***Official 2009-2010 Offseaon Boston Red Sox Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[shut it down]

i would absolutely love if the Sox gave up Beckett to get prospects for Gonzalez. As a yankee fan, i obviously dont want them getting Gonzalez, but if it means that they lose the Beckett, Lester, Lackey 1-2-3, i'd be ok with it.And pasing up a Longoria for Buckholtz and Elsbury trade is laughable. Just laughable.

The names being bandied about are Ellsbury and Buckholz and a couple of minor leaguers, not Beckett.

The Sox are not going to give up Buchholz and Ellsbury for Gonzalez. Not going to happen.San Diego would say yes to that deal in a heartbeat.

 

[the moops]

i would absolutely love if the Sox gave up Beckett to get prospects for Gonzalez. As a yankee fan, i obviously dont want them getting Gonzalez, but if it means that they lose the Beckett, Lester, Lackey 1-2-3, i'd be ok with it.And pasing up a Longoria for Buckholtz and Elsbury trade is laughable. Just laughable.

The names being bandied about are Ellsbury and Buckholz and a couple of minor leaguers, not Beckett.

The Sox are not going to give up Buchholz and Ellsbury for Gonzalez. Not going to happen.San Diego would say yes to that deal in a heartbeat.

Why has SD asked for Ellsbury and Buchholz then? And why have the Sox turned it down?

 

[Balco]

The Mike Lowell for Max Ramirez swap with the Rangers is off. Lowell needs surgery.

Dallas News Article

I still think Lowell gets trade to a team once he has recovered from surgery and his thumb is deemed okay, but I am ticked he didn't have the surgery right after the season. Ramirez would have been a nice, backup catcher with a very affordable salary.

 

[Balco]

Padres owner said there have not been recent talks on Adrian Gonzalez to Red Sox trade.

MLB.COM Article

"SAN DIEGO -- Padres CEO Jeff Moorad said Thursday that "there's nothing active ... there's nothing on the table" involving All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

Moorad, in an interview on the Padres' flagship radio station, XX1090, said that he doesn't believe general manager Jed Hoyer has spoken with Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein since the Winter Meetings concluded in Indianapolis last week.

And even then, Moorad said, he didn't think Hoyer and Epstein discussed Gonzalez.

Gonzalez has been the subject of trade speculation since the end of the regular season. That Hoyer was an assistant general manager to Epstein in Boston before joining the Padres in October only fueled speculation that Boston might engage Hoyer in trade discussions for the two-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner.

Moorad didn't say that Gonzalez was off-limits, explaining:

"If it's something that would dramatically improve our ballclub, we'd be silly not to listen," Moorad said. "Does that mean other teams don't ask about him? ... Of course not. We're going to listen."

Moorad said that brisk season-ticket sales could potentially help push payroll to the higher end of the $40 million to $50 million range, leaving Hoyer money to work with in the free-agent market.

"Jed has money to spend, not a lot, but money to spend," Moorad said. "

 

[David Yudkin]

Sox apparently are back to negotiating with Jason Bay after he didn't find what he was looking for elsewhere. They are also still interested in prying away Gonzalez, seemingly for Ellsbury, Bard, and some other prospects (while still keeping Buchholz).

If that all happened, the lineup could look like . . .

2B Pedroia

3B Youkalis

C Martinez

1B Gonzalez

LF Bay

DH Ortiz

RF Drew

CF Cameron

SS Scutaro

That would be a pretty stout lineup to go along with Beckett/Lester/Lackey/Buchholz/Dice-K/Wakefield.

Probably only a pipe dream, but it is X-mas Eve . . .

 

[Tau837]

Sox apparently are back to negotiating with Jason Bay after he didn't find what he was looking for elsewhere. They are also still interested in prying away Gonzalez, seemingly for Ellsbury, Bard, and some other prospects (while still keeping Buchholz).If that all happened, the lineup could look like . . .2B Pedroia3B YoukalisC Martinez1B GonzalezLF BayDH OrtizRF DrewCF CameronSS ScutaroThat would be a pretty stout lineup to go along with Beckett/Lester/Lackey/Buchholz/Dice-K/Wakefield.Probably only a pipe dream, but it is X-mas Eve . . .

 

[David Yudkin]

Sox apparently are back to negotiating with Jason Bay after he didn't find what he was looking for elsewhere. They are also still interested in prying away Gonzalez, seemingly for Ellsbury, Bard, and some other prospects (while still keeping Buchholz).If that all happened, the lineup could look like . . .2B Pedroia3B YoukalisC Martinez1B GonzalezLF BayDH OrtizRF DrewCF CameronSS ScutaroThat would be a pretty stout lineup to go along with Beckett/Lester/Lackey/Buchholz/Dice-K/Wakefield.Probably only a pipe dream, but it is X-mas Eve . . .

