2013 Official Major League Baseball Thread.
- Thread starter Special K
- Start date
I never thought i'd ever say this, but Vernon Wells & Kevin Youkilis are carrying the Yankees right now.
If Cano & a couple of others don't wake up soon, the Yankees will be 10 games out by the end of April.
Hughes pitched decent today, but as usual, he threw way too many pitches and was gone by the 5th inning.
George Steinbrenner must be rolling in his grave as i write this.....awful ballclub!
If Cano & a couple of others don't wake up soon, the Yankees will be 10 games out by the end of April.
Hughes pitched decent today, but as usual, he threw way too many pitches and was gone by the 5th inning.
George Steinbrenner must be rolling in his grave as i write this.....awful ballclub!
From Obnoxious Boston Fans - Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com/sports/blogs/obnoxiousbostonfan/2012/10/dear_john_welcome_back_to_the.html
[h=1]Dear John: Welcome back to the Red Sox[/h]
(Note: A earlier version of this piece appeared in this space on Oct.4. Now that the Red Sox have hired John Farrell, we know how much of it still applies
Dear John:
Congratulations.
You had us at: "Breaking News: Red Sox Hire New Manager."
It's not that the Red Sox have a new sheriff in town, rather it's that they have one at all.
The Duck Boats are ready right now simply because you're not Bobby Valentine.
The big question - regular or extra crispy?
Seriously, managing the Red Sox is a dream job for anyone who doesn't have it. You know this as well as anyone, since you probably dreamed of managing the team many times when you were watching Terry Francona in person.
You already know you will be the most scrutinized boss in New England, especially now that the FBI is no longer "tracking" Whitey Bulger.
Good luck, sir, you're going to need it. We know you won't have all the answers. But at least you'll be asking the questions.
Every Red Sox fan - at least once or twice a game - knows that he or she can do the job better than you. Every move you make will be second-guessed, criticized, analyzed, applauded or jeered, depending on the result. You will almost always be wrong. We will almost always be right.
Very few of us know first-hand the challenges of managing multi-millionaires with guaranteed contracts and the massive talent and ego helped them earn those multi-million dollar deals. You got a taste of that in Toronto, in addition to your time in Boston. You'll need a new shortstop, or hope that Jose Iglesias can sometime figure out how to hit a curevball. The Red Sox team that you greet on Day One in Fort Myers cannot bear any real resemblance to the team that sulked off the field in humiliating defeat at the end of the season in the Bronx.
One of the bright spots about your arrival is that you know all of this - and more.
Many of the core players will or perhaps should be the same - the cheerful Cody Ross, the surgically-repaired Dustin Pedroia, the hopefully re-signed and content David Oritz, the genuine Texas-Could-Be-Tough-Guy Will Middlebrooks, the-ever-consistent Clay Buchholz and the glad-this-season-is-over Jon Lester. This core has as much potential to win the coveted first or second-wildcard as does the Orioles or A's and is strong enough to even reach the ALCS. There is neither enough firepower at the plate nor octane on the mound to win a division nor survive pair of seven-game series and win a World Series.
In 2012 we had "100 Years of Fenway. In 2013, it's "Nowhere To Go But Up."
Pass that one along to the marketing department and then you can remain focused on helping the GM assemble the best possible team for the long-term (i.e. two years from now) success of this franchise. Everybody hates losing. But Bostonians still revel in it. You know how screwed up we can be at times. Permanent pessimism remains the default position for any Red Sox fan over the age of 30, But that's only because we use it to hide the pain. Our children and grandchildren carry the same type of naive eternal optimism found in places like Kansas City, Denver and Phoenix - or worse, the benign apathy of a place like Toronto. Their foundation is one of success, victory and championships. And they can "take it or leave it" when it comes to the Red Sox. The choke of 2011 and capitulation of 2012 are the exceptions to their rule.
In case you didn't hear about what went on in Boston this year, it left Red Sox Nation drained and lifeless across all demographic categories. The team bottomed out with that last 14-2 loss in New York. Things are already looking up - see A-Rod benched/Yankees swept - and now, you're on board.
There were no novels to be written after this season, no prolific odes for the team's poet laureate, no "curses" to put to music on Broadway, but there were plenty of curses yelled each night at the TV and enough "f-bombs" to make Tony Montana or Henry Hillblush.
