Comments on: In a Big Way: Beltre to Boston

By: Judy

Judy — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:56:35 +0000

My understanding is that the Red Sox wanted the player option because it lowers their 2010 payroll for luxury tax purposes by treating the contract as a 2 year deal.

By: Donald Trump

Donald Trump — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 05:31:43 +0000

In his career, Beltre has 56 at bats in Fenway. Sure,not a large sample size,but he has hit zero home runs, 3 doubles, and sports a .179/.299/.232 line. Yes, his SLG is below his OPB.
I’m staying away from him next year, and I’m a sox fan.

By: crix

crix — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:44:58 +0000

Oh yeah, he also check swings and points to the 1st base ump instead of letting the home up call it which has hurt him in the past but, try not to let it frustrate you too bad.

By: crix

crix — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:40:03 +0000

If Beltre is healthy he will def. hit 30 hr with Boston. Any nay sayers must not know how bad a ballpark safeco really is for righties that hit lindrives. The wind pushes everything down most days or to right field, so unless you are Mark McGwire or Albert Pujols, it’s tuff to hit it out very much. I bet Sox nation is going to fall in love with Beltre, just watch how hard he hits everything. (he might go to his knee on some of his swings though which looks awful but, don’t worry about that it’s normal 4 him.)

By: ray

ray — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:23:35 +0000

wow….since when is 31 years of age old? In 1977 Rod Carew, in his age 31 season, hit 16 HRs and hit .388 and won the AL MVP. In his next 8 seasons he hit a total of 32 HRs. So why can’t a guy who has hit 25+ HRs in 4 of the past 5 seasons, not be able to hit 30+ HRs in a better hitters park, and a better lineup?
Granted Beltre will not sniff .388 or .300 for that matter, but the guy has the power to hit 30+ assuming he is healthy.

By: Johnny Tuttle

Johnny Tuttle — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:21:24 +0000

Fair enough, R M. My only concern is that the Sox clearly have more and better quality backups than do other teams, and with some concerns about keeping Beltre healthy (however well-founded they may be), we might see him dip below the normal rest patterns for a typical starting 3B.

Once Lowell is addressed, my concerns could evaporate in an instant, particularly considering Tek’s and Hall’s relatively meagre offense.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:32:22 +0000

Improving his offensive production is one thing; boosting his home run total is another. Sorry, but 30 home runs is his upside, not 40. Again, Fenway depresses home runs, nearly as much as Safeco does.

By: sean

sean — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:55:31 +0000

RM,

Your 2006-08 sample saw prime power aged Beltre get 620, 595, and 556 ABs while hitting 25, 26, and 25 HRs. Beltre will be 31, is coming off of serious injury, and as things stand on the Sox today will have to contend for PT.

Looks like you’re the one who’s not thinking. Then again, why am I not surprised…

By: R M

R M — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:54:31 +0000

I’m not sure I really understand your concern. Every team in baseball has utility/backup players who amass a good number of at bats. They also have starters who play “full time”, which obviously does not constitute playing all 162 games. Varitek is officially the backup catcher. And yes, occasionally V-Mart will be able to give Youk the day off at 1st. How does any of this amount to Beltre not playing the full number of games? At $9 mil, the Red Sox are clearly dedicated to using him as their starter.

By: Johnny Tuttle

Johnny Tuttle — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:17:48 +0000

I should point out that in saying that Hall needs his ABs, I mean that he will get 150 or so at a minimum, and they inevitably come at a starter’s expense. That contributes to the pushes on PT Beltre faces from Lowell (or return on Lowell) and the twin catchers.

If I were his agent (and I know he’s a smart agent), I wouldn’t have tied the vesting option to PA. Unless I were feeling particularly litigious.