Sox now look a little soft in the middle
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – In the end, for all of the time and breath spent on the absence of Manny Ramirez, his departure was really just part of the story. In 2008, after all, the Red Sox probably bade farewell to the old David Ortiz, too.
They need a bat.
And a big one.
"We have one of the best GMs in the game and he has an idea of what we need," Ortiz said when asked about the Red Sox’ most pressing needs, deferring to general manager Theo Epstein in the wake of the Red Sox’ 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series at Tropicana Field last night. "I’m going to leave that to him. That’s why he gets paid a lot of money."
Questions, questions, questions. Win or lose, the end of every baseball season inevitably leaves us wondering what will happen next. The 2008 Red Sox ultimately won 101 games and came within five victories of a fifth world title during a five-year span, and yet we can only wonder how close they really were. Minus the final three innings of historic Game 5 of the ALCS, the 2008 Sox batted a mere .226 and slugged just .374 in 11 postseason games. Once the Sox got past the No. 6 spot in their batting order, it was safe to walk the dog.
Ortiz? In 43 official at-bats this postseason, he batted a mere .186. Worse, he slugged just .349. And so a Red Sox offense built around David and Goliath for the better part of the last six seasons now seems to effectively have lost them both, leaving Epstein with what might be his greatest challenge since officially taking over the Boston baseball operation in November 2002.
For now, know this: According to a team source, the Red Sox already have had some internal discussion about free-agent-to-be Mark Teixeira, the most desirable hitter available on the open market and a player for which the bidding will be fierce. Coupled with the strength of Boston’s player development system, the real benefit of Ramirez departure is that the Red Sox will have a truckload of money to spend this winter. All signs point to a spirited run at Teixeira, a switch-hitting, slugging first baseman with the good defensive skills, exceptional baseball acumen, and the kind of discretionary plate discipline that Sox officials so covet.
The obvious question is where they will put him.
In the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s loss, Epstein deferred all questions pertaining to 2009 (and beyond) until later this week, but do not let the GM fool you. The Red Sox already have much of their postseason plan mapped out. The simple truth is that the Red Sox (and all of us) must now wonder if Ortiz ever will be the same player again and if Mike Lowell will sufficiently recover from hip surgery (scheduled for today). Factoring in the loss of Ramirez, too, the Red Sox finished 2008 minus the Nos. 3, 4 and 5 hitters that anchored their lineup at precisely this time a year ago.
From Epstein’s standpoint, the beauty is that he has ample resources to work with, and not solely in terms of pocket money. Depending on where the Sox set their 2009 payroll, and thanks largely to the contractual erasures of Ramirez and Curt Schilling, the Red Sox will have roughly $40-$60 million to spend this winter. But the real flexibility Epstein possesses comes courtesy of a player development system that also will allow him to seek any number of trade possibilities, whether the Sox would consider Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins or any other number of potential hitters believed to be available.
If Epstein wants to try trading Lowell and moving Youkilis to third base, opening up a spot for Teixeira, he can. If he wants to put together a package of young players for Holliday or Atkins, he can do that, too. The Red Sox have proven that they will eat contracts if they must – Edgar Renteria and Ramirez offer varying degrees of proof – and depending on Lowell’s health (is anyone else worried about this?), they may be forced to take a bullet or two on the left side of their infield.
The point is this: Epstein has options, of which Teixeira is the most obvious. During the final two months of the season, Coco Crisp might have elevated his trade value to an all-time high. The Sox have ample young pitching to develop or deal, and assuming the long-term health of Josh Beckett, their pitching staff is in good shape. Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield, Jonathan Papelbon, Manny Delcarmen, Hideki Okajima, and Justin Masterson all are under team control through 2009 or beyond, and the Sox still have assets in Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden, Daniel Bard and others.
Given all of those realities, the obvious priority is the lineup, no matter what happens at catcher. Regardless of whether the Sox re-sign captain Jason Varitek – and one must assume they will at this point – they are not likely to end up with a catcher who will hit in the middle of their batting order. (Such animals are rare.) The Sox also are not likely to find a No. 3, 4 or 5 hitter at shortstop, regardless of whether they intend to open 2008 with Jed Lowrie or Julio serving as Dustin Pedroia’s double play partner.
During the 11 games against the Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays this month, many things became clear. Among them was the fact that the Red Sox are extremely well-positioned for the future with many developing young players who still figure to be a big part of their future. Another was that the Sox put far too much pressure on their pitching staff, particularly the starting rotation, which ultimately cracked under the weight of that burden. Were it not for the considerable efforts of Jon Lester, in particular, the Red Sox’ season might have ended weeks ago.
Beginning in 2003, over the past six seasons, the Red Sox have made five trips to the postseason, four appearances in the ALCS and claimed two world titles. During that time, generally speaking, the one indisputable constant in Boston’s success was the tandem of Ortiz and Ramirez. The Red Sox of 2003-2008 scored more runs than any team in baseball and won more games than any team but the New York Yankees, and they established themselves as the premier franchise in baseball, something that will remain true no matter who wins this year’s World Series.
Still, thanks largely to the emergence of the talented Rays, the landscape has changed in and beyond the AL East. While Tampa was unleashing B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria this postseason, the Red Sox operated without Ramirez and a productive Ortiz. Getting through the Boston lineup was not nearly the challenge it used to be. A year ago at this time, after all, Sox opponents were the ones who had trouble navigating their way through the heart of the enemy batting order.
Now, whether they want to admit it or not, the Red Sox are the far easier outs.
Between today and Opening Day 2009, the question is what they intend to do about it.
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My thoughtsgo back to last year.As much as I realize how valuable Lowell is to the Sox,why dId'nt they persue another big bat to play 1st and move Youk to 3rd.Now,they're stuck with where to put the "BIG BAT"?......Don't get me wrong,I really like Lowell,but now,the dilema.Theo makes big bad moves,mostly over the past few years getting shortstops.He should've kept Cabrera.He should keep Varitek,at a discount,if possible and get rid of Wake and Cash.I like wake,but it's time.Go after a catcher and use Varitek as backup and mentor.They are set in the OF,,,except maybe get rid of Crisp,save some money and get the Big Bat they need
next years line up #1
Jacoby, Dustin, Healthy Papi,Teixeira, Youk,Drew,Bay, Lowerie, Tek or Laird
Lineup #2 Jacoby,Dustin,Papi,Holliday,Youk,Lowell,Drew,Lowerie,Tek
pitching: 1.Lester,2.Beckett,3. Dice K,4 Peavy( Give up Clay for Peavy)5. Bowden
Relief we need to bring up Bard and let him develop into the 8th inning set up man for Pap
Mark my words. Bay and a one of the pitching prospects for Holliday...
In my opinion the sox MUST acquire Tex this offseason. He's a prototypical Red Sox grinder with plus pop.
On so many ground balls towards shortstop, I would see Youk traverse all the way over in front of Lowrie and make dazzling throws to first base, throwing out with ease, runners who would have made the play closer had he waited for Lowrie to field the ball.
Why not have Youk at SS, Texiera at first and Lowell, assuming he recovers back to form at third? What an infield that would be!! All .300+ hitters with power. Dump Lugo, trade Cora and Lowrie becomes your super sub.
