Red Sox Reality Check

Not much to talk about these days in MLB. So, we'll have to go with some randoms...and a non-Sox memorable video. D-Lowe making the rounds in the Globe today, courtesy of Nick Cafardo. The current Sox rotation is obviously up in the air, pending health concerns and trades. The choices for now? Josh Beckett Jon Lester Daisuke Matsuzaka Justin Masterson Tim Wakefield Michael Bowden Clay Buchholz If Masterson pitched similar to his level of 2007 (starting), I think it would be reasonable to think he could win twelve games or more. What is the incremental win total for Derek Lowe likely to be for the extra tens of millions? Probably three to five tops. The Manny Watch. The Boston Globe suggests that Boras might want Teixeira on the Sox, Sabathia and Manny to the Angels, and Lowe to the Yankees to maximize salaries. Apropos of nothing...Did Manny really take the radio out of his expensive car BEFORE he sold it? Well, the guy can really hit. At least nobody's thinking DP's on ...

The economic backdrop has resulted in a glacial start to the free agent market...unless one considers Damaso Marte and Jeremy Affeldt as an avalanche. Ryan Dempster obviously is the exception, and nobody doubts that the premium class of Mark Teixeira, C.C. Sabathia, and Manny Ramirez will get paid. But how many major corporations, lining up at the public trough in Bailout Nation will be plunking down megabucks for luxury boxes and blocks of season tickets. And if they do, should we, socialist sponsors of their profligacy, scream bloody murder. Should the employees of AIG whose annuities evaporated watch the fat cats sit in luxury boxes and get ' retention payments '? First, let's understand that major league baseball owners are extraordinarily wealthy, competitive people who want to win but live by the rules of Warren Buffett: Rule one. Don't lose money. Rule two. Never forget rule one. Most likely hold a diversified investment portfolio. Here is a list of some asset cl...

Dustin Pedroia capped a stellar season by receiving 16 of 28 votes to capture the American League Most Valuable Player award. Pedroia became the de facto team leader during the season with bot a spectacular offensive and defensive season. Remarkably one scribe, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News omitted Pedroia from any of the ten choices available on his ballot. On WEEI, Grant said he relied on statistical data concerning run production. Here are the raw data on Pedroia. Silver Slugger, 2b All-Star selection Gold Glove Batting - 2nd Hits - 1st Total bases - 4th Runs created - 3rd Doubles - 1st At bats per strikeout - 2nd Power-speed number - 8th Hall of Fame Monitor - 49 (including MVP points) (likely Hall of Famer > 100) You can easily argue whether Pedroia deserved to be the top choice among others with outstanding seasons. These include Youkilis, Quentin, Hamilton, Morneau, K-Rod, Longoria, Sizemore, and so forth. But to have the obligation and responsibility to vote for the...

Well, maybe not so much. Hey, Theo! Need a fig leaf. Scott '6 percent' Boras informs us that Jason Varitek's asking price is 52 million dollars. Are we talking Zimbabwe dollars or something less evanescent? The Red Sox have needs (like all teams), and what they don't need is thirty million (three by ten) reasons not to start on a more permanent solution to the catching position. If Varitek walks, they can turn the draft impact into more young pitching if they need to trade a young pitcher. As for the Teixeira sweepstakes, I'm willing to wait for Lars Anderson who is coming fast ...but of course, the Sox should drive up the price for the Yankees or the Angels, although they tend to be a take it or leave it negotiator. Certainly, the addition of Teixeira would be a great addition, and the Sox have some money coming off the table (Manny, Varitek(?), Schilling), Timlin, Lugo(?)). As for the return of Derek Lowe, don't hold your breath. Consider the quote from Coyote...