OTM Communiqués 1/26/2011: Hot Stove? How About a Beantown Braising Instead?
by Raj Ghetia on Jan 26, 2011 11:14 PM EST
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Print!["Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy" [in regards to this off-season].](http://cdn1.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/845216/gyi0062779527.jpg)
Again, not really a collection of Daily Links, but just a collection of pertinent links in general. With Spring Training not too far away (well okay, for some of us it certainly feels like it is), it would behoove us to take a quick look at a few of the things that have taken place this past off-season. Suffice to say, there's been plenty, though I'll try to not "beat a dead horse" on some of the things that have taken place.
Jumpin' Jack Flash to those links in 3...2...1...
Red Sox Acquire 1B Adrian Gonzalez From the Padres - Boston Red Sox Press Release
- Hammer, meet nail. Adrian Gonzalez, meet the friendly confines of Fenway Park. There wasn't a deal in place after the trade, but the understanding is for 6 to 7 years around $155 million with the deal most likely being held back due to luxury tax concerns.
Red Sox Sign OF Carl Crawford to a 7-Year Contract - Boston Red Sox Press Release
- Holy Hole in a Doughnut, Batman! First Gonzo, now Carl Crawford! Theft of the bases could reach an all-time high! Of course let's not forget the deal is for $142 million over the life of the contract and an interesting tidbit in regards to the no-trade clause: the team can block a trade to the New York Yankees if Crawford ever wanted to be traded there.
Red Sox Bullpen Now the Best in the A.L. East - Tony Lee, NESN.com
- So after the signing of Bobby Jenks and Dan Wheeler, and with very serviceable options in Hideki Okajima and Scott Atchison, the Red Sox have quite the bullpen along with Jonathan Papelbon and Daniel Bard. Of course that's pulling a Captain Obvious, but considering the mess the bullpen was last season, now having 3 pitchers that are bona-fide closer material is enough to make even the most hardened cynic have some faith in the bullpen. Though I have to say, the Yankee's haul of Rafael Soriano certainly warrants attention.
Jed Lowrie: "I'm Not a Utility Player" - Joe McDonald, ESPNBoston.com
- Well I'm not saying he is and I gather most of us here at OTM aren't either. We all know Tito sticks by his guys and so don't expect Marco Scutaro to be out of the shortstop job anytime soon unless he really falls apart. That being said, expect Jed Lowrie to be a "super" utility player, seeing as how he can play all 4 infield positions. We may very find out that "The Jedi" is really our new shortstop of the future this season. Plus, if he fulfills his promise, he could possibly transition to being the team's 3B once it's time for Kevin Youkilis to move on (yes, scary thought but he's not getting any younger).
- This is certainly a nice development. Not much else to really say beyond that it keeps one of team's more significant minor-league affiliates close to the heart of Red Sox Nation territory. I'd honestly be shocked if they ever let that PDC run out.
Jon Lester Overcame a Rough Introduction to Professional Baseball - Tony Lee, NESN.com
- A nice little piece about Jon Lester's time at the beginning of his career. I have to say, the high signing bonus...totally worth it in retrospect. Good thing he was never traded for A-Rod...
Sox Open to Trading Papelbon This Spring or Summer - Drew Silva, NBC Sports HardballTalk
- Not surprising seeing as how Theo & Co. have faith in Bard and signed Bobby Jenks as well this off-season. The salary might be a sticking point, but if the front office sees no use for Papelbon, they may be ready to eat a good chunk of his salary just to trade him off to an N.L. team that's in contention. Yes, an N.L. team, not an A.L. team; no need for him to come back and haunt you, is there?
10 Questions - No. 3: Is Salty ready? - Gordon Edes, ESPNBoston.com
- Nice piece from Gordo's "10 Questions" series about the Red Sox this off-season. So is he ready? I don't think so just yet, but if he turns out to be close to Jason Varitek's skill-set in any way, this will have been a coup in Theo & Co.'s eyes and certainly a success when it comes to "reclamation projects." Personally, I still think the talent is there, now it's all about harnessing it all together and pushing to succeed. Salty, you've been given a golden opportunity; carpe diem.