Papi needs a long offseason to recover from his physical injuries and his mental attitude about Ramirez.
something has to be done with Varitek.. he can't hit or catch and hasn't thrown out a base runner since memorial day.... Calling a game? Wonderful but last I looked our starters are not the problem........
Ortiz did nothing but whine and complain the day his binkie Manny left. Maybe it should have been Pedroia and Youk complaining about the absence of Ortiz' bat. If the Sox had a healthy Ortiz(??wrist) and Lowell , we probably would have been sailing into the world series.
It's obvious to me that a catcher who can hit over .250 and throw out a few more runners than Tek should be number one priority. We all liked Tek for his guts..but it's time .
We're in for an interesting hot stove season, ladies and gentlemen. The Sox could be tinkerers or they could blow the team up and reload with a lot of fresh blood. It's up to them. They've got the cash and the chips. Of the position players, the only one who looks truly untouchable is Pedroia, and I assume Ellsbury isn't going anywhere, though he's certainly not a can't-miss star like we thought.
Why should we just assume they will bring back Varitek? I think he is gone. This front office is too smart to fall for myths about handling a pitching staff and grittiness. Varitek is beyond done and they will not bring him back. Half of the catchers in Triple A could replace what he did this year
WITH THE LINE UP THEY HAVE THEY NEED TO PLAY SOME SMALL BALL AND FRANCONIA REFUSES TO DO SO. THEY HAVE NO POWER ORTIZ MANNY NO LONGER. THE BEST HITTERS EVER FAIL 70% OF THE TIME .
I'm not really worried about Lowell's health, but I do feel like they will make a solid run at MT, which of course would lead to Lowell's departure b/c of his age and Youks versatility. I wish this wasn't the case b/c I'd love to have MT, but both Youk and Lowell are extremely classy guys, and I'd feel really bad to lose Lowell after all he gave on the field this year.
I find it hysterical that suddenly this comes around to not having a big bat. Hmmm hinting at no Manny equals no ring are we? Jason Bay did a fine job but he didn't get many chances because people behind him weren't hitting.
Boston didn't have a enough healthy horses near the end. When they needed a right handed bat, he was recovering from injury. Their big left-handed bat needs to be fixed too. Tampa was healthy, Boston wasn't. In the end, Tampa had more bullets than Boston.
Excellent analysis, Mazz. These are the very questions that have been burning in my mind. Is there any way to be sure about Lowell and Ortiz's health? Consider that even last year, Ortiz had the knee trouble... and all this while DHing.
My thought on Holliday: he has the potential to be a Johnny Damon-type outfeilder, but outside of Coors field, I think little more than that. Garret Atkins is the better pick from the Rockies, but Texiera would be best. With either of those two infielders, though, it looks like Mikey is fighting for a spot.
The one pitching option I might be happy to see the Red Sox explore is re siging Derek Lowe for the sheer reason that he is an excellent sinker ball pitcher, thereby, making him the worst pitcher for the Rays to face (come on, there will probably be 25 more games next season). But overall, yes, we need to figure out our line up and Ortiz might need to accept he now has to be where more DH are, like sixth or seventh in the line up.
It has been reported that JJ Hardy shortstop of the Brewers, is available.
Brewers need pitching and a CF.
Hardy is the total package. He has power, can run and has great range in the field.
The Sox do need another bat. Question is, where does he play?
If they can get Texiera, Lowell is 35 and a physical question.
Great guy, but this is a business.
I would also add to the mix the departure of the forgotten man, Julio Lugo. The up and down offense and suspect defense makes him a possible card in the trading deck as well. That goes to your point about the Sox eating contracts - in the overall math, they may have to eat half of Lugo's contract but they are paying Lowrie the minimum so that evens out to paying your starting shortstop about 5 million.
No need to trade Lowell to make room for Texiera. Given the injury concerns to Lowell and Ortiz, there is plenty of room to rotate Tex, Youk, Papi and Lowell among the 1B-3B-DH positions....without Papi in the field of course or Lowell at 1B.
Sadly, Ortiz has a slow bat and that should be obvious to even the most loyal
Papi fans. The Sox need to get Teixiera . Lowell is a fabulous player when healthy, but no certainty the operation will make him the same player. That makes me sad, because Lowell is exactly the type of character player any good team has to have. Drew and Bay are very good players who need a big bat at the 3 spot. Teixera solves many problems and makes this team a legit contender. I would also give serious thought to signing A.J Burnett away from Toronto. This year should prove you never can have enough great arms. THe Sox fell to a better team this year. Get Tex and Burnettt and perhaps Holliday....the Sox are in the series again. BTW, the Sox need a solid catcher to replace Tek, but Tek would be a perfect backup if he wants. Cash is not needed because Wake will be gone.
It's obvious that David Ortiz is either hurt, or seen his better days--a big bat is an absolute need.I know Wakefield is cheap and a good team player but you never know what your going to get from game to game. Timlin is done and Delcarmen is hot and cold. Other than the big bat,the sox need pitching. Sabathia is a horse whom I'd love to see in a Boston uniform.
Sox need a CF who can hit. A catcher who can hit. A 3B who can hit, A pitcher to replace Wakefield who plays Russian Roulette every time he pitches. Need a DH who can hit. Buck Martinez said Ortiz was not driving the ball with his legs, swinging before the ball arrives which accounts for the foul ball home runs, had not hit a ball to left center for many months and had returned to what he knows best, pulling the ball. Ortiz is all confused and has changed what made him great. Trade him for someone who can hit.
Tony, I agree full heartedly. Watching Ortiz this play-offs showed just wherer he has gotten too. Previous years no Team would of pitched to him in the situations they did this year. People cn talk all about how David missed Manny but man, he was given every opportunity to execute in these play-offs at the plate and never came through on a consistence basis. At least Varitek caught games.
Manny's historic post season numbers are around 1.5 runs per game and 1.5 RBI's per game. What was last night's score? What was the Game Two score? Go ahead and name the player that is going to fill that soft middle that well.
To those who were railing that Many was the problem, here's a simple thought, be careful what you want, you just might get it.
All because of one extra year on the contract.
Maybe it is time for the Brain Trust in the front office to stop trying to be an empire (Red Sox Nation?) and realize baseball is a game, not a corporation.
Theo, find us one game where when it was all on the line and Manny didn't produce.
Hold a press conference, apologize (while you're at it do the same with Pedro, Nomar and Derek) for the front office arrogance, give him the extra year at $25 million. Then tell Twin Enterprises to license dreadlock wigs to cover the extra costs to the Red Sox partnership.
Or continue to think that Red Sox Nation is bigger than the game and maybe the best right handed hitter ever.
You screwed up, now fix it.
Well, I agreed with you about the lack of middle of the lineup's productions.
First is Papi, do not forget that he only hit 1 HR in last two years postseason. Papi had a very good 2004 postseason which I think that is because he played alot at 1B. So meaning that if he play more often at 1B, I think that he could be a better postseason hitter.