By virtue of the fact that you have been deemed competent enough to be hired for this job - God willing by Ben Cherington and not Larry Lucchino - you already know and have assessed the potential big-name free agents. There is no Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujolsor Justin Verlander walking through that door in the Green Monster. Although Cliff Lee couldn't hurt if the players and money involved (he's making $25.5 million in 2013) weren't too much to give up in trade.
No matter who ends up wearing the Red Sox uniform and what the starting lineup on April Fools' Day in the Bronx (or perhaps the night before) looks like, there are several things you can do to stand out from your immediate predecessor. You caught a break coming to the Red Sox at this time. Expectations have been neutered. The team is coming off its worst season since 1965. And the horrible performance on the field was magnified several-hundred fold by one stumble and bumble after another.
Moe, Larry and Curley had a clearer chain of command than the Red Sox this past year.
You are fortunate to be replacing Valentine. It would be nearly impossible to do any worse in 2013 than he did in 2012. Valentine didn't lose control of the Red Sox, he never had it, nor ever cared to. His presence was all about Bobby. You know the Red Sox can't do any worse since they kept your Blue Jays out of last place this season. By virtue of that single fact alone you're already an improvement.
This is not about you, it's about them. All of this, we'll presume you know, maybe even better than us. If you can get through your first press conference without being the star of the show, that will be considered progress. Talk about discipline, effort, extra physical preparation, focus, leadership, team over individual and wanting to win above all else - and you might even get your own statue.
Simply doing a better job than your predecessor won't be good enough. Everyone will demand a championship every year - for instance, did anyone in a Red Sox uniform consider 2008 a success because Boston took the ALCS to seven games? But Red Sox fans as a whole are a patient lot and will give you and the organization a chance as long as they are treated like adults and not a bunch of six-year-olds who still believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the second wildcard when the team is 12 games out in August. My parents both lived their entire lives without ever seeing a World Series parade in Boston. Most of their grandchildren, on the other hand, don't remember a time when the Red Sox hadn't won a championship Red Sox fans are a patient and forgiving, if given the chance.
Reasonable Red Sox fans - no that's not an oxymoron - know this team is at least two years away from serious contention. You'll have a three-year guaranteed contract, so act accordingly.
Take charge.
Be the boss.
Lead.
Neither accept nor dispense bull----, especially when dealing with the players.
Do not follow and get everyone else the hell out of your way. Dealing with the media is a part of the job, but they are not your core audience nor do they generate the bajillions of dollars needed to sustain the Monster and all whom work beneath its spell. Be professional and they will/should act accordingly. Don't play them off one and another and don't, under any circumstances, allow yourself to become the story with foolishness and faux threats to punch them in the nose. And you're free to ignore what idiots like me say once you're done reading this post.
Simply put: "Do your job."
As you witnessed first-hand from 2007-10, Bostonians do not want celebrity managers. This isn't New York or Los Angeles. They want managers and coaches who can help turn athletes into celebrities and champions. Bill Belichick says nothing every week and we love it. Any 5th-grader in Malden already knows what Belichick will say after today's game against the Jets - win or lose.
And losers will get a chance, too, if they are seen to be competent and aren't obsessed with their own self-promotion. Doc Rivers came to Boston and endured a 2-22 stretch in his third season. And while a few fools called for his head, his talent, commitment and the fact that the team had bottomed out allowed cooler heads to prevail in the front office and in the stands. While Claude Julien would have gotten the boot if Nathan Horton had notscored in double-overtime of Game 5 or in overtime of Game 7 in April 2011, he was given a long and forgiving leash by the Bruins' base after that four-game collapse against Philly in 2010.
You can relax knowing that at least you'll be allowed to finish a season once you start given the fact that your bosses kept Valentine around until the end of 2012.
Francona came to Boston with an unassuming record, a low-key personality and had been most heralded for managing Michael Jordan in the minors. Francona left town with two World Series rings and the eventual and enduring respect and appreciation of the Red Sox fan base, if not his former and your current employers.
Keep that in mind as you begin this job. You know how much we're all rooting for you, even when you get ripped on talk radio or see the occasional middle finger salute after taking out your starter in the fifth. You have millions of people - of all ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, heights, weights, income levels, political affiliations and religions - wishing you nothing but the best. And we're everywhere - extending far beyond the Bangor-to-Bridgeport Axis. We are serving in Afghanistan, studying in France, working in Chicago, sleeping in Seattle. (This column was written in Florida.)
