Offseason outlook/Trade ideas

[sunshinekids99]

Looks like the roster has really shaped up. Just need to bring in a catcher to either start or backup Josh Bard.

C- Josh Bard
1b- Kevin Youkilis
2b- Dustin Pedroia-
3b- Mike Lowell
SS- Jed Lowrie
LF- Jason Bay
CF- Jacoby Ellsbury
RF-JD Drew
DH- David Ortiz

Bench
C-
If-Julio Lugo
OF- Rocco Baldelli
OF/1B-Mark Kotsay


Pitchers
1. Josh Beckett
2. Jon Lester
3. Daisuke Matzuzaka
4. Brad Penny
5. Tim Wakefield

Pen
Jonathan Papelbon
Ramon Ramirez
Hediki Okajima
Manny Delcarmen
Javier Lopez
Justin Masterson
Takashi Saito

Really dominate pitching staff IMO. And that's without John Smoltz who will show up in May or June. So it looks like one more roster spot is available, unless the Sox can pull off a big trade nobody is seeing.

[Celtics_Champs]

I still think Tek will be back. I wish theo could have gotten something done to improve the offense, but, he tried. I agree that the pitching staff looks really good. Lots of depth.

[canman1971]

I still think Tek will be back. I wish theo could have gotten something done to improve the offense, but, he tried. I agree that the pitching staff looks really good. Lots of depth.

I still think they could make a play for Fielder. The Brewers need young pitchers and we got them. So, it would end up being same scenario as if we signed Tex. Trade Lowell, move Youk to 3rd. They made a inquiry about Hanley, so why not Prince.

[Celtics_Champs]

Well that would be good. The wiretap has a story on fielder and the sox now. I would love to see the big fella here. And props to whoever called it before the off season even began.

[Celts09]

Boston Wants To Talk Extension With Bay
12th January, 2009 - 12:52 pm
Boston Globe - According to a baseball source, the Red Sox have every intention of approaching Jason Bay between now and the start of the season, Bay's last under his current deal.

He is eligible for free agency in the fall. Bay is due to earn $7.5 million this year in the final year of a four-year, $18.25 million contract he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates after his second season, fixing his salary so that the club would avoid arbitration with him before he was eligible for agency.

http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/13066/20090112/boston_wants_to_talk_extension_with_bay/

[canman1971]

I think signing Bay to a 4 year deal would be good. Somewhere around 10-12m/year. Then trade Lowell, get Fielder (use Buchholz and whoever) and in 2 years, he becomes the DH when Lars Anderson is ready. I think a lineup that looks like this is solid throughout and as good as any in baseball:

Ellsbury
Pedroia
Ortiz
Fielder
Youk
Bay
Drew
Lowrie
Catcher

[greenbeans]

I think they might try and Jed out of that deal too, which I personally wouldn't mind, but I don't think Theo and myself are on the same wavelength there. But that lineup you posted has me drooling over here, can.
Bay also seems like he'd take a team friendy deal, but you never know. I mean look at all the guys who have gone that route the past couple years: Arroyo, Lowell, somebody, etc

[GreenGrizz]

Young wants out of Texas after refusing to play 3B. That's Lowell's position. If we are able to land Fielder from Milwaukee and move Youkilis to 3B. At the same time, we could get Saltalamacchia from Texas for a few prospects if they are willing to take Lowell.

[greenbeans]

They definitely have a need at 3b from what I've read. If we do have to move Lowell they're definitely one of the possibiliaties. Who else should we put in a call to? Philly most definitely, I know Minnesota has shown interest in the past..

[canman1971]

Young, I believe is just about to start a 5 year 80 million dollar extension. I wouldn't give up much for that contract.

[greenbeans]

Yeah, that's always funny. When a guy requests a trade and the team gets to tell him nobody wants him.

[Celtics_Champs]

I think signing Bay to a 4 year deal would be good. Somewhere around 10-12m/year. Then trade Lowell, get Fielder (use Buchholz and whoever) and in 2 years, he becomes the DH when Lars Anderson is ready. I think a lineup that looks like this is solid throughout and as good as any in baseball:

Ellsbury
Pedroia
Ortiz
Fielder
Youk
Bay
Drew
Lowrie
Catcher

[GreenGrizz]

With Young's ugly contract aside, Theo has been following and asking about him for some time but Texas keeps turning down. I don't think Boston would mind getting him if Texas helps us unload Lowell or/and Lugo. We may have to give up Clay for Saltalamacchia to sweeten the deal.

[Celtics_Champs]

That could work. Combination of Clay and others for Young and Salty. Then you move lowrie to third, put young at short.

[GreenGrizz]

JJ Hardy will be a free agent after 2010. Think Milwaukee is anxious to unload him? He is a shortstop with power but that is Milwaukee. You can hit many home runs there like anybody in Camden Yards.

[Celtics_Champs]

Ken Rosenthall is saying that the sox might be looking at dunn. Unlikely though.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9076 ... season-gem

I'll pass. I don't see where he would fit.

[sunshinekids99]

I don't see how Dunn fits. From what I read he's a butcher at first. I say keep the defense and hope that Lowell is ready to go.

[Celts09]

Smoltz reportedly rejected a $8 million contract

http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/13110/20090114/yankees_tigers_and_rangers_wanted_smoltz/

Boston Herald - The Yankees, Tigers, and Rangers were believed to covet free agent pitcher John Smoltz before he agreed to sign with the Red Sox.

Smoltz reportedly turned down an offer of $8 million from one of those teams.

[greenbeans]

Yooouuuuuuk signed, 4/40. Incredible.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3835955

[Celtics_Champs]

Good work by Theo. He knew not to mess around, and signed his two young studs for good deals right after their big seasons.