Piece by piece, Sox move on

Mazz, you just had to add Teixeira's name in this article again, didn't you? WTF is wrong with you? You put up an article yesterday saying the final chapter in the Teixeira saga, well you lied!!!!!!!! What is it with you and this guy? Will you please go and work in NY, so we don't have to keep hearing this crap over and over again and again throughout the season? If you have no faith in this team, well, move on, you are a non-believer, and those vibes just don't fit here. GET OVER TEX, or go work for a NY paper!!!!!!

Simply love the moves Theo is making right now. Pitching depth is huge and the bullpen looks rock solid from innings 7-9. The lineup (assuming Tek or Salty are signed), is possibly only 2nd to the NYY. I actually expect big things from this currently assembled roster. Injury possibilities aside, the Sox have a real chance at making Hank/Hal and the NYY fans cry in Oct/Nov of 2009.

don't like it, wreaks of Dan Duquette era baseball....hello David Cone/Saberhagen...one Wade Miller is ok but Penny, Smoltz, and Baldelli coupled with Lowell (and even constantly hobbled JD Drew) make this team look like a bunch of banged up re-treads.

They need to sign Mark Kotsay, not a Mark Kotsay type. Kotsay gives them so much flexibilty 1B, OF...and would get between 350-400 AB's this season.
Whoever they sign for the last bench spot that player has to be able to at least be able to play the OF because he just don't know how much Baldelli will give you, I like Jim Edmunds as an option if not Kotsay. Eric Hinske is also a possibilty and as a long shot Kevin Millar but I think his OF days are over.
As far as teh last bullpen spot, I like Wes Littleton in that role.

Tony,

First off, Happy New Year to you and yours and may '2009' bring much health, happiness and success!

I may not always agree with everything that you write, but I will say that this time you and I have nothing to disagree on. The recent success that the Red Sox have experienced (I've been a fan since the 50's) is nothing to sneeze at. God only knows how we Sox fans had suffered through the ages. I have the utmost confidence in Theo and Co. and I can't help but believe that any and 'most' moves that have been made (or not made) have been for the long-term success of the Red Sox! As for Texiera not being a member of our team, all i can say is 'good luck and may he go the way of "A-Fraud"!!!

Well yes that's true there are many questions. But why is the Yankees simply being awarded the AL East? I think they have alot more questions then the Red Sox. Their catching is as suspect as ours- A-Rod and Tex have a history of NOT getting along- I think our bullpen and outfield is better and defense wise our infield is number 1. Youk's number are comparable to Tex who has yet to prove he can put those kind of numbers up while playing the grind of the AL East.. Lester has shut down the Yankees more then once, Sabthaia is tough but the Sox have been beaten him, especially in the post season. The core of the red sox from starting rotation to bullpen to the position players have played together and won. The yankees have much to prove just from being a team who can play together and win to even if their new toys can still perform to their highest expectations in NY and the AL East. It's a little sad that the Yanks thumb their nose at the economy and instead of writing questions about their own holes and what ifs- the reporters award them with all but the WS before spring training evenn strats.

Can we stop describing the Teixeira non-signing as a failure? Based on his comments, the only way the Sox were going to get Tex was to significantly come over the top of the 22.5/yr that the Yankees offered. Reasonable people can disagree over the wisdom of such a move. Choosing a reasonable path (not potentially overpaying for a player) is not the same as failing...

Really? Low priced players with some risk is a good idea. Remind me again how it worked out with Bartolo Colon last year...

I like the guy & all, but it's really time to bid farewell to Mr. Wakefield. Unless he would accept a long relief/spot starter role he is not a great option as a 4/5 starter, expecially in the AL East.

Beckett, Lester, DiceK, Penny, Smoltz (healthy) How can you not like that?

Who is writing off the season? Because they didn't overpay for Teixeira who is a good player, but has never been named in any conversation of the best players in baseball? We don't know anything about Lowell and Ortiz's health, and if they are back next year even close to form, combined with Youkilis, not signing Teixeira turns out to be a good thing.

There has to be a deadline for Tek, soon, and then they sign Greg Zaun to a non-guaranteed contract to strengthen their position in Saltalamacchia trade discussions. They are overpaying for Smoltz, but at least it's less than Schilling last season. I'd like to see them overpay for Kotsay instead, and have some really good OF/IF insurance.

I actually like our starting lineup - IF Drew, Lowell and Papi are healthy and productive. If two or all of them aren't, I'm afraid it'll be a frustrating season...

I like the composition of this team and especially the flexability the Sox will have this year at trading deadline and for the next two offseasons. I see no weak spots, lineup is solid, rotation is one of the best, very good bullpen, and a solid defensive team. Injuries and off years are the biggest questions and allteams have them.

I know everyone is handing the division to the Yankees but in these four areas, are they as well off as the Sox, I don't think so. Rays are a different story and I think they will win the division againwith Sox taking the wldcard.

So when will Schill announce hiw retirement?

I would gladly sacrafice a non-World Series year in 2009 for the Sox to continue to run the organization with an emphasis on developing organic talent. The Yankees have been spending billions on free agents over the last 8 years or so with nothing to show for it other than a venerable travelling All-Star team that can't win in the playoffs because they don't play as a team.....Not to mention, is there nothing more gratifying as a fan than to see these kids get drafted, progress through the organization and make it in the bigs. The Sox have a nice balance of free agent veterans and young home grown talent that could position them to have a run like the Yankees in the 90's. Tex was not worth the money, he and Youk are basically the same player save for Youk isn't a switch hitter. A-Rod doesn't hit in the playoffs so it doesn't matter who's in front of him!! Looking forward to spring training!!!

blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. how insightful.

Yeah this is all great about adding Bard, Baldelli, and Penny but who is going to be the catcher? Veritek at this point hits as well as my grandmother, and she passed away 50 years ago. Theo better get off his rectum and find an everyday catcher or the Sox will be struggling to finish 3rd in the AL East! Remember there is no Manny to back up Ortiz in the lineup anymore and Lowell at 35 is coming off hip surgery, and the right fielder is true to form will be on the DL sometime during 2009. Having good pitching is great, but it is hard to score runs with a depleted lineup.

Great Tony. I'm sure Theo's relieved that you feel he's taking a smart route.
Self-important jackass

"The Texiera failure"? Why is it a failure? I consider it a success to not overpay for talent. If you went to buy a Porsche and you were willing to pay $50,000 and the dealer wanted $60,000, is it a failure for you to walk away? If you bid on a Manny Ramirez rookie card on eBay and someone's willing to pay more than you are, so you walk away, is that a failure? It's called the "winner's curse". The Yankees have it.

isn't lugo the starting SS?

I would really like to know why you love Teixeira so much? I understand how good he is and all, but I don't understand how much you talk about him.

How long are you going to keep saying things like 'the Teixeira failure'? Your own paper has outlined how Teixeira had no real interest in coming to Boston. The Yankees would have always received the last phone call from Bore-ass and they would have topped whatever the Sox laid on the table. There is no 'failure' on the Sox' part. Get over it.

I think the best option is to try to get Tek back for two years with an incentive laiden contract... Even at a partially inflated price and see what develops for prospects.... Maybe the Rangers will lower the asking price at the July deadline in regards to getting a catching prospect.

This season could be a success or a total bust. When healthy, this might be the best starting rotation we have seen in years, it could also backfire. I like the risk though, I'm fine with the ball in the hands of a healthy John Smoltz in Sept, IF he can get healthy........

How about a bench comprised of Rocco Baldelli, Eric Hinske (or Ty Wigginton, or Mark Kotsay – if he’s amenable to a bench role again), Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Josh Bard (with the idea of bringing back Tek or bringing in someone like Greg Zaun or one of the Catching Molinas to start), and either Jed Lowrie, Julio Lugo (if he’s still in town), Alex Cora or Willie Bloomquist? And, if the Sox have made a play for Takashi Saito, why not make a move for Brandon Lyon? Always liked the way he pitched…! And, what’s happened to Ben Sheets? Also, could Nomar be making his way back as a bench player? Wouldn’t THAT be interesting! We could also bring back Pedro…! Now wouldn’t that be fun? Hey, let's just add "Cowboy Up" Millar while we're at it! It could be Back to the Future, ala '04! (Just kidding!)

Ah, the Teix man-crush lives on - but I think it's getting better, only 6 references in this article! Get OVER it! It's not a "failure" if the guy was heading to NY regardless of what we did (unless you think $220 million+ would have been worth it). The odds of Lowell and Papi (project their numbers for last year over a full season and they're right on par with what we've come to expect from them) returning to form have to be greater than the odds of a bunch of overpaid prima-donnas in NY getting it together to have anything resembling a cohesive "team". Haven't the last few years taught us anything? If Papi and Pedroia or Beckett played anything like they normally do, we'd have made it to and probably won the Series AGAIN last year. And remmeber - our 3rd and 1st basemen in 2004 were Mueller and Millar - certainly not "superstars" but guys who played the game right and were great team players. Trust in the Sox management - they know what they're doing!

you keeping saying this team has concerns but you don't state what they are! The one concern I have is another bat to back up Ortiz. Youk was great, but he's no manny and doesn't provide the protection Ortiz needs to be successful. Plus with another year on those knees it might be the case where we've seen the best of Ortiz as a power hitter

The sox don't get Teixeira and it is a failure? From all accounts the sox could have thrown all their money at him and he wasn't coming. It would have been a "nice to have" but in the end, are they more worse off now that they didn't have him?

Ok. You now have a disturbing attraction to Mark T. Get a girl friend will ya? We'll start having to do "over/unders" on how many times you will mention Mark's name in each article.
Get over it. He does not need to be mentioned because he never has been nor will he be a member of the Red Sox.

If you have good starting pitching then you don't need to carry 7 relievers. The Sox have relied on this model and it sucks. The your 6th starter is also supposed to be your long guy out of the pen or he comes up from the minor league club for a spot start or maybe a few games then goes back down. They should be carrying a back up 1B and a 5th OF. One of those two positions needs to have some pop in the bat and the other needs to be able to run and get on base.

"In most scenarios, winning 87 games simply does not qualify as a good year anymore.... In this market, in this age, the Red Sox never should be allowed to simply write off a year...."

The pre-2004 days when Sox fans SWORE they'd be happy forever with one (Please God) one championship are gone. Just call yourself the Boston Yankees. Uh, make that the Boston Wannabe Yankees.

Look at it objectively, and the team they are proposing to send out next year is definitely better than the 2008 edition. Given that they won 95 games despite a wave of injuries and mediocre performance from their Ace, they could easily still win the division and have the best record in baseball. Unfortunately, 2009 could be 1978 on steroids in that the best three teams in MLB could all be in the AL east.

