Re: Boston Red Sox: 2007
I think Johan is a guy they're willing to throw some money at. Just how much is the big question. 6 years at 150 is an awful lot. I'd almost wonder if they'd try to lower the annual salary to something around 19 and 20 but compensate by tacking on a 7th year. Maybe a 7 year 160 millions dollar contract where the salary keepings going up every year, or something to that effect. He has a good track record though as far as health goes, and he doesn't rely on his breaking ball but rather his change and fastball. His mechanics are clean and he appears to be in great shape too. Health is a factor in any contract, but here it would appear to be far less than one with a guy like Pedro who had a tear in his rotator cuff and losing velocity every year. And I do agree that they prefer to give pitchers no more than 4 or 5 years, but one can't ignore how big a risk JD Drew was/is given his health over his career. And even Beckett, though with Beckett they aren't paying him 20-25 million a year.
At any rate, as a team you don't really let this stuff get too far if you're not willing to pay. I would think the Red Sox hate the idea that Lester's name is being tossed around in the papers as part of a trade. If these reports have some truth, we likely won't hear anything from the Red Sox. If they're false we'll probably get a statement from Theo about how important a guy like Jon Lester is to the club.
To me, this is why a team should build up a healthy farm system. To replace departing veterans and also to make big trades like this one.
I think Johan is a guy they're willing to throw some money at. Just how much is the big question. 6 years at 150 is an awful lot. I'd almost wonder if they'd try to lower the annual salary to something around 19 and 20 but compensate by tacking on a 7th year. Maybe a 7 year 160 millions dollar contract where the salary keepings going up every year, or something to that effect. He has a good track record though as far as health goes, and he doesn't rely on his breaking ball but rather his change and fastball. His mechanics are clean and he appears to be in great shape too. Health is a factor in any contract, but here it would appear to be far less than one with a guy like Pedro who had a tear in his rotator cuff and losing velocity every year. And I do agree that they prefer to give pitchers no more than 4 or 5 years, but one can't ignore how big a risk JD Drew was/is given his health over his career. And even Beckett, though with Beckett they aren't paying him 20-25 million a year.
At any rate, as a team you don't really let this stuff get too far if you're not willing to pay. I would think the Red Sox hate the idea that Lester's name is being tossed around in the papers as part of a trade. If these reports have some truth, we likely won't hear anything from the Red Sox. If they're false we'll probably get a statement from Theo about how important a guy like Jon Lester is to the club.
To me, this is why a team should build up a healthy farm system. To replace departing veterans and also to make big trades like this one.
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