Team chairman Tom Werner and COO Sam Kennedy have no regrets over how the Red Sox handled their extension talks with Jon Lester, WEEI.com’s Alex Speier reports, even though the lack of progress led to Lester being traded to Oakland at the deadline. Kennedy felt that there wasn’t anything to regret since the negotiations were amicable on both sides, though Werner wished more talks had taken place. “I don’t want to go back too much, but let me just say that we expected a little more dialogue back and forth than happened. But I’ll take our share of responsibility in that,” Werner said. Both executives said the Sox would look to rebuild the rotation for 2015, and Kennedy hinted that the team’s alleged distaste for long-term deals for pitchers in their 30’s isn’t necessarily as rigid as believed.
Here’s some more from Fenway Park…
- Daniel Nava received some trade interest from the Giants at the July deadline, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports. This is just my speculation, but I wonder if San Francisco could pursue Nava again this offseason if Mike Morse isn’t re-signed. The Tigers and Royals were also rumored to be in on Nava last summer.
- Cafardo’s piece breaks down the Red Sox roster and examines who the team should consider trading. Mookie Betts, for instance, seems to be “the Red Sox prospect teams want most in a deal” according to conversations with rival scouts, yet Cafardo feels Betts’ talent and versatility makes him too valuable a piece to move.
- David Ross isn’t sure if he’ll be back in Boston next season or even if his career could be over, the veteran catcher told reporters (including John Tomase of the Boston Herald) yesterday. Ross will be 38 on Opening Day 2015 and he’s been a non-factor at the plate for the last two seasons, though his defense and ability to mentor pitchers and young players in general is greatly respected. John Farrell said Ross is under consideration to return to the Sox next year, and Ross could make sense as a veteran backup to Christian Vazquez.
I don’t really understand why Nava is still on the team.
“Kennedy hinted that the team’s alleged distaste for long-term deals for
pitchers in their 30′s isn’t necessarily as rigid as believed.”
I don’t see how, I cant imagine another situation besides Lester where they would do anything different. It might be less rigid now given how it all transpired and looking forward I bet they wouldn’t do it again the same way if a similar even came in the future.
They did sign John Lackey to a long term deal when he was in his 30s and extended Beckett.
The philosophy began with the departure of Theo. Ben C and crew haven’t touched anything of this sort.
No, the Red Sox have been known to shy away from big money pitching deals long before Theo even came around.
You don’t think Lackey and Beckett’s deals were big at the time?
I was merely rebutting the poster’s claim that the distaste was as a rigid as believed.
Not at all. That’s John Henry’s policy. It was the reason Theo didn’t offer four years to Pedro and the Mets outbid the Sox. The Beckett and Lackey contracts were exceptions which occurred at a time the Sox FO was loosing discipline. Cherington’s instatement reverted the Sox to a policy they held but forgot.
Except it was the Lackey and Crawford deals along with the Beckett and Gonzalez extensions which really drove the Red Sox away from long term commitments for players in their 30’s.
The whole “Sox hate pitcher contracts” has existed beyond that, though obviously the events of August 2012 played a huge part in why that continues to be the case.
No. The John Henry sox shied away from long-term contracts for older players from the beginning. Remember the 2004 negotiations with Pedro? Theo lost that contract because they wouldn’t go to four guaranteed years. The Lackey and Beckett contracts are examples of cases where the Sox stopped following their principles, not proof that the principle did not exist.
They also traded them off which seems to cement this philosophy that those kinds of contracts were bad. Had Lackey not had the surgery clause in his contract it would have been close to a disaster.
That philosophy has existed for longer than Werner’s been around. That’s why Clemens went bye-bye in the 90s and why people were shocked that the committed to Pedro for such a large number.
They need solid innings at the top of the rotation. One of Lester/Shields is an absolute necessity even if it’s a bad long term investment. If they get three decent years out of a 6 or seven year contract so be it.
or Scherzer
When it comes down to it they do not have a number one or two right now. I could see Lester and Masterson.
I doubt Kennedy has a lot of say in personnel moves….having said that the need is to bring back a top of the line starter at a minimum and probably two. The good news is they certainly have the resources both in dollars and prospects.
As for the outfield, it’s difficult to say what is going to happen, I highly doubt they move Victorino with his value where it is right now due to the surgery. Cespedes has to be here and bat fourth unless amother major move is made for a middle of the order bat which is unlikely, and with the money given to Castillo he has to project as the centerfielder or rightfielder. Nava probably goes in a deal.. Should make for an interesting hot stove.
And don’t forget about Mookie Betts who showed us this year that he can play in the show. And also don’t forget he just learned to play the OF this season.
I don’t see Nava being moved unless the Red Sox manage to sign a left handed or switch hitting third baseman in the off season. Trading Nava would leave you with one left handed starter (Ortiz) and Holt as a supersub. Not enough left handed presence in the lineup. It’s more likely that they’ll look to trade Victorino, which would free up a position for Betts and leave Nava as a fourth outfielder and maybe JBJ as a fifth.
I’ve thought about Victorino trade options for awhile and have come to the conclusion that unless they can get something to take 50%, they’re better off keeping him until Spring Training where he can show he’s healthy and someone can get injured.
It’s more likely to be several weeks or even a month into the season so he can prove he’s healthy and is still able to contribute. If not, he ends up being a part time player with Betts taking some of his at bats Nava as a fifth outfielder and JBJ in the minors. Or they may move someone else. But of all the outfielders Vic makes the most sense.
I guess a lot of that depends on other teams. The thought of eating most of his salary to send him away if he’s not completely broken is not particularly appealing.
I don’t think you’d have to eat most of it. Some maybe. But you can’t rely on him to stay healthy. Who knows, a lot could happen between now and next April. He may not even be ready to go at the beginning of the season.
I think half is the bare minimum. And anything higher is not such a great move for the Sox.
It’s only 13 million. Even if you eat half it costs you 6.5. Not too much to get Betts into the lineup every day.
I think sorting out the outfield comes down to Cespedes, Castillo, Betts, Nava and one of Victorino, Craig with JBJ at Triple A. Infield of Napoli, Pedroia, Bogaerts, Holt and Sandoval/Headley/A Ramirez. Ortiz at DH. Vazquez/? at catcher.
They are reportedly looking to acquire a lefty hitting 3B this off-season.
I know. I don’t think that makes Nava anymore dispensable. I should have stated that in my original post. I don’t think he’s going anywhere.
Cespedes, Napoli and Middlebrooks to Miami for Stanton, eating some of Napoli’s contract. Miami wants Cespedes and has since he arrived. Papi’s bat won’t last much longer. Holt/Craig at 1B. Victorino is too fragile to get anything of value in trade. Spend the money for Lester and Shields, Ross is a great mentor and a reliable backup for another year. Josh Johnson could be a short money high value pick up, who is worth a look in Ft Myers, and add David Robertson. Koji is good, but not 162 game good. Oh, and I’s have zero issue with Headley at 3B in Boston.
Why would Miami do that? Middlebrooks hasn’t shown enough, Cespedes will be gone in a year, and Napoli is expensive, old, and also has just a year left. Stanton is a first rank talent–they are going to want to see high quality long-term pieces in return.
That might be the single worst Stanton trade proposal I’ve ever read.
i once thought Stanton for a carton of eggs was the worst deal ive heard for the Marlins side. I now stand corrected.
Swihart will be starting Catcher in 2016, if Sox trade Betts, they are crazy. And Nava is a good ballplayer.
I agree 100%