Red Sox 2012/2013 Offseason Thread

[jung]

You make your own luck. Bad luck is typically a result of piss poor everything else.

[seabeachfred]

You make your own luck. Bad luck is typically a result of piss poor everything else.

 

Can't argue with that either Jung. We've certainly had our sare of "piss poor everything else".

[Palodios]

You think so? Maybe a little wishful thinking is at work.

 

They traded their #2, #5, and #8 prospects already. If they end up adding d'Arnaud and another player to a trade to New York, they're going to decimate their farm system.

 

As of right now, I would argue the Red Sox are probably just as good as they are, which isn't necessarily saying much. I don't think a knuckleballer is going to change much.

[jung]

I'm sorry but I just don't want another knuckler heading for his forties. Bad enough we have to hear about the wind blowing out vs the wind blowin and and what it does to the pitch and needing a catcher just to catch the knuckler and on and on and on.

 

Most of the knuclers are guys that somebody takes a chance on at short money. If you are the team that takes advantage of that opportunity...more power to you. If you are the team that is going to be the one that allows the knucker to cash in...look out!!!!

[BSN07]

You think so? Maybe a little wishful thinking is at work.

 

It's just my opinion. But I feel the moves they made were a last big push for AA and his regime in Toronto. If they get off to a slow start with their high expectations seats are going to heat up quick. If they don't contend this season I expect him to be out in Toronto. Hence wy I think it could be a powder keg situation there.

[a700hitter]

It's just my opinion. But I feel the moves they made were a last big push for AA and his regime in Toronto. If they get off to a slow start with their high expectations seats are going to heat up quick. If they don't contend this season I expect him to be out in Toronto. Hence wy I think it could be a powder keg situation there.

Other than josh Johnson, I don' t think they have many question marks. Bautista and Encarnacion are in their prime years. Add Reyes, and they look pretty formidable with their staff. They are not an aging or chronically injured team. Of course, any team can blow up, but I am not seeing big warning signs for the Jays. I think they have a lot of reasons to be optimistic.

[jung]

We don't know how Cabrera will do without "aids". Reyes IS a gamble. Really I think THE TRADE for the Jays really all hinges on Johnson. If Johnson is a bust, then the Jays will have spent a pile of money without getting much for it at least as far as that trade is concerned. If Johnson does finally pitch to his potential which is formidable, they will really have put themselves in great shape and what they get out of Reyes and Buerlie and even Cabrera will be gravy at that point.

 

In truth, if they could have hacked Johnson free of Buerlie and Reyes, they would still have been a formidable team with one hell of a pitcher at the top of the rotation IF he works out. Rumors at the time were that they actually wanted Reyes. Not sure if that is more a comment on their disappointment in their SS situation or if they actually coveted Reyes.

 

If Johnson and Reyes and Cabrera all work out...Jeepers Creepers....they might just rocket to the top of the East. In fact I don't think we would be surprised if the Jays rocketed to the top of the East and the LAA rocketed to the top of the west.

 

I agree that the Jays are probably not done. Once a team gets it into their head that they are pushing all their chips to the middle of the table, they tend not to leave a stone unturned...preferring to deal with the wreckage that might result at some later date.

[Palodios]

Other than josh Johnson, I don' t think they have many question marks. Bautista and Encarnacion are in their prime years. Add Reyes, and they look pretty formidable with their staff. They are not an aging or chronically injured team. Of course, any team can blow up, but I am not seeing big warning signs for the Jays. I think they have a lot of reasons to be optimistic.

 

The Blue Jays added a considerable amount of talent... but did they have a very strong core to begin with? Bautista is obviously an elite player. Brett Lawrie is overrated. Encarcion and Morrow will come back down to earth. Romero looks done.Their bullpen seems to take big hits every year, and seems pretty unimpressive to me.

[jung]

Without knowing more about what has fueled the recent numbers some of the Jays have posted I don't know if they will come down to earth or not. Suppose they are using and that is what has fueled some of these bloated numbers?

 

Not really sure what to expect of the Jays "core" since they seem to have overachieved at a pretty remarkable clip of late.

[Spitball]

Other than josh Johnson, I don' t think they have many question marks. Bautista and Encarnacion are in their prime years. Add Reyes, and they look pretty formidable with their staff. They are not an aging or chronically injured team. Of course, any team can blow up, but I am not seeing big warning signs for the Jays. I think they have a lot of reasons to be optimistic.

