cp176

As for the debate about the best outfields that we have seen in Boston, from an all around baseball perspective there is no question in my mind - Rice - Lynn - Evans. From simply a defensive perspective, which I find extremely limiting and an unrealistic way to look at outfields in general, I'd go with the group we have out there right now.

I really haven't been paying much attention lately here so forgive me if I have missed something. Has JD complained or been lobbying for more field playing time? I do think that there is a chance that JBJ gets traded during this off season but I doubt if it has anything at all to do with the team feeling any pressure to play JD in the outfield. He hasn't struck me as that kind of guy.

LOL - Many of you weigh in on what you consider to be your favorite posts. Mostly and rightfully so, they tend to agree with the way you view things. This is one of the very best posts that I have read since I have been on board!!!

Larry very well might be right regardless of whether he comes off as being particularly pessimistic from time to time. No one can have the right answer to the Benintendi question. I would have to say fellas that if Larry sounds pessimistic with that comment then our "cliff dwellers" do cast a very dark shadow on our future despite all of the figures and statistical evidence they have to support their stand. It is all just a guess. No one knows what the future might hold. I'm solidly on the optimistic side of that coin. Benintendi has been and will be just fine and that there really is no impending cliff.

There probably are lots of people who feel this way me included. I'm fairly sure that every team in baseball with any type of closer has thought about this as well. Since most seem not to use this strategy, I guess it just isn't the direction they want to go in. They know more than I do for sure about how to best use a bullpen. Hey what do I know though, I still would have tried to get Betts to buy into possibly hitting third in the lineup.

I don't think anyone has suggested at all that Kimbrel might take less to say in Boston. i get each and of the points you make and it doesn't hurt at all for everyone to play the what might happen game. Fact remains that no one knows.

You seem to be questioning how JH is going to use his money going forward. That is ok for sure. My guess which is though that Kimbrel has no current "philosophy" He may want more than 3 years at 20 per. If he does, he probably will be walking away. No one knows what he will want, how many years he will seek, or even more realistically what he will take at this time.

Ok - I think that I have it now. You stated some good and strong opinions here. Some of which I agree with with respect to the role of relievers in general. They are opinions that at this time don't seem to be accepted by the Red Sox though. As long as the Red Sox believe that the role of a closer in general is not going to change, then having a closer like Kimbrel is very important. Until the Sox change their concept of how to use relief pitchers (if they ever do), having a guy like Kimbrel out there is extremely valuable. For the people who think that replacing him with someone as good is no big deal, sorry can't agree. People can beat around how they think JH should spend his money but thinking that he would just let Kimbrel walk easily and try to replace him by others hoping that someone will get the job done eventually is likely not going fly.

Everybody of course has the "it doesn't make any sense to sign" price, but once again, when you have one apparently steady piece in your bullpen you make a reasonable effort to sign him. A few people have made a point of saying that the closer's role in general is over rated. It is a role that seems to be pretty important to all teams in this day and age. If it makes you feel better by saying that you think the role is over rated or possibly that this team would be just as successful without Kimbrel at the backend, good for you. It doesn't appear to be a thought that is shared by many others. I do get a little confused when people say that having Kimbrel out there has not been all the important to this team's success. Now understand this isn't comparing him to anybody else. Has nothing to do with who we could or could not sign if we did not sign him. Some people really don't feel that he has been fairly important to this team's success - really? It really isn't worth any more comments from me if anyone in fact feels this way. i don't understand that particular thinking at all. Mentally, when I eliminate Kimbrel and try to replace him with someone or any group that we currently have, I feel like throwing up. Put Kelly's head on Kimbrel's body and see how you feel.

i agree with respect to Kimbrel not sure about that sale thing just yet though. I will also add that even though it borders on blasphemy here in this land of everything can be measured, that for the most part most teams (possibly all) pretty much figure that it is game over when the red bearded wonder starts to warm up. i'll admit to having a soft spot for him as well as not being very tolerant of his critics. With what he and his family have gone through and with what he brings to the table nightly, there is no team in baseball that would not profit from having him on their roster.