Just because we all don't want to sing "Sweet Caroline" when the Red Sox are losing 8-1 doesn't mean we don't care. We are united in our genuine passion for the Red Sox and hope that you're able to help bring another championship team back to Fenway Park since you've already done it once.
Even if we still think we know better than you how to do it.
Best of luck.
Welcome back.
Sincerely,
OBF
As always, let us know what you think. Post your thoughts here, on our Obnoxious Boston Fan Facebook page or e-mail me [email protected]. And don't forget to follow us on Twitter @realOBF.
Plus, evidence, the 4 Merb Red Sox fans. I rest my case.
http://www.boston.com/sports/blogs/obnoxiousbostonfan/2012/10/dear_john_welcome_back_to_the.html
[h=1]Dear John: Welcome back to the Red Sox[/h]
(Note: A earlier version of this piece appeared in this space on Oct.4. Now that the Red Sox have hired John Farrell, we know how much of it still applies
Dear John:
Congratulations.
You had us at: "Breaking News: Red Sox Hire New Manager."
It's not that the Red Sox have a new sheriff in town, rather it's that they have one at all.
The Duck Boats are ready right now simply because you're not Bobby Valentine.
The big question - regular or extra crispy?
Seriously, managing the Red Sox is a dream job for anyone who doesn't have it. You know this as well as anyone, since you probably dreamed of managing the team many times when you were watching Terry Francona in person.
You already know you will be the most scrutinized boss in New England, especially now that the FBI is no longer "tracking" Whitey Bulger.
Good luck, sir, you're going to need it. We know you won't have all the answers. But at least you'll be asking the questions.
Every Red Sox fan - at least once or twice a game - knows that he or she can do the job better than you. Every move you make will be second-guessed, criticized, analyzed, applauded or jeered, depending on the result. You will almost always be wrong. We will almost always be right.
Very few of us know first-hand the challenges of managing multi-millionaires with guaranteed contracts and the massive talent and ego helped them earn those multi-million dollar deals. You got a taste of that in Toronto, in addition to your time in Boston. You'll need a new shortstop, or hope that Jose Iglesias can sometime figure out how to hit a curevball. The Red Sox team that you greet on Day One in Fort Myers cannot bear any real resemblance to the team that sulked off the field in humiliating defeat at the end of the season in the Bronx.
One of the bright spots about your arrival is that you know all of this - and more.
Many of the core players will or perhaps should be the same - the cheerful Cody Ross, the surgically-repaired Dustin Pedroia, the hopefully re-signed and content David Oritz, the genuine Texas-Could-Be-Tough-Guy Will Middlebrooks, the-ever-consistent Clay Buchholz and the glad-this-season-is-over Jon Lester. This core has as much potential to win the coveted first or second-wildcard as does the Orioles or A's and is strong enough to even reach the ALCS. There is neither enough firepower at the plate nor octane on the mound to win a division nor survive pair of seven-game series and win a World Series.
In 2012 we had "100 Years of Fenway. In 2013, it's "Nowhere To Go But Up."
Pass that one along to the marketing department and then you can remain focused on helping the GM assemble the best possible team for the long-term (i.e. two years from now) success of this franchise. Everybody hates losing. But Bostonians still revel in it. You know how screwed up we can be at times. Permanent pessimism remains the default position for any Red Sox fan over the age of 30, But that's only because we use it to hide the pain. Our children and grandchildren carry the same type of naive eternal optimism found in places like Kansas City, Denver and Phoenix - or worse, the benign apathy of a place like Toronto. Their foundation is one of success, victory and championships. And they can "take it or leave it" when it comes to the Red Sox. The choke of 2011 and capitulation of 2012 are the exceptions to their rule.
In case you didn't hear about what went on in Boston this year, it left Red Sox Nation drained and lifeless across all demographic categories. The team bottomed out with that last 14-2 loss in New York. Things are already looking up - see A-Rod benched/Yankees swept - and now, you're on board.
There were no novels to be written after this season, no prolific odes for the team's poet laureate, no "curses" to put to music on Broadway, but there were plenty of curses yelled each night at the TV and enough "f-bombs" to make Tony Montana or Henry Hillblush.
By virtue of the fact that you have been deemed competent enough to be hired for this job - God willing by Ben Cherington and not Larry Lucchino - you already know and have assessed the potential big-name free agents. There is no Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujolsor Justin Verlander walking through that door in the Green Monster. Although Cliff Lee couldn't hurt if the players and money involved (he's making $25.5 million in 2013) weren't too much to give up in trade.
