BSN07

Hunter already stated he would play in Boston, Especially now that big Papi is back. I'm sure Hunter is smart enough to know ignorance is not only found in Boston. And he's smart enough to not base a whole city on a few morons who have had too much to drink at a game and yell something ignorant. It's something your going to take the chance of no matter where you play. If he didn't come to Boston because he made an assumption on the whole fan base/city because of a couple people, well then he isn't any better then the knuckleheads in the stands. Which he doesn't seem to be, he seems like a smart guy. Laroche is an ok option. I'd rather see a younger guy get a chance, Sands, Gomez or X(from trade, could be prospect?). Ross at 1/13M wouldn't have been bad. I think it would have been worth the risk to offer it. Ross is probably happy they didn't because it might have really hurt his value. But I'm not overly hung up on the team not offering it. ex1, I'm on the fence if it's going to be a long process or not. With the teams payroll flexability they should put together a competitive team on 1 and 2 year contracts while they wait for the next waive of prospects. If they are going the complete rebuild path(3+ years before contention, what I would consider a "long" process) then they should have let Papi walk, collect the pick and make pretty much anyone on the ML Roster available. The fact they signed him makes me think they are going to try and fill the team with short term contracts to stay competitive for the next season or two. Then see who's developed to the point of taking over for those short term deals. My GF emailed me this morning saying she read somewhere that the Sox are in talks with Swisher for around 4/40M? That seemed odd to me, anyone else see anything about this?

Hunter + prospects > Upton -prospects. If they sign any OF this offseason it should be Hunter. I like Upton too, but the cost has got me leaning towards pass.

I like Masterson. I don't like Choo. He's a good player, but he's got one year left and is a Scott Boras client. So he's a one year rental because Boras is gonna want 7/120-140M for him or some craziness. edit: I'm ok with 4/60M for Sanchez.

Apparently it's just going be one of those days where the "Red Sox are interested in player X". As for all the before mentioned moves. Yes it's a good plan. But that is an absolute ton to pull off in one off season when your going after some of the most sought after players. 4-5 of the top 25 free agents + a significant trade(s) will take time, which is not on the teams side. Because once guys like Grienke and Hamilton sign, all hell is gonna break lose and players could be gone fast. Bidding wars pop up. A lot would have to go the Sox way for all this to happen. Fundamentally though, it would be a competitive team IMO.

That would be interesting, fits the outside the box type I was hoping they would go with. I've also heard they are thinking of having 2 hitting coaches.

Interesting deal, but Choo is only signed through next season, and I believe his agent is Scott Boras. I like the idea of Masterson. I think the Sox could get him. I don't see Cleveland shipping two of it's 4 best trade chips in one deal unless its a big package which I don't want to see. SCM33, Unless traded or over taken by Bogaerts, Iglesias is probably the SS next season. What he could mean defensively at SS for the Pitchers is worth giving him a chance to be the full time guy. I think people forget the kid started at AA and went to AAA by his age 21 season, almost with his glove alone. People shouldn't close the book on his bat developing within the next few years.

I like Napoli and think he fit well at Fenway. That said he's not the kind of guy I get wrapped up in a bidding war for. I would start getting uncomfortable with anything beyond 3 years. I have no idea what he made this year so not sure about the $ amount.

Ya we were talking about him in the offseason thread, if he's available then the Sox should really be looking in on him. Possible 21 year old power future ace's don't become available often. No he is no guarantee, but this is the type of prospect I would like to see a chance taken on. The beat of his own drum doesn't scare me all that much, especially being a pitcher. He has a long toss routine he does to warm up that the AZ FO hates, but like I said in the other thread I watched Buchholz play long toss 10 minutes before his start this year. I don't think it'll be a problem.

