MLB 05-06 Hot Stove Thread

[Jigga]

What the heck is going on with the Red Sox?

They've already lost Millar and Mueller to free agency

Ramirez and Wells have demanded trades

They trade Edgar Renteria for Marte, who is blocked by Mike Lowell

They lose out on Johnny Damon to the Yankees

They lose out on a trade for Troy Glaus who's now a Blue Jay

And now they lose out on Kevin Millwood to the Rangers

They did get Loretta, Beckett & Mota, should all do well next year, but whatever happened to them being the next superpower up there right next to the Yankees? Both the Yankees and the Blue Jays have hurdled them in momentum, and if I were a Red Sox fan, I'd be worried.

Crazy things happen when you don't have a real GM...look at the Orioles for the last 3-4 years...

[See Red]

What the heck is going on with the Red Sox?

They did get Loretta, Beckett & Mota, should all do well next year, but whatever happened to them being the next superpower up there right next to the Yankees? Both the Yankees and the Blue Jays have hurdled them in momentum, and if I were a Red Sox fan, I'd be worried.

Why?

They've already lost Millar and Mueller to free agency

Good riddance to Millar... he's awful. Bill Mueller was a great player for us, but we've replaced him with a gold glove third baseman, who's capable of having a monster season in Fenway.

Ramirez and Wells have demanded trades

Ramirez demands a trade every year. And unfortunately, he doesn't understand that nobody's willing to take on that contract of his. As for Wells, I think he, Matt Clement, and Bronson Arroyo would've been the subject of trade talks even had he not demanded a trade.

They trade Edgar Renteria for Marte, who is blocked by Mike Lowell

Marte is one of the top prospects in the league. This was a bad move? Renteria seemed like the type that couldn't take the pressure of playing in Boston -- that's what people said about him before he ever even suited up for Boston. I'd rather have Graffanino at short, personally... should be much better defensively.

They lose out on Johnny Damon to the Yankees

Another good move by the Red Sox not going too far out of their way to resign him. He wanted too many years for too much money. He'll be no more than a shell of the MVP caliber player he was in Boston by the 2nd or 3rd year of this deal. After all, he's never put up $13 mill. worth of numbers outside of Fenway.

They lose out on a trade for Troy Glaus who's now a Blue Jay

Doesn't this contradict what you said earlier? He's a 3B, which means the Sox would have an even bigger log jam at 3B. A high strikout, low average guy doesn't fit the Sox, anyway. It's more important that the team fills it's needs elsewhere. Thank god they didn't get Glaus.

And now they lose out on Kevin Millwood to the Rangers

This was, really, the only blow. Even without this, the Red Sox have still managed to improve their pitching.

The Red Sox managed to improve their Defense and Pitching while still retaining a lineup that will be among the leagues highest scoring. Considering the huge discrepancy between the value of defense, pitching, and hitting, the Red Sox have done pretty good. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays have sacrificed pitching and defense to improve their lineup, which is still only the third best in the AL East. I wouldn't say the Blue Jays have hurdled the Red Sox in skill.

[Braden]

Wait a sec... you're saying that the Red Sox are BETTER than they were last season?

You have got to be kidding me!

[Brass]

I'm glad that the Sox didn't sign Millwood because then they would of have to dealt with Boras.

[See Red]

How much worse is our line up? We lost guys that have really only produced as members of the Red Sox.

If Loretta plays like he did before last year (You guys have the same question mark with Overbay), that's an upgrade at 3B all-around, even though Mueller was great for us, offensively and defensively.

We've upgraded at second base, offensively and defensively with Loretta over Bellhorn/Cora/Tony G. If Youkilis plays first base, that's an upgrade over Millar, once again, offensively and defensively (anyone is an improvement over Millar defensively). Tony G., if he plays SS will be an upgrade defensively. And if we get Coco Crisp, who'm I'd like for CF, I don't think that's a very big downgrade from Johnny Damon (look at the numbers).

Our defense has improved, I don't see how our offense has gotten any worse, certainly not to the extent people seem to think, and we've improved our pitching. Schilling will be healthy, we acquired Josh Beckett, Foulke will be healthy.

[pcgd]

How much worse is our line up? We lost guys that have really only produced as members of the Red Sox.

If Loretta plays like he did before last year (You guys have the same question mark with Overbay), that's an upgrade at 3B all-around, even though Mueller was great for us, offensively and defensively.

We've upgraded at second base, offensively and defensively with Loretta over Bellhorn/Cora/Tony G. If Youkilis plays first base, that's an upgrade over Millar, once again, offensively and defensively (anyone is an improvement over Millar defensively). Tony G., if he plays SS will be an upgrade defensively. And if we get Coco Crisp, who'm I'd like for CF, I don't think that's a very big downgrade from Johnny Damon (look at the numbers).

Our defense has improved, I don't see how our offense has gotten any worse, certainly not to the extent people seem to think, and we've improved our pitching. Schilling will be healthy, we acquired Josh Beckett, Foulke will be healthy.

Sweet, I'm not the only person not swayed by big name players.

The Red Sox will be fine. Anyteam would kill to have Papi, Beckett, Shilling, Varitek, Manny (or replacement which would be just as good) etc. returning.

Its like the Cardinals neysayers. No huge moves, but come on. Rolen, Pujols, Carp, Mulder, Edmonds, Izzy, Eckstein and Molina are back. Oh NO, an average player at the outfield and second base positions!!! If you want a team of all-stars root for the yankees.