No matter who ends up wearing the Red Sox uniform and what the starting lineup on April Fools' Day in the Bronx (or perhaps the night before) looks like, there are several things you can do to stand out from your immediate predecessor. You caught a break coming to the Red Sox at this time. Expectations have been neutered. The team is coming off its worst season since 1965. And the horrible performance on the field was magnified several-hundred fold by one stumble and bumble after another.
Moe, Larry and Curley had a clearer chain of command than the Red Sox this past year.
You are fortunate to be replacing Valentine. It would be nearly impossible to do any worse in 2013 than he did in 2012. Valentine didn't lose control of the Red Sox, he never had it, nor ever cared to. His presence was all about Bobby. You know the Red Sox can't do any worse since they kept your Blue Jays out of last place this season. By virtue of that single fact alone you're already an improvement.
This is not about you, it's about them. All of this, we'll presume you know, maybe even better than us. If you can get through your first press conference without being the star of the show, that will be considered progress. Talk about discipline, effort, extra physical preparation, focus, leadership, team over individual and wanting to win above all else - and you might even get your own statue.
Simply doing a better job than your predecessor won't be good enough. Everyone will demand a championship every year - for instance, did anyone in a Red Sox uniform consider 2008 a success because Boston took the ALCS to seven games? But Red Sox fans as a whole are a patient lot and will give you and the organization a chance as long as they are treated like adults and not a bunch of six-year-olds who still believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the second wildcard when the team is 12 games out in August. My parents both lived their entire lives without ever seeing a World Series parade in Boston. Most of their grandchildren, on the other hand, don't remember a time when the Red Sox hadn't won a championship Red Sox fans are a patient and forgiving, if given the chance.
Reasonable Red Sox fans - no that's not an oxymoron - know this team is at least two years away from serious contention. You'll have a three-year guaranteed contract, so act accordingly.
Take charge.
Be the boss.
Lead.
Neither accept nor dispense bull----, especially when dealing with the players.
Do not follow and get everyone else the hell out of your way. Dealing with the media is a part of the job, but they are not your core audience nor do they generate the bajillions of dollars needed to sustain the Monster and all whom work beneath its spell. Be professional and they will/should act accordingly. Don't play them off one and another and don't, under any circumstances, allow yourself to become the story with foolishness and faux threats to punch them in the nose. And you're free to ignore what idiots like me say once you're done reading this post.
Simply put: "Do your job."
As you witnessed first-hand from 2007-10, Bostonians do not want celebrity managers. This isn't New York or Los Angeles. They want managers and coaches who can help turn athletes into celebrities and champions. Bill Belichick says nothing every week and we love it. Any 5th-grader in Malden already knows what Belichick will say after today's game against the Jets - win or lose.
And losers will get a chance, too, if they are seen to be competent and aren't obsessed with their own self-promotion. Doc Rivers came to Boston and endured a 2-22 stretch in his third season. And while a few fools called for his head, his talent, commitment and the fact that the team had bottomed out allowed cooler heads to prevail in the front office and in the stands. While Claude Julien would have gotten the boot if Nathan Horton had notscored in double-overtime of Game 5 or in overtime of Game 7 in April 2011, he was given a long and forgiving leash by the Bruins' base after that four-game collapse against Philly in 2010.
You can relax knowing that at least you'll be allowed to finish a season once you start given the fact that your bosses kept Valentine around until the end of 2012.
Francona came to Boston with an unassuming record, a low-key personality and had been most heralded for managing Michael Jordan in the minors. Francona left town with two World Series rings and the eventual and enduring respect and appreciation of the Red Sox fan base, if not his former and your current employers.
Keep that in mind as you begin this job. You know how much we're all rooting for you, even when you get ripped on talk radio or see the occasional middle finger salute after taking out your starter in the fifth. You have millions of people - of all ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, heights, weights, income levels, political affiliations and religions - wishing you nothing but the best. And we're everywhere - extending far beyond the Bangor-to-Bridgeport Axis. We are serving in Afghanistan, studying in France, working in Chicago, sleeping in Seattle. (This column was written in Florida.)
Just because we all don't want to sing "Sweet Caroline" when the Red Sox are losing 8-1 doesn't mean we don't care. We are united in our genuine passion for the Red Sox and hope that you're able to help bring another championship team back to Fenway Park since you've already done it once.
