Lackey to the Cardinals

[jad]

Ticket prices are not directly related to salaries. They are set to produce maximum revenue (duh! not to match salaries) and thus depend solely on what people are willing to pay. They would be exactly the same if players were making half what they are making and would be exactly the same if player salaries tripled.

[a700hitter]

I am not following this. ^ Had there been a discussion of how ticket prices are set?

[Spudboy]

Lol.

[jad]

I am not following this. ^ Had there been a discussion of how ticket prices are set?

 

Yes. See above.

[a700hitter]

Yes. See above.

 

Other than your post, I didn't see other posts discussing ticket prices.

[rician blast]

Ticket prices are not directly related to salaries. They are set to produce maximum revenue (duh! not to match salaries) and thus depend solely on what people are willing to pay. They would be exactly the same if players were making half what they are making and would be exactly the same if player salaries tripled.

 

I get your point, but there's a caveat...if, for instance, the Sox salaries were 1/2 of what they are while other teams held their salaries at current levels, the Sox would have a poor product (2014 would be the norm) and fans would not be willing to pay the current prices. There are interconnections between payroll, the product on the field, ticket prices, etc.

[a700hitter]

The Red Sox are not going to lower their ticket prices. Ticket sales at the current prices are built into their revenue projections, but the truth of the matter is when people pay premium prices for a product they expect premium quality. A 90+ loss team is not a quality product. If they have horseshit seasons like this too frequently, people will not go to the games in the large numbers to which the organization has become accustomed. Their revenue stream will start to fall short of their projections. They will in response take actions to improve the revenue stream, i.e., construct successful teams within a reasonable budget (much higher than that of most teams) to maintain their revenues. They have no choice but to put out a competitve product, because they don't want to hurt their profits. s***** small market teams charge less for tickets necessitating smaller payrolls so they can make money. People in these smaller markets have lower average incomes, but they are still willing to plunk down $10 to see a losing team. In a big market like Boston where incomes are higher, the consumer still has a price point at which he/she will not be willing to pay to see a lousy team. Those people could opt for an enjoyable dinner in a fancy restaurant for their $200 instead of watching a frustrating poorly played game by the Sox. It's not that complicated of a concept. Different cities have different markets. The teams in those markets set their ticket prices at a price point that will optimize revenue. Why the heck are we discussing ticket prices anyway? This is a sports talk forum. We should be talking about the product on the field and how to improve it.

[Bellhorn04]

The Red Sox have demonstrated once again that they're willing to make some fairly aggressive moves in the attempt to improve the product. $70 million plus for Castillo is not chump change.

 

But they need results and fast. 2015 cannot be a losing season. 3 out of 4 losing seasons for a team with their resources really would be an embarrassment.

[Palodios]

What was the Red Sox's biggest need this season? The outfield. What did the Red Sox address? The outfield, with three big name acquisitions at respectable value.

 

What is the Red Sox's biggest need this offseason? What do you think they're going to address this offseason?

 

We'll see a much better team next year.

[Spudboy]

The Sox outfield is still an area of need.

 

It needs to be healthy and it needs to perform.

 

I don't confuse quantity with quality.

 

Maybe the Sox will purge some of their new-found outfield "depth" while addressing the off seasons greatest need. The Rotation.

 

Then maybe they will address the left side of the infield.

[Behindenemylines]

The Sox outfield is still an area of need.

 

It needs to be healthy and it needs to perform.

 

I don't confuse quantity with quality.

 

Maybe the Sox will purge some of their new-found outfield "depth" while addressing the off seasons greatest need. The Rotation.

 

Then maybe they will address the left side of the infield.

 

The outfield production has been terrible in 2014. Cespedes has been a positive pickup. His power and ability to drive in runs will be greatly welcomed. He will be part of the 2015 outfield unless the Sox can some how get Stanton from the Marlins. It looks like Castillo will be the CF in 2015. The other spot I'm not sure of at this time. It possible it could be someone that is not even on the roster yet.

