Red Sox sign Victorino to 3 year $39M deal

[xnick5757]

[AI4]

Well, is it safe to say this will be Ben's first blunder?

[Nomar]

I can't help but wonder if this means a deal is in place for Ells..

I would think so, but I hope it's something good. Not against getting rid of Ells now as long as we get big upside for him like Stephenson or Hultzen.

[gustofer1]

Well, is it safe to say this will be Ben's first blunder?

Depends on what we get for Ellsbury imo

[xnick5757]

Well, is it safe to say this will be Ben's first blunder?

well it depends on what they plan on doing with him. he does play good defense i guess....

[MiamiBoy77]

if we trade Ellsbury, Victorino wouldnt be a terrible signing. We have Bradley waiting in the wings, and Victorino won't be an important piece whatsoever. If he plays well, hell be able to split with someone like Kalish. Maybe Kalish hits righties and Victorino hits lefties

[Sweet_Caroline]

I would think so, but I hope it's something good. Not against getting rid of Ells now as long as we get big upside for him like Stephenson or Hultzen.

Most scouting reports I've read on Hultzen don't peg him as a high upside guy. He seems to be a low floor low ceiling type of #3ish starter. Maybe a #2.

[-Lavigne43-]

Ughhh.

This is ironic
@GordonEdes
Red Sox liked Haren, but it was simply a matter of money. Weren't going to $13m after a season in which his velocity dipped

[B'sCeltsPatsSox]

Ughhh.

This is ironic
@GordonEdes
Red Sox liked Haren, but it was simply a matter of money. Weren't going to $13m after a season in which his velocity dipped

Noticed that right after too. Could have given the same amount of money for 2 years less to a quality starting pitcher which we need right now.

[LasahShow14]

Fenway has a big RF area and I think that Victorino and Ells would be fine as a RF/CF combo until JBJ arrives and takes Ells spot next year, or after the trade deadline. We can have Ells in CF and Victorino in RF.

[gustofer1]

^ This.

Most scouting reports I've read on Hultzen don't peg him as a high upside guy. He seems to be a low floor low ceiling type of #3ish starter. Maybe a #2.

Now I know there's no such thing as a "sure thing" pitching prospect, but I'd rather get a handful of #2/#3 guys for Ells and 3 of them pan out, pay a guy like Halladay two years from now, and have a rotation with one veteran (#1) and fill the rest with farm arms. That being said, I'd package Clay or Lester with Ells and 3 or 4 prospects for 2 solid farm arms.

Also, Victorino is another "character" guy who I think would be great in the clubhouse. Having a RHH who can hit 15-20 HR and swipe 20+ bases easily and is a plus defender sounds good to me.

[Tragedy]

I'm in the same boat as others. Trade Ellabury and the Victorino signing is easier to swallow. We have guys like Bradley and Brentz coming along nicely in the system so there needs to be an open spot Soon so letting Ells go would be wise.

If we can land a SP or SS for Ells, our offseason is a success.

[SirHizz]

Fenway has a big RF area and I think that Victorino and Ells would be fine as a RF/CF combo until JBJ arrives and takes Ells spot next year, or after the trade deadline. We can have Ells in CF and Victorino in RF.

It's a mistake, most of Victorinos value comes as a CF. Even if we deal Ells, what happens when JBJ is ready? I'd dismiss the RF idea, would rather Swisher there.

[-Lavigne43-]

I think we are all forgetting Victorino was a 5.9 war player in 2011. He just had a down year last year.

If he plays like he did last year, then yes, he is no where near 38 million in value. But if he plays somewhat like he did in 2011 for the next 2 years and is a 3.5-5 War player, than he is worth it. In the last year he will be 35, can't hope of much other than an average OF type guy. But he would still be worth it if he can preform like he did in 2011.

Would love to get him in center field, trade ellsbury for a young, cost controlled SP, And then hopefully sign another OF to a short 1 or 2 year contract until some of the prospects come up.

Seems like a good, medium risk-high reward, type move to me.

2011 was a complete outlier year for him. He's a career .269/.338/.418 hitter, coming off the worst year of his career, and hes 32. This would be a huge overpay.

[quinnjack]

Well, is it safe to say this will be Ben's first blunder?

I don't think that's fair. I like Victorino a lot as a ballplayer.

If he gives you .270/.340, hits 12-15 HR, is an exceptional base runner, and above average defender he's worth $12.5/year.