iortiz

Also you have Castillo, Betts, Nava, Craig if somebody underperform or get injured AND put pressure in your titular Lup.

With Cespedes around this lineup would be pure TNT. Hopefully they get the SPs via FA.

Ha, I'm not comparing nobody. My point is, keep Cespedes even with Panda and HR aboard.

We need at least 2 arms of the pitchers you named.

This, even with Panda and HR aboard.

They already signed two of the best FA available to strength the offense. You just can't go half of the way, they need to address the pitching, si o si. Would be dumb not doing that NOW. Pitching was and is the main problem in this team in the first place. Also, one arm is not enough. We need at least 2 AND SOLID.

Totally agree. It's time to have a solid rotation whatever it takes. I'm tired of watching busts on the mound in the recent years. I wouldn't hesitate bringing Lester and Scherzer if they really want to win it all in the coming years.

This is exactly what I was thinking. JH will regret either way if he signs somewhere else or ends up paying 150+ M. Plus, they need another solid arm.

Hanley Pedroia Ortiz Cespedes Panda Napoli Victorino Vazquez XB

I like what Victorino is saying about his actual physical shape... Seems like he will be in great shape next season.

I don't see a spot for Nava if Cespedes stays. Somehow, Nava has some value which could be used to bring an arm in a package.

I would use Bellhorn's case to trade Nava for arms.

I like Betts, do not get me wrong here. Man, he is only 22 and is not already proven but with a great ceiling. I would go slow here. By 2016 he will be ready anyways. In 2015 you will give him the opportunity to show more without responsability while gaining more experience. Besides I do not expect our 3 OFs healthy all year long and Betts would be your 1st option to cover the ofield.

clusterf***?... As I said, send Castillo and JBJ to minors and finish their developments and only keep Betts giving him some ABs in order to prepare him to 2016. No big deal.

You could give some AB but not fully responsibility, not just yet IMO. They will have around 60 M by 2016 to play with, reason why I would go to FA to get these 2 SPs without trading anyone. Man they are in a position to have a great depth in every position while still developing these young talents and to be ready by 2016, not sure why the rush. Squeeze what is left in Cespedes, Napoli, Ortiz and Victorino, and by 2016 your young talent will be ready to take full responsibility. That would be my approach.

I do not see a big deal giving Cespedes the CF this year while our young talent like Betts, Castillo and even JBJ finish their development and likely be ready for 2016 when Cespedes and Victorino are gone.

We'll see what happens, but if Cespedes stays, I don't see Betts in opening day L-up.

I just read that Farrell is willing to give Cespedes the CF.

Yeah.... But Cespedes, Panda and even Napoli can protect him. Thing is, Hanley has a great OBP as well and I just don't want to see a XB/JBJ 2.0 in Betts. I would manage him slowly.

I would go slow with Betts. Said that, Hanley would be my lead off since his OBP.

Looking at the way they are executing this offseason, I would keep Cespedes and I would send JBJ and Castillo to minors in order to prepare 'em for 2016 when Cespedes is gone. It would mean going for SP at FA; Lester and Shields, would be my picks. My L-up would be: Hanley (LF) Pedroia (2B) Ortiz (DH) Panda (3B) Cespedes (CF) Napoli (1B) XB (SS) Vasquez © Victorino (RF) Sounds like tons of power to me. The rotation would be: Lester Shields Buch. Kelly Workman. This is very realistic, we'll see though.

They will land at least two more solid SPs, no doubt. Lester and Shields/Hamels. Red Sox Owner Willing To Exceed Luxury Tax Threshold In 2015 By Steve Adams [November 25, 2014 at 7:41pm CST] At today’s press conference to announce the signing of Hanley Ramirez, Red Sox owner John Henry told reporters, including WEEI.com’s Alex Speier, that his team is willing to exceed the $189MM luxury tax threshold in 2015. “The way it’€™s structured we can blow through one year,” Henry said. “Again for next year we have tremendous flexibility so we could go could through for one year and not overly effect us.” Henry added that his previous comments about aversion to long-term contracts were overblown and stated, “You can’t win unless you engage in free agency.” The Red Sox’ early actions this offseason have exemplified that line of thinking, as the team today announced the signing of Ramirez to a four-year, $88MM contract (with a vesting option for a fifth season) and Pablo Sandoval to a five-year $95MM contract. Additionally, they inked Koji Uehara to a two-year, $18MM pact before he even hit the open market. Boston’s spending doesn’t seem the least bit likely to stop there, as both Henry expressed that he is hopeful of securing a reunion with Jon Lester, who is a well-known target of GM Ben Cherington. Boston is believed to be looking at to add at least two starting pitchers this season and has also been linked to trade target Cole Hamels and free agent James Shields, among others. The flexibility to which Henry refers is significant; Mike Napoli ($16MM AAV), Shane Victorino ($13MM AAV), Edward Mujica ($4.75MM AAV) and Yoenis Cespedes ($9MM AAV) are all coming off the books following the upcoming season. As Speier examined in depth yesterday, the Red Sox figure to already be within $7-8MM of the $189MM threshold, and that’s without adding a pair of starters as well as perhaps a backup catcher and another bullpen arm. However, the team will also undoubtedly be offloading some significant salary in trades of its outfield surplus. Cespedes has been heavily rumored as a likely trade candidate, and any of Victorino, Allen Craig, Daniel Nava could theoretically be moved as well.

Seems like both signings are done. Both are great players. Seems like XB and/or Cespedes will not be next year. Now, we need at least 2 solid SP like Lester and Hamels/Shields and call it great offseason.

Hadn't read this, but totally agree.

Regardless the names, they have to sign 2 top pitchers. I'd go for Shields and Lester and call it offseason.