Red Sox have completely lost their minds - Victorino 3 years $39M

[paranoyd androyd]

[Vegas39]

serious?

[HoulihansTX]

Team is going down the gutter. Signing trash like this to more than a one year contract spells doom.

The signing of John Lackey has compounded into a a downward spiral of suck.

[freeVICK]

Most team are willing to pay for a switch hitting/golden glove/fan favorite type guy

[thes0vereign]

Considering what they paid for Beckett, Gonzalez, and Crawford, I'd call it a steal by Red Sox standards.

EDIT: And a drastic overpayment by any other set of standards.

[InTheDrink]

Most team are willing to pay for a switch hitting/golden glove/fan favorite type guy

dont forget the part about a 32 year old who relies on 100% speed and effort!

[BigDeem5]

Indians offered 4 YR / 44 Mill

[paranoyd androyd]

Indians offered 4 YR / 44 Mill

then they're incredibly lucky that he turned them down

[lonegambler]

Nobody has made mention of how this coincides with epstein leavin town..new gm a retard..

[lakerboy]

trying to be like the yanks- make the fukking playoffs at least

[Mikeyanks23]

Not a bad deal. Great clubhouse guy. Which they need badly.

But do they deal ellsbury now?

ive been sayin for the last 3 yrs they should deal him. Guys constantly hurt but his upside is so high that they could get back a good package for him.

On another note i heard Yankees might sign youk to a 1 yr deal. Only way id like that if it was 1yr 6 mil. but you know His and agent and him will never go for that.
Hope they stay away from him and hamilton.

[Mikeyanks23]

Shane Victorino deal adds fuel to Jacoby Ellsbury trade talks

By Scott Lauber
Wednesday, December 5, 2012 - Added 4 hours ago

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Asked last month at the general managers meetings to handicap the odds of Jacoby Ellsbury [stats] getting traded before spring training, one major league source declared it highly unlikely, noting that the Red Sox [team stats] already were in the market for two outfielders.
Circumstances have changed.
By agreeing yesterday on a three-year, $39 million contract with Shane Victorino, and by signing Jonny Gomes for two years and $10 million last month, the Red Sox have increased their outfield depth. They’re still searching for a starting pitcher, and thus far, they have found the free agent market to be “steep,” general manager Ben Cherington said.
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One industry source said the Sox have only “medium” interest in right-hander Ryan Dempster, and although they talked to right-hander Dan Haren, they were unwilling to match even the one-year, $13 million deal he received from the Washington Nationals.
“Sense of the pitching market?” manager John Farrell said yesterday, a smirk crossing his face. “It’s always a rich one for the pitchers.”
So, it seems as likely as ever that the Sox will satisfy their pitching need by making a trade. Earlier yesterday, a major league source said the Chicago White Sox are willing to deal right-hander Gavin Floyd, and their need for a catcher may make them a sensible trade partner for the Red Sox, who have catchers to spare.
But the Red Sox could think bigger by dangling Ellsbury, who may net a more significant return. It’s a plausible scenario. Victorino has the arm to play right field, but he’s a three-time Gold Glove center fielder. And a few viable outfield options remain on the free agent market, including Cody Ross.
A few factors worth considering:
1. Because Ellsbury is coming off an injury-interrupted season in which he batted .271/.313/.370 with four homers and 26 RBI in only 74 games, his value is far less than it was a year ago when he was runner-up to Detroit ace Justin Verlander in the AL MVP balloting. Are the Red Sox really willing to sell low?2. Ellsbury is eligible for free agency after next season, and because he’s represented by agent Scott Boras, it’s unlikely he will discuss a contract extension. Thus, Ellsbury would appeal only to a contender that believes it’s one piece away from improving its chances of winning the World Series. The Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians missed out on signing Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino, respectively, but neither is likely to make a move for Ellsbury, who would amount to a one-year rental. Here again, the market for free agent outfielder Josh Hamilton may come into play. If the Texas Rangers, for instance, don’t re-sign Hamilton, they may be willing to trade for Ellsbury. The Philadelphia Phillies are still looking for a center fielder, but general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. isn’t inclined to move lefty Cliff Lee, according to a major league source, especially because of the uncertain health of co-ace Roy Halladay.
3. Even with Ellsbury, the Red Sox may not be finished building their outfield. Gomes mashes left-handed pitching, but there’s a sense the Red Sox would like to find a lefty-hitting outfielder with whom he could split time. “I’d love to have four starters (in the outfield) and just try to build as much depth as we can,” Cherington said. “We know we want to add to the outfield. We’re working on that and hopefully making some progress. I’d just say that we wouldn’t necessarily stop with one addition.”
So, while the Red Sox figure to listen to offers on Ellsbury (they’ll listen on just about any player, as last week’s conversation with the Kansas City Royals about a Jon Lester [stats]-for-Wil Myers swap proved), they may not find any matches.
“Ben has been very clear; we realize that we’d like to add a starter,” Farrell said. “To what level that starting pitcher is is to be determined. Whether it comes through free agency or trade, what teams are willing to discuss, we’ve reached out to a number of guys that are on the market.”

[Br0nxer]

dumb signing

[lunchbawks]

Great pickup.. now for a whole new rotation

[Big Bear]

Considering what they paid for Beckett, Gonzalez, and Crawford, I'd call it a steal by Red Sox standards.

EDIT: And a drastic overpayment by any other set of standards.

This. Most of these bozos saying this is a bad signing dont have a clue about baseball.

Victorino and Napoli will be tremendous additions to this squad. These guys play the game the right way and will bring much needed leadership to this team.

[Big Bear]

Napoli is a great hitter and the flying hawaiin is as clutch as it gets.

A real hard nose player. Boston fans will love him. He's alot like Pedroria in his style of play.

[stevenash]

But do they deal ellsbury now?

Ells doesn't want to be in Boston, doesn't like Boston, never has.
He's made no bones about it in the past either.

[Fidel_CashFlow]

stupid amount of money for the player that he is right now but whats new in the MLB anymore as far as ridiculous contracts

[Big Bear]

Blue Jays will win this division i hope.