Which FAs re-sign (not resign; see Jim F.) with the Sox and which don't?

[son of mel hall]

Pedro
Varitek
Lowe
Cabrera
Williamson

Who will be back and who won't?

btw, a case can be made that Cabrera is the most important to re-sign.

[ClemensFan4Life]

Originally posted by son of mel hall
Pedro
Varitek
Lowe
Cabrera
Williamson

Who will be back and who won't?

btw, a case can be made that Cabrera is the most important to re-sign.

It should be, in this order:

'Tek
Cabrera
Pedro
Lowe
Williamson

Although i dont think they will sign Lowe and Williamson, and both Pedro and Cabrera might ask for the moon.

[son of mel hall]

Originally posted by ClemensFan4Life


It should be, in this order:

'Tek
Cabrera
Pedro
Lowe
Williamson

Although i dont think they will sign Lowe and Williamson, and both Pedro and Cabrera might ask for the moon.

Any qualms about re-signing Tek in light of the fact that he is reaching that certain age where catchers show their wear and tear (as is Posada)?

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Varitek should be priority one.

There are lots of decent FA shortstops this year. I'm betting Theo passes on Cabrera.

Pedro will need to give the Sox a significant discount or he's gone.

I do not see Lowe or Williamson back either.

[Pomp]

According to a free-agent list that I have seen, the Red Sox have 18 players that they have to make contract decisions on, whether it be a free-agent or picking up an option. Granted, some of those players are the "Ricky Guitierrez" type, but still...

Other than the ones already listed in this thread...I remember seeing

Timlin
Embree
Mueller
Bellhorn
Mirabelli

Could any Sox fan verify if this is accurate?

[son of mel hall]

Originally posted by Pomp
According to a free-agent list that I have seen, the Red Sox have 18 players that they have to make contract decisions on, whether it be a free-agent or picking up an option. Granted, some of those players are the "Ricky Guitierrez" type, but still...

Other than the ones already listed in this thread...I remember seeing

Timlin
Embree
Mueller
Bellhorn
Mirabelli

Could any Sox fan verify if this is accurate?

I believe the Sox have an option on Mueller for $2.1m. That's good value if you asked me.

[Pomp]

Originally posted by son of mel hall


I believe the Sox have an option on Mueller for $2.1m. That's good value if you asked me.

Definitely, especially for an 800 OPS guy.

[Calvin and Hobbes]

I think they bring back Varitek and Cabrera, thats it of the main guys.

[hugelongtermdeal]

Originally posted by Pomp
According to a free-agent list that I have seen, the Red Sox have 18 players that they have to make contract decisions on, whether it be a free-agent or picking up an option. Granted, some of those players are the "Ricky Guitierrez" type, but still...

Other than the ones already listed in this thread...I remember seeing

Timlin
Embree
Mueller
Bellhorn
Mirabelli

Could any Sox fan verify if this is accurate?

they have a 3M option for Embree and a 2.75M option for Timlin.

[Workhorse]

I honestly think the Sox will re-sign Varitek and Pedro. My guess is that Cabrera will sign with the Giants, since he worships Alou. Sox will pass on Lowe and Williamson.

[NDBoston]

I've been told Varitek has already agreed to a deal and wanted to wait until the season was over not to hurt their chances signing other players.

I expect Cabrera to get a large offer from other teams and he might be leaving.

Pedro? Who knows.

[son of mel hall]

Originally posted by Workhorse
I honestly think the Sox will re-sign Varitek and Pedro. My guess is that Cabrera will sign with the Giants, since he worships Alou. Sox will pass on Lowe and Williamson.

Are you concerned that Varitek could decline given his age and wear and tear?

[Workhorse]

Originally posted by son of mel hall


Are you concerned that Varitek could decline given his age and wear and tear?

Well, he was kind of a late bloomer - He's only played 8 full seasons. Tek probably has another good 3 years in him.

[ClemensFan4Life]

Originally posted by son of mel hall


Any qualms about re-signing Tek in light of the fact that he is reaching that certain age where catchers show their wear and tear (as is Posada)?

No qualms at all. The guy has a knack for calling a game like few i've seen in a long time.

[tdel23]

Originally posted by NDBoston
I've been told Varitek has already agreed to a deal and wanted to wait until the season was over not to hurt their chances signing other players.

do you really think Boras would let this happen?

[Luciano]

I definitely see Varitek re-signing. Lowe's out, even with his great postseason performances. I think Bellhorn is probably gone too.