The latest speculation is that the "renewed" interest in Bay was mostly fabricated and that Bay had his chance and blew it (Sox can't afford him now after picking up Lackey and Cameron). Gonzalez deal will likely wait until the trading deadline once the Sox determine where they are and what they might need. Only real expected roster moves between now and opening day are a short term deal for a corner infielder and a lefty reliever. Other than that, expect the team to be close to it is for the start of the season.

 

[Michael Brown]

Sox apparently are back to negotiating with Jason Bay after he didn't find what he was looking for elsewhere. They are also still interested in prying away Gonzalez, seemingly for Ellsbury, Bard, and some other prospects (while still keeping Buchholz).If that all happened, the lineup could look like . . .2B Pedroia3B YoukalisC Martinez1B GonzalezLF BayDH OrtizRF DrewCF CameronSS ScutaroThat would be a pretty stout lineup to go along with Beckett/Lester/Lackey/Buchholz/Dice-K/Wakefield.Probably only a pipe dream, but it is X-mas Eve . . .

Yeah I really don't see how Boston gets Gonzalez without Buchholz being a part of the deal.

 

[Bogart]

With Bay to the Mets, does Boston have to empty the bank for Holliday?

 

[Michael Brown]

With Bay to the Mets, does Boston have to empty the bank for Holliday?

To play where?CF/LF - Cameron/EllsburyRF - DrewDH - Papi

 

[Bogart]

With Bay to the Mets, does Boston have to empty the bank for Holliday?

To play where?CF/LF - Cameron/EllsburyRF - DrewDH - Papi

duh, forgot about Cameron.

 

[the moops]

Bill James predictions for Sox starting rotation. Quite a rosy prediction, no doubt.

Jon Lester - 206 IP, 3.84 ERA.

Josh Beckett - 221 IP, 3.62 ERA.

Daisuke Matsuzaka - 195 IP, 4.02 ERA.

John Lackey - 208 IP, 3.81 ERA.

Clay Buchholz - 161 IP, 3.91 ERA

Tim Wakefield - 96 IP, 4.03

 

[Michael Brown]

Bill James predictions for Sox starting rotation. Quite a rosy prediction, no doubt.Jon Lester - 206 IP, 3.84 ERA.Josh Beckett - 221 IP, 3.62 ERA.Daisuke Matsuzaka - 195 IP, 4.02 ERA.John Lackey - 208 IP, 3.81 ERA.Clay Buchholz - 161 IP, 3.91 ERATim Wakefield - 96 IP, 4.03

Actually none of those seem terribly out of line. I don't know that you can rely on Dice K for almost 200 IP but Lester/Beckett/Lackey/Buchholz should at LEAST be as good as what's listed.

 

[David Yudkin]

Bill James predictions for Sox starting rotation. Quite a rosy prediction, no doubt.Jon Lester - 206 IP, 3.84 ERA.Josh Beckett - 221 IP, 3.62 ERA.Daisuke Matsuzaka - 195 IP, 4.02 ERA.John Lackey - 208 IP, 3.81 ERA.Clay Buchholz - 161 IP, 3.91 ERATim Wakefield - 96 IP, 4.03

Here were their actual ERAs over the last 3 years . . .Lester 3.59Beckett 3.71Dice-K 4.00Lackey 3.48Buchholz 4.91Wakefield 4.48

 

[Yankee23Fan]

So, are the guys that wrote the code for MLB 09 The Show big Red Sox fans?

My wife picked it up for me for Christmas because it was something cheap my son could "give" me. The RTTS option is fun as all get out so I created myself as a pitcher and have been making my way. The fricken Yankees traded me while I was in AAA for a RP - screw them. So I'm an Orioles SP now. Made it to the show and am having fun, except for being on the Orioles. Anyway, the fricken Red Sox are world beaters. I think they won 120 regular season games last season. You name the player, and except for Pujols, they are on the team. The pitching staff is Santana, Beckett, Dice-K, Bedard and Ozwalt and while Papelbon is still closing the bullpen basically has every other closer in the league. After one full season I cehck out the retirements and Jeter had to with an injury, as did Arod. The next year Mo retired for age, and Posada for an injury. They only have CC and Tex left and everyone else wasn't even good enough or important enough to have their name spoken by the video game.

It's just too funny to not think they had some fun with the coding of the game.

 

[Eephus]

Casey Kotchman rumored to be heading to Seattle in exchange for Bill Hall and a minor leaguer. The Brewers are still picking up the lion's share of Hall's terrible contract so this move may be advantageous from a luxury tax perspective. Hall could be a semi-useful role player and brings a lot more roster flexibility than Kotchman.

 

[the moops]

JD Drew is good. Some fascinating numbers at the globe.

