EagleOutsider.com

flyingelvii {l Wrote}:

gallopingghost {l Wrote}:

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:I also think this trade and willingness to chance losing Lester (or more so the lack of a legit offer in the first place) says a lot about what the Sox think of their farm. Tons of potential front line starters (De La Rosa, Webster, Owens, Renaudo, Escobar, Barnes), decent infielders (Cecchini, Marrerro), catchers (Vasquez and Swihart) and light-hitting OFs (Bradley, Betts), but other than Bogaerts, there isn't a power hitting OF or corner IF in the entire system. Given what is available, trading for a major league ready power hitter was almost a necessity.

Owens is 14-4, 2.44 ERA at Portland. He needs to start moving up. The next Randy Johnson. He is 22, Lester is 30.

Owens needs to move up to AAA but his weak fastball and decent but unspectacular control are giving me Michael Bowden 2.0 visions.

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:Now hearing Miller to Os for Pedro

BearTerritory {l Wrote}:Cespedes has home run derby power, .3 OBP, and a great arm which comes in handy when he muffs a single and throws the guy out at third. I don't think he fit into the A's plans after next year. Still, only his third year in MLB all at the majors and a lot more interesting for the Sox than some prospect.

Is Craig this year's James Loney?

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:

BearTerritory {l Wrote}:Cespedes has home run derby power, .3 OBP, and a great arm which comes in handy when he muffs a single and throws the guy out at third. I don't think he fit into the A's plans after next year. Still, only his third year in MLB all at the majors and a lot more interesting for the Sox than some prospect.

Is Craig this year's James Loney?

Cespedes costs too much for the As - he is the exact opposite of their type of player. Red Sox have no such concerns and his ceiling is unlimited. Great deal for the Sox, but gives the As a shot to win this year in exchange for a player they were never going to sign after next season,

Yes. Don't see a spot for Craig in the lineup. He's not replacing Napoli, Ortiz, Cespedes or Victorino. I suppose if you give up on Bradley, he can play left with Victorino in center and Cespedes in RF. Or if you give up on Middlebrooks and Marerro and Cechinni, he can play 3B. Don't think that will happen short of moving a few of those guys for pitching this offseason.

Figure the Sox to add two pitchers (Shields and Lester?) and pencil in De la Rosa and Webster with Buchholz.

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:I can't believe I am going to have to root for Craig, who I crapped on incessantly to piss off Hansen

hansen {l Wrote}:

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:I can't believe I am going to have to root for Craig, who I crapped on incessantly to piss off Hansen

flyingelvii {l Wrote}:

Endless Mike {l Wrote}:Edes is reporting the Cardinals are close to a deal for Lackey.

I'll be shocked if Lackey actually plays for $500k next year.

Joe Kelly and Allen Craig. Meh.

hansen {l Wrote}:and picking up 1.5 seasons of Lackey

hansen {l Wrote}:

flyingelvii {l Wrote}:

Endless Mike {l Wrote}:Edes is reporting the Cardinals are close to a deal for Lackey.

I'll be shocked if Lackey actually plays for $500k next year.

Joe Kelly and Allen Craig. Meh.

Lackey either must retire or play for 500K.
Either way, he confirmed to cards management as part of the trade that he's in for next year.

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:

hansen {l Wrote}:

flyingelvii {l Wrote}:

Endless Mike {l Wrote}:Edes is reporting the Cardinals are close to a deal for Lackey.

I'll be shocked if Lackey actually plays for $500k next year.

Joe Kelly and Allen Craig. Meh.

Lackey either must retire or play for 500K.
Either way, he confirmed to cards management as part of the trade that he's in for next year.

No way Lackey pitches for league minimum next year. You are an idiot for thinking that. Hence the reason that we only got two mediocre players.

Thinking Allen Craig has a big contract is a telltale sign you are a small market fan. He makes less than 10 million all but the last and club option years and only makes $5 million next season

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:

BearTerritory {l Wrote}:Cespedes has home run derby power, .3 OBP, and a great arm which comes in handy when he muffs a single and throws the guy out at third. I don't think he fit into the A's plans after next year. Still, only his third year in MLB all at the majors and a lot more interesting for the Sox than some prospect.

Is Craig this year's James Loney?

