The 2006 Boston Red Sox Thread

[FaninPatsyLand]

Ok now that we have our starting OF set, who's going to be the 4th outfielder? Adam Stern isn't going to cut it in my opinion. Gabe will likely be back by May but even if he's back we still need another OFer.

My suggestions:
Austin Kearns (possibly trade sending Clement, & Moss/Dinirdo/Alvarez
Richard Hildago (Free Agent)
Xavier Nady (trade Alex Cora/Tony Graffinano)
Jay Payton (hey never say never)

Any other suggestions?

Well, in my opinion, Payton should have never left. I know some people are going to disagree with me on this one, but if Theo didn't burn bridges with him then he might still be in Boston. Now however I don't want Payton back for the simple fact that it would be awkward between him and Tito, the Front Office and the fans. Not to mention, I'm never comfortable dealing with the Athletics, because that usually ends up with us getting fleeced by Billy Beane.

Kearns would be a beautiful addition to this team and it would give us insurance for the inevitable Trot Nixon injury, or the flexibility to give some guys days off. I'd trade Clement for Kearns right now if the opportunity presented itself.

 

[GreenMonster]

Ok now that we have our starting OF set, who's going to be the 4th outfielder? Adam Stern isn't going to cut it in my opinion. Gabe will likely be back by May but even if he's back we still need another OFer.

My suggestions:
Austin Kearns (possibly trade sending Clement, & Moss/Dinirdo/Alvarez
Richard Hildago (Free Agent)
Xavier Nady (trade Alex Cora/Tony Graffinano)
Jay Payton (hey never say never)

Any other suggestions?

I had no clue Hildago was a free agent. I would take a flyer on him in a heart beat. I am not willing to send Clement and anyone for Kearns, we don't need him to sit on the bench that bad, and as bad as Clement was, he would make a handy starter when guys get hurt. I would rather turn Wells into another outfielder and get something for him while we still can.. Believe it or not, Clement has value in other teams eyes.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Well, in my opinion, Payton should have never left. I know some people are going to disagree with me on this one, but if Theo didn't burn bridges with him then he might still be in Boston. Now however I don't want Payton back for the simple fact that it would be awkward between him and Tito, the Front Office and the fans. Not to mention, I'm never comfortable dealing with the Athletics, because that usually ends up with us getting fleeced by Billy Beane.

Kearns would be a beautiful addition to this team and it would give us insurance for the inevitable Trot Nixon injury, or the flexibility to give some guys days off. I'd trade Clement for Kearns right now if the opportunity presented itself.

I agree Kearns would be my #1 choice. Payton would probably be my #2. I think he could be brought back because he'll get more at bats with Boston than Oakland, plus Nixon is going to get hurt its a given. Manny will sit out random games (leading to Manny wants to be traded rumors). Payton will get 300 to 400 at bats.

 

[FaninPatsyLand]

I have a question regarding the lineup, I think that the top of the order is pretty much defined. You are going to lead off with Crisp followed by Loretta, Ortiz and Manny. After that though, the order is not as clearly defined. Do you proceed to bat Lowell behind Manny, even after the horrendous year last year, or do you wait from him to show you something? We saw alot of Varitek in the 5 hole last year, but he goes into prolonged slumps.. what about Nixon? I think we can all pretty much agree that Youkilis is going to be batting 8th and Alex Gonzalez is going to be 9th.

Looking at this lineup from top to bottom, if guys have the years I expect them to have and everyone stays healthy, this is without a doubt a more potent lineup than what we had last year.

 

[GreenMonster]

I have a question regarding the lineup, I think that the top of the order is pretty much defined. You are going to lead off with Crisp followed by Loretta, Ortiz and Manny. After that though, the order is not as clearly defined. Do you proceed to bat Lowell behind Manny, even after the horrendous year last year, or do you wait from him to show you something? We saw alot of Varitek in the 5 hole last year, but he goes into prolonged slumps.. what about Nixon? I think we can all pretty much agree that Youkilis is going to be batting 8th and Alex Gonzalez is going to be 9th.

Looking at this lineup from top to bottom, if guys have the years I expect them to have and everyone stays healthy, this is without a doubt a more potent lineup than what we had last year.