 

I see warning signs. Bautista and Encarnacion had been below average performers who have suddenly (and unexplainably) become major offensive forces. In my opinion, they are Melky Cabreras waiting to be caught. Reyes and all speed guys are potential victims of injury and age. Buehrle is a guy who is aging and throwing in the low 80s.

 

Toronto does not really concern me. The Angels were a better team last year when they signed Pujols and Wilson. Games are literally not won in the off-season.

[a700hitter]

I see warning signs. Bautista and Encarnacion had been below average performers who have suddenly (and unexplainably) become major offensive forces. In my opinion, they are Melky Cabreras waiting to be caught. Reyes and all speed guys are potential victims of injury and age. Buehrle is a guy who is aging and throwing in the low 80s.

 

Toronto does not really concern me. The Angels were a better team last year when they signed Pujols and Wilson. Games are literally not won in the off-season.

 

The sport really was damaged by the steroid era. Owners and management were willing accomplices. It's a shame that break out years by players are looked at with suspicion, but the suspicions are understandable. Even if they are cheating, chances are that they will not get busted, so I don't see it as too big a risk. If toronto can build a decent bull pen, I think they will be a tough team. The big X factor for this team is Josh Johnson' s health. If he stays healthy, they could be very good.

[iortiz]

The sport really was damaged by the steroid era. Owners and management were willing accomplices. It's a shame that break out years by players are looked at with suspicion, but the suspicions are understandable. Even if they are cheating, chances are that they will not get busted, so I don't see it as too big a risk. If toronto can build a decent bull pen, I think they will be a tough team. The big X factor for this team is Josh Johnson' s health. If he stays healthy, they could be very good.

 

I would be pleased if we were signed guys like Johnson, Reyes and Bonifacio. They already have Pepe Bautista, Lawrie and Encarnacion. C'mon, this will be very tough team next year.

[Spitball]

Mehhh...The 2011 Marlins had about the exact same record as the 2012 Blue Jays. The Marlins made a big splash by signing Buehrle, Reyes, and others before last season. It did not work in Miami, and I have my doubts it will work in Toronto. The AL East is a much tougher playground.

[a700hitter]

I would be pleased if we were signed guys like Johnson, Reyes and Bonifacio. They already have Pepe Bautista, Lawrie and Encarnacion. C'mon, this will be very tough team next year.

And their pitching will be very tough if they get Dickey. Parting with Gose is not going to hurt their future too much.

[iortiz]

I think that the ALE has lost power. Teams like DET and now LAA are two or three steps above of any team of our division.

 

IMHO and as it is, in the ALE Toronto and NY are front runners to win the division; TB is just behind them. Sadly and as it is, we and O's will fight for the 4th place.

[iortiz]

And their pitching will be very tough if they get Dickey. Parting with Gose is not going to hurt their future too much.

 

...and almost forget Buehrle.

 

Yes, if they get Dickey, they will be even more tougher.

 

Johnson, Buehrle, Dickey, Romero and Morrow, seem to me a pretty solid rotation.

[Orange Juiced]

...and almost forget Buehrle.

 

Yes, if they get Dickey, they will be even more tougher.

 

Johnson, Buehrle, Dickey, Romero and Morrow, seem to me a pretty solid rotation.

 

Solid? That would be outstanding. A stud (Johnson), a guy who just won the CYA (Dickey), one of the most consistently good pitchers in the sport (Buehrle), and two guys who have shown real ability slotted into the #4 and #5 spots? Yikes, that's a scary good rotation.

 

Like with every team pretty much, I could envision a scenario where it all goes wrong for them, but on paper (which is all we have right now), that's a really, really good rotation.

 

Oh, and they also have a dynamic offense. So yeah, Toronto is quite possibly going to be a very tough team.

[a700hitter]

And it doesn't look like we are going after Jackson, either. Lannan is going to the Phillies. Our pitching is way too thin to compete over the course of the season, even if Lester comes back. Our only depth is Morales? Am I missing anybody? That' s just not enough.

[MANNYHOF24]

And it doesn't look like we are going after Jackson, either. Lannan is going to the Phillies. Our pitching is way too thin to compete over the course of the season, even if Lester comes back. Our only depth is Morales? Am I missing anybody? That' s just not enough.