If they are out already then the price is too high. Move on. Hopefully they are going to check in on Bauer. I don't care about his warm up routine. It's no worse then Buchholz. I watched him play long toss from the garage door in CF to the RF line 10 minutes before his start this year( a few of which laughably went into the stands ). If the Sox are ok with that then Bauer shouldn't be an issue. If they don't get a big bat via FA I think they should flirt with the option of getting an OF that is also a lead off hitter and drop Ellsbury(if he's not traded) to the #3 spot and hope to capitalize on his walk year. Victorino LF Pedroia 2B Ellsbury CF Ortiz DH RF Hunter 3B Middlebrooks 1B Player X(Sands?) C Salty SS Iglesias/player X It's not too bad of a line up.They wouldn't wrap up anything expensive or long term. And should still have plenty of chips and money to do whatever needs to be done for the rotation. Just one of I'm sure many scenarios that will be thrown out here

I read they are thinking of taking a new direction with hitting coach as in having 2 of them. One for RHH and one for LHH? Seems interesting to me.

Yes it would be, but in the end it depends on the price. the fact the Sox will be able to take on any amount of money in the deal helps.

I have no interest in moving Bogaerts. He's about as untouchable as they come in my book. I know they will have to give up talent. But there is still players I'd rather keep for the long haul. If that means no Upton, so be it.

We need to realize though Upton is going to be a popular trade chip, the price might get too high. I'd like him on the team. But not on a big overpay. Texas, Atlanta, Detroit, NYY, plus numerous other teams are all going to be interested. To be honest I think it be a slick move to move on Bauer while everyone else is going after Upton. Bauer has lost the backing of some in the AZ FO according to a few stories. I know he has a long toss routing that AZ hates and he won't give it up(if you have never watched it do yourself a favor and watch it on youtube, watching him throw bb's the full length of a football field is a good watch).

He'll waive it when he's compensated.

Yes you do. Upton is not a CF and Ellsbury whether traded now, later or after he hits the FA market is almost a lock to not be with the team after next season. So they will need a replacement. And as it stands it looks like Bradley is the favorite.

One hurdle to take into consideration. Looks like he lbocked 2 horrid franchises and gave himself leverage against the two big boys(at the time he signed the deal).

Absolutely no on Bradley. He is Ellsbury's replacement. This might be a time to get Ellsbury in on a 3 team deal that has him going to team X and Upton and/or Bauer going to the Sox and players yxz got to AZ. Upton is one of a few guys I'd be ok with the team moving some talent to get. I think he fits baseball wise. Personality? No idea.

I saw his name in a couple reports but like you thought Peterson was the likely choice. We will see, I'm ok just as long as him and Farrell are on the same page.

per MLBTR

As soon as Broxton and Valverde are signed he will go fast.

I believe Hunter played all 3 OF positions last season with most his time coming at the corners once Trout arrived. RF might be too much to ask for a full season. But I think he could be a great LF option for the next season or two. The best thing is if he happens to get beat out by a prospect or something in year 2 he's a great 4th OF option. This is one of those moves that if on a 1-2 year deal has minimal downside.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/11/red-sox-interested-in-torii-hunter.html I'm hoping for a youth movement. But if the team wants to add some veterans to try and retool-bridge to the next waive of talent then I'm ok with it if the move is smart. Signing a guy like Hunter I think is smart. If they give him 2 years that gives guys like Brentz a couple seasons to mature further. He's a great clubhouse guy. I actually think he would be a big upgrade defensively and a push or slighty better offensively compared to Ross.

I think Soria is a good pick up for whichever team get's him. If he's healthy and pitches well he can take over for MO next season. Not a bad situation for the Yanks, I expect NY to be all over this.

He's gonna have to step back for awhile. No one is going to take hims seriously after last season. I doubt he will get another managing job. Maybe he makes it back to ESPN, but they may require a psyche evaluation first though, so he doesn't go all Ron Burgundy on the baseball tonight set

But wait, I thought it was Ben's fault Ross didn't resign before hitting the open market? Like I said earlier, the more likely went down was Sox offered 1-2 years, Ross wants 3 and with his season he knows he can probably squeeze it from someone. It's smart to let him walk. This team should not be committing anything longer then 2 years to anyone other then young/ in their prime talent. There's no sense in signing guys like Ross to 3 year deals when contending the next 1-2 years probably isn't in the cards. The team is rebuilding, so they should be filling in positions with homegrown players to see what they got. BTW did the Red Sox offer Ross a qualifying offer?