Second is Lowell, he is the guy that the Sox missed the most in the postseason series. Why the world the Red Sox want to trade that guy who is probably twice better clutch hitter than Youkilis. I know Youkilis is a better plate discipliine, but Lowell win games for the Sox.
Well, I agreed with you about the lack of middle of the lineup's productions.
First is Papi, do not forget that he only hit 1 HR in last two years postseason. Papi had a very good 2004 postseason which I think that is because he played alot at 1B. So meaning that if he play more often at 1B, I think that he could be a better postseason hitter.
Second is Lowell, he is the guy that the Sox missed the most in the postseason series. Why the world the Red Sox want to trade that guy who is probably twice better clutch hitter than Youkilis. I know Youkilis is a better plate discipliine, but Lowell win games for the Sox.
One question you posed is an easy one: They need to not resign Varitek. So it's a little scary that you seem to think they definitely will. Why? He's a great guy and I know he tries harder than anyone on the team. And I know he's the captain or whatever and I know catchers aren't expected to produce, but when you watch him go through the playoffs with a .167 OBP and 9 strikeouts, it's a little hard to understand wanting him back. His regular season wasn't any better, in fact his past 3 years have been less than mediocre and he's not getting any better next year. Considering that at his age he'll probably get a decent sized one-year contract, the guy sounds like a real big time waste of money.
I agree that Holiday would be a great addition, and I know you love the guy so you've probably addressed this before, but where would the Sox play him? Atkins strikes me as a decent young corner infielder, but with a much much better, young corner infielder out there on free agency and with the extra money being freed up, I see no point in going after Atkins unless Teixera is absolutely out of reach.
Upton has HRs of 1, 24, and 9 for three respective years and he had 7 or 8 in the playoffs.. Isn't anyone curious about how someone with 9 HRs all year can hit 7 in the playoffs against better pitchers. Cork anyone?
I'm one that sort of felt that this team would be able to compete without making many changes this winter, until I read this article. BUT, your right! We never know who will be available the year after, but Tex is a REALLY good fit with how he goes about his at bats. AND, he is free agent now! I really like what Theo does and the type of players we develop and pick up. I like these guys we already have ---- who compete every night ---- who really never "mail it in". Yuk, Peddie, Paps, Beckett, Lester, Lowell, etc. BUT we need a BIG bat, and I am worried about Ortiz.
We do need to look at the line up.The bottom half of the batters were non-productive.This I belief, cost us the chance to play in the world series.
Let's face it: When Manny left, you left the WS at his empty locker. He's the most feared hitter in the game and hit greatly for the Dodgers. His lost bat cost the Sox big time! No two ways about it. INKE
We may have a platoon at 1B, 3B, and DH. Youk, Lowell, Ortiz, Tex. All of them could certainly use less wear & tear.
Tony great article , i totally agree with you.My off season dream is Mark Texeira ,another pitcher and a catcher.Also if they bring Tek back i hope its a small contract no ten mil. as he is not worth it.Im rooting for the phillies but will not watch the Series.I think it will be boring.My SOX arent in it so i will just forget it.Time for Celts and Bruins.
Dead on analysis here! I'm glad someone started calling Ortiz's awful postseason out. Big Papi missed meatball's and hangers all postseason long.
I'm not too sure about Texeira. The Sox would have to give him the same contract that Manny had with Boston. Does anyone think he's capable of bringing Manny's production (& 2 WS Rings) to the lineup? I don't!
Matt Holliday's numbers away from Coors Field are pedestrian at best.
I like the Sox getting Jake Peavy. He'd be unbelievably cheap and is a legitimate ace!
Finally, the answer to the Sox woes is: SIGN MANNY RAMIREZ for 3 yrs. @ $20M/yr. Theo's ego would never allow it. But,it would have been nice to have Manny against thge Rays this past week.
A big part of the problem for the Red Sox this postseason was Franconas refusal to move Papi from the #3 spot. Papi is no longer the RBI machine he once was.. He still had the ability to draw a walk and get the occassional single and extra base hit but he was too inconsistent to be in the #3 spot every game. The lineup would have been much more potent with Youks, Drew, Bay & Kotsay moving up one spot (3 - 6) and then moving Papi into the #7 spot where his inconsistencies would be less detrimental to the team and still have the opportunity to knock in some runs with Bay and Drrew most likeley on base when he came to the plate.
You, the press of Boston you make me sick, always talking trash against your team, anyone , when they lose the big games, remember the good moments and learn how to lose as a man , take it as a men and thanks that the redsox made it that far.
Tony - why do you love Holliday so much? His career home/road splits are reminiscent of Dante Bichette, not Larry Walker. You mentioned in a recent chat that you think he'll do well at Fenway, why? Why would Fenway be any different than all the NL parks not in Colorado?
Varitek needs to retire. He have been a great catcher for the sox for many years, but now he is an automatic out every time he bats. He is embarrassing himself and hurting the sox. I don't know if Ortiz is over-the-hill or if he is injured, but he is no longer much of a threat at the plate. One thing he needs to do is lose weight. After all, he is a professional athlete who is paid millions of dollars to do things that require physical conditioning. If the sox hope to seriously contend in the future, they need a fourth quality starting pitcher. Parading Wakefield out for the 4th game was conceding defeat before the game started. The bullpen also needs one more quality pitcher. Finally, I think that Mike Lowell is no longer an everyday player. The sox should go after Teixeira hard. The sox desperately need one more really good bat.
Right on, Mass. Texiera can be had. He is young enough, and talented enough, that a large dollar lay out now will pay dividents. However, the catcher positon is a problem. If Tek weren't such a steady character, leader, and pitching handler, he would be gone. But his throwing, and batting skills are on the decline. Probably better to bite the bullet now and let him go as a free agent with his dignity upheld, and get another younger athlete in to catch. Do the Molina's have a "hidden" younger brother somewhere?
You mentioned his name seven times, and the Red Sox's "Softness in the Middle" started the day Theo traded him. Unfortunately, the short sighted management of the Red Sox didn't foresee that the likely place for Manny to sign the next deal would be with the Yankees. That's the best reason to cheer for Manny in LA and hope that he comes to love Joe Torre and the LA culture.
What about picking Navarro from Tampa? He's a free agent, correct?
Sign Tek to a deal that brings him to retirement (he won't get big money anywere with his offense), bring in Navarro and have them split time. Have Tek act as an assistant pitching coach (which he already is), which will put him on the path towards manager which we all know he belongs on.
Papi's HR was a 'tiz. However, he'd trending down. Surely, he can't expect to get paid as a guy who hits 40+ per year. So, if he's looking for a big contract like his pal- so long, and thanks for the memories.
There were too many 0-fors that extended for too long in the series. This kept men off base; killed rallies. Essentially, the (lack of) offense reminded me of the '08 Patriots. More specifically, it seems to be affecting the defense, as well.
Thanks, for the great columns in '08, Maz.
If there are good free agent catchers available, I can't imagine the Sox resigning Varitek. I love the guy, but he has become a liability on offense and also can no longer throw out baserunners. Obviously he is still an asset in handling pitchers, but I don't think that in itself is reason enough to keep him.
