Inside the Red Sox meltdown

Henry deserves some credit for spending 90 pretty candid minutes with Massarotti and Felger. Not many owners would have done that.

 

agreed, especially considering he went on the station that isn't the sox flagship and went at those who have been ripping the situation the most.

 

Are Buckholtz and Lester completely shot before age 30? I mean both were disappointing and injured but with them and Beckett if Boston signs a good starter i don't know how they won't contend. The Braves overpaid D Lowe when he was a bit past his prime, so can't see how that's a surprise. It's not 04, but when it was that guy showed about as much sack as anyone with a Game 7 win on 2 days' rest.

 

That's the thing, they aren't that far away. Lester and Buchholz are by no means dead weight. Interesting to see how Buchholz does with the back.
The funny thing about Lowe, was always considered the mentally weak one. They don't win in '04 without him.

 

Based on his quotes about Reyes and Wright (the two faces of the franchise), Wilpon's quotes rank as dumber. Henry did put out an impressive second place performance though.

 

agree. i know the point is the end of the season was a joke and the way Francona left also was. but their key guys are all still pretty young or in their prime. yeah TB has better young pitching but their lineup is shit compared to Boston and NY. if Beckett, Lester and Buckholz are healthy (yeah that's a big if) that's a solid 3. Ortiz and Varitek are on the downside, but Ellsbury, Pedroia, Youk and Gonzalez are all very good. i can see Boston fans being upset with the way this season went but can't see them with little hope for next year. Miller still has potential and being the No. 4 or 5 guy on a good team for a full season can see him with a decent year.

 

Papi and Tek are both goners. After his comments this week, I think Papi wants out of Boston.
I could see Ortiz landing in Tampa Bay, since there's no room for him in New York (or in Boston, with Youk having to consume some DH at-bats). The Rays are willing to spend on one-year deals if the price is right (Damon, Ramirez), and they could use power in the middle of the lineup badly.

 

Papi's not going to like the reality check he's due, re $$$$$

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see Boston take back Bay for some similarly bad contract, though I think Lackey & Crawford are long enough that they would have to throw in some cash - maybe upfront cash for a back-end obligation sweetens the deal for the Mets. Who says no to Crawford +$ for Bay?

 

The only Papi sees eight digits next year is if the Sox offer him arbitration (they won't offer him three years, but might be willing to take it year by year, like they have with Papelbon).

 

No way the Mets can afford the gap in money and years between Crawford and Bay. Crawford has $122 million left on his deal.

Lackey has 3 years left at $45.75 million. Bay has 2 years left (vesting option for 2014, which if he vests should result in a GM being shot) at $35 million ($49 million if it vests).

Those two contracts are similar enough in money, that I can see a deal of those two being possible.

 

I think Lackey might be so radioactive that the Sox have to pay all of the money left on it, and they'll only get back like a B or C-grade prospect. Has Bay really fallen that much in New York that he has no value for them?