I really like what Boston is doing

[CuseCubFan69]

Maybe the Cubs should have went to a college of GM's instead of coaches? So far I'm pretty jealous of the Red Sox and Mets.

[jmajew]

I woud hold judgement on the Red Sox until the Manny situation is put to rest. If they are forced to trade him then see what they come up with. If they can fill that void then they deserve credit. What makes Shuerholz, Jocketty, and Beane so great is the fact that when they are forced to trade or lose their best players via free agency they are always able to fill the gaps.

[nilodnayr]

I am jealous of the Marlins, they have had a ridiculously impressive offseason. If they can get out of florida and make some money they will have a juggernaut 2008-2111.

[treebird]

I am jealous of the Marlins, they have had a ridiculously impressive offseason. If they can get out of florida and make some money they will have a juggernaut 2008-2111.

 

i think we should offer maddux + 10 million dollars to florida for some of their newfound prospects. they need someone the fans have heard of besides cabrera and willis.

[sethuel1]

I am jealous of the Marlins, they have had a ridiculously impressive offseason. If they can get out of florida and make some money they will have a juggernaut 2008-2111.

 

i think we should offer maddux + 10 million dollars to florida for some of their newfound prospects. they need someone the fans have heard of besides cabrera and willis.

 

Not much point. The fans won't show up no matter who's in the ballpark.

[CubfaninCA]

Getting Beckett was one helluva move. It's about time the quit stocking up on #3 pitchers. That's great for the regular season and all...

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Getting Beckett was one helluva move. It's about time the quit stocking up on #3 pitchers. That's great for the regular season and all...

 

I really doubt Beckett is going to make 20+ starts next year.

 

I do like dealing Renteria + 11M for Marte. Marte is going to be a freaking monster at Fenway.

[jmajew]

Getting Beckett was one helluva move. It's about time the quit stocking up on #3 pitchers. That's great for the regular season and all...

 

I really doubt Beckett is going to make 20+ starts next year.

 

I do like dealing Renteria + 11M for Marte. Marte is going to be a freaking monster at Fenway.

 

They would make the playoffs without Beckett. I think the reason they got him was so they could have two aces for the playoffs. I don't think any team in the AL would want to face a healthy Schilling and Beckett in the post season.

 

When it comes to the Renteria trade, I am going to withhold judgement. If they trade Marte for Lugo I would consider that a horrible horrible trade. If they keep Marte though it is a heck of a deal for them. That guy is going to be a monster.

[oldcubsfan]

I am jealous of the Marlins, they have had a ridiculously impressive offseason. If they can get out of florida and make some money they will have a juggernaut 2008-2111.

I agree with you, they have stockpiled pitchers. People always want pitching and they will be able to trade for position players when they get to a real major league city.

[Cubzfan64]

Don't forget that the grass is always greener guys. I live near Boston is this is what I heard on the radio all day long today....

 

Although they are assuming the trades aren't done yet, the Red Sox don't know who is going to play 1B, SS, RF or CF for next year. David Wells wants to be traded so they will lose a workhorse pitcher, but replaced him with Beckett who has a history of injuries and nobody seems to know how much longer his arm will hold out. They don't know what if anything they're going to be able to do with Manny considering he's said he'll sit out if he doesn't get traded (will he really sit and lose out $20 mil? Probably not, but will he give 100% - doubtful). Schilling wasn't the same pitcher last year although it appears he was injured most of the season - but will he be able to come back? Foulke was awful as a closer last year and they don't currently know who will close for them. Clement didn't look like he could handle the pressure last year and basically flopped the entire second half - can he rebound or will he get dealt?

 

In addition, they received a highly touted prospect to play 3B, unfortunately a few days earlier they took on a HUGE salary in Mike Lowell for the next 2 seasons - can Lowell play 1B? Can Marte play 1B? Can they get someone else to play 1B?

 

I do agree that it's been an interesting off season so far for Boston and they've done alot without a GM, but don't think for a second that things are all rosey out here - there's a ton of question marks right now and until a few more deals are done, those questions aren't going to be answered.

[oldcubsfan]

I think Atlanta is doing a great job. They really picked off Boston. They now pay $6 mil for one of last years hottest free agents and gave up an unproven guy that they had no position for. Saved $4 mil over signing Furcal and got a great SS.

[Zaphkiel]

Yeah, I'm a little confused as to what Boston is doing. First, they trade Hanley Ramirez, their can't-miss SS prospect and then they trade away Edgar Renteria? Exactly who do they think is going to play SS for them in 2006? I think it would be hi-larious if they ended up signing Nomar because no one else is available.

[nilodnayr]

I think Atlanta is doing a great job. They really picked off Boston. They now pay $6 mil for one of last years hottest free agents and gave up an unproven guy that they had no position for. Saved $4 mil over signing Furcal and got a great SS.

