Why not keep Ellsbury and Bradley together for years to come?

[seabeachfred]

Did you guys hear that he got hurt again? Something is wrong with his ankle. This kid is made of glass. The Red Sox should trade him while they can get something decent out of it.

 

Yes, we heard and it might be the same old sad and pathetic story with the Tin Man, but for the time being whatcha say we just wait until we hear just how serious the prognosis is. The team took him out of the game as a precaution and hinted that it didn't seem serious. However, it's Ellsbury we're talking about, injury prone and the slowest healer on the planet. He had better understand this: If he makes this out to be more than it is or should be iujury wise and takes his damn sweet time getting his ass back in the lineup he can kiss off any chance of getting that big payday he wants. What he will get instead is a parachute one year job by some team dumb enough to sign this glass specimen.

 

OTOH, if he gets back fast and can show he can stay in one piece he can not only get that big contract he desires but help the Red Sox to a better season than the one we had in 2012

Which one is it going to be Jacoby?:dunno::dunno::dunno::dunno::dunno::dunno:

[Behindenemylines]

I wouldn't mind seeing them both in the outfield for years to come, but not at that price. 20 million is way too much for a guy like Ellsbury. Sure when he's healthy he's great, it's just staying healthy that's been a problem. Regardless I think Bradley should be playing this year in Fenway

 

I agree 20 million is too much. If Ellsbury has another big year then Boras will ask for more then 20 million per year. At this stage of the rebuild I can't see investing that much for one player even though I like Ellsbury as a player.

[jung]

Really not applicable to the discussion but did anybody see what Verlander got in his extension? His extension gets him $28M per year with a vesting option at $22M.

[Palodios]

Can we talk about how Victorino has been significantly better than Ellsbury throughout the course of both of their careers?

[SoxSport]

I mentioned in another thread, Silverman tweets they might bring him up and start him game 3 in Yankee stadium against a RHP. They may not start him against CC and Pettite--even though he has shown he can hit ML LHd pitching.

 

They need him in LF in Yankee Stadium for 3 games--pure and simple. And that short RF porch makes a hitter out of almost anybody from the LHd side.

 

The handling of Bradley--or mishandling--is beginning to resemble the clueless manager search.

[SoxSport]

I agree 20 million is too much. If Ellsbury has another big year then Boras will ask for more then 20 million per year. At this stage of the rebuild I can't see investing that much for one player even though I like Ellsbury as a player.

 

Can't believe Wainright got $100 mil for 5 years. 31 and coming off arm surgery. Not yet back to where he was. Ells isn't worth close to that. He's not durable, and he's not a great leadoff hitter. His power is in question.

[mvp 78]

I mentioned in another thread, Silverman tweets they might bring him up and start him game 3 in Yankee stadium against a RHP. They may not start him against CC and Pettite--even though he has shown he can hit ML LHd pitching.

 

They need him in LF in Yankee Stadium for 3 games--pure and simple. And that short RF porch makes a hitter out of almost anybody from the LHd side.

 

The handling of Bradley--or mishandling--is beginning to resemble the clueless manager search.

 

How is JBJ mishandled exactly?

[SoxSport]

Heyman just tweeted me back about Bradley making the cut game 1: "looks positive for him. we shall see."

[redsoxbeatz]

Soctt Boras seems to think Ellsbury and JB can co-exist. We'll see.

[mvp 78]

Soctt Boras seems to think Ellsbury and JB can co-exist. We'll see.

 

Of course he does. He's the agent for both of them...

[Thunder]

They can coexist after Victorino retires in a few years. Until then, Bradley will be a bench player who starts in place of Victorino or even Ellsbury every once in a while.

[BSN07]

They can coexist after Victorino retires in a few years. Until then, Bradley will be a bench player who starts in place of Victorino or even Ellsbury every once in a while.

 

What? lol

 

Bradley will be starting in LF while Ortiz is out. He's not going to sit around on the bench.

 

Of course Boras thinks they can co exist, he wants Bradley's service time to start ASAP.

[Thunder]

What? lol

 

Bradley will be starting in LF while Ortiz is out. He's not going to sit around on the bench.

 

Of course Boras thinks they can co exist, he wants Bradley's service time to start ASAP.

 

How will he start in left if Ortiz is out? Wouldn't he be DH?

[Bellhorn04]

How will he start in left if Ortiz is out? Wouldn't he be DH?

 

The thinking is Gomes will be the DH.

[Thunder]

The thinking is Gomes will be the DH.

 

Oh yes. I forgot about Gomes. My fault.

[SoxSport]

If Bradley continues to stay hot, I expect that OF of Bradley-Vic-Ells to be around for awhile. The defensive implications are too attractive. They might just wind up platooning Gomes and Ortiz. Papi has done some great things with the bat over the years, but he may just have to learn how to play with a little heel pain for awhile. Those things don't go away fast.

[Thunder]

I think Gomes isn't as good in the OF as he was a while ago. He only played OF because he was with the Reds, so I expect him to be the DH until Ortiz comes back. Until then, a Victorino-Ellsbury-Bradley outfield sounds pretty nice.

[seabeachfred]

I think Gomes isn't as good in the OF as he was a while ago. He only played OF because he was with the Reds, so I expect him to be the DH until Ortiz comes back. Until then, a Victorino-Ellsbury-Bradley outfield sounds pretty nice.

