Red Sox 2012/2013 Offseason Thread

[Palodios]

I tried to temper some of your enthusiasm at the start of the season so that the thud back to earth would not be too painful. I'll caution you again. Don't expect too much this off season if Bumbling Benny is at the helm. You are right to be concerned about his statements. The one good thing about the off season is that no matter how unrealistic we are about the team's chances in 2013, they will be undefeated until April..

 

After everything that we've heard this seasons, I think it is time to stop blaming the GM for the problems of this organization and look higher up in the organization.

[a700hitter]

After everything that we've heard this seasons, I think it is time to stop blaming the GM for the problems of this organization and look higher up in the organization.

He's not part of the solution as a puppet. Powerlessness is not an excuse. It explains what has not happened, but doesn't excuse it. He needs to go.

[Bellhorn04]

Benny Boy will be around at least another year. Let's see how he does this offseason.

[a700hitter]

Benny Boy will be around at least another year. Let's see how he does this offseason.

If he is a puppet, we will really be seeing how LL does. Bumbling Benny is just his stooge. He's not going to wrest power away from LL.

[SoxSport]

Soscia's getting some heat in LA, and he could be available off-season. A good possibility for the Red Sox.He's a no-nonsense guy and an outsider who could command respect from this team--and the higher ups. The Angels' problems are higher than Soscia--their GM simply doesn't value pitching enough. Funny, that's the same problem in Boston.

 

Regardless of what happens with the manager, I don't see the Red Sox going anywhere until they recognize their front office sucks--and that more than Epstein has to go. They lost a couple of other senior guys, too, Hoyer and somebody else I can't recall, and didn't replace them. They need a much more aggressive GM or VP who can compete with other aggressive GMs out there.

 

Lucchino? He needs to get away from the team and back to his old job selling tickets.

Henry needs to hire a PR spokesperson to be a Red Sox voice to the media--and everybody else upstairs should shut up.

[SoxSport]

He's not part of the solution as a puppet. Powerlessness is not an excuse. It explains what has not happened, but doesn't excuse it. He needs to go.

 

Just looking at the guy tells you something. He's not aggressive enough to compete with other aggressive GMs. It's not in his nature. Ben was picked as GM because he was the next guy in the pecking order after the top 3 had left.

[Elktonnick]

If he is a puppet, we will really be seeing how LL does. Bumbling Benny is just his stooge. He's not going to wrest power away from

LL.

 

Even if Ben were to wrest power from Larry,he wouldn't know what to do with it.

[resdubwhite]

Soscia's getting some heat in LA, and he could be available off-season. A good possibility for the Red Sox.He's a no-nonsense guy and an outsider who could command respect from this team--and the higher ups. The Angels' problems are higher than Soscia--their GM simply doesn't value pitching enough. Funny, that's the same problem in Boston.

 

Regardless of what happens with the manager, I don't see the Red Sox going anywhere until they recognize their front office sucks--and that more than Epstein has to go. They lost a couple of other senior guys, too, Hoyer and somebody else I can't recall, and didn't replace them. They need a much more aggressive GM or VP who can compete with other aggressive GMs out there.

 

Lucchino? He needs to get away from the team and back to his old job selling tickets.

Henry needs to hire a PR spokesperson to be a Red Sox voice to the media--and everybody else upstairs should shut up.

 

Soscia is a smart guy.

 

He'll see whats going on and run a mile.

 

Our only hope is that Farrell comes back out of some sort of loyalty to the place.

[Behindenemylines]

Scioscia signed a ten year contract in 2009 so he is not going anywhere. The Angel's owner also came out and made such a statement when this rumor started. So cross Scioscia off of any list you have for future Red Sox managers. I think Bobby is back in 2013, but on a short leash.

[DocHolliday]

The clusterf*}% of issues grows by the day...

 

I stand by my prediction that this thread will eventually be the longest thread in the history of Talksox.

[mvp 78]

The clusterf*}% of issues grows by the day...

 

I stand by my prediction that this thread will eventually be the longest thread in the history of Talksox.

 

Last year's offseason thread was long because people still cared. I bet people get fed up and post less this offseason.

[a700hitter]

Last year's offseason thread was long because people still cared. I bet people get fed up and post less this offseason.

I agree. When teams turn to garbage, people find other things to do, but big shake up or a key trade or acquisition will rekindle much of the interest. I laugh at how but a couple of short seasons ago many fans thought that our FO was the envy of baseball. The early cracks in the foundation were already pretty noticeable. JH didn't wake up until the Crawford deal, which he correctly noted made the team to left handed. He should have stepped in, but he did not. The whole house has crumbled to the ground. The owners were not minding the store for too long. Now, the reputation of the organization is in tatters.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Beckett was claimed off waivers. Meaning the Red Sox can let the claiming team take him and all of his salary.

