2014 Roster Projections

[a700hitter]

Bay sucked before that concussion. He fell off the map right as soon as he left Boston.

I for one am glad the Sox didn't sign him.

His first concussion was in his first season with the Mets causing him to shut down his season in July.

[redsoxrules]

Yes, and in the first few months of that season he was nowhere near what he did in Boston

[a700hitter]

Yes, and in the first few months of that season he was nowhere near what he did in Boston

He was adjusting to a cavernous ballpark that had him completely psyched out. They have since brought in the fences. However, without the series of concussions, he may well have adjusted and played well the final two months and the shortened fences would have helped him in subsequent years. The concussions derailed his career. There was nothing else physically wrong with the guy and he was not yet losing a battle with age.

[redsoxrules]

People come back from concussions all the time. I don't buy it that whats ruined his career.

[a700hitter]

People come back from concussions all the time. I don't buy it that whats ruined his career.

He had a series of concussions. Sometimes it just takes one concussion to end a baseball career. Look up Corey Koskie.

[Navafan29]

And so the long, overly drawn out, taking-forever decision of Stephen Drew is the only thing left for the Sox this offseason...

[User Name]

People come back from concussions all the time. I don't buy it that whats ruined his career.

 

Bay's knees/right shoulder were shot by the second year of the deal too. The reason why a700 is leaning so hard on the concussion problem is because of all the whining he did when the Sox FO let him go over concerns over precisely those two issues.

[seabeachfred]

And so the long, overly drawn out, taking-forever decision of Stephen Drew is the only thing left for the Sox this offseason...

 

It shouldn't Navafan. This is the fault of our front office for its insistence on holding out the welcome mat and door light out for the guy in case all other options dry up---which they seem to have. IMHO Ben Cherington should simply say we are moving on and wishing Drew all the luck in the world with his new team, whatever that happens to be. We have a shortstop and we have a third baseman and we have another 3B and SS moving up high in the minors. We cannot afford to have them get stacked up in Triple A. We don't need Drew and personally I don't want him. What we ought to be considering is where we move Cecchini when he is ready so we can get his smoking bat in the lineup. I still feel Middlebrooks has a nice future with us. We must not misuse this guy by relegating him to the bench or down at Pawtucket for the seasoning he doesn't need. LET DREW GO!!!!!!!!!!

[User Name]

Are you really whining about the Sox possibly waiting to pounce on Drew on a cheap 1-year deal? Really? Wow.

 

There's nothing to complain about here. They are doing the right thing. Let his market develop, and if he's forced to come back on the Sox' terms you do it, because he is a good player. You are ridiculous Fred. Just ridiculous.

[reYoukilis]

And so the long, overly drawn out, taking-forever decision of Stephen Drew is the only thing left for the Sox this offseason...

Im not giving up on another outfielder.

[Palodios]

The Red Sox's offseason isn't over yet. They still might move a pitcher for an RF, but it seems that the entire SP market is stuck because of Tanaka. What big pitchers have moved? Garza, Arroyo, Ubaldo, Santana are still on the market. Price, Samardzija still have yet to be traded. Things could pick up very quickly.

[jacksonianmarch]

Tanaka will be the first move. Once he signs, the pitchers all will sign immediately thereafter. And once the pitching market thins out, Price and Samardzija will move. It makes no sense for the traders to move a player unless they are blown away

[Palodios]

Tanaka will be the first move. Once he signs, the pitchers all will sign immediately thereafter. And once the pitching market thins out, Price and Samardzija will move. It makes no sense for the traders to move a player unless they are blown away

 

And both the Cubs and Rays WILL be blown away by someone. The Yankees and Dodgers will probably end up with two of the big money players. There will be plenty of teams still desperate for starting pitching afterwards. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cubs sign Tanaka -- breaking open the FA market and building Samardzija's value -- and turn around and trade Sam for a quality prospect and winning big this offseason. Theo has been extremely deliberate with his moves, and it just seems like something he would do.

[User Name]

Several reports throughout the offseason have quoted the Cubs FO as saying they "will not be outbid" for Tanaka (granted others have said the same thing, but i digress) lending credence to your theory.

[SoxSport]

A local writer in the know just tweeted me he thought Bill James liked Drew. That surprised me a bit. Boras says now Drew will play other positions, but he's not a utility guy at Boras' money. With Herrera signed, and his versatility and price, can't see Drew at this point. They still need another outfielder, and roster space is limited.

[seabeachfred]

A local writer in the know just tweeted me he thought Bill James liked Drew. That surprised me a bit. Boras says now Drew will play other positions, but he's not a utility guy at Boras' money. With Herrera signed, and his versatility and price, can't see Drew at this point. They still need another outfielder, and roster space is limited.

