jacksonianmarch

.283 30HR 90RBI was his last full season. His career average in 162 games is .259 25HR 85RBI. Nothing to scoff at.

I like the idea of Crede. His IsoPower and HR totals have increased 3 yrs in a row until he was injured last yr. He also doesnt strike out often at all. Then again, he doesnt walk either. But he would provide some right sided balance to a team that will be loaded with lefties. Also, he is about as good a defensive 3b as you will find. Losing Damon will hurt IMO. I like his capability to carry a team out of the leadoff spot. But he is 34, has shown that he can no longer stay healthy and has had 2 consective down yrs OBP wise out of the leadoff spot. And one of his best assets, speed, has already shown decline. Plus, with his arm being absolutely horrible and his legs slowing, he isnt an asset in the OF anymore. For Crede, the injury issue is tricky. He has a back injury and that is a scary proposition. But in a deal that takes from one of our strengths and fills a hole, you gotta think about it at least. I'd do it.

I didnt mean wearing down in terms of numbers. I meant wearing down in terms of health.

Decent prospect for Tavarez? The Cardinals got Pineiro for nothing essentially, two AAAA guys who will never see Fenway unless they buy a ticket. Tavarez would return the same thing. He's a 4 inning starter who cannot get out of his own way and he walks too many guys to be a trusted middle reliever.

but they can spin it in their favor by saying they met his demands and he scoffed at them and signed elsewhere. It makes them out to look better seeing as (I assume) the majority of RSN wants the guy back.

The point is, though, that Gagne would make MORE money in arbitration than he made this yr based solely upon his Texas stats. If you take him to arb and he accepts, you may be stuck with a player who sucks for 8 mil. Not something that can cripple the sox, but certainly a pain in the ass if he sucks. Then again, I dont see Gagne accepting, so if I were theo, I'd offer it and take my chances.

In order to get MC, you may need both Buchholz and Ellsbury. In order for us to get him, we'd have to offer Joba and or Hughes/Kennedy. Not f***ing worth it IMO.

Well, it all depends on how you can spin it. Youkilis pre AS break was an elite 1b in the AL. He had a .921OPS and was hitting .320+. But he faded down the stretch to the tune of a .230BA and a .720OPS. He also had a few wear and tear injuries that limited his effectiveness. If it wasnt for a total renaissance in the playoffs, people would be clamoring for an upgrade. It isnt wrong on scaffolds part to think you can upgrade production wise over a non-power 1b. On the flip side, Youkilis is a walk machine who is probably the best fielding 1b in the AL and has the versatility to be used as a 3b if need be. If you want to nitpick, you can, but Youkilis is a solid 1b, the kind that make championship teams run. You dont get rid of that. My insistence on Carter, though, is more of a wear and tear issue. Lets assume Lowell resigns. You have Big Papi at DH who has worn down this yr. He is in his early 30s, is easily 260-270lbs and plays every day. That last part need to change. Instead of Papi playing 150 games (which he has averaged over the past 3 yrs), maybe they should focus on him getting 135 or so to limit wear and tear. So that is 27 games right there. Lowell will be 34 at the beginning of next season, and has proven durable. But, once again, wear and tear will be an issue. Instead of 150+ like he always plays, maybe 135-140. Theres another 22 games right there. Then Youkilis. He's still young, but also showed that he wears down as the season goes on (check his last 3 yr stats, he has a .240BA post AS). More rest for him means fresher legs. All of that combined could get Carter into the lineup 60-80 times next yr which should be enough to show what he can do. Papi out? Carter DH Youk out? Carter 1b Lowell out? Youk to 3rd, Carter to 1st. And if he sucks, then no harm, no foul. If he doesnt? Then you add another lefty power bat with solid discipline to your mix.

I also read an article about this author. Apparently he gets a lot of his facts wrong. There is absolutely, positively ZERO way Lincecum gets moved this offseason without a pudgy 3b from Florida coming the other way. Coco plus 2 prospects? BWAHAHAHA

which guys from the 07 draft are they relying on to be good right handed pitching prospects? They lost one that they couldnt sign and the rest look to either be long range HS kids or short arsenal college kids most suited for relief duty.

thats funny. A 350mil deal? Laughable. f*** him.

they didnt "get rid" of ARod. He left. f***in jerk ARod is.

thats not true. They ALWAYS have a spin and most of the nation will eat it up. This time, it is fairly cut and dry.

