seabeachfred

Worry about something else Dojii. Pedroia is a gamer and he played all season with a serious thumb injury that would have driven most ballplayers to the DL. Yet Pedey played and hit 301, drive in 84 runs and handled the No. 3 spot in the batting order very well all season. Not to mention what a leader he was on the field, in the clubhouse and the complete ballplayer he was offensively, defensively and speed wise. He will be set and play outstanding baseball for us well into his 30's because that's just who he is. Credit the Red Sox and their scouting staff for being able to read this guy when he was in college and not be swayed by his lack of size. I would take him just about over any other player in the league, especially when to factor in his intangibles that he brings to the ball club. Betts either will find a new position or be used in a trade because barring some very tragic development second base and Pedroia are a well fitted glove for the next eight seasons.

I've been screaming for a long time to just give Lav a shot at catching for us but it has fallen mostly on deaf ears and it also looks like the front office agrees with most of the posters here that he is not the answer to our catching needs. The guy can hit and hit with power and while he is not a top notch defensive catcher he is better than he was two years ago just as Salty has improved during that time. The other problem with this is that Ryan is a RH hitter and I think it would be more effective for us to have a L and R platoon combo behind the plate. And that fiasco in Houston can also be laid at the feet of one Steven Wright and his God Damn knuckleball----which BTW always needs a special catcher to handle it. We've been through that with Wakefield who stayed three or fours years too long. I still believe Lavarnway could be a very pleasant surprise if given a chance.

I first got that feeling this past Saturday when I noticed that the market for him hadn't begun to really materialize, and, perhaps, there are some teams very leery of dealing once again with Boras. Still, I can't help feeling that if we make a move for Jacoby the Yankees will jump in just as they did for Damon and Teixiera. I read on another board how Ellsbury enjoyed playing with his teammates this past season and that any ill feelings he had toward Boston (medical staff ineptness and Epstink's stupid move of him to LF) had long dissipated. We'll know more in a couple of weeks perhaps. Jacoby could do something about this right now if he wanted to. He could tell Boras he wants to stay with the Red Sox and to make the best deal he can for him.....just as Weaver with him to stay in Anaheim. So far as I know he hasn't done that. It depends just how much he likes the Red Sox and his teammates and how much he likes playing in a packed ballpark with a proven winner.

Truth be told, despite my now dislike of Lucchino because of his constant meddling prior to this season, when I met him on Opening Day 2009 in those seats near the Coke Bottle (used by RS Destination patrons) he was a very warm and friendly man and he seemed to enjoy cavorting with the fans. A much different persona than what we keep hearing and reading about. He was telling about ten of us gathered around him that he felt the Sox would make a decent run for the division title that year......which we did, leading at the ASB by three games before the wheels came off.

Just keep your eyes on them Station. I think they are going to make a full court press for Jacoby Ellsbury. You heard it here first.

iortiz, the Yankees made a good signing. They needed a catcher very badly considering how poorly their backstops this past season performed. Come to think of it, we could use another ourself---except we have Vasquez down on the farm and an even better Swihart right behind him. If McCann stays healthy he is good for close to 30 homers playing half his games at YS. That's the rub, though. Can he stay healthy. He has been banged up the past two seasons, hasn't he. We must also keep in mind for those who say it is a long road back that no one traveled a longer road from 2012 to 2013 than our guys did and we all saw how that turned out by the smiles and harm thrusts of Red Sox fans. If the Yanks pick up a good pitcher and another good infielder they might be right back in the race. Now is has to be our turn to get our house in order. The dominoes are starting to fall and we better be sure to pick up our share of them.

