Spudboy

I hope the rain does not interfere with the game. I have my fingers crossed with Webster starting. GO SOX!

I doubt that the Sox will rely on two or three prospect pitchers to fill the rotation in 2015. Ben has said as much that he will be looking to get pitching in the off season and it will probably be two starters and one or two relief arms. I have no confidence that Lester will return. I think the Sox will most likely look for either younger and or less costly options. Most probably mid-tier guys.

Okay. That is fair and I agree. I don't think that it's all that important. I'm just concerned by the downward trend in Cespedes's OBP and BA over the past three years. I like the power bat added to the lineup but I also see a .300 OBP that goes with it. Hopefully he will be peppering the wall with XBH and driving in runs.

Lackey has been quoted as saying that he will honor his contact and play for the minimum next year in St. Louis. Interesting stuff.

No. Not okay. To say that the Sox as an organization do not stress plate discipline, taking many pitches, walking, and an "OBP" approach is not factually correct. Play with your stats and pat yourself on the back all that you wish if it massages your ego. My observation and point are valid. K? Cool.

How dare you? The outfield will now be stout!!! Gold Gloves everywhere!!!

"He does not fit the mold of a Sox hitter. Low OBP and strikes out too much and he does not even hit for average." Maybe you should spend more time attempting to comprehend what you try to read and less time conjuring up fantasies about baseball.

I voted D but that was in haste. I would say C or B now. I am very disappointed that the Sox did not make a serious effort to retain Lester before the season started and now that it became apparent that they would not pay the guy I guess it's best that they get something back for him other than just a comp. pick. I'm not thrilled with Cespedes. He does not fit the mold of a Sox hitter. Low OBP and strikes out too much and he does not even hit for average. And I think that he is a hack defensively, too. I don't think that he will be here in 2016 but who knows. The fans will be delighted with his occasional bomb and a bunch of long foul balls until then. I'm not sure what to think of Craig. If he can regain his hitting then it's a good move. If he doesn't then he will be gone too I suppose. Kelly is said to be an unfinished work according to Cherrington. We'll see! I have nothing to say about the young pitchers gathered in these deals other than that they are prospects. Cherrington said that the goal was to get a start on the off season and to allow the new pieces to show what they can do in the rest of the season so the Sox will have a better idea of what they must do after the season ends. With that in mind, I guess the Sox did okay for now. I wish that Miller had been kept too.

This is good news. He was dominating AA.

Too much common sense and fact in this post. Quit it!!!

Logic and facts in one post. How dare you!!!!

I believe my eyes. Cespedes is an athletic corner outfielder with substandard fielding skills that he can sometime compensate for with speed and a strong and accurate arm. Of course he may continue to refine his skills at 28 years old.

From what I've read the Yankees have good depth at catcher in the minors. Maybe not so much now?

Wrong. They do not have the compensation pick anymore so more teams may enter the fray and some teams may justify bidding higher.

Fred I did not say that there was nothing to your inside info. I merely pointed out that I had seen no mention of it anywhere else. Further, it has been widely speculated ( I even suggested it a few weeks ago ) that Lackey could be traded by the deadline. Again, weather Lackey demanded a trade or not has still not been established by any reliable and creditable source. It may have happened and if so we all will likely be hearing about it in the press soon. Or at latest when the Sox F.O. initiates there fabled smear campaign. Fred, you give yourself too much credit here. But that's okay. I get it.

The season was over about 6 weeks ago. Never the less I will continue to watch my favorite baseball team. If anything, things are now more interesting because we get to see what the F.O. does to establish a rotation for this year and subsequent years. We also get to see the web gem producing Puig lite and all the other major league players. I want to see what they all can do. Is anyone else curious?

Carp can be let go in the waiver period. Somebody will want him.

I'm not sure that Bardley is the odd man out here. Maybe they trade Nava along with Carp? Or maybe they platoon Nava with Cespedes in left? Cespedes has splits that slightly favor left handed pitching so that would mix well with Nava's splits that seem to favor RHP. Maybe Bradley will be sent down to Pawtucket? I kind of doubt it since he is still excellent defensively and the Sox have stuck with him so far. Who the hell knows???

Also, I am wondering what the Sox payroll looks like for next year.

So now that the Sox have gotten rid of four starters, two of which were our only lefties, what is the Sox rotation for the rest of 2014? In no particular order: Bucholtz, Kelly, De LaRosa, then what? Workman? Webster????? Will Renaudo be brought up now? What about a lefty? Owens is dominating in AA but is he ready?????? The Sox must be looking to acquire another MLB ready arm because I just don't see what they can do for this season let alone 2015 and beyond. Maybe they will go get another big name arm like Cole ( cough, cough ) Hammels? I'd love to see Price on the Sox!!! Hahahahahahahaha!!! He could have the locker next to Ortiz!!!!

wut

This post does not fit with the chart! But yeah, I agree with you.

I think that I missed some sarcasm in your post Pal!

What? Fielder is on the shelf with Texas. Do you mean that the Sox are assuming what Detroit may be paying Texas towards Fielders contract? Is that even allowed?

This is a real head scratcher. I have no idea why this deal was done. I think the Sox are very far off from being done "constructing" the future roster. I just do not understand the way they are deconstructing it now!