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

[yall hate]

byrd wont be resigned by us if he declines arb. It might also not be good for him to stay with us because unless bucholz really sux, he won't hve a rotation spot.

I like the japanese righty reliever signing and the redsox are pretty much done with pitching help except maybe a lefty specialist and try to steal aj burnett if they can't land texeira. (then move wake to the bullpen or trade bucholz for something good)

Wake CANT go to the pen. It wont happen.  He is more valuable to us as a starter.

If they were going to trade Buch, it would have already happened.  they would have moved him for one of the texas catchers.  but they arent moving him.

[gkiteisscal]

byrd wont be resigned by us if he declines arb. It might also not be good for him to stay with us because unless bucholz really sux, he won't hve a rotation spot.

I like the japanese righty reliever signing and the redsox are pretty much done with pitching help except maybe a lefty specialist and try to steal aj burnett if they can't land texeira. (then move wake to the bullpen or trade bucholz for something good)

Wake CANT go to the pen. It wont happen.  He is more valuable to us as a starter.

If they were going to trade Buch, it would have already happened.  they would have moved him for one of the texas catchers.  but they arent moving him.

byrd wont be resigned by us if he declines arb. It might also not be good for him to stay with us because unless bucholz really sux, he won't hve a rotation spot.

I like the japanese righty reliever signing and the redsox are pretty much done with pitching help except maybe a lefty specialist and try to steal aj burnett if they can't land texeira. (then move wake to the bullpen or trade bucholz for something good)

Wake CANT go to the pen. It wont happen.  He is more valuable to us as a starter.

If they were going to trade Buch, it would have already happened.  they would have moved him for one of the texas catchers.  but they arent moving him.

rotoworld reported last week that the FO will not trade Buch for any of the Texas catchers.  My feeling is that he will start the season in AAA.  It gives the good organizational depth @ SP. 

I think it would be wise of the Sox to try to sign Lowe/Burnett/Perez (if he declines arb), making Wake the #5.  This would give them the flexibility to keep one or both of the Bowden/Buch combo at AAA to start the season.  This would limit thier IP's and also not force them into the limelight.   

Offering Byrd arbitration seems redundant if Wake is healthy and may speak to either his health or his desire to pitch.  I can't see him turning it down b/c he is probably valued in the 6-8M range and I don't think that will be availble for him on the open market. 

I think if the Sox do anything it will be to sign Tex (at least I hope).  I can see them going into opening day w/Lowell still on the roster.  I think w/the health of Ortiz & Lowell an extra position player can not be undervalued & Tito has shown that he can spread AB's around.

[yall hate]

rotoworld reported last week that the FO will not trade Buch for any of the Texas catchers.  My feeling is that he will start the season in AAA.  It gives the good organizational depth @ SP. 

I think it would be wise of the Sox to try to sign Lowe/Burnett/Perez (if he declines arb), making Wake the #5.  This would give them the flexibility to keep one or both of the Bowden/Buch combo at AAA to start the season.  This would limit thier IP's and also not force them into the limelight.   

Offering Byrd arbitration seems redundant if Wake is healthy and may speak to either his health or his desire to pitch.  I can't see him turning it down b/c he is probably valued in the 6-8M range and I don't think that will be availble for him on the open market. 

I think if the Sox do anything it will be to sign Tex (at least I hope).  I can see them going into opening day w/Lowell still on the roster.  I think w/the health of Ortiz & Lowell an extra position player can not be undervalued & Tito has shown that he can spread AB's around.

Buch is more then organizational depth.  He may not start the year in Boston, but he will be a part of this teams starting rotation either towards the end of the year or next year.

Byrd (his agent) has already indicated he was planning on not accepting arbitration.  So it works out for the sox (I am sure they knew before offering).  if someone else signs, they get a sandwich pick.

[Chris]

If they were going to trade Buch, it would have already happened.  they would have moved him for one of the texas catchers.  but they arent moving him.

Well, I don't think there was ever a chance they traded him for an inexperienced catcher, but I think he could be traded...but only for another front-line starter.  Of course the only guy who they would really consider that is supposedly available (Peavy) supposedly vetoed going to Boston.

[yall hate]

Well, I don't think there was ever a chance they traded him for an inexperienced catcher, but I think he could be traded...but only for another front-line starter.  Of course the only guy who they would really consider that is supposedly available (Peavy) supposedly vetoed going to Boston.

Why would they trade him for an expensive starter?  They wouldnt include him for the best pitcher in baseball (Johan) so why would they then trade him for a pitcher like Peavy who has pitched in the NL in a pitchers park? 

If we believe what we have heard from the Sox which is that they project Buch to be a frontline starting pitcher, why move him?  They would have him as a cost controlled starting pitcher.  We have seen what he is capable of (when he can control the FB), and their is no reason to think he wont figure out how to control the FB which will open up all of his other pitches.

