cp176

Very good points. I do think that he will hit. I am still concerned about his ability to field his position based on the sample that we have seen. If he sticks around as our everyday ss, I am ok with that as well. But, if he was the centerpiece around a trade that brought a player in that helped us, that would be fine with me as well. Right now he plays a position in the field that you can't place enough importance upon. Once again - he is worth keeping - I think he will hit. I just don't want him to hurt his team in the field anymore than he wants to.

Blunt? I guess that it is just a tone thing. You won't get it from me. Here is a question for you. It is legit. I really am interested in what you think. You mentioned in an earlier post something that I wholeheartedly believe in - You have to maintain a solid farm system that produces quality players year in and year out to remain competitive. I am very pleased that we have become World Series winners but I guess selfishly Ii would like to think that if we were producing young talent of high quality that we would at least be able to compete each year. Last to first to last has me doubting some of the quality that we seem to have. I would prefer others to Hamels but I don't see trading some this "talent" as being prohibitive. What are your thoughts? You can be blunt if you like. I just want a team that I can be excited about each season.

In addition, I hope that I am wrong about XB. But you see I am and have been a fan of the Red Sox for a while. I'll offer my opinion well knowing what any opinion is worth. In the end, I won't be jumping ship. For that matter, I still hope Jackie Bradley can realize all of the potential that all of the scouts said he had. If he could hit, there would be no better option in cf. You don't need a power bat in center field. Hit just a little bit.

I agree 100%.

Yea - Kind of like this. I think that a good deal of our latest young talent has in fact been grossly overrated. I do believe XB will hit but adequate at ss just doesn't make it for me. If he can be dealt for a top quality arm, I would make that move in a heartbeat. If he remains in Boston, I will support him for as long as he is there. Discussion, not always anger based critiques of other opinions that you don't like, is in fact what forums are for.

Most of the long termers are certainly receiving guaranteed money with possibly some incentive clauses thrown in. I am going to take a shot at this and say the majority of the team owners know pretty much what they are getting for their 5,6, or 7 year contracts. A couple of years maybe 3 in a few cases maybe but unlikely 4. They know perfectly well what they are over paying for. I'm ok with it now. Rules aren't the same for everyone. I'm glad I am a New Englander. I think that it is time to go big and win.

The Red sox can do anything they want to do. They have as much money at at their disposal as a team could have. They have plenty of tradeable options to better themselves. Question is - do they do anything more than they already have? The game has changed and we all know it. It is just so nice when good players come through your farm system but most of us have it figured out that it is all about the money these days. I say why not win. Zimmerman or Hamels in a trade and sign Shields. I like our chances then. The only thing I liked about King George was that he said it like he believed it was. It is time to play a power game. Management needs to stop pretending that we exist in a different era. And while I am on a little rant no one will ever convince me that XB will be anything more than what we call a plus minus ss at this level. He may become adequate but I don't think he ever becomes a good big league ss. It is a pivotal position and it makes no difference who is playing beside him. He may although become a very good hitter. Would not trouble me at all to see him traded. To get - you might have to give. Hang on to Betts though!

I guess it is just a judgement call with me. I would take him don't get me wrong. I do think that any pitcher who is a true ace probably should be a candidate for the Hall at some point though. Maybe not in but a candidate none the less.

I really never saw Shields as an "ace" but with him and what they have done already - Maybe that is enough. I don't know.

I have no problem with that at all if he is the right one to get the job done. I'm not sure he is but it doesn't make sense to me not to either make a deal or pay the price for what you want. Betts would be off the table in my estimation.

A good point for sure. I just still wonder about the current thinking. They have stockpiled enough players to field two teams. If the right move was there right now, I would like to see them make it. Emphasis on the right move for the team in general.

I agree. It is the length of the season and the effects on a pitching and coaching staff that bother s me.

You are right. Expanded playoffs have certainly made people very rich but the approach to the game in general is very different in this era. It is almost like two separate seasons. Magnified expansion hasn't worked real well for me but it is what it is. Don't think we are going backward anytime soon.

Interesting article. I too would hope that Betts is untouchable. Trying to figure out the recent spate of infatuation with Rusney Castillo and Hanley Ramirez befuddles me. i don't get it but whatever right. On a more POSITIVE note though, I like a bounce back year out of Victorino. I hope that Ramirez adapts to left and shuts his mouth. I hope that Castillo becomes the player, that based on something, people think he can become. It could be exciting to see. Can't wait for it to start.

Very good point - depends on the cost. If the cost was players (meaning Betts), I would probably say no. Combination of practically any of the rest of them within reason of course might be ok with me. The concept of waiting until later on is not bad either.

I truly hope that they are not done with respect to the search and I do mean search for a top of the rotation guy. The current shape of the American league east should not dictate what this team does to create the best rotation that they can create. I think that a good job has been done so far, if the wheels are still turning in an attempt to reel in a "stopper". Something that every championship team needs.

Wow - Now you do back farther than I do and I don't give a good goddam about what anyone thinks about how I feel about the games in general. I do know that "our " OLD ways do in fact work. Some would say that our old ways wouldn"t work today. Sorry but they are wrong. I still love the games but with ridiculous salaries paid out to players of marginal abilities - millions - things have changed for sure. Dick Williams benched Yaz. in 1967. He dealt with it got over it and had what I still consider to be the greatest season any player has had since I have been alive. It is just called being coached. Our last World Series team accomplished more than any in history. No fools just a bunch of coachable winners. Newcombe I do remember the rest just from hearing about them. Fred - I won't apologize to anyone again for liking your posts again. A good dose of the past when do all some good. Keep it coming!

just a pet peeve but it is it absolutely necessary to stick with the script. A relief pitcher eases his way through the 7th but is replaced by the "setup" man who strikes out the side but must give way to a "closer". 95% of the time this happens. Is the concept of I just want to win, become secondary to specialization? I am refreshed when I see a starting pitcher willing to work out of the bullpen when the situation calls for it.

Agree! if Renaudo had not had the surgery that he had, the Red Sox would never have had a shot at him. At the college level, he was as good as you could get. I also like Kelly.

He could not pry Rodriguez out of my hands. The other two plus - in a heartbeat.

Those 3 and any other 2 would work for me.

How about Seaver, Koosman, and Ryan?

Gotcha - I will behave.

Just old guys sticking together.

Your posts are a delight to read. I might not always agree but do think about what you say. Plenty of humor in there as well. Keep them coming. Just got off the golf course myself.