Bring Back Youk!

[FenwayWest]

Anyone else think this is a good idea? If he butt heads with Bobby V, well, he's gone. Farrell is in, who is well loved by most of the team. Beckett is gone, who supposively tried to finger Youk as the snitch from last year...

 

If we can get him back at a reasonable rate, and if he'd be open to it... I think we should!

[mvp 78]

Sorry, but it's not going to happen. At least you can still have Diddy Riese over there.

[Dojji]

Youk could fill the hole at 1B better than most other available options. It's worth considering.

 

I don't want him to come back here and play third base. THe move to third coincided too closely with a collapse in Youk's performance.

[wyo-sox]

no, no,no. stop looking backwards.

[Dojji]

no, no,no. stop looking backwards.

 

I'm not looking backwards. I'm looking forward to next year and trying to figure out who the best available option is if we decide to go with a veteran first baseman. RIght now, Youk's right up there.

 

You really think a team with this kind of payroll is going to roll into next year expecting Jerry Sands and Mauro Gomez to figure out 1B between them?

[wyo-sox]

Well my primary point is the team needs new direction. We have had plenty of talented players the past few years, and can't get into the playoffs. We could not get into the playoffs the last time Youk played first and we could not get there with Adrian Gonzalez playing first. Furthermore Youk has been declining and I have seen nothing to tell me that decline won't continue.

 

I am talking about letting the team distance itself as far as possible from the identity of the past few years. I think it will be extremely difficult when the first loosing streak comes next year for the team to battle a ''here we go again'' mentality.

 

And at the risk of opening myself up to being mocked, I did not see anything with Gomez that says he could not compete for the job.

 

I expect / hope a team with a payroll like the Sox need to spend it on pitching.

[SoxSport]

With Ross going to FA, they need another RHd bat. Maybe it will be Sands. They should give him a shot at 1B.

 

Watch for some bold action signing Hamilton. Either the Red Sox or the Yankees. The Sox really need Hamilton, and are positioned to offer him $30 million. Maybe more so than NY.

[SCM33]

With Ross going to FA, they need another RHd bat. Maybe it will be Sands. They should give him a shot at 1B.

 

Watch for some bold action signing Hamilton. Either the Red Sox or the Yankees. The Sox really need Hamilton, and are positioned to offer him $30 million. Maybe more so than NY.

 

If Hamilton signs in Boston or NY, I have a feeling his demons would end getting the best of him.

 

Texas only offered him a 1 year deal, I think anything more than 1 year is foolish since he battles his demons on a day by day basis.

 

In my opinion, Hamilton stays with Texas. They have provided an environment for him to succeed, and they have been loyal to him. Texas has locker room policies regarding alcohol and what not, when they won the ALCS, they wouldn't even celebrate with champagne....they had a alcohol free celebration.

 

John Lackey alone, could ruin this guys life. Redsox and beer (and chicken) go together like lamb and tunafish.

[SoxSport]

I would discount the chicken and beer stuff. The Red Sox are probably no different from any other organization. Way overplayed. Though conditioning undoubtedly was a problem.

 

Hamilton is their chance to get on the map again. He has issues, but so don't a lot of players. Tough to see the Yankees passing on him--they love guys with issues that have LHd power. But he may be too rich for them, and they are probably more worried about their pitching. Hamilton isn't too rich for the Red Sox at this point, and Papi isn't enough thump in that lineup--not at 38. He could decline at any point, as he did a couple years ago.

 

The other guy I like is Youks. His home-road splits in both Boston and Chicago are a mystery--hit well at home in both cities, weak on the road. He can still play 1B, and at least hit in Fenway. I believe shifting to 3B was a factor in his decline, though his conditioning has been questionable--along with a lot of other Red Sox players. I think conditioning on this team went to pot in general Tito's last couple years after Mills left.

[jung]

Youk could be a respectable answer at 1st for a year....until they figure out something else long term. As long as the money is not crazy....why not?

[SCM33]

Id bring Youk back.....even if he wants 2 years.

 

Bobby V brought out the worst in a lot of those players, it was if he intentionally tried to piss some of them off, which in the end just sabotaged the season.

