Jerry Crasnick

  (1:00 PM)

OK folks, lets talk Sox ....

Chris, IL

they are close...but replacing Manny/Ortiz is not gonna be easy.

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:02 PM)

Chris, The Red Sox don't have to worry about replacing Manny and Ortiz for a while -- just paying them. Ortiz is making a reasonable $12.5 million a year thru 2010, and there's another $12.5 million option for 2011. Manny is the bigger question mark. Do they want to pay him $20 million a year in 2009 and 2010? That's a big call for the organization.

Bob (Saddle River, NJ)

Why was it that when NY was winning championships we "bought" them... those late 90's championships had a core of homegrown talent. Boston's core in their past two world series wins is almost all bought... Schilling, Manny, Ortiz, Varitek, Beckett, Matsuzaka, Lowell, Wakefield... list goes on and on... why is this never talked about? It's b/c Boston fans love to complain and NY fans just worry about their own team...

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:06 PM)

Bob, It's tough to say the Red Sox "bought" all of those players. The Sox acquired Beckett and Lowell from Florida in a trade for Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez. They signed Tim Wakefield in 1995 after he was released by Pittsburgh. And Varitek came over with Derek Lowe from Seattle in the Heathcliff Slocumb deal. Dan Duquette should be immortalized by Red Sox fans for eternity for that one.

Patrick (Boston MA)

Manny did not look like Manny last year until October came around. I think Manny likes $20 million dollar options and will have a great year next year. Big Papi's Power was down but he was still remarkable last year. Mix those two with our youth and arguably the best Pitcher and Closer in the American league and you have success.

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:07 PM)

Patrick, As we saw in the postseason, Manny and Ortiz are such a huge key for the Red Sox. I think it's worth Terry Francona sitting them periodically throughout the season just to make sure they're geared up in September.

David, Houston TX

Are the Braves of the past decade a dynasty? They won their division and made it to the playoffs every year but their lack of World Series victories do not disqualify them as a Dynasty. Colorado showed last year (as did the Marlins a couple of times in the past) that any team can win the Post Season. The better question regarding the Red Sox is, are they a perennial playoff team? If so, then the Yankee Dynasty of the past decade (no WS wins in 7 years) will be replaced by the Red Sox Dynasty.

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:10 PM)

David, You're right. To me, the term "dynasty" equates to championships. The Yankees have made the postseason 13 straight years, but they haven't won since 2000. So while they're a perennial contender, their "dynasty" ended a while ago. Buster Olney wrote a very entertaining book about it, as I recall.

Don (Bangor Maine)

With the recent signings of Sean Casey and Bobby Kielty the Red Sox are just about done filling out the bench for spring training. Do you think that they will shop Coco Crisp and if so who do you think the most likely candidate is?

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:13 PM)

Don, The addition of Bobby Kielty would seem to make Coco Crisp more expendable. Minnesota has seemed like a fit for Crisp all along -- although now the Twins seem prepared to throw open the center field job to Carlos Gomez, Jason Pridie and Denard Span. Oakland also seems like a decent fit for Crisp. The A's have a spot available now that Swisher and Kotsay are gone.

Phil, Manchester, NH

I can't stand the BOSOX, and I live here. All the new england bandwangoners. I'm from so cali where the angels rule and you stick with your team, no matter what. The sox, have had some good-luck. Without injurie, you may want to add in there. But they aren't getting younger, and how many more seats can you fit in that stadium. Seriously!!!!

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:14 PM)

Phil, Good luck being an Angels fan in New England. You must be a lonely guy.

Kevin: Denver, CO

As far as the sellouts, although still impressive I don't think it's fair to compare to the Indians who I believe seat many more fans. The Red Sox play in that little league park. Do they even hold 40,000? Although they are such passionate fans they'd be likely to sellout anyway. Just trying not to give them too much credit. I'm tired of New England sports! And that phrase "Red Sox Nation" Please!

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:16 PM)

Kevin, Fenway doesn't hold 40,000 -- it's closer to 37,000, I believe. But 388 sellouts is an impressive feat no matter how you slice it, particularly when the Red Sox have the highest average ticket price in the majors. If Fenway held 42,000, I'm pretty sure they'd still be selling out.

Erik, Centreville, Va

I've heard rumors that the Sox will run a 6 man rotation with the 6th person being a "floater" or fill-in. Basically using a guy like Tim Wakefield to come in every other week or so, so Buckholtz and Lester can get regular rest...while keeping the every 5th day in tack for Beckett and Schill... does this sound accurate or reasonable to you?

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:19 PM)

Erik, Yeah, that seems to be the general consensus -- although I think Buchholz or Lester are more likely to be "dropping in" than Wakefield. When you consider Schilling's age, Wakefield's health problems last year, the fact that Beckett only pitched 200 innings and the youth of Buchholz and Lester, the Red Sox have to consider themselves fortunate to have some depth.

Michael, QC

I agree with Kevin, "Red Sox Nation" isn't quite fitting since its an international phenomenon, how does "Red Sox Globe" sound?

