While the Red Sox and Cubs are still trying to figure out a compensation package for Theo Epstein, here are a few more items from Fenway Park….
- The Red Sox and Cubs could cross paths again over Ryne Sandberg's managerial services, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Epstein tried to hire Sandberg to manage Boston's Triple-A affiliate last year and Cubs owner Tom Ricketts is looking to mend fences with Sandberg after he was passed over for Mike Quade as Chicago's manager last year. "If Epstein hires a manager without major-league experience, he probably would have little choice but to go with Sandberg," Rosenthal writes, since if another rookie manager got the job, it "could alienate Sandberg from his former team for good."
- WEEI's Alex Speier looks at Boston's options for upgrading its troubled rotation, saying that the Red Sox will probably shy away from big free agent pitchers in the wake of John Lackey's struggles. Options like calling up a minor league arm or putting Alfredo Aceves into the rotation also wouldn't provide automatic stability.
- Speier also lists a few trade candidates like Gavin Floyd and Wandy Rodriguez are mentioned but, "according to multiple industry sources, the number and quality of available starters is expected to be so limited that those clubs that are in position to part with a potential rotation member are expected to ask for a prospect ransom that may be out of proportion with the value of the pitchers."
- Before Billy Beane passed on becoming the new Red Sox GM in the 2002-03 offseason, Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald writes that Kevin Youkilis would've been part of the compensation package that Boston would have sent to Oakland in exchange for Beane's services.
- Of all the players who had just signed a major free agent contract, Carl Crawford may have had the worst opening season of his deal, writes Justin Havens for ESPN Boston. Crawford's deal is compared to Carlos Beltran's contract with the Mets, and Havens notes that while Beltran struggled in his first year (2005) in New York, Beltran had a fantastic 2006 season.
I hope The Cubs sign Ryno to take over the managerial position. His Hall of Fame status would command respect from both veteran players and young players.
But if I had to watch a game managed by Ryne Sandberg and Robin Ventura I’d have to admit I’m old.
Always thought that digging through rosters for a player (any player) older than ones self was an indicator also. Then seeing mangers like Washington in Texas, Francona and his Dad even. LOL
Sure gets to be a downright bummer sometimes.
Yeah even Werth with his subpar year had a 2.5 WAR. Crawford – negative 0.2.
And to think they also could of had Matt Holiday for a mear 22 million LESS.
lauber has that story wrong, actually. youkilis was on a list of the only three players beane refused to give oakland (he was negotiating as boston’s GM at the time)
exactly. he stated that he couldnt be left with the farm totally barren.
Who were the other two?
hanley ramirez and kelly shoppach
Adam Dunn is not sure whether to be grateful, relieved or insulted that he did not warrant more than a passing mention in the article about terrible free agent contracts.
Oakland wanted Youk so bad, Jason Bay (when he was with SD), and Papelbon too (they even drafted him first). Funny how Theo always bounced on Beane’s targets.
Given the current free agent market it seems like it would be easer for the red sox to rebuild the bullpen and allow Aceives and Bard to become starters. Haveing Lakcey,Acieves, Bard,Miller and minor leaguers battle it out over the 4-5 spots would probably yeild better results then any minor signing.
Epstein for Sandberg?
Sandbergs manages the phils AAA team, three way trade maybe? Phils get Zambrano as PTBNL.
epstein to chicago, brett jackson to philly, phils’ AAA team to boston
^doing it right
No cheese steak no deal.
Wow, I feel kinda dumb. I read the little blurb about Sandberg and just thought he managed the Cubs’ AAA team. The worst part is, if I had just thought for second I actually knew that Sandberg was with the Phils.
Never mind me guys.
How funny in the Speir article regarding Rodriquez and Floyd being worth decent prospects. The Astros couldn’t give him away at this past deadline with that boat anchor contract of his.
Both him, as well as Floyd and his 7m for 2012 would be non tender candidates if not signed to terrible contracts. Rodriquez may have some kind of case, he plays for a terrible team, but Floyd plays for a team usually with support.. DFA material and a Livian hernandez, break glass in case of emergency type, only younger.
Guthrie in Baltimore is my pick if the O’s for some reason fail to do anything with him contract wise as the best possibly available SP via trade. he has proven his mettle in the AL East and has stuff far better than those 2.
I think the humor in it is the fact that they would most likely have trade one of the close to majors type prospects who fill thier needs, 3B/DH (middlebrooks) C/DH (Lavarnway) OF(Kalish) SS(Iglesias). If Baltimore wants Reddick and mid level prospect for Guthrie then go for it but ever team will demand one of the prospects mentioned.
Yep.. No chance is Guthrie worth a top guy IMO. Reddick, plus a lower fill in, or *maybe* just Kalish.. Sure, but not a Lavarnway, Middlebrooks, Ranaudo, Iglesias, even Brentz would be an overpay and value him higher than Kalish since his injuries now.
Reddick is better than Kalish!
Yeaaaaaaaah…. not true. The only thing Reddick’s managed to do better than Kalish in his minor league career is stay healthy. Kalish has consistently been hit with fluky injuries.
Not sure what I think of all of this talk about Bard becoming a SP.
Yea, he just seems like a short reliver to me. Does he pitch from the windup at all?
Now the on going soap opera of compensation. How many weeks can they draw that out?
Crawford had a bad season? That’s a shocker! The new JD Drew but at least Drew got some minor redemption in his first season.