finally to their capabilities. And laugh if you will but I think John Lackey is going to be a very pleasant surprise this season.

[mvp 78]

Kuddos mvp!!!!! We're on the same page with this one.

And two days from now, you'll be back to calling me a ballwasher because we don't agree on something.

[a700hitter]

And two days from now, you'll be back to calling me a ballwasher because we don't agree on something.

Being gracious is just not part of your character.

[SoxSport]

Anybody reading that soap opera at the Globe masquerading as the Shaughnessy-Francona book on the Red Sox?

 

The implication is the ownership wanted to spend big money on "sexy" players, not to win, but to increase TV ratings. At least that's what the marketing people (call them marketeers) told them for $100,000.

 

First of all, I find it easy to believe that baseball owners are interested in anything that increases the revenue stream. Especially when you consider they are spending millions in salaries to even average ballplayers. Where do you think that money comes from, Henry's piggy bank? It comes from the fans.

And they have to put an interesting product on the field in terms of quality players and in terms of winning games, if they expect to maintain or increase fan interest.

 

Which brings me to the second point, about winning games. Seems to me that's where the manager and the coaching come to the forefront--along with the players. From what I saw the last few years, it looked to me as though Tito was going through the motions through most of the season--waiting for September when the season presumably would begin, and they would get serious about making the playoffs. I saw too many throw in the towels by Tito down 5 or 6 runs, and far too many "fielders indifferences." One wondered sometimes whether this guy was playing to win half the time--seemed far too casual--which maybe was infectious with the team. Ultimately, of course, the lax behavior did them in.

 

Cmon, Tito. Maybe the main problem with the owners is they let the whole organization become too complacent--including yourself and the team.

[a700hitter]

Anybody reading that soap opera at the Globe masquerading as the Shaughnessy-Francona book on the Red Sox?

 

The implication is the ownership wanted to spend big money on "sexy" players, not to win, but to increase TV ratings. At least that's what the marketing people (call them marketeers) told them for $100,000.

 

First of all, I find it easy to believe that baseball owners are interested in anything that increases the revenue stream. Especially when you consider they are spending millions in salaries to even average ballplayers. Where do you think that money comes from, Henry's piggy bank? It comes from the fans.

And they have to put an interesting product on the field in terms of quality players and in terms of winning games, if they expect to maintain or increase fan interest.

 

Which brings me to the second point, about winning games. Seems to me that's where the manager and the coaching come to the forefront--along with the players. From what I saw the last few years, it looked to me as though Tito was going through the motions through most of the season--waiting for September when the season presumably would begin, and they would get serious about making the playoffs. I saw too many throw in the towels by Tito down 5 or 6 runs, and far too many "fielders indifferences." One wondered sometimes whether this guy was playing to win half the time--seemed far too casual--which maybe was infectious with the team. Ultimately, of course, the lax behavior did them in.

 

Cmon, Tito. Maybe the main problem with the owners is they let the whole organization become too complacent--including yourself and the team.

It was very obvious that Tito's last Spring camp was a country club, and a dead one at that. I have never seen a more complacent, lifeless training camp. They started the season in a collective coma. Tito was responsible for that not the owners.

[mvp 78]

Being gracious is just not part of your character.

 

No need to be gracious towards someone who'll just rip me in a few days for no reason.

[a700hitter]

No need to be gracious towards someone who'll just rip me in a few days for no reason.

There is no reason to go out of your way to be snarky in an unprovoked manner. That helps foster ill-will-- your specialty.

[mvp 78]

There is no reason to go out of your way to be snarky in an unprovoked manner. That helps foster ill-will-- your specialty.

 

Interesting coming from you in support of Fred, the kings of fostering ill will around here.

[a700hitter]

Interesting coming from you in support of Fred, the kings of fostering ill will around here.

It wasn't in support of anyone, just noting that you will go out of your way to be a snarky prick-- very petty.

[BSN07]

In other news, when the hell do the trucks head south?

[mvp 78]

Feb 5

[seabeachfred]

Anybody reading that soap opera at the Globe masquerading as the Shaughnessy-Francona book on the Red Sox?

