Red Sox Offseason Moves [Merged Threads]

soxfan121 · 10-17-2002, 10:52 AM

I couldn't wait anymore. I know, the World Series hasn't even begun and as a baseball fan, I should be enjoying the Fall Classic, regardless of participants (especially this year, with no natural rival to root against). But is there another team with more offseason issues than the Red Sox?

1. The GM search. Lucky Lucchino hopes to have a new GM in place in time for the GM meetings in November. Thus far, Omar Minaya, Pat Gillick, and JP Riccardi have removed themselves from the search. Sandy Alderson has hinted he would not take the job. The OAK owner STILL has not responded to the Sox request to talk with Billy Beane. And as of this AM, the Sox have requested permission to talk with Gene 'Stick' Michael, scout and former GM of the NYY club. Brian Sabean? Ned Colletti? Tim Purpura? Paul DePodesta? Dick Tidrow? Or will it be Mike Port, the current interim GM?

2. The coaching staff. Grady Little retained his job but most of the coaching staff was liquidated. Now rumblings of LOU PINELLA have begun in Beantown. Would Lou take a GM/Manager job with the Red Sox? Seems more than a long shot - Lou would get three road trips home to Tampa each season (that's a plus). He would also inherit a team that is (arguably) really, really close to playoff contention (another plus).

Unless Lou swoops in, Grady seems safe - and he still needs to hire a coaching staff. Charlie Manuel is almost a foregone conclusion as hitting coach, and Davey Lopes has interviewed for bench coach.

3. The roster. Huge holes exist at 1B, 2B and in the bullpen. The rotation is set and is one of the best in baseball - Pedro, Lowe, Wakefield, Fossum, Burkett. The left side of the infield is populated with all-stars (Nomar, Hillenbrand) and the OF has the best hitter in the AL and a premier leadoff-man, CF in Johnny Damon. Jason Varitek is one of the best defensive/game-calling C in the game. There is a solid foundation in place and a few prospects of note (Hanley Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis, Justin Sherrod) plus a handful (a small handful) of good pitching prospects in the low minors.

4. The ballpark. The shrine of the AL, Fenway Park, is undergoing a facelift. A larger rebuilding project is in the works in an attempt to add 10,000 seats. Advertising on the 'Green Monster' has already begun and will continue in the future. And any rebuilding of Fenway will also bring about changes in infrastructure as the city of Boston tries to accomodate more fans in the same small area.

What moves will the Red Sox make? What moves should they make? Who will be the GM? The manager? The new players? Who will be traded? Who should not be traded? And will my seat at Fenway be any more comfortable next season?

poorme · 10-17-2002, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by soxfan121

3. The roster. Huge holes exist at 1B, 2B and in the bullpen.

ay, there's the rub. sign Thome and the Sox are favorites to win the division.

soxfan121 · 10-17-2002, 11:15 AM

While there is no bigger proponent of the 'sign Jim Thome' contingent than me, I just don't think the Red Sox will pay Thome $14/year. They have to decide whether to sign Lowe, Pedro, Nomar, and Varitek to extension in the next 18 months. Signing Thome would signal the end for at least one of those players.

Personally, after much thought, I'd prefer the Sox to make a run at John Olerud for their 1B fix. More on this later in the thread...

pathogan · 10-17-2002, 11:23 AM

...then, get more pitching help[especially the bullpen}.Thome? Enticing, good player, good fit, we'll see if henry/NyTimes Corp. wants to cough up the wood

SmedIndy · 10-17-2002, 11:29 AM

The Sox have always lacked depth recently. A few stars and then a big dropoff. I think they need to be more well-rounded than pay for stars and pray for the rest.

soxfan121 · 10-17-2002, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SmedIndy
The Sox have always lacked depth recently. A few stars and then a big dropoff. I think they need to be more well-rounded than pay for stars and pray for the rest.

So how do they do that? I agree that this is a valid argument (criticism?) of the Red Sox in recent years. What would you do to solve the problem?

