seabeachfred

Hot damn Ted----that is exactly what I would do and have talked about it in pieces for the past month. Hamels and Shields for our No. 1 and 2 men. Package XB who I think is expendable since we need a sound defensive man on short (which X isn't is and also because he can't hit with men on base for a damn) With those two I would go along with moving Kelly, and I said it the other day....this time I would sign Drew because he would now have a solid ST background entering the season and would not be holding out for the big bucks---which he certainly is not going to get. Now if Cherington would only get his head out.

If by that BSN you mean we will all keep breathing and hopefully staying healthy, then you're right. If by that you mean we can still win the division and head deep into the playoffs, then your wrong We need an ace....that is a must if we want to be favorites for the division and have a ghost of a chance in the playoffs. The front office must have their feet kept in the fire until they replace Lester....WHICH THEY MOST CERTAINLY HAVE NOT .

We are currently a middle of the pack AL East team right now unless our hitters really hit and half the lineup doesn't pull a Bogaerts, that the relief pitching is lights out, and our rotation over-achieves on the hill. Don't let anyone tell you differently Spud, without a qualified No. 1 ace and a solid No. 2 man we will have a devil of a time winning the division unless those things I outlined come to pass or the rest of the division also screws it up and we happen to sneak in there and take the cake. Then we would have trouble in the post-season because that is where you really need an ace......THINK BUMGARNER or Lester last year. You listening Lucchino?

I'm proud to call myself a Dago and as such my friend I don't go in for that political correct bu##sh#t. To me it isn't offensive at all unless someone I don't like gets in my face as calls me that. In fact, most of my friends have called my Dago and I see nothing offensive about it. Now Guinny, greasball and wop???? That's different....But thanks for the heads up. Are you an American-Italian, emphasis on American first?

Agreed. We need at least one solid reliever and "TWO WOULD BE BETTER" to quote Charles Bronson in my all time favorite movie 'THE GREAT ESCAPE".

Thanks Grady:D

Well if I come to Boston next season I'm picking your brain before I do Ted.

iortiz, I don't know what you culinary tastes are but I can tell you that in my opinion Boston ranks absolutely first in two areas.......Italian restaurants and the most delicious seafood in the country and I think I should know because they are my two favorite things to eat. Please go to the North End for the pasta, pizza, cannelloni and that delicious Dago ice cream they serve there. As a Dago myself I've never seen an Italian section that compares with it. Around Faneuil Hall there are all kinds of restaurants and stands where you can eat to your heart's delight. Try also to take the Fenway Tour because it is worth the time and effort. People find it hard to believe but I attended a game there in August of 2000 and came out after the game a Red Sox fan.

Hey amigo, have a blast in your first visit to Fenway iortiz. I think I saved some good weather for you since I was the Home Opening Series this year and nearly froze my ass off. I mean this Californian was literally shivering in his socks. Those dorks who run Red Sox Destination do a good job except for seat selection. They put you up along the Coke sign where you get hit with constant blast of wind and chills blowing off the Bay. Plus, all they sell up there is cold soda and beer to drink.....you have to go deep in the bowels of the stadium to get hot chocolate and by the time you get back to your seat it frozen like you are. I never sit up there again unless it's summer.

We see eye to eye on a lot of things iortiz but I would bet dollars to donuts we'd get that same opinion from most of the members of this board. I watched this guy on the computer at least ten times in two seasons and it was always the same mortal fear on the mound. Save for a pretty good and winning outing against the Angels last August we never got anything from this guy to warrant our keeping him. The Dodgers are a pack of *******s but they were smart enough to dump him on us and claim he was one of their top two or three prospects. Typical LA ********.

Gringo, I've had a round or two with that guy but I am convinced he did not mean what he said. Give him a week or two to cool off and he'll be back on board with the rest of us.

Use your influence mvp and get us Nick Hundley. He's the guy I want next season as bac. Don't be surprised though if Blake Swihart is ready by mid-season. To me he is our best prospect because he combines good defensive ability behind the plate with hitting power and the ability to be put in another position if the team wants to keep Vaszuez behind the plate. If not, I think Blake eventually becomes our No. 1 by 2016. Good hitting catchers who can also play good defense is a real luxury. No way we trade this guy or my boy Mookie.

Well we didn't get Lester or Santana but I do think with some breaks along the way Kelly, Porcello, Miley and Masterson could morph into decent pitchers for us next year. Fact is, two of them must have solid seasons if we are to have any real chance in the division and that's if we also can get that No. 1 that I think we need so badly. Not to belabor the point but my choice is still Cole Hamels from the Phillies. Needless to say we will need a very solid bullpen too my friend. Keep the faith my friend. I'm convinced now that 2015 will be a helluva lot better than 2014 was. Just how much better will be decided by our getting that ace.

I don't like pitch counts Bell. I really believe that there are times pitchers should be stretched out when they are pitching a terrific game. What really blows my mind is when a reliever comes in after seven terrific innings by the starter and proceeds to blow the game. To me that's the worst way to lose and has the most negative effect on me.