 

If Cherrington revokes him, I'm going to puke.

[kapsis21]

Beckett was claimed off waivers. Meaning the Red Sox can let the claiming team take him and all of his salary.

 

If Cherrington revokes him, I'm going to puke.

 

Cherrington is going to get 1 nasty gram if he blocks this.

[DocHolliday]

I agree. When teams turn to garbage, people find other things to do, but big shake up or a key trade or acquisition will rekindle much of the interest. I laugh at how but a couple of short seasons ago many fans thought that our FO was the envy of baseball. The early cracks in the foundation were already pretty noticeable. JH didn't wake up until the Crawford deal, which he correctly noted made the team to left handed. He should have stepped in, but he did not. The whole house has crumbled to the ground. The owners were not minding the store for too long. Now, the reputation of the organization is in tatters.

 

If the mega waiver deal goes down, I'm sure there will be plenty of interest in the Sox this offseason.

 

Of course hindsight is 20/20, and your original prediction of how this thread would go down probably did not include the possibility of unloading 3 of Theo's biggest blunder contracts on one day.

 

I'll just say this:

 

There will be renewed and positive interest in this Red Sox team if they show us they are committed to the future. That commitment is showing with their acknowledgement of past big $ mistakes. Whether or not all of these players are moved, they have Atleast acknowledged there is a problem. If they are willing to eat $ on these guys, that's a step towards winning back my respect.

 

As for the players that may be leaving, I have no doubt that they will collectively perform better than they have while they've been together here. The fact is they were not capable of performing here as a group. I'm willing to accept that their success elsewhere was not possible in this environment.

[SouthieFanatic]

With Iggy playing so well i'd say nows the time to test him daily in the bigs. If he does well then we also know where we stand with Bogaerts. Meaning that we will definitely have to switch him to OF somewhere

[IRON HORSE]

Hello, Red Sox nation! It has been a while since I have posted anything. With management unloading so much money, one should begin to speculate as to who the sox will buy this offseason? Will Ellsbury get his big contract? Will the sox land Josh Hamilton and/or Zach Grienke?

[Elktonnick]

Hello, Red Sox nation! It has been a while since I have posted anything. With management unloading so much money, one should begin to speculate as to who the sox will buy this offseason? Will Ellsbury get his big contract? Will the sox land Josh Hamilton and/or Zach Grienke?

 

Maybe but not likely, No & No

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

This couldn't go in the offseason thread?

[Youk Of The Nation]

Josh Hamilton will likely require a contract the likes of which the Sox just dumped in Crawford and Gonzalez. It would be ridiculous to commit to another huge contract for a player who perhaps doesn't deserve it after the moves that have been made. It's like breaking up with a girl who tried to set you on fire while you slept and immediately getting into a relationship with someone you know is going to do exactly the same thing.

[Youk Of The Nation]

This couldn't go in the offseason thread?

 

 

Apparently things have to be more "organic". I left this alone because with everyone complaining about practically everything I thought I could avoid this one little thing. Oh well. Merging...now!

[Emmz]

Not really interested in Ellsbury. I think he's had his peak year already, and Boras is his agent. If he has a 2013 like his 2011, then yeah, throw 25M at him maybe even, but I seriously doubt he's a .900+ OPS hitter at this point.

[jacksonianmarch]

Emmz, I think Cherington hopes to high heaven he returns to the .320 30HR player next yr so he can deal him at mid season for a gigantic haul. If he remains as this powerless shell of the 2011 form, then they might as well try to resign him on a "re-coup your value" deal a la Beltre after 2013

[Elktonnick]

Emmz, I think Cherington hopes to high heaven he returns to the .320 30HR player next yr so he can deal him at mid season for a gigantic haul. If he remains as this powerless shell of the 2011 form, then they might as well try to resign him on a "re-coup your value" deal a la Beltre after 2013

 

I fear that Ellsbury could be another Brady Anderson who had one off the chart year.

[Behindenemylines]

I think the Sox will put an offer on the table this off season for Ellsbury of what they think he is worth (Won't be Crawford like number / been there done that), and if it is not taken then he will traded at some piont before next years July trading dead line. I think this thread was started because the big trade kind of ended the 2012 season and the one thing that means is the off season talk begins.

[jacksonianmarch]

Here are some thoughts for 2013....

