Should the Red Sox push hard for Texiera??

[dickay]

This has come up yet again, a long discussion on WEEI.

Even if the Sox signed Tex for 25 mil per, they'd still have room to complete the team and come in with a payroll LESS THAN LAST YEARS.

BUT.........

Another thing that needs to be considered is the long term ramifications.

- Pedroia is going to be up for a new contract soon.
- Lester is going to be up for a new contract soon. (ace dollars?)
- Papelbon, Beckett, Youk....all will be up for contracts I believe in the early parts of the Tex deal.
- Jason Bay is going into his final year and he's the type I think the Sox would want to resign. He's a bargain at the moment earning only 7 mil per I believe.

Thats a TON of responsibilities in the next 1-3 years, so while they have money available this year....they may then be required to lose some of that talent aforementioned in the next couple years or really balloon in payroll.

[RedsoxRockies]

We really don't need Tex. We have Youk, and Lars Anderson is coming up. He is one of the best prospects in the game.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

It's a tough call, like you said.

Based on Ortiz's performance and injury problems the past couple seasons he may be on his way to a precipitous decline, Lowell isn't exactly young and his contract only runs for another two years, at most, and while Youk is great, he's no Teixeira.

The financial ascept it tricky too. As for Teixeira vs. Bay, if it came down to signing Tex' and letting Bay go at the end of the year (effectively trading Bay for Tex'), I would glady sign Tex', but it's not that simple. Pedroia absolutely has to be kept, he's clearly becoming the face of the franchise, and he's gonna demand top dollar when his time comes, but that's still not for another several years. Lester probably will demand ace dollars (he is the new ace of the Red Sox in my mind), and I think he'll be somewhat difficult to keep.

But I'm in a hurry so I'll cut it short. Ideally, the Red Sox would be able to sign Teixeira and keep most of those guys, but I don't see that happening. They do have some cash coming off the books in coming years though, Drew's contract expires in 2-3 years and Lowell's expires in 2 years.

[ohms_law]

Yea, I'd think that if the Red Sox were going to do anything about a First Baseman, it'd be to acquire or "grow" a prospect rather then grab a Free Agent vet. That's assuming, of course, that they keep Youkilis.

Of course, I'm an Angels fan so I'm obviously somewhat biased against the Sox (or anyone else) signing Tex. Still, I'd think that it would make more sense for other teams to chase him then it would for the Red Sox to do so.

[dickay]

It's a tough call, like you said.

Based on Ortiz's performance and injury problems the past couple seasons he may be on his way to a precipitous decline, Lowell isn't exactly young and his contract only runs for another two years, at most, and while Youk is great, he's no Teixeira.

The financial ascept it tricky too. As for Teixeira vs. Bay, if it came down to signing Tex' and letting Bay go at the end of the year (effectively trading Bay for Tex'), I would glady sign Tex', but it's not that simple. Pedroia absolutely has to be kept, he's clearly becoming the face of the franchise, and he's gonna demand top dollar when his time comes, but that's still not for another several years. Lester probably will demand ace dollars (he is the new ace of the Red Sox in my mind), and I think he'll be somewhat difficult to keep.

But I'm in a hurry so I'll cut it short. Ideally, the Red Sox would be able to sign Teixeira and keep most of those guys, but I don't see that happening. They do have some cash coming off the books in coming years though, Drew's contract expires in 2-3 years and Lowell's expires in 2 years.

I heard Pedroia is up for arbitration next year (i'm not fully sure of how the whole system works, when these guys get paid etc. etc.) and I don't think Theo has ever gone to arbitration with a player. In arbitration Pedey after his MVP will certainly get a huge increase and as I said it probably won't go there so he'll get signed prior to it. That contract will be worth upwards of 10mil per easy I'd imagine.

I believe Drew has 3 years left and his contract would be hard to move. Lowells as well though I think he has 2 years left. I agree, if it were as simple as Bay or Tex that would be easy.

I'm at the point where I think they have to hope for 'reasonable' FA production and continued improvement of their young stars to ensure they can keep their nucleus together long term.

[Wassit3]

No, they should leave him alone and let the Yankees go after him, at best they should offer to subsidize any contract the Yankees might offer him and take Giambi off of the Yankees hands while they are at it:~(tongue planted firmly in cheek) but seriously if I were the Sox, I'd offer him a 4 or 5 year deal at max value but nothing longer.

