SoxSport

Manny was the biggest--and best move. Wonder if they could have won without him. The others were mistakes--in my view--and why Epstein is in Chicago. Hamilton is a Manny-type of impact player--a difference maker. What's missing in their lineup. They know it.

Looks like the Yankees might get involved-- though you don't know if this is being driven by the NY-based media. In their eyes, the Yankees are a bottomless pit of money used to buy up stars as they become available. I think that's becoming less true with all the contracts they have, but they could weasel out of ARod's contract. They have the power to do almost anything they want in MLB --being the main media team. Remember a couple of years ago, Hank stepped in and signed Soriano--over Cashman's objections? Turned out to be a damned good move--only made because the Yankees don't have a budget, and the Steinbrenners are obsessed with winning. But they were willing to go $15 mil per yr for a setup guy--crazy for everybody else. Trouble is, it sets the bar higher. Seems like everybody is waiting patiently for Texas to decide on Hamilton. If they pass, I expect a lot of competition for him which will leave the Mariners in the dust. Maybe even if they don't pass.

Heyman says Red Sox "unlikely" for Hamilton. But the same Heyman said AdGon wouldn't re-sign with the Sox after they traded for him. So you don't know about Jon, a former Yankee beat writer in NY. The Sox apparently are continuing to talk to Hamilton. Keeping their cards close, waiting to see what Texas does. They aren't as desperate for him as Seattle, and could go either way. I do think Lucchino wants him--to sell tickets. He does remind some people of Ted Williams--that will sell tickets.

Let's just see what happens if Texas passes on Hamilton.

Hamilton will probably stay in Texas if the Rangers don't sign Upton and Greinke. That would be his first choice. If he has to choose between Seattle and Boston, I would guess Boston--the better team and more competitive division. But you don't know if the Red Sox will step up to the plate if Texas passes.They might not. Or maybe they have a deal for Ellsbury set up in case Hamilton becomes available.They are maintaining contact with Hamilton, so that shows maybe they're interested if Texas passes. I don't think the Red Sox will get involved unless Texas passes. But then other teams might get involved, too, besides Seattle. The Red Sox are set up to go either way.

Berkman might be a fit--he's a part-time player at this point.

I think James is in on all these deals. He's there to make sure they don't screw up like last year.

Wilson will want to close, period. Not sure there's a match.

This guy is a step up from the retreads he signed last year.

With Bard, a case of mismanagement. The guy had a history of head problems as a starter, and they just resurrected his problems.

Ain't gonna happen.

Don't think Boras would be happy with 3/39 for Ells.

My impression from the tweets this morning is the Red Sox are out on Hamilton, and he will go to Texas or Seattle, depending on whether Texas gets Greinke and/or Upton in this 4 way deal being discussed. Seattle has a hand in making it happen since they want Hamilton. So the recent statements by Cherington about keeping Ellsbury, at least until mid-year, seem to be true.Clearly, Victorino was signed for his versatility--to play RF now and take over CF when Ells gets dealt. Sounds OK, but their failure to be aggressive about Hamilton, who would plug the middle of the lineup like a giant cork in a bottle, is a sign of Cherington's blandness and Henry's unwillingness to pursue any more $20+ mil contracts--whether they are 4 yrs, 5 yrs, or 10 yrs. What we have left is the kind of nickle and diming that they did last year, which proved disastrous. On the other hand, they are filling the team with useful role players, though still overpaid, which will generate wins provided the pitching is improved significantly--especially from within. I'm not optimistic about this team short range. Cherington isn't the type of GM who can turn a team around quickly, because he is not a risk-taker. And the AL East has become a beast thanks to big improvements in Baltimore and TB, and what looks like a quantum leap in Toronto. The Red Sox will be a team fighting to get out of the cellar, and hoping somebody else stumbles--like they have in recent years.

I suspect they have a fair idea of how to unload Ellsbury on short notice if they have to.

I think Hamilton is still in play, but it might take Greinke signing in Texas, or an Upton trade to Texas. I suspect they have a deal for Ellsbury if necessary. Signing Victorino is a tipoff. He's really a centerfielder. Wilson could well wind up in Boston if the Dodgers pass.

Excellent player in Philly. Can do everything except hit lots of HRs.

Gives them the versatility to deal Ellsbury. Vic still a good player. Discount half year in LA. Playing with bad hand.

Yanks are in trouble--with ageing and big contracts.

The word is Vic played hurt last year--bad hand. Discount his weak 2nd half with the Dodgers. They clearly weren't going by his numbers in LA. Off-year, not a decline.

I don't think Hamilton will happen. He is going back to Texas. I doubt any other team is serious about him at this point--he was simply trying to drive his price up at the meetings to sign with Texas. Then there's Ross and Swisher. I don't think they'll sign another outfielder unless Ellsbury gets dealt.

Victorino was a heady sign. Helluva player--if you take away the 2nd half last year in LA. He was a key player at CF in Philly. The word now is he played last year hurt--with a bad hand. The real purpose of this deal, I think, was to put a "for sale" sign on Ellsbury. They don't want to deal with Boras. Not the only team--Phillies, too. Which makes Ells for Lee or Halladay improbable. Ells will be dealt either pre-season by mid-season next year--whichever they think will bring the most. Right now, they have a ton of versatility. A lot of role players on the field. You combine that with strong pitching and you've got a winner. Except they don't have strong pitching--yet.

The Phillies GM was on MLB TV tonite, and he said the big 3 Phillies starters are going nowhere--they are the team's core. Besides, their owners won't deal with Boras because of JD Drew. If they move Ells, it's more likely in mid season when they can get more value for him. But maybe also now. Seattle is a good landing spot--for Vargas. Forget Felix. Maybe Lincecum, though his mechanics says no. Maybe Bumgarner. Has to be a team that will deal with Boras. Seattle, yes. Maybe Texas.

Huge disparity in runs scored from stolen bases for Red Sox vs opponents the last few years. Had a post or two on the subject last year. Hopefully, Farrell will change that. They now have 3 speedsters in the lineup--Ells, Vic and Iggy--plus Pedey who always steals 20-25 bases. Maybe that signals more smallball. More ways to score runs.

My initial reaction to this signing was like everybody else on Twitter--horrible. Then I saw Tom Verducci on MLB TV, who explained why this was a good deal for the Sox. Victorino is a multi-skilled player. Stole 39 bases last year, even in an off-year where he had a bad 2nd half in LA. Can play any outfield position. Excellent outfielder. Switch hitter. Not viewed as in decline at 32. What this does is make Ellsbury highly tradeable, certainly by mid-season next year. Maybe now, with the right deal for a pitcher? You figure Henry doesn't want to deal with Boras. It also may mean they are not done signing outfielders, though they still have Kalish as the 5th outfielder right now.

Maybe if they threw in Mike Piazza in his prime to catch for him.