Josh Hamilton

[elements1985]

Do you remember the excitement before the 2011 season? Does names like Mike Napoli and Jonny Gomes fire up the base? I agree winning does solve everything but after our liquidation sale in August, it is Peddy and Papi, that is it. I truly believe Hamilton will become an instant success in Boston and I feel he could be a serviceable DH in the future. I do not see our pitching any better than last year so in order to compete we need to have a dangerous lineup.

But you're talking marketing, ticket sales, merchandise and TV ratings -- generating demand, not winning titles.

Retrospectively, I think fans are beginning to come around to the fundamental reality: that much of the hype around this team over the past 2-3 years has due to a miscalculation of how stable, consistent and reliable its core is (most notably the pitchers). Why, for example, anyone -- including myself -- considered Buchholz money in the bank is beyond comprehension in hindsight. Actually translating raw talent into consistent performance is perhaps what defines the elite, cornerstone players from the rest (something Red Sox fans have vastly underrated IMO: just because CB has the best 'stuff' on the staff doesn't really mean anything if we're wondering each off-season what he'll do each proceeding year).

The BRS can't keep signing/acquiring ancillary pieces to compliment the same players IMO.... They need a new core.... This was addressed last July with the big trade; but if they added Hamilton, how can you build around someone for just 3 years? Strategically, that's perhaps one disadvantage of short-term, big-money deals: little long-term stability.

Here's why the Lester for Wil Myers deal intrigues me (forget the players, just think of the concept): a HUGE prospect might stave off the desire to go for broke the next 2 seasons and buy some patience amongst the fans. I guess it might be SLIGHTLY comparable to an NFL team adding a top QB and rebuilding for a year or two).

[EEasyA]

http://audio.weei.com/a/67752965/mik...sistant-gm.htm

Mike Hazen talks about their offseason Moves.

[bagwell368]

Do you remember the excitement before the 2011 season? Does names like Mike Napoli and Jonny Gomes fire up the base? I agree winning does solve everything but after our liquidation sale in August, it is Peddy and Papi, that is it. I truly believe Hamilton will become an instant success in Boston and I feel he could be a serviceable DH in the future. I do not see our pitching any better than last year so in order to compete we need to have a dangerous lineup.

Even with Hamilton added and the same staff it's not a serious contender.

[bagwell368]

That's still better than 99 percent of the MLB.

sure and he's asking for 99.7% in terms of money. no bargain + known risks.

[mooz]

But you're talking marketing, ticket sales, merchandise and TV ratings -- generating demand, not winning titles.

Retrospectively, I think fans are beginning to come around to the fundamental reality: that much of the hype around this team over the past 2-3 years has due to a miscalculation of how stable, consistent and reliable its core is (most notably the pitchers). Why, for example, anyone -- including myself -- considered Buchholz money in the bank is beyond comprehension in hindsight. Actually translating raw talent into consistent performance is perhaps what defines the elite, cornerstone players from the rest (something Red Sox fans have vastly underrated IMO: just because CB has the best 'stuff' on the staff doesn't really mean anything if we're wondering each off-season what he'll do each proceeding year).

The BRS can't keep signing/acquiring ancillary pieces to compliment the same players IMO.... They need a new core.... This was addressed last July with the big trade; but if they added Hamilton, how can you build around someone for just 3 years? Strategically, that's perhaps one disadvantage of short-term, big-money deals: little long-term stability.

Here's why the Lester for Wil Myers deal intrigues me (forget the players, just think of the concept): a HUGE prospect might stave off the desire to go for broke the next 2 seasons and buy some patience amongst the fans. I guess it might be SLIGHTLY comparable to an NFL team adding a top QB and rebuilding for a year or two).

Great post!

I put in bold a few parts I especially enjoyed/agreed with. I'm a huge fan of Clay, he's been my favorite Sox pitcher for the entire time he's been up, but even I can see that I was very unrealistic about my expectations of him year in and year out.

As far as the Lester/Myers trade goes, I am with you, I think that's a great point that acquiring Myers would force the Sox to be more conservative with one of their OF spots. They won't want to block that kid and once he comes up he'll be cheap while possibly being a big contributor. The only thing that keeps coming up in my mind against the trade is, that puts us 2 very good pitchers away from contending. If Barnes is one, you'll still need another one. I think you need 3 good to very good pitchers to win a championship.

