Moving On
Over the coming days, weeks and months, I will be discussing the various trade talks, free agent signings and rumors to hit the wire. The Hot Stove hasn't quick warmed up yet, but because the Red Sox got swept out of the playoffs, I am forced to contend with a Tepid Stove.
The 2009 Red Sox were a deeply flawed team, they couldn't hit on the road and they couldn't hit good pitchers. Their defense wasn't good and age starting taking a grip on the roster.With the current list of guaranteed contracts, the only spots in the line-up right now are in left field and shortstop. The rotation is set if you believe Tim Wakefield will come back healthy and the bullpen is, for the most part, full as well.
I imagine Theo Epstein will be very active this off-season and I would be stunned if he doesn't pull off a mega-trade for a potent offensive component.
There is much work to be done and, fortunately, much time to get it done.
Comments
Not to be a wet blanket (well, maybe a little bit) but the issue that Theo is going to have is budget. The Sox keep selling out every home game, true - but Fenway doesn't have the ability to make the serious money that it takes to spend serious money. And I think that raising prices for tix, in this economic environment, is not an answer either.
Theo is a smart guy so it will be fascintating to see how it plays out ...
Any bets on Jason Bay being the Yankees LFer in 2010?
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 13, 2009 08:06 PM
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Expect the Redsox to be contenders for the next few years... for the wildcard ofcourse.
Posted by: Faiaz | October 13, 2009 09:15 PM |
Bay will absolutely be your starting LF, write it down.
The Sox can afford to spend, they have plenty of funds.
According to Cot's baseball contracts site (great site) the Sox opening day payroll:
2004: $127m
2005: $123m
2006: $120m
2007: $143m
2008: $133m
2009: $122m
obviously acquisitions during the year, bringing guys up from the minors all impact these numbers, but while they spend somewhere in the top 5 in MLB they have some room to play with too.
If Bay is truly gone and Varitek is a wash or close with Martinez, they are around $94m committed assuming similar numbers through arbitration for Paplebon, Okajima and Saito.
Andy- I agree, a big move will be made, even if the Sox have to eat some salary in dealing Lowell or Drew or Ortiz or someone.
Posted by: blmeanie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 13, 2009 09:57 PM
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I don't want Bay. Don't want him one bit.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 13, 2009 10:02 PM
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BL - what I see in those numbers is an owner trying to cut back on payroll.
Say what you want about John Henry (I know I do and not much of it is flattering) but the guy needs to make some money from this club. In this economy, that's hard to do unless you pare expenses waaaaaaaay back. I think Bay and others are going to find their skills in demand someplace else where a bigger park and a better media network deliver more dollars.
The Sox time has passed. I predict that next year they finish their season even earlier.
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 15, 2009 09:25 AM
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nice bit of arrogance Mitchell, but whatever.
Starting pitching is and will be equal to the Yankees assuming Smoltz/Penny don't come back for an encore. Bullpen despite the meltdown last week is very strong.
45-50 wins from in-division (15 each from Baltimore/Toronto, 8-10 each from NYY and Tampa), should not be hard to get 45 wins again from balance of schedule (.500 rate).
This year, this team WAY underperformed and won 95. To say "time has passed" is very interesting.
Posted by: blmeanie | October 15, 2009 12:03 PM |
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Posted by: Ted Rowland | October 18, 2009 07:20 PM |