Money Matters: Taking Stock of the Red Sox Payroll - Scott Lauber, Boston Herald
- "Show me the money!" indeed. All I have to say: if Bard keeps it up, that pay day will be big for sure.
Got links? Send 'em on over and I'll be nice enough to give you credit!
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After reading that little blurb about Crawford's contract.
I’ve changed my mind, it’s not just a bad contract, it’s funny as hell.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
Official Baker of Red Sox Nation
that confused the hell out of me at first
then someone (I forget who) suggested that the teams that are blocked probably remain blocked if he is traded, so if the Sox traded him to someone, it would prevent them from turning around and flipping him to the Yankees. That would make some sense.
OK, so do you not want Crawford?
That’s what it took to get him, or someone else would have.
by Marisa Ingemi on Jan 27, 2011 11:30 AM EST up reply actions
Personally, I'm still a little up in the air about it
I think, overall, it’s probably going to end up being a good move since inflation should make it so he doesn’t need to produce as much as time goes on to be worthwhile. I think the next couple years, he’s going to be just plain awesome and a huge asset for the team. The last few years, he probably won’t be as good. It’s a risk that I think is probably a smart one to take, but it’s definitely a big risk- I think (maybe hope) that the positive will outweigh the negative, but it’s not a sure thing. The argument “that’s what it took to get him” doesn’t really hold any water with me because, for example, I thought Werth was the better fit, but it would’ve taken $126 million to get him. Not worth it. Sometimes you have to let a good player go because the price exceeds the value.
Werth was ridiculous
The Nationals are a desperate franchise. If they never entered the picture, he would have never gotton that much.
As for Crawford, Anaheim offered him the same contract and he chose Boston.
And for letting good players go, if they did not get Crawford and were stuck with Cameron starting, you know everyone would be flipping out because the Red Sox to not spend money.
by Marisa Ingemi on Jan 27, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
Anaheim denies ever offering him a contract before he signed
I’m not sure that was something that happened so much as something that was speculated.
There were other alternatives to Crawford. Not one’s that would be as good now, but ones that wouldn’t have a chance to bite us later. Ordonez, any number of trades, etc. Not to say that Crawford is a bad contract (Like I said I don’t think that) but you have to understand where someone like TLD is coming from- personally I think he’s wayyy too negative on the contract, but you can’t deny it’s a huge risk.
Also, if they hadn’t gotten Crawford and had gone a different route, there would be plenty of money to spend elsewhere- like on catcher.
I am fine with catcher
with the way the offense is spread out, it’s fine. They went offensive route last year with Victor, and now in LF with Crawford. Nothing changes much with offensive production, just in another area.
Ordonez… I just don’t think that would have worked out. I just wish people would stop bitching about money spending. last offseason, it was all talk of how the Red Sox won’t spend money for good players. Now thet do, and people still complain.
by Marisa Ingemi on Jan 27, 2011 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
Sean O
Making the distinction between the good and the impact.
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by Ben Buchanan on Jan 27, 2011 12:24 PM EST up reply actions
well yeah, but it wasn't complaining that the Red Sox aren't spending money
just that they weren’t spending it well.
He kind of was, though.
He said the Sox were drawing the line too low—dodging the megacontracts necessary for impact players.
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by Ben Buchanan on Jan 27, 2011 2:15 PM EST up reply actions
sean o just doesn't want ticket prices to go up
in his fantasy world, he thinks the red sox should be able to win a 100 games on a $1m payroll with $1 tickets (& 5 cent beers).
I Was a Bit Leery
About he Lackey and Cameron deals. I mean, in Theo & Co. I trust, but I was certainly cynical of those two deals.
"Common sense is quite rare." - Voltaire
The Artist Formerly Known as PacoL250
Resident Psychologist and Tech Support at Over the Monster: SB Nation's Resident Red Sox Web Site
not saying "who was complaining" last season
I’m saying “who was complaining that we weren’t spending” last season.
