Front office Decisions

[SoxnCycles]

Ok, if the Sox owners don't care that they go over the luxury tax limit this year, why haven't they?

 

One can stamp their feet and hold their breath until they turn blue, but it doesn't change the fact that the Sox do indeed have a budget of some sort.

If the Sox were struggling and fighting the Jays for fourth place in the division, maybe then I'd care about one more move the Sox didn't make over the winter.

I don't care about how much money Henry blows on players, but he obviously does.

[Slasher9]

Going to have to stick to my primary point here - Many of the people who post here. seem to care more about the Red Sox budget than the primary owner does.

i think that it is because the budget is a real thing. it is obvious that JH is staying under the LT threshold this season to reset the tax. other than resetting the tax - do you think there is another reason that the Red Sox didnt go after EE, reigned in DD at the deadline, refuse to put castro on the 40 man?

[SoxnCycles]

i think that it is because the budget is a real thing. it is obvious that JH is staying under the LT threshold this season to reset the tax. other than resetting the tax - do you think there is another reason that the Red Sox didnt go after EE, reigned in DD at the deadline, refuse to put castro on the 40 man?

 

Too busy scraping barnicles off of Henry's yacht?

[Kimmi]

You're right.

 

John Henry pays DD and others to "care one big s*** load" about the budget and taxes, so he doesn't have to.

 

I think it's more of a pride thing than an unwillingness to totally open up the wallet and give our GM total free reign to sign anyone and everyone he pleases. We saw how just about every non-Yankee fan hated the Yanks even more for outspending everyone by oodles and oodles. Saying he "bought championships" took away from the perception that he was a good business manager/owner.

 

I don't think JH wants to be thought of as the new George Steinbrenner. (Note: I have absolutely zero evidence to support that idea, but I do think that us straddling the luxury tax line for years indicates an unwillingness to spend more and more until he becomes the new GS.)

 

In my opinion, we will see the budget go about $19M over the luxury limit this winter, or we may save some room for summer spending.

 

 

As a fan, I don't want our team to be thought of as George Steinbrenner's Yankees. It is everything we always hated about the Yankees and their entitled fans, who expected Steinbrenner to get every big name FA available, then pouted when he didn't.

 

Again, fans can expect whatever they want. Personally, I get a lot more satisfaction and joy out of seeing a good team filled by means other than signing the Bryce Harpers through FA.

[Kimmi]

Ok, if the Sox owners don't care that they go over the luxury tax limit this year, why haven't they?

 

One can stamp their feet and hold their breath until they turn blue, but it doesn't change the fact that the Sox do indeed have a budget of some sort.

If the Sox were struggling and fighting the Jays for fourth place in the division, maybe then I'd care about one more move the Sox didn't make over the winter.

I don't care about how much money Henry blows on players, but he obviously does.

 

Of course Henry cares about his budget, and certainly more than the fans do. It's his money. If he wanted to spend like a drunken fool and eat millions of dollars in bad contracts every year, what would I care, if he's willing to do it again and again? I'd think that he's stupid for doing so, but what would I care? It's not my money.

 

I read recently that if the tax penalty is not reset, and Henry went more than $40 mil (I believe) over the tax limit, he could pay a tax rate of 92%. 92% !!! You think he doesn't care about that?

[Dojji]

I narrowly disagree with you Kimmi, if only in the sense that you never take an option to improve the franchise entirely off the table. FA and big trades of prospects for stars can and has helped us.

 

The trick is to choose the right people to take risks on. The Sale trade was a Godsend for us. We got our money and talent's worth out of that trade, absolutely. DD identified a chance to make a huge gain and moved on it, good for him. It was a high risk maneuver that netted us a high reward. Don't take that option off the table and expect the strongest big league roster you can have. The solution is to be accurate in your scouting and make sure you do all of your due dilligence.

[Kimmi]

i think that it is because the budget is a real thing. it is obvious that JH is staying under the LT threshold this season to reset the tax. other than resetting the tax - do you think there is another reason that the Red Sox didnt go after EE, reigned in DD at the deadline, refuse to put castro on the 40 man?