I totally agree, I think to start Varitek will hit 5, Trot 6, Lowell 7th but those 3 will be subject to change nightly. Tito will probably hit Trot 2nd some again, although I hate this and I hope Loretta holds down 2nd.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I have a question regarding the lineup, I think that the top of the order is pretty much defined. You are going to lead off with Crisp followed by Loretta, Ortiz and Manny. After that though, the order is not as clearly defined. Do you proceed to bat Lowell behind Manny, even after the horrendous year last year, or do you wait from him to show you something? We saw alot of Varitek in the 5 hole last year, but he goes into prolonged slumps.. what about Nixon? I think we can all pretty much agree that Youkilis is going to be batting 8th and Alex Gonzalez is going to be 9th.

Looking at this lineup from top to bottom, if guys have the years I expect them to have and everyone stays healthy, this is without a doubt a more potent lineup than what we had last year.

Hmmm good question. IF I were getting paid this would be my line up:

vs. RHP
Coco
Loretta
Ortiz
Manny
Nixon
Varitek
Lowell
Gonzalez
Youkilis

vs. LHP
Coco
Loretta
Ortiz
Manny
Lowell
Varitek
4th OFer
Gonzalez
Youkilis

I like the idea of batting Youk in the 9th hole. He's got a good OBP and if he leads off an inning, between him, Crisp and Loretta- Ortiz and Manny will have some big RBI chances in those innings.

 

[GreenMonster]

Timlin, Tavarez, Riske, Foulke, Seanez, Papelbon and others.. I like the pen much better than last year also. If our starters holdup we could have Arroyo in the pen also who I wouldn't mind seeing there some nights. I hope Foulke can hold down the closer role till Hansen is ready, I want Papelbon to start.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Speaking of pitching here's what my rotation would be:

IF no other pitcher is traded:
Schilling
Wakefield
Beckett
Wells
Clement

IF Wells/Clement is traded:
Schilling
Wakefield
Beckett
Wells/Clement
Papelbon

I like putting Wake in between Schilling and Beckett to mix it up a bit and give the opponents a different look. Also I'd rather have Papelbon in the rotation over Arroyo. I think Arroyo would be better in the pen as a long reliever/getting righties out. Papelbon has more value in the rotation, especially with a stacked pen.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Timlin, Tavarez, Riske, Foulke, Seanez, Papelbon and others.. I like the pen much better than last year also. If our starters holdup we could have Arroyo in the pen also who I wouldn't mind seeing there some nights. I hope Foulke can hold down the closer role till Hansen is ready, I want Papelbon to start.

Good point GM. As writers were killing the Sox for letting Damon walk and having holes in CF and SS they didn't realize the Sox built a pretty good pen (which sucked last year). The Sox have deep pitching and if the pitchers are healthy I think the Sox have one of the best pens if not the best pen in the MLB.

 

[FaninPatsyLand]

although I hate this and I hope Loretta holds down 2nd.

I think Mark Loretta is one of the most underrated players on this current Red Sox team, I fully expect him to have a monster year, and lets be honest, the guy is simply the best offensive 2nd baseman in the AL. He'll be an All-Star because he's an outstanding player. In his last full year 2004 (I'm not counting 2005 because he was injured for a prolonged period) he put up incredible offensive numbers for a 2nd baseman. He finished 2004 with 47 doubles, 16 homeruns, 76 RBI's, .335 AVG, .391 OBP, and .495 SLG%, which totals to a .886 OPS.

If he puts up numbers anywhere close to that, he's going to score 130 runs batting in front of Manny and Ortiz. If Tito moves a guy like that out of the 2 hole, I'll personally drive down to Fenway and hunt down Francona along with the rest of the city of Boston.

 

[FaninPatsyLand]

I like the idea of batting Youk in the 9th hole. He's got a good OBP and if he leads off an inning, between him, Crisp and Loretta- Ortiz and Manny will have some big RBI chances in those innings.

That's a GREAT point, a guy with the ability of Kevin Youkils to get on base should be batting 9th. In essence, that creates another leadoff man. I figured that simply because Gonzalez struggles at the plate, we should minimize his attempts by batting him as far down in the lineup as possible.

