The offseason 2009/2010

[Boston Boxer]

Originally Posted by yankeekiller34BigPapi

I don't know I just have this feeling that Holliday will want to be a Yankee more than a Cardinal. Sure it would be awesome to be in the same lineup with Sir Albert, but I'm sure he would prefer being in the Yankee lineup. I actually hope he does become a Yankee, because I think he is overrated. He hasn't demonstrated that he can really play in the AL and he's not that great of an outfielder.

i am willing to bet Jason Bay will be a Yankee next year. I think we will go for a CF and move Ells to LF.

[SwissRedSoxFan]

Originally Posted by Boston Boxer

i am willing to bet Jason Bay will be a Yankee next year. I think we will go for a CF and move Ells to LF.

No, don't think so.

As for Hermida, he could be a replacement for Bay if platooned with a righthanded hitter. His numbers against lefties are horrible. But he sure can hit righthanded pitchers. He did it last year, and last year was an off-year for him...

[Mike D.]

Supposedly, the Sox were in on negotiations for JJ Hardy.

Sox were in on Hardy

I find it hard to believe that the Brewers were actually asking for either Buchholz or Bard in return for Hardy. That's WAAAY more than he's worth, and the Sox of course turned it down.

I find it interesting that the article also said the Sox would have given up Bowden for Hardy, but the Brewers weren't interested. I guess Bowden's star really has fallen in the last year.

[yankeekiller34BigPapi]

The more I sit back and think about the free agent options, I'm not really enthused about Holliday or Bay. Bay was good for us, but he never really seemed like the answer that we need. If we don't end up with Bay or Holliday I think it will benefit us in the long run. I don't see us breaking the bank for Bay and I really don't think we have much interest in Holliday. I'd love to wrestle Crawford away from Tampa Bay, but there's no way that would happen. I think it may be somewhat of a rebuilding year overall. We'll still be competitive, but I don't think we'll be a world series caliber team. I bet we get Gonzalez and I feel like Bay will be going elsewhere. I don't know. I like Jason Bay, but I feel like he isn't worth the money he's going to want. If we could get Gonzalez from the Padres and Hanley back in Boston, I wouldn't care who was patrolling left field!!

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by yankeekiller34BigPapi

The more I sit back and think about the free agent options, I'm not really enthused about Holliday or Bay. Bay was good for us, but he never really seemed like the answer that we need. If we don't end up with Bay or Holliday I think it will benefit us in the long run. I don't see us breaking the bank for Bay and I really don't think we have much interest in Holliday. I'd love to wrestle Crawford away from Tampa Bay, but there's no way that would happen. I think it may be somewhat of a rebuilding year overall. We'll still be competitive, but I don't think we'll be a world series caliber team. I bet we get Gonzalez and I feel like Bay will be going elsewhere. I don't know. I like Jason Bay, but I feel like he isn't worth the money he's going to want. If we could get Gonzalez from the Padres and Hanley back in Boston, I wouldn't care who was patrolling left field!!

I agree that this could be something of a transistional year. I mean, the Sox will still have a shot at winning 90-100 games and making the playoffs.

The real issue I have with Bay or Holliday isn't just the dollars, but the number of years. I mean, if it takes a 5-year deal to sign either of these guys, that's too much in my opinion.

With a ton of contracts coming off the books after 2010, that'll be a time to make a big splash. Beckett, Lowell, Big Papi, and Gonzalez all have contracts ending after the season.

Of course if the Sox can land a A. Gonalez or similar this off-season, that helps them for 2010, 2011, and beyond. One issue with acquiring him is that that'll go far towards cleaning out the farm system...meaning filling holes in 2011 and 2012 won't be so easy.

Of course, if Bay signs elsewhere, the Sox will get a draft pick as compensation, which will help.

If the Sox could land Gonzalez this winter, though, they could go into the year with a platoon in LF and not be much worse offensively than in 2009. The key then would be the pitching staff, of which they have a solid core already locked up.

