A roster of issues
Lest there be any doubt, Theo Epstein is a shrewd man. He will not tip his hand. During the winter of 2008-09, the Red Sox "have the ability to be selective in free agency" or they "might do something big." They could go in any number of directions. Only Theo knows.
As for the 2008 season, the Red Sox left relatively little room for second-guessing. In the end, the Sox did not blow the American League Championship Series so much as they simply lost to a better team. The strength and depth of Boston's player development system now affords Epstein countless options entering the offseason, during which the obvious priority seems a proven presence in the middle of the lineup.
"The competition is as challenging as it's ever been, if not more so," Epstein said yesterday at Fenway Park, noting the youth and promise of the reigning American League champion Tampa Bay Rays, in particular. "We're not just going into this winter trying to address the 2009 team and that's it. I think the better way to look at it is that we're continuing to evolve as an organization."
So where do the Sox stand?
Using the 25-man roster as an outline, here's a player-by-player look:
PITCHERS
JOSH BECKETT
Contract status: Signed through 2009 ($10.5 million) with club option ($12 million) for 2010.
Prognosis: On Monday, Epstein assured that the only issue with Beckett during the postseason was an ailing oblique, which should heal with roughly six weeks of rest. Beckett is still just 28 and won't be 29 until May 15, so he has plenty left. Assuming health, the option for 2010 is a no-brainer. But at this time next year, we may be wondering about his long-term future in Boston.
PAUL BYRD
Contract status: Free agent.
Prognosis: Acquired by the Sox in August, Byrd served them well. He'll be 38 in December and almost certainly will be elsewhere next season, assuming he decides to pitch at all. Byrd said he makes such decisions only after consulting with his family after every season, but don't expect him back in Boston. For the Sox, he was a classic rental.
MANNY DELCARMEN
Contract status: Under team control through 2012; possibly eligible for arbitration.
Prognosis: Once Justin Masterson joined the bullpen, Delcarmen's performance improved significantly. The Sox entered this season hoping Delcarmen would be their primary set-up man, but he fell back into more of a middle relief role. Given the stock of young arms in the organization, he could be a valuable bargaining chip. Of course, he also could be a valuable member of the bullpen.
JON LESTER
Contract status: Under team control through 2012; ineligible for arbitration.
Prognosis: All things considered, is there a more untouchable player on the Boston roster right now? He's young, durable, tough and talented. Lester, who turns 25 in January, is not eligible for arbitration until after next season, but don't be surprised if the Sox try to lock him up this winter to fix his salary for the next few years. But even without a long-term deal, he's going nowhere.
JAVIER LOPEZ
Contract status: Eligible for arbitration.
Prognosis: As recently as spring training, many of us wondered what the Sox saw in a lefty specialist who couldn't get lefties out. Now we know. Lopez's salary could double from the $840,000 he made this year, but even if he makes $2 million, his salary will place him below the major league average. No reason to do anything silly here. The Sox have deep pockets.
JUSTIN MASTERSON
Contract status: Under team control through 2014; ineligible for arbitration.
Prognosis: The real question concerns his long-term role: starter or reliever? Even the Sox seem unsure at the moment, which means that Masterson's versatility will be of great value to them over the winter. If they acquire a good reliever, he can start. If they acquire a good starter, he can relieve. Either way, the staff is better with him.
DAISUKE MATSUZAKA
Contract status: Signed through 2012 (average of $9 million per season remaining).
Prognosis: When you consider that the cost for pitching is now roughly $1 million per win, he has been worth every penny of the $103.1 million the Sox spent to get him. (Matsuzaka is on pace for 99 wins during the length of his contract.) Over the last two years, only Brandon Webb, Roy Halladay, and CC Sabathia have won more games. He's a good middle-of-the-rotation guy.
HIDEKI OKAJIMA
Contract status: Signed through 2009 ($1.75 million.)
Prognosis: As Epstein noted late during the season, Okajima's performance last season probably led to unrealistic expectations in 2008. Is he a dominating set-up man? No. But at $1.75 million, Okajima is one of the better middle relievers and situational set-up men in the game. Like Delcarmen, his performance improved after Masterson took over the eighth inning.
JONATHAN PAPELBON
Contract status: Under team control through 2011; eligible for arbitration.
Prognosis: One of the more dominating closers in the game, Papelbon would love a long-term deal. The question is whether the Sox are comfortable about giving him one. Given the relatively short lifespan of most closers, don't be surprised if the Sox opt to go year-to-year with him in much the same way the Los Angeles Angels have with Francisco Rodriguez.
MIKE TIMLIN
Contract status: Free agent.
Prognosis: Everyone expects Timlin to retire, and his exchanges with teammates and Sox personnel following Sunday's loss only reinforced that. At the end, he clearly wasn't the same pitcher he was when he arrived in Boston prior to the 2003 season. As it was, overall, he had six solid years here. Kudos to you if you ever thought he would be here that long.
TIM WAKEFIELD
Contract status: Sox hold club option for 2009 ($4 million).
Prognosis: Can everyone stop with the overreactions? So Wakefield had a bad outing in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. So what? At $4 million per, Wakefield is still one of the best bargains in baseball. If the Sox bring him back and he can't pitch – which is doubtful – they'll still pay him half of what they paid Curt Schilling this year.
OTHERS
Presumably Schilling will retire. The Sox obviously have some promising but unproven pitching depth to deal (or keep) in the form of Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden, and Daniel Bard, among others. Overall, the pitching staff is in good shape because the Sox have built great depth, which allows Epstein to operate from a position of strength.
POSITIONAL PLAYERS
JASON BAY
Contract status: Signed through 2009 ($7.5 million)
Prognosis: All signs point to the Red Sox exploring a contract option with him during the offseason, though there is also the possibility of a trade here if the Sox opt to take a run at, say, Matt Holliday. At the moment, the preferred option to improve the offense is a free agent (Mark Teixeira), but the Sox need backup plans. In any case, Bay proved that he is a great asset here.
SEAN CASEY
Contract status: Free agent.
Prognosis: A nice addition to the Sox clubhouse during the season, Casey saw Mark Kotsay pass him on the depth chart during the postseason. All indications are that Casey won't be back in 2009, which means the Sox need to find a backup corner infielder, particularly at first base. Of course, if they sign Teixeira, Kevin Youkilis can back up at first.
KEVIN CASH
Contract status: Under team control through 2011; eligible for arbitration.
Prognosis: Unfortunately for Cash, the situation with Jason Varitek has thrust him into a state of flux. If the Sox anticipate a reduced role for Varitek in 2009, Cash may not give them enough offense at the backup catcher position. If Varitek goes, the chances of Cash returning actually seem a little greater. Clearly he can handle Wakefield.
ALEX CORA
Contract status: Free agent.
Prognosis: Cora has lost a step or two in the field, but he still catches everything he gets to and he can still throw. Depending on what happens at shortstop, there is still the possibility he could be back. But if Lowrie and Lugo are both with this team next spring, it seems hard to imagine that the Sox could carry Cora, too.
COCO CRISP
Contract status: Signed through 2009 ($5.75 million) with a club option ($8 million) for 2010.
Prognosis: A year ago at this time, Crisp seemed like a lock to be traded. Instead, he was the starting center fielder for the final games of the ALCS. If the Sox want to trade him now, Crisp's value seems much higher given his play over the final months. The Sox have been rewarded for their patience here. A definite bargaining chip.
J.D. DREW
Contract status: Signed through 2011 ($14 million per season).
Prognosis: We've said it before and we'll say it again: Drew is not a superstar, but when he's on the field, he is fundamentally sound. The Red Sox overpaid for him two years ago, but they have the financial flexibility to absorb the contract without much penalty. Not many other teams could afford Drew at $14 million per, but the Sox can.
JACOBY ELLSBURY
Contract status: Under team control through 2013; ineligible for arbitration.
Prognosis: Two steps forward, one step back. Ellsbury was slumping again when the Sox bumped him from the starting lineup during the postseason. Still, Ellsbury is a dynamic young player whose skills and salary make him affordable to most every club, including the Red Sox. We said this last year, but aren't the odds that he or Crisp will be traded?
MARK KOTSAY
Contract status: Free agent.
Prognosis: Forget the batting average. Kotsay is a solid, sound professional who could help the Sox in number of areas, as he proved during the postseason. His play at first base will only improve his marketability. Kotsay wants to play everyday and the likelihood is that he will end up elsewhere, which means the Sox will have a hole on the bench. Think Trot Nixon can play first?
MIKE LOWELL
Contract status: Signed through 2010 ($12.5 million per season).
Prognosis: The Red Sox seem optimistic that Lowell will return to full health after hip surgery, but there is concern nonetheless. Lowell is a solid player and a true professional, but the Sox seemed reluctant to re-sign him last offseason. If the Sox can sign Teixeira, don't be surprised if they try to trade Lowell – though they may have to eat some money.
JED LOWRIE
Contract status: Under team control through 2014; ineligible for arbitration.
Prognosis: Defensively, we know he can play shortstop everyday. Offensively, we're not entirely sure yet. Lowrie looks like he would make a great utility player – the Sox have considered working him some at first base – but he obviously has far more value as an everyday shortstop. With Cora and Julio Lugo involved, there are lots of moving parts here.