 

Even the mighty Yankees have a budget. They are working hard to get under the tax limit so they can reset.

[Kimmi]

I narrowly disagree with you Kimmi, if only in the sense that you never take an option to improve the franchise entirely off the table. FA and big trades of prospects for stars can and has helped us.

 

The trick is to choose the right people to take risks on. The Sale trade was a Godsend for us. We got our money and talent's worth out of that trade, absolutely. DD identified a chance to make a huge gain and moved on it, good for him. It was a high risk maneuver that netted us a high reward. Don't take that option off the table and expect the strongest big league roster you can have. The solution is to be accurate in your scouting and make sure you do all of your due dilligence.

 

I understand that. I realize that it is highly, highly unlikely to field and entire team with farm players. Making trades and signing free agents are both necessary.

 

That said, big trades come from having the farm system to make the trades. That's not the same as handing out a huge contract. And Sale is a cost controlled player, unlike Stanton is.

 

And as far as signing free agents, I'm looking for the Beltre, Napoli, and Moreland type deals to fill the gaps, not the superstars.

[Nick]

I understand that. I realize that it is highly, highly unlikely to field and entire team with farm players. Making trades and signing free agents are both necessary.

 

That said, big trades come from having the farm system to make the trades. That's not the same as handing out a huge contract. And Sale is a cost controlled player, unlike Stanton is.

 

And as far as signing free agents, I'm looking for the Beltre, Napoli, and Moreland type deals to fill the gaps, not the superstars.

 

But if you have a chance to trade for Stanton without giving up any major league players, would you do it?

 

You have to keep in mind that MOST of prospects don't pan out. I can remember this board going on and on about Owens. He's been demoted to AA in search of strike zone.

 

Chances are greater that a prospect you traded away won't come back to bite you. Now in case of Sale, who cares? I hope it works out for both sides.

[cp176]

i think that it is because the budget is a real thing. it is obvious that JH is staying under the LT threshold this season to reset the tax. other than resetting the tax - do you think there is another reason that the Red Sox didnt go after EE, reigned in DD at the deadline, refuse to put castro on the 40 man?

 

I also believe the budget is a real thing. But I will still say (although I don't really care) that I have never actually heard John Henry make any statement that has to do with how he chooses to spend his money thus I don't guess at what his agenda may be. I also really do find it humorous how many people here sound like they in fact really have a clue about what he considers his budget to be. Unless they sit right in his inner circle, which i guess they might, they don't.

[SoxnCycles]

I also believe the budget is a real thing. But I will still say (although I don't really care) that I have never actually heard John Henry make any statement that has to do with how he chooses to spend his money thus I don't guess at what his agenda may be. I also really do find it humorous how many people here sound like they in fact really have a clue about what he considers his budget to be. Unless they sit right in his inner circle, which i guess they might, they don't.

 

Who would that be?

I don't recall anyone saying they know exactly what the Sox want to spend in any given year.

People make their best guessimate, based on infomation available.

People think they want to stay under the luxury tax limit this year, simply because it makes sense to do so.

 

Silly suggestions, I know...

[Slasher9]

I also believe the budget is a real thing. But I will still say (although I don't really care) that I have never actually heard John Henry make any statement that has to do with how he chooses to spend his money thus I don't guess at what his agenda may be. I also really do find it humorous how many people here sound like they in fact really have a clue about what he considers his budget to be. Unless they sit right in his inner circle, which i guess they might, they don't.

based on what he has done since taking over the team i *think* we can expect JH to spend right around the LT threshold. some years he will even go over it.

at any rate...those of us since day 1 that have said he will reset the tax this year seem to have guessed correctly.

[mvp 78]

based on what he has done since taking over the team i *think* we can expect JH to spend right around the LT threshold. some years he will even go over it.

at any rate...those of us since day 1 that have said he will reset the tax this year seem to have guessed correctly.

 

I think the Vlad Dracul will do the following:

 

2017: stay under LT

2018: go slightly over LT, if they miss playoffs ---->

2019: sign overpriced FA which fail

2020: tear it down and start over with new GM

[cp176]

Who would that be?

