Palodios

I'm not sure about that. They already have two solid lefties in Breslow and Miller. Uehara, Bailey, Hanrahan, Tazawa, Aceves are probably locks in the bullpen already. So there is one spot in the bullpen between Bard, Morales, Melancon, Wilson, Mortensen and the rest. It seems like there is plenty of flexibility to stretch out either Aceves or Morales out as starters, and Morales seems to have been far more effective in that role in SSS last year. With all the question marks in the rotation, he'd probably be starting by May.

Only if they offer him a $14 million dollar one year contract, and he rejects it to sign somewhere else. So, probably not. However, with some success in 2013 he'll probably be worth a top tier prospect on the trade market midseason if the situation comes up.

I'd love to see Wandy Rodriguez from the Pirates over here. Pitchers with that kind of consistency are very valuable.

I always thought that Figgins was a product of Seattle as well. But I just dug into his stats, and sure enough, his stats are just as bad in away games as they are in that huge ballpark. I think in his case he had a good few years, cashed in, and fell off a cliff.

From what I've heard, the option vests pretty easily, so it is closer to a 5/70 contract. That's nearly double what Victorino makes, and Victorino gives the team a significant amount of flexibility in the outfield.

You're arguing semantics here, and even so, missing an important distinction. Generational is a step beyond elite. Pedro is generational. Greinke is elite. In just the same way, an elite pitching prospect can be very different from a generational pitching prospect.

I'm assuming this is referring to me. If the #5 ranked prospect in the minor leagues isn't an elite pitching prospect, than what is?

I've liked a good number of the moves, and I think the Red Sox have been very smart about a lot of things. However, the big problem this offseason is that the biggest need of the team-- the rotation-- has not been addressed. Relying on Lackey -- who spent 2012 on the DL, and spent 2011 breaking "worst pitcher ever" records... that just seems irresponsible for a GM. I'm not the kind of guy who will whine about missing out on Greinke or Sanchez, but missing out on Haren/Mccarthy/Gurthrie hurts.

I'm not sure how you figure. It seems about right to me. If he had gotten a Werth-type contract, that would be insane.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/questions-mount-for-boston-red-sox-mike-napoli-deal-not-official-122112

Sources say that the MLBPA believes that the problems Red Sox found in the physical are justified. With Swisher going to the Guardians, and Laroche getting close to a deal with the Nats, I'm pretty sure this deal gets done.

Do you know how the tell-tale sign of a very very good move? Not a single person is complaining about it:lol:

I don't think the money involved here was any bargain, but it seems like the Guardians did a very good job moving players around the last few weeks. Essentially the Guardians traded away their middle of the order right fielder, picked up an elite pitching prospect and a few other pieces in the process, and then replaced the lost production with a very consistent player in Swisher, and don't even lose their first round draft pick.

Its crazy how we've gone all day without hearing who the players involved are.

I'm not thrilled with Melancon going in the trade. He seems like a good player to stash in the minors and hope he'll start dominating eventually. Especially since we gave up the best player in major league history to get him, Jed Lowrie.

1) If Salty returns as the team's primary catcher, the pitching staff will continue to underperform. If he is traded, the Red Sox have a huge bounce back season where the pitching staff pitches to career averages or better. 2) Doubront will look very good in early starts, but when covering 1st in a game against the Rangers, Beltre will hit a ball into the infield, break his ribs and end his season. Or he will have some other season ending injury. 3) Steven Wright will have one good start as a Red Sox, but flame out, and never be a significant major leaguer. 4) No longer having the weight of leading a toxic clubhouse on his shoulders, Pedroia hits 40 2B, 18 HR, has .370 OBP, and a 7 WAR for the season. 5) Shane Victorino will be an elite defender, steal plenty of bases, and be a big table setter for the Red Sox. His critics will still whine about the contract. 6) Bradley, Barnes, Bogaertz and Webster will not make a significant difference on the team in 2013. AL East -- Toronto AL Central -- Tigers (AL Champs) AL West -- Angels Wildcards-- Royals, Red Sox. NL East -- Nationals (WS Champs) NL Central-- Reds NL West -- Diamondbacks Wildcards, Giants, Phillies AL Cy -- Weaver NL Cy -- Strasburg AL MVP -- Lowrie or maybe Trout NL MVP -- Harper Rays have a mediocre season, the Orioles fall back down to earth. The Rangers fall off a cliff as Darvish feels the pressure of his secon MLB season. The Royals go 14-4 against the Astros and sneak into a wildcard spot. The Braves struggle without the legendary Chipper, and the Nationals turn into a bulldozer.

Ibanez signs with the Mariners.

This. Sands/Stolmy is just as good. Looks like a good trade, from what I've heard so far. Hope the other pieces are nonfactors.

And if Salty was catching for him, do you think those walk numbers are going to get better? I'm very happy with this deal if Sands is the centerpiece. But I was concerned with talks of guys like Cecchini, Kalish or other quality pieces involved.

Last year was phenominal, but this year scares me.

There is no bigger a mistake a team can make than overvaluing a reliever with a big name, and eh results.

Player A: 51.1 IP, 9BB, 1.58 ERA, .99 WHIP, AL East pitcher. Player B: 59.2 IP, 36 BB, 2.72 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, NL Central pitcher. Atchison and Hanrahan.

The problem is that he's extremely expensive at an estimated 7 mill, a free agent next year, and won't be returning draft picks. And he's a reliever with a 6 BB/9 last year. If they give up anything significant for him, it'll be a mistake.

Yikes, those are cringeworthy. We're talking about one year of a reliever with a 3.74 career ERA, with big walk numbers who will make 7 million in 2013. We're probably looking at guys like Britton/Stolmy in any reasonable deal.

Cody Ross got a three year deal. Good for him! This shuts the door on an Ellsbury trade I would think.