Red Sox 2012/2013 Offseason Thread

[BSN07]

$27.5M for a 38 year old pitcher is a horrible team option in 2016.

 

Well if it's that bad they can save close to half of that by just opting out. It's not ideal. But it's not like everyone is shopping their best SP.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Just to be clear -

 

Farrell keeps saying the Sox "haven't shut the door on any free agent SP".

 

Could they be a darkhorse for Greinke?

[BSN07]

Just to be clear -

 

Farrell keeps saying the Sox "haven't shut the door on any free agent SP".

 

Could they be a darkhorse for Greinke?

 

I don't see it. I just saw something that said the growing feeling is Grienke might approach the highest contract ever for a SP. No thanks

[SeanJohn93]

Gordon Edes@GordonEdes

 

Baseball source on possible Ellsbury trade: "Always a chance they would move him if they got the right fit.''

[Palodios]

I don't see it. I just saw something that said the growing feeling is Grienke might approach the highest contract ever for a SP. No thanks

 

The rumor right now is 160. He's really not worth that at all.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Texas has put the Hamilton talks on hold while they go after Greinke.

 

Now is the perfect time to swoop in and tell Hamilton "Hey. We value you as our #1. We're not going to make you wait. Come sign with us".

[SeanJohn93]

RT @thejoshhamilton: heading home!!

 

This signals that it will take awhile until a contract is signed for Hamilton

[a700hitter]

Red Sox In, Angels Out On Ryan Dempster

By Luke Adams [December 4 at 8:21pm CST]

 

While the Red Sox remain in the mix for Ryan Dempster, the Angels are out of the running, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). Heyman also notes that the Brewers appear to be a logical fit for the right-hander, who has a home in Chicago.

 

Yesterday, we heard that Dempster is seeking a three-year deal, which isn't something the Brewers were willing to commit to at this point. Reports so far this winter have suggested that Milwaukee would prefer to go no more than two years for free agent arms.

 

Despite apparently no longer being involved on Dempster, the Angels have reportedly been casting a wide net in their search for a free agent starter, with Zack Greinke and Brandon McCarthy among their targets.

[User Name]

http://rlv.zcache.com/oh_god_why_poster-r7b00b1c0fbda42659b0db714922c7a9d_29dst_400.jpg

[RedSoxNC84]

http://rlv.zcache.com/oh_god_why_poster-r7b00b1c0fbda42659b0db714922c7a9d_29dst_400.jpg

 

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/001/384/Atrapitis.gif

[Spitball]

The money thrown at Gomes, Victorino, and the projected prices for Grienke and Dempster indicate a crazy free agent market. This is a really bad winter for the Red Sox to rebuild.

 

Please grant Cherington much wisdom.

[jung]

Pitchers are definitely going to cost a fortune. So far I don't think the everyday player money is all that out of whack. Napoli and Victorino were both overpays. Napoli maybe not as much as Victorino. However if in fact the Sox are going to package up Ells to ship him off in trade then this move was pretty necessary.

 

I would not wait on Ells if I were the Sox. He is just to likely to be injured during the season and then where are you. If I could package him up now in a really good deal for a pitcher I would think that was pretty darned good.

[seabeachfred]

Pitchers are definitely going to cost a fortune. So far I don't think the everyday player money is all that out of whack. Napoli and Victorino were both overpays. Napoli maybe not as much as Victorino. However if in fact the Sox are going to package up Ells to ship him off in trade then this move was pretty necessary.

 

I would not wait on Ells if I were the Sox. He is just to likely to be injured during the season and then where are you. If I could package him up now in a really good deal for a pitcher I would think that was pretty darned good.

 

Somehow I cannot see the Victorino signing as the finis to our winter shopping. I have to think there is more on the way. We still need pitching and Ellsbury is our best bargaining chip at the moment. True, he is only one year away from FA and with Boras as agent he is not going to sign an extention with us or any team we trade him to. Therefore, it will take more than him to net us a solid starting pitcher. One would think intuitively and see a possibility of a trade of the guy for pitching and then an all out assault for Josh Hamilton who would play right while Victorino moves to center. Remember, too, that Josh could also play CF if he had to so we would have two good defensive OF's in positions where you need them badly in Fenway Park.

[SCM33]

Nick Cafardo ‏@nickcafardo

Cherington said he would like to add a leftanded hitting 1B who woud be versatile.

 

Swisher?

 

Berkman?

[RedSoxNC84]

Berkman?

 

All signs point to Eric Chavez right now

[RedSoxNC84]

Rays get Escobar, shortstop market is pretty thin right now.. I think they stick with Iglesias though, unless maybe a signing of Steven Drew?

[SCM33]

Rays get Escobar, shortstop market is pretty thin right now.. I think they stick with Iglesias though, unless maybe a signing of Steven Drew?

 

Alex Gonzalez is still on the market.

[example1]

Somehow I cannot see the Victorino signing as the finis to our winter shopping. I have to think there is more on the way. We still need pitching and Ellsbury is our best bargaining chip at the moment. True, he is only one year away from FA and with Boras as agent he is not going to sign an extention with us or any team we trade him to. Therefore, it will take more than him to net us a solid starting pitcher. One would think intuitively and see a possibility of a trade of the guy for pitching and then an all out assault for Josh Hamilton who would play right while Victorino moves to center. Remember, too, that Josh could also play CF if he had to so we would have two good defensive OF's in positions where you need them badly in Fenway Park.

