Anyone else puzzled why the Red Sox let Magadan walk to Texas when they had an option on him for 2013? Are we to take from that he was part of the problem too?

Maybe they wanted to let the new manager pick his staff.

In all seriousness, this is one of the most terrible tardicles I have ever read. Even ESPN news stories are more accurate.

And yet the only 4 comments you've made on the site are here. I guess that might explain why you don't get the difference between a community of fans discussing what we'd like to see happen, then slag the most popular player on the team, then insulting the author.

So, you're pretty clearly a jackass wasting your time here. Please #### right off.

Hm. Despite all the time I've spent on the interwebs, I've somehow never seen "tardicle" before, yet it seems so obvious now.

Anyone else puzzled why the Red Sox let Magadan walk to Texas when they had an option on him for 2013? Are we to take from that he was part of the problem too?

Given the number of hitters who underachieved, particularly with the drop off in walks, I'm not too bothered.

I'm enjoying basking in the glow of the Yankees implosion far too much to let haffenreffer's nonsense get in the way of hotstove speculation. Here's a short, utterly unrealistic and poorly tardiculated list of players I'd like to see the Sox target:

Any elite FAs -- if they're willing to take short years, big money. Use the $$$ pile/organizational reset to try out a new approach to FAs: offer to pay out the nose for a short commitment.

Anibal Sanchez -- he's gonna be 29, he's started 30 games three years in a row, his BB rate is trending downward, his K rate is trending upward, and he's gotten decent results. I can see him getting a stupid contract but if the bidding's reasonable, get in there.

Justin Upton -- the obvious guy, given his off/on/potential awesomeness, Arizona's apparent willingness to ship him out of town and Towers' history of not being Billy Beane when it comes to trades. He mentioned immediate help; see if he'll take Ellsbury as the centerpiece without adding in any untouchables or ml CFs.

Chase Headley -- but the Red Sox already have a third baseman who put up a 120 OPS+ in his MLB debut and is five years younger with four extra years of team control. Which is true... but I just don't like Will Middlebrooks, and would rather he try and figure out the plate discipline/OBP side of things for another team. Given the extra years of control, I'd expect additional pieces to be coming to the Sox, which could help with the Upton acquisition above or whatever, but I'm open to being totally wrong on that. This would be a move heavily dependent on timeframe: if the Sox are looking to contend immediately, look into it; but if the plan is to wait for Bradley & Bogaerts then you might as well just hold WMB. It would also probably require Headley signing an extension, which might be tough after that breakout year. If I'm totally undervaluing WMB, feel free to call ########.

Joe Mauer -- highly unlikely the Twins would move him or he'd agree but worth a phone call. They've got plenty of money and no long term solution at 1B, and the injury concerns are partially offset by the contract ending at age 35 rather than trailing into the late 30s, and the Sox positional flexibility (or rather, hole at 1B).

Jason Giambi -- 1b/manager. Nuff said.

Yes I have been pregaming.

Did everyone forget that this fat guy named Ortiz who can only DH hurt himself running the bases and missed half the year? I wouldn't commit to giving him a dollar to shovel my steps. Ortiz is DONE

Did everyone forget that this fat guy named Ortiz who can only DH hurt himself running the bases and missed half the year? I wouldn't commit to giving him a dollar to shovel my steps. Ortiz is DONE

All the more reason to target Mauer and Giambi. Get 'em done Luccheringtino!

Edit: besides the fact that it's not our money, indeed the Yankees utter ineptitude has largely distracted me from all the bad crap that happened to the Sox this year. Was Ortiz hurt? Who cares? That was the most pathetic playoff performance I've ever seen, *including* the series they won!

Thanks, guy who is totally not that first guy!

Ortiz hit .318/.415/.611, good for a 171 OPS+. You have impossibly high standards when it comes to your steps.

Did everyone forget that this fat guy named Ortiz who can only DH hurt himself running the bases and missed half the year? I wouldn't commit to giving him a dollar to shovel my steps. Ortiz is DONE

David Ortiz or a new yacht for Henry...Ortiz..yacht...Bombs or babes dad, it's not a tough decision.

My hope was to get Ortiz for 3/33 or so. He seems like a good bet to be good for 2 of those years and he's worth it because Big Papi!

My hope was to get Ortiz for 3/33 or so. He seems like a good bet to be good for 2 of those years and he's worth it because Big Papi!

Giving him three years is a huge mistake. You ideally let him walk and try to find a better offer (which he won't) or you give him one year. Anything more is mortgaging the future. For the person that said David Ortiz or a new yacht for Henry, that's not how it works. I know that basic marketing is a lot to comprehend for neck beards, but the majority of money is made via NESN and not the Red Sox organization.

