internal options for 1st base

[lospunchados]

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.

 

The redsox need to pay Ortiz that much now, they don't nearly enough in the middle of the lineup without him. And as for the complaining, yeah he can have moments but with the big scrutiny in Boston with the media who wouldn't bitch about some things ( sometimes rightly sometimes a little selfishly). And who hear hasn't done the same about their own job?

 

I don't know but wanting Papi out for his attitude seems riddiculous, he's one of the better ones on the team and one of the four players who went to Peskey's funeral. And Upper management does love him, because he has been a beast for this team and does a fair amount of charity work for Boston and the dominican.

[jacksonianmarch]

You guys do understand that an inflamed Achilles tendon is one that could rupture if not allowed to heal. If he ruptures his Achilles, his career is likely over

[lospunchados]

You guys do understand that an inflamed Achilles tendon is one that could rupture if not allowed to heal. If he ruptures his Achilles, his career is likely over

 

Which is why he will be placed on the DL today or tommorrow and his season will be over.

[jacksonianmarch]

So those who are bitching about him need to stop. Yes, he is a prima donna and yes, he is definitely a

"me first" athlete. 95% of the players are that way. But what is the point of him pushing this thing? The sox gave up on the season, they are way out of it, and he has an injury, that if not treated right, will end his career. And, Papi isnt signed past November. Why in God's green earth should this guy push anything right now.

[a700hitter]

There is nothing wrong with Ortiz's attitude. If we had 25 guys with his attitude, we'd be just fine. People have been talking about letting him walk for about 4 or 5 seasons already. I don't think people fully appreciate what he means to our line up and how great he is. It should have become very clear how important he is during his absence. The #2 offense that survive losing Ellsbury and Crawford and Middlebrooks came to a screeching halt when it lost Papi even though Crawford and Ellsbury were back. This guy is the straw that stirs the offense.

[jacksonianmarch]

and provided they let him walk, will look very nice in pinstripes

[lospunchados]

There is nothing wrong with Ortiz's attitude. If we had 25 guys with his attitude, we'd be just fine. People have been talking about letting him walk for about 4 or 5 seasons already. I don't think people fully appreciate what he means to our line up and how great he is. It should have become very clear how important he is during his absence. The #2 offense that survive losing Ellsbury and Crawford and Middlebrooks came to a screeching halt when it lost Papi even though Crawford and Ellsbury were back. This guy is the straw that stirs the offense.

 

I agree 100%

[Designated Hater]

If this team is not sold by opening day 2013, expect Papi back. He's about the only thing next year that will help to bring in the $$$. Plus, they probably want to keep him there long enough to retire that frigging #34 on his back.

 

They might as well retire his "B12" needle while they are at it if that's case.

[jung]

No question that Ortiz season should be over. No sense in stressing that Achilles. The shocker this season was that Ortiz put in so much effort to get into shape for this season. I doubt he would have been nearly as effective as he was if he came in this year as he was last year. Although you would think it is the other way, more often than not players do not put in the effort. Often they don't even acknowledge that the need to because they really don't want to.

 

I just hope we don't end up with yet another PED revelation in his case. I do believe the Sox will sign him for next year and a two year deal would not be a complete surprise.

[Behindenemylines]

Big Papi stays if that is what he wants. He may select to leave knowing that the Sox may not be in the playoffs the next year or two. If he is shut down for the year the question will be can he stay healthy and earn the $$$$ of an one or two year contract. Also, based on his ability to play in the Boston spot light and produce he would be a good influence on the younger guys. Its another one those major questions to be answered in the off season. How many days till pitchers and catchers?

[NativeBostonian]

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

 

I agree. I don’t know why people think that he is coming back. Why would you come back to play for Bobby; a guy who you hate. I don’t think Bobby is going anywhere, either. Moving these players to me conforms that they think the players are the problem, not the manager. They blamed the manager last year and that didn’t work. So, it’s about time they held the players accountable for a bad season.

[NativeBostonian]

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.

Just answer this. If we let David walk, who is going to replace him? Look at the free agents. Everyone who has played DH is old and hasn’t been as productive as Ortiz. Also, I haven't heard a word out of Ortiz. He hasn't been in one of these controversy.

