2014 Offseason Thread

[SoxFanForsyth]

For what its worth, the Red Sox have $42mm committed to 2016.

 

That means, if they want to rub against the LT, they have around $130-140mm to spend in 2016.

[a700hitter]

For what its worth, the Red Sox have $42mm committed to 2016.

 

That means, if they want to rub against the LT, they have around $130-140mm to spend in 2016.

I think they would like to make a big signing before tickets go on sale in the first week of December.

[BSN07]

Rumors have Detroit shopping Price to make room for Scherzer. Sox should be all over that imo. From what I've read they are looking for a COF and a SP under control and/or BP piece. Cepedes+ SP and maybe a low level lotto ticket may work well for both teams.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Rumors have Detroit shopping Price to make room for Scherzer. Sox should be all over that imo. From what I've read they are looking for a COF and a SP under control and/or BP piece. Cepedes+ SP and maybe a low level lotto ticket may work well for both teams.

 

I would trade Cespedes, Margot, and Owens or Rodriguez instantly for Price.

[dupree]

f*** price... extend Cespedes.

[Spudboy]

I think they would like to make a big signing before tickets go on sale in the first week of December.

 

Yup. A "sexy" signing to draw the masses.

[Spudboy]

Trading for Price would be interesting. He is one of THE best pitchers in the game and is very proven in the AL East. Unlike Hammels.

 

I don't like the idea of sending two decent or upper level pitching prospects in return, though.

[Spudboy]

For what its worth, the Red Sox have $42mm committed to 2016.

 

That means, if they want to rub against the LT, they have around $130-140mm to spend in 2016.

 

That's all nice to know. Especially since the free agent market will be loaded compared to this year.

 

The Sox can do what they want this year too. They have the chips and money under the cap as you have reminded us. I just hope that they use it wisely.

[seabeachfred]

I was reacting to a report that the Red Sox made an aggressive offer. I don't think their offer will be close to what it takes to sign him. I would have called it an I itial offer or an opening offer. It doesn't seem aggressive at all.

 

It isn't an aggressive offer and only the front office bootlickers and ball washers would insist it is. Lester's solid season this past year has raised his value way beyond what he was willing to sign for after the 2013 WS. At this rate I think I'm saying fairly certain that Jon will NOT be pitching for us next season unless two things happen. One, he doesn't get an offer he cannot refuse and is still in the race, and, two, the Red Sox get their heads out of their asses and make an offer than is not the insulting one they just offered him. Yes, some say it was only an "initial" offer but I can say right now that other teams saw what the Sox offered that they can raise the ante and risk that we'll come up empty again as we usually do with key free agents.

[seabeachfred]

Get out of here with all those facts! sbf needs his ammo to continually harangue the FO.

 

How about these facts. He strikes out close to 40% of the time, he is piss poor fielder and he is one fat and overweight huey. Besides that the Blue Jays discarded him without even trying to trade him. What does that tell you Reb? Does he seem the type who we need to climb out of the cellar. BTW, where have you been?

[seabeachfred]

New report coming out that the Red Sox are moving on from Hamels. Apparently the 110 million + Xander +Mookie+ Owens deal that Amaro is asking for is too much. If I was a Philly fan, I would be calling for his head.

 

Pal, if that is what Amaro wants, then let him go to hell. No way!!!!!! He is a dead GM walking and when the sleepwalker Phillies owner emerges from his slumber and realizes what a total turd his GM is. However, we are now in an even deeper puddle of urine. No Hamels, Lester probably going elsewhere where he can get a bigger and more deserving contract, put us in a tougher spot for those two top pitchers we need. What now? Scherzer? Any one out there thinks the Sox would match the offers he is going to get? So while passing on Hamels at the present time is a wise move if that is what Amaro wants, we had better call Jon back and give him a much better offer than we just did. Hummel, Santana or Masterson anyone? How does third place sound next season?

[seabeachfred]

By the way, does anyone here believe that the Cards and Braves are serious players for Lester?

 

Yes, I realize that Lester makes the Atlanta area his off-season home.

 

Do either of these teams have the budget and balls to make the kind of deal it will take to get Lester?

 

I don't thinks so. But I would not discount the probability of Theo and the Cubs dropping a big offer on Lester.

