Joe Urbon, Jason Bay's agent:
We don't agree with their evaluation of the player. Frankly, we have other offers on the table that are of greater interest to Jason.Rob Bradford says a team has offered Bay more than four years.
The Red Sox offered 4/60 -- and were turned down -- and they seem to not be willing to outbid the Mets' 4/65. Good. I'd rather Boston not go higher than 15 per or more than four years. Honestly, three years would be my limit, but there is no chance on Earth of Bay accepting that.
So far we seem to have sent a lot of players away and have not done anything to replace them. Except for Scutaro, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI have this odd feeling that when the team takes the field in April, it will not be a team I know or care much about. I know that will change since they will have the B on their caps and Red Sox on their jerseys, but I hate seeing so many players I like going elsewhere.
I know it's all about money and winning and not personalities or loyalty, but for an old-time sentimentalist like me, that's sometimes hard to swallow.
That's what makes professional sports interesting but hard to handle sometimes. They're so fluid because you cannot have exactly the same team each year. You can keep the same exact players but not have the same team because the guys get older. Age and money.
ReplyDeleteLowell is not the same player he was in 2007 and Jason Bay will not be the same player in five years that he is now. Knowing that, it's simply amazing to look at the NHL and see players over there being signed to LONG contracts, upwards of 10-12 years.
It's too bad we couldn't have frozen the 2004 team, but then we wouldn't have gotten the 2007 team. Of course, we wouldn't have had the 05 and 06 teams either... But if there weren't as much or any player movement things would be a bit more boring.
What's ANNOYING however, is when it feels like you're losing before the season begins, and right now that's how it feels. Are you listening, Boy Genius?
I agree with most everything you said, Ish. I realize that players change and thus, teams change. But I still wish there was more continuity and team/player loyalty, that it wasn't ONLY about money. There is something special about a player who spends all of his career in one place, even as he ages. I think that certain other teams which have players with that kind of career with one team add a richness to the fan's experience (and perhaps the player's and team's experiences as well). We have so few players left from 2004, even from 2007---that's hardly a long time ago. For me, watching Wakefield pitch is in part special because of all the memories I have associated with watching him pitch, same for Tek, same for Big Papi. Watching a team with a bunch of great players wearing the right uniform and winning games---yeah, sure, that's wonderful. But it does not have the same resonance.
ReplyDeleteSo unlike most here, I guess I would stick with some players longer and hope for the best. I know that Tek and Lowell are done, so I have no issue with what has to happen, though it still makes me sad. But Bay? I feel like I hardly got to know him. I guarantee in five years, I won't remember that he played for the Sox, but I will always remember players like Tek, Wakefield, Ortiz, Pedro, Manny, etc., who played all or almost all of their careers---or at least more than five years--- with the Sox.
I have a feeling Theo has a plan. My guess is that we get Adrian Gonzalez who would just mash in Boston and away from Petco. Hopefully the price tag doesn't include Bucholtz. I'm less hopeful that we pick up Holliday, but a line-up of him and Gonzalez would look pretty sweet!
ReplyDeleteI guarantee in five years, I won't remember that he played for the Sox
ReplyDeleteYears? I say five months!
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Theo must have a half-dozen plans. I hope he can get his Plan A in place. If not and Holliday falls through, it would be nice if Hermida could find his 2007 bats. ["Who?"(/Amy) :>) ] But remember: it's still two long months until Truck Day.
Years? I say five months!
ReplyDeleteWas that a comment on my memory or Bay's impact on the Sox?? :)
Last July, Bay's agent told the Red Sox (after rejected their 4/60 offer) that he was looking for 6 years and $16-18 per (6/96 or 6/108). To which I say: Good night and good luck.
ReplyDeleteWas that a comment on my memory or Bay's impact on the Sox?? :)
ReplyDeleteYour memory!
Good riddance! Short left field be damned, Bay looked like Lowell in the outfield.
ReplyDeleteJed Lowrie talks about 2010.
ReplyDeleteIt never occured to me , but Lowrie could actually start the season at third.
ReplyDeleteI know it seems as though players are going in and out, but Theo has establised a "core" , with Fy, LBJ, Lester, Double H, Bard and Bot, does any other team in baseball have that many of their own guys playing to such a high level, I think not....besides of course the obvious...
I really don't want Matt Holliday. I don't think he can play in the AL, and his fielding is very poor. What's the point? I'd just as soon have Mike Cameron and the extra cash.
ReplyDeleteJames said...
ReplyDeleteI'd just as soon have Mike Cameron and the extra cash.
Thats just crazy, are you on the board of directors? do you get some of that cash? You would rather have a 37 year old who strikes out over 150 times a season rather than Matt Holliday? With all due respect, I can't take that seriouslly....
OK, you know me. I'm with Amy when it comes to wanting to see at least a little bit of continuity and players that you can actually identify with as "part of your team". But I alo know you can't just form a team and stick with it until they all retire, then form another.
ReplyDeleteIn Bay's case, it's not about attachment. I liked him, thought he was a good fit, but he hadn't been around long enough to be attached to. I just think letting him AND Mikey go has created a void that now has to be filled. And being in a have-to position hurts your options.
True, if Papi gets his groove back we'll have him, V-Mart and Youk for some power, with an occasional burst from Drew, but it seems as though we'll have to switch from a power club to a singles/speed club if we don't pick up another serious hitter or 2.
That being said, remember Amy. There will be a lot of new faces, but you'll still have most of your truly familiar team. Dr. D is the only long-time member gone at this point. Obviously Tek is a question mark, and will not be starter regardless of whether or not he stays. But half of the position players - Youk, Petey, Papi (I know, not technically a position), LBJ and Drew -will still be there. And the starting pitching staff is mostly guys that have been around at least a couple of years. So it's not a complete makeover anyway.
C'mon Truck Day!
You're right, SoSock, that there will still be some familiar faces on the field and on the pitching staff. So I will still, as always, be rooting for the team. Just without as much heart, at least at the beginning until they became my guys. Marco WHO? :)
ReplyDelete