Marahiro Tanaka And Sox Starting Rotation.

[reYoukilis]

The poster who cried Stephen Drew

Yeah, maybe me and Cherington.

[a700hitter]

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?

We have him for 2014, and pitchers have this nasty habit of falling apart after 30. I hope that he and the Sox make the most of 2014. If he has a good season, he's going to want a contract in the neighborhood of $150 million or more. He'll be gone.

[reYoukilis]

You're joking right?

No Im not. Look at the fingers, the most important stat of all. Sure Randy Johnson could have done the same thing or better if they switched places but he also could have messed it up. In other words why mess up what worked. Theres a slew of examples of the supposed talented people not showing up when it counts. Look at Kershaw.

[rjortiz]

No Im not. Look at the fingers, the most important stat of all. Sure Randy Johnson could have done the same thing or better if they switched places but he also could have messed it up. In other words why mess up what worked. Theres a slew of examples of the supposed talented people not showing up when it counts. Look at Kershaw.

 

This is complete lunacy. You wouldn't even make the postseason building a roster that way. I could see you trying to play Scott Brosius over Evan Longoria.

[User Name]

No Im not. Look at the fingers, the most important stat of all. Sure Randy Johnson could have done the same thing or better if they switched places but he also could have messed it up. In other words why mess up what worked. Theres a slew of examples of the supposed talented people not showing up when it counts. Look at Kershaw.

 

This makes about as much sense as a dog piloting a space shuttle.

[User Name]

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

 

Quoted for truth.

[reYoukilis]

This makes about as much sense as a dog piloting a space shuttle.

Meaning? It certainly makes sense to not mess with what works.

[mvp 78]

No Im not. Look at the fingers, the most important stat of all. Sure Randy Johnson could have done the same thing or better if they switched places but he also could have messed it up. In other words why mess up what worked. Theres a slew of examples of the supposed talented people not showing up when it counts. Look at Kershaw.

 

Sweet baby jesus...

[SoxSport]

I would agree some players have the ability to rise to the occasion--to raise their game when it's important.

I don't know if Drew is one of those players--if that's the gist of the conversation here.

 

The Yankees used to have a few players like this. Hank Bauer comes to mind. .240 hitter who would kill you when the game was on the line. A hero of the Battle of the Bulge. Billy Martin was tough in World series. Berra, of course. For the Red Sox, Yaz comes to mind. Ortiz, of course. Manny. Pedro. Damon. Nixon. Even Millar, the great TV star. LOL.

[Bellhorn04]

I would agree some players have the ability to rise to the occasion--to raise their game when it's important.

I don't know if Drew is one of those players--if that's the gist of the conversation here.

 

No, this conversation was mainly about Lester.

[mvp 78]

No, this conversation was mainly about Lester.

 

It turned from conversation to fever dream at some point.

[Bellhorn04]

It turned from conversation to fever dream at some point.

 

It did go a tad awry.

[Spudboy]

As some of you know I hate big money contracts and especially for long terms. Having said that, I say pay Lester the money. I would shy away from the 5-6 year deals at around $120. mil +. But I would be okay with 5 years around $100. mil. The assumption in the Boston media is that Lester will take the home town discount. I don't see this happening. He already gave the Sox one of those. He strikes me as a guy who is honorable and not so much a "pay me" guy. But he is not stupid. Someone will throw big money at him if he has another one of his good years in 2014. The Sox risk this and loosing him if they don't try to sign him now.

 

Lester has had some rough spots in his career. But he is one very good left handed pitcher and a character guy. I say sign him and move onto signing a reserve OF and Drew if possible. Happy new year!

[rjortiz]

As some of you know I hate big money contracts and especially for long terms. Having said that, I say pay Lester the money. I would shy away from the 5-6 year deals at around $120. mil +. But I would be okay with 5 years around $100. mil. The assumption in the Boston media is that Lester will take the home town discount. I don't see this happening. He already gave the Sox one of those. He strikes me as a guy who is honorable and not so much a "pay me" guy. But he is not stupid. Someone will throw big money at him if he has another one of his good years in 2014. The Sox risk this and loosing him if they don't try to sign him now.

 

Lester has had some rough spots in his career. But he is one very good left handed pitcher and a character guy. I say sign him and move onto signing a reserve OF and Drew if possible. Happy new year!

 

If Drew signs for 1/8, or something low like that, I'd do it. Might be able to flip him for a C prospect. Red Sox are probably worse with Drew at SS.

Edited December 31, 2013 by rjortiz

[Palodios]

Here's a crazy thought.

 

Maybe Tanaka a gigantic contract with tons of years isn't in his best interest. He might be able to get something like 6/120 to 7/140 if he is lucky. However, maybe a team could sneak in and give him a 2-3 contract at high AAV, planting the idea of a future contract into his head. How much money do you think a 27-28 year old ace would make on the open market in a few years? 200-300 million easy. The bidding team wouldn't have to pay a posting fee the second time around either.