Even if we still think we know better than you how to do it.
Best of luck.
Welcome back.
Sincerely,
OBF
As always, let us know what you think. Post your thoughts here, on our Obnoxious Boston Fan Facebook page or e-mail me [email protected]. And don't forget to follow us on Twitter @realOBF.
Plus, evidence, the 4 Merb Red Sox fans. I rest my case.
I never thought i'd ever say this, but Vernon Wells & Kevin Youkilis are carrying the Yankees right now.
If Cano & a couple of others don't wake up soon, the Yankees will be 10 games out by the end of April.
Hughes pitched decent today, but as usual, he threw way too many pitches and was gone by the 5th inning.
George Steinbrenner must be rolling in his grave as i write this.....awful ballclub!
Five games played and you are writing NY's obituary.
While I don't expect NY to make the playoffs, I don't think they will be in last place. Boston will probably have that honor, hopefully. But if they are in last place, it means NY has some rebuilding to do. But again, 1/2 their lineup is on the DL.
Psst. Hey Doc. You wanna let your little friend know that Obnoxious Boston Fan (OBF) is a humour column? (And then you might wanna explain the concept of humour to him.)
Hey BOYZ,
I thought the article was fantastic. No problem. I just hope your only purpose isn't being personal all of the time...and don't complain about principles when you do this.
So which is you favorite team? You said it wasn't the Yankees. Real fans aren't humiliated to say which team they love.
The half playing has done a "great job" so far. :lol: Hughes is already at 6.75. Nova is worse at 7.71. Chamberlain is disgraceful at 21.60. CC couldn't cut it against the team you place last. Count your blessings Pettitte wanted to play at all. The only Yanks with the team last year who are hitting okay are Nunez and Francisco (I-Can-Explain-It-Please-Believe-Me) Cervelli. Thank God the trades and acquirements are producing. Oh how Yankees fans must be enjoying having to cheer for a home grown Boston product like Youkilis, the same guy your buds called a washed-up gay roids cheat. I mean Robinson Cano is hitting like he thinks he's still in the playoffs last year...AWFUL!
Well, no need to repeat what we all know about it being far too early.
Tell me you're kidding, please. You can't watch the Sox or porn from your hot tub??? That's some poor strategic thinking Rumps. DOH!!!
Well, 8 strike outs by Lackey in just 4 innings. Let's hope we get a lot more impressive innings like that out of him this year.
http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/sto...red-sox-elbow-arm-shoulder-tommy-john-surgery
On a positive note, Lackey said he felt improvement in the clubhouse.
"It got better when I got inside, loosened up a felt like a pretty good cramp," Lackey told The Boston Globe. "It was like a hamstring cramp. I would liken it to that I guess."
Before leaving, Lackey had allowed two earned runs and struck out eight in 4 1/3 innings. Both runs scored on a J.P. Arencibia homer in the fourth inning.
After last year I have no faith in Aceves.
Merlot
I thought the article was fantastic. No problem. I just hope your only purpose isn't being personal all of the time...and don't complain about principles when you do this.
So which is you favorite team? You said it wasn't the Yankees. Real fans aren't humiliated to say which team they love.
The half playing has done a "great job" so far. :lol: Hughes is already at 6.75. Nova is worse at 7.71. Chamberlain is disgraceful at 21.60. CC couldn't cut it against the team you place last. Count your blessings Pettitte wanted to play at all. The only Yanks with the team last year who are hitting okay are Nunez and Francisco (I-Can-Explain-It-Please-Believe-Me) Cervelli. Thank God the trades and acquirements are producing. Oh how Yankees fans must be enjoying having to cheer for a home grown Boston product like Youkilis, the same guy your buds called a washed-up gay roids cheat. I mean Robinson Cano is hitting like he thinks he's still in the playoffs last year...AWFUL!
Well, no need to repeat what we all know about it being far too early.
Tell me you're kidding, please. You can't watch the Sox or porn from your hot tub??? That's some poor strategic thinking Rumps. DOH!!!
Well, 8 strike outs by Lackey in just 4 innings. Let's hope we get a lot more impressive innings like that out of him this year.
http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/sto...red-sox-elbow-arm-shoulder-tommy-john-surgery
On a positive note, Lackey said he felt improvement in the clubhouse.
"It got better when I got inside, loosened up a felt like a pretty good cramp," Lackey told The Boston Globe. "It was like a hamstring cramp. I would liken it to that I guess."
