Red Sox 2012/2013 Offseason Thread

[SoxSport]

Henry gave up Scutaro because he figured he had pretty much the same SS in Aviles for half the money. It was a cost cutting move, and Henry was in a cost cutting mode last year. And I think he performed brilliantly--considering he also engineered the Dodger deal.

 

Scutaro moved to 2B when he went to Colorado. The guy showed last September he could get hot with the bat --and he has gotten hot in SF. But he's playing 2B--not SS. He has played only 27 games at SS this year. Most of the rest at 2B. At 36, he's no longer a SS, and didn't figure in the Sox plans there. Good deal for them--and him.

[jung]

I did not think about this what with all the Sandy stuff of the last few days but heard it mentioned today that the Sox have not done anything on Ross after all. At this point Ross will obviously wait to see what comes his way via FA which is likely a number way past what the Sox could have signed him for if they did have interest....my conclusion....Sox aren't interested. I think that is pretty interesting.

 

I would have thought they would have wanted to lock Ross up for at least a couple years and at least know they had that player in their camp. Without Ross they will start Saturday with an outfield of......Els.....and.....and......and.....who???? Kalish.......Nava....Sweeney....Yikes!!!

[Station 13]

Ryan Ludwick is a free agent, another OF option.

[jung]

There will be OF options for the Sox to consider. I am just sorta' surprised that they ended up so non-plussed by Ross that they did not make an effort to secure his services. He clearly wanted to stay....so the turmoil had not put him in a bad state of mind....he seemed like a good trooper and a guy that was tailor made for the monster.

 

If looking at it from the other side, OF seemed more of an adventure for Ross than I expected. Every play seemed a bit more dramatic than it needed to be in that fairly routine plays did not look as routine as I thought they should be.

 

On balance though I thought what he gave us at home was worth a bit of a downside on the road and he was available.....your basic good clubhouse guy from all appearances.

 

It begs the question though....does this suggest a departure from the "build a team for Fenway" approach? Does that suggest no interest in a Napoli for example?

[mvp 78]

Ells/Brentz/JBJ

[jung]

Boy advancing JBJ up that quickly would be even less Sox-like than not trying to tie up a Fenway Park kinda' guy ala' Ross. But hey.....maybe a complete departure from the past is actually what is happening.

 

Maybe they are wayyyyyyy farther apart on Ortiz than anybody thought for that matter.

 

So far they have gotten a Manager and Coaches so it is tough to really see if they are on the road to complete departure from the past or not. Not pursuing Ross would suggest complete departure from the past.

[mvp 78]

If they aren't primed for a WS in 2013 (they aren't), might as well develop the young guys. I don't think they'll go down this road for fear of NESN ratings, but that's what I'd do.

[bubbakeg52]

Haren and Peavy look like they are off the FA market.. Pissed over here..... Waiting patiently on a trade for an Ace

[bubbakeg52]

By the way Stephen Drew is a MVP caliber leadoff hitter and that means Ells is gone

[bubbakeg52]

By the way Stephen Drew is a MVP caliber leadoff hitter and that means Ells is gone

 

Don't argue with me

[iortiz]

Soriano will go to FA... sign him!, we need a closer.

[jung]

The way things are going I keep coming back to something I posted earlier. I am just not convinced that our FO can or will act decisively. I think we are at a disadvantage in cases where the player is sought after by several teams.

 

I cannot believe the Sox would completely pack in a whole season at this point but they may simply be unable to execute under the circumstances. I suspect we will see player after player taken off the market much like we saw last year.

[bubbakeg52]

Soria is better than Soriano for the price.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Soriano will go to FA... sign him!, we need a closer.

 

Yup. Hopefully the Sox FO (and some of the posters here, including myself) learned a lesson when trying to get through a season without a dependable closer.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Soria is better than Soriano for the price.

 

Soria is going to be a very nice pick up for someone (hopefully the Sox) on what will likely be a 1 year deal to build value.

 

A lot of people are forgetting about Ryan Madson, too. He'd be a nice guy to grab on a 1 year deal as well, coming off of TJS.

 

I hope the Sox pick up at least 1, but preferably 2 of Soria, Soriano, Broxton, Madson. If they picked up 2, it would have to be Soria + 1 bc none of the other 3 would go to a place they weren't closing.

[iortiz]

Soria is going to be a very nice pick up for someone (hopefully the Sox) on what will likely be a 1 year deal to build value.

 

A lot of people are forgetting about Ryan Madson, too. He'd be a nice guy to grab on a 1 year deal as well, coming off of TJS.

 

I hope the Sox pick up at least 1, but preferably 2 of Soria, Soriano, Broxton, Madson. If they picked up 2, it would have to be Soria + 1 bc none of the other 3 would go to a place they weren't closing.

 

 

Soriano and Soria, PLEASE!

[iortiz]

White Sox decline $13 million option on Youk...

 

Sign him and give him the 1st base.

[iortiz]

... and for God's sake, do not let him play 3rd, we do not want an injured Youk anymore.

