As things start to take shape over the next couple weeks, I am interested in how you guys want Rick to attack free agency. I dont think I'm out of line saying that the main positions of need are catcher, RHSP, and bullpen. Personally, I would love to see Rick go after Shields or Gallardo to shore up that complimentary RHP spot and then I would absolutely love to see Russell Martin signed on a 2 or 3 year deal. From there, I would love to focus on the bullpen and there is a plethora of nice bullpen arms available: Andrew Miller for lefty specialist, Huston Street for closer, and maybe a guy like Gregerson. Obviously all a pipe dream at this point, but I think those type of moves can make this team a contender next year.

 

C - Martin

1B - Abreu

2B - M. Johnson

SS - Alexei

3B - Conor/Davidson

LF - Viciedo

CF - Eaton

RF - Garcia

DH - Davidson/Conor

 

SP - Sale

SP - Quintana

SP - Shields or Gallardo

SP - Rodon

SP - Danks? Noesi?

 

CL - Street

RP - Petricka

RP - Gregerson

RP - Jones

RP - Webb

RP - Miller

 

That is sexy. Looking forward to see how they attack this deadline.

They're not going to pay Shields $125-140 million. Pipe dream. He would be #2 starter, by the way, and #1 for at least half the teams in the majors. You can probably forget Gallardo because there's a club option which will undoubtedly be exercised by the Brewers.

 

Martin, at his age, he's due for a regression, and a 3 year contract would be a big mistake. If they need to target a veteran catcher and there's no other choice, he should be closer to 28-30 than 33-35.

 

Miller and Street are among the best in the majors for lefty-set up and closer, so it will be interesting to see if these kinds of "patch" moves are made going into 2015 or Hahn waits until 2016 when Rodon's ready to go from Opening Day in the starting rotation.

 

 

They're not going to pay Shields $125-140 million. Pipe dream. He would be #2 starter, by the way, and #1 for at least half the teams in the majors. You can probably forget Gallardo because there's a club option which will undoubtedly be exercised by the Brewers.

 

Martin, at his age, he's due for a regression, and a 3 year contract would be a big mistake. If they need to target a veteran catcher and there's no other choice, he should be closer to 28-30 than 33-35.

 

Miller and Street are among the best in the majors for lefty-set up and closer, so it will be interesting to see if these kinds of "patch" moves are made going into 2015 or Hahn waits until 2016 when Rodon's ready to go from Opening Day in the starting rotation.

 

You really think Shields gets that type of money?

I demand Josh Willingham

 

You really think Shields gets that type of money?

He's showing signs of decline which is why it will be a mistake just like every pitcher mega-deal, but he should fetch that.

 

I demand Josh Willingham

 

Why? Willingham is pretty bad at baseball. If they got him as a platoon DH on a cheap deal, ok, but he is atrocious in the field.

I don't want anyone that costs the Sox a first round draft pick.

Ervin Santana is a good pitcher. He's not as good as James Shields, but it's not by as much as you think. He was coming off a very good season of pitching, was 31 years old, and was offered a qualifying offer. He didn't get signed until March.

 

James Shields is a great pitcher. He's better than Ervin Santana, but not by as much as you think. He could ultimately be coming off a great season or mediocre season, but as it stands right now, his season has been nothing else but slightly disappointing. He will be 33 years old and will be offered a qualifying offer.

 

If he gets $80 million, the team signing him is making a monumental mistake. He's not getting $125 million, let alone $140 million. If he gets $140 million, I will eat a bar of soap.

Why? Willingham is pretty bad at baseball. If they got him as a platoon DH on a cheap deal, ok, but he is atrocious in the field.

I don't see why not. I'm being tongue-in-cheek when I say I demand him, but really I think he would be a nice fit. Cheap. He still hits for power when he's healthy and the OBP is enviable, plus I've heard we might have room for a DH who does those things next season. It'd be nice if he was a lefty but his platoon splits aren't that pronounced. 129 career wRC+ against lefties, 121 right.

 

If Viciedo is on his way out of town, Willingham is no worse in the field. Except unlike Viciedo, he can hit. And it's not like he'd be blocking any of our terrific young outfielders. If you can get him for one year, again, he fits well.

 

 

I don't want anyone that costs the Sox a first round draft pick.

If the Twins give Willingham a QO, I'm guessing he'd take it after what happened to Kendrys Morales, so it wouldn't be our problem then.

Ervin Santana is a good pitcher. He's not as good as James Shields, but it's not by as much as you think. He was coming off a very good season of pitching, was 31 years old, and was offered a qualifying offer. He didn't get signed until March.