 

And Fred, Lester could still end up in pinstripes. However, If the Yankees are going to sign a big name pitcher this off season, I bet it is Sherzer. Or maybe even both of them! Hahahahaha!!

 

Well Spud, I made my opinion on what's going on very clear in my previous posts, but since you're one of my pals on this board let me admit that I really don't know what the hell is going on with these behind the scenes moves and am only guessing. However, the way we dealt with Jon Lester last Spring and that supposed offer we just gave him makes me very pessimistic that we are going to be able to sign him. Now that as Palodios puts it that we are moving away from Hamels (justified if that bum Amaro is really asking for what he is) and most likely will lose Lester, where does that put us? We cannot win a division title next year with band aids like Masterson and Santana types augmenting Kelly and the Faberge Egg. Well, maybe by next month things will be looking up. You think?

[Palodios]

How about these facts. He strikes out close to 40% of the time, he is piss poor fielder and he is one fat and overweight huey.

 

You know who else strikes out 40% of the time? Adam Dunn in his prime. It didn't stop him from hitting tons of home runs and driving in runs. Juan Francisco is not this team's starting 3B next year. However, he fills two of the team's needs : power against RHP, and a third baseman.

 

Here are some interesting numbers:

 

Sandoval's OPS : .279/.324/.415/.739

 

Juan Francisco's OPS v. RHP .238/.306/.504/.810

 

Plus one of these guys...

 

Brock Holt's 2014 OPS v. LHP .293/.343/.421/.763

Will Middlebrooks career OPS v. LHP .261/.315/.443/.758

 

 

If the Red Sox decide to go for Lester + Scherzer, and need to cut money elsewhere, I don't see a platoon at 3B being a bad idea here. Best case scenario, one of those three guys puts it all together and becomes the complete package, which I don't think is completely out of the question.

[SoxFanForsyth]

You know who else strikes out 40% of the time? Adam Dunn in his prime. It didn't stop him from hitting tons of home runs and driving in runs. Juan Francisco is not this team's starting 3B next year. However, he fills two of the team's needs : power against RHP, and a third baseman.

 

Here are some interesting numbers:

 

Sandoval's OPS : .279/.324/.415/.739

 

Juan Francisco's OPS v. RHP .238/.306/.504/.810

 

Plus one of these guys...

 

Brock Holt's 2014 OPS v. LHP .293/.343/.421/.763

Will Middlebrooks career OPS v. LHP .261/.315/.443/.758

 

 

If the Red Sox decide to go for Lester + Scherzer, and need to cut money elsewhere, I don't see a platoon at 3B being a bad idea here. Best case scenario, one of those three guys puts it all together and becomes the complete package, which I don't think is completely out of the question.

 

Comparing OPS of the two guys is meaningless given the divisions and the parks.

 

Sandoval was a 3 win player last year (fWar) and Francisco was a 0.7 win player.

 

Going with a Sandoval - Middlebrooks platoon would result in probably 30 HR pop from the left side but 35%+ K%, extremely low OBP, and there is no way on Gods green earth that you can convince me that Middlebrooks and Francisco are going to be effective enough of a platoon to knock Holt, Craig, or Victorino off this roster.

 

The Sox can't use two roster spots for 3B/1B combo. You need way more versatility than that. And you can't have 1 OF reserve. So what is your bench? You have 3 slots and a C. You need two OF of Vic, Craig, And Nava.

 

It just doesn't add up. The Sox would be screwing themselves in terms of versatility and middle infield depth.

 

Like where your head is, thinking outside the box, but I think this one might be a dud.

[InfernoOrangeSS]

How about these facts. He strikes out close to 40% of the time, he is piss poor fielder and he is one fat and overweight huey. Besides that the Blue Jays discarded him without even trying to trade him. What does that tell you Reb? Does he seem the type who we need to climb out of the cellar. BTW, where have you been?

 

First off, I agree with you. That post was only in jest at you making every post you make here a slam on the FO or anyone who says anything remotely in agreement with the FO.

 

I have been a bit busy recently. Slight change in my duties at work, and my first child was born yesterday. (A little girl so precious that most things I once thought important only pale in comparison.)

 

Who is reb?

[SoxFanForsyth]

First off, I agree with you. That post was only in jest at you making every post you make here a slam on the FO or anyone who says anything remotely in agreement with the FO.

 

I have been a bit busy recently. Slight change in my duties at work, and my first child was born yesterday. (A little girl so precious that most things I once thought important only pale in comparison.)

