dupree

Im on the side of the fence of bringing Ells back. And i believe that the FO is on that side as well. Id say John Henry throws some extra money out there to retain him. This offseason will be interesting to say the least. CF, 1B, SS and some bullpen help wil be big decisions that Big Ben will have to work his magic on. I hope the Sox win it all this year and that Ben dont blow the team up after this year. If it aint broke dont fix it. And at this point in time we are the best team in baseball and hopefully we get rewarded with a title. And can go on a streak of titles for years to come.

I like the idea of bringing Napoli back. But im not as big of fan of Choo. Rather have a platoon of Bradley/Nava/Gomes in LF than spending the money on Choo. With the team resigning Ells to man CF. And Vic in RF.

Resign Ells instead of Replace him.

Ok... if the money is not used on Drew where do you use it?

I agree with you in having a clear cut plan. What i dont agree with is letting Drew walk. A QO may be an overpay but i like the idea of Bogaerts being a utility infielder and giving people regular days off. Plus without Drew the team looks a lil too righthanded. An injury to XB far a long period and having to go out and get another SS would be going backwards. Just let the FO sign Drew and let XB take it away from him and then have a team with a lot of infield depth if anyone goes down. Id rather have too much depth anyday, injuries do happen and a strong infield is a big priority.

I could see Drew coming back. And if Bogaerts wins the job from him, then Drew would be a nice trade chip at the deadline. As far as moving WMB to 1B, id leave him at 3B. Go after the Cudan 1B and if they lose out on him resign Napoli and platoon him with Carp or Nava.

I hate Dumpster!!! Id rather let Workman start than put any faith in Dumpster. Maybe we should go with a 4 man rotation for the rest of this month. And hope and pray Buch comes back. Buch at 50% is still better than a 100% Dumpster.

Koji!!! Dominant

I have to say i like that the Sox are sporting the tall shoes tonite.

It definetly is a shame. Some team will take a chance on him and maybe a change of scenery is all he may need. One of the guys who i had hoped we coulda been talking bout next as a great comeback story. But i dont see that happening. Wish him the best. Unless the Yankees claim him. And if they do i hope he sucks there too.

I just dont see McCann leaving ATL. So Salty will be our C next year as you had stated in your other thread. Id like to have McCann i just doont know if he will leave. If he does sign him if not im ok with Salty going forward. And i agree the Sox will have the money to go after Ells and i just hope they do. The next 3 years of Ells in center should be exciting to watch and maybe he can throw in a couple years like 2011 to get his cristics off his back.

Agreed. If Boras' wasnt his agent more people would be saying to resign him. Maybe we luck up and Ells tells Boras he wants to be a Red Sox for his career and go out and get him the most $ out of the FO as he can.

Yes 2011 as it appears to be a fluke. And the seasons of injuries may have taken his ability to produce a season like 2011, but i still think he would be better suited in CF at Fenway for years to come. This offseason will be interesting to say the least. I dont think any of us thought 2013 would be a year to potentially contend for a championship and thru all the injuries still be in the thick of things and not having 2013 as a rebuilding year. Its a blessing that we can be discussing how to spend the teams money come this offseason than saying how to rip the team apart for poor performances. Ben has done a great job this past offseason and lets just hope he keeps working his magic and make all the right moves this offseason again.

If JBJ was the end all be all phenomenal player you think he can be, why has the Red Sox shown interest in Shin-Soo Choo? That just shows me that the FO dont have all the confidence in the kid. If Ells walks and we have Choo or JBJ in center or Vic moves over i see that as a downgrade from this years current team. I have a hard time fathoming that JBJ will be an upgrade or produce to anywhere close to what Ells would do if he is resigned.