[seabeachfred]

Youk's not my first choice iortiz but I would take him in a second over James Loney. Good God, I hope we don't ask that bum back. He is close to worthless. But do you think Kevin would really want back in Boston?

[iortiz]

Youk's not my first choice iortiz but I would take him in a second over James Loney. Good God, I hope we don't ask that bum back. He is close to worthless. But do you think Kevin would really want back in Boston?

 

Hi Fred, How are you doing? been a while my friend.

 

When I see the market, I think Youk is the best shot for us in order to fill the 1st base.

 

Now that V is gone, I think Youk could change his mind and come back to Boston.

 

In the end the money is the only thing they see my friend and if the Sox put that, Youk is back next season.

[Station 13]

Soria option turn down. He would be one I take a flyer on.

[Plumpamania]

Youk back in Boston on a 2 year / $12 to $15 million contract I'd like to see. But remember after his flashy start in CHW, he declined and guess what...got injured.

[mvp 78]

I don't want Broxton ever closing for the Sox.

[Station 13]

I don't want Broxton ever closing for the Sox.

 

I don't think we have to worry about that. I would hate it too.

[MANNYHOF24]

1 Jon Lester

2 Clay Buchholz

3 Dan Haren

4 John Lackey

5 Felix Doubront/Francisco Liriano

 

 

CF Jacoby Ellsbury

2B Dustin Pedroia

3B Will Middlebrooks

DH David Ortiz

1B Kevin Youkilis

RF Cody Ross

LF Delmon Young

C Ryan Lavarnway/Salty

SS Stephen Drew

 

Playoff team if Lester, Buchholz, Lackey, return to career norms and the lineup stays healthy.

[jung]

I think you can forget Ross at this point. If the Sox wanted him, they would very likely have made a bid to keep him off the FA market. At this point while Ortiz has every reason to continue to entertain whatever the Sox are putting in front of him, Ross has no reason not to wait. Frankly, I don't think it likely that Ross will get a low enough offer out on the market to draw the Sox back into the running for him. I am surprised, but I really do think that if the Sox wanted him they would have signed him before FA.

[MANNYHOF24]

I think you can forget Ross at this point. If the Sox wanted him, they would very likely have made a bid to keep him off the FA market. At this point while Ortiz has every reason to continue to entertain whatever the Sox are putting in front of him, Ross has no reason not to wait. Frankly, I don't think it likely that Ross will get a low enough offer out on the market to draw the Sox back into the running for him. I am surprised, but I really do think that if the Sox wanted him they would have signed him before FA.

 

Why do you keep saying this? Everything you read everywhere says that the Red Sox want Ross and Ross wants the Red Sox. I think you are reading too much into this. Teams know that Cody Ross' swing is made for Fenway park, i really doubt another club is going to give Cody Ross what he is looking for.

[SoxFanForsyth]

So, reports are out that the Angels are trying to move Wells along with Haren, and speculation is that the Sox are talking to them about a Lackey for Haren + Wells deal.

 

Here are the numbers left on the contracts:

 

Lackey: $30.3mm

 

Haren: $15.5mm

Wells: $42mm

Total: 57.5mm

 

So the Red Sox would be ridding themselves of $30.3mm, and acquiring $57.5mm of salary, a difference of $27.2mm.

 

Here's the question. Would you make the deal if the Angels ate $25mm of the money? Essentially, you would be getting Haren for Lackey straight up, then taking Wells on a 2 year/2.2mm deal.

 

Thoughts? I know Wells is awful, but he still can be a nice bat off the bench and platoon player for $1.1mm, and Haren is a clear upgrade over Lackey.

[MANNYHOF24]

So, reports are out that the Angels are trying to move Wells along with Haren, and speculation is that the Sox are talking to them about a Lackey for Haren + Wells deal.

 

Here are the numbers left on the contracts:

 

Lackey: $30.3mm

 

Haren: $15.5mm

Wells: $42mm

Total: 57.5mm

 

So the Red Sox would be ridding themselves of $30.3mm, and acquiring $57.5mm of salary, a difference of $27.2mm.

 

Here's the question. Would you make the deal if the Angels ate $25mm of the money? Essentially, you would be getting Haren for Lackey straight up, then taking Wells on a 2 year/2.2mm deal.

 

Thoughts? I know Wells is awful, but he still can be a nice bat off the bench and platoon player for $1.1mm, and Haren is a clear upgrade over Lackey.

 

I would not make that trade straight up. I honestly think Lackey has more upside then wells for next season. I would try to make the deal, not involving wells if possible.

 

I would definitely consider your alternative deal though.

[jung]

Ross has had a pretty decent career before ever walking into Fenway Park. So I don't think teams will not express interest in him and he was not making that much money in Boston. Will I think the bidding will get ridiculous for him....no....Do I think the Sox could have had him for much less than they are going to end up paying for him if they had just made a contract offer before FA....yes. Could it be enough of a dif for them to pass....no doubt. It's not harder than that. So he may end up back in Boston but I just don't understand why the Sox didn't get something done on him before FA.....other than the same reasons we have been discussing generally with regard to this FO.