[Dogdaze]

Originally Posted by SwissRedSoxFan

Marlins trade Jeremy Hermida to Boston for left-handed pitchers Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez...!!!

I'm not sure what to make of this trade, is he going to be Bay's replacement? I guess well find out. But I do think Hermida has a lot of potential. He was ranked as the best prospect in 2005 by Baseball America. And Hermida was a player the Sox wanted as part of a package from the Marlins for Manny in 2008, so I know he's been on Theo's radar.

Considering that he's only 25 and still developing with a lot of potential I think it's possible he could break out and become a good hitter with power. But at this point if he does become Bay's replacement, I doubt he can replace Bay's offensive production, at least not right away, though I guess it's possible. In another forum I read, some feel that playing in Fenway Hermida might hit better then he has in Florida, like Mike Lowell has.

Then again it's possible Hermida could be packaged with other prospects in a trade for someone like Adrian Gonzalez. Well see how this plays out.

[Dogdaze]

Originally Posted by Boston Boxer

i am willing to bet Jason Bay will be a Yankee next year.

Nothing would surprise me when it comes to the Yankees.

[Dogdaze]

Originally Posted by SwissRedSoxFan

As for Hermida, he could be a replacement for Bay if platooned with a righthanded hitter. His numbers against lefties are horrible. But he sure can hit righthanded pitchers. He did it last year, and last year was an off-year for him...

If the Red Sox let Bay walk and don't go after someone like Holliday, which I suspect they won't, that it's possible the Sox could sign someone like Jermaine Dye to platoon with Hermida in LF.

[Mike D.]

Sox decline option on Gonzalez

It'll be interesting to see if the Sox try to resign Gonzo at a lower rate, or go in a different direction either via trade or the free agent market.

[scaffolds]

Originally Posted by Dogdaze

If the Red Sox let Bay walk and don't go after someone like Holliday, which I suspect they won't, that it's possible the Sox could sign someone like Jermaine Dye to platoon with Hermida in LF.

In the baseball community Hermida is known as a player who doen't hustle and not interested in playing defense.

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by scaffolds

In the baseball community Hermida is known as a player who doen't hustle and not interested in playing defense.

If that's the case, this could be a really interesting year for him. The Red Sox fans aren't known for accepting half-hearted effort from their players. On the other hand, playing in front of large, loud crowds and in games that matter may improve his attitude some.

[Cowtipper]

The Boston Red Sox have picked up a $7.1 million option for 2010 on catcher Victor Martinez, according to a report from the Boston Globe on Monday.

A 30-year-old catcher/first baseman, Martinez was acquired at the non-waiver Trade Deadline from the Indians in exchange for a prospect-laden pitching package that included young big league pitcher Justin Masterson as well as prospects Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price.

In 56 games with the Red Sox after his arrival, Martinez hit .336 with eight home runs and 41 RBIs, finishing the season with a .303 average, 23 homers and 108 RBIs in 155 games between Cleveland and Boston.

Just one Red Sox player -- catcher Jason Varitek -- still awaits news on whether his options will be exercised by the team, as knuckleballer Tim Wakefield reached agreement on a two-year deal worth up to $7 million with Boston on Monday.

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

The Red Sox were busy Monday, reportedly picking up catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez's $7.1 million team option, declining catcher Jason Varitek's $5 million team option, and tearing up pitcher Tim Wakefield's team option and replacing it with a two-year agreement.

Wakefield's deal is worth $5 million over the two years: $3.5 million in 2010 and $1.5 million in 2011, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. It replaces a perpetual $4 million-per-season team option the Red Sox had on the knuckleballer.

Wakefield, who underwent back surgery in October after an injury-riddled season, currently has 175 career victories with the Red Sox, just 17 shy of the team record of 192 shared by Cy Young and Roger Clemens.