The Angels are down. The Twins are just ok. The same with the Indians and White Sox. Oakland looks better. The Sox have a much better rotation with Penny in place of Colon and the call-up of the week. Masterson for a full year and Ramon Ramirez greatly improve the bullpen. Smoltz is just gravy. Baldelli is an upgrade as the 4th outfielder. Bard is an upgrade on Cash. Starting catcher is either a wash or an offensive upgrade with one of the young guys (impact on pitchers yet determined). Lowrie for a full season could be a nice upgrade over Lugo...if not, we've still got Lugo. Ortiz can't be any worse than he was in 2008, and should be better.

I like what theyv

I love it when Mazz and others portray the 2009 Red Sox as having the equivalent of the Kansas City Royals roster. Gosh, how can they compete? Two of the top five MVP vote getters on the right side of the infield and we hear how the Sox needed Teixeira. Age and injury questions surrounding a couple of players (Lowell and Ortiz). What team doesn't have age and injury concerns with some of their players. This is a young team and talented team. Relax with the "On paper" stuff. For all those "fans" with the Sox pencilled in for a third place finish, check your pencil notes from prior to 2008? Did you have TB in first and the Yankees in third place in your predictions?

Oh and Mazz, stop harping on the fact that there are concerns and issues for the Sox. Every team in every professional sport has issues. By including it in almost every piece you write, it becomes as tiresome as someone including "weather permitting" whenever they are asked what time the game starts. As in, "Hey what time are the Sox on tonight?" Answer: "The game will start at 7:05 PM, weather permitting." It's a given. It doesn't need to be repeated over and over again. Especially when thus far this offseason, your only solution has been for them to have "paid the extra $1.5 million per year" that it would have taken to sign Teixeira nonsense. He was never coming here. Never.

Just so typical for a beat writer to get lost in his own world of words and ideas. Winning a pennant or a world series requires luck, health, chemistry, and for competing teams to have lacks therein.

Losing Teixeira was not a failure. Overpaying for him and blocking Lars Anderson would have been. The Sox will have 5 or 6 aces, a deep bullpen, a strong line-up, and lots of commodities to trade in the minors.

The map is not the territory, and you writers need to take a breath and rewatch a real game.

Does anyone else still read between the lines in Tony's pieces and taste the strong sense of bitterness in his writing anywhere around the name Teixeira? It seems like he has taken the final developments of that scenario (and our responses to his reactions) personally. Tony, you're a great writer, man. Please, let it go.

Sounds like a dirge, Tony. Can't you please get out of the 90's. This is the same team that went to the 7th game of the ALCS even while their sluggers missed more than 400 AB, and played injured for 400 more; even after losing Manny & Schilling, and then Beckett, Wake, Buchholz, Hansen, Papi, Mike, JD, Lugo to injuries. Baldelli for Coco, Bard for Cash, Penny for Tavarez, Bailey or Kotsay for Casey, RRamirez for Hansen, more to come. This is already a better team than 2008. Bay, Ellsbury, Lowrie, Masterson, Aardmsa are now settled into Fenway. Expect more. Papi's wrist and Mike's hip are repaired and finishing rehab. Theo has a half dozen good solutions at catcher, including Salty, TG, Montero, Shoppach . . . and a Tek/Bard combo would be great. There's no funeral here, Tony. Time to celebrate a winning team and expect the posteason this year. That's why Smoltz is here.

This team rises and falls on the bat of Ellsbury. their pitching is good, their defense is good, the middle of the order is good, but the bottom of the order is weak. I hate to put too much pressure on one guy but given that they are likely to have some holes at the bottom of the order they cannot afford one at the top. If Ellsbury can get on base, they score runs; if he struggles, the Sox could easily be a third place team.

I'm with you on this. Looking forward...........................

I disagree that not signing texeria is considered a "failure" as you say Mazz.

Yeah they don't want to give up a fist round pick for Lowe now that they are poised to dumpster dive like the old tampa rays owing to a poor showing in the upcoming season. That shouldl give them a high pick. Then we can all marvel at the Red Sox "wherewitha" five years from when their finally contenders again. The "Pitching and defense" mantra isn't going to cut it with a team that plays half of its games in Fenway Park. Say, how many Hispanics on the team this year? Sure is going to be lonely for David Ortiz. Hey but for what we're paying him...
Genius.

Maz....Nicely put! Now if THE GLOBE could only get a football writer.

They're still missing the most important piece of the puzzle, one that Teixeira would have addressed: a power hitter to protect Oritz in the lineup.

Without that, they're essentially losing two spots in the order, since it renders Ortiz useless (as well all too evident last season).

Mazz--Lot's of "iffs" on this team, but when I look at the Yankees, they replaced Pettite and Mussina with CC and Burnett. Better, but not dramatically so from last year. Yes, they got Teixeira, but lost Abreu and Giambi, so some improvement offensively, and a lot defensively. They got younger, so it helps long term, but not as dramatically year over year. Still a team suspect up the middle defensively with Damon and Jeter and a rehabbing Posada.

Sox have lost Crisp, Timlin, Cash, Byrd, and maybe 'Tek, and added Ramirez, Penny, Bard, and perhaps Baldelli. Lugo is still sitting out there. Can't see him as a spare part--not sure he'll last. Other than a Kotsay, no GLARING need at this time, depending on performance of the question marks, particulary at catcher, third, short and center. And like you said, can address this during the season as well. Count on one of the question marks to need upgrading, my guess is at short..

Buchholz + Lugo + cash + pieces for Saltalamacchia + Young.

Good signings...not spectacular, but all have good track records and the upside potential is exciting. Realistically, we know Smoltz is past his prime, but the other three are not that old. Now, pull the trigger on a deal for a catcher ( please, not Varitek ) and we're in pretty good shape. I'd like to see an upgrade at shortstop, but Lowrie is certainly an improvement over Lugo and may surprise us based on what he showed last year. Now, once and for all, let's stop talking about Tex...I'll bet anyone that when next season is over, his stats won't be that much better than Youk's, if at all.

Damn, if we had acted sooner we might have been able to get Carl Pavano cheap. Hey, isn't Barry Bonds just coming off surgery and a two year hiatus? How about Ken Griffey too? Maybe Frank Thomas might want to play in Boston. Moises Alou is another "must have" ...what is he 42 and capable of playing 5 innings per year? Why not take a look at a trade for Nick Johnson since we missed out on Texiera--he'd be cheap and guaranteed not to take up bench space since he spends most of his time in a hospital room...
Great signings---difference makers for sure and we don't have to give up a draft pick!!

Why do Boston writers pretend that Tex is the next Babe Ruth? Sure, it would have been nice to add a younger player who can play a great 1B as well, but it's amazing how overrated Scott Boras's clients can get just based on the market and what Scott Boras does. The key to this team will be health, as it always is. The offense and defense is as good as any in baseball. Confused as to what the catching situation is.

Hello third place! What a joke this is. Rocco Baldelli as the 4th outfielder?! The guy has to take a day off after he runs the bases and we all know Nancy Drew will be injured several times this year. John Smoltz?! In his golden years and coming off shoulder surgery. No catcher (yet). Mike Lowell coming off hip surgery. Papi heading the way of Mo Vaughn. Traded Coco for middle relief, better hope Jacoby hits better than .250. Brad Penny coming off an injury plagued season. Gonna be a long summer!

Well, i for one am looking forward to the days when Mazz stops crying about losing Teixeira.

I know this is the off-season and therefore everyone has to talk about how the teams that dominated free agency are going to subsequently dominate the upcoming year, but it’s amazing to me to see how many approach the MLB like their fantasy team. It’s not a matter of picking up the highest “ranked” player available, but rather plugging in pieces to fit your team.
You can’t tell me that anyone would have thought that a team comprised of Millar, Bellhorn, Orlando Cabrera, Mueller, Nixon, Damon, Manny, Ortiz, Tek would be able to compete against the likes of ARod, Jeter, Giambi, Bernie Williams, Sheffield, Matsui, Posada. In the off-season before that fateful year, the Yankees picked up the best bat (ARod) available and a couple of the best arms (or so they thought – Kevin Brown, Vazquez coming off a 240K season).
Seeing how the 2009 Red Sox are shaping up, I’d take the field with this team 10 out of 10 years. Granted Smoltz and Penny are coming off injury, but as recently as LAST YEAR, they we both the #1 starters on their respective (playoff contending) teams. Now we’re asking them to be the #4 and #5 (or #6) starters!
Looking at the lineup that Mazz posted, Ortiz, Youk, Lowell, Bay, Drew would be the #3 or #4 hitter in any MLB lineup not in NY or Boston. Every single team in the league has questions of health and declining productivity. I don’t think the failure of the off-season will be not getting Mark Teixeria – it’s going to be not getting an “as productive” replacement if Mike Lowell is not healthy.
I for one, am very excited about how this team is shaping up. I think this team can definitely stack up against the reigning AL champs as well as the off-season acquisition champs.

EK

So what are the odds the Sox are building up to get Holliday next season and secure long term deals for their cornerstone players like Papelbon?

Don't get fooled by Lowrie. He is a good utility player at best. He wore down as the season went on last year.(struck out at least once in 20 consecutive games in September) and has no range. If Lugo is healthy he will get the nod over Lowrie on opening day.

Well, what team doesn't have some "concerns and issues"? It does "appear" as though the Sox are choosing the "best and most prudent path," and that, of course, is to their credit. Is there some indication that the Sox are writing off the coming year? I don't see that being the case and it begs the question as to why this possibility is being raised in the first place?

Mazz, your reasoning re: Lowe/Tex and the Sox not signing them is one of the many reasons I do not understand why Boras basically funnelled him to the Yanks. Obviously it is clearer now that his wife preferred NY, etc., but if you are Boras, you could have had Lowe, Tex and Tek all signed to considerable deals with the Sox. Then have the Yankees almost be REQUIRED to respond by signing Manny to a big deal, and have the Mets pick up the pieces by re-signing Oliver Perez, etc. Instead, you allow Yanks the final offer, as you always do. And you get 1 paycheck. And while it is bigger than it would have been had he signed with the Sox, the sum total of the paychecks you would have gotten if you had pushed him to the Sox, which would have allowed them to also sign Lowe, and given them the offensive flexibility to keep Tek behind the dish, then forced the Yankees hand in a Manny bid-off, and Boras's payday would have been through the roof. As it stands now, there is zero market for Manny (would it make us happy or upset if he were forced to re-sign with the Dodgers at 2 years $20M per?), Lowe is outpricing himself, and Tek is waiting for ONE offer. It is not spilled milk - I personally think longterm we are better off not having "won" the Teixeira sweepstakes at that $ amount, but all tolled in looks like it would have made a whole lot more big picture sense if Boras had taken a differnet tack. That said, nothing makes me happier, except maybe seeing the Yankees finish 3rd with the highest payroll in the history of baseball, than seeing Boras mess up. Once again - in Theo we trust. Brilliant offseason moves, all things considered.

Sign Adam Dunn - 1 yr, 12M, perfect backup plan for Ortiz/Lowell. He could play left and first too.