[seabeachfred]

The Red Sox are not going to lower their ticket prices. Ticket sales at the current prices are built into their revenue projections, but the truth of the matter is when people pay premium prices for a product they expect premium quality. A 90+ loss team is not a quality product. If they have horseshit seasons like this too frequently, people will not go to the games in the large numbers to which the organization has become accustomed. Their revenue stream will start to fall short of their projections. They will in response take actions to improve the revenue stream, i.e., construct successful teams within a reasonable budget (much higher than that of most teams) to maintain their revenues. They have no choice but to put out a competitve product, because they don't want to hurt their profits. s***** small market teams charge less for tickets necessitating smaller payrolls so they can make money. People in these smaller markets have lower average incomes, but they are still willing to plunk down $10 to see a losing team. In a big market like Boston where incomes are higher, the consumer still has a price point at which he/she will not be willing to pay to see a lousy team. Those people could opt for an enjoyable dinner in a fancy restaurant for their $200 instead of watching a frustrating poorly played game by the Sox. It's not that complicated of a concept. Different cities have different markets. The teams in those markets set their ticket prices at a price point that will optimize revenue. Why the heck are we discussing ticket prices anyway? This is a sports talk forum. We should be talking about the product on the field and how to improve it.

 

This Castillo guy is not rated as highly as Abreu or Cespedes or even those Cubans the Cubs signed. That $70 million could have been held to try and sign Lester this off season. Now that is probably out the window---if it was ever a reality. We need starting pitching and Webster and Workman are not them. And Prune Face has to stop acting like we're a small market team. If he is going to spend money spend it where we need it. And let's pray together that Castillo doesn't turn out to be a total washout like Bogaerts---and that is exactly what he is, a total choker of a washout.

[seabeachfred]

What was the Red Sox's biggest need this season? The outfield. What did the Red Sox address? The outfield, with three big name acquisitions at respectable value.

 

What is the Red Sox's biggest need this offseason? What do you think they're going to address this offseason?

 

We'll see a much better team next year.

 

Sounds nice Pal but where are we going to get top quality pitching? Prune Face will not sign anyone 30 or over and there aren't any available that I know of except maybe Hamels who would cost us a fortune----and that concerns me too because we may have to part with people like Betts and Swihart to get someone like that. The fact is as good a catcher as Vazquez is he is a very weak hitter while Swihart is almost as good defensively and a world apart from Vaz as a hitter. The same goes for Betts. Bradley would not make a good scab on Mookie's ass as a ballplayer. Our only hope is that Pruney reignites his brain and goes all out to get Jon back on our team and add Shields as a No. 2. If not, we will not be much better next season. WE NEED SOLID STARTING PITCHING and Webster and Workman aren't it. They are crapola.

[example1]

And let's pray together that Castillo doesn't turn out to be a total washout like Bogaerts---and that is exactly what he is, a total choker of a washout.

 

Bogaerts has been terrible, but that doesn't warrant writing off the youngest qualified player in the major leagues. He's on a terrible team. He's switched positions. All in a city where people like you question the ability of even the best major league talents to "handle the pressure". Unless he's traded for an elite talent like Tulo or Stanton you will most likely be seeing Xander in the lineup on a nightly basis for the next 5 years. Most teams would want him.

[a700hitter]

Bogaerts has been terrible, but that doesn't warrant writing off the youngest qualified player in the major leagues. He's on a terrible team. He's switched positions. All in a city where people like you question the ability of even the best major league talents to "handle the pressure". Unless he's traded for an elite talent like Tulo or Stanton you will most likely be seeing Xander in the lineup on a nightly basis for the next 5 years. Most teams would want him.

Maybe Holt will be the SS in 2015. I think that is his natural position. Plus, XB's fielding was not impressive at SS.

 

What do you think of Bradley's future prospects with the Red Sox? It seems that he missed his opportunity. With the Sox signing Castillo, obtaining Cespedes and Craig, and converting Betts to the OF, there is no room for Bradley. Let's not forget that we still have Victorino too.

[Northern Star]

Victorino can't stay on the field and should be an afterthought at this point.

[Spudboy]

Unfortunately the odd man out will likely be Nava.

