radatz17

I think that it would make for much more friendlier usage of this board if you folks could find a way to divide some of the threads that have have lengthened out to over 100+ pages. It is difficult, at least for me, on these long, long threads to find specific topics and reply to them. If the administration could go through these long threads and break them down into specific topics the board may get more posts with deeper thoughts.

I love when the Red Sox sign pitchers like this guy. Always HUGE possible reward and ZERO risk. What more can you ask for with no real investment? In fact, I would like to see even many more such pitchers signed every winter/off season. Signing a few non-pitchers is not a bad idea either (one catcher, one infielder and one outfielder already signed for a spring training type tryout) If they sign 10 pitchers and only 2 make a contribution in some way within a year the team could benefit in some way with perhaps both guys helping in Boston, some will provide depth at Pawtucket and maybe even a couple could be traded for some younger assets.

From years of experience, if you do get tickets at Jet Blue, try for something on the first base side. The sun can both blind you and fry you down the left field line.

Drafting a guy in the Rule 5 draft requires keeping the guy on the major league roster for all of his first year. Is Ockimey good enough to hold a spot on the Marlins roster even though they are likely to be a last place type of team again? Perhaps they may think that they could use a roster spot to hide him for next season.

I know nothing about this Hernandez kid, but I do know that I also very much dislike the threads that get very confusing and far, far too long that seem to become part of this site at times.

Back to the thought of trading Jackie Bradley. Even if he only replicates his 2018 hitting, he will well be worth having on next year's team. His fielding is superior in center field, he allows Betts to be in right field, he is at least a very good #8 or 9 hitter in a contending team's line up, he is not likely to bring back as much as he is worth, and has been a very solid citizen in the Boston community. Bradley is a top level athlete who will hit much better than he has to date if he learns to keep his head still when swinging in every at bat. Watch his at bats when he is doing well and when he is in a slump and you will see what I am talking about. His head jerks to the first base dugout when slumping and stays right on the ball to contact when hitting well.

Foy, Not sure that I can agree with your thoughts on adding Cervelli. Too expensive and older for a guy who is not appreciably better than any of the three present Sox catchers.

Signing this guy is a good move for the Red Sox. He certainly proved himself to be a quality pitcher last season as the Sox would not be WS champs without him.. Every free agent is a gamble with possible health and performance issues, but this looks to be a good signing.

I only see the Red Sox doing anything with their catching if they completely fail in spending money on pitching. Eovaldi should be their number one target, and targets 2 thoough 10 should also be pitchers. All three (if they again keep three catchers) of Swihart, Pena and Vasquez are likely to hit better in 2019 than they did this season. All three are much younger than Cervelli, are all about as good defensively, and the Sox can keep all three for less than what Cervelli will cost.

There are certainly many of us fans who wish that we could have accomplished what Butler was able to do. Congrats to Dan on his playing career and now his coaching career.

Rbertson has been a very good relief pitcher now for a bunch of years both in NY and in Chicago. He is likely to fit in well in Boston as well. The two or three year contract may either get him to Boston or force him to look elsewhere. I can see Dombrowski's thoughts of a two year deal for a 34 year old guy. Fisk, I also like Britton over Familia if Dombrowski is looking at both of these guys to fill the same role.

Kimmi, Good thought! But, for what reason?

Mitch Moreland is the guy who may like the signing of Pearce more than anyone else as he will now get the majority of time at first base on another good Sox team who may be able to win again. He now is very unlikely going to get 'salary dump' traded to a non contender like he may have if the Sox had gone after some one like the first baseman from Arizona. If he and Pearce can combine to hit .280-.290, hit maybe 25-30 HRs and drive in 85-100 they could both possibly be back again together in 2020 as their combined salary for 2019 is not too much for this kind of production (and good fielding) at first base.

I pretty much agree that what Johnson has shown to date may be the best that he ever will be as a major league pitcher. Hope I am wrong if he stays with the Sox, but if Dombrowski can get anything for him this winter he should probably make the trade. Johnson has just not shown me enough to think that he will have an important spot on the 2019 squad. He could even be let go at the end of spring training since he has no more minor league options.

Ortiz was a great Red Sox player and is now a great team ambassador/fan, but he is not a good announcer in a pre or post game booth. Perhaps he can come across better as a game analyst, but I am going to have to see and hear it before I believe it.