Obviously I dont know anything more about the front office's mindset then you or anyone else, but I just cant see them making a trade involving Buch since we have seen them pass up the chance to trade him in the past for arguably the best pitcher in baseball. 

[Chris]

Well, I don't think there was ever a chance they traded him for an inexperienced catcher, but I think he could be traded...but only for another front-line starter.  Of course the only guy who they would really consider that is supposedly available (Peavy) supposedly vetoed going to Boston.

Why would they trade him for an expensive starter?  They wouldnt include him for the best pitcher in baseball (Johan) so why would they then trade him for a pitcher like Peavy who has pitched in the NL in a pitchers park? 

If we believe what we have heard from the Sox which is that they project Buch to be a frontline starting pitcher, why move him?  They would have him as a cost controlled starting pitcher.  We have seen what he is capable of (when he can control the FB), and their is no reason to think he wont figure out how to control the FB which will open up all of his other pitches.

Obviously I dont know anything more about the front office's mindset then you or anyone else, but I just cant see them making a trade involving Buch since we have seen them pass up the chance to trade him in the past for arguably the best pitcher in baseball. 

You may be right.  My point was more that if he is going to be traded, it will only be for another pitcher, not a position player.  But you are probably right that they won't trade him for anyone.

[yall hate]

You may be right.  My point was more that if he is going to be traded, it will only be for another pitcher, not a position player.  But you are probably right that they won't trade him for anyone.

Ahh gotcha.  I dont think they would be opposed to trading a SP prospect (like Masterson or Bowden) for a catcher...but we'll see

[Jon]

Anyone else think the Sox should just make an all out push at Sabathia?  While he'd be expensive, he'd pretty much guarantee the Sox the World Series next year.  A playoff rotation of Beckett, Sabathia, Daisuke, and Lester would be pretty much unstoppable.  Compound that with the fact that Masterson then stays in the pen (making the pen nearly unstoppable) and the deal looks even better. 

While Texeira would be nice, they're basically going to spend 15-20 million a season for only a small upgrade in the lineup.  Texeira is good, but is he worth 15-20 million dollars a year to see him hit 10 more homers than Lowell and bat the same average?  Furthermore, Lars Anderson is looking more and more like he could be the guy who steps in at first when Lowell's contract is up.  I'd much rather see money put into elite pitching than into a position we could arguably fill internally in a year or two. 

As for guys like Burnett and Lowe, I'd much pay 25 million a year for Sabathia than 15-20 for those guys.  Burnett has a horrible injury history and could easily be another Carl Pavano.  And while the sentimentalist in me likes the idea of Lowe returning, he'd also be moving from a pitchers park to a hitters park, the National League to the American League, and from the worst division in baseball to the best division in baseball.  I think there's a fairly good chance he reverts to something much closer to his 2004 regular season form (that 5+ ERA) than he keeps the success he had in LA if he comes back to Boston.  It's possible if he comes back, that much like in 2004, but seasons end he may have lost his spot in the playoff rotation, beaten out by Beckett, Lester, Daisuke, and Wake. 

I'd much rather pay a bit more for a guaranteed ace than a ton for a guy who at best will be middle of the rotation.  If the Sox brass deem that Sabathia can hold up long term, they should definitely make him priority number 1. 

[ma11l]

I really don't want the Sox to go anywhere near Sabathia.  In my opinion he'd come in as damaged goods.  He hasn't had many injuries, but he's pitched so many innings the last few years.  He might be just as big of a risk as Burnett.


I also think he's damaged goods mentally come playoff time.  His performances have been pretty poor the last two years.


I'd rather Burnett or even Lowe.  I hope Sabathia goes to the Yankees and becomes the next Carl Pavano.

[Tr1boy]

if epstein signs sabathia i will lose alot of respect for him as a gm.

We already have a 5 man rotation ready and plus need cash to keep lester and other players long term

every year it seems like epstein just has to sign a FA like a girl who has to go to a mall and just buy something even if they don't really need it

concentrate on texeira, catcher and stop wanting to put your fingers in every piece of the pie.

[Roy Hobbs]

if epstein signs sabathia i will lose alot of respect for him as a gm.

We already have a 5 man rotation ready and plus need cash to keep lester and other players long term

every year it seems like epstein just has to sign a FA like a girl who has to go to a mall and just buy something even if they don't really need it

concentrate on texeira, catcher and stop wanting to put your fingers in every piece of the pie.

I think Tex is clearly the top target.  Reportedly, the Red Sox had a meeting with Sabathia because his agent requested it.

That being said, as the saying goes, you can never have too much pitching.  Which is more effective, a rotation of Lester-Beckett-Matsuzaka-Wakefield-Buchholz, or Sabathia-Lester-Beckett-Matsuzaka-Whoever?  It's better to have four great pitchers than it is three, especially when a team has the resources the Red Sox do.

