The Official 2012 Boston Red Sox Thread

So you're saying instead of being tied for last place in the AL East, we would be in last place alone? Big deal. Seriously yeah Ortiz is having a great year however I totally understand and agree with the Sox FO stance on Ortiz. He's 36 years old and is a DH only. There's almost a zero market for those types now. Where else is he going to go? We had this since discussion a month ago (the last time Ortiz whined about this). Ortiz needs to get the memo, if the Sox weren't willing to give him a 2 year deal last offseason why would they give him one this offseason?

I think the Sox would love to go year to year with him until he proves he can't play. But signing him longer than 1 year would be a complete mistake on their part.

It could be a huge hit for the Sox, depending on if Ortiz still puts up the same offensive numbers at age 37 next year. My guess is he'll end up back with the Sox on a 1 year deal because the market for 37 year old DH only players is thin and I can't see any team giving him a multi-year deal or a 1 year deal that would be more than the 14 million or so he'd get from the Sox.

But hey if a team wants to give him 2 years, great best of luck to him. Business wise it just wouldn't be smart. I'd rather give up on a player 1 year too soon than 1 year too late.

 

They didn't give him 2 years about he was going to enter the 2012 season as a 36 year old DH only player. They know the DH market and know Ortiz, realistically, has very few options out there. No team is going to match the Sox with dollars on a 1 year deal so if a team wants to give him 2 or more good luck to them.

Again as much as I love Ortiz, he might very well be part of the clubhouse problems. Francona talked about how their were certain players in the locker room who cared more about themselves than the team as a whole. Ortiz's comments are just getting old and he really picked a bad time to open his mouth again. We get it you're not happy you weren't signed to a long term deal, just shut up and play hard and hope for the best.

Seriously, there's little to no market for Ortiz. He's limited to AL only teams so that eliminates the 15 NL teams off the bat (Astros are going to be in the AL next year remember). The White Sox, Angels, Royals, Indians, Rangers and Tigers are locked up at the DH spot. The Rays, A's, Astros and Twins can't afford him. That just leaves the Mariners, Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles and Blue Jays. Can you see him on any of those teams? Yes the Yankees have the money but Cashman wouldn't sign Ortiz to a multi-year deal (it's possible the Stern Bros overrule him I guess). But I can't see Ortiz leaving Boston to play in Seattle, Baltimore or Toronto because they're giving him an extra year. Plus not sure any of those 3 teams (except possibly Baltimore) would even bother. Again though if some team wants to give him multiple years he should go for it but if the Sox do it I will be upset, even if he performs in both years it's just not smart business due to his age, position and body type.

 

8 million for 1 season, 8 million a year for a multi-year deal or 8 million total multi-year contract? If it's 8 million for 1 season why would he leave Boston when he's going to get at least 14? If it's 8 million per year for a mult-year deal, again why would he leave Boston if he could get almost that much for just 1 year? If it's a multi-year deal for 8 million total, there's no way he'd leave. And I can't see him leaving money on the table in Boston just to "stick it to them" because he's been "disrespected".

Again all signs point to him staying on Boston on a year to year basis. Yes it stinks for him since he doesn't have job security but it makes the most sense for the franchise.

 

Baltimore or Toronto would be my best guess. The main question is would Ortiz be willing to go to either place for another year of job security or would he rather just stay in Boston on a 1 year deal for 15 million? And if he has another good year in 2013 he could earn more than that in 2014. It's a gamble but if I were Ortiz at this stage in his career, it might make more sense to stay in Boston.

 

I agree. They should have DLed him when he first hurt himself on Memorial Day. It's for the good of him and the team he rests up and gets healthy for the 2nd half.

 

Yeah I have a really hard time believing his problems are because the Sox tried him out as a SPer. It's all on him right now. It's weird because he takes a step forward and then two steps back but it's clear he needs a lot of work before the Sox can realistically call him up. He had a string of a few positive outings before last night. Oh well, the bullpen actually has been pretty good even without him there so he's not like him being up is a pressing need right now.

 

Well it's either a mental thing, mechancial or he's hurt. He's had history of being extremely wild at times before. Hopefully he can straighten himself out. My guess is he's mechanics are out of wack and he's thinking about things too much instead of just throwing.

 

I have zero issue with what Crawford said. Unfortunately there's always going to be one or two morons who feel the need to say things like that to players. There's no excuse for that behavior. I don't care who the player is or what team he plays for. The issue isn't with what Crawford said, it's what some jerk said.

 

Wow an infield of Adrian Gonzalez, Nick Punto, Mike Aviles and Mauro Gomez is pretty pathetic. I can't remember the last time I've seen a Sox infield that bad. Maybe way back in 2000ish.

I have a feeling this is going to be a very very long weekend. Thankfully the Yankees don't have Sabathia and/or Pettitte going, that's the only saving grace. But even Kuroda, Nova, Hughes and Garcia should be able to shut down the Sox offense right now.

 

I have a feeling this is one of those "fake" injuries where the Sox don't want Crawford to return from the DL against TB and want to extend his rehab assignment by saying he's hurt. We'll see though.

 

TJ for position players isn't nearly as bad as it is for pitchers. There have been numerous players, specifically OFers who have had the surgery done and are back playing in a few months. The recovering time isn't as long nor is it career threatening, especially not for a player like Crawford who never had a strong arm to begin with.

 

I always have a hard time criticizing players that are injuried or sick. As fans we don't know just how bad an injury or illness is. It's possible the guy wasn't in any condition to play but tried to gut it out but just couldn't. I don't think the guy had a cough or a runny nose and decided he couldn't play.