No No, I Gotcha
Just making a point. :-)
"Common sense is quite rare." - Voltaire
The Artist Formerly Known as PacoL250
Resident Psychologist and Tech Support at Over the Monster: SB Nation's Resident Red Sox Web Site
We didn't even NEED a lot of money for a catcher
seeing as how Martin went for a measly 4 mil.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard
I dunno, I'm not sold that he was that great a solution
just because I don’t have the medical information the teams do. We’ll see how he does this year. If he’s injured, I’d be welling to bet there was something in the medicals (the Yankees could have seen it too and just felt like at that point they needed to appear to beat the Sox at something).
there weren't any catchers available
at any $ figure. we would have had to trade the prospects we traded for gonzo. then no gonzo.
and if you were to trade, who would you trade for?
I saw him as a DH/1B vs. Lefties
which we “could” have used but not at his expense. I think his catching days are numbered
I think he's probably not a long term catcher
but we’re talking about 1 year here. He could handle it. I’d feel more comfortable with him than with Salty.
I'm not convinced he was "the answer"
but his potential upside is well worth $4 million. Especially in a high-rest situation like he would have been in here.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard
Was he available?
I guess we could offer Beckett, but we don’t really have anyone who’s been hailed as the worst contract in baseball just yet.
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by Ben Buchanan on Jan 27, 2011 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
Yep. Reply fail.
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by Ben Buchanan on Jan 27, 2011 8:43 PM EST up reply actions
Would it be a high-rest situation?
The way I see it, he’d be replacing either Tek or Salty. If he was playing at all decently, he’d probably have to be the primary catcher- which admittedly would still be playing less than Torre ran him out there, but would be a lot.
Maybe "high-rest" is a little much
but certainly “regular rest”. Even “quite regular rest”. Tek is no slouch in a backup role, and if Teets and the FO know that part of his issues were due to over-work, then I could absolutely see him getting a lot of rest. Especially if we wanted to ride him into the playoffs.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard
Oh he'll get the rest
Because he’ll be playing a bit more often in the beginning of the season than Salty; this way Salty can ease into everything full time and learn as much as he can from ’Tek.
After all, catching instructor Gary Tuck has spent a ton of time with Salty this off-season, so this will certainly help.
"Common sense is quite rare." - Voltaire
The Artist Formerly Known as PacoL250
Resident Psychologist and Tech Support at Over the Monster: SB Nation's Resident Red Sox Web Site
I was talking about the would-have-been Martin situation.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard
Reply Fail.
:-(
"Common sense is quite rare." - Voltaire
The Artist Formerly Known as PacoL250
Resident Psychologist and Tech Support at Over the Monster: SB Nation's Resident Red Sox Web Site
this is kind of off topic
but as much as I love Varitek, I am thoroughly unconvinced that he can be a legitimate backup for more than half the year. Last year, before the injury, his numbers just absolutely nosedived.
His small sample size wOBA numbers last year by month:
April (33 PAs): .478
May (37 PAs): .384
June (35 PAs): .237
Sept/Oct (only 18 PAs and coming off injury): .088
Torrealba
would have been a fantastic bridge to Ibarra/Expo/Lavarnway
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
Official Baker of Red Sox Nation
by TheLoneDavid on Jan 27, 2011 6:14 PM EST up reply actions
Wouldn't have re-signed Tek.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
Official Baker of Red Sox Nation
by TheLoneDavid on Jan 27, 2011 8:16 PM EST up reply actions
Absolutely
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by Ben Buchanan on Jan 27, 2011 8:46 PM EST up reply actions
Crawford
I would have preferred 6 years but…..
a. The contract runs from his age 29-35 years. He’s likely to be at or near his peak for about 4 of those (29-32).
Forgot to denote that his peak value 5-6 WAR
would valuate to about 20-24 million per season prior to inflation
How many times do I have to say it.
Yes, I want Crawford, no I don’t want to pay him nearly 150 million dollars. The Sox could have outbid the Angels by $1 and gotten him. Hell, he said he’d rather go here than to Los Angeles anyway, why not just give him the same offer? Either option would have landed him in Boston and made me less angry.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
Official Baker of Red Sox Nation
by TheLoneDavid on Jan 27, 2011 6:11 PM EST up reply actions
yeah when a player says that they nearly crashed their car in amazement when their agent told them the size of their contract
it means you probably didn’t need to pay quite that much.