[jung]

I think we bring Ortiz back at this point given what the team looks like now and given what he looks like these days, He has shown willingness to put in the offseason work. I might have wanted to bring him back even if this trade had not happened. It would have depended on what we could have gotten him in here for. But now I think we really do want to bring him back.

 

The interesting thing will be what do we want and what can we get for 1st base.

 

What did we have in AGons? We had a terrific fielding 1st baseman and hitter that had become a bit suspect with regard to his power and had also been not as reliable in big moments in games.

 

We are disappointed only because of the expectations that we had for him and because of the size of his contract. How I wish he had not mired himself in that slump this year. We might have at least had more appreciation for him although again his power hitting would still likely be suspect and he has not faired as well as we would like in big moments in games. As much as I have banged on AGons, under no circumstances would I have been looking to move him were it not for this particular deal.

 

But what do we need to replace him? As long as Ortiz is effective for another year, we may not need a power hitting first baseman immediately cause we really did not have one in Agons. At least we did not have much of a power hitter in the AL, Red Sox version of Agons. We could maybe get by without one and try to secure one for the 2014 season. Pitching is our real problem so we would not want anything to distract the FO from solving our pitching problems.

 

I did grow disenchanted with Agons apparent propensity to decide on his own path as far as his plate appearances were concerned. This year it led directly to his slump which came at a very bad time for the Sox.

[Palodios]

There is nothing wrong with Ortiz's attitude. If we had 25 guys with his attitude, we'd be just fine. People have been talking about letting him walk for about 4 or 5 seasons already. I don't think people fully appreciate what he means to our line up and how great he is. It should have become very clear how important he is during his absence. The #2 offense that survive losing Ellsbury and Crawford and Middlebrooks came to a screeching halt when it lost Papi even though Crawford and Ellsbury were back. This guy is the straw that stirs the offense.

 

I've been in favor of getting rid of him the last few years. But this year, the Red Sox absolutely need him back. Salty hit 20 home runs from the left side this year. The next highest? 4, from Daniel Nava. That will be a problem.

[SoxSport]

You guys do understand that an inflamed Achilles tendon is one that could rupture if not allowed to heal. If he ruptures his Achilles, his career is likely over

 

The medical people have assured him he is in no danger of that if he plays with a little pain--with the injury he has. Foot sprains take a while to go away. I know--I have one right now I'm jogging with.He says he doesn't want to play with pain because it takes his concentration away. They are going to give him some pain killers and another week or two of rest.

[SoxFanForsyth]

and provided they let him walk, will look very nice in pinstripes

 

No chance the Yankees sign him when they have to have a Jeter - ARod rotation at DH. Ortiz won't take a contract where he'll only play 100 games, and Jeter and ARod will go nuts if they have to sit.

[SoxSport]

Just answer this. If we let David walk, who is going to replace him? Look at the free agents. Everyone who has played DH is old and hasn’t been as productive as Ortiz. Also, I haven't heard a word out of Ortiz. He hasn't been in one of these controversy.

 

I posted Cody Ross' blog on ESPNBoston in another thread--here it is:

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/red-sox/post/_/id/22324/ross-diary-on-megadeal-media-fantasy-football

 

Cody says Ortiz is important to anchor the middle of the lineup, so I'll go with his judgement. You always have to listen to the players on these things--much more so than the front office.

[Spitball]

I believe Ortiz will be back. SoxFanForsyth is correct in that the Yankees have too many aging players they need to rotate throught the DH position. Also, by Ortiz accepting arbitration last year, we can assume he likes it in Boston.

 

I am more worried about building depth in the rotation. Through a miracle of stupidity by the Dodgers, the Sox now have the money to rebuild. I pray Cherington has the wisdom to do it wisely.

[Palodios]

David Ortiz, a free agent this offseason, wants to re-sign with the Red Sox, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com. “This is what I know and this is something I want to be part of,” Ortiz said.

 

I don't see David Ortiz leaving. The difference between this season and the past few seasons is that the Red Sox really want him now. Not only that, they really need him. And that's all he's wanted all this team.

 

Give him a 2/24, and call it a day.

