2012 Off-Season Baseball Thread

[Doc Holliday]

I have to agree with Merlot......Papelbon was far from being perfect & the kind of money thrown at him by Philly is ridiculous!

The Red Sox could try to sign Heath Bell, but he's no Papelbon.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

The Red Sox could try to sign Heath Bell, but he's no Papelbon.

I'm not so sure, Doc. Papelbon was very dicey in high leverage situations. The fact is that closer is the most overrated position in baseball. 1/3 of the time the closer comes in he's asked to pitch 1 inning to protect a 3 run lead. You don't need much of a pitcher to do that. 1/3 of the time he comes in, he's asked to pitch 1 inning to protect a 2 run lead. Again, you don't need a stud to do that. 1/3 of the time, he's asked to come in and pitch one inning to protect a one run lead. Most MLB pitchers can do that, as well, most of the time. You average MLB closer probably pitches 15-20 high leverage innings per season. For that, they're giving Papelbon $12,000,000 per year for the next 4 years?

 

[Doc Holliday]

I'm not so sure, Doc. Papelbon was very dicey in high leverage situations. The fact is that closer is the most overrated position in baseball. 1/3 of the time the closer comes in he's asked to pitch 1 inning to protect a 3 run lead. You don't need much of a pitcher to do that. 1/3 of the time he comes in, he's asked to pitch 1 inning to protect a 2 run lead. Again, you don't need a stud to do that. 1/3 of the time, he's asked to come in and pitch one inning to protect a one run lead. Most MLB pitchers can do that, as well, most of the time. You average MLB closer probably pitches 15-20 high leverage innings per season. For that, they're giving Papelbon $12,000,000 per year for the next 4 years?

I don't doubt what you're saying & you'd know more about Papelbon than i do. However, Heath Bell has never impressed me. Papelbon has, but of course, he'd tend to get on my nerves whenever he pitches, and i can just imagine it's a lot worse if you look at it from a Red Sox fan's perspective.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

I don't doubt what you're saying & you'd know more about Papelbon than i do. However, Heath Bell has never impressed me. Papelbon has, but of course, he'd tend to get on my nerves whenever he pitches, and i can just imagine it's a lot worse if you look at it from a Red Sox fan's perspective.

Bell probably isn't a great option, but Madson is probably every bit as good a pitcher as Papelbon and will come quite a bit cheaper. Re-upping David Ortiz is MUCH more important than re-signing Papelbon. Until his September slump, Daniel Bard was one of the two or three best short men in the AL. I have every confidence that he can do the job should they choose to give it to him.

The Sox are loaded with talent, the best 1-2-3 starting staff, by far, this side of Philadelphia. The did win 90 games last year despite only getting 110 starts from the rotation that started the season. That's pretty amazing.

The only problem I see is how much money they have to spend this winter, given $26.5 M tied up in two starting pitchers who won't see action in 2012. It does appear that Alfredo Aceves will be their 4th starter. Their only needs right now are: Ortiz, a fifth starter, some bullpen and right field. Frankly, I'd much rather see them sign Carlos Beltran than spend the money on Papelbon.

 

[lgna69xxx]

There is that ONLY word again. How about on top of needing ALL THAT, you add in, a quality manager, and having to overcome the black eye that is cast over the entire orginization right now? ,,,, If the red sox can compete for at least third place next season, it will be considered a successful campaign.If you really wanna rely on a shaky danny bard for an entire 162 game schedule, be my guest. One of the best 1-2-3 starters by far? Cmon rumps,you said that last season also, they will never stay healthy and intact for a full season, and do not strike fear like you seem to think they do, and Ortiz will hopefully see the light as did Papelbon and move on from the soap opera. Beltran? I would not be surprised to see him with the Giants opening day, he is perfect for them and they are a top run club, why would he go to beantown when he can have big money to stay in SF and play for a contender?

The truth of the matter is, the Rays are gonna be better as are the Jays, as are the Yankees... like i said, 3rd place for the red sox will be something to shoot for in 2012.

