example1

From the stats I just looked at they look remarkably similar, with Seanez having the edge in K's and IP over the past 3 years, while Borowski appears to be the better save-man. Over the past three years they have almost the exact same BAA (.241 vs. .242), yet Borowski has an ERA that is a run higher. Nothing definitive, but just some simple stats to look at. I think that, before we had Seanez, it would have been hard to evaluate this proposed acquisition without picking Seanez. Face it, folks, I think we're bound to have a number of "big name" relievers fail in Fenway. Baez interests me, for sure.

I'd be willing to do it for a season, if he still wins the games and we get another WS. yeah, I'd be okay with that. I'd also be okay wth the Clemens/Schilling money coming off the books next year, freeing up 30 million + for spending on a CF, SS, 3B or 1B.

Here's the post that goes weird... that aint scaffolds.

I'm setting myself up for a scaffolds rant, but I'm going to say it: I don't think that's scaffolds writing, at least not the one I've seen before. This s*** is manic and I'm not trying to be nosy, but its just too obvious to avoid at this point. Every post is filled with obscenities. Shocking. I'm going to have to read back and see what started this...

Nice. :thumbsup: The only thing I could see, and I just thought about this, is that they could go ahead and make a pretty big offer on a guy like Schmidt and make a nice low offer to Matsuzaka, essentially allowing their bid money (which is not in the luxary tax threshold) to influence Seibu to pay whatever the difference is. So for 24 million a year (14 Schmidt, 10 Matsuzaka) they could get both guys, thus completely frustrating the Yankees, as I get the sense that they see Zito the same way most of us do: as a guy who benefited from that Oakland's big park and somehow overcame a horrible control problem. I'm not betting the farm on Zito being a star the next few years. Good yes, not great. Schmidt on the Yankees concerns me. Clemens is also the great unmentioned. With Clemens there is every reason in the world to do a 6 man rotation, though I'm not sure they would.

I can't think of anyone who has done that recently... what would that even mean? I mean, that would be like someone saying "I give up on this team" one day, and then coming back to talk about the team as if they cared the next day. Who would do such a thing? :dunno:

Manny on the market after they sign would certainly lead to a better return for the Sox. I just can't imagine who they could get to replace that offense. If they get Drew and trade Manny does Drew bat 3rd with Ortiz 4th, or vice versa? I don't see that as being a very good scenario. I would think it would take Drew PLUS another drew-like player to even come close to reproducing Manny's offense. As for the savantistry, I don't make claims about anything that isn't pretty apparent. The Angels would have to be one of the interested teams.

I usually don't agree with you on things like this but here's an obvious place to agree. I really think this explains why the Sox have been talking about Lugo for quite awhile: they knew that he was going to be one of the only SS's available after letting go of Hanley Ramirez. They'll likely overpay to secure him (again, possibly blowing other teams--Toronto--out of the water) and not have to worry about SS for a few years.

They better address this with Lugo, quickly, or it's looking a lot like last year's CF/leadoff debacle. That definitely means overpaying.

If it comes down to overpaying for one of the two (9m vs 14m), which is more important: Drew or Lugo?

Hmmm. Interesting. I definitely see Lee going there. I have a hard time imagining Soriano helping them win, but at the same time he's Beltran like in his multitaskability (I made that word up!). I'm not quite sure where I can see Soriano ending up. I would be surprised and disappointed if the Angels didn't go after him. They have Vlad who is one of the best hitters over the past 15 years, and a good pitching staff. They should definitely be in "win now" mode and I've been amazed at their lack of a big move the past few years. The Phillies are another possibility as, no offense to Philly fans, it seems like that's where players go to die. Not "die" as in have their career end or go in the crapper. It is a place where players to go not make the playoffs. With Howard, Utley, Burrell, Myers and Hamels they should have a nice nucleus. Adding Soriano could possibly put them over the top.

I'll start: http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2006/11/gonzalez_in_dem.html Apparently some team has offered Alex Gonzalez a 3 year, 15 million dollar deal. I'm not sure if he accepted, but he certainly won't be in red socks next year if this rumor is true. Lugo anyone?

I started the warm-stove thread, so let's move into the actual off-season with another thread: The Sox won the bid for Mr. Matsuzaka. They have apparently released Trot Nixon, Gabe Kaplar, Keith Foulke, and have re-signed Mike Timlin. SS? RF? RP? CP? Go!

You keep saying that and I keep not understanding it. He's 24. He's a year older than Jacoby Ellsbury, a year younger than David Murphy, Edgar Martinez. Same age as Kason Gabbard, Jeff Natale. Would you say all those players should be thrown away for nothing because they're all young and have seen essentially ZERO MLB time? If everything were right WMP would be getting ready for his rookie season. Instead the Yankees signed him to a s***** deal and he was rushed. That can be made up for. To say that the Sox aren't in a rebuilding mode is inaccurate. They're rebuilding to be competitive for the next 4 years, most of the essential pieces are in place already and the Sox are unsure what role WMP will have. Whether he's traded for a valuable piece or held onto as a 35+ HR #5 or #6 hitter, he'll have a role. He may someday come around but we are not in a rebuilding mode and we need those runners driven home and those flyballs and line drives caught, not bouncing off his glove or zooming over his head. WMP needs to go to a team that is willing to give him two or three years while they rebuild with him a part of it. We are not rebuilding and need players who can make the plays and get the hits when they count.

I agree for sure. While I acknowledge that he's the best available I'm not sold on the need to go after the top SS on this year's market. The thing I worry about with Gonzo is that he wants at least 3 years (or so I have read) if not more, and he wants to start. Starting now isn't a problem, but if something better comes along then there he is, an overpaid SS who can't hit better than .270 in a good year. It's a conundrum for sure.

I'm thinking they're leaning toward Lugo, though. I'm not completely sure why but they have coveted him for awhile. I mean Lugo is the superior overall player, that's obvious. He's at least an average MLB shortstop defensively and is above average offensively. However, with the poor performance at the end of last year and the supposed money that he's asking for I have to imagine the sox can do better. I don't know if Gonzo is the answer, or if there is someone available via trade who could be suitable. They could be looking ahead a few years for a solid SS, or they could be looking ahead and realize there won't be solid SS options for 3 years or so and are inclined toward Lugo.

yeah, the kid made solid contact eventually and was pesky at the plate. I think a full season will show what he's capable of, I'm expecting realistically .280/.358/.412, 11 HR and 65 RBI.

I'm thinking that the next big move (after signing Matsuzaka (hopefully) should be to sign their next RF. As far as how they should progress through this offseason, what do you think should come next?