Red Sox sign Beltre

[Rich the Giants fan]

Ah to be able to afford a payroll like that.

What's next for Mike Lowell?

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[9&10]

Well, at least it's for only one year, though it could be a tumultuous one. Let's hope he keeps his mouth shut focuses on playing.

[Zagi-CRO]

Let's hope he keeps his mouth shut focuses on playing.

as Milton Bradley?

Seriously, it's good move for the RedSox.

[Second Base Coach]

Wow.... I am a big Dodger fan and his one great season was a joy to behold that's for sure. And his defense is good, but make no mistake:

This is a .265 hitter who won't have an OBP over .333

Just as long as the Sox know what they are getting...

[Seattle1]

Well, at least it's for only one year, though it could be a tumultuous one. Let's hope he keeps his mouth shut focuses on playing.

What do you mean? Beltre's a good guy. No problems at all in Seattle.

[DodgerBlue8188]

Wow.... I am a big Dodger fan and his one great season was a joy to behold that's for sure. And his defense is good, but make no mistake:

This is a .265 hitter who won't have an OBP over .333

Just as long as the Sox know what they are getting...

I remember that year. I think he came in 2nd or 3rd in MVP voting. A big reason we won the West.

[dl4060]

This does not seem to be much of a free agent class. I would not want Beltre if he were to play for free. I am exaggerating, but he really is not much of a player. Fenway might help him, I guess. He might be the type of player who gains more from the park switch than normal players do, but still.

The Red Sox certainly seem underwhelming for next year.

[bob]

This does not seem to be much of a free agent class. I would not want Beltre if he were to play for free. I am exaggerating, but he really is not much of a player. Fenway might help him, I guess. He might be the type of player who gains more from the park switch than normal players do, but still.

The Red Sox certainly seem underwhelming for next year.

As "underwhelming" as they are, they'll still likely get 90-100 wins. But yea, i know what you mean, fewer superstars than they've had in the recent past.

[GiambiJuice]

This does not seem to be much of a free agent class. I would not want Beltre if he were to play for free. I am exaggerating, but he really is not much of a player. Fenway might help him, I guess. He might be the type of player who gains more from the park switch than normal players do, but still.

The Red Sox certainly seem underwhelming for next year.

Underwhelming?

The best 1-2-3 combination at the top of their rotation in all of baseball (Beckett, Lester, Lackey)
An above-average lineup, which might get even better if they sign or trade for another bat, and I think they will. Yes Jason Bay is gone, and Ortiz is past his prime, but they still have Victor Martinez, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Adrian Beltre, and JD Drew. How many lineups in the AL are better?

I think they will cruise into the postseason next year and may even challenge the Yankees for the best record in baseball.

[Trickyhop]

What do you mean? Beltre's a good guy. No problems at all in Seattle.

I have no idea what he's speaking of either.

There hasn't been a controversy in Seattle since Silva would run his mouth in 2008.

[dl4060]

Underwhelming?

The best 1-2-3 combination at the top of their rotation in all of baseball (Beckett, Lester, Lackey)
An above-average lineup, which might get even better if they sign or trade for another bat, and I think they will. Yes Jason Bay is gone, and Ortiz is past his prime, but they still have Victor Martinez, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Adrian Beltre, and JD Drew. How many lineups in the AL are better?

I think they will cruise into the postseason next year and may even challenge the Yankees for the best record in baseball.

Underwhelming compared to what they have been in the past. They definitely have fewer superstars. I see a much greater gap between them and the Yankees than in the past.

The lineup is just that: Above average. In the past they were a step better. They had more guys who really scared you. Obviously if they trade for another bat things would be different. Adding a superstar in the lineup would change my statement. I see this team as likely to win between 85 and 95 games. For the recent Boston history, that is not something to be excited about. I don't see the current crop of hitters to be much compared to Nomar, Manny, Ortiz, and Mo Vaughn. If Ortiz was Ortiz circa 2003-2007 things would be different.

