Red Sox 2012/2013 Offseason Thread

[Spitball]

Kalish out for six months. What a waste of talent.

 

Maybe it is a blessing in diguise. Now maybe the Sox will step up their efforts to acquire Garrett Jones.

[a700hitter]

Red Sox To Sign Lyle Overbay

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [January 31 at 3:09pm CST]

 

The Red Sox signed Lyle Overbay to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to MLB Spring Training, Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports (Twitter links). Overbay can opt out of the minor league deal if he isn't on the MLB roster by the end of Spring Training.

 

Overbay played for the Diamondbacks and Braves in 2012, posting a .259/.331/.397 batting line in 131 plate appearances. The 36-year-old bats from the left side and has a career line of .275/.368/.453 against right-handed pitching. Octagon represents Overbay, who also drew interest from the Brewers

Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#m0KZbeaZrBYPLtmD.99

Yuk!

[SoxFanForsyth]

Yuk!

 

Minor league deal, no problem here. Decent depth. Last year before he was traded and went to PH duties, he was hitting .292/.367/.448.

 

I'm not saying he's going to save the Red Sox. But he's got AL East experience, he's a LH hitter, he's got a line of .323/.395/.500 at Fenway Park for his career (177 PA). They could certainly do worse.

[BSN07]

Minor league deal, no problem here. Decent depth. Last year before he was traded and went to PH duties, he was hitting .292/.367/.448.

 

I'm not saying he's going to save the Red Sox. But he's got AL East experience, he's a LH hitter, he's got a line of .323/.395/.500 at Fenway Park for his career (177 PA). They could certainly do worse.

 

Better then Lars Anderson

[Bellhorn04]

Minor league deal, no problem here. Decent depth. Last year before he was traded and went to PH duties, he was hitting .292/.367/.448.

 

I'm not saying he's going to save the Red Sox. But he's got AL East experience, he's a LH hitter, he's got a line of .323/.395/.500 at Fenway Park for his career (177 PA). They could certainly do worse.

 

Agreed. Could be a good signing with his numbers vs. RH pitching and at Fenway.

[NativeBostonian]

Better then Lars Anderson

 

That's not saying much.

[a700hitter]

Agreed. Could be a good signing with his numbers vs. RH pitching and at Fenway.

That means much, because he will not be hitting against our pitching. He is JT Snow with less power. He was a good glove man and an average stick, and like JT Snow, we are getting him when he is at the end of the road. We could have done better than this. I am not sure that this is an upgrade over moving Nava to 1B.

[a700hitter]

Also from Eddy, the Red Sox re-signed knuckleballer Charlie Haeger to a new minor league deal.* Haeger last pitched in the majors in 2010 and has been in the Red Sox farm system since July 2011, though he missed all of last season with an arm injury

Maybe we are collecting knucklers so Wakefield will have something to do.

[Bellhorn04]

That means much, because he will not be hitting against our pitching.

 

OK, let's check this out. All of Overbay's AB's at Fenway came in the years 2006-2010 when he was with the Jays.

 

The number on the left is Overbay's OPS at Fenway that year. The one on the right is the overall OPS given up by Red Sox pitchers at Fenway that year.

 

2006 911/768

2007 627/726

2008 876/724

2009 981/736

2010 1071/727

[a700hitter]

OK, let's check this out. All of Overbay's AB's at Fenway came in the years 2006-2010 when he was with the Jays.

 

The number on the left is Overbay's OPS at Fenway that year. The one on the right is the overall OPS given up by Red Sox pitchers at Fenway that year.

 

2006 911/768

2007 627/726

2008 876/724

2009 981/736

2010 1071/727

I am not sure what point these stats make. He raked our pitching for those 5 years. In each of those 5 years, he hit Sox pitching for the highest or second highest OPS of any team that he faced in 10 or more games. In 2 of the 5 seasons, he hit Sox pitching for a higher OPS at home than at Fenway. Are you trying to make the point that he didn't hit Sox pitching well?

[Spitball]

OK, let's check this out. All of Overbay's AB's at Fenway came in the years 2006-2010 when he was with the Jays.

 

The number on the left is Overbay's OPS at Fenway that year. The one on the right is the overall OPS given up by Red Sox pitchers at Fenway that year.

 

2006 911/768

2007 627/726

2008 876/724

2009 981/736

2010 1071/727

 

Interesting. Thanks, Bell.

[seabeachfred]

I was hoping the kid could finally get his chance to show what hes got. But ur right definitely a waste of talent. And i dont think they will add another platoon bat they will just use nova and sweeny and i hate to bet anything on either one of them as far as contributing anything as far as power #s to platoon with gomes.

 

Garret Jones would have been the ticket but i dont see that happening.

 

Where did you see the report on Kalish's length of DL i havent seen the 6 months stint?

