I am a little annoyed we didnt sign Gagne as our closer. I hope we address this issue before the season starts.
You do realize that Gagne had Tommy John surgery not once (1997) but twice (2005). He then had another elbow surgery after spring training (2006). He came back in June and pitched 2 games before ending up on the DL. After all that, he injured his back and had season-ending back surgery in July (2006) to repair 2 herniated discs.
Let's see, here's a guy who will probably never be the same who has had 3 elbow surgeries and a back surgery and we want him closing for the Sox? I think not.
I wish I was as fortunate, as fortunate as me.
__________________________________________________________
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You do realize that Gagne had Tommy John surgery not once (1997) but twice (2005). He then had another elbow surgery after spring training (2006). He came back in June and pitched 2 games before ending up on the DL. After all that, he injured his back and had season-ending back surgery in July (2006) to repair 2 herniated discs.
Let's see, here's a guy who will probably never be the same who has had 3 elbow surgeries and a back surgery and we want him closing for the Sox? I think not.
If healthy and thats a big IF,The guy is AWESOME!!! Apparently the Rangers doctors feel his health is ok.
By the way,are you the guy who told me how great Trot Nixon was?? Im glad that the sox moved on without him,as he has not lived up to expectations. Trot was a injured all the time. Hopefully we will now get 20+homers and 100 rbi's from rightfield spot!!!
If healthy and thats a big IF,The guy is AWESOME!!! Apparently the Rangers doctors feel his health is ok.
By the way,are you the guy who told me how great Trot Nixon was?? Im glad that the sox moved on without him,as he has not lived up to expectations. Trot was a injured all the time. Hopefully we will now get 20+homers and 100 rbi's from rightfield spot!!!
I think that losing Trot Nixon is a big CLUBHOUSE loss for the Sox. He was the heart of the dirt dogs attitude. He played hard day in and day out (when he was healthy). He put up solid numbers when he was playing but the injuries were to much to overcome. The problem with the Drew signing is that he's injured as often as Nixon. I really hope J.D. can come through for the Sox. He had a ton of potential coming out of Florida State but it's time for him to live up to it. BTW, I would rather the Rangers take a shot at Gagne for the upcoming season than to spend money on speculation that he's gonna be ok. It might come back to haunt us if he pitches well, but I don't think the risk was worth it.
I wish I was as fortunate, as fortunate as me.
__________________________________________________________
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So lets see,...thats at least 210 million dollars the red sox have committed to for 3 guys.
Its another year and another brand new sox team
they should be spending the money when their tickets are the highest in the major leagues. when im sitting in a shitty, uncomfortable 90 dollar seat, i want a 200 million dollar team on the field.
2003 Mansfield III 2004 Boston I 2006 Boston I 2008 Bonnaroo, Hartford, Mansfield I 2010 Hartford 2013 Worcester I, Worcester II, Hartford 2016 Bonnaroo, Fenway I, Fenway II 2018 Fenway I, Fenway II 2021 Sea.Hear.Now 2022 Camden 2024 MSG I, Fenway I, Fenway II
they signed donnelly today which is a great pickup for their bullpen. they need another closer, and another bullpen man wouldn't hurt either, considering timlin is garbage.
2003 Mansfield III 2004 Boston I 2006 Boston I 2008 Bonnaroo, Hartford, Mansfield I 2010 Hartford 2013 Worcester I, Worcester II, Hartford 2016 Bonnaroo, Fenway I, Fenway II 2018 Fenway I, Fenway II 2021 Sea.Hear.Now 2022 Camden 2024 MSG I, Fenway I, Fenway II
BOSTON -- A veteran catcher and a fan-favorite utilityman are among the eight free agents who signed 2007 contracts with Boston's Triple-A affiliate on Wednesday, with an invitation to Major League camp as non-roster players.
Those signing with Pawtucket are right-handed pitcher Travis Hughes; catcher Alberto Castillo; infielders Jeff Bailey, Luis Jimenez, Joe McEwing, Ed Rogers and Bobby Scales; and outfielder Kerry Robinson.
Castillo, 36, played in the Washington organization in 2006, batting .268 with 30 RBIs in 88 games at Triple-A New Orleans. The veteran has a career .222 average with 11 homers and 98 RBIs in 407 Major League contests with the Mets (1995-98), Cardinals (1999), Blue Jays (2000-01), Yankees (2002), Giants (2003), Royals (2004-05) and A's (2005).