Before leaving, Lackey had allowed two earned runs and struck out eight in 4 1/3 innings. Both runs scored on a J.P. Arencibia homer in the fourth inning.
After last year I have no faith in Aceves.
Merlot
Quick quiz: which MLB team has the worst record in all of baseball? (Hint: Tony Lazzeri was their second baseman in 1927.)
Rumps, why is this question so noteworthy to you?
Did you know the Red Sox blew more playoff games and potential championship of any team in the 20th Century?
What does either have to do with 2013?
Because you're so cute when your face turns red. (At least the fat lady in the third row at the Tea Party meetings thinks so.)
I wonder if that's actually true; as we know you and facts have a seriously dysfunctional relationship. And, by the way, this happens to be the 21st century. Do you know which AL team has won more World Championships in the 21st century than any other?
Interesting piece from Joel Sherman in today's New York Post:
Yanks can learn from Red Sox approach to free agency
By JOEL SHERMAN
The Red Sox could move from the Yankees’ main rival to, of all things, their mentors — at least when it comes to roster construction.
In fact, if Boston is successful this year, I wonder if many teams, including the Mets, will attempt to follow its blueprint — namely to aggressively attack the middle-class free-agent market and construct a deep, power-throwing bullpen.
Boston’s highest-profile reaction to its worst season in 52 years was firing Bobby Valentine after one season. But the Red Sox recognized the problems went beyond the manager’s office. The team collapsed to 69 wins last year largely because of depth issues in talent and, perhaps, character as well.
We may look back on the mega-deal last Aug. 25 with the Dodgers as Boston’s Herschel Walker trade. Boston obtained a couple of impressive prospect arms in Rubby De La Rosa and, especially, Allen Webster. But, even more vitally, they received a financial do-over.
By trading Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez and Nick Punto, Boston saved roughly a quarter-of-a-billion dollars in future salaries. The Red Sox reinvested a good chunk of that this past offseason in a variety of ways.
They had requests for players such as Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, but retained them despite contract raises. They re-signed David Ortiz and Craig Breslow. They traded for Joel Hanrahan. And they were the most active team in free agency, inking seven outside free agents for $100 million.
So what were the Red Sox trying to do?
1. Avoid the super long-term deal. They did not want to repeat, say, the seven-year mistake with Carl Crawford. Instead, they were hyper-aggressive with the next-level free agent with their largest guarantee just three years at $39 million for Shane Victorino.
2. Address the depth issue. They wanted to make sure their own second and third tiers of talent were considerably better than last year to cope with the attrition of a season.
3. Address the character question. Part of this was resolved by excising players miserable in Boston such as Beckett and Crawford. But the Red Sox also imported noted good clubhouse presences such as Jonny Gomes, David Ross and Victorino.
4. Deepen the bullpen, especially with power arms. The pen remains the least expensive element on a team. But its relevance — especially in lowering the stress on a rotation — is substantial. So rather than trade pieces such as Alfredo Aceves and Andrew Bailey, the Red Sox kept them and added Hanrahan and Koji Uehara.
There are risks. Ortiz and free agent addition Stephen Drew are brittle and both began the season on the disabled list. Mike Napoli had his contract redone from a three-year $39 million deal to one year at $5 million because of a persistent hip ailment. Victorino appeared in steep decline last year. Ryan Dempster, another free-agent sign, has had career trouble against the AL East.
Still, this is an intriguing experiment Boston, and the rest of the sport is watching.
For the Red Sox’s downfall revolved around becoming top-heavy in mega-contracts for too many declining veterans. The organization had surrendered to the pressures of keeping expensive seats filled and making sure the team-owned network had a star-laden product to sell. Does that sound familiar? YES, it does.
The Red Sox may not have aired their desires quite as publicly as the Yankees, but they also badly want to stay under the luxury-tax threshold. Boston almost certainly will do so by spreading money around on what it sees as above-average quantity rather than a star or two. That also makes future payrolls more manageable.
The Yankees probably cannot make a Herschel Walker trade to avoid their own top-heavy ways. No team is taking Alex Rodriguez. CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira have no-trade clauses and have been adamant about staying Yankees.
The Yankees could trade Robinson Cano to lower payroll and increase their young talent base. But Cano’s high-profile change of agents away from Scott Boras suggests the Yankees are about to add yet another $20 million-plus contract for the long haul.