JULIO LUGO
Contract status: Signed through 2010 ($9 million per season) with a vesting option for 2011.
Prognosis: In Boston, the shortstop position will heretofore be known as The Money Pit. Lowrie is a better shortstop and Lugo doesn't seem to have either the defensive skills or versatility to be a particularly good utility man. If the Sox want to trade him, logic suggests they will have to eat at least $10 million of the $18 million remaining on Lugo's contract. The Sox could be stuck here.
DAVID ORTIZ
Contract status: Signed through 2010 ($12.5 million per season) with a club option for 2011 ($12.5 million).
Prognosis: Ortiz obviously suffered through some injuries this year, but we now have to wonder whether he is the same offensive player anymore. Can he still help the Red Sox? Of course. Will he be here in 2009? Almost certainly. But if Ortiz is in fact on the decline, the Red Sox need more thunder in the middle of the lineup. Hence their interest in Teixeira.
DUSTIN PEDROIA
Contract status: Under team control through 2012; ineligible for arbitration.
Prognosis: Pound-for-pound, what we have here is one of the very best players in baseball. Pedroia has no contract leverage at the moment, but don't be surprised if the Sox try to lock him up by buying out his arbitration years. At the same time, don't be surprised if Pedroia takes the Kevin Youkilis route and turns them down unless he gets what he's worth. Which is a lot.
JASON VARITEK
Contract status: Free agent.
Prognosis: Here's a tip: Prepare now for the spin control as this could get nasty. The Sox want him back, but on their terms. Meanwhile, despite the slip in production and Varitek's age -- he'll be 37 in April -- agent Scott Boras is likely to enter negotiations with unrealistic demands. If the Red Sox turn him loose, they need to find a replacement. But where?
KEVIN YOUKILIS
Contract status: Under team control through 2010; eligible for arbitration.
Prognosis: A year ago, the Sox approached Youkilis about a long-term deal and he turned them down because both he and his agent (Joe Bick) felt the club's offer was unfairly low. Then he went out and had an MVP-caliber season. For all the money the Sox have thrown at players like Drew and Lugo, they haven't been quite as forthcoming with their own. Big game of chicken here.
OTHERS
In the last three seasons, the Sox' farm system has produced Pedroia, Ellsbury, and Lowrie, all good players, The only void has been a true power hitter, which the Sox believe they have in someone like first baseman Lars Anderson. This year, in a time split between Single A and Double A, Anderson batted .317 and slugged .517. But if the Sox sign Teixeira, is Anderson trade bait? Or is he a long-term replacement for Ortiz?



given his age and injuries the last 2 postsesons plus the unpredictability of a knuckleballer it is time to say goodbye to wakefield ,the sox should go out and get a number 4 guy and let buckholtz or bowden compete for the number 5 spot,then get a middle of the order bat texiera,holliday, bring back tek,but find a catcher,martin,saltyy and keep lowrie at short he is a solid shortstop and had almost 50 rbis in half a season.
All of these players are gone via walking out the door:
Byrd
Lopez
Timlin
Schilling
Casey
Cora
Kotsay
Varitek
At least one of these three gone via trade (depending on how much they are willing to eat in salary):
Lugo
Lowell
Crisp
The reality of it all is that 2008 was approached by Sox management as a "rebuilding year" (note that the major offseason acquisition was Sean Casey) and as a result, we will see a 40% turnover on the roster this offseason. I would say that many sox fans do not realize this.
The main concern is Ortiz. Unless they are certain that his his downward spiral is a result of injury and lack of conditioning (i.e. something that can be reversed), then they need to obtain a legit clean up hitter.
Youkie as a backup to Texiera at first? Right. The Sox will put a .300, 30, 100 (and gold glove) guy in a backup role. If Texiera is signed, then Youkie or Lowell goes. But it's only a marginal upgrade over either guy, especially at a huge salary increase. The Sox won't know if Lowell will be his old self until well after they would have to sign Texiera. And what other position can they really upgrade if they trade either guy? Unless there is a stud catcher someone is willing to part with, fughetaboutit
what about chris carter devern hansack charlie zink gi velasquez et al. ?
Where to begin with this one....
Sox are not going to sign Texiera due to cost and length of contract. They just got rid of an 8 year $20 million a year guy. And, dumping Lowell means that they have to eat some of his deal as well making Texiera a $24-$26 million a year guy.
Trade Bay for Holliday???? Are you smoking crack? Tell me what Holliday brings here that Bay doesn't. They can negotiate with Bay or trade him plus additional talent for a guy who is a Coors Field Special?
Trade Ellsbury and keep Crisp? Look at the dollar costs between the two, the ages and Ellsbury will be staying put. Likely both will be kept though.
Forget Kotsay's batting average? Sure. No problem. Not like we needed him to get hits, draw walks or score runs tghis past series with the Rays.
Cora? Ha ha ha ha ha. A left handed hitter with no doubles power, limited range and no speed.
Delcarmen? Try a complete loss of confidence in him by the manager. He's not cut out for Boston.
The Sox will be looking for another starting pitcher, a power bat or two off the bench and at least 2-3 arms for the pen. Aardsma and Timlin are gone and Lopez/Delacarmen are on the bubble.
They are not going to dump Lugo in an offeason trade. No one will take him. Bet on him starting, Lowrie getting a game at 3/4 infield positions per week so as to keep the team freasher for the latter part of the season.
If they are going to keep Wake and Cash then offensively they have to improve.
How about seeing if Cora can play first base (utility/back-up) so they can buy out/get rid of Lugo and not clog up the roster with a first-base only backup (like Casey)?
Hello, Great evaluation, no one gets to be 100% correct here but my guess is you are very close. I read with interest your comments on Timlin, whom I think must retire this year. What comments to team mates? I have never been a fan of his "I threw good pitches, they just hit them.", whenever he got clobbered but without his two walks and a pop up in game two there was no game seven to lose. I also agree that if Varitek decides to go for the gold we should let him. I believe this move would demonstrate the same integrity the Sox front office showed when they dumped Manny mid season. Thanks for your time, Dave Ferrier
Crisp is a valueable commodity given Drew's fragile health. The chances that Drew's contract is voidable after next year are good but keeping Crisp around for next season would be wise given we don't have an adquate backup like a Moss or a Kotsay. Crisp is a very valueable bargaining chip that could be useful to teams looking for speed, defense, and a leadoff hitter. If you can get a nice return on Crisp and find a platoon/very good backup outfielder I say trade him.
if Casey goes, it should open some room for Jeff Bailey, who was pretty good hitting lefties, be great to get D-Lowe back in the rotation, I'd rather have Holliday than Bay as well, fewer holes in the swing. Don't count out Lugo yet, maybe as backup in center as well, best range of all the shortstops.
The Sox will have a lot of money to spend without Manny in their payroll. I think, given the increase in the competition (Rays, Yankees and, don´t forget, that the Blue Jays are going to be good) this offseason could be a crucial point to guarantee the continuity of this Red Sox dominance of the last few years. Thy need a stud in the middle of the lineup, no doubt. Teixeira and Holliday are the most obvious names. They need someone like that, no question. They could also consider a number 1, 2 starter. 2004, Pedro and Schill. 2007 Beckett and Schill. If everything goes right, Lester and Beckett are the two in 2009. But it may be necessary to get aother top tier pitcher. Pap need help at the bullpen also. Time to reload! Theo, get this preseason right and we will be crucial for the next five years of the franchise. Time to spend that money wisely. Lets go for the fences...Tex, and a number one pitcher...
Varitek is worrisome ... he still thinks he can hit ... bad timing on his part to get a divorce in his contract year, that may have messed with his mind more than he will let on. I think they have to sign him, it is a question of keeping good team chemistry. Nobody is more of a leader, even when he can't hit a ball off a batting T.
The pitchers love him ... give him two years/20 mil and be done with it.
What is it with Theo.The blunders he has made over the years signing shortstops,then paying them to go away.This strange infatuation,this year,was the most absurd with "No Hands Lugo" was the worst deal he's ever made.Why he did'nt keep Cabrera was truly stupid.Cabrea truly wanted to stay 2005 and beyond.OK,now it comes time to settle on next year......Keep Varitek,let Wake and Cash go.I can't understand Why you'd get a catcher to provide a pitcher his need......Go get a CATCHER,use Varitek to back him.There is NOBODY smarter than Jason in all baseball.Great teacher,,Mentor.Then go get a BIG BAT
i think sox need a power hitter somebody like texiera and a pitcherlike peavy. with the health of somebody like backet and lowell we will be fine.
Must go: Timlin, Byrd, Casey, Cora, Lugo, Wakefield, Francona!
Bubble: Varitek, Crisp, Ortiz, Lopez, Delcarmen.
Build on the remaining players.
Hoss I'm not sure you can consider 2008 a rebuilding year when the team nearly made the World Series.
Also, there's a big difference, I believe, between having Sean Casey as your major off-season acquisition by choice and being forced to make a trade or spend loads on free agents because your team lacks depth.
