example1

I have a question: Why has Dave Magadan's name never come up as a possible manager? Is there something about him that makes him a poor candidate? I know nothing about his personality, but he's been good as a batting coach (6 years) and seems to command the respect of his players.

Ellsbury doesn't look like an MVP.

You might as well start an offseason thread. It's about that time anyway, and you will need to start early to break the record of last year's offseason thread (which I believe had the most posts of any thread in talksox history).

AAA isn't a great place for a guy like Bogaerts. There is as much if not more more elite talent in AA than AAA.

I don't disagree with you, I was asking genuinely to see if there was anyone I forgot about. I remembered Papelbon, but he is the only one. I wouldn't say that was terrible. I bet Philly wishes they could have that contract back.

Not entirely a devistating loss. I think yo should assume that good young players who are determined to test FA at all costs are going to do that and probably won't come back. Anyone who is even slightly interested in playing for the Sox an willing to forego at least two years of FA will likely stay with the team. Pedroia, Lester, Buchholz and Youkilis are all examples of that. I would say that they have actually done a good job of trying to retain their players.

Lester has nobody to be upset with except himself. The pitches that were called balls were balls. He gave up actual hits. Actual runs.

Well, they have been very good at one thing: Failing in as many ways as possible. I mean, seriously, we both remember Sox teams that had deficiencies. A bad pen here, inconsistent hitting there, injuries, bad starting pitching, poor fielding, bad managerial calls, s***** baserunning... Most Sox teams of my youth excelled in failing one of those particular areas and it was their Achilles heel. This team manages to put those subsets of suck into such a brilliant symphony of imperfection that it may never be replicated again. I've never seen a team that was potentially so good leave me wondering "how are they going to lose it tonight?" with as much genuine curiosity as this one. I'm the optimist around here, but I'm ready to call he season over after losing 3 straight to the Twins. Remember when we worried about chicken and beer. Doesn't seem like the chicken and beer were the problem...

This team is unbelievably pathetic. Clearly they are talented, but goddamn are they good at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. They are actually becoming quite consistent: doing okay in series nobody expects them to win, getting pasted in series they absolutely should win. It's so damn frustrating. Not sure it is Vs fault but honestly I don't care. Lots of changes need to happen to turn this thing around.

Hey guys, I just got back from a Craig Breslow celebration party, as I'm sure you all did. I was really glad to see that the Sox won a rain out game tonight. Anyone else buy the jersey yet? I totally did. I actually took the numbers off my Youkilis jersey and replaced it with an authentic-ish Breslow. Last day before the Trade Deadline is awesome. Should be a national holiday, especially in Sox nation where we always get special treats!! I'm not sure I will be able to sleep tonight with visions of Breslow dancing in my head...

Yeah, the point isn't to get into a pissing match with you User Name?, it's more to contest Emmz's claim that they just go to games--that doesn't seem like a fair (or really relevant) criticism. I realize Emmz makes strong claims, it's what I like about her, but here I think it is more flash and less substance. I don't have a stake in SP.com at all. However, having been a faithful member of this site for many years, I can also say that I've relied on SP a lot to know who the Sox prospects are. There simply isn't a better source on the internet. Find me one and I will go there. That site has 1,000 times the information that this site has about prospects. Frankly, I got to many other sites first before coming here to get the Sox news and updates. I come here for discussion--haven't found a better place for that. And I think it does make a difference to actually see players playing live and I respect SP for actually making a concerted effort to have their "scouts" and editors attend games. That's why MLB teams still have scouts instead of just looking at the stats. Ranaudo was projected as a top 10 pick prior to his final season at LSU. He was a Friday nite starter at one of the best programs in the country and had great stuff. Of course people thought highly of him. The same group of people who paid a lot for him have had tremendous success with a slew of other first round picks, so perhaps they are doing a bit more than just throwing darts at a board. Finally, if you've ever listened to their podcasts you see it's not just BS. In fact, that site has correctly identified a number of Sox draft picks correctly prior to the draft. How does this relate to Xander? SP and just about every credible source out there sees the kid as truly something special. It's unclear where he will play, but it seems that bats like his don't come around often.

Can you find me a couple of examples of this? Here's the pitchers, in order of their rank, with projections from scouting reports: Barnes: Second or third starter projection on a first division team. Tazawa: Projects as a 7th/8th inning reliever on a contender. Ranaudo: Third starter ceiling at major league level. Britton: Late inning reliever Owens: 2nd/3rd pitcher on first division team I could go on, but I hardly EVER see a projection of "ace". If Owens or Barnes don't have it, I don't know who does... As for middle order bat I see that in Bogaerts, and I see Brentz as a 5th/6th hitter, but a) I don't see many middle order bat projections and why is predicting that some of these guys could be middle order bats out of line? Is there any doubt that Middlebrooks could be one? Or that Ellsbury was over hyped? Or Pedroia? I'm pretty sure that you are just talking out of your rear, or basing it on 2008 rather than the site currently. Overall, I understand people having their loyalties, but to think the information on that site sucks because the message board is pretentious or something seems like a weak reason. It's a good site, lots of very useful information, even if you don't like some of it. As for who can be scouts and who can't, I can tell you that compared to paying a bunch of money to get Baseball America, I'm pretty content with their scouting work. If I would ever give a700 any credence for his observations during spring training, I'll listen to these guys who actively go to Lowell and Greenville games. Is anyone on talksox going to Greenville games and able to give me a first hand scouting report? Emmz, do you have first person accounts of ANY of these players?

I may have missed it, but I only saw one poster mention the rumors about the Sox pursuing Justin Masterson from Cleveland. To me that feels like a great fit. He's 27, he's affordable, and he's durable. I bet he wouldn't cost an arm and a leg either. Would be a nice pick-up for Sox, IMO.

I will be going to work with a slight smile on my face now. Thanks Red Sox. Thanks powers-that-be.

Listen to Oral. A good curve can do the job here.

Just end it here Aces.

WOW IS RIGHT. Are you kidding me.

Morales would have been a tough assignment for Ibanez. Also would have kept runner close.

Come on powers that be! Let us faithful Red Sox fans get this victory and goeth into work tomorrow with a small smile on our faces.

NICE CATCH SWEENEY

Aceves huh? Christ.

Somebody make that man our 2013 shortstop.