NG figured out his password and is posting under his name.

and if we are out of race at deadline, we have Beckett, Ortiz, Victor, and perhaps Papelbon as trade bait. Finish second half with some guys who start year in minors. Theo could re-stock the farm at the deadline. Ortiz way more attractive for half season than any other scenario.

I expect this sky-is-falling talk from some, Randman. But not you.

They will not be contending for a World Series next year whether they spend stupidly or not. Locking up huge money in Jason Bay is not going to make the difference, we had him last year and we didn’t win. Why not try to actually field a consistently good team instead of panic spending every year.

I’m all for letting next year be a down year in order to be great on the other side. But I don’t really get the reasoning of locking up huge money in an aging DH for years to come being better than locking up an aging left fielder. They also have prospects like Lars Anderson and Anthony Rizzo coming up who could be future DHs/ First Base. If you’re looking future, do it all the way.

If we field the same team as we did last year, do we not still get to the playoffs? Toss in Scutaro, have less random pitching woes, and don’t go into a hitting slump of epic proportions in the ALDS and we’re favorites to make it to the ALCS. Hell, just get into the playoffs and anything can happen.

Not sure why we assume few moves = few wins.

has just informed me Lowell will be dealt before morning. Thanks Mikey.

I’m not saying the season is over, but Theo seems to be building it with more stock in 2011 than 2010. Mark my words: this team will still win 90-95 games.

Uh uhhhh. Not happening. The Sox aren’t throwing in the towel on 2010. They won’t be out of the playoff race at deadline.

The team is steady, albeit unspectacular, at the moment. They made the playoffs last year and aren’t in a rebuilding/regrouping mode.

It is true they have their eyes on Mauer and Crawford after the upcoming season – common sense tells you that – but so do the Yankees, the Angels, the Mets, the Dodgers (when the divorce is final), the Cubs, etc. Oh, and not to mention the Twins and Rays who may have something to say about it as well. And who’s to say someone like the Rangers or Mariners won’t decide they’re close enough to make a big splash with a big name?

No, if I were the Sox GM I’d be setting the bar this offseason where I want it to be – not where the agents are going with it. Nothing has to be settled this week in a panic. Trades are still to come. Goodbye Mikey? Probably. Jacoby? Maybe. A few prospects will likely get their shot to develop with another club. Bye bye Bowden? Could be.

But we don’t need to judge Theo on this one week. It’s still a long time before pitchers and catchers report and there are a lot of mind games at play – both informational and disinformational.

(stepping down from my soap box now. Geez, that went a little longer than I intended.)

Before the trade deadline in 09, everyone thought the Sox were doing A), B) and C), but then Theo pulls off the Vmart deal and the word is he was trying to broker a massive AG, King Felix, Boston’s Farm system blockbuster that NOBODY had any idea was in the works.

Now, I am not saying AG or Felix is coming to Boston, but I find it hard to believe that Jon Heyman or whomever really has the inside scoop on what is actually taking place in GM meetings until the GM’s want them to know. As a trial lawyer, I can tell you I never talk to anyone I dont completely trust until the deal is done. Theo is not a fool, his real targets are probably under lock and key right now.

So I would just hold out on the “2010 is Over” articles, just till we see what Theo’s real agenda might be.

For some reason, I keep coming back to Miggy C. and how Detroit is a ruined, economic mess of a city and they want to dump salary and get younger to sign Verlander/Porcello and make a run in a couple years when things are better.

I could see that move happening. Miggy C. for players in the organization not named Kelly or Westmoreland. To me Buchholz and Bard are on the 25 man roster and arent going anywhere.

Let me put it another way…If you wanted to make a deal for Miggy C. or even AGon and you didnt want to get fleeced what would you do? Show the opposing GM that you have another option, right? So Lowell to Texas for Ramirez might be a prelude to moving him in a package for Miggy C. and the Beltre rumor might be to show both teams you have another 3B in line and you are not desperate. It could all be a bunch of smoke for Theo to focus on his real target.

Pure speculation.

The team is better then last year. IMO. So i don’t see how it could be seen as throwing in the towel. I just see it as smart. The free agent market next offseason is just better, and if we can get those quality players without having to give up propects, I think its smart.

No thanks. Considering LF @ Fenway is the easiest position to play, it would be a total waste.

Mikey is a good player and going to hit 25 bombs and get 90 rbi’s. His defense will be better with his hip fully healed, so why is everyone a hater? Plus everyone of his rbi’s seem to come when it matters, I say he is the most clutch guy we have. why is everyone wanting to dump him?

Maybe signing a solid defensive catcher like bengie molina who swings a good enough bat while letting vmart play 1st and youk to 3rd. martinez showed me a lot at 1st last year. With a declining lowell and ortiz on the squad needing time off equally, let them take turns DHing depending on the handedness of the opposing starting pitcher? And as far as signing bay, i think it would be the biggest waste of money we could possibly spend. The guy plays below average defense and can’t hit an outside fastball, which all teams know now. That slump in midseason wasn’t because he just got cold, it was because people learned how to pitch to him. Waste of money. Let him go wherever. We can put a band-aid on it and still make the postseason and make some noise there without him.

Lowelly can still play 3rd occasionally, and towards the end of the year, Lowell proved to be a liability at 3rd. Please GOD not another Nick Green vs. Oakland situation… Why bring him back for a full season of pain for him, and the fans? Maybe Bengie isn’t the best option, but why not explore something different, temporary, for just a season? Especially a season half of the NATION has already thrown away? The last time I said “There’s no way the Sox will win it all this year” They did. In the most amazing playoff run I’ve ever seen. We have a great pitching staff, solid hitters, and a below average defense. Need a leader in the clubhouse, better chemistry and better defense. Martinez is good enough at first to hold it down for a year.

Just because the office thinks 2011 looks more optimistic then next year doesnt make next season a lost cause. Its the Red Sox for Gods sake they are not gonna throw away a season

  The Sox are doomed if they are competing against the 2009 MFY. They aren’t, They are competing against the 2010 MFY, and 2010 AL teams. They are going to be injuries pratfalls, pitchers with good 2009 years with 2010 bad stats. The Sox won’t have 2009 Papi etc.

What makes or breaks playoff bound teams is starting pitching. We have four good starting pitching, they can all give good performances. We had some warts in the bullpen, but it is still one of the best in the AL, there were some holes in the batting lineup but still some serious threats.

Half of the game isn’t the Bill James next season predictions, but how does better and who does worse than expected.

I think Dwight Eisenhower said it is easy to farm when your field is a piece of paper, your plowshare is a pencil and you are six hundred miles away from a farm, you can’t predict a clear picture of the 2010 season on previous years stats alone, you may get some trends and some blurry images, but the season is a marathon, and every team takes it bumps and bruises during the season.

If people are going to get all mopey, then the 2006 season showed the 2007 season was a wash out, and the Sox should had flew the White Flag early.. instead we know what happened, and there were many unexpected surprises.

We’re still a 90-win team.

Youre still the second best team in the A.L,Scutaro is better then anything the Sox had last yr,even if Papi is completely shot and Bay is not Resigned nobody has surplanted them.This team won 90 some games last yr.Pitching is still top notch and that will always keep you in it. Realistically all you need to possibly pass MFY is for Pettite to show his age,Joba to do what he does and whatever pitcher my Yanks sign to struggle in Ny and your there.That said alot can happen between now and then but your far from having a lost season.I hope that never happens this is to much fun to watch.