The job the team has done with the farm system allows Theo to choose what course he thinks is best. They have the pieces to make trades, the money to sign major players, and developing young talent that can make both those things unnecessary.
Simply because the Sox didn't make a major move in free agency or via trade during the 2007 offseason does not mean they considered this a rebuilding year. All you have to do is look to the Bronx to see what happens when you're forced to sign generally overpriced, generally washed up talent year after year. The Sox are in an enviable position for any team. For the most part, they're setting the terms for their offseason, not having them dictated by forces they can't control. It's a good situation to be in, I think.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Varitek. He's slipping at the plate but they love him and still need him. I think having Boras as an agent will be a factor because after the Manny debacle they must be bitter at Boras and not want anything to do with him.
Good update. I hope to see Jason Bay return. He`s proven he can hit in key situations and put up 30 HR`s and hit for average. Holliday may not be the answer. Key is Mike Lowell. If the Sox can sign Teixeira and move Youk to third, now you have depth in the middle of the order. At what cost though as I`m sure the Yankees will increase his price. Also, another top pitcher wouldn`t be so bad but again at what price?
If they trade Crisp and casey doesn't come back that should yield 300-400 at bats for Kotsay. Why not try to keep him?
Why panic and pay what Texiera will demand when you have Youk and Lowell,
with Anderson on the horizon? Keep Tek, even if you have to overpay some. For once, how about overpaying for your own rather than other people's free agents (Drew, Lugo, etc)!
A healthy Ortiz and Lowell will give us enough offense to go the distance.
Those who can, pitch. Those who can't, throw the knuckleball.
It's time to say "thank you" and "we wish you the best," Mr. Wakefield.
If the Sox field a line up of:
Ellsbury (assuming he learns to bunt, take walks and hit)
Pedroia
Ortiz (Doc claims he will be okay with rest)
Youk
Lowell/Bay/Drew
Tek/Cash/Other
Shortstop
with 4 good subs off the bench and a good pitching staff of 5 starters and only 6 relievers I suspect that Theo will be looking mainly for pitching and depth. He is not going to jack up the payroll for no appreciable return on performance. They lost Ortiz's power and had Kotsay replacing Lowell in the line up. If those 2 were healthy we are back in the world series. How many times did Ortiz come up and do nothing with men on base? How many times did Kotsay do nothing whereas Lowell would have gotten us a few doubles and a homer or two?
I would like to see more speed available off the bench though. That and a couple of guys with doubles and .OBP potential.
with
Joe Mauer!
Bay is staying and will put up 30hr 100rbi next year
Lowell needs to go..They need to sign Texeira and put Youki at 1st..
They need to get a 1,2 pitcher and wake has got to go..sorry to say
It was a "rebuilding" year in the sense that they were going to let things play out with what they had and let some of the young talent get thrown into the mix to see the long term possibilities. That is why Delcarmen, Hansen (prior to being traded) Lowrie, Lester, Masterson, Bucholz, Ellsbury, etc. were all given significant playing time.
The longer term plan had them clearing approx $45 million off the books for 2009 and having a chance to sign an FA or two AND reduce payroll. It is a must that they reduce payroll because the 5 year expansion / refurbishing of Fenway has ended and there are no clear revenue producing projects currently slated.
To put it bluntly, anyone who believes that Sabathia, Burkett, Holliday, or Texiera is coming here is out of their mind. The Sox will not commit the large dollars / long years to any player. Also, please stop the "keep Varitek" foolishness. He's a Boras guy and will not take a paycut. The Sox will not pay $10 million over multiple years for a .220 hitting, .300 slugging catcher who pouts when he gets pinch hit for. The "suggestions" here and elsewhere that the Sox keep Varitek "as a back up catcher" or part-timer are completely and utterly absurd.
They definitely do not NEED varitek back...and its really the one place they actually need to upgrade. If his skills are "calling a great game" and "working w/the young pitchers", then why did Lester struggle in his first season, why did Bucholtz, Delcarmen, and even Masterson struggle this year? Why did the Sox have a 4+ERA this year? Obviously the answer is the pitching staff, but if you're going to blame the pitchers, you can't then say VTek "calls a great game" In fact, if you watch a game, he gets shaken off quite a bit...not to mention he doesn't have an exceptionally strong arm. The whole "great defensive/pitchers catcher" is media BS. I'm sure thely ove him, and he's done great things for the organization, but its time to move on. An American League team cannot have someone starting 140+ games, 400+ at bats, and hit .220 and a .300 OBP. You're basically playing w/a NL lineup in the AL...and it makes it really tough to score runs when your 7/8 batters struggle. The fact that he gets angry when he gets pinch hit for, and for some reason wasn't hitting in the 9th spot in the playoffs made it even worse! I'm sure if asked Beckett and Lester if they'd rather have VTek catching in the TB series and hitting .056, or someone like AJ Pyrz of the white sox...who may not be as good as a receiver, but would hit .275 and drive in runs, they'd rather have a guy who can put a few runs on the board for the team. Obviously there aren't a ton of quality offensive catchers, but even a Ramon Hernandez (Balt) would be a serious upgrade...and he only hit .260.
After the 2004 season Boras was trying to get the moon, it was Tek that decided on what the Sox were offering, what makes anyone think that he’s after a big contract?
I will be totally surprised if he demands a long and large contract, hopefully he is true to what he says he is, a fair person and enjoys playing in Boston, but let’s be realistic, no one is expecting him to play for nothing either, he’s not the best hitter, but he’s very good with calling a game and how he handles young pitchers, and if they decide to bring up more young talent they will need him.
Let go of Delcarmen, Lopes, Timlin and let’s not forget Pauley, he cracks under pressure, what better way to develop young pitcher than having him around big league pitchers that could help him, so bring up Bowden start him in the pen as part of his development. I would keep Wakefield, even if he’s moved to the bullpen.
Cora, Lugo, sorry to say Casey, if first baseman Lars Anderson is a good hitter then bring up to the major league and let him develop into an infield utility player. By the time Lowell or even Youkilis is ready to move on; he could take over either 1st or 3rd base.
If Theo Epstien actually thinks thinks the Sox have enough to win right now (and in their farm system) he has got to be KIDDING. Was he even watching how many baserunners the Red Sox stranded over the course of the ALCS? Or even how David Ortiz hasn't quite been himself since the wrist injury?
THE SOX NEED A BIG BAT, plain and simple; and a failure to get one could result in a "smoke and mirrors" team that fades down the stretch, similar to 2006. Whether that big bat comes via Free Agency (Mark Texiera) or via trade (Matt Holiday) still remains to be seen, but they need someone who can hit in the #4 spot behind Ortiz, especially if Manny goes to the Yankees. In fact, I would go far enough to say that NOT signing a big bat would make this offseason a complete failure.
Trade Bay, get Texiera, put Youk in LF.
Trade Bay, get Texiera, put Youk in LF.
Did Bob really just suggest getting rid of Tito? I am honestly speechless...Man, I love this town!!
Definately need a middle of order power hitter. But NYY will drive up Texiera price to unreasonable levels.
One more good starter like Peavy or someone like that.
Tek could probably give them one or two decent rebound years.
Like Bay. How much more than 30HRs and 90 RBI's is someone like Holliday going to get?
Wake eats up some innings, once in awhile get a very good start. Had some tough no decisions. But he's what, 42, 43? Old days knuckle ball pitchers would throw a ton of innings/pitches. He comes out after 90 pitches like anyone else.
Kotsay? Like Marvin Gaye said about war: not the answer. .240 hitter with no home run power. Decent defense. 40 at bats in post season with no RBI's or walks, hitting .250 maybe.
The rumor-mill/ hot stove comments are flying here....let me add my 2 cents by throwing out at least one surprize that Theo will cook up and none of us would even think of....my guess is that it would involve acquiring a starter,,,,if he leaves Masterson in the pen where he was effective, and Byrd is gone, a rotation of Beckett.Matsuseeka [my spelling]/Lester/Bucholz/Wakefield ....clearly cries out for an outside addition....and I am sure Theo, has his eye on someone that conceivably step in and win 15-18 games, a pitcher who has had a bit of success, fallen off and Theo has him targeted....believe me, you can never have enough pitching.....
Are u guys out of your mind...these have to be th dubest fans I have ever read in my life....First off The person who said Francona must go, has to be the most rediculous comment ever. All 32 teams would offer him a contract......Secondly what does holliday Bring that Bay doesnt, probably 20 homeruns, something we desperatly needed in the playoffs.......What does Teixeira bring that lowell doesnt,,,,,,Ten good years 25 homers and reliable to play everyday....And they guy who said Delcarmen is on the bubble.....we pay him nothing, and he looked good at the end of the year and in his mid 20's.....
PITCHING
The Red Sox need a to trade or FA sign #1 or #2 starter - flat out. We've seen how easy your rotation dries up with an injury or string of bad performances. We have Bard, Masterson, Bowen and Buccholz that can fill the #5, go to the pen or be used as trade bait. Wakefield - so he's cheap but inconsistent. Big deal! Red Sox needn't worry about payroll and I'd rather consistency. Remember our team is going against Halladay, Wang, Chamberlain, Rivera, Sields, Garza, Kazmir, Ballfour, Price next year.