[Soxfan85]

Yankees have "Checked in on Hamilton"

Source: http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2012/12/...rsuing-slugger

I don't see him going there unless they trade CG and stay under $189 Luxury tax. Sox still keeping "dialogue" with him even with Sox signing two outfielders the sox still have a spot left

[bagwell368]

even with Sox signing two outfielders the sox still have a spot left

Not really, only if Ells is dealt.

[Soxfan85]

Not really, only if Ells is dealt.

This is the quote the writer wrote

The Red Sox have already signed on two outfielders in the last few weeks, bringing on Jonny Gomes on a two-year deal and Shane Victorino on a three-year agreement, but the club still has a corner outfield spot to fill and money with which to play.

[bagwell368]

This is the quote the writer wrote

The Red Sox have already signed on two outfielders in the last few weeks, bringing on Jonny Gomes on a two-year deal and Shane Victorino on a three-year agreement, but the club still has a corner outfield spot to fill and money with which to play.

Again, that only works with the assumption that Ellsbury is dealt. The question is are the BRS talking about this in front of someone (doubtful unless it's "Mouth Luchhino"), or the writer is making the assumption many are that Ells is gone.

If Hamilton is signed here, than there is no doubt at all with Ells's fat price tag he will get this year, we will deal him away before ST. We can't deal either of the new guys in that time frame.

Signing Hamilton before dealing Ellsbury would weaken Ellsbury's price by IMO a good amount, so he goes first.

The chances we sign Hamilton unless its for some cut rate 3/65 deal is still very small IMO.

[MG956]

In order to bring both sides together what would Hamilton's cost to us be? 3/66, 4/80? I'll just assume no one here is thinking more or less in years.

This is sort of like the Beltre & Martinez arguements, a case can be made either way but sooner or later a price gets narrowed down to where both sides can take it or leave it. Then again I think Beltre's magic number was 4/48 and he got 6/98, or something like that.

[Soxfan85]

In order to bring both sides together what would Hamilton's cost to us be? 3/66, 4/80? I'll just assume no one here is thinking more or less in years.

This is sort of like the Beltre & Martinez arguements, a case can be made either way but sooner or later a price gets narrowed down to where both sides can take it or leave it. Then again I think Beltre's magic number was 4/48 and he got 6/98, or something like that.

4 yrs 80M sounds right IMO. I wouldn't go any higher in years just money IMO

[mooz]

Source: http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2012/12/...rsuing-slugger

I don't see him going there unless they trade CG and stay under $189 Luxury tax. Sox still keeping "dialogue" with him even with Sox signing two outfielders the sox still have a spot left

Aren't they already at around 200 mil?

[mooz]

4 yrs 80M sounds right IMO. I wouldn't go any higher in years just money IMO

I wonder what he'd take if he was offered 3 yr / 75 mil or 4 yr / 80 mil. Seems logical he would think he could make more than 5 mil if he hit FA after the 3rd year.

[Fla.SticKy]

I know a lot of you guys are on board with this guy, but I think we should stay away from him! He is such a high dollar liability, and Hamilton, Gomes, and Victorino are not gonna bring us a title! I gotta bad feeling about this dude.......If we do sign him (which I hope we dont) I really hope I'm wrong!

[Soxfan85]

I know a lot of you guys are on board with this guy, but I think we should stay away from him! He is such a high dollar liability, and Hamilton, Gomes, and Victorino are not gonna bring us a title! I gotta bad feeling about this dude.......If we do sign him (which I hope we dont) I really hope I'm wrong!

Some members on this forum say "we are not contending this year" is what I have to say to that. Every year we contend! We filled our empty holes and now we need to get a pitcher either FA which is becoming less likely now because ZG $$$ is going to bump the price for Anibal Sanchez. We were plagued with injuries last year. I said it before if the starting pitchers can remain healthy and bounce back that includes Lackey then yes we have a shot. Every year we have a shot don't listen oh we will be contending in 2015-2020. Fans are not going to wait that long. Again this is how I feel and I feel we have a chance.