SmedIndy · 10-17-2002, 11:50 AM

Better scouting of the minors, better drafting, better minor league instructors - the key is to find players on waivers, six-year free agents, and in the minors who can play roles and play them well.

That way they don't have to force feed a Dante Bichette or Mike Lansing to fill a spot that a cheaper and younger alternative could fill.

It's not easy - and since they have a big checkbook and angry, impatient fans, it wouldn't be easy. But they can make baby steps in that direction.

All they need to do is look at the depth that Minnesota has accumulated.

qtlaw · 10-17-2002, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by soxfan121

3. The roster. Huge holes exist at 1B, 2B and in the bullpen. The rotation is set and is one of the best in baseball - Pedro, Lowe, Wakefield, Fossum, Burkett.

I don't think that Thome is the answer. Olerud might not be a bad fit but I think that a more pressing matter is the bullpen. I also have to disagree that the rotation is set. Down the stretch, besides Pedro and Lowe I did not see much contribution from the others. I did not watch them too closely but Burkett seemed done while Fossum seemed to have some potential but did not last too long.

BurnFactor · 10-17-2002, 04:26 PM

My own personal observation is that second base is our least pressing priority what with Freddy Sanchez about ready to step in. What the Sox need to concentrate on the most first is the bullpen. I am eager to see if the Red Sox will cast an eye on Mike Timlin and possibly Mike Stanton, even though Stanton has not been nice to Sox fans lately...and that's putting it midly. My friend has a couple stories about encounters with Stanton, and they are not good.

Anyways, if we can sign Timlin and Embree, they could share the closing duties and it's possible Frank Castillo would return to the Sox in a relief role in which he seemed to do quite well in it. Brandon Lyon was claimed from the Blue Jays and he might fit in with the Red Sox. Ugueth Urbina is all but a virtual certainy to be gone. The bullpen has about 1-2 holes currently plugged (and that's assuming Embree does get resigned).

After the BP, the next priority should be the GM. After listening/reading to a lot of GM discussion about this topic, I have come to the conclusion that the GM should either be Billy Beane or Mike Port. Beane because...he's Beane! And Port because he is very familiar with this club and has made a couple good moves and had a good draft, in my opinion (even though they did not sign Neighborgall, it's evident they found gems in Jon Lester and Michael Goss. And what's not to rave about with Hanley Ramirez?)

The next priority is second base. I personally believe that the Red Sox only have 03 and 04 before they have to start retooling. And since we know what we're going to get from Daubach, we need to settle 2B. In a dream world it would be Jeff Kent, but that's not going to happen. That would shoot them up over the luxury tax payroll. I think it'll end up being Sanchez...Freddy or Rey.

The coaching staff priority is tied with the 2B priority. Obviously, the staff needs to be filled. I believe that Grady Little needs to go. Ken Macha or Lou Pinella seems like a good replacement. I thought Rick Down should not have been fired, but...ah, well. There's a lot of positions open, it'll be interesting to see who fills them.

First base is the next priority. If you're looking for a boost, get Fred McGriff, Jim Thome or keep Daubach. Someone on another bulletin board suggested Mark Bellhorn for second base and then filling first base. Why not put Bellhorn at first?

The last priority is Fenway Park. We've sat in it since 1918, we can sit in it a coupla more years.

KCBOOMER · 10-17-2002, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by soxfan121
But is there another team with more offseason issues than the Red Sox?

About twenty of them.

hmrsf · 10-17-2002, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KCBOOMER
About twenty of them.

I was thinking more like 23.

Max Power · 10-17-2002, 08:04 PM

If I'm the Sox, I go hard after Glavine this winter - - - Pedro, Lowe and Glavine would be as good as anyone else's three.

hmrsf · 10-17-2002, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Max Power
If I'm the Sox, I go hard after Glavine this winter - - - Pedro, Lowe and Glavine would be as good as anyone else's three.

