2014 Offseason Thread

[cp176]

I am curious to see if he (jbj) fits into their plans. No longer is it his position to lose. He is going to have to win it. I like the kid but I would be surprised to see him in Fenway when the season begins.

[seabeachfred]

I know that Theo had a cult-like following, but he did some really wierd things in his tenure. Do you remember that he rented an entire hotel to try to nail down signing Jose Contreras and when he failed to sign him, he allegedly through chairs around. Then there was the hissy fit. Even after he left he acted inappropriately by asking to use his old office. If someone leaves your organizatio for a competitor, the former employer shouldn't let you on the premises unless you are accompanied at all times by an employee.

 

I also thought Epstein was out of sorts his last year or so with the Red Sox. I also believe, though this is only my opinion, that he wasn't all that gung ho about signing Gonzales and Crawford. In a Chicago Tribune story I read the weekend I was there watching the Cubs and Red Sox go at it, Theo lamented that he wanted to build a new and great Red Sox team around our best prospects. He mentioned Rizzo, Pedroia, Middlebrooks and that guy we traded to the Tigers (sorry senior moment and forgot his name) as the building block to our next great infield. In Francona's book, Terry pretty much backed up what Theo said when meddler Werner complained that the team needed "sexy" ballplayers in o rder to drive up the TV ratings. I don't know what was so sexy about Gonzales and Crawford but that off season Theo signed one and traded for the other. I think what Epstein is doing in Chi Town is what he wanted to do in Boston all along, though, again, that is only my opinion.

[seabeachfred]

Before the Crawford signing many on this board were clamoring for Jason Werth.

 

He was said to be a much better fit for the Sox. I was glad the Gonzo deal was made at the time. His spray chart and swing made perfect sense for Fenway. I was a huge Crawford fan having watched him play well against the Sox. Boy was I wrong. What a creep and sissy-boy he is.

 

He hasn't changed much in LA either Spud, but he did his 300 for the Dodgers last season. However, it was as unproductive 300 as could be imagined.

[Palodios]

He's a twit. He walked away from his dream job for his favorite team.

 

Chicago is a massive market with a rabid fanbase. If they start winning, they can probably afford a payroll in the Yankee/Dodger tier. You have mentioned you don't like what he has done there so far, but that farm system is insane, and he just fleeced Ben for Lester, and Tampa for Maddon.

[a700hitter]

Chicago is a massive market with a rabid fanbase. If they start winning, they can probably afford a payroll in the Yankee/Dodger tier. You have mentioned you don't like what he has done there so far, but that farm system is insane, and he just fleeced Ben for Lester, and Tampa for Maddon.

He's still a twit for asking out of his contract to leave his dream job for his favorite team. I can't even think of an analogy to describe it. He's a fool in my book. I don't care what he does in Chicago.

[User Name]

I'm sure he's very worried about what you think about him while counting his millions, enjoying his total power over the franchise he works for, and building the next great Cubs team.

[Kimmi]

He's a twit. He walked away from his dream job for his favorite team.

 

 

I would have too.

 

First and most importantly, I wouldn't be able to continue to work for someone like Lucchino, whose philosophies about building a team were so inherently different than mine.

 

Second, the Chicago job offers new challenges that would be inviting to any GM, especially having already won 2 WS in Boston.

 

Third, the autonomy he has in Chicago has to be appealing.

 

I blame Lucchino.

[Kimmi]

Chicago is a massive market with a rabid fanbase. If they start winning, they can probably afford a payroll in the Yankee/Dodger tier. You have mentioned you don't like what he has done there so far, but that farm system is insane, and he just fleeced Ben for Lester, and Tampa for Maddon.

 

Well, Maddon is a self-important twit.

[a700hitter]

I would have too.

 

First and most importantly, I wouldn't be able to continue to work for someone like Lucchino, whose philosophies about building a team were so inherently different than mine.

 

Second, the Chicago job offers new challenges that would be inviting to any GM, especially having already won 2 WS in Boston.

 

Third, the autonomy he has in Chicago has to be appealing.

 

I blame Lucchino.

I have outlived some of my bosses in my current job, which is not a dream job. Theo had youth on his side.

[a700hitter]

Well, Maddon is a self-important twit.

Agreed. He thinks he is a genius.

