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I did notice you wandered away from WARP for this one, any reason? What it does show me is that in two years of AJ Burnett has been slightly better than one season of 07' Josh Beckett, and considering the fact that Josh Beckett just pitched in 4 postseason games, won all of them to the tune of a 1.20 ERA, I'm guessing that completely shifts the balance towards Beckett. That's not even including his 06' season, which despite his struggles was still worth 5.4 wins over a replacement pitcher. What is 6-7 years of Johan Santana worth? I'm not advocating trading both Jacoby and Buchholz, but if you can ink Santana to a big extension (much like they did with Pedro) then you have arguably the best RHP and LHP anchoring your rotation for the next 5 years. But of course given your views on trades, it is nearly impossible to trade for a FA to be and actually 'win' the trade. How about refrasing the question to sound like this: Ask any GM of a big-market team with a top 5 offense in baseball and the prospects to get a deal done for an ace (as in a legit top 5-10 pitcher in baseball) and they are probaly going to pull the trigger.

haha wow, the guy practically walks as many guys as he strikes out, and the reason his numbers look so good is because he had a BABIP of around .160 in his time with the Phillies.

What if Hanley continues to disappoint in the minors and never becomes a superstar? That's a risk you take when you make a trade, as is a player refusing an extension. They are risks associated with a trade, IMO not seperate. What if Pedro refuses the extension? Expos win it. What if Pedro accepts the extension? Red Sox win, he did, and they won.

But if you look at that trade rationally it wasn't by any means a loss, it was one of the best trades in Red Sox history. The Red Sox traded for Pedro with the intent of signing him to a big contract and anchoring the rotation for the forseeable future. Same exact thing with Beckett, the Red Sox traded two highly prized prospects for him, with the intent that this guy is going to anchor our rotation for the next 5 or so years which is exactly what they ended up accomplishing.

If you don't count extensions as part of trades, then the Red Sox lost the Pedro Martinez trade? The Red Sox traded for Pedro who was a FA to be, and shortly after signed him to a 6 year contract with an option for a 7th year. Pedro 1998: 9.6 WARP Total wins: 9.6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Carl Pavano 1998: 2.7 WARP 1999: 2.0 WARP 2000: 3.7 WARP 2001: 0.1 WARP 2002: 0.2 WARP Total Wins = 8.7 Tony Armas 2000: 3.2 WARP 2001: 5.1 WARP 2002: 3.8 WARP 2003: 1.3 WARP 2004: 1.1 WARP Total Wins = 14.5 Total Wins for Expos = 23.2 Total Wins for Red Sox = 9.6 By your methods the Red Sox lost that one which obviously was not how that deal worked out since Pedro went on to have one of the greatest stretches of dominance by anyone in major league history.

Doesn't seem logical to discount Beckett's extension, they wouldn't have given up all that talent for Beckett to hit the road 2 years later. Of course it looks better for Florida because Sanchez + Ramirez project out wins over the course of 12 combined seasons compared to 4 of Beckett + Lowell. Beckett alone could possibly tack another 20+ wins in the next 3 years. It's just really not that cut and dry considering Boston's financial position to Florida, etc.

Matt Kemp and Kershaw for Cabrera and you'll be getting somewhere

I have the 2004 DVD from MLB which includes the whole season but more of a focus on the World Series. Also have "Faith Rewarded" which was the NESN version. I liked that one a lot better since it covered everything more evenly and much more on the ALCS if I recall correctly. I'll probaly get the DVD for this year also. Not related to winning the World Series per say, but Papelbon did an autograph signing back in late 2005 at a small local sports collectibles shop when he was just coming up and I got a ball signed for $25 bucks. I'd imagine it would cost a fortune to do that now, especially a live signing like he did. I also have an Eric Gagne ball I got signed at a Dodgers vs. Red Sox game a couple years back, which is kind of odd thinking about it now. EDIT: a700, any plans to try and get those final three signatures?

we give Florida a new Stadium for Cabrera

I'd rather have Lowell/Arod + Buchholz than Cabrera. Plus Buchholz wouldn't be the only one going over, two or three of Ellsbury, Bowden, Delcarmen, Youkillis may be necessary also.