Cespedes costs too much for the As - he is the exact opposite of their type of player. Red Sox have no such concerns and his ceiling is unlimited. Great deal for the Sox, but gives the As a shot to win this year in exchange for a player they were never going to sign after next season,

Yes. Don't see a spot for Craig in the lineup. He's not replacing Napoli, Ortiz, Cespedes or Victorino. I suppose if you give up on Bradley, he can play left with Victorino in center and Cespedes in RF. Or if you give up on Middlebrooks and Marerro and Cechinni, he can play 3B. Don't think that will happen short of moving a few of those guys for pitching this offseason.

Figure the Sox to add two pitchers (Shields and Lester?) and pencil in De la Rosa and Webster with Buchholz.

BearTerritory {l Wrote}:Also a good deal for the A's who can now face Detroit without a guy they brought up in mid season (Sonny Gray) as their ace

BearTerritory {l Wrote}:

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:

BearTerritory {l Wrote}:Cespedes has home run derby power, .3 OBP, and a great arm which comes in handy when he muffs a single and throws the guy out at third. I don't think he fit into the A's plans after next year. Still, only his third year in MLB all at the majors and a lot more interesting for the Sox than some prospect.

Is Craig this year's James Loney?

Cespedes costs too much for the As - he is the exact opposite of their type of player. Red Sox have no such concerns and his ceiling is unlimited. Great deal for the Sox, but gives the As a shot to win this year in exchange for a player they were never going to sign after next season,

Yes. Don't see a spot for Craig in the lineup. He's not replacing Napoli, Ortiz, Cespedes or Victorino. I suppose if you give up on Bradley, he can play left with Victorino in center and Cespedes in RF. Or if you give up on Middlebrooks and Marerro and Cechinni, he can play 3B. Don't think that will happen short of moving a few of those guys for pitching this offseason.

Figure the Sox to add two pitchers (Shields and Lester?) and pencil in De la Rosa and Webster with Buchholz.

Yeah, it's potentially a good deal for the Sox and if they resign Lester an Act of God. Also a good deal for the A's who can now face Detroit without a guy they brought up in mid season (Sonny Gray) as their ace; plus the A's score a lot of runs. Gomes will do his voodoo against lefties so Cespedes bat won't be missed that much. Billy is all in this year; don't know if he's retiring, buying a soccer team or looking for a movie sequel.

The Lackey deal is more puzzling. He's given them two good years in a row, gives you a lot of innings and I'm not sure the replacement cost is any less. I can't see the younger guys making that jump yet.

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:

BearTerritory {l Wrote}:

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:

BearTerritory {l Wrote}:Cespedes has home run derby power, .3 OBP, and a great arm which comes in handy when he muffs a single and throws the guy out at third. I don't think he fit into the A's plans after next year. Still, only his third year in MLB all at the majors and a lot more interesting for the Sox than some prospect.

Is Craig this year's James Loney?

Cespedes costs too much for the As - he is the exact opposite of their type of player. Red Sox have no such concerns and his ceiling is unlimited. Great deal for the Sox, but gives the As a shot to win this year in exchange for a player they were never going to sign after next season,

Yes. Don't see a spot for Craig in the lineup. He's not replacing Napoli, Ortiz, Cespedes or Victorino. I suppose if you give up on Bradley, he can play left with Victorino in center and Cespedes in RF. Or if you give up on Middlebrooks and Marerro and Cechinni, he can play 3B. Don't think that will happen short of moving a few of those guys for pitching this offseason.

Figure the Sox to add two pitchers (Shields and Lester?) and pencil in De la Rosa and Webster with Buchholz.

Yeah, it's potentially a good deal for the Sox and if they resign Lester an Act of God. Also a good deal for the A's who can now face Detroit without a guy they brought up in mid season (Sonny Gray) as their ace; plus the A's score a lot of runs. Gomes will do his voodoo against lefties so Cespedes bat won't be missed that much. Billy is all in this year; don't know if he's retiring, buying a soccer team or looking for a movie sequel.

The Lackey deal is more puzzling. He's given them two good years in a row, gives you a lot of innings and I'm not sure the replacement cost is any less. I can't see the younger guys making that jump yet.

People seem to think Lackey is going to play baseball for $500,000 next year. Not sure why.