Now boys, these are my opinions, lets keep it nice in here and respect each others opinons and not piss off mod 8. Debate nicely :thumb:

Long offseason boys and girls, but it has been a great one so far.

Bell probably isn't a great option, but Madson is probably every bit as good a pitcher as Papelbon and will come quite a bit cheaper. Re-upping David Ortiz is MUCH more important than re-signing Papelbon. Until his September slump, Daniel Bard was one of the two or three best short men in the AL. I have every confidence that he can do the job should they choose to give it to him.

The Sox are loaded with talent, the best 1-2-3 starting staff, by far, this side of Philadelphia. The did win 90 games last year despite only getting 110 starts from the rotation that started the season. That's pretty amazing.

The only problem I see is how much money they have to spend this winter, given $26.5 M tied up in two starting pitchers who won't see action in 2012. It does appear that Alfredo Aceves will be their 4th starter. Their only needs right now are: Ortiz, a fifth starter, some bullpen and right field.

 

[Joe.t]

There is that ONLY word again. How about on top of needing ALL THAT, you add in, a quality manager, and having to overcome the black eye that is cast over the entire orginization right now? ,,,, If the red sox can compete for at least third place next season, it will be considered a successful campaign.If you really wanna rely on a shaky danny bard for an entire 162 game schedule, be my guest. One of the best 1-2-3 starters by far? Cmon rumps,you said that last season also, they will never stay healthy and intact for a full season, and do not strike fear like you seem to think they do, and Ortiz will hopefully see the light as did Papelbon and move on from the soap opera. Beltran? I would not be surprised to see him with the Giants opening day, he is perfect for them and they are a top run club, why would he go to beantown when he can have big money to stay in SF and play for a contender?

The truth of the matter is, the Rays are gonna be better as are the Jays, as are the Yankees... like i said, 3rd place for the red sox will be something to shoot for in 2012.

Now boys, these are my opinions, lets keep it nice in here and respect each others opinons and not piss off mod 8. Debate nicely :thumb:

Long offseason boys and girls, but it has been a great one so far.

Yup, I'd say some Sox fans have already written the 2012 season off, especially when they are excited about the possibility of Bard as their closer and the prospect of signing a old Ortiz who might have one good season left in him, I'd be careful about the contract I would be giving him if I were the Red Sox(Mo Vaughn), if I were a Sox fan I'd be shooting for 3rd place as a realistic possibility.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Yup, I'd say some Sox fans have already written the 2012 season off, especially when they are excited about the possibility of Bard as their closer and the prospect of signing a old Ortiz who might have one good season left in him, I'd be careful about the contract I would be giving him if I were the Red Sox(Mo Vaughn), if I were a Sox fan I'd be shooting for 3rd place as a realistic possibility.

Thanks for helping the Sox to the AL East title in 2012, Joe. Your predictions are as good as money in the bank. You are one funny dude, Joe.T. Have you given thought to a career in stand up?

BTW, how come that link in your signature doesn't go here? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbRRs9_66I0

 

[Merlot]

Hey BOYZ,

Have you given thought to a career in stand up?

WHAT??? You mean his time on Merb wasn't an intentional stand-up routine????? :faint: :noidea:

Papelbon will be missed

http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2011/11/12/papelbon-will-missed/rF5T6aTEtWMEx07EPDHqVP/story.html

I don’t know about you, but I’m going to miss the Big Galoot.

I’ll miss “I’m Shipping Up To Boston,’’ and the fist bump with the burly cop when Jonathan Papelbon would bound out of the Red Sox bullpen. I’ll miss the bulging eyeballs, staring in for the sign under the bill of his cap. I’ll miss the 95-mile-per-hour heater on the black. Most of all, I’ll miss the accountability.

Papelbon signed with the Philadelphia Phillies yesterday for approximately $50 million over four years.

Papelbon was a rare breed in the Red Sox clubhouse, especially in 2011. He was a stand-up guy. He took the criticism head-on. He never complained and he didn’t make excuses. He didn’t say the losses were God’s will, and he didn’t say the manager wasn’t tough enough on the players. He didn’t argue against scoring decisions, and he didn’t shut down with borderline injuries. As far as I know, he didn’t have much of a taste for Popeyes.