Mazz, you really need to get over this Teixeira thing....Is everything Red Sox article you write from now on going to mention Tex??? You keep saying tis a failure...But, he did not EVER want to be here...Even if they would have gone up to $200 million, Tex was going to be a yank.....If they would have blown out all others..it would have been another Manny thing...it would come out that his wife and himself hated Boston.....Go Bosox!!

wow! only 7 teixeira mentions. you're getting better, MAZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

The 2009 Sox kook a lot like a mediocre "Billy Beane" type of team and very vulnerable.

Just enough wins to fill the park and sell plenty of the concession items.

Boring!

So the 2009 Red Sox are content to gamble on a lot of "maybes", hoping that some of them pan out. If Tim Wakefield can still be effective, if Brad Penny and John Smoltz can stay healthy, if the Red Sox can acquire a catcher, if Josh Bard can effectively catch the knuckleball now (or serve as a backup), if Mike Lowell and David Ortiz can return to form, if Josh Beckett is healthy, etc. the Red Sox could steal a playoff birth from the Yankees or Rays. However, if the 2009 Red Sox have as many injures as they did in 2008 and most of these players DO NOT pan out, they may be lucky to win 85 games. How would the Red Sox Front Office respond if everything that could go wrong DOES go wrong?

Hey, no mention of the Yanks in your article for once?!....good stuff today....big fan of yours from Michigan

tony....when you refer to the "teixeira failure".....i assume that it has 2 possible meanings....1). failure to sign teixeira with the implication that the sox' lineup will not be as good as a result...or 2). failure to sign teixeira and the resulting addition of penny, smoltz, baldelli and possibly another bat making the sox' lineup better than the 1 including teixeira....do you have any empirical evidence to suggest that the sox are better in 2009 with teixeira than they are with penny, smoltz, baldelli and another bat? for what it's worth, your fascination with teixeira has impeded your ability to assess the situation objectively rather than subjectively....

I wonder why the sox wouldn't go after Ben Sheets. Also, according to rumors the sox turned down a Hanley Ramirez for Bucholz and Ellsbury trade supposedly because they did not want to give up Bucholz. I think that this was a mistake. They could have platooned J.D. Drew and Baldelli (with maybe a Dave Roberts/ Gabe Kapler type 5th outfielder) in center and acquired a corner outfielder i.e. Bobby Abreau in a buyer's market for corner outfielders. If they did this their infield would consist of 3 MVP candidates (Ramirez, Pedroia, Youklis) and the outfield would consist of Bay, Drew/Baldelli and Abreau (or other corner outfield free agent).

I like what Theo has done. Yeah it would have been great to see Teixeira in the middel of the line-up, but he opted for NY. In the meantime the Sox have bettered their pitching staff and are starting to fill the potential holes. If Lowell, Drew and Ortiz can come back healthy (and stay healthy) then they will be fine. If not, then, as you mentioned, Theo has until July 31st to fill the holes. From the looks of things there is going to be some real talent available (at a good price) into the beggining of the season.

These signings are an act of desperation and don't think otherwise! The Yankees signed the top 3 free agents on the market while Tampa signed Burrell from Philly. The Sox had to do something before they fall closer to the Jays and the Orioles rather than move up to the Yankees and Rays.

my thoughts position by position
1b--youk vs tex [ok yanks but i'd take youk anyday of the week]
2b--pedroia vs cano [no brainer]
ss--i'll give you jeter
3b--lowell vs a-rod [yanks, but a-rod never won a world series mvp,thanks mike]
lf--bay vs damon [i'll take bay]
cf--ellsbury vs melky [jacoby easy]
rf--drew vs nady?[jd drew]
c--trust theo on this vs.posada[maybe yanks but posada can't throw]
p--our starters have proven they can pitch in big games.sabathia post season is terrible,burnett will get hurt and our bullpen is better than the yanks
bench--even
managers--tito in a landslide
i guess i'll just worry about tampa.

I'm really glad to see the red sox sign another outspoken born again christian homophobe to take schilling's place. never rooted for john smoltz because of his comments while in atlanta and never will.

Can someone explain to me why the Red Sox aren't running to sign Jason Bay (whose contract expires after next year) to a 3 or 4 year deal with the market for corner outfielders so depressed?????

In the onslaught to sign Teixeira, who clearly has more power upside and is 2 years younger than Bay, can we ignore what he did for the Sox last year after coming into town to take over Manny's shoes.

Let's look at the total numbers - Mark Teixeira in 2008 - .308, 102 runs, 33 HR, 121 RBIs. Jason Bay in 2008 - .286, 111 runs, 31HR, 101 RBI - most of it with the Pirates in the NL hitting in the middle of an anemic line-u.

Bay isn't Teixeira, but he isn't chopped liver either. He wants to play in Boston and has showed the ability to be a major contributor. Right now he's by far the best offensive outfielder the Sox have - and at 31 he certainly has 4 or 5 good years left. He was worth giving up a few very hot prospects - why is he being ignored?

Now all we have to do is bring back Hee-Seop Choi and Brett Saberhagen and our roster will be complete!!

Tony,
With the sox saving a big pile of cash on the payroll this year, will ticket prices or food/drink prices be reduced? We all know the answer to that. Sox taking a year off to fill their pockets.

I realize there are 162 games to play and injuries and chemistry play a part, but I hope sox fans realize we are the 3rd best team in the east with this roster. NY gets the top 3 freebies, including the best hitter and we get 2 guys with shoulder injuries and a guy with a blood disease? Ellsbury proved hes not ready to lead, Ortiz is declining, Lowell is coming off a serious hip deal, Drew is never healthy, we have no catcher and just an ok bench. NY has a better top 3 than we do and a better lineup and I havent even mentioned TB, who got better with Burrell. I hope Theo has a plan

I think I'd rather have seen used the money to sign a healthier arm in Lowe or Pettitte rather than Penny and Smoltz, but hopefully they'll work out.... Some of the wanna be editors that keep complaining about the mere mention of Texeira need to give it a rest. I don't think the Sox can be blamed for him going to NY, but he is the big fish that got away and the big story of the off-season. Don't be so sensitive about it.

Yankees have to many Indians and not enough chiefs. With all of their overpriced premadonna (not a reference to Cindy, A-Rod's ex wife) players in that locker room I don't see them coming together as a team.

I am SO f'n tired of hearing Teixeira, Teixeira, Teixeira from Mazz. To hell with Teix

Where do us BRAVES fans BUY a BOSOX - John Smoltz jersey

I am gonna wear it to Yankee II Nosebleed stadium and watch our beloved Brave kick some AL EAST butt

If he is fit, he is a GOD

Where do us BRAVES fans BUY a BOSOX - John Smoltz jersey

I am gonna wear it to Yankee II Nosebleed stadium and watch our beloved Brave kick some AL EAST butt

If he is fit, he is a GOD

If Smoltz physically holds up, he'll be a greaat addition. Tex has always been overrated. He's a good player, but not the "next big thing". While in Atlanta, he was just a decent first baseman. Good fielder, good average, fair power.

Please....Yankees, sign Manny so Theo looks even more incompetant. Theo is a donkey. Hasn't made a good move since the winter of 2003. FIRE THEO.

So our moves this year are 2 pitchers with major health, and/or age issues? and a guy who basically has lime disease? WOW... Keep buying tickets, we still believe all you pink hat morons.

Maz...
Forget about Teixeiria, Fahget about it!!!
Enough already!

Mazz, are you going to mention Teixeira in every Sox column from now on? Sure, they'd be better with him. They'd be better with Manny. They'd be better if the 1978 Jim Rice traveled in time to take a roster spot with the 2009 team. But none of these things are going to happen. Can't we just move on?

Penny, Baldelli, and Smoltz are all GREAT pickups. Repeat: GREAT. There is no such thing as a bad one-year deal. If it doesn't work out, then it doesn't work out; the team moves on. If two out of the three work out to be what you would expect when 80% or 90% healthy, you win. And even if you lose on all three, who cares? They don't get the big incentive money, so you are really looking around 12 - 15mil in money out the door; basically Matt Clement or Julio Lugo with a couple extra million on top. Would you rather them make these moves or throw multiple years and millions at the Julio Lugos of the the baseball world? That's what I thought.

Also, anyone complaining about not getting Teixeira, lets remember that we would have HATED this guy a few years down the line. Can you think of a time when you though, "Oh No! Teixeira's up next!" I can't think of one. Plus with the personally of a JD Drew, let's get real. There would be mutual hatred between player and fan and multiple unclutch performances, not to mention the lost draft pick.

I like both the Baldelli and Smoltz signing because they fit with the way the Sawx play. We are not unused to yanking starters early if they have a problem and we usually have a lot of length in the bullpen. Also, we like to rest and pull position players, especially in past years around Drew and Manny, and both putting Baldelli in and pulling him out will fit the mold. He could be a gem for a lot of years given our philosophy. Smoltz has always had a lot in the tank, and a lot of guys come off rehab the best they've been in a long time. Schill had some of that prior to breaking down. Q: Why not Alex Cora, who has more pinch-hit and fielding ability than Lugo?

What? No Nick Green comment yet?

I, for one, love the little moves - it takes more than 1 or 2 superstars, more than 9 players, more even than a whole 25 man roster to win 90-100 games and a playoof berth. Each little move has some risk, but also covers some contingency. And, unlike chess, you don't have to wait for the opposition to make their move.

I'd be willing to bet that at least one of these 'little' moves (Bard, Penny, Baldelli, Smoltz) will look brilliant before the season is over.

Why don't you just add Bench in for argument's sake?

Tony, you are a very good sports writer, but it is obvious that you have been ticked off since the Red Sox "did not break the bank" (almost your exact quote from early December) on trying to sign Teixeira. In other words, you were proved wrong. Therefore, you have gone out of your way since Teixeira signed with the Yankees to state your displeasure about this even though it has been more and more obvious in recent days that Teixeira wanted to sign with the Yankees, period. How do you, or anyone else, for that matter know for sure if the Red Sox would be a better team with Teixeira as opposed to what they are assembling right now? The answer is, you don't.

I moved to the Midwest from MA many years ago and perhaps, I can better appreciate what has happened with the Sox since 2004. But how you or some of the fans in that area can question the way Theo and company are running the team is beyond my comprehension. We, as Red Sox fans, no longer have a reason to hold a "doom and gloom" philosophy about our team. Instead of enjoying our great success since 2004, it just amazes me how cynical some of the writers and fans can get. I have complete faith in Theo and the ownership group that we will continue to be a championship caliber team for years to come.