Ive been consistent in saying that the Red Sox should resign Ells. Even tho he is about to turn 30 he plays CF well and he is hell on the base paths. Also him at the top of the order is a plus as well. Anything in the five year deal range is a must sign. If the Sox win it all this year or go far into the playoffs will help us resign him i think. Having Boras as his agent will be difficult to say the least to resign him but if Ells wants to come back and if the FO wants him back he will be here next year. Im not sold on JBJ. Id like to see them package him in a deal to get starting pitching. Can JBJ play center for us at league average level?... projected he can, will he be better than Ells? He may stay healthier which is a lot of poster's big fear, but as far as produce the steals and OBP as Ells i seriously doubt it. Ells is a pitching staffs nightmare as far as when he gets on base. They know hes going to 2nd and getting in scoring position and getting there a high percentage of times. I hope they resign Ells and play him in CF. And also Napoli to play 1B. He does strickout far too much but when hes hot he can carry a team. Let Drew walk. Slot Boggey in at SS. Middlebrooks at 3rd. Peddy of course at 2nd. Vic in RF. And go out and get a big bat to play LF to slot into the lineup behind Ortiz. Let Carp and Gomes and Nava be bench players as they are intended to be. Having a platoon of Gomes/Nava in LF would be a disappointment to me. This is the Boston f***ing Red Sox we have money use it and spend it on a masher to make the 2014 lineup the most feared in baseball. Not to say that Gomes Carp and Nava havent filled in nicey but i think a big bat is needed.

Now its time to take it to the Orioles. I hope Napoli can continue hitting like that for the rest of the season. Good game and great west coast road trip.

I think the worst part of watching this game on ESPN was John Kruk's commentary and constant Yankee and A-Roid ass sucking all nite long. Hell who knows A-Roid prolly has paid him off too. Eat a Cheeseburger and Shut the f*** Up Kruk!!!

Lets just hope the Jays beat the Rays tonite. Its 2 - 1 Jays now Top of the 6th so everyone keep the figures crossed that they lose so we can keep or 2 game lead. I would like to see a rally from us tho. That way even if we lose tonite it can ignite the bats for tomorrow nite.

I like that outfield to and ultimately i believe that what the Sox need to do is have Ells Bradley and Vic in the outfield. I cant see the team dealing Gomes they signed him to a two year deal and would probably eat all his money and just let him sit the bench if he could come in every once in a blue moon and have some RH power they like his Fenway swing and he has proven to be a clutch hitter. But also i think the FO sees his value as a clubhouse guy and the one more year on his deal other this one is to just keep him around and let johnny be johnny and keep the guy's head right throughout the season.

I dont think that Brain McCann will leave ATL, if they go far into the postseason. Id like if the Sox resigned Salty and had Lav or Ross to split time with just like this year. Id rather allocate the money this next offseason to pitching. And maybe a LF bat. Beltran is an interesting choice and maybe a 2 yr deal will get it done. If not id llike to see JBJ out there along with Ells and Vic next year. The defense would be awesome in the outfield, but i would like a power bat in LF if JBJ got traded for pitching i would be too sad over that. I think it would be a big mistake to let Ells walk JBJ has talent but nowhere near what Ells can do all the way around.

That sliding catch Ells just made is the kind of play that he makes on a regular basis and is showing more and more each game why the Sox has to resign him. I hope he can have more games like he did lastnite.

Im hoping that Micheal Morse falls to us on the waiver wire and that the Sox puts a claim on him. Ive said all year that i would love to have him as our LFer. I know he has had a down year and will be a FA after this year so i say his asking price wont be outta this world.

Middlebrooks will be up and playing 3B before too long. Im guessing Xander will be a 40man roster addition. And if WMB struggles and if Drew stays hot it will be Drew and Xander on the left side. And if WMB is simmering hott and is atleast hitting and Nap is still swing and missing he could side over to 1st and give Nap a break from time to time.

I figured at some point today we'd hear that Micheal Young was traded to the Yankees. But he may block a trade there now since they are doing so badly he would probably rather just stay on the Phillies if he has to be on a crappy team instead of looking for a house or apt in new york. Im just glad to Sox arent making a run at him. Either WMB or Bogie would be the best option now at 3rd. So call one of them up.

I think it will take a 3 team trade as well for the Sox to land Stanton if that ever is to happen. I honestly dont see the Sox ever getting him tho. But your scenario and that line up are remarkable. If that trade could go down the Sox would be set and still relatively young and be a powerhouse for years to come. But as you said trades like that rarely happen. But still its nice to have hope.