Tony Graffanino as the new 2nd base for Sox?

Not big news but it would be news.

Alfonseca is also a free agent.

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story...sdate=12/5/2003


More and more, it seems this deal is going to happen...

Art Martone... poking around, but not chiming in here... hmmmm.

Nervous as a 10 year old at Neverland.

Sincerely,

Dirt "Marion Berry" Dog

I hope it isn't Graffanino

I disagree.......

Red Sox president Larry Lucchino wouldn't confirm or deny any talks.

"All of these trade rumors come from Texas, not from us, and we aren't going to have any comment on any of them," he said.

The way the Schilling deal seemed to come out of nowhere, I wouldn't be surprised if the deal is something that has not been discussed anywhere in the media or on the net.

do you have an idea as to what it is and can't tell us or do you just have info that something is going down?

this is why I love baseball... it's after 10:30 on a Friday in December, it's snowing like a bastard and the Sox won't be playing a meaningful game for 4 months and here I am bleary eyed staring at my computer like an idiot waiting for some good news to break. Only in Red Sox Nation.

I love that quote by Larry. They refuse again, as they have all winter, to discuss anything to the media. Keeping everything close to the vest, and I love it.

His simple point was, the Sox will not say a word about it, all the talk about it has come from Texas. By no means does that mean they are not seriously discussing it now, they are, but the Sox will not discuss anything about it to the media or public.

Moving under the radar...

Maybe the Cubs are also making their WS push, thinking that they're just a lefty specialist away from it.

What they don't realize is that they've got one Steve Bartman too much in their fan base (j/k). Blame it all on Gonzalez.

Hey all- first time poster (lured in by the breaking news on www.bostondirtdogs.com). I'd love to see us get Foulke tonight, but I'm dying to know what the "something else" is. I agree- with the way the Schilling deal went down, it will probably shock us all- and hopefully, in a good way again. :-) I don't think it will be Manny for A-Rod. More likely, it will be Foulke with the "something else" being something to do with 'beck going to the Cubs or something to do with a 2Bman. Maybe we wouldn't let Sauerbeck go to the Cubs unless we got Foulke? Dumb, I know, but anything's possible. . .

It seems REALLY quiet tonight for their to be a major announcement brewing, but I'm up and stuck writing a paper anyway, so I might as well hang around and see what the deal is- the suspense is killing me! There had BETTER be something, or I will be quite dissapointed. . .

Why?

Between Boots and Graff you have a platoon at 2nd for bearly over a mil.

Wouldn't it be cool if the news were a press conference, and it was Omar Minaya and Theo Epstein, and they started by clasping hands and holding them triumphiantly in the air, and then saying, in unison- "We would like to announce the addition of Ashton Kutcher as a consultant. He was hired a week and a half ago, and his first task, ladies and gentlemen, was the Javier Vazquez trade. Suck our asses, Georgie."

And then Minaya ripped opens his button-down shirt with a tshirt underneath: a picture of Steinbrenner crossed out.

That'd be pretty sweet, right? Dirt Dog, your thoughts?

ashby ma here. just saw a report that we're going to get like 15-30' of snow man. this sucks. make the move red sox.

Excuse me, bartender, but I'll have what THAT guy's drinking.

I just stepped out side to measure the snowfall here in Waterford. 7 inches exactly so far.

It's pretty funny how DirtDog has reached "Godfather" status like Luke Wilson in Old School.


24giovanni and MikeyMitch competing for role of "Blue."

The Sox brass have been remarkable adept at keeping everything close to the vest. I think they learned a lesson from the Jose C. situation last winter. (B.T.W. ~ Theo became a legend in my mind when he busted up that furniture.)
My feeling is that the momentum for this deal is building, but Theo, LL, etc want everything in order (Nomar) before the trigger is pulled.

Graffanino's career best 7 HR 31 RBI 8 SB.

You've all been had nothing's going to happen tonight. Don't be so gullable

My buddy Johnny Okerman lives in Ashby. Right when you drive through the forest, hit main street, up a little mountain. Yes, you are going to get whalloped up there.

Mole says Sox considering bringing in Iron Mike Lansing to replace Nomar at short... stay tuned RedSox13 and graffinino

Tony G can be part of an effective platoon, and would make a positive contribution offensively and defensively if asked to start vs. left-handers.

Of course, how many left-handed starting pitchers are in our division right now? I count two: Ted Lilly and Joe Kennedy. Assuming the Yanks bring Pettitte back, it'll be three. Still, Tony G will be a good guy to have around if he doesn't cost much over an even $1M.

