What's your ideal 25 man roster for 2013

[MANNYHOF24]

Get creative but be realistic, what will the roster look like on opening day? I'm gonna think about this and post mine later.

[wyo-sox]

Any chance we can break this up into several threads.... one for infielders, one for outfielders, starters, bullpen, etc......?

[Palodios]

I really like these threads. Unfortunately, there are just so many holes right now that I can see no way to make just one roster, since pieces have to work together salary-wise, and there are a lot of things the Red Sox can do here this offseason. So, I've provided some of my favorite options.

 

1B: Carlos Pena/Berkman/Napoli

2B: Pedroia

3B Middlebrooks

SS: Ciricao/Iglesias

C: Lavarnway

LF: Cody Ross/Jason Bay

CF: Ellsbury/ Victorino

RF: Torii Hunter/ Nick Swisher

DH: David Ortiz

 

Bench: Aviles, any catcher besides Salty, and the best 4th OF they can find

 

SP1 Jake Peavy/Lincecum/Johnson

SP2 Buchholz

SP3 Anibal Sanchez/ Marcum/ Dempster/ Mccarthy

SP4 Lester

SP5 Lackey/Doubront/Tazawa/Aceves/Mortensen

 

RP1: Adams/Frasor/Krod

RP2: Bailey

RP3: Tazawa

RP4: Bard/Aceves/Melancon

RP5: Atchison

RP6 Miller

RP7 Beslow/Hill/Mortensen

[jacksonianmarch]

I actually hope you get Swisher. He turns 32 in November and will be one of the best bats on a thin market. Meaning, he is gonna get paid. He is the epitome of just above average and will be paid like an elite. He is probably looking at a 4-5 yr contract in the $15-18 mil range which is a humongous overpay. And one other thing, if he is signed to anything more than a 2-3 yr deal, you will end up with a broken down player worth almost nothing after yr 3. The concerning trend I see with him is the walks are down and he is about to set a career high in K's.

[Palodios]

I actually hope you get Swisher. He turns 32 in November and will be one of the best bats on a thin market. Meaning, he is gonna get paid. He is the epitome of just above average and will be paid like an elite. He is probably looking at a 4-5 yr contract in the $15-18 mil range which is a humongous overpay. And one other thing, if he is signed to anything more than a 2-3 yr deal, you will end up with a broken down player worth almost nothing after yr 3. The concerning trend I see with him is the walks are down and he is about to set a career high in K's.

 

There is a reason why I had options up there.

 

This team is not going to be handing out any contracts longer than three years. Overpaying for a frequently injured mid-tier outfielder is not on their list of priorities.

[DocHolliday]

I actually hope you get Swisher. He turns 32 in November and will be one of the best bats on a thin market. Meaning, he is gonna get paid. He is the epitome of just above average and will be paid like an elite. He is probably looking at a 4-5 yr contract in the $15-18 mil range which is a humongous overpay. And one other thing, if he is signed to anything more than a 2-3 yr deal, you will end up with a broken down player worth almost nothing after yr 3. The concerning trend I see with him is the walks are down and he is about to set a career high in K's.

 

There is almost no way I see Swisher getting $15-$18 M. At best, he is around a $12 M AAV player. I've been on record saying he would be a good pickup. But that's an outrageous amount to give a guy like him.

 

If someone gives him that type of contract, it better not be the Sox.

[redsoxrules]

I really like these threads. Unfortunately, there are just so many holes right now that I can see no way to make just one roster, since pieces have to work together salary-wise, and there are a lot of things the Red Sox can do here this offseason. So, I've provided some of my favorite options.

 

1B: Carlos Pena/Berkman/Napoli

2B: Pedroia

3B Middlebrooks

SS: Ciricao/Iglesias

C: Lavarnway

LF: Cody Ross/Jason Bay

CF: Ellsbury/ Victorino

RF: Torii Hunter/ Nick Swisher

DH: David Ortiz

 

Bench: Aviles, any catcher besides Salty, and the best 4th OF they can find

 

SP1 Jake Peavy/Lincecum/Johnson

SP2 Buchholz

SP3 Anibal Sanchez/ Marcum/ Dempster/ Mccarthy

SP4 Lester

SP5 Lackey/Doubront/Tazawa/Aceves/Mortensen

 

RP1: Adams/Frasor/Krod

RP2: Bailey

RP3: Tazawa

RP4: Bard/Aceves/Melancon

RP5: Atchison

RP6 Miller

RP7 Beslow/Hill/Mortensen

 

Love the list except Jason Bay,

He's been brutal since being with the Mets and not to mention he can't stay healthy.

