Spitball

Yes, being swept in the World Series is an embarrassment. Very definitely it was an embarrassement to not win a single game They were swept, my friend. Too poetic? Take it to a Yankee board where you belong. I don't mind you posting here until you become a condescending *******. This is a board for Red Sox fans discussing our team's situation.

For years the Red Sox and Yankees have been among the biggest spenders in baseball. And it worked pretty well...for several years. Then, contracts esculated in both dollars and years. Teams began handing out long term contracts that would pay players more than $20 million into their 40s. The Yankees have several long term contracts on aging players still on the books. The Angels paid many millions for Pujols and Wilson. The Phillies paid Halliday and Lee millions per victory last year. The Red Sox had millions invested in Crawford, Gonzalez, Beckett, and Lackey. The Yankees were swept and out of the playoffs very quickly. The Angels, Phillies, and Red Sox were disappointing performers all season long and did not even reach the post season. Detroit was a big spender but almost did not make the playoffs and was eventually embarrassed by the Giants in the World Series. Teams that were pretty much built around their farm systems did very well last season. Small payroll Oakland beat out both the the big spending Rangers and Angels. Cincinnati, Washington, and San Francisco won their divisions despite not spending too much on free agency. The Cardinals were in the playoffs despite losing Albert Pujols. "The Times They Are a-Changin' " was a Bob Dylan song that described changes in the political and social climates of the 1960s, but it applies to the world in general as time passes. I believe times are a changin' in baseball. For one thing, the economic strength seems to be shifting westward. The Yankees have been quiet as the Dodgers and Angels out spend everyone. The Red Sox seem to have many fans longing for the old days of signing the Mannys and trading for the Pedros. I believe those days are cycling past us for now. Times will be a changin' eventually...again, but for now the Sox will have to adjust. The Dodgers did the Red Sox Nation a huge favor by taking three bad, bad contracts off their hands. Now, how do they proceed?

With the shortage of quality catchers around baseball, Saltalamacchia will have some value.

Mehhh...The 2011 Marlins had about the exact same record as the 2012 Blue Jays. The Marlins made a big splash by signing Buehrle, Reyes, and others before last season. It did not work in Miami, and I have my doubts it will work in Toronto. The AL East is a much tougher playground.

I see warning signs. Bautista and Encarnacion had been below average performers who have suddenly (and unexplainably) become major offensive forces. In my opinion, they are Melky Cabreras waiting to be caught. Reyes and all speed guys are potential victims of injury and age. Buehrle is a guy who is aging and throwing in the low 80s. Toronto does not really concern me. The Angels were a better team last year when they signed Pujols and Wilson. Games are literally not won in the off-season.

If it is two-years, I am okay with Dempster. The guy is a bulldog on the mound. He really battles. The Sox were not trying to strengthen the top of the order with this signing. Dempster would slot in at the 4th or 5th slot in the rotation and will provide important depth. I hope to never see Aaron Cook in a Red Sox uniform again.

Whether he is another Beckett or not, there are enough stories out there to show he is already a pain in the ass. There are indicators that the Red Sox want to improve their clubhouse chemistry. This guy might not be an ideal candidate for that.

But who knew the Diamondbacks would trade Bauer for so little? They basically received the Reds' number six prospect and gave up one of the top five in all of baseball.

Unless I am missing the math here, it looks like the D-backs really over-paid for Gregorius. I had forgotten Lars Anderson had been traded. In fact, I saw a post recently where someone suggested a trade involving Anderson.

I hate it when a favorite goes to the Yankees. It just doesn't seem right.

That would be great. However, Sanchez apparently has a lot of clubs interested, and Jackson is a Boras client. Since they are both more of number three starters, I don't think either should merit being paid as if they are number ones.

Outside of Sanchez, I don't see a pitcher on the free agent market that will be worth signing. I'll be sick if they overpay in money and years for either Lohse or Dempster. I think the only viable way to improve the starting pitching is through a trade. Ellsbury, Saltamalacchia, and Lavarnway are the only decent trade chips and they have drawbacks. Cincinnati has an excess of starting pitchers with Chapman moving to the rotation next year, but I don't see them matching up with the Sox. The really need a lead off hitter/centerfielder like Ellsbury, but doubt they'd give up Bailey at this point for a one year rental. Mike Leake is the one who will most likely be bumped from their rotation. He is a lot like Rick Porcello only Leake has a higher ceiling. He is a former number one pick who is young and inexpensive. He jumped right from college ball to the majors and has only made two (rehab) appearances in the minors.

I'd do a Bailey for Ellsbury trade in second. First, Bailey has two years before free agency. He isn't a free agent until 2015. Second, he has had injuries, but hey...we are talking about a deal for Ellsbury here. Bailey was healthy all last season. Third, the guy pitched like a number one at times last season. He pitched a no-hitter during the season and pitched a gem in the playoffs against eventual WS champion Giants. He allowed one hit and struck out 10 batters in seven innings of work. There have been only three other pitchers in major-league history to allow one or fewer hits and strike out at least 10 batters in a postseason game. Actually, if the Red Sox could acquire Bailey, he would be in Boston for at least two years and certainly be easier to extend than Ellsbury. Btw, I have seen rumors that the Reds might extend Bailey this winter.

Right. The Red Sox should have capitlalized on his career year, also.

They keep turning developing (and becoming expensive) talent over for inexpensive and younger talent. They have out-moneyballed Oakland in my opinion.

The Royals really received a haul, but Mike Montgomery was once one of KC's top pitching prospects.

I agree. No one knows exactly what causes addiction. There are many causes in the addictive process, but no one has the definitive answer. There are several common risk factors...and stress can't be specifically pinpointed as one of the main factors. There are so many reason and factors involved in individual addictions. Some people have biological, genetic, invironmental, or other reasons to become addicted. In Hamilton's case, I believe he hung out in a tatoo parlor where drugs were easily available. He became a user as part of his social behavior. He became addicted for reasons that are impossible to diagnose without more information. Certainly, there is no one on this board close enough to his case to make a definitive diagnosis.

Right. Ross was waived by the Marlins in 2010. He virtually played himself into a reserve with the Giants in 2011. He had decent home statistics with the Sox in 2012. Now, let a team with a short memory overpay for him. Victorino will be overpaid, but he is a better player than Ross. Ross has never received a major award. Victorino has twice been in the top 20 in the MVP voting. Three times a Gold Glove winner. He was an all-star as recently as 2011.

This signing makes little sense. The guy has been with three teams in the last two seasons. Why would he command a two year contract at $5 million per year???

Taijuan Walker, Donny Hulzen, James Paxton, and Steve Pryor are their top pitching prospects

Jim Bowden says Hamilton is definitely staying in Texas.

Holland is under control through 2017. There is no way the Rangers trade him for a Boras client under control through next year.

He lead the AL in plate appearances in 2011.

If healthy? Gomes does not have a history of injuries, but he does have have a strong platoon differential. His at bats have not been been limited due to injury but due to an inability to hit right handed pitching.

The money thrown at Gomes, Victorino, and the projected prices for Grienke and Dempster indicate a crazy free agent market. This is a really bad winter for the Red Sox to rebuild. Please grant Cherington much wisdom.