2014 Offseason Thread

[mvp 78]

Trying to discuss civility, objectivity and logic with a700/iortiz is like trying to fit a commercial airplane into a bucket.

 

We're gonna need a bigger bucket.

[a700hitter]

Screw you UN. I don't red your posts so I don't discuss anything with you, but you are apparently obsessed with taking cheap shots at me knowing that I will not respond.

[a700hitter]

As opposed to stuff like "my opinion is objective, everyone else's is clouded by kool aid drinking?"

 

The majority of iortiz's posts are far from civil discussions.

I just asked a couple of questions. Were those uncivil? I don't think so. It's not like I called you a liar.

 

iortiz is always civil with me and almost every other poster. Maybe he'd be civil with you too if you didn't take every opportunity to take a dig at him.

[mvp 78]

Like every post where he degrades others by saying they drink kool aid and suck Ben's ass?

 

He is about as civil as UN, maybe even less so, and you continue to rant about UN even though you have him on ignore.

 

Just stating the facts ma'am.

[mvp 78]

Screw you UN. I don't red your posts so I don't discuss anything with you, but you are apparently obsessed with taking cheap shots at me knowing that I will not respond.

 

But you respond every single time.

[a700hitter]

But you respond every single time.

No, I don't, Brian Williams.

[mvp 78]

Whatever Lance Armstrong!

[a700hitter]

Like every post where he degrades others by saying they drink kool aid and suck Ben's ass?

 

He is about as civil as UN, maybe even less so, and you continue to rant about UN even though you have him on ignore.

 

Just stating the facts ma'am.

And the Society of the miserable? OMG, should they run to the anti-defamation league for the miserable for defending? Stop taking such offense. Us pessimists are considered miserable and the optimists are going to be referred to as FO butt kissers. You need to get past that. If he doesn't name names, why are your panties always getting bunched in knots, maam? It's not like you are in either group, so I don't think that he is referring to you. You are in your own category.

[a700hitter]

But you respond every single time.

Do your fact checking. Look at every shot he takes at me and how often I respond. I doubt that the only shots that he takes at me are the ones that are quoted, and I don't even comment on most of those. If you are going to hurl accusations, be able to back it up. Otherwise, you are acting like a politician.

[iortiz]

I don't believe it. If you did, you didn't post about it on here.

 

I think I did.

[a700hitter]

I think I did.

What MVP made a false accusation when taking a shot? That is pretty much the norm.

[mvp 78]

I think I did.

 

Show me the post. I already read through the 2014 predictions threads. I think you are misremembering.

[mvp 78]

What MVP made a false accusation when taking a shot? That is pretty much the norm.

 

Or me staring fact and being shot down for it because it doesn't fit with your ongoing narrative.

[a700hitter]

Or me staring fact and being shot down for it because it doesn't fit with your ongoing narrative.

 

Narrative? Another of those political words. I thought you don't watch cable news. LOL!! Please state facts and not just make accusations. I am sure that you know the difference. You are a CPA.

[iortiz]

Show me the post. I already read through the 2014 predictions threads. I think you are misremembering.

 

Hahah Chill man... I do not remember where I posted it if so... But trust me.... It is irrelevant.

[User Name]

I see a700 desperately needs some Midol.

[iortiz]

I just asked a couple of questions. Were those uncivil? I don't think so. It's not like I called you a liar.

 

iortiz is always civil with me and almost every other poster. Maybe he'd be civil with you too if you didn't take every opportunity to take a dig at him.

 

I'm reading the last couple of pages and somehow he got angry because I posted my predictions. I think he needs a pill or something.

[sk7326]

Some random predictions:

 

1. Allen Craig becomes a good contract again: .280/.360/.440 sort. There will not be enough at-bats here, but he will shake off the stink of the last season plus

2. We will land a starter. He might not be the sexiest name on the market, but he will be a legitimate upgrade.

2a. I'd put a small but not crazy chance on that starter being David Price. The Tigers are dancing on that's knife's edge. Of the contenders they are the team most likely to have the bottom fall out in a sudden, ugly way. And their system is bone dry.

3. Victorino will bounce back - not to the MVP level of 2013, but to playable. It won't be enough to take ABs from Betts.

4. Bradley will have a spring which will at least give some fodder to the talk show callers. It might be enough to spin him to a team before they break camp.

5. Castillo starts the season in AAA. When he comes up, it will be to play RF.

6. When Buchholz suffers his annual injury in June - Owens will come up. Over under on big league starts = 10

[a700hitter]

Some random predictions:

 

1. Allen Craig becomes a good contract again: .280/.360/.440 sort. There will not be enough at-bats here, but he will shake off the stink of the last season plus

2. We will land a starter. He might not be the sexiest name on the market, but he will be a legitimate upgrade.

2a. I'd put a small but not crazy chance on that starter being David Price. The Tigers are dancing on that's knife's edge. Of the contenders they are the team most likely to have the bottom fall out in a sudden, ugly way. And their system is bone dry.

3. Victorino will bounce back - not to the MVP level of 2013, but to playable. It won't be enough to take ABs from Betts.

