2017/18 Hot Stove Thread

[oldtimer]

True, but I'll bet on the chance he returns before expected (mid May).

 

I'll disagree with you on that. It was a serious injury and repair and his age may mean a little longer recovery period. I am guessing the all star break.

[Larry Cook]

True, but I'll bet on the chance he returns before expected (mid May).

 

Based on others who have had micro fracture surgery, I doubt he returns in less than six months, but not longer than nine months, unless he has a setback,

 

The real question is will his knee be able to handle the torque generated by his swing over the course of a full season?

[Kimmi]

There is a distinct possibility that a change in emphasis by the manager and hitting coach could bring additional run production. The question is whether it would be enough to keep us in contention with the top teams. There are some FA's who won't command the huge financial commitments and longer term contracts who might give us the added run production that we need. both Santana and Cozart are available on 3 year contracts for roughly $15 million a year each. Could we get either or both for that matter?

 

As for Pedroia, I have always held him in the highest regard, but saying that it is hard to put him at the top of the depth chart at second as he might well not play until after the AS break. We could fill in for him with a lower potential player for half the season, but will that put us in a hole vs the better teams?

 

A lot will depend on how serious DD is about holding onto his young talent or whether Bogey or JBJ may be made available. Another question to answer is whether the team is considering moving Devers to 1st in the future. I look forward to management moves which will improve the team in the field and also in the pitching staff.

 

I was hoping that we'd sign Martinez, but not if it's going to take more than 5 years. Even 5 years is too many, IMO, but I realize the possibility of signing him to a 3 or 4 year deal is slim to none. That being the case, I'm liking the idea of Santana more and more, but only if he can be had for 3 years.

 

Regardless of who we sign, I want there to be enough money left for Dombrowski to make some moves at the trade deadline to fill whatever needs we might have.

[Kimmi]

True, but I'll bet on the chance he returns before expected (mid May).

 

I agree. I would not bet against Pedroia returning sooner than expected.

[jacksonianmarch]

True, but I'll bet on the chance he returns before expected (mid May).

 

The surgery he had has a high fail rate and it’s only done when there’s arthritis in the joint. An arthritic knee is a career ender. If the surgery fails, as it’s prone to do, the Pedroia might be done

[Nick]

The surgery he had has a high fail rate and it’s only done when there’s arthritis in the joint. An arthritic knee is a career ender. If the surgery fails, as it’s prone to do, the Pedroia might be done

 

Let's hope he's smart enough to retire before his contract runs out. He'll quit if he can't perform at high level. I just don't see him playing just for money.

[moonslav59]

The surgery he had has a high fail rate and it’s only done when there’s arthritis in the joint. An arthritic knee is a career ender. If the surgery fails, as it’s prone to do, the Pedroia might be done

 

I get it, but I still think if there is anyone who can comeback from this, it's Pedey.

 

I realize he may not. One cannot will himself against nature and win.

[notin]

The surgery he had has a high fail rate and it’s only done when there’s arthritis in the joint. An arthritic knee is a career ender. If the surgery fails, as it’s prone to do, the Pedroia might be done

 

When a surgery is done for a normal civilian doesn't always match up with when it's done on an athlete. How many people do you know who have had bone chips removed from their elbow?

[a700hitter]

The surgery he had has a high fail rate and it’s only done when there’s arthritis in the joint. An arthritic knee is a career ender. If the surgery fails, as it’s prone to do, the Pedroia might be done

What about those injections of artificial lubricant for arthritic joints?

[jacksonianmarch]

What about those injections of artificial lubricant for arthritic joints?

 

The data on Synvisc isn’t very good, but some people swear by them (my father for one). It may delay the inevitable (either full or partial knee replacement), but doesn’t prevent it

[Kimmi]

Let's hope he's smart enough to retire before his contract runs out. He'll quit if he can't perform at high level. I just don't see him playing just for money.

 

I get the impression that if Pedroia can't play at a level where he's helping the team, he will retire. I think he'll leave the money on the table and retire.

 

That said, I very much believe that he will be back earlier than expected and that he will be a solid player for us.

[jacksonianmarch]

If he can’t play, he won’t “retire”. His contract is guaranteed and he took years over money. He’s going to collect all of the guaranteed money. He’d get the same fanfare ARod got. It’ll be a “retirement” but he’d get paid his money. Pedroia signed a very team friendly contract and leaving money on the table while taking a discount is dumb

[Bellhorn04]

Holy crap what a boring offseason so far. We need to start a big fight or something.

[Bellhorn04]

If he can’t play, he won’t “retire”. His contract is guaranteed and he took years over money. He’s going to collect all of the guaranteed money. He’d get the same fanfare ARod got. It’ll be a “retirement” but he’d get paid his money. Pedroia signed a very team friendly contract and leaving money on the table while taking a discount is dumb

 

Sure it would be dumb. We did see Ryan Dempster give back 13 million to the team in 2014, but it was different because it had nothing to do with injury, it was for personal reasons. (700hitter will check in soon and remind us again what an idiot Dempster was for doing this. )

[notin]

The surgery he had has a high fail rate and it’s only done when there’s arthritis in the joint. An arthritic knee is a career ender. If the surgery fails, as it’s prone to do, the Pedroia might be done

 

He's already had the surgery. Reportedyly it did not fail. And while it is unlikely (re: illegal) any doctor will discuss the presence of arthritis in the knee join with the press, that's no surprise since professional athletes have surgeries with much less criteria.

