Cubzfan64

Personally I liked Loretta having watched him in Boston alot last season. He's a decent OBP guy and as the old saying goes "can handle the bat." He also played a very good 2B defensively for Boston. I would have preferred a 1-2 year contract to him for less money that we ended up having to pay DeRosa for more years, but maybe DeRosa can convince me next season that he's worth it.

There was some talk on the radio this morning about Mike Gonzalez of Pittsburgh being pursued with combinations of Youkalis, Crisp or some minor leaguers in a deal - then they would pick up Huff to play 1B. Boston doesn't want to go into the season with Craig Hansen slated as their closer cause they just don't think he's ready. Del Carmen is more of a set-up guy, and although Timlin has closed before, he's really near the end of his career and hasn't had alot of success lately. I think the last part of Boston's puzzle is a closer and with the amount of cash they've spent this year, I don't see any reason not to put all your eggs in the 2007 season and just go for it.

Actually, I think that's partly the point of the article. There are very few who are great from year to year. IIRC, it's been a couple of years since Mariano Rivera converted 75% or more of his chances. That being the case, spending $$$ on a closer is not something that I'd normally want my team's GM to do. I'm not sure about that either, but I definitely put Rivera into the "great" category. We're really flying off the initial subject of the post though - I'd love to know what Boston plans to do with all their starting pitchers. Perhaps Lester will start back in AAA due to his cancer - although it's in remission, he may need extra time to get his strength back up. I would be very surprised if they actually tried to get Clemens now - I mean, who would they put in the bullpen?? Wakefield could go there, but when you bring him in, you almost have to pull Veritek out because he's shown he has alot of trouble catching the knuckleball. I'm guessing Boston makes a deal sometime before the start of the season for an average to above average closer - names that might be involved could be Crisp, Pena or perhaps they could still swing something with Manny if they can get a closer and a serviceable OF in return (or play Pena there). I doubt they would have much interest in Dempster - I think he'd get killed in Fenway Park far too often.

I won't argue the fact that the $51mil was a HUGE and probably obscene amount of money to pay just to have sole negotiating rights with someone who has never pitched in MLB. On the other hand this whole deal of getting Matsuzaka wasn't done in a vacuum - it has alot of branches. From a business standpoint, I fully believe the Red Sox have evaluated this from all aspects and believe they will recoup at least a portion of that $51mil via marketing and promotional ideas in both the US and Japan (assuming of course that Matsuzaka performs to the level they are hoping). I heard a rumor on the Boston radio this morning that an idea for a "reality show" akin to the one where they followed Barry Bonds around for awhile has already been discussed where they do a show on Matsuzaka during his first year and market it to Japan. Not to mention the fact that if the relationship goes well between the two parties, it puts Boston in a good light in the asian baseball market which could help them further down the road.

Confirmed here also on Boston Radio and the sources in Boston Herald - a deal is either done or very close and will be complete in the air on the way to Boston.

Why can't they put Papelbon back in the bullpen if they have too many starters? The Red Sox will not put him back in the bullpen due to his arm troubles at the end of last season. The general concensus is that the work a closer has to do was damaging his throwing arm.

Just something interesting to add to the mix - this is a quote from the morning's Houston Chronicle: "One of my best baseball sources says the Red Sox have made the most impressive pitch to Clemens, offering him the opportunity to have a contract much like the one the Astros gave him. He'll be able to pitch, work out on his own, attend family functions and arrive late to the roster. One difference: Rather than a half-season, Roger will pitch for slightly more — close to two-thirds of the season. The only unknown is whether the Sox' ongoing negotiations with Japanese sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka will impact the money the Red Sox will offer Clemens. That's TBA. But I would guess Clemens will be in Boston to finish his career, exactly where he began it." If I had to guess, I'd say Matsuzaka will sign for an even $10mil per year for 6 years. I'm actually pretty surprised that Boras agreed to a 6 year contract for him - if he performs to the level of a #2 starter or above, $10mil per year will be a very good contract for Boston for that long of a term. I fully expected Boras to be negotiable on the $, but be intent on making it a 2-3 year contract instead. Something's gotta give very soon here. On the other hand, Boston has to be looking to make a trade for a closer as well - if they sign Matsuzaka, they're gonna have an awful lot of starters (Papelbon, Schilling, Beckett, Wakefield, Lester and Matsuzaka) - if they actually decide to add Clemens to the mix as well, that gives them 7. The only one they could realistically put in the bullpen is Wakefield and that still leaves them without a closer. There's certain to be more moves in Boston before the season starts no matter what happens here I think.

