Tag Archives: Josh Beckett

August 27, 2012 · 6:54 AM

Reset Button Pressed

The Twitter-sphere started blowing up just after lunch on Friday. The Dodgers had put a claim in on Adrian Gonzalez after the Sox had placed him on waivers earlier in the week.

Then the fun really started.

ESPN who was probably the slowest to report the claim, had reports that not only was Gonzalez claimed but the teams were working on a deal that would send Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford (fresh off Tommy John surgery), and Nick Punto to Los Angeles.

I couldn’t believe it. Stunned, I listened and watched for any and all updates on the situation. By Saturday afternoon it was official and all those guys were gone. Boston had pulled off the impossible and freed themselves of over $262 million dollars in contracts. The kicker is unlike the Julio Lugo, Edgar Renteria, etc. the Sox are only paying $10-$12 million of the $262 million.

Wow.

The team was able to dump Beckett who’s head everyone has been calling for for over a year. They were able to get out of the stupid contract they signed Crawford to. And it cost them Adrian Gonzalez. To see what the sox got back, CLICK HERE, ESPN had a good break down.

I’ve been saying it for months now but the Sox really have lost their way. Cherington acknowledged the same thing. They turned into the Yankees after they’d won all those World Series up till 2000. Home grown talent, then adding in a few free agent pieces, and not trading away the farm. The Yanks did it while Stenbrenner was suspended, here’s hoping the Sox can do this now.

I tweeted as you can see on the right, if they fire Uncle Larry, I’ll buy a brick. That’s how excited I am by this deal and the reset button it represents.

I don’t think the team is done either.

I want to see what other moves they’ll make. Can they find a taker for Lackey this offseason. Will they send Lester on his way if someone claims him on waivers? Will the team use some of the freed up cash to sign Ellsbury longterm or will they try to move him this offseason too?

The transformation has started. The team’s finally getting younger and they’re cleaning out some of the bad eggs. All of a sudden I’m getting excited again for the Sox. Can’t wait to see what other moves Cherington makes now that he’s apparently off his leash.

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August 23, 2012 · 6:13 AM

You Can Still Blow It Up

Yesterday the Red Sox added another player to the waiver wire. Adrian Gonzalez. Yup, the prized trade pickup from only a season ago was added the the waiver wire yesterday, joining Carl Crawford who was put out there and went unclaimed a little over a week ago (probably because Crawford is set to have Tommy John surgery Thursday and the whole league knew it).

I would love for a team to claim Gonzalez and his under-performing contract off the Sox books. Move Lavarnway from behind the plate and make him your first baseman and that way you don’t have to deal him or Salty over the off-season.

So what does this mean? Are they trying to blow it up still?

They haven’t placed Beckett out there. He the biggest problem in the clubhouse (besides the loathsome front office). You’d think that the team would try and get this guy through waivers and if some team was dumb enough to take his bloated body and contract, the Sox would let them. If you’re not eating the money, let him go. Don’t even try and work a trade. That team is willing to take on the salary, even the Yankees, you let it happen.

Instead the team has guys like Aaron Cook, Nick Punto, and a rumored Andrew Miller available for the taking.

How about you put Beckett out there? While we’re at it, see what Cody Ross could net you in a trade. I’m sure contenders would love to add a guy like Ross for September and October. He’s a free agent at the end of the season if you really think he’s in your plans, re-sign him again in the off-season.

The Sox season is over. Dead as a doornail. But that doesn’t mean they can’t start the house cleaning. The GM (Puppet Ben) still has time to put a stamp on the team and shake up the culture. I still think it starts with Beckett, but you have time to get Dice-K back and on the wire, and out of town too.

Here’s hoping that Shoppach was just the start. I say the roster is open season with the veterans. Clear up cash and see what you can do in the off-season to have a better, likable, contending team next season.

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August 15, 2012 · 6:01 AM

Ready to Explode

Remember when I posted that photo at the trade deadline? Well, it’s getting ready to blow.

Sure Beckett had another crappy start against an opponent ahead of them in the stands. Really at this point do you expect anything else?

John Lackey was spotted double fisting in the clubhouse after another Sox loss. Are you shocked?

