seabeachfred

I did miss it Spud so thanks for the heads-up. I did hear some rumor of a Montreal group who would like to buy the Rays and move them to Canada. Sorry, but they would be better off staying where they are if they could get a new ballpark. The one they have now is a total dump in my opinion.

I married a WASP----for some reason WASPS and Dagos make a great combination in matrimony, and you have to give my lady full credit because she has put up with my strange personality for 44 years. As for the Cubs, I mentioned yesterday that I took trips to Boston and Chicago t his past season and two seasons in a row before that. Yes, I watch the Cubs on WGN and pretty much like them better than any other NL team, but if push came to shove no Red Sox fan would root for them over our team, no way. Speaking of those two clubs, it would be a boon for baseball if Boston and Chicago met in a WS. I think it would be a really solid shot in the arm for the game. The last time they met? 1918---no longer a indictment of our team.

I'm full of surprises MJ. Wait until I get my Mandolin and I'll join you.

If Victorino is healthy, IF IF IF IF, I agree, he will win an outfield spot because the guy is a gamer and a clutch performer. You don't need me to say it, just look at his body of work in 2013. Of course, I am a little biased on his behalf, first of all, because I thought his signing might have been a mistake and he made me eat my words and became a big favorite of mine, and secondly, because I was in Fenway when he hit that granny that put us in the World Series. Of all the thrills I've gotten watching baseball games in my life that homer was the biggest of all. I and all the ballpark went totally ape s*** when he belted that ball.

iortiz----I think I mentioned his before but a good friend of mine who played ball for me and coached with me is the guy who signed James Shields about a decade ago. Fred Repke is a top scout for the Rays and he insists the Red Sox would reap big benefits by signing him. He gives you over 200 innings every year and hasn't missed a turn in a dog's age. Sure, as pitchers get older things could start to break down but Shield seems a guy who revels in big time situations and we should not let the fact that he had a couple of hiccups this past post season eliminate his larger body of work. We both know we need at least one more top notch pitcher----I still would like two of them but it's becoming increasingly clear we're not going to get the daily double and that to me means Shields or Hamels, one costing us plenty of money, the other prospects not named Betts or Swihart---both of which the Red Sox seem to have in large numbers.

Spud----that's very true----and the one thing ownership must realize is that the prices for quality players will be determined by the market. As far as our team is concerned, John Henry has to understand that the fans, the most rabid and loyal in baseball, want and deserve a winner and he has to spend money to make sure of that. One thing that most likely won't happen but should is that we could use a real baseball man in baseball operations to aid Cherington and to keep Lucchino out of this area. He is a walking plague ready to germinate every time he wanders into this area.

I can try to go at this from a different perspective Spitball. First I insist that SCM did not mean what he said a little while back. He's pissed and rightly so at what has gone on this off season, but if he believes that Red Sox fans can switch teams I think he will be honest with himself and say they can't. Sure, they can have an NL team they follow but at best it is a 90-10 proposition and that is giving away some points. I have been on board only since 2000 but all the gold in the world couldn't get me to junk the Red Sox and I don't think it can you, him or anyone else. I'm actually a little envious that it took me so long to find this team, but now I live and die with them and walk the damn floor at night when they lose. One place where I think we should all agree is that Larry Lucchino is a total ******* and detrimental to the well being of our team when he sticks his nose in baseball operations instead of staying in his damn office and do his job of promotions, sales, public relations and whatever else is in his job description. It sure as hell isn't BO. To me he's a total washout in that regard. I suggested we delete this thread because some feelings have been ruffled, not to mention my making a fool of myself by over-reacting to what was a minor insult at best. MVP brought up a terrific point yesterday and hit home with me as it should have months ago. We're all Red Sox fans and we're all in this together. Let's disagree where we need to but try and be civil about it.

