Elktonnick

If true, at least that drama is over.

A couple of million dollars and MLB roster slot sure cures a lot of hurt feelings, unless you're David Ortiz of course

Youk's day were numbered with Boston Red Sox as long as both Middlebrooks and A-Gon were healthy and with the team. Now that A-Gon is gone the dynamics have changed. The BV -Youk apparent contretemps was not the reason Youk was traded despite what the BV haters may think. He was traded because there was no place for him to play at the time. He may come back. but I hope not. There are better alternatives out there.

I don't think that is true. Youk would still be here if and only if they pulled off the big trade before they dealt Youk. The problem was Youk or Middlebrooks because A-Gon was playing first. If A-Gon had been traded first there would have been no issue of Youk not playing. He would have played first. The Youk could and would have worked through the BV issue just like everyother played did.

I don't want to disagree too much but the truth is the Sox can find a servicable DH fairly easily for a lot less money than Ortiz wants. Putting sentiment aside, (which is what this is all about) the Sox need to move on from Ortiz very quickly and not get bogged down with his Big Diva act. Make him and offer. If he refuses then move on quickly.

What were the lessons from this years playoffs and world series? Pitching and defense wins championships. Signing Ortiz would be nice but it isn't crucial. The Sox still need starting pitching, a good defensive catcher, a decent 1st baseman, a shortstop with range with some pop in his bat and a closer. If I were Ben (Larry) I wouldn't waste too much time or energy on Ortiz. Make him a reasonable offer and move on. There are too many other things which need to be done.

BC only got the man "he" wanted because Larry and John Henry made the deal happen with the Jays.. And Farrell was the man they wanted also. This deal in no way shows that BC is allowed much latitude as GM.

The BV interview is interesting for historical purposes only. Most of the actors are gone. From the historical perspective only , it does tend to confirm what many thought was going on with this team since September of 2011. I am among those who think that from a team chemistry question alone, the remaining problem cases are with the pitching. Ortiz, in the grand scheme of things, is not a serious problem no matter how his contract is worked out. The personality problems are centered among Lester,Lackey et al. Maybe Farrell can have some influence there. Even if he does it is still a question of talent. They don't have much! This team is lacking playoff caliber talent at 1st, SS, LF, Catcher and perhaps RF and Center, depending on what happens with Ellsbury and Ross. And we haven't even begun to discuss the rotation and bull pen. I for one think Lester is slipping and is vastly overrated. Buchholtz is at best a number 3. This leaves Dubront who isn't consistent and is perhaps a 4 or 5. And, then we come to Lackey. The FO hopes that he can return to form, assuming he isn't the clubhouse poison many believe him to be. As far as the bullpen, it is stocked with middle relievers and perhaps a set up guy. I am not convinced that Bailey is bona fide playoff contender's closer. By my count the sox have more holes than a pound of Swiss Cheese. As we used to say when I was a kid back in the late fifites and early sixties as term of futility, "Good luck to you and the Boston Red Sox" Farrell is going to need it.

Ciriaco is a utility player at best. Although, you have to admire his gusto. The reason he made such an impression with sox fans, he was one of the few positive and exciting things going on after he was called up.

I'd make him an offer that he couldn't refuse.

As a friend put it elsewhere ""It's always 'send Fredo to do this; send Fredo to do that.' I'm smart. I can do things." That's Ben.

Ben is lousy at public relations IMO. Look at the public relations disaster the Red Sox have been since he was named GM as proof. Whatever he does, he doesn't act like a GM in the traditional sense. He is nothing more than a glorified errand boy with a fancy title.

If this deal isn't further confirmation that Ben is GM in name only, then nothing will be. Henry et al merely want an errand boy. Someone elsewhere called Ben, "Fredo" from the Godfather. Kind of fits don't you think?

It has been reported that Cherries wanted Farrell. If he doesn't and it is as you say then Cherries remains the incompetent caddy that I think him to be.

The FO followed their usual pattern on this one. They fixate on a hiring or signing. They sign him. Then weeks later they have buyer's remorse. Can't help think the Farrell signing will follow that pattern. From my perspective the only good thing about this move is Cherrington has no more excuses. It is his team now.

I certainly agree with you about Bradford. He is to the Red Sox front office what Jay Carney is to the White House. (I am not criticizing Jay Carney or being political just making the point that Bradford is the unoffcial official spokesman of the Red Sox.)

I reviewed my posts in this thread. I said that the best signing the sox made during the off season was Jenny Dell. Well I wasn't wrong:D If they do as well as this off season as they did last, they won't finish above .500. They have a lot of holes. They question is Cherries up to the job. If past is prologue, then the answer is no.

That's why I was stunned by them doing in Spain. Of course that was in 1980.

What also makes Nava attractive as a 4th or 5th outfielder is that he is a switch hitter.

Given the criticism of both Francona and Valentine over "losing" the clubhouse, it seems the Red Sox would be prudent to find out exactly what happened in Toronto. The Red Sox however have a pattern to disregard negative information once they have set their mind on obtaining certain personnel. I'd prefer that they look elsewhere. Someone with a totally different organizational perspective would be preferable in my view.

I wanted BV well before he was annouced. I was glad he was hired. I am still glad that he was hired. Why because as I argued at the time BV was a transitional figure. I posted that I never thought he would last more than two years. This team was a mess last year. The FO was in deep denial. They needed a change agent. BV ws the agent of change. What happened needed to be done. My only regret is that Henry has decided to keep Cherrington who is incompetent. It will become increasingly obvious just how over his head he is in the coming months. I am not afraid to make such a prediction.

I seems every time the FO covets some player or personnel move it turns out badly. They coveted Renteria, Lugo, Crawford, Gonzales and now Farrell. In this case, I'd wish they would conduct a legitimate search without preconceptions and go get the best man for the job. There are better choices out there.

LL is listed as part of the ownership group. The percentage of shares owned by each is not listed. I would presume that LL has some equity stake but that would be an assumption. In any case despite the bad year(s) why would any corporate head want to get rid of Lucchino. Like what they used to say about Meyer Lansky, "He has always made his partners lots of money."

I was criticized for posting this before but I think it important to let you know in the U.S. major league baseball the term is manager not head coach. I confess I had a culture shock when I was managing my second game in a Spanish baseball league nearly thirty years ago and the "arbitro" started flashing me a yellow card when I went out to protest a call. My players started rushing me off the field before I got a "red" card. My question for you is in the Israeli league do they "card" players as well.

I think the early sixties were worse actually. What makes this so irritating was they had an opportunity to make a major reset over last winter and blew it. The disaster that was the onfield product is merely a reflection of the dysfunction that was in the FO. Until they straighten that mess out, I don't see the onfield product getting any better.