Gammons: Red Sox Focused On Montero

I thought Martin was never even unofficially on the market? As for Montero... as long as he costs us only Daniel Bard I'd be fine with it.

Montero's AAA numbers were great, albeit in the PCL. Otherwise, I have not seen him play.

I'll tell you what. . .a good a job as Boras did for CC and Tex, he screwed Varitek royally when he declined arbitration. With a divorce looming, I imagine that the $5-7 million he lost will matter.

I doubt Arizona would even accept Bowden for Montero. But that's a nice spin from an ever-more transparent Gammons.

"Where would Montero rate in a group that includes the Texas duo - Salty and Teagarden?"

I'd put him flat in the middle. Not as much offensive potential as Saltalamacchia, but not nearly as good as Teagarden defensively.

"I thought Martin was never even unofficially on the market? As for Montero... as long as he costs us only Daniel Bard I'd be fine with it."

Heck, I'd throw in both Bards.

LANDON POWELL

AndrewYF: "I doubt Arizona would even accept Bowden for Montero."

Hah! It wouldn't be a Sox catcher thread without Andrew around to tell us how worthless Sox prospects are.

If I was Theo and actually wanted Salty, I'd be planting rumors about somebody better than Montero. Maybe Ryan Doumit?

chess

"Gammons notes the Sox made failed runs at Russell Martin and Mike Napoli."

I wonder how "making a run" is defined in the Gammons household. If this involved anything more than a polite "no" or lots of laughter when/if Theo called Colletti, then I'd be shocked.

woyme: "Why doesn't Boston go after Shoppach? I don't get it."

They know more about Shoppach than any catcher out there. Maybe they think he just had his career year. Also he strikes out a LOT. More than 1/3 of all at bats.

Littel Bear. He strikes out, but 21 HRs in 350 at bats is huge.

I know they know about Shopp. I know he was in their system. Just seems the price would be right and he's so much better than Montero.

Guess I'm just surprised I have his name where Boston's seasrch for a C is concerned.

woyme: "He strikes out, but 21 HRs in 350 at bats is huge."

Yeah, but every team with a catcher is going to be asking for the farm. I have to believe that Theo will stick with Varitek for another year before he'll trade the farm for a catcher who isn't THE catcher of the future. And I don't believe that Shoppach is that.

Red Sox tried to get Ruseel Martin??
I'm a Sox fan and I love the way the FO manages things but really guys, you have to give up more than just Bard if you want players like that. Nothing like that will get done if you don't fork up Buccholz or Bowden. Not that I want them to go but just saying, Red Sox can't expect big deals to get done without giving up anything good.

Ive see all pitch in AA, I love then all.

There is without a doubt no one worse than Gammons when it comes to hiding your bias. He is HORRIBLE.

Posted by: AndrewYF | January 09, 2009 at 03:42 PM

What's with these people who bash Gammons? The guy is literally a Hall of Famer sportswriter. There's been widespread speculation that he might be the next commissioner of baseball. He's a musician and a stroke survivor. Are the people who bash Gammons the same ones who adore Jim Rome?

You people cannot believe, how good Clay Bucholz is. The best in minors since, Clemens and I have seen him too, AA. Let me put it this way Clemens didn't throw as hard.
In person I saw them. AA Out of Texas U. went to NB Satdium won AA, championship. Check out his next 2 years. OK, but no problem. I am praying Bucholz shows how good he is, to my Sox Brothers and Sisters.

I respect Gammons. But according him there is only baseball on the East Coast. Thats all i ever hear him talk about. And the musician and stroke thing are irrelevant to baseball. My uncle has had two heart attacks and a stroke and is still alive. once again irrelevant to baseball. Dont get me wrong I like him a lot more than some other satchmos in baseball. But to me he is one sided when it comes to certain teams...cough AL east cough cough

There's been widespread speculation that he might be the next commissioner of baseball.

Posted by: midtown

By who?

Well eveyone knows here I am a Clay Bucholz fan, but Micheal Bowden is great too, hard thrower with thought, Daniel Bard, is smooth, he can be dominate, but needs one more pitch. The best easiest motion you ever seen. Why would Theo get rid of any of these great arms.

My boy John Smoltz is going to teach them to be professional, now that is a tutor.

You dont like Jed Lowrie?

hahahaha yes I guess.

I really mean it, like Haley's Comet, Bucholz, Bowden, Bard are something special. I am hoping Theo doesnt't trade them

Please ignore arly. He's an A's homer who posts this nonsense on other Internet boards.

LOL i'm asking people's opinions...take a chill pill mcgrumpy...arent you a dodgers fan??

suzuki can be an above avg catcher,lowrie an above avg SS...now let me know why its a horrible idea or not?

no dont beieve it this guy is not worth anything. If and I say if you get rid of Bowden you better get Salty, This guy SUCKS.