Known for the hustling style and versatility that earned him the nickname "Super Joe" while with the Mets, the 34-year-old McEwing spent 2006 in the Houston organization, batting .315 with ten homers and 46 RBIs in 112 games at Triple-A Round Rock and going hitless in six at-bats over seven games with the Astros. The veteran has played extensively at second and third base and in the outfield in his career. He is a .251 career hitter with 25 homers and 158 RBIs in 754 games with the Cardinals (1998-99), Mets (2000-04), Royals (2005) and Astros (2006).
Hughes, 28, pitched in the Washington organization in 2006, going 2-6 with a 2.32 ERA and four saves in 51 appearances at Triple-A New Orleans, and 0-0, 6.35 in eight games for the Nationals. He is 1-1 with a 6.31 ERA in 24 career Major League appearances with Texas (2004) and Washington (2005-06).
Bailey, 28, returns to the Red Sox organization after batting .275 with team highs of 22 homers and 82 RBIs in 134 games for Pawtucket in 2006. This will be the first baseman's fourth year in the Boston organization. Jimenez, 24, also returns to the Red Sox after producing a .276 average with 17 homers and 70 RBIs in 115 games at Double-A Portland in 2006.
Rogers, 28, joins the organization after nine years in the Baltimore system. In 2006, the shortstop/third baseman hit .298 with five homers and 30 RBIs in 86 games at Triple-A Ottawa and .200 with two RBIs in 17 games with the Orioles. He has a .207 career mark in 30 Major League games.
Scales, 29, spent 2006 in the Philadelphia organization, batting .291 with seven homers and 44 RBIs at Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre. He spent his first seven pro seasons in the San Diego system.
Robinson, 33, was in the Kansas City organization in 2006, hitting .311 with two homers and 40 RBIs in 100 games at Triple-A Omaha and .266 with five RBIs in 18 games with the Royals. The outfielder's career Major League average is .267, with three homers and 56 RBIs, in 463 games with Tampa Bay (1998), Cincinnati (1999), St. Louis (2001-03), San Diego (2004) and Kansas City (2006). He appeared in more than 100 games in three consecutive seasons with the Cardinals.
Congratulations, Boston fans. Your Red Sox are the new Yankees.
Oh, I'm not saying that one World Series championship in the past 88 years is on par with the Yankees winning 26 championships and 39 American League pennants in the same period (I already get enough hate mail from New York fans to suggest such a ludicrous thing). But when the Red Sox signed J.D. (the Iron Man) Drew to a $70 million contract and invested $103 million in Daisuke Matsuzaka, they officially became everything Boston fans used to loathe about the Yankees. A team that fills out its roster by opening up a Costanza-thick wallet.
While Boston's projected 2007 payroll (perhaps $140 million) is still substantially south of New York's, it still will likely be more than all the other teams in baseball. If the Red Sox aren't the new Evil Empire or co-Evil Empire, they at least are Wal-Mart to New York's Halliburton.
Hell, the Red Sox paid more just for the right to negotiate with Daisuke Matsuzaka than five teams paid their entire roster last year. And as Gordon Edes wrote in a terrific story on the wooing of Matsuzaka in Sunday's Boston Globe, the Red Sox arrived at the $51,111,111.11 bid because owner John Henry thought that string of 11s would be lucky. Now, when you have the luxury of slapping $1,111,111.11 on a bid for the pure look of it, you definitely are not living in the same neighborhood as the Kansas City Royals or Pittsburgh Pirates (or even the Chicago White Sox, for that matter).
It's to the point that if John Henry gained 40 pounds and started acting like an ass, you would think George Steinbrenner owned the Red Sox.
Not convinced the Red Sox have turned into the Yankees? Then consider this. No team has ever paid more money for a world championship than did the 2004 Red Sox (the Yankees have spent more trying to win, but their payroll was a mere $114 million when they won the Series in 2000). Further, when those Red Sox recorded the final out of that World Series, not a single player on the field was homegrown. When the Sox open the 2007 season, they may have just two homegrown players in the lineup, first baseman Kevin Youkilis and second baseman Dustin Pedroia.
A possible $140 million payroll. Signing two players for $170 million in a two-week span. Assembling a team from everyone else's farm system while trading away your own. The highest ticket prices in the game. Over-the-top fans seemingly everywhere. These are precisely the things Red Sox fans despised about the Yankees for years. And now they're also true of the Red Sox.
Next thing you know, Ronan Tynan will be singing "Sweet Caroline.''
Most teams have a distinct character, built up over the decades, a personality that persists almost without regard for actual record. The Twins will always be dependable Midwest farmers getting by on hard work, good soil and solid team fundamentals rather than stunning payrolls. The Athletics will always be West Coast free spirits going about the game their own way (whether that's drawing walks or drawing tattoos). The Yankees will always be pin-striped Gotham storm troopers dispatching opponents with cold corporate efficiency. The White Sox will always be the South Side blue-collar workers playing in the shadow of their yuppie northern neighbors. And for decades the Red Sox were the Calvinist, heroic underdogs always destined to fail tragically in the end.