Great piece Mazz........it has been said a miillion times that sometimes the best deals are the ones you don't make or, in the Tex case, fail to materialize. I really like the way Theo is handling this with a well thought out Plan B ( pitching and defense). Injuries notwithstanding ,and no one can foresee that, we'll be competitive plus we'll have financial wiggle room for any attractive or necessary deal before the July 31st. deadline

The Sox have a GREAT minor league system that has produced 4 everyday players in Youk, Pedroia, Lowrie and Ellsbury, a stud LHP in lester, top of the line closer in Papelbon and an impressive set-up/starter in Masterson over the last few years. There are more young chips on the cusp as well. Michael Bowden was possibly the best pitcher in AAA this year... and he was 21. Lars Anderson is going to force his way up soon as well. These two guys and other talented players like Reddick are a big part of why the Sox aren't making rash moves with long term implications.

In this article Mazz didnt say that not getting the new Yankees 1st Baseman ( I didnt use his name because I agree that we all are sick of hearing about him) was a failure. He said that the Redsox "failed in their pursuit" which means they tried to get him and did not. If you try to do something and do not succeed then you fail. Those are the only two choices. Stop putting words in the man's mouth. Now he may believe that it was a failure but that is not what he said in this article. P.S, Mazz does seem to have a man-crush on the guy though.

The heart and soul of The Red Sox has been their Captain and No statistics
exist for Heart & Soul.Nobody argues that he had lousy offensive numbers
but he handled his catching duties better than anyone so we'll see how smart
Theo is playing hard ball with Jason Varitek and destroying the chemistry that exists in the dugout. He wasn't selected Captain for nothing but the brain trust
deals with money whether fans like it or not and that's the bottom line,
"Red Sox Nation" !

Mazz - The Sox "moved on" back in 2008 when it became clear that Teixeira was going elsewhere. You, too, need to move on with the story. The front office is making emotionless, smart moves given the team's needs and the state of the market. I applaud their process and feel the results will bear fruit in the form of a return to the playoffs in 2009, a tall order given the strength of the AL East. The moves to get Bard, Penny, Rocco, and Smoltz were strategic and cost effective. The first three have, not only, immediate impact, but also, long term potential. We have the chips and $$$ to make a blockbuster trade if the FO feels it is in our best interest, but they are not being reactionary. The Sox don't need to make a big splash to make a big splash; we needed to fill a couple of holes and strengthen others. We are doing so with the moves that have been made in the offseason. Obviously, a few more cards will be played before pitchers and catchers report, but I'm feeeling really good about where we are.

How can you put not one but two guys at 8 that aren't on the team. You would think the Globe staff would learn when they photoshopped a picture or Teixera with a Red Sox uniform. Now when the Sox don't get Salty, Mazz can obsess over him!

Right now your 8 hitter is bard/kottaras!

Why list Varitek or Saltelemacchia (Sp?) in a lineup when neither are currently on the team? If I wanted garbage like that I could read message boards.

Say what you want. The Red Sox have yet to make any move that improves the team, and still don't have a catcher, or a bat to replace Manny's and protect Ortiz. The Yankees have grossly overspent, but they improved. The Rays only added Burrell, but improved. Whether it's Tek or Salty or whomever, we're still looking at the possibility of a third place finish. Smoltz, Penny and Baldelli are all broken down question marks. We lost Crisp's speed and defense, and are stll stuck with Lugo. I'm betting that John Henry is in some financial trouble that we don't yet know about. Maybe tied up with Bernie Madoff or something.... Hope I'm wrong...

We must remember that CC in New York just might fall apart in NY...This might be his makeup and he has never pitched well in the playoffs has he (in the american league)? Rodrigues does not get along with Jeter or Texteira and so on. Great make up on that team. Nah, they will win their share and their other pitching acquisition will end of on injury reserve a lot this season and they will fight for the wild card. Cannot see them winning. it is either the Sox or Tampa Bay and if the Sox add a big one for the middle of the line up somehow call it quits. It is over.
The Fat Lady might be singing now. Theo is moving quietly in the shadows waiting to strike and he is not about to let us know until it happens. Bravo and good luck to the Sox this year.

Brandon

Youks is Duquettes pick. Pedroia is awesome. Lowrie??? everyday player if you like SS with bad range and hit .260. Lester a stud?? not when he is getting lit up in game 7 of the AlCS.. Ellsbury is another .260 hitter.

Stop over rating your prospects and youngsters like Theo has.

Maybe I'm splitting hairs here, but why would you bat JD 7th? I think you bat JD fifth, behind Youk... he's got more power than lowell and Bay anyway. But more importantly, w/ JD in the five hole, your 1-6 guys would bat L,R,L,R,L,R...

Man, everyone needs to stop rushing the power spot in the lineup. Getting more pitching and a utilitity/bench OF player are single player pieces to the puzzle - and they are solid low $$$ risk versus the potential reward. We don't need to just go get who's available NOW. We all recognize that we need roles to fill, however, I'd rather wait and see what starts to pan out in Spring Training with health issues (Lowell/Ortiz). We will have a lot of trade options by July 31. And if Boston can stay in it until then I think we are in a very good position for the trades we need. Smoltz/Penny and Rocco are solid pickups. And if just one of them pans out above our expectations, for the money, we've done really well. The Sox have one of the best depth pitching teams in baseball with lots of trade options if needed.

Mazz is going to drive us insane with all this Tex stuff then when Holliday another Boras client will become a free agent he is going to be writing about him until he signs. We should boycott his column and not visit here until he stops writing about him. This guy is very negative towards the Red Sox since the beginning. He can go work for the Yankees or Borass.

I have to say i like the fact that Smoltz will be available after June 1. Seems like this is the time frame when one of our guys gets a hitch in the ole step. As for Baldeli, great pick up. This guy will give you everything. Now it's time to go forward and win some games. i like the fact that we have room to either sign V-Tek or get that kid from Texas too.

My concern with Penny and Smoltz is that both have always pitched in the NL. Hasn't everyone on earth realized by now that it takes most NL pitchers one bad year of adjustment in the AL before they find themselves again?

Nice comment, Steve. Mazz, when are you going to get over your crush on Teixeira? You've been talking about him for months...give it up already. Let's see how he does in the NY pressure cooker. Let's see how Sabathia handles it as well? He's only been on small-market teams. How fat will he be in Spring training? He seems to gain 20lbs every year. Eventually his back will go out and he will spend a lot of time on IR.

How many prima donnas can you have on one team anyway? I can't wait until they start losing two-three games in a row...then we'll see how the clubhouse karma is.

I think the Smoltz signing means the end of Buchholtz as a Red Sox. 6 proven veteran starters + Masterson and the minor leaguers I think means Theo moves Buchholtz for a catcher - Salty, or some other young prospect.

Expect Baldelli to have another breakout year coming off the bench! I know him personally and this new diagnosis has really lit a fire under him. He was clutch in the playoffs, was that a sign???

No matter what is written, it will all come down to how committed Drew, Papi, and Beckett are to busting their tails in the offseason, getting in great shape, and improving their odds at remaining injury free (or at least injury limited). This is particularly true with Papi and Beckett, because if either of them comeback again like a beer bellied lard butt, our season could be a struggle.

Why do some people take a writer's story so serious? It's commentary people, not the bible. Great moves for pennies compared to the dump trucks of money the now desperate Yankees are giving out now. Better to have a $5M deal fail than a $180M deal fail (Arod, Jeter,Giambi, etc...) Not sure if I like the idea of dealing Buchholz, something tells me at least another half season in AAA will serve him well. Bad feeling he'll be another Bagwell if traded. Overall, people need to realize this team was one game away from returning to the World Series with a gimpy Lowell and Ortiz. They will be healthy come spring so no reason why they can't win it all. The Yankees will get no respect until they earn it, right now they're a laughingstock. There's only been two teams in MLB history to win a world series with a payroll over $100M....both of those times we had a parade in Boston.

Hate to break the news to you Saul but Tek is rather over rated. He calls way too many fastballs, he has horrible at bats, can't throw out anyone and hid defense is slipping.

Bye Tek. You could have come back for good money for one more year but you and your greedy pig agent couldn't stand the thought of not ripping off the fans for a few more years at ridiculous amounts of $$$.

I think the best move was to trade anyone you could to get Hanley Ramerez from the Marlins. It's still not too late. This guy blow's the Stanks 1st baseman out of the water. Please call the Marlins and trade Masterson, Ellsbury and whoever else they want and put this kid in centerfield. He is a superstar and will have many batting titles the next few years. You can always find someone to take Mastersons position. This would put our batting order in an unbelievable position for everyone. This kid is as good a hitter as anyone in the league and yes that includes Afraud.

Cheap, cheap, cheap! I'm afraid the Sox are going nowhere this year.

saby and young hmm. solid shortstop and an upside catcher added to the pitching moves they have made. would make for a very interesting line up.
since both players have been on the table why not go for it?

The Red Sox have the highest average ticket prices in all of baseball. I commend Theo for not overspending on players like Manny and Texiera, but what the hell are the fans paying all this money for if we keep signing bottom-of-the-barrel free agent picks and then dumping them when things turn sour? While they're at it, I hear Mark Prior's available...

It would be nice if they could add some more solid, dependable players to the roster to fill gaps rather than tossing a few million to some undeserving players and hope they don't get injured.

I want the Sox to pursue Ichiro...could the Mariners be interested in JD Drew and Joe Thurston? Drew will cost less for them and If the Sox keep Ellsbury, Ichiro can work to develop a younger version. Or rework the Florida rumor and send Ellsbury, Buchholz and ?? (possibly a # 1 pick) for Hanley. Then how about Griffey Jr as a fourth outfielder...for the year???

The advantage this team has over everyone else in the AL East (at least on paper) is that most of the guys on this team strike out as often as they walk, and see tons of pitches. Gold glove infield. Tough at-bats, every one, even Lowrie (maybe not Tek, but he still sees pitches-at least 3 per at bat!). Drew CARRIED this team through June, so get off his back. They won't have long losing streaks, and they WILL have a LOT of come-from behind victories. One of these years, Rivera will break down (and the sox will then sign him, of course), then what...Chamberlain? Can he be trusted with the 9th? Tom Gordon ain't walking out of that bullpen in the 8th anymore, no. Now you've got Edwar Ramirez. I'm telling you, the Junkees finish 3rd, the Rays second, and your Boston Red Sox first with 94 wins. Poor Baltimore.

Sign Greg Zaun and I'll sleep well...not great, but well. Then look at long range catching. Zaun knows the batters of this Division well and is already familiar with our pitching. It's not my money, but it seems like a no-brainer to spend the money on him for insurance.

I truely belive Rico will be the next DH when David cant do it any longer great pickup

I like the moves the Sox are making, especially if Smoltz is healthy down the stretch.

Considering the Sox have won TWO World Series titles since 2004 I for one would support a "re-tooling" year (87 Wins) if it means being highly competitive long term.

Plus I'm not dumb enough to pay what you people pay to see a ball game!

Mazz is a moron. He talks about Teixeira AGAIN????

JD batting 7th? Mazz should be fired for this statement alone and/or just being himself (an irresponsible Red Sox coverage guy).
Makes you almost want to stop readiong his garbage.