The Varitek move, which was reported by WEEI.com, does not mean the captain's days in Boston are over. Varitek also has a $3 million player option for 2010, which he has to decide whether to pick up. The 37-year-old catcher hit just .209 last season and saw his playing time decline in the second half after the acquisition of Martinez.

Martinez's agent, Alan Nero, confirmed that his client had his 2010 option picked up by the Red Sox to the Boston Globe. This is the final year of Martinez's contract.

The Martinez move certainly comes as no surprise, as general manager Theo Epstein at the end of the season all but declared Martinez his starting catcher for 2010.

The 30-year-old Martinez was dealt to the Red Sox at the trade deadline this past season, hitting .336 with eight homers and 41 RBIs in 56 games for Boston. Combined, he hit .303 with 23 homers and 108 RBIs in 2009.

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb...ory?id=4638041

[SwissRedSoxFan]

Originally Posted by Cowtipper

Wakefield's deal is worth $5 million over the two years: $3.5 million in 2010 and $1.5 million in 2011, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. It replaces a perpetual $4 million-per-season team option the Red Sox had on the knuckleballer.

Wakefield, who underwent back surgery in October after an injury-riddled season, currently has 175 career victories with the Red Sox, just 17 shy of the team record of 192 shared by Cy Young and Roger Clemens.

Well I find this very dissapointing. How can you reduce the best salary on the team. The Red Sox are very very happy to have a guy like Wakefield, who is surely worth much more than 4 millions a year. To reduce his salary is not a good sign. Wakefield is dissapointed and he should be. The Red Sox have on of the richest payroll and reduce the salary for one of their best and most consistent player. I'm surprised he accepted. But he loves the Red Sox and Epstein took advantage of that.

[Boston Boxer]

Originally Posted by SwissRedSoxFan

Well I find this very dissapointing. How can you reduce the best salary on the team. The Red Sox are very very happy to have a guy like Wakefield, who is surely worth much more than 4 millions a year. To reduce his salary is not a good sign. Wakefield is dissapointed and he should be. The Red Sox have on of the richest payroll and reduce the salary for one of their best and most consistent player. I'm surprised he accepted. But he loves the Red Sox and Epstein took advantage of that.

where does it say he was disappointed. In the actual article, he says he want to play 2 more years and the sox offered him that. Wake wants to break the all time wins record (18 shy right now) and he says the two years deal was perfect for him.

[Mike D.]

With the Sox declining Varitek's option (no surprise) it'll be interesting to see if he picks up his player option. I believe he has 5 days to do so.

With the years he's had the last couple seasons, I can't see another team offering him either a starting job or more than $3 million guarenteed.

I think it all boils down to whether Varitek wants to come back or to retire. If he wants to keep playing, Boston probably presents the best situation for him.

Interesting side story...if Tek wants to stay in the game as a coach after his playing days, the Sox DO have an opening for a bench coach...

[yankeekiller34BigPapi]

Personally I think Varitek would be an idiot to decline the player option. He has to know that he is not an everyday player anymore and if he wants to be a Red Sox, he will be a backup catcher.
As far as Gonzo being declined his option, I think it's only for the Sox to get him at a cheaper price. I know that they are looking for more offense, but he makes our whole infield better and that goes a long way. I really like Gonzo and I hope they bring him back, but I also wouldn't be opposed to the Sox scooping up Marco Scutaro.
V-Mart is the man. Plain and simple. I love this guy and I hope he's our catcher for a long time.
The same can be said for Wake. I'm happy that they have him locked up for two years and I'm sure he'll be fine for next year now that he had his surgery. I hope he breaks the win record so Roger Clemens isn't attached to that Boston record anymore. Wake is one of my favorites and I'm happy he'll be around for two more years.
If Adrian Gonzalez comes to Boston, then Big Papi or Mikey Lowell's time as a Red Sox are over. I hate to think of that, but it's part of the business and one of them will have to go. I personally hope that if one of them has to go that it's Lowell. Papi means so much more to Boston and I can't imagine our team without him. Having said that, Big Papi is not going to be a Red Sox much longer and that's gonna suck. Call him a cheater if you want, but I'll always remember the good times. In the 2004 playoffs, he was the Michael Jordan of baseball.