That personality disappeared in October 2004 with the speed of a Big Papi home run leaving the yard, and no sane Red Sox fan would ever want it back. Understandably so. Who wants to have his heart broken again and again and again when you have the chance to live happily ever after with the person of your dreams? The Red Sox are finally on par with their hated rival and are delighted about it.
But that doesn't make things easier for everyone else. It used to be there was just the Yankees empire with which to contend. But the Sox knocking off the Yankees in 2004 didn't rid baseball of a menace. It simply meant there was another nuclear power in the ever-escalating arms race.
Sigh. It's enough to make you hope the Cubs never win.
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That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
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Congratulations, Boston fans. Your Red Sox are the new Yankees.
Oh, I'm not saying that one World Series championship in the past 88 years is on par with the Yankees winning 26 championships and 39 American League pennants in the same period (I already get enough hate mail from New York fans to suggest such a ludicrous thing). But when the Red Sox signed J.D. (the Iron Man) Drew to a $70 million contract and invested $103 million in Daisuke Matsuzaka, they officially became everything Boston fans used to loathe about the Yankees. A team that fills out its roster by opening up a Costanza-thick wallet.
While Boston's projected 2007 payroll (perhaps $140 million) is still substantially south of New York's, it still will likely be more than all the other teams in baseball. If the Red Sox aren't the new Evil Empire or co-Evil Empire, they at least are Wal-Mart to New York's Halliburton.
Hell, the Red Sox paid more just for the right to negotiate with Daisuke Matsuzaka than five teams paid their entire roster last year. And as Gordon Edes wrote in a terrific story on the wooing of Matsuzaka in Sunday's Boston Globe, the Red Sox arrived at the $51,111,111.11 bid because owner John Henry thought that string of 11s would be lucky. Now, when you have the luxury of slapping $1,111,111.11 on a bid for the pure look of it, you definitely are not living in the same neighborhood as the Kansas City Royals or Pittsburgh Pirates (or even the Chicago White Sox, for that matter).
It's to the point that if John Henry gained 40 pounds and started acting like an ass, you would think George Steinbrenner owned the Red Sox.
Not convinced the Red Sox have turned into the Yankees? Then consider this. No team has ever paid more money for a world championship than did the 2004 Red Sox (the Yankees have spent more trying to win, but their payroll was a mere $114 million when they won the Series in 2000). Further, when those Red Sox recorded the final out of that World Series, not a single player on the field was homegrown. When the Sox open the 2007 season, they may have just two homegrown players in the lineup, first baseman Kevin Youkilis and second baseman Dustin Pedroia.
A possible $140 million payroll. Signing two players for $170 million in a two-week span. Assembling a team from everyone else's farm system while trading away your own. The highest ticket prices in the game. Over-the-top fans seemingly everywhere. These are precisely the things Red Sox fans despised about the Yankees for years. And now they're also true of the Red Sox.
Next thing you know, Ronan Tynan will be singing "Sweet Caroline.''
Most teams have a distinct character, built up over the decades, a personality that persists almost without regard for actual record. The Twins will always be dependable Midwest farmers getting by on hard work, good soil and solid team fundamentals rather than stunning payrolls. The Athletics will always be West Coast free spirits going about the game their own way (whether that's drawing walks or drawing tattoos). The Yankees will always be pin-striped Gotham storm troopers dispatching opponents with cold corporate efficiency. The White Sox will always be the South Side blue-collar workers playing in the shadow of their yuppie northern neighbors. And for decades the Red Sox were the Calvinist, heroic underdogs always destined to fail tragically in the end.
That personality disappeared in October 2004 with the speed of a Big Papi home run leaving the yard, and no sane Red Sox fan would ever want it back. Understandably so. Who wants to have his heart broken again and again and again when you have the chance to live happily ever after with the person of your dreams? The Red Sox are finally on par with their hated rival and are delighted about it.
But that doesn't make things easier for everyone else. It used to be there was just the Yankees empire with which to contend. But the Sox knocking off the Yankees in 2004 didn't rid baseball of a menace. It simply meant there was another nuclear power in the ever-escalating arms race.
Sigh. It's enough to make you hope the Cubs never win.
fuck that. EVERY team this offseason is the yankees. 126 mil for barry fucking zito? give me a break.