He was the goods. He was a lights-out closer who could stand the heat of Boston’s baseball summers. He thrived on the pressure and the Sox are unlikely to find another fireballing free spirit who can deal with the rigors of this marketplace.

Maybe the Sox (still looking for a manager, by the way) will land a capable, bombastic replacement in San Diego’s Heath Bell. Or maybe skittish Daniel Bard will surprise everybody and do the job the way Papelbon did the job. But I doubt it.

In this nuclear winter of discontent, the Sox may come to regret letting Papelbon walk to Broad Street. Committing multiple years to a hard-throwing pitcher is always risky, but this is a good gamble by the Phillies.

The Phils already have one of the top three payrolls in the game. They have great starters in Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels. They fill their beautiful ballpark and make the playoffs every season. They always look like they are just a closer away from winning the World Series again. That’s what happened the year that Brad Lidge was unhittable.

Papelbon was a dominant closer for most of his seven seasons with the Red Sox. He made four All-Star teams and compiled 219 saves. He pitched 26 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings in the postseason before the Angels finally cracked him in Game 3 of the 2009 American League Division Series.

When he hurt his shoulder and the Sox put him on a rehab plan, he did his work and came back better than ever. When they asked him to be a starter, he agreed.

But he was always a ninth-inning guy at heart. And as good as Josh Beckett was when the Sox won in 2007, Papelbon was better. Papelbon pitched 10 2/3 scoreless innings over seven appearances in the ’07 championship run. He was the one on the mound when it ended so gloriously at Coors Field in Denver.

A natural in front of the cameras, Papelbon was Cinco Ocho. He was the guy who put the cardboard 12-pack box on his head when the Sox clinched the pennant at home against the Indians in ’07. He was the guy who wore the kilt when he rode the duck boat.

Along with Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Clay Buchholz, he was one of the poster boys of the Theo Epstein administration. Theo and the minions took great pride in the stars they drafted and developed. None was better than Papelbon.

We always thought of him as a flight risk. He never took the hometown discount. He went year to year, toward his free agency. The Sox seemed happy with the arrangement, getting their 35 saves per season, knowing his shoulder could come unhinged at any moment. They were content to get as much out of him as they could while he was here, and they accomplished that goal.

The thinking changed a little bit during Papelbon’s final season. Bard suddenly did not look like closer material. Papelbon continued to throw in the mid-90s, maybe not quite as hard as in the early days but hard enough. His ERA ballooned a little bit in the final days, but he was still better than just about anyone out there (Mariano Rivera will always be the best).

Now he is Papel-gone and it will always be shocking to think about how it ended. On Tuesday night, Sept. 27, Papelbon threw 28 pitches to save the next to last game of the season in Baltimore. He was back on the Camden Yards mound the next night, inheriting a 3-2 lead in the ninth, and striking out the first two batters he faced.

Then came the implosion. Baltimore’s No. 8 hitter, Chris Davis, doubled. No. 9 hitter Nolan Reimold doubled. Sox killer Robert Andino hit a sinking liner to left - a ball that should have been caught by Carl Crawford. But the ball was not caught and the Sox lost. Three minutes later, Evan Longoria homered at Tropicana Field and the Sox were bounced from the playoffs.

In the losers’ clubhouse, Papelbon stood tall, faced the bright lights, and said, “For me to say ‘fatigue’ would be an excuse, and I’m not looking for excuses.’’

It was his last moment with the Red Sox.

The unraveling hasn’t stopped since that fateful night.

Tito. Theo. Now Jonathan Papelbon.

Be careful before you say “good riddance,’’ people. You’re going to miss this guy.

Shaughnessy is right in that Papelbon will be missed. I don't think any Sox fan wanted to see him go, and in a year where there are few decent options his signing with the Phillies has to be a net loss despite his infamous crunch time failures in the last years. His sometimes fierce and sometimes kooky personality will also be missed.