 

Catcher-

I'd have Lavarnway carrying the majority of the load here. I'd shop Salty around, but I doubt there are many takers. I think Salty and Lavs split a lot of the time behind the dish. If Ortiz walks, Salty could try his hand as a DH or if the sox dont make a huge splash at 1b this offseason, he could move to 1b

 

First base-

The Free Agent options suck considerably, so what do you have to lose with Mauro Gomez? I would also bring in a lefty veteran off the scrap heap who could theoretically platoon with him should he show he completely sucks vs righties. Somebody like Aubrey Huff, who has come through 2 injury riddled yrs, but who has had success in the AL East and who, when healthy, can still draw walks and hit for power. And, if he doesnt play well or stay healthy, he's a scrap heap signee and you could dump him without trouble. Also, depending on the DH spot, you could rotate Salty to 1b vs righties if Gomez struggles

 

2B-

Pedroia, no doubts there

 

SS-

I dump Aviles this offseason. There is no reason for it. I'd have Iglesias and Ciriaco splitting time so the kid doesnt get overwhelmed by big league pitching right off the bat. Plus, it gives you a chance to see if Ciriaco is just a one hit wonder, or someone who can actually play in this league

 

3B-

Middlebrooks, no questions asked

 

LF-

Re-sign Cody Ross to a 3 yr $21 million deal. He's still young enough, he loves Fenway and if you could lock in a mid .800OPS guy with 20+HRs for the next 3 yrs, you do it

 

CF-

Ellsbury until he gets dealt midseason

 

RF-

I think the sox need one big splash this offseason, and I think it could come in the form of Justin Upton. He'd absolutely dominate Fenway and hasnt been healthy this yr, which is why the season has sucked for him. A package of Kalish plus one of the B's should headline it. I am starting to have my doubts as to whether Kalish will ever be the big leaguer the sox billed him as

 

DH-

Ortiz is the obvious choice, but in the interest of building for the future, I think the sox should offer the qualifying amount, take the pick and watch him go off in the sunset. Lavarnway, Salty, Gomez, et al could use more reps and if the sox arent competing next yr, why bother with a guy who will turn 37, who is breaking down and is a malcontent if things arent perfect?

 

SP-

You have Lester, Buchholz and Doubront slated as the 1-3. Lackey will get a fair shake at #4. In terms of free agents, you have the big name in Greinke, who would suck in Boston. You have some other quality guys like Edwin Jackson and Kuroda under the radar as well. And then there are the under the radar moves that could better your rotation on minimal risk moves

 

1. Colby Lewis- he plays in a bandbox, he's coming off elbow surgery and is a strikeout pitcher. He likely wont be ready for the start of 2013, but he has the stuff and the results to be a good 1 yr flier kind of pitcher. And if the team sucks, but he is solid coming back from injury, he could bring something back in trade

 

2. Jorge de la Rosa- the guy was good in Colorado before arm issues arose. He's had trouble in his return from TJS, but might be able to pitch in the bigs this September. Provided a good physical in the winter, he could be an under the radar signing with big implications come next yr

 

3. Brandon McCarthy- this guy has had trouble staying healthy, but he is a sinkerballer who is currently #2 in Oakland on a competitive team. When he's on the mound, he's been good, and with his injury history, he should come cheap

[Behindenemylines]

If Gomez is your starting 1B in April then it will be a loooooooooooooooooong season. What offense you get from him he will give back up in the field. I think J Upton has a no trade clause in his contract and the Red Sox are one of the teams he can nix a trade to. Good young player (the kind they should be looking for), but he would have to be talked into coming here. Some guys know that they just don't want to play under the microscope of Boston.

[jacksonianmarch]

Most guys put NTC's in their contract to the big money teams, since they'd be the ones to acquire them. They then can negotiate a fee to waive it. It's all about getting a little more cash

[SoxSport]

The front office has lost 3 key people the last few years. Epstein, Hoyer and Byrnes. I guess Cherington was the most senior guy available when Epstein left.

 

Considering Ben's track record as GM this year, I'm surprised the media hasn't questioned whether he has enough experience to make the kind of changes this team needs to become contenders again. I doubt he can do it on his own. They need a more senior type a slot above him at the VP level running the team--not Lucchino. Somebody from the outside who can control the infighting and make the necessary personnel changes. Henry and Lucchino are making a big mistake if they think they can do that themselves.

[SouthieFanatic]

Biggest off-season move IMO internally speaking is getting Bogaerts some action in the AFL. Maybe even putting him in the OF for the most part. Outside of the organization (FA).. It's pitching, pitching and hey guess what? more pitching