Marahiro Tanaka And Sox Starting Rotation.

[Bellhorn04]

5/95 would be fine. That would make it 6/108 including the 2014 option.

[mvp 78]

Hamels signed for 6/144. I think Lester's number will be closer to that.

 

If his agent asked for 6/126, I'd jump on it. He'd get more in FA.

Edited December 28, 2013 by mvp 78

[Bellhorn04]

Hamels signed for 6/144. I think Lester's number will be closer to that.

 

If his agent asked for 6/126, I'd jump on it. He'd get more in FA.

 

I agree Lester could get more in FA. Hamels was younger when he got the 6 year extension though.

[mvp 78]

Matsuzaka pitched a comparable amount of innings in his teens to Tanaka, but how does Tanaka compare more favorably to Darvish? Please elaborate on your claim...

 

I agree Lester could get more in FA. Hamels was younger when he got the 6 year extension though.

Hamels was 28, Lester is 29.

[rjortiz]

I'd go 5/90 at the most. Don't like that his K's are down, and the rough stretches worry me.

[Bellhorn04]

Hamels was 28, Lester is 29.

 

Right, Lester is a year older so he should be willing to take an extension that's a year shorter. That's perfectly logical isn't it?

[Northern Star]

So now they are calling it Tanaka-mania? Give me a f***ing break. Do people seriously not recall the number of Japanese imports that have turned out to be duds. Might want to dial it back a bit from the $17mil/year demands too, champ.

[User Name]

Why would he? He'll get 17 per easy.

[mvp 78]

Right, Lester is a year older so he should be willing to take an extension that's a year shorter. That's perfectly logical isn't it?

 

Logical, but not what the market would pay.

[Bellhorn04]

Logical, but not what the market would pay.

 

Darn it all!

 

But seriously, an extension of 100 million or less would mean a significant 'hometown discount' to be sure.

[User Name]

5/100 would represent market value in terms of dollars, but not years.

[Bellhorn04]

5/100 would represent market value in terms of dollars, but not years.

 

Agreed.

[Northern Star]

Why would he? He'll get 17 per easy.

 

Yep. smh.

[seabeachfred]

Darn it all!

 

But seriously, an extension of 100 million or less would mean a significant 'hometown discount' to be sure.

 

What I'm liking is that the vast majority of us here on Talk Sox are strongly in favor of giving Jon Lester a new and improved contract. I think the only difference of opinion there is, however, is slight, and that is when should these negotiations begin and when they should conclude with Jon's name on the dotted line. As I sometimes have a tendency to get ahead of myself, I think this is one time I might be on schedule....How about before Opening Day in 2014. He has all the pre-requisites needed to stay on the Sox. He has said he will give the team a hometown discount and wants very badly to stay in Boston. What's not to like?

[seabeachfred]

So now they are calling it Tanaka-mania? Give me a f***ing break. Do people seriously not recall the number of Japanese imports that have turned out to be duds. Might want to dial it back a bit from the $17mil/year demands too, champ.

 

Right now it's boring time Camp and the writers need something to help them earn their pay and keep some readers happy. Right you are about most of those Japanese imports; we certainly had one of those to frustrate us for five seasons, but I think Okajima was worth whatever hype came his way. Darvish looks like the real thing but we will have to wait and see on Tanaka. Since we're not in the picture for him and apparently have no interest in getting in the bidding war, this "mania" is nothing more to us than a stabbing sensation in the teeth. Personally, I'm paying little if any attention to it, and I would suggest my fellow Red Sox fans follow me on this one. It's a complete waste of our time except for the possibility that he may wind up on the Yankees with their mega-millions they're throwing around like candy wrappers.

[rjortiz]

What I'm liking is that the vast majority of us here on Talk Sox are strongly in favor of giving Jon Lester a new and improved contract. I think the only difference of opinion there is, however, is slight, and that is when should these negotiations begin and when they should conclude with Jon's name on the dotted line. As I sometimes have a tendency to get ahead of myself, I think this is one time I might be on schedule....How about before Opening Day in 2014. He has all the pre-requisites needed to stay on the Sox. He has said he will give the team a hometown discount and wants very badly to stay in Boston. What's not to like?

 

How much should we give Jon Lester?

[SoxSport]

How much should we give Jon Lester?

$15-17 million. 5 years?

[rjortiz]

$15-17 million. 5 years?

 

That's what I'd be comfortable offering, but some people are talking about 6/126. I'd need to see him sustain his postseason run into the regular season before I pony up that kind of cash.

[seabeachfred]

How much should we give Jon Lester?

