Addressing first base...

[Spitball]

There is little doubt in minds of most Red Sox fans that trade of Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, and Carl Crawford was a great move. It cleared some bad contracts off the books...but leaves a hole at first base and in the line-up.

 

What should the Sox do next year?

 

Re-sign Loney? I don't think he will hit enough to justify bringing him back.

 

Sign a free agent like Mike Napoli, Adam LaRoche, or Carlos Pena? This is a possibilty, but these guys don't deserve to be overpaid. Napoli would be my first choice because he can also catch. I'd like to see Ortiz re-signed and given more time at first. Napoli and Ortiz could share time at first and DH with Napoli catching a couple of times a week.

 

Sign Kevin Youkilis? If at a bargain price, I'd like this.

 

Give Mauro Gomez or Jerry Sands a shot? This is my first choice. Both had great years in the minor leagues this year and would be inexpensive. I'd rather the Sox try this and concentrate on acquiring a stronger pitching staff.

[Palodios]

Mid-tier first basemen aren't going to command a high price. 1/10-1/15 to 2/20. Napoli is going to be more on the expensive side because he can play at catcher too, which brings comparisons to Victor Martinez.

 

If Youkilis would come back, he is the absolutely best option, but he probably isn't interested. LaRoche's option will probably be picked up, and Berkman is unlikely. I'm thinking Pena is going to be the best fit here next year.

[Behindenemylines]

Pena is solid with the glove, but isn't consistant with the stick. He strikes out a lot and I don't know if you can live with his production as the starting 1B. I don't think his swing fits Fenway. The Nats LaRoche is interesting. He put up some productive numbers this season.

[Palodios]

Pena is solid with the glove, but isn't consistant with the stick. He strikes out a lot and I don't know if you can live with his production as the starting 1B. I don't think his swing fits Fenway. The Nats LaRoche is interesting. He put up some productive numbers this season.

 

The Nats aren't letting him go. Pena is a 25-30 HR guy, and plays very good defense. He strikes out a lot, but also gets on base a lot. Obviously, that means he takes a ton of pitches, which is something the Red Sox need to get back to.

[Behindenemylines]

If you can guarentee that Pena will hit 30 then maybe a one year contract at a reasonable price is an option, but he only has 18 this year and doesn't have a Fenway swing as a lefty. The way he strikes out the fans would get on him quickly. A strikeout is such a unproductive out.

[rjortiz]

Michael Morse will probably be available.

[Spitball]

Mid-tier first basemen aren't going to command a high price. 1/10-1/15 to 2/20. Napoli is going to be more on the expensive side because he can play at catcher too, which brings comparisons to Victor Martinez.

 

If Youkilis would come back, he is the absolutely best option, but he probably isn't interested. LaRoche's option will probably be picked up, and Berkman is unlikely. I'm thinking Pena is going to be the best fit here next year.

 

Pena is slugging .356 this year and OPSing below .700. He will have trouble finding a starting job next year.

 

I understand Kendry Morales might be available. I wouldn't want to give up too much in the way of prospects, though.

 

I would not be surprised to see Youkilis return.

[Palodios]

Pena is slugging .356 this year and OPSing below .700. He will have trouble finding a starting job next year.

 

When Evan Longoria is around, he has an OPS of .900. Otherwise, when alone with the offensive black hole that is Tampa's offense, he's OPSing .600. I think in a real lineup, and in a ballpark where he can actually do some damage, I think he'll be able to produce at career norms-- which is considerably better than Gomez will be able to produce.

[SoxSport]

Anybody but Loney. Don't get suckered by the defense. He can't hit.

 

1B is a power hitting position. Possible candidates might be Gomez (made a fine play in the field last night) and LeHair, who is available from the Cubs--maybe a platoon with Gomez. Plus there are others--

Sands, LaRoche (whom they had and traded away), maybe Napoli, Hosmer, etc.

Youks has declined hitting-wise, but he could come back in Fenway at 1B with a new manager.

 

Gomez deserves a serious look. Loney is getting too much playing time--which is disturbing. You pay for hitting at 1B, not defense. The reverse of SS.

[Spitball]

Gomez deserves a serious look. Loney is getting too much playing time--which is disturbing.

 

I agree. There is no excuse for Loney and Podsednik getting playing time over Gomez and Nava. The young players deserve a look because they may be here next year. Loney's bat and Pod's age dictate new addresses next season.