Exactly.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
Official Baker of Red Sox Nation
by TheLoneDavid on Jan 27, 2011 8:16 PM EST up reply actions
I have a feeling a lot of it had to do with the Cliff Lee deal.
The Red Sox seem to have been involved with Lee’s agent, if you remember, pushing up the bidding till 7 years. They may well have had the inclination that Lee wasn’t going to New York, and figured that Crawford was the next logical angle of attack for New York.
The response to that is “but Crawford wouldn’t do them much good,” except that Gardner is a hugely valuable trade piece.
I mean, how much better would their offseason be with, say, Josh Johnson. We haven’t heard that he’s available, but a team-controlled 5 WAR player is tempting when compared to Johnson’s 3/40 or so that’s left. Doesn’t seem like much to us, but that’s a fortune to Florida. Throw in a prospect or two, and you’ve got the Yankees suiting up Crawford and Johnson for 2011.
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by Ben Buchanan on Jan 27, 2011 8:57 PM EST up reply actions
Except there was no real noise about the Yankees talking to Crawford when he signed.
It was the Angels for 100mil or us for 150 mil. If he wanted to sign that day then I bet we could have gotten the deal done for 110 if not 100.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
Official Baker of Red Sox Nation
by TheLoneDavid on Jan 27, 2011 9:05 PM EST up reply actions
Doubt it.
Crawford hears $110 million from us, and it’s not enough to make him jump. He knows the Yankees could be out there if Lee falls through (or, at least, his agent does), and he’s basically gambling $10 million against $40 million. Good pot odds, as it were.
The Sox put up a number like $150 million and say “Take it or we’re out” and suddenly everything is much, um, clearer.
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by Ben Buchanan on Jan 27, 2011 9:14 PM EST up reply actions
And the East being the way it is, marginal WAR is always a consideration.
Being able to tack on 6 or 7 at one position is huge, so actually getting the player even if he’s just plain worth the deal instead of being a steal is important. Letting the Yankees pick him up would’ve been semi-disastrous having paid for Gonzalez already. This is a situation you want to really capitalize on.
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by Ben Buchanan on Jan 27, 2011 9:18 PM EST up reply actions
Besides which
Going back to check the dates on this, I first remembered this and then just laughed uncontrollably for a second or two.
This should be an amazing, amazing season.
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by Ben Buchanan on Jan 27, 2011 9:25 PM EST up reply actions
He almost wrecked his car for 142 million.
I bet he jumps at $110. In the same article where he talked about having his accident he made it sound like he was going to sign that day. His agent called him up and asked him “LA or Boston” and he said “all things being equal: Boston.” We could have had him for 100 bills.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
Official Baker of Red Sox Nation
by TheLoneDavid on Jan 27, 2011 9:29 PM EST up reply actions
Link?
Because I see no reason for him not to wait another couple of weeks, and his agent certainly would’ve realized this.
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by Ben Buchanan on Jan 27, 2011 9:31 PM EST up reply actions
Shit
it was on Yahoo somewhere. I’ll see if I can find it, but he was quoting Crawford directly.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
Official Baker of Red Sox Nation
by TheLoneDavid on Jan 27, 2011 9:32 PM EST up reply actions
damnit
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
Official Baker of Red Sox Nation
by TheLoneDavid on Jan 27, 2011 9:34 PM EST up reply actions
I dunno...
“I’ll tell you the story that happened that night. And I told Theo (Epstein) this, too. This is no lie. (Agent) Brian Peters called me, and he said, ‘All right, if the figures are the same, where do you want to go?‘ I’m thinking nothing of this call. I’m just driving on the freeway. I said, ‘Man, to be honest with you, B.P., if everything was the same, I think I’d rather go to Boston.’ He said, ‘Really?’ […]
“And he said, ‘Well, I’m glad to hear that because that’s where you’re going.’ I was like, ‘Oh really?’ and he said, ‘Yeah, you’re going to Boston,’ and I was like, ‘Shoot, let’s go.’ That’s just how it happened. Then, he told me the dollar amount, and I almost got into a wreck on the freeway.”