 

The implication is the ownership wanted to spend big money on "sexy" players, not to win, but to increase TV ratings. At least that's what the marketing people (call them marketeers) told them for $100,000.

 

First of all, I find it easy to believe that baseball owners are interested in anything that increases the revenue stream. Especially when you consider they are spending millions in salaries to even average ballplayers. Where do you think that money comes from, Henry's piggy bank? It comes from the fans.

And they have to put an interesting product on the field in terms of quality players and in terms of winning games, if they expect to maintain or increase fan interest.

 

Which brings me to the second point, about winning games. Seems to me that's where the manager and the coaching come to the forefront--along with the players. From what I saw the last few years, it looked to me as though Tito was going through the motions through most of the season--waiting for September when the season presumably would begin, and they would get serious about making the playoffs. I saw too many throw in the towels by Tito down 5 or 6 runs, and far too many "fielders indifferences." One wondered sometimes whether this guy was playing to win half the time--seemed far too casual--which maybe was infectious with the team. Ultimately, of course, the lax behavior did them in.

 

Cmon, Tito. Maybe the main problem with the owners is they let the whole organization become too complacent--including yourself and the team.

 

I'm almost afraid to praise you Sox Sport for a terrific post because the last guy I praised for saying something intelligent jumped me for saying something he didn't like last time around. Be that as it may, you hit the nail on the head. For my part I have always insisted that Francona's value as a manager of the Red Sox was done by the end of the 2009 season and it was at that time he should have been sent packing.

 

He will be remembered for being the skipper on two WS Title Teams and whether he has a big part in that or not, he was the manager when those titles were won and deserves some credit along with the players---even though I personally thought he cost us games every year. However, in 2008 and 2009 I strongly believe he cost us division titles and a better chance to get to another World Series. In '08, we had a severly deteriorating Jason Varitek seemingly always coming to the plate in a slew of close games and failing miserably from June on and never once did Francona ever pinch hit for him. I counted eight games that summer when maybe we could have won a key game we lost with a pinch hitter instead of Varitek--who, BTW, carried this fadeaway from 2008 to 2011 every year when the calendar reached mid-June.

 

In 2009, we had a three game lead at the ASB and proceeded to piss it away within a week. Two crucial series with the Yankees spelled our doom. In the first, a four game series Tito decided to go with a slumping John Smoltz on the hill when Josh Beckett was fully rested to go. Smoltz was shelled, but we scored seven runs in a defeat. The next day, a scoreless one to the 15th inning, Beckett threw eight innings of shutout ball. Had he thrown the first game we no doubt would have won. BTW, Smoltz was released two days later---to late for me though and too late for the team.

 

The next series there was a fully rested Jon Lester ready to take on the Yankees. Instead he went to a slumping Brad Penny who also got shelled. We scored nine runs in that game I think. If Lester had thrown we would have won that game too. Instead we won only one game of the seven we played with the Yankees. Miserable managing. BTW, Penny was also released after that game.

 

I would say anything about 2011. We all know the guy was totally distracted by a divorce, living in a hotel away from his family, his health not the best at that time and his son on the way to Afghanistan. I don't defend Lucchino at all; he did want splashy players and Werner was always worried about crowds, but Francona stayed a couple of years too many in my opinion.

[seabeachfred]

No need to be gracious towards someone who'll just rip me in a few days for no reason.

 

MVP, personally I think that was very uncalled for. I try to give credit where credit is due and your take on our success resting on our pitching was right on and so I said so. I also never recall personally calling you a ballwasher. I also wonder if I agree again with something you write and say so, whether or not you will acknowlege it and say you were wrong to say I would rip you the next time.

 

I get the impression that something is really bothering you. I hope not and hope you are having a good day.

 

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[a700hitter]

Gomes, Ross, Kalish and Nava to tour Boston

 

Jan 22, 2013 01:30 PM

 

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

 

Looking for free Red Sox tickets? Here you go:

 

Jonny Gomes, David Ross, Ryan Kalish, and Daniel Nava will tour Boston on Wednesday, visiting sites from Bunker Hill to Beacon Hill and from Copley Square to Kenmore Square.