Tavarez would return a valuable prospect? Thats laughable. Other than that, the only way Theo wasnt reupping these guys was if he was too drunk from the post series celebration. Easy calls.

I think c has to be in the equation. Although, Pittsburgh does have a nice stable of young arms, but the philosophy of that place is so bassackwards that he end up fired after yr 2.

Here is the deal. Schilling put it out there. 1yr 13 mil gets the job done. He said it, we have the soundbite, it is no BS. He drew the line in the sand. If Schilling goes his merry way and signs a 3 yr deal or something when the sox offered the 1 yr 13 mil, then he looks like a sleezebag and the PR dept can spin this to their delight. BUT, if Schilling signs elsewhere, regardless of the terms and then discloses that the sox didnt offer him the 1yr 13mil deal, then the owness is on the sox for losing/letting him go. The ownership from the sox havent gone either way in whether they want him or not. I am sure we'll find out soon what it is.

The point is, even if the yankees sign Lowell, the Fish can still say that the yankees are "in the bidding". As I have said before, I dont want Cabrera for his asking price. But if you truly have a bidding war, you guys are gonna have to pony up BIG time just to get into the bidding. Consider this. We know ARod's agent, Bora$, will wait until January to sign a deal. This is what he does. That being said, most teams will try and make a run at Cabrera at the winter meetings, one month prior to ARod's landing. So therefore, every team in need of a slugger, a 3b, or a 1b will be calling. That includes The NYY, who have the young pitching that the Marlins would want and ALSO would have the young impact MLBer that they are looking for in Cano if they really wanted to rape their team. (Just say no to Cano!) The LAA, who have one of the deepest collection of young MLBers and prospects in all of baseball, who have been DYING to get another impact bat to protect Vlade. The dodgers, who have the anemic Nomar playing 3b. And LA has probably the second best collection of young talent in the game second only to the Angels. Texas would most certainly be in the mix and would have a certain top notch catching rookie on the list for deal. (Salty). Not to mention some pretty good arms in the minors. The Tigers would be in the mix. Their 3b is the terrible Brandon Inge and they certainly could upgrade. They have young pitching to spare even after the Renteria deal. The Mets may make a move on him, and even though their farm isnt the best, their top 5 or so prospects are good enough in collection to land a guy like Cabrera. And there are more, but lets stop there. If all of those teams are in the running, and if the Florida GM has any idea what he is doing, he can play them all off each other. Tell the Yankees that the sox are offering so and so, then turn around and lie to the sox. Tell the Angels that the Dodgers are gonna get him if they offer XYZ. And around it will go. To win the bidding war that will ensue for this guy who would fill a major hole on nearly any team, you'd be giving up what you'd have to give up for Santana and then some. Lester, Buchholz, Masterson, Ellsbury. Who knows. Think about it. It aint worth it.

I agree with you crunchy. But how long can Manny be this good for? And will he break down? These are real questions that need to be answered before accepting the option. If Manny has a down yr marred by injury next season, then there is no way the sox pick up that option. But if he does his customary .300/30/120 season, then I dont think it is much of a question.

Yeah, no. I should have added the stipulation comparing his current production to his Cleveland days. He is half the player he was in Cleveland

Lowell's price is already high. He is at the end of his prime and with the way he resurrected his career in Boston, a case could be made that he will continue to dominate until he's in his mid to late 30s. I dont happen to buy that argument, but we shall see. One thing that will hurt his negotiating status is his home away splits. He is a huge Fenway lover and that will hurt him in negotiations with any other team but Boston.

I meant since his cleveland days

just a ??. Is Manny's option a mutual one or a club option? And to be honest with you guys, I think it all depends on what goes on in 08. He showed signs of breaking down with the knee last yr and the oblique this yr. If he accelerates his injury pattern this yr, they wont take him back for 20 mil. No way.

because he has regressed in nearly every facet of his game and he is already costing 5 mil a yr and will be a FA in 2yrs?

ARod will land on another man's loins.