Loney is not the answer at 1B

[vjcsmoke]

After watching him play, I can say with some confidence that Loney sucks pretty badly at offense for a first baseman. He has an OPS of .653 for the Red Sox to date. Loney is a competent backup but NOT somebody you want playing in a starting role come 2013. The Lars Anderson ship has sailed, so I don't know what options the Sox have left at 1B but there's gotta be some warm body we can get a hold of who is better than the suckitude that is Loney.

 

I really wish we hadn't traded Reddick for Bailey and a bucket of golf balls but that's exactly what we did. I am thinking that if Kalish emerges, he could be our guy at RF. Hopefully we extend Ellsbury and move him to LF, then let a guy like Nava or the up-and-coming Bradley take over at CF. If we trade Ellsbury or let him walk, the Sox have their work cut out for them retooling the outfield.

 

The infield is pretty much set except for 1b. 2b - Pedroia is a top 5 player at his position in the ML. 3B - Middlebrooks looks to be a stud and future #3 batter for us. SS - we have Ciriaco, Aviles, plus guys like Iglesias and Bogaerts waiting to challenge for a spot. At C we have the duo of Salty/Lavarnway. Really, we just need a solid to good 1b, and one guy to step up in the young outfield. I presume we will resign Ross for reasonable money to man a corner OF position such as RF.

 

Starting pitching is another concern, but Buccholz, Lester, and Doubront form a core that gives reason for optimism. I think at least one of those guys will step up to be a #1 pitcher for us, if not we have plenty of money and prospects to deal for one during winter meetings.

 

The last concern i have outside our hole at 1st base is whether Big Papi will return or not. He is solely a DH at this point in his career but vastly outpeforms other options we have offensively. I wouldn't give him more than a 1 or 2 year deal however as batters of his age can fall of a cliff quite quickly. But its hard to argue with his results and production. Whether or not we keep Big Papi will speak volumes about the Sox approach to team-building this winter.

[jacksonianmarch]

Loney was an add in and will not be a Red Sox after this yr.

[mvp 78]

To your Loney point: no s***. He was never meant to be the answer.

[Spitball]

Mauro Gomez should be getting a look so the Sox know if he is an option for next year. I get the feeling Valentine hopes to pad his record more than he wants to look toward 2013.

[a700hitter]

They are looking to move Gomez to Japan.

[SCM33]

They are looking to move Gomez to Japan.

 

WHy?

[mvp 78]

Because there's nothing for him here?

[a700hitter]

WHy?

I read it yesterdy on MLBTradeRumors. It didn't say why. He has an MLB adequate bat with some pop. I think they could get by for 1 year with him and Loney sharing the position. They could get adequate and cheap production from them while using their payroll to rebuild the pitching. The might be surprised and Gomez might prove himself to be a good MLB hitter.

[Elktonnick]

I read it yesterdy on MLBTradeRumors. It didn't say why. He has an MLB adequate bat with some pop. I think they could get by for 1 year with him and Loney sharing the position. They could get adequate and cheap production from them while using their payroll to rebuild the pitching. The might be surprised and Gomez might prove himself to be a good MLB hitter.

 

Gomez at best reminds me of Brian Daubach. Depending on who else is available, he is not likely to hang around.

[a700hitter]

Gomez at best reminds me of Brian Daubach. Depending on who else is available, he is not likely to hang around.

He's probably just a bridge option.

[jung]

The problem for the Sox ala' Loney is that he is a FA this year. Some nitwit team will give him more money than he is worth and more money than the Sox should be willing to pay for him. If that does not happen then I do not mind him over there that much. He is athletic as hell around the bag but does not hit his weight for power. Come to think of it, the guy we had was not athletic as hell while still being a great defensive 1st baseman but disappointed with regard to power numbers.

[redsoxfan3]

I read it yesterdy on MLBTradeRumors. It didn't say why. He has an MLB adequate bat with some pop. I think they could get by for 1 year with him and Loney sharing the position. They could get adequate and cheap production from them while using their payroll to rebuild the pitching. The might be surprised and Gomez might prove himself to be a good MLB hitter.

 

I agree that Loney and Gomez could be adequate next year for a cheap price. I do not think that we should pursue this route. I am all for keeping one of Gomez and Loney, but I think we need to pickup a 1B this year in the FA market. What do you guys think about Mike Napoli? I am not sure about his price, but I would be for having him platoon at 1B and C. I think he could be a decent pickup who will provide some power. He didn't hit for average this year, but in 2011 he hit .320 in 113 games.

 

I am not sure how legit that rumor is about Gomez, but it is just a team that is eyeing Gomez. I am not sure if he goes to Japan, but I doubt it if he thinks he can compete for the starting job in Boston.

