Have the Red Sox looked at the stats of Victorino? He's on his way down, yet they are giving him $13M per year. I would have rather seen a $5M per year guy and let Brentz and/or Bradley fight for a possition. With these contracts to Gomes and Victorina, two OF spots are taken for 2013 and 2014.

If I had said to you the Red Sox will sign Victorino, Napoli and Gomes and I had told you it would cost them $31M per year, you'd probably fall out of your chair and throw up all over yourself. If that number was in the $21-24 range, I'd feel better.

Where is the plan for the younger players? Nah, we'll just sign players over 30 and give them contracts into their mid 30's.

Whoa, ADG bashing the Red Sox? Quelle surprise...

Shane is one year removed from arguably his best offensive season.  Bad year in 2012 at the plate, but hard to conclude 'decline' from that.  And, his career high 39 swipes suggests that he is still physically in his prime.

Overpay?  Absolutely.  But, not using hyperbolic overstatement, but rather statistical evidence, I feel pretty confident we will get as good a Shane Victorino as there has been:  which is to say, not a great offensive force (he never was anywhere close to that) but dangerous on the basepaths, smart at the plate, gets on base, the ability to punish mistakes with power, + defender with really good arm.  Just a solid all around player. 

Sox spent 80mil on Victorino and Napoli to buy wins...philly/texas...they are purchasing victories...runs. Not about the players, it's about the wins...Sox will at least win 70 in 2013.

it does seem we are becoming the  1970s Washington redskins of MLB....Ben does know that PED's are illegal, right? 

In about 3 years the Sox will resemble the aging Yanks - except that the Yanks are a first place club that continues to stay competitive despite the age of their players.  It will become difficult to entice frontline players to Boston if their present course continues without throwing huge sums to undeserving FAs.  Last place clubs don't get serious considerations from star FAs.  Yes they want the money first and foremost, but they also want to go to a team with a committment to winning.

Going by a lot of comments, I guess there's only a 4 year time frame where you're worth anything.

MLB wouldn't be worthwatching if everyone who's over 32 retired. 

In response to traven's comment:

Signing guys in their early 30s to 3 year contracts is hardly saddling the club down the road.  

In response to SpacemanEephus' comment:

Exactly right and for all those who dont like the moves for these 30 something players, who is out there that is 20 something and wont cost the farm?

Ross was a better, cheaper alternative imo.....im not quite understanding this signing at all

In response to georom4's comment:

Cheaper, yes.  No doubt.  Better?  No.  Ross had a flare for timely homeruns.  A wonderful quality.  But beyond that, he was a strike out machine and liability in the field.  I think many are underestimating what Victorino brings to the table.  But, too much money?  Yes, no question.

way too many old people on the team now! defense suffers, no real power added. 4th place if we are lucky

In response to EnchiladaT's comment:

OK, D suffers with Gomes and Napoli.  Drastically improved with victorino.  Victorino plays crucial fenway right field.  So, all in all, I'd say defense improves slightly, or at least evens out.

 

Since when is 31 or 32 over the hill. Ive been hearing this alot and it sounds ridiculous. Guess Robinson Cano should retire next yr. Hamilton(32) only had 43 hrs last yr.  Sox are doing it right for once with over paying but for minimal yrs. When these contracts expire they will be 35 yrs old.

Stop the crying.We have Ross Gomes Napoli and now Victorino all for less than it would have cost us for Hamilton.Grow up and enjoy the positive things they are doing and what they still might do.

they will all keep crying until the all star break at least...

Haha...I was waiting for a thread like this. Now theyre overpaying? Classic whine session.

First it was they need to make moves, throwing out names like Grienke and hamilton. Now upset the spent less money on four players that doesnt even amount to what Hammy wants. And JH has much more risk than any of these players.

Are they "superstars"? No, but they all serve a purpose and are quality players and people that will produce in the role they were brought here to do...They all play hard.

In response to southpaw777's comment:

theres no pleasing them. lasst season it was DOWN WITH THE FAT CATS! OVER PAID UNDER ACHIEVERS!!! and now we sign guys who play hard and are not being paid 20 Mil a year for 15 years and they are still not happy... in a few years when we bring the new crop up they will still find something stupid to cry about. "we have no star power. just a bunch of young inexpensive players, so why are my ticket prices so high!!"

So far a brutal off season IMO.  Signing Ross as back up catcher is the best move, tells you everything you need to know.  Keith Law who I respect panned it too.

In response to mthomas43's comment:

So didnt I on the Salty thread...