 

Who knows if Victorino will return to form and compete for a starting role.

 

Maybe Castillo will start 2015 in the minors?

 

Will Craig hit again?

 

There are many moving parts in the Sox outfield.

[a700hitter]

Victorino can't stay on the field and should be an afterthought at this point.

if they are going to pay him $13 million in 2015, they are going to have him in their plans unless they trade him.

[seabeachfred]

Bogaerts has been terrible, but that doesn't warrant writing off the youngest qualified player in the major leagues. He's on a terrible team. He's switched positions. All in a city where people like you question the ability of even the best major league talents to "handle the pressure". Unless he's traded for an elite talent like Tulo or Stanton you will most likely be seeing Xander in the lineup on a nightly basis for the next 5 years. Most teams would want him.

 

Ex---I was at the Home Opening Series in April and saw in Bogaerts something that froze the hell out of me. When I came back home I wrote a missive hear that this guy was a potential choker---and got called out for it. The fact is he is not a potential choker, he is a definite one. He is the Webster of the regular lineup---a guy with the deer in the headlights look whenever he comes to the plate with runners on base. That is mostly not a correctable problem because it addresses toughness and resiliency and Drew's insertion into the lineup back in May (a disastrous decision if there ever was one and I said so at nauseam) completely discombobulated Xander. He has been totally useless since and I don't expect much improvement if any when he gets back into the starting lineup tonight. Yes, he is very young and perhaps he needed a year or to at Pawtucket, but the team should have been aware from the get-go that he had trouble handling the bat when runners were on base----a 120 average in such conditions is proof positive of that. He may make me eat my words but IMHO if we have a chance to trade this guy we should jump at it because I don't think he is ever going to be the player we thought he would be.

[Spudboy]

XB belongs back in Pawtucket and should have been there all season. The Sox promoted him far too soon.

 

The problem is, who plays shortstop? Combine this question with Middlebrooks continued failure to demonstrate any consistency at the plate ( combined with so-so defense at 3rd ), the left side infield continues to be a gaping hole ( actually two ) for the Sox.

 

Cechini has been red hot in August and will most likely be brought up for another cup of coffee in September. Could he be ready to start the 2015 season at 3rd for the Sox? I doubt it. Mererro is a wiz defensively at SS but can't hit much higher than Mendoza. Yikes!!!!

 

It has been suggested that Betts is being showcased for trade. I hope not. Maybe some combination of Betts at third and Holt at short would work? I don't know.

[seabeachfred]

XB belongs back in Pawtucket and should have been there all season. The Sox promoted him far too soon.

 

The problem is, who plays shortstop? Combine this question with Middlebrooks continued failure to demonstrate any consistency at the plate ( combined with so-so defense at 3rd ), the left side infield continues to be a gaping hole ( actually two ) for the Sox.

 

Cechini has been red hot in August and will most likely be brought up for another cup of coffee in September. Could he be ready to start the 2015 season at 3rd for the Sox? I doubt it. Mererro is a wiz defensively at SS but can't hit much higher than Mendoza. Yikes!!!!

 

It has been suggested that Betts is being showcased for trade. I hope not. Maybe some combination of Betts at third and Holt at short would work? I don't know.

 

Our problem could be possibly solved if Cecchini could have had the kind of year he had the previous two. A red hot August might suffice but like you I like he will start the 2015 back at Pawtucket, but to me he is our next third baseman. I want Betts in CF and Holt at SS. Marrero can't hit worth s*** and we already have a weak hitter at catcher until Swihart is ready and replaces Vazquez, which I certainly hope is in the front office's master plan. We need hitters in that lineup.

[Behindenemylines]

Our problem could be possibly solved if Cecchini could have had the kind of year he had the previous two. A red hot August might suffice but like you I like he will start the 2015 back at Pawtucket, but to me he is our next third baseman. I want Betts in CF and Holt at SS. Marrero can't hit worth s*** and we already have a weak hitter at catcher until Swihart is ready and replaces Vazquez, which I certainly hope is in the front office's master plan. We need hitters in that lineup.