He has to be kidding with the comment "the premier franchise in baseball" That says it all "but for the New York Yankees" they are second place as franchise. The Yankees are moving into a $1B palace next season and the Red Sox will still be playing in dingy Fenway park in front of the most bitter fans in baseball.
Although a Mets fan, I love baseball and it was obvious that Manny gave Ortiz pitches to hit and with Manny gone, Ortiz looks just like another slugger that flails at bad pitches. If Ortiz is to continue to provide a power bat in the lineup he will have to have someone like a Texeira to be in the lineup with him. There is no doubt the Red Sox can be back in the playoffs again if they can fix this problem. The Yanks have too many holes.
Teixera and Holliday sounds nice to me in a Sox uniform. Go make it happen Theo!
Good analysis, Tony. There is no doubt the Sox brass had the plan 90% put to bed before the playoffs started. It is a matter of priorities, and whether those priorities can be met via free agency, trade or both. My sense is that the Sox will not be big players in free agency, but may swing a trade or two to fill the holes, and there is no doubt that the power void is now huge. They probably have to keep Tek, and let Bore-ass extort more money from them than he is worth. But he has to play less.... that much is clear. They have a lot of trade bait: Bay, Delcarmen and Crisp on the major league roster (assuming they won't ever move Youk, and that Drew & Lowell are untradeable), plus the young arms in the minors that people covet. People are focused on Texiera, but there may be some alternatives out there in trades. This is when Theo earns his keep. And we all better hope that Ortiz has surgery and comes back with a vengeance, because he was a mess for the better part of this year, and is also untradeable.
This will sound truly insane, but why not bring Ramirez back and give him what he wants? I know the lineup is undergoing withdrawl, namely Ortiz, but its clear that Ramirez is the drug they need.
Hey, they could also sign Manny! That would give you guys something to talk about through the winter!
;^}
Hey, they could also sign Manny! That would give you guys something to talk about through the winter!
;^}
Good stuff Mazz. That's really it in a nutshell. Amazing they got as far as they did with what was really a patchwork lineup. Take out Pedroia and Youk and I'm not sure they win 80 games this year. May be tough to out-bid the Yanks for Teixeira. May be tough to out-bid the Yanks for anyone. But thats another issue. Theo will earn his salary this winter.
Tony Mazz I completely disagree with you. Jason Bay hit just as well as Manny this season and he plays the game the right way. I would look further into your half empty glass and look at guys like Ellsbury and Varitek and maybe just David it was not an ORTIZ year with Manny here either. I think you will find out that the Sox have more than just Lowell going under the knife now that the season is over.
Address: Timlin in bullpen and they still need starting pitching period
So, Tony, can we expect a followup to "Dynasty" anytime soon?
I mean, based on winning one-in-a-row four season apart after winning, well, nothing for 85 years, I'd just like a little more insight into how baseball's 'model organization' does it......wow, awesome!
I know he's beloved and has a great baseball mind, but Varitek has GOT to go. It is a surprise when he gets a hit now. It can't continue. He came up with chances to drive in runs several times last night and many times this postseason and just can't come through anymore. Occasional homeruns excepted.
i'm sorry but if they trade or release ortiz, my allegiance to the sox will be seriously threatened.
I sent a letter to Theo Epstein last week before game 7 that the Sox
should try and sign Texiera and move Youk to third.They were outpitched and
need another starter....how about Peavy?They need stronger middle relief
and a right handed bat with some punch.....is Drew tradeable?(Nothing to do
with his striking out with the bases loaded..mostly to do with his
durability).Finally they need an every day catcher who can hit 250-270.Time
to retire Timlin and Wakefield and use Cashs' spot for a bench player who can
hit a little.Bring Tek back, but get a regular catcher who can hit alittle more.There
ar too many punch and judy hitters on the bench.
pitching
Is there the slightest chance that Manny goes to the Yankees and A-Rod comes here??
Mazz, check your fifth graf. The Red Sox "...came within five victories of a fifth world title during a five-year span..." That would be nice, but it's inaccurate.
Not sure any team would be open to taking Lowell, especially after this surgery. Texeira would be a coup and a huge surprise with the number of teams likely interested.
Thanks Mazz. I have been craving the discussion of the Sox' off-season plans since the end of the regular. This was a good and interesting start.
No way would I want to invest $20 milion plus into Texeira, we have a good hitting gold glove 1st baseman in Youk. Take a few prospects and go after Holliday, he's the closest thing you'll find to Ramirez that's available and he'd pound the green monster like he does in Colorado, plus he's a gamer who gives his all and would fit right in behind Ortiz!
I totally agree with Tony that getting a big hiter is important.I would sign Texiera because I am worried about Lowells age and injury.I would also like to get another big time starter.If Wakefield is the fifth starter thats one thing but he cannot be counted on as a playoff pitcher.
trade lowel if you can, put wakefiled out-to-pasture (at least don't ever let him start another game, please it's too painful. actually he should do the right thing and just retire) trade lugo, (eat his salary if you have to, just get him outa here) and sign tek if you must for about a dollar.(anyone else sick of watching the automatic-out veritek bat like an american league pitcher? dude, you got paid in fact over-paid, time to move on...) go after peavy with coco, buchholtz and prospects, move kevin to 3d and sign the big bat teixeira as the clean-up hitter.
Hmmm... sounds like your coming up with excuses because TAMPA spanked your ass!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA Rays-all-the way!!!!
They have to sign Teixeira and move Lowell (unless they are stuck long term with the stiff they got instead of Lowell, the Phillies should still want him, particularly for less money and fewer years than they were willing to give last year). If they believe Ellsbury is going to improve, and there's no reason he shouldn't, then Coco should be shopped. He did improve his stock this season even if he never came close to the hitter we thought we were getting. But Teixeira has to be the number one target as he is the guy who can make the middle of the lineup scary again. Heaven help us if Ortiz is on the decline, as we all know the end can come swiftly for guys with that body type.
If Varitek is re-signed, they should see what it costs to get a good young catcher who will be ready to take over. If Varitek doesn't accept Theo's terms, good riddance. Awful hitting catchers are a dime a dozen.
Mazz:
Another possibility is that the Sox determine that Papi's skills are in decline, keep Lowell for DH and sign Texeira. Or would that be the public relations kiss of death?
Nope - I'm right there with you in the concern department about Mikey Lowell's hip. I just hope it's not degenerative or chronic. We really missed him and his RBIs in the lineup in the postseason! And, will Papi's wrist ever be the same again - that's another one. I'm not sure what to do - but I'm sure glad I don't have to make the decisions during this off-season!
I don't understand why so many people are questioning whether Mike Lowell will be able to come back or not. I had the exact same injury he does, had the same procedure he is having today. After 6 months of PT (I met once a week with my PT guy, he'll be getting treatment 5-7 days a week), I was back on the field without any pain and no ill affect. I fully expect him to come back to spring training completely healthy and be just as effective as he was before he got hurt.
