TheKilo

Lol on what planet is Toronto an emerging powerhouse? Even with all of the red Sox injuries they are 7 games back, and I don't think they've got much of a chance to improve on where they already are. They're a .500 team in this division. The Rays are about to be decimated, losing Crawford, Pena, and their entire bullpen. I still think they threaten 90 wins next season but I think a healthy Sox team surpasses them.

A700 mentioned Abreu earlier in the thread. I'm still waiting for your alternative

Pay up, RSFFL305

If you're interested, come up with a team name and I'll edit into the opening post of the thread

Also, thoughts on drafting a complete OL?

I'm simply saying it's something to consider. I don't believe for a STL let's Pujols walk but it could absolutely happen and as such the FO should have a plan for it. You'll notice my ideal lineup does not include Dunn, nor will there be room for a Gonzalez or Pujols. Methinks you're arguing for the sake of arguing, but that's your SOP anyway. Good to see, even almost a year after I stopped posting regularly.

Another thing to consider is the Sox are just over a year away from potentially being able to sign Gonzalez or Pujols to play 1B, without any interference from the Yankees. Maybe a Dunn deal to play 1B for next season, then DH afterwards?

Which is why I said I'd include Kelly in a deal for Kemp. I'd give them Kalish and whatever other high ceiling arm they'd want as well.

I agree that it should be a one season thing due to the violent nature of the sport and knowing how much can change from yr to yr. I also think we need to draft a backup QB, that slipped my mind when I made the initial post. Ideally, I'd like to get 15 teams in this thing

Ideal 2011 Sox: C - Napoli 1B - Youkilis 2B - Pedroia SS - Lowrie 3B - Beltre LF - Werth CF - Kemp RF - Drew DH - Ortiz Bench - Saltalamacchia. Scutaro, Nava, Hall (or FA) SP1- Lester SP2 - Buchholz SP3 - Lackey SP4 - Beckett SP5 - Matsuzaka Bullpen - Papelbon, Bard, Downs, Thornton, Doubront, Bowden, Atchison/Wakefield

Good thread. My ideal offseason plan has been covered in bits and pieces throughout the thread but I figured I'd put my wish list down in one place. First, I'd exercise the 12.5 mil option for Ortiz. Is it an overpay? Possibly. But it's one year and he has shown that he can still be a productive player for this team. I am in no way comfortable with signing him past next season. I would try to trade Ellsbury/prospects for Matt Kemp. Rumor has it he is not happy in LA and the guy is a legitimate five tool player. With the emergence of Buchholz I'd even contemplate giving up Kelly. Let Victor walk and go hard after Mike Napoli. I'd be fine with a rotation of Napoli/Saltalamacchia at C, and if you can't re-sign Beltre they'd split time at first as well. With regards to Beltre, I wouldn't offer him more than 4/48, I think he's due for a regression next season but I also think he can be a very valuable piece considering his defense. I'd be wary of exceeding that deal in years or dollars. I'd go hard after Jayson Werth, as I think he is the RHH bat this team needs, especially if Beltre is not resigned. His defense was called subpar earlier in the thread but it's actually been very good until this year. As noted, the H/A splits are not concerning. I think the rotation is set, you go to war with those five and hope that Beckett and Lackey bounce back. I keep Doubront in the pen and try to sign Downs/Thornton/Fuentes to round out the pen. As much as he's killed us in some games, I do not trade Papelbon and continue to use Bard as the relief ace.

Using this thread as a springboard to gauge possible interest for an NFL anti-fantasy league similar to the one we had for baseball last year. I'm hoping that the influx of new posters on the board will allow us to have more teams and make this a more worthwhile exercise. With the NFL season less than a week away, I think this would be a great way to spark some more discussion. I think the teams should be drafted as follows: QB RB1 RB2 FB WR1 WR2 WR3 WR4 TE1 TE2 OL DE1 DE2 DT1/2 (depending on if you want to play a 3-4 or 4-3) ILB1/2 OLB1 OLB2 CB1 CB2 FS SS Nickel Back K P KR PR Open to change but I think this is a good start. When were done someone could plug these teams into Madden and we can see who would be the best. Participants: TheKilo - BP Spillers YH213 IS - Erin Andrews Likes it Raw JB44 boston22407 WB suns

I'm sorry but I cannot take an argument or a poster seriously when they discredit the "there were no other options" argument but won't provide any other alternatives. TW, you said yourself how valuable Drew has been over the last four years yet insist that he has not been worth the money - I'll never understand those who get on Drew because he was able to get $14 million per from the Sox FO. That's his agent doing an awesome job above all else...and this is coming from a guy who thinks he's earned his money. Until you provide a viable alternative (and how can Abreu count? Where is he playing right now?) I cannot take the Drew bashing seriously. JD Drew continues to be my litmus test for baseball fans - those who understand the game and it's evolution can appreciate the ballplayer he is. Those who can't, don't get what baseball is today and how the game has evolved.

I'd vote Buchholz third behind Sabathia and Hernandez. His chances officially died when Upton hit that HR on Saturday night

I'll bet anyone $20 that the article he linked to is his s***** sports blog.

Pretty much me trashing BC and mocking SOTK

Are we including postseason performance into the "earning his check" argument? Because he's been arguably the most clutch postseason hitter the Sox hav had since the 2007 season.

No one else sees the irony of a poster with a Josh Beckett avatar calling another player a piece of s***?

That wasn't your criticism of Drew, nor was it anyone else's in this thread. Everyones criticism is that he doesn't play enough, and I merely pointed out the fact that the person on the team who is labeled most injury prone has played in the third most games. Drew's been a very solid player over the course of his contract. He was very good in the 2nd bald of 2007 through the end of last year. He has had a disappointing season this year but he's far from the reason the Sox are where they are right now.

Where the hell did my post from yesterday go?

Ellsbury and Papelbon And to those who bitch about drew being soft, look up games played for this team this year. Pretty sure drew's played in the 3rd most

I'd be in

Nice post Space Man. Ask Victor MartinEz if he feels his broken thumb when he catches 90+ mph fastballs. And oh yeah, he's doing it in a contract year. The sox are 6.5 out with 56 to play. They're not out of this thing by a long shot but Ellsbury seems content with wasting games in Pawtucket as the big club continues to falter. It's a selfish decision on Jacoby's part and it's said that we watch him go 7 for 12 in AAA while the Sox could use it in Boston

Why is this guy not in Boston with Cameron on the DL again? This is becoming a joke at this point...it's clear Ellsbury has let Boras get in his head, which is fine when you're an elite talent like Manny Ramirez and all but not when you're an average at best center fielder. No one who defends this guy can bash JD Drew any longer.