cp176

I really am not looking for the last word here but I truly do believe that they will attempt to outbid any team in the hunt for the player they really want. The key would be how badly they want that player. I think the key for me is the amount they have been willing to spend on players that have literally no experience with any major league franchise. We all hope that becomes money well spent.

Agree totally.

Kimmi - I can't even follow this thread anymore. I will say again though that the amount of money any of these big players throw at prospects or veterans is insane. The level of the insanity is debatable i guess. Once again, i do not think that money will serve as a deterring factor at all for the Red Sox. Giving up prospects will. People seem to think that the sox blew it with Lester. Maybe they did from our perspective, I think they absolutely know what they are doing. I really do not think that they have seen the pitcher they want badly enough to give up prospects and dollars for just yet. i don't think that value on the dollar means much to them right now. They someone they want they get them. It is as simple as that. As for Moncada - if he makes it, i see him !. 3rd 2. 1st 3. outfielder 4. 2nd base

That's kind of what I mean. They could have him if they want him.

me too - taken me a while to get to this point though. I want them to stay young. It would be a different story if we were talking about someone between 25 and 29 with a talent of course.

I don't think that they can do better than a healthy Victorino in right field.

I absolutely agree with you with respect to the length of contract being a primary factor during Red Sox negotiations. I guess I just haven't seen monetary restraint being much of a factor when they truly have a player that they want to sign. Age is also a major consideration for them at present and thankfully so. I am not even close to understanding what an insane amount of money to spend for some of the more wealthy teams might be. i only hope that the old adage that you get what you pay for works for our team.

That is of course very true. Discussing this is just projecting the future anyway but it does look to me as though the Red Sox tend to see players moving from the infield to the outfield as an easier move than the other way around. Makes sense. Betts was moved because of Pedroia which of course also made sense from a team as well as an individual standpoint. I have said it before here that if Pedroia was to get hurt again (hopefully doesn't) my opinion (just mine) is that defensively they would be a stronger team if Betts was moved back to one of his two original positions.

Betts obviously has already found another position. Moncada has been projected to play all positions other than pitching and catching. I don't think that his arm will be the issue. If they are even on the same field together, those who have to make those decisions will put them where they want them I guess. I'm certainly ok with whatever they do but Betts has proven his ability to play second base very well.

I really don't think the monetary aspects of any potential deal factor much into the current Red Sox thinking. They are going to get who ever they want if money is the only deciding factor. I just don't see them going after any over 30 pitcher for more than just one season. Doesn't seem to fit their current trend of getting younger. A possible trade involving Victorino for Lee might make some sense for this year. It would open up some of the position player glut and bolster their starting pitching at least for a season. Unless they can get the steal (I meant to say deal) that they want, I think that they are more likely to wait until the player that they really want is available.

I like Napoli as well. I hope that he does have a big year and sticks around for a while longer.

I think that you are right. I see Moncada as a third baseman potentially. I expect Napoli to be moving on as well but you never know.

Personally and I hope that when the call goes out for our next second baseman it will be in fact a second baseman - Mookie Betts. Moncada is a ss but has been "projected" to be a third baseman, a second baseman, a first baseman, and an outfielder. No one knows what the future will bring but it should be fun to see.

I think that the Red Sox would have been very happy to get Lester back but at their price. I really do not think that it was an all out effort. Once again, they have clearly shown that they have the money. I also think that players like Cueto and Zimmerman might be what they are interested in when the free agent season rolls around. Whether their current starting staff gets it done or not, I would still expect them to make a big play for the youngest best front line arm they can get. I wish that Lester had come back but I am just not sure that thinking that the Red Sox blew it with him is the right call. Maybe last year - maybe not. There is a plan that is starting to take shape. They appear to be getting younger and better. The best available athletes right now are position players. They are loading up on them. When the best available young athlete is a young talented pitcher, don't be surprised if winds up in a Sox uniform.

If it is where I think they are talking about, it looks about as dirty and rough as you can get.

Are you talking about the area that is across the highway from the hospital district? On the way to TF Green. McCoy is old and in need of updates but is accessible and a great place to take your family. Just good fun. I had much rather see a game in Portland or Pawtucket than Fenway. I will say this that for a city that is poor, they have some of the finest colleges, golf courses, and restaurants in the east. There still are many many wealthy individuals in the area.

It's a gamble. As far as where he projects to eventually play, that depends on what you are hearing and reading. Third - second - first - outfield - not even to mention ss. I wonder what the original - George S. would be feeling right about now? Ultimately I think that they "might " make a move for pitching (although that doesn't appear to be the major point of emphasis.) I don't see them making a move for any aging pitcher whose best years are behind them. If a young strong arm becomes available for cash, they will likely outspend everyone to get him. As far as top young talent being moved - At some point in time - who knows when - Swihart or Vasquez gets moved. I would bet on it being Swihart. It doesn't look like he will be dh ing or moving to first now like some have suggested. He won't become the next potential all-star backup catcher. I don't think that anybody is in a hurry to see this happen. If a move is made for pitching, I think that it will be for the one the Sox really want. Might not happen this year.

On second thought, it looks as though the Red Sox don't have to worry much about justifying a price tag for anything.

Read the article and still find it hard to justify that price tag for a 19 year old prospect. I do like the idea of signing the best athletes that you can as opposed to trying to slot them into their playing positions. Clearly an offensive strategy - hope it works out.

More than twice that much actually. I feel the same way that you do about it. Just going to say though that if anyone thinks that the Sox aren't willing to spend for the players that they want they are crazy. They may not sign the ones that we want but they sure and hell will sign the ones that they want. I have to think that if they had wanted to sign Scherzer or Lester they would have. I do not think that they were in their plans.

That is the way it should be. Portland is a great place to see a game. Good place - good talent - good price. Also easy to get to. Don't know what the goal would be by moving the Pawsox. Easy to get and a good price as well. Family fun.

McCoy is a great place to watch a game. Old - yes - no question. A move to Providence is not dramatic for sure in terms of distance. I am curious to know exactly where they hope to build the new park. McCoy is not difficult to get to. From the perspective of governmental funding, Rhode Island is a cash strapped state for sure but there is great wealth in the Providence area. I am not sure who the private funders might be but my guess would be that there is plenty of money there.

If Pedroia is willing to give XB his vote of approval, it works for me. I don't think that he is going anywhere right away. They might not be in the trade market at all right now. The glut is in the outfield. I think that they are getting closer to where they want to be. Money is certainly not an issue. This signing says that they are willing to compete with anyone for the players that they want. Eventually they will have the arm that they are looking for. I don't think that they will give up young top talent for aging veterans. Hope I am right.

I haven't read all of the posts yet, but do really think that this ownership (J. Henry) is really concerned about overpaying for anything? I don't. I like the signing. I have to feel that if they thought the "right" pitcher was out there for them for the money they would go get him. I don't think that they have seen what they want just yet. Lots of talk an various posts about the Sox and budgets but I for one am not buying that. I do think that they have a plan. I know that I have no clue what it might be, but I don't mind waiting to watch it develop.

The more I read about him the more I like him. We all know how tough it is to play in Boston. He appears to be competent, confident, and happy. Great sense of humor - not afraid to make fun of himself. I really think that we will be happy with him.