Mazz
There you go again I'm not ready to raise the white flag on Big Papi - I think he needs some rest on his wrist and knee - I can see the concern for Lowell,but let's not break the whole team up just yet - We can wait until their first 2 game losing streak in 09
The decline of David Ortiz over the past two seasons has to be concerning to Red Sox fans. The article makes some real good points. I am a big Teixeira fan and think he would be a great fit in the lineup. The cost will be steep but considering it was assumed the Red Sox would keep Ramirez at $20M why not sign Tex. Tek is a tough call for me. He embodies the true pro but how much does the Red Sox brass value his game-calling and handling of the pitching staff? It really is time to look for a replacement for Tek to mentor. I am a Wakefield guy but it's time for the Red Sox to let him go. A replacement in the bullpen for Timlin is a must too. All in all the Red Sox have a very solid core of players. The future looks bright...just need to address a few areas of concern.
How do you classify a team that has won ONE division title in the last 13 years as the "premier franchise in baseball"... Kudos on two Championships in 5 years. The Yankees one 3 in 3 years. 4 in 5 years, and 6 pennants in 8 years. And have sold 4 Million tickets in each of the last five years. A number that will not diminish with a new Stadium.
Tony is absolutely correct; The Sox are in really good shape in terms of putting a winning team together . Lots of money, and a brain trust with a great track record (for the most part). It is important that they have shown the courage (and have the resources) to eat contacts when decisions don't work out. I love Jason Varitek, and I agree he's the heart and soul of the team. However, no team can afford to have an everyday player with the offensive production he showed this year. Maybe Manny and Papi in their prime, with a healthy Mike Lowell, can mask it to some extent, but the days of being able to carry a Mark Belanger, in my opinion, are over. I still don't understand 5 yrs-$72 mil" for J D. Who. If he could have made even BABE RUTH league throws from right field, the Sox would be playing the Phillies instead of watching at home. I'm not knocking him personally-I leave that kind of bashing to Shaugghnessy. Drewseems like a good guy, you've GOT to be able to throw better than that to play right field in the majors.
They got Jason Bay, but he is obviously no Manny Ramirez. Outside of the issues that Manny brought to the table, they missed his bat in the middle of the lineup. It will be difficult, at best, to replace the best hitter in baseball over the past 14 years.
Well, rather than go gangbusters and get involved in the silly season of paying exorbidant salaries, why not dangle Ortiz, Lowell, Crisp. Get younger, get deeper, get some (more) prospects and be ready to compete on the field with the Rays for the next few years to come - rather than try and match checkbookswith the Yankees who are forced to add big names to fill their new stadium. It doesn't work when you do it like that. I bet the average baseball fan doesn't remember the cogs of the Yankee dynasty only 10 years ago. Were Paul O'Neil, Scott Brosius, Tino Martinez, etc. studs. I don't think so. Have superstuds Giambi, A-Rod and Abreau done anything in multiple October's. Nope!
They gotta bite the bullte on Lugo, eat his 2009 $ and convince an NL team that his 2 yrs for $9MM total is worth it. Lowrie deserves every chance to be the everyday shortstop. This is a kid who was in Double A last year. he had more RBI's than Lugo after like 25 games played. He definitely got a tired bat in September & October but so did Youk his first few seasons in the bigs. look at the consistentcy he showed this year. And Jed's 'D' is solid too.
By the way, I hate saying dangle Ortiz and Lowell due to what they have done for this franchise (esp. Papi). But if we are going to compete that team in St Petersburg, they have to do it. Crisp can go. Still not sure he's using his correct arm to roll the ball back to the diamond.
Can't believe I am saying this, but I actually agree with a Boston sports media member. Don't think it is as dire as he says (he must get readers after all) but we need some more pop.
Also, can they please get Papi to get healthy, get in shape, get those legs under him again!???! And tell him that when he misses fast ball after fast ball, it's not because Manny is no longer there.....
Mazz, curious to know what you really think will happen at catcher. A lot of harsh words have been directed at Varitek this season due to his feeble bat, but is it worth giving up entirely on his veteran leadership and steady day-to-day guidance of the pitching staff for an untested replacement who may produce more offensively (though maybe not a LOT more - I haven't heard of any backstops with Piazza or Pudge Rodriguez hitting ability being available)? How about keeping him on in a mentor-apprentice role, platooning with a young promising catcher while catching 2-3 times through the rotation instead of the four starts he gets each week now?
I had not even considered trading Mike Lowell. Would they really do that?? Atlanta is rumored to want Jason Bay, could we deal him for prosects to flip to Colorado for Holliday? Put Youk at third and sign Tex for first. Holliday, Papi, Tex batting 3-4-5 that looks really good. Great column Tony.
I just have to throw this question out there -- why didn't Francona pitch hit for Varitek? He's batting below .100 in the series (yes he had a key home run in game 5) and everyone on the planet knew that Tek was going to strike out! Boy, he really looked bad at times during the playoffs. Also, why was Cora playing? Suspect moves in my opinion.
Mazz,
Please offer your writing and analysis skills to Shaughnessy.
He needs to get a clue and you are spot on with the insights.
They had better find a new Manager that knows Baseball! He completely screwed up tthe handling of the pitchers, and why with men inscorin position he lets Tek( who is awful and should retire ) Ortize,( who can't hit anymore for some reason or another) bat when all they do is take 3rd strikes( can't even foul the ball off), doesn't pinch run for pappy on 1st or when he got on 2 nd! Tito was and is a lousy mgr!!!!
Ummm...how about fixing the gaping hole(s) in the 7-8-9 spots?
It is time for Tec to move on. Maybe he could be a roving minor league instructor for the team's catching prospects. Reasons to let him go; Age, slowness, lack of an arm, and the most obvious, he is a disaster at the plate. This doesn't mean that we don't appreciate what he has done for the Sox but he has been well paid.
I think everyone has seen what needs there are. After having a long lineup for the past five years or so, the Sox were pitifully short at times. With the injuries to Lowell and Ortiz, and the jettisoning of Manny (good ridance) , they lacked power. They do have some very good young players and one of the best managers and front offices in the business, so it is time to reload and get ready for '09.
Over the past few years they have become a very entertaining team which doesn't quit in the face of adversity. Having been a fan for over 60 years, this is quite a change
Not that I totally disagree, but isn't it a bit early to be writing off Ortiz? Does he not get even 6 months to feel completely healed from his wrist injury before we decide he'll never be a potent bat again? Yes, Teixeira would like nice in a Sox uniform, but maybe Lars Anderson is the stud they hope he'll be, maybe everybody should cut Ellsbury some slack (this was his real rookie season, by the way), and how many teams have power hitting shortstops and catchers (including the Rays and the Yankees with aging Jeter and Posada)?
Thanks for brightening my day! See Texiera's name is what I was hoping to see from your article! I think the Sox in '09 will be a repowered group of great "team" players and will set the tone for the future with Youkilis, Pedroia, and Lowrie!
changes are really needed,,,clue is, look at the phillies and the rays, young eager and COHESIVE, with the sox, pitching ok,, think its time for ortiz,varitek,lowell,and crisp to move on--maybe, even look at terry....leaving a pitcher in to have 8 runs scored against him isnt too great a thing either,,,one thing for the rays,,,madden knows how to talk to his players,,,,im tired of channel surfing watching the sox, they make me nervous as hell, ---in the last 2 games, they left their bats in boston,,,need more PEDROIAS,,,,,,,
Teixeira and AJ Burnett sounds good.
