Palodios

When we were talking about Stanton, he would probably cost 3-4 top 100 prospects with one or two centerpieces. Sale is a completely different animal. Remember when Felix was younger in his prime, and the Red Sox offered Buchholz, Bard, Masterson, Reddick, Doubront for him? And remember when the Mariners turned them down? This is kind of like that, except that Chris Sale is locked up for the next 5 years at bargain prices. Its a "pick any 6-7 from the deepest farm system in the majors" type trade.

My argument wasn't that the FO shouldn't take the blame. They put together an awful team that is going to lose a lot of games. However, I am able to give them credit for making hard decisions for the good of the long term future of the team. This team looks a lot like the championship Marlins 2003 team to many, but the difference is that the Red Sox are going to go out the following year and spend tons of money and trade some prospects next year. We all expected the FO to be cowards and just sit on the current roster, but they did the right thing for the team, even if it will cost them wins, and butts in the seats.

After, not before.

I understand. You're unhappy about a rebuilding year. I am too. But there is a reason why this team has fielded very good teams. The ownership is committed to both being competitive, and being competitive in the future. Sometimes things don't work out, and we get years like this one. Sometimes it does, and we get years like last year. But here's the thing. This organization does make decisions that do not work. However, most of their decisions are not long term decisions. They get to mulligan a bad team for a good team the following year. We're unhappy with seeing no playoff baseball for a year, but ownership works on making sure that the next year is a different year, instead of the same old s***. Look at how the Phillies handled the deadline last year -- stuck with the same aging pricey contracts, and nothing but mediocrity in the future. The Red Sox have options. They'll sign a significant starter, trade for a significant starter, pull in a few bullpen pieces, and piece together a real offense next year. They're too stacked with talent and money to be mediocre for long.

I saw that Webster got shelled. Is he done? Does he have a shot in the bullpen? Is this just a minor setback? Meh, I've seen Beckett pitch worse games.

There was a great pic on Reddit today, titled Lester and Gomes look really happy to be in Oakland.

In all fairness, the franchise tag is ******** for nfl players. They DON'T sign that piece of paper. They hit free agency, and that piece of paper is shoved down their throat. Look at Jimmy Graham, is he really only worth a $7 million dollar contract? In all other scenarios, I agree with you.

Chris Sale is a pipe dream. He is cost controlled for the rest of his career, and isn't going anywhere unless the Red Sox overpay or if he is damaged goods. If your team is only one or two pieces from another championship, you make that trade, but not now. Cueto might actually be available. He has a 2.05 ERA (3.39 career) and 0.92 WHIP. He is currently leading the NL with 162 innings and a 5.9 H/9, with an outside shot of a CY Young. After the lowball David Price deal, maybe he won't cost nearly as much as we're used to seeing these guys go for.

So remember that Edwin Escobar guy we got a week ago? 22 year old, was a top 100 guy, got shelled in PCL. First start in Pawtucket: 6IP, 1 ER, 5K, 1BB.

There are plenty of very good pitchers who are going to free agency in 2016. The Reds have Mat Latos, Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake all hitting free agency after next season. The Nationals have Zimmerman and Fister (followed by Stasburg and Gio the following year). The Red Sox could hang some of the second tier guys like Eduardo and Eduardo and still get a very solid #2/3 type pitcher.

The option is going to St Louis along with him.

Want to hear something crazy? Lester was in this organization longer than any other player, including David Ortiz, having been drafted months before Ortiz signed a free agent contract with the Red Sox. I forget about that. The whole situation seems surreal. I can't believe he is gone. Lester was a high school draftee, so he basically graduated high school, and spent the next 12 years of his life with the Red Sox. He's been through cancer, a Boston tragedy, and two World Series (and a third while in the organization). He very clearly wants to be here. John Henry personally said goodbye. Ortiz tweeted that he believes he's coming back. The Red Sox have a very clear need at SP1 and plenty of money to spare. Ben's strategy hasn't always worked out, but he's figured out the best way to get value for everyone and everything. I would not be surprised at all if this was orchestrated.