[a700hitter]

I agree that Loney and Gomez could be adequate next year for a cheap price. I do not think that we should pursue this route. I am all for keeping one of Gomez and Loney, but I think we need to pickup a 1B this year in the FA market. What do you guys think about Mike Napoli? I am not sure about his price, but I would be for having him platoon at 1B and C. I think he could be a decent pickup who will provide some power. He didn't hit for average this year, but in 2011 he hit .320 in 113 games.

 

I am not sure how legit that rumor is about Gomez, but it is just a team that is eyeing Gomez. I am not sure if he goes to Japan, but I doubt it if he thinks he can compete for the starting job in Boston.

I like Napoli. Plus, I like that he can catch part time.

[redsoxfan3]

I like Napoli. Plus, I like that he can catch part time.

 

That is the plus. He will be able to platoon at both 1B and C. I don't know how much he will cost and how many years he will want. He is a career .259 hitter and can potentially hit 20+ HR's. The versatility is a good thing.

[SCM33]

Gomez at best reminds me of Brian Daubach. Depending on who else is available, he is not likely to hang around.

 

You realize that Daubach put up an OPS equal or better to Gonzalez's this year in 3 outta his 4 years as a starer here right?

 

You know he was good for 20 homers, 75 Rbis, and a .350 OB%??????

 

If Gomez turns in to Brian Daubach and they platoon him with a lefty, they have something.

[jung]

If Gomez turns in to Brian Daubach and they platoon him with a lefty, they have something.

 

Makes some sense as a bridge...not sure it makes for a long term plan at 1st base but for a year while they settle things out...if it plays out that way, they could do worse.

[DirtDog]

A swivel chair would play better defense than Mauro Gomez.

[NativeBostonian]

What are we bridging to? I haven't checked the 2015 free agency yet.

[Behindenemylines]

If you want power out of the 1B position then Loney is not your guy. He has never hit too many homeruns and from what I've seen so far it doesn't look he would use the Wall to his benefit. The thing is that besides no power this year, he has not hit for average. I think the Sox pass on him. Took him in the trade to have a vet to man first and with him a FA at the end of the year they clear his contract.

[jung]

If the Sox end up keeping him for cheap, that could be an alternative while they work out other aspects of this mess. However as I said earlier I think somebody will overpay him in FA and I don't believe the Sox will compete for him under any circumstances. So, I suspect Loney will be gone and that will be that.

[SoxSport]

Gomez is hitting around .300 with some pop. His main problem is his defense at 1B. Defense has always been the question for him in the minors. But he might make a good DH--if the owner didn't love Ortiz, that is. They'll never get rid of Papi. Maybe Henry should teach him how to play soccer.

 

Playing Loney, Aviles and Pods is a big waste of playing time. They should be looking at the kids. Dejesus looked a bit nervous tonite. Booted a little league grounder at 2B.

Iggy should be playing innings. You can't learn how to hit sitting on the bench.Lav as well.

 

Cutler is having a terrible night--worse than the Red Sox.

[Station 13]

Gomez is trash.

 

Get Mike Napoli to play 1B for 2-3 year. He's a lot cheaper than Swisher and his swing in tailor Fenway.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Agreed

[jung]

The Sox could luck out on Napoli. He has not had the kind of year his agent would have liked him to have going into FA. If he had one of those boffo contract year years, then I would say forget it. He would end up going for to much money.

 

Sort of points out what a mess of a system MLB has though. The player has one boffo year and the dumb ass owners and GM's fall all over themselves throwing cash at the guy on the "hope" that he can come close to repeating that year.....the team ends up lucky if the guy produces at half that rate over the life of the contract, likely never having produced the contract year numbers again.

 

At least with Napoli, chances are the Sox would not overpay.

[Palodios]

The Sox could luck out on Napoli. He has not had the kind of year his agent would have liked him to have going into FA. If he had one of those boffo contract year years, then I would say forget it. He would end up going for to much money.

 

Sort of points out what a mess of a system MLB has though. The player has one boffo year and the dumb ass owners and GM's fall all over themselves throwing cash at the guy on the "hope" that he can come close to repeating that year.....the team ends up lucky if the guy produces at half that rate over the life of the contract, likely never having produced the contract year numbers again.

 

At least with Napoli, chances are the Sox would not overpay.

 

There have been reports that the Sox are likely to be careful with their money and go for pillow contracts. That makes Napoli a perfect hit, His numbers at Fenway park are unreal. Give him a 1/20 or 2/30 contract for him to rebuild his value, and he'll be a hammer for the Red Sox next year.

[rjortiz]

There have been reports that the Sox are likely to be careful with their money and go for pillow contracts. That makes Napoli a perfect hit, His numbers at Fenway park are unreal. Give him a 1/20 or 2/30 contract for him to rebuild his value, and he'll be a hammer for the Red Sox next year.

 

He's 32. I don't think he's going to want a short term deal. 3/36 probably gets it done, and that's not a bad contract for him.