BSN07

Good grief I didn't realize Upton's OBP was so pathetic. But he does give a 3-4 War usually per year, and that's valued in the 15M range. SO I guess from that stand point it's not a huge overpay if he can retain that production for the duration. He will only the be 33 at the end of the deal.

That's true, but I think he would fit well into Boston as well. But I can't blame the guy for wanting to stay out West

If the Angels are really shopping Walden the Sox should check in. Not sure what they have to match up? Aceves and Salty(not even sure if they need a C?) for Walden +? idk. Dude had a 11.1 K/9 last season. Bard, Walden, Bailey, Morales(if he's not starting) would be a solid back end IMO. Add in a Brian Wilson for mid season insurance and the BP would look promising.

I'm guessing if they sign a post-op late inning guy it will be Wilson. He's a New England guy, will be ready a little later in the season(nice mid season add to the BP) and I think his whole deal would be entertaining to watch ( I don't see SF tendering him a contract. So he will be a FA)

They just released Eli Whiteside. SO he's not the answer

Quoting yourself? Is this the internet version of talking in the 3rd person?

I'm surprised he signed before Hamilton. But Atlanta put the full court press on here. It's basically a JD Drew contract. Upton offers power and the RH bat Atlanta desperately needed. If he can manage 3-4 WAR a year he will be worth 15M a season.

Just some minor trades,

I disappear in June usually because I coach two teams and am in charge of a baseball program now at our club. I also work with the Netherlands National and junior National teams. And that doesn't even include my day job. Summer happens to be a real busy time for me. So my deepest apologies if I can't be around for your belly aching all the time.

You're more predictable then Jacko and his chart. But this is as far as I take it. I'm not getting drug into one of your spats. That broken record is as you said "boring".

Interesting read. I also believe the Mariners and even maybe the Phillies are expected to get new deals in the next couple years. The Mariners have way more flexibility then people seem to believe. I think they are a dark horse for Hamilton and will sign Ellsbury next off season for big money. The financial landscape in the game is changing.

If the Sox do this they would be a match up nightmare. There so many different combinations of line ups depending on that days SP it's dizzying. It be an interesting mix of ball players that's light on Divas.

We aren't saying you can't share your thoughts freely. We just are merely saying that when you do share them, it can be predictable in most situations.

There is the option to not read someones post or not respond if the reading material is not on par with your expectations. Don't get butthurt when people who have been interacting with you for a long period of time recognize a trait and pattern in your personality/style. Be mad at yourself for becoming as predictable as guy like Jacko who had a chart made for him because his responses became so predictable.

What's the fall back if Russell goes all Jack Sparrow?

In the end I'm fine with keeping Lester. I'm not against trading him for a Myers type player. In a perfect world I'd like to see them build a package around Lester for Felix. Seattle would get the home town guy at the front of their pitching staff plus high potential prospects. So they might be able to sell it to the fan base easier. It's not going to happen, just chewing my gums here.

I'm not against Reynolds on a one year deal over Napoli on a multi year deal. It's just everyone better be ready to accept what he is. He would hit a lot of HR playing at Fenway, but he's going to strike out 150-200 times a year.

Not mind reading. Just going off past experience/date and projecting forward to the most likely outcome. Something everyone does here when discussing ball players. I just applied the same thought process to the personalities of talksox.

The Nats just don't have a spot for him and apparently couldn't find a deal because teams were expecting them to cut him anyways. lol A reasonable look at the current situation on Nov. 27th. He's an interesting option. But I give it the month of April before you and the elder statesmen crowd start killing Cherries for bringing in the K machine that is Mark Reynolds. I do however like the idea of picking up JJ from Atlanta. He's had some injury issues, but he's still young with good stuff and in the hands of some different coaches could break through. I would anticipate him being a major member of the pitching staff this season and anything he provided this season would be a plus.

They are all doing the "Scott Boras" smoke blowing technique. Publicly absolutely shoot for the moon and mention things that make it seem like this particular client look like a once and a generation players. And some how it pretty much works for him every time(Edwin Jackson is the only recent case I can think about Boras not getting what he wanted). I'm not sure he get's CC money, but I expect him to sign somewhere between there and Hammels deal. My guess is 6/130 or 7/155.

They would trade him if they don't see themselves contending in the 2 years Lester has left on his deal. Which at this point seems reasonable. They also would have to take into consideration the likelihood they will extend Lester beyond his current deal. When he hits the market( I don't see Lester taking another team friendly deal before he hits FA) he's going to get a Buerhle-CJ Wilson type deal. That's something the Sox might not want to commit. So if they don't feel like they will be contending in the next 2 years and don't envision themselves re-signing Lester, then it's not out of the question they would move him in the right deal. And for a kid like Myers it's really close to the right kind of deal. I do agree with you on Lackey. I think as soon as he builds some sort of value he will be gone.

If he turns that down then I would expect the Mets to shop him. I'm not sure how many teams would be willing to offer a 7 year extension though. 6/100M seems right when compared to Zimmerman and I guess to some extent Longoria. I wonder if he just wants out of Queens but isn't saying anything publicly? I bring it up because I'm sure if he turns down the offer the trade rumors will start swirling and the Sox are sure to be mentioned eventually. I kind of like the idea of having Wright at 3B and moving Middlebrooks to 1B. But I don't like the idea of the extension he's going to want. And a one year rental doesn't make a lot of sense.

Sweet Jesus They are the New Yankees. Absolutely 0% chance a team outbids LAD on Grienke, or anyone else they want for that matter

Wonder if it's the whole season or from like June-July on? Could they even rely on him for a whole season?

I don't see it like that. I see it as he's got 2 years left, and even if he is ok the next couple years he's looking at least at a Mark Buerhle type contract on the FA market. It depends on what they plan for the final years of Lesters deal. If they don't see themselves in contention in the next 2 years there's not much point in having Lester be the best pitcher on a losing team as his value falls as he approaches free agency. KC on the other hand is looking like they are trying to build some momentum and win sooner rather then later. Adding an experienced LHP at the top of the rotation for at least the next 2 years(I think if they wanted to the could spend some $ to extend him) looks mighty tempting. As for the Red Sox motivations. The team is in some sort of rebuilding mode and adding a cost controlled player of Myers offensive potential is extremely tempting. They would be moving Lester for a top 3 MiLB prospect. If they were shopping him for a bag of balls, I could see it being more of a get him outta town move. IMO this is a smart baseball move to get a young potential middle of the order power bat at a time when teams seem to be locking these type of players up long term and not allowing them to hit FA.