"To me, I think Boston needs a good defensive catcher and is average at the plate. The team is loaded with talent. Their catcher doesnt have to be the best one in the league. As long as hes calling a good game behind the plate for the pitching that Boston has they will be fine. I know it would be nice to have a great defensive and offensive catcher but there is just not too many flying around the league and never has been. But Im sure they want the best to contend with the 100,000,000 space bucks the Yankees spent"

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!

A lot of Red Sox fans need to step back and take stock. As our starting nine is currently composed, going into opening day, Jason Bay is batting seventh. If your lineup is stacked to the point you are batting a guy with a career line of .282/.375/.527 seventh, you can afford to throw an automatic out in the catcher's spot for the sake of your defense.

I say screw it, go grab another reliever and go into the season with Bard and Dusty Brown as the catching platoon.

Seriously, who would cry over the following lineup?

Ellsbury
Pedroia
Ortiz
Youkilis
Drew
Lowell
Bay
Bard
Lowrie

Why would you bat Lowell ahead of Bay?

Umair: "Red Sox tried to get Ruseel Martin??
I'm a Sox fan and I love the way the FO manages things but really guys, you have to give up more than just Bard if you want players like that. Nothing like that will get done if you don't fork up Buccholz or Bowden. Not that I want them to go but just saying, Red Sox can't expect big deals to get done without giving up anything good."

Just because they won't trade Buchholz for any catcher that Texas has doesn't mean they wouldn't part with real value for a GOOD catcher.

Right. He talks about what he knows. And he knows the AL East. Does it make him that good of a reporter of baseball when he only writes about East Coast baseball. He fits in perfect with ESPN because it itself is a East Coast Network. Hence the pointless reports we get about any steinbrenner or tom brady. The only thing that throws off that network is the constant talk about the Dallas Cowboys.

Please ignore arly. He's an A's homer who posts this nonsense on other Internet boards.

LOL i'm asking people's opinions...take a chill pill mcgrumpy...arent you a dodgers fan??

suzuki can be an above avg catcher,lowrie an above avg SS...now let me know why its a horrible idea or not?

Posted by: arly2380 | January 09, 2009 at 04:39 PM
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HAHAHAHA did u seriously just say Jew lowrie is an above adverage SS!!!! The kid hasnt proved anything yet! He will probably be replaced at the deadline when he is doing terrible.

As for cathers... I think the red sox should wait a couple of years and get Mauer...the kid is amazing..and a free agent in 2011. Hes not going to stay with the twins if he wants to win anything in his life and the only way to win is to go to a team like the red sox, yankees, mets, angels, ect. The Red Sox should go into the season with Bard as their starter and MAYBE pick up another at the deadline or something if that doesnt work out. They could also add someone like salty...Send Bowden for salty and you probably would have a deal. Then they could use Salty as their everyday catcher next year before they sign Mauer. If he is good enough in 09 and 2010 with the red sox, they probably could trade him for some good relief in the 2011 offseason.

HAHAHAHA did u seriously just say Jew lowrie is an above adverage SS!!!! The kid hasnt proved anything yet! He will probably be replaced at the deadline when he is doing terrible.

Calm down Kulaid. You're acting like Dr. Mengele in a Jeter jersey. God only knows what you mean by "replaced."

Seriously, who would cry over the following lineup?

Ellsbury
Pedroia
Ortiz
Youkilis
Drew
Lowell
Bay
Bard
Lowrie
---- ---- ---- ----
When it's 100% healthy, it's one of the best lineups in baseball...health is key for the Red Sox.

HAHAHAHA did u seriously just say Jew lowrie is an above adverage SS!!!! The kid hasnt proved anything yet! He will probably be replaced at the deadline when he is doing terrible.

Calm down Kulaid. You're acting like Dr. Mengele in a Jeter jersey. God only knows what you mean by "replaced."

Posted by: midtown | January 09, 2009 at 08:55 PM
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As in...the red sox will probably go out and get a shortshop at the deadline because Lowrie is NOT the answer for that position. He really isnt all that good at all. Completely overated and thats saying something because hes NOT rated high! Hes not better then average at his position, but if your going to base that off of 4 months of baseball then your smoking something and i want some of it!

Why not sign the vet in Varitek to help out the youngsters and the players coming back from injury in the rotation? Nobody in the league can call a better game than Jason Varitek.

Montero, Bard and other names don't have anything over Tek but age. Tek has the experience and the defensive skill set. It's worth one year and then see where they sit.

The only reason to look in a different direction than Tek at this time is to upgrade on offense, so far I haven't seen a plausible upgrade. Sign Tek and wait till next year for the long term replacement because there isn't any this year.

In Montero the Red Sox may be underachieving for their catcher of the future...or maybe they are just posturing and actually planning something more far-reaching after doing the Bard signing. Colorado had been interested in Bard last December but 'didn't have room for him', per Timmy D. They also need pitching. And they also just happened to have a good young catcher named Iannzatta that would meet Boston's need perfectly. Wonder if something like J. Bard plus Bowden plus a mid-level prospect might pry Iannzatta from the Rockies. Based on his OPS and recent experience / improvement he's a MUCH better bet than Montero.