2003 Mansfield III 2004 Boston I 2006 Boston I 2008 Bonnaroo, Hartford, Mansfield I 2010 Hartford 2013 Worcester I, Worcester II, Hartford 2016 Bonnaroo, Fenway I, Fenway II 2018 Fenway I, Fenway II 2021 Sea.Hear.Now 2022 Camden 2024 MSG I, Fenway I, Fenway II
PLAYER SALARY (US$)
1. Alex Rodriguez 25,680,727
2. Derek Jeter 20,600,000
3. Jason Giambi 20,428,571
4. Mike Mussina 19,000,000
5. Andy Pettitte 16,428,416
6. Randy Johnson 15,661,427
7. Bobby Abreu 13,600,000
8. Johnny Damon 13,000,000
9. Hideki Matsui 13,000,000
10. Jorge Posada 12,000,000
11. Mariano Rivera 10,500,000
12. Carl Pavano 8,000,000
13. Kyle Farnsworth 5,416,667
14. Mike Myers 1,150,000
15. Robinson Cano 381,100
16. Scott Proctor 353,675
17. Chien-Ming Wang 353,175
18. Andy Phillips 331,150
19. Wil Nieves 328,600
Total Team Salary: 198,662,180
MLB TEAM PAYROLL (US$)
1. NY Yankees 198,662,180
2. Boston 120,100,524
3. LA Angels 103,625,333
4. Chicago Sox 102,875,667
5. NY Mets 100,901,085
6. LA Dodgers 99,176,950
7. Chicago Cubs 94,841,166
8. Atlanta 92,461,852
9. Houston 92,101,503
10. San Francisco 90,862,064
11. Seattle 87,924,500
12. Philadelphia 87,148,333
13. St. Louis 86,912,217
14. Detroit 82,302,069
15. Baltimore 72,585,712
16. Toronto 71,915,000
17. San Diego 68,897,179
18. Texas 65,129,570
19. Minnesota 63,810,048
20. Washington 63,267,500
21. Oakland 62,322,054
22. Cincinnati 59,162,015
23. Arizona 58,884,226
24. Cleveland 56,795,867
25. Milwaukee 50,540,000
26. Kansas City 47,294,000
27. Pittsburgh 46,867,750
28. Colorado 40,791,000
29. Tampa Bay 35,417,967
30. Florida 14,344,500
Note:
Team salaries do not represent full team payroll. Number listed includes current salary for all players currently on the roster.
We would still have to spend another $78million to catch the Yankees payroll.
PLAYER SALARY (US$)
1. Alex Rodriguez 25,680,727
2. Derek Jeter 20,600,000
3. Jason Giambi 20,428,571
4. Mike Mussina 19,000,000
5. Andy Pettitte 16,428,416
6. Randy Johnson 15,661,427
7. Bobby Abreu 13,600,000
8. Johnny Damon 13,000,000
9. Hideki Matsui 13,000,000
10. Jorge Posada 12,000,000
11. Mariano Rivera 10,500,000
12. Carl Pavano 8,000,000
13. Kyle Farnsworth 5,416,667
14. Mike Myers 1,150,000
15. Robinson Cano 381,100
16. Scott Proctor 353,675
17. Chien-Ming Wang 353,175
18. Andy Phillips 331,150
19. Wil Nieves 328,600
Total Team Salary: 198,662,180
MLB TEAM PAYROLL (US$)
1. NY Yankees 198,662,180
2. Boston 120,100,524
3. LA Angels 103,625,333
4. Chicago Sox 102,875,667
5. NY Mets 100,901,085
6. LA Dodgers 99,176,950
7. Chicago Cubs 94,841,166
8. Atlanta 92,461,852
9. Houston 92,101,503
10. San Francisco 90,862,064
11. Seattle 87,924,500
12. Philadelphia 87,148,333
13. St. Louis 86,912,217
14. Detroit 82,302,069
15. Baltimore 72,585,712
16. Toronto 71,915,000
17. San Diego 68,897,179
18. Texas 65,129,570
19. Minnesota 63,810,048
20. Washington 63,267,500
21. Oakland 62,322,054
22. Cincinnati 59,162,015
23. Arizona 58,884,226
24. Cleveland 56,795,867
25. Milwaukee 50,540,000
26. Kansas City 47,294,000
27. Pittsburgh 46,867,750
28. Colorado 40,791,000
29. Tampa Bay 35,417,967
30. Florida 14,344,500
Note:
Team salaries do not represent full team payroll. Number listed includes current salary for all players currently on the roster.
