Red Sox Hotstove...

[Stoneman]

First & formost - if you're not a Red Sox fan, then this thread is obviously of no concern to you. This thread isn't about how you DON'T like the Sox...

Likewise, if you don't like baseball, just move on to another thread. I don't care how boring you think it is anymore...

So let's talk RED SOX off-season moves to this point:

-Do you REALLY think Lackey is worth THAT type of investment? $16.5 million/year for FIVE years? Given his elbow problems for a coupla years there, I'm SHOCKED the Sox of all teams made a move like this. He had a great season back in '07, but has been slipping ever so slightly since. And the Sox owned him in the '07 playoffs, btw. Granted, he's started the last two seasons healing from injuries. But I'm just not sure I like this move...

-How do you feel about the Mike Cameron signing? Think they shoulda worked harder for a Bay or Holliday for a bat in the outfield? Although I think Holliday can be a liability defensively at times. And I'm honestly surprised Bay moved for so little money. The Mets weren't offering much more than the Sox, money-wise. And they were both offering the same length...

Discuss...

[KawiSmurf]

I think there might be more to the Bay deal than we know, like they saw something in the MRI that Theo really just didn't like. Maybe we'll find out when/if Bay passes/fails the physical with the Mets.

But once again it looks like the pitching rotation will be full, while there's not much production on offense. If you think letting Teixiera slip away last year was bad, its going to look even more like we need him next year to anchor the lineup.

[Chippertheripper]

Cameron is old. Someone should get smacked for letting Bay go to the Mets. Lackey...well I just hope he's not another Gagne!

Time will tell...

EXACTLY. plus lackey could trip over his bottom lip at any second.

[Stoneman]

I don't think it was a case of 'letting Bay go' though. The term was the same, the Sox were only offering like, $500,000/year less or some shit. Their offers were REALLY close to one another. That surprised the shit outta me...

[Stoneman]

Maybe they figured with Cameron's speed and solid glove, he'd be good playing the short left in Fenway. I think they only signed him for a coupla years though, and fairly inexpensively. Maybe they grabbed him as trade bait for later in the year when they're REALLY gonna need to add some punch...

[PPS26]

the sox have some other plans brewing , look for ellsbury to get traded in a big deal for a bat

[Stoneman]

...and why a catcher that can't hit isn't getting replaced...

Jason V is probably gonna go down as wunna the best game-calling catchers ever. He sure ain't done much at the plate since signing that big ol' contract a few years ago. But keep in mind, the guy's caught FOUR no-hitters in his career. Most cathers don't catch ONE, never mind call FOUR of 'em. That speaks volumes...

[Stoneman]

Oh I thought they were picking him up for center...left would make sense with Bay gone wouldn't it. If he's too old to be fast, at least Ellsbury can cover some of his turf for him.

Cameron's still got A LOT of speed...

[Stoneman]

the sox have some other plans brewing , look for ellsbury to get traded in a big deal for a bat

I've heard a lot of rumblings about that, and I'm just not buying it. That would be yet another monumental fail for Boston to let that kid go in a trade. And they'd be well advised to do anything they could to keep him when he's a free agent too. Now that he's learning how to get on base, his terrific play & base running is gonna be magnified. He'll be one of the true superstars of the sport soon...

[gixxersixxer]

the sox have some other plans brewing , look for ellsbury to get traded in a big deal for a bat

If they trade Ellsbury they are fucking dumbasses. Not to mention they will be breaking the hearts of every female and/or gay male red sox fan!

[Jaynnus]

If they trade Ellsbury they are fucking dumbasses. Not to mention they will be breaking the hearts of every female and/or gay male red sox fan!

Isn't that what was said about Damon?

[gixxersixxer]

Isn't that what was said about Damon?

it DID break my heart I was in love with him. I had a life sized cardboard cut out, autographs, everything with him on it!

[Stoneman]

Ummm...yeah. We're not gonna turn this into a Red Sox hotness thing either...

[Stoneman]

Hey sixx was the cutout anatomically correct? Stoneman wants to know but he's afraid to ask.

True. I always wondered if he REALLY had a vaj...

[KawiSmurf]

As far as Ellsbury is concerned, right now he represents $$$. He's young, and he's fast. But he's only a good fielder because of his speed, he's been noted many times for lacking a good throw, and there are certain pitches he just can't hit.