I'm a baseball fanatic cp and as I told you and others I didn't become a Red Sox fan until I took a game in at Fenway in 2000 so I am a johnny-come-lately compared to you and others. I probably should have refrained from getting on that guy's when he was telling he was defecting. Rooting for the Red Sox to me was like becoming alive for the autumn of my years and the biggest thrill I ever got in all my years watching baseball was when the Sox clinched the AL Title in 2013 against the Tigers. I and the rest of the crowd went completely ape and I told everyone I wasn't leaving the ballpark until I was forced to. What a trip that was and I didn't get back to my hotel until three in the morning. Keep posting my friend because I enjoy your missives.

Bell---I want the lefty. Remember, they seem to do better against the Yankees and Rays than righties do. Still, those who would take Shields have the argument it wouldn't cost us players, only money. However, remember that we haven't always done well competing against other teams for prime talent, Pablo and Hanley being exceptions this year.

I'm in that neighborhood too. I would certainly add Bogaerts to a trade for Hamels, but, then again, I have exhausted my bloviating that the guy is not the player the Red Sox think he is. However, it would take one more besides X to get Hamels if he was in the deal. I would be willing to add Owens (reluctantly) to get Hamels because I really believe with Cole in the rotation we could win the AL East next season and to me it starts with winning the division because of how the WC is now shaped.

In the next to last game this season Joe Kelly pitched on helluva game against the Yankees. He's got the equipment you described MANNY but I think the ne xt two years will tell the story. He has a good fastball and decent breaking stuff. His control needs some work but I see him as a solid No. 3 and maybe improving to a number two man. We'll see.

cp---This is the craze that has taken over baseball the past quarter century. Specialization has settled in like cement. Since you're an old war horse like me you can remember when relievers might throw three or four innings, and there were usually two or three of those types going one day after another. Now with specialization and pitch counts don't you dare have a starter go over more than 100 pitches. Complete games and starters relieving went out long ago. I remember when I lived in Queens and would g o to Ebbets Field or Yankee Stadium. The pitchers like Allie Reynolds, Eddie Lopat, Vic Raschi, Don Newcombe, Preacher Roe, Carl Erskine and the whole lot of them went nine innings every time they could, and the relievers weren't afraid to go and throw multiple innings. Hell, in 1950, Newcombe started a double header for the Brooklyn Dodgers, winning the first game and going deep in the second where the bullpen came in and one of them g ot the win. No more. Maybe the pendulum may swing back but with agents and humongous contracts pitchers are as concerned about their health as pitching in games.

Your "scouting" report was pretty much on the money Pal. RDLR was the same type of pitcher he was when he broke in with the Dodgers. One good outing, two bad ones---seemingly pitching well and then unraveling. And he will do that in Arizona unless they put him in the pen where I think he belongs. Two times around in the lineup and he usually is toast. Webster looks like a guy who pitches scared and maybe he'll do better in a weaker division and with a team where the fans are laid back and don't expect too much. To me he looked scared shitless every time I saw him on the hill this season. Even on the computer he looked like he had that deer in the headlights look. I think Miley is a safer bet than those two and I hope I'm right.

Ted was being Ted. Of course, he still thinks as I do that our pitching might still be our Achilles Heel despite the trades, but there is no doubt that Cespedes had to go. We need a solid starter and Yeonis made it clear he was going FA after 2015. I don't know why but I'm suddenly feeling a lot better about our chances next season after what we did yesterday. However, and a big however it is, we need that No. 1 guy to close the deal, and if I can be greedy I wouldn't mind a good No. 2 to challenge Porcello for that role. Off to 24 Hour Fitness for my three hour workout. Friday is always an extra exertive day. Catch you later Pal.

Good show cp. I was a history teacher myself, 35 years worth as well as a baseball and football coach. And it is a Red Sox thing no matter where you're from. We're an impatient bunch and for those of you who have followed the team for a helluva lot longer than I have you have my undying respect.

Well who would you be willing to trade to get Hamels? Betts and Swihart are non starters in my opinion but it would cost us some talent and there's no getting around that. We need that No. 1 ace and I think you would agree with that and Scherzer is not coming to Boston---you know that too. I would make t hat trade because it would keep the two I feel have a great future with us.

Prune Face----I have become a fanatical Red Sox fan since I came aboard in 2000 and can't for the life of me understand how any fan of our team could defect. On reflection I think the guy will come back around. You don't defect from the Red Sox. What's amazing is that he thinks I'm NOT really a Red Sox fan. Now how silly is that? And is it possible to delete this thread all together? It got my dander up and pissed off a lot of people. Frankly, I can't speak for SCM but I now am convinced he didn't mean what he said and will be back in the fold. Besides, a whole slew of us here despise Lucchino. Let's all move on if we can.

The Yankees haven't made their big move now and it's not like them. I keep thinking they are going to unload a ton of cash for Scherzer.