If they hadn't won, I would have said that Pedro would be gone. Now that they did, I'm not so sure. It depends on the money. He's either going to be a Red Sock or a Yankee next year, because I really don't see any other teams offering him as much as he probably wants.

[Irony Of It All]

Originally posted by NDBoston
I expect Cabrera to get a large offer from other teams and he might be leaving.

Since Hanley Ramirez is at least another year away (or at least that's what I've heard), who do you think they'll get to play SS in 2005?

[Irony Of It All]

Originally posted by Luciano
I think Bellhorn is probably gone too.

I can't see Epstein letting Bellhorn go.

[Luciano]

Originally posted by Irony Of It All
I can't see Epstein letting Bellhorn go.

The only one there that I can definitely not see being let go is Varitek.

Then again, I never thought they would trade Nomar for guys like Cabrera, Roberts, and Mientkiewicz [and have it work!], so what the heck do I know?

[AMC]

Originally posted by Irony Of It All


who do you think they'll get to play SS in 2005?

Nomar?

[ClemensFan4Life]

Originally posted by Irony Of It All


Since Hanley Ramirez is at least another year away (or at least that's what I've heard), who do you think they'll get to play SS in 2005?

If they dont sign Cabrera, then maybe they look at either Pokey, or maybe Visquel as a stop-gap until Ramirez or Pedoria are ready.

[pjfan]

there's already rumors going around that Petey may end up in San Francisco and eventually work towards being a closer. Felipe is like a father figure to him, so I could see it happening.

Bellhorn only made about $400,000 this year, and will probably go to arbitration, but I can't see Theo letting him go. Timlin and Embree will definitely be back.

O-Cab.....depends on what he asks for. Maybe try and sign Omar Vizqeul, and wait another year for Ramirez.

Tek is priority # 1, and I can't see him wanting to go anywhere.

Lowe probably ends up in Detroit, or maybe Atlanta. After he's looked the past two starts, can't say I wouldn't want to keep him

[NDBoston]

Originally posted by tdel23


do you really think Boras would let this happen?

I'm just telling you what I heard, and it's a good source. I don't see Tek making it into the free agent market, Boras or no Boras.

[RhodeyYankee2638]

I have a feeling the only one they will lose (or not resign) is Lowe cause of the B factor. Other than that, I tihnk Epstein will keep the team together

[son of mel hall]

Originally posted by tdel23


do you really think Boras would let this happen?

Varitek is the principal and Boras is the agent. Not vice versa. If Varitek wants to return to the Sox, which appears to be the case from all reports I've seen here, then Boras's job is to make that happen, on the best possible terms for his client.

[bnorris85]

cabrearra will be back only if its like a 2 year deal...unless he moves to 2nd after a year or 2, but i dont see that happening

[tdel23]

very true, but it just seems with every Boras client he gets the money first, everything else is secondary....we shall see.

[stevethesoxfan]

I don't see the "Pedro as a closer" idea. He wants a LOT of $$$. No one will pay a closer $12+M/yr. I can see him being a GREAT closer, but he is going to have to lower his demands. And if he were interested in being one, you'd think that the Sox would want to keep him -- albeit at a reduced cost.

They will re-sign Varitek. Pedro and Lowe are gone. Cabrera is iffy -- depends on the cost. Bellhorn will stay. They may lose Mirabelli as he may yearn to start elsewhere. Timlin and Embree will stay. Williamson, sadly, is gone, unless they get him to sign a cheap 2006 deal while he rehabs in 2005. Kim is apparently going to be sold to a Japanese team. Pokey is gone, I think -- his bat is too weak, and I don't think he wants to settle for being a sub.

And call me crazy, but I don't think that they are going to trade Foulke, Schilling or Ortizzle.

[WebsterMulligan]

Originally posted by Pomp


Definitely, especially for an 800 OPS guy.

Not to mention his outstanding defensive play, at third.

I believe that the Red Sox will retain Varitek for certain, as he is the soul of the team. The pitching is anybody's guess.

[NYCVirago]

Originally posted by stevethesoxfan
I don't see the "Pedro as a closer" idea. He wants a LOT of $$$. No one will pay a closer $12+M/yr. I can see him being a GREAT closer, but he is going to have to lower his demands. And if he were interested in being one, you'd think that the Sox would want to keep him -- albeit at a reduced cost.