We would still have to spend another $78million to catch the Yankees payroll.
take the field for the Red Sox:
SS Julio Lugo
1B Kevin Youkilis
DH David Ortiz
LF Manny Ramirez
RF J.D. Drew
3B Mike Lowell
C Jason Varitek
CF Coco Crisp
2B Dustin Pedroia
SP Curt Schilling
SP Josh Beckett
SP Daisuke Matsuzaka
SP Jonathan Papelbon
SP Tim Wakefield
SP Jon Lester
CL TBD
This could very well be a championship team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report: Sox set to sign Pineiro
Right-handed starter would provide Boston bullpen depth
BOSTON -- In a move that would mainly help from a depth standpoint, the Red Sox are reportedly on the verge of signing free agent right-hander Joel Pineiro to a one-year deal worth roughly $4 million.
ESPN.com was the first to report the news, saying that the deal will become complete as soon as Pineiro passes a physical.
The Red Sox had no comment.
A starter for most of his career, Pineiro would likely do the bulk of his work for the Red Sox out of the bullpen. The Sox already have a five-man rotation of Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jonathan Papelbon and Tim Wakefield.
And left-hander Jon Lester, recently declared cancer-free, is also expected to make his return to the rotation at a time yet to be determined. There is also Matt Clement, who underwent surgery on his rotator cuff and labrum in September and could factor into the mix at some point.
Of Pineiro's 185 career appearances, 148 of them have been starts.
He has spent his entire career, which started in 2000, with the Seattle Mariners. The 28-year-old Pineiro is coming off perhaps his worst season, as he went 8-13 with a 6.36 ERA in 40 appearances.
The pitcher displayed his upside in 2003, going 16-11 with a 3.78 ERA.
Good news, maybe we can use a few extra arms as trade bait.
really officially sign Drew? I have not been keeping up with this completely. The last time I checked there were medical issues and 2nd opinions needed. Boras saying his fine and the Red Sox saying his not....Where are we in this? Did we get rid of Hinske? He would be the cheap alternative wouldn't he?
really officially sign Drew? I have not been keeping up with this completely. The last time I checked there were medical issues and 2nd opinions needed. Boras saying his fine and the Red Sox saying his not....Where are we in this? Did we get rid of Hinske? He would be the cheap alternative wouldn't he?
They havent officially announced his signing,but I heard on ESPN radio that they are just changing some of the wording in the contract in case of injuries and such. So basically he is ours. Hinske is also still on the team which is ok but $4mil for him is ridiculous. But I guess all the salaries are nuts anyway.
I have been hearing that they are changing some of the wording in the contract for a while now. I remember looking at redsox.com like a month ago and they said an announcement would be coming soon and then nothing. Is there anybody out there that kind hopes that he doesn't come to the Sox? I don't think he is a fit but I have been wrong in the past.
Peter Gammons held a chat on Boston.com yesterday and I saw him on the news this morning. He said that he expects the JD Drew deal to be done sometime this weekend.
Some of the reason it has been put on hold in addition to the physicals is that Epstein has been on vacation. I guess he got back the other day though.
BOSTON -- Red Sox GM Theo Epstein had nothing new to report on the contract status of outfielder J.D. Drew.
"Nothing really knew there," Epstein said on Sunday during the "Hot Stove, Cool Music" event. "See what happens this week."
Asked what he is hoping to see from recently acquired pitcher Joel Pineiro, Epstein replied:
"For him to make an effective transition. Whenever he has pitched from the bullpen in the past, which hasn't been often, he's done a great job. And he's got the type of stuff, delivery that should project well in the bullpen. We just don't want to put too much on his shoulders right off the bat. Let him throw one inning at a time and a blow and see what he can do."
The original Dirt Dog has left town. Trot Nixon officially signed a one year deal with the Indians today for $3 million. I think he will be missed. For that price, you can't really go wrong. I guess it's time to get J.D. officially inked into a deal. Trot was the heart of the team. Sure his numbers weren't stellar and he was frequently injured but he showed up everyday ready to play. He had the grit and determination that the Sox needed. I can't wait for the ovation he'll get when the Tribe comes to town. He was a true gamer. Number 7 in right field just won't look the same with Drew filling out the jersey.
I wish I was as fortunate, as fortunate as me.
__________________________________________________________
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The original Dirt Dog has left town. Trot Nixon officially signed a one year deal with the Indians today for $3 million. I think he will be missed. For that price, you can't really go wrong. I guess it's time to get J.D. officially inked into a deal. Trot was the heart of the team. Sure his numbers weren't stellar and he was frequently injured but he showed up everyday ready to play. He had the grit and determination that the Sox needed. I can't wait for the ovation he'll get when the Tribe comes to town. He was a true gamer. Number 7 in right field just won't look the same with Drew filling out the jersey.
