BSN07

$:thumbsup: He made great adjustments, and is going to be a some consideration for MVP.

doooooh:lol:

LOL atleast you can admit it, i've thrown out some stinkers before but this one is $. Definatley rivals some of all time Homer Simpson moments......."doooooh":thumbsup:

I love the Pats and have an admited man crush on TB. That said its too bad about the injury, but this is football and it happens. The Pats and there fans have been extemely lucky to have had him in there every game for so long, not too many clubs have that. The team isn't done. Of course there not as good and have made a huge step back towards the pack. But there still one of the better teams in the AFC. Cassel has always done a decent job when hes been in there. Lets see what the kids got and root like hell for him. Don't forget, not that long ago we thought all was lost when Bledsoe went down and a 6th round draft pick that no one knew took over. I'm not saying Matt Cassel will ever be as good as TB( he won't), but this team has enough playmakers around Cassel to help him along. Go Pats!

Well and pay cut is significant to the players LOL I totally get where your coming from, and can see the Sox doing either or. I just think 2 years is the max they offer, and I don't see him getting a pay raise. The Sox FO has the leverage here, with Tek's batting woes. There going to want him to take a cut, not give him a raise. And if Boras trys his usual dog and pony act, then I think they Sox will walk away. I don't think Boras will have much to do with these negotiations, if Tek wants to be in Bos, he will tell him to take whatever. if money is important, then this is when we could see Tek heading elsewhere.

2/22M is a slight raise I believe. 2/18M is a significant cut in pay. And 18M was my peak guess. I wouldnt be surprised if they offered him 6 or 7M a year, no we are talking 12M or 14M, and that is a difference.

2 years maybe, 11M a season is a stretch. The Sox stand by what they think a player is worth, just look at Lowell. They offered him less then what everyone else wanted and stood by it. And that was after a career year at the plate. Don't fool yourself with this whole loyalty deal. The Sox FO runs the team like a buisness, and there not going to bend over and take it from an over the hill catcher, that bats with a wiffle ball bat. They will offer him what they think is a good deal and if he doesn't take it they will move on. I love Tek, but i don't see the Sox giving him that much money. They have stood by him this year, and haven't embarrased him while he has struggled with the bat, but if he returns, I think it will be understood he will see a little less time and will be pinch hit for in certain situations. If not, thank you for your time and effort and good luck to you in the future. 2 years 18M tops is my bet:D

If they cut ties, then I don't see an offering of Arb. So no picks. I have to admit, I know little on Ross, can somone fill me in please.

Slow topic day, thought this seemed interesting. I mean with LA's history of bringing in former Sox players, it has to be atleast considered. Would Tek leave Boston if they don't offer gim what he/Boras wants? Or will Tek stay in Boston no matter what? With Favre wearing a Jets uni, anything is possible these days. So if Tek leaves where do the Sox look? Big trade, someone in the system, or a FA stop gap? I could be wrong, but I don't remeber any long term good C becoming available via FA this off season.