We win the division IF: Ortiz hits 40, Youk and Pedroia repeat their 08' seasons, Beckett bounces back and wins 17-19. Lester wins the Cy Young.Varitek re-signs. Ellsbury hits 280, and steals 50..(meaning he's learns to take balls, and hit the off-speed.).Let's see what else has to go right for Red Sox Nation not have to root for an 89 win 3rd place team.Geez, the Rays just got a 35 homer guy to hit in that rinky dink catwalk dome. And we are going to face Madonna's boy toy, and Mr. My wifey wants me to be a (DAMN) Yankee back to back all season!! We'll see if pitching really wins over homerun derby ball................

the idea that boston is going to field a championship team every year is the wrong thinking. unless boston accpets losing on occasion they will not get the top draft picks they want. boston will then have to spend big money on free agents and that is playing the Yankees game. boston will lose that one for sure. the New York Yankees commitment ot winning every year makes it close to impossible for them to get a high draft picks. All those talented young NY players who came on line in the 90's were there because the Yankees failed in the 80's.

Please stop with the doom and gloom. We did well against the Angels and they had Tex on the team. What is it with you. The fan of BRS are happy; so, get off the Tex thing and print something new and interesting. I'm already a Baldelli fan.

I love these moves. Pitching and defense win pennants, and the Sox are lining up a list of killer arms to the win the pennant. Even if Penny or Smoltz amount to nothing, the Sox will STILL dominate NY and TB on the mound. (I loved the Crisp/Ramirez trade.) If even one of them has a decent year, though, it will be MUCH fun to watch. I would LOVE to see Smoltz manhandle the Yankees in their new stadium come September.
I don't think they are done making moves, either. Frankly, I would love to see Michael Young at short. And a Tek/Bard combo wouldn't be all that bad. Oh yeah, and the Sox still have a TON of money to play with, too. Teixera would have handcuffed the Sox in a lot of ways.

Great moves by Theo? I don't know. I'll tell you this much I like them. When your honey want's so bad to go to the big bash in town and your willing to shell out the 500 clam's to accomadate her to only find out it's sold out, you do not pay 400 clam's to go the secondary route. You do what the Sox are doing and try and combine some nice inexpensive thing's that will work so you have the cash for next year and hope it work's out. It's not like your relationship isn't STRONG already
and it's more than a fair shot. The only thing that bother's me is the Tek situation. I would overpay there. I can't get our Pudge playing for the wrong team.

I'm pretty sick of hearing about Tex myself. Like it or not, that guy is a Yankee now so lets just toss him into the evil empire bucket and move on! I love it that Smoltz is gonna be a part of Red Sox Nation! I've been a Sox fan since 86-but i have watched him pitch my whole life and this guy can simply compete and bring it!!! Screw all the big names we missed out on, bring on April and lets get this show on the road! Theo may not do everything I like, but that guy has proven he wants to put us in a position to win and win it all!!! GO SOX BABY-I cant wait!!!

2 words -- Andy Pettitte. NOW let the flame throwing begin!!

Ummmm -- the Angels, WITH Teixeira, and vastly superior pitching to what the Yankees have now, even with Burnett and CC (does that stand for 'cafeteria crusher'?) Sabathia, lost to Manny-less Red Sox last year. How has that escaped poor Mazzie's notice? Or comment? Sure, Tex played well. Lots of other Angels did too, including the pitchers, and they still lost. Big names and salaries don't always feed the bulldog. Where have the Yanks been in the last 9 Octobers? Sitting at home watching other teams celebrate. I think the Sox will be fine, and the Yanks will be an underachieving billionaires club for as long as Cash-man (yeah yeah I'm the Cash-maaaaaaaaaaaan') is in place. thank you, Steinbrenners, for the best of short-term thinking.

Mazz, Teixeira is NOT that good! Who ever won with him? He'll be somewhere between a good everyday player to a flop in NY. They can have him. Also, Tek is done.. can't hit, can't field (notice how he rarely calls a splitter because he's afraid of past balls), can't throw. I know.. he calls a great game and all pitchers love him. So why doesn't some pitcher on another team convince their management to sign him?

Big names don't win the world series or super bowls, teams do. Thats why the Patriots are winners and that is why the Red Sox are to. Manny had to go and I personally am glad this overpaid celebrity is in New York, this will give all the New York press alot to throw out there as they don't live up to there expectations. The Red Sox know what they are doing. This year won't be a bust at all.

if gammons is correct then the Boras palyed the sox to play the yank's. I don't think it was a stick to the sox as much as it was a chance to get his player the best deal possible...the whole point of an agent last time i checked. The sox management's feelings (if hurt at all) were an unfortunate casualty. I think the fall out has been handled well. I agree it seems a plan B was in place and we are seeing it in action.

collecting these 1-year go-rounds with low risk-high reward plans is OK if you have the resources and the sox certianly do. But to think the chances of finding another 'Ortiz' can happen often enough to scoop up every has-been willing to take a one year deal is very slim. To me it is a gamble, but one they can afford.

why wouldnt the Sox go after Orlando Cabreara to play shortstop for a year and use Lowrie as a backup to give him more time to develop?

Ellsbury a .260 hitter? Lester lit up in Game 7 of the ALCS when he allowed just three runs? Lowrie with no range and a .250 average? People, please think and research before you write. Ellsbury struggled last year, and he still hit .280 with nine home runs and 50 stolen bases. Lester emerged as one of the top left-handers in baseball last year. Lowrie showed that he has enough range to play shortstop at the major league level, and he has a solid glove and an accurate arm. It amazes me how misinformed so many so-called fans are on this site.

To their credit? What the Red Sox haven't done, Mazz, is anything meaningful. They have gaping offensive holes, and haven't addressed them.

Ellsbury a .260 hitter? Lester lit up in Game 7 of the ALCS when he allowed just three runs? Lowrie with no range and a .250 average? People, please think and research before you write. Ellsbury struggled last year, and he still hit .280 with nine home runs and 50 stolen bases. Lester emerged as one of the top left-handers in baseball last year. Lowrie showed that he has enough range to play shortstop at the major league level, and he has a solid glove and an accurate arm. It amazes me how misinformed so many so-called fans are on this site.

LOL You have to love the insane delusions of Sox fans and writers. Only they could celebrate signing washed up National League pitchers with arms that disintegrated long ago. Congrats though to Sox management for fooling the dumb lemmings into thinking they actually did something this off season.

While the Yankees got younger and signed healthy superstars, the Sox are fielding a team of rickety aging has beens. i.e Ortiz, Lowell, Smoltz, Penny. I cannot wait until April.

Re: #87 Matt - Teix Failure: Might want to re-read the 5th paragraph after "Bench" in bold...
#94 FIRE THEO - Nice that you have a large sample size to base your evaluation of Lowrie and Ellsbury. And since when is giving up 3 runs on 6 hits in 7 inninings with 8ks "getting lit up"?

John Henry told me in November that the Sox will sit on there wallets this year Because of "The Economy". What a bunch of crap! You couldn't get near fenway this year. I still can't beleive that we have people defending them. Burnett, Sabathia and Tex to the Yankees. We get who again Brad Penny?
I hate the Yankees like everyone else. There is no way in hell we will win our division. I feel like punching Henry in the mouth. I'm even more PO'd at all the clowns defending him. Wake the Hell up! We had a ton of $ to use this year after Manny left and it's going into the pockets of our owners. We should maybe take 3rd place if we are lucky. Not to mention we will have Josh Bard as our catcher.
Anyone who swallows the crap about Tex already having picked the Yankees long ago are drinking the koolaid. He was ours if we wanted to fork over the money.
IT WILL BE A LONG SEASON> TRUST ME

this is such b.s.!!!!!...theo is a donkey!!!!..I defended him long enough, but after he and henry botched up the tex negotiations--he gets no more free rides from me!!!---give tex the money he wants--overpay him if you had too!!!!,,,but dont let the yankees outsmart you once again!!!....red sox had the money to pay tex---but they dragged there butts through the whole process ans bang, the yanks took advantage--why wouldnt they???...any smart team with cash would of---they should of never left vegas with out tex signed!!!!..that was the first mistake--the second msitake was calling bora-sssss bluff--not to smart on henrys part--so lets see, highest price ticket in tpown, and th team is getting cheap on us!!!...great...should be a wonderful year...smoltz???...check shoulder....ba;ldelli????....enough asaid!!!

You may be interested in what the local posters are saying about Rocco's departure in the St, Pete Times (tampabay.com) , to get a feel of what they think of Rocco. It's unanimously positive so far, with even a word like "heartbroken" being thrown in

Hey John Lewis,

The Yankees signed healthy superstarts? Like Burnett that spend most of his career in DL and never pitched in a postseason and got 82 million. You are so smart. I cant wait until May when Joba's arm falls off and they have to put him in the bullpen and when Burnett will hit the DL at least 1 time. That will be so much fun to see the Yankees crumble after all the money they just spend.

I think all you folks have to much salty in your brains from the "salt wata". Bring up Exposito same as they did with salty at the same age! The reviews on Exposito are as good as salties when they brought him up at the same age!

There are a ton of what if's on this team and that alone has to make Sox nation a bit worried. They could all be answered and this could be a legit 3 horse battle in the AL East. Problem is our questions deal with mostly health related issues and those are real tough to predict on how they will play out. Yanks have issues with blending a team of superstars together which they have failed at over the last 8 years. The Rays have to see if the kids can do it again and continue the improvement. Anything can happen but the moves the Sox have made are really 1 year deals on make good contracts with guys that need to perform to get that next deal...Penny, Smoltz and Rocco all have something to prove and this can be a really good thing or leave the Sox with huge holes. Hard to get past the Lowell and Ortiz injuries and the 1 big bat that is missing in all of this. No doubt that Teixeira was that bat we could of plugged in to answer that question but was their really an open spot for him...not really but it doesn't excuse the Sox for at least knowing the Yanks were going to get the last call and should of upped the ante on them..210 million would of been tough for the Yanks to beat and if they chose to do so then the Sox could really say we were outbid 170 is good money don't get me wrong but in this case it took 210 to get the guy and prevent him from wearing pinstripes in your face but oh well.....maybe superkid Lars Anderson will come to the rescue. Sox have money and need to use it and stop getting played by Borass. The story is getting old now...Borass does the dance with us and then the Yanks get to "go to bed" with the prom date.....but we paid for the dinner and the dance...you know. Guess we will have to overpay for a wearing down Pujols in a few years. I think if they convince Kotsay that he will get ample playing time here that he would be a perfect role player..he was excellent at 1B and can play the whole outfield. They need a solid 5th outfielder to cover for any concerns with Rocco.

Is there any possibility of the Sox signing Jon Garland? That would add some more depth and he could also help Boston because Smoltz and Penny have had injury issues before.

