In response to HelloItsMeAgain1's comment:

This post has been removed.

You can almost pick this lineup out of a hat.  It certainly lacks pop in the middle, but at the same time, it doesn't have any big gaps.  You can look at the batters due up for any inning and not get too excited or discouraged.  

In response to HelloItsMeAgain1's comment:

1) Very small sample size

2) We heard the same thing about adrian gonzalez

1) He's a pull hitter, and Fenway has ALWAYS heavily favoured pull hiiters(eg: Mike Lowell,Cody Ross)

2) The left handed Gonzales inexplicibly morphed into a singles/doubles hitter. There is nothing to suggest the right-handed pull hitting Napoli will do the same.

[/QUOTE]

I doubt they start the year with Ellsbury in the 3 slot but wouldn't be at all surprised if he doesn't get there by mid year. It looks like he is healthy so who is the mos t likely to be our megastud? To me it is Ellsbury. Then you have Napoli, Ortiz, Middlebrooks seeing more fastballs with him on the bases also.

I can see Victorino hitting 1st in his optimal splits but we still would need a good lead off guy.

Say Jackie Bradley Jr. and tap your shoes three times.

Heh, it's at least possible. Especially by year end. The kid put up søme tremendous on base numbers in the minors last year.

If they then extend Ellsbury, then we are looking at a pretty cool team going forward with all the other young kids they have coming up. And with JBJ in LF and Victorino in RF you would have probably one of the best fielding outfield configurations in baseball.

Get a bopper for 1st base and you have a great team.

In response to moonslav59's comment:

moon, you just acknowledged the psychological aspect of a hitter's spot in the lineup.

 

In response to Hfxsoxnut's comment:

I have never argued againstb that. I argue against the significance of moving players who know themselves to be weak in certain areas. Tell them the reason, and they should understand.

He's a pull hitter, and Fenway has ALWAYS heavily favoured pull hiiters(eg: Mike Lowell,Cody Ross)

Some strict pull hitters are harmed by Fenway, because opposing pitchers just pitch them away and dare them to go to RF.

In response to Sheriff-Rojas' comment:

that's a good way to put it rojas. although i think too many people are taking Papi for granted. I get excited every time he comes up to bat, you never know when he's going yard!!

In response to RedsoxProspects' comment:

now your speaking in a language i understand! :p

the only way i see an OF of JBJ/#2/SV is if we get some serious pop from all our other positions. Even if Ells is putting up 2011 power numbers that OF still lacks pop and we'd have to make it up in other areas. Which is why i advocate (in the event Ells is resigned and JBJ is ready to go) that we trade SV and pickup a power hitting OF to stick in front of the monster.

In response to moonslav59's comment:

 

He's a pull hitter, and Fenway has ALWAYS heavily favoured pull hiiters(eg: Mike Lowell,Cody Ross)

Some strict pull hitters are harmed by Fenway, because opposing pitchers just pitch them away and dare them to go to RF.

 

Ive seen Napoli hit oppoisite field HRs.

 

Long may it continue!

Weak. One would think that over 150 million would get a better lineup. Bad hip, bad wheel, cast offs in multi-season statistical decline, and malingering malcontents.

The smart move will be to go into the summer, poised to sell off the old deadweight like Dumpster, Napoli (even the last few months), Gomes, S. Drew et al, as well as Ellsbury and his bidding plans for next winter. They should take the best talent from AAA and AA, forget about the bean counting, and play them the last few months of 2013 and evaluate and anticipate the 2014 trade and FA market. Lester should be retained through the option because of how important it is to have major league proven starters (2nd or 3rd rate) under short term contract. Dumpster is ancient and has high miles and should be replaced via trade market or farm promotions. 

In response to oscars' comment:

I'm not saying Naps can't go to RF, but some RH'd pull hitters have trouble in Fewnway. Also, if he does go for HRs to RF, he might come up short more often that at other parks.

In response to softlaw2's comment:

I also see trading these guys as the only redeemable value they have to a team not destined to compete this year.

However, using up a full year of team control to play our AAA players for a few extra games , or "beancounting" as you call it, is not a good idea. We gain little usable knowledge in an extra month sample size (August).