To be honest with you guys, I think I believe this season could be one of the most level across many boards. This is IMO, but I figured it be a good conversation starter. Lets look at the Playoffs first. TB,LAA,BOS,CWS,MINN are the contenders in the AL. Yes there are teams that can make a late push some way or some how, but there's going to be alot off what if's in this thread as it is. Out of the teams mentioned, I don't see a clear cut favorite. Every team has its own flaws. TB has been great all season, and really helped shake things up in the ALE. But we all know experience has it's role in Post Season play. It doesn't seem that injuries will slow this team up any. I think there only ? is can they keep it together mentally in the PO with so little exp. LAA is probably best on paper. They have solid pitching, both SP and RP. There lineup can score runs, and they play pretty good D. But they have had issues when it comes to the PO. And they have shown this season, they can get into a funk and stay in it for stretches. Maybe they have gotten lathargic because of being so out far infront of there division. This has hurt teams before. BOS,CWS, and Minny all have there own issues, but have all showed if hot they are very tough teams to beat. Let's look at MVP race Quentin,Mauer,Pedroia,KROD,Hamilton are the favorites. I looked on the Rays, but I honestly don't see anyone there getting alot of consideration, although someone should. Pena has carried this team recently, Longoria had a shot before getting injured. Quentin is probably the favorite if the CWS make the PO. If they don't, the writters will look down on that. Same thing goes for Mauer. Hamilton is having an awesome season. Throw in the HR Derby( I know it doesn't count for anything, but that 1st round was a highlight and a big moment for MLB) and hes had a season where alot of the writters might fall in love with him, well atleast the Story of Josh Hamilton. His team being so far out of contention will not help, but Arod pulled it off. Pedroia is an interesting case, and I'm not just saying that as a Sox fan. Ever since the many trade, this team seems to have alomost adopted more of a Pedroia type attitude. Alot of the players seem to be playing with a bit of a chip on there shoulder. And Pedroia is right in the middle of it. If he hits 20 HR, wins the batting title, has 80+ RBI, 20 steals, more extra base hits the K's and the Sox make the playoffs, hes going to be very hard to over look. But again no clear cut favorite, each has it's own postive things, while each has a flaw. So whats everyone else think?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3558531 He's going to see Dr. Andrews. Go threw as much self denial as you need too, but this my friends is NEVER a good thing. I'd say there is a 90% chance he is going to have TJ, or need some kind of elbow surgery. I didn't feel great about this when I heard " numbness and tingling ", Now that he going to go see Dr. Andrews, the most fan feared Dr. in all of sports, I know this isn't good. If it's TJ, Beckett is probably not pitching until 2010. He could possibly make it back by this time next year, but why rush and come back for just a month? Take all of 2009 off, and be 100% come 2010. Of course there's contract issues to worry about also, I had a feeling the Sox where going to lock Beckett in long term this off season, now who knows. I'd say the Sox will be looking for a SP this off season, one they can have for the year and as a back up plan for Beckett.

LOL I hope this is you being a comedian LOL I guess with whats available its not a bad insurance policy. Maybe coming back to the AL, will help Kotsay's bat.

This is kind of a dumb discussion, but hey its a slow day. Theo is obviously the better choice. He's won 2 WS in 4 years, the farm system is the best it's been in I don't know how long. The players coming from the minors are having an impact on the ML team. And for the most part they get a certain quality for the money they do spend to bring players in. Cashman inherited alot of players that came up threw the system. There system has not produced any impact players outside of Cano, and possibly Joba since Cashman has been in control. Cashman is bailed out of alot of situations because of the Yankees deep pockets( and yes I know the Sox have deep pockets too, but for the most part they spend there money wiser). Of course Theo doesn't have the Boss and the Bozo to answer to all the time, but I only cut Cashman a little slack for that:D

Lugo,Bowden,+2 more prospects for Mauer:D That is if Minny decided they can't sign him long term, and made him available.

I've been wondering the same thing. A trade is unlikely even if they eat most of the salary. I don't see any teams out there that desperate for a SS. Maybe he will be an add on in some sort of trade, but it won't be easy. Option 2, they could just out right release him and eat the contract and move on. Option 3, this is the most likeyl, Lugo becomes the most expensive bench player, and they plug him in whenever someone needs a break.