If the Red Sox GM were to open a pub, he'd have to call it "The Epstein-Barr" right?

Anyway, if the word on the street is right (which certainly I'm not suggesting it is) 3 years at 25 mil. is WAY too much for ANY closer (except Gagne and Smoltz, maybe Rivera). Thats over EIGHT MILLION a YEAR! I'm totally pro-Foulke, but I just dont get the bidding war over this guy with Oakland and the Sox, two teams who, by all accounts would rather not venture into such contractual territory. I mean, Williamson was certainly not so bad that you have to rush out and vomit 8 mil on an alternative (albeit a superior one). In fact, I recall Williamson (with one exception) being rather dominant when it counted AND being the one guy we all wished had been handed the ball you-know-when.

Wait a minute ... that's ... THAT'S 'DIRTY WATER' PLAYING! :eek

JD

Trick question. After midnight is a new day danny.

Newbie here any new news?

JohntheBaptist, according to the Providence Journal, the Red Sox offered 3 years/19million, they shot down the previous reports of 24-25 million.

You are getting a platoon player to play with Boots. Graff can hit and field. He has been a part time player and would continue in that role.


Why not?

The Sox can't afford to over pay Walker and upgrade the pitching. The Sox went with pitching.

damn dirtdog not wanted I wanted to here. don't know mr. okerman, new from leominster here in town, sure with the size I'll meet him.

looks like no way i'll be able to drive on rts 2, 3 at all tomorrow

um, hello newbie. Best way to get news is to read through threads. Take it all in. Then post to a forum if you have some insight, opinion, POV, stat, news on the topic. Asking about 'news' on a discussion board is frowned upon.

This is a little different from redsox.com or the RemDawg Yahoo! Group.

Thanks. And welcome.

Dirt Dog,

That's very good news to read on your web site.... Good job on the scoop!!

Based on the jovial nature of his last few posts, RSDD is gettin' liquored up on a Friday Night.

does the sox waiting on foulke have anythig to do with draft picks? would they not lose one if they wait till saturday or sunday?

Sorry about that and thanks for the input.

Anyone want to come up with stakes for a wager that nothing will be anounced before noon tomorrow?

Well, Billy Beane has always understood the importance of having a good closer, and intelligent Red Sox fans realize that the ideal application of Bill James's bullpen theories include having a top-notch closer in the mix. Perhaps both the A's and Red Sox feel that there isn't a good, inexpensive closer out there. Given the heavy stats orientation of both teams, I think it's telling that the two are chasing Foulke so hard - there must be something about him they like.

Or, on the other hand, maybe this is just Beane and Theo playing the payroll version of 'Chicken' ... :eek

Jim D.

A-Rod Deal Done by Sunday? This was posted one hour ago on Fox Sports

http://www.foxsports.com/content/view?contentId=1923644

"If the Red Sox are going to acquire Alex Rodriguez, it could happen quickly, according to sources close to the negotiations.

The Red Sox are pushing for a conclusion to their Rodriguez-for-Manny Ramirez talks by Sunday, the deadline for teams to offer salary arbitration to their free agents. If a trade is not completed by the winter meetings, which open Friday in New Orleans, the Red Sox could move on to other pursuits"

Among those reading, what would be the breaking point at which you would regard the Foulke deal as being financially, uh, stupid? I'm gonna say if they go to a guaranteed fourth year of if they exceed 7$ mil avg./ per over three. Thats just me though. I'll be xcited to have him no matter, just worried about thwarting flexibility for certain, ahem, other trades.









But I know, I know, the, ahem, other trade is supposed to provide flexibility to get Keith. I know.

To the new members Welcome

Please try to stay on topic, want to talk about the snowstorm please use the saloon section, plenty of beer there.....

8 weeks ago I thought there would be a falloff in Sox intrest after our hearts were broken once again

Its December 5th, its snowing, the Pats are 10 and 2 and we wait for news

We are Red Sox Nation <g>

To the new members please consider our holiday fundraiser. Details elsewhere on the board

If they sign Foulke before Sunday at Midnight, they lose a draft pick to the A's. If the A's offer Foulke arbitration, they lose a draft pick no matter what.

The A's will almost certainly offer him arbitration, it seems, so if we sign Foulke, I'm betting we'll lose a draft pick no matter what. IMO, Foulke is worth it.

