Boston Red Sox Thread

[numbers]

I'm not saying it's right, I'm just trying to come up with a reason. I know there were teams that wouldnt deal with Theo when he was the GM here. Sucks for Lovullo to get caught in the middle though.

[Coach]

So the Red Sox are denying the Cubs permission to interview Luvello for manager, eh?

Seriously, none of you has any comment?

At the end of the day, it's the Cubs and I just didn't care too much about the story. My attention is on what will become of the pitching staff - I'd want everyone back, including Clay and Lackey.

[elliseamos]

So the Red Sox are denying the Cubs permission to interview Luvello for manager, eh?

Seriously, none of you has any comment?

At the end of the day, it's the Cubs and I just didn't care too much about the story. My attention is on what will become of the pitching staff - I'd want everyone back, including Clay and Lackey.

i thought it was part of the agreement theo signed that he wouldn't pursue sox employees.

[numbers]

I think the cubs argument is that lovullo was in the Toronto organization when they cut that deal.

[elliseamos]

I think the cubs argument is that lovullo was in the Toronto organization when they cut that deal.

but i'm thinking it's the precedent that would be set that theo could hire someone from boston... "you let luvullo go, why not ___" would surely follow.

[Chris_H_2]

I think the cubs argument is that lovullo was in the Toronto organization when they cut that deal.

but i'm thinking it's the precedent that would be set that theo could hire someone from boston... "you let luvullo go, why not ___" would surely follow.

Do you really think Theo is would try to hire the entire Boston Red Sox organization?

[@SkitchP]

I think the cubs argument is that lovullo was in the Toronto organization when they cut that deal.

but i'm thinking it's the precedent that would be set that theo could hire someone from boston... "you let luvullo go, why not ___" would surely follow.

Do you really think Theo is would try to hire the entire Boston Red Sox organization?

Not to mention the Tigers were widely expected to interview Lovello, then hired Ausmus without doing so. There were grumblings it was because the Red Sox denied permission.

[Chris_H_2]

I think the cubs argument is that lovullo was in the Toronto organization when they cut that deal.

but i'm thinking it's the precedent that would be set that theo could hire someone from boston... "you let luvullo go, why not ___" would surely follow.

Do you really think Theo is would try to hire the entire Boston Red Sox organization?

Not to mention the Tigers were widely expected to interview Lovello, then hired Ausmus without doing so. There were grumblings it was because the Red Sox denied permission.

It's one thing if it's a lateral move. But with this, it sounds pretty bush league.

[elliseamos]

so clearly it's not my initial suspicion. on the other hand, this is a guy that is highly regarded/valuable to (former front office guy/turned pitching coach/turned world series champion manager) John Farrell.

[numbers]

It would be ridiculous if they are stopping Lovullo from interviewing for any managerial openings. The Cubs thing I understood, I didnt think it was right, but I understood it. If they stopped him from interviewing with Detroit also, that's bush.

[elliseamos]

It would be ridiculous if they are stopping Lovullo from interviewing for any managerial openings. The Cubs thing I understood, I didnt think it was right, but I understood it. If they stopped him from interviewing with Detroit also, that's bush.

this is a guy that is highly regarded/valuable to (former front office guy/turned pitching coach/turned world series champion manager) John Farrell.

[elliseamos]

*assuming* the Sox are working w/ $32M this offseason (based on current obligations for '14 and the reports that they won't be going over $189M to avoid the luxury tax) and therefore that none of their own free agents return, how would you feel about this 25-man roster? (bolded = FA or trade)

SP: Lester, Lackey, Buchholz, Peavy, Doubront
BP: Uehara, Bailey (arb), Breslow, Tazawa (arb), Workman, Miller (arb), Dempster

line-up/order:
RF: Victorino (s)
2B: Pedroia (r)
DH: Ortiz (l)
LF: Gomes (r)
1B: Morneau (l)
C: Ross (r)
3B: Middlebrooks (r)
CF: Nava (s)
SS: Bogaerts (r)

Bench: Jackie Bradley Jr. (l), Hanigan (r), Carp (l) (arb), Alexi Casilla (s)

Total for the additional players comes to $21.5M, here's how the money would break-down:

Spoiler: show

Morneau - signs for 1 year at $8M, so he can boost his offensive numbers and won't cost the Sox a draft pick. They would then gain a pick next year when Justin signs elsewhere.
Hanigan - $2M, would be a trade with the Reds now that they've signed Pena, I'll go ahead and assume the player sent from Boston is that guy with the initials, PTBNL
Casilla - $1M, slightly above-average utility guy, consider him a placeholder more than anything.

estimated (made-up by me giving them a raise on their salary from this year) arbitration numbers:
Bailey - $4M (same salary as this year)
Tazawa - $3M
Carp - $1M
Miller - $2.5M

Now, let's say Salty could return at $10M a year, that puts the above roster (swapping out Hanigan's $2M) at basically the luxury tax, or $29.5M. If you'd rather Carlos Ruiz, that's estimated to take $7M, so then we'd be at $26.5M.

What if you'd like to have Napoli instead of Morneau. Nap is expected to get around $14M. That $6M more (above Morneau) would likely mean no Salty, and would very likely make Ruiz an impossibility.

There is the very real/likely possibility that Cherington does not bring back Bailey. So under that scenario, and max dollars for Salty ($10M) and Napoli ($14M), the Sox would have everyone except Ellsbury and Drew returning and would be $500k under the luxury tax.

Looking at the roster w/o any big name FA, and again *assuming* $189M is the team's salary cap this season, I'd be alright/optimistic with the product on the field. That said, I'd feel much better about things with Salty and Nap returning. Maybe somebody will take Dempster's $13M off the books!

[numbers]

Nava cant play center field, I'd put Bradley there before him. Id like to see them sign Napoli to something like 2/30, with an option for a 3rd, and then let the other 3 walk. You plug Bogaerts in for Drew. You replace Salty with either someone like Hanigan, or maybe you sign Pierzynski if he's not looking for anything more than a year.

[numbers]

double post.

[MattA75]

I'll be thoroughly disappointed if they don't at least make every reasonable effort to re-sign Napoli (though if some team throws stupid money at him, well, good for him)

Saltalamacchia blows, I don't view him leaving as a loss at all

Problem with replacing Napoli with Morneau is that you are sacrificing the only right handed power you had

and Daniel Nava is a nice story, and I'm fine with him as a fourth OF, but I don't totally buy that he'll ever duplicate this season again

[Green Habit]

I thought JBJ was going to be the Ellsbury heir apparent. Does the consensus say that he needs more time before he's ready?

[numbers]

They'll be growing pains with Bradley, but I'm ready to go with him.

[Norah]

McCann is catching for us next year.

[MattA75]

McCann is catching for us next year.

I fear you're right

[elliseamos]

I'd almost rather have salty than any other option. He's the youngest catcher out there, can hit, and knows the pitchers and the city. McCann scares me bc of the price and hanigan and peirzynski raise big durability questions, especially when Ross was only able to play so few games last year.

I'm hoping they've learned their lesson and will not revert back to overpaying (in years and dollars) for stars. I have no problem with driving up the price for everyone else, but don't bring in more crawfords, please!