Comments
Let's see, here's a guy who will probably never be the same who has had 3 elbow surgeries and a back surgery and we want him closing for the Sox? I think not.
__________________________________________________________
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If healthy and thats a big IF,The guy is AWESOME!!! Apparently the Rangers doctors feel his health is ok.
By the way,are you the guy who told me how great Trot Nixon was?? Im glad that the sox moved on without him,as he has not lived up to expectations. Trot was a injured all the time. Hopefully we will now get 20+homers and 100 rbi's from rightfield spot!!!
__________________________________________________________
Shameless beer-related plugs:
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they should be spending the money when their tickets are the highest in the major leagues. when im sitting in a shitty, uncomfortable 90 dollar seat, i want a 200 million dollar team on the field.
2004 Boston I
2006 Boston I
2008 Bonnaroo, Hartford, Mansfield I
2010 Hartford
2013 Worcester I, Worcester II, Hartford
2016 Bonnaroo, Fenway I, Fenway II
2018 Fenway I, Fenway II
2021 Sea.Hear.Now
2022 Camden
2024 MSG I, Fenway I, Fenway II
2004 Boston I
2006 Boston I
2008 Bonnaroo, Hartford, Mansfield I
2010 Hartford
2013 Worcester I, Worcester II, Hartford
2016 Bonnaroo, Fenway I, Fenway II
2018 Fenway I, Fenway II
2021 Sea.Hear.Now
2022 Camden
2024 MSG I, Fenway I, Fenway II
BOSTON -- A veteran catcher and a fan-favorite utilityman are among the eight free agents who signed 2007 contracts with Boston's Triple-A affiliate on Wednesday, with an invitation to Major League camp as non-roster players.
Those signing with Pawtucket are right-handed pitcher Travis Hughes; catcher Alberto Castillo; infielders Jeff Bailey, Luis Jimenez, Joe McEwing, Ed Rogers and Bobby Scales; and outfielder Kerry Robinson.
Castillo, 36, played in the Washington organization in 2006, batting .268 with 30 RBIs in 88 games at Triple-A New Orleans. The veteran has a career .222 average with 11 homers and 98 RBIs in 407 Major League contests with the Mets (1995-98), Cardinals (1999), Blue Jays (2000-01), Yankees (2002), Giants (2003), Royals (2004-05) and A's (2005).
Known for the hustling style and versatility that earned him the nickname "Super Joe" while with the Mets, the 34-year-old McEwing spent 2006 in the Houston organization, batting .315 with ten homers and 46 RBIs in 112 games at Triple-A Round Rock and going hitless in six at-bats over seven games with the Astros. The veteran has played extensively at second and third base and in the outfield in his career. He is a .251 career hitter with 25 homers and 158 RBIs in 754 games with the Cardinals (1998-99), Mets (2000-04), Royals (2005) and Astros (2006).
Hughes, 28, pitched in the Washington organization in 2006, going 2-6 with a 2.32 ERA and four saves in 51 appearances at Triple-A New Orleans, and 0-0, 6.35 in eight games for the Nationals. He is 1-1 with a 6.31 ERA in 24 career Major League appearances with Texas (2004) and Washington (2005-06).
Bailey, 28, returns to the Red Sox organization after batting .275 with team highs of 22 homers and 82 RBIs in 134 games for Pawtucket in 2006. This will be the first baseman's fourth year in the Boston organization. Jimenez, 24, also returns to the Red Sox after producing a .276 average with 17 homers and 70 RBIs in 115 games at Double-A Portland in 2006.
Rogers, 28, joins the organization after nine years in the Baltimore system. In 2006, the shortstop/third baseman hit .298 with five homers and 30 RBIs in 86 games at Triple-A Ottawa and .200 with two RBIs in 17 games with the Orioles. He has a .207 career mark in 30 Major League games.
Scales, 29, spent 2006 in the Philadelphia organization, batting .291 with seven homers and 44 RBIs at Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre. He spent his first seven pro seasons in the San Diego system.
Robinson, 33, was in the Kansas City organization in 2006, hitting .311 with two homers and 40 RBIs in 100 games at Triple-A Omaha and .266 with five RBIs in 18 games with the Royals. The outfielder's career Major League average is .267, with three homers and 56 RBIs, in 463 games with Tampa Bay (1998), Cincinnati (1999), St. Louis (2001-03), San Diego (2004) and Kansas City (2006). He appeared in more than 100 games in three consecutive seasons with the Cardinals.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=caple/061221
By Jim Caple
Page 2
Congratulations, Boston fans. Your Red Sox are the new Yankees.