 

Six months Dupree. I saw it on all the boards this afternoon----and once again another front office scheme blew up in their faces. In early 2011 many fans were demanding that Kalish stay with the Red Sox after his pretty impressive short stay with them in 2010, but the FOU went with injury prone Drew who, as usual, turned up lame while Ryans went down to Pawtucket and severely injured his shoulder and later his neck. Perhaps had he stayed in Boston he might not have gotten hurt anymore than Ellsbury did when they stupidly put him in LF to "save his legs" in early 2010 and was sent out of action when Beltre ran into him on a fly ball that Adrian had no damn business going after.

 

I just wonder when Prune Face and Company are going to start making decisions that don't always blow up in their palsied faces and bring misery to loyal Red So fans. Maybe this year?????????

 

:o:o:o:o:o:o

[seabeachfred]

Maybe it is a blessing in diguise. Now maybe the Sox will step up their efforts to acquire Garrett Jones.

 

Garrett Jones Spitball. Did you say Garrett Jones? How about Lyle Overbay who we just signed? There's one for you. Can't play the outfield where we need a good LH hitter to platoon with Gomes, so we now are faced with a putrid choice between front office pet Daniel Nava, a one month wonder and a five month turd, ORRRRRRR, recent Red Sox reject Sweeney who equally a waste for us last year. And Werner wonders why the TV rating are cratering or Lucchino laments that Red Sox marketing is taking a hint.:angry::angry::angry:

[seabeachfred]

Minor league deal, no problem here. Decent depth. Last year before he was traded and went to PH duties, he was hitting .292/.367/.448.

 

I'm not saying he's going to save the Red Sox. But he's got AL East experience, he's a LH hitter, he's got a line of .323/.395/.500 at Fenway Park for his career (177 PA). They could certainly do worse.

 

Right SFF, I agree we could certainly do worse, BUT WE ALSO COULD DO A HELLUVA LOT BETTER my friend......Don't ya think??????

[seabeachfred]

Minor league deal, no problem here. Decent depth. Last year before he was traded and went to PH duties, he was hitting .292/.367/.448.

 

I'm not saying he's going to save the Red Sox. But he's got AL East experience, he's a LH hitter, he's got a line of .323/.395/.500 at Fenway Park for his career (177 PA). They could certainly do worse.

 

Right SFF, I agree we could certainly do worse, BUT WE ALSO COULD DO A HELLUVA LOT BETTER my friend......Don't ya think?????? Of course, BSN threw us a parachute. He is better than Lazy Lars.

[Bellhorn04]

I am not sure what point these stats make. He raked our pitching for those 5 years. In each of those 5 years, he hit Sox pitching for the highest or second highest OPS of any team that he faced in 10 or more games. In 2 of the 5 seasons, he hit Sox pitching for a higher OPS at home than at Fenway. Are you trying to make the point that he didn't hit Sox pitching well?

 

I'm trying to make the point that Overbay's .895 OPS at Fenway is much higher than the average OPS of opposing hitters at Fenway. It seems reasonable that having an OPS that high at Fenway is attributable more to it being a park that's well suited to him than it is to bad pitching. Don't you think certain hitters are better suited to certain parks?

[BSN07]

If Overbay is on the team it will only be to rest Napoli occasionally or be the late inning defensive replacement late in games because he is good with the glove. I don't think he's going to be part of a true platoon. So I don't think people need to worry so much. Sox needed a LHH 1B that was ok with a minor league deal and a shot to be a bench player. Anyone who is better then Overbay is likely going to get a better deal then that in some form or another.

[a700hitter]

I'm trying to make the point that Overbay's .895 OPS at Fenway is much higher than the average OPS of opposing hitters at Fenway. It seems reasonable that having an OPS that high at Fenway is attributable more to it being a park that's well suited to him than it is to bad pitching. Don't you think certain hitters are better suited to certain parks?

I think it is more a function of seeing our pitching a lot plus other than Lester in those last few years we had no effective lefty starters. Did we have any lefty starters in those season. We also had very few lefties in the pen. Did the ballpark also factor into it? Maybe, but remember that in 2 of the 5 season his OPS was higher against us at home than on the road, so I don't think any Fenway effect is enough to justify signing an over the hill substandard offensive first baseman. They should have looked to get a little more pop.

[a700hitter]

If Overbay is on the team it will only be to rest Napoli occasionally or be the late inning defensive replacement late in games because he is good with the glove. I don't think he's going to be part of a true platoon. So I don't think people need to worry so much. Sox needed a LHH 1B that was ok with a minor league deal and a shot to be a bench player. Anyone who is better then Overbay is likely going to get a better deal then that in some form or another.

As disappointing as our last 2 off seasons have been, I haven't gotten to the point where I judge a move to be a success, because it will not hurt us. I look to see if a transaction will make us better. Overbay doesn't improve this team. I disagree with your assumption that anyone better than Overbay would get a better deal than being a part time first baseman. If we got a guy who could play the OF and 1B, we could offer him significant playing time and we would fill 2 of our needs. This move doesn't help the team and it probably puts either Nava or Sweeney on the opening day roster to fill the OF spot. Both of them stink.

[mvp 78]

Ladies and gentlemen, your AAA 1b: Lyle Overbay.

