Red Sox Sign 13 Players

While most of us are waiting in earnest for news about the potential resigning of Josh Beckett, the Red Sox did make some deals yesterday as they announced the signing of 13 players who have between 0-3 years of MLB experience. I imagine that the Sox will do something with Ellsbury, similar to what they did with Pedroia. I am certain they will buy him out of arbitration next year, and give him a longer term lucrative deal. Here's how it shook out according to Gordon Edes:

OF Jacoby Ellsbury -- $496,500 (after making $449,500 in 2009)
P Clay Buchholz –- $443,000
INF Jed Lowrie –- $434,000
P Daniel Bard –- $415,500
INF Tug Hulett –- $403,500
P Ramon A. Ramirez -– $403,000
OF Josh Reddick -– $403,000
(P Michael Bowden -– $402,000
C Dusty Brown -– $402,000
C Aaron Bates -- $401,000
P Dustin Richardson –- $401,000
P Felix Doubront –- $400,000
C Mark Wagner -- $400,000

Sox Beat Up On Kids In Collegiate Doubleheader

The Red Sox played their first two games of the Spring today. Albeit, they weren't really games. They shelled Northeastern 15-0 in the 1st contest, and took care of BC 6-1 in game #2. Should the BC game be that close?

Big Papi hit a homer off a kid in game numero uno (below): Casey Kelly also looked solid in the opening contest. Kelly, one of the Sox best pitching prospects, had a 10 pitch 1st inning. He logged two strikeouts during the frame as well. The video (above) shows how it looked. Seems to have pretty decent stuff for a young kid. And he has damn good stuff considering he was playing shortstop in 2009. Kelly will likely start the season in my old stomping ground, AA-Portland.

The box score from game 1 can be seen here. Nothing really outrageous, and not too many household names in this one. There were only a few notable events the two mentioned above, Victor Martinez had a double and Sox catcher Luis Exposito had 4 RBI.

As for game two: Youkilis, Pedroia, Scutaro and Varitek all had base hits. Boof Bonser got the win (although he only pitched 1 scoreless inning) and Michael Bowden & Junichi Tazawa each threw a scoreless inning.

Terry Francona Sits Down With ESPN...Yikes

Should I feel better now that Terry has spoken about his club? Here are some things I noticed about this interview:

1) "We didn't catch the ball real good." Nice English.

2) He didn't have an answer for being strictly a pitching a defensive team. "We are not going to be a pitching, speed, you know we want to hit the ball too and be a well balanced team. We really wanted to improve in that area." Huh? Is that an answer? Did he mean they are not just pitching and defense?

3) They lost J. Bay's bat. Thoughts Terry, "We lost a big bat in Jason Bay...Every decision we make isn't always right." Sounds like a shot at Theo to me. Sox don't have any bats. Terry more or less said it. This team will put up 3 runs per game. Let's hope that is enough in the postseason. This Boston Sports blog doesn't think the Sox will have enough Juice to win it all.

Big News Out Of The Fort

Big Red Sox news coming out of Fort Myers today. Three awesome stories to think about:

*Clay Buchholz is throwing strikes, apparently. Shouldn't major leaguers throw strikes? Also, he has added 13 pounds of weight. Not reported where he added this weight, and if it is in fact muscle weight.

*Papelbon is looking forward to 2010! Is that big news?

*Daniel Bard is working on a changeup.

Great stuff from the Fort.

Victory Ahead For Victor

Victor Martinez wants a new contract before Spring Training, and something tells me he is going to get it. If he doesn't get a contract before the Spring, he will most likely exercise his rights for free agency come the offseason. At that point, he will be a hot commodity, and I think our rivals down 95 South will make a push for him as they have an aging catcher.

The Sox normally don't negotiate deals during the season, but I believe this is the one case in which the Boston front office will do everything in their power to lock Victor up. The Sox don't have much power, excluding Kevin Youkilis and maybe Big Papi (although this could be the year where it all comes crashing down for Ortiz). Boston has no catcher, besides Victor. It only makes sense that Theo and co. will give Victor everything he wants to stay in Boston. He solves the Sox two biggest problems: catching, and offensive power.

