en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/705452 Comments by B_isback http://firebrandal.com/2013/03/12/babe-ruth-central-trivia-persistent-patience/#IDComment593779807 That 1999 team was still the most recent to win at least 2 games in a row to start off the season. I just put their full winning streak instead. Tue, 12 Mar 2013 22:57:50 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2013/03/12/babe-ruth-central-trivia-persistent-patience/#IDComment593779807 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/17/evaluating-the-2010-team-so-far.html#IDComment47878702 The team posting a Japanese player is the sole beneficiary of the posting fee process. They get all the money. They can take the highest bidder, the lowest bidder, anyone in between, or no bidder at all. Boras had no say in the process. He makes his money, and money for his client, on the contract only. If he had a choice, I imagine he'd rather the winning bid during the posting process be low. That would allow him to sleaze more cash out of the team during the contract negotiations. As you saw, even with a big market team winning the bid, he had very little leverage as it were. Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:13:15 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/17/evaluating-the-2010-team-so-far.html#IDComment47878702 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/15/john-lackey-joins-boston-in-curious-move.html#IDComment47287715 I'd also like to add Ryan Kalish to the list. Don't want to leave him out in considering a trade candidate with value. And before anyone screams that Max Ramirez can't be traded until such and such a date, he can always be a PTBNL Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:20:11 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/15/john-lackey-joins-boston-in-curious-move.html#IDComment47287715 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/15/john-lackey-joins-boston-in-curious-move.html#IDComment47287329 Look at all the possibilities signing Lackey just gave the Sox. With the Cameron signing and probable Lowell deal you could add Ellsbury and Max Ramirez to the following list of trade bait: Buchholtz Bowden Bard Tazawa Lars Anderson Josh Reddick Jed Lowrie Westmorland Casey Kelly The Sox obviously won't trade all of them. As unpopular as it would be to see some of those names go, for the right player, say goodbye. Don't let anybody BS anybody here that the Sox can't afford to carry that payroll for a few year. They can. This team would be set for years while the farm gets restocked. If Mauer does resign, then give Jed a call. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:15:04 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/15/john-lackey-joins-boston-in-curious-move.html#IDComment47287329 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/15/john-lackey-joins-boston-in-curious-move.html#IDComment47287315 Disturban you're speaking my kind of language. I wouldn't make any quick trade for A-gon or anybody until Mauer signs an extension. I don't think Hoyer is in any hurry to trade Gonzalez. If the Twins can't get a deal done, and decide to get what they can for prospects instead, that would be who I'd rather sell the farm for. I'd be far more ecstatic about having Mauer behind the plate with Vmart as his backup/DH/1B. Chapman could replace Buchholtz as an ace-in-waiting prospect. The Sox could move Papi in a deal. Anyway that's my pipe dream. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:14:52 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/15/john-lackey-joins-boston-in-curious-move.html#IDComment47287315 http://firebrandal.com/2009/11/11/heres-a-thought-votto-harang-to-boston.html#IDComment42915378 Hey Timbo. What strong free agent class in 2011? Joe Mauer, Josh Beckett, and Roy Halladay are the only impact players on the list. Seems like most of them are either going to be extended, traded, or have their options picked up before they get to free agency. Just looked at the list and there dosn't seem to be anyone of impact at any position. Meantime the contracts Theo wisely extended last year are a year closer to expiring. Trade chips for the proven talent at areas of need. Gather players needed for now and extend contracts to give yourself time to restock the farm. I love watching the best Boston Red Sox team that can be assembled play at Fenway each year. Seeing promising prospects help the Pawsox at McCoy, or in Salem, or Greenville, or Portland, or Lowell, isn't my passion. Not saying trade the farm for the sake of making a splash. But if there's a chance to make a serious improvement by aquiring a proven impact player now, do it. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:24:07 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/11/11/heres-a-thought-votto-harang-to-boston.html#IDComment42915378 http://firebrandal.com/2009/11/11/reaching-into-the-mailbag/#IDComment42886293 Value at SP - Maybe Pedro still has something left. Wouldn't that be fun and under the radar. Value in BP - I'd like to see Donnelly have another chance here. He pitched well for FLA last year. Lefty mash - Sheffeild. Just names. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:10:14 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/11/11/reaching-into-the-mailbag/#IDComment42886293 http://firebrandal.com/2009/11/11/quick-musings-on-the-latest-sox-rumors/#IDComment42878990 Varitek exercising his option shouldn't prevent obtaining Mauer with Vmart also signed. Trade or cut him. What's $3 million dead money at C compared to the dead money the Sox have had at SS over the years? Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:23:06 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/11/11/quick-musings-on-the-latest-sox-rumors/#IDComment42878990 http://firebrandal.com/2009/11/11/quick-musings-on-the-latest-sox-rumors/#IDComment42877434 Yes to extending Victor. To me, if he isn't catching, he is the best fit for the future DH role if Papi can't cut it. Even if Papi bounces back, this is the last year of his contract. Vmart can obviously catch and play at first in addition. There won't be tough roster decisions during the interleague schedule. If the Twins can't extend Mauer and decide to trade him, the Sox should trade the farm and give him an A-rod type deal. This is the one player in baseball I consider worth it. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:14:02 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/11/11/quick-musings-on-the-latest-sox-rumors/#IDComment42877434 http://firebrandal.com/2009/11/05/red-sox-start-offseason-with-bang-acquire-jeremy-hermida.html#IDComment42238377 I'm looking forward to another interesting hot stove season here at Firebrandal. Winning in 04' and 07' mellowed out my championship cravings last season. But the Yankees celebrating #27 in their new stadium just made me really hungry again. Let's eat! Fri, 6 Nov 2009 16:55:03 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/11/05/red-sox-start-offseason-with-bang-acquire-jeremy-hermida.html#IDComment42238377 http://firebrandal.com/2009/11/05/red-sox-start-offseason-with-bang-acquire-jeremy-hermida.html#IDComment42236445 This move could be used to free up Reddick and/or Kalish as trade bait. Herimida will be better now as a 4th OFer, but Reddick and Kalish have just as much potential at this point, and are cheaper and controllable for a longer period of time. To see him as Bay's replacement for 2010 is thoroughly uninspiring. I doubt that's the plan. Fri, 6 Nov 2009 16:26:39 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/11/05/red-sox-start-offseason-with-bang-acquire-jeremy-hermida.html#IDComment42236445