ksushi

Yeah, I know he has some impressive comps (Ortiz, and Helton is his number one comp with a pretty high score I believe) , and I've just learned about PECOTA about a couple years ago, so the jury is out on it for me because I've yet to see many players whom i follow in the minor leagues get a chance to perform at the level of their comps. I think PECOTA should be taken somewhat lightly for now, but definitely goes to show that you should keep an open mind about players in the minor leagues. I wouldn't let a guys PECOTA comps get in the way of a trade or something substantial. The most telling things IMO about Chris Carters future as a MLer is that he is fat and old for his level. Not impressed.

I think he was just leaving a little room for optimism considering all the happy people that seem to like Chris Carter.

At this point, Papelbon is head and shoulders above Chamberlain because of his experience and utter dominance at the major league level. Posted a historically low ERA in '06. Can't even compare. Chamberlain projects better as a starter, no doubt, but I'm not prepared to say hes better. Papelbons fastball might be one of the most dominant pitches in the game. Santana's change, Mariano's cutter, and a King Felix curve come to mind, but I think Papelbons heater has to at least be mentioned in the conversation.

Easy on the triple postage. And, I don't think that the hype around Buchholz stems solely from the no hitter. Thats unfair. He has fantastic stuff and poise, the only flaw in his game seems to be fastball command, but its not a major issue since he is pretty pin point with his offspeed stuff so when he speeds you up, the location of the fastball doesn't need to be as precise.

I've never seen Chamberlain as a starting pitcher, but stuffwise in the roles I've seen them in: Chamberlain, Buchholz, Hughes, Lester, Delcarmen, Kennedy (haven't seen but read about), Hansen. Though I expect hansen to ascend that list.

I'll take you for my beer league softball team, A-rod doesn't seem like he'd fit in with the guys. I think you're right though, anyone who doesn't want a RH .300 40+ 100+ lock of a bat in their lineup they're insane. Having a great farm system is a huge advantage, but free agency gives you more known commodities and for you're buck, bring in an A-rod, you're getting a guaranteed .300/.380/.550 animal. That changes a team.

Chris Carter has never hit outside the PCL and will never be an everyday major leaguer for any substansial peroid of time.

Buchholz all day. Again, probably not close. Buchholz is the kind of guy you build a team around, as is Hughes. Ellsbury isn't of that ilk and his position isn't as crucial.

I'm going to scalp tickets and wait in line for all of these games

Key. Did not know that. Yeah, good pick up probably the St. Louis. Hopefully he makes a nice recovery.

I don't know. Brian Barton fell pretty far for a guy who was expected to be taken 1st or second. Not that it matters as much in baseball, but maybe something was up that he fell that far.

I wish people would stop talking about acquiring Salty. Why do people think the Rangers will even think about making him available. They just traded Texiera for him and he is one of a very few promising prospects for them. He has a potential forty homer bat and he can catch. Thats a rare commodity. He ain't goin' no wheres.

I don't know, maybe not with his command issues.

The reason the Marlins were able to net so much talent in return in that deal is because neither of the players going the other way command 100+ million dollars in an imperitive extension like Johan does. If there is no extension for Johan, there is no deal, so that basically means Johan will be costing the team that gets him at least one premium prospect and then some and a 100+ million dollar commitment over 5+ years. That is why Johan is going to net less talent in return than Cabrera and Willis.

I don't think next years division race is factoring into the twins thinking a lot on this one. If anything, the Detroit trade is another reason why it doesn't make sense for them to keep Johan.

I think thats decently doubtful. Thats the problem with the winter meetings. Everyone can go and hang out in the lobby, I have friends who've done it, and rumors get thrown around like crazy. Almost nothing is believable. Even Gammons has eaten his words thrice since getting there.

I'll take Hughes all day, I don't even think its close.

no one is really picking this up. BP is the only place ive been seeing it. lets hope this gets picked up by espn soon

Not done yet. Its looking like the sox are at the point where when negotiations re-open they can push this thing to get done by sweetening the deal just a little bit with a Lars Anderson or someone like that and it will probably be done. Then... the dreaded negotiation. At least this is exciting now where as before it was just like a rumor spiral of death that changed every three seconds... Anywhoo, I haven't slept in like 30 hours, and my friends are supposed to call me if something happens. See you then. Beckett, Santana, DiceK, Schilling, Buchholz... jesus christ.

Yeah, let him go to arbitration, down the road look to buy him out of a year or two of free agency. Now isn't the time. EDIT - He doesn't have anything to be unhappy about or anyone to be unhappy at. Papelbon (and certain relatives) loves to talk about how unfair it is that some players get paid very little while comporable veterans get paid millions of dollars. I'm sorry, but thats the nature of the beast. Nobody makes big money in their first few years in the league (except DiceK, but he throws a gyroball) its the nature of the beast. Let him be upset all he wants. He is 26 and raking in over 400K a year. Cry me a river.

I think there has to be something missing. Perhaps a 3rd team or something because it doesn't make sense to trade for Santana and not give up some piece of our rotation without Santana... right? Maybe? Probably just a tactic to keep the twins interested in answering our phone calls for now and either drive the yankees price up, or force the yankees out of the negotiations and killing the twins leverage... Either way... I'm starting to get bored of this. Call me when Santana changes uni's.

I don't think thats a very reliable source and I also don't think that fits very well with the FO's general philosophy. If we put in Ellsbury or Buchholz it will end up being Ellsbury long before we part with Buch. Not to say we are a lock to trade either, I don't think we are, but if one had to go... I doubt it'd be clay.

Perhaps we are in for some news here one way or the other in the next 24ish hours...

Crisp ceiling as a .280 hitter? Except those years where he hit .300 right? Forgot about that. Go on a hunt and find what his BA was from July 1 to the end of the season. I don't know if Ellsbury projects to be Sizemore or Beltran good either... I've certainly not heard any of those comps. I've heard people say his swing has a little Beltran in it, but his frame certainly doesn't. The Sox can't let this deal fall apart over the inclusion of Ellsbury. We would be selling insanely high. He is going to be a good player, for sure, but right now he is considered almost elite - if not he is considered elite - because of the series. He set the world on fire when he got called up, but his production over the next few years will probably not be so far off vs. Crisps production that it is worth it to keep Ellsbury over Crisp in a deal for probably the most dominant pitcher in the game right now. Sure, in a vaacum I would rather have Ellsbury. Easily. Thing is, in baseball, decisions are never made in a vaacum. I would rather have Santana and Crisp than Ellsbury.