iortiz

C'mon... Sanchez is not f***ing Lackey. Anyway, I suggested an alternative, you didn't like it, fine. what would you do then...

In my realistic glasses we are a 4th place team in the ALE next year as it is.

At least you improve your pitching. Look at our current payroll, pretty much like last year, and what you got? a team which is projected to finish in the bottom of the ALE. Next year expect the same if you go with that mentality –Mediocre and overpaid short contracts at positions that are not even the main priority and ending up with a high payroll... again.

I'm not talking 7yr/150 MUSD contracts or so...

Sorry, I forgot we already have 3 King Felix in our farm just ready to make the majors.

Ufff BSN, this is a looooong shot and certainly we are not TB.

Smart moves? Like who? Or what?. Wait? How much more? finish last place again?. Do not take me wrong, I understand what you're saying BSN but IMO it is time to at least try something that department. Last year we should have, We didn't. This year we are even worst in that department and the panorama is not encouraging at all. Man, We haven't won a PO game in 5 years or so...

That is the market and do not expect any different toward 2014 and further considering talent vs cost vs length of the contracts. It is what it is. It's a take it or remain the same piece of crap we've been in pitching. Hell, I do not know you but I see more question marks this year regarding 2013 pitching than 2012 rotation.

You don't like Buehrle? Johnson? Sanchez? Jackson? Kuroda? Etc... Man, I don't know what you are realistically expecting or waiting for. Hammels, Felix, Cain, Kershaw, etc ain't gonna happen.

IMO Sanchez is not a mediocre talent. Jackson probably is. But it is what it is. Problem is that "mediocre"/average talent cost you that amount money these days, it is a shame but it is what it is and it is what will be IMO.

I'm not sure if Sanchez or Jackson are that "big splashes" regardless they are all I have signed this offseason.

with that rotation you would have had a bunch of 2-3 SPs which is what you need by now to keep the team competitive in games. I'm not against long contracts. If you want a "decent"/"proved"/"solid" player it will cost you, you bet and mostly these days and going forward. You have to assume risks and see the probable benefits. Sanchez and Jackson would have been decent arms in Boston the next 4 yrs IMO, we''ll never know though, but that is the risk I would have assumed –– Bulid the rotation with a bunch of "proved" # 2-3 and see if someone can emerge and be your #1 and backup if someone shits the bed with depth arms like Lackey, Douby and even Morales or De LA Rosa. Then, in 2014 look for that ace if needed via trade or whatever and the field spots.

I said this earlier. In order to start the rebuilding mode I would have started with pitching all the way. You could have followed several strategies. IMO FA would have been the best way since we had budget. I would have signed Sanchez and Jackson even if that had meant 4 yrs and overpay 'em and had meant not to sign anyone else (Gomes, Victorno and Napoli, etc). You would have had a rotation like this Sanchez Lester Buch Jackson Lackey/ Douby Hanrahan Bailey Morales Aceves Tazawa Hill Bard Not elite but Pretty solid rotation on paper. That BP is a very good one IMO. On the other hand our offense would have been like this: Ells (CF) Peddy 2B Ortiz DH WB 3B Ciriaco LF Nava/Kalish RF Gomez 1B Salty/Lav C Iglesias SS yeah, it is an average offense or a bit below. Probably you do not make the POs but you would have almost set the rotation toward 2014. In 20014 I would focus in that #1 SP and some of the field spots OFs, SS, 1B (if needed, considering the performance of the 2013 roster) That would have been my strategy.

I voted trade the f***er, but I'm curious to see whether there's still something in that tank or not.

That painting must be a great one Fred, congrats! Yeah! This year must be the one I finally go to Boston and watch my team play live. I wanted to go last year in August/September but you know how we ended up so I thought it didn't worth to spend that money and see a death horse, anyway... hopefully this year at least we are not a blank check like the last one.

I don't see that such improvement if you put Kalish or Nava in the OF instead. 10 MUSD doesn't worth that "improvement" IMO.

Hey... how are you Fred? Happy new year! Yup, I like this board too Fred.

This season has to be the one I finally go to Boston and watch my team live for once and for all. I have a friend living over there and offered me his place to stay. I want to go to opening day but I'm not sure if I can catch a ticket by the time but I will try. If I go I let you know and if you are in Boston, will be great to drink a couple beers and talk about baseball with you my friend.

You did pretty well Ted, thank you. BTW Happy new year and the best for you and your family in 2013. Happy new year to MVP and BSN too!

Thanks Ted. Just noticed all this discussion that BSN began. Isn't worthy to discuss this. Thanks for watch my back my friend.

Gomes was a steal.

This.

As I said, IMO (in my realistic glasses) we are a 4th place team next year, but even with the team as assembled (very unlikely IMO) we could fight for the 2nd WC spot at very best. On the other hand, If you bring a guy like Marcum and sign Napoli (and stays healthy) you have better chances/more arguments to get that WC spot. Yup, they haven't used the budget properly, say the last 4 yrs, reason why I've been blaming the FO last years.

Feel like last year. Tons of ?s in our rotation. We haven't improved that department since last 3 yrs and I do not why. Dempster is not the answer. Lackey? Makes me throw up when I see his name in the rotation. I like Douby but you just can't rest our hopes in his shoulders. Buch? Can he stay healthy?. Lester needs to bounce back otherwise we're last place again. I don't like the scenario at all but hopefully these guys at least post their career numbers or something around in order to compete next yr. Our chances? As I said before, at very best we could compete for the 2nd WC spot. Realistically, we are a 4th place team in the ALE as assembled which is a shame for a big market/high payroll team like the Red Sox.

Isn't done yet? Why in the hell don't go after LaRoche? Move on Ben.