 

James Shields is a great pitcher. He's better than Ervin Santana, but not by as much as you think. He could ultimately be coming off a great season or mediocre season, but as it stands right now, his season has been nothing else but slightly disappointing. He will be 33 years old and will be offered a qualifying offer.

 

If he gets $80 million, the team signing him is making a monumental mistake. He's not getting $125 million, let alone $140 million. If he gets $140 million, I will eat a bar of soap.

 

Im expecting much more along the lines of $80 million as well

Ervin Santana is a good pitcher. He's not as good as James Shields, but it's not by as much as you think. He was coming off a very good season of pitching, was 31 years old, and was offered a qualifying offer. He didn't get signed until March.

 

James Shields is a great pitcher. He's better than Ervin Santana, but not by as much as you think. He could ultimately be coming off a great season or mediocre season, but as it stands right now, his season has been nothing else but slightly disappointing. He will be 33 years old and will be offered a qualifying offer.

 

If he gets $80 million, the team signing him is making a monumental mistake. He's not getting $125 million, let alone $140 million. If he gets $140 million, I will eat a bar of soap.

 

Santana also has a history

rep of giving up home runs and a fly ball pitcher. At the cell he would get raked.

Im expecting much more along the lines of $80 million as well

 

I am thinking more along the lines of $40-60 million over 3 years with an option. Teams are wisening up to giving older pitchers long term contracts. $80 wouldn't surprise me, just that it would be a mistake.

 

Santana also has a history

rep of giving up home runs and a fly ball pitcher. At the cell he would get raked.

 

Shields also has a history of giving up home runs. I also wasn't implying the Sox sign either guy. I've always felt quite the opposite, but that's as far as that needs to go.

Sadly there's no really interesting catchers available, however I'd be down to pick up either Hochevar or Beckett and definitely some 'pen help like Andrew Miller, Chris Perez, Dustin McGowan, Jesse Crain, or Heath Bell

If the sox decide to spend some cash and make a run at it next year i wouldnt mind seeing them grab either nelson cruz or victor martinez as our dh. I wouldnt want to give up a first round pick. I think replacing dunns power is very important and i dont want teams to start to pitch around abreu.

Someone else can pay to watch James Shields fall apart.

 

I would LOVE to pay Russell Martin $8m for the next two or three years, though.

Someone else can pay to watch James Shields fall apart.

 

I would LOVE to pay Russell Martin $8m for the next two or three years, though.

 

I'm the one who always suggests overpaying for catchers (hence my 4/$40 for Salty this offseason), but I have no problem giving Martin a lot of money. Say, 2 years, $22 mill - $10 year 1, $10 year 2, $2 mill buyout or $12 mill team year 3.

Why? Willingham is pretty bad at baseball. If they got him as a platoon DH on a cheap deal, ok, but he is atrocious in the field.

I have always liked the use of bad at baseball in a post.

Edited July 10, 201411 yr by Dick Allen

I'm the one who always suggests overpaying for catchers (hence my 4/$40 for Salty this offseason), but I have no problem giving Martin a lot of money. Say, 2 years, $22 mill - $10 year 1, $10 year 2, $2 mill buyout or $12 mill team year 3.

Martin just may be the best catching option out there for the Sox this winter. I would like this move a lot actually. Granite he does not fit into the ideal age group of 22-27 for the next core, he still would have a lot to offer this young starting staff.

 

 

Martin just may be the best catching option out there for the Sox this winter. I would like this move a lot actually. Granite he does not fit into the ideal age group of 22-27 for the next core, he still would have a lot to offer this young starting staff.

I've got to think he'll have a good number of suitors though.

I've got to think he'll have a good number of suitors though.

As mentioned before, you may have to overpay for his services due to the lack of catching talent available. I'm okay with this. Especially with Dunn coming off the books.

I'm the one who always suggests overpaying for catchers (hence my 4/$40 for Salty this offseason), but I have no problem giving Martin a lot of money. Say, 2 years, $22 mill - $10 year 1, $10 year 2, $2 mill buyout or $12 mill team year 3.

 

Yep. I think guys like that are extremely valuable even if they don't hit. I'd take a 90 wRC+ from him and be thrilled. And he clearly wouldn't be blocking anyone.

I am thinking more along the lines of $40-60 million over 3 years with an option. Teams are wisening up to giving older pitchers long term contracts. $80 wouldn't surprise me, just that it would be a mistake.

Wisening???

Wisening???

I believe wite is speaking in queens English.

Wisening???

 

The present participle of the verb wisen.

The present participle of the verb wisen.

You're like the biggest nerd ever.