 |
|
|
| |
« Odds and Ends: Dice-K, Varitek, Rolen | Main | Cards To Buy Out Mulder's Option »
Offseason Outlook: Boston Red Sox
Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Red Sox. Their likely 2009 commitments:
C -
C - Kevin Cash - $400K+
1B - Kevin Youkilis - $3MM+
2B - Dustin Pedroia - $457K
SS - Jed Lowrie - $400K
3B - Mike Lowell - $12MM
IF - Julio Lugo - $9MM
IF - Jeff Bailey - $400K
LF - Jason Bay - $7.5MM
CF - Coco Crisp - $5.75MM
RF - J.D. Drew - $14MM
OF - Jacoby Ellsbury - $406K
DH - David Ortiz - $12.5MM
SP - Josh Beckett - $10.5MM
SP - Daisuke Matsuzaka - $8MM
SP - Jon Lester - $422K
SP - Tim Wakefield - $4MM (club option)
SP - Clay Buchholz - $400K
RP - Jonathan Papelbon - $775K+
RP - Justin Masterson - $400K
RP - Hideki Okajima - $1.75MM
RP - Manny Delcarmen - $421K
RP - Javier Lopez - $840K+
RP - David Aardsma - $404K
RP - Michael Bowden - $400K
That's about $94MM committed, plus arbitration raises to Cash, Youkilis, Papelbon, and Lopez. Those should nudge the Sox over $100MM. They began the season with a $133MM payroll, and began '07 at $143MM. The Red Sox have a significant amount of money to spend.
The catcher situation needs to be addressed. The Sox may offer Jason Varitek a one-year deal, or they could consider a free agent like Ivan Rodriguez. The Rangers' Gerald Laird would be a fine trade target, as he does not require seasoning and is under control for two more seasons. Bengie Molina and Ramon Hernandez also may be available. Joel Sherman suggests Russell Martin could hit the block; the price would be very steep.
Some of Boston's veteran contracts are starting to look worse, particularly Lowell and Ortiz. Still, neither player performed poorly this year. The Red Sox don't have a true albatross contract, though the $18MM owed to Lugo is bothersome.
There is not a clear place to add an offensive player aside from catcher. The Sox might take a look at Mark Teixeira, probably to drive the price up more than anything. They can afford him, but then they'd probably have to trade Lowell.
Boston's '09 rotation is already above-average, especially if Buchholz gets back on track. Masterson and Bowden could also be rotation candidates. Wakefield is an easy call to exercise at $4MM. Like Teixeira, the Red Sox don't need C.C. Sabathia. Still, signing him would keep the best available pitcher away from the Yankees. It would not be surprising to see the Sox make an aggressive bid for C.C.
Most of the bullpen should return; maybe the Sox will make a minor reliever signing to eat up some of Mike Timlin's innings.
The Red Sox are sitting pretty for '09, with catching the only glaring need. After that, GM Theo Epstein will have a lot of cash to spend on players who might be considered luxuries. Epstein seems to feel the same way, based on his comments.
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834515b9a69e201053594d52a970b
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Offseason Outlook: Boston Red Sox:
Comments
Verify your Comment
Previewing your Comment
This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.
Top Stories
Search MLBTR
MLBTR Features
Recent Posts
Rumors By Team
Monthly Archives
Live Chats
Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST
Tim,
Where's the Dodgers Offseason Outlook? I notice after every other team gets eliminated, you've gone on to post theirs. And please, don't proliferate this Russell Martin being traded nonsense, it makes me sick to my stomach.
Posted by: saul77 | October 22, 2008 at 12:47 AM
no way lesters goin anywhere...
Posted by: GoSoX | October 24, 2008 at 11:26 AM
The Sox will probably make an agressive move after Tex and Sabathia just to drive up the price for the yankees. In the end i see Both Tex and Sabathia signing with the Yankees and the red sox getting A.J. and getting Matt Holliday for J.D Drew, Jed Lowrie Michal Bowden and Justin Masterson. I think that Adam Dunn will sign with Tampa Bay. 2009 should be a fun season to watch with the Yankees storming back.
Posted by: keith | October 25, 2008 at 03:35 PM
hey i heard that john papplebon is marching in the boston g ay pride parade this year........they should rename that parade the redsox fan parade
Posted by: TheBigNewYorkeR | November 04, 2008 at 01:18 AM
hey i herd you guys are trading john lester to the yankees for phil hughes and a box of jock straps
Posted by: TheBigNewYorkeR | November 05, 2008 at 12:21 AM
The sox should end up signing varitek to a 2 year deal and then waiting for Mark Wagner or luis exposito to develop and use them. they should also sign balldelli and trade crisp for a middle reliever. they shouldnt sign texiera because they have lars anderson comming up in the next year or two and will be able to shift youkilis to thrid when lowells contract expires.
Posted by: joe | November 10, 2008 at 07:58 PM
I love seeing all of the ridiculous posts that come up on this website. Here is where it stands right now. Coco is gone for Ram Ram. Great Trade. CC has agreed to terms with the yanks. (Seven years is a long time for a hefty lefty).
The Sox will most likely sign Teix for a contract of about 8 years 180-190 mil with possibly a club option/opt out clause for the player.
They will be able to come to terms with Tek for around 2 years 18-22 mil. (no other team is going to sign a 35 year old catcher on the decline and give up two picks to do it.)
And they will be set for 2009...
Posted by: hwp33 | December 10, 2008 at 04:42 PM
To add to that, Masterson starts out as the number five guy, Bo and Buc start at Portland/Pawtucket. Someone will get injured and one of those two (or both) will get a cup of coffee and shine in the limelight. (Im hoping its Buc, because Bo is still 3 years younger and has time to season a little.
Posted by: hwp33 | December 10, 2008 at 04:44 PM