CATCHING
I love how people can attribute "off-field problems" to Varitek's offensive slump yet these same problems dont seem to affect his defense or game calling. Face it - he cant hit anymore. If his handling of the rotation is THAT good, then accept that he's an automatic out. You know what youve got in Varitek now and its not in the bat.
BIG BAT
Im not sure what the fascination with Matt Holliday is. I'd rather trade Lowell and sign Texeira...its just too bad that he's going to be the subject of an outrageous bidding war with the Yankees. I cant imagine his price is going to be worth it in the end. But we need someone to replace Manny's production - i just have no idea where that someone will fit on the field.
Bob is an idiot. Must go Francona..the guy should be ahead of Belicheck on God-like status. And Ortiz on the bubble? Get him a healthy wrist and we'll see where he's at next year. The more I type, the more I realize how dumb you are.
Wakefield is turning into the poor man's baseball version of Brett Favre. There is nothing sadder than an athlete who doesn't want to, or can't, recognize that it's time to hang 'em up. If Wakefield truly cares about this team, he will give up his spot for a younger pitcher with a larger margin of progression. Everyone in Boston has a love affair with this guy, because he's been with the team since 1995 and donates money to the Jimmy Fund. Great. But what can he do on the field? He's old (42) and his record is average (178W-157L, 4.32 ERA). People say he doesn't get enough run support...so then he must be the unluckiest pitcher in baseball since he hasn't had any run support in 13 years in Boston (while all the other pitchers have?). And on top of that the Sox need to have a catcher just for him...and usually these catchers have been mediocre at best. If the people love him so much, he can retire and I'm sure management can find him a front office job. But seriously, his time is up. He needs to retire, along with Timlin ASAP.
Could Youks pull a reverse A-Rod and move to short thus allowing the Sox to get Texteria (errr whoever you spell his name)? I'd bet he could do it. If there was no Pedroia Youks would easily be the MVP of the team and in the top 6 in the league.
The Sox need to get another stud starting pitcher to compete with the Ray's staff. Wake is certainly not the answer. Jake Peavy would be an excellent addition. We have all that the Padres need. A catcher is a must...........Varitek had an awful year. We need a bat also to protect Ortiz.
russell martin for catcher, I've been listen to west coast radio and they are talking about him being on the block, trade buchholz and crisp for him
This is no time to panic... Sox have potentially dominant 1-2-3 starters and with a healthy Lowell back in the line-up, a lot of run production returns. A big bat in the middle would be ideal, but relegating Youk to a back-up role would be insane. Tek's situation is a bit more tenuous... for the pitching staff's sake, they need to bring him back. Maybe a month spent with Papa Jack in the off season could fix his swing (and would someone please tell him to stop batting lefty). Bay has to fix a few holes in his swing, specifically with the curve ball. Wake is ultimate teammate and an innings eater and his $4mil a year gets you 12-15 wins as a #5 starter. We have a lot of depth; as I said, no time to panic. We could definitely use some more thump in the line up but shouldn't be forced to overpay for Teixeira or Holliday. I think Papi’s health has contributed more than anything else to the downturn in his production. If he can no longer remain healthy, then we have a problem. Tito should have earned everyone's respect by now, so all of you haters out there, get a grip!
There are certain classic considerations. You need power at the corners of both the infield and outfield. Youk isn't a classic power guy but you would never let him go, but between that and the uncertain present of Lowell and Papi, you need an infield guy like a Texeira (see what a luxury A-Rod is, a power guy at short/third), and because of the uncertainty of Drew, develop an outfield guy like Willy Mo was supposed to be.
From Bob - "Must go: Timlin, Byrd, Casey, Cora, Lugo, Wakefield, Francona!"
I'm amazed you have enough brain power to turn on a computer - good thing your name is a palindrome or you'd probably have misspelled it. All Francona did in 5 years was manage us to two WS, plus 2 other playoff berths, almost making it to a third this year. What more do you want??? Moron.
JB, obviously when he said Youk could "back up" Teixeira, he means Youk would be starting at 3rd and could go over to first if Teixeira got hurt.
Is Ortiz a holy grail. It seems we tip toe around the old vs. the the now Ortiz; and whether or not not it is solely attributed to injuries. I heard the announcers articulate, when Ortiz was on first with a runner on second and one out in the 8th, with the score 3 to 1," they won't pitch run because Ortiz may be needed in the lineup if there is extra innings" .....are you kidding;.to what extent do we close our eyes. Francona keep him in the heart of the lineup as not to crowd the automatic outs at the bottom of the order....period. What about next season with Ortiz the white elephant in the room.
All this talk about free agents, spending money etc. Do it the honest hard working way. Build the farm system, after all thats how you got one of the best players in the game,Dustin Pedroia. Do it like our RAYS , develope your own young talent, and stop relying on someone else's over priced retreads. "Red Sox" nation (built on only 2 World championships in 90 years , OK I guess) it was quite a ALCS series and kept us RAYS fans on the edge of our seats, but in the end it just shows what money CANT buy. i.e see 43 million dollar payroll.
From a full season RAYS ticket holder, have a nice winter, thanks for coming, and spend, spend, spend.
I think you let Varitek walk. Unless he's willing to take a "discount" to stay with the Sox. The guy just can't hit. As good defensively as he is, it doesn't make up for his lack of production. He had a homerun in the ALCS but that was his only hit! 1 for 20 in the ALCS... he's just an easy out. Some National League pitchers have hit better than him. The Phillies pitchers Cole Hamels is 1 for 5 and Brett Myers is 3 for 3. You can't have a starting catcher that is an easier out than a pitcher. That negates the DH in your American League lineup, because you still are only working with 8 potential hitters. I don't care how well he handles a pitching staff. Maybe someone like Clay Buchholz needs Varitek, but Lester, Shilling, Beckett and Wakefield don't.
There must be a decent Catcher available in the free agency pool, no?
If the Sox sign Texiera, what is the likelyhood that Youklis could play Shortstop?
If he could, we could have an exceptional infield, with some much needed power, and a versatile backup in Lowrie. No need for Lugo, Cora, or Casey.
I finally found someone who said what needed saying. Francona should go (although he won't). A genius he's not. Not enough space to record all his head scratching genius decisions. Lest we forget he had four losing seasons at Philadelphia.
Paul A.
Didn't like some comments but overall assessment good. First and foremost I believe the priority is signing a new manager. Sorry but it just drives me crazy to see Tito gorging on double-bubble, chips, water, seeds and whatever else while Beckett or whomever is giving up runs so we're forced to come from behind too often. Is Jim Leyland available? Change pitchers after they allow a max of 3 runs like Sparky Anderson did back in the mid-70s - The Reds won over 100 games at least once following that approach. And....please stop thinking of trading Crisp. In terms of intensity and talent he's maybe third to #1 Pedroia and #2 Papelbon.
It will be one interesting off season you have two big Red Sox vetrans that might not return....Schilling will likely retire and Varitek might not return....I do like the Nixon idea
The Sox need to sign Jake Peavy, Mark Texeira and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Re-sin V-Tek for 1 year but not as an everyday player. Trade Lowell (too many injuries) and Lugo and keep Lowrie at shortstop.
Rotation:
Beckett, Peavy, Lester, Matsusaka, Wakefield/Buckholz.
Bullpen:
Masterson, Del Carmen, Okajima, Buckholz, Papelbon
Lineup:
1 Ellsbury - CF
2 Pedroia - 2B
3 Ortiz - DH
4 Texeira - 1B
5 Bay - LF
6 Drew - RF
7 Youkilis - 3B
8 Saltalamacchia - C
9 Lowrie - SS
For all those who said Tito must go, how about this,
Ask John Henry sale the team back to John Harrington, bring LouLouLou back as GM and Hobson back as manager ?
Geesh.
Holliday is fool's gold. Please look at his numbers away from Coors. Texiera is the one Sox should dish out the big money for. Bay is solid and will give you 35 HR"s and 110 RBI next year. What does this guy have to prove to some of you that he is a very good player??? The key is Lowell's health...if you believe Papi is the same player in 2009 as he was in 2006 , you are in for a BIG letdown. Love to see Lowell back and healthy, but not sure he will be. Better get Tex and sign AJ Burnett. Keep Bay and , sadly, try to trade Papi. His bat speed is slow. He's done as the player he once was..BTW...all of you Bay detractors, he led the team in most categories in the playoffs Without him, the Sox lose to the Angels.
We need another lefty starting pitcher. FA is not an option as they are the most over-valued positions. Our emphasis will be on the farm system as in the years past. Most teams have shifted roster management strategies. Young, talented, and cheap players create room in the salary cap for teams to make needed acquisitions in mid-summer with means to reach the postseason. I assume they know which big hitters will be available summer '09 and make offers then. Also, the collective bargaining agreement has decreased the amount of revenue shared across smaller market teams. The sox have a lot of cash and are under pressure to regain their dominancy in the A.L. East. However, spending freely and horrific scouting must be avoided. This was the cause of the Yankees downfall. That and their new stadium.
