TwitterCarbon Copy Deal
5 Dec 2012
The Red Sox have also sign Shane Victorino to the same deal Mike Napoli received, 3-years, $39mm.
Victorino is a fine player, but not a superstar. I think it is important to look at some crucial things:
1.) The Red Sox probably aren’t going to be very good next year, I’m thinking 85-88 wins if lucky.
2.) They are trying to put a decent product on the field for 2013 with the hopes of “bridging” the gap to 2014 and beyond when players like Jackie Bradley Jr., Bryce Bentz and Zander Bogaerts are ready.
3.) These recent contracts aren’t going to hamstring the Red Sox in terms of future financial flexibility, so if an expensive option comes along, they will still be able to jump at it.
4.) This free agent class just isn’t very good. Yes, Josh Hamilton is a great hitter, but he comes with a boatload of baggage, same with Zach Greinke. Signing Napoli and Victorino might not be considered exciting, but they can play baseball and will probably make this team better than it was in 2012.
All I can hope is that Ben Cherington is laying the foundation for something much better than what we have on the 25-man roster today. My guess is that the Red Sox are still 1-2 years away from beeing a compelling team.
Dec 05, 2012 @ 14:44:05
Andy – you questioned my assessment that both Napoli and Victorino are slightly above average from yesterday’s post.
Just as a player has every right to demand/negotiate off of a banner/career year if the timing hits them when they go to free agency, players should also be positioned for a negative hit if they suck going into a free agency period. Doesn’t really work that way, agents are paid to suggest “off year” and “will rebound” for their clients.
If, not a reach mind you, the Sox get anything resembling .227 24hr in 400+ plate appearances out of Napoli and .255 out of Victorino then bridge or not, gotta ask why?
Kalish and other minimum wage earners could suffice.
If there is upside to their stats/impact, great, but why in a bridge year is it necessary to strive for 85-88 wins?
Frustrated in Atlanta
Dec 05, 2012 @ 18:28:15
BL
It seems to me that this move was made because the Red Sox want to make sure they keep selling tickets. Sure these moves won’t win the division, but they should prevent Boston from losing 90 games and not being able to sell those pricey seats.
Andy
I just want to know when we got to the point that “fine” players make $13 million a year?
Dec 05, 2012 @ 20:23:19
beginning in 1996, about the same time the explosion of steroid use was commonplace
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/salaries/avgsalaries