Are we really sure about Tanaka my friend. Once again, you are a epitome of a cool hand Luke, and don't think I don't appreciate it. What I really want to see is the Red Sox make a complete turnaround next year and dominate the division. If we had that No. 1 man, I would cover your back and insist that we will take the division as presently constructed. Let me be honest, though. I have to admit that I have a little of that entitlement in me.......I want us to be in the race for a division title every year and personally, after what kind of team the front office put on the field this season and how poorly we fared I think they owe all Red Sox fans, me, you, 700, mvp, iortiz and the whole lot of us a terrific 2015. If that's being selfish I stand tried and convicted.

VJC---Napoli hit fourth much of the 2013 season and did well for us, but I take what you and others have said.....he is much better as a hitter down in the fifth or sixth hole. I think we will get good production from him down there, and he is after all a very good defensive first baseman. I'd sure rather have him there than try to move Ramirez or Sandoval there. If Nap stays healthy we should expect him to have a good rebound year. In fact, I like the guy makeup....I think he is a real Red Sox and would love to see him finish his career with us.

I'm afraid of the Red Sox---our mediocre starting rotation minus a true No. Ace and a bad actor on the team like Ramirez coupled with a SS who cannot field all the grounders our pitchers are going to give him and who cannot hit like s*** when he comes up with the runners on base in a key situation as we saw so many damn times this past year.

Especially MDC---better known as Major Disaster Coming or as we called him on Sawxheads and Dirt Dogs, Manny Delgarbage. That was one guy who pissed me off every time he stepped to the mount. It took the better part of six damn years before the front office called him a sunk coast and got rid of him......BTW he still hasn't made it back to the Big Leagues, and don't get any stupid ideas Cherington.

I've been pretty vocal that you cannot have effective ground ball pitchers with a shortstop who cannot field, cover all that ground and make the DP effectively.....especially if at bat you can't hit worth s*** with men on base. This would be the very time to trade Bogaerts while he has top value and the rest of baseball isn't all that aware that this guy might be another Middlebrooks or Bradley.

vjc---if the names Betts or Swihart are mentioned Cherington should simply say---HIT THE ROAD JACK AND DON'T YOU COME BACK NO MORE NO MORE NO MORE NO MORE, HIT THE ROAD JACK AND DON'T YOU COME BACK NO MORE. In addition we must have a two day window to resign him to an extension or the deal is doubly off.

iortiz, I did say a lot of mistakes have been made and I get as overwrought as you do.......as you well know my friend. What is weird is how similar our staffs were in 2012 and 2014 to the one in 2013 when we shocked the world. I keep harking back to the fact that players we hoped would rise to the occasion like Middlebrooks, Bradley and Bogaerts all crapped out badly this past season causing us to lose games we might have won----and when you couple that to the injuries suffered by Victorino, Pedroia and Napoli, that was enough of a laundry list to capsize our team twice over. That we lowballed Jon Lester to boot only added dirt to our grave. This must not happen again next season or the season after that or the season after that or the......well, you get the idea.

As been demonstrated so many times in the past the NFLPA are made up of a bunch of scabs who would sell out their mothers for a smile and bonus f rom their owners. We've seen how so many of them walked through picket lines the past few decades, Howie Long, being one of the most notorious of the scabs. The MLBPA are made of sterner stuff and would shut down baseball if the owners tried the NFL extortion on them. Having said that GB, it only leaves one alternative. We have to have owners of the Red Sox who understand that the market dictates what a player is worth and not some number they arrived at from some computer spreadsheet, something I think Prune Face is going to have to understand better so we don't get another Lester-type debacle any time soon. And that's all I'm concerned with to tell you the truth. The rest of the teams can go to hell, what does that mean to me. Only the Red Sox matter and they must be put in a position where they can compete for a title of some kind every @#$%^&* year.

You're not missing much my friend unless it skipped past you that the owners of this team might be contemplating on just selling out and letting the new owners deal with the problem. By unloading all their assets they might want to get younger and cheaper and give the owners a team that is not expensive in payroll.