Based on performance this year, it appears that Lugo, Cora, & Varitek will not be back next year. The Red Sox can utilize their farm system to fill some holes, and pitching will have to be looked at. See how people are healthy to determine if they stay or go. As for trades, I do not see the Sox going for a big priced player after the Manny incident and some past deals. Rebuild w/ what they have and we will do even better.
I wonder what you all are thinking. A huge bat will not solve the problems. During 2004 and 2007, it was the Manny and Ortiz show. How many teams can say they had that? Here is my suggestion.
Bring back Tek. There are no catchers on the market that are worth going after. If you trade for one, there goes the depth in the miners. Find a young catcher that can be developed and groom him for the next couple of years.
What hurt hte sox the most was pitching. They had three good starters and two pretty good starters. But when Becket got hurt, they were down to 2 good pitchers. Dice K and Lester were it.
Lets look at the injuries.
Lowell
Becket
Ortiz
Drew
Those look like pretty big bats and one really good pitcher to me.
Theo is not going to buy a big contract like the Yankees did for so long. What he is going to do is find the players that fit into the system. Let the Farm produce the players and watch them grow. Geee something like the Rays have done. It will just go faster in Boston.
"All this talk about free agents, spending money etc. Do it the honest hard working way. Build the farm system, after all thats how you got one of the best players in the game,Dustin Pedroia. Do it like our RAYS , develope your own young talent, and stop relying on someone else's over priced retreads. "Red Sox" nation (built on only 2 World championships in 90 years , OK I guess) it was quite a ALCS series and kept us RAYS fans on the edge of our seats, but in the end it just shows what money CANT buy. i.e see 43 million dollar payroll.
From a full season RAYS ticket holder, have a nice winter, thanks for coming, and spend, spend, spend."
Ok, so now that you have 1 year of being in the World Series, you can write this garbage. Most teams do use alot of their farm talent and cannot even get into the playoffs. The Sox have been more and more relying on their farm system and that is why we are more successful. Your Rays had, what?, the first pick in the draft in the last 10 years, so you should be finally having some success. But, your team has done nothing yet - 1 year of success is a building block - who knows about the next year for the Rays. The sox have 4 ALCSs since 2003, so until then, shut your flap.
Having read some of these comments, I'm glad Henry, Theo, and Tito are running this team, even if they can't seem to figure out the shortstop position (of course they had a lock in Hanley Ramirez, but ...). To Patrick from Tampa Bay, I'd prefer not to spend 10 consecutive years in last place, even if you get a no. 1 pick each year.
1) Solidify the rotation with Peavey
2) Cut bait with Lugo & Drew by absorbing most of their salary in a trade for one of the 3 most needed positions: middle relief, shortstop, and catcher. Would probably have to sweeten the deal with a young arm, Bucholz perhaps.
3) Power bat, not Texiera, preferably Holliday. Either Bay or Holliday can play right.
4) Gotta go: Cora, Casey, Kotsay, Byrd, Timlin and Varitek unless he's a reasonable sign.
5) Lowrie is a good utility infielder and the 4 outfielder rotation is fine unless there is a knock your socks off trade offer for Crisp.
Hoss:
You had two on the block that make no sense given the dollars involved.
Javier Lopez is what he is, a situational lefty. Keep him.
Cora is what HE is, a solid, dependable, but backup middle infielder / manager in training. Keep him.
'Tek is gone if Boras thinks he gets more than 16M over two years. No three year deals for Varitek. I would be shocked if Tek gets more than 20M from anyone.
Lugo--Not sure what Theo's block is on Shortstops, but time for Julio to move on, along with some sort of buyout.
Lowell and Crisp stay, unless Teixeira comes, and either Youk or Lowell goes. Crips goes in a trade for pitching, if at all.
Ok Why the hell are you talking about his years in Philidelphia...........He has one two worldseries in a 4 year stretch....something 54 managers before him couldnt do....Are u guys serious...................Any other sports town would be finding a place to put a statue of him somewhere, u guys are calling for his head!!!!!!!! If u asked people around the league, (who knows what they are talking about) who has been the best manager in baseball for last 5 years, i would say 95% would say Francona, year in and year out he has been there and braught a team one hit away from the world series with a very beatup lineup....Nobody is getting on Belicheck for not having a great team this year because their are key injurys/.....the whole redsox season was filled with key injurys and he still braught us to game 7 of ALCS
When are the Sox going to make Youkilis an offer that is worthy of his consistent effort, production and proven value? And he's still a young dude. Get this guy signed on good terms that he's earned. Time to say thanks and good bye to Wakefield. Keep Coco and Ellsbury. Give Lowell, Drew and Ortiz another year to show that they can stay healthy and still have it. Tek, we love you but please make yourself into a better hitter.
If we could trade Lowell and Buchholz for Texiera and get Holliday for Crisp and Wakefield I'd be happy. Go get a catcher and sign Tek to like $3mil to be a teacher/backup and get another starting pitcher I think we'd be great.
1. Ellsbury
2. Pedroia
3. Ortizzle
4. Texieria
5. Bay
6. Holliday
7. Youk
8. Catcher
9. Lowrie / Lugo (ugh!)
pitching
Lester, Beckett, Matsuzaka, Masterson, Other
So worried about his "click" has Papi been
munching on Mo Vaughn's candy bars?.
Should Santa on Xmas morning deliver
him a bathroom scale?
Or was the loss of Manny's bat really
the loss of two bats?
Sligo
1. Any person who says Francona should go is crazy. He is the best manager in Red Sox history. We all saw what happened to the Yankees when Joe Torre left. Baseball today is about handling the clubhouse...and Tito is among the best. (By the way, who do you want to manage?)
2. We will never get Teixiera. The Yankees will outbid us...and it is clear that he will go to the highest bidder.
3. We need to add one starting pitcher. Sheets or Peavy come to mind.
4. We will probably have to trade for the big bat...Adrian Gonzalez or Holladay.
Mazz, you're a fool. If a guy is washed-up... Tek, Wake, Timlin, etc ... then keeping them on the roster because they don't cost as much as the average in that position is a stupid move. The SOX should keep, aquire (be it Free Agent and Trade) and promote (from minors) players that can produce, And use their deep pockets to make that happen.
Patrick Mullen, thanks so much for your "wise" comments. I bet you're a real baseball pro, having followed baseball for, what, two or three months now? When (and if) your team has more than one year out of the basement perhaps we'll follow your advice. P.S. I think I hear a cowbell...
I about fell out of my chair when Bob suggested that Francona must go. Do you have to get your team to the World Series to be considered an outstanding manager?
What about bringing back the OC at SS? I believe he is a free agent and he has proven to be a performer in Boston, unlike the other SS signings. That would solidify the defense. Lowrie can play the utility role that Cora held. Also, with that kind of infield defense a signing of D-Lowe would be feasible, provided he would come back to Boston. It would be great to see the OC hoovering all those ground outs. That way Masterson can stay right where he needs to, setting up Paps. Clearly Masterson was key to stablizing the pen.
Bar bet for 2012, sure winner unless you get a total stats geek:
Name the Red Sox starting pitcher who won 17 games in their World Championship of 2007?
By then, Lester will be great, Dice-K will still have good numbers.
No one will remember that Wakefield won 17, because he was hurt in the playoffs.
I feel that many of the comments posted above reflect the truly spoiled attitude that has become common among fans in New England over the last decade. We aren't going to win the championship in every sport every year. This season was not a failure, and we lost to a VERY good team who had been better than us all season. With that said, it is undeniable that the Sox' roster needs some work during the offseason. But the answer is not to replace half our team and/or overpay for every big name available as has been suggested above. I hate to say it but many of the "BUY! BUY! BUY!" comments posted above could be posted verbatim on a Yankee's forum and would fit right in.
Neither Ellsbury nor Lowrie will make much more of a statement that they've done so for, unless the learn to hit like the small, slim guys they are. Lowrie has a very nice swing, except that his best efforts in terms of power are only good enough to approach the warning track. Ellsbury, with one of the most awkward stances and swings in recent memory can go deep with major mistake pitches, but both of these guys should be thinking SLAP ! Everytime Lowrie hits a long fly ball to short right field, or Ellsbury puts anything in the air, all I can think is maybe we can recruit Rod Carew to teach these guys to swing.
Ortiz has been reduced to a mistake hitter, and it is not going to get better. He is certainly worth keeping, but not in the three slot. Think much lower where he can come up with a better shot of having more than one man on base. And, is he too old of a dog to teach a trick, like hitting those outside fast balls to short stop, where nobody is playing?
PM
Robert Saenz, you can't just "sign" another team's players. Peavy and Saltalamacchia are not free agents. You would need to trade for them. Get rid of Francona, lewdwinsky? Why not get rid of Pedroia and Youkilis as well, didn't they make an out during the playoffs? Let's blow up the entire team and go with young players like in Tampa as Patrick said. Then there would be plenty of seats at Fenway, just like at the Trop!!!!