I would be into trading Pedro for Lopez. Doing that would take care of '04 and '05 contract problems. Deal with Baltimore. Trade Pedro at peak and get younger and cheaper. Also, if we could somehow get Julio too, I would be flying high!!!

VNV Nation · 10-17-2002, 08:12 PM

I think the Red Sox should go afte Roberto Alomar, who is only making about $8 mill a year and would hit well in Fenway. I seriously doubt you'd have to give up much to get him, although they might want to unload some more salary on you.

hmrsf · 10-17-2002, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by VNV Nation
I think the Red Sox should go afte Roberto Alomar, who is only making about $8 mill a year and would hit well in Fenway. I seriously doubt you'd have to give up much to get him, although they might want to unload some more salary on you.

NO!

10-17-2002, 10:52 AM	#1
soxfan121 Renounced Membership 7/9/03 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Live Free Or Die, USA Posts: 1,335	Red Sox Offseason Moves and Musings I couldn't wait anymore. I know, the World Series hasn't even begun and as a baseball fan, I should be enjoying the Fall Classic, regardless of participants (especially this year, with no natural rival to root against). But is there another team with more offseason issues than the Red Sox? 1. The GM search. Lucky Lucchino hopes to have a new GM in place in time for the GM meetings in November. Thus far, Omar Minaya, Pat Gillick, and JP Riccardi have removed themselves from the search. Sandy Alderson has hinted he would not take the job. The OAK owner STILL has not responded to the Sox request to talk with Billy Beane. And as of this AM, the Sox have requested permission to talk with Gene 'Stick' Michael, scout and former GM of the NYY club. Brian Sabean? Ned Colletti? Tim Purpura? Paul DePodesta? Dick Tidrow? Or will it be Mike Port, the current interim GM? 2. The coaching staff. Grady Little retained his job but most of the coaching staff was liquidated. Now rumblings of LOU PINELLA have begun in Beantown. Would Lou take a GM/Manager job with the Red Sox? Seems more than a long shot - Lou would get three road trips home to Tampa each season (that's a plus). He would also inherit a team that is (arguably) really, really close to playoff contention (another plus). Unless Lou swoops in, Grady seems safe - and he still needs to hire a coaching staff. Charlie Manuel is almost a foregone conclusion as hitting coach, and Davey Lopes has interviewed for bench coach. 3. The roster. Huge holes exist at 1B, 2B and in the bullpen. The rotation is set and is one of the best in baseball - Pedro, Lowe, Wakefield, Fossum, Burkett. The left side of the infield is populated with all-stars (Nomar, Hillenbrand) and the OF has the best hitter in the AL and a premier leadoff-man, CF in Johnny Damon. Jason Varitek is one of the best defensive/game-calling C in the game. There is a solid foundation in place and a few prospects of note (Hanley Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis, Justin Sherrod) plus a handful (a small handful) of good pitching prospects in the low minors. 4. The ballpark. The shrine of the AL, Fenway Park, is undergoing a facelift. A larger rebuilding project is in the works in an attempt to add 10,000 seats. Advertising on the 'Green Monster' has already begun and will continue in the future. And any rebuilding of Fenway will also bring about changes in infrastructure as the city of Boston tries to accomodate more fans in the same small area. What moves will the Red Sox make? What moves should they make? Who will be the GM? The manager? The new players? Who will be traded? Who should not be traded? And will my seat at Fenway be any more comfortable next season?

10-17-2002, 11:23 AM	#4
pathogan william Blake's Innkeeper Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 2,828	first, soothe Pedro ...then, get more pitching help[especially the bullpen}.Thome? Enticing, good player, good fit, we'll see if henry/NyTimes Corp. wants to cough up the wood

10-17-2002, 08:04 PM	#12
Max Power NetShrine Creator & Curator Join Date: May 2002 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 5,548	If I'm the Sox, I go hard after Glavine this winter - - - Pedro, Lowe and Glavine would be as good as anyone else's three. __________________ Steve, Forum Administrator "They come and they go, Hobbs. They come and they go." That's why there's NetShrine.com

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10-17-2002, 11:15 AM	#3
soxfan121 Renounced Membership 7/9/03 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Live Free Or Die, USA Posts: 1,335	While there is no bigger proponent of the 'sign Jim Thome' contingent than me, I just don't think the Red Sox will pay Thome $14/year. They have to decide whether to sign Lowe, Pedro, Nomar, and Varitek to extension in the next 18 months. Signing Thome would signal the end for at least one of those players. Personally, after much thought, I'd prefer the Sox to make a run at John Olerud for their 1B fix. More on this later in the thread...