[Palodios]

Love the list except Jason Bay,

He's been brutal since being with the Mets and not to mention he can't stay healthy.

 

This is my ideal 25 man roster. Ideally, I would trade Lackey-for-Bay straight-up. Of all the big-money guys that have underperformed, I have the most confidence in Bay.

 

I think Bay's injuries have been bad-luck injuries, and are not about his durability or work ethic. He's been pretty badly shaken up this year after a bad concussion-- Can you really blame him for being hit in the head? I think that returning to Fenway would bring some of his power back, and in the worst case scenario, he'll be gone at the end of the year. He's also known as a phenomenal clubhouse guy, which would be great if he replaced Lackey.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I actually hope you get Swisher. He turns 32 in November and will be one of the best bats on a thin market. Meaning, he is gonna get paid. He is the epitome of just above average and will be paid like an elite. He is probably looking at a 4-5 yr contract in the $15-18 mil range which is a humongous overpay. And one other thing, if he is signed to anything more than a 2-3 yr deal, you will end up with a broken down player worth almost nothing after yr 3. The concerning trend I see with him is the walks are down and he is about to set a career high in K's.

 

No chance the Sox pay Swisher that much money. That's retarded.

 

They'll go to maybe 3/39 or 4/52 on him but that's as far as I see them reaching, especially with guys available like Justin Upton (trade), Josh Hamilton, Tori Hunter, Shin Soo Choo (trade), and Melky Cabrera. Plus internal options like Kalish and Bradley Jr (mid season). No chance they overextend themselves on an average player. Almost less than zero.

 

They will resign Ross to about 3/21 and get virtually the same production and then get a bat like J Up for LF, or sign Hamilton for 4/100. I'd much rather see them give Hamilton 4/100 than Swisher 5/75-90.

[SoxFanForsyth]

1B: Napoli

2B: Pedroia

3B Middlebrooks

SS: Iglesias

C: Lavarnway

LF: Cody Ross

CF: Melky Cabrera

RF: Justin Upton/Shin Soo Choo/Tori Hunter

DH: David Ortiz

 

Bench: Ciriaco, Aviles, Sweeney, David Ross

 

SP1 Cliff Lee (Doubront, Morales, and/or Ellsbury involved in trade)

SP2 Buchholz

SP3 Lester

SP4 Rubby De La Rosa

SP5 Lackey

 

RP1: Broxton/League

RP2: Bailey

RP3: Tazawa

RP4: Alex Wilson

RP5: Atchison

RP6 Miller

RP7 Breslow

[MANNYHOF24]

Lester, Ellsbury and Doubront for King Felix? If I were the Mariners I would do that.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Lester, Ellsbury and Doubront for King Felix? If I were the Mariners I would do that.

 

Two guys going into FA over the next 2 seasons? Why would the M's do that?? They also need offense, not SP.

 

They would want something that starts with Bradley and Bogaerts.

[MANNYHOF24]

So for Starters:

 

Felix Hernadez

Clay Buchholz

Jake Peavy

John Lackey

De La Ross/Other Rookie option maybe Webster??

 

More to come....

[MANNYHOF24]

Two guys going into FA over the next 2 seasons? Why would the M's do that?? They also need offense, not SP.

 

They would want something that starts with Bradley and Bogaerts.

 

Yeah, your right... They probably would have considered that going into last season.

 

What about

 

Doubie,

Bogaerts

Bradley?

 

Sign Lester to a extension if he comes back in better shape next season?

[Dojji]

Napoli isn't as interesting as he would have been when I first suggested getting him. Low average high power bats are the opposite of what it takes to thrive in Boston and Napoli's in his 30's now.

 

And can I just say that none of the rosters I've seen so far as 'ideal' rosters look particularly good so far? I see a bunch of wild card teams. If that's the ideal, it's time to punt.

[Dojji]

Yeah, your right... They probably would have considered that going into last season.

 

What about

 

Doubie,

Bogaerts

Bradley?

 

Sign Lester to a extension if he comes back in better shape next season?

 

It's not enough for the Mariners, and too much for the Red Sox.

 

A deal for Felix Hernandez does not exist. The Mariners are too happy with the player to meet any reasonable price. You'd be better off going for a higher paid, older player like Johan Santana and Roy Halladay

 

If we can flip a guy like Bradley and some other pieces for one of those two pitchers, that's likely to be the best we can do.

