internal options for 1st base

[wyo-sox]

I know there does not appear to be any great free agent options as first basemen next year. Who do we have now that could be decent first baseman for a couple years?

 

Ortiz?

 

Aviles?

 

Ross?

 

Gomez?

[SouthieFanatic]

Possibly Bogaerts but it's a long shot. Salty could transition there as well

[Thunder]

Loney?

Anyone think of that?

[a700hitter]

Loney?

Anyone think of that?

I was thinking that Loney and Gomez could handle it as a platoon, and maybe Gomez could emerge to win the job. They would be a very inexpensive option.

[Thunder]

I was thinking that Loney and Gomez could handle it as a platoon, and maybe Gomez could emerge to win the job. They would be a very inexpensive option.

 

That will probably be in Spring Training.

[example1]

Loney could be that exact type of low-risk signing the Sox have done so well with the past few years. Give him a one year contract after some (hopefully) success in September in Boston. Allow him to reestablish his value a little bit and send him on his way.

 

Honestly, the "who plays 1B" issue would be pretty low on my priority list for the next year or so. The biggest issue is who do they build the team around.

[a700hitter]

Loney could be that exact type of low-risk signing the Sox have done so well with the past few years. Give him a one year contract after some (hopefully) success in September in Boston. Allow him to reestablish his value a little bit and send him on his way.

 

Honestly, the "who plays 1B" issue would be pretty low on my priority list for the next year or so. The biggest issue is who do they build the team around.

pitching, pitching, pitching -- those are the top 3 priorities.

[SoxSport]

Bring Youkilis back. They'll need a hitter at 1B. Ortiz can't stay healthy DHing at this point. Hardly worth $14.5 mil on this team. Loney and Gomez need to play a bit.

 

Unfortunately, Cherington et al had no plan during the season, stubbornly clinging to the status quo.

In the process, they gave away Lars Anderson and Youkilis, two first baseman--and now have nobody to replace AdGon.

 

The management has been the team's big problem.

 

Henry finally stepped in and pulled the plug over a glass of wine with Stan Kasten of the Dodgers.

He might be the only one left that doesn't have his head up his ass.

[SoxSport]

pitching, pitching, pitching -- those are the top 3 priorities.

 

Sure. It's always been the pitching. But you look at how this team fails pitching-wise every year lately, and you have to wonder what they are doing wrong--this obsession with pitch counts, coddling pitchers--limiting their innings --like Cook last night--after all the poor guy only had 3 days rest--72 pitches is enough; their lengthy rehab policy--not rehabbing starters in the BP a few appearances; two pitching coaches (!) this year at the same time--it's all so inefficient.

 

Why do their starters freak out after 5-6 innings? Because that's all they are conditioned to pitch for. They have weak arms from not throwing enough pitches. Conversely, the bullpen guys are overworked because they only throw 1 inning after a substantial heatup in the BP.

Once again, terribly inefficient.

 

In the middle of this is their cockamamy trainer, who pulls rank with the manager.

[a700hitter]

Sure. It's always been the pitching. But you look at how this team fails pitching-wise every year lately, and you have to wonder what they are doing wrong--this obsession with pitch counts, coddling pitchers--limiting their innings --like Cook last night--after all the poor guy only had 3 days rest--72 pitches is enough; their lengthy rehab policy--not rehabbing starters in the BP a few appearances; two pitching coaches (!) this year at the same time--it's all so inefficient.

 

Why do their starters freak out after 5-6 innings? Because that's all they are conditioned to pitch for. They have weak arms from not throwing enough pitches. Conversely, the bullpen guys are overworked because they only throw 1 inning after a substantial heatup in the BP.

Once again, terribly inefficient.

 

In the middle of this is their cockamamy trainer, who pulls rank with the manager.

I agree wholeheartedly, and this coddling has not prevented injuries. It is probably a cause of injuries.

[SouthieFanatic]

I have to agree with the comment on conditioning. This sport compared to basketball, football or soccer is in a different league conditioning/ exercise wise. Half the players have guts bigger than the fans

[SoxSport]

I know there does not appear to be any great free agent options as first basemen next year. Who do we have now that could be decent first baseman for a couple years?

 

Ortiz?

 

Aviles?

 

Ross?

 

Gomez?

 

I'm fed up with Papi's act, and would like to see him disappear. It would be nuts to pay him another $14 mil next year--he's proven himself to be fragile, even as a DH, and a big pain in the ass. The guy is afraid to play with a little pain. Screw him. Write prima donna on his locker. Too bad the upper mgt loves this guy--he's one of their problems. They don't want to see him play for the Yankees. Who cares at this point. They'll never pay him $14 mil.

Only the Red Sox are foolish enough to pay him that kind of money. But maybe not next year. Surprise.

 

Aviles is another guy they have to move off SS to improve. Will Iggy or Siriaco get a shot? Looks like Valentine will have to shoot Ben first.

 

Aviles is not a good enough hitter to play 1B.

 

Ross is a nice idea. Wonder if he can play there. It's tough for an outfielder to move to the infield, unless they've played IF before.