Well the guy has had some success in the baseball world. Whether it was dumb luck, talent or the starts aligning just right, the Red Sox have won three World Series since Henry took over in 2002, that's three in 13 seasons---not too shabby. OTOH, we have seen some mistakes made in the personnel department and our failure to sign some of our free agents, not to mention bad signings. I can only speak for myself on this, but I have to admit I gotten a little, what would be the better term, selfish, greedy, or entitled and maybe a little of all three. One thing I do believe in, though, and that the Red Sox are a big market team, should think like one and should contend for the playoffs every year. There should be no 2012's or 2014's, and it's up to ownership to make sure that never happens again.

Please Palodios, not this guy. Take it from me......he is a poster boy for a choker. You think Alan Webster had the deer in the headlights look; this guy is academy award in that regard. He would get eaten up by the American League and eaten up by the Boston fans. Believe me, we can do better.

High School----35 years.

No mvp----this time you are absolutely correct and I have resorted to making some cracks about User of late---mostly at how I believe he always seems to support whatever the FO does. I did, however, suggest to my friend iortiz that he put him on ignore because for whatever reason User irritates him as he did me. On the harmony part, though, you're not pissing in the wind and make good points. Let's play it your way and see if it works. I really would like nothing else but to talk Red Sox baseball and end the pissing contests too. Thanks for the tough love.

Thanks for the update Bellhorn. My impression was that we were still under it by about $15 million or so. I wonder if we could get the actual count somewhere. Maybe someone out there can crosscheck and see where we actually are in the LT category.

Unless there is a sea change in the front office's thinking you can kiss Scherzer good bye as far as the Red Sox are concerned. The money he is asking for is prohibitive from what the Red Sox have done lately and they are never going to outbid the Yankees for someone the Yankees want, and I don't consider for a moment that the Yankees aren't lurking out there waiting to snap and offer the guy a humongous contract. That's their history. As far as Shields is concerned, he and his agent are no dummies. They see the market and know that his value has only gone up since the money was handed out to Lester. If the Red Sox think they can get him in a bargain rate, they have been sniffing something bad for them even though I would love to have James on the team---along with Hamels. I just know two things. We won't get both of them, and two, if don't get one of them we will not have the pitching to advance far in the post season next year. At least that's the way I see it.

I think despite what Prune Face says he simply does not want to go over the luxury tax threshold...and most likely won't. He and his scuzzy buddy Lucchintzy have been busy trying to convince fans that what we have is enough to get us through the bulk of the season.....which is pure BS. If enough ball washers like your "pal" User fall into line (doesn't he always) the front office will think they put one over on the fans. Not you and most of the people around here irotiz. And take 700's advice----put that guy on ignore and keep him there.

By better options I think you mean Scherzer and Shields.....correct me if I'm wrong. Well if you are in your right mind you can shitcan the first guy because Prune Face is not going to ante up the money needed to sign him, no matter what BS he gave about going over the luxury tax. As f or Shields he's going to want four or five years and money that pruney does not want to pay because the fuzzy owner of the teams doesn't understand that he doesn't decide what a pitcher is worth, the market does. So what does that leave us? Hamels, and, yes I would include XB in a trade for him, and, earth to everyone, it would take more than just Bogaerts to get us Cole.

Glad to hear it Bo 11. The fact is Italians who came to this country came with nothing but the shirts on their backs, if that, and were poorer than church mouses, not to mention they were made fun of and given the slack ends of the dirtiest jobs. Yet they made it in this country and now are among the most loyal of Americans. I do feel a little jealous of my Irish buddies. They had it wired better........take some crap for a few decades and then become cops and priests. They made it a little faster. Either way, I do get pissed off when some lazy bastards today want the govt to give them everything like those Wall Street strikers a few years ago. I had to stop the talk of food my friends and change the topic just a little and I was getting hungry again. To wit, my lunch today was a piece of cod and a piece of tilapia and nice side of spaghetti. To me that's eating.