Who Will the Red Sox Target for 08/09 FA? Who Will They Trade?

[yall hate]

also, Sox made an offer to Tek.

http://blogs.weei.com/robbradford/2008/11/23/source-initial-offer-to-varitek-for-one-year/

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the Red Sox’ initial contract offer to free agent catcher Jason Varitek this offseason was for one year. It was not determined what the monetary worth of the offer would be, although indications were that it didn’t approach the annual average commanded by Jorge Posada ($13.1 million). 

[Chris]

also, Sox made an offer to Tek.

http://blogs.weei.com/robbradford/2008/11/23/source-initial-offer-to-varitek-for-one-year/

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the Red Sox’ initial contract offer to free agent catcher Jason Varitek this offseason was for one year. It was not determined what the monetary worth of the offer would be, although indications were that it didn’t approach the annual average commanded by Jorge Posada ($13.1 million). 

Makes sense for an initial offer.  I think everyone pretty much knows that it is going to end up being a 2 year deal, so the Sox start off at 1 year, Boras counters with 3-4, and eventually they end up right where they should be.  2 years, at anywhere between 16-22 million.

[nickagneta]

I'm not going to get into a long discussion about this but last year 21 draftees were out of college. It was 14 in 2007 and 16 in 2006 and 19 in 2005. More and more teams are getting away from the high school kids in the first round and the talent pool most teams are going to are college. So I think it's fair to say the Tazawa was probably playing on a fairly even talent level as most 1st rounders, though not all.

Also, I seriously doubt he will be the #2 pitching prospect in the Sox system. As much as Masterson and Buchholz and Bowden are expected at the major league level this year I think they all still qualify as being prospects at this time. Also Bard, Hagadone and Weiland are all very highly thopught of at present in the Sox system. Tazawa will probably need to show something against AA competition before he's that highly thought of above those six guys.

Lastly, considering the amount of players drafted every year and the amount that actually make it to the majors who project at the draft to be major league talent, I would say that scouts do a fairly good job in determining a players upside level. I was talking all players not just the best or the best.  

[yall hate]

Also, I seriously doubt he will be the #2 pitching prospect in the Sox system. As much as Masterson and Buchholz and Bowden are expected at the major league level this year I think they all still qualify as being prospects at this time. Also Bard, Hagadone and Weiland are all very highly thopught of at present in the Sox system. Tazawa will probably need to show something against AA competition before he's that highly thought of above those six guys.

Masterson and Buch are not eligible as prospects.  They have both pitched WAY to many MLB innings.  You can go to any of the scouting sites or sox prospects to see this detailed.

As I said in the previous post, if they sign him, a site like sox prospects will likely update thier info so we should have an answer shortly thereafter.

[Tr1boy]

-looks like we will lock up tazawa and send him over to double a. He will be expected to be at least in triple a next year and i hope he does for 6 million dollars for 2 or 3 year deal. Not hearing good things about his fastball and fatigue factor

- The redsox should have pulled the trigger to trade lugo imo. Though nate thompson and willis really suked last year , they are lefthanders and could have been used as long relief, situational starts. Lugo could be given a chance now to get his job back but if he doesn't i expect him to believe much like manny did in the clubhouse

- I don't know about the texeira situation. No news, no nothing. He is going to take 7 years for 200 million dollars.

- Redsox are planning to see what jason varitek will do. They prob want to sign him up at a 1 or 2 year deal, doubt jason will take anything less than 3 or 4 at 10 mill per season. After the tek situation i see the sox then trying to land salty from texas

[Big_Matt34]

I really dont think Texiera will cost 28 million a year, i think he is likely to get a 8 year 160-180 million dollar deal but no team will give 7 years 200 million IMO.

Also its Nate Robertson, not Nate Thompson.

I agree with you about the Sox wanting to give Tek 2 years tops and that they are going to go hard after Salty, though they have said they will not give up Buchholz for any of the young catchers which i like.

[Mean Gerald Green]

-looks like we will lock up tazawa and send him over to double a. He will be expected to be at least in triple a next year and i hope he does for 6 million dollars for 2 or 3 year deal. Not hearing good things about his fastball and fatigue factor

- The redsox should have pulled the trigger to trade lugo imo. Though nate thompson and willis really suked last year , they are lefthanders and could have been used as long relief, situational starts. Lugo could be given a chance now to get his job back but if he doesn't i expect him to believe much like manny did in the clubhouse

- I don't know about the texeira situation. No news, no nothing. He is going to take 7 years for 200 million dollars.

