riverside sluggers

roto http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1045308#articleFull http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2007/11/lowell_mulls_op.html Todays's Boston Globe mentions an earlier report from Peter Gammons, that the Yankees seem set rather to go with a Giambi/Duncan platoon at 1st

As bosoxnation said... Miguel Tejada, Garrett Atkins (reports have been out there that Rockies might shop him around), Adam Dunn (Though he has no trade clause until June 15), Eric Chavez, Dan Johnson, Hank Blalock, Joe Crede, Conor Jackson, Nick Johnson, Scott Rolen

Not sure how the rest of the bullpen would work out. The projected payroll figure I mapped out doesnt consider a complete 25 man roster (I got to 21), as well as what pay raises the rookies will be getting. Add in Mike Lowell, Yankees offering 4 year deal $55-60 million, its just another year of topping $200 million

The options for 3rd arent just Lowell, Cabrera, and in house options. There are several trade options out there

I was figuring Torrealba was bound to be the #1 choice for either New York team after Posada was signed

Now see Buchholz in a deal for Cabrera I wouldnt do, but... Buchholz in a package that would bring us Cy Young Joahn Santana, well sign me up for that. A front 3 of Santana, Beckett, Dice K would be nasty

I cant wait to hear what Brian Cashman has to say

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071114&content_id=2300775&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla&partnered=rss_fla The Angels & Dodgers are the front runners for Cabrera. A league source says that a deal could be consumated by Thanksgiving

7 news reported that offers are on the table for Lowell. Him & his agents are just waiting for a response from Boston. The offers are coming from the Angels, Dodgers and of course Yankees. 4 years, in the $55-60 million range

I could see Coco being involved in a package (not for Cabrera) for a 3rd/1st baseman if neither Lowell or Arod is signed. Possible 3rd base trade options are Hank Blalock, Eric Chavez and Miguel Tejada. 1st Base trade options would be Dan Johnson, the oft injured Nick Johnson I cant start to think about Miguel Cabrera. There is no way around it to give Florida a package that doesnt include Ellsbury & Buchholz. The recent SI article mentioned that they have been asking teams for 4 top players in return.

Unless Lowell takes the "hometown discount" and agrees to a 3 year deal... A-Rod is really the best option. I take the Sox signing him to a $30 million per year deal any day over giving up Buchholz, Ellsbury, and anyone else for Cabrera. Sports Illustrated has reported that the Marlins are asking for 4 top players, no thank you This team has a bright future, force to reckon with in the next 5 to 10 years. Papelbon, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Buchholz, Lester, Jed Lowrie (if he gets hot like Ellsbury, perhaps a Lugo trade within the next year), Bowden, Masterson. Also included is the acquired Chris Carter for WMP. His best position is 1st base, but even then he needs to work on his defense. I heard he even has problems with handling pop ups. Still a nice project to have

lol neither did I roto

roto

Sabathia can keep his Cy Young to cover his post season failures. Beckett will at least have his ring and his name inprinted as one of the best playoff pitchers

roto

Actually if you scroll down in that article, Florida is specifically asking from New York: Joba Chamberlain or Phillip Hughes Melky Cabrera Jose Tabata AND another prospect Damn, I dont blame the Yankees for refusing that deal

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees/2007/11/posada_to_stay_with_yanks.html The Posada deal is a la Johnny Damon/Hideki Matsui, 4 years at $52 million

Dusty!!!! I never doubted you kid

Im thinking down the road, late 30s/early 40s. Will he come close to being worth $35 million per year at the end of his career?

Lets check the # of times Beckett & Burnett have visited the DL the last 2 seasons. Beckett once visited the DL this past season and that resulted in him missing 2 starts because of an avulsion. If he ends up winning the Cy Young (which he should), are we going to still hear inane arguments about how this trade will bring down the Red Sox in terms of talent. This season truely showed that to win, you need solid pitching. If Beckett wasnt acquired, the 2006 rotation wouldve liked this Curt Schilling (missed 2 weeks in August/September) David Wells (injured off/on throughout season) Matt Clement (season ending DL in June, last time pitched) Bronson Arroyo Tim Wakefield (out for 2 months) Despite Beckett having a shaky first season in the AL, he remained a rock for last year's rotation. A rock in a sense that he was the only Sox starter to make all of his starts (33). Now I can only look forward to next year's rotation of Beckett Matsuzaka (should have a bounce back year) Schilling Lester Wakefield (Buchholz down in Pawtucket as solid insurance) After the 2005 season came to a halt, the Sox were looking at a questionable starting staff. Schilling had an injury-marred season that saw him experience with closing, Wells had a good year but getting older with weaky knees, Arroyo a serviceable 4th/5th starter, and Clement had an all-star 1st half but faltered all the way to a disastrous ALDS start.

Beckett the Cy Young contender carried the pitching staff throughout the season, and then was just f***ing nasty in the days of October. He is owed just $20 million over 2 years (extension should come next offseason) and might I remind that he is still 27 years old. How often does premier pitching come available? Lowell while yes has reached his peak, was clearly the MVP of the 2007 Red Sox. When Manny went down he admirably filled the #4 hole during September when the Yankees were making things interesting Hanley was a big loss but whose to say he wont ever become a Red Sox? Anyways, ask any GM if they would pull off a deal that would give them a pitcher that could be ace of any staff... the trigger would be pulled Long term loss of talent for Boston? lol, oh yes the Sox and the minor league teams will be thrown back into the dark ages

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7431152 The Phillies have resigned JC Romero to a 3 year/$12 million contract. There is an option for a 4th year that would bring the total value to $16.75 million. Damn

My apologies, I swore I had pasted it. Its updated now

They will now be known as the Tampa Bay Rays. The link in the article takes you to clips showing the new uniforms and plans for a new stadium. The water front stadium would cost $450 million, seat 35,000, and be similar to Pittsburgh and San Francisco's http://www.boston.com/sports/nesn/wilbur/sports_blog/blog/

As I said before, if Gagne accepts then the Sox could still try to swing him to a team that is in need of a closer