 

Ohh, I couldnt disagree more. Just because Renteria was one of last years hottest free agents doesnt mean hes good. Id rather take last years hottest player than hottest free agent. Now don't get me wrong, Renteria isn't a bad player. Hes is a bad player for 10M, but hes a good player for 6M. However, that is completely wiped out by giving up Marte. Yes, he was the top prospect going into 2005. And what did Renteria do? Continued to slide. Now some of that can be attributed to playing in the AL East, but still, he is not going to replicate his miracle 2003 season, and now that hes another year away from it, those thinking so are foolish. Outside of 2003, he only has one season with OPS over 803. His last two years hitting in the low to mid 700s is right about where you can project him to be at. Now thats not bad, but he most likely wont crack the top 10 shortstops (he hasnt for the last two years). Hes alright defensively, despite the gold glove, not gold glove material. Not bad, but just alright. To call Renteria a "great SS" is a complete mis-statement. He is an alright shortstop. Now to call Marte a great prospect is right on, I wouldn't consider him the best, but among the greats. He moved up to AAA in 2005 and repeated his numbers from 2004. He just turned 22 and is nearly ML ready. There have been rumblings that Marte was less than enthused to move off of 3b, but if Chipper is so selfless, as evidenced by him reworking his contract, then why couldn't he move off 3b.

[CuseCubFan69]

Oh my.....what if Boston and Baltimore trade Tejada for Manny?

[Cubzfan64]

Yeah, I'm a little confused as to what Boston is doing. First, they trade Hanley Ramirez, their can't-miss SS prospect and then they trade away Edgar Renteria? Exactly who do they think is going to play SS for them in 2006? I think it would be hi-larious if they ended up signing Nomar because no one else is available.

 

The rumor here is that they'll sign Alex Gonzalez (the Florida one) - good defense but not much of a bat. The word is that Marte really is pretty much just a 3B (although may be able to play 1B) - Atlanta tried him in the OF but wasn't happy with the results.

 

Boston still has alot of work to do before spring training.

[katway]

The only thing I don't like about the Marte acquisition for Boston is that he would be better suited spending another year at AAA and I see him as an Aramis type player that will take about 5 years to hit his stride. By that time, Boston's lineup will be past their prime.

[Cubzfan64]

The only thing I don't like about the Marte acquisition for Boston is that he would be better suited spending another year at AAA and I see him as an Aramis type player that will take about 5 years to hit his stride. By that time, Boston's lineup will be past their prime.

 

Boston believes Marte will be ready by midway 2006 and if push came to shove believe he could step in on opening day (for what it's worth).

[jmajew]

That was a great deal for the Red Sox. That filled their hole at first base, Lowell or Marte can move over there. If they keep Manny and Damon and then sign any of the shortstops on the market AGON 1 or 2. Look at that potential lineup: Damon, Loretta, Ortiz, Manny, Varitek, Lowell, Nixon, AGON 1 or 2, Marte. Scary, thats what that is. The Red Sox can afford to let Marte play up in the majors now, they aren't going to need a lot of production from him for at least two years.

[Demon Mike]

I like what the Red Sox have done to this point. They've still got a lot of work to do... especially of Damon doesn't sign, but they're making one strong move after another, IMO.

[CubfaninCA]

The Red Sox lineup so far:

 

1B ??? Saw someone on a Boston board mention Youkilis

2b Loretta

SS ???

3B Lowell

LF ????

CF ????

RF Nixon (injury prone)

C Varitek

DH Ortiz

 

Rotation:

Beckett (injury prone, but had to do it)

Schilling (major question mark),

Clement (#3-4)

Arroyo (#3-4)

Wade Miller??? Wakefield??

 

I probably forgot a guy or 2, but not looking too hot.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Uhh, Manny?

[Demon Mike]

The Red Sox lineup so far:

 

1B ??? Saw someone on a Boston board mention Youkilis

2b Loretta

SS ???

3B Lowell

LF ????

CF ????

RF Nixon (injury prone)

C Varitek

DH Ortiz

 

Rotation:

Beckett (injury prone, but had to do it)

Schilling (major question mark),

Clement (#3-4)

Arroyo (#3-4)

Wade Miller??? Wakefield??

 

I probably forgot a guy or 2, but not looking too hot.

 

...again, not remotely close to being finished, but I just like the three big moves they've made to this point.

 

Beckett is a good gamble, IMO.

 

Mirabelli for Loretta is a steal.

 

Dumping a huge disappointment in Renteria for guy they feel is one of the 5-8 best prospects in baseball could pay off in a big way.

[CubfaninCA]

Uhh, Manny?

 

He gone.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Uhh, Manny?

 

He gone.

 

You said so far, and it's kinda unfair to leave him out when they're obviously going to get something for him.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The Red Sox lineup so far:

 

1B ??? Saw someone on a Boston board mention Youkilis

2b Loretta

SS ???

3B Lowell

LF ????

CF ????

RF Nixon (injury prone)

C Varitek

DH Ortiz

 

Rotation:

Beckett (injury prone, but had to do it)

Schilling (major question mark),

Clement (#3-4)

Arroyo (#3-4)

Wade Miller??? Wakefield??

 

I probably forgot a guy or 2, but not looking too hot.

 

About the Question Marks:

 

Youklis can play first. I also wouldn't be surprised if they add someone there.

 

SS is the biggest question mark.

 

Right now leftfield is not a question. Manny is there and I sincerely doubt he walks away from 20+ million dollars. On top of that, Manny received a 16 million dollar signing bonus which the Red Sox could seek to recoup a portion of if he refuses to report to training camp. Also, if Manny is traded, you can bet some players would be coming back to Boston.

 

CF is a ?, but I'd bet on Damon returning.

 

The rotation is:

Schilling

Beckett

Wells

Clement

Arroyo/ Wakefield

 

Miller likely will be non-tendered. If Wells is traded, Papelbon likely steps into the rotation and he's pretty good.