Braves DID not IMPROVE WITH Texeira, an over-rated non winner joining GAYROD another non-winner

Smoltz is a freak of nature, threw a footy 55 yards in Nov after surgery, he is a bargain, best post season picther ever (yes even including blood sox Schilling)

Theo is a genius

John Henry is one of the richest owners in baseball, but he's going to sit on his wallet? Damn that must be uncomfortable...!

Anonymous,
have you missed the comment Tex made about his wife told him to choose the Yankees two weeks before Christmas?And do you think its a good idea to give Tex 220 million? If that's the case how much we should spend for Youk who has a higher average that Tex? Or how much we should give Lester when the time comes? You don't realize that if you are willing to fork all this money for one player you better be ready to fork more money on your own players too. Its easy to talk about one somebody else money isn't it?

Baseball is played by nine players on the field with several good players in reserve. As proven in 2004, baseball games are won by baseball players. A "named player' does not add hits, runs or low era's to a team. Players with positive attitudes and work ethics develop as a team throughout a season. The Red Sox have almost put together that type of team. The catching situation is the last area of concern. After having the priviledge of watching the organization grow over the past several years, allow the executives to perform their duties. Remember, spending monies does not buy a championship!

Get over it everyone, Teixeira did not want to come here, period. He wanted to be a Yankee. It didn't matter what the Sox did. Stop riding the team as a failure when the situation was beyond their control.

Well put Steve! We don't need to hear anymore of that Teixeira crap!

That is a solid baseball team. I look for Jason Bay to have a monster season. 35 125. Pitching Wins and you can never have enough of it and I think we are loaded. I look for Penny to win 16 games this season and throw about 175 innings as a number 4 guy. If Smoltz can birng 80% of the stuff he has had over the past couple of years, it's going to be fun to watch. I would like to see Kotsay back.

Hey beavis, the reference that you pointed out to me ('Tex failure') was an obvious paraphrase by Mazz of his first reference in the beginning of the article. He is still saying that the Sox "failed to get him", not that "not getting him was a failure". Those are two totally separate meanings. Anyone with a 7th grade education can see the difference.

It's laughable to hate on the Yankees for ponying up the dough to land C.C., Burnett and Tex when the Red Sox payed some rediculous money of their own a few seasons ago just to talk to Dice-K! Does anybody not think that J.D. DRew contract was too much for a guy who never made the allstar team? Get over it, Red Sox fans are becoming increasingly more like Yankees fans in their ability to whine when they don't get what they expect is their god given right. It's funny how two championship seasons have turned the Red Sox and their fans into the very things they profess ad-nauseam to hate: a successful ballclub that breeds an obnoxious fanbase that outspends all other teams but one and cries about its disadvantages, give the rest of us a break.

You officially have joined the ranks of Shaughnessy. No longer worth reading. Your silly biases pervade your reporting. Insulting, really. The "Teixara failure." As if you had any idea about what he would decide.

The Sox "failure" to land Teixeira? How is it a failure if he never wanted to come here in the first place? You're obsession with Teixeira is mind boggling, move on you high pitched clown!

This is tantamount to "if you can't afford the best weed - grow your own"

Tony,

Great job like always, very insightful. Enjoy your column.

The Sox are going to be fine, pitching and defense wins and they have a lot of it.

The spankees will counter todays signing by the Sox, by signing manny as their DH.
borass is creating a market for manny, and the spankees will take the bait.
Do you really think he will go to a NL team?
manny is a snake that tanked the team he played for in Boston, he would love to haunt the Sox
The spankees say they are not interested in manny, remember a-rod--damon--texiera
Do you trust them?

As a sox fan all my life I have begun each spring by taking an objective view at how I think the Sox compare to their nearest rival. In the past of course it has always been the Yankees. Everything changed last season and I am surprised that only a few of you have caught on. It is amazing to me that our fans still think this is a 2 team race. The Rays changed all of that and I don't care how much the Yankee spent in the off season it doesn't change a thing. The Rays are the team I am most worried about. They are very deep all the way down to their farm system. They don't to make huge signings because they already own a lot of talent. Look guys they let a 15 game winner in Edwin Jackson go and their pitching staff will be stronger this year without going out and buying someone. My point is the division is a 3 team race now the Rays are not going away anytime soon. It's more exciting this way anyway. I'm sick of the Yankees. It's good to have a new rival we can despise.

Sox are saving their money, not for next year FA but the year after, Welcome Albert Pujols 2011

I would really like to have Kotsay back--they should throw some of this surplus $ just to sign him.

If Varitek is really gone for good, it will be a strange feeling to say goodbye.

sox are a 3rd place team at best... waiting for a big signing at the '09 winter meetings...

I can't understand the negativity of some Red Sox fans. Baldelli and Smoltz are very good signings. Smoltz has been throwing great already and is ahead of schedule in his rehab and we is going to be far more reliable than Wakefield who I see moving back to the pen by mid season.
Baldelli is a flat out good player when healthy. From all reports he is in better health than ever and will look to become an everyday player.
Sick of people having a go at JD Drew also, the guy has had a bit of bad luck but im sure its ready to turn, with out Drew last year we would be no where near the playoffs, remember when big Papi was hurt. Drew destroyed everyone he faced and will do again when given the chance.

enough about Teixeira!!

LOL You have to love the insane delusions of Sox fans and writers. Only they could celebrate signing washed up National League pitchers with arms that disintegrated long ago. Congrats though to Sox management for fooling the dumb lemmings into thinking they actually did something this off season.

While the Yankees got younger and signed healthy superstars, the Sox are fielding a team of rickety aging has beens. i.e Ortiz, Lowell, Smoltz, Penny. I cannot wait until April.

guys the yanks will not be that great. our signings of penny and smoltz will be as good or better than the yanks signings of sabathia and burnett for these 2 simple reasons.

1) burnett has NEVER pitched a full season outside a contract season. NEVER

2) sabathia weighs 300 + pounds and has been overworked the last 2 season. you honestly think he will remain always healthy doing that?

Guys, I dont mean to bring the bad news, but surgery on a damaged labrum has very low recovery rate. He could have a set back once he pitches regularly, or just be ineffective out of spring training and this gloriful day will be short lived.

Tommy John surgery has a very high recovery rate compared to the labrum. If it works out, he's a sold addition, but part of me sees a Randy Johnson going to the Yankees type season.
The Brad Penny signing is awesome though. He'll have a better season than Burnett.

Mazz, this feels like the zillionth column you've written in this vein in the past week or so. Has somebody in the Red Sox organization behaved unprofessionally toward you? Or is this just your way of drumming up intense responses from fans on this blog? I don't get it. The Yankees made a series of big-name, big-contract signings, which made a good deal of sense given their situation. The Sox set a high value on one of those free agents, took their shot, were declined, and so far have turned to signing, at modest prices, a number of smaller pieces to their own puzzle. It's interesting to debate the pros and cons of these things looking ahead to the coming season, but why the vitriol? I don't se any devastating mistakes in all this on the Sox' part. They seem to be dealing with the market according to their own philosophy--a philosophy that's worked awfully well for them overall. I'm interested to see how it all pans out. Aren't you?

Most anybody with common sense knew Tex wasn't coming to Boston this year or Ever !! I Love the Pickup of Penny, Predicted it on the discussion board 2 months ago !! Smoltz will be the Cherry on top of the Cake comes October !!

GO SOX 2009 !!

Championship roster? Are you kidding me. Playoffs, playoffs, are you kidding me.......What a joke. Read all about it......Red Sox get a bad arm and two bad legs for a cheap price. Please don't mention the word "Championship" with this team. Red Sox fans should stop complaining about how those big, bad ,Yankees keep on spending all their money to improve their team. Mr. Henry, stop putting money into your pocket under the guise of making improvements to your ballpark . These improvements only put more money into your already wealthy pockets. Spend it on "A" type players, not re-threads.

I truely belive Rico will be the next DH when David cant do it any longer great pickup
Posted by Kenny January 8, 09 03:07 PM Rico Petrocelli is coming out of retirement?

#113 Chris January 8, 09 03:05 PM
1) Mariners would never do it
2) Thurston is worthless and is on another team
3) You can't trade draft picks in baseball
4) Griffey will not be a 4th OF for any team

1

I think Tex will have a good year with NY. But I don't think it will be much better
than Youk's. If Ortiz and Lowell and Beckett hadn't gotten hurt the Sox beat the
Rays and wax the Phillies. Then Sox fans would yawn and go ho-hum over the
Yanks "failure" to sign Tex for less than 22 mil. NY is playing fantasy baseball.
It costs a lot and it depletes the higher draft picks. Which in turn makes it very
difficult to grow your own prospects. A vicious circle.

Ok that's it man i done with Mazz. Who is his boss? he needs to be fired asap. LIke Steve said if you don't have faith in my sox, you need to vacate the premises immediately for real. Enuf of the stynkees. I will not be shocked if they end up Last.

How is this guy still employed? Can you imagine how bad he would have been had the Sox signed Tex? His man-crush on Tex is as bad as SI's Peter King on Brett Farve. And will somebody please put the Kool-Aid away? Sox fans starting crying when the Yankees signed A-Rod and that really brought a lot of championships to NY..The Sox will be tough. We are used to them scoring tons of runs and now it looks like they will try to win more with pitching and defense. Screw all of you pseudo Sox fans (and writers) who are writing this season off. The game is played on the field not on paper.

JFC Mazz, your love affair with Teixeira borders Peter King's with Fav-RA. Might I suggest you shut your piehole until he proves being worth his present contract? My bet is he won't.

Derek
I didn't realize that more strikeouts then walks was a good thing. Drew did not carry the team through June, he carried the team for a couple of weeks IN June. Very big difference.

riceforthehall
I was thinking the exact same thing myself. With Smoltz the Red Sox are in a position to make that kind of a trade. I guess we have to wait and see.

Mazz - thanks for the rundown on where things are roster wise. Now, health updates on Ortiz, Beckett, Lowell are always good, too. The only thing here is that you called the Tex story yesterday the "Final Chapter." Does this mean the repeated references to him today form the "Epilogue?"

Let's pray that's the case.

Smoltz before getting hurt couldn't go more than 5 innings. In the National League. He's 42 now, and suddenly he's Smoltz circa 1995-1999.

LDog I am with you. There is no freaking way the Mazz proposed lineup ever happens. Even 8 year old fans know the L,R,L,R advantages in the line up. I would like to see 1-6 as Els,Pedroia,Papi,Youk,Drew,Bay. To go on a limp here I also am in favor of an OF of the following:
Bay - RF/LF
Drew-CF/RF (Els when Nancy shows up)
Dunn - LF/1B
Then we could argue over this 1-7: Pedroia,Drew,Youk,Papi,Bay,Dunn,Lowell
P

hey - #133 - anonymous, root for the Yankees then. You won't be missed. What's with this "we" won't win the division. What position do you hold with the club? It's not your team, not your money and, fortunately, the Red Sox are not operating with your brain(?).

The Yankees HAVE to win the division now and win the World Series based on what they have done. NOTHING short of that will be anything but failure. The risk and pressure belong to them 100%.

