Boston "close" to signing Lester

[calsnowskier]

Boston's first round draft pick is protected, right? I think they have to be all-in on Scherzer now.

Yes, Boston's first rounder is protected. Further, they have already surrendered their 2nd and 3rd round picks in the Sandoval and Ramirez signings, so if they were to sign Scherzer, it would only "cost" them their 4th rounder.

So as far as Boston is concerned, Scherzer is essentially a non-QO FA. That is a big advantage that they have over other teams not playing their home games in Detroit.

 

[navamind]

Rex, my point is that in the first few years he will pitch like an ace, but in the final few years probably not. Like CC, patience runs out when your paying that level for a pitcher, and if Lester goes back to a 2012 pitcher after the deal, it would get ugly

He doesn't have to pitch like an ace over the duration of the contract to be worth it.

 

[steveringo]

Yes, Boston's first rounder is protected. Further, they have already surrendered their 2nd and 3rd round picks in the Sandoval and Ramirez signings, so if they were to sign Scherzer, it would only "cost" them their 4th rounder.

So as far as Boston is concerned, Scherzer is essentially a non-QO FA. That is a big advantage that they have over other teams not playing their home games in Detroit.

They'll pursue all other options before Scherzer. Boras will hold out until the very end.

They will kick the tires of Sheilds before they talk to Max. I don't think they want to go to $200m and seven years for a pitcher.... They will also be in on a ton of trade negotiations.

 

[calsnowskier]

They'll pursue all other options before Scherzer. Boras will hold out until the very end.

They will kick the tires of Sheilds before they talk to Max. I don't think they want to go to $200m and seven years for a pitcher.... They will also be in on a ton of trade negotiations.

Santana and Shields would both be solid targets for Boston. The QO really hurts both of them, and Boston can basically ignore that aspect.

 

[NCChiFan]

What's next for Boston and the Cubs? Does Boston look to Scherzer now? Do the Cubs add another starter?

Cubs need a bat, pitching is there... 4 quality starters now.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Rex, my point is that in the first few years he will pitch like an ace, but in the final few years probably not. Like CC, patience runs out when your paying that level for a pitcher, and if Lester goes back to a 2012 pitcher after the deal, it would get ugly

Except CC is a fat shit and always has been. Anyone with passable eyesight could see what would happen to Sabathia down the road, except for Cashman apparently.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Yes, Boston's first rounder is protected. Further, they have already surrendered their 2nd and 3rd round picks in the Sandoval and Ramirez signings, so if they were to sign Scherzer, it would only "cost" them their 4th rounder.

So as far as Boston is concerned, Scherzer is essentially a non-QO FA. That is a big advantage that they have over other teams not playing their home games in Detroit.

Given Detroit's contract commitments already, as well as Price's situation, they have a big individual advantage over them as well.

Like I said, I think at this point they have to sign Scherzer.

 

[LogicMan]

My instinct is its Shields and Hamel

 

[poprocksncoke]

My instinct is its Shields and Hamel

not crazy about Hamel, really dont want Shields

 

[molsaniceman]

not crazy about Hamel, really dont want Shields

Not sure why u dont want hamels he is cheaper and 1 less year and has comparable numbers to lester

shields makes a good #2 or 3 they would be a nice 1-2 punch

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Not sure why u dont want hamels he is cheaper and 1 less year and has comparable numbers to lester

shields makes a good #2 or 3 they would be a nice 1-2 punch

It will take a lot of prospects to get Hamels. Doubt Philly wants Cespedes.

 

[Rex Racer]

Rex, my point is that in the first few years he will pitch like an ace, but in the final few years probably not. Like CC, patience runs out when your paying that level for a pitcher, and if Lester goes back to a 2012 pitcher after the deal, it would get ugly

OK, I can't disagree that moving on to face minor league hitters should help his numbers. I obviously misunderstood your post to mean that he wasn't a fan or media favorite down in Boston.

 

[Rex Racer]

Not sure why u dont want hamels he is cheaper and 1 less year and has comparable numbers to lester

shields makes a good #2 or 3 they would be a nice 1-2 punch

Hamels is good, but he has been protected in the NL. The AL East is just plain tough on pitchers.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Hamels is good, but he has been protected in the NL. The AL East is just plain tough on pitchers.

It varies by pitcher. Shark moved to oakland and did just fine.

 

[LogicMan]

I think it's fair to question hamel in al east

 

[StanMarsh51]

Hamels is good, but he has been protected in the NL. The AL East is just plain tough on pitchers.

This isn't 2010...just 2 AL East teams scored more than the MLB average in 2014, and one of those teams (Baltimore) just lost their biggest bat.

 

[steveringo]

This isn't 2010...just 2 AL East teams scored more than the MLB average in 2014, and one of those teams (Baltimore) just lost their biggest bat.

Exactly... The AL East is chugging along on reputation, but when you examine the numbers, they are actually very weak offensively.

I think whichever team builds the best rotation will take the division.

 

[steveringo]

It will take a lot of prospects to get Hamels. Doubt Philly wants Cespedes.

Boston has a lot of prospects. I think Philly is asking for Mookie Betts or Xander Bogaerts - the two players the Sox don't want to give up... I thnk in the end, Philly will still get the best package of prospects from Boston (Bradley & Owens, plus a couple others)...

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Also, Cespedes might be an ok pickup for the Phillies this year assuming they're in full rebuild mode. Assuming he's a throw in, in a trade for Hamels that involves several prospects going to Philly. He'd probably do well in that bandbox and they could flip him to a contender at the deadline for more prospects.

 

[navamind]

This isn't 2010...just 2 AL East teams scored more than the MLB average in 2014, and one of those teams (Baltimore) just lost their biggest bat.

Red Sox offense could do a lot better in 2015. Agree on your point though.