AlSoxfan

QUOTE (flavum @ Nov 17, 2014 -> 01:18 PM) Not that it's going to happen, because it's not...but if the Sox announced that they signed matching 4 yr/36 mil contracts for David Robertson and Andrew Miller, what would your reaction be? I'd smile a lot and think we were headed in the right direction. And give Hahn a big ata boy

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Nov 17, 2014 -> 12:46 PM) Well this stinks. My thoughts as well..I had hopes of us cutting a deal with the Braves for Heyward. Maybe next yr.

Lambo looks pretty good, wonder what he'd cost us

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 14, 2014 -> 08:53 AM) Exactly. We have him under control for the next two years for less than the market price of Michael Cuddyer. We have no reason to have to deal Alexei. Either you get an offer that blows you away, or you bring him back in 2015 and then again in 2016. Agreed

Good Question.

Really like this guy, He'll cost but I think he'll be worth the price. Hope we sign him

QUOTE (daggins @ Nov 7, 2014 -> 07:06 PM) Dunno if this has been pointed out, but the A's need a SS. I could see an Alexei for Shark trade working out, with some other parts moving in the deal. Probably an A's prospect to Chicago. I'd like to see the Sox get Shark but not for Lexi

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Nov 7, 2014 -> 06:35 PM) The more I think about it, the more I want this kid on the Sox. He fills the lefty bat void that would fit nicely behind or in front of Abreu. Plus, he brings tremendous defense in right field. That mean's 2/3s of the OF would be solidified by a gold glover and a gold glove nominee. I then would sign him to a 6 year 90 million dollar contract. Thoughts? I would love to see the Sox get this guy more than anyone thats been brought up. He's everything we're looking for.

Our defense is already bad enough. It would have to be a pretty big haul before I'd trade him.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 5, 2014 -> 09:00 PM) You've got 150 pitches or so caught per game by each catcher, you count up the number of strikes and balls per pitcher and compare it to the average. You can also measure how balls on the corner according to Pitch F/X are called. In that case it doesn't look so good for Flowers, we seemed to walk quite a few batters this past season. Or maybe our pitchers just can't get it over the plate. In any case I'm also interested in how catchers are rated other than caught stealing% I read something this past yr. on Lucroy an how he gets more strike calls than any other catcher. The thought was in part due to how low he sits behind the plate, giving the ump a better view...not sure how that would work but...I would think the relationship between the Ump an catcher might have a little to do with it also, just guessing though. Our pitchers seem to like throwing to Flowers though and that says alot. But yea, looks like the the Astro's got a nice deal in Conger

