SoxFanForsyth

I believe that's was Werner who made those statements, no?

Naturally

Swear to you that's what he said. I was surprised he was so candid as well. The McCann signing hadn't even been discussed at all from what I saw then like 1.5 hours later it broke

So, I know this sounds crazy but I swear on my life this happened. Last night I was driving in Beacon Hill (Boston neighborhood) and I saw a man trying to hail a cab. Upon further look, it was Larry Lucchino. I rolled down my window and yelled 'Larry! You need a ride??' To which he responded 'yeah can you just take me to Fenway? I've been out here forever' So I take him to Fenway, and on the way, he tells me that the Yanks just signed McCann (this was about 1,5 hours before it broke). I asked him who the Sox were going to get to catch next year and he said they are in on Hannigan. Talked to him for quite a bit, about 15 min. Nice guy, cool that he disclosed some stuff to me. How's that for a source User Name?

Any deal for Kemp would start with Cecchini + Ranaudo/Barnes, and would involve the Sox taking about 75% of his salary I would guess. The Sox may be able to dump Dempster on them, though, as part of the deal

You're much more likely to see a Carlos Beltran or a Corey Hart signing than a trade for Kemp. Both of those would be short term deals which the Sox are much more geared towards, which would add pop to the corners (Hart reportedly has lost a good deal of weight and is able to play the OF, particularly at Fenway)

Not that he would justify the trade, but Betts is much better than you give him credit for. He will be a top 100, potentially top 80 prospect this year. And keep in mind he is younger than Bogaerts and in AA. For as fast as Bogaerts flew through the system, Betts is only a year behind him (should start his 21 year old season in AA). He's not a superstar like Bogaerts but he's certainly a guy who projects to have double digit HR (14-16) and SB (25-30), with very high OBP (.417 OBP last year, 81 BB, 57 K) and at a middle infield position, that's rare. He wouldn't ever be the centerpiece in a blockbuster but he could certainly be an extremely valuable secondary piece.

I'm sure the Dodgers would be required to eat a good bit of that salary before any trade of significant prospects would happen. And lets be honest here, Kemp is a much better player than Ellsbury when both are healthy.

Nick Cafardo is reporting that the Red Sox have shown interest in Matt Kemp. Wonder what kind of a package it would take to get him to Boston. I'm not sure how I would feel about it. Certainly depends on the prospects. He could be a monster, though.

JBJ has no use in AAA next year. He posted a .375 OBP and a .845 OPS in AAA last year, all while playing elite defense. At some point, you have to take the training wheels off and let the kids sink or swim. Bradley's 2013 season and overall career thus far has been very reminiscent of Pedroia's career & 2006 season.

You can't guarantee anything. That's the issue. And getting a young talented first baseman who is entering his prime is a good strategy. There's significantly less risk in terms of injury and decline in production with youth. I'll give you that I have a mancrush on Stanton and Lee, but I certainly don't have one on Belt. Not in the least. This offer and this conversation isn't even in the same stratosphere as the Stanton conversations. Not close.

These were all ideas in the case that, for whatever reason, the Sox couldn't reach a deal with Nap.

I have thought about Hart, just depends on how well he can actually play. A platoon of Hart and Carp could be a very valuable 1B option if Napoli leaves.

We disagree. If you can get a future .880-.920 OPS bat to play 1B for you, you absolutely pull the trigger on that. Belt is a much better player than you give him credit for. He's got a career .339 BABIP because he has about a 25% LD%. It's not flukey, it's justified. Here are your 2014 Free Agent 1B, outside of Napoli: Jeff Baker (33) Yuniesky Betancourt (32) Corey Hart (32) Paul Konerko (38) Casey Kotchman (31) Brandon Laird (26) James Loney (30) Casey McGehee (31) Kendrys Morales (30) Justin Morneau (33) Mike Napoli (32) Lyle Overbay (37) Carlos Pena (36) Mark Reynolds (30) Chad Tracy (34) Ty Wigginton (36) Kevin Youkilis (35) There is nothing there. Brentz, WMB, and Ranaudo would not be an overpayment for a young, cost controlled power hitting 1B if Napoli doesn't sign.

This entire post, but mainly the part bolded, is just ignorance.

Mid-tier? His 139 wRC+ was good for 6th among MLB 1B, and he's 25 years old and just starting to cash into his power. I'll give you this - Ranaudo + Doubront is too much. Maybe it should be Ranaudo or Doubront + WMB + a B level guy like Brentz. But while my offer was on the high side, I think you are undervaluing Belt.

Koji may not be 1.09 ERA good next year, but he's still good for a 1.9-2.2 ERA. His ERA for the past 3 years is 1.69. This wasn't some kind of aberration of a year for him. As for the entire pen, though, having Koji, Taz, Miller, Breslow, Dempster, and a slew of prospects is a very good base. I think the Sox pen will be good again this year. Can't depend on Bailey for anything but he could provide some additional depth as well. Tack on a couple guys like Crain, maybe LaTroy Hawkins, etc, and you can have a really strong pen.

Couple of thoughts on 1B and RP. RP - Really like Jesse Crain as a buy low candidate with tons of upside (coming off injury, however). Also wonder how Webster would do in short stints. He was absolutely filthy during spring training last year when he was coming out of the pen. Could be an interesting option going into late 2014. 1B - If Napoli doesn't work out, how much would it take to get Billy Butler from the Royals? He's in his last year there, and is strictly a DH with Hosmer at 1B. Also, Brandon Belt seems to be underappreciated in SF. I'd be willing to move a couple arms (Ranaudo & Doubront) and a stick (Middlebrooks?) for him (I've heard grumblings that Panda may move to 1B). He's coming off a year where he hit 17 HR, .289/.360/.481, and he plays in the NL West where homerun hitters go to die. Belt sprays the ball well (not strictly a pull hitter), so while he may not hit for 30+ HR, he would hit 40+ doubles and around 20-25 HR by taking his production in the NL West and putting it in places like Fenway, YS, Camden, and Rogers Center.

It's about more than just pitching once you get to the postseason. You can look at the A's and Rays organizations for that

Too much. Stick with Bogaerts at SS, if you ask me. And then go with Cecchini at 3B around mid-season. Between Bogaerts, Cecchini, Middlebrooks, and Marrero, the left side of the infield should be set for years. I do see Cecchini moving to 1B eventually, likely once Marrero is ready.

I'm not relying on him, I'm saying he provides good depth. His career is certainly not over, either. He is still a very talented player, albeit one that has been riddled with injuries. Regardless, if JBJ doesn't work out, you can stick Brentz in RF and move Victorino to CF, or put Kalish in CF/RF and do the same.

Some guys we've all probably forgotten about, due primarily to the rising stars in the farm, but could help this year - Kalish and Brentz

The only reason I could see them doing this is to provide some extra insurance in the situation that Bradley needs a bit more time in AAA, but even then, I think they'd only be interested on a 2 year deal.

Beltran wRC+ 132. Nava wRC+ 128. Given, we're paying for future performance, not past, but I like Nava's odds to stay within a negligible variance from Beltran in terms of offensive production.

You really never know. I mean, he banged up his achilles when he was trotting around 2nd base on a HR. He's getting old. But I will say this - when he does retire, it's going to be because of health, not talent.