cp176

If Dumbrowski has the common sense that we hope he has, he knows what the deal is with Hanley Ramirez. Shaw just hit his tenth and plays a decent first base. People can think what they like about his role for the future, pencilling him in ahead of Ramirez at first for next year just makes sense. Now, it might not be Shaw, but I don't think that it will be Ramirez. To be honest, although everyone talks about his potential as a hitter, i'm not sold on anything other than a plus-minus player when it comes to him. Now if we could use another dh, maybe things would be different.

Without a ss in the pipeline that even looks like he could come close to getting the job done as well as Bogaerts, makes the idea of trading him look foolish. A little early to think that Guera might be the next one and there is no one else. He won't be going anywhere for anyone. The Red Sox have cloned their outfielders. Benintendi and Margot are basically Betts and Bradley. They also have at least 2 more big league catchers than they need. I think a trade will come from that pool and not from the one that has just one fish in it.

I'm in the obvious minority here but I was Ok with the Sandoval signing. Too much money for sure but we needed the third baseman. I was opposed to the Ramirez signing. There really was no natural fit for him. To pay that kind of money for a player you knew would have to play a position that he had never played, only told me that they must have had money to just throw around. I was stunned that they did not add a top of the rotation pitcher. All that being said, Sandoval's appalling fitness level is helping to create a back issue that won't go away unless he does something about it.

Come on Kimmi - What is a UzR - is like his machine gun or something? And I don't care what his DRS say about him. That is between him and his docs. I would have inserted one of those little smiley faces but I don't know how.

I appreciate that Kimmi. You just let this old (not too old ) fool look at the easy stats. games played, number of chances to make plays, number of errors, and just watching. My kind of stats.

Hopefully we don't have to choose! If I had to choose in this case I think that any of those outfielders is much more easily replaced than a shortsop who should be an all-star for many years.

I agree! Have felt the same way for quite sometime now.

Don't believe the people who question his lack of range. Just talk. They have no clue. He has had more chances than almost every shortstop in the game. Everything indicates that he is not just good at fielding his position.

The bigger picture here for me is would I like to see the Red Sox trade for Matt Harvey or someone close to his ability? Outside of trading Bogaerts the answer is yes. As much as I would hate to see a great potential outfield broken up, I don't think that we are talking Rice, Lynn, and Evans. You aren't going to win championships without champions on the mound.

I would hate to have to pick between the two. We won't have to. Hopefully we keep them both. We all have our favorites though don't we.

I would hate to see it happen but if they trade for the best they can get, somebody good is going to go. Pick your poison. I'd be happy if they signed one big free agent pitcher as in Price but I think that Dombrowski is apt to be a little more aggressive than that. They need a big time top of the rotation guy and almost a complete rebuild of the pigpen. Plus they have to figure out a way to continue to keep Ramirez off the field. He ain't gonna make everybody happy.

I think that we might see something like that happen. That would be a power move if they also signed that big free agent we all want to see in Fenway.

Betts and Margot? I don't want to see JBJ go.

I would not trade Bogaerts. High quality ss who is only going to get better. Would not like to see the current outfield trio broken up but if it meant one or none it would be Betts for me only because no one would take Castillo. I would actually be ok with one big free agent signing. Maybe one more solid starter but I don't know how much of the field players on the current roster I would give up. If Vasquez recovers the way he is likely to, I would be surprised to see both of them (Swihart and Vasquez) with the team next year. Depending on what Dombrowski wants to do, he does have the chips to deal.

There is a good chance that if all energies and $ were put into acquiring pitching, both starting and bullpen help, this team would be ok. First base may or may not be an issue. Really think that Shaw has proven that he can play a little. 8 home runs in fairly limited action is something to think about. In Portland, you have Sam Travis, one of the most productive players in our minor leagues. It would be nice to see a bat like Ramirez playing that position but not at all if he can't field it. I don't think that they were being patient as much as they were being stubborn by continually sending Ramirez and Napoli up to the plate. If they try Hanley at first and it doesn't look good, here is hoping that it won't take them a half a season to figure it out. Right now it is definitely about the pitching.

No - of course not. Allowing Napoli to remain in the lineup for as long as they did and by playing Ramirez it did look a little suspicious.

hey - how about me saying this. The stats say he is a well above average ss. Not even close.

Bogaerts is one of the top shortstops in the game today. He has played more games, gotten to more balls, and made fewer errors than almost all of them. We all know that he stays at short. We are not weak up the middle. Since Ramirez has been out, our defense has gotten substantially better. Imagine that. I still think that there is a pretty fair chance that he will not be with us next season.

It's a conundrum. What to do with Hanley Ramirez. Send him on vacation until the big boy retires.

Since I might be have been considered one of the old stat as opposed to the new stat guys, i have been trying to upgrade my image. I can't find anything new or old that tells me that XB isn't one of the top 5 ss in the game today.

JBJ - yes I know it is good to have production from the 9 hole- yes I get that maybe it helps him from a pressure perspective. Blah blah blah. Eventually that bat moves up. i'm a believer.

Nice post. I feel a little sorry for Hanley Ramirez. The winning has been going on with him not in the lineup. They might actually need his bat someday but for the time being not so much. Having JBJ emerge into the projected player he has been for me has been a wonderful story. With each game he plays, his hitting ceiling seems to keep moving into an area that many of us felt that he had the potential to get to. XB put the work in this past off-season, and watching him becoming one of the best in both leagues at short is huge feel good story. They certainly have some work to do but the youth movement has been fun. How about the big boy? Shaughnessy may not see him as a HOFamer but I guess I do. Over the years, he has meant as much to this franchise as any that I can remember. I have had the great pleasure of watching Ted (arguably the greatest hitter of all time) and Captain Carl. I don't care if Ortiz ever touches another glove, he would get my vote. By the way, I would also be happy if Hanley Ramirez never picked up another glove of any kind for the Sox.

Bogaerts is becoming one of the better fielding and better hitting shortstops in the game. His range as well as his throwing have improved vastly. He will be our ss for a long time. The chances of Vazquez and Swihart splitting time at the catcher position are at best slim and more than likely none. If Vazquez comes back healthy, one is going to be moved. Part of a package that is going to net us that second good pitcher that we need.

Hey Nick - 2 new guys one named Price and Kelly to the pigpen. We are going to need him there!

I don't see trading Miley. He gives us just what a good 4 or 5 could give. He is healthy and on occasion has pitched some beauties. Porcello, Rrodriguez, Miley I hope are in. I would be perfectly fine if two new guys were brought in and Kelly got moved to the pen. If they bring Buccholtz back, it will be interesting to see how he is used. Even if he is healthy (as healthy as he can be ) it isn't a sure thing that he is going to be anything better than average. It won't be about the money if they decide to bring him back or not. They might just decide to go in a different direction. i really don't see Dombrowski starting the new season with the same starting 5 minus Masterson. I'm still going with - 2 new guys - Porcello - Rodriguez - and either Miley or Kelly.