 

Im 100% against Hamilton though....Beer and Chicken was overplayed, but I think there are too many selfish players in this clubhouse to give a s*** about Josh Hamiltons sobriety. Maybe things will be different with Beckett out.

[reYoukilis]

I would love to see Youk back. If we got him and Napoli, another righty, Youk could take some days off while Napoli could take some days off from catcher, allowing Salti, a lefty, to catch.

[BSN07]

They can bring back Youk if it's late in the off season and there isn't a better option. I tend to lean toward the side of this team needs to move forward.

[SoxSport]

They need to give Sands a shot at 1B or the OF. He is supposed to be ready--hits the curve well.

 

But Youks should be in the mix, too. He won't be expensive, and he can still hit in Fenway and play good 1B.

[wyo-sox]

What did youk hit in fenway last year?

[Designated Hater]

You might as well bring back Bobby V.

 

They already f***ed up by shelling out $26 million to Papi and if they do an incentive-laden deal with Youk, it will just reek of the same nastiness as bringing guys like Varitek and Pedro back for cush positions in the FO.

 

It's lame and they need to just develop talent at this point.

[jung]

As I mentioned before the deal was done for Ortiz I figured I understood it and was OK with it under the circumstances. To be honest they have finally done it. They have exhausted me with their endless nods to their desire to "always be marketing". Reminds me of a marketing version of the ABC's of Sales....."Always be Closing".

 

It might change someday if and when they sell the team but not before then.

[redsoxfan3]

You might as well bring back Bobby V.

 

They already f***ed up by shelling out $26 million to Papi and if they do an incentive-laden deal with Youk, it will just reek of the same nastiness as bringing guys like Varitek and Pedro back for cush positions in the FO.

 

It's lame and they need to just develop talent at this point.

 

How did they mess up with resigning Big Papi? He was our best hitter last year when he was healthy. I will say that his Achilles is a concern, but it was important to resign one of our only power hitters who can hit for a good average. You cannot go wrong with that signing. We have more money to work with this offseason. The potential production that we can get from Ortiz will be worth the 26 million if he reaches that potential. He has shown no sign of a drop off in production when he is healthy.

 

I do agree that we need to move on from Youkilis. There is no reason in my mind to resign him. He is a cheap option at 1B who has shown a decline in production. There are better options out there. I would prefer to see what Sands or Gomez can do over resigning Youkilis, but I fully expect to sign a decent power hitting 1B this offseason. Loney cannot be an option.

 

I do not really understand why you are against hiring Martinez or Varitek to work in the FO. They have a lot of history with the Red Sox. A lot of people consider Varitek a future manager. It is smart to have him work in the FO office here to see how the behind the scenes stuff goes, that way when he is ready to become a manager, he has the advantage of knowing how things work in the FO. I would love nothing more for him to get a chance to manage after the John Farrell era is over. I know that some might not want to see Varitek manage, but I am all for it. Martinez is a little different. I see that as more of a PR move and wanting to employ a guy that means something to this organization that can have a positive image with the team. I do not see how that has anything with developing talent. They can still develop talent with Varitek and Martinez working in the FO.

[mvp 78]

What did youk hit in fenway last year?

 

From 10-12, his OPS is .260 higher at home. His right/left splits are even worse.

[seabeachfred]

They need to give Sands a shot at 1B or the OF. He is supposed to be ready--hits the curve well.

 

But Youks should be in the mix, too. He won't be expensive, and he can still hit in Fenway and play good 1B.

 

Sands has a lot of upside but the Red So cannot jerk him around as the Dodgers did, sending up and down time and again. The guy has power, can play either left field or first base and has a good solid bat......if they give him a full chance. One thing is certain....I don't want that useless dud Loney back. That guy reall sucks and Cherington should never have alllowed the Dodgers to hand him to us.

[redsoxfan3]

Sands has a lot of upside but the Red So cannot jerk him around as the Dodgers did, sending up and down time and again. The guy has power, can play either left field or first base and has a good solid bat......if they give him a full chance. One thing is certain....I don't want that useless dud Loney back. That guy reall sucks and Cherington should never have alllowed the Dodgers to hand him to us.

