Now I know I have been one of the people who has defended Dice-K in the past and ill take my punishment for those comments, but if we could dump him on Chicago, I might be more interested in the head case that is Carlos Zambrano.   People with the stats will have to break down whether he is still a productive starter, but let me just float two ideas on why this might be an deal the Sox should consider. 

1) Zambrano as a 5th starter.  Sports is littered with players who acted like idiots and then found another chance and rebirth with a different organization.  Being from New England, Cory Dillon and Randy Moss both come to mind.  Each had "head case" stamped across their foreheads and both bought into the Patriots system.  Whether or not Carlos is the kind of guy who can change is up in the air, but players have changed.  Also take into consideration Terry Francona as a players manager, the strong Latin professional influence on the team with Papi and A-Gon, Carlos might change.  Key word is "might."  Dice-K is not coming back and I would rather take a shot on Big Z, partially paid for by the Cubs, and see whats we get.

2) Zambrano as a bullpen set up man - the other option if a deal can be made, is to put him in the bully and again see if he can show the Sox a little of the stuff from the early 2000's.   Many players have been reborn in the bullpen and if Big Z can again change, he has the stuff to be a dominating set up guy.

Just a thought while I was working.  Of course the deal would have to be one in which the Cubs picked up a lot of Big Z's money, but sending Dice-K away and getting something of value back, even if its a reclamation project seems like something the Sox should consider.

I would be very interested in hearing what people think about this idea.  I did not come up with it, someone posted the idea on MLBTR.com.

#1 pick of the Sox in 2011 is currently on ESPN 2 pitching against South Carolina in the College Baseball playoffs.  He just struck out the side in the 1st. 

Anyone interested, I didnt know he was pitching today so I am extremely excited to watch.  He kind of has a chip on his shoulder, which I like in starting pitchers.

Take a look if you get the chance, look like this could be a good game.

After seeing that horrible injury last night and how the Giants are now scrambling to replace Posey's bat.  The rumors are that Posey not only broke his ankle but also tore ligaments in his knee. Buster Posey was one of their top hitters and the future of the Giants lineup.  When I saw the collision, I thought of the Twins and Joe Mauer. 

Does this injury to Posey force Minnesota to rethink putting Mauer behind the plate and move him to RF?  I think they have too,  Mauer is too important to the team and their future playoff runs and the catching position is not.

Someone over at mlbrumors suggested that with Lowrie's excellent play this season the Sox could move Jose Iglesias for a young arm or catching prospect.  The assumption is that Lowrie will be the regular SS for the future and that many teams would pay a pretty fine price to get him.

This is the first I have ever heard of the Sox looking to move the young cuban SS, does this make sense?  I really would like to know what people who have more understanding of the Sox farm system think about this rumor.

One of my buddies sent this too me.  If you like Bobby Brown, Mike Tyson and Wayne Brady this will be a treat.

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/6cd1e6dbb4/every-little-step-with-mike-tyson-wayne-brady

For all you youngsters, this was the biggest hit of like 1989.  I thought it was hilarious and a good way to lighten the mood of the past 7 games.

I dont know if its allowed to link comedy sites, if not my bad....

I am sure people with a better grasp on baseball and Red Sox history can tell us if this was in fact the best off season for the Red Sox, but I believe Theo has just one more move to make.

Sign Pedro Martinez to a one day contract and let him retire a Red Sox.

Ive never hidden the fact that Pedro is my favorite athlete of all time, even more that Ed "Stick" Cota from UNC glory days, so I am a little biased.  But what a great way to end a decade of Red Sox glory by letting Pedro finish out in a  Sox uniform.  Sorry, I am a sucker for these type of symbolic gestures...

Thank you for being the worst GM in baseball. 

Thank you for not signing the best 3rd baseman on the market when your #1 off season priority was signing a 3rd baseman. 

Thank you for only signing overrated FA relief pitchers to multi-year deals and outfielders, every single year.

Thank you for overvaluing your prospects so that even you believe the hype and hamstring every trade, not pulling the trigger on Dan Uggla, Matt Holiday, Miguel Cabrera, etc, etc, etc.

Thank you for waiting to low-ball Carl Crawford and guaranteeing that a great GM like Theo could swoop in and make CC our starting LF.

Thank you for trying to stonewall Scott Boras, thank you for getting played by Scott Boras and thank you for losing again to Scott Boras, maybe you can re-new his special seats in the dugout after he just worked your team to get way more money than Beltre should ever see from your RIVAL. 

And thank you for doing nothing, so I never have to hear about how the MLB, the American League, the Umpires, ESPN, Fox News, NATO, the Taliban and the entire Chinese Imperial Army have an East Coast Bias during the playoffs, which the Angels will not see for a very, very long time.

