jacksonianmarch

Yeah, but by then the asset in question has lost value. It's about taking what you feel is above market value at the height of its worth. It's just good business. Right now, he's probably making $50 million a year on the sox, why would he sell that?

Kumbaya my lord, kumbaya

He can ask all he wants. If he wants to get serious, he needs to leave both of them out of the equation

Well, there is the prestige portion, but Henry isnt a guy who really identifies himself as the Red Sox owner. George was known as the Yankees owner and most people didnt know he earned his fortune as a ship builder (well, his dad did) or that he was a businessman first. Henry is known as a savvy businessman who's owned a few teams and is always looking for the next big venture

But that's the thing, this isnt "any" position. This is a position that is useless in interleague and contributes nothing defensively. If you have a player putting up those numbers at a fielding position, they get big bucks. But factor in his age, his previous 2 yrs contributions and his position and you are looking at one yr offers. There is a reason he accepted arb. He wasnt getting multi-year offers on the open market because his worth out there as a DH isnt terribly high

Every owner in the business world is looking to sell...for the right price. No matter how long someone has owned something, they have their price. I am sure if a suitor came in and offered Henry $1.5 billion, he'd sign and run faster than anyone you have ever seen

Theo asked for Montero and Banuelos for Garza, lol

Mullee has the goods. His stuff is amazing and he looked to be quite the steal before injuring his elbow. If he comes back as good or better, then we have our closer in waiting. He's that good

LOL, Dojji was having a spoogegasm over that comparison and talking about how the sox were going to waltz to the playoffs with a fearsome foursome of Lester, Buchholz, Beckett, and Miller. LOLOL

That's why the sox went in on Lackey. They figured they could buy some time with an innings eater until the next crop of pitchers comes through. Turns out, Lackey was a dud, DiceK went down and now there is a massive hole they are hoping to fill with 2 career relievers. It's a worst case scenario if you look at the intended plan in 2009.

I agree with you, but I wouldnt kill the sox brass for the method they took. They had a pretty deep system starting in 2009, which is when they went to work in the lower minors. The problem is, they graduated a few guys to the bigs, took part in many a blockbuster trade and then started drafting high school arms. That leaves you with a talent gap. HS arms are the higher risk/reward combo, but on the whole, you typically produce a better product unless you're drafting in the top 10 every yr. Rarely do high end college starters last in the draft down to the sox. Either you're going young or you are going with college SP's with warts. The Yankees actually went this route starting in 2010 with the wrinkle that they added in college relievers so they could actually still have some depth at the higher levels much sooner. Regardless, you are cursing this right now, but in 2 yrs, you'll be happy they went this way.

