REPORT: Red Sox Sign Crawford

[UNHWildCats]

7 years $142 million

FUCK YA





Crawford
Pedroia
Gonzalez
Youkilis
Ortiz
Varitek/Salty
Drew
Scutaro
Ellsbury

[UNHWildCats]

Ken Rosenthal has confirmed it.

[JoltinJoe]

7 years $142 million

**** YA





Crawford
Pedroia
Gonzalez
Youkilis
Ortiz
Varitek/Salty
Drew
Scutaro
Ellsbury

A team which is perfectly built to underachieve. Very weak up the middle, notably at the C and SS positions. This team will beat up on he weak sisters, but will have trouble with quality teams, which will run silly all over the Cs. And they still have done nothing to buttress their questionable starting pitching after Lester and their slim bullpen. Can Buccholz stay healthy enough get 200 innings this year? Perhaps. But Beckett and Lackey appear to be on a downward spiral, while and Dice K and Wakefield are done.

This team looks like a Yankee team, circa. 1985.

[AshevilleApp]

Good pickup for the Red Sox. I know the Tigers are looking for another outfielder with a good bat. The options are running out quickly.

[UNHWildCats]

7 years $142 million

**** YA





Crawford
Pedroia
Gonzalez
Youkilis
Ortiz
Varitek/Salty
Drew
Scutaro
Ellsbury

A team which is perfectly built to underachieve. Very weak up the middle, notably at the C and SS positions. This team will beat up on he weak sisters, but will have trouble with quality teams, which will run silly all over the Cs. And they still have done nothing to buttress their questionable starting pitching after Lester and their slim bullpen. Can Buccholz stay healthy enough get 200 innings this year? Perhaps. But Beckett and Lackey appear to be on a downward spiral, while and Dice K and Wakefield are done.

This team looks like a Yankee team, circa. 1985.

The Yankees better damn well get Lee signed, cause if they don't the Yankees will be in the Red Sox rear view mirror all season... and "objects maybe closer than they appear" will not apply.



Catcher - Push (Red Sox appear to be willing to go with Saltalamacchia and Varitek, but could also sign Martin, in either case they will be even at worst with the Yankees at catcher)

First - Push (Solid defensive guys who rake the ball)

Second - Push (Cano appears to have more power, though Pedroia was launching last season before his season ended due to injury, Pedroia is an MVP caliber player who is the heart and sole of the Sox, like Jeter for the Yankees, his value goes deeper than just his stats)

Short - Red Sox (Yes Jeter is a HOF, but he is old and will continue to decline, Scutaro is not on the level of Jeter in his prime... but Jeter is several years past his prime)

Third - Red Sox (Like Jeter at Short, the Yankees would have the advantage if talking about A-Rod in his prime, like Jeter A-Rod is past his prime. Over the past two seasons A-Rod has hit 30 HR each year, numbers Youkilis can achieve. Youk has an advantage in AVG and OBP.)

Outfield - Red Sox (Simply put Crawford, Ellsbury, Cameron & Drew are better than any four OFs currently on the Yankees roster. Yes Granderson is decent and Gardner is a star in the making, the Sox are well ahead though)

Starters - Red Sox... for now (This could... COULD move to push if they sign Lee and keep Pettite from retiring... if not, the Yankees rotation gets mighty questionable after Sabathia. The Sox have to aces at the top of the rotation and three other guys who could be aces on 80% of the teams in MLB if they can bounce back... Yes theres questions after Buchholz, but this rotation has the ability to be one of the best in history.)

Relief - Incomplete (We need to wait and see how things unfold the rest of the winter before having any kind of answer here.)

Closer - Push (Mariano is one of the best ever... hell he is the best ever... but like the left side of the infield, he is beyond his prime... that said Papelbon struggled mightily in 2010 but enters a contract year with much to prove and will be auditioning several times for the Yankees. It will be interesting what happens after the season when the Yankees will very likely sign him as it appears Boston has no interest in paying him big bucks to close... who closes for the Yankees in 2012... a younger Papelbon or HOF Rivera... maybe the storyline of next winter.)

Manager - Red Sox

Bench -TBD

[JoltinJoe]

That analysis is hilarious.

[bandl]

Surprise, surprise, Travis doesn't give the Yankees a single advantage in his 'ANALysis'. Not that his opinion means anything to anyone.