Emphasis added
I mean, I’d really like to hear exactly how he said “Shoot, let’s go”, but that doesn’t seem like a guy who’s on the verge of deciding to me.
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by Ben Buchanan on Jan 27, 2011 9:42 PM EST up reply actions
Messed up the second tags. "I think I'd rather go to Boston" should be bold too.
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by Ben Buchanan on Jan 27, 2011 9:42 PM EST up reply actions
I guess we're getting different vibes here then.
Because I’m getting the vibe that at least his agent has decided one or the other and is just calling to make sure. I bet the conversation goes the same way if Theo goes 110.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
Official Baker of Red Sox Nation
by TheLoneDavid on Jan 27, 2011 10:37 PM EST up reply actions
The agent doesn't decide...
The reason he said it that was was because of the ridiculous deal.
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by Ben Buchanan on Jan 27, 2011 10:45 PM EST up reply actions
plus it sounds kinda sad to say
but in the grand scheme of things – I really doubt 4.5 mil per year (the cost difference between 110-142 over 7 seasons) is really going to handcuff the spending of the team. They might make that alone in Crawford jerseys.
You see something you want at the store and know you can have it now all nice and shiny but you think in the back of your mind that you “might” be able to get it later for like $10.00 cheaper but it be a hassle. Heck I’ve made the shiny purchase 100 times and haven’t really regretted it.
He Spent It All
On carbombs and tequila shots after he nailed down the Gonzo trade and Crawford deal. :-D
"Common sense is quite rare." - Voltaire
The Artist Formerly Known as PacoL250
Resident Psychologist and Tech Support at Over the Monster: SB Nation's Resident Red Sox Web Site
good investment of salary
didn’t someone write something about spending 90% of earnings on scotch, woman and good times and blowing the other 10%?
that is the definition of sound money management!
I know Theo has spent a ton of cash already.....
and we have Papi to DH, but what about signing Vlady to play off the bench in relief of JD Drew in right, and some days, Papi as DH? Vlad has an absolute GUN from right field
follow me on Twitter, @bwalsh18
Vlad cannot play right field anymore
arm aside, he simply cannot do it. Watch the world series when he was in right. I think he single-handedly lost the Rangers a game. Cameron, who is a more than able defender and crushes lefties will probably spend some time in right against lefties.
Always has been.
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by Ben Buchanan on Jan 27, 2011 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
Vlad the Impaler
Can’t field for squat anymore. Now as a DH relief? Maybe, but that would like a move of no confidence to Big Papi and certainly not what he needs.
"Common sense is quite rare." - Voltaire
The Artist Formerly Known as PacoL250
Resident Psychologist and Tech Support at Over the Monster: SB Nation's Resident Red Sox Web Site
"..that would BE like a move..."
Bloody verbs eluded me…
"Common sense is quite rare." - Voltaire
The Artist Formerly Known as PacoL250
Resident Psychologist and Tech Support at Over the Monster: SB Nation's Resident Red Sox Web Site
Plus, you don't put two DHs on one team.
No roster space for it.
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by Ben Buchanan on Jan 27, 2011 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
Unless you're the Yankees, apparently. ;)
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard
My ex was trying to convince me Konerko was a good defender.
I pretty much just laughed in her face.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
Official Baker of Red Sox Nation
by TheLoneDavid on Jan 28, 2011 1:41 PM EST up reply actions
Musta been worse than that
if he’s a 7 WAR player in bed.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard
She's my ex now because she's a complete psychopath
and I had to get out.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
Official Baker of Red Sox Nation
by TheLoneDavid on Jan 28, 2011 9:53 PM EST up reply actions
Go back!!!
there is only one thing better than a psychopathic girlfriend!!!
they are so much fun and never boring!
it’s like having two different girlfriends, every couple of minutes!
a Ménage à trois every day!!!!!
of course the one thing better is having a girlfriend who is homeless. when you are through for the night, just let her out! never have to drive her home.
note: these sexist attempts at humor may be reversed and applied to men for anyone that feels the need to do so
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