But Shaughnessy is being absurd to connect this outcome to the "unraveling". Papelbon has been gunning for a big contract for years and famously pouted for a large raise more than once, including January just before last season. If the Sox had a staff with bonafide All-Stars at every position and a string of World Series victories he'd still be chasing money...not taking hometown discounts for any kind of idyllic situation.

His leaving creates relief stability issues, but he sure isn't worth the kind of contract terms even the great Mariano Rivera never got. And I don't buy this idea that being in the National League will be easier on him and make him more durable. To win it all he has to face the top teams with hitters who can deal with him eventually through the playoffs. If he stays with his predictable pitching patterns and doesn't regain movement on his pitches he's likely to have a generally impressive regular season with the same crunch time results. "ONLY" at a higher pay rate.

Cheers,

Merlot

 

[Doc Holliday]

from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun....

"The Blue Jays are having a pretty good off-season and they haven’t really done a thing. The Red Sox have lost their manager, their general manager, their closer Jonathan Papelbon and will lose Big Papi, David Ortiz. On a team that was messed up internally last year, losing glue guys like Papelbon and Ortiz benefits the Jays ..."

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Theo Epstein: Drinking not widespread

Associated Press
RANDOLPH, Vt. -- New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman thinks baseball needs more instant replay, new Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein says nobody could party like the 2004 Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington wishes he had never traded Jason Bay.

Those were some of the soul-baring thoughts the three men shared with a few hundred people during a candid 90-minute discussion held Saturday night at Vermont Technical College in Randolph. But the juicy question-and-answer session took a backseat to the event itself.

The gathering was part of a fundraising effort to benefit Vermont farms damaged by flooding from Tropical Storm Irene. The event was organized by ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney, who grew up in the area.

The discussion was followed by an online auction of baseball memorabilia donated by players and teams. The funds raised will go to the Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund, set up by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and The Vermont Community Foundation. The organization already had raised $1.8 million for flood-damaged Vermont farms before Saturday's event.

Much of the spotlight fell on Epstein, the former Red Sox general manager who bolted Boston last month to become president of the Cubs. The Massachusetts native spoke openly about the difficulty of leaving Boston after leading the Red Sox to two World Series titles in his nine years as its GM.

"It's a part of me, it will always be part of me. I'm not going to try and fake it," Epstein said. "I think we're all allowed one (American League) team to pull for."

Epstein talked about his former team's historic September collapse, in which it went from having the best record in the AL to missing the playoffs altogether.

Want to get the scoop on everything in pinstripes? ESPNNewYork.com has you covered. Blog
"How do you describe a death spiral?" he said. "We knew we had issues going into September (even though) we were on pace for 100 wins. We just couldn't stop bleeding. A lot of things happened at the same time. We lost a few key guys to injury, a few guys had a significant downturn in their performance, and all of a sudden we looked up and we didn't have enough pitching."

Epstein also addressed reports of Red Sox starting pitchers drinking beer, eating fried chicken and playing video games in the clubhouse during the team's disastrous September.

"There weren't players getting drunk during games. And it wasn't widespread -- it might have been one, two, three guys," Epstein said.

He acknowledged that some of the Red Sox players "didn't respond to adversity well," but said reports of the team's clubhouse debauchery were exaggerated.

"If you compare the 2011 team to the (World Series champion) 2004 team, they were a bunch of choir boys. The difference is we won the last game in '04."

 

[Special K]

Anybody have any idea who the AL Rookie of the Year today? According to all the Yankee lovers here Nova was a shoe-in, so did he win??? I'm going to check now, brb.

OMG, how did this injustice happen??? Jeremy Hellickson wins ROY!!! As Suzy Waldman would would say..."Goodness Gracious!" Surely it must have been a close race between JH and SuperNOVA, right? So who came in second in voting? Let me check, brb. This is just absurd...Who's Mark Trumbo??? Ok, if SuperNOVA wasn't 1st or 2nd, he must have finished in 3rd place, right??? BRB...There's going to be hell to pay in Yankeeland now, how the hell could they have overlooked NOVA for even 3rd place in the ROY voting? Every Yankee loving fan on Merb had him walking away with the trophy! Well, let me extend a heart Congrats to Ivan Nova for finishing 4th, yes 4th place in the AL Rookie of the Year voting with a resounding 1 first place vote!

