Truth & Rumors > MLB

Red Sox worried about '09 offensive slip

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In the wake of the failed pursuit of Mark Teixeira, the Red Sox have indeed reached agreements with pitcher Brad Penny ($5 million guaranteed) and catcher Josh Bard ($1.7 million, non-guaranteed) on one-year contracts, at least partially addressing some of the team's lesser needs this offseason. The latter suggests the Sox still have every intention of re-signing Jason Varitek, but what is clear now is that they must prepare for the reality that they will have a less-potent offense in 2009, meaning that they will have to win with pitching and defense. As for the news that the Sox approached the Florida Marlins about Hanley Ramirez, it only magnifies just how costly the Teixeira fallout is. Ramirez isn't going anywhere after signing a six-year, $70 million extension that begins next year, meaning that the Marlins have him locked up at an average salary of $11.67 million over the next six years. Further, because Ramirez's annual salaries do not begin to explode until 2012 -- his base climbs to $15 million that season -- there is little or no reason for the Marlins to deal him before that time, at the earliest. So why did the Red Sox approach the Marlins? For the same reason they pursued Teixeira. They know their offense is going to slip in 2009. They know that shortstop, more than catcher, is the position where they can make the greatest offensive upgrade. And they know that they need a productive young hitter for the middle of their lineup after breaking up the tandem of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez that served as the nucleus for their entire roster for nearly six years. The more you examine the realities here, the more you cannot help but wonder why the Red Sox got to $170 million and stopped with Teixeira, leading to a scenario where the club was willing to offer prospects like Clay Buchholz and Jacoby Ellsbury in a package for a young player with a $70 million contract.

Boston Globe

David Ortiz, Doug Pensinger/Getty Images David Ortiz, Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Comments (424) Add A Comment

December 31, 2008  07:08 AM ET
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Simply put....."sweet"!!

December 31, 2008  07:24 AM ET
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everything i read said that if we had gotten hanely he would have played CF cuz we would have had to deal Ellsbury to get him.

December 31, 2008  07:32 AM ET
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Ha!!

December 31, 2008  07:32 AM ET
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Hanley will replace Jeter in NY......Mark it down.....

December 31, 2008  07:55 AM ET
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"In the wake of the failed pursuit of Mark Teixeira, the Red Sox have indeed reached agreements with pitcher Brad Penny ($5 million guaranteed) and catcher Josh Bard ($1.7 million, non-guaranteed) on one-year contracts, at least partially addressing some of the team's lesser needs this offseason".

Yeah, i also didnt win the lottery jackpot, but got my free McD meal...

December 31, 2008  08:24 AM ET
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you mean they don't think that PUKE and PAPI can save the team this year???? hummmm isn't looking so smart now to get rid of you 1-2 punch with manny...

YANKEE'S will be back where we belong his year.... in the world series!!!

December 31, 2008  08:30 AM ET
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QUOTE(#6):
Originally posted 08:24 AM ET  12.31 by NYY25to13

you mean they don't think that PUKE and PAPI can save the team this year???? hummmm isn't looking so smart now to get rid of you 1-2 punch with manny... YANKEE'S will be back where we belong his year.... in the world series!!!

Wanna bet on that??

December 31, 2008  08:31 AM ET
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Relax - the Sox in the end will be better ff without Tex. It would have disrupted Lowell's position, who has been an excellent player for Boston and tied up money that they maybe in a position to pay somebody really good like Senor Pujols or Miguel Cabrera.

December 31, 2008  08:32 AM ET
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I love it! Keep Hanley, Florida, why would you trade and All Star for two half rate prospects?

December 31, 2008  08:41 AM ET
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QUOTE(#9):
Originally posted 08:32 AM ET  12.31 by Sean Connery

I love it! Keep Hanley, Florida, why would you trade and All Star for two half rate prospects?

cuz thats what the marlins do.

December 31, 2008  08:42 AM ET
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QUOTE(#8):
Originally posted 08:31 AM ET  12.31 by Purnell

Relax - the Sox in the end will be better ff without Tex. It would have disrupted Lowell's position, who has been an excellent player for Boston and tied up money that they maybe in a position to pay somebody really good like Senor Pujols or Miguel Cabrera.

lowell's swing was made for the monster

December 31, 2008  08:53 AM ET
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QUOTE(#11):
Originally posted 08:42 AM ET  12.31 by Lallybone

lowell's swing was made for the monster

I love Mikey... I hope he rehabs well. I would hate for him to get traded.

December 31, 2008  08:58 AM ET
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QUOTE(#8):
Originally posted 08:31 AM ET  12.31 by Purnell

Relax - the Sox in the end will be better ff without Tex. It would have disrupted Lowell's position, who has been an excellent player for Boston and tied up money that they maybe in a position to pay somebody really good like Senor Pujols or Miguel Cabrera.

Ya but Lowell may never be the same player again, seeing as how he now has the hip of a 60 year old man. This year will be a washout for the Sox and pretty much every other team that is not the Yankees.

December 31, 2008  08:59 AM ET
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QUOTE(#12):
Originally posted 08:53 AM ET  12.31 by becca e.

I love Mikey... I hope he rehabs well. I would hate for him to get traded.

i just cant see that happening. i think getting tex is the only way that happens. theo pushed hard for him to sign back with the sox and he gave us a discount. there is a lot of mutual respect with him and the club. i wouldnt wanna see that ruined. esp someone as wise as lowell

December 31, 2008  09:01 AM ET
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QUOTE(#13):
Originally posted 08:58 AM ET  12.31 by herbs and spice

Ya but Lowell may never be the same player again, seeing as how he now has the hip of a 60 year old man. This year will be a washout for the Sox and pretty much every other team that is not the Yankees.

ohh ye of little faith. lets keep our fingers crossed that u are innocrrect

December 31, 2008  09:03 AM ET
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I don't hink it's as bad as all this. The main difference will be that Manny is gone, and Papi will have to learn to be pitched to. Don't think he'll have much of a problem with that, especially since Bay has shown that his numbers can be in the same nieghborhood as Manny's. And it's a bit too early to be rolling out a wheelchaior for Lowell. The AL East will still be a highly competitive division in '09, and the Sox will be right in the thick of it until the end. That being said - Ruck the Fed Sox.

December 31, 2008  09:06 AM ET
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QUOTE(#16):
Originally posted 09:03 AM ET  12.31 by Atro Steals Yer Base

I don't hink it's as bad as all this. The main difference will be that Manny is gone, and Papi will have to learn to be pitched to. Don't think he'll have much of a problem with that, especially since Bay has shown that his numbers can be in the same nieghborhood as Manny's. And it's a bit too early to be rolling out a wheelchaior for Lowell. The AL East will still be a highly competitive division in '09, and the Sox will be right in the thick of it until the end. That being said - Ruck the Fed Sox.

hahaha i was gonna say....half way thru that i thought you were a fake atro

December 31, 2008  09:08 AM ET
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QUOTE(#17):
Originally posted 09:06 AM ET  12.31 by Lallybone

hahaha i was gonna say....half way thru that i thought you were a fake atro

Ain't nothin' like the real thing, Lally. Happy new year.

December 31, 2008  09:09 AM ET
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bosox fans shouldn't be too worried. pitching and defense is what wins and they definitely still have both. not to mention pedroia, papi, bay, lowell, youklis, drew........all studs. that ought to be good enough for 2nd place in the div. and wild card spot. HA!

 
December 31, 2008  09:13 AM ET
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QUOTE(#18):
Originally posted 09:08 AM ET  12.31 by Atro Steals Yer Base

Ain't nothin' like the real thing, Lally. Happy new year.

you to buddy, you too

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