Dave Dombrowski

[sk7326]

To me, it's not about who's saving money or who's pocketing it. If Henry were a cheapskate, it might be a different story, but he has always shown his commitment to winning in terms of spending.

 

It's about the underlying philosophy, or whatever you want to call it.

 

I don't like being thought of as the team that 'buys' its way to championships and spends money recklessly just because Henry can afford to do so. It's also bad business to have to eat millions of dollar in contracts when the player inevitably no longer performs to the contract.

 

Listen - I agree in principle that being the 2009 Yankees is less fun - though I suppose jacko would disagree there.

 

If you categorize re-signing studs our farm system signed and developed as buying a title - I have to disagree. After all - what is the point of the Red Sox doing stuff right then.

[Kimmi]

Listen - I agree in principle that being the 2009 Yankees is less fun - though I suppose jacko would disagree there.

 

If you categorize re-signing studs our farm system signed and developed as buying a title - I have to disagree. After all - what is the point of the Red Sox doing stuff right then.

 

It depends on how much they sign our studs for. Again, the goal is to have that revolving door of prospects to take the place of at least some of the guys that get too expensive to keep.

 

I'm not signing Betts to a 10 year contract. As much as it will hurt to lose him, let him walk, take the draft pick, and bring in the next stud to take his place. Let another team enjoy Betts for a few years then deal with the albatross contract in the latter years.

[sk7326]

It depends on how much they sign our studs for. Again, the goal is to have that revolving door of prospects to take the place of at least some of the guys that get too expensive to keep.

 

I'm not signing Betts to a 10 year contract. As much as it will hurt to lose him, let him walk, take the draft pick, and bring in the next stud to take his place. Let another team enjoy Betts for a few years then deal with the albatross contract in the latter years.

 

Betts will just turn 28 when he hits UFA-dom. 10 years is silly ... 6 is not. Or for that matter a long deal with a player option after 3 seasons.

Bogaerts wiill just turn 27 when he hits UFA-dom. Same as above where the team probably has a bit more leverage.

Benintendi is a non-issue

Bradley will be almost 31 when he hits free agency - a long deal is a hard pass.

Edited August 3, 2018 by sk7326

[Bellhorn04]

I'm not signing Betts to a 10 year contract. As much as it will hurt to lose him, let him walk, take the draft pick, and bring in the next stud to take his place.

 

But Mookie Betts is an extremely rare talent.

 

How many players put up about 30 WAR in their first 4 seasons?

[Kimmi]

If Mookie will sign a 6 year deal, I'm in.

[Bellhorn04]

FWIW Mookie said he's going to be watching what happens this offseason with Machado and Harper with a lot of interest.

[Kimmi]

FWIW Mookie said he's going to be watching what happens this offseason with Machado and Harper with a lot of interest.

 

He has also reportedly said that he has no desire to sign an extension early.

 

Translation: He is out for the biggest contract he can get (all about the money).

 

I guess that's his right, but it's always disheartening to me.

[dgalehouse]

People tend to forget that MLB is big business , not rotisserie league baseball. Very important to consider things like the dollar value of a franchise , attendance , concession and merchandise sales , TV ratings , advertising dollars , sponsors , reputation , publicity and such. It' s not all about trying to assemble a decent team for the least amount of money.

[sk7326]

He has also reportedly said that he has no desire to sign an extension early.

 

Translation: He is out for the biggest contract he can get (all about the money).

 

I guess that's his right, but it's always disheartening to me.

 

Players should embrace their free agency - nothing wrong with that. The Red Sox will have a strong position as a bidder. I mean you work your butt off to be able to choose where you work ...

[moonslav59]

Players should embrace their free agency - nothing wrong with that. The Red Sox will have a strong position as a bidder. I mean you work your butt off to be able to choose where you work ...

 

...and it doesn't mean he might choose to stay in Boston for slightly less than the highest bid.

 

He's just trying to maximize his salary. It does not dishearten me.

[mvp 78]

He has also reportedly said that he has no desire to sign an extension early.

 

Translation: He is out for the biggest contract he can get (all about the money).

 

I guess that's his right, but it's always disheartening to me.

 

Why? He'll deserve every penny.

[Dojji]

We need to make him happy. This man is in Ted Williams territory as one of the best outfielders we've ever had in team history. better than Ted in some ways, because Ted was a better hitter but terrible defensively, while Mookie is less of a pure hitter, but the real deal 5 tool complete package and already a 3 time member of the 20-20 club before he even turns 26.

 

Pay the man!

Edited August 3, 2018 by Dojji

[sk7326]

We need to make him happy. This man is in Ted Williams territory as one of the best outfielders we've ever had in team history. better than Ted in some ways, because Ted was a better hitter but terrible defensively, while Mookie is less of a pure hitter, but the real deal 5 tool complete package and already a 3 time member of the 20-20 club before he even turns 26.

 

Pay the man!

 

He has a chance to realize the career that Fred Lynn's body prevented.