 

Who is reb?

 

Massive, enormous, humongous congratulations to you! My wife and I had our first on 8/21, a daughter as well.

 

It's the best, I can't even come up with words to describe it, it's just simply the best.

 

Hope you got a good sleeper!! If you guys are planning on swaddling, we tried using those swaddle blankets by Aden and Anais, but she kept squirming out of them and the blanket would end up around her face in the middle of the night (some serious freak outs occurred) so we then bought these sleep sack/swaddle blanket combos (link at bottom). They are great because they are Velcro so she can't wiggle out of them, the blanket won't go around her face, and she has plenty of room to kick her legs (one issue people have with swaddling is that if you swaddle the legs too tight and they can't kick, it can cause hip problems, so the fact that this is a sleep sack with tons of room in the legs is absolutely ideal, maybe Jackso can touch on this from an orthopedic standpoint). Anyway, it's the one thing I would buy for anyone having a baby.

 

Good luck buddy!! And don't forget, no baby ever died from crying. When you get pushed past the brink of frustration at 2 am (and you can will), and the baby is wailing, put her down and walk away. And every single parent feels that same way where the cries make you insane, so don't feel bad for feeling this way (nobody ever told me that).

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003E6OBMA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1416578512&sr=1-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

[Palodios]

Going with a Sandoval - Middlebrooks platoon would result in probably 30 HR pop from the left side but 35%+ K%, extremely low OBP, and there is no way on Gods green earth that you can convince me that Middlebrooks and Francisco are going to be effective enough of a platoon to knock Holt, Craig, or Victorino off this roster.

 

I wasn't suggesting a Sandoval + WMB platoon. I would probably go with a Francisco/Holt platoon. Holt is already going to be on the roster, and can play super-sub if necessary. Middlebrooks and Cecchini would start in the minors, and if either ends up ready to take over, they can.

 

It just doesn't add up. The Sox would be screwing themselves in terms of versatility and middle infield depth.

 

Platoons are always painful on the roster spot, but we no longer need to worry about the Gomes/Nava spot in LF. I'm willing to cut ties with Craig, the guy looks done. OF is Cespedes, Castillo, Mookie. Bench is Nava, Vic, Holt, and whoever they sign for backup catcher. If Cespedes is willing to play RF, this team has many versatile players that can move into a variety of spots. Nava at 1B/LF, Vic at any OF, Mookie at any OF and 2B/SS, Holt in the infield.

 

Just to be clear, this is only a strategy I prefer if the Red Sox go spend 300 million on Scherzer + Lester and need to save money. If they sign McCarthy and Masterson, this strategy is not acceptable.

[a700hitter]

I wasn't suggesting a Sandoval + WMB platoon. I would probably go with a Francisco/Holt platoon. Holt is already going to be on the roster, and can play super-sub if necessary.

Both Francisco and Holt bat left-handed.

[BSN07]

Both Francisco and Holt bat left-handed.

Was gonna say this too. Maybe it's a new age platoon lol

[SoxFanForsyth]

Yeah I meant to say Francisco and Middlebrooks platoon, not Sandoval and Middlebrooks.

 

As for them both being LHH, Pal is saying that Holt has good enough splits vs LHP to merit him playing L on L.

 

Problem is that his numbers v LHP were artifically inflated due to a .388 BABIP. That number will suppress and he will be around a .700 OPS guy v LHP. For Holt's career, he's got a 101 wRC+ vs LHP and that is with a .364 BABIP. You're just getting zero production from him there.

 

Doesn't make sense to me. It just doesn't fit.

[BSN07]

Holt is gonna get plenty of playing time as super sub and shouldn't be platooned. That takes away from his usefulness imo. Pedroia needs to sit more often, I don't care if he does piss and moan, he's got to stretch his career another 7 years and the hand injuries are piling up. Castillo is a rookie and may struggle and Vic makes JD look like Cal Ripken jr. He will get plenty of AB's.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Oh s***. I was really just looking at numbers....Third basemen are complicated-- they always throw lefty even if they are rhh, so their official handedness never seems right.

 

I don't think there is a single left handed throwing 3B in baseball, minors or majors.

[Palodios]

I don't think there is a single left handed throwing 3B in baseball, minors or majors.

 

One of those mornings. Reverse it.

