What happened to Luis Alicea?

maybe if derek lowe wants so bad to pitch for the red sox maybe he should drop his so called demands of 15 million a year down to a more reasonable 11-12 million

If they trade Coco, why not get Gary Sheffield as a 4th outfielder. He could platoon with JD. Drew could then platoon with Ellsbury. And Ellsbury could platoon with Bay giving everyone adequate at bats and rest.

I know Sheff wears out his welcome quickly but a 2 year deal may work out and give us a good bat.

If they trade Coco, why not get Gary Sheffield as a 4th outfielder. He could platoon with JD. Drew could then platoon with Ellsbury. And Ellsbury could platoon with Bay giving everyone adequate at bats and rest.

I know Sheff wears out his welcome quickly but a 2 year deal may work out and give us a good bat.

I love Tek and want him to stay badly ... but I want Boras to represent me at my next work appraisal if he gets him that kind of $$$$

I love the Red Sox!

Its "Bengie" Molina, not "Benji.

Please, it's not "Boras is looking for Jorge Posada (4 years, $52 million) money," - it's "Boras SAYS HE is looking for Jorge Posada (4 years, $52 million) money," You're a veteran reporter, not one of the Globe's sports children, for G's sake.

I'm available to coach first. DougB

Get Lowe - he was reliable and everyone liked him.

I love Jason Varitek but he is not worth 52.4 million or whatever. I wish all the Gm's would just wake up and boycott what Boras is trying to do. He is selling a guy with leadership skills and thats it. Are the GM's really that dumb? Sign the guy for one year to contact with incentatives. He doesnt need to prove his leadership skills he needs to prove that he can hit and play better defense. Jason I love you man but if you get that kind of money its a shame.

The Sox will need to "think big" beyond a retread veteran starting pitcher and will need a slugging infielder to compete next year. Simply put the Sox need to make a big splash in the free agent market.

Nomar for utility infielder!!!!! (at the ML minimum salary)

Sign Mark Texeira, then 3-way trade: trade Lowell or Julio Lugo to Detroit, Nate Robertson or Dontrelle Willis from Detroit to Texas, Teagarden or Saltalamacchia from Texas to Red Sox.

Then Mr. Cafardo woke up. There is NO market for Lugo. Yes, lots of teams are looking for short stops - what you forgot to mention in your dream land article - is that there are A LOT of good short stops available, and cheaper than Lugo - or higher priced ones with better talent. I love the idea that we can simply trade away our scrap heap for all-stars, Its fine to hope, but lets be a tad more realistic. I love it when writers say a certain players name "has been mentioned", or that there is "interest" in a player or that "sources" tell you. The only people in red sox nation that think the sox are in the running for Texiera, are the Boston sports writers, not management, not the player, not his agent, not his team, just you guys. While I appreciate you for trying to create a Market for Lugo - no one is buying it. Our best chance to move Lugo is to make someone take him and throw in Coco for free - like the Marlins did with Lowell, when we wanted Beckett.

You're crazy Dan, No way texas gives up a young catcher with upside for one of those clowns (Willis or Robertson). They'll be demanding either young pitchers w/ high upside (Bowden, Masterson, and/or Lester ) or a package of a position player and at least a mid level pitching prospect (something like Lowrie/Ellsbury and Bucholz). Catching prospects are few and far between.

Posada wasn't worth that contract, and neither would be Varitek. He's going to make a lot of money either way, but he should be paid what he will be worth, and not what he has been worth.
I think a base contract of 8 mil plus incentives (for things like staff ERA, OPS and games played) is a respectful way to go.

I think that Texiera is the key to the Sox future. I am sure they can move Lowell and get at least a great young prospect. This frees up $13M that they could use to bring Lowe back. He would be the best #4 man in baseball and the kids would have another year to develop. I also think that Varitek is long gone if he thinks that he can get half of what Posada got. My last thought that would be a great boost for the pitching staff would be to have Beckett get in shape this winter.

It would take a lot more then Willis or Robertson to Tex for Teagarden or Salty. A buchholz or Bowden.

Texas has made some bad decisions but did you realy think they are going to give up (Saltalmacchia) they guy they got for Mark Texeira for Julio Lugo.. Give me a break!