I can see the Sox team that is shaping up having good chemistry and fun. This means, that if everyone stays healthy, they will be a good, tough club that will have the chance to finish in the money WITHOUT having to go the Yankee route.

You want to punch John Henry in the mouth? Why don't you sign your name, you cowardly chumpzilla?

And stay out of Fenway.

I like Baseball

What do the Sox plan to do with Lugo? He makes too much to sell popcorn. Has he stopped pouting about Manny leaving?

Get Orlando Cabrera.

Tony, I am really having a hard time getting your unending fascination with Teixeira.

Alright, this guy is a good player that gets you .300/35HR/120RBI and plays good defense. But he is also a 1st base man for Christ's sake, who is coming in to replace a guy who should hit at least .280/25HR/100 RBI, and also plays good defense. Whether his cost of 22MM/yr, which exceeds Youk's projected 8-10MM/yr by 10-14MM, can be justified is highly debatable.

His closest comp from recent years are Carlos Beltran, Miguel Tejada and Jason Giambi. They are good players who are one of step below truly iconic players like ARod, Bonds, and ManRam, who are yet priced like one. They are poor investments who haven't brought post season success to their respective teams.

Like most sports writers Mazz is jealous of the athletes he covers, but like the athletes he believes that the Red Sox owe him a Championship. Can you imagine how smug Mazz is when he's alone in conversation with say, Sean McAdams, oh yeah we've already heard that conversation haven't we. What's next Mazz, the New York Times, covering the the dreaded NY Yankees, I mean they understand a guy like you and your expectations right? How pathetic.

Nice moves. The Red Sox are building a nice little third-place team. Maybe fourth.

Nice moves by the Sox. But signing Youk would be a blessing. He has earned it and should be a longtime Rock in the middle of that line up. He plays hard every second. Please get back to the table on him. Keep developing that farm Theo...

The Red Sox will compete this year with the aforementioned lineup if and only if they can remain fairly healthy. I think Ortiz is as big a question mark as Lowell is in terms of coming back at full strength. Pedroia and Youkalis may have had career years last year. I believe Jason Bay needs to have a big year to bolster the attack. I don't really think Bucholtz has the composure to become a good big league pitcher, so he is definitely expendable for a promising young catcher.

Mazz, what can I say? I am sick of bashing you for your idiotic columns.... Go post your garbage for a New York paper.. Your not a sox fan anyways!!!! Enough of your negative ******** against the sox.... What,,,,, , your man crush with texeira didn't work out.......... Move on.....................

You have to be kdding me, Tony.
How much is theo paying you fo your flunky crp?

If you are truly a rep between the sox and US, youd be blasting out Thero Nero for
this 2009 hot stove season CRAP!!!!

GUESS WHAT,FLUNKY MAZZ....
WE ARE A 2009 THIRD PALCE TEAM, AND YOU ARE THE APOLIGIST FOR THIS!!!!
GO WRITE FOR THE NYC POST, FLUNKY MAN!

GO WRITE

I couldnt agree more with john lewis. Keep up the pravda crp about the 2009 sox off season, Tony. IN A FEW MORE MONTHS YOU CAN BE WRITING FOR THE RUSSIANS!
WHAT A BUNCH OF FOOEY THAT COMES OFF YOUR PEN!
im absolutely disgusted with this sox 2009, BLAH, WHILE THE YUKS HAVE RELOADED IN FRONT OF OUR FACES.
AND WHILE SOX APOLOGIST WRITERS HAVE TRASHED OUR TRUST IN THEM.
J'ACCUSE!!!

Hey #3 Sox Supporter. First, change your name because you are far from it.

Second, knucklehead, you call this team a "bunch of banged up re-treads" and include Lowell in there. How have you so quickly forgotten his 2007 year of 21HR, 120 RBI and .324 BA and World Series MVP?

And as far as the Sox picking up people that are "retreads", I ask you this: what do Ortiz, Wakefield, Mueller, Millar, Kapler, Arroyo, Timlin and Julian Tavarez all have in common? They all were integral parts of the 2004 and/or 2007 World Championships and they all were either signed as free agents for minimal or less money after being released by another team, picked up on waivers for just the waiver cost or (in Millar's case) outright purchased for minimal dollars. Virtually every one had decent ML experience and was with a team that didn't feel they were worth keeping but the Sox grabbed them. And they WON with them.

Now, not all of these deals works out, but neither do all of the mega contract free agents either (i.e. Carl Pavano). You have to be smart with getting players, invest wisely, be patient and not succumb to crazy demands by jerky agents. Living beyond your means or spending wildly is what got this country in the hole it's in now and the Sox are smart not to fall into that same trap. The Yankees have spent some $1.5 BILLION on salaries since 2000 and they have nothing to show for it...it's not how much you spend but how you spend it. Go Theo!

Tony Mazz title of article:

GOOD STUFF CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT GOOD STUFF???????

ONE HAS A DISEASE THE DOCS ARGUE OVER, AND THE OTHER HAS A BROKEN ARM!!! MEANWHILE THE YAKS SIGN SEASON TURNERS, WHILE THEOR NERO FIDDLES.

GIVE ME a break, tony.

GIVE ME A BREAK, TONY!!!

GREAT SOX FLUNKY!

How can you lose out on someone when they never wanted to be there? His wife didnt want to live in Boston, He didnt want to be in Boston...how is that a lose. Boras played the Red Sox and the Yankees ended up paying more money = Teixeira and Boras get more money. All the Yankees did this year was to replace members of the team that they lost..CC for Mussina, Burnett for Pettite and Teixeira for Giambi/Abreu IF he can hold up in the American League East!!

Wake up you IDIOTS, this is how Jacobs started to destroy the Bruins. This year is a write off to make Henry money. Or The Golden Child is a moron. Either way this team is at best a third place team that will finish 15-25 games behind the Yankees.

Have Faith on that.

I agree that this is starting to look like the Boston Recession Sox with the bargain new pieces with all the question marks around them. But trying for Teixiera demonstrated how the Sox are always trying to stay competitive and to do that they need to sign a non-recession catcher!

To: #86 Brendan @ 1:42pm
Very good points about our farm.

To:# 128 Jeff @ 3:47pm
Well said!!! I had read all 133 comments (at the time I posted), and when I read #94, I was waiting for someone's rebuttal in defense to Brendan. Lester was a stud last year, hopefully he can continue. Ellsbury might have had some struggles with consistency in his 1st full season, but .280 and 50 steals and regular highlight real web gem catches and overall excellent defense in all 3 OF positions was a strong rookie season (3rd AL ROY!!). Plus Lowrie played with a sprained/fractured wrist since like May that worsened over the season and 30 of his 67 hits were XBH! But apparently we are the "pink hat morons"

To:# 95 Ldog @ 2:07pm
I like your idea of L, R, L, R, L, R and might go with it, but I would argue Bay actually has more power than Drew. Both of these players have had injury issues, but take a look at these numbers...
Bay: 6 seasons (5 full) 149 HR, SLG .516, 3 30HR+ seasons
Drew 11 Seasons (10 full) 192 HR, SLG .502, 1 30HR+ season
Drew actually only has 3/11 20HR+ seasons, where as Bay has a 5/6
Still might start with Drew 5th, Bay 6th and Lowell 7th and adjust hot hot streaks/slumps

aj burnett will be a bust, heard it hear first

To: #166 Thon Gort @ 6:14pm
Lol...F'N Classic

The Sox are doing some good ,somewhat temporary things, to get through 2009.Next year, the kids will be ready and hungry to make the adjustment to Fenway.I don't care about this year,although,I really do,but let things mature.I don't even care if they get a catcher.It can't be much worse than 2008.Let's play it out and season the farm,bring a kid up once in a while and tease him,groom him.I've been following BB since TV was born.Watching Williams,Jenson,Malzone,Piersall,Pumpsy Green,Sammy White.........I'm seasoned...........I can wait..besides I've been appeased..."i Love That Dirty Water"

Let me say that I am a Yankees fan. Whether we win it all this year or not, the bottom line is that the Steinbrenners tried to put the best possible team (in their opinion) on the field. They feel that they owe this to their loyal fans and they do. I for one appreciate the fact that, unlike other owners, they put their money back into the team. Other owners use Steinbrenner luxury tax money to pad their own pockets. Whether anyone agrees with their choice of players or not, the fact remains that they spend for what they feel is the best for their team. I admire that and I appreciate that. They have a proven history and run a classy organization(Madonna notwithstanding!). It's fun to speculate on the outcome of this coming season, but no one really knows. Just ask the Rays and the Phillies!

Maz- what's with the guy (i.e. #1; Steve) who obviously has a bone to pick with you? Yikes! He has too much free time. ANyway, thanks for highlighting the bit about the fact that the team can take shape between now and July 31...too many nervous/impatient people forget that. (I've been harping on that for months, particularly when the $180m+ guys were shopping around.

Latah...

Are the Sox talking to Orlando Cabrera who is still a free agent about returning to Boston? He is the gritty type of player Boston fans like on the team. He is a decent fielder and would represent a bog increase in offense (he had 186 hits last year.) Lowrie could use another year of part-time play / utility player until we see how his offense develops.

You know, a lot of you guys do not know how to spell the word reporter let alone know how to be one. Throw Mazz a freaking bone. He's reporting on the Teixiera story, which was the biggest in baseball this year in bosox land. Some of you are downright mean and you show your ignorance in the process.

The bottom line is the story that we did miss out on Teixiera for a variety of reasons but the Sox are trying their best to meet the LONG TERM NEEDS of the team by their actions this year. They are absolutely holding onto their draft picks and not spending their money unwisely. I'm not happy with Lowell's or Lowrie' srange but their overall defense has been good and I like their offensive potential. Ellsbury has no indication he is a .260 hitter and I agree the year may revolve around his potential ( he has been streaky in the past ). If we end up with Dusty Brown at catcher I have no huge problem with that. We need to do what is in our long term best interest. Having $40 million in payroll flexibility next year and our draft picks to boot would be good. I hope someone else sign's Tek. Bring on another 2 draft picks.

wow - great signings of Smoltz, Penny and Baldilli - I guess Mass General will be busy this year. I love the way Suxer fans react to this like its great. Injured players who have upside - just like Colon!!!!! Boston has some of the finest whiners in the world. Whine on Rude Suxer Suckers.

SO MAZZ.....YOU ARE CONGRATULATING THE FENS BOYS FOR SHOPPING AT BIG LOTS INSTEAD OF JC PENNEY. IN OTHER WORDS, YOU ARE ECHOING THE COMPANY LINE. LET ME KNOW HOW PRUDENT AND WISE YOU FEEL THEY ARE, LETS SAY, IN SEPTEMBER. BY THE WAY, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT JOHN HENRY HAS DONE OR IS DOING WITH THE $48 MILLION HE SAVED FROM THE 2008 PAYROLL....AFTER ALL, THE EVER ADORING FANS PAY THE FREIGHT, AND THE FENS IS PROBABLY ALMOST SOLD OUT FOR 2009 SO THE "FANS" HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW.. FENIAN1967 IS RIGHT ON !!

