en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/682643 Comments by UVMike http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/15/john-lackey-joins-boston-in-curious-move.html#IDComment47290331 I would rather have Gonzo than Mauer. Gonzo is a legit power hitter, but this was the first season we've seen it from Mauer, and who knows if he can repeat that consistently. Its not that i dont like Mauer, but i think that we need a frightening bat in the middle more than we need another high average, high OBP player with limited pop. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:52:50 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/15/john-lackey-joins-boston-in-curious-move.html#IDComment47290331 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/15/john-lackey-joins-boston-in-curious-move.html#IDComment47268743 I'm not a stat cruncher, but could someone that is try and figure out the difference in wins if we stand pat with what we have now V replacing Buccholz in the rotation and having Gonzo and Youk at 1st and third? I dont even know if thats possible actually but I see the wins added stat a lot, and I'd be interested to see how it works out. As cool as having our worst SP be a number 2/3 on most teams would be a line up going: Els, Pedey, V-mart, Gonzo, Youk, Ortiz, Drew, Cameron, Scoots sounds pretty freaking amazing. I cant imagine that Lackey would have been signed if we didnt have the framework of a deal for a big bat lined up with Bucc as a huge part of it. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:15:54 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/15/john-lackey-joins-boston-in-curious-move.html#IDComment47268743 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/14/lackey-chapman-to-boston.html#IDComment47160118 An unrelated thought: what is going on with our thumbs in Boston, Lowell's is an issue in a trade, Glen Davis and Marquis Daniels are both out for the Celtics with thumb injuries. I cant decide if the sports gods are giving us a thumbs up or down. Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:40:39 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/14/lackey-chapman-to-boston.html#IDComment47160118 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/14/lackey-chapman-to-boston.html#IDComment47158968 This had to happen during finals didnt it. I have completely stopped work... That seems like a fairly silly swap to me, and this could really end up being problematic for the Angels as Halladay seemed like their big plan if Lackey left. Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:28:45 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/14/lackey-chapman-to-boston.html#IDComment47158968 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/14/lackey-chapman-to-boston.html#IDComment47152246 I dont think they would give up a prospect like Blanks, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Anderson right now. Also, isnt he a 1st baseman? I suppose a shift is possible but from what i've read (literally in the last two minutes so i'm by no means an expert) the man near 300 lbs and not likely to be covering the grass out there. Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:34:10 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/14/lackey-chapman-to-boston.html#IDComment47152246 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/14/lackey-chapman-to-boston.html#IDComment47150864 I'm with you, it also seems like a much more likely deal. Though I would have enjoyed endless entertainment from calling him the Artist formally known as, and other such variations. Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:22:44 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/14/lackey-chapman-to-boston.html#IDComment47150864 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/14/lackey-chapman-to-boston.html#IDComment47149083 where did you see that report? Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:07:49 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/14/lackey-chapman-to-boston.html#IDComment47149083 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/14/lackey-chapman-to-boston.html#IDComment47148864 Holy Cow... that would something, how is the Prince's glove? I would make that trade in a heart beat, its a much lower price than Gonzo would be. I would guess that we had to have more thrown in. Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:05:57 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/12/14/lackey-chapman-to-boston.html#IDComment47148864 http://firebrandal.com/2009/11/04/what-could-josh-beckett-sign-for.html#IDComment42002126 6 at 111M sounds pretty reasonable, though i'd prefer to do a 5 100M and either resign him for less at the end when he's winding down. I still think of Beckett as a good pitcher not a great pitcher, never really feel completely comfortable with him, perhaps its because of that 2006 year. Wed, 4 Nov 2009 23:25:39 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/11/04/what-could-josh-beckett-sign-for.html#IDComment42002126 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/27/seeing-straight-on-aroldis-chapman/#IDComment40848456 I agree, I would be comfortable signing him if we wouldnt have to pay him 10 million a year to develop in our farm system, which would be in both his best interest and ours. I hope we pass unless its a much more reasonable price. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:29:05 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/27/seeing-straight-on-aroldis-chapman/#IDComment40848456 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/24/spend-now-or-spend-later.html#IDComment40481478 I think that our rotation becomes one of the best, if not the best in the league if we have Bedard or Sheets as our #5 guy. additionally, Its possible that having the advantage of Boston's great medical knowledge could prove just the health that one of those guys needs. We shouldnt spend money on inferior players just because we have money to spend, there is no harm in waiting a year, or even two if need be and spending the money where it should be spent. Its not like if we dont break the bank here we'll have to suffer through a sub .500 year, we still have a very good team. Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:05:57 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/24/spend-now-or-spend-later.html#IDComment40481478 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/21/assessing-other-left-field-candidates.html#IDComment39859986 Holy shut up. this year, our entire infield left of Youk was latino. Substantiate it or stop saying it, Theo has never shown a bias against latinos. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:26:00 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/21/assessing-other-left-field-candidates.html#IDComment39859986 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/19/coveroo-trivia-honoring-cy-young.html#IDComment39357884 They made the 13th Cy Young day and brought an Allstart team to play boston, suspending all other major league play that day. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:15:52 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/19/coveroo-trivia-honoring-cy-young.html#IDComment39357884 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/17/the-science-of-selling-felix-a-gon-short.html#IDComment39095599 If we trade for Gonzalez I think we'd need to sign a pitcher as well, because w/o buchholz we would have two reliable starters, one that we dont know what we'll get from, and one who will be coming off back surgery. what kind of contract in Doc looking at? Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:02:24 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/17/the-science-of-selling-felix-a-gon-short.html#IDComment39095599 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/14/red-sox-offseason-blueprint-v-1-figgins-king-felix-head-to-boston.html#IDComment38734707 I'd be surprised if we were to make a trade involving all or even most of those pieces, as the FO seems gunshy on selling the farm (like we wouldnt for Cliff Lee or the other A-Gon). I dont know that i would feel comfortable with that, but i sometimes worry that that comes from watching HanRam explode and overreacting to it. I've been following Buchholz since he was new to the farm system, and it pains me to ship those guys away. Not saying i wouldn't because Felix is a remarkable talent, but it would hurt to do. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:26:56 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/14/red-sox-offseason-blueprint-v-1-figgins-king-felix-head-to-boston.html#IDComment38734707 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/13/billy-wagner-mulling-retirement/#IDComment38733649 Its not necessarily about emotion with Dunn, from what I understand (and i could very well be mistaken as I've read this in a couple articles) is that Dunn just doesn't like baseball that much, and only plays because he is good enough to make millions of dollars a year from it. We didnt exactly lack in players who can hit and pitch, when Lowell and Drew are our 7-8 hitters we're in good shape there, what we did lack was any sort of excitement. This team looked like one that was just going to work, not playing a sport they loved with people they enjoyed. Also, Lowell despite not being the best at the plate (he did have a clutch single in the 8th on elimination day) he made some absolutely astounding plays in the field, and the defense in its pre-gonzalez days was one of the worst in the league. Would i rather have had Adam Dunn in that series than Ortiz? probably, but the man was the heart and soul of this team for a long time, and while his swagger dissapeared with his swing (which may be back) he brought something thats not there in his abysmal OBP and OPS. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:13:58 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/13/billy-wagner-mulling-retirement/#IDComment38733649 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/13/billy-wagner-mulling-retirement/#IDComment38716212 Adam Dunn, another emotionless player who plays the game because hes good at it, not cause he loves it is something this team didn't need. I would have loved his bizarre consistant 40 HRs, but after seeing what we did in the playoffs, im glad we didnt have him. The Penny and Smoltz things turned out to be stupid, and Theo probably shouldnt have let the Yankees literally sweep the FA market last year, but for his part I think Theo does a great job most of the time. If we sign Martinez that trade may be remembered as one of the greatest. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:20:33 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/13/billy-wagner-mulling-retirement/#IDComment38716212 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/14/red-sox-offseason-blueprint-v-1-figgins-king-felix-head-to-boston.html#IDComment38698599 When we talk about significant minor league peices are we talking about the likes of Bowden, Tazawa or Kelly? I assume Kelly is not going anywhere as we call him untouchable, but just a couple off seasons ago we wouldnt part with Buchholz for Santana so who knows. Do we think that this line up has more of that fire/spirit/enjoyment of the game that we all lament as having been gone from this team? Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:32:24 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/14/red-sox-offseason-blueprint-v-1-figgins-king-felix-head-to-boston.html#IDComment38698599 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/13/billy-wagner-mulling-retirement/#IDComment38695770 A real move like trading for one of the best offensive catchers in the game? I agree we could use another bat but Lowell didnt exactly give us nothing (.290, 17, 75, .337), especially given that he was batting 7th. Who do we sign to make a huge impact? Arguably the best FA on the market is a guy that played for us last year, so do we trade for one? I've grown quite fond of Buchholz and would prefer to keep him around. Our situation might not be as good as the Yankee's is, but we have two aces, two number 2s and Tim Wakefield who we can supplement with a Rich Harden type. We ain't bad off. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:44:26 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/13/billy-wagner-mulling-retirement/#IDComment38695770 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/13/sox-expiring-contracts/#IDComment38634292 I think its real important that we lock up V-Mart now because if Mauer does leave Minne than the Yankees will break the bank for him, and if he doesnt they'll do it for V-Mart if we havent locked him down. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:02:20 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2009/10/13/sox-expiring-contracts/#IDComment38634292