Sox out of big time free agent market for good?
by Randy Booth on Dec 25, 2008 11:47 AM EST
in News
Email
PrintSean McAdam from the Herald has a really interesting piece out today that basically says the Red Sox could just bow out of the free agency market from now on and rely on their system to succeed:
But in the long run, that disappointment may give way to a sea change in how the Red Sox operate. Reminded again how futile it can be to get into checkbook duels with the Yankees, indications are that the Sox are leaning toward swearing off big-ticket free agents for good while continuing to emphasize scouting and player development.
...
But the process - including Lowell feeling betrayed - left them with a sour taste in their mouth and made them determined to avoid the market whenever possible.
Everywhere the Red Sox look there’s evidence that free spending for free agents is ultimately a losing proposition. The number of staggeringly bad big-ticket deals - Merry Christmas to you, Barry Zito - signed in recent years helps support their argument.
We have a great farm system, but McAdam points out that the draft is a crapshoot no matter how good your scouting team is. The Sox have a few ripe players ready for the majors, but there are certainly the abundant raw players that won't see the majors for at least three or four years.
Personally, if the Sox wanted to go forward and re-sign their players and build the team through the draft, I say go for it. I think the Red Sox would still be a very good team because there would be even more of an emphasis on scouting and training so they'd get even better.
I don't think it's 100 percent feasible to avoid free agency all together, though. Maybe sign a utility infielder or a 5th starter, something like that every once in awhile.
I think the Sox should go for it and see how they do. Perhaps they could single-handedly change the baseball landscape forever.
37 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Lowell shouldn't be feeling 'betrayed'
If he didn’t go down with any injuries this last season, I don’t think the Sox would have even talked to Teixeira. We have a very good line-up as it is, with Youk, Pedroia, Ortiz, Bay, Lowell and Drew. There’s a hole at C, and two big question marks at SS and CF. Tex wouldn’t have helped at any of these 3 positions, and he would create an even bigger problem.
I hope Ellsbury, Lowrie and Buchholz see some improvement next season. This is a key.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
I wonder where this is coming from.
Has McAdam called Lowell and asked if feels betrayed, or is it pure speculation?
Lowell is a pro, it’s not the first time his name has been thrown around. I don’t see him puttng up some mini-drama shit over this.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
Yeah, this smells like speculation
But you never know, old guys sometimes get soft.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on Dec 25, 2008 5:32 PM EST up reply actions
How many FA signees
do the Red Sox currently have on theri team? How many when the won the WS? When the Yankees had their mini-dynasty in the late ’90s, they had a core of homegrown talent supplamented with good trades and FA signings. The BoSox will be fine with the way hey are operating now.
Mitch Moreland - Rangers 2009 Minor League Player of the Year
Free agent signings on their team? Well, here’s what the lineup looks like:
C – _________ (if Varitek = trade)
1B – Youkilis – Draft
2B – Pedroia – Draft
3B – Lowell – Trade
SS – Lugo – FA
SS – Lowrie – Draft
LF – Bay – Trade
CF – Ellsbury – Draft
RF – Drew – FA
SP – Beckett – Trade
SP – Lester – Draft
SP – Dice-K – FA
SP – Buchholz? – Draft
SP – Wake – Huge FA signing … back in 1995 for $175K :)
So, three if you count Lugo … two if you make Lowrie our starting SS.
But it was more of a prospect signing.
He wasn’t exactly an MLB star at that point.
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/
The Sox signed Papi for $1.25 million
Nice signing.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Dec 26, 2008 12:59 PM EST up reply actions
yes iam all for building threw the draft but we need more
the sox can eat contracts Manny, Rentaretard and clement so that we still can do moves
that small market teams cant do, like strike gold with Ortiz. And why dont the sox take the money that their going to save and pay down on contracts for next year like the pats do.
F*** the MFY’S
And what I’m trying to say is that Papi was CHEAP when we signed him. Anyone could have signed him and Theo sought him out, saw the potential and grabbed him…
The law of averages
thats what iam trieing to say you take enough players some are going to pan out and some suck
we have the money to play roulette with cheap players
by Red Sox #1 Fan on Dec 25, 2008 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
the year theo came in they signed alot of free agents
Not to many small market teams could have brought that many free agents in Ortiz , Bellhorn Muller and Miller we have more flexibility than them spend money smarter thats my point
we had pena thats what hurts the most
where was Theo and Bill james with their Sabermetrics on that one. The didnt know they had gold
by Red Sox #1 Fan on Dec 25, 2008 2:45 PM EST up reply actions
He had no position.
He wasn’t going to pay ahead of Youk, Lowell, or Papi.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
He didn't give the Sox any particular reason to think he was gold.
