cp176

It is a very strange situation indeed. I have said all along that I thought that there was more to the story about Hanley being released then the option regardless of its value. I would never have guessed that a story like this would surface though. True or not, rumors or not, it is a strange one for sure.

I'm guessing that you are saying this tongue in cheek. That metrics I'm pretty sure might lead to a few saber metric purists to believe this I guess. As for me, think I might go (as in all the time) with one of the best pitchers in the game every time. It is a non-thought. Whether the team tends to hit for him or not, I would be entirely ok with that.

Good and the truth.

This is a post that I think is very sensible and has feeling behind it. I respect that. I truly hope that they find that Hanley is innocent of anything except stupidity. All that being said, I really am happy that he is gone.

You can bet your bottom dollar though Max, that there are some here who would see the Moncada, Kopeck trade for Sale in hindsight and would likley criticize DD for pushing that button. In their minds, it would be an easy fix if Pedroia does not make it back to simply slide Moncada right into second base. Just another opportunity for some to rip into the way DD does his job. Not me!

I've actually learned to tolerate him. I actually find him more tolerable some who post here.LOL

I agree with you with respect to not jumping to conclusions about Hanley Ramirez's guilt or innocence. I hope that he is not guilty but whatever it won't bother my world one way or another. But I don't give a s*** what anybody thinks of him from a personal character or looks perspective or whatever, it is pretty obvious that the Red Sox have been trying to move away from players like Hanley. In my opinion, his approach, his goofiness, and whatever else, although kind of funny just isn't the look this team is going for. Please note that it is also obvious that it has nothing to do with what race he is. He is a free spirit, maybe I guess just a little to free. If they really wanted Hanley's act around, they would still be dancing in the outfield. I suppose that it is even possible that someone suggested to Benintendi that he cut his hair. If you are the owner of a business of this magnitude maybe the appearance and behavoir of your employees matters. What I also think though is that if Hanley was really hitting, he likely would still be with us. He wasn't and he is gone.

Could a been a contender

In addition his act was old - good job DD and Alex of course.

I tend to agree with you even though I could give a crap what the fans want to sing. Sadly without those "pink hats" all over the country, baseball just might not get prime time because it just isn't fun or it doesn't move fast enough or there isn't enough technology being used to make sure we get things right. Without all of those pink hats, we might even get to see one of the greatest games created played the way it should be played.

Hanley's career is likely over. Regardless of the feelings being hurt here it was kind of obvious that he did not fit what the Sox have been trying to do. The Sox saw an opportunity once the talent was obviously not there to get rid of him. He is gone. The end.

Like I've been saying over and over there might be a little more to this story than Hanley's option year.

It is possible I agree. No one knows the whole story. We just make what we think are good guesses. I hope he is happy and that we never get the whole story if there even is one. I do have a little problem though understanding how a professional baseball player might not be interested in "jumping " right back into it regardless of how much money they might be making. It is what he has always done. It has been his life. Good luck to him.

My views as well. You can't leave the good ones down there forever. In this case, maybe it would have been nice, but there was an absolute need and that need got filled. You live with the growing pains. That is just how it works. He is going to be just fine.

yup - pretty interesting. Maybe he should try hitting them somewhere else other than where the fielders are standing.

It would seem that you are likely right. I do still think that there is more to the story. A couple of things seem to be working against him. If you could sign him to the minimum and you still thought that you could, why wouldn't you? Maybe they just don't like the big lovable guy. Whether people want to accept that opinion or not, it still is a possibility. It is also possible that they think from a talent perspective, he just isn't worth carrying. it seems very odd to me for sure. I do think that if he had been hitting he would still be with us.

I always look ahead Moon and for sure we do disagree about how good that crop of ex products might be. Guess I am a much more casual fan than you must be. I am pleased with all of those trades with the exception to the one you did not mention - Shaw. I kind of wish that we had kept him. Kind of looks like you might be looking a little to closely at what I have posted in an attempt to prove me wrong and you right. That is why a preface many of the posts I make with the classic - it's my opinion. Your opinion in the eyes of many might be stronger than mine but I'm ok with that as well.

It is possible that they have changed for the good here with respect to throwing out information that we don't need to know.

My opinion is that it is doubtful that one of those prospects ever becomes the player that people think that they might become. I'm not second guessing anything that a GM does during their current tenure. I don't have the answers and if someone discounts my opinion or opinions because I do not know the answers, I am absolutely ok with that. No one here knows the answers as we move forward. I do not believe as you already know that there is any type of cliff that exists. Looking ahead is not my job moon. I'm on board the Red Sox train today as much as I will be as it moves forward.

This I agree with. I truly do believe that there is more to this story than we may never know.

My my my how things have changed. I'm a lifelong fan but have to say that I enjoy the hunt actually more than the kill. It is a long season and I am so damn happy that we are competitive year after year without sacrificing our future. IMO once again, I do not think that our future has been sacrificed in any way. There of course will be challenges along the way with respect to payroll but I have faith in our ownership and management to keep things going. Desperate, panic stricken Dave just needs to keep doing his thing.

I think that you are right. I believe that there were a combination of reasons for Hanley being dropped. I also really don't think that Hanley was anything but positive this year. Fun loving kind of guy. I also believe that the Sox are moving away from players like Hanley. That is my opinion. Note - 0 implication of what type of person Hanley might have been or might be! I'm not even trying to imply anything other than to say that there very well may have been just a few other reasons not being said for good reason why Hanley is no longer with us. If Hanley had been hitting, I still say that he would be in a Boston uniform.

I don't think that he can and that is a shame. Most players today practice the art of bashing as opposed to the art of hitting. It makes no difference how hard you hit the ball if you can't hit it where the fielders aren't.

experts on the radio = experts on talksox - lol

I think that everybody would love to see a youthful healthy Pedroia come back to help the team. Guess the debate here isn't about who likes him or who questions the ability that he has (had?). How much faith do you have that he is going to make a healthy return? I want it to happen but I just don't think that the situation looks all that good. If the stars align and he does come back healed, I'm pretty sure that everyone will be pleased.