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:20 PM)

Michael, I don't think the people at the Boston Herald would be too thrilled if you referred to Sox fans as the "Red Sox Globe."

JB NY, NY

The Yankees have some relatively young and talented yet unproven pitchers. Cheng Ming Wang is great and Pettite is consistent, but do you think the Yankees have the tools to take back the AL East Title from the Sox and end their "mini dynasty"?

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:23 PM)

JB, I'm just not sold on the Yankees' rotation, with Mike Mussina where he is at this stage of his career and Hughes, Chamberlain and Kennedy all being counted on to give the Yankees big innings. I really think Toronto will give the Red Sox and Yankees a push this year if the Blue Jays can find a way to stay healthy.

Alex Boston MA

Mr. Crasnick, The biggest problem I see with the Redsox in the next few years is at catcher. Tek is awesome defensively, and in terms of game management, but we are quickly approaching the tail end of his career. I think everything starts with a solid catcher and the Sox don't have any exceptional prospects at that position. Any thoughts on how the organization handles this?

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:25 PM)

Alex, You're right -- catching is a big longterm question for the Red Sox, because there's nothing in the pipeline. Apparently Scott Boras wants to sit down and talk to the team about an extension. Even though the Yankees just committed to four years for Jorge Posada, I have a hard time seeing Boston wanting to sign Varitek for more than two.

Alan (Brighton, MA)

WHEN will the Sox wok out a deal on an extension for Francona? He has been everything you want in a manager, and deserves the job security!

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:28 PM)

Alan, I think the Red Sox would like to get this done in spring training, but they want to do it very quietly. Terry Francona is currently making a little less than $2 million a year. After two World Series championships, I imagine he'd like to double that. It's hard to see him making a lot less than guys like Torre, Piniella and Bobby Cox after all he's accomplished in Boston.

Mike from Boston

From a standpoint of leadership in the clubhouse (amongst the players) How do the Sox stackup against the other "elite" teams

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:31 PM)

Mike, I know the SABR folks think chemistry is irrelevant, but the Red Sox have a lot of high caliber professionals in the clubhouse. Lowell, Ortiz and Varitek are three who immediately spring to mind. They understand the pressures and responsibilites of playing in Boston, and they're always accountable. And adding Sean "The Mayor" Casey to the mix certainly won't hurt the clubhouse dynamic.

BigVin(Queens,NY)

The Red Sox may make it to another world series but this time they may be meeting the Mets. I think the Amazins could win in 7 games. What say you?

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:32 PM)

Big Vin, We may be getting ahead of ourselves a little bit here. But a Curt Schilling-Pedro Martinez World Series matchup would sure be a lot of fun, wouldn't it?

Tom (Wakefield MA)

What power bats do the Red Sox have in there farm. I have heard of Lars Anderson and Jason Place but are they really that good prospects. They need someone like that to come up if they want to become a dynasty.

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:35 PM)

Tom, That's the big question. Lars Anderson and Ryan Kalish are both highly rated prospects. But Anderson has 11 homers in 493 minor league at-bats, and Kalish only has 142 professional at bats to his credit. The scouts say that power is the last tool to develop, but you never know precisely if it's going to come -- or when.

Jon (Chicago, IL)

What do you think of the Cubs trading for Crisp to play center? They want to win now and Pinella has always preferred veteran players. I think it would be a good fit.

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:36 PM)

Jon, I think the Cubs are more focused on Brian Roberts at the moment -- provided this Erik Bedard trade finally gets done.

Michael, New York NY

Do you think the Rays will pose a problem to the Sox over the next couple of years? They will have a great pitching staff with Kazmir and Shields, and porspects Andy Sonnansstine, Wade Davis, and others. They will also have a great lineup with Crawford Baldelli and Pena and prospects Upton Longoria and many others. They have so many good prospects, that even if you say the Sox are second, it's still not even close. Even with a good minors, the Rays are better, and the Sox rotation is not great with Schilling and Wakefield(both over 38).

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:38 PM)

Michael, The Rays have set themselves up to be a presence in the AL East for a while. A lot is going to depend on how quickly David Price, Wade Davis and Jake McGee develop in the minors. But that organization is finally starting to do things right.

John (St. Paul)

Would either team do a Coco Crisp and Justin Masterson for Joe Nathan trade?

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:39 PM)

John, As much as the Red Sox would love to have Joe Nathan as a setup guy for Jonathan Papelbon, that trade scenario is a little too weird for me to get my head around.

bob, brooklyn

doesn't the fact that the yanks have an excellent farm system in addition to just a tad more funds than the sox...doesn't that fact alone, nevermind the strength of the al central, kill the likelihood of a dynasty by any al team, even the sox?

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:41 PM)

Bob, It doesn't help. But the Yankees might be going through a transitional period in the next year or two, and that's probably enough to give Boston the edge in the AL East.

John (St. Paul)

What do you mean by weird?

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:43 PM)

John, For starters, Joe Nathan might be the best closer in baseball. If not, Jonathan Papelbon might be the best closer in baseball. I just have a hard time seeing them co-existing in the same bullpen. I can't imagine Nathan would be real happy collecting a bunch of "holds" as his enters his big free agent year.

Phil (VA)

The Red Sox are more evil than the Yankees.

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:43 PM)

Phil, I'm sure Larry Lucchino would beg to differ on that one.

Matt in Boston

Do you think Seattle could use Coco after the Bedard trade goes through and is it possible to get Clement, one of their catching prospects, in return?

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:45 PM)

Matt, Jeff Clement isn't a great defender, but he's a fine hitter and Baseball America rates him the Mariners' top prospect. There's no way Seattle will give him up for Coco Crisp. The Mariners will just go with Raul Ibanez, Ichiro and Brad Wilkerson in the outfield.

The Slider (St. Louis, Mo.)

Jerry: Is there any rhyme or reason as to why in the name of all things sacred the "Roidinals", 'er I mean the "Cardinals" signed Juan Gonzalez?

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:47 PM)

Slider, This is a little off the topic of conversation, but apparently Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina lobbied for the Cards to sign Juan Gone. I guess they thought it was a good idea to keep Albert happy.

Tom (Wakefield MA)

When do you think that Lowrie will step in and take over SS. Do you really think he will be better for the Sox then Lugo?

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:49 PM)

Tom, Jed Lowrie really seems to generate mixed reviews from scouts, and some people think he's more of a second baseman than a SS. Julio Lugo is also under contract for three more years and $27 million, so it's hard to see him going anywhere anytime soon.

Sheldon (Boston, MA)

Why are all of these questions being answered that aren't even related to the Sox becoming a dynasty being answered? My earlier post legitimately covered the subject matter but was ignored.

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:49 PM)

Sheldon, Sorry about that -- I'll get back on track.

Jack (Boston)

You never answered Bob's question about "buying" championships. If you believe this current Red Sox team isn't necessarily bought, how can you say the Yanks of the late 90's were. The core of their team (Jeter, Pettitte, Posada, Williams, etc) were all home grown. The Yankees didn't start losing until they went away from that mentality.

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:51 PM)

Jack, I never said those Yankees teams were "bought." The Yanks signed and developed all those players, then opened the wallet to retain them. Obviously, Brian Cashman is trying to get back to that approach now by keeping the team's nucleus of young pitching intact.

John (Windy City)

If you were a GM building a new team, what is the order of the following pitching prospects you would like to have? P. Hughes, I. Kennedy, J. Chamberlain, J. Lester adn C. Bucholz.

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:53 PM)

John, I'd go Chamberlain, Buchholz, Hughes, Lester and Kennedy, in that order.

Jared (Cape Elizabeth, ME)

How can you say its hard to see Bosto moving Lugo? We signed Renteria to a 4 year $40 Million contract and he only lasted a year. With the American League this strong, we need a SS that can produce regularly yet still play good, consistent defense.

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:54 PM)

Jared, It'll be hard to move him because nobody's interested in taking that $27 million off the Red Sox's hands. I don't think there's a lot of demand out there for Lugo.

al (DC)

One might argue that the "core" of those teams were o'neil, cone, martinez, knoblauch and clemens, who were all bought...

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:57 PM)

Al, But they weren't all "bought" either. Paul O'Neill, as I recall, came to NY in a trade for Roberto Kelly. The Yanks got Tino Martinez in a trade with Seattle, and Knoblauch came to NY in a deal for Cristian Guzman and Eric Milton.

Jonathan (NY, NY)

I agree with my brother Michael about the Rays potentially posing a threat. How about the Indians? Hafner and Sizemore are younger than Manny and Papi, and their pitching is led by C.C. and Carmona, with Adam Miller on the way. They looked like the only time that put up a fight against the BoSox in the postseason. Can they also be on the verge of a dynasty?

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:58 PM)

Jonathan, Mark Shapiro and the Indians do a great job of maximizing their resources, but it's tough for them on those special occasions when they have to slug it out financially with the big boys. All the signs point toward C.C. Sabathia leaving Cleveland because the Indians aren't in position to spend $100 million plus to keep him.

Bill Simmons (Sunny Cali)

Are you kidding? How does ESPN not give me this chat? Crasnick, look at the youth of the team!! Look at the established hitters, the fantastic rotation and solid young bullpen. This team deserves to be in the ranks of my great baseball teams of the 00s pantheon!!

Jerry Crasnick

  (1:59 PM)

Bill, Thanks for weighing in. I'm glad that we could brighten your day after Sunday's debacle in the desert.

Josh (School of Hard Knocks)

Do you think the Sox missed out on Santana?

Jerry Crasnick

  (2:02 PM)

Josh, I think the Red Sox were really hesitant to trade for Santana and then have to commit to a longterm deal for more than $130 million -- especially with Beckett's next contract just around the corner. As long as Johan went to the Mets instead of the Yankees, I'm sure the Sox can live with that.

Jerry Crasnick

  (2:03 PM)

Thanks for the emails, everybody. Hard to believe I'll be headed to the Cactus League in a week. Have a good one.