Bob, you are out of your mind. Francona has done an admirable job. Baseball is not a science and you could question just about every decision made in every game. However, winning 2 World Series is 4 years does not merit dismissal. As far as all this talk about getting rid of Wake, why? He had the lowest WHIP on the team, 6th best in the AL, pitched the 2nd most innings, had 10 wins with the lowest run support out of the top 4 starters, and will only cost $4 million. You can never have enough pitching and we couldn’t find a better 4th starter for the money anywhere.
Seriously, what’s up with the “if only X had been healthy” argument?
In the case of Lowell, the guy is as old as Manny…and yet we let Manny go “because of his age” and should somehow keep Lowell, as if he is any younger? Lowell was hurt, didn’t have nearly the production that Manny had (either here or in LA), and quite frankly due to his having surgery at the age he is having it, I seriously question his production for ANY team, let alone the Sox.
In the case of Ortiz, his numbers went down because the dude (as much as I truly love him) is sick in the HEAD from losing Manny. He has lost all confidence in himself because he was always protected by Manny…and without him or some other big bat (Teixeira, Holliday) behind him, he will continue to play the way he has for the past few months.
Of the players who were injured, the only player who will actually return to the same or BETTER shape post-healing will be Beckett. The poor guy threw well all year, and it just so happened that when he was pitching our bats were not on or the relief blew a great outing by him. I’ll never forget his first outing this season when Delcarmen gave up that grand slam to Thomas and the Jays after he pitched a 2 run game…set the tone for the entire season, in my opinion.
Regarding Tek, he is a great team leader and he is great at calling the game for the pitchers…but physically his arm is gone and he has no bat. I suppose you have to weight these pros and cons against each other to see what the best decision would be with him.
Lugo stinks…he made error after error after error…and as far as offense goes, I can’t imagine Lugo would have ever done what Lowrie did during the ALDS.
More to say…but will have to post again…
There are a lot of great farm kids out there that can replace loads of so-called seasoned players in the biggies.I can't imagine some of salaries that are going to people who can't field and run.......so they can hit..so what.......Look at what willie Mays did...not big,big average.yes he had power,but his primary gifts were,I believe,small ball stuff.On the bases and in the field ,he was at his best.The Sox have loads of young talent.Bring 'em on.Let's have some fun.Get rid of these .250 hitters that can't run,save some money and go out and get " A VERY BIG BAT!"...These 5 to 7 million ball players could be cut and get some kids with guts!
Varitek absolutely SUCKED this season, except for the one dinger...let him off to the pastures....he's past his prime.
I think those that are calling for Wakefield to go should take a look at his statistics from this past season. He improved in all categories (Besides Wins) from last year. He's only had 5 other seasons with a better ERA and anyone who knows Wakefield knows that his value is in his ability to pitch a lot of innings. This season he was second on the team with 181 innings pitched. When the knuckle is working he gives the bullpen a rest that pays dividends later in the season.
Can Youk catch? He does everything else, why not. Lowrie reminds me of a switch hitting Michael Young.
Good riddance to these players:
Varitek
Timlin
Wakefield
Lugo
Lopez
Get the - out of here ...
Big words Patrick Mullen. Your RAYS have one good season and you talk about them like they're gods. One good season means nothing. If you want some respect for your beloved RAYS try making it to the post season more than once every ten years. With that being said they were a great team this year and will earn my respect if they can become a perennial powerhouse..... like we need another one in the east.
As for the Sox there are a few directions they can go in. Who has any idea what Theo has up his sleeve? I'm sure there will be a surprise or two given the amount of $$$ we have to spend. It would be nice to see a #1 or #2 starter such as Sabbathia or Peavey but cost might prohibit us from going for CC and Peavey will likely stay in the NL unless he gets an outrageous deal from a top AL club which could translate to way more $$$ than Theo and co are likely to dole out.
We have to get a big bat and Texiera could fit that bill and would require us to move Youk to 3rd and trade Lowell... something I was rooting for when the Angels snagged him. I like Mikey but a trade might be a good idea. But then again the bidding war might put him out of reach in terms of what we "should" spend on him.
I think it'll be an interesting off season. I'll eager wait for some moves to me made. Let's just home they are smart ones. With Theo calling the shots I think we have a good chance of that being the case.
Greg (roncone) - you are nuts if you think they should get rid of Wake. In case you didn't notice. Wake pitched 22 games in which he gave up 3 or fewer earned runs during the regular season. He pitched 5 outings giving up 1 run and 5 giving up NO RUNS AT ALL. He is always ready to help the team and can eat up innings if we need him to save the bullpen. And on top of that, we only pay him 4 million dollars while less gifted pitchers are getting twice as much. Keeping him around is a no-brainer. He could have won 20 games this year with a little run support. We are lucky to have him.
Ben Nation.... Texiera is a free agent so we can't trade for him and there is no way Colorado would part with Holliday for the lowly combo of Wake and Crisp... not that I would offer much more than that for him.
Tony,
Love your writing and have great respect for your analytical skills. You're a great addition to the great Globe baseball writing tradition. That said, I think you're giving up on Papi way too soon. He was hurt for most of the year. Given the time to heal, there is nothing to suggest that he still can't or won't hit. To suggest that he's somehow slipped when he missed a good portion of the season and still managed 23 HR, is a bit of a stretch. If you're using the playoffs as gauge, 12 games is not a good measuring stick.. Players go through bad stretches over two weeks all the time during the season. It's just magnified because it was the playoffs.
All you Tim Wakefield haters need to shut-up. This guy has been a real asset to the team and can fill a Paul Byrd like role no problem. As far as needing a back up catcher to keep him - WE NEED A BACK UP CATCHER ANYWAY! I mean this is a guy the team has relied on year in and year out. There is no doubt in my mind that he got lit up in the play-offs because he was pitching on a cold slightly windy night at Fenway Park. He's not someone I would want in clutch situations, but as far as a pitcher than can greatly help this team throughout the SEASON, that would be Tim Wakefield. Hopefully, Theo and Terry have more sense than you people.
How about trying to move Papi and alternate the dH among players who can actually hit AND field??? Bay, Drew, and Teixeira would be very nice with Youk and Pedroia in the lineup. Then if you want Holliday ( I don't), you have 3 power corners who can play/DH daily instead of a rapidly sliding ex-superstar who wears "Got manny" t-shirts in the clubhouse after a game 4 loss to the Rays. It's time to say good bye to Papi...unless you want his bat with similar results next year. Please don't talk about how he hit all those HR's vs Texas...against good pitching, he can't get around anymore. Wish Lowell the best, hope he is able to comeback.
Peavy wants to say in the NL or West coast. They need to trade a couple of pitching prospects to Texas for Salty. Varitek is well past his decline years and
should be let go. A six year minor league veteran could go 1-20 in a playoff series. Bay is a keeper. Now... if Beckett and Lowell and Papi had all stayed
healthy in 2008 all the above ruminations (including mine) would be balloon
juice. As for that smug individual from Tampa Bay, the Rays lack the financial resources to keep all your their talent once they get to arbitration and free agency.
Enjoy it while you can.
Big Popi needs some roadwork. Run about 5 miles a day. He'd be awesome in '09 with a good off season workout routine.
Put Mo Vaughn at First, Boggs at third, Greenwell in left and Ed Romero at Short. This will solve all our problems in '09.
People....enough of the Tuesday morning General Manager talk. Theo has put together 2 World Series winning teams....I think he knows what he is doing.
Sit back and enjoy the offseason. March is only 5 months away.
Would love Texiera - but cannot imagine him getting to us over the Yankees or Angels; it will be ARod money in the end. IF by miracle we got Tex - I loved the idea I saw yesterday - put Youk or Pedroia at short. Youk is a great athlete, Pedroia played short in college some. Now that is a power packed infield.
On Varitek - only way we keep him is to get creative and sign him to a "career evolution" deal. Long term services contract transitioning from player to front office/coach type role. If Boras insists on 3-4 years as a player, Sayonara. I cannot imagine there will be any market anywhere for him. Would love to get Saltalamacchia. He had a down year - but big upside.
I agree that a Derek Lowe return would be outstanding. He has got to be missing Boston big time by now.
Some of these posts are a little off the mark.
Ben Nation- Texiera is a free agent, we don't need to trade lowell and Bucholz for him. And no wayyyy is Holliday gonna find his way to bean town for our dirty laundry (Crisp and Wakefield). And just where does JD Drew fit in your scenerio? Unfortunately 12 million can't sit on the bench.
To get Holliday (who they will make a run at) the package would probably be like Ellsbury and either Clay or Masterson.
I also see them going after a setup man, probably Brian Fuentes, and one of Texas' 3 excellent young catchers, probably Teagarden or Saltalamacchia
I wish teher was a way to banish Lugo ro Kansas City and get someone that can play shortstop but I don't think that'll happen
The Sox lost the ALCS because each of the starters contributed a weak start. That Wakefield would come up big in the ALCS was strictly hope. Next time, the Sox need a #4 starter who is not a question mark.
On offense, the Sox won some games on timely hitting, but the lineup was plagued all season with a power shortage and weak, inconsistent stats after the top 3. If keeping Tek means absorbing his .228, then everyone else on the field needs to have proven and current productivity. If Tek, Ortiz, Lowell, SS, and CF all show up in 09 with lingering injuries and Tekian numbers, that is unacceptable.