[GannonFan]

Well, if anyone knows about teams running wild on poor throwing catchers, it would be a Yankee fan. Posada might need to take a few steps in front of the plate this year just to get it back to the pitchers. Look for more meetings at the mound as well - sometimes walking it there is just as good.

[dbackjon]

Well, if anyone knows about teams running wild on poor throwing catchers, it would be a Yankee fan. Posada might need to take a few steps in front of the plate this year just to get it back to the pitchers. Look for more meetings at the mound as well - sometimes walking it there is just as good.

He's the new Yankee catcher???

[AZGrizFan]

That analysis is hilarious.

I wasn't gonna dignify his stupidity with a response, but I just can't resist. Here's my favorite parts:

**Pedroia gets his nod over Cano because Pedroia is the "heart and sole (sic)" of the Red Sox. Yet Jeter doesn't get the same nod, despite Travis admitting Jeter is the heart and sole (soul, presumably, but I digress) of the Yankees. One guy's 2010 stat line goes 29/109/.319/.381/.914 and the other guys CAREER BESTS go 17/83/.326/.380/.860. I guess Travis has played WAAAY too much fantasy baseball and puts a TON of value on Pedroia's 20 steals.
**Rivera is (somehow) past his prime. Last year he gave up 12 ER's all year. Only ONCE in his career has he given up fewer. He hasn't had an ERA above 2.00 in 3 years. Paplebon's ERA in 2010 was 3.90. Rivera had his lowest WHIP EVER in 2010. Paplebon's? Higher in 2010 (1.26) than Rivera's has EVER been since he became the regular Yankees closer in 1995. Paplebon 28 walks, Rivera 11. Paplebon gave up 7 HR's, Rivera 2. Yet somehow it's RIVERA who's past his prime.
**and just when you don't think he can get any stupider, he thinks Youkilis will be better than A-Rod. I mean, I hate A-Rod as much as the next non-Yankee fan, but let's get fucking serious for a minute. A-Rod hasn't hit LESS than 30 HR's since 1997. He doesn't have less than 100 RBI since 1997. Youkilis has NEVER hit 30 HR's and has only topped 100 RBI's ONCE in his illustrious career, and slugged a whopping 19 last year. with 62 RBI compared to A-Fraud's 125. I can see where Travis could get confused.

[JoltinJoe]

Well, if anyone knows about teams running wild on poor throwing catchers, it would be a Yankee fan. Posada might need to take a few steps in front of the plate this year just to get it back to the pitchers. Look for more meetings at the mound as well - sometimes walking it there is just as good.

Posada will close out his borderline Hall of Fame career as the DH. Jesus Montero is major league ready and has significantly improved his defense during his minor league career. He is now throwing out over 30 percent of base stealers. Montero will hit 9th and will learn the catching trade from Joe Girardi, a great defensive catcher and baseball mind.

[JoltinJoe]

That analysis is hilarious.

I wasn't gonna dignify his stupidity with a response, but I just can't resist. Here's my favorite parts:

**Pedroia gets his nod over Cano because Pedroia is the "heart and sole (sic)" of the Red Sox. Yet Jeter doesn't get the same nod, despite Travis admitting Jeter is the heart and sole (soul, presumably, but I digress) of the Yankees. One guy's 2009 stat line goes 29/109/.319/.381/.914 and the other guys CAREER BESTS go 17/83/.326/.380/.860. I guess Travis has played WAAAY too much fantasy baseball and puts a TON of value on Pedroia's 20 steals.
**Rivera is (somehow) past his prime. Last year he gave up 12 ER's all year. Only ONCE in his career has he given up fewer. He hasn't had an ERA above 2.00 in 3 years. Paplebon's ERA in 2009 was 3.90. Rivera had his lowest WHIP EVER in 2009. Paplebon's? Higher in 2009 (1.26) than Rivera's has EVER been since he became the regular Yankees closer in 1995. Paplebon 28 walks, Rivera 11. Paplebon gave up 7 HR's, Rivera 2. Yet somehow it's RIVERA who's past his prime.
**and just when you don't think he can get any stupider, he thinks Youkilis will be better than A-Rod. I mean, I hate A-Rod as much as the next non-Yankee fan, but let's get **** serious for a minute. A-Rod hasn't hit LESS than 30 HR's since 1997. He doesn't have less than 100 RBI since 1997. Youkilis has NEVER hit 30 HR's and has only topped 100 RBI's ONCE in his illustrious career, and slugged a whopping 19 last year. with 62 RBI compared to A-Fraud's 125. I can see where Travis could get confused.