Thus, if the Yankees actually are to get under the $189 million threshold for next year, they might just have roughly $70 million more to spend on the rest of the roster. Therefore, to stay contenders, they might have to be aggressive on that second tier of free agents.
The Yankees mostly eschewed the strategy this past offseason, as they let secondary pieces they desired such as Russell Martin, Jeff Keppinger, Nate Schierholz and Scott Hairston sign elsewhere. The one player they did sign from that subsection was Kevin Youkilis, who in a roundabout way was available because Will Middlebrooks had taken his job in Boston.
Middlebrooks became a Red Sox lineup fixture last year, and Jackie Bradley Jr. might be on the way to doing so this year. The introduction of youngsters helps lower the costs and raise the energy.
Middlebrooks and Bradley both project to be above-average players. The Yankees are going to need youngsters such as Michael Pineda, Tyler Austin and Slade Heathcott to offer something similar by the beginning of next year or their chances of staying under $189 million and having a contender just about evaporate.
Look, the Yankees have played follow-the-Red Sox already in recent times. Remember that when general manager Brian Cashman received greater authority in 2005, he went heavy on analytics, feeling Boston had a several-year head start in this area and was a better organization because of it.
So maybe the Red Sox will be used as models again. Which is why there is reason for Yankees fans to keep an eye on the Red Sox this season — beyond just The Rivalry.
Yanks can learn from Red Sox approach to free agency
By JOEL SHERMAN
The Red Sox could move from the Yankees’ main rival to, of all things, their mentors — at least when it comes to roster construction.
In fact, if Boston is successful this year, I wonder if many teams, including the Mets, will attempt to follow its blueprint — namely to aggressively attack the middle-class free-agent market and construct a deep, power-throwing bullpen.
Boston’s highest-profile reaction to its worst season in 52 years was firing Bobby Valentine after one season. But the Red Sox recognized the problems went beyond the manager’s office. The team collapsed to 69 wins last year largely because of depth issues in talent and, perhaps, character as well.
We may look back on the mega-deal last Aug. 25 with the Dodgers as Boston’s Herschel Walker trade. Boston obtained a couple of impressive prospect arms in Rubby De La Rosa and, especially, Allen Webster. But, even more vitally, they received a financial do-over.
By trading Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez and Nick Punto, Boston saved roughly a quarter-of-a-billion dollars in future salaries. The Red Sox reinvested a good chunk of that this past offseason in a variety of ways.
They had requests for players such as Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, but retained them despite contract raises. They re-signed David Ortiz and Craig Breslow. They traded for Joel Hanrahan. And they were the most active team in free agency, inking seven outside free agents for $100 million.
So what were the Red Sox trying to do?
1. Avoid the super long-term deal. They did not want to repeat, say, the seven-year mistake with Carl Crawford. Instead, they were hyper-aggressive with the next-level free agent with their largest guarantee just three years at $39 million for Shane Victorino.
2. Address the depth issue. They wanted to make sure their own second and third tiers of talent were considerably better than last year to cope with the attrition of a season.
3. Address the character question. Part of this was resolved by excising players miserable in Boston such as Beckett and Crawford. But the Red Sox also imported noted good clubhouse presences such as Jonny Gomes, David Ross and Victorino.
4. Deepen the bullpen, especially with power arms. The pen remains the least expensive element on a team. But its relevance — especially in lowering the stress on a rotation — is substantial. So rather than trade pieces such as Alfredo Aceves and Andrew Bailey, the Red Sox kept them and added Hanrahan and Koji Uehara.
There are risks. Ortiz and free agent addition Stephen Drew are brittle and both began the season on the disabled list. Mike Napoli had his contract redone from a three-year $39 million deal to one year at $5 million because of a persistent hip ailment. Victorino appeared in steep decline last year. Ryan Dempster, another free-agent sign, has had career trouble against the AL East.
Still, this is an intriguing experiment Boston, and the rest of the sport is watching.
For the Red Sox’s downfall revolved around becoming top-heavy in mega-contracts for too many declining veterans. The organization had surrendered to the pressures of keeping expensive seats filled and making sure the team-owned network had a star-laden product to sell. Does that sound familiar? YES, it does.
The Red Sox may not have aired their desires quite as publicly as the Yankees, but they also badly want to stay under the luxury-tax threshold. Boston almost certainly will do so by spreading money around on what it sees as above-average quantity rather than a star or two. That also makes future payrolls more manageable.