And most of all Thank you Tony Reagins for the 1st Round Draft pick....

Could this off season get any better?  Seriously.

...it must be getting close to October.

Angel fan is out and agitated again.  No thought of the errors the Angels committed prior to the 9th inning, or the men left on base all night, or even Varitek's error to give the Angels the lead...No it must be a CONSPIRACY.  Again!!!  How does the Angel organization survive as a franchise when every umpire is obviously screwing them over so the Red Sox can win?

Angel fan, let me be the one to clarify some things.  Your team, the one that does no wrong, just lost to a guy who was on the DL for 3 months (Some AA team ripped Dice-K for 6 runs last week) and Paul Byrd a guy who was pitching to his son's junior high school team a month ago.  You lost to a team who did not play its two best hitters in either game.  You lost when the Red Sox gave you the lead when Varitek could not pick the ball up out of the dirt and you finally got a break.  And you lost to a team who hit ground outs after ground outs which your team could not handle.

But its the umpires who caused you to lose, right?  Is that the way we are going to play this off season?  Each season its something.  No "I hope they hit Papi in the head so he out of the series" by that class act Rev Halo?  No Papi uses steroids, when your only WS win was won with a guy who WAS busted for using PEDs in 2002?  We are going with umpire conspiracy this year?

I have no idea who is going to win an ALDS match up with the Red Sox and Angels, I will be cheering for the Sox, but I can guarentee If the Red Sox win the Angels must of been screwed by something, Papi's PEDs, Umpires, the ghost of Ted Williams, Bud Selig....something will cause them to lose.

Ahh, the bitterness, every year I forget why nobody likes Angel fan in LA, but come October, then I remember.  They are the most classless group.   Raider fan, you now have my apology.

Editor's Note: According to Yahoo's! Gordon Edes, the Red Sox have offered Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden and Ryan Westmoreland to Toronto for Roy Halladay. No word if those are the only three prospects involved, but the Jays have said before that teams inside the division will have to pay a "premium price" -- an extra player -- for Halladay.

Theo is by far the smartest GM in baseball.  I am convinced that he has played these negotiation perfectly.  Over-valuing Buchholz's potential, claiming he is untouchable, then turning around and offering him as the key piece to Toronto, Cleveland and San Diego to get an established All star caliber player who switches the pressure to Anaheim, NY and Tampa Bay.  Theo is playing chess while the rest of the AL GMs are playing checkers.

At worst, Theo has just made the Yankees and Angels nervous and given Toronto the leverage to demand Kyle Drabek, Dominic Brown and JA Happ and Cleveland almost a lock to trade Lee, probably to the NL.   If Boston gets Haladay everything changes for the playoffs and Lee becomes extremely important to LAA, LAD, Yankees, and Philly.   Even if Boston does not get Haladay, a very likely scenario is he goes to Philly, Lee possibly goes to LAD, both are out of the AL and neither is on the Angels, Rays or Yankees.  Win/Win.

Now I know that this is just Boras acting like a jackass to trying and bump the initial offer up from the Nats and I also know that this will never happen, but now can you see the logic of Dunn's contract being a priority for the Nats to move.  Boras claims he has Japanese teams interested in Strasburg and we all know he is willing to send his client(s) to an independent league as a negotiation tactic.  The economy does have an effect on all teams, even the Yankees are claiming they cannot add payroll.

So not to dreg up the old Johnson v. Dunn argument, but I do believe one of the pro-Johnson arguments, that he will cost less in terms of prospects, is not as persuasive any longer.  Nats could very well need to come up with $30 million for just Strasburg and probably another $5-10 million for the #10 pick (especially if its another Boras client).

Just as a secondary debate:  Boras is going to jack the amateur draftees slot price up so much with Strasburg, no small market team will ever be able to sign a 1-10 pick in the near future until MLB steps in and puts in a rookie salary cap similar to the NBA.  You know in 2010 Boras will have a client in the top 5 and claim that if Strasburg got this money, so should this client.  This is great for the Red Sox, bc talent will continue to slip into the late 1st round and players the Red Sox should never have a chance to draft/sign will be available, but this is horrible for MLB.  If you are the worst team in baseball and have a budget, you cannot trade your pick, you cannot sign the best talent...what do you do?

There is a rumor about Omar Vizquel being a possible option to play SS.  He was asked about his desire to play in Boston:

'It seems every time the Red Sox need a shortstop, my name gets brought up,' Vizquel said. 'Now, I don't think I'm in a good position to leave. We're winning here, we have a good thing going. I don't know if Texas would really let me go. We'll see. Maybe later in the season? Who knows. I don't want to close any doors.'

Vizquel went on and stated that he 'wishes the Red Sox made a play for him when they had a chance.'

