Rdsxmbnt

Werth really is the perfect fit for this lineup with the Gonzalez move. Unless Theo has some mega plan to get Upton and then sign Crawford of course

Dunn is not the type of player Theo wants. He's been available a billion times in the past 5 years and never have the Red Sox even shown remote interest. I like Dunn but he was really never in the cards. Even if Beltre resigns then you still can rotate Youk/Agon out of the 1B/DH spot. Plus I believe Theo has shown interest in Fielder in the past and he'd be a natural fit for DH also in the future.

Sabean/Giants play in a significantly weaker division and have virtually been non-existent for the last 5-6 years. Sure he's made out well now after having years of high draft picks that have panned out extremely well (netted Lincecum, Cain, Bumgarner, etc.) but Theo would be crucified if Abruey Huff was the best hitter on the team. I can confidently say that the Theo is a much better GM and has drafted as well in the pitching department and light years ahead in the hitting department.

It's still extremely early in the offseason. Lackey signed Dec 16 Drew signed Dec 7 Lugo signed Dec 6 Beltre signed Jan 6 Cameron signed Dec 16 other big FA signings recently Holliday signed Jan 7 Bay signed Dec 30 K-Rod signed Dec 10 Sabathia signed Dec 10 Tex signed Dec 23 Burnet signed Dec 12 The list goes on and on but by and large the big FAs don't sign till mid-late Dec or later. If we haven't done anything by Christmas then yes be worried that maybe we aren't going to spend, but for now just relax because it's still extremely early.

I know you hope it is

6 players in all of baseball did that last year... So do you

I like both but the only problem is getting Gonzalez without Ellsbury. Is say Kelly/Rizzo/Lowrie/Doubrout enough? Do the Red Sox make that deal or just wait a year?

Personally I think the best move would be to trade Ellsbury while he's still cheap to maximize his value. If the Mets/Padres would take a package of Ellsbury/Kelly/Lowrie(Iglesias) for Wright or Gonzalez then I think they should make that trade. It frees up Kalish to be the CF and allows them to sign Crawford for the leadoff spot. Giving a lineup of 1. Crawford LF 2. Pedroia 2B 3. Gonzalez/Wright 1B/3B 4. Youkillis 1B/3B 5. Ortiz DH 6. Drew RF 7. Lowrie/Scutaro SS 8. Kalish/Cameron CF 9. Salty C Bottom of the lineup is a bit iffy but I could also see it working out extremely well

I really don't think anyone is going to end up paying "elite" for Werth (IE 100 mil). I'll say it again, Bay barely scraped together 64mil, and I really don't see Werth getting a whole lot more than that. Also he's had 4 straight years of .860+ OPS and has gotten better in each of those seasons. If they plan on keeping Ellsbury then Werth makes a lot of sense. If Rasmus/Upton are available then maybe Crawford makes more sense. IMO Crawford/Ellsbury in the same lineup with Pedroia in between them wastes a lot of their speed value.

There are 25 people on the MLB roster, not 2

I think it depends on which Crawford we're going to get for the life of the contract. The .850 OPS Crawford last year is absolutely a guy I'd pay 6/150 for and he'd be able to hit in the middle of the lineup. But if he's closer to .800 OPS then he's really only fit to be the leadoff guy since a lot of his speed is lost in the #3 hole. I guess it depends on how the FO views this issue and whether Ellsbury is in the long term plans still.

Why didn't Drew and Bay then? I too prefer Crawford since I think he's more of an impact player than Werth

No way Werth gets 80-100 mil. Bay was younger and a better hitter and only got 66 mil. I'd say he gets 4/70 on the basis of better defense yet a slightly worse hitter overall. Not to mention there is another (arguably) more marque FA OF on the market competing with him. Though really I want Werth/Crawford and Upton (while holding onto Kalish which is reasonable if the deal is built around Ellbury). That way for this year we can have an OF of Crawford(Werth)/Upton/Drew and then put Kalish into Drew's spot for 2012

My ideal offseason would be to sign Crawford. Trade Bard/Ellsbury/Prospect for Upton. Then sign say Downs and/or Soriano for the bullpen. Sign Lee to a 1yr deal at 1B. Trade Scutaro, insert Salty at C, look into Russell Martin if he gets non-tendered 1. Crawford OF 2. Pedroia 2B 3. Upton OF 4. Youkillis 3B 5. Ortiz DH 6. Lee 1B 7. Drew OF 8. Lowrie SS 9. Salty/Martin C Then next season we still have a lot of money freed up at 1B/DH/RF to use on say Gonzalez while possibly using Rizzo/Kalish to fill other holes cheaply.

