The Red Sox signed Adalberto Ibarra to a minor league deal with a considerably smaller bonus than expected after the catcher failed his physical, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com. The Red Sox were set to sign Ibarra to a major league deal worth at least $3MM, but he failed his physical because of a relatively minor problem. Boston was no longer comfortable offering $3MM, so they signed Ibarra for $700-800K.
Both sides wanted to work out a deal, even after the failed physical. Ibarra, who defected from Cuba last year, has noteworthy bat speed and plate discipline.
A ‘relatively minor’ problem cost him over $2m?
exactly what i was thinking.
Should have hired Boras.
Oh well. Better off for the Sox.
Better off for the Sox that the guy they wanted wasn’t healthy enough to pass a physical?
I’m pretty certain the Sox would have rather paid him the full $2M and had him be fully healthy.
The contract he signed is pocket change to them now. Low risk high reward? Yeah I’m sure they would have liked him fully healthy but too bad, he’s not. End of story. They paid less and they most likely don’t expect him to to be starting for them.
Well, that worked out for the Sox ultimately. Virtually zero risk at this point. Not sure what it is, but with the Sox, there is always some issue surrounding that position. One day they’ll land a stud catcher. It’s really what they need to handle that rotation. A lot of people criticize Beckett’s horrible and we mean, horrible season. True, a lot probably has to do with him alone, mostly mental it seems, but I think some of these poor outings we witness has to do with not having an A back-stop. Martinez in no dummy, but I just get the general sense the rotation doesn’t have 100% confidence in him.
If I were the Sox I’d make catcher and one young, big bat, OF’r their top priority this offseason. Forget everything else in the meantime. SS is covered in two years. Put Youk at 3rd for good. Resign V-Mart and have him play first and be the occasional fill in behind the plate. Pray to god that Scutaro makes less than 25 errors next season.
Sorry, don’t buy it at all. Beckett has been a league average #4 pitcher since he’s been in Boston, other than his great 2007. Victor Martinez caught Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia during their Cy Young seasons, and seems to do just fine with Lester and Buchholz. A catcher doesn’t make the difference between being an ace or a run of the mill back of the rotation starter. Beckett’s velocity has dropped, his command is as bad as ever, and he seems to have lost a lot of movement on his pitches. I’ve always thought Beckett was way overrated, although I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a huge bounceback year in 2011…but I also wouldn’t be surprised if he followed that up with average years in 2012, 2013, and 2014…the guy just isn’t what most people thought he was (ask Dennis Green).
Also, I hate your offseason plan. Victor Martinez has very little value as a first baseman, he’d provide league average offense at best. Youk could possibly play a decent third base for a year or two, but he’s going to have to move back to first after that, and it makes no sense to me to move him when you’re just going to have to bring him back. The guy is one of the best first baseman in the game, why do sox fans want to move him all the time? I think the Red Sox would be much better served re-signing Beltre, even if you think he won’t repeat this season. Also where do you plan to get this catcher? Saltalamacchia is probably the best they can do right now, and he’s far from a sure thing. I also don’t see them adding an expensive outfield bat unless they move Ellsbury, which I also don’t see happening. Kalish, Ellsbury, and Drew will most likely be their outfield, and a damn good one at that. They’ll also have a healthy Cameron as the fourth OF. I’d love to see them replace David Ortiz with Adam Dunn, re-sign Beltre, and see if they can sign Victor to a modest contract, if not walk from him. Then upgrade the bullpen in a major way.
I like most of your plan. I definitely agree on the corners, with Beltre and Youk. I agree with your opinion on Victor. I would -like- to see an outfield acquisition, but that could only happen with another move, as you said. In a perfect world, I’d like to see Drew moved to bring in a Crawford or Werth. (Oh my god…imagine an outfield of Kalish/Ellsbury/Crawford…say goodbye to the line drive double! hehe) Of course, that probably isn’t too realistic, because the Sox will want something valuable in return for Drew and I’d be surprised if they got it. I would be happy enough with Kalish/Ellsbury/Drew, but if they had some extra cash after resigning guys, I would love to see them compete for a big-name outfielder.
Ortiz is an interesting case to me, just because I love the guy and would like to see him finish his career with us if he could. Of course, if he’s looking for a deal anywhere near what he’s currently being paid, I say let him walk. But if he’s willing to come back at a much lower price, I would like to see him back. The cold start was frustrating again this year, and he’s striking out more than I would like to see, but he has been very effective again this year. Dunn has some more pop, and I would love him in the lineup as well, but for memories sake, if Ortiz is affordable, I’d prefer to see his name in the lineup.
Oh hell yes, that bullpen needs fixing. I wonder how Bowden/Doubront will bolster it…a core of Bard, Pap, Bowden and Doubront could be really neat if they step up to it. And Doubront seems to relish the position so far.
They are going to keep Drew until the end of his contract. Guy has been worth his money and is a very valuable player.
Oh, yes, I agree. That was just a fantasy of mine. 😛 Besides, I love Drew, so I would not be unhappy at all to see him stay. I just meant that he’s the one it would make most sense to get a FA upgrade to, out of the three.
I really think the sox have to resign beltre, and I think he will take a pay cut to play on a team perennially in the thick of a playoff race, instead of going to a team willing to throw stupid money at him to play at the bottom of a division. He mashes in Fenway and I think he would struggle in a bigger ballpark for 81 games a year. Also, the team chemistry with him there has been great this year (with the head rubs from victor!). Ultimately they will have to chose two out of Ortiz, Beltre, and V-Mart, and I think they will choose Beltre and V-Mart.
Its a rib injury!!! (just a guess)