Cute.

Neither one is great shakes, but like was said already, Sweeney hits about the same, and is a much better fielder. And he's younger. And he's actually had an above average season at this level. He's been a better baseball player than Nava so far, and his versitality in the OF makes him a better bet for the team in 2013, I'd have to guess. Not by a lot, granted.

But whichever guy hits in ST is gonna get the job, probably.

Anybody have a hit chart for Nava's 2012?

Anybody have a hit chart for Nava's 2012?

Here.

I don't agree that he's been better than Nava. Nava's been a better hitter and has performed better overall when given the chance. There are other reasons to favor Sweeney, though.

The thing about Sweeney is he's a known quantity. Despite being younger than Nava he has a LOT more MLB experience and his track record at the plate is not good. It's not appreciably worse than Nava's but Nava at least has a bit of the unknown to him. Sweeney is a 90-95 OPS+ hitter, we know that and wishing it weren't so isn't going to change it. There is an excellent chance that Nava isn't any better but there is a chance. I'd rather see the Sox gamble a bit.

I developed a deep, mostly irrational dislike of Ryan Sweeney last year. He was just so, so bad at the plate. He has this beautiful swing that somehow never produces power. He can't recognize breaking pitches, and he can't punish mistakes. He sucks at hitting.

I recognize his track record is better than that, but I really don't want to see him at the plate again for the Sox.

The problem is, for roster construction reasons, someone like Sweeney (let's not say Sweeney) makes more sense than Nava. Victorino is useful for his ability to back up CF, but an outfield of Gomes/Victorino/Nava is a scary thing. Unless you're planning on Jacoby Ellsbury not missing any games, it would make a lot more sense to have Gomes' platoon partner be a solid plus with the glove.

In crazy clowntown news, bullpen coach Gary Tuck will not return in 2013. Tuck famously stopped speaking to Valentine entirely, like an eleven-year-old in a family sitcom, and made the players relay messages between himself and the manager. I'm glad he's gone. I'm surprised the decision was Tuck's.

Haven't you guys been keeping up? Metsmerizedonline and mets360 are all over this. No more than three years for Bourn, though, even IF Boras is his agent.

MC, JBJ and/or Linares will be ready to dominate out of the gate, so don't worry. That reminds me, has the CFBPS been renoobulated?

Renoobulation is an ongoing process. I need some new dials and levers and steam-joists before it can be fully back up to speed. And I have realized the CFBPS engine has cathected to me, and responds to my feelings. Some days I don't feel much like a crazy fanboy, and when the CFBPS is sad, it often just refuses to project anything. So we're working on that.

53-thanks.

Now if I could only interpret the damned thing...but, am I correct in stating that it seems to indicate that there is indeed
a reason Nava hits so much better in Fenway, SSSC aside? I ask this becasue if a significant portion of Gomes' utility to the team is his
projected ability to take advantage of The Wall, but if that is also a significant part of Nava's usefullness, then we have a bit of a
problem for Nava, no? If the idea was to give Gomes all the starts possible against LHP's, and a bunch more at home vs RHP's, and Nava really is a player
who is gonna have a big Home/Road split as well as a big platoon split, then there's another reason to give the job to Sweeney, who actually hit
a hair better on the road last year, SSSC again.

Ryan Sweeney has company: Lyle Overbay signed a minor-league deal with Boston.

Lowrie got traded to the A's for Chris Carter if anyone cares.

How about 3/$55M with an opt out after the first year?

??? That aint happening.

Is it wrong to bring this up?

No it is not wrong, but what I meant wasn't happening was the opt out after one year, not
the level of money per year/number of years.

Are you saying you thought it wouldn't happen because it was too generous to Bourn?

No. I was stating that I thought a contract with one guaranteed year and then a team opt-out was "not happening." Perhaps I misunderstood his post. But I thought this was a deal Bourne would never accept.

Darren was proposing three years guaranteed, with only Bourn having the option to opt out. Not an "option year" for the team, an "opt out" for the player.

I wouldn't want to have given Bourn an out. If the Sox would be surrendering a draft pick for a player I'd want to be damned sure that the guy was going to be a part of my time for several years.

Ahha. Well silly me then. But I rather doubt the Red Sox would have offered such a deal in any case. You never know I suppose.

If the Sox would be surrendering a draft pick for a player I'd want to be damned sure that the guy was going to be a part of my time for several years.

Well, if he opted out after one year, the Sox would get a supplemental pick if they didn't retain him. So they'd be trading a 2nd round pick one year for a supplemental the next.

I don't like opt-outs, either, since it makes planning the roster more difficult in the medium term. But I don't think the draft picks are a major issue.

It does appear that the Sox don't think they need another outfielder. They seem all-in on Jonny Gomes. I am concerned they are not making the right call.

Well, if he opted out after one year, the Sox would get a supplemental pick if they didn't retain him. So they'd be trading a 2nd round pick one year for a supplemental the next.

That's a point I had not considered. That definitely is more palatable.

I agree on Gomes though I wonder if Gomes is really Nava/Gomes. I'm not sure that's necessarily a major improvement but it would be fun at least. One other possibility is there is an internal plan to aggressively promote Bradley if he has a strong year. Him following an Ellsbury 2007-path would not be a shocker with an outfield of Victorino-Bradley-Ellsbury come the ASB.

I am concerned they are not making the right call.

There are about 35 things they've done in the past 2-3 years that I've felt this way about.

I agree with Jose that it was Kalish-or-Nava/Gomes and now it's just Nava/Gomes.