Besides, Youk didn't even make the all-star team last year.

[AZGrizFan]

Montero will hit 9th and will learn the catching trade from Joe Girardi, a great defensive catcher and baseball mind.

He's no Terry Francona, but he'll have to do.

[89Hen]

Red Sox will finish 3rd or 4th in the AL East next year.

[danefan]

Keep moving those outfielders out of Tampa

My nephew is a CF with speed like never seen before (led the Rays system (all levels) in steals and triples last year)

[JoltinJoe]

Montero will hit 9th and will learn the catching trade from Joe Girardi, a great defensive catcher and baseball mind.

He's no Terry Francona, but he'll have to do.

True.

Girardi was able to get a lot out of a truly lousy Florida Marlins team and won Manager of the Year. On the other hand, when Francona had lousy team, his record was, well, lousy.

[GannonFan]

Well, if anyone knows about teams running wild on poor throwing catchers, it would be a Yankee fan. Posada might need to take a few steps in front of the plate this year just to get it back to the pitchers. Look for more meetings at the mound as well - sometimes walking it there is just as good.

Posada will close out his borderline Hall of Fame career as the DH. Jesus Montero is major league ready and has significantly improved his defense during his minor league career. He is now throwing out over 30 percent of base stealers. Montero will hit 9th and will learn the catching trade from Joe Girardi, a great defensive catcher and baseball mind.

Got a lot of guys playing DH this year for the Yanks - they already said they want to get ARod a lot of at bats at DH, Jeter, and Texeria. Maybe the AL will let you guys use two DH's this year and just play 8 guys in the field?

[JoltinJoe]

Posada will close out his borderline Hall of Fame career as the DH. Jesus Montero is major league ready and has significantly improved his defense during his minor league career. He is now throwing out over 30 percent of base stealers. Montero will hit 9th and will learn the catching trade from Joe Girardi, a great defensive catcher and baseball mind.

Got a lot of guys playing DH this year for the Yanks

That's because the Yankees have depth.

[JMU DJ]

Keep moving those outfielders out of Tampa

My nephew is a CF with speed like never seen before (led the Rays system (all levels) in steals and triples last year)

My wife's step mother (don't know if that makes her my mother in law) has a nephew who is currently on the Rays MLB active pitching roster. Apparently he was ecstatic to be drafted by the Rays because he knew that he had a much better shot of making it to the majors quicker than he could on many of the other teams.

[Col Hogan]

Red Sox will finish 3rd or 4th in the AL East next year.

Wager???

[JMU DJ]

I wasn't gonna dignify his stupidity with a response, but I just can't resist. Here's my favorite parts:

**Pedroia gets his nod over Cano because Pedroia is the "heart and sole (sic)" of the Red Sox. Yet Jeter doesn't get the same nod, despite Travis admitting Jeter is the heart and sole (soul, presumably, but I digress) of the Yankees. One guy's 2009 stat line goes 29/109/.319/.381/.914 and the other guys CAREER BESTS go 17/83/.326/.380/.860. I guess Travis has played WAAAY too much fantasy baseball and puts a TON of value on Pedroia's 20 steals.
**Rivera is (somehow) past his prime. Last year he gave up 12 ER's all year. Only ONCE in his career has he given up fewer. He hasn't had an ERA above 2.00 in 3 years. Paplebon's ERA in 2009 was 3.90. Rivera had his lowest WHIP EVER in 2009. Paplebon's? Higher in 2009 (1.26) than Rivera's has EVER been since he became the regular Yankees closer in 1995. Paplebon 28 walks, Rivera 11. Paplebon gave up 7 HR's, Rivera 2. Yet somehow it's RIVERA who's past his prime.
**and just when you don't think he can get any stupider, he thinks Youkilis will be better than A-Rod. I mean, I hate A-Rod as much as the next non-Yankee fan, but let's get **** serious for a minute. A-Rod hasn't hit LESS than 30 HR's since 1997. He doesn't have less than 100 RBI since 1997. Youkilis has NEVER hit 30 HR's and has only topped 100 RBI's ONCE in his illustrious career, and slugged a whopping 19 last year. with 62 RBI compared to A-Fraud's 125. I can see where Travis could get confused.

Besides, Youk didn't even make the all-star team last year.