[TheNamelessPoet]

put youk in left, (if u can't get rid of lowel) tex at 1st and DH Ortiz. move Youk back to 3B after 2010 when u can dump lowel on someone with 1 year left. Get the guy who is a proven star and dont always hope on the minors guys. Adam laroche was to be a stud 1B too

[Alloutwar]

Tex would give the Sox that Manny-ish presence back in the lineup...and with a support staff of Bay, Drew, Youk, Pedroia...that's a really, really good lineup. And the Sox can afford it, with Manny/Schilling/Crisp/Timlin gone (and possibly Vtek).

That being said, I like rooting for guys that came up; and I'd rather have Tex be a big sign-and-bust somewhere else. Putting Tex in the lineup displaces someone, unless he or Youk/Lowell can move to SS...and we already have our big-money free agent in Drew. And that has been...okay. I say make Tex the regular offer, in case he's interested in winning the WS in Boston, but don't chase.

[TheNamelessPoet]

Drew

J.D. Drew of
5 years/$70M (2007-11)

5 years/$70M (2007-11)

signed by Boston as a free agent 1/07
07:$14M, 08:$14M, 09:$14M, 10:$14M, 11:$14M
limited no-trade clause allowing Drew to block deals to 2 clubs
$9M of 2011 salary will be deferred at 1% interest unless Drew plays 500 games from 2007 to 2010 or 375 games from 2008 to 2010
Boston may opt out of either of final 2 seasons if Drew:
spends 35 days on the disabled list in either 2009 or 2010 with injury related to pre-existing right shoulder condition, or
finishes 2009 or 2010 season on the disabled list and cannot play outfield the following season
award bonuses: $0.2M for MVP ($0.125M for placing 2nd, $0.1M for 3rd, $75,000 for 4th, $50,000 for 5th), $0.1M each for Gold Glove, Silver Slugger or WS MVP, $75,000 for LCS MVP, $50,000 for All Star selection

Lowel

Mike Lowell 3b
3 years/$37.5M (2008-10)

3 years/$37.5M (2008-10)
re-signed by Boston as a free agent 11/19/07
$1.5M signing bonus
08:$12M, 09:$12M, 10:$12M
no-trade protection
award bonuses: $75,000 each for All Star, LDS MVP; $0.1M each for Silver Slugger, Gold Glove; $0.15M each for LCS MVP, WS MVP; $0.2M for MVP ($0.125M for 2nd, $0.1M for 3rd, $75,000 for 4th, $50,000 for 5th)
perks: suite on road

and for those wondering
Ortiz

4 years/$52M (2007-10), plus 2011 club option

4 years/$52M (2007-10), plus 2011 club option

signed extension with Boston 4/06
$2M signing bonus (paid in 3 installments in 2006)
07-10:$12.5M annually, 11:$12.5M club option (no buyout)
performance bonuses
award bonuses: $50,000 for All Star selection, $0.1M for 3rd-place finish in 2006 AL MVP vote, $0.1M for Silver Slugger

[TheNamelessPoet]

So... If Drew were to have sholder problems this year... it would be his last year

so the move looks like an even BETTER move (to me) as all 3 come ff the books in 3 years (some could be for each year.

Pedria to me can take over in Drew's place (statistcly) the way he plays... and they would need another bat for the OF once Lowel is gone.

so
1B Tex
2B Pedria
3B Youk
SS ???
LF Bay
CF Ellsbury
RF ???
in 3 years you would still have this core... I think thats not to shabby... I'd sign for it.

The BIG question is... can you bring in Salty from Tex. now THAT would make them a very strong team. with those 5 of 8 positions (not counting Ellsbury)

[HoustonGM]

Boston has reportedly locked up Pedroia longterm - 6 years, $40 mil.

[TheNamelessPoet]

Boston has reportedly locked up Pedroia longterm - 6 years, $40 mil.

the Sox can get young REALLY fast lol

[dickay]

Boston has reportedly locked up Pedroia longterm - 6 years, $40 mil.

Wow, great signing for the Sox. He definetly doesn't have Boras as an agent.

The Sox definetly had alot of leverage as they could simply offer him arbitration for a few years. May be a higher salary each year but no long term security. Surprised Pedey went so quick at it though. Must really love Boston. Good for him.

[HoustonGM]

Had they gone to arbitration, there's no doubt that Pedroia would've gotten upwards of $30 million in all over his three arb. years. It's a great deal for Boston, and gives Pedroia long-term security. These types of deals are becoming very prevalent for pre-arb. players (Tulowitzki, Chris Young, Longoria, Braun, etc.).

[RickD]

No let the Yanks get him!