Oh, I'm not saying that one World Series championship in the past 88 years is on par with the Yankees winning 26 championships and 39 American League pennants in the same period (I already get enough hate mail from New York fans to suggest such a ludicrous thing). But when the Red Sox signed J.D. (the Iron Man) Drew to a $70 million contract and invested $103 million in Daisuke Matsuzaka, they officially became everything Boston fans used to loathe about the Yankees. A team that fills out its roster by opening up a Costanza-thick wallet.
While Boston's projected 2007 payroll (perhaps $140 million) is still substantially south of New York's, it still will likely be more than all the other teams in baseball. If the Red Sox aren't the new Evil Empire or co-Evil Empire, they at least are Wal-Mart to New York's Halliburton.
Hell, the Red Sox paid more just for the right to negotiate with Daisuke Matsuzaka than five teams paid their entire roster last year. And as Gordon Edes wrote in a terrific story on the wooing of Matsuzaka in Sunday's Boston Globe, the Red Sox arrived at the $51,111,111.11 bid because owner John Henry thought that string of 11s would be lucky. Now, when you have the luxury of slapping $1,111,111.11 on a bid for the pure look of it, you definitely are not living in the same neighborhood as the Kansas City Royals or Pittsburgh Pirates (or even the Chicago White Sox, for that matter).
It's to the point that if John Henry gained 40 pounds and started acting like an ass, you would think George Steinbrenner owned the Red Sox.
Not convinced the Red Sox have turned into the Yankees? Then consider this. No team has ever paid more money for a world championship than did the 2004 Red Sox (the Yankees have spent more trying to win, but their payroll was a mere $114 million when they won the Series in 2000). Further, when those Red Sox recorded the final out of that World Series, not a single player on the field was homegrown. When the Sox open the 2007 season, they may have just two homegrown players in the lineup, first baseman Kevin Youkilis and second baseman Dustin Pedroia.
A possible $140 million payroll. Signing two players for $170 million in a two-week span. Assembling a team from everyone else's farm system while trading away your own. The highest ticket prices in the game. Over-the-top fans seemingly everywhere. These are precisely the things Red Sox fans despised about the Yankees for years. And now they're also true of the Red Sox.
Next thing you know, Ronan Tynan will be singing "Sweet Caroline.''
Most teams have a distinct character, built up over the decades, a personality that persists almost without regard for actual record. The Twins will always be dependable Midwest farmers getting by on hard work, good soil and solid team fundamentals rather than stunning payrolls. The Athletics will always be West Coast free spirits going about the game their own way (whether that's drawing walks or drawing tattoos). The Yankees will always be pin-striped Gotham storm troopers dispatching opponents with cold corporate efficiency. The White Sox will always be the South Side blue-collar workers playing in the shadow of their yuppie northern neighbors. And for decades the Red Sox were the Calvinist, heroic underdogs always destined to fail tragically in the end.
That personality disappeared in October 2004 with the speed of a Big Papi home run leaving the yard, and no sane Red Sox fan would ever want it back. Understandably so. Who wants to have his heart broken again and again and again when you have the chance to live happily ever after with the person of your dreams? The Red Sox are finally on par with their hated rival and are delighted about it.
But that doesn't make things easier for everyone else. It used to be there was just the Yankees empire with which to contend. But the Sox knocking off the Yankees in 2004 didn't rid baseball of a menace. It simply meant there was another nuclear power in the ever-escalating arms race.
Sigh. It's enough to make you hope the Cubs never win.
That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
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fuck that. EVERY team this offseason is the yankees. 126 mil for barry fucking zito? give me a break.