Boston traded for him last season because they saw a guy in his prime, with the capability to put up 30HR, 100RBI, .300AVG every year. He is a perfect fit. With the departure of Jason Bay, Mike Lowell falling off the map, and the imminent death of David Ortiz' bat, Victor Martinez is just what the doctor ordered. The Sox will have to pay up big-time, but believe me, they will. They have no other options.

Damon Better Than Cameron

Johnny Damon is better than Mike Cameron. The Red Sox made a mistake. The Red Sox signed Cameron to play centerfield for two years, but they should have kept Jacoby Ellsbury in centerfield while signing Damon to play left. I wish the Sox could turn back the clock and sign Damon instead of Cameron.

Damon is 8 months younger than Mike Cameron. Let's start with that right there. The Red Sox were concerned about Damon's age when they let him go to the Yankees. Unfortunately, Damon was a huge piece to the Yankees puzzle, and let's admit it, the Sox miscalculated. The leftfielder played over 140 games every year for the Yankees, a pretty good feat for a team that had a wealth of outfielders. Cameron has played only 140 games in three of the previous four seasons. In 2008, Cameron only played 120 games. Five years ago, when Cameron was in his prime, he played only 76 games. Boston values games played, yet they go with somebody who plays fewer games. The Sox are counting on Cameron to play most of the season in centerfield, yet that seems like a tall task for a guy who plays less than Damon.

The next big reason the Sox should have chosen Damon over Cameron is because of the bat. Damon is far superior at the plate, and is recently coming off one of his best years. Last year in pinstripes, he matched his career high by belting 24 homers. His high with Boston was only 20! He also knocked in 82 runs, scored 107, and smacked 36 doubles. Damon was quite impressive.

On the flip side, Cameron hit .250 (his highest average since 2006 sadly) and struck out 156 times(Damon only struck out 98 times). Maybe Cameron has better wheels than Damon? Well, maybe not. Cameron had 7 stolen bases compared to Damon's 12. Cameron had the same number of homers as Damon, but he had less doubles, hits, runs and RBI. Damon is the far superior hitter.

The only thing Cameron has more of than Damon is the glove. But, when he is hitting .242 come June, and has struck out 100 times, than won't you wish the Sox had signed Damon to play in the outfield? When Cameron is on the injured list, and reliable Damon is playing, won't you be upset?

The Sox made a mistake. Hopefully Damon will wind up somewhere outside of the AL East; that way we won't have to see firsthand how big of a mistake the Sox actually made.

Mets On An Island With Bay

The NY Mets are apparently bidding against themselves now in the battle for Jason Bay. They have offered him 4 years and $65 million, yet nobody else seems to be in the running for the left field slugger. My question is simple: would the Sox ever extend their offer to match the Mets offer? How come the Sox can't still be in the Bay running? I understand that they have recently commited over $80 million to John Lackey, and $15 million to Mike Cameron, but why can't they spend another $60 on Bay? By $155 million, the Sox could seal up their cleanup hitter, front of the line starter, and 4th outfielder/DH.

If there was something to be learned from the Yankees last year, it is to load up when you have the opportunity to do so. Usuallly when a slugger becomes available, he is seeking an 7-8 year commitment, with Bay the offer only needs to be 4 years. Bay for $16.25 million seems reasonable for a 30 homer 100 RBI guy. The Sox would then have Mike Cameron as an excellent 4th outfielder, and occasional DH against lefties. Let's also remember, having a stellar 4th outfield is more than necessary when you have the likes of JD Drew in right.

Boston should go for it, and I hope the Red Sox put their offer back on the table. There are no other bidders out there aside from NYM, so the Bosox have a great opportunity. Bay was appreciated in Fenway, and I am sure the front office would be appreciated even more if they put their offer back on the table.