onlybereaved

Fair enough. My bad

Yeah, I understand the valid points brought to the discussion; I am not oblivious to the realities of the situation. I'm not street-dreamin' here. When I say similar to the Longoria TB deal, I don't mean 10 years or even necessarily the equivalent money in that transaction. What I mean is, I believe that both parties (Red Sox & Pedey) will mutually seek a contract which is conducive of Dustin finishing his career playing for the Boston Red Sox. That's far from a stretch, it's quite likely. Let's say the contract is more like 6 years with a clause or option which allows them to figure something out past that if need be. The point is, Dustin would likely gladly even take a pay-cut (so to speak) to ink a deal like this; It's also important to note that both the Red Sox and Dustin are intelligent enough to realize that he's too high strung and gritty to last more than 6-ish years at the rate he's going. They won't handcuff themselves into a dangerous deal that would screw them up financially in the future. I am not suggesting that they would.The guy will most likely end up managing the team shortly after retiring, for frigs sake. He knows that he's not Josh Hamilton, and I doubt he cares much for looking at leaving Boston just because he can make a few more bucks elsewhere, again 'similar to the Longoria TB deal'. Point is, he is valuable to the Red Sox beyond his offensive or defensive field abilities. This thread asked if the Red Sox should get rid of him now before he's not worth anything, etc. I am suggesting the complete opposite. That's all.

Time will tell I guess. I see him having a couple of solid seasons and then securing a deal with Boston that ensures he remains with the team indefinetely. You're entitled to your differing view, but you sir may be 'drunk' by thinking we are going to 1) get rid of him, and 2) be lucky for a reasonable ROI in doing so. He is incredibly valuable to the Red Sox, as would he be to any team if for any reason he did leave Boston.

Not a bad idea. I know for instance, that I am in my own little Red Sox bubble in my circle/area/friends. I usually have to bribe my family or girl to go with me to games. If I didn't have them, or didn't want to bribe them, I would potentially hit up a game with someone else via a medium like this.

Sorry to break the news to you, but Pedey will be signing a deal with the Red Sox similar to what Longoria just signed in TB. Guy will play harder than anyone else, and pull through yet again, and again. Ironically, in large part because of people with the same opinion as yours. Edit to clarify, my post is directed at the thread-starter.

Word, I totally see Kalish being a Reddick caliber in the next couple of seasons, of course if given the right atmosphere/opportunity. Let's just hope he plays really well any/every chance he gets. I like the guy. He certainly has the Reddick potential, I doubt anyone would question or argue that.

no mocking - valid opinion - some good points

Pedro is unreal. Couldn't believe how great/comfy he looked. Edit to add: Re: Lackey...At least it shouldn't be too difficult being at least on-par with the Red Sox rotation. That may give him some confidence. I hope he blows everyone's hair back and performs better than expected. Could be really ugly, no-one knows. The guy just starting throwing the ball 'yesterday' for frigs sake

I don't even hate Salty. Just really excited for Lavarnway to be the everyday guy. Even if it means having to see an inconsistant/shakey season or 2 out of him.

Yeah eh, maybe.

Also, it's pretty crucial to consider that the Red Sox wouldn't have sought out a contract with Ross at C unless they a) expected to keep Salty in the main catchers role w/ Ross replacing Shop as back-up and leaving Lavs in AAA altogether, or expected Salty to be inevitably traded. Hopefully Salty is gone prior to the season starting IMO

Yeah - no doubt. I just meant in a pre-committed open to the public sort of way. Give Lavs all the confidence possible (giving him the chance at full time/main C), and have Tek working with him hardcore. Mind you, I could see how that would be a double edged sword with putting huge pressure on him.

Varitek is going to be working 'odd-jobs' for now within the Red Sox organization... Why the frig wouldn't they set something up where Tek goes to work with Lavs, seeing as how Lavarnway is has so much potential? Just an idea, I don't know.

Yeah, perfect time for the Red Sox to give Lavarnway rights to main catcher. Guy is at the very least just as good as Salty defensively, and will at some point (hopefully sooner than later) be offensively consistant (in a good way). If Salty doesn't get traded, Lavs will be stuck in AAA while Salty/Ross get the main role - what a waste. Not like the Red Sox are contenders. Lavs is arguably as developed as he can be on a AAA level IMO. Guy needs to play a couple full seasons in the MLB and get that experience and have that confidence shown in him.

Re: cak33's opinion regarding Beckett I understand that some people still like Josh Beckett. With that being said, Beckett was a complete polution to the team and made blatently clear that he didn't give a rats ass about anything anymore in Boston. You just can't keep a guy like that around, unless he is just pitching so well that it's worth putting up with him and his antics. (needless to say, he wasn't pitching remotely close to that well). Nome sayn

Right? I love this way of thinking - for all we know the team could go down in history and pillage everyone with a less than impressive 'on paper' roster.

Swish not ending up in Bostons sucks IMO.. Can we at last please retain Cody Ross

Red Sox finish with 90 wins and surprise the heck out of the AL-E outright, Bold, but for srious

Right? I read the news update on those 10 or more FO (more like back office) position changes and thought...hrmmm, don't care. It almost seemed like the media was bridging the gap between news worth mentioning, while nothing exciting or important was happening lol.

Anything to improve our overall pitching situation is something that I would back. I assume the Red Sox wouldn't make moves that would give us a surplus in the bullpen dept. while taking away from the rotation. Who knows.

Alfredo Aceves is throwing something/slamming doors somewhere right about now

Welcome back! Looking forward to April...should be another tough year, though.

Here's what I think... The team is going to enjoy an overall better atmosphere this season. There will be less pollution and negativity within the clubhouse and on the bench, etc. The guys are going to develop a nice chemistry, and deliberately play with grit or heart, etc. This is a huge step in the right direction, and alone should allow for the team to do better than it has in the last 2 seasons. That being said, I believe that it is safe to say that although they could "do well", the odds are they will finish 3rd or 4th at best in the AL-E. I personally appreciate your optimism...but I can see you getting thrashed in this thread because the overwhelming consensus on talksox forum is negative and bitter (so far) with respect to the question you're asking. Wait for it...

I personally back this, hard. No joke. Guy is going to do serious work this season. on a side note...no disrespect to anyone on this board, but there are a large percentage of folks here who are super negative. Understandably, to a point given the recent terrible seasons etc. But come on people, lol.

Although I hear what you're saying for the most part and tend to agree that the odds are we do in fact finish 3rd of 4th in the AL-E...You honestly never know what the chemistry of the team will be this year vs 2012 season. I don't think it's fair to compare this year's team with 2012 team because we are almost guaranteed better chemistry with the moves we have made to get rid of a horrible manager, and some bad apples who were polluting the overall team environment etc. All I am saying is that the 2012 team had so many problems off-field that I believe have been addressed/removed, that we should be better based on that alone. If the players on the new roster end up having awesome chemistry and playing well, who is to say we couldn't compete in an anything goes/wide open AL-East