Just 10 players had an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of .900 or greater in 2008 and ’09: Pujols, Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Lance Berkman, Mark Teixeira, Kevin Youkilis, Hanley Ramirez, Matt Holliday, Chase Utley - and Drew.

Over the three seasons since he signed with Boston, Drew has gotten on base at a .390 clip. That stands as fourth-best among outfielders in baseball in that span, behind only Manny Ramirez (.412), Holliday (.403), Magglio Ordonez (.397), and tied with Adam Dunn.

Instead of signing Drew, Epstein could have chosen Alfonso Soriano ($136 million, eight years), Carlos Lee ($100 million, six years), Gary Matthews Jr. ($50 million, five years), or Juan Pierre ($44 million, five years).According to the value estimations on fangraphs.com, in the three years since those deals were signed, Soriano has earned $33.4 million (8.0 wins above replacement player), while being paid $41 million. Lee has earned $40 million (9.2 WAR), while being paid $43 million. Matthews has earned -$5.2 million (-1.1 WAR), while being paid $26.2 million. Pierre has earned $15.4 million (3.6 WAR), while being paid $25.5 million.And Drew? Even with a rough 2007 in which he “earned’’ just $5.6 million (1.4 WAR), Drew has earned $45.4 million (10.3 WAR) in Boston, while being paid $42 million. So, in the warped world of baseball finances, the argument could be made that Drew is underpaid. Or, perhaps, that he is compensated equally to his value.

Oh, and his UZR/150 in 2008 was 12.9. It was 15.7 last year.

 

[Balco]

JD Drew is good. Some fascinating numbers at the globe.

Just 10 players had an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of .900 or greater in 2008 and ’09: Pujols, Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Lance Berkman, Mark Teixeira, Kevin Youkilis, Hanley Ramirez, Matt Holliday, Chase Utley - and Drew.

Over the three seasons since he signed with Boston, Drew has gotten on base at a .390 clip. That stands as fourth-best among outfielders in baseball in that span, behind only Manny Ramirez (.412), Holliday (.403), Magglio Ordonez (.397), and tied with Adam Dunn.

Instead of signing Drew, Epstein could have chosen Alfonso Soriano ($136 million, eight years), Carlos Lee ($100 million, six years), Gary Matthews Jr. ($50 million, five years), or Juan Pierre ($44 million, five years).According to the value estimations on fangraphs.com, in the three years since those deals were signed, Soriano has earned $33.4 million (8.0 wins above replacement player), while being paid $41 million. Lee has earned $40 million (9.2 WAR), while being paid $43 million. Matthews has earned -$5.2 million (-1.1 WAR), while being paid $26.2 million. Pierre has earned $15.4 million (3.6 WAR), while being paid $25.5 million.And Drew? Even with a rough 2007 in which he “earned’’ just $5.6 million (1.4 WAR), Drew has earned $45.4 million (10.3 WAR) in Boston, while being paid $42 million. So, in the warped world of baseball finances, the argument could be made that Drew is underpaid. Or, perhaps, that he is compensated equally to his value.

Oh, and his UZR/150 in 2008 was 12.9. It was 15.7 last year.

Drew gets a bad rap because of his albatross of a contract. But the guy is a great hitter and a solid fielder. I have no complaints.

 

[guru_007]

Drew gets a bad rap because of his albatross of a contract. But the guy is a great hitter and a solid fielder. I have no complaints.

I don't think the issue is so much the contract as it is you are lucky if you get 130 games out of the guy each year.I've always liked Drew, but you never get a full season out of him. That's why the only flattering stats you see from him are percentage stats. Let's face it, 24 homers and 68 rbi's (to go with a .279 ba) are not all that pretty.

 

[the moops]

Drew gets a bad rap because of his albatross of a contract. But the guy is a great hitter and a solid fielder. I have no complaints.

I don't think the issue is so much the contract as it is you are lucky if you get 130 games out of the guy each year.I've always liked Drew, but you never get a full season out of him. That's why the only flattering stats you see from him are percentage stats. Let's face it, 24 homers and 68 rbi's (to go with a .279 ba) are not all that pretty.

He has played less than 130 games once in the past 4 years. His contract is hardly an albatross, especially compared to other outfielders signed during the 2006 offseason.

 

[Balco]

Drew gets a bad rap because of his albatross of a contract. But the guy is a great hitter and a solid fielder. I have no complaints.

I don't think the issue is so much the contract as it is you are lucky if you get 130 games out of the guy each year.I've always liked Drew, but you never get a full season out of him. That's why the only flattering stats you see from him are percentage stats. Let's face it, 24 homers and 68 rbi's (to go with a .279 ba) are not all that pretty.

He is a solid fielder who posts solid OBP and OPS averages. Batting average is a poor indicator of a batter's worth.

