My roommate told me I should write about the offseason so far for the Red Sox. He believes that the moves the Red Sox have made thus far have been because the ownership is more interested in making money then in putting a winning team on the field. I disagree. So here are my offseason thoughts so far, as if there aren’t enough people with “thoughts” about the Red Sox.
Most people agree that in 2004, the Red Sox won the World Series because of their pitching. The White Sox won it this past season for the same reason.
Most people also agree that the big problem the Red Sox had this past year was pitching.
Not signing Theo was a mistake but I don’t think it was about money. According to newspapers and various reports, he wanted 1.5 million dollars a year and the team was willing to give him that. Clearly there were other issues. It seems pretty clear that Theo has been involved behind the scenes recently and I think he’ll be back “officially” before spring training.
We’ve been hearing about Hanley Ramirez for a long time. Had the team been so high on him, I don’t think they would have signed Edgar Renterria for 4 years before last season. Regardless, trading for Josh Beckett was a fantastic move. This guy is one of the top young arms in the game. Aside from that, the Sox gave up Anibel Sanchez and some other prospects. The package of young players was certainly very good but I believe it was a great trade. Although he had a down year, Mike Lowell is a gold-glove third baseman and I’m gonna predict that he hits somewhere between .285 and .295 this season…if the Sox don’t end up trading him. Guillermo Mota, the 3rd player the Sox got in the trade, is an above average bullpen guy when healthy. I’ll take it. Lowell makes 8 million a year, Beckett will probably make somewhere between 5-7 via arbitration and Mota made 2.6 million last year. The package of Sox players was probably less then 2 million a year. That means the Sox are taking probably around 15 million a year in this trade.
Trading Doug Mirabelli for Mark Loretta. Loretta is an above average 2nd baseman who can put up good numbers and play a good second base. I love Mirabelli but this one is a no-brainer. Loretta made 2.75 million last year…’Belli made 1.5 million.
Trading Renterria. This guy never seemed comfortable here and in exchange, the Sox got a player that is being called the top prospect in all of baseball in Andy Marte. I’ll take it. Unfortunately, the Sox threw in 11 million more dollars to the Braves. That means that they are spending a lot of money to have had E.R. for 1 season…plus, it wouldn’t surprise me if they traded Marte before spring training…although I’d love to see him at Fenway.
Kevin Millar…loved his commercials and his general attitude. I would have preferred if he had played baseball a little better this past season though. Not signing him back is not a big loss although I will miss having him around.
Bill Mueller…the perfect kind of player. He said he wanted to be on the West Coast to be closer to his family. It seems as though the Sox would be willing to give him a 1 year deal…he wanted more…he turned down money in Pittsburgh to go out West and got a multi-year deal. He’ll be missed here too but it seemed natural that he was ready to move on.
Resigning Mike Timlin…he was the best guy in the bullpen last year. Welcome back. He made 2.75 million last year so presumably he’s up closer to 3 this year.
Rudy Seanez! This guy stunk up the joint the last time he was here but he was great last season in the San Diego bullpen. Let’s hope this year is like last year.
Johnny Damon…well…would have been great to have him back but he took his 13 million a year, which even Yankee fans who I’ve spoken to think is overpaying. I’ll miss having him in centerfield but I don’t think the Sox can be blamed for not going that high. The good news is the Yankees have been given permission to have 10 people on the field in order to have an extra outfielder that can stand between centerfield and second base so Johnny can have an extra cut-off man.
Now clearly there are some holes to fill in centerfield and shortstop. Hopefully the Miguel Tejada thing gets done. The Sox also now have the best 7-man rotation in baseball will Schilling, Beckett, Wells, Wakefield, Arroyo, Clement, and Papelbon. Wells is likely to be traded as well as (if all goes well) Clement.
So assuming these holes get filled…but not counting that money yet…
People who became free agents or were traded so far (Billy Mueller ~4, Johnny Damon ~13, ‘Belli ~1.5, E.R. ~10, Millar ~1) add up to probably around 30 million dollars.
People who the Red Sox acquired via free agency or trade so far (Beckett ~6, Lowell ~8, Mota ~2.6, Seanez ~1.5, Loretta ~2.75, +11 million for E.R.) add up to probably around 32 million dollars.
So far, the Sox by my rough estimatations, have spent more money then last year.
Of course, it remains to be seen what will happen with Manny, Wells, and Clement…stay tuned…