Shields goes against all of their philosophies, but there are a brick ton of pitchers hitting free agency in 2016, and they are mostly on teams with no money. The Red Sox could trade Ball and Eduardo for any one of them and not even blink. Look at the list I posted on the rotation thread, it might surprise you.

Henry Owens promoted to AAA.

Ranaudo is debuting in tonight's game. Crush it.

I think the contract situation was mismanged. However, Lester has been extremely, extremely professional about the whole thing. We also are looking at a rare scenario where the Red Sox didn't burn a bridge with a leaving player -- that seems almost unheard of in this city.

Woahhhh, the 2016 free agent class looks insane for pitching . Some will sign long term contracts, but most of them are on teams that won't be able to afford them. There might be a number of quality trade targets available after this season, especially the Reds who will have three 2016 free agents. (feel free to correct me if anything in this list is incorrect) David Price -- Tigers Jordan Zimmerman -- Nationals. Jeff Samardzija -- Athletics John Lackey -- Cardinals Matt Latos -- Reds Johnny Cueto -- Reds Mike Leake -- Reds Doug Fister - Nationals Gallardo -- Brewers Iwakuma -- Mariners Kiris Medlen -- Braves Lohse -- Brewers Wei-Yen Chen -- Orioles

I keep looking at numbers, and don't see Lackey as any less valuable. Maybe the Red Sox needed a throw in for the deal like Hammel was. I also am surprised that the one-dumb-owner theory didn't pull in generational talent for Lester. I just assumed someone was drooling over 2013 World Series coverage.

I see Shields as a huge longshot. Someone will give him 4-5 years for his 33-38 years. I don't see the Red Sox doing that. I hold out hope for a Lester resign, but the next guy in the rotation will definitely be a trade. The Red Sox may have the deepest minor league pitching depth available right now. If the Red Sox packaged Rodriguez and Escobar right now, most of us wouldn't even blink, but that's still a pair of top 60 BA pitching prospects from 2014. I am looking at Matt Latos and Johnny Cueto -- both of those guys are free agents in 2016, and the Reds can't afford to keep both of them. Matt Latos is very young -- the first extension year starts at his age 28. Cueto might cost more, but getting an ace extended started at 29 could be very nice as well.

Theo got Addison Russell for Samardzija and his career 3.93 in the NL Central. Lackey has a cheaper contract, has a better track record, and had a 3.60 ERA in 11 starts last postseason. I am uncertain of the Lester deal, mostly because I am curious how Cespedes will do outside of the Coliseum, but would have liked a more long term piece for him. Sure there is no guarantee that prospects will pan out, but there is absolutely no guarantee that Craig will return to form. Maybe the guy is done.

Buchholz is an interesting waiver wire candidate. Someone always needs pitching after the trade deadline has passed.

Did you see the Cosart deal? The Astros got two top prospects for him. One of these teams probably won big there, but I have no idea which one.

Actually, he will be turning 29 in October. That means any extension will be for his 30+ years. He has some good years left, but if the Red Sox weren't willing to pay 75 million for Lester at 30, it would be insulting for them to give it to Cespedes.

I don't buy Craig as a power bat. He's averaged what, 13 HR a year? Maybe he was a doubles hitters, but does he really look like one now? For the outfield, the hope was that Ben could have scooped up someone like Taveras or Pederson that was a bit closer to the majors. No such luck I guess -- none of the top 50ish prospects were moved today, even for Price. Plenty of prospects, sure. But real pitching? They seem very reluctant to sign any pitcher over 30 -- look at Lester-- and I seriously doubt they'll overpay to get Shields here. I hold out hope for the trade-and-sign, but is this team really willing to shell out the 130-140 million that would be a hometown discount for Lester?

And what if he doesn't return to form, and the Red Sox are stuck with a $25 million dollar tab? Worst case scenario, they're stuck with a .600 OPS hitter with mediocre defense with poor baserunning in a position that requires a strong bat. Best case scenario, they end up with a .800 OPS hitter with mediocre defense with poor baserunning in a position that requires a strong bat. I just don't see what Allen Craig provides that the Nava/Gomes platoon wasn't already providing.