 

Just as it was crazy to think that Cherington was planning on just sitting this offseason out a few weeks ago, it is crazy to think the team is done at this point. If anything they are in on just about every rumor out there and I think we should assume that they are being aggressive to make the team better.

 

I don't know if Ben is a genius or a dunce, but I really wish this site could at least wait to see what the end product is prior to judgment.

 

SBF--my above points are not directed at you. Your post is very reasonable and served merely as a good jumping off point.

[BSN07]

I think the avoid the FA market for SP for the most part. I think they make 2 trades for SP.

[dupree]

I think the avoid the FA market for SP for the most part. I think they make 2 trades for SP.

 

110% Agreed... SP FA market is over paid & will hold the red sox hostage for years to come

 

Hope they just spend move on Hamilton & C Ross

I dont think that overspending on Hamilton will be that horrible of idea

Reports say the Rangers are in talks at 4 years.. I think it will have an extra yr to get him

So say 5yr/125 mil

If the red sox just go 4 and even if the outbid texas i still think he goes back there

Hamilton could DH & maybe play 1B (maybe is the key here) in years 4 or 5

At 1B he would stay healthier too... but with the Green Monster that could prolong his career

 

Cody Ross will prolly be in the 3 year 25 to 30 range based on what Victorino got

Send ellsbury & salty packing for SP along with some prospects

[jacksonianmarch]

I think the avoid the FA market for SP for the most part. I think they make 2 trades for SP.

 

They shouldnt avoid it completely. I am actually surprised they didnt make a move on Haren. He'd have been the perfect candidate for a team looking to rebuild. He'd either completely suck and be a short term bad investment, or give your fans good entertainment and bring you a big package at the deadline

[BSN07]

They shouldnt avoid it completely. I am actually surprised they didnt make a move on Haren. He'd have been the perfect candidate for a team looking to rebuild. He'd either completely suck and be a short term bad investment, or give your fans good entertainment and bring you a big package at the deadline

 

Well I mean for the main SP they will avoid the FA market. I think they could make some depth signings from the FA market. I'd like to see them take a shot on Jurrjens.

[jacksonianmarch]

They should take a page from the Yankees and look at guys who can give innings with solid effectiveness. Now, we all know CC is an ace, but he didnt pitch like one last yr due to injury. But the rest of the rotation gave solid innings with passable to good ERAs. While Sanchez has his injury history, he's been healthy of late and will give you 190+ IP regularly with a passable ERA. He's a guy I think the sox end up signing, TBTH

[dupree]

Sanchez on a 4 year 60 - 65million is prolly what he will get

Reports say he is in the 90 - 100 discussions

 

I hope the Red Sox dont pull the trigger on a deal like that but all things are possible

I would rather trade for SP & give up prospects than hurt the payroll flexibility

We need SP that is a fact but I dont want to break the bank on a projected #2

Trade for SP & break the bank on offensive monsters

[Rdsxmbnt]

I'm gonna post my ideal offseason for fun now that there is some semblance of a roster coming together:

 

1) Trade Ellsbury for pitching (Ideally a #2/#3 guy but good pitching prospect would do)

2) Sign Hamilton 4/90

3) Trade Salty for Gavin Floyd

4) Consider signing Drew depending on how they feel about Iglesias, would get another LHB in the lineup

 

 

1. Victorino CF S

2. Pedroia 2B RH

3. Ortiz DH LH

4. Napoli 1B RH

5. Hamilton RF LH

6. Middlebrooks 3B RH

7. Gomes/Nava LF RH/LH

8. Lavarnway/Ross C RH

9. Iglesias/Drew SS LH/RH

 

*OF has lots of flexibility for when Brentz/Bradley are ready as Victorino can go wherever and there's no long commitment in LF.

 

1. Lester

2. Buchholz

3. *Ellsbury Trade

4. Floyd

5. Lackey

6. Doubront

 

*Barnes/Webster/Rubby are all getting pretty close also, and the prospect from the Ellsbury trade could be in that mix also

[dupree]

Salty for Gavin Floyd is becoming a popular discussion

 

Ellsbury + 1 should get us a # 2or 3 starter

who is willing to take a risk & think Ellsbury will be healthy & trade him at the deadline

because only a few select teams will be in the bidding next offseason

i say the team we trade ells for at the start of season gets traded again

[SoxSport]

Victorino was a heady sign. Helluva player--if you take away the 2nd half last year in LA. He was a key player at CF in Philly. The word now is he played last year hurt--with a bad hand.

 

The real purpose of this deal, I think, was to put a "for sale" sign on Ellsbury. They don't want to deal with Boras. Not the only team--Phillies, too. Which makes Ells for Lee or Halladay improbable. Ells will be dealt either pre-season by mid-season next year--whichever they think will bring the most.

 

Right now, they have a ton of versatility. A lot of role players on the field. You combine that with strong pitching and you've got a winner. Except they don't have strong pitching--yet.

[SoxSport]

I don't think Hamilton will happen. He is going back to Texas. I doubt any other team is serious about him at this point--he was simply trying to drive his price up at the meetings to sign with Texas.

 

 

Then there's Ross and Swisher. I don't think they'll sign another outfielder unless Ellsbury gets dealt.

[jopete19]

Since we got Victorino, do you think the Ross talks are done?

[a700hitter]

Since we got Victorino, do you think the Ross talks are done?

I don't see the need for him. Victorino will play RF everyday. Ross will not platoon with Gomes, because both are right handed. Probably, Kalish is the 4th OF. I think it is more likely that they sign a first baseman who can also play the OF and bat left handed, like Swisher.