My Sox Dream Offseason

[sunshinekids99]

Got to start by saying we need some more chatter on this board, it is dead.

As for the Sox I don't think they have to suck for a few years and wait to get to be good again. This team can get back into the playoffs starting next season. This year the team needs to stay away from FA's, there is just not a lot out there. Need to focus time and effort in trades.

Here is what I've come up with, let me know what you guys think.


Trade:
Mark Melancon and Stormly Pomento to the Cubs for Bryan LaHair

LaHair gives the Sox a first baseman that has a friendly contract, but does need a platoon mate cause he can't hit lefties.

Trade:
Jose Iglesisas, Garin Cecchini, Frankly Morales, and Drake Britton for Justin Upton

Hate giving up Cecchini cause I thnk he's a very good 3b in the making. But for the chance at getting Upton at 25 years old, sign me up.

Trade Allen Webster, Bryce Brentz, Alfredo Aceves, Ivan Dejesus for Cliff Lee
Two nice prospect going to the Phillies, but the Sx need an ace.

Sign Stephen Drew 1 year deal 8 million
Buys one year till the Xanderzone takes over.

Sign Cody Ross/Torri Hunter 2 years 18 Million
First to take gets the contract.

Starters-
Cliff Lee
Jon Lester
Clay Buccholz
John Lackey
Felix Doubront

Relievers
Andrew Bailey
Daniel Bard
Junichi Tazawa
Andrew Miller
Craig Breslow
Rubby De La Rosa
Chris Carpenter

Lineup
Jacoby Ellsbury-CF
Dustin Pedroia-2B
David Ortiz-DH
Justin Upton-RF
Will Middlebrooks-3B
Cody Ross/Torri Hunter- LF
Bryan LaHair-1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia- C
Stephen Drew- SS

Bench
Ryan Lavarnway
Mauro Gomez/Jerry Sands
Pedro Ciriaco
Ryan Sweeney

[Dirty Water]

I didn't know we had a guy named Stormly Pomento. That's an awesome name.

I like some of your moves, particularly the LaHair one. But I don't think this is the offseason to go all-in on trades to get guys like Justin Upton and Cliff Lee. Although if that's all it takes to get Cliff Lee, I think about it. Cliff Lee is a pitcher that will pitch until he is 40. He's just got the mechanics, repetoire. I think he would be great in Boston. I'm not totally sold on Justin Upton. Great player, but his asking price will be high, and I'm not sure the assets you list will be enough to get him.

I really don't understand the David Ross signing. Of all our needs you would think catcher isn't one of them.

[Dirty Water]

Sweeney will probably be non-tendered. Wouldn't be surprised if Daniel Nava makes the Opening Day squad as a 4th outfielder. Still too early to predict anything. No idea what Sox will do, but the Napoli talks are gaining steam which make no sense to me. I understand he would play 1B but it essentially gives you 4 catcher which is ridiculous. Him and Salty had identical years. Salty is pretty decent and about all you can ask out of your catcher, outside of a superstar. I don't know why the Sox feel inadequate there.

[Dirty Water]

whoa @ marlins/blue jays trade

We could be looking at another last place finish for the Sox.

Two players that crossed my mind today who would be low risk/high reward

Shaun Marcum
Jason Bay

Thoughts?

[sunshinekids99]

I'm with you on Upton, I think there is some risk with him. But the chances of getting a 25 year old with those tools and I'll take my chances.

As for David Ross it was a chance to improve the defense behind the plate. Some of the Sox pitchers failures have to fall at the feet of Salty.

For the 4th outfielder right now it's between Sweeney and Nava, and both don't add much. I'd like to see an upgrade there as well.

Huge deal from the Blue Jays and it's really the Marlins being the Marlins. They got their stadium now it's time to move the cash. One of the worst owners in baseball.

Marcum is not an option IMO. His velocity is way down and I think there is some issues there. He'll get killed in the AL East.

As for Bay, I'd be willing to take a flier on him. He's proven he can play here. Plus from what I've read from him it doesn't look like he's lost bat speed or anything. If you can get him for a 1 year prove it type contract, then sure why not.

[sunshinekids99]

My dreams for the offseason have sure changed now that the Marlins have had their firesale. This is the offseason of Stanton for me now.

And away we go.

Trade, Matt Barnes, Jackie Bradley JR, Allen Webster, Felix Doubront, and Jerry Sands for Giancarlo Stanton, Yunel Escobar, Greg Dobbs, and Ricky Nolasco.