I don't recall anyone saying they know exactly what the Sox want to spend in any given year.

People make their best guessimate, based on infomation available.

People think they want to stay under the luxury tax limit this year, simply because it makes sense to do so.

 

Silly suggestions, I know...

 

I don't think that they are silly suggestions at all. I just don't share the opinion that he is dead set upon staying under the luxury tax limit.

[cp176]

based on what he has done since taking over the team i *think* we can expect JH to spend right around the LT threshold. some years he will even go over it.

at any rate...those of us since day 1 that have said he will reset the tax this year seem to have guessed correctly.

 

 

You might be right!

[moonslav59]

Going to have to stick to my primary point here - Many of the people who post here. seem to care more about the Red Sox budget than the primary owner does.

 

As soon as the Sox show they don't care, I won't either.

[moonslav59]

But if you have a chance to trade for Stanton without giving up any major league players, would you do it?

 

You have to keep in mind that MOST of prospects don't pan out. I can remember this board going on and on about Owens. He's been demoted to AA in search of strike zone.

 

Chances are greater that a prospect you traded away won't come back to bite you. Now in case of Sale, who cares? I hope it works out for both sides.

 

Most of our top prospects have panned out, and top prospects is what Miami would want.

[cp176]

As soon as the Sox show they don't care, I won't either.

 

Don't misunderstand me here. I think that we all likely care about these types of things. I'm simply stating my opinion which might not be the popular one. I'm ok with that. I think that it is ok if we all believe what we want to believe. It would not surprise me at all if John Henry blows the lid right off the luxury tax limit. Also, he might not. I'm not making any judgement on what he might or might not do until he actually does or says something to make his position clearer. i doubt that happens. He has the money to do what ever it is that he wants to do.

[moonslav59]

Don't misunderstand me here. I think that we all likely care about these types of things. I'm simply stating my opinion which might not be the popular one. I'm ok with that. I think that it is ok if we all believe what we want to believe. It would not surprise me at all if John Henry blows the lid right off the luxury tax limit. Also, he might not. I'm not making any judgement on what he might or might not do until he actually does or says something to make his position clearer. i doubt that happens. He has the money to do what ever it is that he wants to do.

 

I've said a number of times that now that the luxury tax is re-set, I think DD will be free to go over just about as much as needed next year and maybe even 2019. When the tax reaches 50% on the third year, the reigns might be tightened considerably.

 

I've even revised my initial concern about being penalized 10 spots in the draft for going more than $20M over. I doubt that will be much of an issue for DD to worry about.

[Kimmi]

But if you have a chance to trade for Stanton without giving up any major league players, would you do it?

 

You have to keep in mind that MOST of prospects don't pan out. I can remember this board going on and on about Owens. He's been demoted to AA in search of strike zone.

 

Chances are greater that a prospect you traded away won't come back to bite you. Now in case of Sale, who cares? I hope it works out for both sides.

 

I would not do simply because of the contract. Even if Miami were willing to give him to us as a straight salary dump, I would not do it. That's just me.

[Kimmi]

I think the Vlad Dracul will do the following:

 

2017: stay under LT

2018: go slightly over LT, if they miss playoffs ---->

2019: sign overpriced FA which fail

2020: tear it down and start over with new GM

 

The CLIFF!!!

[Kimmi]

I've said a number of times that now that the luxury tax is re-set, I think DD will be free to go over just about as much as needed next year and maybe even 2019. When the tax reaches 50% on the third year, the reigns might be tightened considerably.

 

I've even revised my initial concern about being penalized 10 spots in the draft for going more than $20M over. I doubt that will be much of an issue for DD to worry about.

 

The whole point in staying under the tax this year is so that he has the flexibility to go over it next year. He will likely to that, but it will be within reason.

[cp176]

I've said a number of times that now that the luxury tax is re-set, I think DD will be free to go over just about as much as needed next year and maybe even 2019. When the tax reaches 50% on the third year, the reigns might be tightened considerably.