If things dont pick up with Lugo, I say YES, YES and YES to Vizquel.  The guy is a beast in the field and I am more than willing to give up production at the plate to have this guy patrolling the middle infield.

Speculation is that the Nationals are going to start selling and Adam Dunn, Kearns and Johnson are available.  Watching the WBC this season I finally got to see Adam Dunn play.  Ill be the first to admit from what most people say about this guy I was pleasantly surprised to find out he is not just a beer league softball power hitter, but a solid hitter with a great approach.  Yes, I admit his fielding is suspect, but as a pure DH he has the potential to be very productive at Fenway.  IF, Papi is finished (not willing to say he is done just yet) the Red Sox do not need a 1B, they need a DH. 

Is Adam Dunn someone the Red Sox should consider?   If so what would it take to get him away from the Nationals?

Ive been reading a lot about this kid from San Diego State, the potential #1 pick in the up coming amateur draft, and how his comparable MLB player is Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers.  Steven Strasburg has a 96 + FB (which he got to 104 once), slurvey-like curve and a circle change as well as a 2seam fb and rates very highly with the scouts.  Many think he could be the best pitcher in the Nationals rotation today, but is that actually a complement?

So my question:  IF the Red Sox had an option to get either of these players without giving up anything which would you choose? 

Justin Verlander or the young buck from San Diego State, Steven Strasburg?

Reading through some talk over at MLBTR two trade scenarios were discussed as possible fits for the Red Sox.  Now before everyone goes crazy this was speculation or rumor nothing solid, however some of the writers of the blog believe a good match up for the Padres would be the Red Sox in a Adrian Gonzalez deal.  AG is an excellent hitter with power and a lefty, and I would assume Youk would move to third and AG would be at 1st.

Knowing full well that some here would never trade Clay Buchholz (Lol some still think that trading him for Johan Santana would be a mistake...) would you deal some of the other prospects, Bowden, Bard, etc. and some of the regs like Delcarmen and Lowrie in a package to get Gonzales?  If you like this move what would you believe it would take to pry AG from the Padres?

Another possible trade talked about was a straight up trade Bowden for Brandon Wood of the Angels.  I know little about Wood other than the fact he is a young SS, who can hit and is on the top of the Angels prospect list.  He is currently blocked by Figgy at 3b and Aybar at SS.    Bowden is also similarly blocked by our surplus of arms, so Bowden for Wood?

Love to hear people's ideas and opinions on both rumors. 

Thanks

Red Sox farm system #7.

Top Prospects 1-10:

1) Matt Weiters - C - Baltimore

2) David Price - LHP - Tampa Bay

3) Jason Heyward - RF - Atlanta

4) Neftali Feliz - RHP - Texas

5) Travis Snider - OF - Toronto

6) Madison Bumgarner - LHP - San Fran

7) Lars Anderson - 1B - Boston

8) Buster Posey - C - San Fran

9) Tommy Hanson - RHP - Atlanta

10) Rich Porcello - RHP - Detroit

Top 10 farm systems:

1) Texas

2) Tampa Bay

3) Oakland

4) Atlanta

5) Cleveland

6) St. Louis

7) Boston

8) Florida

9) San Fran

10) Baltimore

Links - Top 100 Prospects   Top Farm Systems

If these are reasonable, future looks very bright for the Sox.

I might have to eat some crow on Lars....

http://eastwindupchronicle.com/some-tazawa-footage/

Over at East Windup Chronicle they posted a 5 min video of Junichi Tazawa game footage.  He throws his two best secondary pitches, the curveball + splitter thing.  You get a pretty good look at his pitching style.  He reminds me of Buchholz, relying on his curveball mostly, not very confindent in his fastball.  Tazawa does seem to have some potential.  I need to get to 75 words so, ignore this last sentence.  Thanks!

Just to get us through the 2 dead days, speculation thread.

Supposedly, Jake Peavy can be gotten for the right price.  I like this guy, he has guts, great stuff and is under contract for a 4 more years.

My question to everyone at OTM....

Would you approve of the Sox putting a package together with Buchholz + Bowden + a few more prospects to get Peavy?

Understand that I believe Lowrie, Lester, Masterson and Ellsbury are on the "Do not even Ask" list.

IMO Peavy is one of the few guys in MLB that I would dump the farm to get.  He is a young Roy Halladay and I believe would fit into the Red Sox clubhouse very nicely.

Anyone have thoughts on this?

I know that my last post was a little controversal but that was written to piss off the Halo fans who still believe we have some kind of rivalry with them.  Duke v. North Carolina, Cowboy v. Redskins, Celtic v. Lakers, these are rivalries.  There is no rivalry if you lose all the time.