 

SS and Thunder----the Bradley, Ells and Vic outfield should be a good one defensively if we can keep them all healthy, especially Ells. However, we are going to need Gomes' bat in the early going. He mashes lefties, at least he has in the past, and from what I see we're going to be facing a few of them during the opening few series.

[SoxSport]

Ells had a nice game today. Hit CC pretty well. 3 hits. Bradley showed he can beat you a lot of ways.

Vic is a veteran who can play. They must love Bradley right now. Iggy had a good game too. Loved that bunt. The kind of ball they have to play to win.

[RedSoxNC84]

Even without the "wait for the 3 run homer" style it was still a very exciting game, looked better than the "go up and hack away" spring training sox looked.

[jung]

Watching LA/Frisco...nice to see Agons is still the same guy.

 

Went over to the Yankee boards...too funny....they sound just like we do....just like we do.

[redsoxbeatz]

Watching LA/Frisco...nice to see Agons is still the same guy.

 

Went over to the Yankee boards...too funny....they sound just like we do....just like we do.

 

which yankee boards? talkyankees.com?

[jung]

I usually go to the MLB team boards. You can easily get from one team to the next and I found the Yankee crowd there mostly reasonable and knowledgable baseball fans during the last post season.

 

Today, their front office sucks, their manager sucks, their pitching sucks...the sky is falling.

[SoxSport]

Yanks are in trouble. It started with that ridiculous contract extension they gave ARod. That has put them in a hole. They have spent like drunken sailors over the years to stay in the playoffs. It's important for the TV network bosses in NY. The LA teams are now going to be under the same network pressure to make the playoffs. TV has come to dominate the game. They pay the bills.

[Bellhorn04]

The Angels and Dodgers might have their days of repentance in a few years when some of those monster contracts are being paid for guys on the slide.

[FredLynn]

I usually go to the MLB team boards. You can easily get from one team to the next and I found the Yankee crowd there mostly reasonable and knowledgable baseball fans during the last post season.

 

Today, their front office sucks, their manager sucks, their pitching sucks...the sky is falling.

 

The thing is Jung: they are right! The Yankees right now are in real trouble. It will be interesting to see if Hank opens up his wallet so they can once again buy their way into a successful season.

[jung]

While it is always nice to beat the Yankees, there is not much to beating this Yankee team. They are starting the season the way we ended it.....two guys in the lineup that can hit at all and nobody that a pitcher really needs to fear. The Yanks have had their reliance on older ballplayers come back to haunt them in a big way. Could not have happened to a nicer bunch a' guys.

 

The Yanks could very easily lose so many games before they get their team back together that they will be out of it by the time they get guys back. You need to rally in their bandbox to win games and they can't rally. Putting up a two spot like they did today will likely be the norm for them. Yankee Stadium is not OCC.I don't care how good they pitch, that won't work. They are still trying to play Yankee baseball and they just do not have the horses. They may have to rethink their lineup instead of trying to set up Cano and Nix to play the roles of the guys that are missing.

 

I had picked the Yanks for fighting to stay out of the basement this year. If they have to play through April and then even part of May like this, they will likely have the basement locked before they can get anybody back. I don't know when Jeter is due back but Tex is gone till at least mid-May or longer. Aroid is what...mid season at best?

[Dojji]

It's a win. A win in which both of the two biggest risks this franchise is taking at the moment had a real chance to shine. I was impressed by both Bradley and Iglesias, and the effort and hustle out of a lot of our players shows that the team was willing to come out swinging on Opening Day. Not something to take for granted, and a very good sign. Don't forget that Gomes doesn't score if Ellsbury doesn't bust it down the line before they can cover first.

 

A lot of encouraging signs. That's all they are, but they're worth celebrating for what they are nonetheless.

[seabeachfred]

It's a win. A win in which both of the two biggest risks this franchise is taking at the moment had a real chance to shine. I was impressed by both Bradley and Iglesias, and the effort and hustle out of a lot of our players shows that the team was willing to come out swinging on Opening Day. Not something to take for granted, and a very good sign. Don't forget that Gomes doesn't score if Ellsbury doesn't bust it down the line before they can cover first.

 

A lot of encouraging signs. That's all they are, but they're worth celebrating for what they are nonetheless.

 

Let me add my three cents to this Jung and Dojii. A win over the Yankees is always a big win as far as I'm concerned, and none of us should believe that the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry is going slowly by the boards. It most certainly isn't from where I sit and I suspect most of you feel the same way. I'm told there is a very open and friendly clubhouse this season and I can take the word of those who are saying it because I saw it in the dugout during the game and on the field with the hustle shown by Gomes, Ells, Jackie, Iggy and the whole bunch. It is only one game, sure, but for whatever reason the team seems to have decided they are going to bust their tails for John Farrell and that is an even better sign.

 

Now it is up to Clay Buchholz and the gang to take care of business tomorrow. It is a long season, sure, but these April games count just as much in the win column as they do in September. Aggressive base running, solid defense, and timely hitting can really help our pitching staff if they are up to it and yesterday they were. The task is simple--We win tomorrow!!!!!!!!

[SoxSport]

The Dodgers and the Angels are just like the NY teams now--they have the TV money to spend. The Mets are out of the equation as long as Wilpon is the owner. He's tied up paying out Madoff settlement money.

So it's the Yanks, Dodgers and Angels who will continue to spend $200+ mil. The solution to all this is to divide up the local TV money--just like they do the game of the week network money. But they won't.

TV likes the NY/LA advantage--it's good for their advertising revenues.