I don't want Escobar, Dobbs, or Nolasco, but I'll take on the exta 20 mil to get the 23 year old Stanton. The good part about the contracts is that is only for one year. As for the Marlins, I don't see how they hang on to Stanton for long, he's going to want out. They move the extra salary and get three young promising pitchers, a very promising outfielder, and Sands who could turn into a nice 1b or of.

Trade Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Garin Cecchini, Ivan De Jesus for Jon Neise.

Mets need a catcher, Sox need a starter. Hate to give up Cecchini, but he's blocked in beantown.

Trade Mark Melancon and Stormly Pomento to the cubs for Bryan LaHair.

As I mentioned, Lahair hits righties real well. Mauro Gomez would end up being his platoon mate a solid fix IMO at the 7th spot of the lineup.

Trade Ryan Kalish, Franklyn Morales, Alfredo Acves, Jose Iglesisas for Shin-soo Cho and Chris Perez.

Cho is a good outfielder that does a lot of little things well. He has 20/20 potential and has been a good defender in the past. Perez has written his ticket out of Cleveland, but he is a very good closer.

Rotation

Jon Lester
Clay Buchholz
Jon Neise
John Lackey
Ricky Nolasco

Bullpen
Chris Perez
Andrew Bailey
Junichi Tazawa
Daniel Bard
Andrew Miller
Craig Breslow

Lineup
Jacoby Ellsbury-CF
Dustin Pedroia-2B
David Ortiz-DH
Giancarlo Stanton- LF
Will Middlebrooks-3B
Shin Sho Choo-RF
Bryan LaHair-1B
Ryan Lavarnway-C
Yunel Escobar- SS

Bench
David Ross
Mauro Gomez
Pedro Ciariaco
Greg Dobbs
Ryan Sweeney

[Dirty Water]

meh, I'm not sold on selling the farm AT ALL. I think they need to develop some of these pieces instead of trading them. Wouldn't it make sense to trade Ellsbury instead of Jackie Bradley? Yeah the potential isn't as high for Bradley but who wants to pay Jacoby Carl Crawford-type money with his injury history? I'd take 80% of the skill with about 5% of the salary any day. And I thought the Marlins came out and said Stanton wasn't going anywhere? But they have been known to lie... lol. I also heard Bryan LaHair may be non-tendered and go to Japan. Can't remember where I heard that.

Anyway, with a really improved East I say this is another year where the Sox just need to take their lumps. This team isn't a 69 win team but it certainly isn't a 90 win team either. If the Sox try to do a patch-work job year to year without committing to the rebuilding process, they will end up like the Blue Jays at 81 wins every year. Maybe ship out Lester or Ellsbury if the right deal mid-season came along. Teams are more desperate to acquire big names at the deadline in a playoff hunt than the offseason. Maybe you can do better than Will Myers?

What the Sox should concentrate on is just plugging holes with 2-year maybe 3-year deals. This team isn't going to compete for a couple years. Maybe you can strike gold with good club house guys and the right mix. Cody Ross at 3 years 25 mill you can do A LOT worse. I'm not high on Napoli especially if he wants a 4 deal. My ideal player for 1B would be Laroche, a guy who is a good defensive player with moderate stats for your average 1B. I will take that everyday.

My best case scenario for this year is

C Salty/Ross
1B Laroche
2B Pedroia
SS Iglesias/Ciriaco
3B Middlebrooks
LF Johnny Gomes
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
RF Cody Ross
DH Papi

SPs
Jon Lester
Clay Buchholz
John Lackey
Alfredo Aceves
Felix Doubront

Set up
Bard/ Rich Hill

Closer
Bailey

Worst case it's a mid-70 win team in which case I would shop Lester and Ellsbury midseason and try to get some good prospects in. Best case Lester and Buchholz both bounce back and have ace stuff and a healthy Lackey and maturing Doubront it's a high 80s win team and maybe you can sneak into a second wild card.

[sunshinekids99]

LaHair signed a 2 year deal for 4.5 with a Japanese team, kinda sucks hoping my old neighbor could have played for the Sox.

As for the prospects. I'm all about trading them, if you wait on prospects the Red Sox are going to turn into the Pirates. Obviously I don't want to trade the ones that I feel can be special players, but if I can move some to get an established young player like Stanton you do it. The other prospects I mention giving up are not top of the line prospects to begin with, so I don't mind losing them that much.

As for your offseason.