He'd be stupid not to take it. No he wouldn't. He could still get more on the open market. He could have his choice of the team he wants to play for. He could get out of Canada. I wouldn't take the deal at this point. Worst case scenario, he gets severely injured and gets a 1-year deal for a ton of money and gets his shot as a FA after 2008. Gotta disagree with you there - worse case scenario he gets injured in 2007 badly enough that it has potential to affect his career at which point he never has a chance to make that kind of money ever again. Odds if that happening - minute, but if I were him, I'd have to seriously consider a guaranteed 7 year $126 million contract. What was that contract that Nomar passed on in Boston a few years ago - before he started having a rash of injury problems?? 4 years $60 million? Something like that.

Gotta love this quote from Boras... "In Japan, he's known as the national treasure," Boras told some three dozen media representatives -- nearly all representing Japanese outlets. "Here, he will be known as Fort Knox." What a pompous ass!!! Of course if I were looking for the most $ possible and didn't give a darn about anything else, he's the guy I'd want on my side as well - I just don't think I could shake his hand without wearing nitrile gloves and I'd be wearing my crucifix in a visible spot :twisted:

As far as what Matsuzaka is worth right now, this is how I look at it... Where does Japanese baseball fit talentwise as far as comparisons with MLB? I don't know the answer, but I'm guessing it's somewhere between AAA and the big leagues. Based on that, I don't see any valid argument that puts his value at what any of the starting pitchers got on the FA market this year. I think he should have to prove himself in the big leagues before he's allowed to cash in big. My guess is the big sticking point in the contract negotiations with Boras all revolve around contract length. For the amount of $ Boston shelled out just to have negotiating rights, they will want to tie him up for a reasonable sum of money ($6-8mil/year) for 5 years I'm guessing. Boras on the other hand is probably pushing for $10-12mil/year for 2-3 years in the hopes that if Matsuzaka achieves or exceeds expectations, he'll be in for a HUGE raise at the end of the contract when he becomes a FA. For those of you saying he should pack his bags and go back to Japan for another year or two if he doesn't get $10+mil per year, you just aren't thinking through every issue. 1) Japan IS a different culture and it will be embarrasing for him to have to return. 2) It would be disrespectful to his old team if he basically stripped them of the $51 million they won by what would be perceived as his own greed. 3) As young as he is (28?), my understanding is that he's thrown a TON of innings and pitches - everyone is human and all pitchers have a limited number of throws in their arms - who's to say 2 more years of pitching in Japan and being 30 would make him more valuable than he is now- not to mention the chance of injury during that time. I think careerwise, it's in Matsuzaka's best interest to sign with Boston - get as much money as he can for the shortest length of time possible, which imho is what Boras is realistically looking for and will sweat every bloody nickel out of Boston to get. In the end he will sign and play next year, and if he does well during the contract you can absolutely count on the fact that he will make tons of $$ in promotional sales both her and in Japan and when the contract is up and he does become a FA, he'll get his shot at that HUGE contract.

As far as Boras goes - I can't stand what he does, but I can't deny the fact that he produces for his clients. The folks who hire him should know exactly what they are getting for their money - they've sold themselves to the highest bidder above everything else (winning, loyalty, etc...) and I can't argue with the fact that he does an excellent job for them. In effect, baseball created the monster that is Scott Boras and now they have to live with him. I heard someone the other day who was quoted as saying something to the effect that Scott Boras is unlike anyone else to negotiate with because he WILL shoot the hostage and everyone knows it! This morning on Boston sportstalk it sounds to me like The Red Sox have been the first ones to "blink" in this standoff. Apparently Theo and Larry are flying to Boras to offer another proposal - forget the fact that he didn't even respond to their first proposal given ~10 days ago. In effect, they just told him how desperate they are. It was also reported that Matsuzaka wanted to be present at the meeting between Boras and the Red Sox, but Boras told him no, that he would take care of it. It would be very interesting to know the order of Matsuzaka's priorities: 1) Play in the major leagues 2) Make the most money possible I almost wonder if Matsuzaka has the above order, but Boras looks at it with #2 first.