Lugo has got to go. He was a bust to begin with , and the fact that the sox way over paid for him is ridiculous. I say keep Lowell, because he's " The Man ", and every good player has had a significant injury or two sometime in hisbig league career.
I hate to see Tek go, nut his agent is going to make it impossile to re sign him. Why should we iexpect anything less from Boras? After all he stuck his foot in his mouth with Stay Rod adn the $ 350 million dollar deal. Borras can't be trusted, and it's sad to see that Tek won't stay. It's all about money in sports anyway.

What! Get rid of Timlin. Your joking! He adds excitement to those late inning defeats. I've already pulled my hair out from him so why get rid of him now?

Wake up Dan...your dreaming buddy!! That is just silly...

haha, that'd be real nice, but I don't think that's ever going to happen, no way Texas will trade one of those 2 for Robertson and Willis together let alone 1 for 1. To get one of those guys were gonna have to bite the bullet and get rid of a young pitcher...which hopefully we can make up for by signing the 22 year old Japanese pitcher

Dan,

Why would Texas ever give up Teagarden or Salty for Nate Robertson or Dontrelle Willis. Willis is owed $22 million over next two years, and Robertson is owed $18 million over next two years. They are both underachieving and highly overpayed. Your scenario makes no sense and would never happen

1. Sign Texiera move Youk to 3b

2. Once and for all fill the SS spot with someone who can play it for at least 3 years. If they believe in Jed so be it.

3. Do what is best for Sox at catcher spot, I love 'Tek but that Boras # is crazy talk. One of Texas or Shoppach catchers works.

4. Fill bench with a Cora Upgrade, maybe a Baldelli for OF, and a 1b/OF guy

4. You never have enough SP I'd like 2 pitchers if it's the two Japaneese guys that works if it's 1 of them and a Free Agent that is fine too. How many arms they need also depends on what exactly they need to give up for the catchers. Or if they need to move to plan # 2 like Holliday if Big Tex goes some where else.

5. Paps, MDC, Oki, Masterson,Lopez and add maybe 2 guys who can throw multi innings.

After that Sox should be good to go.

Ok. First of all...
#1 A catcher
#2 Mark Tex
#3 Trade for Holliday then let the chips fall. See ya Mike Lowell...Julio...Tek and Bay. It was nice but we are the Red Sox and second best doesn't cut it.
#4 A decent pitcher in the 4 hole. No slouch. A.J. Burnett anyone? Put the pedal to the metal Theo!

Why in the world would Texas do that?

Why in the world would Texas do that? Texas wants no part of either of those two pitchers. I don't know if any major league team would want them. They are awful.

Coco&Lugo Buckcolzs to Texas for Micheal Young and one of there star catchers.

In the second paragraph of No. 2, where Cafardo talks about Rafael Furcal and how hard it is to find shortstops, I think he meant to reference Lugo, not Crisp as he does right before he mentions Furcal.

Dan, why would the Rangers trade a great young catcher for Nate Robertson or Dontrelle Willis? You do realize that the Rangers are trying to win, right?

Teagarden and Saltalamacchia are both worth a top pitching prospect individually. If Jon Daniels trades one of them for an expensive has-been like Robertson or Willis he should be fired, tarred, and feathered.

wow Dan, Sox and Tigers will trade old/bad players for top prospects. Such a stupid proposal

No team would take Lowell or Lugo unless we ate their contract.... that means giving Lowell or Lugo to Texas for an average (at best) unproven major league catcher? don't think so...

//In a bind, they could opt for a year or two of Pudge Rodriguez.//

::vomits::

For heaven's sake, Tim Federowicz would be a better option.

And Kahlil Greene? Please. The Sox have guys in Single and Double A who are better right now than Greene.
dui

That might be the dumbest proposal I have ever heard. Texas givesd up impossible to find young catching in exchange for a terrible two-year contract of Willis or Robertson??? Ludicrous

Dan. would that be after we bought a dozen or so shots for the Ranger's GM?

You must be taking advantage of the new Ma. marijuana laws. Why would Texas take either of 2 washed up pitchers for their 2 high ceiling catching prospects?