I've given that a little thought RSR and let me know what you and others think of it. Could it be that the Cardinals like other teams are getting tired of dealing with Scott Boras?????? I'm taking things from what Boras said himself when he called out the owners for being cheap when all that money was available. The thing with Boras is that home town discounts are nil, and where you play means even less, and whether you're with a winner or not less that that. With him it is always the big payday. And face it, most of the players are after the big payday and would shitcan being a winner for the taste of more riches. That is why that even though I'm not an Angels fan like my wife, I really admire and respect Jared Weaver for telling Boras to cool it---he wanted to stay in Anaheim and hammer out the best deal you can. I can't imagine Drew or Ellsbury telling Boras that, so that means they're payday guys too. That's their right I suppose but I don't to hear them try to ******** the press and fans that they want to be with a winner because that is secondary to them......very secondary.

Rules? I'm not sure of what you're asking Mark. About the Yankees, though, they had some terrific home grown players---Jeter, Posada, Bernie Williams, Mariano and Petitte, along with trades and free agents Brosius, Martinez, Cone, O'Neill and a few others. They had the perfect balance and they were awesome. It was like all the planets in their sphere were all lined up in a straight line. It would be hard to have five solid home grown players and the same amount of trade and FA acquisitions like they had. To be sure, it won't happen that way for them for a long time if even then. However, we have to hope we can get that kind of combination. Well, we got that this year to a point but carrying it over? That will be the big and tough test.

Wow, who is this guy? Sounds like my kind of fan. I do think it is a good move for the Yanks in the short term. It depends how long they can hold onto A-Fraud and whether Teixiera can make a full recovery and give them the three years he owes them. For sure they will be better behind the plate next year but they still have their share of holes. Well, we have a couple too.

He came clean with me Pal. When he mentioned Colorado he got my attention since that is one of the teams supposedly planning on making a run for Napoli. I wish we can sign Mike as soon as possible. That's the part of just being an ardent and passionate fan. When I coached baseball I at least had some control over what was going down. As a fan I have no control over anything. I can only hope that the right decisions are made. One good thing we all learned, especially some of us more critical of Ben. He knows what the hell he's doing and I'm sure he is weighing all the pros and cons as well as thinking long term.

Relieved to hear it my friend, but you did get me with it because Colorado was one of the teams supposedly interested in Mike. I also agree with you on positioning the team for the years after 2014. There usually is a letdown after a WS Title for most teams unless you're the Yankees of the 1996-2001 era when they won five of six pennants and four WS, three in a row. Realistically speaking and taking in the injury factor, repeating next season will be arduous indeed but some good youngsters coming up in Cecchini, Renaudo Barnes, Brentz and Swihart during the next two or three seasons. This could be like after the 2004 season where we treaded water for two years and then back with a fury in 2007. Still the AL East will again be wide open and if we make the right moves we can finish first in the division again and make a run for something bigger. I think Bogey and WMB are two very players in our immediate future.

That would not only burst my bubble Mark but it would bust my balls as well. If true, I think the Red Sox will have blown a big one and be forced to put an inferior player on first base next season, one most likely can't field as well as Napoli can, can't hit with the power he can, not be the leader he is, and most likely is a pretty inferior and crappy player. Not feeling good about this at all.

I believe that came about AFTER the Red Sox only offered a ONE year deal. Correct me I'm wrong but that's what I heard on CNNSI and FoxSports.

Don't ask me-----I never wanted Kemp in the first place.

Bravo!!!!! We are in agreement on something. Where we might differ is that you say we can wait for awhile to sign Napoli; I say we need to sign ASAP!!!!

Yes it is big Jacko and all honest Red Sox fans will concede that. However, I think this is just the beginning to the Yankees spending spree. They are going to be more than willing to eat a lot of money in the LT to get back up to snuff. McCann has power, is a good catcher and calls a good game. This is a start to get the Yankees right back in the thick of things, especially if they resign Cano and another solid pitcher.

OK I will stop since you concede that Option No. is Napoli. Of course, Option No. 2 is Napoli and Option No. is Napoli and....well you get my picture. There is no reason for the Red Sox to let this guy walk. I have also said that we can kind of ride with the tide for some of our other needs as we see how the FA and trade markets shape up, but signing Napoli is an absolute must with me. That I won't concede for a second.