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111114&content_id=25967116&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

 

[lgna69xxx]

Why are some "fans"so fixated on anything not in first, 2nd, or third place? (next year, FOUTH!) oh yea, now i get it! :lol: :cheer2: Bwhahahaahahahaahahaha....... Nova was great for a rookie, and had he not got sent to the Minors for 5 starts, he most likely would of won Rook of the Yr. Either way, he has a bright future ahead of him in the Pinstripes. Yanks have a lot of good young talent and ***DEPTH***

Anybody have any idea who the AL Rookie of the Year today? According to all the Yankee lovers here Nova was a shoe-in, so did he win??? I'm going to check now, brb.

OMG, how did this injustice happen??? Jeremy Hellickson wins ROY!!! As Suzy Waldman would would say..."Goodness Gracious!" Surely it must have been a close race between JH and SuperNOVA, right? So who came in second in voting? Let me check, brb. This is just absurd...Who's Mark Trumbo??? Ok, if SuperNOVA wasn't 1st or 2nd, he must have finished in 3rd place, right??? BRB...There's going to be hell to pay in Yankeeland now, how the hell could they have overlooked NOVA for even 3rd place in the ROY voting? Every Yankee loving fan on Merb had him walking away with the trophy! Well, let me extend a heart Congrats to Ivan Nova for finishing 4th, yes 4th place in the AL Rookie of the Year voting with a resounding 1 first place vote!

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111114&content_id=25967116&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

 

[lgna69xxx]

Exactly what i have been saying Chercher, although if the Jays go after a starter and land him, they could push the Rays for 2nd place in the AL EAST, and Brandon Phillips would be SICK on the Jays! ....

Interesting notes about the Blue Jays from the Toronto Sun via MLB Trade Rumors.

After two years of rebuilding under AA and finishing in the AL East's second tier along with the Red Sox both seasons, the Jays are pretty close to seriously competing for a playoff spot and have one of the best farm systems in the league along with plenty of room to spend on free agents when the time is right.

It seems to me that the Jays could push aside the Red Sox for third in 2012 and challenge for the division in 2013.

The Jays need an everyday second baseman, which leads Elliot to speculate on Brandon Phillips.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

It seems to me that the Jays could push aside the Red Sox for third in 2012 and challenge for the division in 2013.

We're taking notes here, CCF. Are you sure you want to be aligning yourself with Curly, Larry, and Moe?

 

[lgna69xxx]

Sure can't be any worse than the "4 redsoxketeers" predicitons, now can they? "n'yuk, n'yuk, n'yuk, wiseguy eh" :lol:

Didn't John Papelbon look very comfortable at his presser yesterday? The Philies signing of Papelbon will come back to haunt the red sox and will also get the Phillies to the World Series once or twice. In case anyone missed it.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QSR_g2yLhE

We're taking notes here, CCF. Are you sure you want to be aligning yourself with Curly, Larry, and Moe?

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

The team just lost it's closer and won't re-sign its starting right fielder JD Drew. They will either lose their DH or sign him for too many years.

You're a funny guy, CCF. Channelling Joe. T now, are you? Losing JD Drew is going to hurt them, how? Two years is too much for Papi?

In addition the Red Sox only have two dependable starting pitchers, Lester and Beckett. While Buchholz is obviously talented, the team can't really count on a pitcher who has only thrown more than 100 innings once (in 2010) even though he is already 27 years old.

Which gives them one more than the Yankees, if what you say is true. Two more, however, in the real world.

Even if Crawford recovers somewhat after this year's face-plant, I don't see him being all that valuable as a left fielder going forward.