[Dojji]

I'm not nearly so sure that Overbay is AAA bound. He has definite utility as a very solid defensive 1B and he bats LHH and hits righties decently. .751 OPS v. right in a very bad year last year, .821 career.

 

As a situational lefty and a LIDR, I see a potentially useful bench player. Not a guy who you'd mistake for a starter, but maybe the guy who will play the other, say, 30 games as our 1B, come in defensively, and pinch hit a bit.

 

 

Now, I did want Garrett Jones. But the way our roster is kind of put together on hope and dreams, rather than being an actual contender this year, if the price on Jones started at, say, Junichi Tazawa and went up from there -- and it could have -- I can see why they went for Overbay instead.

[a700hitter]

If Overbay doesn't make the opening day roster, he has an opt out clause in his contract. He will not be our AAA first baseman.

[dupree]

If Overbay doesn't make the opening day roster, he has an opt out clause in his contract. He will not be our AAA first baseman.

 

Exactly. He will be on the opening day roster just to insure him to stay with the organization as a bench player. I could see Gomez starting in AAA with Overbay in the bigs then maybe a flip flop of position depending on how each plays to start the year

 

I thought that Casey Kotchman would have been the sign if they were just signing a 1B. But i dont know what his asking price was and his current offers and what his #s are at Fenway.

 

What is the current payroll at? Is their any wiggle room below the cap or is it just maxed out now at the luxury tax?

[redsoxfan3]

Exactly. He will be on the opening day roster just to insure him to stay with the organization as a bench player. I could see Gomez starting in AAA with Overbay in the bigs then maybe a flip flop of position depending on how each plays to start the year

 

I thought that Casey Kotchman would have been the sign if they were just signing a 1B. But i dont know what his asking price was and his current offers and what his #s are at Fenway.

 

What is the current payroll at? Is their any wiggle room below the cap or is it just maxed out now at the luxury tax?

 

Speier was calculating we are 17 million under, but Napoli could earn 8 million of that. So I think it is safe to say we have 9 million to work with that we are guaranteed under the LT. I would really like us to use that 9 million on another starter, but the options are slim. Overbay is a backup plan, but I think we should look into a LF/1B that is LH. Overbay's contract is not allocated towards the LT until he at least makes the 40 man roster. His contract will only total 1.5 million. I would like us to make some more moves. Let's look to trade Salty and a reliever.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Speier was calculating we are 17 million under, but Napoli could earn 8 million of that. So I think it is safe to say we have 9 million to work with that we are guaranteed under the LT. I would really like us to use that 9 million on another starter, but the options are slim. Overbay is a backup plan, but I think we should look into a LF/1B that is LH. Overbay's contract is not allocated towards the LT until he at least makes the 40 man roster. His contract will only total 1.5 million. I would like us to make some more moves. Let's look to trade Salty and a reliever.

 

I would love to get another SP but I am convinced that the FO has the 5 SP set right now, so they're not going to go out and get a Lohse or someone because there is nobody he would replace.

 

I think he's an upgrade over Doubront and Lackey, and maybe even Dempster myself, but I don't think they'll try to get him.

[a700hitter]

I would love to get another SP but I am convinced that the FO has the 5 SP set right now, so they're not going to go out and get a Lohse or someone because there is nobody he would replace.

 

I think he's an upgrade over Doubront and Lackey, and maybe even Dempster myself, but I don't think they'll try to get him.

I agree. Cherries thinks he is set for pitching. He is leaving himself little depth to fall back on if things turn bad. If we finish last again, I think he's toast.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I agree. Cherries thinks he is set for pitching. He is leaving himself little depth to fall back on if things turn bad. If we finish last again, I think he's toast.

 

Well, to be fair though, who do you want to go get as a #6 man? Because as a FA, nobody like Lohse is going to sign to be starting in AAA. You could put Doubront in AAA, but that would hamper his development.

 

They're just in a bad spot, really, because of Lackey. If they had a slot open for one more, then we would be able to upgrade our rotation.

 

That's why I thought the Sox would unload Doubront this offseason so they could make an acquisition via trade to really upgrade.

 

I still disagree with you regarding the SP depth. I think they have very good SP depth right now. They just need a better #3. They have 2 #2's followed by 3 #4/5's.

[mvp 78]

Lohse isn't worth the pick they'd give up.

[wyo-sox]

I am not as down as everyone on Sweeney. Seems like I remember him playing decent defense and his bat was on fire April - May. Wasn't he one of the best hitters on the team for that time? I think he had a concussion when his numbers started to decline. As a bench guy to step in for a few starts through the year I think he is a good pick up for the money. He is a career .280 hitter.

[a700hitter]

I am not as down as everyone on Sweeney. Seems like I remember him playing decent defense and his bat was on fire April - May. Wasn't he one of the best hitters on the team for that time? I think he had a concussion when his numbers started to decline. As a bench guy to step in for a few starts through the year I think he is a good pick up for the money. He is a career .280 hitter.

The guy is 6'4" 240 and he has 1 HOUR in his last 500 plate appearances. That is horrendous. The only thing that he can hit hard is the wall with his fist.