[a700hitter]

Napoli isn't as interesting as he would have been when I first suggested getting him. Low average high power bats are the opposite of what it takes to thrive in Boston and Napoli's in his 30's now.

 

And can I just say that none of the rosters I've seen so far as 'ideal' rosters look particularly good so far? I see a bunch of wild card teams. If that's the ideal, it's time to punt.

You are such an ageist. Napoli would be a great addition. I am not sure that he would be a high priority, but he'd be a very nice addition even at the ripe old age of 30. You should be ashamed of yourself with your attitudes towards age.

[Dojji]

How many bats like Napoli's remain effective deep into their 30's a700? Not a lot. Napoli may have 3-4 decent seasons left in his bat but he'd be beating the odds outrageously to have much more than that. A lot of hitters like that dry up and blow away as they're hitting their 30's. Jason Bay springs to mind almost immediately. Carlos pena, who's probably better on the whole than Napoli, started hitting the skids at age 32. He's hardly alone. Jason Giambi aside, work-the-count-and-hope-to-run-into-one hitters don't age well.

 

I can see a short term contract for Napoli being a solid move but anything over 2 years is going to be problematic/risky. Especially if you're thinking he'll play at first base, which will require him to improve his game offensively up to something near his 2011 level.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Couple things on Napoli.

 

1. He's hitting .226 this year, but he's still got a .344 OBP and a .446 SLG. He's always been a guy who is able to hit for a low average (career .259) but maintain an OBP of nearly 100 points higher (career .357). Not to mention the fact that he is a pretty pull-heavy hitter, which would play well at Fenway Park. His swing is a lot like Cody Ross's in that aspect.

 

2. Part of the reason that his average is down this year is because he's spent 70 games behind the plate. When you stick him at 1B rather than C, his legs are saved and he'll be a much better hitter deeper into the season.

 

3. He's a guy you can get for 4/$48mm, which is a bargain. He actually DOES fit the Red Sox mold of guys who can put up high OBP's and hit for 25+ HR. His career numbers at Fenway are jawdropping (.306/.397/.710, 7 HR in 19 games). Given, it's a small sample size, but certainly he is a guy who can thrive at Fenway Park.

[SoxFanForsyth]

How many bats like Napoli's remain effective deep into their 30's a700? Not a lot. Napoli may have 3-4 decent seasons left in his bat but he'd be beating the odds outrageously to have much more than that. A lot of hitters like that dry up and blow away as they're hitting their 30's. Jason Bay springs to mind almost immediately. Carlos pena, who's probably better on the whole than Napoli, started hitting the skids at age 32. He's hardly alone. Jason Giambi aside, work-the-count-and-hope-to-run-into-one hitters don't age well.

 

I can see a short term contract for Napoli being a solid move but anything over 2 years is going to be problematic/risky. Especially if you're thinking he'll play at first base, which will require him to improve his game offensively up to something near his 2011 level.

 

He played 140 games in 2011, which is the most he's ever played. Not because he's an injury concern, but because he's always had to split time. Annualizing his last 3 seasons, he's a 35 HR hitter with an .870 OPS. So, assume he's going to play 145 when playing exclusively at 1B, and he's a 30-32 HR hitter. That's plenty of production.

[a700hitter]

He played 140 games in 2011, which is the most he's ever played. Not because he's an injury concern, but because he's always had to split time. Annualizing his last 3 seasons, he's a 35 HR hitter with an .870 OPS. So, assume he's going to play 145 when playing exclusively at 1B, and he's a 30-32 HR hitter. That's plenty of production.

I've always liked Napoli. I am just not sure that 1B is a high priority. I think they may give Gomez a shot to play first with an inexpensive platoon guy to share the position in case Gomez blows up. Pitching (2 starters) is the top priority. The next priority is a quality bullpen arm for the late innings that is capable of closing. Obtain an OFer to play LF. Retain Pods or Kalish to be the #4 OF guy. SS-- it' s sink or swim time for Iglesias. Ciriaco will be the IF utility guy. Retain Ross and Ortiz. I think that woud be a competitive team.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I've always liked Napoli. I am just not sure that 1B is a high priority. I think they may give Gomez a shot to play first with an inexpensive platoon guy to share the position in case Gomez blows up. Pitching (2 starters) is the top priority. The next priority is a quality bullpen arm for the late innings that is capable of closing. Obtain an OFer to play LF. Retain Pods or Kalish to be the #4 OF guy. SS-- it' s sink or swim time for Iglesias. Ciriaco will be the IF utility guy. Retain Ross and Ortiz. I think that woud be a competitive team.

