Rebuild or Retool?

Sox fans, as the 2006 winds down, what's your take on what should be done this off-season? Do you think the Sox can compete next season with teams such as the Yanks, Twins, Tigers, ChiSox, A's and Angels. If so, what should Theo do this winter? If you think that the Sox are not likely to get better next year (or that they're a far way from competing in the very strong AL), given their rotation's age-related issues, then would you consider a complete overhaul? Should management follow the path of the Florida Marlins? Would you trade Manny if the Angels offered Brandon Wood and Ervin Santana and the chance to take his salary off the books? In short, should the Sox rebuild or retool?

Comments

[TJ]

Carlos Delgado: Send Manny and a midlevel prospect or two to the Mets for Carlos Delgado.

Andruw Jones: Send Crisp and a prospect to the Braves for Jones, assuming Boston can work out an extension with Jones prior to the trade.

Jason Schmidt or Barry Zito: They MUST sign one of these pitchers.

Eric Gagne: Try to sign him to a incetive filled contract, will be a big payoff if he returns to his old form.

Trot Nixon: As much as I love Nixon, don't resign him.

Mike Lowell: Try to trade him for anything they can get. Once he's gone move Youk back to third.

how would this be for a lineup:

Kevin Youkilis 3B
Mark Loretta 2B
David Ortiz DH
Andruw Jones CF
Carlos Delgado 1B
Wily Mo Pena LF
Jason Varitek C
David Murphy RF
Dustin Pedroia SS

[Quo]

Is there some rumor going around that I'm not aware of? Since when is Carlos Delgado available? I'd be...okay with him at 1B, but I really don't think Minaya will entertain offers for him.

[Hudson]

It is pointless to have players on the roster of the caliber of David Ortiz and Curt Schilling (who may have one more great year in him) and *not* try to compete for the pennant.

You don't have a "rebuilding year" around players like that.

[TJ]

I think Minaya would entertain offers for him if it got Ramirez in return.

[SF]

"rebuild or retool"

The answer to both is "yes". It's not an either/or situation good teams do both simultaneously. The Yankees are doing it on a certain level (though not like other less wealthy teams, of course) The Sox made a somewhat interesting and verdict-is-out-on-the-long-term attempt at it this year. I don't think next year will be any different. More later - I can't post at length right now.

[Quo]

Perhaps he would, TJ, but I'm not sure why we'd be throwing in the prospect sweetener. Delgado is about 80-85% of the hitter Manny is. There is about a $5-6M difference in their salaries, I suppose.

[TJ]

Carlos Delgado: 2007 14.5 mil 2008 16.0 mil 2009 16 mil option

Manny Ramirez: 2007 18 mil 2008 20 mil 2009+2010 20 mil options

Manny is about + 7.5 mil in guaranteed money, that is a good chunk of money and I would suspect Minaya would want a midlevel prospect as well to make up for taking on an extra 7 million dollars.

[Paul SF]

The Sox aren't getting rid of Manny, so we might as well stick with what's realistic.

I agree that if they're going to dump Crisp (not sure that's altogether wise), they MUST get Jones. I dn't agree with gettign Schmidt -- he's old and he's in the NL. I do agree with absolutely spending what it takes to acquire Zito and a top-flight reliever.

The Sox had the No. 1 offense in the AL until this disastrous slide started -- and that was with Crisp and Varitek having subpar years. Not much tinkering needs to be done there. It's all about the pitching, and Zito and one more consistent reliever will make this team very much competitive with the rest of the league...

[SF]

a family friend/Sox insider (truly an insider, can't disclose who, though) doesn't expect the team to re-sign Loretta.

This makes sense: Loretta will be looking for his final contract, and I doubt the Sox want to go more than another year with him. Unless they offer him a really big payday, it would seem that Loretta would be more likely to try to score a 2 or 3 year deal for less money per year than one big number (that he won't get from the Sox), if he wants to play a bit longer.

[yankeemonkey]

So then Sox would have needs at: 2B, SS, starting pitcher, bullpen, possibly CF...Also, I don't expect Varitek to improve upon this year's production very much, so they need a decent backup catcher too. That's a LOT of holes to fill...Am I missing someone?

[TJ]

Pedroia is in at SS or 2B next season, the thinkming with most is either Loretta or Gonzalez will be back and Pedroia will play the other middle infield position.

[mouse]

I've grown fond of Mark Loretta--consummate professional, steady defender (if lacking in range), good clutch hitter. I'll never forget the walk-off homerun he hit on Patriot's Day this year. That's still one of the best games of the season. It'd be tough to let him go.

However, let him go we must, as Pedroia should be installed at 2B next year. He boasts better range at the position, he's 12 years younger, considerably cheaper, and his minor league track record is excellent. I'd be surprised if a full 2007 campaign from him can't match what Loretta gave us this year. I know there are some who don't think Dustin's ready, but I'm not one of them. He absolutely raked at Triple-A this year--how much more "seasoning" could he possibly get there?

Start Pedroia at second, resign Gonzalez, and let Loretta get a well-deserved multi-year deal elsewhere. Spend the money saved on pitching, pitching and more pitching.