that is a plan larry!

i'll answer this honestly and i will even try to be serious. I'm not sure what he winds up getting but I would be quite surprised if he gets offered more than 3 years from the Sox. maybe 20 per maybe not. if he gets a better offer, obviously he is likely to fly. This team will miss not only his tremendous talent but also his mental approach to the game. when he has had his tough runs we all have bitched a bit and even suggested that his end is coming but in a situation where you need one man to get one out with the game on the line I think that there is no one better. he represents the current standard when you are talking about that one special reeliever these days. if he is not with us next year it will be a shame but I have a lot of faith in dombrowski and I think that he will do the right thing for this team going forward.

if you did you sure as hell shouldn't have. For the record, I like Kimbrel - you probably couldn't have figured that out. He is exactly the type of player that any winning team and program needs. Whether he comes back or not really is no big deal to me, I just like teasing those who know everything just a little. it is what I do. off i go - I need my beauty sleep!!!

I'm with you. That is so true. Not everyone here thinks that home field makes any difference though. Oh well - I sure as hell do and I'm guessing the players do as well.

Slasher - don't take the comment personally. reading your comments is good for my soul. lol

guess we will just have to wait and see what happens ...

Hey notin, i get the point that you think DD is still working for the Tigers as well. I don't really agree with Slasher and it likely is that he doesn't agree with himself here either. Suggesting that it is a choice between Kimbrel and anyone else is just a bit premature. Let's see what is Kimbrel's current save total this year? Yup we didn't him - we got Kelly, Brasier, Hembree, Barnes, Smith, Thornbure etc. ...

I agree and it is also possible that he wants to come back to Boston. It has been a pretty good gig for him and Boston does mean something to him and his family.

this is the truth. pretty sure that all Sox fans do and should feel confident but I think that although wonderful all of this years accomplishments go to the back burner - anything can happen now!

Is there anyone you think Moon who has said that they would actually be in favor of signing Kimbrel to 5 years at 20 million? Where does this stuff come from? I probably have missed something once again but saying that you would be opposed to that deal is good. As far as I can tell, so is everybody else. The primary point still exists - trying to replace him by signing a bunch of relievers in hopes that one of them will pan out is a major stretch. He is the best in the game and simply letting him walk away with no effort to sign him would be a joke and likely will not happen. DD will do due diligence and probably will make the right decision. I like his track record.

Hey come on - there are plenty of people here who think that we would have done the same without Martinez! Imagine that - I like having them both.

Based on records, there are some great teams in the American League. It is hard to believe that the Yanks may wind up winning 100 and still finish 9 or so games out of first place. It has been a long season, and when October arrives anything can happen in any series. The record may indicate that someone kind of lays over the field but I think it best to forget what the regular season records indicate pretty soon. I would imagine that Cora will proceed as he has been. You want to make sure that everybody is rested but you don't want to shut anybody down right now.

Oh stop - I basically quoted you. What camp am I in? I kind of think that I'm one of those guys who doesn't fit a camp. I don't recall saying that I would be in favor of signing Kimbrel long term at any cost. if I did, I take it back. At this point in time the suggestion of any dollar figure really is a joke. No one knows. My point - He just won't be as easy to replace as some seem to be suggesting.

Where is the $100 million figure coming from?

What? Do you really think that if Kimbrel is not resigned, that there is anyone on the planet who wouldn't expect a few other relief pitchers to be added? Sounds like you just being you notin. lol The great debate does seem to be if he walks what do you replace him with and how much will it cost to keep him? I keep reading this figure - 100 million - where is this coming from? I think that the assumption made here that he will get 5 years from Boston is also kind of out there. Doesn't matter what others have received, I doubt it happens. If he got an offer of more than 20 per year foe 3 from Boston I would be surprised. Once again though, he is the best in the business and losing him is going to create just one more bullpen issue. That is my point.