CoachC.

I'd say Tex is slightly better. Who is crosby?

I think his ERA in Fenway is blown out of proportion. Think about it, he is going up against the Red Sox offense in a ballpark they are built for.

No one will offer 40 million. He will get similar to what Strasburg got from the Nats (4 yrs/15.1 million). The difference of 40 million and 15 million is too large to just wanting to "play with a friend."

Interesting that they offered a contract before seeing him throw on Tuesday.

Important to note that if the Sox do indeed sign Lackey, the Blue Jays pick from Boston for Scutaro would go from the 1st to the 2nd round.

5 years is interesting since they wouldn't do that for Bay and Theo doesn't really like giving 5 years to pitchers in their 30s. Maybe 4 years with an option?

Gonzalez told Hoyer that Boston is his preferred choice and Hoyer is asking for Buchholz and Kelly/Westmoreland but the Red Sox are not willing to do it yet. To me this says the Hoyer has a willingness to not only deal Adrian but that the Sox also have the pieces to get a deal done with its current crop of prospects.

This could be the key piece that allows Kelly to go to SD

We went over it a couple pages back. The only way AGonz or any other elite hitter comes is if we find another adequate starter to take Buchholz's place in the rotation (who would presumably be in the deal). Well Lackey is that and more.

Bye Buchholz?

I dont consider trading Kelly, Clay, and a couple B level prospects gutting our system. I consider using it to make this team better now and in the future being that Adrian is only 27 years old right now. Not all these prospects we have are going to be good and like I said sometimes I think Theo overvalues the players in our system and it makes it difficult to make the big trade. If Theo isn't willing to give up those players, I'd be curious to know what the Red Sox are offering then because I'm not really seeing how they would plan on pulling off a trade for the caliber of player Adrian G is w/out going into it knowing your going to have to give up at least two top prospects for him If this report is accurate I question how hard the Sox are really going after him

This is what I dont like. If you can get an all star first baseman just heading into the prime of his career, who is excellent in the field and at the plate in the best pitchers park in the majors. I think you have to do that deal. Clay, Kelly/Westmoreland, and a spare part or two for Adrian is a fair deal. Like I said I think Theo is a little to in love with these prospects. Does Kelly look like a good prospect? Yes, but so was Homer Bailey and he's not exactly working out in Cincy. Kelly's value is very high right now and I think we should capitalize on it. If he doesnt want to trade them for Halladay thats fine he's 32 year old pitcher with a ton of mileage. I can see the reasoning. Adrian however is exactly what this team needs

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2009/12/13/tough_players_leave_yankees_with_a_tough_call/?page=full

from heyman, nothing we didn't already know.

Also, the Mets hold the #7 pick, which is protected.

anyone get tickets today? how many windows/tabs you have open and how long did it take you?

Green Monster? I feel like it's more about the experience than anything.

I wonder what effect having the rink on the field will have on the infield when spring rolls around?

Wow really you dont know Wagners track record, watch baseball much? Go to any Mets or Phillies boards and they will give you a s*** ton of important regular season games he blew for both those teams. Specifically ask the Mets fans about the 4 game series in late Aug in 2007 Then I mean you would really have to not know s*** about this game to defend his 10.32 playoff ERA. Sorry but you dont get that bloated ERA by being a guy who comes up in big spots Heres the deal Ace, the deal is there to be made but Theo is to in love with the farm system and is afraid to make a big deal. So he would rather play it safe and sign at player like Beltre I didnt imply s***, you would like to think I did to help your argument but at no point did I ever say Lowell was superior, I'm being dead serious check out this web site http://www.hookedonphonics.com/ I told you exactly what I said and exactly what I meant and at no point did I say anything about Lowell as a whole player being superior than Beltre. I'm sorry your having problems following this argument but try reading slower or have someone read it to you and then maybe explain it

I need my eyes checked? Thats laughable, I suggest you hit the eye doctor up and then get hooked on phonics because I would love for you to point out where I said Lowell was superior. I said both ML and Youk are capable of handling third base from a defensive stand point and given that we had not traded Lowell at this point it makes little sense to sign Beltre. Then I said given ML stats last year there is no real offensive up grade. ML hit 290 and 17 HR's and you projecting Beltre out at 270 and possibly 25 HR's. That is not a significant upgrade by any means from last year. It doesn't matter the names or the ages that is what the Red Sox got out of there third baseman last year and we are trying to upgrade the offense from last year so when the stats are nearly the same its not an upgrade. Your getting the same production that didn't get it done in 2009 and extending that same production for 4 more years. Like i said before the Red Sox need to get on the horn with S.D. and start seriously discussing a move for AGonz .277 40hrs and a 408 OBP IS an offensive upgrade over a departing Lowell. Move Youk to third with his production and now we are actually upgrading the offense.

Spoke too soon. This Kentucky team is also very young, dumb, and obviously have little confidence in their perimeter game. Will be interesting to see how Calipari schemes for the second half. If they called the over the backs on UK, I think they would have 2 players that fouled out already Against UNC on Saturday, there were countless instances where the Tar Heels got the ball inside to their bigs, who drew contact--only to have the referees not blow the whistle. Or times where there would be offensive rebound putbacks where the UNC frontcourt players drew contact, but the refs would scrape their forearms [to suggest that blocks were clean] and not call fouls. The game was in Rupp Arena, so draw your own conclusions. But Kentucky is susceptible defensively--especially on a neutral court / away from home. Also, if I see that Direct TV commercial with Christina Aguilera one more time I'm gonna kick a baby.

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/8127/picture1jj.png

You can talk about your eyes and stats all you want. Those are the same eyes and stat analysis that thought Billy Wagner of all people would solidify the BP last year where anyone who saw Wagner pitch before knew that would be no where near the case. So yeah I dont really consider your eye a good judge of talent. You want Beltre thats fine, my eye tells me he puts us no closer to closing the gap on NY and will not even come close to giving us the offense we need to compete in the AL East or to get another World Series trophy. My eyes tell me he'll become the ire of fans and we will be looking to unload him not two years into this 4 year deal he is looking for.

Lovin the up and down game right now. By far the most impressive thing I've seen from Kentucky that Calipari has brought is defensive intensity. They are relentless. With UConn having no bench (they just ate Beverley's lunch, who's got no business being out there), I just think they will wear UConn down eventually, but we shall see. Oh, and John Wall is too fast for the physics of dribbling, but damn he's fun to watch and Gavin Edwards is a one-man wrecking crew.