Reports from the Globe and AP say that Dice-K, Boras, and the Red Sox contingent are on their way back to Boston. A sure sign that a signing is imminent.
Great news for the Sox. Adding a 26 year-old top of the rotation starter without having to give up any prospects is a major win for the Sox.
I think one thing to note is that Boras is probably always miscast as the devil when in truth he seems to sign the players in the places they want to go (if they will have him) at the best possible price. Take Varitek, he didn't want to go anywhere else so he wound up back in Boston at a very high price for a catcher of $10 m/yr. Let's face it on Damon - he was following the money and the Red Sox were worried he was damaged goods. So Boras played the Yanks/Red Sox thing into a 4 yrs/$52 M contract - who can blame him for taking it? DLowe wanted to come back but the Sox clearly wanted no part of him. Boras out did the standard 3 yrs/21 M "Benson deal" of that off-season by getting Lowe a (then thought crazy) 4 yr/ 36 M deal for pitcher coming off a 5.42 ERA season. I'd say that is an agent doing an superb job.
So building off my last post - if Dice-K is making say $10 M per season that will likely put the Sox about $3 M under the luxury tax threshold with still a gaping hole at closer and a need for a back up catcher. Not to even mention the Clemens speculation. So will the Sox go over the luxury tax number or try to stay under it? My guess is that the Sox will try to remain under the $148 M tax number (so yes, I am saying Clemens will be a Yankee). I think a trade of Lowell for prospects that they may be able to combine with one or two of their own for a closer may be coming in the near future. Red Sox interest in Pittsburgh's Gonzales was reported yesterday. He is especially interesting being a left handed hard thrower. Perhaps a trade with Texas for Otsuka now that Gagne has signed? Maybe they can re-visit Lidge or Turnbow? Maybe Atlanta for Wickman? It would seem some options may be out there. And remember, the team that plays April 2 in Texas is not likely to be the same team when they take the field on Aug 1 after the trade deadline.
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4 comments:
The Mirabelli signing makes a lot of sense. He knows the pitchers well, he catches the knuckler, and he is likely no worse than anyone else they could have gotten.
All that is left is closer.....
Pittsburgh's Gonzo is likely to be the subject of yet another Red Sox/Yankees bidding war. It will cost some really good prospects to make it happen. I think the Red Sox can not get gun shy now. You have a $150 M team - you better have someone who can finish the games.
Verducci predicts Dice-K 17-20 wins this year.
He makes an interesting point. Beckett did not adjust well to the AL because he has no off-speed pitch. Dice has 2 off-speed pitches to go with a plus fastball. He predicts these pitches will be the difference and hitters will have a very tough time with him.
From the Globe today:
Matsuzaka spoke with his new catcher, Jason Varitek, in a conference call the day after signing, Boras said.
When the agent visited in Japan this summer, Matsuzaka's wife asked for a favor. "She wanted to know if I could get Daisuke the jersey of his favorite player," Boras said. "I thought it might be Ichiro, or [Hideki] Matsui. No -- it was Jason Varitek."
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As if I wasn't excited enough already - how cool is this?
Is this Nancy Drew mystery ever going to end?
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