I've always said, the team with the least injuries and has a good roster, WINS...If this ball club can stay fairly healthy, they can be right with the Yankees...Let's get Teck back behind the plate...Baldelli was a great signing...Penney, healthy, could win 15 to 18 games.....Go Sox

TEKASAM, since when is JC Penny regarded as a top-line store? It's not much better than Big Lots; try again.

Why is Salty listed in your line-up for the Sox? Wishful thinking??

Mazz, you are getting creamed for the 'Texiera Failure' reference. I agree with everyone else and would like you to get over it. Let's just wait until Mid-May, or June, when Texiera gets off to his typical slow start (see Atlanta numbers from 2007). Yankee fans will boo him when he starts .250 & 5 HR through May!!!

This goober will FALL APART when the heat is turned on him!!! He is expected to be the #2 bat behind A-Rod; this guy will NEVER live up to his hype!

Mazz, in June you'll be calling it the "Texiera Success" on the part of the Sox!

p.s. Bring back Hanley ASAP (who needs Buchholtz?)

RayCULP is correct...why haven't the Sox attempted to lock up Bay? PERFECT complimentary , solid player for this team. He led the Sox in many categories in the post season. He was clutch in the field and at the plate. He has 4-5 good years left at age 30. Bay loves Boston and is grateful to be playing with the Sox. He is exactly who the Sox need...35 -110->285 player who can play the monster. Dunn can't play first and is a butcher in LF. Holliday is by far the most overated player in MLB. Just look at his #'s over the last 162 at Coors and away. There are HUGE chasms in production. Sign Bay...he is worth it

Please stop with the "anything short of signing Texierra is a failure" sentiment. Alot of us here in Boston are excited about getting back our '07 WS MVP at 3rd base and never wanted to see a foolish contract handed to Texierra.

It'd be nice to see some writers like yourself using your key strokes to emphasize the value of heart, grit, and personaility of the individual players to the fan rather than catering to the masses who cheer for fantasy stats and laundry.

To Chris and Digler, forget Adam Dunn, he's a strikeout machine. You may get 35-40 homers, but along with that, 180 strikeouts, a .235 BA and he's a poor fielder to boot. He's a homer or nothing guy. Lots to worry about for the Sox in 2009. I don't see a higher finish than third with maybe 85 wins. Offense will be a BIG problem, especially if Ortiz completes his Mo Vaughn transmogrification.

plumtree - I SAY Penney's is a top line store. They meet my family's needs just fine ! I don't have the six figure income that I would need to go into Nordstrom's, Dillards or Nieman Marcus. Is that what you wanted me to write ?? Your arrogance is exceded only by your ignorance.........back off

What?!?!??! The Red Sox lost Timlin?

I don't think I'm going to be able tosleep tonight knowing that!

.....Dude. I threw his going away party.

He should have been off this team 2 years ago!

and let Lugo go. What a waste he's been!. Give Jed a full year at SS. If you're not surprised already by his stellar play. You will be in 2009 if he's given he chance!

After Theo's work this week, the team looks pretty solid to me:

1B: All set.
2B: All set.
SS: I might be wrong, but I'm suspecting Lugo will have a fire under his ass in spring training and will win the starting job. If not, the combination of Lowrie and Lugo should be OK, although the offensive output could be subpar.
3B: All set. Even if Lowell goes down, Youk and Lowrie can play 3B and Kotsay can play first.
IF Utility: Lowrie or Lugo, and Kotsay. That's OK. Lowrie and Kotsay are good defensively. No offensive dynamite here, though.
OF: Bay is solid, J. D. is solid when healthy, and Jacoby...not sure. Very good defense, excellent wheels...I can't tell if he'll ever hit.
OF Utility: Kotsay and Baldelli - OK. This is one of the better defensive outfields I've ever seen the Sox have in place.
C: When it's all said and done, Tek will be there, in a reduced role, with Bard picking up the slack. I'll be surprised if the Sox end up with Teagarden or Salty - I don't think Theo wants to let his young guns go...and I agree with him.
SP: Really, pretty well squared away - Beckett, Lester, Dice K, Wakefield, and Penny. (Sorry to the Wake-haters, but the guy is extremely valuable; he's cheap and he gives the team innings.) I'm not sure what Smoltz will have to offer: we'll see. I trust this rotation more than I would trust the Yanks rotation.
RP: All set.

The only glaring hole I see is a big, Manny-type bat behind Big Papi. But...you win baseball with pitching and defense, and the Sox are well squared away. And Lowell or Youk can probably bat behind Papi and protect him.

I don't see that, with regard to FA acquisition, Theo is any better or any worse than, say, Dan Duquette (who honestly should get a LOT of credit for that 2004 WS victory) but he deserves major kudos for his management of low-cost but slightly risky acquisitions and especially the development of talent. I agree with other posters who say that a non-WS season for 2009 with continued development of youth would be just fine. But, I think this team - if healthy - will play well and contend.

Sox fans know this about smoltzie,he'll pitch till his arm is fallin off and still get guys out when his arm is just dead.hell of a man,we'll miss him BRAVES FAN

"In this market, in this age, the Red Sox never should be allowed to simply write off a year, particularly at a time when the dollar means more (to everyone) than it has in decades."

Write off a year? Where do you get that? Do the Red Sox themselves not have dollar concerns?

How about staying in business with a fine lineup while other teams go bankrupt? Have you read the financial pages?

Mazz, what is wrong with you, seriously? You said no more Tex talk, but you just can't help yourself can you? Are you that upset that you didn't get your long awaited kiss from him the other day when you went running to NY to see him? You are sickening! Try paying attention to the guys on our team, or go to NY and write for your man crush. I for one am glad he didn't come here, because the classiest guy in the game gets to stay now, and will be strong and healthy this season. And how you can think that Tex is hotter than Mikey is pretty crazy too. But, Mikey doesn't want you to have a man crush on him, and I'm sure he won't be speaking to you fvery much this season either, and I can't blame him one bit. For your own good, best to stay away from him. And Tex should get a restraining order against you!!!!!!!!!!!

To JohnShannon - "Sorry to the Wake-haters, but the guy is extremely valuable; he's cheap and he gives the team innings" Sir: I doubt if there is ANYONE who hates Tim Wakefield; (great guy, teamate and family man) but Sir: the idea in competitive sports is to WIN.....(or is the former more important than the latter to you ?)

Mazz, it's so good of you to keep reminding the lemmings that not signing Tex was a failure. I love how these vacant-staring mouth-breathers rationalize that failure by Tex's comments at his press conference. Every FA says the same thing no matter where they sign, but these pinheads somehow find solace in it...

"This is where I always wanted to be..."

Since Theo the Paperboy is so hot to trot for his latest collection of broken down has beens, I have a great suggestion...

Why not thaw out the frozen Teddy Ballgame and bring him back? He can't be any less healthy than Nancy Drew. And don't forget, Fatboy Schilling might be able to come back and bilk Theo the Donkey out of another one year contract while hiding the fact that he needs surgery. That would round out that shaky rotation perfectly.

God, I love watching you clowns go off.

We will see how this el cheapo off season plays out next year. I still think the Sox should have made a one-time exception and overpaid for Teixeira.

Red Sox and Yankmes both have serious concerns in their linups, but the Red Sox less so, especially now. BTW, these are not reactionary, "oh, what do we do now that we didn't get Tex" panic driven signings. The Red Sox would be doing a lot of these moves anyways because they're minor tweaks, which is all a team that came within a game of the World Series without Mike Lowell needed to make. Much as the Yankmes spent all that loot, the team to beat is the Rays, so it looks much the same as last season, with Rays and Sox for the division and wild card and the Yankmes coming up short, which is just fine with me. The Red Sox when healthy can beat any team in the majors in a 7 game series, including the Rays.

SIGN JASON BAY NOW.
HE BECOMES A FREE AGENT AT THE END OF 2009.
HE WANTS TO STAY IN BOSTON.
TELL BORASS TO TAKE MATT HOLLIDAY AND STICK HIM UP HIS A$$.
OTHERWISE YOU WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM NEXT YEAR WHEN YOU DEAL WITH THE DEVIL.

There has to be a cost per win stat figured into ANY reasoned analysis in pro sports. And in doing such, you keep the luxurious criticism of Henry & Co. to a minimum. If the arrogant snot who signed with the Yanks takes them to the promised land in 09, then good for them and him, but you can not make a blanket statement that the Sox choked in not breaking the bank for a 2nd tier star.

Go Pedroia, Youk, Ellsbury, Paps, Masterson, etc etc etc.

Hey Stevie, do you not understand what a COLUMNNIST is????? Tony is paid to express an OPINION! If you don't get that, then stop reading the column.

Nana B #196
I realize that you are a spankee fan, but are you for real.
Hank and Hal have sold you a bill of goods with that garbage, that they are doing it for the fans. They are out to BUY the world series.
The signing that the spankees have made, just show you how greedy Hank and Hal are.
What chance does KC--Marlins--Texas have against the spankees/?
Hank/Hal don't care about baseball, or the other teams.
Evan the city is helping by giving the stadium a lower tax rate.
This is why baseball needs a hard salary cap.
With a team like this they should not lose a ballgame
the spankees should hide their face because they have disgraced baseball.

mazz will always hold a flame in my heart for all his high pitch screams

When you talk about new Yankee players replacing last year's players (thus making them equal) think again. Check out the ages. Do you really think Mussina would have had as many productive years left as CC or A.J.? Do you think Giambi was as good a first baseman as Tex. None of these new players are on an even footing with the players they replaced. They're better and have the potential for a longer career. Another point to be made.....every new player on a team says "This is really where I wanted to be." How stupid would they be NOT to say that. And how stupid are the fans who don't realize that! If J.H. coughed up more money, he'd be in Boston and you all know that.

DmJ, #197, yes I have a bone to pick with Mazz. So many of us are sick of hearing about his man crush, and I have the right to state my opinion as you do. I made good points, that he should be paying attention to our team and finding out about our players, simple as that. I only put up that one comment and now this one, to answer you. He's not a Sox fan, and should go to NY and write there about his love, it gets sickening here. Sorry if you don't like it or he doesn't like it, but I have the right to my opinion, and if that's too much time on my hands, what about everyone else who posted about the same thing on here?

Steve- Amen, I totally agree with you. All I read from Mazz (and most of the so called Boston writers) is the tragedy of losing Teixeira. The sky is not falling, he is not the second coming, HE DID NOT WANT BOSTON. Could we get an update on how Ortiz is doing. How about Mike Lowell. There's a great guy that actually WANTED to stay and play in Boston yet is treated by the writers as a surgically repaired afterthought. What about Beckett? Enough about Teixeira!