 

I was really hoping we could have gotten Ethier in that trade. We got Webster and De La Rosa who have the potential to be quality middle of the rotation starters. We got back Sands who can play the OF and 1B who has the potential to be a power hitter. It sucks that we got stuck with Loney. I would have rather have given Gomez the chance to start the remainder of the year at 1B, with Ethier playing in the OF. With Webster, De La Rosa, Sands, Ethier, and freeing a lot of payroll, we would have been a clear cut winner in that trade. I still think we are the winner overall. We cleared up some payroll and we received three good prospects with pretty high ceilings. Loney was just thrown in because we needed another 1B and he was pretty much useless for the Dodgers since they got Gonzalez. Having Ethier right now would be really nice. I really hope Sands works out. Some scouts are speculating that he will be competing for a Major League spot this Spring.

[SoxSport]

Sands has a lot of upside but the Red So cannot jerk him around as the Dodgers did, sending up and down time and again. The guy has power, can play either left field or first base and has a good solid bat......if they give him a full chance. One thing is certain....I don't want that useless dud Loney back. That guy reall sucks and Cherington should never have alllowed the Dodgers to hand him to us.

 

 

Don't worry. Even Ben will pass on Loney. Ben would make my day if he would do something that showed he has some balls and brains. Nothing yet. One thing he could do is give some of those prospects they got from the Dodgers a chance to make the team.

 

I see the Dodgers are looking to unload Ethier--after they gave him a contract. They could be targeting Hamilton--which means Ethier might be available. Wake up, Ben.

[reYoukilis]

You might as well bring back Bobby V.

 

They already f***ed up by shelling out $26 million to Papi and if they do an incentive-laden deal with Youk, it will just reek of the same nastiness as bringing guys like Varitek and Pedro back for cush positions in the FO.

 

It's lame and they need to just develop talent at this point.

 

I disagree whole heartedly if only for talents sake. Papi seems to be more dedicated to fitness than he ever has. The last two years he has looked trimmer and his numbers have been great and theres no reason to think that will change, despite the new contract.

 

Beyond his talents though I disagree even moreso because he has been the model of dramaless positivity throughout last season. He has done NOTHING but do the right thing and I think its because he has a real love for the Red Sox, not for the new contract.

 

As for VTek and Martinez, I like the move for VTek but hope that Martinez and the unnamed pitching coach wont clash.

[seabeachfred]

I was really hoping we could have gotten Ethier in that trade. We got Webster and De La Rosa who have the potential to be quality middle of the rotation starters. We got back Sands who can play the OF and 1B who has the potential to be a power hitter. It sucks that we got stuck with Loney. I would have rather have given Gomez the chance to start the remainder of the year at 1B, with Ethier playing in the OF. With Webster, De La Rosa, Sands, Ethier, and freeing a lot of payroll, we would have been a clear cut winner in that trade. I still think we are the winner overall. We cleared up some payroll and we received three good prospects with pretty high ceilings. Loney was just thrown in because we needed another 1B and he was pretty much useless for the Dodgers since they got Gonzalez. Having Ethier right now would be really nice. I really hope Sands works out. Some scouts are speculating that he will be competing for a Major League spot this Spring.

 

Red3---Rumors are rife out here in So. Cal that the Dodgers have made Ethier available for a trade, the hint being that they may be in the running for Hamilton or Grienke and that Andre's trade would free up some serious cash. Keep in mind though that while Ethier has a lot of talent, he is woefully weak against lefthanded pitching and he hasn't been getting better at it the past few years. He could actually wind up as a platoon OF and with an $85 million four year contract that's a lot of cabbage for a platoon player.

 

I think Sands is a real good bet for us. The problem is if Lucchino forces the issue and says the Red Sox are going for the gold next season, well you can bet your last dime that Sands will not be given the opportunity to develop. That's bogus too because if we do not improve our pitching the hope of a pennant is a pipe dream.

[seabeachfred]

Don't worry. Even Ben will pass on Loney. Ben would make my day if he would do something that showed he has some balls and brains. Nothing yet. One thing he could do is give some of those prospects they got from the Dodgers a chance to make the team.

 

I see the Dodgers are looking to unload Ethier--after they gave him a contract. They could be targeting Hamilton--which means Ethier might be available. Wake up, Ben.

