It's great to be back folks! College life has kept me busy but now I'm home on break and have all the time in the world to share my sports knowledge and opinions! i know some of you are glad to hear that, but a lot of you are just waiting to tear me a new one. To that, I say bring it on!
Coming off a World Series Championship, the Boston Red Sox have gone from the hunters to the hunted. Every move they make will be heavily scrutinized, so here we go.
Signing A.J. Pierzynski: C+
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Saltalamachia signed a 3 year deal with
the Miami Marlins worth $21 million. |
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Pierzynski turned down
other offers to come to
Boston. |
After letting Jarrod Saltalamachia go in free agency, the Red Sox had a need for another catcher to pair with veteran David Ross. They decided to go the veteran route, and signed A.J. Pierzynski, a 36 year old catcher coming off a one year deal with the Texas Rangers in which he batted .272 with 70 RBI's in 134 games, to a one year deal worth $8.25 million. He brings with him a veteran presence and an attitude, but with the leadership in the Sox locker room that shouldn't be a problem. I love the fact that he turned down more money to have a chance to win a championship, that gets you points in my book immediately. Personally i don't mind the move, Pierzynski's a good player and should fill the void left by Salty, but i believe the Sox could have stayed in house for this move. Some people may have forgotten about him, but Sox prospect Ryan Lavarnway has the potential to be a solid starting catcher in the major leagues. Lavarnway is widely known as a great defensive catcher who batted .299 in 25 games for the Sox last year, playing only every 5 or so games, a struggle for a catcher who is used to playing everyday. He hit .295 for two straight seasons at Pawtucket. I think the Sox should have given him a chance at the starting job. Playing everyday, I believe Lavarnway could be one of the better offensive catchers in the game. But for now it looks like Pierzynski will be the starter backed up by David Ross, who the Sox would like to get about 50-60 games out of, with Lavarnway likely being the 3rd guy and possibly trade bait later in the year.
Resigning Mike Napoli: A
 |
Napoli will make $16 million
after hitting .259 with 23 HR's and
92 RBI's |
Anyone who knows me knows this, I am not a fan of Mike Napoli. He strikes out way to often, and personally I think he has one of the worst swings in baseball. He just looks like a caveman swinging a club. I also believe he is overpaid, but that can be said for most MLB players to be completely honest (how's that $27.5 million to A-Rod going Yankees?). Never the less, Napoli, along with his outstanding beard, was a fan favorite in Boston and was essential to winning the World Series, so resigning him was a must for the Red Sox. Thanks to his clutch postseason performance, Nap earned himself a two year deal worth $32 million ($16 per year), which makes him the highest paid player on the Red Sox roster going into the 2014 season. I think there are players more deserving of that title, Pedrioa, Ortiz, or Lester to name a few, but once again it was a necessity to bring him back, mainly to provide protection for David Ortiz in the lineup. 92 RBI's and 23 home runs are huge for this team, but i would like to see his .259 batting average come up and his 187 strikeouts come down. Nap was also exceptional defensively at first base last season, which is very pleasing considering it was his first full season at the position. He is a hot and cold hitter, and you never know when he'll get hot, but he is an important piece if this team hopes to win back to back rings. So I guess i have to say it, it's great to have you back Mike,try not to piss me off so much this year.
Letting Jacoby Ellsbury go and waiting on Stephen Drew: B
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Ellsbury's contract has an option for
an 8th year. |
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If Drew were to come back,
he would likely start at
shortstop for the Sox |
This is a money situation. The Sox and general manager Ben Cherington made the right decision letting Jacoby Ellsbury go. Obviously right now he is one of the best overall players in the game and is worth $20+ million a year. That's why the Yankees, as only the Yankees do, gave him a seven year deal worth $153 million. That will help them right now, as Jacoby is still in his prime, but Ellsbury is 30 years old. Within four years of this deal he will no longer be the same player he is now, and the Yankees will have a sub par player on their roster making over $20 million. The Sox meanwhile can go out and make a move on veterans who will help them win now without binding themselves financially years down the road. The downside is that you lose a great player right now. As for Stephen Drew, after giving him the qualifying offer of $14.5 million for one year as free agency began, it appears that he and the Red Sox will be going their separate ways. This could be good or bad for the Sox. By not bringing him back, you save at least $15 million that he would likely command, and you open the door for top prospect Xander Bogarts to take over at shortstop next season. If you do bring him back, he would play short and Bogarts would likely play third base, which may be the better option rather than Will Middlebrooks playing third with Xander at short. Either way the left side of the infield will be a question. But either way in both the Ellsbury and Drew situation, the Red Sox have been smart with their money.
Bullpen Additions: A
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Mujica is coming off a year where
he had a 2.78 ERA for the
St. Louis Cardinals |
A good bullpen gets better as the Red Sox picked up relievers Edward Mujica and Burke Badenhop. Badenhop was aquired in a trade with the Brewers for a minor leaguer and Mujica signed a two year deal worth $9.5 million. Badenhop is very effective against right handed batters, while Mujica has closing experience, which will come in handy if Koji Uehara ever struggles or deals with injury. Cherington made two solid moves here to solidify an already effective bullpen.
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With Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran off the
market, Choo looks to be the next
big name outfielder to cash in. |
So far the defending champs have had a very effective offseason. They have improved areas where they were strong and solidified first base and catcher. I would like to see them go after another outfielder, possibly Shin Soo Choo, to replace Ellsbury in the outfield. I do not believe that prospect Jackie Bradley Jr. is ready to takeover center field yet. I believe Shane Victorino should play center, with Daniel Nave in either left or right, and Johnny Gomes or a free agent addition in the other outfield spot.
Let me know what you guys think.
NasDaddy
@NasDaddy23
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