iortiz

Maybe they are close on somebody else, I guess.

I'm not against the guy; my only concern is the money, 3.55 M? I don't know. Anyway, As I said earlier, I don't see this team staying under the LT threshold after these kind of moves. We'll see.

I'm not sure about this either, but I don't see A's expecting less. If this is going to be trade, maybe and just maybe they are thinking in land Beltran too. If that were the case, next season could sound encouraging after all. Beckett Lester Buck Gio Bard BP Melancon Aceves Morales Albers Doubront Jenks Miller Ells Peddy Gonzalez Beltran Youk Ortiz Salty Scutaro Crawford Backups Aviles, Reddick, Punto, Shoppach. Not bad huh?, but the BP still is a concern to me and still missing a couple of depth arms. It's imminent they will likely go over the LT threshold, so... This is my forecast.

You got a good point here. It is a good way to see it. As I said, I don't have the answer, It's unlikely he repeats his 2011 numbers, but hell, still those 2011 numbers are very nice, those are elite numbers. The thing is that we are talking about finish first, at least in this department. Can Pujols finish first? Of course he can but the call is not that easy or clear to me as I would call maybe 3-4 years ago. When I see Cabrera's numbers (last 2 years) or A-God's 1st half season numbers (regardless the upside batting in Fenway), and then Pujols very slightly decline, makes me wonder a little bit about this call. I'm just saying that I need to see him next year and make me sure that this is not the beginning of a little decline (If we want to call it that way), that's all.

I wonder, who is more reliable as a backnup catcher, Tek or Shoppach?

It could be true. Otherwise why would they block Lav one more year? or Will Shoppach be our #3 catcher? and Esposito #4? Hell, I would like that depth in our pitching

Hopefully he can return, going to be a loooooong shot.

Lol

Bingo. How much is going to make Buehrle? 60/4? What is the value of that contract, two years ago?, now, compare it with Lackey's current contract and you'll find my concern. They overpaid the guy. Lackey's case vs contract was very risky, I used to say.

IMO Noesi and specially Nova will be your future stars. Hopefully for you, they don't overprotect them as they did with Joba.

Yup. Solid, proved and healthy SPs make that much these days. I'm not against paying those contracts. I'm against paying those contracts without solid business cases which support those contracts. The little problem with Mr. John Lackey is that he wasn't an ace and was paid as one, and if the guy for some reason shits the bed as he did in big time regardless he is going to surgery, the scrutiny about his contract raise and raise even more in the environment. Some of our FA signings have these kind of issues among others. Some of them weren't solid business cases reason why a lot of fans have fear about FAs now, even the owners these days. Theo's legacy about this issue made this bad feeling in our environment, reason why some of us tended to point at the FO first and then the players. On the other hand, Buehrle as Emmz said, is making what a pitcher of his category is making maybe a bit more or a bit less but still in the range. If he fails, Sure, you can blame the FO if you want, but you need to point at the player first.

I see Buehrle and CJ posting their career numbers, why not? I'm not saying they are aces, but solid, don't you think?

Nobody is against Madson at all, It's about how much they are going to give him if he comes, of course. If they give him something close to Pap's contract and shits the bed, everybody is going to be pissed off and will point the FO, and not Madson, well maybe after pointing the FO, I guess, and you know who will be in the first row.

were CJ and Buehrle overpaid? like Lackey?

Did BC have clear the 2012 budget, when he took the job? The common sense tells me yes he did. But after his execution this offseason thus far, I'm not sure.

Yup, I think we need to balance the line up.

...and you only missed to mention the RF OF, situation. IMO This is close to be a perfect and objective extract of what has happened with this team since the season finished and our possible scary 2012 scenario if they don't make a major move.