example1

I don't know if it does. I suspect that you would find that a huge number of admitted PED users historically had a better OBP (whether driven by AVG or seeing worse pitches). I do think that if Ortiz is suddenly hitting the ball hard, pitchers are going to pitch him more carefully and, conversely, when he can't hit anything even s***** pitchers are going right after him. That could play as an appearance of plate discipline.

I think there are different levels of leaders. I wouldn't put Ortiz at the top of that list. Of course, I don't work with him so I don't know how he was behind the scenes, but in public I think he could have handled things better.

I don't know what to attribute it to. I suspect that his improvement could have been induced. He's been caught once, so I won't take it off the table. I won't take it off the table for any player who returns to near-peak form who has also been associated with PEDs. I think that's well within my rights.

What?

I don't think Ortiz handles team adversity too well. When things are going well he's great, when things aren't going well I think he could show more leadership. It's a subtle thing; he's not a BAD leader. Do you disagree?

This makes sense and is what I heard on EEI (from pundits, not news, mind you). That's the going cost for DHs. Ortiz will be offened. Another team might offer him more. He might take it. The Sox will move on. Some people here will freak out. Pieces falling into place.

I really hope that if they resign him, they get him for like $8m a year for 2 years. Otherwise, I'm not going to be a big fan of resigning Ortiz, particularly if it prevents them from getting a younger, more versatile OF like Cuddyer or Beltran. I suspect that they feel like Beltran is going to cost too much and will be too much of a risk and that they will say the cost is prohibitive for Cuddyer. That would be super lame. This is a goo dtime to restock the team for versatility and to change the personality of the team a bit. I like what Ortiz has given all of us for years, but I wasn't overly impressed with him last year as a leader and don't think that he's capable of being an elite team leader, which is what this team needs. Of course, if they get Ortiz and those other guys, count me in.

I'm not sure if the two of you are agreeing, or not.. :dunno: Spitball's point, I think, is that selling on Youkilis right now would be "selling low". That's generally not a wise strategy. Even if Youk is on a decline, it is very reasonable to think he has good seasons left in him. Even with his past two seasons of injuries, Youkilis has produced a higher WAR than Santana. I'm not entirely confident that Santana will get a lot better. I think Youk, simply by not being injured would produce more. They are virtually the same price for the next two seasons (Santana--$24.2m, Youkilis--$25m). For the same money and higher production, I'm sticking with Youkilis. The Sox shouldn't let their need for a SP add weight to the value of a guy like Santana. There are better options out there.

John Henry probably can't invest with them in hopes of landing David Wright, can he?

I took this line in particular: I'm not sure if you run a business or have occupied a management position. But just in case you don't or simply do not know how it works, they are always highly rated by results, outcome, profit, etc. to be condescending... I realize now it wasn't how you meant it. Yet again, I have written and erased multiple paragraphs to explain my point; I just don't want to argue it anymore, and certainly not with you, iOrtiz. You are a very respectful poster and someone I appreciate having on this board. Having a business perspective is all well and good. You guys should continue using it and framing your points that way. It is not the primary lense that I will use to think about the team and the personnel decisions they make. They can't fire everyone in the organization when things don't go well. I find it interesting that "Ben the Boob" is already doing some very Theo-like things (taking his time with decisions, not making things happen quickly just to placate the angry mob, etc.,). We all knew they would be pretty similar. Thinking about it tonight, I think it is obvious that the ownership group supported Theo and his way of doing things. That's why they promoted someone who worked under him for so many years. They had the same opportunity with Tito and could have promoted Demarlo Hale, but didn't even interview him for the position. I think that speaks volumes about where they say the problem lying. Yes, the team needs some tweaks and improvements in some areas, most notibly the bullpen and end of the rotation. However, the September collapse was not a reflection of a team wholely lacking in its ability to get to the playoffs or even make a WS run. It was a reflection of a team of individuals who simply didn't come through this time when it mattered most. I'm still very confident that the nucleus of a winning team is here, with very few significant changes needed to move forward.

I have nothing to add to this post. Your condescension is hard to tolerate. I hope you and a700 get hired by the Red Sox. Your ideas will turn the club around right away.

You think his value is "much higher" than Youkilis? I see no reason that Youkilis as a half-time DH can't put up Ortiz numbers which, according to B-R would give him between 2.8 (2010) and 3.8 (2011) WAR. Santana was at 3.3 (2010) and 3.1 (2011). I want more than Santana if they are giving up Youkilis. As far as Youk's decline goes, I think the numbers say that a lot of that can be accounted for as a loss of average, which tends to fluctuate much more than his ability to see pitches or hit good pitches. The average will account for his SLG loss. His IsoD (OBP - AVG) was consistent last year. In other words, I wouldn't be at all shocked if Youk came back with a mid-900s season next year. That's not to say he will do it forever, but I don't think he's washed up in the slightest. Others clearly disagree.

He's already made it clear that he would. GMs are supposed to be able to know everything about a person, including what their free will will have them do moving forward. When they are unable to do that, they should be "held accountable" for their lack of superpowers.

So you would have paid Papelbon 4 years at 12.5 with a vesting 5th? Would you have complained if he were only throwing 92mph after 2.5 years and couldn't be used for anything more than 7th inning duty? Or, would you also reserve the right to complain about the move that you advocated for?

http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2011/11/14/hot-stove-pirates-closer-joel-hanrahan-could-be-available-through-trade/ How bout a trade for Joel Hanrahan? 9th hardest thrower among qualified RP in 2011, roughly as hard as Daniel Bard. He would be a great addition for 8th or 9th inning duties. Shouldn't cost an arm and a leg either.

Right, we wait. Because, once again, this isn't about us. It isn't about your impatience or the impatience of other fans. It is about putting together the best team to take the field in the spring when the 2012 season starts. It is currently November of 2011. The FO has been through off-seasons before. It's not like Cherington is new to this whole thing, nor is Lucchino, nor is Baird or any of the other people running this ship.