10-17-2002, 11:29 AM	#5
SmedIndy NetShrine's Historian Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Zionsville, IN Posts: 10,569	The Sox have always lacked depth recently. A few stars and then a big dropoff. I think they need to be more well-rounded than pay for stars and pray for the rest.

10-17-2002, 11:50 AM	#7
SmedIndy NetShrine's Historian Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Zionsville, IN Posts: 10,569	Better scouting of the minors, better drafting, better minor league instructors - the key is to find players on waivers, six-year free agents, and in the minors who can play roles and play them well. That way they don't have to force feed a Dante Bichette or Mike Lansing to fill a spot that a cheaper and younger alternative could fill. It's not easy - and since they have a big checkbook and angry, impatient fans, it wouldn't be easy. But they can make baby steps in that direction. All they need to do is look at the depth that Minnesota has accumulated.

10-17-2002, 04:26 PM	#9
BurnFactor NetShrine Hot Prospect Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: South Central MA Posts: 19	My own personal observation is that second base is our least pressing priority what with Freddy Sanchez about ready to step in. What the Sox need to concentrate on the most first is the bullpen. I am eager to see if the Red Sox will cast an eye on Mike Timlin and possibly Mike Stanton, even though Stanton has not been nice to Sox fans lately...and that's putting it midly. My friend has a couple stories about encounters with Stanton, and they are not good. Anyways, if we can sign Timlin and Embree, they could share the closing duties and it's possible Frank Castillo would return to the Sox in a relief role in which he seemed to do quite well in it. Brandon Lyon was claimed from the Blue Jays and he might fit in with the Red Sox. Ugueth Urbina is all but a virtual certainy to be gone. The bullpen has about 1-2 holes currently plugged (and that's assuming Embree does get resigned). After the BP, the next priority should be the GM. After listening/reading to a lot of GM discussion about this topic, I have come to the conclusion that the GM should either be Billy Beane or Mike Port. Beane because...he's Beane! And Port because he is very familiar with this club and has made a couple good moves and had a good draft, in my opinion (even though they did not sign Neighborgall, it's evident they found gems in Jon Lester and Michael Goss. And what's not to rave about with Hanley Ramirez?) The next priority is second base. I personally believe that the Red Sox only have 03 and 04 before they have to start retooling. And since we know what we're going to get from Daubach, we need to settle 2B. In a dream world it would be Jeff Kent, but that's not going to happen. That would shoot them up over the luxury tax payroll. I think it'll end up being Sanchez...Freddy or Rey. The coaching staff priority is tied with the 2B priority. Obviously, the staff needs to be filled. I believe that Grady Little needs to go. Ken Macha or Lou Pinella seems like a good replacement. I thought Rick Down should not have been fired, but...ah, well. There's a lot of positions open, it'll be interesting to see who fills them. First base is the next priority. If you're looking for a boost, get Fred McGriff, Jim Thome or keep Daubach. Someone on another bulletin board suggested Mark Bellhorn for second base and then filling first base. Why not put Bellhorn at first? The last priority is Fenway Park. We've sat in it since 1918, we can sit in it a coupla more years.

10-17-2002, 08:12 PM	#14
VNV Nation Membership Suspended 11/19/02 Join Date: May 2002 Location: VNV Nation Posts: 2,952	I think the Red Sox should go afte Roberto Alomar, who is only making about $8 mill a year and would hit well in Fenway. I seriously doubt you'd have to give up much to get him, although they might want to unload some more salary on you.

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