(I don't like Sabathia mostly because of his weight, and my thought that he will eventually break down.  Still, David Wells stayed relatively healthy despite being pretty hefty.)

[Chris]

if epstein signs sabathia i will lose alot of respect for him as a gm.

We already have a 5 man rotation ready and plus need cash to keep lester and other players long term

every year it seems like epstein just has to sign a FA like a girl who has to go to a mall and just buy something even if they don't really need it

concentrate on texeira, catcher and stop wanting to put your fingers in every piece of the pie.

I don't think anyone actually believes the Sox want CC.  They are just doing their due diligence.  Part of it is to drive up the price on the Yankees, both for their own good, as well as a favor to the agent.  Part of it is just that they are essentially in a position where they have to at least kick the tires on every FA.  I wouldn't worry about it.

I do think they should get another starter though.  Right now they have 3 guys they can count on, one guy who they can count on when healthy, but has seemed to be wearing down the last couple of years (Wake), and a bunch of other young question-marks.  They should be looking at another guy to solidify the bottom of the rotation, whether it taking a flyer on a guy coming off an injury, or going after a guy like Byrd.

And I absolutely expect them to continue to go hard after Tex and catchers, and I don't think sniffing around a guy like CC would have any bearing on that.

[Toine43]

if epstein signs sabathia i will lose alot of respect for him as a gm.

We already have a 5 man rotation ready and plus need cash to keep lester and other players long term

every year it seems like epstein just has to sign a FA like a girl who has to go to a mall and just buy something even if they don't really need it

concentrate on texeira, catcher and stop wanting to put your fingers in every piece of the pie.

I would not be opposed to a big FA pitcher signing, if Theo thinks the pitcher is a safe investment. Don't be so sure that our rotation is in good shape. I don't seem to recall Beckett and Dice-K mowing down opponents last October. That's not saying I don't expect them both to be great in '09, but the point is you can never have too much pitching, to repeat a overused phrase that Roy just used.

I don't think you ever quite know what you really need until the season gets going. Suppose we inked C.C., traded a couple of prospects for a Rangers catcher either to back up Varitek or play full time, and Papi and Lowell came back and had great seasons. If that were to happen, couldn't you justify signing C.C. over Tex?

I know that Tex is more likely to sign here at this point, but technically we don't have room for him on the team, while we do have room for C.C. We wouldn't need to turn our roster upside down to sign him. And maybe we will come to find that our more pressing need is in fact pitching.

[yall hate]

I don't think you ever quite know what you really need until the season gets going. Suppose we inked C.C., traded a couple of prospects for a Rangers catcher either to back up Varitek or play full time, and Papi and Lowell came back and had great seasons. If that were to happen, couldn't you justify signing C.C. over Tex?

I know that Tex is more likely to sign here at this point, but technically we don't have room for him on the team, while we do have room for C.C. We wouldn't need to turn our roster upside down to sign him. And maybe we will come to find that our more pressing need is in fact pitching.

That is assuming a lot of ifs.  if we get a catcher, if tek comes back, if papi returns to form, if lowell returns to form. 

The Sox have shown they dont like to give long deals to pitchers.  I doubt they would shrug that off for a fat guy who has shown an inability to pitch when it matters and who has MAJOR injury concerns going forward based on his past use.

Tex does not have injury significance, and would become our best hitter immediately.  He would make Papi better and Papi would make him better.  not to mention, he should be a high quality player for the entire length of the deal since he is still young/doesnt play a high taxing position.  The sox have young cost controlled pitchers who can slot into the rotation.  they dont have young, cost controlled power hitters.

[Mean Gerald Green]

I don't think you ever quite know what you really need until the season gets going. Suppose we inked C.C., traded a couple of prospects for a Rangers catcher either to back up Varitek or play full time, and Papi and Lowell came back and had great seasons. If that were to happen, couldn't you justify signing C.C. over Tex?

I know that Tex is more likely to sign here at this point, but technically we don't have room for him on the team, while we do have room for C.C. We wouldn't need to turn our roster upside down to sign him. And maybe we will come to find that our more pressing need is in fact pitching.

That is assuming a lot of ifs.  if we get a catcher, if tek comes back, if papi returns to form, if lowell returns to form. 

The Sox have shown they dont like to give long deals to pitchers.  I doubt they would shrug that off for a fat guy who has shown an inability to pitch when it matters and who has MAJOR injury concerns going forward based on his past use.

Tex does not have injury significance, and would become our best hitter immediately.  He would make Papi better and Papi would make him better.  not to mention, he should be a high quality player for the entire length of the deal since he is still young/doesnt play a high taxing position.  The sox have young cost controlled pitchers who can slot into the rotation.  they dont have young, cost controlled power hitters.

Makes no sense at all to sign Sabathia...plus I think they'd rather have Burnett, Lowe or Pettite at a lower cost.

At this point I think Texeria and Boston is a near perfect fit, can't see this not happening.