Creative Red Sox GM Theo Epstein has added John Smoltz, Brad Penny, Takashi Saito, Rocco Baldelli and Josh Bard. That's a lot of potential production for about the cost of one season of Mark Teixeira. And it's not as if the Red Sox needed any major retooling.
In general, I'm in favor of these moves as low-risk, high-reward signings. But I wonder about the wisdom of bringing in so many of these type of players. That's a lot riding on five guys with recent injury problems.
Plus, there is this to consider ...
Teixeira would have been a nice (but costly) addition to a lineup that needs one more middle-of-the-order bat — and that need would become critical if Ortiz, Lowell or Drew doesn't stay healthy.
#1 - Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:56 PM ESTThe problem is that one of those signings is low-risk, high reward, but all five of them is no longer low risk.
It was also asked on a Yankees blog recently why the Yankees aren't using their financial resources to make more of these signings, and the reason is that signings like these all required major league contracts and a place on the 40 man roster. The Red Sox can get away with this because after Buchholz, they don't have any more upper level minor league talent left to protect that needed spots on the 40 man.
And I still wonder just how high reward these signings are. If the Sox experience an outfield injury, Baldelli is NOT an option to replace that lost production because he cannot medically play every day. He's basically limited this year to 200-300 at bats at most. John Smoltz is out the first two months of the season (I guess they won't need a 40 man roster spot for him once he moves to the 60 day DL). Brad Penny is a life-time national leaguer. I still really like the Josh Bard signing, and I can easily see him get more playing time and be a more productive player than Varitek this season.
To say the Sox need help in the middle is an understatement, but you don't win without pitching. The rotation is suspect past number 1 & 2, and signing a 42 yr old Smoltz and the unremarkable Penny is not going to shake anyone's boots. Efficient with their free agent cash? Cheap and risky. They didn't need to spend Yankee money-no one does- but the Sox made no significant improvements other than in the risk and liability category. AL EAST is NYY, TB, Boston in a 1,2,3 finish...
I think the moves are all good additions to an already very good team. As far as Adam's comment that if they suffer an outfield loss, Baldelli is not an everyday man -- they also resigned Mark Kotsay who has the ability to play all 3 outfield positions as well as 1st base. The Sox already boast one of the best 1-3 starting rotations in baseball. The addition of Penny and eventually Smoltz just makes that rotation stronger. They won't need Smoltz the first half of the season.
#2 - Fri Jan 16, 2009 12:20 PM ESTMark Kotsay has the defensive ability to play all three outfield spots plus first base, but he hasn't had an above average season with the bat since 2004. I don't see what Baldelli and Kotsay get you that Coco Crisp didn't, except worst defense and injuries.
As for Smoltz, they may not need him, but then why pay him $5 million? That's not chump change. Same thing for Penny, another $5 million. These guys weren't like the Bartolo Colon signing last year as a minor league contract where they got to stash him in AAA and he made close to major league minimum. No, these signings were for decent money, and for guys who not only take up a 40 man roster spot, but will need to be on the every day 25 man roster as well. These signings basically force Buchholz to AAA. I still don't think they make any sense unless the Sox have truly given up on Buchholz and plan to ship him to Texas or Arizona for catching help.
The Yanks needed a another bat and a firstbaseman. The Red Sockers did not...
And don't forget the Sockers could have had Tex for $1 a year over 10 years....they dropped the ball on that.
As far as their other signings....well they were the pride of the litter available...so don't make it sound like it took a genuis to sign them.
#3 - Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:42 AM ESTThere has been so much done in New York, without a corresponding action in Boston, that it is impossible to know the value of these let's call them at this point "prudent" Red Sox personnel manuevers. If the pitching staff reaches potential, stays healthy (a big "if"), with one or two having a "career year" then it is possible that the pitching side of the BOSOX would be enough to win the division and go further. However, that is only about 40% of what is needed. Defensively, Lowell has to defy his age and the bench needs to be ready to assist. Papi, must return to Papi of old (or people will be looking for him to be gone and wondering why the Sox din't try harder to get Prince Fielder in this off season). Lowry must step-it-up and be a make-a-difference player. The SS position has been void of that since the Nomar good years. This is a tall order...I am a realist...I have trouble seeing it. But, I am also a Red Sox fan so, I believe it absolutely will happen. =-)
#4 - Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:03 AM ESTRed Sox sign five for ONLY the price of Teixiera for one year. What do you you mean only. Two times Tex's salary would be the team payroll for a good number of teams...meaning these five guys would be expensive on Tampa or Kansas City and they arent guaranteed of starting.
Last year the Red Sox had the second highest payroll in baseball. These are only bargains if you think the Yankee payroll is normal.
#5 - Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:30 PM ESTActually, the Tigers had the second highest payroll in baseball, the Red Sox were third. But the Red Sox do hold the honor of holding both the first and second place slots for most expensive World Series winning teams.
John,
I think the author's point is that the Red Sox are getting five guys for the price of one. And yes, his point is that for them (not the Royals or Rays), it's a bargain. Obviously some will disagree or agree with his point, which is cool. I personally think signing so many of those guys is a big risk.
A couple of your statements, however, are a little off as far as facts go. Let me see if I can help ...
Last year the Red Sox had the second highest payroll in baseball.
Actually, at just over $133 million, the Red Sox had the fourth-highest payroll, behind the Yankees ($209 million), Mets and Tigers (both at around $138 million). At that number, a $5 million contract would account for less than 4 percent of Boston's payroll.
Two times Tex's salary would be the team payroll for a good number of teams
I agree Teixeira's contract is amazing/insane/ridiculous. But twice his base annual salary is $45 million. Only the Pirates, Rays, A's and Marlins were below $50 million last year. The average team salary in 2008 was $89 million.
Here is a good resource for salary numbers.
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Pretty cool gif animation of him throwing last night.
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