dupree

I think that the SOX may keep Salty in the end. I think the Twins will establish his bench mark and then the Sox either matches it or comes in just a shade lower and resigns him at a home town rate. I think he likes it here and has said he wants to be back here. I could see a projected salary of a 3/33. I like the power he brings but i do understand that his defense needs to be worked on in the offseason and he has improved every season he has been here, whos to say that his defense wont get better for 2014 and into the future. Also i see Napoli as a must. A 3 yr deal with a mutual option for a 4th would get it done. 3/42 would get that done. Or maybe he could come in at the 3/39 deal as he woulda signed last offseason. Drew and Ells are out of here. By all accounts, but i could see the Sox going into the trade market to fill a outfield spot. I think they are seriously kicking the tires on Matt Kemp. He is a CF but prolly needs to move to a corner spot. Ok Vic can play center too so the Sox are in a very good spot with the flexibility they have now. Ok lets say they do deal for Kemp. And the Sox have the pay him 17million per with the Dodgers eating the rest. Kemp gives them the abilty to have a veteran option in CF with being JBJ along and gain experience. And they get the big bat from the right side to put infront of big Papi in the lineup. And then once JBJ is ready move him over to LF. I see Carp as the odd man out in Boston with Nava and Gomes as other options. Nava's ability to play multiple postions gives him greater value. And as far as payroll flexabilty goes I think Jake Peavy is the one trade piece that gets dealt. The Sox made that trade after Buch got hurt and needed that arm for the postseason run. Im glad they made that deal and it paid off big time. Dempster is another piece that i like everyone wants out of here but i dont see anyone making an offer to get him out of here. Sorry to say he will be our 5th starter. Lester, Buch, Lackey, Doub, and Dempster. With Workman as the back up option at the start of the season to see who is pitching well on the farm and at the time Workman can move to the bullpen and spot start. I think that the Sox are slow playing a lot of these deals and letting their FAs go out and establish their value and then come back to work out a deal. Napoli and Salty want to be here let them be here. Also i could see the Sox making a play for Micheal Young as the veteran backup. He is soo flexible and Cherries has already made clear he likes guys who can play multiple positions. 2014 is gonna be interesting and Im glad to see soo many deals gotten done already before the Winter Meetings and I cant wait to see what the rest of the Hot Stove season brings.

Choo is gonna cost just as much as Ells why not just sign Ells instead of Choo. I like Ells far better than Choo. Also unless the Sox go over the luxury tax limit or clear some payroll they dont have the money for either Choo or Ells. 1b, C, and a relief pitcher are on the list of prioritizes too. And all the be filled with 25million. They have to clear payroll with one of their starting pitchers moving.

If the Sox had to eat 4 million of his contract i see that as a win. And the sox only asking for a low level prospect in return. Getting him out of Boston and having the payroll flexabilty is more important than to have him on this roster.

I havent really paid that much attention to the utility infielder market. I have seen where Bloomquist has been mentioned in reports as a possible fit. Thats really the only name ive seen. What are the other possible options on the FA market?

I was just looking at that too. If the Sox go after a big bat for an OF piece they will probably have to cut ties with Carp. They have done said that Nava is here to stay so Carp is the logical option because i dont think they will depart Gomes. So the extra infielder will be the other bench player. Thank you MVP for pointing that out.

I agree with you User. If it were a Short Term deal maybe 1 or 2 year contract. He wants to be on a contender and Boston my just be the right fit for him.

I seen that report and i think Rob Bradford is a retard. Why would the Sox get Beltran and forget about Napoli? Makes no sense. I see Beltran getting overpaid to go to Seattle or Texas. Texas would be the more logical option because their the closer team to making a run at a WS. Or he could get paid to go to the Spanks never count those bastards out. But Napoli wants to be here and it just seems to me that the Sox are like just go and find what teams are willing to pay you we will match it. Ive said it before Stanton and Bautista are the two big trade candidates i would move farm pieces for. Beltran will be a high avg salary and i just dont see him instead of Napoli. Im not against the idea of both of them tho if a trade for Stanton or Bautista cant be reached then go for Beltran. In that scenario if Beltran and Napoli both sign then Ortiz will have protection in front and behind him in the order. They could let Ells walk along with Drew, retain Napoli and Salty and may have a higher power offense than 2013 if that could be imagined. 2014 Lineup could look: 1. Vic RF 2. Peedy 2B 3. Beltran LF 4. Ortiz DH 5. Napoli 1B 6. Boggey SS 7. Salty C 8. WMB 3B 9. JBJ CF Bench: Gomes Nava Carp Ross 12 pitchers on 25the man roster. This allows the Sox to keep all their prospects and be flexible at all positions. I like the idea of both Beltran and Napoli not one or the other. But lets hope come the Winter Meetings that more moves start to come out and the roster starts to take shape.