Friday's game is a huge game for the Halos, but its bigger for Dice-K.  Often Sox fans, myself included, forget that Dice pitches for 2 nations, the Red Sox Nation and Japan and the game on Friday is Dice-K's chance to show his homeland that he is still the big game pitcher they loved back in Japan.

As I said in my earlier post, this game of Friday sets up perfectly for Dice-K: he is on the road where he does better, the pressure is off (thanks to Lester and Bay), the Angels will be jumping out of their shoes to get something started so Dice-k can lull them to sleep with his style of pitching,  Ervin Santana now has every Angel fan praying not to get swept again and Santana has no playoff experience whatsoever.  Plus everyone in Japan has kind of gravitated to Yu Darvish as the best Japanese pitcher, and almost forgotten about Dice-K.

So, no more trash talking from me, all positive vibes for Dice-K, bc I believe Dice has another WBC type performance in him and I personally believe Friday everyone finally understands why $100 million was a steal for this guy.

P.S. Have I mentioned that the Angels dreams are pinned to Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders?  LOL well a little trash talking never hurt anyone.

Everything is set up for you guys to win this series:

Homefield

Pitching staff set up exactly how you guys want.

Vlady now has protection.

Torri Hunter is playing one of your eight outfield postions.

Mike Lowell is probably not gonna play much.

Josh Beckett is not starting game one and is not healthy.

JD Drew is not 100%.

Manny is gone.

No Curt Schilling this year.

A night game so that all your fans will be able to go to the game and not take time off work.

Your choice of what type of series you want.

Los Angeles cares more about the Dodgers than you guys (hell LA cares more about the Clippers than the Halos), so no pressure.

K-Rod is pitching for $$$$$.

Tex is hitting for $$$$$.

Scott Shields is pitching for his new closer job next year.

Your team had about a month to rest since there isnt one respectable team in your division.

I hear John Travolta cannot get an acting gig so the one celeb brave enough to admit he is a Halo fan will be in attendence.

Tim Salmon will probably throw out the first pitch so you guys can get that "special" feeling before the game.

When you lose the ALDS, what will your excuse be this year?

Ive been helping my little bro out with his kids while my sister in law and bro are dealing with their newborn (1 week old today).  So me and my two nieces spend the time when we are watching TV switching between Sesame Street and ESPN. 

On ESPN first take, they have a debate going on:  Could a NFL return specialist like D. Hester out run/beat a bear if he started at one end zone and the bear was at the 50 yard line in a race to the opposite end zone? 

Everyone seems to think that Hester would win this bc of his quickness and speed.  ESPN had the top North American Bear Specialist on and he stated that bears are much faster than the fastest man 24 mph v. 35-40 mph and that bears are even quicker than a man bc they run on 4 paws v. 2 legs.

Everyone seems to think these points are irrelevant to the argument.  Am I the only person who thinks Hester is going to get caught and eaten within 20 yards?

LOL, here is how I see this going down....Hester starts off, gets some serious speed, heads for the bear and tries to juke him.  Bear smacks Hester with a paw, Hester is dead....=)

Anyone?  Who are you taking if you have to bet your life savings?  Hester or the Bear?

My vote->  Bear

The Definitive Guide on How to Beat the Red Sox

See, nobody has ever spent the time to really breakdown how to beat the Sox, plus I am sure most of the Baseball people do not live across from Fenway which gives a unique perspective of a guy who lives in Boston and watches the Red Sox. 

The pure hatred for Red Sox Nation by Halo fan is starting to get obsurd.

The highlights:

The Red Sox win bc other teams let them.  Jacoby is overrated and will be a bust.  Okajima is a terrible pitcher that hitters have made better by swinging at all his bad pitches.  Our bullpen is terrible.  The author's 4th point is some ridculous analysis of how to play D. Pedroia.  The author believes he can get in the box v. Okajima and get a walk in 4 pitches.  I am betting on Okie striking him out in 3.

Halo fan is going crazy.  This is starting to get embarrassing.

Hey everyone,

This year I was thinking of trying out Fantasy Baseball.  I have some experience with Fantasy leagues in Football, Bball and Baseball from my law school day, but have not played for a long time.

What I am asking...are their any vets from OTM who can help me find an online Fantasy Baseball site that is solid and maybe some advice bc after googling I was overwhelmed.

Things I would like - A keeper league, both leagues, and preferably some level of gambling and friendly trash talking.

Things I do not want - A bunch of nerds who horde their players and never make trades during the season bc they wimps.

Any suggestions?

If this was talked about before, my apologies.

Appreciate the help.

SoxAcumen.

Working this morning, at work we keep the TVs on all the time, its the entertainment industry.

Some new items about Clinton/Obama, blah, blah, blah.

Then some blond woman comes on and references Overthemonster.com while talking about the Mitchell report.

Nice work Randy, Allen, SoxD. way to get some national pub for the site.