[kenmeister]

Sadly I think we have one more year of keeping the team together. 5 years from now it will be Mookie and Sale making $40 million each and a bunch of AAA graduates.

[Dojji]

I'm not quite that pessimistic, but if we can't replace talent from the minors we're going to be overpaying for average guys to fill out the roster, so it's encouraging that of the guys on the team, we have plenty with demonstrated upside beyond their current performance level, including Benintendi, Devers and Swihart on offense, and Johnson on the pitching end.

 

There's actually a good argument to be made for keeping our existing catching duo (Vaz and Leon), since they're never going to be that expensive and they make the pitching staff better. That cost savings will allow us to upgrade other areas of the team, especially keeping the rotation strong.

[sk7326]

Sadly I think we have one more year of keeping the team together. 5 years from now it will be Mookie and Sale making $40 million each and a bunch of AAA graduates.

 

If that happens it is because of ownership choices ...

[moonslav59]

He has a chance to realize the career that Fred Lynn's body prevented.

 

+ 1

[moonslav59]

I'm not quite that pessimistic, but if we can't replace talent from the minors we're going to be overpaying for average guys to fill out the roster, so it's encouraging that of the guys on the team, we have plenty with demonstrated upside beyond their current performance level, including Benintendi, Devers and Swihart on offense, and Johnson on the pitching end.

 

There's actually a good argument to be made for keeping our existing catching duo (Vaz and Leon), since they're never going to be that expensive and they make the pitching staff better. That cost savings will allow us to upgrade other areas of the team, especially keeping the rotation strong.

 

Keeping Sale & Betts will be costly.

 

Replacing Kimbrel & Bogey in kind (or by re-signing) is going to be extremely difficult and/or costly.

[Bellhorn04]

There's actually a good argument to be made for keeping our existing catching duo (Vaz and Leon), since they're never going to be that expensive and they make the pitching staff better. That cost savings will allow us to upgrade other areas of the team, especially keeping the rotation strong.

 

A very very good argument for that, I would say.

[Bellhorn04]

Sadly I think we have one more year of keeping the team together. 5 years from now it will be Mookie and Sale making $40 million each and a bunch of AAA graduates.

 

$40 million is a backbreaker. I don't think we'll see anyone make $40 million. Maybe $35 million though.

[moonslav59]

$40 million is a backbreaker. I don't think we'll see anyone make $40 million. Maybe $35 million though.

 

Harper and Machado might make $35M, but by the time Betts reaches free agency, assuming he keeps this up, he might make $37-40M a year.

[Bellhorn04]

Harper and Machado might make $35M, but by the time Betts reaches free agency, assuming he keeps this up, he might make $37-40M a year.

 

I'm betting against it. Look at the small increases in the tax thresholds in the last 2 CBA's, and look at what happened this past offseason.

 

I think the baseball gravy train is finally hitting the brakes a bit.

[dgalehouse]

There are very few teams that will be competing to sign Betts. Very few. Boston has an excellent chance of keeping him.

[Kimmi]

Players should embrace their free agency - nothing wrong with that. The Red Sox will have a strong position as a bidder. I mean you work your butt off to be able to choose where you work ...

 

I get all that. I still find it disheartening that, too often, it's all about the money.

[Kimmi]

Why? He'll deserve every penny.

 

I never said he didn't deserve it.

[oldtimer]

I get all that. I still find it disheartening that, too often, it's all about the money.

 

This is still a team game played with 25 man active rosters. While one of the 25 can do great things, it is hard to justify earnings differences of 10 to 1 between starters. Teams can come along and bid up the salaries but eventually it can imbalance their own team and work against them. I believe the front office should consider pay scales for the importance of players to the team and then stick to those.

[moonslav59]

There are very few teams that will be competing to sign Betts. Very few. Boston has an excellent chance of keeping him.

 

At $33-40M a year, you are right.

 

I will be "disheartened" if he leaves, but I get the feeling if he does bolt, it will be because someone else grossly overpaid.

 

[moonslav59]

This is still a team game played with 25 man active rosters. While one of the 25 can do great things, it is hard to justify earnings differences of 10 to 1 between starters. Teams can come along and bid up the salaries but eventually it can imbalance their own team and work against them. I believe the front office should consider pay scales for the importance of players to the team and then stick to those.

 

If Nunez, Kelly and Vaz are is worth about $4m a year, then Betts is worth at least 10 times that ($40M+).

[Dojji]

I get all that. I still find it disheartening that, too often, it's all about the money.

 

Only free agency is all about the money. What you should be criticising is the players that are all about free agency.

 

Players only get a few chances to secure their futures with a big contract. I don't blame them for wanting to make the most of it.

[Spudboy]

There are very few teams that will be competing to sign Betts. Very few. Boston has an excellent chance of keeping him.

 

Yup.

 

Anyone would want him but few franchises have the kind of money to pay a guy 30 mil a year or 150-210 mil guaranteed.