 

Gomez--4 hits last night. Deserves a serious shot--as does Ciriaco at SS.

[SouthieFanatic]

I'm fed up with Papi's act, and would like to see him disappear. It would be nuts to pay him another $14 mil next year--he's proven himself to be fragile, even as a DH, and a big pain in the ass. The guy is afraid to play with a little pain. Screw him. Write prima donna on his locker. Too bad the upper mgt loves this guy--he's one of their problems. They don't want to see him play for the Yankees. Who cares at this point. They'll never pay him $14 mil.

Only the Red Sox are foolish enough to pay him that kind of money. But maybe not next year. Surprise.

 

Aviles is another guy they have to move off SS to improve. Will Iggy or Siriaco get a shot? Looks like Valentine will have to shoot Ben first.

 

Ross is a nice idea. Wonder if he can play there. It's tough for an outfielder to move to the infield, unless they've played IF before.

 

Gomez--4 hits last night. Deserves a serious shot--as does Ciriaco at SS.

 

If they don't give Iggy a look for the remainder of the season it would be a huge mistake. We need to see where he is with his development. Especially with Bogaerts coming sooner now cause of the trade. Like it or not he's still a SS meaning that position in Boston could be his. Aviles needs to go absolutely he has no future with this team

[wyo-sox]

I think Aviles has great value as an infield platoon , substitute. He's not great, but decent. Much better than a Pun to. He can play any position, plays hard, and fairly cheap.

[SouthieFanatic]

I wonder, if they can sign him cheap try to transition him to first. There is absolutely nothing in FA. I like the idea of his bat in this lineup next year as long as he's not playing SS. Not because he can't handle it but because the SS position has two amazing prospects slated there

[rjortiz]

Loney has been awful for the last four years, and if I see Aviles penciled in as the 1B in 2013, I will hang myself.

[SouthieFanatic]

Travis Hafner *

Aubrey Huff *

Adam LaRoche *

Carlos Lee

James Loney

Ty Wigginton *

 

 

* option 2013

That's all there is... Depressing

[wyo-sox]

I wonder, if they can sign him cheap try to transition him to first. There is absolutely nothing in FA. I like the idea of his bat in this lineup next year as long as he's not playing SS. Not because he can't handle it but because the SS position has two amazing prospects slated there

 

I really like Pedro Ciriaco at SS next year. Would be fun watching him and Iggy battle it out in spring training. Although I think Pedro had quite an edge as he has now proved he can hit MLB pitching.

[rjortiz]

Lance Berkman has played 1B in the past.

[SouthieFanatic]

I really like Pedro Ciriaco at SS next year. Would be fun watching him and Piggy battle it out in spring training. Although I think Pedro had quite an edge as he has now proved he can hit MLB pitching.

 

I can't get excited about Ciriaco. He's never gonna amount to much IMO. Until I see Xanders position changed to LF I'll still look at that SS position as his very soon

[wyo-sox]

I can't get excited about Ciriaco. He's never gonna amount to much IMO. Until I see Xanders position changed to LF I'll still look at that SS position as his very soon

 

Wow, we realty see him differently I guess. I have really enjoyed his play this year.

[SouthieFanatic]

Wow, we realty see him differently I guess. I have really enjoyed his play this year.

 

If he was 3 or 4 years younger I'd be more excited about his future here. He's too late of a bloomer for me personally. That's just me though

[wyo-sox]

If he was 3 or 4 years younger I'd be more excited about his future here. He's too late of a bloomer for me personally. That's just me though

 

Good point.

[Elktonnick]

Good point.

 

He sure is fun to watch. I want him at SS next year. Although I think he'll be a super sub, I see him playing a lot next year including a stint from time to time in the outfield

[RedSoxNC84]

Gomez starts at 1b, Loney platoons if he's even still on the roster..

 

Salty would probably butcher 1b

Ross may be a good fill-in option

LaRoche wouldn't be a terrible option, out of free agency, but not necessarily a good option either..

 

I say Gomez for sure.

[Elktonnick]

Gomez starts at 1b, Loney platoons if he's even still on the roster..

 

Salty would probably butcher 1b

Ross may be a good fill-in option

LaRoche wouldn't be a terrible option, out of free agency, but not necessarily a good option either..

 

I say Gomez for sure.

 

Gomez reminds me of Brian Daubach.

[Behindenemylines]

Thoughts on internal options at first:

1. Gomez is a nice depth player, but I don't know if you can run him out there every day

2. No one else in the minors that is major league ready to play every day

3. Loney has the rest of the season to tryout for the position (Would be bridge 1B)

4. Papi can't play first base every day (Still need his bat though)

[BoSox92]

Mike Napoli or Kevin Youkilis please.. Loney will be my last option..

[RedSoxNC84]

Mike Napoli or Kevin Youkilis please.. Loney will be my last option..

 

Either of those options would be great, with Gomez as the backup

[Elktonnick]

Either of those options would be great, with Gomez as the backup

 

Youk isn't coming back to Boston. He is part of the past not the future. Time to move on.