Not a decision that needs to be made now, but if he is around a .900 OPS then yes.

How about Rich Harden? He is injury prone and would cost some prospects, but he has ace upside and there were reports he was on the trade block this past season. Keep Wake as insurance and sport a nasty young rotation of: 1. Beckett 2. Dice-K 3. Harden 4. Buchholz 5. Lester

One that may go unnoticed, but AUG. 14th, after getting owned by Kazmir (again) and trailing 1-0 in the 9th, Mike Lowell hits one off Reyes over the monster to tie it up. This was during one of those stretches where it seemed the offense was dead, awesome to see something finally give.

I love this one that was in the Boston Globe: http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/tacoby.jpg

I love the Papelbon riverdance one and the Gladiator II one also

because its the World Series?

sopcast but I doubt it's legal, I'd probaly just get MLB.tv if I were you.

Quick thoughts on some of the more controversial moves: Matsuzaka: Loved this move and still do. One of the best days ever honestly when I found out we won the bidding and then later when he signed the contract. I'll talk about this with Drew also, but the cost was "only" money, no draft picks or prospects and we landed a 26 year old with great stuff. He was probaly hyped a bit too much. Ace? eh idk, its possible but I think realistically he is a #2 or #3 which I have no problems with considering we have Josh Beckett and even Clay Buchholz in the same rotation. I'm hoping for some big strides next year, realistically I think he is a 200+ inning, 3.70 ERA, 8.3 K/9 and hopefully get his BB/9 into the 2.50-3.00 range which I think is definetly a possibility. People talk about the 100 mil comittment, but I believe all of the 50+ mil owed to the Lions is already paid off, so we owe him 48 mil or so over the next 5 years, love it. Drew: Again I loved this move. He was coming off 4 straight years with an OPS over .885 and again we didn't have to give up any draft picks or anything. Hopefully he bounces back next year to at least a .840+ OPS. He wasn't completely useless as some people make him out to be, ~.800 OPS with a .370 OBP. He's sound defensively with a good throwing arm. Lugo: I'll admit I was for this but I really hate it right now. We owe him 27 mil over the next 3 years and lost our chance at drafting Porcello. And to add insult to injury, we have a fine young 'SS' prospect in Jed Lowrie who is just about ready and has a nice bat. Hopefully we can pawn him off on someone somehow. Looking at his career numbers I can't justify giving him that much money even if you throwout this season. Gagne: Again I don't think there was many opponents of this deal when it happened. It didn't work out at all, but you can't fault Theo for going out and getting the best MR on the market. We didn't give up anything major either. Gabbard looked like a servicable SP, but his success in Texas was limited and his peripherals are going to catch up to him. Murphy looks pretty good too, I think he could possibly be a .780 OPS OF over a full season. Beltre I didn't like giving up, but in 6 years, if he makes the majors and is an all-star you just tip your cap. We drafted Mark Texiera 9 years ago but I've never shed a tear over not signing him. I may be a Theo apologist but I love what he has done with the team. The farm has been amazing, and the overall talent on this team is great. We had the best record in baseball and are in the ALCS, not much you can do when everyone in your lineup and nearly everyone in your rotation lays an egg in the 2nd series.

lets just clear this up right now, Fitzy did not cause no losses. As mybykr explained, not having Fitzy was the reason we lost those past two.

Let me be the first to remind Tito that Wakefield: a) Has an injured back had an 8.76 ERA in September and c) owns a 6.12 ERA in the postseason for his career Don't get me wrong I think Wake is a fine pitcher to have for the regular season since he'll win more than half his games, but Beckett is coming off 'only' 80 pitches AND that gives you the option for him pitching in game 7 also.

Would the Yankees get draft picks for Arod? I'm not sure how it works exactly in this case, but LA didn't get anything for Drew.

YES! Sox win!

I didnt win the lottery, but got two ALCS tickets by phone today

Yes!

Nice win!