I'm with you on Napoli, I'm not a huge fan. If they sign him for four years I'll scream. But I sure don't want LaRoche either. Career years at age 34 are something to stay away from. I'm also not giving Cody Ross 3 years. I'll gladly sign him for 2 tho.

One player that I would like to see is Mike Carp from Seattle. Had a bunch of injuries last year and he really stunk. With that said he had a good 2011 and has pop. He's still only 26 and can play LF or 1b. Could be a nice platoon guy to go with Johnny Gomes. Another guy I could see on a one year min contract is Carlos Pena to platoon with Gomes. While Pena can't hit his weight he's a good defensive first baseman who can hit for power.

[Dirty Water]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/11/red-sox-notes-laroche-ross-aceves-upton.html

Looks like the Sox have slowed on Napoli and picked up on Laroche. And apparently are still in on Ross. Ask and I shall receive.

[sunshinekids99]

I've also heard they have had talks with Swisher. He's a nice OBP guy and can play the corner of spots as well as first, but man does he suck when the games matter.

[Celtics_Champs]

Sox make the first splash of the winter meetings, signing Mike Napoli to a 3 year 39 million dollar deal. I've flip flopped on this so much, but came to the realization that I really have no idea what is or what isn't good for this team right now. So I applaud the fact that they landed someone. Hopefully he plays more like 2011 rather than 2012.

[sunshinekids99]

Yeah the 2011 version would be great. He's a good clubhouse guy and he's a power bat. He's overpaid but I'll take it. I just hope he's not a complete butcher at first.

[Dirty Water]

Every player is overpaid when they get to open free agency. You are very rarely going to find bargain bin players.

The Victorino signing really surprised me. I'm not totally against it. Gives them maybe a little leverage in a trade. I guess they really value his defense because Cody Ross initially was asking for 3 years/25MM and he certainly has much more pop. I guess the Sox think they have enough O, and I think they do. While it's an overpay, I like the player. You need a CFer to play RF at Fenway.

CF Ellsbury
RF Victorino
2B Pedroia
DH Ortiz
1B Napoli
3B Middlebrooks
LF Gomes
C Salty/Ross
SS Iglesias

Bench
Gomez
Nava
Kalish
Ciraco


I'm just really interested to see what they decide to do for pitching, which they have not addressed.

[sunshinekids99]

The need a top of the rotation guy. Now I'm not sure if Haren is that anymore, but for 1 year and 13 mil I would have taken a shot on him. Sadly I don't think they'll get a big time pitcher.

I really don't see the Sox doing too much in free agency with the starting pitcher, maybe an outside shot on Edwin Jackson or John Lannan. They are middle to back end of the rotation guys, who could be solid.

Another player I hope they look at is Brian Wilson. He's from the area and was a dominate closer before his injury. I'd glady give him a 1 year prove it contract.

[Geoffrey P]

I don't watch a ton of baseball but I'm all in for Wilson.

[Dirty Water]

Wheeling and dealing.... mostly wheeling.

Ryan Dempster 2year/26MM
Stephen Drew 1 year/9.5MM
Shane Victorino 3 year/39MM
Mike Napoli 3 year/38MM
Johnny Gomes 2 year/10MM


These are really interesting signings. Sure they may whiff here and there. Or they may be surprised by someone. But they are never going to be regretting any of these. Maybe the third year on the Victorino deal will look a bad by 2015, or Stephen Drew may not play 162 games But they improved the best they could while preserving the farm system, which is the #1 priority of the team.

Maybe they might be good? If not? Maybe they can ship Ellsbury or even one of these new guys to a contendor for some valuable prospects. What I like about this is we are allowing ourselves to compete when a smaller market team like the Rays would be clearly rebuilding. With their payroll they would be starting Daniel Nava and Mauro Gomez and hoping for a nice draft pick and maybe sell at the deadline.

[sunshinekids99]

The team is going to have to start dealing pretty soon with the extra relief pitchers that they have. I would love for them to move on from Bailey and Melancon.

[Dirty Water]

Ugh. How bad was that Bailey trade.

[sunshinekids99]

Yeah that one was pretty bad, althought I never thought Reddick could do what he did last year.

[Dirty Water]

Yeah I never thought Reddick would hit 30HRs or whatever he hit.

The holdup on the Napoli deal is interesting. I wonder if they will reduce the deal to a year or 2 because of the hip. Personally, I'd find someone else. But Swisher and Laroche will cost a draft pick. I wonder if they are weighing what their other options are.