Type your comment here...
I wouldn't count anyone out with Theo making moves, but take a look at Holiday's #'s. They improve EVERY year. What does he bring Bay doesn't? A better avg. and more power. Not to mention his presence in the lineup is more of a concern for opposing pitchers then Bay. The Rockies also have Fuentes, and Corpus in the pen that can be added to a trade.
Tex would be nice, but doesn't make since. he is not an upgrade on the corner. Youk and Lowell are the best in the buz. He adds more pop than Youk, but on avg.? Plus, we know Youk can handle Boston, I'm sure Tex can, but it does take some players time. In Theo We Trust!
not sure if you are interested in this n. you know these guys.
No Way will the sox get Texiera! Too much money. Best cather availible Josh Bard.We had him once and the Padres dumped him at the end of the season. I would love to see Peavy in a sox uni but odds are against it. I doubt that we can rid ourselves of Lugo. The best shortstop we have is Yamico Navarro with Arscencio Diaz running a close second! Bowden is not major league ready,and neither is Buccholz.Bard on the other hand might be since he is a reliever. If Lowell and Ortiz return to form then there is no need for another power hitter,if they bomb out then the sox have Anderson in waiting!! Cora will make an excellant 3rd base coach maybe he can replace hold 'em Hale who cost the sox 3 runs at crucial times during the rays series.As far as pitchers go maybe the Sox can sign one of the top 2 pitching prospects in Japan (their names escape me at this point in time),Catching is a diffficult postion to fill but Tek god love him had a very bad year!!
I'm not sure he has anything left.Our best catching prospect is Wagner and a 17 year old named Vasquez..Our minor leahue system is chocked full of potential super stars,kids like Reddick,Lin ,Place, Navarro,Diaz,Kalish,Bates and this is just a small sample of the of the pieces the Sox have stashed away in the minors..Well in closing here's wishing everyone in Red Sox nation a happy off season as we all know there is work to be done to improve our team.
I agree with Bob and John A. regarding Tito. Tito's good, but not great and has some flaws that often exceed his strengths, as in game 7 of the ALCS, when he wouldn't pinch hit for Tek in the 7th and 9th innings. And bringing up Lowrie to pinch hit with the series on the line? If Johnny thinks this is good managing, he has a different concept of that than I do. With Tito, you always gets the bad with the good and you keep your fingers crossed that the "bad" Tito doesn't screw up the "good" Tito. And, sorry, but I can't see those 30 other teams itching to sign Francona. Basically the question in this column is about assessment. Can we upgrade at any position and what might that take? Can we upgrade at the managerial position? I would say "yes," but I don't think it would happen. Guys like Johnny would be flabbergasted.
David Ortiz will turn 33 this off-season. He has gotten by for a long time as the "overweight slugger", but unless he improves his fitness, his decline of the past two years will not reverse itself. I know he's had injuries, but it's not just random bad luck that has sidelined him while Manny kept playing. For all his faults, Manny Ramirez does the work to stay in good shape.
And yes, I think the priority has to be getting a "big bat" - somebody at the level of Teixeira or Holliday. As for Varitek: the Sox need a catcher that can hit. Until they find one, why banish Varitkek?
Cora and Timlin must go. Don't re-sign Casey (too slow and bat and glove not what it used to be). Don't sign Matt Holliday - his stats away from Coors are troublesome. SIgn Teixeira and trade Lowell and eat a bunch of money. We NEED a catcher - trade for Salty from Texas (but don't give up Lars Anderson). We need a couple more quality arms from the pen. That was the key difference b/w the Rays and the Red Sox this year. They won a bunch of 1 run games against us b/c their pen was better than ours.
First the mgt staff has done a great job. This team needs to reward players that have no leverage. Thy ought to make Kevin Y a real deal and Pedroia as well. It is always been in all businesses that we forget the customers or employees we have while trying to get new ones or hire new people. These guys will have long memories when THEY have the leverage on their side.
Dance with the one that brought you
no way could manny have done what bay did for this club...how many other players out there could give you 30 plus hrs
wakefield keep and don't let him pitch in september or october...those are bad months for him.
we were one short of making the world series..we need very few changes...a healthy lowell would have been the difference of our getting to the world series.
Terry blew the series when he pulled a Grady and left Beckett in to blow 3 leads and give up 8 runs in the 2nd game.Theo blew it by not giving Michael Bowden and/or Lars Andersen a chance at make their bones in September and the playoff roster.
Who closed out the series for theRays? 23 year old September call up David Price.
Youth must be served. In a 162 game season-a kid who announces himself in Sept-Oct is just the ticket- How did they win last year? Lester, Ellsbury, Pedroia.
Re 09- The Yanks will be back with a vengeance- They will probably sign both CC & Texeira.
They need foremost - A Power Bat - Holliday@ a fair price. Pitching they have in the system tho if Peavey could somehow be acquired I think you go the distance for him
Ev.en A healthy o9 Papi will not be the Big Papi of years gone by. IIfance
Loweel does not rebound Youk to 3b & Lars gets is ch
It always comes down to pitching - we have good arms in Beckett, Lester and Dice-K. We have excellent potential in Bowden, Bard and Buckholz. Delcarman though inconsistent still has a lively fastball and Masterson is only going to get better. If we add another top of the rotation guy like Peavy we may not need to worry about the line up.
Texeira is a class act but the money will be too much - we need to keep developing and be shrewd
Tek as much as I like him as a receiver can only stay if it is on the Sox terms - which I would think is two years short money
Ben Nation...wow, where do I start? For one, Teixeira is a free agent. You don't have to trade anything to get him. Second, Crisp and Wakefield for Holliday? You have got to be kidding! Colorado would literally assassinate Theo Epstein for making such an offer. It would take Buchholz, Bowden, and Lars Anderson, MINIMUM to get him. Let's also trade Cora for Albert Pujols, then trade Javier Lopez for Jake Peavy!
Please stop this ridiculous media-worship of Tim Wakefield, who is undoubtedly a wonderful person. We've been hearing the "but he's an innings-eater" BS for years. Can we finally deal with reality: for several years he has been an ineffective pitcher who takes up two roster spots (no-hit backup catcher) and adds no value to a post-season roster. It's time to give him his gold watch!!
Texiera is a FA Ben Nation and like the Rockies would trade Holliday for Coco and Wake come on ,I think your pink hat is on to tight . hopefully the Sox can pull the trigger on a deal for Peavy , Txiera would be a great addition but he's going to cost a boatload of money. Now one last thing Bob you must be related to Ben Nation if you want Francona fired GET A CLUE !!!!!!!
Trade Lowrie, Buchholz, and Jacoby or Crisp to Florida for Hanley and a reliever.
Trade Bay and Youk or Lowell for Holliday and a reliever.
Sign Texeira First, to a multiyear contract.
Boxsox will be ready come April..............
Nice to see - in a year we WATCH the world series - that Tito is finally getting his due...that the fans are finally getting off his back. His reward? Back surgery.
This team - in order to contend with what is now the best division on the planet - will require shutdown starting pitching...1 thru 5. If that requires getting 2 frontline hurlers: do it. The rest of the team will fall into place. The years of a 4th/5th rotation starter giving this team innings and a .500 mark are over. In lamens terms, Dice-K's 100-pitch 5 inning stints won't cut it as a #3 pitcher. A 43 year old knuckle baller in the 4th slot is western division thinking. And Theo's '08 reliance on Pawtucket for the #5 pitcher was a failure. This is a very good pen with Masterson...so long as the starters go 7 innings. A STRONG FIVE in the rotation means one less necessary arm in the pen - and one more vitally needed right-handed bat off the bench.
I see Ellsbury and Masterson as major impact players in '09. I LIKE Delcarmen. "He has the best stuff on the staff". (Cash's words). I like Carter AND Baily off the bench. Lugo/ lowrie likely to split ss duties. The bats will be fine with shutdown pitching taking the pressure off. I look for '09 Papi to pepper the wall more, use the shift to HIS advantage. Lowell will be productive, but out of the 6th slot. No cleanup. Learn from '04: Learn from the Rays: It all comes down to STRONG starting pitching.
Texiera will get stupid money from the Yankees. Count on it. Giambi will be available....lol. I don't think he will fix what ails the Sox.
Keep dreaming guys. Varitek will make you all happy signing a 4 yr deal somewhere else for big money. Catchers are in short supply but the buy it now mentality appears alive and well in NY and Boston. Tek and Manny will make the playoffs next year. Rays and Yankees duel for AL East crown and wild card in 2009.
While I can appreciate some of the comments from the other posters, I think cooler heads must prevail. Did the Sox have a great year....maybe. Will there be changes next year...definately. Will Tek or anyone of their free agents be resigned....we'll have to wait and see.
Don't forget people, it's only been 2 days since the loss in Game 7, and free agents- to - be can't file for at least 3 weeks. Let's let the braintrust do what it does best, and that is evaluate and determine what changes, if any, are required. Don't forget, thanks to Manny and Schilling, the Sox are in a position to have 20.5 million to play with if they keep the team as it currently is composed.....