 

I wish it were so SoxSport but as long as no team is giving Drew a sniff and as long as Ben and John keep keeping the door ajar in case Drew decides to throw in the towel and try his luck again with our team, this is go on being a miserable soap opera and what could turn out to be a problem for the Red Sox. Now we hear Boras is saying Drew could play multiple positions; first time we heard that. Is Boras now going to come down and except utility player money for his client? Only if his options are totally blasted all to hell. We have a good utility player in Herrera; we don't need Drew. I would also like to see Boras get a real black eye for a change, unable to get either Drew or Morales signed. Most importantly, I don't want either Middlebrooks or Bogaerts looking over their shoulders waiting for Farrell to break down and give his boy Drew a steady position at the expense of one of our younger infielders. Yes, I am and have been very strong and insistent that Drew should be allowed to go wherever he can get a contract just as long as it is not with us. That's my opinion.

[Dojji]

Any time you can add talent to the team you do it. Drew is a well above average 2 way SS and those don't grow on trees. If the market isn't there for him this offseason it's the market's loss. Having a utility man absolutely should not stop this team from crowding the bench with starter caliber players if they can afford to do it. I like the idea of havin the deepest, most talented two way infield in baseball.

 

As for blocking the yutes... it's not an argument that has no merit at all, but I think it gets overblown at times. If Middlebrooks and Bogaerts deserve to play they'll beat Drew for the job, and vice versa.

 

Since Bogaerts can play third base well enough, and since Drew is a well above average as strictly a defensive SS, clearly better than Bogaerts, the question of whether Drew can switch positions should not come up among sane people. Bogaerts should be the man to rove if anyone does.

Edited January 17, 2014 by Dojji

[User Name]

They can all get enough AB's. And counting on WMB as a sure thing is a recipe for disaster given his 2013 struggles. Fred just needs something to whine about, and he's found his new whine-binky in Drew. It's ridiculous.

[mvp 78]

@Sean_McAdam: Red Sox reach agreement with 3 arb-eligibles: Mike Carp ($1.4 million); Junichi Tazawa ($1.275 million); Jonathan Herrera ($1.3 million).

 

@Sean_McAdam: Red Sox now have just one arb-eligible player unsigned: LHP Andrew Miller. #RedSoxTalk

[wyo-sox]

I hope they bring Drew back, especially at a steal that he will be with the way the market unfolded for him this year.

[Spitball]

I hope they bring him back on a fair and reasonable contract. The Red Sox don't want any unhappy campers.

[mvp 78]

I hope they bring him back on a fair and reasonable contract. The Red Sox don't want any unhappy campers.

 

Well, Drew should be pissed at his agent for turning down $14M.

[iortiz]

Well, Drew should be pissed at his agent for turning down $14M.

This.

 

I don't see anyone offering this agin. We'll see though.

[Spudboy]

So if Drew does come back, who gets moved to make salary room? Aren't the Sox hovering around the cap now?

[mvp 78]

So if Drew does come back, who gets moved to make salary room? Aren't the Sox hovering around the cap now?

 

They have about $10M w/o moving anyone. Don't see why they'd offer more than $7.5 to Drew.

[redsoxfan3]

I don't know if it was mentioned previously (I didn't browse through the other pages), but it was reported on MLBTR sometime last week, if I remember correctly, that Drew is open to playing more than SS. I am more open to resigning Drew with him willing to play 3B and 2B as well for several reasons (injuries, under performance, etc.).

[User Name]

Of course he is, now that his options have dwindled to the point where only the Red Sox are a realistic landing point.

[Behindenemylines]

I think Sox go to spring training with Bogaerts and WMB at SS and 3B. If things don't work out early in the season they have money to spend and talent in the minors to trade to fix the holes.

[reYoukilis]

I think Sox go to spring training with Bogaerts and WMB at SS and 3B. If things don't work out early in the season they have money to spend and talent in the minors to trade to fix the holes.

If it doesnt work out theyll wish they had Drew. If they have Drew theyll be able to see WMB's potential and XB's while still ensuring a solid SS in Drew. If they do get Drew itll probably be a one year contract so if WMB and XB fulfill their potential its only a one year loss but at least we'll know and not have the possibility of being left empty handed.

[jacksonianmarch]

There are very few good SS's in the game to begin with and there will be fewer available at the trade deadline. If you don't sign Drew now, you're not gonna get a shot at a player of his caliber at the deadline. That being said, you shouldn't need him. It's Bogaerts' time and you've built enough good will after the improbable title run to give the kid the appropriate time to develop at the big league level