Of course, you don't. Neither does Joe.T. Your ability to look back goes exactly one year. You'd probably have released Jacoby Ellsbury last winter.

 

[Merlot]

Nova was great for a rookie, and had he not got sent to the Minors for 5 starts...

Excuses!!! Don't you always say not to live in the past ...except when it's convenient for YOU. Point: if he had been ROY caliber at the time he wouldn't have been sent to the minors at all.

Anybody have any idea who the AL Rookie of the Year today? According to all the Yankee lovers here Nova was a shoe-in, so did he win??? I'm going to check now, brb.

OMG, how did this injustice happen??? Jeremy Hellickson wins ROY!!! As Suzy Waldman would would say..."Goodness Gracious!" Surely it must have been a close race between JH and SuperNOVA, right? So who came in second in voting? Let me check, brb. This is just absurd...Who's Mark Trumbo??? Ok, if SuperNOVA wasn't 1st or 2nd, he must have finished in 3rd place, right??? BRB...There's going to be hell to pay in Yankeeland now, how the hell could they have overlooked NOVA for even 3rd place in the ROY voting? Every Yankee loving fan on Merb had him walking away with the trophy! Well, let me extend a heart Congrats to Ivan Nova for finishing 4th, yes 4th place in the AL Rookie of the Year voting with a resounding 1 first place vote!

Well K, don't forget how these constantly self-entitled fans guaranteed it would be Nova or Robertson. Where did Robertson end up???

...I think their best option would be to begin rebuilding now before they add a host of bad contracts to the payroll via free agency or salary dump trades.

Speaking of bad contracts, so how are the remaining 6 years and $150 million owed to Rodriguez working out. :eyebrows: :thumb: But since he is deteriorating steadily the Yankees should save some on incentive money.

Sveum gets followup interview on Wednesday
Red Sox expected to meet with one other finalist for vacancy

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111114&content_id=25966370&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

MILWAUKEE -- Dale Sveum was the second candidate to speak with the Red Sox about their managerial vacancy, but he will be the first to get a second interview.

Boston general manager Ben Cherington confirmed Monday night that Sveum will have his followup meeting with the club Wednesday at the General Managers Meetings in Milwaukee.

Sveum will meet not only with Cherington, but also with members of the team's ownership group, which could include principal owner John Henry, president/CEO Larry Lucchino and chairman Tom Werner.

"I think I felt a real comfort with him on a personal level," Cherington said. "We like his experience, a broad base of experience from playing and the type of player he was, the type of players and managers he was around as a player. He's been in Boston as a coach. [He's] had success in Boston as a coach. [He's] had success in Milwaukee as a coach. [He] has managed a little bit. [He] has managed in the Minor Leagues.

"As I mentioned last week, the next phase is getting ownership a little bit more involved. [We] wanted them to have a chance to get to know him better."

Cherington indicated that one more candidate will probably get a second interview, and that he would probably be the other finalist for the job along with Sveum. That could happen during these meetings in Milwaukee, or back in Boston later this week.

"We may have another one this week, but we're still working on it," Cherington said.

continued...


Chicago Cubs Manager Search: Dale Sveum Interviewing With Cubs For 2nd Time

http://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago...bs-manager-search-dale-sveum-second-interview

by Steven Muma

Read More: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs must have liked what they heard from Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum, because they've invited the managerial candidate back for a second interview according to a report in the Sun-Times. Sveum was scheduled to meet with Cubs team officials on Tuesday and is also set to meet with Red Sox officials for the second time on Wednesday.

Sources say Boston appears closer to being ready to make an offer to Sveum than the Cubs.

Texas pitching coach Mike Maddux is also considered a Cubs front-runner.

It sounds like there is a pretty good chance that Sveum is managing in either Chicago or Boston next season. In addition to Sveum and Maddux, the Cubs have also interviewed Pete Mackanin, Sandy Alomar Jr. and DeMarlo Hale.

Cheers,

Merlot

 

[Joe.t]

Well K, don't forget how these constantly self-entitled fans guaranteed it would be Nova or Robertson. Where did Robertson end up???
Merlot

As usual you are clueless, Robertson is not a rookie and if he was this award would have been his in a slam dunk, now go back to bed.