 

[David Yudkin]

Drew gets a bad rap because of his albatross of a contract. But the guy is a great hitter and a solid fielder. I have no complaints.

I don't think the issue is so much the contract as it is you are lucky if you get 130 games out of the guy each year.I've always liked Drew, but you never get a full season out of him. That's why the only flattering stats you see from him are percentage stats. Let's face it, 24 homers and 68 rbi's (to go with a .279 ba) are not all that pretty.

According to fangraphs, Drew's "value" each year in Boston (incorporating all facets of the game) has been $5.6 million, $18.7 million, and $21.1 million. So according to those numbers he's earned back more than he was paid. He's very good at many things but not great at any one thing.

 

[guru_007]

Drew gets a bad rap because of his albatross of a contract. But the guy is a great hitter and a solid fielder. I have no complaints.

I don't think the issue is so much the contract as it is you are lucky if you get 130 games out of the guy each year.I've always liked Drew, but you never get a full season out of him. That's why the only flattering stats you see from him are percentage stats. Let's face it, 24 homers and 68 rbi's (to go with a .279 ba) are not all that pretty.

He has played less than 130 games once in the past 4 years. His contract is hardly an albatross, especially compared to other outfielders signed during the 2006 offseason.

In his 11 major league season (I'll discount his rookie year where he only played 14 games) he has averaged 122 gamesIf you want to throw out 2005 where he was injured and only played 72 games, fine, he has averaged 126 games.He has broken 100 rbi's ZERO times in his careerHe has hit more than 25 home runs TWICE in his careerI never said his contract was an albatross, but at $14,000,000 per year, I would expect some run production.Dude's made ONE all star appearance in his career. Mainly because he is not a 150+/year game kind of guy. Like I said, I've always liked the guy, he's a good player. But, he is not a great player.

 

[guru_007]

According to fangraphs, Drew's "value" each year in Boston (incorporating all facets of the game) has been $5.6 million, $18.7 million, and $21.1 million. So according to those numbers he's earned back more than he was paid. He's very good at many things but not great at any one thing.

Yes, according to the almighty fan graphs.And his UZR And his OBPAnd some other metric that some fan wants to cherry pick.I'm a Red Sox fan. I like JD Drew. Guy is highly replaceable. I'm not paying the guys salary, so I don't care if he makes $14M per year or $8M or $22M.

 

[the moops]

He has broken 100 rbi's ZERO times in his careerHe has hit more than 25 home runs TWICE in his career

And?Do you somehow think that only HR and RBI guys are good ball players?

Guy is highly replaceable.

List please.

 

[David Yudkin]

According to fangraphs, Drew's "value" each year in Boston (incorporating all facets of the game) has been $5.6 million, $18.7 million, and $21.1 million. So according to those numbers he's earned back more than he was paid. He's very good at many things but not great at any one thing.

Yes, according to the almighty fan graphs.And his UZR And his OBPAnd some other metric that some fan wants to cherry pick.I'm a Red Sox fan. I like JD Drew. Guy is highly replaceable. I'm not paying the guys salary, so I don't care if he makes $14M per year or $8M or $22M.

I'm not saying he's a HOFer or some uber ball player, but for better or for worse he's one of the better right fielders. I think some folks might play too much fantasy baseball and expect the whol league to hit 30 HR and have 100 RBI.Here are the Fangraphs earned values of all 30 projected opening day RFs in MLB over the last 3 years. I'm not saying it's the end all of evaluation tools, but it's at least one metric that ranks player performance . . .Ichiro Suzuki 64.9Jayson Werth 58.6Maglio Ordonez 57.8Nick Markakis 54JD Drew 45.4Nick Swisher 44.1Ryan Ludwick 42.8Hunter Pence 41.2David DeJesus 36.8Shin-Soo Choo 35Andre Ethier 33.1Cody Ross 33Bobby Abreau 28.8Josh Willingham 28.4Corey Hart 26.1Ryan Sweeney 26Nelson Cruz 23.3Justin Upton 20.8Matt Diaz 20Kosuke F ukudome 18.4Carlos Quentin 17.5Michael Cuddyer 16.2Will Venable 11.6Jeff Franceour 9.8Garrett Jones 8.9Jay Bruce 8.5Brad Hawpe 8.3Nate Schierholtz 6.6Matt Joyce 5.5Travis Snyder 2.9Based in that, Drew ranked as the #5 RF over the past 3 seasons. I realize this is no guarantee of any of anyone will do in the future, but that's how he did the past few seasons. I'm not sure replacing a Top 5 - Top 10 is all that easy.

 

[wilked]

Actually got to watch today's game... Didn't think that would be possible here in the Kingdom. Woke up at 7, flipping through the channels, and lo and behold, there it is. Of course things changed quickly when I thought I was going to see a no hitter, than a gut wrenching loss, but it all worked out...