[SDL]

Originally Posted by Mike D.

With the Sox declining Varitek's option (no surprise) it'll be interesting to see if he picks up his player option. I believe he has 5 days to do so.

With the years he's had the last couple seasons, I can't see another team offering him either a starting job or more than $3 million guarenteed.

I think it all boils down to whether Varitek wants to come back or to retire. If he wants to keep playing, Boston probably presents the best situation for him.

Interesting side story...if Tek wants to stay in the game as a coach after his playing days, the Sox DO have an opening for a bench coach...

I would offer 'Tek the bench coach gig NOW. He's respected by the players and he could be groomed to succeed Terry when he decides to hang them up. Terry could also let him manage a few games so he can get a feel for it.

'Tek is PERFECT for the open bench coach gig!

[yankeekiller34BigPapi]

Originally Posted by SDL

I would offer 'Tek the bench coach gig NOW. He's respected by the players and he could be groomed to succeed Terry when he decides to hang them up. Terry could also let him manage a few games so he can get a feel for it.

'Tek is PERFECT for the open bench coach gig!

That's an interesting thought that never really entered my head, but I don't think there is any way that this would happen. I think Tek will accept the player option and get his spot starts throughout the season.

[SDL]

Originally Posted by yankeekiller34BigPapi

That's an interesting thought that never really entered my head, but I don't think there is any way that this would happen. I think Tek will accept the player option and get his spot starts throughout the season.

Nothing in the rule book that says he can't be a player-coach...

[Mike D.]

The Globe has details of Wakefield's extention in this article.

Basically, Wakefield will make at least $5 million the next two seasons, a little more than he'd get if the team picked up his option for 2010 but not for 2011. There are a bunch of incentives in the contract, though, based mostly on starts. If he maxes out the incentives, he could make up to $10.25 over the two years.

Also, here, there's word that Wakefield's deal saves the team a little money when counting toward the "luxury tax". The Sox are way under the threshhold, but this may mean they have something big planned.

[SDL]

Originally Posted by Mike D.

The Globe has details of Wakefield's extention in this article.

Basically, Wakefield will make at least $5 million the next two seasons, a little more than he'd get if the team picked up his option for 2010 but not for 2011. There are a bunch of incentives in the contract, though, based mostly on starts. If he maxes out the incentives, he could make up to $10.25 over the two years.

Also, here, there's word that Wakefield's deal saves the team a little money when counting toward the "luxury tax". The Sox are way under the threshhold, but this may mean they have something big planned.

To me, it's all good. If he breaks the record for wins in a Sox uni, it's a nice little thumb at the nose to Clemens..and who deserves that more than than ol' Rog?

[Boston Boxer]

i too hope Wake breaks the record. He has been a true Red Sox since he has been here. I equate him to Teddy Bruschi. Played his heart out every year and accepted a modest wage to help the ball club. Both are true team players.

[riredsox]

Originally Posted by Mike D.

The Globe has details of Wakefield's extention in this article.

The Sox are way under the threshhold, but this may mean they have something big planned.

Is that something big spelled J-O-E M-A-U-E-R?

[yankeekiller34BigPapi]

Originally Posted by riredsox

Is that something big spelled J-O-E M-A-U-E-R?

maybe in 2011, but not in 2010. I know the Yankees are going to go after him HARD.

[yankeekiller34BigPapi]

So there is less than 12 hours for Varitek to accept his player option and he still hasn't. What is the hold up? NO ONE WANTS YOU TEK!! Getting paid 3 million to be a BACK UP is ridiculous. This guy is the definition of a scumbag. I hope someone does come along today and offer him a starting job because I've had with Varitek. He's not our captain anymore. Youk should be the new captain.