[seabeachfred]

First off, I agree with you. That post was only in jest at you making every post you make here a slam on the FO or anyone who says anything remotely in agreement with the FO.

 

I have been a bit busy recently. Slight change in my duties at work, and my first child was born yesterday. (A little girl so precious that most things I once thought important only pale in comparison.)

 

Who is reb?

 

Congratulations on the birth of your little girl. Girls are wonderful and if loved they return love quadruple to their daddies. I raised a daughter and have a granddaughter too. I prefer girls myself. As for Reb, come on, you're from that great RED state of Alabama. You are a perfect Reb. Anyway, don't be a stranger here. BTW, you a Auburn man or a Crimson Tide fan?

[seabeachfred]

Massive, enormous, humongous congratulations to you! My wife and I had our first on 8/21, a daughter as well.

 

It's the best, I can't even come up with words to describe it, it's just simply the best.

 

Hope you got a good sleeper!! If you guys are planning on swaddling, we tried using those swaddle blankets by Aden and Anais, but she kept squirming out of them and the blanket would end up around her face in the middle of the night (some serious freak outs occurred) so we then bought these sleep sack/swaddle blanket combos (link at bottom). They are great because they are Velcro so she can't wiggle out of them, the blanket won't go around her face, and she has plenty of room to kick her legs (one issue people have with swaddling is that if you swaddle the legs too tight and they can't kick, it can cause hip problems, so the fact that this is a sleep sack with tons of room in the legs is absolutely ideal, maybe Jackso can touch on this from an orthopedic standpoint). Anyway, it's the one thing I would buy for anyone having a baby.

 

Good luck buddy!! And don't forget, no baby ever died from crying. When you get pushed past the brink of frustration at 2 am (and you can will), and the baby is wailing, put her down and walk away. And every single parent feels that same way where the cries make you insane, so don't feel bad for feeling this way (nobody ever told me that).

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003E6OBMA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1416578512&sr=1-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

 

We're all the fathers of daughters.....we ought to form a club SFF. Elktonnick, who sometimes posts here and is a good friend of mine on another board, has FIVE daughters. He's my hero.

[SoxFanForsyth]

We're all the fathers of daughters.....we ought to form a club SFF. Elktonnick, who sometimes posts here and is a good friend of mine on another board, has FIVE daughters. He's my hero.

 

Dad's with Daughters. I like it!

 

Though sometimes it will be a club, sometimes it will be a support group!!

[jd98]

Comparing OPS of the two guys is meaningless given the divisions and the parks.

 

Sandoval was a 3 win player last year (fWar) and Francisco was a 0.7 win player.

 

If you're going to use WAR as your primary 'stat' of comparison, at least use it or extrapolate it for a similar amount of plate appearances, since WAR is cumulative (unless you're trying to include how much a player is injured). The numbers you use are more misleading than Pal's use of OPS.

 

Sandoval is much better defensively, but just looking at offensive WAR, Francisco was 1.1 over about half a season, and Sandoval was 3.0 over full season, so edge to Sandoval, but not a big difference.

 

OPS+ does factor in ball parks, Sandoval was 111, and Francisco was 107, so again edge to Sandoval but not a big difference, and Francisco's would be higher against RHP, but I couldn't find that listed specifically.

 

I'm not trying to make a case for Francisco, but just pointing out that Pal's stats are at least worth considering, and it is wrong just to say they are meaningless and then use WAR over a disparate number of at bats to compare.

[Palodios]

Apparently Lester sold his Newton home yesterday. That's no good.

[sk7326]

First off, I agree with you. That post was only in jest at you making every post you make here a slam on the FO or anyone who says anything remotely in agreement with the FO.

 

I have been a bit busy recently. Slight change in my duties at work, and my first child was born yesterday. (A little girl so precious that most things I once thought important only pale in comparison.)

 

Who is reb?

 

Congrats - I have a 2 year old. Coolest feeling in the world. Hang in there with the newborn. Somewhere a comedian noted "the newborn thing is rough - and just when you are ready to throw your hands up in the air, she smiles back at you. And then you're hooked."

[sk7326]

I would trade Cespedes, Margot, and Owens or Rodriguez instantly for Price.

 

 

For 1 year of Price? No way - and that is much more than what Detroit paid for 2 years of him. I like the idea, but not at that price.