Crawford would be a huge grab and I hope that's the direction they are going in. Combine with a 1 year guy like Lee and then explore trading Ellsbury+ for someone like Upton and I think we could see a major change for the better in the future of the offense without having to reupp older players like Martinez/Beltre

I have complete faith that Lackey will return to his normal level of dominance next year. Look at his second half after the ASB: 15 starts, 102 IP, 98 hits, 26 BB, 88 K, 8 HR, 3.97 ERA, 3.30 FIP, 3.38 K/BB. Those peripherals are great and are much more in line with his career totals then the first half of the season. I think he needed time to adjust and that we're going to have a very good pitcher on our hands next year.

Parraz is a nobody, teams make signings like these every day, the only reason you here about it is because Boston sports media will report anything and everything related to baseball

There is zero chance the FO lets Beltre/Martinez walk and then doesn't fill a corner OF/corner IF spot with a big-time hitter. Not with Crawford/Werth on the FA market and a lot of money to spend.

Agree to disagree but you pointed out a lot of fairly insignificant moves without mentioning say Youkillis, Ortiz, Pedroia, Buchholz, Lester, Bard, Beltre, Okajima, Papelbon, Lowrie, Drew, Beckett which are the players that Theo has drafted/brought in that actually matter (in fact all but lowrie/bard have been all-stars for the Red Sox, which means 10 all-stars and doesn't even include guys like Foulke, Bay, Martinez, Lowell, Schilling, Mueller, Millar and other big name players he has brought in)

1) My bad for thinking for first point in a 15 point rant against Theo Epstein would actually be something you supported 2) Fair enough on Wakefield, but still it was for a very minuscule amount in the grand scheme of the payroll 3) Errors and HRs? Two of the worst metrics for judging defense and offense. Scutaro put up a 2+ WAR (wins above replacement), Agon had done that once in his career about 7 years ago, doubtful he does what he did this year in the AL East. 4) And I've lived in New England my entire life so...

We won a WS in large part because of these guys Its a two year contract for fairly small money, not a big deal Again he's a two year contract and was adequate in his first year You're a dumbass if you think Lars Anderson had anything to do with signing Teixiera He was traded for two insignificant prospects and has only had 19 AB. Did I mention he's 25 and a catcher? Meaning offensively catchers develop later He's a mop-up man, keep your pants on He was a bust, every GM drafts a lot of busts. In fact the MAJORITY of picks are busts It has been one year, look at his track record We have a ONE year team option every year, no multi-year deal was signed Bad trade, not every one works out Was signed for one year at little cost, didn't work out, move on You really have to dig into the BENCH moves? Gave up basically nothing for him, a below average 1B come on You don't watch much baseball do you? Lowrie was awesome, Kalish is a ROOKIE. "Mackey Sasser" had 19 AB... Alex Gonzalez blows. Also, f*** you

Lowe had a 4.5 and 5.4 ERA in his final years in Boston and then went to an NL team, really no comparison to pitching in the AL East. Also fangraphs puts a ton of stock into questionable defensive components, overall Cabrera was a very mediocre hitter in LAA. Bay sucked it up his first year, Pedro was worth something for one year (again pitching in the NL) and then useless. Damon had some good years but overall he wasn't really fit to play the field and would have taken away bats from Ortiz at DH if he remained here. Really looking at that list there is no one that I really wish we held onto with the exception of maybe Cabrera, and even then I'm fairly indifferent. EDIT: Really throw in the draft picks and I really couldn't give a f*** about any of these guys. Pedro for Buchholz, Lowe for Hansen/Bowden, Cabrera for Ellsbury/Lowrie (huge swing in our favor), Damon for Bard

Why make that trade when he'll be available to sign next year. That's three players/prospects who are very close to being major leaguers and have the ability to make a large impact for pennies on the dollar