 

So far all we have heard is the return date is in May. While he probably won't come back that soon, this talk of retirement and career-ending arthritis is clearly premature...

[Kimmi]

If he can’t play, he won’t “retire”. His contract is guaranteed and he took years over money. He’s going to collect all of the guaranteed money. He’d get the same fanfare ARod got. It’ll be a “retirement” but he’d get paid his money. Pedroia signed a very team friendly contract and leaving money on the table while taking a discount is dumb

 

Of course it would be dumb. But there are some players, though few and far between, that have some professional integrity. I'd like to think that Dustin is one of them.

[Bellhorn04]

I agree that Pedroia just might be the guy who would be prepared to give back the money.

 

But he shouldn't do it. It's 4 years. He signed 2 team-friendly deals. If his career is over it's because of injuries he suffered playing the game. It's his money.

[cp176]

IMO there is 0 chance that he leaves any money behind even if he is unable to play. It isn't a precedent any of them would ever want to set. Whether we like these contracts or not, most were signed in good faith. As for him thinking about doing that just because he is a nice guy - really? He plays hard and that's it. He is no leader and proved it this year. His play is enough and it has always spoken for itself but I would stop short of trying to make him out to be something that he just isn't.

[harmony]

Sure it would be dumb. We did see Ryan Dempster give back 13 million to the team in 2014, but it was different because it had nothing to do with injury, it was for personal reasons. (700hitter will check in soon and remind us again what an idiot Dempster was for doing this. )

Kansas City right-hander Gil Meche retired in 2011 because of an injury and left $12 million on the table:

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/sports/baseball/27meche.html

 

However, I would not fault Dustin Pedroia for cashing in on the balance of his contract even if the injury ends his career.

[Bellhorn04]

Kansas City right-hander Gil Meche retired in 2011 because of an injury and left $12 million on the table:

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/sports/baseball/27meche.html

 

I'm impressed.

[notin]

Pedroia isn't retiring early. If he is forced out by injury, he joins Castillo as expensive non-40 man roster players. ..

[Bellhorn04]

Pedroia isn't retiring early. If he is forced out by injury, he joins Castillo as expensive non-40 man roster players. ..

 

Except Pedroia's salary would still count against the cap, right?

[moonslav59]

Yes, the precedent has already been set.

 

I doubt Pedey leaves any money "on the table". He knows he took a couple of discount contracts with the last one being pretty highly paid on the back end, so that money is partly for services already rendered.

[jacksonianmarch]

He's already had the surgery. Reportedyly it did not fail. And while it is unlikely (re: illegal) any doctor will discuss the presence of arthritis in the knee join with the press, that's no surprise since professional athletes have surgeries with much less criteria.

 

So far all we have heard is the return date is in May. While he probably won't come back that soon, this talk of retirement and career-ending arthritis is clearly premature...

 

The surgery itself is meant to help regrow cartilage and is done when you’re down to a bone on bone situation. Bone on bone situations cause arthritis. I guarantee you he has some arthritis in there

[oldtimer]

The surgery itself is meant to help regrow cartilage and is done when you’re down to a bone on bone situation. Bone on bone situations cause arthritis. I guarantee you he has some arthritis in there

 

Pedroia has been a great player for the Sox and has given his all during his career to date. Knowing the kind of guy he is, I totally expect him to try to comeback from this serious problem but there is a chance he won't be able to.If not, I would want to keep him around the organization in some capacity.

[cp176]

Although I did lose a great deal of respect for Pedroia throughout the course of this season, I do agree that he has and will still probably try to give all that he has to give if and when he comes back. My concern with him is how much he will have to give! You don't get a free pass with father time. Ultimately Hernandez might be the better option at second. He likely won't be mvp material but I'm not buying the fact that Pedroia is coming back magically healed.

[moonslav59]

For argument's sake, let's say Pedey discovers he's all done. Could the Sox get out of paying the luxury tax on him, if he retires and forgoes his remaining contract, and then the Sox - wink-wink- sign him to be a coach at $56M/23 years? (What he's owed as a player)

[Bellhorn04]

For argument's sake, let's say Pedey discovers he's all done. Could the Sox get out of paying the luxury tax on him, if he retires and forgoes his remaining contract, and then the Sox - wink-wink- sign him to be a coach at $56M/23 years? (What he's owed as a player)

 

You wouldn't really be fooling anybody with an arrangement like that. I imagine MLB would conduct a little investigation of some sort and would do something quite nasty about it, deeming it a blatant attempt to circumvent the luxury tax rules. The Sox would be penalized and thoroughly embarrassed as would-be cheats.

[moonslav59]

You wouldn't really be fooling anybody with an arrangement like that. I imagine MLB would conduct a little investigation of some sort and would do something quite nasty about it, deeming it a blatant attempt to circumvent the luxury tax rules. The Sox would be penalized and thoroughly embarrassed as would-be cheats.

 

What if Pedey retires, forgoes the contract and signs for $10M/10 years to be a bench coach or prospect instructor?

 

Then, in 10 years, we sign him to another $10M/10 year deal?

[Bellhorn04]

What if Pedey retires, forgoes the contract and signs for $10M/10 years to be a bench coach or prospect instructor?

 

Then, in 10 years, we sign him to another $10M/10 year deal?

 

You might be able to do that-if Pedroia was prepared to give up $46 million. (The second $10 million isn't even guaranteed.)