 

I've even revised my initial concern about being penalized 10 spots in the draft for going more than $20M over. I doubt that will be much of an issue for DD to worry about.

 

Sounds good - like a plan. I need to read more carefully I guess.

[moonslav59]

I'd love for DD to find a big 1B bat (hopefully not long term), keep Nunez and maybe even more. That could put us $20-30M over next year at a 20% tax. JH can deal with that. We can also deal with getting the 37th pick, instead of the 27th.

 

I don't see many big impact FAs that are likely to sign for 1-2 years, so maybe he goes large and long on a big bat via trade or free agency.

 

Nunez would hedge our bets against a Pedey injury and also provide a 4th OF'er and back-up for SS and 3B.

 

With Wright and Workman returning and hopefully Ross, Smith and Thornburg as well, we can get by with no pitching additions needed. How many teams can say that?

 

Let Moreland, Young, Abad, Boyer & Fister walk. Arb raises will be expensive, but we can trade Holt and maybe a RP'er this winter- like Hembree, who is out of options. I'm not expecting big returns, but we can cut a little salary by replacing Holt and maybe Ross or Kelly (with non arb guy Hembree).

[oldtimer]

I'd love for DD to find a big 1B bat (hopefully not long term), keep Nunez and maybe even more. That could put us $20-30M over next year at a 20% tax. JH can deal with that. We can also deal with getting the 37th pick, instead of the 27th.

 

I don't see many big impact FAs that are likely to sign for 1-2 years, so maybe he goes large and long on a big bat via trade or free agency.

 

Nunez would hedge our bets against a Pedey injury and also provide a 4th OF'er and back-up for SS and 3B.

 

With Wright and Workman returning and hopefully Ross, Smith and Thornburg as well, we can get by with no pitching additions needed. How many teams can say that?

 

Let Moreland, Young, Abad, Boyer & Fister walk. Arb raises will be expensive, but we can trade Holt and maybe a RP'er this winter- like Hembree, who is out of options. I'm not expecting big returns, but we can cut a little salary by replacing Holt and maybe Ross or Kelly (with non arb guy Hembree).

 

The long term situation with Price is now looking worse, if that is possible. What if he is unable to return and provide any value for the big dollars he is owed? We may need another starter.

[a700hitter]

I think the Vlad Dracul will do the following:

 

2017: stay under LT

2018: go slightly over LT, if they miss playoffs ---->

2019: sign overpriced FA which fail

2020: tear it down and start over with new GM

They rehire Ben Cherington who finishes last a record 5 straight seasons.

 

Despair and Civil Unrest grip the City of Boston and Fenway Park is burned to the ground on a massive riot.

 

The once Great wealthy iconic franchise is broke and resettles in Plattsburgh.

[moonslav59]

The long term situation with Price is now looking worse, if that is possible. What if he is unable to return and provide any value for the big dollars he is owed? We may need another starter.

 

I shudder to think about it.

 

Price and Pablo's contracts with zero production?

 

OUCH!

 

I'm hopeful Price can at least come back next year.

[Larry Cook]

I shudder to think about it.

 

Price and Pablo's contracts with zero production?

 

OUCH!

 

I'm hopeful Price can at least come back next year.

 

The unpredictability of price's situation and not knowing if Wright will ever be the same pitcher he was last year means we need to keep two guys at Pawtucket that could start for us in Boston if they can not make it through some, most or all of next season.

 

We have Velasquez and Johnson, who had the worst luck of all Red Sox minor leaguers. Plus a wild card in beeks.

 

We should be set for next year unless there are more medical issues than we know.

[Spudboy]

They rehire Ben Cherington who finishes last a record 5 straight seasons.

 

Despair and Civil Unrest grip the City of Boston and Fenway Park is burned to the ground on a massive riot.

 

The once Great wealthy iconic franchise is broke and resettles in Plattsburgh.

 

You had me at Plattsburgh!!!!!!

[moonslav59]

We have Velasquez and Johnson, who had the worst luck of all Red Sox minor leaguers.

 

The team is 5-0 in Johnson starts.

 

I'd call that super good luck.