Adrian Gonzalez texted ownership requesting a meeting after Bobby Valentine left Jon Lester in a game in July where he ended up giving up 11 runs. Was granted said meeting, attended by 17 players, where he and Dustin Pedroia were calling for Valentine’s job only to have John Henry put his support behind Valentine a few short weeks later.

I’ve never been a Valentine fan (even though he invented baseball, the wrap, can walk on water, and turn said water into wine). But at this point the writing is on the wall that he’s gone after this season. So why not just manage the way you want. If someone sucks, just say as much in the post game press conference. The pitching coach doesn’t talk to you, tell everyone in the media after the starter gets lit up again.

The bottom line is this ownership group is so inept and their finger is so far from the pulse they’ll likely just fire Valentine at the end of the year and keep the same shitty team. It’s their plan from last off-season why would they deviate.

At this point, the true fans are a little happier as they can get good seats, on game day for $5. That’s about all they can celebrate. They can see a team they hate for dirt money. I’d prefer a likable team, but you can get it all.

We can only hope that the ownership group plans to sell at this point because with all the mismanagement going on in the front office, it’s not going to get better with Uncle Larry at the helm. John Henry won’t fire his buddy, so barring a team sale, this hierarchy is in place for the long haul.

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August 2, 2012 · 6:22 AM

Passing It On

He’s not going to help you Josh

Leading up to the trade deadline I devoured a whole bunch of different article. Even after it passed I was still seeking out info, like the report that the Sox were going to deal Shoppach, Beckett, and Ellsbury to the Rangers.

Well, there was a great article on Boston.com by Tony Mazz that I really can’t help but pass along. So it looks like I’m mailing it in today, I’m not. I really just want you guys to read this one. It sums up a lot of what I’ve been saying and even what I said yesterday.

CLICK HERE

Tomorrow back to my own thoughts.

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July 31, 2012 · 12:18 AM

Deadline Day

I think I’ve made my thoughts very clear on this incarnation of the Red Sox.

This is the most hated Red Sox club in recent memory. In essence they brought back the entire crew that failed last fall with a few minor roster tweaks.

The Sox should have dealt Dice-K for a bag of balls to the Dodgers, Mariners, or any other west coast team the day he came off the DL in June. Instead he got hurt again (shocker) and the team is stuck with him as he hopefully leaves for free agency after the season.

John Lackey the team is also stuck with. After Tommy John surgery shelved him for this season you figured you wouldn’t see that mouth breathing Sloth. Not so much. This asshole has still hung around the team. So the fact that alcohol is banned in the clubhouse, the alleged ringleader of the fried chicken crew is still hanging around the club and corrupting the staff.

Beckett should be dealt but likely won’t. The team owes him too much money. He doesn’t throw gas anymore and is trying to reinvent himself like Pedro did towards the end of his career. You sir are no Pedro Martinez. So the Sox are saddled with him unless they want to eat part of his contract. How about you listen to your fan base, eat part of the contract and get this bum out of town. Now.

Jon Lester should also be dealt. He’s actually a commodity. Other teams will pay. You’ll be able to restock your farm system by trading this guy and be stacked for the future. I pull the trigger on the right deal now.

I also would trade Jacoby Ellsbury. The Reds have called and asked. Like Lester, I think you can get a decent ransom for Ellsbury. He’s always hurt and you know he’s not going to sign here when his free agency hits. Get something for him while you can.

Controversial yes but I trade Pedroia. I’m sick of his slamming the helmet down and pouting. He’s slowly developing that Youk-ness. He’s on the block and I think you can get a decent return.

Bottom line is pretty much the whole roster is on the block with a few exceptions. If I’m the GM, I’m listening to offers on mostly anyone. If I could find a sucker to take on Crawford’s contract, bye. Same with Gonzales. Ortiz is on the DL but I’d move him too.

In case you can’t tell I have very little loyalty to this group. But I’m a Sox fan through and through. So instead of the minor deals where you send some of your bullpen guys away, you move an outfielder or two, or you move your back up catcher (Shoppach leaving is a foregone conclusion now), I say you be bold. Take that chance of addition by subtraction (Beckett). See how the clubhouse changes without some of the prima donna attitudes. Then see if that translates to wins. If nothing else it will bring back fans like me and your team will be likable.

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