Comments on: Why limit ourselves to Mark Teixeira?

By: Gerry

Gerry — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 03:04:28 +0000

Without Teix do we remain a top contender with the following roster?
Ellsbury, Pedroia, Papi, Youk, JDrew, Bay, Lowell, SHOPPACH, Lowrie
Bailey, BALDELLI, HAIRSTON, Kottaras or Brown (for Wake), others.
Beckett, SHEETS, Daisuke, Lester, Wake, Buchholz, Bowden, Zinc, others.
Papelbon, Monsterson, RRAMIREZ, Oki, MDC, Lopez, Aardsma, Hansack, LITTLETON, Gronk, Jones, Bard, others.
I think so.
I think so. In place of Rocco could be Kapler, Dunn, or anyone with a big bat.

By: The Photographer

The Photographer — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:39:41 +0000

I am pleased that you chose to feature my photograph of Pat Burrell, but please per the terms of use provide a link back to the flickr page or photostream. Thank you.

By: PABLO

PABLO — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:24:50 +0000

It is looking like we will not get Sir Tex.
You know what? I think that is good. Who wants to put every egg in the basket of a guy who has never proven in the clutch. If the $184 mil offer isn’t good enough then I will take my chances with Youk, Lowell and one of the above… Yes even Milton B! I think the Sox should go after Ben Sheets for one year – unless there is something medical that we don’t know about he is a MUCH better pitcher than Burnett hands down.
Henry made a bold move today… it is clear the Sox made a generous offer to Teixeira but he evidently is looking to squeeze every last dollar. So he can go to the Yankees and wallow in that mess or he can go to Baltimore or Washington and never win (like he always has until he went to the Angels).
Say what you will about Manny Ramirez – he was a proven CLUTCH player in Cleveland and Boston. Teixeira has not shown this yet. I wanted him bad because of the numbers but he stiffed us once before when we drafted him and if he doesnt have the stones to put himself in position to clutch-up and get it done than good riddance. I will take my chances with Lowell Youk, Pedroia and go get another Pitcher. You need BASEBAL PLAYERS to win not prima donnas looking only to break the bank – history has shown that. PLUS – pitching ALWAYS beats hitting. Let’s get Sheets and dont count out Schill making a second half presence.
Peace.

By: Gerry

Gerry — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 04:54:14 +0000

With Teix, building a bench with Mike for 3rd & DH, bringing in Hairston for SS, 2b and OF, and Bailey to back 1b and OF. Got it covered.
However, after tonite’s about face . . . without Teix, we still need Hairston and Bailey plus Van Every or Baldelli. Why? Because Lugo will be traded, and good guy Alex Cora is a FA and Boras client and will sign elsewhere.

By: Dave B

Dave B — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:14:56 +0000

I think the biggest draw back to signing Teix is what it does to the bench. For the first time in years, the Sox will need to have a player on the bench that can play third on a semi-regular basis. Before, the Sox could have the Sean Caseys of the world come off the bench and shift Youks over. We can’t do that anymore.
Now, if the Sox keep Lowell this really isn’t an isuue but it seems like a foregone conclusion that that wont happen. If you look at the third base FA options you see basically dirt. Internally, the Sox have nothing. We couldn’t even really stick Lugo in there since his arm is beginning to be an issue.
It’s going to be interesting to see how this all plays out. Best guess is Bloomquist ends up here but we’ll have to wait and see.

By: Joshua Hynes

Joshua Hynes — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:11:22 +0000

I’m sorry Evan, but those options just aren’t anywhere near the level a Teixeria-type player is. All those options either have horrible clubhouse presence, swing at too many pitches or play in a position which really is log-jammed right now.
I didn’t think the Sox should have resigned Lowell when they did two years ago. Also Papi’s still younger, more likely to return his pre-’08 self and is also a 10-5 guy (he’s not going to get traded).
Look if Lars Anderson does what you think he’s capable of in AA and AAA the next 2-3 seasons, this team will find some way of working him into the lineup. They always find a way for their home-grown talent to make an impact on the field in some way. Besides, Tex represents the best possible free-agent on the market for the next 2-3 years. It’d be crazy just to let him go.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:42:36 +0000

“Teixeira is also the only guy amongst this group with the capability to become a leader in the clubhouse.”
One thing that Tex is not is a leader. If anything, he’s known to be a bit aloof, similar to A-Rod.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:38:50 +0000

“This is the time to sell Mike Lowell high before his trade value takes a big hit.”
Um…no. You wouldn’t be selling high on Lowell due to his injury. Now if you prove he is healthy again, and playing well, his marketability would increase significantly. But the only way to do that is to start the season w/him as your starting third baseman, and you can’t do that if you sign Tex (or one of the others mentioned).

By: Evan

Evan — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:04:34 +0000

Just something to think about. I think Teix is a great player and there is a reason he is commanding more than the others, but is the difference between the two players for the Sox that tremendous?

By: SamR

SamR — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:59:23 +0000

Some people have such a way with words…