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Nov 5, 2014 -> 09:46 PM) I want them to get Heyward. Hawkins, one of Danish/Montas and whatever else is needed. Deal also happens with a 72-hour negotiating window to work an extension I would love to see us get Heyward. That would be a great pickup for this team.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Nov 5, 2014 -> 08:59 AM) If the Sox are going to compete, they must have one really potent, middle of the order, left handed bat. Hitting RH pitching is always of greater value than hitting lefties, simply because there are so many more of them. In the American League, and particularly in the Central Division, the Sox will arguably have most of the best lefties in Sale, Quintana and an emerging Rodon. It makes little sense to have a lineup full of right handed hitters, with most of the good southpaws in the League, on your staff. Whether or not you agree is less important than the fact that R. Hahn has openly stated this need for a potent left handed bat. There is simply no better option available to fill that need than Victor Martinez. The arguments have already been eloquently made for signing him, including the payroll flexibility and draft protection that makes his acquisition feasible. One of the arguments against signing him has been the need to fill other holes, and the inability of the Sox to contend without first doing so. I agree in principle with the position that it only makes sense to acquire V Mart, if the Sox can contend. In fact, Martinez himself has indicated that he only wants to play for a contender. The issue for me is whether or not the front office can fill the other holes this season. Many of you have expressed concerns about needing another outfielder. Filling that hole may not be that difficult. The Sox would not need a big offensive threat at that position. With Abreu and Martinez as the 3 and 4 hitters, Eaton leading off, the on base ability of C. Gillaspie, the solid offensive contributions of A. Garcia and Alexei, they could get by with a good defensive right fielder, with a good arm and decent on base skills. That would enable them to move Garcia to LF, where his raw defensive skills would not be a liability. Remember, Avi does at least possess good speed and a strong arm. It appears that Hahn has had interest in Aoki for that role. I first thought that Shuck might be that kind of guy, but the more I read about him the less convinced I am. Aoki is intriguing because he profiles as a good 2 hole hitter as well. The problem is that he is not very good vs RH pitching. However, someone like him, with reverse splits, would be adequate, and not that expensive, or hard to find. You would think that a team like Seattle, seeking a right handed power bat, might be willing to trade a good defensive right fielder, for Viciedo. I don't think that it matters from which side of the plate that outfielder bats. With Martinez in the middle of the lineup, the need for the left handed hitter would be filled. Someone suggested Saunders, and that would be fine, if Seattle were willing to make that trade. Then there is always the international pool of talent. Again, the Sox do not need a big bat in the outfield. The bullpen is a big concern, but with the additions of Babbit, one good left hander, Montas and Cleto the pen could well become an asset, rather than the liability it was in 2014. After all, while they lost Lindstrom and Jones, the Sox did witness the emergence of Putnam and Petricka as solid set up guys. J. Guerra also looks like he's back, and can be counted upon. Of course, they will have to find a closer, but they do have candidates, including the aforementioned Montas and Cleto. That brings up another issue. The Sox record was much worse than the teams overall effort, due to all of the games which the bullpen blew. How many times did Sale and Quintana give the Sox a great chance to win, only to see the pen implode? Fix the pen, and the won/loss column would look dramatically different. So, in summary: Sign V. Martinez? Find a good defensive R.F. with the ability to get on base and provide a little speed. Sign a #3 RH Starter Sign one good LH reliever That should be within the budget of the front office, and could very well put a contender on the field this coming season. Providing management could accomplish those other goals, I'd vote to try to sign Martinez. For me the question is; Would V Mart consider signing with the Sox, not should they offer him a lucrative contract. So, what would I offer him, if it were my decision (not necessarily my money)? I'd offer him what I speculated it would take to sign him; 4 years and $70 Million. Good post an I agree though I might add another bullpen arm

5 lefty starters ...Oh My., but if we did sign Lester, I think we could trade Quintana for a heck of a haul. just dreaming

QUOTE (Dam8610 @ Nov 2, 2014 -> 03:50 PM) If you sign Sandoval, you're practically committing yourself to trading Gillaspie since Sandoval is a better version of Gillaspie. Headley, Markakis, and Cruz would likely be my top 3 FA targets. Yes I know an I'm a big fan of Gilli's but his defense is lacking a bit. He might bring us a decent trade though...I do like your picks but I worry about Headley an the way it looks now the O's might resign both Markakis and Cruz. I'm not saying Sandoval would be ideal but saying I'd rather spend the money on a player than on a DH an I know it might cost a couple mil. more for Sandoval but we'll get much better defense and a decent possible trade chip, or 1B/DH out of Gilli

If we can fill all our other holes and have enough money left to sign him for no more than 3 yrs...sure, but I think we have more pressing needs than a DH only player. Yes I love his bat but still think we have greater needs

I'd rather see the Sox spend the money on Sandoval or Martin or one of the big 3 pitchers than Martinez. I'm not a big fan of DH only players. Unless the team goes yankeesk an buys up all the top FA's with a 160/70m payroll, I'm out on Martinez. Rasmus might not be a bad pickup for a Yr. or 2 an Gregerson may not be good in our park but we do need bullpen help an he at least stays healthy. Aoki might not be a bad bet either. We really need to look for defensive upgrades an bullpen help. I strongly believe a better defense will make our pitchers better.

Really liked this article. Thanks for posting.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Oct 6, 2014 -> 05:09 AM) Report from MLBTradeRumors.com: Zach Links expects right-hander Justin Masterson to settle for a pillow contract to rebuild his value after a down 2014 and $12MM for that one year could make sense. I personally don't think that he's worth $12N for one year. Yea that's some kinda pillow, but he was hurt most of the year an if he comes back an pitches like he did in 13 it would be a bargain. Not much out there in FA starting pitchers. A one year contract might give Rodon time to adjust. I'd at least kick the tires a time or 2

QUOTE (midway @ Oct 5, 2014 -> 11:03 AM) http://www.inquisitr.com/1519761/boston-re...ors-chris-sale/ If the Sox ever did this I would take the most drastic measure ever and.....become a Cubs fan. Yikes did I really say that, lmao!!! Interesting...I'm sure that's just Boston's wishful thinking. I don't think our FO thinks as little about Flowers as they do, but who knows? I would like to think it would take more than that to trade Sale.