***Official 2011-12 MLB HOTSTOVE OFF-SEASON THREAD***

"Ray Finkle wrote:

Love the hard hitting reporting by Nick Cafardo, especially since this had all ready been reported back in November by Alex Speier on WEEI.com. I actually don't think them having much money this offseason is a bad thing, I really don't see a FA out there that's a good fit for the team or really worth the contract they're going to get. I mean I like Michael Cuddyer but not for over 8 million or so and he'll probably get 10 somewhere. Maybe the team will get lucky was a cheap sign wash up instead of getting burned by a big money expensive FA again.

True, there is a wisdom in not just throwing more money at problems sometimes the players already on the team have to improve their performance.

With all the money Crawford is pulling down, you'd have to think they expect him to bounce back so adding yet another guy almost becomes counter productive.

"BigDogsHunt wrote:

surprised by this...but love it, dominoes still have to tumble somewhere.

Darn, I like Hanson, but shoulders are scary!

Ugh, 7 yrs ago Kevin Millwood was Tommy Hanson, hope he can avoid going down the road Millwood wound up taking.

"padre31 wrote:

True, there is a wisdom in not just throwing more money at problems sometimes the players already on the team have to improve their performance.

With all the money Crawford is pulling down, you'd have to think they expect him to bounce back so adding yet another guy almost becomes counter productive.

Realistically the Sox offense is fine. The only real opening is in RF and even with someone like a Josh Reddick in RF to start the year that's fine. Their line up doesn't concern me at all. It's the pitching staff, they need more arms whether it's in the pen or in the rotation.

"Ray Finkle wrote:

Realistically the Sox offense is fine. The only real opening is in RF and even with someone like a Josh Reddick in RF to start the year that's fine. Their line up doesn't concern me at all. It's the pitching staff, they need more arms whether it's in the pen or in the rotation.

Thought the Sox had something like $50M coming off the books so you have assets to work with....now they are at the $178 threshold? What happened to the $50M did it get eaten by bad contract built in raises?

"padre31 wrote:

Ugh, 7 yrs ago Kevin Millwood was Tommy Hanson, hope he can avoid going down the road Millwood wound up taking.

more than 7 years ago....

"BigDogsHunt wrote:

Thought the Sox had something like $50M coming off the books so you have assets to work with....now they are at the $178 threshold? What happened to the $50M did it get eaten by bad contract built in raises?

The Sox current pay roll is at 132 million:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tz8qHiYrIzlFtVnly7gibjw&output=html

But once you factor in them tendering contracts to the arbitration eligible guys and the other guys on the 40 man there's not much wiggle room I guess. They don't want to go over the luxury tax penalty, which is at 178 million, or it will cost them big time. So it seems like after they sign everyone they already have under team control they'll be at around 165-170 million.

"Ray Finkle wrote:

Realistically the Sox offense is fine. The only real opening is in RF and even with someone like a Josh Reddick in RF to start the year that's fine. Their line up doesn't concern me at all. It's the pitching staff, they need more arms whether it's in the pen or in the rotation.

With so little funds to work with, you'd have to think they will start some really young pitchers?

"padre31 wrote:

With so little funds to work with, you'd have to think they will start some really young pitchers?

Probably not. They already have Lester, Beckett and Buchholz in their rotation. Aceves could be another possibility too as could Bard. They'll probably sign a Jason Marquis type pitcher or make a trade for someone to compete in ST for the 5th spot. Then just mix and match. They really don't have any pitchers in the minor leagues that are close to being big league ready at the start of the year, maybe by mid season but not right away. The Sox won't rush them either.

Ken_Rosenthal Ken Rosenthal

Confirmed: A. Ramirez to #Brewers, three-year deal. First reported by Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago. #MLB

...

Ramirez loves the NL Central.

"Ray Finkle wrote:

Probably not. They already have Lester, Beckett and Buchholz in their rotation. Aceves could be another possibility too as could Bard. They'll probably sign a Jason Marquis type pitcher or make a trade for someone to compete in ST for the 5th spot. Then just mix and match. They really don't have any pitchers in the minor leagues that are close to being big league ready at the start of the year, maybe by mid season but not right away. The Sox won't rush them either.

Randy Wolf, were are you?

I only half kid, that is thin as paper though RF

"padre31 wrote:

Randy Wolf, were are you?

I only half kid, that is thin as paper though RF

What is? Maybe it's too early in the morning but I don't get the thin as paper comment.

"Ray Finkle wrote:

What is? Maybe it's too early in the morning but I don't get the thin as paper comment.

Usually happens RF is there are 2 long relief guys who can start in an emergency, and be close to as good as the #4/#5 guy, I noticed you have not mentioned anyone like that in your run down.

Thusly paper thin.

Pirates acquired 3B Casey McGehee from the Brewers for RHP Jose Veras.The Brewers agreed to terms with Aramis Ramirez on Monday, which made McGehee expendable. More importantly, this is an indication that they are comfortable giving Mat Gamel an opportunity to replace Prince Fielder at first base. As for Pittsburgh, McGehee could push Pedro Alvarez for his job at third base or even split time at first base with Garrett Jones. The 29-year-old batted just .223/.280/.346 with 13 home runs, 67 RBI and a .626 OPS over 600 plate appearances this season with Milwaukee. He projects to make somewhere around $3 million in his first year of arbitration.