Sickels is interesting in how he rates players. His A level prospects are guys who will at worst be big league regulars and are destined for stardom. B level players are guys who could be stars but project to have solid big league careers. C level players are either interchangeable prospects at the upper levels of kids too deep in the minors to get a feel for where they will play out... If you go based upon his rankings, then every player below AA should be a C, since without seeing these kids in the upper levels effectively takes away the assuredness you get by the criteria set forth to be a B or an A. So it is strange that 5 of our guys ranked B- or higher havent played in Tampa yet. Weird.... Here's my take on the list... 1. Montero- spot on. The bat will carry, his glove will always lag. At worst he's a big league 1b or DH, at best, he's an offense first catcher 2. Sanchez- quite possibly the second highest ceiling player in the system. I think he definitely has star power, but had a few hitches in his game last yr. Granted, he was 18 in long season, but I would not have him above Banuelos 3. Banuelos- I can understand having him as a B, but not for the reasoning set forth. I'd have it solely based on the command that he showed in 2011. His stuff is not middle of the rotation at all. He has elite stuff with command issues since he saw a velo bump. Not sure how a kid with 3 big league plus pitches and a 95mph fastball can have #3 starter stuff. That's absurd. 4. Betances- I'd have him as a B as well as I think his ultimate destination may be the pen. I agree that he has the higher upside compared to Banuelos and I agree that he has more hurdles than ManBan to cross to reach it. 5. Williams- I am fine with him being top 5. He was amazing last yr. Elite defense, great arm, elite baserunning, elite contact skills, minus power. He has all the tools of a gold glove caliber, leadoff hitting CFer. The only reason why he isnt challenging Montero for the top spot is that he hasnt even seen the long season leagues. He has plenty of chances to fizzle in the meantime. 6. Bichette- No qualms with him being top 10. The kid can rake, he can pick it and he has a great eye. He, like Williams, has the tools to be a middle of the order, solid defensive 3b at the big league level, but his proximity is his biggest issue 7. Phelps- Sickels is after my own heart here, I love Phelps as a prospect. He's not an ace, and I agree in his B- ranking. He's a guy who safely projects as a big league starter and has the upside of a #3. There is a lot to be said about that. 8. Santana- Not sure how he could downgrade Santana based on an injury that he should recover from by the time ST starts. He broke his ankle, gruesome or not, guys recover from it pretty well. This kid is undervalued still. He has 30-30 potential with a cannon in CF and the ability to play elite defense in CF. I'd have him above Bichette. 9. Austin- I am not the biggest believer in Austin. He mashes, but thats about it. He K's a fair amount, he doesnt really have a defensive position and his SBs were more due to his solid baserunning vs elite speed. In terms of skill, his power is the only thing that looks to be plus and his contact may get there. But he is a guy who looks to have a moderate ceiling, IMO. I could be wrong, but I am not sure his tools will translate well into the higher minors. 10. Warren- His stuff and endurance are better than Phelps, he lacks the polish Phelps has shown. No problem with him in the top 10, I do have a problem with him being a C. He will be a big leaguer for a long time barring injury. I just think he'll be dealt in the meantime 11. Romine- I can see where he is coming from, but SB% in the minors is a s***** stat to follow. Pitchers are typically working on something and holding runners isnt at the forefront. He is also a guy who based on his qualifications, should be a B. He safely projects as a defense first starting catcher who wont embarrass himself with the stick. He just isnt the masher people thought he was when he first came into the prospect forum. 12. Murphy- I am unsure how Sickels can kill the kid about his adjusting to High A when he only played 26 games. Its a SSS. Fact is, he improved his D significantly while starting at catcher full time and his bat showed enough to promote him. I am a big believer in his stick, not sure if he stays at C long term because he is so versatile. But his bat will play mostly anywhere. If he is moved off the position, his bat will pick up 13. Culver- I agree completely with Sickels here. 14. Marshall- throws ched, likely a reliever, no qualms with his report, but if he remains in the rotation, it is because his secondary pitches improve. And if his secondary pitches improve, his low 90s sinker and mid 90s 4 seamer will play into a top portion of the rotation role 15. Heathcott- The guys has tools to spare, he just cannot stay healthy. The power comment isnt really accurate since the guy just hasnt had a healthy shoulder since he started. If he can go a season without a shoulder surgery and still cannot hit for power, then I'd agree with him. 16. Gumbs- agree completely 17. Turley- shouldnt be top 20, IMO, not even close. But his SR is right on 18. Lopez- showed a 5 tool potential for a kid who was initially signed because he could make contact and run a 6.3 60 yd dash. The kid can fly. 19. Adams- agree on the spot, dont agree on the SR. He has tools to hit for gap power, a great eye and a good glove. He looks the part of an offense first starting 2b. Horrific foot injury has cost him two season. Intra-articular fractures a horrible. They arent as gruesome to look at, but are harder to recover from. His injury was much tougher to come back from than Santana's, even though Santana's looked worse 20. Flores- He's intriguing, but many are better. Overall, not bad, but also a bit confusing

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2011/12/31/2673655/new-york-yankees-top-20-prospects-for-2012

The sox went the prudent albeit higher risk way. Bailey is good, but since his 80+IP season as a rookie, he's barely eclipsed 80IP over the following 2 seasons. High velocity relievers with elbow issues almost invariably end up with TJS. The question is when. Should Bailey be completely healthy, he has elite level closer ability, but his health is a much bigger question mark than Papelbon's. And, you knew what Paps could do in Fenway. It remains to be seen if Bailey and Melancon can handle the bright lights and the boos should either of them blow leads in consecutive games. Paps didnt give a flying f*** if the fans were booing him, but some kids cannot take it. It remains to be seen if those two guys can

As it stands right now, the sox lack any organizational depth for the starting rotation. Their prospects out of the rotation are a ways off. I think that is what a700 is referencing. Weiland was your only depth and he was baptized in the AL East last yr. Now, he's gone. Past that, there is nobody in AAA or AA for the matter who will likely be capable of contributing positively out of the rotation should someone go down for a prolonged period of time.

Unlikely that the brewers sell in the offseason. They signed Ramirez to try and replace some of fielder's performance and with Pujols gone from StL, their chances to repeat improved even with them getting worse offensively.

That was pretty good

He would have been an offensive monster in Boston, though

And the two players traded to Chicago werent even top 10 in the Pads system and the Pads system sucks

Nova is the blossoming #2. Burnett is definitely a bust and more a #4 type, and at times a #6 type

Crawford got a pass because it was his first yr in Boston of many guaranteed yrs and he's a quiet hard worker. If he was outspoken or was eating chicken and beer while the season burned then they'd hate him

We have a 1, a budding #2 and a bunch of 3/4's

Traded for two minor leaguers. Kenny Williams continues to be inconsistent

Yep. The rehab focuses on core training. These guys come back with a completely healthy arm (most of the time) and a stronger core leading them to sometimes increased velocity. Makes one wonder why all pitchers dont go on the workout regimen in the offseason regardless of whether you have had TJS. There is still risk involved, though. It isnt perfect, but most players do come back completely healthy. They typically do not come back completely healthy their first yr back, though, and starters typically take longer than relievers