[a700hitter]

I don't see David Ortiz leaving. The difference between this season and the past few seasons is that the Red Sox really want him now. Not only that, they really need him. And that's all he's wanted all this team.

 

Give him a 2/24, and call it a day.

I think that gets it done.

[mvp 78]

Now that payroll has been slashed, there should be more than enough to let him retire a Red Sox. I think ownership sees the value in having a David Ortiz day two years from now.

[Behindenemylines]

Big Papi and the Laser Show are now the face of the Sox. Both have proven that they can produce and have success in Boston. Sox need Papi in the lineup next year so I would be willing to give him 2 years at 12-15 million a year.

[kapsis21]

Big Papi and the Laser Show are now the face of the Sox. Both have proven that they can produce and have success in Boston. Sox need Papi in the lineup next year so I would be willing to give him 2 years at 12-15 million a year.

 

i would give him 3/30

[SoxSport]

Gomez just got named IL MVP. For cripes sake, play the guy at 1B. He's an MVP.

 

Iggy and Lav all-stars. Ditto. Play Iggy.

 

Who's deciding who plays on the Red Sox? Valentine? Cherington? More likely, Cherington who is s-l-o-w.

[SoxSport]

Big Papi and the Laser Show are now the face of the Sox. Both have proven that they can produce and have success in Boston. Sox need Papi in the lineup next year so I would be willing to give him 2 years at 12-15 million a year.

 

Can they use your money?

 

That would make their decision a lot easier.

 

Durability has finally become an issue with Papi.

[cbbosox]

Keep in mind that next year there will be interleague play all year because

each league will have an odd number of teams.

The new rules could signal the end of the full-time DH type.

 

Ortiz/Gomez 1b/dh look ok offensively but then you would think you would need a defensive type backup .

 

If the Sox don't think they can contend next year i think Ortiz should be out

and Gomez should be given a shot with maybe an Overbay type to back up.

 

A writer suggested Middlebrooks at first , iglesias at ss and Boegarts at 3B.

[NativeBostonian]

Gomez just got named IL MVP. For cripes sake, play the guy at 1B. He's an MVP.

 

Iggy and Lav all-stars. Ditto. Play Iggy.

 

Who's deciding who plays on the Red Sox? Valentine? Cherington? More likely, Cherington who is s-l-o-w.

 

It should be Bobby, but from the start of spring training, it sounds like Cherington is the one wearing the pants.

[jacksonianmarch]

If you start playing guys based on their AAA performance and not their translatable skills, you will be highly disappointed. That being said, it couldnt hurt to see how he plays with the big club. The sox need patience and consistency more than superstar production from 1b. The proved that this yr with AdGon's mediocre OPS from the 1b position

[jacksonianmarch]

No chance the Yankees sign him when they have to have a Jeter - ARod rotation at DH. Ortiz won't take a contract where he'll only play 100 games, and Jeter and ARod will go nuts if they have to sit.

 

He wont go nuts if he gets a 2 yr contract. I will tell you right now, looking at this Yankee squad and the fact that their core has stopped producing at elite levels, they will likely try to have a short term injection of power so they can develop or trade for someone to take over. The sox cannot offer Ortiz arbitration this yr and the most they can offer him in terms of qualifying offers is $12 million. If they play the same hardball they did last yr, they will definitely lose him. I do have a feeling, though, that Cherington recognizes the fact that his team needs some players who are marketable since they just cleaned house, and Ortiz fits that bill nicely. I think a 2 yr deal will be in the works and he'll re-up in the big bean for something along the lines of $25 mil or so

[Behindenemylines]

Gomez has a history of hitting the minors, but is he a full time 1B in the majors. I think the Sox signed him to be depth player in case of injuries. I believe the inter league schedule just spreads the games that you play against the other league out over the season instead of putting them all together. If that is the case then that will work better if Papi is still here and has to play 1b to keep his bat in the lineup. Now I like all three of these players and would like to see them as part of the 2013 Sox, but Pedroia and Ellsbury have been hurt as much as Papi over the last few years. If you keep the contract at 2 years at 12 to 15 million per season I think Papi has earned the right to retire a Sox.