Giving him three years is a huge mistake. You ideally let him walk and try to find a better offer (which he won't) or you give him one year.

I say two. He was their best hitter this past year. He's not blocking any prospects. He's a fan favorite and the team's taken enough PR hits as it is.

I know that basic marketing is a lot to comprehend for neck beards, but the majority of money is made via NESN and not the Red Sox organization.

So basically you're saying that you're nothing but a silly troll?

Yes, he is.

So basically you're saying that you're nothing but a silly troll?

A troll with three accounts, it appears.

"tardicle" I understood, "neck beard" confuses me.

So does the Chris Young trade mean Justin Upton is less likely to be available? That was my first reaction when I heard about the Young trade.

Me too, and I would think so. Not only did they unload a decent OF, they filled their biggest area of need (SS) with a well above-average defender with a noodle bat. So my idea/pipe dream of making Iglesias a major part of an Upton package is pretty much blown. Down to Ellsbury for Upton straight up, which I'd still do in a heartbeat.

A troll with three accounts, it appears.

He really likes us!

Does Lind form part of platoon at 1B? An ~.800 OPS against RHP isn't particularly inspiring, but the age and 2009 season make him a little bit interesting, if you squint a little. Jonny Gomes could be a nice platoon partner/LF depth if he can learn how to play 1B.

I believe the story is that the Sox are getting AAAA reliever David Carpenter in return, not Lind.

I promise to be positive next year as long as I don't have to watch Aviles hit like a 3rd grader

Looks like someone is going to have to have the positivity flowing next year.

Looks like someone is going to have to have the positivity flowing next year.

It starts today!

John Farrell is a man's man and a leader's leader. He will redeem us from Valentine's wickedness.

It looks like, so far, they've got Ross for a mil less than you projected Salty for and gotten Ortiz for $2 mil less. That's an extra $3 mil to kick around, which is nice.

Why sign Ortiz? He doesn't do anything for jersey sales and I doubt resigning him will boost NESN ratings. You shouldn't hinder your lineups flexibility by having a full-time DH.

Coming back to this point, which I hear a lot and hate. Because of the DH/ PH penalty, finding a player who can come off the bench 4 - 5 times and just hit makes the DH a legitimate position in my book.

I also hate the idea of rotating players through the DH slot "to keep them fresh" or because they're dinged up. You're automatically asking for reduced production from that spot in the line up; maybe the injured guy could use the whole day off. Between the PH penalty and reduced production due to owies, couldn't the team just play one of their back ups?

I much prefer the Sox having a certifiable masher in the DH slot...

Just heard Verducci on the Dan Patrick show saying To get Hamiltom a team "might" have to go to six years at $22 per. I have to say if he's out there at 5/110 right now I would snap him up in a minute.

While talk is cheap, Cherington has some encouraging things to say about the payroll:

"I know that we’ll have a very strong payroll, a large payroll. I know that we’re going to add to it this winter. I’m confident in saying that we’ll be amongst the larger payrolls in the game. Exactly where it ends up, exactly what rank we are, I don’t know that yet."

(from a story at Boston.com)

Just heard Verducci on the Dan Patrick show saying To get Hamiltom a team "might" have to go to six years at $22 per. I have to say if he's out there at 5/110 right now I would snap him up in a minute.

What about 6/132? I have to say though, "might have to go to 22" sounds encouraging to me. Then again, let's remember what everyone was writing about Fielder last year.

Cabrera's now off the market, and Speier says that the Red Sox weren't even in the bidding. Hopefully that's a sign that they're actually pursuing Hamilton, because they really need to do something for the outfield beyond overpaying to bring back Cody Ross.

Bradford says his sources say the Red Sox aren't really after Hamilton, either. I still would rather bet on Hamilton than BJ Upton or Shane Victorino or Angel Pagan. I think Swisher is an interesting option, but I think he's more likely to be overpaid than Hamilton is. Swisher would work well for the Red Sox simply because he can play either OF corner and also first base if they end up finding other OF solutions but aren't able to fill the hole at first base. But if they're looking strictly for an OFer, I'd rather overpay Hamilton for a shot at greatness than overpay Swisher for being a solid contributor.

Right now...right this very second, the Sox are a 61 win team.

Spring training schedule is out. Early start, college doubleheader on February 21st. I assume that is a function of the WBC. I've already booked my trip for the 2nd to the 17th so I will see 5-6 games.

Manny just homered in his first at-bat in the Dominican Winter League. Sox just HAVE to invite him to Spring Training. There's their extra outfielder! (or preferably DH, and make Fatso play first base.)