Personally I think this is still posturing on both sides part - Boston spent a ton of cash just to talk to this guy and I wouldn't be surprised if there were some *wink wink* things said to imply that they would pay good salaries to Drew and Lugo (who are also Boras players). I think Boston is expecting Boras to blink first - or in this case, I think they expect D. Mat to press the issue with Boras and sign. It would be a MAJOR embarrasment to him to have to return to Japan - remember, there are some cultrual issues here too and he does not want to feel shame in having to go back to Japan for another year. This is going to come down to the last second imho and the Red Sox will hope Boras (who doesn't really hold many cards here) gives in a little bit. To be honest, I don't blame either side for what's going on - I would have been surprised if they had signed by now.

I wish I could get an almost 20% raise for performing at an average to below average level in my job *sigh*. That said, on a positive note, at least we're finally not relying on Wood and Prior to be healthy all year when history shows us there's a 90%+ chance that won't happen. It'll be nice to have some guys able to throw innings for a change. I'm not excited about the 2007 Cubs, but I'm optimistic

I would have preferred either Giles or Loretta at 2B with a 1-2 year contract to what we have in DeRossa - hope he proves me wrong, but I don't generally like paying lots of $ for a guy who has a career year and tying him up for 3 years. Loretta would have been a very solid offensive and defensive addition imho. I personally would be happy to have Giles here, but I think the Cubs feel they are set on the infield and wouldn't even make an offer to him if he's non-tendered.

I agree with that with one caveat - it depends somewhat on the philosophy of the manager/hitting coach/organization. In other words, if being patient at the plate and isn't something that is valued and/or stressed, I think it would take someone with exceptional talent to be able to take walks. The Cubs have preached being aggressive at the plate "to a fault" for the past few years and I believe that not only stunts the growth of potentially great hitters, but I think it can also cause a guy who is becoming more selective at the plate to regress. Not every hitter can be Mark Grace at the plate, but I firmly believe every hitter can improve at reading pitches and knowing the strike zone. I don't care too much if a guy walks or not, and I don't care if he's an aggressive hitter at the plate, what I DO want is to have the majority of my lineup attempting to force the pitcher to throw a hittable pitch by not swinging at balls out of the strikezone so much.

I wonder if getting Lugo will have any impact on the Manny trade situation. Word in Boston is that Epstein is serious that if nothing gets done by the end of the day tomorrow, they're going to stop actively working on moving Manny and pursue other needs (like a closer). Theo said they will listen to offers on Manny after tomorrow, but it'll have to be proposed by the other team. Strictly as a fan of baseball, I'm curious to see what's going to happen here. Do you ever think to yourself, "what could Manny Ramirez be if he had the heart, drive and desire of Pete Rose to go along with his talent?"

My guess is the asking price would be too high since they really don't HAVE to get rid of Crisp - on the other hand, if the cost is low (since he had a down year last year), I'd take Crisp in a heartbeat. He's basically Juan Pierre with much more potential and we'd be getting him when his value is the lowest.

Personally I think the starting position players for Boston this year will be: Crisp - LF or CF Pena - CF, LF or RF Drew - RF or CF Lowell - 3B Lugo - SS Pedroia - 2B Youkalis - 1B Veritek - C You can't project anything from Lester this next year as his status re. cancer is unclear. Papelbon will be in the rotation no questions asked as they don't want his arm strained by closing again. They have question marks in the starting rotation like every other team in the ML (will Papelbon have as much success starting as he did relieving last year and will his arm problem resurface, can Schilling put together one more good year, can Beckett be more consistent and stop giving up tons of HR's, can Wakefield be a .500+ pitcher and can anyone catch him, and can Matsuzaka be signed and perform like a #1 or #2 pitcher as they expect). Their biggest question mark in my opinion will be their bullpen - they have no closer, poor middle relief and their set up guy is getting old and showed signs of dropping off in success as well last year. Say what you will about Manny, but you have to believe that no organization looks to trade arguably their #1 consistent offense threat who protects their #2 offensive threat unless there are legitimate reasons. Nobody knows what goes on in the clubhouse or what's gone on in the offseason because Manny doesn't talk to the media - it wouldn't shock me at all to hear that he'll just sit out the season if he isn't traded.

