Who will be a new Red sox in 2009?

[NebraskaRSFan]

What new faces do you think will be a Red Sox in 2009? Farm System? Trade? FA?

[Bsports]

No doubt the SOX will be in the HUNT for Teixeira. What comes of it, only time will tell.

From the Globe's Nick Cafardo: "The Sox also should be in the mix for Teixeira, in whom they have long had interest. The early chatter is a contract in the vicinity of 7-10 years at more than $20 million annually might whittle the field, though the Angels, Red Sox, and Yankees won't likely feel their pockets burn no matter what they have to pay. The Sox love Teixeira's glove, his bat from both sides, and his presence. It would be a surprise if they don't make a substantial offer, though it might not come on Day 1." According to a report in the Washington Post, the Nationals may be making a run at Teixeira: "Against all odds and logic, the Nationals envision themselves as serious players in the Teixeira sweepstakes, according to team and league sources, and are believed to be preparing an offer they feel will be competitive with the others Teixeira is likely to receive. In other words, it would almost certainly be north of $100 million, if not $150 million... Agent Scott Boras talked up Teixeira at the GM meetings, the Herald's Sean McAdam reported: "[Teams' interest in Teixeira] is as widespread as it can be," Boras said. "There are probably too many teams involved. We're not going to be negotiating with as many teams as have interest, that's for sure, but I don't want to put a number on it. For a variety of reasons, he's just attracted a lot of interest from a lot of teams. Teams that you wouldn't think were interested were willing to move players, open up positions, to have him be a part of their franchise." According to McAdam, Boras wouldn't comment when asked if the Sox expressed an interest. ...The Globe's Tony Massarotti writes that according to a team source, the Red Sox have had some internal discussion about Teixeira. The 28-year-old Teixeira is a switch-hitter with power from both sides of the plate who has averaged 35 home runs and 118 RBIs the past five seasons. He is a two-time Gold Glove winner at first base who finished this year with more walks (97) than strikeouts (93), making him a perfect fit for the Sox in every way.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/r ... s/thebuzz/

[NebraskaRSFan]

It surely seems based upon his stats, his demonstrated demeanor, and age, that he would be a great fit for the Red Sox and would rapidly become the face of the franchise and a player that the Red Sox could build their team around for at least the next 5 years and perhaps more.

The fact that he is a switch hitter with power from both sides of the plate make him an ideal hitter to hit behind or in front of Ortiz.

Think about this, Manny Ramirez was essentially given a 10 year contract worth $200 million by the Red Sox 8 years ago. Manny was 29 then?? He walked away from his last two years worth $40 million. At age 28, a switch hitter and GG defender.. what kind of contract do you think the Red Sox will need to offer Texeira if they are serious about signing him?

So far Texeira has not shown any strong signs of having visible short falls in defense or base running (OK he might be a little slow but not for a 1st base guy). .

Now assuming that the Red Sox had retained Manny Ramirez, the probabilities are pretty high that the Red Sox would have beaten the Rays and also won the WS in 2008. What do you think it does to the Red Sox if they sign Texeira? Since the Yankees obtained Swisher does that take them out of the running for Texeira? Is there another team that will compete with the Red Sox financially AND with the capability to truly be competitive for post season play?

Assume that the Red Sox sign Texeira. How does that affect their budget? Not much since Manny's $20 mill and Schilling's $8 mill are gone.. So if they offered Texeira $20 to $24 mill for 8 years with two option years??

How does it affect the team? Well Lowell and/or Youkilis would be affected. Remember, Texeira didn't really hit a lot better than Youkilis in 2008. The simple thing would be to move Youkilis to 3B and downgrade the defense there to accommodate Texeira at 1B. Now what about the remaining two years for Lowell? Trade him? Eat some salary? Would the Red Sox do that when they are highly probable to do that with Lugo??? Might they have to eat some salary to move Crisp?

Ellsbury
Pedroia
Ortiz
Texeira
Bay/Youkilis/Drew
Youkilis/Bay/Drew
Drew/Bay/Youkilis
Lowrie/Tek
Tek/Lowrie

That is a pretty formidable lineup that would favorably compare with any in baseball. With the tremendous impact that Texeira would seemingly have on the Red Sox lineup, it is difficult for me to comprehend that the Red Sox would throw so much money at Lugo and Drew and not go after Texeira in a major way. After the way that Boras profited from the POS Manny debacle, he owes the Red Sox big time... ya ya ya, I know lol...

OK.... your turn... what are the odds of the Red Sox signing Texeira? What could/would the Red Sox do with Lowell? How much do you think the Red Sox would improve with the addition of Texeira, a solid pitcher for the bull pen or a starter and several other solid bench players? With the promise of Masterson, Bowden, Bard, and the one or two pitchers from Japan... does that promise not make it even more important to sign Texiera for the future of the franchise?

What are the alternatives ?? Ryan Braun? What would transpire if the Red Sox could trade for him? Would they? At what cost?

[Schloicka]

I think it's a 50/50 chance that Sox sign Tex. Ship lowell to Philly. Give Tex 6/150 with option of 7th year based on plate appearances during 1st 6 years.

[Bsports]

I would start with a 5 year 100 mil offer to TEX with a 25 mil 6th year option, and then go up from there if needed. Then trade Youks or Lowell in a package deal to acquire a frontline CATCHER.

