My perfect off-season.

by Schulz on Dec 11, 2008 12:34 PM EST

If everything this off-season happened the way i wanted it to, here's what would go down:

Sign Teixeira to play 1B. Whatever amount of money it takes- probably 8 years, $180MM or more ($22.5 AAV)
Trade Lowell, money, and a mid-level prospect to Cleveland for Kelly Shoppach. We now have our future catcher.
Sign Jason Varitek- 1 year, $7.5MM with an option for next year. Tek can platoon with Shoppach, show him the ropes, and retire.
Trade Lugo for Byrnes straight up. We kill two birds with one stone by dumping Lugo and getting a sold 4th OF.
Sign Ben Sheets, 2-3 years, $12.5MM AAV. If he's healthy, great. If not we waste some money, but he at least provides a nice bridge to Buccholz and Bowden, as those two aren't quite ready yet.

Ebbidabibbeda that's all folks! We get a great power bat long term, create the ideal situation at catcher, dump Lugo, and fortify our outfield and rotation.

Rotation: Beckett, Lester, Dice-K, Sheets, Wakefield.

Lineup: Drew (RF), Pedroia (2B), Ortiz (DH), Teixeira (1B), Youkillis (3B), Bay (LF), Lowrie (SS), Tek/Shoppach (C), Jacoby (CF) [L,R,L,S,R,R,S,R,L]

Bench: Tek/Shoppach (C), Byrnes (OF), beyond that, fill the bench with some cheap FA infielders. I know they're out there. Theo is good at finding these guys. (e.g. Kotsay, Casey, Cora, Olerud, Pokey Reese- ha, remember them?)

Bullpen: Papelbon, Masterson, Ramirez, Okajima, Delcarmen, Lopez

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Agreed

But Shoppach is 29 years old. Probably would not last more than a few years (Tek is an outlier in terms of catching production in his 30’s). If we can get him for Lowell, I’m for it.

by BTLove on Dec 11, 2008 1:13 PM EST reply actions

Lugo for Byrnes is unlikely now

I don’t think the Tribe would trade Shoppach for Lowell and a mid-level prospect. Mikey will be hard to move before Spring Training. I don’t see the Sox getting Tex and a high-priced pitcher like Sheets. Rumor has it, the MFY will offer Sheet 2 years/$30 million.

I like Drew leading off, though.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Dec 11, 2008 1:33 PM EST reply actions

Damn

That deal looked so good when it was first rumored.
Brad Penny could also be a potential #4 starter for us.

by Schulz on Dec 11, 2008 1:42 PM EST up reply actions

Byrnes? No thank you.

True effort please.

Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/

by bdalebs on Dec 11, 2008 4:48 PM EST reply actions