Varitek in 2005!!!!!!!

[brgood]

I know I have been on this subject before but to me the guy is invaluable to his team, he does the things that dont always show up in the box score. He knows how to handle a pitching staff, look at Arroyo this year. He has some pop in his bat and defensively is a step up from Lieberthal. More importantly he is a club house leader the likes of which we have not had since Dutch Left town. Thome is a quiet leader he is not going to get into someones ass like Varitek will if they are not getting the job done. I think this guy could be the bargain of the Free Agent market considering what he brings to the table. He will hit between .270-.280 and hit you 20 home runs per year and maybe drive in 80 but what he does with our young staff and the leadership he provides on the field and in the dugout will do wonders for this ball club. Lieberthal can be unloaded on the Dodgers this offseason they are desperate for a catcher and Lieberthal fits the bill for them. I dont want to see us waste money on a guy like Pedro Martinez who has already seen his better days. I also understand that a catcher is not our first priority this offseason but I believe we need a guy who was the persona of Bowa but as a player, a guy that can rally the troops so to speak, you put him with a laid back manager such as Manuel or Fregosi and this team is going to do well next season.

Thoughts?
BG
Camp Freedom, Iraq

[JRoll]

I know I have been on this subject before but to me the guy is invaluable to his team, he does the things that dont always show up in the box score. He knows how to handle a pitching staff, look at Arroyo this year. He has some pop in his bat and defensively is a step up from Lieberthal. More importantly he is a club house leader the likes of which we have not had since Dutch Left town. Thome is a quiet leader he is not going to get into someones ass like Varitek will if they are not getting the job done. I think this guy could be the bargain of the Free Agent market considering what he brings to the table. He will hit between .270-.280 and hit you 20 home runs per year and maybe drive in 80 but what he does with our young staff and the leadership he provides on the field and in the dugout will do wonders for this ball club. Lieberthal can be unloaded on the Dodgers this offseason they are desperate for a catcher and Lieberthal fits the bill for them. I dont want to see us waste money on a guy like Pedro Martinez who has already seen his better days. I also understand that a catcher is not our first priority this offseason but I believe we need a guy who was the persona of Bowa but as a player, a guy that can rally the troops so to speak, you put him with a laid back manager such as Manuel or Fregosi and this team is going to do well next season.

Thoughts?
BG
Camp Freedom, Iraq
I agree completely that this team should go after Varitek. I've liked him for about 2 years now, he's a solid catcher and would boost our team.

[thomeismyhomie]

He's got the bat of Lieberthal, maybe more...but he brings such a presence behind the plate. We'd be lucky to get him

[brgood]

Your right we would be lucky to get him, but if we target him now like we did Thome we could make that happen. If the Sox lose to the Yankees again in the ALCS there will again be some major changes in Boston, Pedro more than likely not coming back, Lowe gone, Schilling a year older but still a dominant number one pitcher. Varitek might want a change so to speak and Thome could help break the ice and help with bringing him here, Make Grady Little a Bench Coach for God Sake if that helps to bring him into town. Numbers should be around Six to seven million per year for four years.

BG

[thomeismyhomie]

I love the idea...I really do. I still think Lieberthal will still be here next year.

[brgood]

That is exactly why we need a new GM, Lieberthal needs to be gone he is never going to replicate the numbers that he put up for us four years ago, 30 home runs and 98 RBI. The Dodgers are in dire need of a catcher and Lieberthal has a house close to dodger stadium and family there as well does he not. Even if we get from underneath his salary that gives us room to improve this ballclub next year, just get an arm or two from the Dodgers they always seem to have plenty of young arms to deal.

BG

[asheylarry]

Really don't see any reason the Red Sox aren't going to resign him. Again, I don't think anyone should be expecting alot of big name acquisitions this offseason. The biggest move they make will be announcing the new manager.

[kwahraps]

Lieberthal can be unloaded on the Dodgers this offseason they are desperate for a catcher and Lieberthal fits the bill for them.
Your thoughts on Varitek are dead on.

However, I think LA wants to get Kendall. They need a leadoff hitter after losing Roberts, and Izturis needs to develop. One rumor had LA trying to get Oliver Perez included in the Kendall deal. Wish the Phillies could get creative like that . . . .

[DaveBrownisgod]

I think Lieberthal's best days are behind him, but I think he is one of the least of our worries for next season, or at least the number 3 priority. This team needs a leader and Lieberthal I think was one of the anti Bowa leaders in the clubhouse, but that is not the kind of leader I meant. I think centerfield is a much bigger issue and number one is this team needs a true ace. I don't question Pedro's ability as an ace, but I question his heart. I just don't think he has what it takes to be the guy, not mentaly, but he is a huge upgrade from Millwood or any of the other pitchers on this team. If they can get an upgrade on Lieberthal, alright, but I don't see him not behind the plate next year. Hopefully, with Kerrigan gone, our pitchers can redevelop a slide step, which I think was one of the biggest reason Lieby looked so bad defensively this year. I agree he has lost some mobility back there as a result of his knees, but he is not as bad as the last 2 years have looked.

[asheylarry]

I think Lieberthal's best days are behind him, but I think he is one of the least of our worries for next season, or at least the number 3 priority. This team needs a leader and Lieberthal I think was one of the anti Bowa leaders in the clubhouse, but that is not the kind of leader I meant. I think centerfield is a much bigger issue and number one is this team needs a true ace. I don't question Pedro's ability as an ace, but I question his heart. I just don't think he has what it takes to be the guy, not mentaly, but he is a huge upgrade from Millwood or any of the other pitchers on this team. If they can get an upgrade on Lieberthal, alright, but I don't see him not behind the plate next year. Hopefully, with Kerrigan gone, our pitchers can redevelop a slide step, which I think was one of the biggest reason Lieby looked so bad defensively this year. I agree he has lost some mobility back there as a result of his knees, but he is not as bad as the last 2 years have looked.
You make some good points. I don't think we have to worry about Pedro, some team is going to overpay for him and I really doubt it will be the Phils. I disagree with the comments about Lieby. When that SI poll came out asking players who the worst manager to play for was and Bowa won it, Lieby is the only person I remember coming out and defending Bowa in the media. Things may have changed between him and Bowa since then but him and JRoll always seemed to stand out as the only guys who would publicly stand up for Bowa.

[kwahraps]

You make some good points. I don't think we have to worry about Pedro, some team is going to overpay for him and I really doubt it will be the Phils. I disagree with the comments about Lieby. When that SI poll came out asking players who the worst manager to play for was and Bowa won it, Lieby is the only person I remember coming out and defending Bowa in the media. Things may have changed between him and Bowa since then but him and JRoll always seemed to stand out as the only guys who would publicly stand up for Bowa.
If I remember that poll directly, didn't Babe Ruth get some votes for greatest "active" player?