[Audiodrama]

In more Red Sox news, they're apparently extremely close to signing JT Snow. Snow would platoon with Youkilis at first-base and most likely be the '06 version of Doug Mientkiewicz.

[FiddySicks]

In more Red Sox news, they're apparently extremely close to signing JT Snow. Snow would platoon with Youkilis at first-base and most likely be the '06 version of Doug Mientkiewicz.

Im so pissed San Fran didnt resign him. Hes a HUGE clubhouse leader and if i were a Sox fan id be extremely pleased with this move.

[Audiodrama]

The Baltimore Sun is reporting that the Red Sox have offered Manny Ramirez and Matt Clement for Miguel Tejada. The two clubs are reportedly seriously talking about this one.

I personally think it makes sense for both sides. The Orioles are not realistically going to get a better offer for Tejada (the best Right-Handed Hitter in the AL plus a 15-game winner), and they fill holes they've lacked production from. The Red Sox would instantly improve their defense by getting Manny off the field, and they'd add gold-glove caliber defense at, arguably, the field's most demanding position while maintaining a strong offense with Tejada's bat.

[gashouser27]

Its like the Cardinals neysayers. No huge moves, but come on. Rolen, Pujols, Carp, Mulder, Edmonds, Izzy, Eckstein and Molina are back. Oh NO, an average player at the outfield and second base positions!!! If you want a team of all-stars root for the yankees.

i don't think i was a naysayer..but a little worried..i think overall walt did ok again...maybe similar to last year..

no big names but the free agent market was not that great and kind of over priced..

we didn't give up wainwright , marquis or reyes or any of the other young pitchers

if ponson can't turn it around in st.louis he should quit..the team and fans will give him a fair chance..the bullpen might be better with rincon and looper replacing taveras and king..

i think encarncion will be solid in right and is as good or better than other free agents that were out there...spivey could be good if he's healthy..if not luna is still there..

j-rod or taguchi or bigbie will be okay

i don't know about a back up for pujols and i would like a better back up catcher but hey..small details..

the little moves add up....if if if..rolen is back to form..spivey is okay..ponson turns it around..reyes is for real..

last year everything wenrt bad and they won 100 games

i have faith in walt and tony!!

[CC97]

Meanwhile, the Blue Jays have sacrificed pitching and defense to improve their lineup

Blue Jays add...

- A.J. Burnett

- B.J. Ryan

- Troy Glaus

- Lyle Overbay

- John MacDonald

Blue Jays lose...

- Orlando Hudson

- Miguel Batista

- Frank Menechino

I definately wouldn't say we lost anything on the pitching side... on defense we lost the best defensive second baseman in the american league, but his replacement isn't garbage on defense, plus john macdonald is consistantly one of the top defensive utilty players in all of baseball from year to year.

Wouldn't the Red Sox losing players who performed well only as Red Sox be a problem? You're still losing players who performed well while with your team.

And you still lost Damon, the fact that he wanted too much money doesn't suddenly mean you didn't lose him.

The Blue Jays were 11-7 vs the Red Sox last season... I can't see the Sox doing any better against us in 2006.

[See Red]

No, the fact that the Red Sox have lost players that have only been successful on their team says more that they're products of Fenway park, and that we can plug other players in and expect similar success. For instance, outside of Fenway park, Coco Crisp has been better than Johnny Damon. If the Sox were to trade for him, most people would see that as a downgrade in CF... why?

Don't be swayed by the fact that the Red Sox haven't brought in as many huge named guys... the offense should be as good as the past, and the defense and pitching has improved by a TON.

[KevinMcD]

I am still confident miggy (my favorite player) will still want to play for the O's

He said his statement was misinterpreted. He dosent want a trade.

Other News:

The O's are very close to singing OF Jeremy Burnitz. I like this move. we need

a power hitter and a solid OF. I wish the o's could get a younger outfielder (Damon) but this works for me.

Also I hope Angelos sells the team to someone who knows how to run a team.

[CC97]

No, the fact that the Red Sox have lost players that have only been successful on their team says more that they're products of Fenway park, and that we can plug other players in and expect similar success. For instance, outside of Fenway park, Coco Crisp has been better than Johnny Damon. If the Sox were to trade for him, most people would see that as a downgrade in CF... why?

Don't be swayed by the fact that the Red Sox haven't brought in as many huge named guys... the offense should be as good as the past, and the defense and pitching has improved by a TON.

I now understand your fenway point... I do, however, disagree that your team has improved.

Merely my opinion.

[Audiodrama]

Latest Trade Rumor from GothamBaseball.com:

Mets get: Manny Ramirez

O's get: Julio Lugo, Kris Benson, Brian Bannister, Victor Diaz

Red Sox get: Miguel Tejada

Devil Rays get: Aaron Heilman, Kaz Matsui

http://www.gothambaseball.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1924

[Jigga]

Based on the above post:

Mets get: a headcase...

O's get: completely screwed...

Red Sox get: at least one prayer answered...

Devil Rays get: another man's (or team's) trash...

[Brass]

The Mets have signed former Red Sox reliever Chad Bradford.

[Brass]

O's sign Jeremy Burnitz

[amare32]

Eric Byrnes joins the Diamondbacks.

[FiddySicks]

Eric Byrnes joins the Diamondbacks.

Oh God D*mmit. I hate having to hate one of my favorite players. Do you know what this means? I have to like an Arizona Diamondback..... OHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! THE HUMANITY!!!!!!!