I guess the Red Sox have spoiled us. After the last decade, winning 88-92 games is not very exciting. So yes, I am underwhelmed by this team. I would be very surprised to see them challenge the Yankees for the AL east. I am far less excited by them than I have been in the last few years. I hope they prove me wrong. I am actually glad they did not overpay for any bats this year. In a couple of years the free agent class might be better, though other than Mauer and Pujols I can't think of anyone earth shattering. I'm glad we got Manny when we did.

[Domenic]

I don't see the current crop of hitters to be much compared to Nomar, Manny, Ortiz, and Mo Vaughn. If Ortiz was Ortiz circa 2003-2007 things would be different.

Vaughn was never on the same team as Ramirez and Ortiz. Garciaparra, Ramirez, and Ortiz were only together for a season and a half and, at that point in time, Garciaparra was no longer a superstar.

From 6 June through the end of the year, Ortiz batted .266/.360/.557 with 27 HR - while that is a far cry from his peak, it is certainly strong production. Ortiz did struggle for awhile, but he was also recovering from a fairly severe wrist injury, as well as surgery.

While the team may not have the same sort of name recognition nowadays, Martinez, Pedroia, Ortiz, Youkilis, and Drew are very good players, certainly up to the standard set four or five years ago. Further, Scutaro, Cameron, and Beltre work as an excellent supporting cast.

[Rich the Giants fan]

Vaughn was never on the same team as Ramirez and Ortiz. Garciaparra, Ramirez, and Ortiz were only together for a season and a half and, at that point in time, Garciaparra was no longer a superstar.

From 6 June through the end of the year, Ortiz batted .266/.360/.557 with 27 HR - while that is a far cry from his peak, it is certainly strong production. Ortiz did struggle for awhile, but he was also recovering from a fairly severe wrist injury, as well as surgery.

While the team may not have the same sort of name recognition nowadays, Martinez, Pedroia, Ortiz, Youkilis, and Drew are very good players, certainly up to the standard set four or five years ago. Further, Scutaro, Cameron, and Beltre work as an excellent supporting cast.

I was about to mention that.

[dl4060]

Vaughn was never on the same team as Ramirez and Ortiz.

Where did I say they were all on the same team? I was listing past bosox stars. I did not stipulate that they all had to play at the same time. I merely listed a group of their recent stars.

Garciaparra, Ramirez, and Ortiz were only together for a season and a half and, at that point in time, Garciaparra was no longer a superstar.

Once again, see above. I was listing recent superstars. I never said all of those guys had to play at the same time.

I will also say that Garciaparra was still a superstar in 2003, when all of those guys were together. Do you have another word for a SS who puts up the numbers Nomar did in 2003? How many SS hit .301 with 28 HR 13 3B and 37 2B. 78 extra base hits and a .300 BA is most certainly superstar production from a shortstop. Did you consider Derek Jeter a superstar in 2003? Nomar was just as good that year, and possibly better. The problem with the perception of Nomar in 2003 was that he was not as good as 98-00. He was still, however, most definitely a superstar. 2004 was a different story.

From 6 June through the end of the year, Ortiz batted .266/.360/.557 with 27 HR - while that is a far cry from his peak, it is certainly strong production. Ortiz did struggle for awhile, but he was also recovering from a fairly severe wrist injury, as well as surgery.

He did play better, yes. I really hope we can see some of that this next season, but I would not bet anything on it. I really hope I am wrong. If he can maintain that sort of production I would be very happy.

While the team may not have the same sort of name recognition nowadays, Martinez, Pedroia, Ortiz, Youkilis, and Drew are very good players, certainly up to the standard set four or five years ago. Further, Scutaro, Cameron, and Beltre work as an excellent supporting cast.

I never said they were not very good players. What I said, was that they were short on superstar talent. I expect this team to win 85-95 games. I hope someone takes a step forward.

[Domenic]

Where did I say they were all on the same team? I was listing past bosox stars. I did not stipulate that they all had to play at the same time. I merely listed a group of their recent stars.

You said, and I quote - I don't see the current crop of hitters to be much compared to Nomar, Manny, Ortiz, and Mo Vaughn. If Ortiz was Ortiz circa 2003-2007 things would be different. Your implication was that the offense did not compare to the Red Sox offense at a point in time when they had these players, and that's what I based my argument on.