Barring some unforeseen circumstances the deal will get done. I told anyone who would listen that the Yankees would be going on a spending spree this winter, the luxury tax be damned. Unless they got word that A-Fraud is going to be deemed hors de combat for 2014 or that maybe they might even lose Cano, this is just another move by your club to try and do an end run around the Red Sox as you tried to do in the off seasons of 2004 and 2007 when we won those WS. The Yankees will pay the tax and pay through the nose to try and buy themselves another title. It's the way they operate. They can't develop talent worth s*** anymore so this is their out. Money talks, BS walks.

Well I was right on that one. I said the Yankees were going on a spending spree this off season.....and they are. As far as the luxury tax is concerned they're saying to hell with it. The Red Sox are World Champions and we can't have that so the LT is out the window. You mark my words....this is the only the beginning for them. They will be spending until they drop.

To use one of your pet phrases---STOP IT!!!!! Anyone who says Beltran could play first base after never playing it before is off his rocker unless you say play it like a butcher. As for take on "lack of other options", that pure crap and if you don't know that you're the only one. One option is Mike Napoli who I have said over and over again we should ink as soon as possible. Hart is an outfielder, Beltran is an aging outfielder with bad knees and little speed, and unless you're a glutton for punishment I don't want a redux of James Loney who proved he couldn't play in Boston or Justin Morneau who is about through, or Kendrys Morales who is a total butcher in the field and runs about as fast as a tortoise.

For Cecchini and Renaudo???? NO DEAL!!!!!!! Kemp is too expensive, too injury prone and we don't want to pull a blockbuster salary dump trade in reverse with that outfit. If we need a good outfielder resign Ellsbury.

Betts looks like he might be a real comer, but if second base is his only real position there is no room for him on the Red Sox because we have a second baseman who is pretty darn good and signed for the next seven to eight years. However, it might take more than Betts and a pitcher to land a top notch player but he could be part of a nice package. I just don't think it should be for Kemp. He looks pretty fragile and broken down right now.

Whatever the case may be, the Red Sox would be smart not to dally any longer with Napoli. We need him and he wants to play for the Red Sox, but is not going to settle for a one year contract. He thinks he deserves more and so do most of the fans, including most of the posters here. The idea of signing Beltran and trying at first base is so ridiculous that the two people who proposed it should hide their faces in shame. As for Hart, he is NOT a first baseman but an outfielder who missed the whole 2012 season, so who the hell knows how he will respond missing a whole year. He is also used to playing in staid and dull Milwaukee and we know of many players who have wilted coming to Boston to play what with the demanding press and fans. Mike is a known quantity and an even better quality. I would agree that patience regarding other needs be kept on the backburner while we see how the FA market turns out, but not with Napoli. IMHO we need to sign him as soon as possible before some other team swoops in at the last minute and we're reduced to using some second rater at first base next season.

I read it and also read Pal's piece which opened my eyes more. His 2010 season wasn't bad at all and coupled with his 2013 the contract now shapes up as a good one. Winning a WS changes everything, but again we'll just have to once again agree to disagree, just like that ridiculous suggestion that we sign Beltran and try him at first base. Did you even think that one out clearly or perhaps were you overcoming a hangover. That was a real gem!!!!

Au contraire user. Your point was that the Lackey signing was a mistake....you never once alluded to the fact that he helped the Red Sox win a World Series this year until you answered my post (he obviously did). Also there was not one point I raised in my missive that was in any way inaccurate. That was also a fact. When a player helps dramatically to get his team into a World Series and then win it, it then becomes a successful signing. You never hear the Yankees bitching about the signing of Teixeira and CC even though they seem on their way down with the former down for the past couple of years. It is most likely why you don't hear Red Sox fans moaning about losing a solid player like Hanley Ramirez and a good pitcher like Anabel Sanchez even though they have had some pretty good years apiece since we traded them. You don't hear complaints because getting Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell won us a World Series in 2007. That was my point.