 

I want marcum... We are also still probably going to deal Salty. I doubt out pitching is set.

[a700hitter]

I want marcum... We are also still probably going to deal Salty. I doubt out pitching is set.

Remarks that Ben made earlier in the off season about our pitching being better than last year concern me. I agree that he should not be finished with pitching moves, because we don't have enough.

[a700hitter]

The Angels have made it official with Hamilton. The Tigers signed Sanchez and the Jays are closing in on RA Dickey and we are still finalizing the Napoli deal? Seriously, stuff like this make sour FO look like bumbling fools.

 

But there is this breaking news. The Red Sox are reportedly doing a background check on Sandy Rosario with an eye towards acquiring him for a record third time this off season. Saltalamachia is rumored to be part of this deal.

[jung]

Ya but you can't equate what the Jays are doing with our current predicament. If in fact they are going after a Dickey it is because there in that classic "we are only a body or two from going all the way " situation. They are all in for this year and are pulling out all the stops. A Dickey fits that sort of predicament to a tee. That is not to say he might not blow up in their faces but I can easily see how they can rationalize chasing Dickey.

 

When you really think you are all in for a particular year you don't stop betting on bodies until there is simply nothing left to do. What wreckage you leave in your wake, you convince yourself is worth it and something you will deal with at a later date.

[BSN07]

Ya but you can't equate what the Jays are doing with our current predicament. If in fact they are going after a Dickey it is because there in that classic "we are only a body or two from going all the way " situation. They are all in for this year and are pulling out all the stops. A Dickey fits that sort of predicament to a tee. That is not to say he might not blow up in their faces but I can easily see how they can rationalize chasing Dickey.

 

When you really think you are all in for a particular year you don't stop betting on bodies until there is simply nothing left to do. What wreckage you leave in your wake, you convince yourself is worth it and something you will deal with at a later date.

 

If it all goes south he won't be around to have to deal with it anyways.

[jung]

If it all goes south he won't be around to have to deal with it anyways.

 

Last I heard he is lookin' for three years. He could be tough to move at his age if things don't work out. Clearly they would not throw in the towel anytime next year no matter what happens. After that Dickey is a 39 going on 40 year old pitcher....although a knuckle ball pitcher.

[Dojji]

Ya but you can't equate what the Jays are doing with our current predicament. If in fact they are going after a Dickey it is because there in that classic "we are only a body or two from going all the way " situation. They are all in for this year and are pulling out all the stops. A Dickey fits that sort of predicament to a tee. That is not to say he might not blow up in their faces but I can easily see how they can rationalize chasing Dickey.

 

When you really think you are all in for a particular year you don't stop betting on bodies until there is simply nothing left to do. What wreckage you leave in your wake, you convince yourself is worth it and something you will deal with at a later date.

 

Indeed.

 

Welcome to "a later date."

[BSN07]

Last I heard he is lookin' for three years. He could be tough to move at his age if things don't work out. Clearly they would not throw in the towel anytime next year no matter what happens. After that Dickey is a 39 going on 40 year old pitcher....although a knuckle ball pitcher.

 

I meant AA not Dickey. Sorry for the confusion.

[Behindenemylines]

Based on off season moves and barring major injuries I think the Jays, Tigers, and Angels will fill three of the five playoff spots in the AL. The Sox meanwhile are still looking up at a lot of other AL teams who on paper have a better chance of making the playoffs. 2013 has bridge written all over it. It will be another long season, unless the Sox start bringing up the future in late summer.

[Bellhorn04]

Based on off season moves and barring major injuries I think the Jays, Tigers, and Angels will fill three of the five playoff spots in the AL. The Sox meanwhile are still looking up at a lot of other AL teams who on paper have a better chance of making the playoffs. 2013 has bridge written all over it. It will be another long season, unless the Sox start bringing up the future in late summer.

 

The Angels might have some pitching issues? They lost Greinke, Haren and Santana. Not sure who they picked up.

[Behindenemylines]

The Angels might have some pitching issues? They lost Greinke, Haren and Santana. Not sure who they picked up.

 

Weaver, Wilson and Hanson at the top of the rotation. I think the SP they do have and the lineup they can field daily gets them into the playoffs.

[BSN07]

Weaver, Wilson and Hanson at the top of the rotation. I think the SP they do have and the lineup they can field daily gets them into the playoffs.

 

Blanton signed with the Angels too.