By this logic, the Sox might as well sign Clemens too for the stretch run... If the Sox have to rest their hopes of another Championship run on the shoulders of a malcontent such as Barry Bonds, then I can't see them making it past LAA or TB. The Sox lineup isn't too bad as it is right now, if anything they need pitching help. Besides if Beckett isn't around and someone doesn't step up big in the BP for the stretch run, this team has very little hope of going anywhere deep into the playoffs. Please don't take this as a sign of me giving up on my team. It's not. When your not right there in the middle of it all, it's easier to step back and seperate some of the emotion and look at it threw clearer eyes. If some of you had this oppurtunity, you would see trying to bring in Bonds is a very desperate move, theres a reason no one has signed him, and the Sox being the creme of the crop at the moment in the league, do not and should not make this move. I understand why some want this. You think it could propel the Sox to another Championship, I see it as a black mark on the resume of an organization that has done spectacular things since they have been in place. The Sox got rid of Manny while producing because of the Distraction he was. Why would you bring in someone thats going to be that big of a negative distraction? Tito finally sleeps better at night and you want to throw Bonds at him? Have mercy on the poor guy:lol: I guess what i'm saying is you have to not look at this threw fans eyes. This FO has shown they will do what they want, even if the FANS don't agree. Thats why there FO people and not sitting in the stands. I think the FO might have kicked around the idea, but I believe they know that Barry doesn't put them past LAA or TB, and he will probably cause more grief then anything. This is my opinion tho, and everyone is welcome to theres, if they sign him its not like I won't be a Sox fan anymore or anything like that.

Probably the best news concerning Lugo since coming to Boston.

Yes I am, but I am not a fan that expects my favorite team to win every season, I would like them too but to think that is kind of foolish, this isn't playstation, winning it all is not easy. Teams have off years. If the Sox win every couple years, then I have no problem with an off year. Would you have taken that before 2004? Waiting all that time, a team that wins every couple years with an off year in between somewhere, sounds pretty damn good. Yes the Team does have aging stars, but they also have a FO and ownership that has shown they will go out and spend money. When Papi is gone, it's not like the Sox will never have another top player. If the Yankees where considering this move, most Sox fans would be killing them for itand calling it a last ditch effort of a desperate team. Don't kid yourself, Bonds hasn't played in alomost a year, he would be changing leagues, I know he had a decent year last year, but as it was said previously, this ship has sailed. If the Sox make this move, they are grasping at straws. But the Sox have the final say, all I can do is give my opinion.

They just got rid of the Manny circus, why bring another one to town? Although Barry isn't the only player to have used, he is the one with the biggest target on his back. I wouldn't want to be the first team to sign him. There comes alot of baggage when you aquire someone with his history, theres going to be heavy backlash from all directions. I don't see Barry wanting to play in Boston, but if it's his only chance then I would suppose he would come to town. Also him being out of the game all season, joining a new league, I'm not sure how much he could contribute at this point anyway, so i'm not sure the reward is big enough for the risk. This team needs more then just a bat of the bench before they are going to contend for anything this year. They just won it all last year, maybe take a step back this year, use what they have and see where it gets them, and wherever that may be be happy with it, and re-up for next season. Although some may not agree, signing Bonds at this point is taboo, it's something a desperate team will do, and having won 2 series in the last few seasons, I don't see the Sox as desperate.

Maybe he just needs a break. Last seasons post season innings could be catching up with him.

If he pitches .500+ nall with a 4ish ERA I would consider it a success.

Alot of that money will go to Beckett as well. I don't see him playing the season with 1 yr left on his deal. I see the Sox extending him this winter. This is one of the reasons I think they haven't traded any young pitching. They know Beckett is going to cost big $. Beckett will be signed long term, they will have Dice-K at a reasonable price, Wake is an unknown, but Lester,Masterson,Buchholz and Bowden will all be very cheap for the forseable future. Locking in Beckett is key, they should use that money to do so and it may set their rotation for a long time.

I believe Zink is on the same day in the rotation that Wake was on. I think he is the obvious choice for a spot start. Use him until Colon is ready to give some innings.

Buchholz is going to fine. He has the stuff and make up to be a big time pitcher. let's not forget how young he is. There not too many pitchers that come in at his age and don't struggle to some extent. Let's also not forget, Beckett showed flashes of how great he could be(03 WS), but never put a solid season together until last year. Sometimes it takes time and work, lets give him the chance to do both.

JHB is right, finacially this is such a bad move. But for the this years TEAM and a baseball point of view, this needed to be done. Besides if Manny sat the rest of the season as hewas said to be threatning, the Sox still have to pay his salary and they have no real replacement in LF.