 

I'd rather give the job to Napoli over Gomez myself, but the kid could surprise me, who knows. I just know Napoli rakes at Fenway.

 

Two starters, I agree, top priority. 1 via FA (Haren), 1 via Trade (Lee). Lots of intriguing OF options, Melky Cabrera will be looking for a 1 year pillow deal, Upton is available, Choo is available. I am content with Andrew Bailey. I also think Tazawa can close, if need be. He's got elite control and ridiculous K rates (8.60 K:BB). He's posted a 1.54 even with an unlucky BABIP of .321. Having said that, I'd still be very interested in guys like Brandon League, Jonathan Broxton, and Grant Balfour.

[redsoxfan3]

Yeah, your right... They probably would have considered that going into last season.

 

What about

 

Doubie,

Bogaerts

Bradley?

 

Sign Lester to a extension if he comes back in better shape next season?

 

I do not think we can afford to give up both Bogaerts and Bradley, but the Mariners would probably want both. If you think about it logically, why would the Mariners even want to give up King Felix at all? They would have to be blown away by a deal. They would probably ask for both players. We would probably have to throw in Doubront, Ellsbury, and Lester. That still might not be enough with Ellsbury and Lester coming to the end of their contracts. They would only be getting both guys for one year. They might require both players to agree to contract extensions beforehand, and at this point, that will probably never happen, especially with Boras being Ellsbury's agent. He will test the FA market. Trading for King Felix is complex and would take A LOT more than we should be willing to give up.

 

I do not want to give up two or three top 100 prospects for a pitcher that we would only be getting for a guaranteed two years. He is a FA in 2015. He will most likely hit the FA market, unless he really loves Seattle that much. I think if we want to really go after King Felix, then wait until he is a FA and give the man the money he deserves. At this time in 2014 he will only be 28. He will still have a lot of baseball ahead of him if he avoids any serious injuries. Let's prioritize by making a strong farm system and test our luck in the FA market if we really want him in Boston for the season in 2015. The only way I want Hernandez is if he agrees to a long-term contract extension before we sell the farm for him.

[redsoxfan3]

Couple things on Napoli.

 

1. He's hitting .226 this year, but he's still got a .344 OBP and a .446 SLG. He's always been a guy who is able to hit for a low average (career .259) but maintain an OBP of nearly 100 points higher (career .357). Not to mention the fact that he is a pretty pull-heavy hitter, which would play well at Fenway Park. His swing is a lot like Cody Ross's in that aspect.

 

2. Part of the reason that his average is down this year is because he's spent 70 games behind the plate. When you stick him at 1B rather than C, his legs are saved and he'll be a much better hitter deeper into the season.

 

3. He's a guy you can get for 4/$48mm, which is a bargain. He actually DOES fit the Red Sox mold of guys who can put up high OBP's and hit for 25+ HR. His career numbers at Fenway are jawdropping (.306/.397/.710, 7 HR in 19 games). Given, it's a small sample size, but certainly he is a guy who can thrive at Fenway Park.

 

I agree that Fenway would be a good place for Napoli. If we use him as a platoon at 1B and C, that could be a good thing. I like his versatility. He can hit for power and would be a good middle of the lineup bat for us. He would be a nice compliment to Ross, Ortiz, Pedroia, Ellsbury, and Middlebrooks. I think those are the five guys we need to build this team around. SS, C, 1B, and LF are all positions that we can improve on. Ellsbury should be considered in any potential trades for a true ace, as long as we can sign someone decent to replace him. The more offensive weapons we add this offseason, the more capable we are of having Iglesias start at SS. At this point we cannot afford to have him start at SS, because he barely gives us any offensive production. I am all for giving Lavarnway a platoon role at C, as long as we have another decent C with a good bat.

[a700hitter]

I'd rather give the job to Napoli over Gomez myself, but the kid could surprise me, who knows. I just know Napoli rakes at Fenway.

Unfortunately, if we sign him, he will not be batting against our pitching.

 

Two starters, I agree, top priority. 1 via FA (Haren), 1 via Trade (Lee). Lots of intriguing OF options, Melky Cabrera will be looking for a 1 year pillow deal, Upton is available, Choo is available. I am content with Andrew Bailey. I also think Tazawa can close, if need be. He's got elite control and ridiculous K rates (8.60 K:BB). He's posted a 1.54 even with an unlucky BABIP of .321. Having said that, I'd still be very interested in guys like Brandon League, Jonathan Broxton, and Grant Balfour.