"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"
Given up on young talent
Sean Casey must be your boy cause haveing a big bat off the bench is important . So you guys dont want lars anderson coming up
I think their going to trie and push lars up to fill his spot
Just like they did to Dustin Pedroia take a risk. Theo always says he’s not going to push the young kids but they always seem to come up sooner than expected. IT worked out for the MVP
But they still don’t need Lars NOW. Maybe next year, maybe halfway through the year if there is an injury, but the way the squad looks now, Lars isn’t needed.
No way
That they bring up Lars this season, he’s only 20. I would guess we see him in limited time next year, sort of like Ellsbury in 2007, then he becomes a starter in 2011 when Lowell leaves.
by Gnick on Dec 25, 2008 7:12 PM EST up reply actions
he is 21 this year.
will be ready at 23, most likely.
Kid OBPed .436 in AA ball
Let’s not pretend like it’s going to take that long for him to get to the ML club. He’s likely to be starting in 2010 already, and will see some action next season. Just my guess, but I really don’t see him staying that long in AA next season, unless he goes down with an injury of some kind.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on Dec 25, 2008 8:02 PM EST up reply actions
Actually, I think he would have to do phenomenally to force the Sox to move
him up this season. Like to the tune of a > 1.000 OPS @ AA over the first half of the season. There’s no reason, unless big-league need dictates it, to not give Lars all his PAs at AA this year. We don’t have to push him up unless Youks, Lowell, or Papi goes down for an extended period, and even then that wouldn’t be untll the second half.
I also have a “theory” that a higher % of real talent is at the AA level anyway, as a lot of teams’ AAA rosters consist of a good number of filler players, AAAA guys, and depth. He’ll be facing higher talent pitching on a more consistent basis at AA, which is really the most important thing.
"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"
He OBPed .436 in his debut at AA
If he hits better than that again over the first half of the season, there’s just no reason to hold him back. I’m not saying skipping AAA, but getting at AAA. Like Bowden this season. I don’t expect Lars to be called up in 2009 like Bowden was in 2008, but I see him at AAA before the end of the season.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on Dec 25, 2008 9:31 PM EST up reply actions
I agree
his performance so far is so amazing, but he only had like 140 AA at bats. Lets see how he does in AA this year. If after 200 or so at bats he is hitting like he did last year, he will be bumped to AAA. He will start 2010 in AAA. While I love his trajectory (it is looking better than Morneau and others whom you might compare him to at this stage) it is very rare for a 22 year old to be in the show for good (save Pujols). Plus the Sox don’t really need him just yet. Be patient and lets see-but I am very, very optimistic.
Yeah, I'm not saying he'll start in 2010, like, just because
If he keeps this up, and don’t struggle at ML level, he’ll start by the beginning of the 2010 season. Otherwise, it will take time, but it’s okay.
There’s nothing in his development that screams he’s 2 years away, if we had a hole at 1Bman he could be called up come next September. That if no injuries happen.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on Dec 25, 2008 9:35 PM EST up reply actions
I could not have said this better, even though I tried before!
But in the long run, that disappointment may give way to a sea change in how the Red Sox operate. Reminded again how futile it can be to get into checkbook duels with the Yankees, indications are that the Sox are leaning toward swearing off big-ticket free agents for good while continuing to emphasize scouting and player development.
Furthermore, teamwork is well foster by in-system development (Padroia, Youk) while prim Dona anti-team, very destructive behavior is fostered by buying only those who love money, not the game: Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez , ?Mark Teixeira, many others!
Don't give up on FAs
Not everyone is a bust.
I think the Mets are pretty happy with their big FA signing last year: Santana. If a great player is available and would really help the Sox, I say go for it – just be selective and don’t carried away with too many.
I know that was technically a "trade"
but for all intents-and-purposes, it was a bidding war like for a Type A FA with only the rich teams (Sox, Yanks, Mets) giving serious bids for Santana’s services.
ANYWAY, what if the Sox actually had (just to throw a name out) a 50-50 shot two years from now for a guy like Albert Pujols (sp)? Hey, if you can get a guy like that, you make an effort.
I know the Sox are a bit down after the Teixeira fiasco, but let’s not eliminate our options, is all I’m saying. Merry Christmas to all!
by ccthemovieman on Dec 25, 2008 10:39 PM EST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Ask Alex: Will Julio Teheran or Matt Moore win rookie of the year?
- Ku Klux Klan, umpires and bowling: Why the minor leagues tossed out Jim Evans academy
- The Cardinals Hall of Fame can now be found at Bill Clinton’s library in Arkansas (Huh?)
- Will Bryce Harper start the season with the Nationals?
- Mitch Mustain puts football behind him, signs reported rookie deal with White Sox
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
