iortiz

Agree. And our pitching depth doesn't even exist. Am I correct?

He better wake up and soon. I do not buy that crap that still this is November and we have to wait till February or something in order to make a move... As soon as the team is assembled, the team would defenitely be in a better position to face the next season in any aspect. I'm not sure if our FO has that clear how they gonna fill the needed spots and/or at least already planed the 2012 offseason strategy. I hope so. While our team is spending time calling Sizemore's agent, dealing with Theo's compensation and interviewing a lot candidates for the manager job and not protecting our value assets (like Papelbon), other teams have begun filling their needs. Wake up Cherington. Sizemore, the manager, etc, are not our top priorities.

My guess is that Wilson is likely landing to NY/Nats and Buehrle resigns with the WS, at least there is not a juicy and substantial better offer out there. I'm not sure if someone put on the table a long term contract on him considering the 2013 FA pitching class.

Now that Pap is gone, my nice to have is: 1.- Bring a closer. 2.- Keep Bard as the setup guy and let him prepare for the closer job (1-2 more seasons) and let him share the load with the new closer (70%-30%) 3.- Bring a couple of SPs (4,5) or at least bring one and move Aceves to the rotation. Plus 2-3 BP arms, a couple of pitching depth, sign Beltran and/or Ortiz...and If there still budget, bring another RH OF (mostly if we only sign Ortiz)

Got u.

What is the media saying in Philli about Pap?

I strongly believe that his numbers will be significantly better in the NL East.

I don't want to disrespect you but I already showed you what I meant. I'm not sure if I can put my argument clearer.

Nahhh... 1.- He is making -17% than the best by year. 2.- If you think that we paid what Lackey deserved, is up to you, I am not in that wagon. You gave Lackey, Becket's contract. It is not smart. As I said, you pay long term contracts to aces. He was paid like one, and he wasn't.

No, You can not compare them. Lackey was a solid pitcher before coming to Boston and was paid as an Ace. Pap is an ace and wil be paid as an ace. Again, you are mixing oranges with apples.

You are twisting the things. If you think that Papelbon can be compared with Lackey, good luck.

Bingo. I just figured out what is getgo.

Just for the record. I said that you pay long term contracts to aces. You never ever overpay long term contracts. 50/4 is not overpaying to me. The ceiling is in 15 anyway, isnt it?, so...

I thought that somehow I already answered this. I will try to do it better. You pay long term contracts to Aces. Stars. Elite players. There are a handful in each position. Papelbon is in that category in his position. We paid Lackey as he was an ace. He was solid but not even close to be an ace. You do not do that. Theo constantly did that, reason why he is gone (among others). He signed average/solid/good players and paid 'em as if they were aces. I believe, you already know the cases. Large market/payrolls teams are and arguably will continue paying long term contracts to aces. Our case match with this. The KEY is to know how/whom/when to do this. Yes, it is not trivial, reason why GMs are usually well paid in order to plan and execute that. You don't miss an opportunity like this since aces do not grow in trees or just because you shitted the bed in the recent past at the FA. You just do the opposite. You learn and execute signing aces when available or at least you explore/try/do your best to afford 'em.. In our case we didn't even do that (We didn't even presented a formal proposal) Yes, still there is a risk, but aces minimize it. Papelbon is an ace. Rivera is making 15 MUSD. Pap will make 12.5 M. There is a +- 17%. IMO it is fair, considering their numbers/performance and mostly since Papelbon is in his prime and is young but mature/experienced and well projected and Rive is the best. Hope that I had answered your question. We have plenty discussed this matter in other threads. I encourage you to read them for more fully details. Don't take me wrong but I don't want to pass through this again.

And you haven't read/understood my point. You are comparing apples with oranges. Numbers, eviorement, division, abilities, market, times, etc. He.is.the.best.closer.we.ever.had......proved and arguably the best projected in the position for the next 4 years in the game. That is called value. I guess this is what Philadelphia saw in him and you certainly did not. Comprende?

I'm not saying that Bard is likely our next elite closer. I want to believe that he will be. But I don't think that he is ready yet. That's just my perception. I really wish I'm wrong. We'll see.

I truely believe that and more now since he will be surrounded by aces.