JimDEvlin, youre actually wrong about Beane's approach to closers. He uses the pump em up approach- sign and trade for closers at a low cost (Isringhausen, Koch, Foulke) and then let them onto the world for high draft picks (Issy) or good trades (Koch) What Beane seems to understand is the transient nature of a closer, and that once theyve gotten to a point that theyre too expensive for his club, its time to move on and identify a cheaper solution. Thats why its so confusing, but I agree that a) Bill James does identify the need for a "relief ace" and he's certainly right, and that b ) these teams must see something in him they like, and that makes me like him too.

You know who else keeps things quiet until deals are done? Jim Hendry.

I'm a Cubs fan (and I cheer for the Red Sox fan when they're not playing the Cubs...so in other words, always), and I have some idle A-Rod/Manny speculation. I think everyone will agree that Juan Cruz will not be traded for Sauerbeck. Nothing against Sauerbeck...he's a perfectly reasonable solution for a lefthanded specialist spot in the bullpen. But Cruz was mentioned in the same group of prospects with Prior and Beckett two years ago, and was still the next Pedro Martinez last year.

Still, this Cruz for Sauerbeck speculation has gotten me thinking...what if there really is some fire to this smoke? What if there's a three way deal in the works? Maybe Nomar and Sauerbeck to the Cubs, A-Rod and Cruz to the Red Sox, and Manny to the Rangers. Those are the key players in my speculated deal...there would be other prospects involved, of course. Cruz for Nomar is even more ridiculous than Cruz for Sauerbeck.

The Cubs have a lot of high ceiling pitching prospects. They have David Kelton, Nic Jackson, and Jason Dubois as outfield prospects close to the majors, and 2B/3B prospect Brendan Harris who is no more than a year away. The Cubs could either send some of these guys straight to Boston, or sweeten the deal enough for Texas so that they send Young to Boston.

Anyway, just idle, baseless speculation from a Cubs fan with too much time on my hands. If these rumors that something is going down tonight is true, then this post will be proven wrong pretty quickly. But Jim Hendry and Theo Epstein are both aggressive GMs, so there might be reason to think there could be something to this.

What kind of contract is Guardado looking at? He's somewhere around 6.5m right?
I'd rather have Guardado, who's a lefty and lives for the pressure of pitching the 9th, is really ecstatic about the idea of coming to Boston, and has been unarguably more consistent over the last 2 years. Foulke is a great pitcher, Guardado at the same money is a better pitcher.

How about Hasegawa. Nomo did well here as an oriental player and I think he could be the next best thing

I like that idea, actually, but what sort of troubles me is what you pointed out- essentially youre getting Jaun Cruz for Nomar. Now maybe, in the future, that turns out to be a damn good trade, but as far as the here-and-now, where we operate, it seems a little one sided. One sided, but possible- its a definite financial upside for us. Helps us sign Foulke I'm sure.

Hey Guys, Fighting the snow tonight, just got in. Read up on the thread and wanted to throw in my two cents.

I'm pretty much on the fence with Foulke, depending on what Theo has up his sleeve, I figure it wouldn't be too feasible to tie up $6 million + a year on a closer like foulke when you have Williamson already on the roster. However, if the news is a 3 year signing for around $18 million, I'd be happy, just like I'd be happy if the news was his signing period. Nonetheless, it improves the team and I'm sure they won't stop there.

But, in my opinion, I think I have to second the idea that this could be something that we haven't even mentioned or heard about. Sauerbeck for Cruz seems like it could wait until a later than tonight, with all the anticipation in this room right now, I'm thinking it would be a bigger deal than that. A Surprise Maybe?

A's aren't going to offer Foulke arbitration, they don't want to risk having to dump the coin he'll get from arbitration if he accepts just like what happened with Atlanta and Maddux last year. They would have no problem spending the money if they were getting him for 3-4 years, but 1 year at 7-8 million is more than they want to tie up for him.

Wow...I got out for dinner and drinks on Dec. 5th, come home around 11, decide to log on, and there are over 100 people online waiting for a deal to be announced. Wow. Welcome to Red Sox Nation.

Okay, I'm hoping Foulke. 3 years, $8 Mil per. That would be beautiful, neat and tidy. But probably not enough to pry him away from Oaktown. Bump it up to $8.5 Mil per and I'd still be happy. Anything over that and I'm concerned.

I don't think we're seeing A-Rod tonight.

It's my understanding that the reason Minny unloaded Milton and let Hawkins walk it was going to allow them to sign Guardado.