As bad as i hate to think it. I see the Spanks as the dark horse to sign Ells. Alot of talk of Seattle and Texas wanting him but the Spanks have seen Ells alot and stealing bases all over them and with Granderson a FA they could make a big run at Ells.

I would like Salty to sign for a 3 year deal. Salty to be primary catcher in 2014 with Ross as his backup. Then in 2015 Salty can have a competition with Lav, Vazquez, and Butler. Just not comfortable moving into next year with Ross as the primary catcher. Out of the 3 prospects I like Lav the most. I think he power numbers will be equal to what Salty provides. It all depends if Salty prices himself out of Boston.

I think this is exactly what is happening. I think Nap and Salty will be the two of the 4 FA who will be back. Nap is the bat in the lineup to slot in behind Big Papi to give him protection. And Salty made leaps this year calls game i think he should be back as well.

I say give Ells a 5 year deal. One if not the best leadoff guys in the league. He would be hard to replace. Bottom line sign him back

I hope we dump Demp. Doubront is the much better option. Demp needs to go back to the NL if he wants to stay a starter. If he would be willing to take a bullpen role he is overpaid to be a long reliever and not enough velocity or shear stuff to be a closer. Bottom line is he gives innings not saying they are good innings by no means but he is an innings eater and thats what he does, that being said if cherries keeps him i see it as an insurance policy if anyone is hurt coming into the season. But i hoped he is moved before the season and would rather have Workman as the 6th starter.

I seen reports where he is willing to have a setup role but would like to be paid as a closer. Im not sure what kind of money he would be asking for. And if he is willing to leave the West Coast i see that as the biggest challenge to get him to come east.

Brian Wilson's agent told the Yankees that his client wont shave the beard so he wont be in pinstripes. I hope he is the bullpen piece we add. Could you imagine him running out of left field in Fenway. Prolly a 2yr deal would get it done.

i was hoping it was... no on punto

Dodgers are reported to be listening on Matt Kemp. Id like to see him maning CF or LF for us but as to what cost of prospects would LA take. I want Ellsbury back 1st and foremost. But if Ells prices himself out of here i want a masher in outfield in one of the positions. Stanton, Bautista, Kemp, not Beltran (too old for too much). I have confidence in Cherries and hope he works his magic again this year.

How is that sad news?

Does anyone think that Blue Jays will move Jose Bautista? The Sox' farm system is filled with good young talent, so a deal could be made if the Blue Jays were willing to listen. Be awesome to watch him playing half his games in Fenway.

That offer is ridiculous... if Napoli dont resign then throw WMB at 1B and get the same if not more production at 1B than Belt would provide. And keep Ranaudo, Doubront, and Brentz. Resign Drew if Nap dont work out and let Boggey play 3rd. Best of all worlds compared to trading away young arms and power bats for Belt. If arms and bats go it would have to be for Stanton.

I dont understand the Tim Hudson rumors either. Why bring in another pitcher who had success in the NL but in my opinion not transfer to the AL given Hudson has experience in the AL but i just dont see why we need or want him. Too much pitching is never a bad thing but i think Dempster has to be out. If need be eat a lil of his salary and move him. I would rather throw Brandon Workman anyday than Dempster.

I could see that happening redsoxfan... well done

Is Henry Owens a projected ace of this staff in the future? And is any other farm system prospects projected to be Aces or #2 starters

Im just trying this out there... Has anyone thought of adding Matt Garza to this rotation? I want Dempster gone. And Bard's contract will be gone as well hopefully freeing up some money for Ells to come back. I say Salty over McCann i think would be an overpay for McCann. Nap is a must sign in my opinion. Let Drew walk, if he does agree trade him away and bring back prospects. I think Garza is not a need by no means ive just not seen any reports on him and was wondering if any of you think that Ben will kick the tires on him. Also i think we have a great farm system loaded with pitching and position players both. Only way i unload the farm on a trade is Stanton. And i think Stanton gets moved this offseason.

2014 infield 1B Napoli 2B Peedy SS Boggy 3B WMB I think they resign Napoli to the 3 year deal for 39million plus incentives... and as far as WMB teams will call and check on him that we be sure but i think he locks down his hitting this offseason and he is the starting 3B for years to come.

Agreed. I think in the World Series they should have a DH in every game.