1st place winner wins the pennant. Sox were out of place. 1st place always means world series > how can a second place team deserve world series? sox are bad anyway
Ease up on Mike Lowell, he will come through surgery fine.
Too early to permantly change infield.
But I agree we need a big bat ..
"The 2008 Red Sox ultimately won 101 games and came within five victories of a fifth world title during a five-year span."
does that make sense?
I think you put too much emphasis on the loss of Ramirez. Jason Bay was an upgrade. How many teams have won back to back World Series? The Sox didn't do it in 2005 with Ramirez. They had a good shot this year, and I think they would have won the ACLS if Josh Beckett had not had his injury. Even with that injury, they came oh so close. The Sox have good bats in Bay, Drew, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Crisp, Youk, and others. We had a few untimely slumps, and a beat up pitching staff because of the tough division we are in. Manny wouldn't have made a difference.
Correct. I love Mike L but I'd move Youk to 3rd and sign Tex in a minute if I could do that deal. Dustin and Youk are the heart of the order now. If we could have had one more reliable bat besides JD in there then maybe we'd be in the Series today. I don't begrudge the effort from Bay, Kotsay, Lowrie, but we need a notch higher results. We need the scary guy at the plate. In this last series that was only Youk and Dustin and JD.
And please, please, please, can we insist that Mike Timlin has seen his last game in a Red Sox uniform. That decision to put him into game 2 feeling pretty sore right about now, no?
".......and they established themselves as the premier franchise in baseball, something that will remain true no matter who wins this year’s World Series......."
Calm down, Killer. From 1918 to 2007 the Red Sox won only TWO World Series titles. Granted, those two titles came in a span of only three years, but, they can in NO WAY be called the "premier franchise in baseball". Win four in five years with twenty-six in franchise history and then MAYBE we can talk.
OPEN LETTER TO THEO: Please don't trade the young pitchers for a hitter. Sign Texiera if $20M/yr or less, but don't trade Buchholz (his trade value is down anyway) or Masterson. Mazz is definitely right that we could use a big stick in the middle but pitching is always the foundation of championships. Imagine if you had caved last winter and traded Lester, Masterson, Bowden and Lowrie for Santana -- AND then had to pay Santana like a free agent -- $25M/yr. You showed foresight not giving away the farm (literally) for Santana -- heck, Lester IS Santana at this point. So you should hang tough on requests for the Sox young pitchers as well. If Texiera bidding goes through the roof, then just wait and get a hitter next June from a team looking to move a soon-to-be free agent hitter. OR, if you can't get Texiera and need to trade for a hitter, consider trading Dice-K. Just like Ellsbury last winter, this winter Dice-K will be overvalued because of his stats. If Dice-K has exactly the same WHIP ratio next year, the law of averages says he'll be about 13 and 12 -- nice but not spectacular - and he only goes between 5-6 innings, so he hurts the bullpen. And at like $7M/yr, he's a huge bargain. I would rather keep Buchholz and Masterson than Dice-K. Thanks and awesome job the last six years Theo!!
Thats what you get for trading our generations Babe Ruth. Big Papi is now the player he was with the Twins. The curse of Manny will haunt the Sox for a long time.
Maybe the Red Sox can finish last in the division for the next ten years and be the laughing stock of baseball, all the while gaining ten early draft picks, many of them the number one pick in the drtaft. Then, ten years from now, the Red Sox can put together the most awesomest lineup since the 1927 Yankees!
Using the "unleashing" of Upton and Longoria to compare to the Red Sox lineup is absurd. After ten years of being a laughing stock and gaining all that talent, its about damn time that Tampa Bay produce a winner. To compare that to the Red Sox and imply doom and failure is equally absurd. I'll take the ten years of success leading up to this point, thank you.
They sure miss Manny....although hypothetical, most likely to would have been in the World Series if they kept him.
Weak in the middle? What about 7-9?
Very succinctly put, Tony.
And the bullpen. I'm OK with Okijima-Masterson-Papelbon. They also need specialists and versatility. But they may have to wait and make those moves at the trading deadline.
On the whole, this team is very close. But their biggest need (power) is everyone's need, and there's not a lot out there.
Thank you, Tony. I've been waiting for this kind of commentary regarding Ortiz and the lack of offensive power for quite some time. It's about time this is being openly discussed.
Where does this leave Jacoby Ellsbury ? Will they trade hi? I hope not ! I thought Francona should have had him pinch hit for Crisp in the 8th inning just to shake things up.
Were it not for the considerable efforts of Jon Lester, in particular, the Red Sox� season might have ended weeks ago.
HUH? did anyone miss a certain mr matsuzaka? lester got whacked as well as the rest. daisuke throws a no hiteer into the sixth and he is what? sushi? jeez stop ridin lesters jock and give credit where its due. You want a real red sox update heres the scoop.
1. Wakefield is a walking history book. A true gentleman, and a part of red sox lore that will not be forgotten. But he is done. time to move on. Byrd has more upside than wake and so does buckholtz and many others.
2. Jason Veritek is a great defensive cathcher but he is a liability in the lineup. Kevin cash has proven himself , he should be starting with tek off the bench, except tek wont agree to that,but no team in MLB is going to make tek thier starter not for the money he wants. sorry. love you to death, but hitting is part of being a catacher.
3. Papi , id give anything just to walk behind him. Papi needs something. i dont know what. A best friend or a shrink. or something. He has no confidence and he refuses to listen to the batting coaches who tell him to go the other way. Davvid, Papi, Please! Wake up.
4. Next is coco crisp. yep at an all time high for trade value. I hear peavey is onthe market and they want 2 propects aand a major league ready center fielder. Can you say Buckholtz someone 4else and crisp for peavey? i would. if we dont, the yanks certainly will.
5. Hmm we now have a glut of outfielders slash position players. ellsbury, bay, drew, kotsay, case, cora, and a lot of prospects on the way. thats going to be fun to figure out.
6. ok if we went after texiera, which we wont get because the yanks will as giambi is a free agent anyway. But if we did, we wouldmove youk to 3rd, lowell to...DH? insteadof PAPI? and then wwhat trade papi? dont think so. Trade lowell? umm contract is kinda high, coming off big surgery? try and find a taker. So texieris out and the yanks will nab him.
Theo i dont envy you youre job. not this year anyway.
the big bat we need is David Ortiz. He has been bad ever since he hurt his hand, and probably before that. If he isn't going to step up anymore then we are in trouble. I dunno how long we can live with a one-dimensional player who isn't that good at it anymore. Plain and simple - David Ortiz' job is to be the team's best hitter. Plain and simple. If he isn't one of the top-2 it's a problem. If he isn't the top-3 then... eek.