 

RJ--many of us will be all over the ballpark on this one but next year Jon will be pitching at 30, still in the prime of his career. I would think he could pitch effectively through 34 and would think a five year $100 million contract would be a very good (and high) price to sign him. I would give him that or a four year $85-90 million package. Of course it isn't my money and there is no guarantee that Lester will be effective, healthy and worth such a contract, but I think this is a chance worth taking. I saw him in the WS and he looked like the horse he was always supposed to be, and to be honest, I really don't have that much confidence in some of the young pitching prospects the Red Sox front office is hyping. Henry Owens (LH) and Anthony Renaudo I am very high on. Matt Barnes quite possibly, and Alan Webster maybe at best and Delarosa not much at all. Unless we are trading for pitching I think we need to keep Lester around for awhile and hope that for the next three or four seasons Clay Buchholz can give us some full seasons of the type of pitching we saw from him early in the season.

[mvp 78]

That's what I'd be comfortable offering, but some people are talking about 6/126. I'd need to see him sustain his postseason run into the regular season before I pony up that kind of cash.

 

Then you should be comfortable with him playing elsewhere. People want to pay Lester 15, when dumpy pitchers like Dempster get 13 on the open market.

[Palodios]

I get the feeling that years are more important to Jon than AAV. There are guys who are worth big contracts... Pedroia and Lester are two very rare cases and the Red Sox know it. Might as well extend him before his era shrinks with Salty gone this year.

[rjortiz]

Then you should be comfortable with him playing elsewhere. People want to pay Lester 15, when dumpy pitchers like Dempster get 13 on the open market.

 

I'd offer him 6/126 if he pitches well this year. There was a long period of time last year when he pitched worse than Dempster. He also was not great in 2012. I think he still has to prove he can be an ace with diminished stuff.

[reYoukilis]

RJ--many of us will be all over the ballpark on this one but next year Jon will be pitching at 30, still in the prime of his career. I would think he could pitch effectively through 34 and would think a five year $100 million contract would be a very good (and high) price to sign him. I would give him that or a four year $85-90 million package. Of course it isn't my money and there is no guarantee that Lester will be effective, healthy and worth such a contract, but I think this is a chance worth taking. I saw him in the WS and he looked like the horse he was always supposed to be, and to be honest, I really don't have that much confidence in some of the young pitching prospects the Red Sox front office is hyping. Henry Owens (LH) and Anthony Renaudo I am very high on. Matt Barnes quite possibly, and Alan Webster maybe at best and Delarosa not much at all. Unless we are trading for pitching I think we need to keep Lester around for awhile and hope that for the next three or four seasons Clay Buchholz can give us some full seasons of the type of pitching we saw from him early in the season.

Thats what I see. Give the guy some MONEY. I like the Red Sox's tight wad ways but what works, works and the front office, I believe, values that and will show that like they did Pedroia. 15 million? Might as well offer nothing and save on energy because thats an insult.

[a700hitter]

I hope he pitches great and the team rides his back to a back to back championship and then sayonara.

[Bellhorn04]

I hope he pitches great and the team rides his back to a back to back championship and then sayonara.

 

Why would you want to say sayonara after that? If he said yes to a 5/100 extension, you wouldn't want them to do it?

[seabeachfred]

Why would you want to say sayonara after that? If he said yes to a 5/100 extension, you wouldn't want them to do it?

 

I think what he meant is that if the Red Sox are going to try and low ball Lester, the best thing he could do would be to lead the staff and the team to another World Series title and then tell the front office to stick it up their keesters. Of course, my friend can speak for himself but I got the drift. I also don't need a drift to know the Sox should be making some moves to negotiate a contract extension with Jon instead of worrying about resigning Drew WHO I DON'T THINK WE NEED with his 196 average against left handers and his penchant for high strikeout totals. The team has earned some real credit with what they did this season and I think most fans would be willing to cut them some slack on this. I know I would---and if I would I'm sure most fans would.

[reYoukilis]

Also about Lester is that when you win championships, in theory, future championships come easier than for non-champions. For instance Verlander is more talented than Lester but I have just as much confidence in Lester in the big moments. Another instance is if you were the Yankees would you trade Pettite for Randy Johnson one for one? I wouldn't, because Pettite has such a great track record in the big moment.

[mvp 78]

The poster who cried Stephen Drew

[User Name]

Also about Lester is that when you win championships, in theory, future championships come easier than for non-champions. For instance Verlander is more talented than Lester but I have just as much confidence in Lester in the big moments. Another instance is if you were the Yankees would you trade Pettite for Randy Johnson one for one? I wouldn't, because Pettite has such a great track record in the big moment.

 

You're joking right?

[mvp 78]

Also about Lester is that when you win championships, in theory, future championships come easier than for non-champions. For instance Verlander is more talented than Lester but I have just as much confidence in Lester in the big moments. Another instance is if you were the Yankees would you trade Pettite for Randy Johnson one for one? I wouldn't, because Pettite has such a great track record in the big moment.

 

Johnson has better postseason numbers than Pettite, fyi (whip, era, k/bb).