Don't get me wrong, I like the kid too (I've been watching him since the minors, saw him in a couple of games at Pawtucket a few years ago), but I just don't want the whole Boston-Ellsbury attachment to turn into another Lowell situation, where we keep a guy on for sentimental reasons and then have no room for a better ball player.

And not that it matters now, but the day Manny was traded away, I said to myself "well, no more World Series trophies for at least another five years." He may have been an ass, but he could fucking hit. We need that. Not just a slugger, but a Manny-type slugger. Bay was close for half a season. But we needed more than just a mid-season replacement.

I don't like it, but is Theo right...is it time to build from the ground up?

[Legion1440]

From what I've heard they are leaning towards playing Cameron in center and moving Ellsbury to left. Nobody on the team (aside from Bucholtz oddly enough) can match Ellsbury's speed, but he is still learning to take the correct angles on the ball. I think you'll see them switch positions after this season after giving Ellsbury a chance to learn from Cameron. While he doesn't have the power numbers that Bay does, Cameron's defense is amazing and will soften the sting of losing a few HRs. I think missing out on Tex last year is hurting us a hell of a lot more than Bay will this year. He was a very good player, but not a great one....wait, I feel like I've had this convesation before

[Stoneman]

That time of year again...

Looks like the Sox are trying to get at Jayson Werth & Carl Crawford. Either would be enormous additions to the current injury laden outfield. Great numbers offensively, but Crawford will bring some added excitement on the bases and he's healthy...

Ask me and I'll tell ya they desperately need to resign V. Martinez and try to keep Vtek on board in some type of coaching capacity. Vtek has the mental capacity & mindset and an innate ability to 'see' the game that'd make him a top-notch coaching asset. His playing days are over, but I still believe no one can call a game like he can. Martinez is highly underrated and seems to fly under the radar. Decent backstop w/ an average arm, but perpetually a .300/20/100 guy even when he spends time on the DL and he's willing to learn. Unless your last name's Molina, I think Victor is the way to go here...

I'd like to see 'em move Yook back to third where he belongs and go after a solid first baseman. I think there's slim pickins there, but it's worth making the moves & upgrading there if they can swing it...

Shortstop? Seems they still can't fill this void...

And pitching. WTF happened here? What to they do? Looks like Cliff Lee's all but made up his mind to sign with the Yankees. But they're in need of every spot. They're secure with Bard as a late set-up guy and Lester's still tied up with 'em, but the rotation floundered and Pap's shopping around. And what happened to the solid bullpen they were so known for?

[Mystic]

V-Mart is going to get more money tossed at him and you know the Sox wont outbid other teams never have i think V-mart goes ..they sign Buck and J-Salt (made that up lol ) ....Beltre is going Vtek who knows with him

i think ESPN had something on it the other day a starting 5 of

Ellsbury
Pedroia
Crawford
Youk
Papi

I think they should pay for Crawford move ellsbury back over to center ..as far as a 1st basemen if they want Adrian they are going to have to open there pockets ...they are talking contact like Howard and Tex thats alot of money

[2OO6rr]

Bye V-Mart

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/20...tinez/related/

[Stoneman]

Bye V-Mart

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/20...tinez/related/

HA! I was just coming here to post that from the Sox site. Bad move, in my opinion...

Now on to Crawford & Pena...

[CBR929RE]

I thought this was gonna be about a Sox themed kitchen appliance.

if they trade Ellsbury I'm gonna be pissed. Hell I'm still pissed they traded Hanley Ramirez before even giving him a real shot.

and I hope Tek is with the team for many years to come. He'll make a great manager some day.

[Stoneman]

if they trade Ellsbury I'm gonna be pissed. Hell I'm still pissed they traded Hanley Ramirez before even giving him a real shot.

Trading Hanley was a BIG reason we got to celebrate a few years ago (Beckett & Lowell)...

[Stoneman]

...and I hope Tek is with the team for many years to come. He'll make a great manager some day.

Isn't it HIS option this year? Or was that last year?

[CBR929RE]

Isn't it HIS option this year? Or was that last year?

not really sure but if he's not spending the majority of the schedule behind the plate then I think he's not worth the roster spot and I bet he understands that.

[Stoneman]

Just saw on MLB network that the Padres & Sox reached an agreement to bring Gonzalas to Boston! Nice move, Theo. Happy Chanukah!