Red Sox 2012/2013 Offseason Thread

[example1]

Originally Posted by a700hitter

He's a horrible fielder, but he has had seasons where he has had some good LHP splits. Other years, I think he was a complete dud.

Let's hope this doesn't become a Punto like deal. Signing a veteran who has shown some ability in other places who regresses to his usual self when he shows up in Boston. Gomes was interesting like 7 years ago. If he puts up his 2005, 2009 or 2011 seasons it will be a decent signing. Otherwise, wake me up when something exciting happens.

[a700hitter]

Originally Posted by example1

Let's hope this doesn't become a Punto like deal. Signing a veteran who has shown some ability in other places who regresses to his usual self when he shows up in Boston. Gomes was interesting like 7 years ago. If he puts up his 2005, 2009 or 2011 seasons it will be a decent signing. Otherwise, wake me up when something exciting happens.

I don't understand giving Gomes a two year deal when they gave Ross a one year deal. I am just not seeing the reasoning behind that. Has Gomes ever had more than a 1 year contract? Were people lining up to sign this guy?

[rjortiz]

It's an OK deal if they use him strictly against left-handed pitching.

[a700hitter]

Originally Posted by rjortiz

It's an OK deal if they use him strictly against left-handed pitching.

I'm just not getting the 2 year deal part of it.

[BSN07]

Originally Posted by a700hitter

I don't understand giving Gomes a two year deal when they gave Ross a one year deal. I am just not seeing the reasoning behind that. Has Gomes ever had more than a 1 year contract? Were people lining up to sign this guy?

I think that's the market this year. Big AAV's for one year deals, lesser AAV's on 2 year deals.

So does he platoon in LF with Sweeney?

[rjortiz]

Originally Posted by a700hitter

I'm just not getting the 2 year deal part of it.

Neither am I. That leads me to believe they envision him as more of a starter, which would be a disaster if true.

[a700hitter]

Originally Posted by BSN07

I think that's the market this year. Big AAV's for one year deals, lesser AAV's on 2 year deals.

So does he platoon in LF with Sweeney?

Sweeney is horrible. The guy hits a Home Run every 130-140 PAs. He has zero pop and no speed. Gomes should platoon with Kalish.

[a700hitter]

Originally Posted by rjortiz

Neither am I. That leads me to believe they envision him as more of a starter, which would be a disaster if true.

Agreed. He is strictly a platoon type.

[rjortiz]

Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

It would take a near complete wiping of your farm system. Seeing as they dont do discounts for dealing for multiple players, let's see the prices you'd be looking at for each...

Choo would probably be the cheapest because he's got 1 yr left on his deal. But he is also the most explosive offensively. He was a .300/.400/.500 player from 08-10. His 2011 season is pretty much a mulligan and he bounced back well in 2012 with a very high OBP. He's likely to require at least 3 prospects, one of which would be considered a right now kind of guy (Brentz) and 2 more guys with down the line potential (Cecchini and Jacobs).

We probably could get him for Webster alone.

[example1]

Originally Posted by a700hitter

I'm just not getting the 2 year deal part of it.

I think there's two possible options:

1) They really like him for some reason and strongly want him to be around for two seasons

2) They are having trouble getting other OFs to be interested in coming to Boston and this is the best they could do for that 4th OF type position.

I suppose there could be a 3rd option:

3) They know they are going to make a strong run at Josh Hamilton and wanted to get the other OF spot cemented prior to that push so they aren't left hanging.


There was a story on mlb.com that noted that industry insiders believe the Red Sox are going to make a run for Hamilton. I think that would be great, if the contract isn't Crawford-esque and it offers them flexibility to do other things as well.

In terms of comparable contracts, I think his best comps in terms of current performance and age would include players like Ryan Braun (5 years, 105m), Torii Hunter (5 years, 90m w/ Angels), Ichiro Suzuki (5 years, 90m w/ Mariners), and Matt Holliday (7 years, 120m).

Those are the big OF contracts of the past few years and they are players who have roughly the same impact that Hamilton had. Based on those players I think he can rightly ask for a minimum of 5 years. The Sox would have to really blow him out of the water in terms of salary to make the deal shorter, but they could possibly give him the infamous "opt out" clause that the Yankees used with CC and Soriano, which would give him the chance to make more money on the market in a few seasons and keep them from having to get into a huge deal in terms of length.

[example1]

Originally Posted by rjortiz

We probably could get him for Webster alone.

I think you're pretty close here.

If the Sox could land Choo to play RF and sign Hamilton for LF they would have a pretty potent offense (yet again). They would also be very LHH heavy.

[BSN07]

Originally Posted by a700hitter

Sweeney is horrible. The guy hits a Home Run every 130-140 PAs. He has zero pop and no speed. Gomes should platoon with Kalish.

I just mentioned Sweeney cause he's currently on the roster and they will have to do something with him. Kalish could be looking at more of a full time role if they don't bring in anyone else. But given the choice I would agree with you and go Kalish over Sweeney.

[BSN07]

Originally Posted by example1

I think you're pretty close here.

If the Sox could land Choo to play RF and sign Hamilton for LF they would have a pretty potent offense (yet again). They would also be very LHH heavy.

They could move Ellsbury to make room for a RHH OF.

I like Choo but I don't find his one year remaining and the impending slob fest Boras is surely the throw him. I'm ok with Hamilton, but if they are trading Webster, I'd rather it be for a RHH OF.

[SoxSport]

They're getting Gomes, who is supposed to be a clubhouse presence (he prefers champagne to beer)and hits LHP about as well as Ross--for half the money.

[jung]

Hopefully, that is how it is working out...Gomes for much less money. In fact that might be where the two years is coming from. Maybe the Sox are happy with the per year....happy enough to make two years OK regardless of how they end up using him.