Give it time, folks!!!!!
Sox don't need a long ball threat they have a HOMER in M.ass.arotti. Earth to Beantown your team is on the decline and they are only going to get worst...
Bunch of things here, come on people-- think realistically...
THE PEAVY SITUATION
Get this deal DONE! I'd do a 3-for-1 combo of (Masterson OR preferably Bowden), (Ellsbury OR Lowrie) and Buchholz. It is almost impossible to aquire legitmate aces in this game so if you can, you damn-well better.
THE BECKETT SITUATION
RELAX! What everyone here is forgetting is that the reason he wasn't as great as last year was the post-season pitching in '07. That factor is by far the most overlooked concept in baseball. Look at Buerhle, Garland, Garcia, etc. in '05. They were pitching complete games in the post-season! Then look at them in '06. Look at Pedro in '05. Schilling won 20 games in '04 and that was his last great season. Blame his ankle but the bottom line is that the ankle situation sums it up perfectly: pitchers leave it all out there in the post-season. It's do or die. No 15-day DL, no rehab starts-- it's "win today or pray you get another shot an entire year later." Beckett will be fine. (He would've been even better if they lost in the ALDS but oh well...)
MARK TEIXEIRA / MIKE LOWELL / KEVIN YOUKILIS
This one is a tough one. The Yanks will 100% for sure be involved. Scott Boras is involved. Teixeira is known to be one of the biggest buyers of Boras's philosophy. All that in mind, he will NOT be cheap. I'll say that for years I have dreamed of him being a member of the Sox (as well as Peavy) so obviously I'd love to see it happen, but that being said, not if the price isn't right. For starters, they never should've re-signed Lowell (love him but let's face it-- he will not be worth $15 million a year towards the end of his deal). They should've moved Youkilis to 3B and started Casey for the year and THEN considered Teixeira this year since now aquiring Teixeira will likely require moving Lowell and therefore likely eating a chunk of his salary. Anyway, what's done is done but that being said it makes you wonder if the Sox do legitimately intend to go after Teixeira. If I knew that he'd be a free agent after the '08 season then so did Theo and therefore this fact surely had to have entered his mind prior to signing Lowell. What would I do?... trade Lowell, sign Teixeira, move Youkilis to 3B. Will that happen? If I had to go with my gut I'd say that he'll be in the AL East, but in pinstripes.
MATT HOLIDAY / JASON BAY
First off: Holiday is (yet another) Boras client. That being said, there is no need to trade for him with only 1 year on his current deal remaining since Boras will definitely bring him to free agency. Here's what to do:
-Get Bay an extension. This guy can play here and he loves it. He hits for average, power and OBP. Enough said.
-Wait it out a year and sign Holiday as a free agent IF they do plan to go after him at all. That way they don't lose prospects in a trade AND tons of money once he inevitably reaches free agency. So where do you play him IF you extend Bay? Perhaps 1B if he can, depending on how the Youkilis/Lowell/Teixeira scenerio plays out. Or... Ortiz isn't getting any younger. Just something to consider. A backup OF and everyday DH? Can't beat that.
Quick Holiday note: don't put TOO much stock in his home vs. road stats. Tons of players just hit better at home, regardless of the whole Coors Field thing.
THE CATCHING DILEMNA
Sorry to say it, but Varitek is not the problem. The real problem is that he shouldn't be catching 4 of the 5 starters these days. So the problem is the fact that keeping Wakefield requires keeping a second catcher who provides no offense. Don't get me wrong-- I love Wakefield, but it is he and Cash who have to go. As for Varitek, in the '04 offseason he eventually stepped in and told Boras to just get a deal (with the Sox) done. When all is said and done this could eventually happen again, depending on how close the 2 sides are. The question is who do they aquire for their #1 spot? I'd love Saltalamaccia but what needs to be given in return? Not much of an upgrade over Varitek via free agency. Maybe give Josh Bard a second chance? He did great in '06 with San Diego once he left here. If I had to choose any option for the time being, I'd go with that. A decent fix for the next 2-3 years. And who knows what could happen in that timeframe? Maybe wait out Joe Mauer becoming a free agent? Deal with that then.
Here's how the core of my ideal team would look in '09:
-ROTATION: Beckett, Matsuzaka, Lester, Peavy and whoever isn't dealt in the Peavy deal
-INFIELD: Teixeira (1B), Pedroia (2B), Lowrie (SS *depending on Peavy deal*), Youkilis (3B), Bard/Varitek (C)
-OUTFIELD: Bay (LF), Crisp or Ellsbury (CF *depending on Peavy deal*), Drew (RF)
REPLACING FRANCONA
Seriously, shut up. There are 162 games in the regular season and to win the World Series a minimum of 11 more. Do you Francona-haters really expect him--or anyone else for that matter-- to make ZERO wrong decisions in that amount of games? They were burnt out. The started the season in Japan. They played an additional 14 draining games in '07. They JUST won the World Series. They won another in '04. We went 86 years without ONE. Don't you all think we're getting just a little greedy around here now expecting a championship EVERY SINGLE YEAR? At least they put up a valiant effort defending their title. They'll be legitmate contenders in '09 and for years to come. Let's quit the bitching and think about how many other cities have had an NBA Championship, 3 Super Bowl Championships and 2 World Series Championships this century.
WOW!!! Spring Training is in a few months boys... I think some of you need get a grip. Moves will be made. Some you will hate to see, but they will happen. In the mean time, enjoy the Bruins and Celtics.
I can't remember a time that we went into the off season and saw so few holes in the Red Sox. Always seemed like the winter of spending, and now I don't see the need. I agree, we're stuck with Lugo. I don't think that the Sox will eat 10 million just to get rid of a player. My guess is that Lowrie goes to camp but could start in Portland/Pawtucket while they see if Lugo can do anything. I'd love to get Texeira but where do you put him? You have a 3B, 1B, and DH. Unless they try to trade Youk for pitching and stick Tex at 1B. The thinking there could be you're giving up a slightly better fielder for a slightly better hitter. Just watching Tex in the playoffs I'd say Tex is a very scary hitter that could be the protection again for Papi. Varitek is definitely the biggest question. I say the Sox offer 2 year/10 million take it or leave it. I'm sure the argument from the Varitek camp is that they signed for less to stay in Boston four years ago, and the Posada signing definitely doesn't help. But lets face it Varitek will hit 9th and can't even put the bat on the ball some nights. My only thought is that some personal issues took up his time this year which caused the slump, so maybe coming into spring training he has a clean slate.
Go Phils!!!!
1. Ellsbury CF
2. Pedroia 2b
3. Holliday LF
4. Ortiz DH
5. Teixeira 1b
6. The Youka 3b
7. J.D Drew RF
8. Varitek/Cash?
9. Lowrie
Bay and Lowell are great players but with a line up like this they would be young and it it would be around for a while. The Sox have plenty of talent and money to pull these types of trades off.(Crisp, Bowden, Buchholz, and Bard)
I see one of the so called ray season ticket holders is telling theo how to build a team. dont you ray fans realize they will have to spend spend spend to keep their team together? or do you expect the uptons of the world to keep playing on the cheap?
Sox don't need a long ball threat they have a homer in M-ass-arotti.
The Rangers have an abundance of catchers and Gerald Laird is the perfect person to learn from Varitek. One good arm from the minors Daniel Bard for instance can get this deal done
Too scared to print the truth. I justafiabily slam Bozo and you won't print. Same with solid observations on the RS offseason. Graduated in 1983 from the UMASS Sport Management program, interned with Pawtucket in 83. By the way Glenn Wong the biggest user of young talent for his own personal gains. How'd that agent thing with the USFL work out along with the baseball arbitration cases? You're a closed society that buries the truth, if it doen't meet your agenda you choose not to print. I came along 20 years too early, at least Theo has been given an opportunity. Back in my day a team's idea of marketing was to announce when the gates opened. Why let talent into the field when you can protect the good ol boys incomptenence network. That's why I took my talent to the financial field, where it was appreciated and compensated.
How can RSN whine about injuries when the Yankee injuries were more comon, more serious and more long lasting. Some injuries are weird and accidnetal, but expect more accidents when players get older.
As for V-Tek, handling pitchers is over rated. Driving in 100 is a quicker way to be a pitcher's best friend. Want to help the young pitchers? Re-sign Schilling; he is a selfless, giving person they can all look up to.
Build a statue to Tito. He deserves it
>>>>If we could trade Lowell and Buchholz for Texiera and get Holliday for Crisp and Wakefield I'd be happy. Go get a catcher and sign Tek to like $3mil to be a teacher/backup and get another starting pitcher I think we'd be great.
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!! When youre done playing fantasy sports, feel free to join the conversation.
I don't know why I'm even sitting here reading a bunch of nonsense; badly spelled I might add..
It should be obvious that there won't be a lot of clubs pounding on these guys doors looking for new General Managers.
Get a life. The teams not in complete disarray so lets not go nuts and pay big bucks (which translates into bigger ticket prices) for FAs who might not be significantly better than what we've got.