I'm not happy to hand Tazawa the 8th inning job. I say get another late inning quality arm like one of the guys you mentioned and let Tazawa win the 8th inning slot like Robertson did with the Yankees. A quality late inning arm is a need, not a luxury.

[redsoxfan3]

My ideal roster for 2013:

 

C/1B- Napoli

C- Lavarnway/Salty/Pierzynski

1B/OF- Swisher

2B- Pedroia

SS- Iglesias

3B- Middlebrooks

U- Ciriaco (Work on OF in offseason and ST)

U- Aviles (Work on OF in offseason and ST)

RF- Ross

CF- Ellsbury

LF- Delmon Young

OF- Nava/Kalish

 

SP:

1. Brandon McCarthy

2. Edwin Jackson

3. Buchholz

4. Lester

5. Lackey/Doubront/De La Rosa/Morales/Aceves

 

Bullpen:

CL- Bailey

SU- Tazawa

SU- Melancon

RP- Atchison

RP- Miller

RP- Breslow

RP- Mortenson/Hill/Morales/Padilla/Aceves/Bard/Doubront/Carpenter

 

I know I only have 12 position and 12 players, but the 25th spot is a toss up to the person deserving it the most out of ST. Possibly a guy like Gomez, Kalish, Nava, or Lavarnway could win it as a position player.

[rjortiz]

Brandon McCarthy may not play next year, and it's pretty risky to assume that he can be your ace. I really don't like Swisher at the cost he's going to fetch. I think the Red Sox should just go higher AAV for Hamilton, and shorten the length of the contract. He's a 4-5 win player for the next two years at least.

 

I like the Jackson move. He's an underrated pitcher, who always gives good innings.

 

Delmon Young is f***ing terrible. I wouldn't even trade Nava for him.

[rjortiz]

Napoli rakes at Fenway Park, and I don't see him getting a big contract. If he starts falling into the $30-$40 million range, the Red Sox should snap him up. I definitely go 3 X 13 for him.

[win red sox]

I would hope this offseason that the sox stay committed to developing and acquiring young talent and with that I hope they target a 1B and more starting pitching. My ideal roster would be centered around moving Ellsbury and some specs to St Louis for 1B Adams and sp shelby Miller.

 

cf Victorino 1/15

2b Pedroia

dh Ortiz 2/26

3b Middlebrooks

1b Adams/Sands

rf Ross 2/14

c Lav's

lf Sands/Kalish

ss Iglesias

 

U Aviles

U Ciriaco

C David Ross 1/1.5

 

sp Lee via trade centered on Cecchini,Workman,Jacobs

sp Buchholz

sp Doubront

sp Lackey hopefully has a good 1st half and can move him at july trade deadline

sp De La Rosa

 

cp Bailey

su Hanrahan via trade centered around Salty and Wilson

rhp Tazawa

lhp Morales

lhp Miller

rhp Atchison

rhp Bard/Carpenter

 

I would move Lester to Texas for one of prospects(Buckel or Grimm) and some high end specs.

I have no idea what Aceves trade value is but im assuming he's gone

trading for cliff lee would be huge, his contract sucks but he is a true ace and someone young pitchers could look up to.

[DocHolliday]

I'd rather give the job to Napoli over Gomez myself, but the kid could surprise me, who knows. I just know Napoli rakes at Fenway.

 

Two starters, I agree, top priority. 1 via FA (Haren), 1 via Trade (Lee). Lots of intriguing OF options, Melky Cabrera will be looking for a 1 year pillow deal, Upton is available, Choo is available. I am content with Andrew Bailey. I also think Tazawa can close, if need be. He's got elite control and ridiculous K rates (8.60 K:BB). He's posted a 1.54 even with an unlucky BABIP of .321. Having said that, I'd still be very interested in guys like Brandon League, Jonathan Broxton, and Grant Balfour.

 

This is almost exactly what I feel would be an ideal offseason for the Red Sox.

 

Another possible trade partner for Ellsbury besides the Rangers could be the Phillies. He could be included as part of a trade for Cliff Lee with a few prospects or low value players changing hands. I know the Phillies have Mayberry and Domonic Brown in their OF, but Mayberry is Ellsbury's age and hasn't shown near the production that Ellsbury has.

 

Would probably have to be an extension for Ellsbury to make it, or any trade of Ellsbury, happen.