2004 Boston I
2006 Boston I
2008 Bonnaroo, Hartford, Mansfield I
2010 Hartford
2013 Worcester I, Worcester II, Hartford
2016 Bonnaroo, Fenway I, Fenway II
2018 Fenway I, Fenway II
2021 Sea.Hear.Now
2022 Camden
2024 MSG I, Fenway I, Fenway II
PLAYER SALARY (US$)
1. Alex Rodriguez 25,680,727
2. Derek Jeter 20,600,000
3. Jason Giambi 20,428,571
4. Mike Mussina 19,000,000
5. Andy Pettitte 16,428,416
6. Randy Johnson 15,661,427
7. Bobby Abreu 13,600,000
8. Johnny Damon 13,000,000
9. Hideki Matsui 13,000,000
10. Jorge Posada 12,000,000
11. Mariano Rivera 10,500,000
12. Carl Pavano 8,000,000
13. Kyle Farnsworth 5,416,667
14. Mike Myers 1,150,000
15. Robinson Cano 381,100
16. Scott Proctor 353,675
17. Chien-Ming Wang 353,175
18. Andy Phillips 331,150
19. Wil Nieves 328,600
Total Team Salary: 198,662,180
MLB TEAM PAYROLL (US$)
1. NY Yankees 198,662,180
2. Boston 120,100,524
3. LA Angels 103,625,333
4. Chicago Sox 102,875,667
5. NY Mets 100,901,085
6. LA Dodgers 99,176,950
7. Chicago Cubs 94,841,166
8. Atlanta 92,461,852
9. Houston 92,101,503
10. San Francisco 90,862,064
11. Seattle 87,924,500
12. Philadelphia 87,148,333
13. St. Louis 86,912,217
14. Detroit 82,302,069
15. Baltimore 72,585,712
16. Toronto 71,915,000
17. San Diego 68,897,179
18. Texas 65,129,570
19. Minnesota 63,810,048
20. Washington 63,267,500
21. Oakland 62,322,054
22. Cincinnati 59,162,015
23. Arizona 58,884,226
24. Cleveland 56,795,867
25. Milwaukee 50,540,000
26. Kansas City 47,294,000
27. Pittsburgh 46,867,750
28. Colorado 40,791,000
29. Tampa Bay 35,417,967
30. Florida 14,344,500
Note:
Team salaries do not represent full team payroll. Number listed includes current salary for all players currently on the roster.
We would still have to spend another $78million to catch the Yankees payroll.
PLAYED !!!!!!LOL
SS Julio Lugo
1B Kevin Youkilis
DH David Ortiz
LF Manny Ramirez
RF J.D. Drew
3B Mike Lowell
C Jason Varitek
CF Coco Crisp
2B Dustin Pedroia
SP Curt Schilling
SP Josh Beckett
SP Daisuke Matsuzaka
SP Jonathan Papelbon
SP Tim Wakefield
SP Jon Lester
CL TBD
This could very well be a championship team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Right-handed starter would provide Boston bullpen depth
BOSTON -- In a move that would mainly help from a depth standpoint, the Red Sox are reportedly on the verge of signing free agent right-hander Joel Pineiro to a one-year deal worth roughly $4 million.
ESPN.com was the first to report the news, saying that the deal will become complete as soon as Pineiro passes a physical.
The Red Sox had no comment.
A starter for most of his career, Pineiro would likely do the bulk of his work for the Red Sox out of the bullpen. The Sox already have a five-man rotation of Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jonathan Papelbon and Tim Wakefield.
And left-hander Jon Lester, recently declared cancer-free, is also expected to make his return to the rotation at a time yet to be determined. There is also Matt Clement, who underwent surgery on his rotator cuff and labrum in September and could factor into the mix at some point.
Of Pineiro's 185 career appearances, 148 of them have been starts.
He has spent his entire career, which started in 2000, with the Seattle Mariners. The 28-year-old Pineiro is coming off perhaps his worst season, as he went 8-13 with a 6.36 ERA in 40 appearances.
The pitcher displayed his upside in 2003, going 16-11 with a 3.78 ERA.
Good news, maybe we can use a few extra arms as trade bait.
Did we learn nothing from last year?
You stockpile arms and hold them tight.
They havent officially announced his signing,but I heard on ESPN radio that they are just changing some of the wording in the contract in case of injuries and such. So basically he is ours. Hinske is also still on the team which is ok but $4mil for him is ridiculous. But I guess all the salaries are nuts anyway.
Some of the reason it has been put on hold in addition to the physicals is that Epstein has been on vacation. I guess he got back the other day though.
BOSTON -- Red Sox GM Theo Epstein had nothing new to report on the contract status of outfielder J.D. Drew.
"Nothing really knew there," Epstein said on Sunday during the "Hot Stove, Cool Music" event. "See what happens this week."
Asked what he is hoping to see from recently acquired pitcher Joel Pineiro, Epstein replied:
"For him to make an effective transition. Whenever he has pitched from the bullpen in the past, which hasn't been often, he's done a great job. And he's got the type of stuff, delivery that should project well in the bullpen. We just don't want to put too much on his shoulders right off the bat. Let him throw one inning at a time and a blow and see what he can do."
Theo is such a genius!!!!!!!!!! gotta love him.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/
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:(:( I loved Trot.
I disagree.
I think Ortiz and / or their captain, Jason Varitek are more likely "the heart of the team"..
rumour has it Trot was never the same player once the steriod scandal limited some players utilization of the performance enhancing drug...
EV intro to Chloe Dancer / Crown of Thorns
10/25/13 Hartford
I loved Trot too.
good point with steroids. I mean the guy came back from the offseason a few years ago saying that he had gained 30 pounds of muscle.