Spudboy

That would do it.

I'm kind of on the fence with these two deals. To me it is like a week "deva vu all over again". It's not Gonzo / Crawford but it certainly shows us that the Sox are willing to spend big and maybe incorrectly to regain or retain fan interest. Making moves to build the rotation will signal a willingness to byuld a competitive and winning team for the near future. I just have a queasy feeling about it. It's almost Yankee-esq.

I certainly agree with you. I've been saying this for a while.

And I loved watching Youk play. That kind of intensity is needed in spades. Don't see much of it in baseball it seems. The Romanian god of walks.

YUP. Excellent point. Although it is unfortunate that this is not recognized or popular to think.

User I am of the opinion that the Sox use some of their redundancies / prospects in trade for at least one and maybe two younger type starter types. If my suspicions are correct, what young pitchers would you see as possible targets?

I love this. On a day when the biggest sports news in Boston should be the Pats dominating win over yet another division leader / top team, the headlines are all about the Sox doings. I'm a Pats fan. But if there was any doubt about what team is the top dog in the Boston area it has been dispelled. The Sox rule.

If the Sox have indeed signed both or are about to, that puts them at 42 on the 40 man. Two someones have to go.

Oh Brother.

I am one of those people. Here is why. Panda is less of a need to the Sox and is more likely not to perform adequately during the length of the contract. Lester or someone of equivalent talent is essential to building a strong rotation. The Sox can fill 3rd base in any of several ways at lower "risk". Sandoval is just not worth the money or a long contract.

Sorry Dojji but you are completely wrong on this. It is an open bidding process and negotiations can be approached in any desired fashion. I said it before. The Sox should have given Lester a "no walk" price ( offer ). An offer very close to or exceeding what would be seen as market value. In this case it should have been 6/130 - 6/140 ( maybe even 145 ). If he was leaning toward returning as everyone has assumed, he would have signed before leaving town. Presented in a way that Lester felt pressure not to leave. This technique usually works if the negotiator knows what the hell they are doing. I have done it hundreds of times and have seen it done thousands of times. It does not matter that he has a right to do this or do that. A strong negotiator takes the bull by the horns and gets it done or he will not have a job for long. That is what happens in the real world. Not the concocted fantasy of professional sports. The Sox had the upper hand while he was in town. Now Lester has walked and chances are that he may not come back. That is what happens when you are not a "closer" in sales. No personal attack intended Dojji. Maybe you have not been working in marketing and sales for 40 years.

This morning I read somewhere speculation that the Lester camp may wait until after Thanksgiving or even until the first week in December to sign in hopes that the Yankees will get in on the bidding. Lovely.

Edit: Although the Sox did pay heavily to resign Koji at 2/18. The whole MLB pay structure is obscene.

Papi makes half that? I thought he was on a 2/30 or 2/32 deal. In any case I agree with you.

Strong money for any reliever in my opinion. Still, I'd love to see him back.

5/95 seems like an overpay to me. Salaries continue to escalate. Average type players are getting crazy money. If Sandoval signs with the Sox then great. At least the fans will have a new toy to pay attention to. And 3rd base will be covered for a while, I guess. Just seems like way to much money for the return. I'm kind of sick of the whole thing now.

Yes Fred. It does not take a baseball guru to see that. They have to make a move soon or be left out in the cold. All those chips and money under the cap won't mean squat if they don't. As I said early last year, the Boston fans won't tolerate a minor league team thrown out every day. Seeing the kids play was nice only because the Sox were not constructed to win in 2014. But I've seen enough of the Pawtucket all stars now. It's time to get back to winning.

lol Yeah. Between your rose colored glasses and Fred's doom and gloom it's balanced! J/K. Really, the off season has not started for the Sox. Until the Lester situation is resolved one way or another, I doubt that the Sox make a major move especially for pitching. The Sox need to know how to build the rotation before they make any commitments of assets like top prospects for pitching. Getting Lester would be a nice first move. But if that does not happen then they must make a big trade move since there really are not any top of rotation type starters in free agency worth going for other than Sherzer and that would make no sense to do if the Sox are true to their policy. I am getting kind of anxious about it. They have a last place rotation as it stands even if all the under performing regulars return to form offensively. Stocking up on mid-tier starting pitching probably won't get the job done. If two good front end starters are acquired, this team will be competitive even without signing Sandoval or another 3rd baseman.

Why would a team that views itself on the cusp of a World Series birth want to trade one of it's key starting pitchers now?

That's all nice to know. Especially since the free agent market will be loaded compared to this year. The Sox can do what they want this year too. They have the chips and money under the cap as you have reminded us. I just hope that they use it wisely.

Trading for Price would be interesting. He is one of THE best pitchers in the game and is very proven in the AL East. Unlike Hammels. I don't like the idea of sending two decent or upper level pitching prospects in return, though.

Yup. A "sexy" signing to draw the masses.

By the way, does anyone here believe that the Cards and Braves are serious players for Lester? Yes, I realize that Lester makes the Atlanta area his off-season home. Do either of these teams have the budget and balls to make the kind of deal it will take to get Lester? I don't thinks so. But I would not discount the probability of Theo and the Cubs dropping a big offer on Lester. And Fred, Lester could still end up in pinstripes. However, If the Yankees are going to sign a big name pitcher this off season, I bet it is Sherzer. Or maybe even both of them! Hahahahaha!!

Of course I agree. This entire situation should never have happened. The Sox did misplay this last spring. Lester is not The King but he is without question the best pitcher the Sox have had at the front end since Pedro. They felched this big time. I'll laugh if Theo signs him.

No one really knows what is going on. All that we have to go on is unsubstantiated speculation. No direct quotes from the people involved. If the Sox offered 6/110-120 that is only what they should of offered after the 2013 season. It is not aggressive when taken in light of the current market conditions. Who knows what the complexities are? Maybe they involve only things that would bring the total value of the deal up from 6/110 to 6/120? I think that the Sox have missed the boat again on this. If they wanted to make sure that Lester signed they would have made a firm offer for 6/130 -6/140. I have a feeling that would have gotten it done. Now that Lester is out talking with other teams it seems that the Sox have lost the opportunity to land Lester. But who knows? I don't believe that Lester will be conceding to a home town discount anymore. Why should he? The Sox have taken their "best shot". Now Lester is in the driver's seat again. To hell with 6/100 for Sandoval.