2012

[Spudboy]

Winning ( in most cases ) takes money.

 

The Sox know this.

[a700hitter]

Winning ( in most cases ) takes money.

 

The Sox know this.

Some people think that if the Sox keep playing like garbage and are out of the race at the trading deadline that they will sell off pieces, including possibly Lester. They also think that Lester will not be resigned and the futre will come to Boston in 2015. I think the contrary. If this season continues to be a disatster, fan interest will wane very quickly and that will provide incentive to the FO to keep a fan favorite and established star in Boston. If they win another Championship in 2014 (looking extremely unlikely at this juncture), it will be adios for Lester.

 

If we lose 90 + games and finish last, I would expect ownership to take bold steps to turn the tide -- maybe even go on a spending spree. The 2015 roster will look very different and there will be a few new veterans.

[Palodios]

Some people think that if the Sox keep playing like garbage and are out of the race at the trading deadline that they will sell off pieces, including possibly Lester. They also think that Lester will not be resigned and the futre will come to Boston in 2015. I think the contrary. If this season continues to be a disatster, fan interest will wane very quickly and that will provide incentive to the FO to keep a fan favorite and established star in Boston. If they win another Championship in 2014 (looking extremely unlikely at this juncture), it will be adios for Lester.

 

If we lose 90 + games and finish last, I would expect ownership to take bold steps to turn the tide -- maybe even go on a spending spree. The 2015 roster will look very different and there will be a few new veterans.

 

It sounds like Lester is done talking about an extension right now, and no progress will be made until the offseason. If Lester is looking for a premium price, why not trade him for prospects now, and resign him at the crazy high number in the fall?

[SoxFanForsyth]

Some people think that if the Sox keep playing like garbage and are out of the race at the trading deadline that they will sell off pieces, including possibly Lester. They also think that Lester will not be resigned and the futre will come to Boston in 2015. I think the contrary. If this season continues to be a disatster, fan interest will wane very quickly and that will provide incentive to the FO to keep a fan favorite and established star in Boston. If they win another Championship in 2014 (looking extremely unlikely at this juncture), it will be adios for Lester.

 

If we lose 90 + games and finish last, I would expect ownership to take bold steps to turn the tide -- maybe even go on a spending spree. The 2015 roster will look very different and there will be a few new veterans.

 

I don't know who has been saying that, but I disagree. Is it feasible? Sure. But I highly doubt it happens.

 

The Sox should, however, sell quite a few pieces. Lester, Koji, AJP, Peavy, & Drew to start. Lackey has an option for next year and would be nice to keep around but if you can get a good return for him (or if you can package him with Lester and get an elite prospect) then dish him.

 

There will be new veterans on the club next year, but that's because a lot of the veterans are in the last year of their deals this year. Virtually the entire bullpen will be rolled over. Peavy, Ross, AJP, Drew, Lester, Gomes, etc.

 

I still don't think the Sox will make any huge splashes, though.

 

Next year, I think the lineup you'll see will be something like this:

 

Victorino

Bogearts

Pedroia

Ortiz

Napoli

Betts

Cecchini

Vazquez

Bradley Jr

 

Going to struggle to score runs again, but 2016 could be a massive year.

[a700hitter]

It sounds like Lester is done talking about an extension right now, and no progress will be made until the offseason. If Lester is looking for a premium price, why not trade him for prospects now, and resign him at the crazy high number in the fall?

I think that makes sense, but I don't see them doing that. Also, wouldn't they lose a draft pick if the sign him away from the team they traded him to?

[a700hitter]

I don't know who has been saying that, but I disagree. Is it feasible? Sure. But I highly doubt it happens.

 

The Sox should, however, sell quite a few pieces. Lester, Koji, AJP, Peavy, & Drew to start. Lackey has an option for next year and would be nice to keep around but if you can get a good return for him (or if you can package him with Lester and get an elite prospect) then dish him.

 

There will be new veterans on the club next year, but that's because a lot of the veterans are in the last year of their deals this year. Virtually the entire bullpen will be rolled over. Peavy, Ross, AJP, Drew, Lester, Gomes, etc.

 

I still don't think the Sox will make any huge splashes, though.

 

Next year, I think the lineup you'll see will be something like this:

 

Victorino

Bogearts

Pedroia

Ortiz

Napoli

Betts

Cecchini

Vazquez

Bradley Jr

 

Going to struggle to score runs again, but 2016 could be a massive year.

If they finish dead last or lose 90+ games this year, the lineup will not closely resemble your projected lineup. There will be new veterans in that lineup. You can bank on that.

[sk7326]

I don't know who has been saying that, but I disagree. Is it feasible? Sure. But I highly doubt it happens.

 

The Sox should, however, sell quite a few pieces. Lester, Koji, AJP, Peavy, & Drew to start. Lackey has an option for next year and would be nice to keep around but if you can get a good return for him (or if you can package him with Lester and get an elite prospect) then dish him.

 

There will be new veterans on the club next year, but that's because a lot of the veterans are in the last year of their deals this year. Virtually the entire bullpen will be rolled over. Peavy, Ross, AJP, Drew, Lester, Gomes, etc.

 

I still don't think the Sox will make any huge splashes, though.

