cp176

I'm not a big Pete Rose fan nor am I a fan of anybody who cheated to achieve greatness (steroids) but I won't go so far as to say that I don't think that they should be honored for their accomplishments. We like to see the mighty fall in this country. This is where the word hypocrite comes in to play and not on the thread dealing with the accomplishments of Ben Cherington. For every one that got caught, how many are laughing on their way to the bank? We going to keep Ortiz out because of something somebody thinks that he might have done? Pete Rose is a definite HOFamer and should be in but so are many others who probably won't get there because they weren't very smart when they cheated.

Very true. Without Miley in the rotation, we all might appreciate Porcello a little more. Actually when i think of him as a back ass of the rotation guy, I do feel good.

Statistically speaking (can I say that here?) that would be a good bet. Which Buchholz will we see though? That one I would not bet on.

I am really glad you posted this. I tend to agree with you most of the time, so I was getting ready to go back over my posts to see who I needed to apologize to for calling them names.

No one knows what to expect from Buchholz. Trying to predict what he is going to give just isn't working. Good Buchh? bad Buchh? injured Buchh. He is a "we hope" guy just like Porcello (if people want him to be a #2) and Kelly. Price, E-Rod and a bunch of guys that we hope will stay healthy, pitch like they have when they have been at their best, or outperform what they have done in the past. It doesn't really look very stable. Better than last year for sure but still very shaky. I would be surprised if DD doesn't make a move.

So in a sense we can actually give credit to Ben for the Price signing? I'm ok with that.

Let me think about that for a second or two - nope - don't need that long.

The signing of Ramirez made very little sense. I don't remember anyone suggesting that there were any intentions of using him in the infield at all. Nothing in his career stats indicated that he was a sure thing to revert to his 2010 and before levels of production with respect to his hitting not to mention the number of games played. Also, complicating things just a bit were the "rumors" floating around with respect to his attitude. They took an expensive shot with him. It still could work out I guess. My opinion, which I think I am entitled to, is that it was a bad sign. I also think that if there was one contract that DD could get out of having to pay it would be his.

Our top 4 prospects look right now like they could be the real deals. Valued highly by everyone. If the Sox keep them all, we will know how much they are valued in New Engalnd as well.

I'm for that. He appeared to be an honest stand up sort of person. I wish him well. If he were to looks at our comments over the course of this debate, he would be surprised at how important it seems that he has become. For the record - i did not mind the Sandoval signing. I knew that we needed a third baseman. I wasn't opposed to the Porcello signing but I still think that his price tag was too high for what we got. Miley - I liked. I hated the Ramirez signing and still do.

KiSS principle for me. You can't give Ben Cheirington credit for any good moves if you are blaming the bad ones on Lucchino, Henry, or whoever. It is all speculation on our part to think that Dombrowski has any more or any less power or authority then Cherington had. Is what it is - a guess unless you happen to be on the inside. With respect to the $ available for each of them to use, Dombrowski has chosen to use his allowance differently. I did not agree with the way Ben chose to spend his haul. I like the way DD has spent his so far. If people want to think that DD has more power and independence than Ben, so be it. Doesn't say much for Ben though.

With Varvaro, Rutledge, and Leon coming back but not being on the 40 man, is a really good thing. Someone is doing some good work in Boston.

? - ok - I guess. not sure if I am "whining" about him or defending him.

This is it for Buchholz. Put up pr shut up. When you think of him, he comes with so many ifs that it is ridiculous. He has always been about the potential that he still has. Counting on him and Kelly comes with big risks. DD knows this I think.

I think that you understand that this discussion has very little to do with a dislike of Ben Cherington. No one here dislikes Ben.

It's always the fans right? How about a bring back Ben thread? Damn us guys.

I get that I think. Guess I am just one of the impatient old guys who just doesn't understand how it works. I enjoyed 2013 - not so much the other years.

nice -

I can remember playing Strato in the early to mid 60's. I cheated - I actually started Dick Radatz. I truly never thought that the day would come that the Sox would ever become anything more than someone's doormat. Since 67, there have been very few seasons where the team has not competed for a playoff birth. The championships are great for sure but this franchise has proven over the years that they can compete year in year out. The recent team performance has been abysmal. It also has been unnecessary. Most people like Ben Cherington just not as a GM. I don't need anyone trying to educate me with respect to being patient as a Red Sox fan. Already been there and it sucks. We have learned through the decades that it is quite possible to compete year in and year out while still building a very good minor league program. It's great that people still express loyalty to Ben for what he helped to do in the past but a decision was made to bring in DD because it needed to be done. He has addressed issues and taken care of business. He is here - Ben is not - and it looks like the Red Sox are ready to compete at the highest levels once again. Most people applaud Dombrowski for what he has accomplished in a very short period of time. Very few are ready to give him the keys to city just yet which makes sense as well. I am just glad that our team offers a little more hope for us this year than it has for a few.

and there goes Johnny. So much for that dream - oh well.

I would go with choice B everyday. Catchers with the type of all round catching talent Vasquez has just don't come along that often.

I know that it is a little bit of a dream. Sure would look good though. Although he was signed with the best intentions, the Ramirez contract put us in a hole.

We all know that hitting is not the issue. He will become a good catcher. He is adequate right now. Save the negative stat picture. Boston is prepared to use him as their starting catcher going forward. The question is what becomes of him when Vasquez the real catcher is ready to go? I think that his greatest value to his team will be as a trade chip. We have players in the system that likely will hit at least as well as Swihart at the corners. My guess is that before it is all sorted out either Vasquez or Swihart get traded.

Most likely, Swihart will hit. Big question comes when Vasquez is eventually ready to go.

I bet that they are talking. We know how much DD loves a strong rotation. I don't mean one that we think might be strong. One that really looks strong based on past performances. He knows that they still look a little light.