 

[Merlot]

As usual you are clueless, Robertson is not a rookie and if he was this award would have been his in a slam dunk, now go back to bed.

LOL,

Oh that's right. You are promoting him for Cy Young ...MVP ...President ...Pope ... the Queen of New York ...A-Rod's towel boy. :lol: Oooops, sorry. Don't worry, your job is safe. :thumb:

Red Sox' Long-Term Outfield Plans Could Be Affected by Matt Kemp's Deal With Dodgers

http://www.nesn.com/2011/11/red-sox...affected-by-matt-kemps-deal-with-dodgers.html

Matt Kemp may be the only person who doesn't despise Frank McCourt now that the (finally) outgoing owner of the Dodgers has reportedly finalized terms on a massive contract for the All-Star center fielder.

The reported eight-year, $160 million contract seals the 2011 MVP candidate in Chavez Ravine for the better part of the next decade, as the deal is said to include a no-trade clause. The deal may also affect the Red Sox' long-term plans for their outfield, specifically Jacoby Ellsbury.

Baseball moves are dominoes. Even when a National League club on the other side of the country re-signs its own player, it results in the falling of a domino that has an impact throughout baseball. Last offseason it was Adrian Gonzalez's deal with the Red Sox influencing the market this offseason for Albert Pujols; two years ago, the Phillies' acquisition of Roy Halladay forced the Red Sox to pursue different options in their rotation.

Now the Kemp signing is the latest, seemingly independent domino that could impact the way a number of teams construct their outfields for the upcoming season.

Kemp, who becomes the seventh-highest paid player in Major League Baseball history, was due to be a free agent at the close of the 2012 season. Although it was too early for the Red Sox -- or any other team -- to be rumored in connection with Kemp, it's safe to say that with another campaign of something approaching the 39 home runs and 126 runs batted in that he posted this year, Kemp would have been the top prize for every big-market club next winter.

And, let's be honest, nearly every big-name free agent's name eventually gets brought up here.

The timing of Kemp's free agency would have been interesting for the Red Sox, who have Carl Crawford locked up for another six years and Ellsbury coming off a career season. Ellsbury is eligible for free agency in 2013, and while he blossomed into an MVP candidate in 2011 in his own right, he's a different type of player than Kemp, who is a Triple Crown contender.

With Kemp due to become a free agent, it's conceivable the Red Sox might have gone with a stopgap option in right field, where Kemp has played 168 games in his career. Temporary options could include another season of Josh Reddick, an extended audition for Ryan Kalish or a one-year cameo for Michael Cuddyer to leave open the opportunity to pursue Kemp in the offseason.

All those possibilities remain, but now that Kemp is off the table, it certainly changes the way the team has to approach this offseason and its long-term plans for Ellsbury. If nothing else, it means the Red Sox can't stick Kemp in right field for a season and then shift him back to center after letting Ellsbury walk.

Carlos Beltran, who is older and unlikely to demand as much money as Kemp, now has greater leverage with the Red Sox and all other teams who might have planned on sitting this one out and going after Kemp next year. For Ellsbury, it most likely means the Red Sox won't have to face the conundrum of having three outfielders worth more than $150 million each when Ells is up for a new deal.

It remains to be seen how the Red Sox address their situation in right field for 2012, but with Kemp now wed to Los Angeles, at least one scenario is off the table.

Of course, there's always Andre Ethier.

Huh, eight years at $160 million??? Have they been sleeping through the Rodriguez dud.

Cheers,

Merlot

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Huh, eight years at $160 million??? Have they been sleeping through the Rodriguez dud.

Big difference between these deals. First, the Kemp deal is $20 M per year and runs through his prime, ages 27-34.
The Rodriguez deal started near the end of his prime, running his ages 33-42 at $30 M per year.

What is most amazing is that the Rodriguez deal didn't cost the in competent spendthrift Cashdollar his job.