[seabeachfred]

Trade Youk?????? How the hell would that help us bsports? We'd be getting a great hitter in Tex and losing a good one in Kevin. No, Kevin must stay to keep our batting order solid. It would be Mike Lowell that would have to go, sad as that might be. Remember, he will not be ready until mid-March and who knows if he will be ready when the season begins. Besides, the Phillies have always coveted him and we might be able to trade him there for one of their plethora of solid relief pitchers. But, please, no talking about trading Youk. He is an firm anchor in our lineup.

[Bear]

You are being silly B, Trade Youks? OMG, put down that pipe. I like Tex but B you have to be reasonable. And there is no way Sox commit Tex for 10 yrs....not after the experience they've had with what's his name....that guy w/o a country.

[Bsports]

There is nothing SILLY about it. Be realistic, if the Sox sign Tex, either LOWELL or YOUKS will have to go. I doubt that they will trade ORTIZ. Just think of the possibilities particularly if they don't resign TEK. The Sox could package Youks or Lowell in a deal to acquire a top notch catcher. The problem is that if you aren't willing to TRADE one of your everyday players, you might have to trade more of the KIDS from the farm. So, there are always tough choices to make. :-)

[NebraskaRSFan]

B, that is a great point that you make. For different reasons it will be tough to trade Lowell or Youkilis. Having said that, at this time, Youkilis is a horrible outfielder so his only two positions are 1B and 3B. He doesn't play 3b particularly well. Lowell has a chance of becoming a 1B solution somewhere.

I think Fred was trying to suggest that you really don't make the team a lot better paying out $150 to $250 million for Texeira and getting rid of Youkilis. Financially that doesn't make a lot of sense.

Although from many points of view, many of us think that Texeira would be a franchise player, acquiring him causes a domino effect on the team. My personal viewpoint is that Texeira is someone you can build a team around and therefore the Red Sox should sign him.

We forget that Manny was signed to a $200 million contract 8 years ago. Texeira will get that same type of contract from someone.

[seabeachfred]

Nebraska: B, that is a great point that you make. For different reasons it will be tough to trade Lowell or Youkilis. Having said that, at this time, Youkilis is a horrible outfielder so his only two positions are 1B and 3B. He doesn't play 3b particularly well. Lowell has a chance of becoming a 1B solution somewhere.

I think Fred was trying to suggest that you really don't make the team a lot better paying out $150 to $250 million for Texeira and getting rid of Youkilis. Financially that doesn't make a lot of sense.

Although from many points of view, many of us think that Texeira would be a franchise player, acquiring him causes a domino effect on the team. My personal viewpoint is that Texeira is someone you can build a team around and therefore the Red Sox should sign him.

We forget that Manny was signed to a $200 million contract 8 years ago. Texeira will get that same type of contract from someone.

That's exactly what I was saying Nebraska. We hold onto Youk and add Teixeria and our offense is as good as anyone else's in the league. There are also a lot of teams needed a third baseman this winter----the Dodgers and Phillies and Giants come quickly to mind and Lowell would be a good fit for one of those teams or for a few others like the Indians or White Sox. Youk is too valuable to be traded and I didn't mean to jump all over bsports but on another board last winter I heard three or four morons keep saying we had to trade Youkilis. I just couldn't understand why that kind of thinking permeated those people. Bsports is a helluva lot smarter that that but I think he would rather keep Lowell and trade Youk. I take the opposite point.

[Bsports]

Keep in mine Fred when I sugget trading a player like YOUKS for a top notch catcher, I'm not saying we should trade for a back-up. :)

I'm talking about one like MAUER(TWINS). IMO, a player like that is more valuable then YOUKS because YOUNG talented catchers are so hard to find in the league these days.

If they sign TEK for another 2 or 3 years, the SOX will be fine for a while, but they need to be thinking ahead if they can't.

One last point FRED, I would luv to keep YOUKS, but I think the Sox could get more for him then LOWELL these days because of his recent injury. However, BRASKA also makes a great point that LOWELL could be moved to first base.

[seabeachfred]

Keep in mine Fred when I sugget trading a player like YOUKS for a top notch catcher, I'm not saying we should trade for a back-up. :)

I'm talking about one like MAUER(TWINS). IMO, a player like that is more valuable then YOUKS because YOUNG talented catchers are so hard to find in the league these days.

If they sign TEK for another 2 or 3 years, the SOX will be fine for a while, but they need to be thinking ahead if they can't.

One last point FRED, I would luv to keep YOUKS, but I think the Sox could get more for him then LOWELL these days because of his recent injury. However, BRASKA also makes a great point that LOWELL could be moved to first base.

Bsports, my opinion is that our offense is not THAT much improved if we signed Teixeira only to trade Youkilis in the bargain. The guy went, what 315-29-117 this year? I would rather trade Lowell, especially since there are a number of teams in need of a third baseman. We could get a reliever back if we traded him to the Phillies who need a third baseman. Of course, this is all moot if we fail to sign Mark, but if we don't we better be damn sure Lowell and Drew and Papi are going to be healthy next season or we might be on the short end of a lot of 3-2, 4-3 scores, especially if we resign Varitek and fail to dispose of Lugo.