The sox need to get more offense out of ss, catcher or center field. did you notice how high Lowell rated as a 3rd baseman in the compensation ratings?

Texas is looking for young pitching prospects with potential. Why would they want such huge projects/disasters like a Nate Robertson or a Dontrelle Willis?

To sum it up, the Red Sox are not willing to deal Julio Lugo for the two pitchers you listed straight up. Enough Said.

Why would any team, even the Rangers, take on dead wood like Robertson or Willis for Teagarden or Salty, esp when there's a sellers market for catchers? That's fantasy league nonsense.

Time for DLowe to come on back home

Trade David Ortiz to make room for Lowell at DH. Get Texeira! The team needs to get younger or else they will go down the tubes like the Yankees! Lowell is not tradeable you dodo!

Whoa. Easy Theo...

The rangers would never give up either of their young catchers for Willis or Robertson. Those guys will command a very quality prospect in return.

why on earth would texas trade saltalamacchia or teagarden for robertson or willis?

Why would the Red Sox want anything to do with the corpse of Jason Varitek? Right now, you could bring in the back-up j.v. catcher from my old high school, and he would instantly improve the Red Sox. Get this straight: Varitek has no value. None. He should pay the Red Sox for the privilege of sitting on the bench next year.

Hi Dan,

Great idea! While we're at it, let's trade Devern Hansack to the Cardinals for Albert Pujols! Then we can trade whoever is left (between Lowell or Lugo) to Florida for Hanley Ramirez!

AUGH!!! I'm so sick of "yahoo" trades!!! Thnk people!!! Do you really think Detroit is so stupid they'll take Lugo? Even if we pay all of his salary, they'll try to squeeze prospect or two out of us and Texas.

With Lowell having a serious hip injury I think it's still up in the air as to what kind of offensive player he will be next year. Perhaps he might even lose a step defensively. Since Youkilis can play any infield position I think Teixeira would be a great signing. It would help the Sox gain back power they lost with Manny and provide protection if Lowell doesn't bounce back. After all he is older now and it becomes more difficult to recover fully from injuries. Also, Derek Lowe would be an awesome addition to pitch behind Dice-K because he can eat up innings and provide much needed relief for the Red Sox bullpen.

Dan,
Where do you figure Texas is going to give up one of the 2 top catching prospects in the league for a has been and a never was pitcher? I'm getting tired of reading rediculous trade scenerios on these comments.

Sox should def. pursue Teagarden, he's got great upside and power, has a great makeup and if the Braves gave up on Salty I'd want to stay away, they usually don't trade keepers (see Marte) Salty's D is also questionable.

you really think the Rangers would accept Willis' 22.00 ERA for one of those catchers? Try Michael Bowden......

What bleeping idiot thinks we can get Teagarden or Salty for Lugo?

Why would anyone want another Boras client?!?! I don't want Teixeria in Boston.

As for Lowell, geez - the guy has been amazing. Let his hip heal then judge whether or not he can play anymore. I agree Lugo should go, he hasn't been great. I never thought he would be either.

And I wouldn't trade Crisp either, he is a great defender and does okay with the bat. He should bunt more, use his speed. I'd trade Ellsbury. If I ran the Red Sox, I'd do my best to not have Boras clients on the team. If a player hires him, it's all about the money and not about the team.

I like the first comment, esp if the trade include Lugo. I also like the idea of getting Derek Lowe back, esp if his personal issues are behind him. Sorry about Tec, but there is no way I would go for a 4 year $52m contract. If he can commanc that kind of contract elsewhere he should go for it.

I like the idea of Jeff Clement. We definitely need Teixeira, he'll not cost us prospects. Move Crisp for equal value...Baldelli could replace him & has power (when healthy). Tek on our terms or Bengi Molina. Look at D Lowe, probably to rich for our taste.

Oh whats wrong with that? Hmm...lets think value...Dontrelle, Lugo, Teagarden...which one doesn't belong? Get real

Theo, place a bid on Peavy and/ or A.J. Burnett; Dennys Reyes, Derek Lowe and/ or Scott Olson and make a bid and/ or trade for Mark Texeira and/or Holliday. This is our Christmas wish for 2008. Diehardbostonfansince1969

I seen Sara Palin nekkid!!!