4. Bradley will have a spring which will at least give some fodder to the talk show callers. It might be enough to spin him to a team before they break camp.

5. Castillo starts the season in AAA. When he comes up, it will be to play RF.

6. When Buchholz suffers his annual injury in June - Owens will come up. Over under on big league starts = 10

I am curious as to the prediction that Castillo will start the season in AAA. Are you envisioning an Opening Day OF of Betts, Craig and Victorino?

[User Name]

Some random predictions:

 

1. Allen Craig becomes a good contract again: .280/.360/.440 sort. There will not be enough at-bats here, but he will shake off the stink of the last season plus

2. We will land a starter. He might not be the sexiest name on the market, but he will be a legitimate upgrade.

2a. I'd put a small but not crazy chance on that starter being David Price. The Tigers are dancing on that's knife's edge. Of the contenders they are the team most likely to have the bottom fall out in a sudden, ugly way. And their system is bone dry.

3. Victorino will bounce back - not to the MVP level of 2013, but to playable. It won't be enough to take ABs from Betts.

4. Bradley will have a spring which will at least give some fodder to the talk show callers. It might be enough to spin him to a team before they break camp.

5. Castillo starts the season in AAA. When he comes up, it will be to play RF.

6. When Buchholz suffers his annual injury in June - Owens will come up. Over under on big league starts = 10

 

All of those are likely. You're also not alone in the "JBJ has a very real chance to bounce back" camp.

[sk7326]

I am curious as to the prediction that Castillo will start the season in AAA. Are you envisioning an Opening Day OF of Betts, Craig and Victorino?

 

Probably - often in these cases, ties get broken by who has options remaining. Betts has options too, but I think he'd have to really spit the bit to not be starting ... unless the Red Sox are going to sign a guy who was good 9 years ago to start the season in CF again (cough cough)

[User Name]

So the Red Sox didn't sign Hanley Ramirez to play LF?

[mvp 78]

I'm reading the last couple of pages and somehow he got angry because I posted my predictions. I think he needs a pill or something.

 

Atrocious reading comprehension as usual.

[sk7326]

So the Red Sox didn't sign Hanley Ramirez to play LF?

 

They did - but I forgot to notice. Craig's emergence if anything will allow them to talk Napoli too - and I am sure they will.

[a700hitter]

They did - but I forgot to notice. Craig's emergence if anything will allow them to talk Napoli too - and I am sure they will.

So, the starting OF would be Hanley, Victorino, and Craig/Betts with Castillo in AAA?

[User Name]

They did - but I forgot to notice. Craig's emergence if anything will allow them to talk Napoli too - and I am sure they will.

 

This is a point that has been brought up before, and that i think makes sense. One of the reasons i'm not up in arms about them not getting a pitcher, is that they just have so many options with moveable contracts and young, blocked talent that getting a pitcher mid-season from a team falling out of contention seems like a given if they were to need to make a move.

[sk7326]

So, the starting OF would be Hanley, Victorino, and Craig/Betts with Castillo in AAA?

 

Victorino starts in right. His body can barely handle RF, so CF is a non-starter. Craig toggles between LF, RF and 1B - and the Sox use certain lefty matchups to sit Papi and give Hanley a working rest day at DH.

[sk7326]

This is a point that has been brought up before, and that i think makes sense. One of the reasons i'm not up in arms about them not getting a pitcher, is that they just have so many options with moveable contracts and young, blocked talent that getting a pitcher mid-season from a team falling out of contention seems like a given if they were to need to make a move.

 

Along with the apparently reduced price for pitching. Think about it - when we were wee lads, the Red Sox got two cornerstones for the next decade for a mediocre closer at the deadline. The Rays moved a defending Cy Young Winner WITH A FULL SEASON OF CONTROL for a package which was not all that much better. (and yes, I like Smyly too, but you get the idea)

 

I am sure many wonder what a bunch of good but not great controllable outfielders and a bunch of decent but not superstud prospects could fetch - the answer based on last year's trade deadline could very well be more than you think.

[a700hitter]

Along with the apparently reduced price for pitching. Think about it - when we were wee lads, the Red Sox got two cornerstones for the next decade for a mediocre closer at the deadline. The Rays moved a defending Cy Young Winner WITH A FULL SEASON OF CONTROL for a package which was not all that much better. (and yes, I like Smyly too, but you get the idea)

 

I am sure many wonder what a bunch of good but not great controllable outfielders and a bunch of decent but not superstud prospects could fetch - the answer based on last year's trade deadline could very well be more than you think.

 

With 2 wild card teams in each league and parity across baseball, there aren't to many teams that are willing to throw in the towel at mid season. Those teams that are so far out of it that they break up the team may not have any good pitchers in the final years of their contracts. That pool varies from year to year.

[Palodios]

With 2 wild card teams in each league and parity across baseball, there aren't to many teams that are willing to throw in the towel at mid season. Those teams that are so far out of it that they break up the team may not have any good pitchers in the final years of their contracts. That pool varies from year to year.

 

The teams to watch are the Reds, Rays, Rangers, Nationals, White Sox, Tigers, Phillies. Any of those teams who have surprisingly bad seasons will be looking to move some pitchers.