 

Some of the above prospects are going to be used to repair the pitching staff. Castillo will at least get a shot in CF to start 2015. If Betts is still here RF or 3B could be options. Right now he is probably their number one trade chip.

[St. Louis Carter]

Unfortunately the odd man out will likely be Nava.

 

Who knows if Victorino will return to form and compete for a starting role.

 

Maybe Castillo will start 2015 in the minors?

 

Will Craig hit again?

 

There are many moving parts in the Sox outfield.

The answer is yes...if and when his wheels are sound. They're not going to get sound by playing on them. Why in the s*** don't they shut him down for the year?

 

FWI: With the AAA affiliate choked with outfield prospects, and 1B locked down by the only true power hitter in Fats Adams on 1B, it behooved the Cardinals to move either Jon Jay or Craig. I can assure you that it was Jay that we really wanted to move, but I'm also sure that the Sox knew how rotten Jay had become, so that was out. You saw his futility in the WS. (and Craig's heroics)

 

I'm pretty sure the Cards bamboozled the Sox on the deal. That he was injured was never disclosed to us, the fans. If the press new, they kept a lid on it. We were shocked by his performance this year. You see, he had the entire 2012 off season to heal, so we assumed he had.

 

But he didn't, and he played every day this year on that ankle. Cortisone, or whatever treatment he underwent was never disclosed.

 

Ironically, Jay has blown up since the trade, out playing the entire team at the plate and in the field. Batting over .400 and running down everything since August. He would be the NL batting leader if he had enough AB's.

 

At any rate, I'm afraid that whatever is wrong with the Craigen (as in our cry: Release the Craigen!) is very serious, as in "inoperably" serious....I hope not.

[Spudboy]

Recently I read on Boston.com or ESPN Boston that Craig has needed surgery on his foot and he was advised to have it done after the 2013 season. He decided to try the recovery approach instead of the repair approach. So apparently his lousy production is all on him. I read that his left foot can not sustain the pressure of driving through on a swing ( it is the leading foot ).

 

I think that he is stupid not to have the surgery. I expect nothing of substance from him in 2015 unless he has the surgery.

 

We now have a right handed batting Mike Carp. Great! Maybe he will ask for a trade too!

[a700hitter]

Recently I read on Boston.com or ESPN Boston that Craig has needed surgery on his foot and he was advised to have it done after the 2013 season. He decided to try the recovery approach instead of the repair approach. So apparently his lousy production is all on him. I read that his left foot can not sustain the pressure of driving through on a swing ( it is the leading foot ).

 

I think that he is stupid not to have the surgery. I expect nothing of substance from him in 2015 unless he has the surgery.

 

We now have a right handed batting Mike Carp. Great! Maybe he will ask for a trade too!

The guy is a shell of himself. He just looks completely lost at the plate.

[Palodios]

It seems clear to everyone that he needs surgery... except for the Sox.

[a700hitter]

It seems clear to everyone that he needs surgery... except for the Sox.

 

What do the physicals by our medical staff entail? Is it limited to "open wide and ahhh"?

Edited September 8, 2014 by a700hitter

[Spudboy]

What do the physicals by our medical staff entail? Is it limited to "open wide and ahhh"?

 

That makes me wonder!

 

I'm assuming that they MUST have known something. But did they understand the severity of the injury and the impact that it would likely continue to have on his production?

 

So far it seems to me that the Sox just swapped pitchers with the Cards.

[Bellhorn04]

That makes me wonder!

 

I'm assuming that they MUST have known something. But did they understand the severity of the injury and the impact that it would likely continue to have on his production?

 

So far it seems to me that the Sox just swapped pitchers with the Cards.

 

Pretty strange situation with Craig. If it was just an obvious case of needing surgery, you'd think it would have happened while he was still with St. Louis.

[Spudboy]

Pretty strange situation with Craig. If it was just an obvious case of needing surgery, you'd think it would have happened while he was still with St. Louis.

 

Well as I said he apparently either refused to have surgery or 'opted" not to have surgery. The details are sort of vague as far as I can read.