Regardless, Youkilis is on-par with Vaughn, Martinez is on-par with Garciaparra (in terms of his last few years with the Red Sox), and David Ortiz is still a legitimate threat.

Compare this team to the 2003 Red Sox.

Ca - Martinez > Varitek
1B - Youkilis > Millar
2B - Pedroia > Walker
3B - Beltre = Mueller
SS - Scutaro < Garciaparra
LF - Ellsbury < Ramirez
CF - Cameron > Damon
RF - Drew > Nixon
DH - Ortiz < Ortiz

I would argue that Beltre is likely to be superior to Mueller, as 2003 was quite the fluke season, and Beltre is very likely to benefit from righty-friendly Fenway Park - though, I admit that Beltre is unlikely to match the numbers Mueller put up that year.

The only huge disparity, in my mind, is the drop-off from Ramirez to Ellsbury. It's worth noting, though, that the 2009 Red Sox scored 872 runs, good for third in the AL - and the team should be better this season.

[rx2003]

beltre is a head case...at least he used to be, as a Yank fan I am glad the Yanks got him....a step down IMO....I would rather have a HEALTHY Lowell....(even tho that cant happen)

[GiambiJuice]

beltre is a head case...at least he used to be, as a Yank fan I am glad the Yanks got him....a step down IMO....I would rather have a HEALTHY Lowell....(even tho that cant happen)

The Yanks didn't get him, the Boston Red Sox did.

[gman5431]

I never was a big Beltre fan either. What has he done except for the one huge contract year in LA? And now the Reds Sox are stuck in a weird situation since the Lowell trade got messed up since he is hurt. Will that trade still go thru before ST?

G Man

[Stumanji]

He's an average hitter with average to moderate power, but the real value is his defense. The guy was a brick wall in Seattle. Loved watching him on defense.

As for the "head case" or "keeps his mouth shut" comments, I'm not sure what people are talking about. He always seemed to have a smile on his face.

[babaganoosh]

Yeah, before Griffey returned to Seattle, I thought Beltre was the most solid guy in the locker room. Also, though he was injured, he was always supportive of his team and I believe I read that he was willing to play through all the pain if the Mariners ever asked him to.

[Domenic]

Beltre's home-road splits with the Mariners are worth noting, as well:

Home - .252/.305/.408
Road - .277/.326/.451

While his road numbers aren't indicative of a superstar, they suggest that he should perform better with the Red Sox than he has with the Mariners . . . and I wouldn't be surprised if Fenway further boosted his numbers.

[Stumanji]

Beltre's home-road splits with the Mariners ... suggest that he should perform better with the Red Sox than he has with the Mariners... and I wouldn't be surprised if Fenway further boosted his numbers.

I'd agree. He should do fine offensively in Boston, and the added protection in the lineup should help him get more pitches to hit. Should be a decent year for him.

[babaganoosh]

While I do agree that he'll do better because of the Green Monster, I don't believe protection will have anything to do with it. In my books, he's a bottom-of-the-order type bat in the Red Sox's stacked line-up (7ish?), so the protection down there won't really help him much IMO.

[Imgran]

Since Lowell's own OBP wasn't really ever anything to write home about, if Beltre returns to his usual form we won't lose too much offensively. He's definitely more of an all-or-nothing guy though, a lot of Lowell's effectiveness came from his high AVG and doubles power, Beltre doesn't have near as much of that.

I think in the end we lose a few runs -- not many -- and we gain a lot of it back on the defensive end. Beltre and a HEALTHY Lowell were two different kinds of 3B skillsets and ultimately about equal defensively -- Beltre much better on the rangy play, Lowell has the softest hands of any 3B in MLB history -- but Lowell isn't healthy anymore, and Beltre never saw a DEFENSIVE dropoff last year.

We had a big problem with lack of range on the left side of the diamond, and Scutaro was not likely to change that for the better, so Beltre is a good fit defensively for us and brings skillsets we need rather badly.

[dominik]

As "underwhelming" as they are, they'll still likely get 90-100 wins. But yea, i know what you mean, fewer superstars than they've had in the recent past.

their pitching is actually really good. Their hitting is of course not great(if papi doesn't suddenly revert to form) but good enough to make the POs easily.

The yanks are of course hard to beat.