bostopz

There is no elephant in the room. We won a a title with him 2 years ago as a number 3 hitter in which he was hurt the entire year. We'll see if he gets hurt again. If he has the elite year as you say he has in him - then he'll bounce back thus no reason to make a panic move and disrupt the entire team in which just 2 years ago we were best. Secondly, Betts is tremendous player in the outfield. I think he can be tremendous for the rest of his career in the outfield. You don't? Third we have a stud replacement in the minors coming up by the time Pedroia reaches the end of his contract. Why mess with jerking Betts around? Fourth- so you put Betts at 2nd base, then who is your outfield? Are you suggesting you have more faith it Victorino? He's probably going to break down to boot.

Sure he'll play. The moment someone breaks down or is just miserable. You didn't just get the guy for 1 year. And we're not going anywhere without better pitching anyways. Got to make some trades to get some pitching. Can't do that by sitting players you need to trade.

I don't agree with any of this. Forty spring at bats is nothing. Secondly who doesn't play in the outfield if Castillo does? Of course unless someone is hurt - then that is what I said. It's a 162 game season - someone is going to break down. You aren't going to let a guy who has played very little baseball the last year or two just sit on the bench and wait. That's a bigger waste of $72m. Have him play - keep him sharp for the eventual call-up. Ortiz played 142 last year and 137 the year before. I can see him playing more like 135 this year. or at least pull him more often because we can flat out hit this year. Last year we had nothing in temrs of hitting. If he was out - forget it.

I'm with jacksonian. Castillo needs "at-bats." Keep him in the minors until it can be ensured he will get them in majors. I can't believe Vic will make the whole year. SO I expect he'll be up this year. Secondly I wouldn't let Craig sniff the outfield. That should be fine because I can't believe Napoli can play a whole season. Therefore Craig can get some at-bats at 1b and more at-bats on days Papi needs rest/ can't go. JBJ gets his 2nd shot only when Vic/Craig and maybe Nap are gone. Unless of course drastic injuries or big trade.

B would be a disaster. I'd make a gamble and if I can't get a 1 or 2 caliber pitcher at the trade deadline without saying good-bye to Betts or Swihart, I'd hold the line. I'd only say good-bye if I am getting someone who is "Bumgarner." But I don't think that caliber will be available. Build a core of young kids. Then overpay to get a huge starter or two.

Is that guy "Jackson" really a Yankee fan? Often when I read his stuff - I think he's wrong.

Which pitchers make the team? Any of the below do you see having the ability to at some point this year be a very good bullpen pitcher if called upon early or later in the year? Barnes, Rodriguez, Johnson, Owens, Escobar, Vavaro?

read an article a short time ago by Nick Cafardo. _ IMO he's wrong. No way in hell do we look to trade Swihart to acquire Hamels. He's getting the desperate itch -- the type big market teams do to a fault - give up their prized minor league prospects for an older pitcher. There are a lot potential pitchers that could be coming available over the next year. The idea should be to build your minor league core and don't over=reach for 31 yo starter. Plus Vasquez until he gives us a full year is a great unknown. This position could b a strength if Vaquez shows a full year but if arm troubles persist -- you got to keep Swihart. Though I love Vasquez -- got to see a full year from him. Cant go dumping Swihart then Vasquez has injury injuries -- we would then "have to chase our tail" for catcher giving up even more young talent.

Hi guys - new to to the board. Just a few comments. I dont't agree with those that don't believe in Vasquz as a full-time catcher. I've read things such as-- "He's a .200 hitter." -- IMO he isn't a .200 hitter - last year he hit .240 -(in the minors he was around .279 in Pawtucket and .291 in Portland)- I can see him as a .230 -- .240 hitter with little power. Maybe he won't. But at least as of now he looks like .230 - .240 to me. Obviously not good but . . . I've read that his defense (and framing -- how can know about "framing?") is no big deal -- I got the impression some think his defense "dime-a-dozen." I don't know of his range -- and I hear how he handles the pitchers great and frames great-- but all this can be homerism too. There is one thing I do know is that he has a cannon and I don't recall seeing poor handling of wild pitches. With that said -- we all know our 2013 champ Red Sox ran wild. - Of course until we got to the World Series. I recall pundits saying we can't run on their catcher - and frankly we didn't when he played. Vasquez gunned down 52% of baserunners. last year That isn't "just good." It's phenomenal. The belief that there is now "many catchers like him" when I KNOW just two years ago it was a rare catcher like the Cardinals or maybe Baltimore that had the ability to shutdown ours- I think that belief is wrong. The arm of Vasquez impacts the opposing team's running game just like elite catcher's such as Cards catcher did. So to characterize him as being like others imo is wrong. Third I read someone predicting Hanigan would beat out Vasquez and maybe someone else expecting close to a 50-50 split of playing time. I don't see it. Hanigan's numbers of throwing out runners and hitting were poor last year (very good the year's before). I read on one site overall he isn't that great defensively to boot. Maybe they were wrong but until I see more of him-- logic dictates that he won't be improving much at 34 years old as both a hitter and defender - at least not gunning down runners. We have an opportunity to see what Vasquez can do for a full season on the other hand. Thus I expect Vasquez to be the primary starter this year then trade him depending on Swihart's development this year or some point late next year. Fourth- - Sure Bogaerts is a concern defensively. I'm not sure what Prospect America or other scouting services thought of him defensively but he never looked that great of a defender. Unless someone can correct me- it looks like to me his potential / rating came from his bat. Last year he didn't give us bat or glove. But going forward if you are expecting Gold Glove material there imo you'll be disappointed for quite some time until he leaves the position. However if you don't think a 22 year old can improve incrementally over the next 3 or 4 years from a defensive standpoint despite Bogaerts size, then I think maybe you might be the type awaiting for the big asteroid to hit any day now.