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:
Figure the Sox to add two pitchers (Shields and Lester?) and pencil in De la Rosa and Webster with Buchholz.

claver2010 {l Wrote}:

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:
Figure the Sox to add two pitchers (Shields and Lester?) and pencil in De la Rosa and Webster with Buchholz.

I don't get the idea that the Sox are going to resign Lester.

It's going to take what 6 for 120? 5 for 100? Think they're too smart to give that type of $ to a 31 year old starter + if you sawx weird0z are right they have enough arms on the farm to do that whereas a team like the Yankees that have nothing with Tanaka out for 2015 and CC shot need to pay whatever it takes to get an arm.

claver2010 {l Wrote}:I don't see the Sawx sniffing the type of $ the Yanks are going to throw around for a 31 year old SP.

If he wants to take a severe discount to come back? Sure. Different to say vs when it's a difference of $20+ MM

gallopingghost {l Wrote}:It is time to pull the plug on Buchholz. He was never an overpowering pitcher to begin with. He has lost all his control for whatever reason. He has been good in 1 1/2 seasons out of 6. They have stuck with him for many years and he easily could have been trade bait, especially after he pitched a no hitter in his second game.

Who knows, he might do OK as a set up guy if he only has to pitch on or two innings.

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:

claver2010 {l Wrote}:I don't see the Sawx sniffing the type of $ the Yanks are going to throw around for a 31 year old SP.

If he wants to take a severe discount to come back? Sure. Different to say vs when it's a difference of $20+ MM

They won't even be in it at that size discount. It will be years, not cash, that makes the difference. I can see Yankees offering 6 and 150 and the Sox offering 4 and 100. Like I said, they may not get him, but they will be in it, and they will be high enough to raise the Yankees' price.

hansen {l Wrote}:

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:

claver2010 {l Wrote}:I don't see the Sawx sniffing the type of $ the Yanks are going to throw around for a 31 year old SP.

If he wants to take a severe discount to come back? Sure. Different to say vs when it's a difference of $20+ MM

They won't even be in it at that size discount. It will be years, not cash, that makes the difference. I can see Yankees offering 6 and 150 and the Sox offering 4 and 100. Like I said, they may not get him, but they will be in it, and they will be high enough to raise the Yankees' price.

i'm starting to think that paying big money for any player over 30 just is not worth it.
looking at how many bad contracts there are in baseball right now.
as much as i though the cards were going to resign pujols a few years ago, the cards lucked out big time... if they had been stuck with his contract, then there is no way they could even field a contending team. and pujols is just one of 20 or so mega contracts out there just like it.

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:

hansen {l Wrote}:

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:

claver2010 {l Wrote}:I don't see the Sawx sniffing the type of $ the Yanks are going to throw around for a 31 year old SP.

If he wants to take a severe discount to come back? Sure. Different to say vs when it's a difference of $20+ MM

They won't even be in it at that size discount. It will be years, not cash, that makes the difference. I can see Yankees offering 6 and 150 and the Sox offering 4 and 100. Like I said, they may not get him, but they will be in it, and they will be high enough to raise the Yankees' price.

i'm starting to think that paying big money for any player over 30 just is not worth it.
looking at how many bad contracts there are in baseball right now.
as much as i though the cards were going to resign pujols a few years ago, the cards lucked out big time... if they had been stuck with his contract, then there is no way they could even field a contending team. and pujols is just one of 20 or so mega contracts out there just like it.

You can do it if it is short term and renewed annually like Ortiz.

Endless Mike {l Wrote}:Sox are expected to lock up Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval today.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24834591/red-sox-trying-tof-mega-free-agent-doube-play-panda-and-hanley

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:

Endless Mike {l Wrote}:Sox are expected to lock up Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval today.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24834591/red-sox-trying-tof-mega-free-agent-doube-play-panda-and-hanley

Well the lineup will be scary as shit, but the defense will blow and neither of these guys can pitch.

eepstein0 {l Wrote}:

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:

Endless Mike {l Wrote}:Sox are expected to lock up Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval today.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24834591/red-sox-trying-tof-mega-free-agent-doube-play-panda-and-hanley

Well the lineup will be scary as shit, but the defense will blow and neither of these guys can pitch.

Sandoval is a very good fielder. Ramirez is brutal