A Look to the Offseason

FA's-Paul Byrd, Takashi Saito ($6 MM option), Billy Wagner, Tim Wakefield (option or retire), Victor Martinez (very appetizing $7 MM option), Jason Varitek ($5 MM club, $3 MM player option), Alex Gonzalez ($6 MM option), Nick Green, Rocco Baldelli, Jason Bay

First off, Theo needs to pick up the options for Victor Martinez, and Tim Wakefield if he's healthy enough. They'll also offer arbitration to some players for at least draft picks, Billy Wagner debatable. Then of the FA's, he'll possibly/probably try to resign Billy Wagner, Alex Gonzalez, Takashi Saito, Rocco Baldelli, and of course Jason Bay. Jason Varitek may be let to walk if he doesn't decide to retire or accept a new role.

Then, from the free agent market, it looks like besides resigning Bay, Theo doesn't really have to be aggressive on a big free agent like the Front Office said they'd try to minimize last offseason (and Bay counts more as a resigning to an extension than a Market bid). I don't consider Holliday an option. His numbers with an AL team and Oakland proved to me that he is an NL hitter. He's also a Boras client which is risky for our FO. He can look for small pieces to make the team better.

He'll of course go for a pitcher, possibly risk/reward (but now he has five starters is Wake resigns so they don't have to depend on this guy). Erik Bedard, Justin Duchscherer, Rich Harden, Vincente Padilla, Joel Pineiro to name a few. There is the option to also get aggressive for John Lackey which would make an unbelievable rotation in years to come.

They need a Backstop-either Varitek or someone else (Bengie or Pudge? or Ramon Castro)

Possibility-new 1B Backup. Kotchman wasn't inspiring, and the lineup doesn't look good when Lowell gets a day off. Hinske? Adam Laroche!?!?!?

Also a SS/2B backup-if they sign Gonzo (PLEASE!?!?) to be the full time SS, then Lowrie or a FA (Cora, OC). Theo would also love to get his hands on Marco Scutaro-a Gonzo Scutaro Tandem?

4th Outfielder-I liked what I saw from Baldelli this year, but anyone could do-Hinske again or Darin Erstad?

Finally the bullpen. Papelbon's name may be floating at the Winter Meetings, but something tells me he'll stay. If he doesn't, closer options are Bard (probably later), Saito, Wagner, Jose Valverde, Fernando Rodney, Rafael Soriano. Also, for RP, Rafael Betancourt, Chad Bradford, Octavio Dotel, Chan Ho Park, Jorge Julio, Troy Percival, Julian Tavarez, Scott Eyre, Scott Schoeneweis, just a couple of examples.

But overall, the offseason work that is necessary is doable through small acquisitions and trades or calling up from the farm. The team could go for a Big Free Agent Name, but is in the position as last year-they don't depend on it. However, while they don't depend on it, they may need some Big Time new blood to compete with this powerhouse that is festering in the Bronx-Holliday, Halladay, Lackey????

While it hurts to say this so early in October and on such a sour note from today's game, the offseason is coming; a time of fun, rumors, trades, Big Free Agents, speculation, preparation for Spring Training, and the crazy rush to buy the ever elusive Red Sox Tickets (I got GM this year!).

So see you again next year Red Sox in Ft. Myers, and let's see how you look then.

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I don't think resigning Bay is that obvious if Holliday is available.

I’d say Holliday is the better player offensively and defensively speaking between the two. Bay has weaknesses that are too easily exploited by good pitchers.

by USG on Oct 11, 2009 6:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I can remember one time when bay got an oppo field homer.

Holliday has better power to all fields, so I’d rather have Holliday.

"It would have been a nice idea if you could run through the postseason without losing. I don't think it's realistic."
--Terry Francona

by BoldandBrash on Oct 11, 2009 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But it's been PROVED that Holliday's an NL hitter, USG.

WHY CAN’T YOU ACCEPT THE FACTS?

@bs_uf15bosox9be 12 pieces of bacon, a Red Bull, and go get 'em; Learn to use SB Nation

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Oct 17, 2009 3:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t like Holliday. His days in Oakland proved to me that he was a Coors Field hitter. His days in St. Louis proved to me that he is only a National League hitter. He’s also Boras guy, and the relationship with Boras and the Brass has seriously deteriorated.

"We're not going to give up," It doesn't happen, so who cares? There's always next year. It's not like it's the end of the world."-Manny Ramirez

by revigik on Oct 11, 2009 7:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like Holliday, and think he could fit well in the Sox lineup.

I don’t like Scott Boras, and think he could fit well under the tire of a bus.

All things being equal, I’d take Holliday over Bay.

Goddamn that DeMarlo Hale.

by Bloggy on Oct 11, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Holliday in Oakland

He hit .286/.378/.454 in that place they call a stadium with little protection. Bay hit .267/.384/.537 the whole year on the Sox. So Holliday had less power obviously, but almost as good OBP, which I think would increase in our lineup and in our home park. I also think Holliday will stay in the field longer and as far as I know hasn’t had any sort of personality problems with other players.

So unless Bay is willing to go cheap for us and Holliday is looking for an enormous payday, I’d go for Holliday.

DFA Beckett

by South Coast Ghost on Oct 11, 2009 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well Holliday will of course want a pay day. But, Bay is coming off career hr and rbi years, in a ball park that fits his stroke. His defense I think is underrated. And in 2008 he batted over better, and without that slump in the middle And Holliday’s numbers are mostly from Coors Field, don’t want to depend on that. Finally, I don’t know how Holliday would adjust to the Green Monster in his batting and playing in an intense arena (Boston), whereas Bay is tried and tested.