[mvp 78]

Drew was stupid to not take the QO.

[Bellhorn04]

Drew was stupid to not take the QO.

 

Maybe Boras doesn't always do so well for his lower-tier clients.

[BSN07]

Drew was stupid to not take the QO.

 

Not really, He was arguably the best "clean" SS on the market coming off a solid season and a WS title. Obviously it wouldn't be 14M AAV but a multi year deal was pretty much a forgone conclusion by most everyone. I figured he'd get at least 3/25-30M. The fact he appears to have so little of a market is surprising. I'm still guessing Boras pulls a multi year deal.

[seabeachfred]

Not really, He was arguably the best "clean" SS on the market coming off a solid season and a WS title. Obviously it wouldn't be 14M AAV but a multi year deal was pretty much a forgone conclusion by most everyone. I figured he'd get at least 3/25-30M. The fact he appears to have so little of a market is surprising. I'm still guessing Boras pulls a multi year deal.

 

"I'm guessing Boras pulls off a multi year deal".........Let's hope so BSN, WITH SOME OTHER TEAM!!!!!!!!!!

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES HERE ON TALK SOX

[Spitball]

Not really, He was arguably the best "clean" SS on the market coming off a solid season and a WS title. Obviously it wouldn't be 14M AAV but a multi year deal was pretty much a forgone conclusion by most everyone. I figured he'd get at least 3/25-30M. The fact he appears to have so little of a market is surprising. I'm still guessing Boras pulls a multi year deal.

 

The qualifying offer has cramped Boras's style with mid-talent clients for a second straight year. Teams don't really want to give up that first round pick for less than a star.

[BSN07]

The qualifying offer has cramped Boras's style with mid-talent clients for a second straight year. Teams don't really want to give up that first round pick for less than a star.

 

He may have been thinking last year was an aberration, but this may become a trend with mid tier FA's now. He may change his approach after this off season when it comes to his pillow contract clients.

 

Happy New Year Fred and everyone else here

[jacksonianmarch]

Boras saw he had the best player at the position. The problem was, the position had a bunch of retreads, a PED user and Drew. That's about it. Nobody wants to surrender a pick to get a SS who is okay

[Palodios]

I distinctly remember a few years back when there was a shortstop similar to Drew's caliber at the top of the ss free agent pile. Scutaro had more questionmarks but he ended up only getting 2/12.

[jacksonianmarch]

Exactly, and at least Scutaro doesn't have a horrendous injury history to fall back on. Drew's ankle essentially detached from his skeleton. Teams are going to be wary of that, especially since he is coming off a pillow contract that showed he was adequate. He's a risk on a long term deal. I think the sox have significant leverage here. If I were Boras, I'd come crawling back to them with a bargain basement deal with a clause in the contract stating the sox cannot offer a QO following 2014. If he wasn't tied to draft compensation, he'd be signed on a 3 yr deal by now

[Behindenemylines]

Exactly, and at least Scutaro doesn't have a horrendous injury history to fall back on. Drew's ankle essentially detached from his skeleton. Teams are going to be wary of that, especially since he is coming off a pillow contract that showed he was adequate. He's a risk on a long term deal. I think the sox have significant leverage here. If I were Boras, I'd come crawling back to them with a bargain basement deal with a clause in the contract stating the sox cannot offer a QO following 2014. If he wasn't tied to draft compensation, he'd be signed on a 3 yr deal by now

 

Drew could have taken the CO and get a $5 million raise and return to the World Champions. The Drew camp is not the only FA that the draft compensation is effecting.

[mvp 78]

@PeteAbe: MLB source says that while #RedSox are impressed with Tanaka, they do not expect to be among the top bidders.

 

Pours one out for marklmw...

[SoxSport]

You gotta be stupid to turn down $14 million for a years' work in anything. Unless you have a shark like Boras representing you. Still, it could blow up in Drew's face. The Drews have always been strictly show me the money, but it could burn them this time.

[Bellhorn04]

You gotta be stupid to turn down $14 million for a years' work in anything. Unless you have a shark like Boras representing you. Still, it could blow up in Drew's face. The Drews have always been strictly show me the money, but it could burn them this time.

 

It makes very little sense to lump Stephen together with J. D. J. D. I'm not arguing about. But Stephen has made $30 million in his career, total.

[User Name]

By SoxSport's logic, the Remy's have always been about murder. They are different people.

[Palodios]

By SoxSport's logic, the Remy's have always been about murder. They are different people.

 

I knew there was a reason why Jerry refuses to leave his hotel in Kansas City. He was talking about it this year... first time in so many years of broadcasting that he actually went into the city.