 

Next year, I think the lineup you'll see will be something like this:

 

Victorino

Bogearts

Pedroia

Ortiz

Napoli

Betts

Cecchini

Vazquez

Bradley Jr

 

Going to struggle to score runs again, but 2016 could be a massive year.

 

Since punting 2 years of World Series goodwill is desirable. They still have business to attend to this year - the season has been rough, but the AL has been mediocre outside of 2 teams. I think if this is a 90 loss team you will see some substantial changes and veteran signs. When you gouge your fanbase like the Sox do - it is the least you can do. Prospects will be added smartly - like they have this season. The story of their season is about basically 15 wins of production being (Ellsbury, Victorino, Salty) being replaced by bubkus (Bradley, Pierzynski, misc chum in RF).

 

I think promoting Vasquez to start makes sense - he might be worse than AJ offensively but he at least provides a dimension at a serious restaurant quality level. Betts has so much promise that he could help with the outfield thing. The run prevention has largely been good - the question is whether you think they can realistically catch the teams in front of them. The East is a crapshoot - and so there is some merit in continuing to chase.

[Behindenemylines]

6 WHOLE YEARS!!!! The horror!!!

 

I was referring to the 86 years before 2004. There was a lot of suffering for Sox fans. There where many born - lived - and died with out seeing a championship. Based on what the Sox have done in 2014 I take the 2013 as a gift from the baseball gods. Newer, or younger Sox fans have no clue about the suffering prior to 2004.

[sk7326]

I was referring to the 86 years before 2004. There was a lot of suffering for Sox fans. There where many born - lived - and died with out seeing a championship. Based on what the Sox have done in 2014 I take the 2013 as a gift from the baseball gods. Newer, or younger Sox fans have no clue about the suffering prior to 2004.

 

I know about the curse and lived 18 years of that. But the beauty of 2004 is that we could stop thinking in terms of it. For me, seeing 3 titles in the 10 years after Aaron Boone ... I can die in peace regardless of the 2014 season. No team has been more successful in this century than we have - this season has just been a lot of poor luck as much as anything.

 

I have zero patience (since I lived through the Butch Hobson years, and Buckner and Boone) for whining about 2011 or 2012 ... at least in a sense of "suffering" ... I know suffering, this is certainly not it.

[VA Sox Fan]

I know about the curse and lived 18 years of that. But the beauty of 2004 is that we could stop thinking in terms of it. For me, seeing 3 titles in the 10 years after Aaron Boone ... I can die in peace regardless of the 2014 season. No team has been more successful in this century than we have - this season has just been a lot of poor luck as much as anything.

 

I have zero patience (since I lived through the Butch Hobson years, and Buckner and Boone) for whining about 2011 or 2012 ... at least in a sense of "suffering" ... I know suffering, this is certainly not it.

 

Great post! I agree 100%

[seabeachfred]

I know about the curse and lived 18 years of that. But the beauty of 2004 is that we could stop thinking in terms of it. For me, seeing 3 titles in the 10 years after Aaron Boone ... I can die in peace regardless of the 2014 season. No team has been more successful in this century than we have - this season has just been a lot of poor luck as much as anything.

 

I have zero patience (since I lived through the Butch Hobson years, and Buckner and Boone) for whining about 2011 or 2012 ... at least in a sense of "suffering" ... I know suffering, this is certainly not it.

 

Well sk, die in peace if you want to but give yourself another 70-80 years or so before you are taken home. I do know where you're coming from though. The tough part was that I was hoping that we would at least be contending this season instead of what has gone down. Today's first game was encouraging. Can it keep being encouraging the second game too?

[Palodios]

Getting swept by the Cubs pretty much meant the end of this team's year.

 

The Red Sox are 8 games behind on the AL East, 9 games on an AL Wildcard slot.... but they are also only 4 games ahead on the 1st overall draft pick. Who knows, it might be worthwhile to make some strategic trades to get an elite prospect.

[Behindenemylines]

How close do the Sox come to their record they had in 2012? The last place finish will force the FO to make changes to be more competitive in 2015.

[sk7326]

How close do the Sox come to their record they had in 2012? The last place finish will force the FO to make changes to be more competitive in 2015.

 

Depends on whether they rip the team to the studs like they did in 2012. The Red Sox have not suffered the same level of horrendous injury they did in 2012. They will not be fielding a AAA team for 2 months like they did a year ago. The kids have all shown some potential to belong in the bigs - I think 75 wins is a safe over/under pick. I think there is still (no matter the trade deadline result) a decent chance the team can get to 80 wins. Let's put it this way, I think 80 wins is more likely than 69.

[Spudboy]

I really don't see the Sox getting 80 wins. Nothing they are showing me now indicates that they will improve their winning percentage during this season. 70-75 is likely.

[sk7326]

I really don't see the Sox getting 80 wins. Nothing they are showing me now indicates that they will improve their winning percentage during this season. 70-75 is likely.

 

I don't disagree - I will note though if they end up playing a version of the lineup they should have played all season for 2 months, there is a decent chance of playing the rest of this string at an >.500 clip.

[Spudboy]

I don't disagree - I will note though if they end up playing a version of the lineup they should have played all season for 2 months, there is a decent chance of playing the rest of this string at an >.500 clip.

 

I'd love to see this. But at this point I believe that it may be just wishful thinking.