The Yankees probably cannot make a Herschel Walker trade to avoid their own top-heavy ways. No team is taking Alex Rodriguez. CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira have no-trade clauses and have been adamant about staying Yankees.
The Yankees could trade Robinson Cano to lower payroll and increase their young talent base. But Cano’s high-profile change of agents away from Scott Boras suggests the Yankees are about to add yet another $20 million-plus contract for the long haul.
Thus, if the Yankees actually are to get under the $189 million threshold for next year, they might just have roughly $70 million more to spend on the rest of the roster. Therefore, to stay contenders, they might have to be aggressive on that second tier of free agents.
The Yankees mostly eschewed the strategy this past offseason, as they let secondary pieces they desired such as Russell Martin, Jeff Keppinger, Nate Schierholz and Scott Hairston sign elsewhere. The one player they did sign from that subsection was Kevin Youkilis, who in a roundabout way was available because Will Middlebrooks had taken his job in Boston.
Middlebrooks became a Red Sox lineup fixture last year, and Jackie Bradley Jr. might be on the way to doing so this year. The introduction of youngsters helps lower the costs and raise the energy.
Middlebrooks and Bradley both project to be above-average players. The Yankees are going to need youngsters such as Michael Pineda, Tyler Austin and Slade Heathcott to offer something similar by the beginning of next year or their chances of staying under $189 million and having a contender just about evaporate.
Look, the Yankees have played follow-the-Red Sox already in recent times. Remember that when general manager Brian Cashman received greater authority in 2005, he went heavy on analytics, feeling Boston had a several-year head start in this area and was a better organization because of it.
So maybe the Red Sox will be used as models again. Which is why there is reason for Yankees fans to keep an eye on the Red Sox this season — beyond just The Rivalry.
Tough outing for Dickey. The problem with knuckleball pitchers is that when the knuckleball is not working or they can't control it, there is no plan B. Guys like this do not have any other pitches that are of major league quality, so when they lose the grasp of that one pitch, disaster can be expected.
In colder weather it is harder to grip the ball and the ball will some times feel like a cue ball in the cold. You can't throw a knuckleball effectively without a moose grip on the ball. David Cone, who could throw any and every pitch, was mentioning this on YES the other day.
In colder weather it is harder to grip the ball and the ball will some times feel like a cue ball in the cold. You can't throw a knuckleball effectively without a moose grip on the ball. David Cone, who could throw any and every pitch, was mentioning this on YES the other day.
Quite true, Beav. However, when the pitcher is working indoor environs such as the Rogers Center, this is not an issue. In fact, Tim Wakefield always said that his knuckler worked best indoors in the still air.
Man, did R.A. Dickey ever suck today!!
However, the season's still young & he's got a lot of time to make the necessary adjustments.
As Rumples mentionned, the game today was played indoors. Dickey did mention on Prime Time Sports (The FAN 590) a couple of months ago that his knuckler is most effective in an indoor setting.
However, a team needs to hit in order to win games, something the Jays didn't do today. Jon Lester looked great out there, and maybe it's just my eyes, but he appears to be in the best shape i've ever seen him.
It won't get any easier for the Jays who are heading for a series against Detroit starting Tuesday. However, Jose Bautista will likely be back in the lineup. No word on when Brett Lawrie will finally play his first game, but i expect it to be soon.
However, the season's still young & he's got a lot of time to make the necessary adjustments.
As Rumples mentionned, the game today was played indoors. Dickey did mention on Prime Time Sports (The FAN 590) a couple of months ago that his knuckler is most effective in an indoor setting.
However, a team needs to hit in order to win games, something the Jays didn't do today. Jon Lester looked great out there, and maybe it's just my eyes, but he appears to be in the best shape i've ever seen him.
It won't get any easier for the Jays who are heading for a series against Detroit starting Tuesday. However, Jose Bautista will likely be back in the lineup. No word on when Brett Lawrie will finally play his first game, but i expect it to be soon.
The Tigers people are telling the Yankees broadcasters from what was said on YES today that they think they have the best team in the history of the Detroit Tigers franchise, including the 1968 and 1984 World Series champs. However, they do not have a closer and if Octavio Dotel is the best they can find to close games, they are in deep trouble. They should not have let Valverde go, even if he did suck in the playoffs. He is still better than what they will use to close out games now.
Uh, EB......Valverde is still with the Tigers. They re-signed him three days ago.
Tigers re-sign Jose Valverde
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