iortiz

I think this is true. IMO seems like BV and LL are who going to build this (2012) team (I wouldn't be surprise if LL promised this to BV among other things). As you say, BC needs to develop a good working relationships with LL and mostly with BV and learn a lot from the old school way and eventually develop and incorporate his ideas. In the meantime, I see BC making the diligences, compiling the information for his bosses (dirt work) and making some suggestions, but in the end the final calls won't be his, at least by now.

Exactly. The main risk when you put tons of money and long terms contracts in a player, even if this player is a star, is when this player comes from the outside and obviously has not proved s*** in your environment; that my friend, is the major risk when you sign these kind of players and give 'em long term contracts/tons of money. This is not Paps case. Reason why some of us were shocked when they let him go, just like that. With him, you had great part of the path (risk) walked, since he already proved that he could perform in your envioroment, and guess what? He is one of the best in the position; plus the shut down spot has turned a speciality in the league, they are not longer just another reliever, in the way I see the game (the DH on the other hand, has turned a commodity). IMO this position is marking and will mark more and more differences between W or L since the league year after year is turning more and more competitive. You would ask, can't we sign these type of players (from the outside), then? Yes you can, but you have calculate the risks and mostly assume the impact with predefined actions and/or plans B,C, etc if something goes wrong.

As we said in the other thread Jung, if they think go over the cap, why didn't they sign Pap? The reason seems to be the money, right?, but when they think go over it, it is not, I just don't get it... anyway. I'm not sure if you agree that he will perform likely below 2.5 ERA the next 4 years. I strongly believe this. Reason why I would sign him, plus he already proved to succeed in your environment. If you take away his 2010 numbers, his numbers are spectacular. Still taking away his best numbers and his worst, he is a 2.3 ERA closer. I think that our rotatation taxed a lot more pressure than the usual to him in 2011, he looked exhausted, just like our offense. I think that he will succeed in an organization like Philly. 1.- he will face likely inferior offenses, 2.- he will perform in an organization which seems to run better and far from this drama 3.- he will be surrounded by great pitchers, etc.... but that is just me.

Bingo. I see this just the same way you do jung. Signing Ortiz is likely they go over the cap. Now, if this is true, my concern will turn just as your 2013/2014 rates concern, regardless the 2013 FA class seems a better class than this 2012, mostly at SPs. If they bust the cap, they should bust it in big, otherwise it wouldn't make sense go over it this 2012 for a couple of millions, unless they are planning go over in big in 2013 ... As you said, there are a lot of assumptions. IMO Ortiz and/or a high caliber SP like CJ is/are the show-stopper about this issue (LT), at least this 2012. We'll see.

Good point jung. My real 2012 concern jung is: Are we going to bust the LT? and/or Has JH already told LL what is our 2012 Budget to play with? If they sign Ortiz +- 12 M (2012) I guess they will go over the cap. Otherwise I would use the entire budget in arms (SP, BP arms and depth). All of it -- given the circumstances--. I'd shuffle Kalish/Reddick in the OF and give Lavarnway/Youk the DH.

I would like a bat who can field as well and I like CJ too. If your thesis is right, How much money would we have available after signing CJ and Ortiz?

Who is better than him? IYO Your sig make up his numbers in the wrong way. He just had a good year. The trend you are talking about in you sig. is not adequate.

Well, after the storm... I want to ask you this again guys, how good is he managing the BP?

I had my doubts about Cherington's role in this organization. After this move, it confirms me that he is a puppet. There is no other way to see it. Maybe with time his role could change, but now, LL is the chief in command. ( I guess he has always been)

I hope V doesn't use that pathetic 7-run-rule. How good is he managing the BP guys?

here we go....

I want to see Ben Cherington introducing Bobby to the media...

Habemus Manager

Is Lamont that controllable? Is this the thesis that BC is making in order to sign Lamont? Or what the hell is BC seeing on Lamont that LL and some fans/media are not seeing on him? what does Lamont make a better choice over BV for BC? (assuming BC prefers Lamont, of course) I'd like to know the answers.

I'd prefer bring a solid SP and put Bard as a closer (even he is not ready IMO), if you have to make this transition at some point, now is the right moment given the circumstances. I think that the gap is much bigger making the transition from a Setup spot to a SP spot than to a closer spot. I thought that the plans for Bard in this organization were as a closer not as a SP, what did I miss? This idea to put Bard as a SP is new, isn't it?

Bingo. Papelbon said that he didn't want to go into a match-up-offer war. Philadelphia made him an attractive offer first. If Boston had made a formal offer first and not just wait to match it up, another scenario would have been. You bet. He is arguably the best closer in the league these days maybe just below Mo. He is an ace in the position. He won't be easy to replace IMO.

I don't have idea what are the terms of this mysterious Theo comp. If there's no predefined terms (likely to me, hope I'm wrong), his value right now is close to zero, since he is already with the Cubs. IMO they should negotiate those terms (value) before his departure from Boston. If they didn't predefine his value, Boston's position in order to negotiate the comp will be tough. I guess that the Cubs will give to Boston whatever they consider this Theo's value is/was. This is no longer a Boston's call IMO.

Btw what about Reddick + Ranaudo and Theo for Garza... That could sound more interesting for them, don't you think? or is too much?

From a sox fan perspective I like it, I'd make it in a heartbeat. On the other hand, If you were a Cub fan, would you accept this? I'm not sure how much is the value of this Theo compensation, that would be likely the key of the negotiation. Ben would sell very high that compensation. Sounds weired but Theo would do just the opposite. Can we compete against this?