Besides, it seems to me, from watching a bunch of Pedro's starts, that he tends to be a little shaky for the first 15-20 pitches or so. Not exactly a good quality for a closer to have!

[DCfan]

I had assumed all year that Tek would be gone -- I know he wants to stay, and I know the Sox want him to stay, but I thought there'd be a huge gap on years and money. Now, I'm almost 100% sure he stays.

Cabrera's probably gone, although the Sox will stay in the hunt. Lowe is gone. Bellhorn definitely stays (via arbitration), and Mueller's option almost certainly gets picked up, even with Youk waiting in the wings. Williamson is gone, unless the Sox can pull a Lieber with him, and I don't see the Sox doing that.

Pedro is the big question. He wants to stay, all things being equal. But he's going to need at least three years, and I don't know that the Sox will guarantee that. I see someone (not the Yankees) breaking the bank to get a "big-name star" on their roster, and I think Pedro will go. Basically, they either sign him quick, during the 15-day window, or he'll go in free agency. If the Sox had anything remotely approaching the Yankees' revenues, they'd take a chance, but I don't know....

[Bronson'sCornrows]

I posted something similar to this before, but what the hell, I'll edit it and repost.

Definites-
Varitek, I don't need to get into why, it's pretty obvious. I don't doubt the Sox would slightly overpay just to keep him, and I'd have to believe Tek wants to stay. Bellhorn is a must keep, he fits the moneyball mold more than lots of other on the team, he'll be cheap (I'd imagine the Sox would offer $1.5mil, I don't know if he's eligible for arbitration) and he's more valuable than the casual fans who boo him everytime he strikes out will ever realize (his defense isn't bad, either). Mueller is another moneyball guy, he won't command an obscene amount of money, and he always has a nice OBP.

Probables-
Petey might not want to stay for the money the Sox offer, but I still feel he will probably take a discount. Cabrera isn't definite because the Sox will look elsewhere if he asks for too much (particularly if Renterria or Omar Vizquel are available). The Sox will probably pick up their options on Embree and Timlin, they aren't cheap, but aren't particular expensive either, and they have both been solid as Sox. Leskanic only made $1.5mil this year, and the I think the Sox have faith in what he can do if he stays healthy, I know I would like to see him stay.

50/50-
Mike Myers might be re-signed, because the Sox need another leftie in the bullpen other than Embree, but the Sox might have alternative options in Triple A relievers Phil Seibel and Lenny DiNardo.

Unlikelies-
Pokey Reese already said he wants to go back to the Reds, and he's not going to get a chance to start here if Cabrera is re-signed. Williamson won't get the kind of money he'll want from the Sox, they aren't going to pony up that kind of money for an oft-injured power pitcher with declining velocity. Lowe is not likely to stay, for obvious reasons. I think the organization is sour on Ramiro Mendoza, so I'm not expecting him to stay. Terry Adams is unlikely to be re-signed due to his performance this year on the team.

[guinevere_79]

Originally posted by Luciano

If they hadn't won, I would have said that Pedro would be gone. Now that they did, I'm not so sure. It depends on the money. He's either going to be a Red Sock or a Yankee next year, because I really don't see any other teams offering him as much as he probably wants.

Methinks that Anaheim will be making a serious bid for Pedro.

The only definite returnee is Varitek. Cabrera is probably 80% sure, but the Sox might try looking at other FA shortstops like Renteria.

Lowe is 100% a goner. I predict that he'll be signing with an NL team.

[Bosox Guy in Chitown]

Originally posted by NYCVirago


Besides, it seems to me, from watching a bunch of Pedro's starts, that he tends to be a little shaky for the first 15-20 pitches or so. Not exactly a good quality for a closer to have!

My thinking as well. Plus, I don't know that he can handle the workload of coming into, say, three consecutive days. I just don't think he can handle that style of workload.

I hope the Sox re-sign V-Tek. Something like a 2 year deal with a mutual option for the third or perhaps a third triggered by plate appearances or games caught. Plus, my wife "has a thing for V-Tek," and without him on the team she is somewhat less likely to tolerate me watching 150+ games every season (she bitches all through Wakefield starts b/c Mirabelli is catching him).

I also hope they keep Cabrera and Pedro. As for Lowe, in a strange way I think his great post-season performances guaranteed he wn't be back. Now someone will pay more for Lowe than the Sox will be willing to shell out.

(EDIT: changed "resign" to "re-sign" for Jim F.'s benefit )