Red Sox Rumors: Lugo, Bay, Varitek, Beckett

Yeah, right Julio! If you can't beat out Jed Lowrie, what GM do you think is dumb enough to take on $ 18 million for two years of your mediocre defense? The Tigers wouldn't even take that on to unload Sheffield and his bloated $ 14 million contract. Lugo and the Bosox are stuck with each other. And you thought Renteria was bad?

Maybe I meant to say JLugo, but probably Lugo.

And maybe John.

Johnathan (Papelbon)

They should lock up Bay.

The alternative would be to chase Holliday next winter or pursue a trade, but I think signing Bay to an extension would be smart.

He's a good all-around player that can do a lot of things, and he seemed pretty comfortable in Boston. He ought to be a key piece of their lineup.

Maybe when Bay and Drew leave then over the next couple years, Josh Reddick and possibly Ryan Kalish could emerge as young, cheap replacements.

and JD

The most surprising player so far in camp, based just on physical looks, is Ellsbury. He's bigger (milk and spinach?). If he's also stronger and faster, and IF he figures out how not to chase down-and-in curveballs like a squirrel after a nut, then maybe he'll turn the corner as the topnotch leadoff guy the Sox hoped for.

And Beckett's not fat this year! Things are definately looking up.

Lugo thinks he is going to waltz in and get the SS job just because he is owed 18M over the next 2 years and who knows? Pout when Lowrie shows he is the superior glove at SS by far.

Boston blew a golden chance to nab Bloomquist this FA offseason, he can play 6 positions and they still are going to end up releasing and eating Lugo anyway. No chance Lugo will sit peacefully on the bench and be the utility guy. Who wants a SS that can't field and is nothing but a .260-2.270 singles hitter anyway and just looks for a walk when up to the plate? That spells liability to me and only way Lugo is going to learn it is to get his wish/release and find it when nobody else is willing to hand him the starting job, except for a team maybe desperate for a very short term solution and paying league minimum.

"Maybe when Bay and Drew leave then over the next couple years, Josh Reddick and possibly Ryan Kalish could emerge as young, cheap replacements."

Think you are right there Scribbletone, but both Riddick, Kalish are a couple years away and they for some reason are not high on really Zach Daeges who has torn up every league he has been at through AA. Maybe because he is not a strong glove guy at corner OF and 1B, but he certainly has shown hitting and patience at the plate ability so far and is a non roster invitee and only 25.

The Red Sox J-team:
SP: Josh, Jon, John
RP: Justin, Javier, Jonathan
C: Jason
1B: Jeff (Bailey)
2B: Joe (Thurston)
3B: Jed
SS: Julio
LF: Jason
CF: Jacoby
RF: J.D.
DH: Josh (Bard)

Jason Bay isn't a lock (no pun intended) to be extended, especially if he plays the 'show me the money' card. He's a good player with a good team attitude but not a great player and far from irreplacable (unlike Manny). I don't think Boston will break the bank to keep him if Holliday becomes available this summer (Holliday's a Yankee if Boston waits for him to hit free agency).

As far as Lugo goes, when he's at the plate I don't care if he stands on his head and whistles the Yankee theme song as long as he moves runners along and gets on base. Coming to Boston seriously messed him up. He'll either have to deal with the Beantown pressure and produce or ride the bench and whine until pinkslip time. Either way it'll be an interesting training camp.

RSD we made a bet way back at the beginning of the offseason about who was going to sign mark texiera and the loser would not be allowed back on the comments board. So you my friend have already lost this bet and shouldn't post again.

I'm really on the fence with the whole Holliday vs. Bay thing.

What really brought me over to the Holliday side were the overall contributions that Holliday can make other than hitting.

As hitters, I think they're similar value-wise. Bay offers a little bit more power and similar patience, while Holliday is definitely the better contact hitter.

Holliday really seperates himself in other facets of the game though. He's regarded as one of the better baserunners in the game, and his speed is surprisingly good on the paths. He's also a very good defensive outfielder, while Bay is slightly worse than league average, at least according to UZR.

My guess is that whatever happens, one of these guys will land in Boston. It might be smarter to look long term now though, considering the Yankees likely will have corner outfield holes, and theh Angels and Mets possibly will as well.

"RSD we made a bet way back at the beginning of the offseason about who was going to sign mark texiera and the loser would not be allowed back on the comments board. So you my friend have already lost this bet and shouldn't post again."

Hmm I'd be shocked if he lived up to his word. I know I wouldn't. Then again, I would never make that kind of petty bet.

How refreshing it would be to hear someone like Lugo say: "I realize nobody at this point is willing to take on my contract" but LOL and he is certainly not a a candidate to be so honest.

We all want you gone Lugo, get lost please!