Cairns_Sox

It will be a few prospects. Their is no way Theo is staying in Boston. He is getting a promotion so we can't really hold a case of keeping him. No way John Henry keeps Theo now. Prospects.. Three tops.

As I said before, I believe he has been made to come out. PR knows Lester still has alot of credibilty with the fans. It's a PR stunt IMO as Beckett and Lackey are being shopped.

This. 110% this.

I'm not buying it mate. These guys are grown men. They tuned Tito out. Lester admits that. Tito called a meeting after the Toronto game because he knew things weren't going well at all. It doesn't matter what they did at the start or in the middle of the season, when it counted they didn't commit themselves to winning. The clubhouse was the problem. Sorry but you don't go 2 - 17 in 4 weeks for no reason. There were huge problems in the clubhouse. Maybe it wasn't the entire reason for the collapse but it had a lot to do with it. And to lay blame all on Tito and Theo is a bit rich. These dudes are grown men, if you respect your manager who apparently means alot to you and your family you don't take advantage of him.

It was a "team source" who leaked this whole thing in the first place. That's why Lester has had to come out.

I work in the media as a journalist and I'm glad this has come out. Hopefully it makes these millionaire prima donna's more accountable and changes the clubhouse culture for te good.

Apparently their is another team source stating the only half of what Lester said is true. http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/17/sox-source-jon-lesters-comments-today-only-told-part-of-the-story/ Who knows if it's true or credible. But I dont believe alot of what he said. Does the "shelf life" comment piss anyone else off? As I said I reckon this a PR stunt to try and clear Lester's name or smooth it over. I doubt Beckett and / or Lackey do similar.

http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2011/10/17/jon-lester-admits-rally-beers-clubhouse/dDf7SHGnt2Lfhitw5jGFqI/story.html Don't believe alot of what he said. Pissed me off with the shelf life comment. And also he knew he was taking advantage of Tito, yet tried to make out he respected him. I think this Is Ownerships way of trying to smooth over Jon Lester's name in all of this. I'm betting Beckett and Lackey are being shopped. Just my opinion.

Both of our "all stars" are old, injury prone and have bad attitudes. Haven't won a playoff game in 3 years. You can't live off your name forever. Things go on. And to be fair Ortiz is on record saying he doesn't know if wants to come back. Great timing. Lester or Bucholz could be number 2 starters. He gave up when HE WAS NEEDED. The Red Sox are BIGGER then Josh Beckett. Papelbon is a free agent. If I'm looking to win I want the best closer avaibile. I don't care how old is he just what kinda he throws. And Heath Bell can get it done. I think we could beat Toronto without Beckett, Ortiz, Youk and Paps.

Here is what I'd do. 1) Let Theo go to Cubs. I'd try and get Cashner or Colvin. Second probably being a pipe dream. 2) Find a way to get rid of Lackey. Either by eating his contract or trading and eating some money. This is a must for me. If I was JH their is no way he is here next season on the anniversary year. 3) Re-up Paps. If he declines which I think he will, id go hard after Bell. 4) Let Papi walk. He had great year their is no doubt about it. But after the way the season blew up, I want guys here that want to fight every week and are proud to wear the jersey. Ortiz has been here long enough now that he should be a leader, not complaining about RBI's or telling the media he would like to play for the Yanks. 5) Trade Beckett and Youk. Probably will be scathed for this but after the way the season finished and with what we are hearing Beckett clearly does not want to win. I understand he is probably our best starter but I think his trade value is high enough we could get something decent for him. As I said I want players here who respect the jersey. Youk is done for mine. Yes great hitter but he is breaking down consistenly now and I think we could get something for him. 6) Go after Josh Willingham to DH. He is fighter, i think he could bring something to the table. Cuddyer is another. 7) Depending on the money look at A-Ram at third base. If he wants something out of control then I'd move on. Kelly Johnson could be a stop gap though I doubt that happens. 8) Go after Gio Gonzalez. I reckon we could pry him from the A's with the right deal. If this fails I'd seriously consider Bard for the rotation. Aceves to SU. 9) Mark Buerhle is someone I'd consider signing. His numbers at Fenway aren't great but I think he could be an innings eater. 10) Bullpen is next. Guys like J Sanchez, Rich Harden and if he can stay out of trouble although I doubt it.. Scott Olsen. It's a huge gamble I know. I've had a few to be fair. I know some of this is way out there but hey we are all entitled to an opinion...pipedream or not.

Agree on Anderson, love to have him but I think it would be easier getting Gio. If he was available for the right deal I'd take him in a heartbeat, I accept he is young but IMO has alot of upside. McCarthy is someone we should look at IMO. Cheap and effective. Either a 5th starter or outta the pen.

Care to ellaborate? Anderson, Cahill, or McCarthy.

This. And I'm sick of hearing about the beer and chicken being in the clubhouse all year. Of course it is. But these starting pitchers shouldn't be up there whilst the team is having the biggest collapse in history in the most important month of the season.

His comments weren't great and have in fact dragged this on longer. If his comments were about John Lackey I don't think this would be a big deal. I'm not sold on Crawford and the same can be said for Salty, Scutaro and Reddick. Only difference is Crawford is on a huge contract and sucked more then anyone barring John Lackey. He will be here for another 3 years minimum so we have no choice but to give benefit of the doubt.

Anyone think it would be worth giving Oakland a call to kick the tyres on Gio Gonzalez? They desperately need some offense and maybe we could work out some sort of deal.

So if none of the reported issues had anything to do with the biggest collapse in history, can you explain why it happened? Can u seriously sit there and believe that all our starting pitchers just "suddenly" sucked? Btw just to clarify, I know without any shadow of a doubt their is beer etc in the clubhouse all through the year. But for these guys to be up there during September, whilst the ship is sinking is beyond a joke. Especially when Josh Beckett is supposed to be a leader out there.

So your saying none of the issues were related to their inability to get the job done? Drinking beer and chicken doesn't make you fat?Not doing your workout doesn't make put on weight. I think your argument is a bit extreme.

I'd be almost willing to bet he won't be in Boston next year.

I think they are trying to clear his name to smooth it over for fans as he will be back next season. Beckett and Lackey will be shopped IMO.