- Redsox are planning to see what jason varitek will do. They prob want to sign him up at a 1 or 2 year deal, doubt jason will take anything less than 3 or 4 at 10 mill per season. After the tek situation i see the sox then trying to land salty from texas

Like Matt said, Texeria will never get 28 million a year, the market won't support that.

I'm still hoping for Taylor Teagarden, but would be happy with Salty as well, depending on how much they give up.

[Tr1boy]

i hope your right and texeira can be had for 7 year 160 million deal instead then.

Also regarding Taylor Teagarden texas is reluctant to give him up.

Though i can see a scenrio where if ironically texas signs tek to a 3 or 4 year deal, teagarden could be used as trade bait(he is starting catching material).

They will want bucholz no doubt. Sox should pull of that trade at that point

[Mean Gerald Green]

i hope your right and texeira can be had for 7 year 160 million deal instead then.

Also regarding Taylor Teagarden texas is reluctant to give him up.

Though i can see a scenrio where if ironically texas signs tek to a 3 or 4 year deal, teagarden could be used as trade bait(he is starting catching material).

They will want bucholz no doubt. Sox should pull of that trade at that point

I know Teagarden is starting catcher material, that's why I said I wanted him.

The Rangers have 4 viable MLB catchers: Taylor Teagarden, Gerald Laird, Max Ramirez and Jarrod Saltalamacchia...why on earth would they waste money on Varitek? Makes no sense. At all. Jon Daniels would be fired on the spot.

Also, the Sox should not and will not move Buchholz. Teagarden can be had for a lesser combination of players.

[Chris]

i hope your right and texeira can be had for 7 year 160 million deal instead then.

Also regarding Taylor Teagarden texas is reluctant to give him up.

Though i can see a scenrio where if ironically texas signs tek to a 3 or 4 year deal, teagarden could be used as trade bait(he is starting catching material).

They will want bucholz no doubt. Sox should pull of that trade at that point

I know Teagarden is starting catcher material, that's why I said I wanted him.

The Rangers have 4 viable MLB catchers: Taylor Teagarden, Gerald Laird, Max Ramirez and Jarrod Saltalamacchia...why on earth would they waste money on Varitek? Makes no sense. At all. Jon Daniels would be fired on the spot.

Also, the Sox should not and will not move Buchholz. Teagarden can be had for a lesser combination of players.

I agree.  Bucholtz should be as close to untouchable as any Sox prospect or young player.  He is still the best pitching prospect (and its not THAT close) they have had since Lester. As good of a prospect Teagarden is, catching prospects are so hit or miss (even moreso than pitchers), that you simply can't give up your #1 guy for him. 

[yall hate]

Sox made a trade with Texas...


but not for a catcher.


http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/

The Sox got Wes Littleton, a right-handed reliever, from the Rangers for either two players to be named later or cash considerations. The Sox have been high on his arm for a while, making him a candidate to make the Sox bullpen. But because Littleton is out of options, the return to the Rangers is not expected to be terribly high.

Littleton, 26, went 0-0 with a 6.00 ERA over 18 innings with the Rangers this season. He also went 7-1 with a 4.01 ERA and six saves with Triple A Oklahoma in 44 games. He's particularly effective against righties.

[Redz]

blockbuster

will there be any relievers left for the rest of the league?

[Mean Gerald Green]

blockbuster

will there be any relievers left for the rest of the league?

I like the move, revamping the bullpen is a key to any team's offseason. They've made a few quality additions so far and should have plenty of options during the season.

[Nerf DPOY]

blockbuster

will there be any relievers left for the rest of the league?

I like the move, revamping the bullpen is a key to any team's offseason. They've made a few quality additions so far and should have plenty of options during the season.

I've got no problem wih the move on it's surface, but with yet another RHH specialist aquisition I'm left wondering if they're setting up for a trade involving Masterson. He's not untouchable, but I just happen to have a strong aversion to dealing cheap, cost-controlled arms.

[yall hate]

blockbuster

will there be any relievers left for the rest of the league?

I like the move, revamping the bullpen is a key to any team's offseason. They've made a few quality additions so far and should have plenty of options during the season.

I've got no problem wih the move on it's surface, but with yet another RHH specialist aquisition I'm left wondering if they're setting up for a trade involving Masterson. He's not untouchable, but I just happen to have a strong aversion to dealing cheap, cost-controlled arms.

they could be slotting him in as the number 5 starter...(which I think is a mistake.)  He was better as a reliever then a starter.