 

SoxSport, I just got it from another board that it was Lucchino who made the final decision on Ortiz and not Cherington. I think it has become pretty obvious that Benny is little more than an errand boy for the powers-that-be and we have have in the guy perhaps the most inept GM in all of baseball. Balls and Brains with that person is an oxymoron and he is very slow to act because he totally risk averse. Great if he could wake up and smell the coffee but most likely he would be out getting it for Henry and Lucchino first.

[BSN07]

Red3---Rumors are rife out here in So. Cal that the Dodgers have made Ethier available for a trade, the hint being that they may be in the running for Hamilton or Grienke and that Andre's trade would free up some serious cash. Keep in mind though that while Ethier has a lot of talent, he is woefully weak against lefthanded pitching and he hasn't been getting better at it the past few years. He could actually wind up as a platoon OF and with an $85 million four year contract that's a lot of cabbage for a platoon player.

 

I think Sands is a real good bet for us. The problem is if Lucchino forces the issue and says the Red Sox are going for the gold next season, well you can bet your last dime that Sands will not be given the opportunity to develop. That's bogus too because if we do not improve our pitching the hope of a pennant is a pipe dream.

 

I really hope the go the development route and Larry keeps his mitts off the roster. Plugging in "names" does not work in the baseball world.

 

I've done a little reading on Sands but I think I'm more of a novice on him. Whats the general consensus on him around here?

 

Oh and pass on Either. I think Justin Upton would be a better bet. Upton may cost more prospect wise but comes with a better contract. Ethier's contract might very well become and albatross.

[seabeachfred]

I'm not looking backwards. I'm looking forward to next year and trying to figure out who the best available option is if we decide to go with a veteran first baseman. RIght now, Youk's right up there.

 

You really think a team with this kind of payroll is going to roll into next year expecting Jerry Sands and Mauro Gomez to figure out 1B between them?

 

I'll tell you what I think Doj----we had better stop looking backward and start looking to the future. Jerry Sands is a terrific young prospect who only needs a chance to show what he has. He's young (25), can play both first and outfield and we need help there badly, and please get this through your mind---unless we seriously upgrade our pitching we are going nowhere next season for the simple reason t hat Lester and Buchholz are totally unequipped to handle the Nos 1 and 2 spots in the rotation because of a lack of mental toughness and perhaps even God given ability. Youk is not coming back to Boston and he shouldn't. I loved the guy but he's yesterday's news and we have finally stop looking and reliving the past and look ahead. We need to retool.

[redsoxfan3]

Red3---Rumors are rife out here in So. Cal that the Dodgers have made Ethier available for a trade, the hint being that they may be in the running for Hamilton or Grienke and that Andre's trade would free up some serious cash. Keep in mind though that while Ethier has a lot of talent, he is woefully weak against lefthanded pitching and he hasn't been getting better at it the past few years. He could actually wind up as a platoon OF and with an $85 million four year contract that's a lot of cabbage for a platoon player.

 

I think Sands is a real good bet for us. The problem is if Lucchino forces the issue and says the Red Sox are going for the gold next season, well you can bet your last dime that Sands will not be given the opportunity to develop. That's bogus too because if we do not improve our pitching the hope of a pennant is a pipe dream.

 

That is true. Ethier's splits are bad and I agree. The Dodgers would have to eat a lot of that contract if we would make a trade for him, but that won't happen if they are trying to free payroll.

 

I really hope the go the development route and Larry keeps his mitts off the roster. Plugging in "names" does not work in the baseball world.

 

I've done a little reading on Sands but I think I'm more of a novice on him. Whats the general consensus on him around here?

 

Oh and pass on Either. I think Justin Upton would be a better bet. Upton may cost more prospect wise but comes with a better contract. Ethier's contract might very well become and albatross.[/Quote]

 

I agree with what SBF said about him. He has shown a lot of power in the minors the last few years. He will be competing for a ML roster spot come Spring. I think he would be a good platoon player at 1B and could be a decent backup in the OF if he is given more of a shot in the majors. He has some potential, it is just a matter of translating that potential into Major League success. The only thing I am not sure about him is his defense. Does anyone know how he is defensively in the OF and at 1B?

[onlybereaved]

No, no, and please no.

 

Respect Youk? Yes.

 

Want to bring him back at this point?

 

Are you seriously serious?

 

Seriously.