"We're not going to give up," It doesn't happen, so who cares? There's always next year. It's not like it's the end of the world."-Manny Ramirez

by revigik on Oct 11, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Meh

I’m not sold on Bay being “tried and tested.” Yeah, he hit a lot of HR’s and got a lot of RBI’s but he also struck out like 30% of the time and he’s really not a good fielder. Even if the Green Monster messes with defensive metrics he wasn’t a good fielder back in Pittsburgh and just watching the games his arm and range are a factor.

Holliday walks a bit less and will hit for less power, but I think he will be a consistently better choice when you consider OBP and fielding. I don’t buy that he’s solely a product of Coors. He’s a lesser player, that’s for sure, but he can give you good value as long as you don’t massively overpay him. That’s just my opinion though.

DFA Beckett

by South Coast Ghost on Oct 11, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Holliday is also 1.5 years younger

so a dropoff in production isnt as likely as it is for Bay. I somehow doubt Bay can redproduce his offensive numbers, especially HR.

I’d take the one of the two, where i like the whole package of player and contract more. If the Rays dont pick up Crawfords option a 3rd player might join this discussion.

by German Red Sox Fan on Oct 11, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, please, to Crawford.

@bs_uf15bosox9be 12 pieces of bacon, a Red Bull, and go get 'em; Learn to use SB Nation

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Oct 17, 2009 3:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So, basically what I’m seeing is close to the same exact team that just imploded today will be taking the field next April? That’s comforting to know….NOT!!!! It’s too bad that the FA market isn’t going to be better because I’ve got some serious concerns about this team in its current form. It looks like we’re going back to our late 90s second place mentality (‘’as long as we make the post season that’s all that matters’’). The Yanks are a total powerhouse and we need to be able to compete with them (which we currently can’t do). I realize that you can’t get bood from a turnip (if the FAs aren’t available then they aren’t available), but we should have seen this coming with our weak off season moves this year. I’m sure their will be one or two washed up pitchers that we can sign for cheap and then brag about doing it.

by 75bandwagon on Oct 11, 2009 8:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

well that's what I tried to say

that they don’t NEED much, just a question of what they want. options-Matt Holliday, John Lackey, Gonzo/Marco Scutaro some of the closers. Also via trade-Roy Halladay, another hitter…

"We're not going to give up," It doesn't happen, so who cares? There's always next year. It's not like it's the end of the world."-Manny Ramirez

by revigik on Oct 11, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you want them to go for broke every season, why not root for the MFY?

It’s not a smart business plan. We were beat this year by a very talented team, one that we were probably about even with. They outplayed us, and we have to stay home for the rest of October.

@bs_uf15bosox9be 12 pieces of bacon, a Red Bull, and go get 'em; Learn to use SB Nation

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Oct 17, 2009 3:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Abreu should be considered an option in LF

especially if the alternatives are paying too much for Holliday or Bay

VARITEK MUST GO
Brandon Webb in 2010

by gizmosandy on Oct 11, 2009 8:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Where's the power gonna come from?

"It would have been a nice idea if you could run through the postseason without losing. I don't think it's realistic."
--Terry Francona

by BoldandBrash on Oct 11, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

SS or the new 1B

VARITEK MUST GO
Brandon Webb in 2010

by gizmosandy on Oct 12, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jed? :)

Seriously though, we can get enough runs by stringing together lots of high OBP bats.

@bs_uf15bosox9be 12 pieces of bacon, a Red Bull, and go get 'em; Learn to use SB Nation

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Oct 17, 2009 3:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Call me crazy but we have tried that the last 2 years

and the results were not what we wanted.
And Jed is nothing more than utility fodder.

VARITEK MUST GO
Brandon Webb in 2010

by gizmosandy on Oct 18, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because of some bad luck and underperforming experiences in the playoffs.

Process, not results.

@bs_uf15bosox9be 12 pieces of bacon, a Red Bull, and go get 'em; Learn to use SB Nation

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Oct 18, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Better yet, sign Abreu. Then get rid of Lowell and try to get a major power hitting 1B.

The only problem is how realistic the trade possibilities are.

"It would have been a nice idea if you could run through the postseason without losing. I don't think it's realistic."
--Terry Francona

by BoldandBrash on Oct 11, 2009 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the biggest need for the offseason is Catcher

We should try to sign Bengie Molina to a 1 or 2 year deal. He can hit decently well and is a plus defender. Then we could move V-mart to first base and Youkilis to third. Then let Lowell split time at DH and put him at third and Youk at first when Molina would need a day off. Only problem would be Molina would probably want a longer deal which would probably mess up our chances of making a run at mauer next off-season…

What do you guys think?

by ManRam on Oct 12, 2009 12:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think I don't want Bengie as our full-time catcher

DFA Beckett

by South Coast Ghost on Oct 12, 2009 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We are pretty much stuck with what we have for another year.

by 75bandwagon on Oct 12, 2009 5:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Scutaro

I’ll pass on the 34 year old SS who I’ve never heard of before this year but has been in the league since 2002. He played for a contract this year and he’ll get one but I think he is very very overrated and would be just another one of those short stops on this team. Keep Gonzalez who at least is a known quantity or make a trade for someone better or wait on Jed, but don’t go Scutaro.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Oct 12, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs