Snow in Boston?

[VTSoxFan]

The Boston Globe is reporting that 38-year-old J.T. Snow is on the verge of signing with the Sox.

Snow in Forecast? (http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/01/01/snow_in_forecast_for_sox/)

Well? What does the Nation think of this move? Of course, all along I thought we stood in desperate need of an aged first-baseman, so we could have a three-man platoon there -- perhaps four men, just to be on the safe side (Snow, Youk, Lowell, Graff).

Sorry for the sarcasm. I thought we might be in the hunt for a center-fielder or something.

[Blackout]

as a Yankees fan, I welcome this trade

[Boston Boxer]

I am sure you do Black:grouchy

I think our front office is totally ruining this team and it is a disgrace!

[hellborn]

The Boston Globe is reporting that 38-year-old J.T. Snow is on the verge of signing with the Sox.
...
Sorry for the sarcasm. I thought we might be in the hunt for a center-fielder or something.

If this is true, I would assume that they're just looking for a glove man to play late innings and provide a LH bat off the bench. It doesn't look like there will be an experienced 1B on the team by opening day, so this kind of makes sense to me. 1B always seems like an odd position to carry a glove on the bench for to me, but Minty didn't wreck the team's chances in '04, did he?

I think that all Bosox fans need to chill a little and see how the holes get filled...jeez, doesn't having Beckett around mean anything to you guys? Did you all want to kill Theo for losing Pedro, like you want to kill Lucchino for losing Damon? I think that the front office made the exact same determination for both of these players...and we won't know if it was the right call for a few years. But, hey, isn't Pedro's toe still killing him?

[VTSoxFan]

If this is true, I would assume that they're just looking for a glove man to play late innings and provide a LH bat off the bench. It doesn't look like there will be an experienced 1B on the team by opening day, so this kind of makes sense to me. 1B always seems like an odd position to carry a glove on the bench for to me, but Minty didn't wreck the team's chances in '04, did he?

I think that all Bosox fans need to chill a little and see how the holes get filled...jeez, doesn't having Beckett around mean anything to you guys? Did you all want to kill Theo for losing Pedro, like you want to kill Lucchino for losing Damon? I think that the front office made the exact same determination for both of these players...and we won't know if it was the right call for a few years. But, hey, isn't Pedro's toe still killing him?

It just seemed a bit odd to me. Here we are waiting to see who in the devil they're going to snag to play two vital positions -- SS and CF -- and they come out and say "Hey look what we got! A first-baseman!" I know it's an important postion, but... not what I was expecting to see. (BTW, I woudn't mind seeing Mientky back again.)

And, um, yeah, I did want to strangle Theo for losing Pedro. I don't believe he ever seriously intended to keep him, and there's no replacing Pedro. If Beckett can pitch more than 150 innings, and pitch them halfway well, I'll be happy.

Red Sox fans -- chill? What's that mean? :rolleyes: ;)

[Blackout]

If this is true, I would assume that they're just looking for a glove man to play late innings and provide a LH bat off the bench. It doesn't look like there will be an experienced 1B on the team by opening day, so this kind of makes sense to me. 1B always seems like an odd position to carry a glove on the bench for to me, but Minty didn't wreck the team's chances in '04, did he?

I think that all Bosox fans need to chill a little and see how the holes get filled...jeez, doesn't having Beckett around mean anything to you guys? Did you all want to kill Theo for losing Pedro, like you want to kill Lucchino for losing Damon? I think that the front office made the exact same determination for both of these players...and we won't know if it was the right call for a few years. But, hey, isn't Pedro's toe still killing him?

pedro with a bad toe > josh beckett

[steveox]

Yes and heres what fenway looks like.
http://www.bpl.org/store/IMGs/STMedium/tm_st10229.jpg
http://www.bpl.org/store/IMGs/STMedium/tm_st10788.jpg

[Evangelion]

You are all aware that Snow has won six Gold Glove awards, correct? Most recent being in 2000. While his offense is not much to speak of, we do need a defensive 1B to platoon with Youkillis at 1B. So, I have no problem with this move. J.T. Snow will replace John Olerud's role on the team.

We just have to hope that with more playing time, Youkillis can come up and be the offesive player we hope he will be.
BTW, I woudn't mind seeing Mientky back again.
You know Doug signed with the Royals, correct? Regardless, I don't want Doug back for the main reason he want to be a starter, not a part-time player, which he would be since he can't hit. I won't mind Doug back, but he has a very poor attitude. You should do what's best for the team, whether you're starting or not.

The Royals were the only team willing to give Doug a starting job at 1B.

Looking at what we can do about CF and SS, it will be some time until before position are address, unless the Tejada deal happen, but I've express my dislike for that deal, especially that proposed four team deal. Like I have said, Red Sox fans should not worry about SS as much. We have Tony as the last resort, but I doubt it would have to down to him being the SS, because I'm sure the club will sign Alex Gonzalez when they know where they stand with Tejada. If you sign Gonzalez, then get Tejada, then you have two SS. So, the club wait to see where it stand on Tejada before pulling the trigger on bring Gonzalez to Boston.

CF is where all our stress and worry should be at. At this current moment, the only free agent out there for CF is Preston Wilson and I'm not too keen on him being our starting CF. Though, I prefer him over Gathright and Reed, because we don't have to deal a high level prospect or one of our pitchers for home. While I like to have Reed and Gathright, I don't like what we have to give up to get either of them.

Of course, a big question on all our minds should be ''Who's going to lead-off next year?''. That's my biggest concern for the team at the moment.

[VTSoxFan]

Yes, I saw that Doug M. signed with KC. I mean... someone with that degree of defensive skill. I know Snow is no slouch with the glove.

It just seemed odd... as an analogy, think of the team as a house. The front office is replacing cracked windowpanes (1B) when there's a gaping hole in the roof (SS, CF). Time will tell whether the house will be habitable come Opening Day.

[Mattingly]

Yes, I saw that Doug M. signed with KC. I mean... someone with that degree of defensive skill. I know Snow is no slouch with the glove.

It just seemed odd... as an analogy, think of the team as a house. The front office is replacing cracked windowpanes (1B) when there's a gaping hole in the roof (SS, CF). Time will tell whether the house will be habitable come Opening Day.
Basically, I'll liken this deal to ordering from a diner. While you're waiting for your entree (SS/CF), your soup & salad are served. It's mostly something to take care of which needs to be taken care of.

If looking at 1B exclusively, the only two relatively top defenders in recent years were Mientkiewicz and Olerud. Beyond this, I'm not sure how good Tony Clark was defensively over there.

Still, people talk about the importance of a great SS, but if the 1Bman can't scoop that errant throw up, or dive for that ball in foul or fair territory, then the whole inning could change very quickly.

Do I consider this more important than SS/CF? Definitely not. I consider this just throwing a bones to the doggy, in that if his glovework is quality, then it's a needed move, regardless of other more glaring needs may exist. Sometimes teams have glaring needs, but the relatively minor ones aren't done.

Now let's see what Lucchino and the twin GMs do about the other holes to be dealt with.

[DoubleX]

If the Sox just wanted a good glove man to play firstbase, then why not keep Mientkiewicz a year ago (other than the whole ball thing)? It's tough to predict what a team we'll get out of Snow, as his offense is up and down every year, but at age 38, I wouldn't expect much. I actually think Tino Martinez would be a better option for the Sox if they want to go down that route and if he doesn't retire. I would have also liked to have seen what Olerud could have done if given one more shot as a regular. At the very least, he'd be a better overall option than Snow as well.

[Mattingly]

If the Sox just wanted a good glove man to play firstbase, then why not keep Mientkiewicz a year ago (other than the whole ball thing)? It's tough to predict what a team we'll get out of Snow, as his offense is up and down every year, but at age 38, I wouldn't expect much. I actually think Tino Martinez would be a better option for the Sox if they want to go down that route and if he doesn't retire. I would have also liked to have seen what Olerud could have done if given one more shot as a regular. At the very least, he'd be a better overall option than Snow as well.
I get the feeling that RSN wants to feel very comfortable about their players, and not just their capabilities. Or I could just say that w/many teams also.

For Mien, that ball thing, then the whole lawsuit fiasco, the loan, people would have mixed feelings. How could their cheer someone who took something so sentimental to them, as his own?

As to Tino, I think he's known primarily as a Yankee. Of course, Damon is known primarily as a Red Sox, so I could be wrong. His defense looked good overall, but I still think that Tony Clark snagged a few more crazy hits and throws. Also, when Tino was with TB, he said he'd play Boston really hard.

Strange thing is, Boomer said he wanted to blow up Fenway, so what they've said, who they've played for, doesn't seem to always translate into where they'll play for in the future.

Crazy unguided observations on my part.

[BasEbaLlKnoItAll]

I get the feeling that RSN wants to feel very comfortable about their players, and not just their capabilities. Or I could just say that w/many teams also.

For Mien, that ball thing, then the whole lawsuit fiasco, the loan, people would have mixed feelings. How could their cheer someone who took something so sentimental to them, as his own?

As to Tino, I think he's known primarily as a Yankee. Of course, Damon is known primarily as a Red Sox, so I could be wrong. His defense looked good overall, but I still think that Tony Clark snagged a few more crazy hits and throws. Also, when Tino was with TB, he said he'd play Boston really hard.

Strange thing is, Boomer said he wanted to blow up Fenway, so what they've said, who they've played for, doesn't seem to always translate into where they'll play for in the future.

Crazy unguided observations on my part.
Not unguided at all, ive made pretty much the SAME observation.

[Evangelion]

Snow a far better defensive option than Tino Martinez. Consider their age, I would say they're about even when it come to offense at this point of their career. I don't expect much on the offensive side from Snow, so I won't be shocked if he's batting around 250. or a little above or below that average.

Olerud could still hit and play good defense, so it would have been nice if he didn't retire. I will agree he would have been a better option at 1B than Snow, but nothing much you can do about that since Olerud retired. I also would have liked to see him tried one more time as regular at 1B, but it's not going to happen.

Mientkiewicz's problem was cover by Mattingly. You don't want this guy on the team for all the issues Mattingly mention. I also mention that Mientkiewicz want to start, not be a part-time player, like he would have been on our team if he stayed or came this year. Also, as I said, only the Royals were willing to give him the starting job at 1B that he desired. He still believe he can play starting 1B, that's also probably another reason why he walked after 04 season. We were not willing to give him a starting job.

[gpd311]

They'll probably get him. The sox love picking up old washed up players.

[Evangelion]

They'll probably get him. The sox love picking up old washed up players.
Do you know what you're talking about? Do you know how good Snow still is as a defensive 1B? Or, you just assume he's wash-up, because he's old? :noidea

[gpd311]

I believe that he would be good defensively but we really need offense.

Bill Mueller was an insane defensive 3rd baseman but he could never put the bat on the ball when he needed to in 2005. We don't need more of that.

It would be worth sacrificing some defense for some clutch hitting.

[Evangelion]

Clutch hitting? The only hitter that has prove to me to be consist clutch hitter is David Ortiz. I don't consider any other player in MLB to be as consist of a clutch hitter as David Ortiz.

The Red Sox need offense? I think the Red Sox need a lead-off hitter at this point. The offense of the rest of the team is good, as it seem as Manny Rameriz is staying in Boston. The Red Sox need to improve their bullpen, get a CF and SS and address their lead-off problem, not overall offense, which at this point would have been perfectly fine if we had a respectable lead-off hitter.

Mueller hit 295. in 150 games last season and hit 330. with runners in scoring position. Mueller brought the offense, but as for clutching hitting? Not so much, because his numbers in the late innings and with two outs were not that great, but like I said, only Ortiz would be the only person I would consider when looking at clutching hitting for a player since he's the only consist performer in late innings to me at this point.

We sacrificed defense for offense in the first half of 04 and we saw how good that went for the Red Sox. :rolleyes:

[DoubleX]

Clutch hitting? The only hitter that has prove to me to be consist clutch hitter is David Ortiz. I don't consider any other player in MLB to be as consist of a clutch hitter as David Ortiz.

The Red Sox need offense? I think the Red Sox need a lead-off hitter at this point. The offense of the rest of the team is good, as it seem as Manny Rameriz is staying in Boston. The Red Sox need to improve their bullpen, get a CF and SS and address their lead-off problem, not overall offense, which at this point would have been perfectly fine if we had a respectable lead-off hitter.

Mueller hit 295. in 150 games last season and hit 330. with runners in scoring position. Mueller brought the offense, but as for clutching hitting? Not so much, because his numbers in the late innings and with two outs were not that great, but like I said, only Ortiz would be the only person I would consider when looking at clutching hitting for a player since he's the only consist performer in late innings to me at this point.

We sacrificed defense for offense in the first half of 04 and we saw how good that went for the Red Sox. :rolleyes:

I agree with you all around, especially about Bill Mueller. Mueller is the type of veteran all teams should want, especially the Red Sox. He's hard nosed, scrappy, and plays his best at Fenway. With the addition of Lowell, Mueller could have moved to 1B, and if Lowell hit anything like last year, than Mueller could move back to 3B with Youkilis at 1B. If anything the depth on the team would be better and Mueller would almost guarantee a .285 hitter with some pop.

[king_ghidora]

I really thought the only reason the Sox have needed back-up first basemen like Doug and Olerud was because Millar was rubbish with the glove. Youk's a better fielder, so what do we need a late-inning defensive replacement for? Doug was brought in so we wouldn't have more Bill Buckner moments, which I don't see happening with Youk.

[yankeekiller34BigPapi]

I think Snow was a good pick-up, though they didn't really need him. Now as far as the Red Sox front office is concerned, how about a SS and CF?

Note: this doesn't mean to get rid of our LF for a SS. What sense does that make?

[Evangelion]

Youkillis is common position is 3B, not 1B. We don't know how good he will be at 1B next season. Gold Glove playing 1B in the late innings is going to be nice. Youkillis could be a Gold Glove winner in the future? Doubt it, but could happen, but right now, he's an un-proven 1B defensively and we don't know what to expect from him yet either.

[Mattingly]

Mientkiewicz's problem was cover by Mattingly. You don't want this guy on the team for all the issues Mattingly mention. I also mention that Mientkiewicz want to start, not be a part-time player, like he would have been on our team if he stayed or came this year. Also, as I said, only the Royals were willing to give him the starting job at 1B that he desired. He still believe he can play starting 1B, that's also probably another reason why he walked after 04 season. We were not willing to give him a starting job.
Thanks very much for the kind words, as I try my best to be fair in this forum, as I'm a visitor. :)

That said, from what I remember, Mientkiewicz was traded to the Mets. From what I remember, there was one roster spot open for 1B, and it was between Mien and Kevin Millar. Though I think that Mien's defense and poor hitting was more preferable to Millar's good hitting and poor defense, it seemed like the ball thing was too much to bear.

Perhaps I'm overextending myself in say this, but I'd have a hard time thinking that many Red Sox fans could look over at 1B if Mientkiewicz were playing there and not think, "Why did he take our ball home with him, as if it were his own?"

Doug made a tough "offense vs defense" choice a rather simple one, I like to believe.

[DoubleX]

Youkillis is common position is 3B, not 1B. We don't know how good he will be at 1B next season. Gold Glove playing 1B in the late innings is going to be nice. Youkillis could be a Gold Glove winner in the future? Doubt it, but could happen, but right now, he's an un-proven 1B defensively and we don't know what to expect from him yet either.

I'm sure Youkilis will be fine at first and at the very least, a step up from Millar. It's nice to have a slick fielding first baseman, but it's the easiest position to get by with just an average fielder. The difference between a good fielder and an average fielder doesn't matter nearly as much at first base as it does in the rest of the infield. So Youkilis should be fine (if the Sox starting trotting Ortiz out there regularly, then there should be pause for concern).

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

Fire Larry Luchinno.:crazy

[Evangelion]

Fire Larry Luchinno.:crazy
How exactly is that comment on J.T. Snow, the six time gold glover, signing? :noidea

DoubleX, I also believe Youkillis will be fine at 1B and also playing some 3B, too. We know Lowell will not start every game at 3B next season, so Youkillis will start some 3B and give Snow some start at 1B next season. I really like that system myself. So, I have no problem with this setup and this is why I like the signing on J.T. Snow starting a few games at 1B during the season and also being a good solid defensive replacement during the late innings.