 

Traveling by truck, trolley, and train, they will meet fans and sign autographs.

 

The players will distribute vouchers redeemable for tickets to games at Fenway Park this season. There will also be ticket giveaways at various points in the day.

 

The schedule:

 

7-8 a.m.: Wally the Green Monster and Red Sox front office members serve hot chocolate and donuts from the Dunkin' Donuts truck in Copley Square Plaza.

 

8-9 a.m.: Players join the Dunkin' Donuts truck in Copley Square Plaza.

 

9:15-11 a.m.: Players board Old Town Trolley and travel to Charlestown to visit the Bunker Hill Monument and the U.S.S. Constitution.

 

11 a.m,-1 p.m.: Players travel to the Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall via Old Town Trolley.

 

1 p.m.-2 p.m.: Players board the MBTA Green Line and travel to Kenmore Square.

The Red Sox marketing department is pulling out all the stops. This could be an indication that ticket sales are not doing very well, and they are trying togin up interest. Good luck to them. It is a bone chilling freezing day. There will not be a lot of people on the street. Also, the 4 players that will be involved are barely recognizable in uniform, never mind in winter attire. They need Wally with them just for people to realize that there is a Red Sox activity going on.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

It could be negative -20 degrees and you bet your ass I'll be looking for free tickets to Fenway.

[Palodios]

The Red Sox marketing department is pulling out all the stops. This could be an indication that ticket sales are not doing very well, and they are trying togin up interest. Good luck to them. It is a bone chilling freezing day. There will not be a lot of people on the street. Also, the 4 players that will be involved are barely recognizable in uniform, never mind in winter attire. They need Wally with them just for people to realize that there is a Red Sox activity going on.

 

Does it make me a bad fan if I probably won't even recognize those guys? Maybe Nava, but he's pretty generic looking.

[Lucienbel]

The Red Sox marketing department is pulling out all the stops. This could be an indication that ticket sales are not doing very well, and they are trying togin up interest. Good luck to them. It is a bone chilling freezing day. There will not be a lot of people on the street. Also, the 4 players that will be involved are barely recognizable in uniform, never mind in winter attire. They need Wally with them just for people to realize that there is a Red Sox activity going on.

 

It's funny, my father mentioned something to me a few days back when he called and alls I could think was "Ticket sales can't be good for them to do that" but I can't remember what he had mentioned to me. Pretty miserable day to be doing this as well, I agree.

 

Hopefully catch them near Government Center around 12:45-1:00 (assume that's where they're hopping the Green Line from, and that's when my lunch is), I'd enjoy some free tickets.

[a700hitter]

Does it make me a bad fan if I probably won't even recognize those guys? Maybe Nava, but he's pretty generic looking.

It speaks more to the team than to you as a fan. It wasn't that long ago that almost everyone on the roster would attract a crowd on the street. The losing has caused a loss of interest to a certain degree. My wife is not a big baseball fan, but being married to me for many years she has been exposed to a lot of Red Sox games. She usually has a better knowledge of the roster than most people on the street. Last year, in August, she very seriously said to me during a game as she passed thru the room: "Who are these guys? Is this the Red Sox?" I haven't heard that from her in 30+ years of marriage.

[Bellhorn04]

It speaks more to the team than to you as a fan. It wasn't that long ago that almost everyone on the roster would attract a crowd on the street. The losing has caused a loss of interest to a certain degree. My wife is not a big baseball fan, but being married to me for many years she has been exposed to a lot of Red Sox games. She usually has a better knowledge of the roster than most people on the street. Last year, in August, she very seriously said to me during a game as she passed thru the room: "Who are these guys? Is this the Red Sox?" I haven't heard that from her in 30+ years of marriage.

 

Like you said, bringing Wally along would have been a good move.

[Lucienbel]

Screw trying to find them by the way. Whoever actually spent time out in this weather deserves some credit, I'm tucked away hiding in my building during lunch. This wind is outrageous.