[a700hitter]

Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski tells Ken Davidoff of the New York Post that his team is “probably not” going to sign Max Scherzer.* “We’ve been in a situation where we’re pretty well set with our starting pitching,” Dombrowski said. “We’ve got five starters that we’re comfortable [with]. I guess you never tell what happens, but we’re not in any type of active pursuit of any other pitching right now.”* Dombrowski has consistently made statements of this type all winter, though there have been whispers that Scherzer could wind up back in Detroit thanks to the relationship between Scott Boras and Mike Ilitch.

Now that the Tigers and every big market team has formally or informally withdrawn from the Sherzer Sweepstakes, I guess that he will have to catch on with an Independent League or Japan.

[Palodios]

Now that the Tigers and every big market team has formally or informally withdrawn from the Sherzer Sweepstakes, I guess that he will have to catch on with an Independent League or Japan.

 

The longer this goes on, the more likely the Red Sox sign an ace. The same thing happened with Drew last year, albeit with not so great results.

[cp176]

I really wasn't surprised with the Stephen Drew situation and resolution. Scherzer probably wants more than he will get but to me it seems odd and not easily understandable why there hasn't been more action. Not everyone will want to wait until 2016 to pick a winner. How long before collusion starts being discussed. Someone is going to wind up with a great pitcher. It's an interesting story.

[BSN07]

I really wasn't surprised with the Stephen Drew situation and resolution. Scherzer probably wants more than he will get but to me it seems odd and not easily understandable why there hasn't been more action. Not everyone will want to wait until 2016 to pick a winner. How long before collusion starts being discussed. Someone is going to wind up with a great pitcher. It's an interesting story.

 

No GM wants to be the next Boras victim lol

[Elktonnick]

The longer this goes on, the more likely the Red Sox sign an ace. The same thing happened with Drew last year, albeit with not so great results.

 

The Sox appear to be in a stare down with the Phillies over Hamels. So there is a possibility that the Phils may decide that something is better than nothing and come down in their demands. The Scherzer market may not be as hot as Boras previously thought. Teams appear to be resisting his demands. While Boras is still the best agent at getting his clients what they want, he doesn't seem to be as successful as he has been in years past. In any case, I agree that the longer this goes on without a deal for either Hamels or Scherzer the more likely one could end up in a Boston uniform. For that matter, the same goes for Shields whom I think is the least desirable of the three.

Edited January 16, 2015 by Elktonnick

[Spudboy]

I am a proud, card-carrying Theo groupie.

 

Simply put, he's the man.

 

I have nothing bad to say about Theo. To some extent he adopted responsibility for a fairly well build team. However he did make moves that shored up the defense and brought in a lights out closer and burner that help put the team over the top.

 

As a native Boston fan from Newton, I feel some commonality with Theo ( a Brookline boy ). And I love his passion for the game. Even the most ardent of Theo detractors should acknowledge that Theo is a very intelligent, well educated baseball junkie.

[Spudboy]

He hasn't changed much in LA either Spud, but he did his 300 for the Dodgers last season. However, it was as unproductive 300 as could be imagined.

 

I only get snippets about Crawford. I understand that he is in and out of the lineup with assorted ailments. At one point this past season he was the 4th outfielder.

 

Imagine paying $21. mil. + for a bench warmer.

 

I have lost all respect for the guy because of the way he acted here and the verbal diarrhea he has spewed about Boston since he was traded.

 

The guy was one of the best professional athletes in North America. Now he is a never was ass clown.

[Palodios]

I have lost all respect for the guy because of the way he acted here and the verbal diarrhea he has spewed about Boston since he was traded.

 

Crawford still talks sorely about the Red Sox -- he clearly hasn't been able to move on. You would think he would be more grateful to a team that paid him 40 million to do absolutely nothing.

[Elktonnick]

Crawford should never signed with Boston. He was a big big fish in a very small baseball market in Tampa St Pete. For most of his early career he could no wrong on a club where fan expectations were very low. Then he comes to Boston where, like Renteria before, he simply didn't have the emotional mettle to handle the spotlight. I can't understand his attitude today. I agree he should be grateful and thank his lucky star that he was paid so much for doing so little. A class act would know when to simply shut up. Crawford isn't a class act.

[cp176]

The Sox appear to be in a stare down with the Phillies over Hamels. So there is a possibility that the Phils may decide that something is better than nothing and come down in their demands. The Scherzer market may not be as hot as Boras previously thought. Teams appear to be resisting his demands. While Boras is still the best agent at getting his clients what they want, he doesn't seem to be as successful as he has been in years past. In any case, I agree that the longer this goes on without a deal for either Hamels or Scherzer the more likely one could end up in a Boston uniform. For that matter, the same goes for Shields whom I think is the least desirable of the three.

