Advice for Chery

1. Get rid of John Lackey

That, at least temporarily has been taken care of.

2. Compensation for Theo Epstein

This process has taken way too long due to the different perspectives on Theo Epstein’s value. So let’s judge Theo based on his luxurious new contract.

Theo’s Contract: 5 years/$18.5 million. Average Salary: $3.7million/year

Cubs players with similar money value: (FanGraphs.com)

Carlos Marmol: $3.6 million

Jeff Samardzija: $2.6 million

Carlos Zambrano: $4.0 million

These players are have a similar dollar value as Theo Epstein that are not going into free agency from the Cubs. We can take Zambrano out since the Red Sox don’t need another @sshole in the clubhouse. Marmol, unlikely to be part of compensation, and Samardzija would be great bullpen help as a solid middle innings relief pitcher. I think a package of Samardzija and a young, decent prospect would be a fair exchange for Theo Epstein.

3. Mr. Manager

I think Dave Martinez, Peter Mackanin, Dave Sveum, Mike Maddux… are all going to be grat manager, but not in Boston. The pressure from the media, the fans, and the front office will be too much for these and other 1st year managers to handle. That is why I would look at an established, veteran manager like Bud Black, Bruce Bochy, and Eric Wedge. All three of these candidates have established themselves as a good, solid leader in the dugout and clubhouse and will be able to handle all the exterior pressures.

4. The Rotation

We need starters, starters, and some more starters. I like the front end of our rotation with Lester, Beckett, and Buchholz; but there are a lot of question marks with the number 4 and 5 spots in our rotation.

Free Agents:

C.J. Wilson- Only if Cherington wants another pitcher who drinks beer in the clubhouse, posts a 6+ ERA and dumps his wife while battling cancer. Nothing against C.J. Wilson, but I just see too much John Lackey in him.

Yu Darvish- With the Dice-K disaster, no chance in hell we go after Darvish.

Roy Oswalt- His back issues scare me as there was a rumor he might need CAREER ENDING surgery on his back last year.

Mark Beurhle- I like him, but he throws so soft and I’m not sure if he can live doing that in the AL East.

Edwin Jackson- Only good in NL, I remember the AL East crushing him when he was with the Rays a few years ago.

Erik Bedard- I think I may be alone on this one but Erik Bedard wasn’t that bad last year. He pitched fairly well in the AL East and did a good job against the other teams. He would make a strong #5 starter.

Erik Bedard Estimated Contract: 1 year/4.5 million

Trades:

Wandy Rodriguez- Huge contract, illegal immigrant who had a fake name, not that great of a pitcher who is carrying a hefty price tag, I don’t think so.

Felix Hernandez- Dear Mariners, our entire farm system for Felix. Sincerely, Ben Cherington. I’d do it but I don’t see Chery doing it.

Gio Gonzalez- I like Gio, a good young lefty, but I think his price tag will be very high after a All-Star season last year.

Matt Cain- I’ve heard Youk for Cain rumors, but I don’t think the Giants would do that considering they already have Kung Fu Panda, Brandon Belt, who we had a chance of drafting (F***), and Aubrey Huff.

Anibal Sanchez- Bring him back to Boston. I think a Reddick, Lowrie and Bryce Brentz or some pretty good, but not great prospect would be enough for us to lure him away from a stadium where the number of fans is equal to the number of blowjobs Ashton Kutcher gets weekly.

*Notice how I didn’t include Beckett, well the idea of trading our 2nd best starter when we need more rotation help is absurd.

In addition, we should bring back Tim Wakefield for another 1 year deal and sign Alfredo Aceves to a 2-3 year contract so we have security in case one or more of our starters gets injured. (Don’t worry, I knocked on wood.)

5. Big Papi and Paps:

Ortiz, as much as I love you, it’s time. We just can’t give you what you’re asking for. A three-year deal? You’re kidding me, right? Lavarnway is ready to step up and take the DH spot. This guy just knows how to hit, he hits for power and can put up a decent average. In the minors last year, he hit over .300 and muscled out 30 homers.

Paps, the guy who’s blown our season three years in a row, should definitely not come back. Like Ortiz, he’s asking for a 3+ year contract worth around 35-40 million. With that money, we could make our bullpen the best in the majors with the additions of both Heath Bell and Ryan Madson.

Ryan Madson Estimated Contract: 3 years/20 million

Heath Bell Estimated Contract: 3 years/18 million

6. Right Field

Carlos Beltran? Is that the same guy who has only played more than half a season once the last three years. The same guy who has continually battled knee problems. I’ll give him this; he has produced when healthy, but I think that is too much of a risk when offering someone the kind of money he’s going to be asking for.

I have a more conservative approach and would go after either Josh Willingham or Coco Crisp to be our right fielder and also fill in for Ellsbury and Crawford when need be. Willingham or Crisp can also platoon with either Kalish or Reddick, whoever is more ready and healthier(hopefully Kalish).

Josh Willingham Estimated Contract: 2 years/12 million

Coco Crisp Estimated Contract: 2 years/10.5 million

Carlos Beltran Estimated Contract: 2 years/25 million

For me, the numbers just don’t stack up and it would be foolish for Cherington to pursue Beltran heavily.

7. Tek

Bring him back just because Beckett sucks without Tek as his battery mate. However, he should be ripped of his status as captain and that honor should be given to Pedroia.

2011 Roster Prediction:

Lineup:

1.      Ellsbury CF

2.      Pedroia 2B

3.      Coverboy (Gonzalez) 1B

4.      Youkilis 3B

5.      Crawford(Trust me, I see a great upcoming season in him)

6.      Willingham/Kalish RF

7.      Lavarnway DH

8.      Saltalamaccia C

9.      Scutaro SS

Bench:

1.      Mike Aviles Util.

2.      Ryan Kalish OF

3.      Varitek C

4.      Jorge Cantu 1B/3B (some pop of the bench)

Rotation:

1.      Lester SP

2.      Becket SP

3.      Buchholz SP

4.      Sanchez SP

5.      Bedard SP

Bullpen:

1.      Wakefield LRP

2.      Samardzija RP

3.      Aceves RP

4.      Albers RP

5.      Jenks RP

6.      Bard SU

7.      Madson/Bell CL

Thoughts?