If they then extend Ellsbury, then we are looking at a pretty cool team going forward with all the other young kids they have coming up. And with JBJ in LF

You don't know what you are talking about. JBJ's value is in CF, and I don't think the Red Sox are stupid enough to put him in LF and pay Ellsbury a fortune in his thirties.

 

In response to softlaw2's comment:

You've been calling them stupid since you came to this board. Has something changed your mind recently?

In response to softlaw2's comment:

i'd at least put JBJ into RF

However, using up a full year of team control to play our AAA players for a few extra games , or "beancounting" as you call it, is not a good idea. We gain little usable knowledge in an extra month sample size (August).

"A few extra game"? What! A team with a 150 million a year plus payroll placing a priority on "another year of team control"? What!

They should play the highest potential and fit experienced upper minor league talent for the last 40 to 60 games of the season! That's not "a few extra games", nor does it amount to anything of import for a team that is dumping big money on old men. The payroll for the Red Sox should be in the 110 to 130M range. There is no reason whatsoever to bean count and spend a fortune on old men when it is essential to evaluate minor league talent on the MLB stage for more than "a few games". And booting the timeline a year is malfeasance for a big market team whose essence should be to put the best team roster contstruction on the field in a market that has no value beyond the 110 to 130M range.

In response to softlaw2's comment:

more drive by drivel from the board stooge :p

In response to softlaw2's comment:

I dont like the JBJ/Ells/Vic outfield either.  Having three defense first speedsters creates a power void that you have to fill by looking for offense in defense first positions.

Lets get away from going with offensive shortstops and defensive left fielders.  Lets get back to being defensively strong up the middle with power at the corners.    

However, using up a full year of team control to play our AAA players for a few extra games , or "beancounting" as you call it, is not a good idea. We gain little usable knowledge in an extra month sample size (August).

"A few extra game"? What! A team with a 150 million a year plus payroll placing a priority on "another year of team control"? What!

We let players go to free agency all the time, and some we might have wished we had one more year. (Some- not)

 

They should play the highest potential and fit experienced upper minor league talent for the last 40 to 60 games of the season! That's not "a few extra games", nor does it amount to anything of import for a team that is dumping big money on old men.

Again, you show you have no clue about baseball. A September call-up does not effect the clock on years of service, so a trade at the deadline and bringing up a player for 40-60 games would really just be a 20-30 game difference, and a net loss of maybe a full year of team control. Get it? I thought not.

We can call the kids up in September at no loss of control years, or do as you want and call them up on August 1st for 20-30 games more and lose a full year.

Brilliant "stratgery" clown!

 

The payroll for the Red Sox should be in the 110 to 130M range. There is no reason whatsoever to bean count and spend a fortune on old men when it is essential to evaluate minor league talent on the MLB stage for more than "a few games". And booting the timeline a year is malfeasance for a big market team whose essence should be to put the best team roster contstruction on the field in a market that has no value beyond the 110 to 130M range.

Did I ever say I was for these winter signings? You know better, but still keep constructing a strawman, saying it is me, and then arguing with yourself.

Lets get away from going with offensive shortstops and defensive left fielders.  Lets get back to being defensively strong up the middle with power at the corners.    

YES!

Lets get away from going with offensive shortstops and defensive left fielders.  Lets get back to being defensively strong up the middle with power at the corners.    

Very good. Now, convince the stooge who is arguing with himself about "September v. August and clock", when I just stated that bean counting to get "one more year" is absurd! The young talent needs to play more than September baseball against most teams that have quit for the season. They need to put these guys in as early as July and the middle of August, to match up against teams trying to make the playoffs and putting their best on the table.

The Red Sox and the bean counting with young talent isn't working well. The notion that getting "one more year" is more important than putting young talent on the field with a priority on winning games and getting a long look is utterly incomptent!

Sign an old man for 13 million a year, wait until garbage time in September to look at young talent. Then, announce they aren't ready and repeat, rinse, repeat, rinse repeat, sell low and buy high in trade and FA market, rinse, repeat, bridge year, 150 million a year payroll, rinse, repeat, no playoff wins, trade needed talent to get rid of bad FA contrast, rinse, repeat.