 

Does look like the Phils are going to have to require a bit less than they want if they are going to move Hamels. I think that you are right. Sox are waiting for the right deal before they pull the trigger. I think that we deal from a very strong position this time around. Scherzer would be the real find for me I guess. Personally I might even prefer Shields to Hamels. you are going to pay either way. Hamels costs you people as well.

[Palodios]

The Tigers just paid 20 million for Price's last arbitration year. They're looking to be significantly over their previous max salary totals, and may even nudge against the luxury tax. They might not be able to afford Max-Price.

[Elktonnick]

If one takes the Detroit GM at his word (a very risking proposition as all GMs tend to shade the truth) it may appear that the Tigers realize they can't have both and prefer Price.

[BSN07]

If one takes the Detroit GM at his word (a very risking proposition as all GMs tend to shade the truth) it may appear that the Tigers realize they can't have both and prefer Price.

 

Boras may like to blow smoke but he's right in this is an ownership level choice on Scherzer. DD can say all he wants but if Detroit's owner says do it he will have no say in the matter. It's probably one of the big factors in why there is little buzz in the media on Scherzer. Boras is dealing directly with owners and when doing that leaks are far less likely as most owners aren't flapping their gums to the media about negotiations.

Edited January 16, 2015 by BSN07

[mvp 78]

I'll be shocked if Max signs for less than 175M.

[BSN07]

I'll be shocked if Max signs for less than 175M.

 

I think he get's marginally more than Tanaka. Like 7/180M.

[seabeachfred]

The longer this goes on, the more likely the Red Sox sign an ace. The same thing happened with Drew last year, albeit with not so great results.

 

Drew was destined to come back to the Red Sox from the first day of FA in the fall of 2013. I said so from the start and knew that Farrell had a hard on for the guy. The signing in May was a panic choke job by Cherington and not only was it a total mistake, Drew was a total flop for the team----and so was he with the Yankees. Scherzer is a top quality starting pitcher, an ace, and to me some team is going to strike it rich in getting him. To me, he can be the difference maker for the Red Sox if the team would be willing to put up the cash. I see that we seem to be back in the Hamels soap opera again, and here I think Cherington is handling it just fine. Amaro isn't getting Betts or Swihart according to Ben and I hope he sticks by those guns of his. There are other prospects that Amaro should be willing to take for Hamels and if not from us, let him try elsewhere. He won't do any better.

[seabeachfred]

Crawford should never signed with Boston. He was a big big fish in a very small baseball market in Tampa St Pete. For most of his early career he could no wrong on a club where fan expectations were very low. Then he comes to Boston where, like Renteria before, he simply didn't have the emotional mettle to handle the spotlight. I can't understand his attitude today. I agree he should be grateful and thank his lucky star that he was paid so much for doing so little. A class act would know when to simply shut up. Crawford isn't a class act.

 

Crawford is a total *******, a moaner and complainer who should try and put his miserable time in Boston behind him as all Red Sox fans have since the guy was a total turd in his time here. The guy is injury prone and it he didn't have that bloated untradeable contract Kemp most likely would still be with the Dodgers. Crawford's signing ruined any chances of the Sox holding onto Ellsbury and in muy opinion Carl isn't worth a worn out scab on Jacoby's ass.

[cp176]

Someone is going to pony up the big bucks pretty soon. If it were to be the Sox, based around the moves they have already made, could be a very powerful team for a long time.

[seabeachfred]

Someone is going to pony up the big bucks pretty soon. If it were to be the Sox, based around the moves they have already made, could be a very powerful team for a long time.

 

CP, I really hope it is us. Then we could use some of the outfield surplus and a prospect or two to get us a couple of knock down relievers. I know we have a large contingent of them already but some are very questionable and a good bullpen with the rotation we have would help us immeasurably I think.

[cp176]

CP, I really hope it is us. Then we could use some of the outfield surplus and a prospect or two to get us a couple of knock down relievers. I know we have a large contingent of them already but some are very questionable and a good bullpen with the rotation we have would help us immeasurably I think.

 

It's an opportunity that does not come along all that often. #1-you have already strengthened your team #2-you have a number of very tradeable players - They won't all go to Pawtucket #3-you have the money to sign the player that could be a major difference maker.

 

It is an important time I think for the franchise. It really looks like they are close to putting a team on the field that could be very good for a long time. The potential is there to end all discussion of whether or not they will compete every year. I think that we will learn a lot about this organization over the next few days, weeks, or months.