I'm glad the Cubs took a flier on Wood for next year at a reasonable cost on the off chance that he's able to "remake" his career as a closer. Realistically though, if I were a betting man, I would say his chance of being successful is anywhere from 0-15%. I just see the wear and tear on a relief pitchers arm being worse than what a starter has to face. Some weeks he's going to have to get up quickly to warm up every day and then sometimes go 3-4 days without live pitching at all. It's been horribly depressing to watch a young pitcher go from potential super star status to signing a 1 year contract to try to pitch relief all in less than 8 years. I sincerely hope somehow he's able to pull a rabbit out of his hat and become an effective closer/set up guy for the Cubs in the future - I just feel that the odds of that are not good. Anyone else have any thoughts or insight to make me feel better?

They're already trying to drive him out - one of the newspapers has a poll of fans asking if Boston should sign him. Last I heard the response was somewhere around 80+% saying no. If the Sox actually trade Manny and sign Drew to that heavy of a $ contract, they are setting themselves up for a really bad situation. No matter what anyone says, the fans will basically look at it as the Red Sox replacing Manny with Drew and there ain't no way that Drew will put up the numbers Manny did, even if he stays healthy all year. This has "bad" written all over for it for the Red Sox.

I heard an interview with a Japanese baseball reporter recently who said that culturaly it would be very humiliating for Matsuzaka to have to go back to Japan if he couldn't make a deal. Boras (as much as I detest him) is doing what his client hired him to do - get the most $ he possibly can. Unless I am mistaken, either Matsuzaka signs and plays for the Red Sox or he has to ge back to Japan and play for his old team for another season (they have to return the $51 mil also) and we go through the same circus again next year.

Having watched Manny play many games over the past few seasons after moving out here from Illinois, I can tell you that he simply isn't the terrible defensive outfielder that people are led to believe. Statistics don't always tell the full story, and the media tends to really focus on outfielder "gaffs" and blunders which just about every outfielder makes at one time or another. From a purely unbiased viewpoint, I would say Manny is average defensively - he has moments of looking great, and others of looking terrible. Personally I think his offensive output far outweighs anything his defense lacks. I'll tell you what my view is on Manny personally - I honestly don't think he loves the game of baseball... I mean, I think he likes it and he's very obviously immensely talented at it, but I don't think he LOVES it in that he gives 100% every time he steps on the field. Boston really got on him late this past season when he sat out alot at the end due to an unknown "hamstring injury" that suddenly plagued him just before the All-Star game allowing him to not go to that either (evew though it didn't affect him before or after it). I think when he saw that the team had really started it's slide into the basement, he just didn't care much anymore and didn't see the point of going out there. Those are must my personal opinions, so they aren't worth diddly, but to get back on topic - I certainly wouldn't say "let's not trade for Manny because he can't play LF."

I'm not as concerned with him getting hurt since that's a possibility at any time in life - granted, putting yourself in a position to be hurt more often isn't great, but I like the fact that he's asking for permission and not being a "pain in the butt" or anything. I'd be more concerned that he might wear down later in the 2007 season due to too many games in winter ball. I've been thinking about the whole 2B thing - at his age and the fact that he's already played alot of time at 2B, I'd guess unless he runs across an excellent teacher who can transform him into at least an above average 2B, he should stay in the OF. That said - I can't help but drool at the possibility of getting his kind of power at an IF position and down the road being able to stack the OF with more sticks (Andrew Jones comes to mind).

I'd do that trade if Boston agreed to it in a heartbeat

If Gagne looks even remotely like he can close, expect the Red Sox to be at the top of the list of teams making him an offer he can't refuse.