Great idea though..

 

[FaninPatsyLand]

Speaking of pitching here's what my rotation would be:

IF no other pitcher is traded:
Schilling
Wakefield
Beckett
Wells
Clement

IF Wells/Clement is traded:
Schilling
Wakefield
Beckett
Wells/Clement
Papelbon

I like putting Wake in between Schilling and Beckett to mix it up a bit and give the opponents a different look. Also I'd rather have Papelbon in the rotation over Arroyo. I think Arroyo would be better in the pen as a long reliever/getting righties out. Papelbon has more value in the rotation, especially with a stacked pen.

While I agree that Arroyo struggled mightly against lefties last year, I still think he's gotta be starting. I'd much rather see Wakefield delegated to the bullpen, mainly because he's got a rubber arm, and the man just eats innings. I really hope that we deal either Wells or Clement, because I want to see Papelbon in the rotation this year.

I like the look of the Bullpen this year, it's deep and we have alot of talent out there, but the successes of this team ride on the knees of Keith Foulke. We need him to be at his best if we're going to make any type of run late in the year. If Foulke goes down, all of a sudden this pen doesn't look nearly as deep or as good as it looks right now.

The key to the success of the 2006 Boston Red Sox rests with Keith Foulke, its that simple. We have enough depth to sustain injuries in all the other areas of this team, but Foulke is the one guy that this team absolutely needs.

 

[Ray Finkle]

While I agree that Arroyo struggled mightly against lefties last year, I still think he's gotta be starting. I'd much rather see Wakefield delegated to the bullpen, mainly because he's got a rubber arm, and the man just eats innings. I really hope that we deal either Wells or Clement, because I want to see Papelbon in the rotation this year.

Ah I don't know about Wake in the pen. You can't bring him in with runners on base for fear of the stole base/wild pitch/past ball. I still think Wakefield has some good games left in that arm of his.

 

[djfresh47]

If the Red Sox pitching staff can stay healthy I think they will be tough to beat. With or without Wells. Last I heard he said he'd stay however his agent came out later in the day that he still wanted out so who knows.

About contending think of it this way the Sox made the playoffs and had over 90 wins without Foulke and Schilling healthy or good the whole year. Yes their pitching was terrible last year but they still made the playoffs. This off season the Sox, IMO, added a lot of pen depth and the Beckett move helped out the rotation big time. Papelbon will be the Sox x-factor this year. Whether he's in the rotation or in the pen I think the kid is going to have a huge year.

P.S. After seeing McCarthy pitch last year I think the kid has a big future too. Last I read he's going to pitch middle relief for the ChiSox unless one of their starters gets hurt.

If McCarthy is in middle relief, i'd be dissapointed in Williams. The kid definately deserves to be a starter, but who do you take out ya know? I think Contreras will be traded, I hate to see that happen because he's filthy, but Chicago probably won't re-sign him. I seen on Sportsline.com, that Contreras for Abreu is being discussed, I think it's garbage, but that trade makes alot of sense for both teams. Brian Anderson needs to get an opportunity, he's been a top prospect for a bit, but if Abreu can come in for a year and Podsednik can move to center, befoer Dye leaves, i'd be all for it. Boston made the playoffs last year with a very average team, IMO, but I think this year Cleveland/Oakland are gonna be improved, and they will be playoff contenders. Beckett is the key to the Sox, they're gonna score runs, but they need a "stopper," and if he can stay healthy I believe he can be that. I'm still living off of last year, but i've said this for like 4 years to friends and that is Mark Buehrle is the most underrated pitcher in baseball. It is amazing how Foulke, and Koch were very good closers on other teams but neither were very consistent with Chicago. Foulke was good with Chicago, but I always heard he wanted to be a starter, just something to throw out there.

 

[GreenMonster]

That's a GREAT point, a guy with the ability of Kevin Youkils to get on base should be batting 9th. In essence, that creates another leadoff man. I figured that simply because Gonzalez struggles at the plate, we should minimize his attempts by batting him as far down in the lineup as possible.

Great idea though..

Even a blind squirrel will find a nut at the bottom of our order. Remember his average has been getting better the last couple of years, and you don't see many great balls in that Marlins batting order.