...

"padre31 wrote:

Usually happens RF is there are 2 long relief guys who can start in an emergency, and be close to as good as the #4/#5 guy, I noticed you have not mentioned anyone like that in your run down.

Thusly paper thin.

No the Sox have guys like that in Kyle Weiland, Scott Atchison, Junchini Tazawa, Felix Doubront and Andrew Miller. I just don't consider them to be very good (or good enough to be a 4 or 5 in the AL East) or real candidates to make the rotation except for maybe Doubront.

I could live with a rotation of Lester, Beckett, Buchholz, Doubront/Bard/Aceves and Pitcher X (unless another one of Bard/Doubront/Aceves pitches well in ST and wins the job) to start the year, especially considering the FA market and the Sox spending limits. I except them to sign or trade for at least 2 non big name guys to compete for a spot in ST. But having a long man or two in the bullpen is a very low priority for the Sox right now.

"Ray Finkle wrote:

No the Sox have guys like that in Kyle Weiland, Scott Atchison, Junchini Tazawa, Felix Doubront and Andrew Miller. I just don't consider them to be very good (or good enough to be a 4 or 5 in the AL East) or real candidates to make the rotation except for maybe Doubront.

I could live with a rotation of Lester, Beckett, Buchholz, Doubront/Bard/Aceves and Pitcher X (unless another one of Bard/Doubront/Aceves pitches well in ST and wins the job) to start the year, especially considering the FA market and the Sox spending limits. I except them to sign or trade for at least 2 non big name guys to compete for a spot in ST. But having a long man or two in the bullpen is a very low priority for the Sox right now.

Reports have them interested in Saunders as well......

According to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, the Phillies have reached a one-year deal with Dontrelle Willis.
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reported earlier that the deal was "close." And now it is complete, pending a physical. Willis stands to make around $1 million in base salary and can also earn more through performance-based incentives. The 29-year-old left-hander had a 5.00 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 75 2/3 innings this past year for the Reds.

hmmm RF no Lavarnway?

jcrasnick Jerry Crasnick

Kelly Shoppach has agreed on 1-yr, $1.35M deal with #RedSox, says BB source. Will be announced today

jonmorosi Jon Morosi

Source: LHP Tsuyoshi Wada's deal with #Orioles will be two years, $8.15 million, with 2014 option.

...

"finyank13 wrote:

Reports have them interested in Saunders as well......

If they can sign him dirt cheap, sure why not? In the very least he could probably be a good LOOGY. But I doubt his stuff would play in the AL East as a SP.

"finyank13 wrote:

hmmm RF no Lavarnway?

I like the Shoppach deal, just 1 year cheap, he hits LHPs well. It means the Varitek Era is over, which I'm not sad about. The guy was a great player for the Sox and a warrior but it's time to move on. Hopefully Wakefield gets the same memo.

As far as Lavarnway, I guess it means the Sox want him back in Triple A catching everyday. Makes sense, no need to rush him let him work on his catching defense in Triple A. His bat would probably play in the MLB now but he needs work behind the plate. A catching platoon of Saltalamacchia and Shoppach is good enough for me.

The theory that Shoppach hits lefties well is a myth. He calls a good game and has a good arm. Other then that he's useless.

"finyank13 wrote:

Reports have them interested in Saunders as well......

God damnit...quite possibly my favorite player of all time is now playing for Philly.

"Nappy Roots wrote:

The theory that Shoppach hits lefties well is a myth. He calls a good game and has a good arm. Other then that he's useless.

.909 OPS vs. LHP (4th highest among active catchers). Career stat line vs. LHP .274/.373/.536. I guess I don't see how its a myth. I'll take that as my back up catcher, he's the perfect platoon partner for Saltalmacchia.

"Ray Finkle wrote:

.909 OPS vs. LHP (4th highest among active catchers). Career stat line vs. LHP .274/.373/.536. I guess I don't see how its a myth. I'll take that as my back up catcher, he's the perfect platoon partner for Saltalmacchia.

Well the last couple of seasons with the Rays he didn't hit great against the lefties. He was just god awful at the plate. His swing needs a huge overhaul.

"Nappy Roots wrote:

Well the last couple of seasons with the Rays he didn't hit great against the lefties. He was just god awful at the plate. His swing needs a huge overhaul.

I don't know Nappy, in 2010 his stat line was .261/.375/.455/.830 in 45 games, 104 PA. In 2011 his line was .241/.344/.444/.788 in 50 games, 125 PA. For a back up catcher, I'll take those numbers. If he hits .250/.350/.448/.798 in ~50 games I'll be thrilled. He's awful vs. RHP no doubt about that. But let's put it this way he's a clear update offensively and defensively over Varitek.

I guess our problem was he was basically our starting catcher. He doesn't pass the eye test against lefties for sure. But the stats are there, so i guess he was decent against lefties....