My rank: 1) Pedroia; 2) Youkilis; 3a) Ortiz; 3b) Bay; 3c) Drew 4-25) everyone else
As much as I like Matt Holiday, I think we need to give Bay a full season here. His potential as a Red Sox is enormous and next year will his last year before free agency, which is traditionally is big year for players with talent (ask Manny). Mike Lowell and Youk are too valuable to consider trading one to spend stupid money on Mark Teixeira. My biggest concern is Papi. He was horrible in the playoffs and not much better this season. I know he was hurt this year, but he was hurt last year and still managed a terrific season. This is the second year his home run totals have gone south.
Bay and a prospect for Matt Holliday? Not nearly enough.
I'd like to see this team healthy before drastic changes are made. How will Texiera help the lack of production from the 8 &9 holes or the inconsistency from the lead-off spot. What they need is a quality bench with defensive versatility, both left and right handed bats, and a little speed. Derek Lowe sounds like a great addition and another experienced bullpen arm wouldn't hurt. My one wish for next year is that Johnny Gomes gets beaned every at bat vs. the Sox. Let's start the trend in Spring Training.
We lost the ALCS because Beckett was hurt. If he only gives up 5 runs in Game 2 we win the ALCS. There is no guarentee that he will be back to normal next year. Isn't it obvious that we need another front line pitcher to beet out the Rays and Yanks next year. Yes, a power bat would be nice, but pitching is the name of the game.
Are you for real! Hanley Ramirez SS This guy is free. He was are top prospect and he would be great in The Fens.
No Brainer...
I love reading the posts from Yankee fanbots taking exception to you calling the Sox the premier franchise in the sport. Those are interesting stats on ticket sales, and your performance in the 20's and 90's was certainly admirable. But the Yanks are reaping what they have sown: aging stars ( Jeter, IRod, Damon, Abreu, Posada, Matsui), too many DH types, overrated young pitchers, one pitcher in the drunk tank in Nebraska, and useless trade bait like Melky, Cano, Hughes, Kennedy, and noting in the minors. And an owner more full of s^#t than a barnyard stall. Oh yeah, and ARod. Woo hoo, very classy! Go get Tex, Cashman.... and Sheets or CC. The team still won't be good enough. Enjoy the new stadium, Yank fans. The Sox and Rays will be in 20 times to show you how baseball is played in the post-steroid era. And don't forget to tell us about Ruth, Gehrig and DiMaggio. We'll talk about the bums you have now. Enjoy looking up at the Blue Jays next year.
The Sox are in great shape for the future. But right now, I think there are alot of questions and concerns. Tek is a Boston icon, but his best years are far behind him. As great as he handles the pitching staff, he is almost an automatic out. Boston fans would like to remember his career as the great player he was and not the player he is now. It's sad, but reality. If you think about it, what position players are set at their position? Catcher: TEK should be gone. 1st base: Youk - but, if Lowell does not come back, or they sign Texiera he would be at 1st. 2nd base: Pedroria. Short: I am not sold on Lowrie and Lugo may be the worse defensive shortstop to ever play the game and he can't hit his weight. Plus, he is making 9 mil per year for the next (2) years - They can't move him. Argenis Diaz was brought up to Portland at the end of the year, he's 21 and he's "sick" defensively. Hitting is suspect, but at short, defense is the key. 3rd: Lowell - Who knows if he will ever be able to play again with his hip. They are talking (4) months of rehab. Trading him will also be very difficult considering his age, health and salary. LF: Bay - I think he
should stay there. He is your typical Red Sox player who plays the game the right way, and plays hard everyday. CF: Crisp is gone. Ellsbury should be your starting CF for years to come. But he needs to be more consistent, especially as a leadoff hitter. RF: Drew. DH: Ortiz - Hopefully, he can come back to his old ways. But that is uncertain. And he needs to stop crying about Manny not being there. With the #s Pedroria and Youk put up this year, he was definately protected! Pitching: Their starting rotation is pretty solid. Another frontline starter would be nice, but with all their young arms, that may not be necessary. The Pen: They need another middle inning reliever. Delcarmen needs to go. He has not figured out that he is playing in the major leagues and a 95 mph fastball down the middle of the plate, is going to get hit! Masterson, Okijima, Pap & a couple other spot relievers and they are solid.
Bench: Cora - he is a guy you need on your bench. Can play (3) positions in the infield, doesn't complain, and he's almost like another coach. Kotsay - Free agent who wants to play everyday. He's gone. It's amazing that the day after they lose in game 7 of the ALCS, we are all playing GM and saying how many changes need to be done. I think Theo will figure it out! But, its still fun to hear what Red Sox nation thinks should be done. They'll be back next year!
Lets keep our eye on the ball here...All these theories...What is 85% of a baseball team? PITCHING as in PITCHING...The Rays have great pitching...lets fight fire with fire...pitching with more pitching..Forgety Jake Peavy...Peavy had a 4.25 ERA on the road, and in HUGE PETCO park a 1.73 ERA even Cla Meridith looked like Cy Young pitching in PETCO, plus why give up Clay Buchholz AND Bowden for him?? AJ Burnett for no players!! Just money..sign AJ Burnett, and keep Buchholz as our #5 with Bowden close behind, cut Wake & Timlin, get a reliever, and if possible then sign Mark Teixiera....all this without giving up players
This was a great season to follow, and lots of excitement. We have a great nucleus of young players stressing pitching and defense. We are a new franchise! We dont have to have a bomber lineup, we need players that have versatility. That can run, and play defense. I love Bay because he doesnt just hit, but can play the game. Same for Drew.
I love it. Pitching, Pitching, Pitching. If we added Peavy (no chance) or a frontline starter, I would be comfortable with the team we have. You saw our defense in the regular season and postseason, it was excellent. We didnt beat ourselves.
Theo, bring us another starter, and some help for the bullpen!! We will be great again.
Ramirez carried the Sox for years, elevating lots of guys in the lineup. Only surefire hall of famer (other than Pedro) to play on this team for the last five years, unless I am missing someone.
They have some nice guys coming up and bought a good pitching staff. Just hope the new guys continue coming faster than the old guys break down.
All of you are crazy to give up on Papi already. If there is even a chance that the wrist contributed to his loss of pop and lack of hitting to the opposite field, then we owe him at least till the 7/31 trading deadline of next year to prove he's not finished. Think of how heartbreaking it would be to see a resurgent Papi on another team. It's bad enough to see Manny bashing the ball for LA, and he gave up on the Red Sox. Papi is a great hitter and an even better person... The only opening on the team will be at shortstop. Trade Lowrie, Crisp and a propect for a good hitting shortsop. And then we need another reliable reliever. Wakefield can still eat innings in the regular season, bt should never be allowed to pitch in the post season again. No shance they make a serious run at Texiera, CC or Burnett.
This hasn't been a good season for the "Carmines" ( designation courtesy of Ken "Blowhard Hawk "Harrelson). If they were the Yanks, mayhaps they dedicated their season to LPB - Lawrence Peter Berra - but they are the 2008 Red Sox and they properly should honor L-O-B, but...
I DO NOT care if Tek's stats stunk, and, except for one swing in Game 5, that he showed ALL the signs of an aging hitter, plus, of course whatever interior mysteries that led him to looking awful at the plate for extended periods during the past 5 seasons, (I can remember an '03 September series in The Stadium, with Mussina on the mound on a Sunday that he had some of the worst swings I ever witnessed, and that includes Geddy, post-Hrniak.