Neither did Teixeira

[UNHWildCats]

Surprise, surprise, Travis doesn't give the Yankees a single advantage in his 'ANALysis'. Not that his opinion means anything to anyone.

please tell me one place the Yankees have a clear advantage? Perhaps they might have an ever so slight advantage on a push or two... but is it enough to list them with the advantage..... If Papelbon wasnt in a contract year I would give Yankees a clear advantage at closer... but too many great players have big contract years.

[UNHWildCats]

That analysis is hilarious.

I wasn't gonna dignify his stupidity with a response, but I just can't resist. Here's my favorite parts:

**Pedroia gets his nod over Cano because Pedroia is the "heart and sole (sic)" of the Red Sox. Yet Jeter doesn't get the same nod, despite Travis admitting Jeter is the heart and sole (soul, presumably, but I digress) of the Yankees. One guy's 2010 stat line goes 29/109/.319/.381/.914 and the other guys CAREER BESTS go 17/83/.326/.380/.860. I guess Travis has played WAAAY too much fantasy baseball and puts a TON of value on Pedroia's 20 steals.
**Rivera is (somehow) past his prime. Last year he gave up 12 ER's all year. Only ONCE in his career has he given up fewer. He hasn't had an ERA above 2.00 in 3 years. Paplebon's ERA in 2010 was 3.90. Rivera had his lowest WHIP EVER in 2010. Paplebon's? Higher in 2010 (1.26) than Rivera's has EVER been since he became the regular Yankees closer in 1995. Paplebon 28 walks, Rivera 11. Paplebon gave up 7 HR's, Rivera 2. Yet somehow it's RIVERA who's past his prime.
**and just when you don't think he can get any stupider, he thinks Youkilis will be better than A-Rod. I mean, I hate A-Rod as much as the next non-Yankee fan, but let's get fucking serious for a minute. A-Rod hasn't hit LESS than 30 HR's since 1997. He doesn't have less than 100 RBI since 1997. Youkilis has NEVER hit 30 HR's and has only topped 100 RBI's ONCE in his illustrious career, and slugged a whopping 19 last year. with 62 RBI compared to A-Fraud's 125. I can see where Travis could get confused.

Well idiot... Pedroia is still in his prime.... Jeter takes a big hit for being past his prime... Being the heart and sole of a team can only take you so far.

[UNHWildCats]

That analysis is hilarious.

I wasn't gonna dignify his stupidity with a response, but I just can't resist. Here's my favorite parts:

**Pedroia gets his nod over Cano because Pedroia is the "heart and sole (sic)" of the Red Sox. Yet Jeter doesn't get the same nod, despite Travis admitting Jeter is the heart and sole (soul, presumably, but I digress) of the Yankees. One guy's 2010 stat line goes 29/109/.319/.381/.914 and the other guys CAREER BESTS go 17/83/.326/.380/.860. I guess Travis has played WAAAY too much fantasy baseball and puts a TON of value on Pedroia's 20 steals.
**Rivera is (somehow) past his prime. Last year he gave up 12 ER's all year. Only ONCE in his career has he given up fewer. He hasn't had an ERA above 2.00 in 3 years. Paplebon's ERA in 2010 was 3.90. Rivera had his lowest WHIP EVER in 2010. Paplebon's? Higher in 2010 (1.26) than Rivera's has EVER been since he became the regular Yankees closer in 1995. Paplebon 28 walks, Rivera 11. Paplebon gave up 7 HR's, Rivera 2. Yet somehow it's RIVERA who's past his prime.
**and just when you don't think he can get any stupider, he thinks Youkilis will be better than A-Rod. I mean, I hate A-Rod as much as the next non-Yankee fan, but let's get fucking serious for a minute. A-Rod hasn't hit LESS than 30 HR's since 1997. He doesn't have less than 100 RBI since 1997. Youkilis has NEVER hit 30 HR's and has only topped 100 RBI's ONCE in his illustrious career, and slugged a whopping 19 last year. with 62 RBI compared to A-Fraud's 125. I can see where Travis could get confused.

Youkilis also missed 60 games... had he not, he was 30/100 with a OBP over .400

[JoltinJoe]

Besides, Youk didn't even make the all-star team last year.

Neither did Teixeira

But did I start a thread whining about it?

Let's revisit: **** YOU JOE GIRARDI

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=16782&start=0&hilit=girardi" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;