I DO NOT CARE about anything like this in terms of baseball productivity; on the contrary I do feel that he has once- in-a-generation value as a leader and a teammate, and, for this reason alone should be re-signed, except...
I DO CARE about who represents who in the business of baseball, because, although baseball is, to paraphrase George " he's a Blowhard from Chicago, too"
Will, "the purest of meritocracies"; it is also the National Pastime, and, as such has all the symbolism, serendipity, and strongly percieved mystery that characterizes so many of it's fans thoughts, feelings and conversations about it...
Therefore, the Red Sox, being the charter member of the Those-Who-Have- Experienced-the-Baseball-Version-of-the-Ineffable Club ( NOT "PREMIER FRANCHISE!!"), should be the last to turn their venue, closest to being the Paradise that Giamatti called a baseball park, into a pure commercial marketer's tool, and a business model for some pencil-necked Whartonite, by caving in to the likes of Scott Boras, who Ayn Rand would have lusted to create...
So, if Varitek sheds Boras, WE SIGN HIM, if not, he follows 'Johnny D, We Hardly Knew Ye' out the door, and behind him any other Boras clients continuing to choose the Prince of Darkness...
That's it...that's all I have to say... except,
PLAY BALL!!!
Here's something to think about, Theo, in case you're reading this. Texas has 3 catchers. Gerald Laird, who is a good hitting catcher (not sure about his defense). Jarrod Saltalamaccia. (I'm not sure I spelled his name right, but I'm not sure he can even spell it right either.) He was a top prospect in the Braves system a couple of years ago. He hasn't really panned out yet, but I don't think anyone's ready to quit on him. However, the Rangers called up another top catching prospect of their own last August, Taylor Teagarden. (What's with these catchers's names?) He hit something like .330 during his call up. So, my point is, Theo, that Texas might be willing to move one of their catchers for maybe Delcarman plus a prospect. Something to look into. Also, Houston has a catcher named Towels, who also might be available. Anyway, Theo, great job this year even though the Sox didn't win. I'll be waiting by my email for your response.
I can't believe that some are crying that trading Manny the Quitter, cost the Sox the ALCS! What exactly did he win with the Dodgers? NOTHING!
The Sox would not have made the playoffs with Mannny The Cancer, with his lousy attitude and fake injuries.
Jason Bay had a superb post season. He hit .342, 441 OBP and 1,105 OPB.
Lead the team in RBI and tied for HR. One less RBI than the Manny myth.
Manny hit .250 in the World Series last year. Big deal.
Jason Bay has been a great addition and looks forward to next year here.
How about making a trade for Kelly Shoppach of the Indians. He hit .261 with 21 homers plus he has Boston roots. Keep Tek as a backup.
1) Lowell is untradeable.
2) He need not be traded to get a Teixeira. The Sox had need for 4 'starting' outfielders all year. No reason they should not find good use for 3 corner men.
3) If YOU were Teixeira, and could sign for any team, would you sign with:
a) The Yankees, an aging club with (aside from the GM) a 3-ring-circus front office, whose most skilled player (A-Rod) is regularly crucified in the press?
b) The Mets, whose latest 'rebuilding' has stalled and has no idea what to do next?
c) The Cubs? I mean... the CUBS?
d) Some other club that didn't make the playoffs but decided to take a flyer and build a new ballclub around you? (See A-Rod, above.)
- or -
e) The Red Sox?
I live in Western Colorado and have been watching Matt Holliday for the past three years. Sign him, play him in right and trade Ortiz for a catcher.
Sign Texiera and let Youkilis play third.
Let Varitek, Schilling, Wakefield, Drew and Lowell go or trade them for another middle reliever.
Lowell and Ortiz have health issues. Can we wait until the doctors work on them before we start wheeling and dealing? If they can't get back to 100%, then try to replace them.
They have tons of money, as Manny and Curt are off the payroll, as will be Tek. As it stands now, the Sox #1 priority is a catcher who can hit adequately. I love Tek, but he was almost an automatic out. #2 priority is a proven setup man who can throw strikes and stabilize the bullpen. Then wait to see how Lowell and Ortiz heal. They may try to bid up the price for CC and Texeira to sandbag the Yanks, but the Sox don't NEED them.
In regards to Joel's questions...
it has nothing to do with cork or even juice. The ray hitters know the sox pitchers are much to scared to brush someone back or even drill someone. So, it makes it easier to swing from your heals. As a pitcher, when you see the opposition swinging from their heels and enjoying it at the same time, it's time someone goes down to make them a little less comfortable in the batter's box. It's called pitching. Very surprised this staff did not drill someone or atleast knock someone down. It sends a message when 95 buzzes your head. Garza did it a few times last night. Did we look comfortable hitting last night after Petey's bomb? no.
Uh Tony, your comment that the Red Sox are the premier franchise is pretty transparent as to saying what Sox fans want to here. The Sox just lost and they've lost the most important aspect of their past success, the 1-2 punch of Manny and Ortiz. One must remember the Sox were extremely lucky the two years they won, coming back from being down 3-0 against the Yankees, and down 3-1 to Cleveland. They could easily have lost those two years. This team is not a dynasty like New York was from '96-'00 when they won 4 out of 5. The Yankees are going to be awash in money moving into that new jaw-dropping stadium, also have a lot of young talent, and have a lot of money coming off the books this offseason. Who knows how good the Rays are going to be? Now they could turn into a dynasty. So while the Sox will certainly field competitive teams in the coming years, they're going to be different teams, with different chemistry. Teams that might not get it done like they have in the past. Plugging in new quality players into a team is all one can do to remain competitive, but in doing so, more championships are not guaranteed. Just ask the Yankees.
this is what I love about Sox fans. We could talk like this 24/7/365. Any other team fan would bolt to football when the season ends. Bottom line, I trust Theo, he will put out, as he says, "the best possible product" on the field. No doubt we need a bat, but keep in mind 2004, team unity is just as important as talent. Theo knows he has to be careful who he brings into the clubhouse, and who can play in Boston. Tex would be awesome, but Youk and Lowell are as good as it gets on the corner, and Theo loves defense. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes after J.J. Hardy (not locked up by Brewers). He's capable of hitting 25-30 bombs and would enjoy peppering the monster in left. I like Jed, but he's a career #7 hitter. You can scratch Atkins, that won't happen, unless packaged with Holiday. Lowell is so valuable to this team, clubhouse, and organization. Can't imagine seeing him go. The Cubs need a CF bad, so I wouldn't be surprised to see something develop with them for Coco. I wouldn't worry about Papi, give him some time to get fully healthy, he'll be fine. It's amazing we still won 95 games as banged up as we were, incredible. In Theo we trust!
Ortiz was hurt, ok? If his wrist heals properly, he should be back to normal. He doesn't need to carry everything on his back. We were giving away too many outs in our line-up. Kotsay, Varitek, Cora, Lowrie are not going to scare anyone. I think the Sox can make one big trade and one big FA signing. I'd love Peavey or Burnett, Holliday, Ordonez, or Texiera on this team.