Hello everyone.  The Free Agent (FA) open signing period has started.  What do you think will occur ?  Who do you think the Red Sox will sign?
  Do you think the Red Sox will expend a lot of effort to sign  Mark Texeira?  Since the Yankees have obtained Nick Swisher from
the Chicago White Sox, do you think the Yankees are going to sink their money into FA pitching?  
 
As a starting point for discussion in chat tonight, check this out:
 
http://www.newenglandsportscountry.com/forum3/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=4324 <http://www.newenglandsportscountry.com/forum3/viewtopic.php?f=35&amp;t=4324>
 
Join us in chat this evening at 8 pm (ET) (or sooner lol)
 
Please note:  We have changed our e-mail address to NESC2006@...

 
David Ortiz pushes Red Sox to add some pop

“In addition to some bullpen help, Ortiz said the Sox could use “another 30-home run guy and we’ll be all set.”
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view/2008_11_12_David_Ortiz_pushes_Red_Sox_to_add_some_pop/
 
Yankees will offer CC, Burnett, Lowe  <http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/hot_stove/posts/23422>

"The Yankees will make an offer to exceed Johan Santana's $137.5-million contract today to top target CC Sabathia and closely follow that bold first strike with proposals within the next day or two to two more star free-agent pitchers, A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe, SI.com has learned.

The Yankees' aggressive three-pronged free agent pitching approach puts them in position to dominate the free-agent market. The three offers together are expected to total in the $250 million range.

The Yankees are hoping to blow away the field for Sabathia, who prefers to play in California if all things are equal, then fashion the rest of their rotation from a very strong free-agent market for pitchers. The Yankees don't expect immediate acceptances from all three pitchers, but one competing executive said, "I wouldn't be shocked to see the Yankees sign all three guys.'' (That's probably a long shot, however.)

http://www.prosportsdaily.com/comments/yankees-will-offer-cc-burnett-lowe-172384.html

Teixeira Attracts Odd Suitor in Nats  <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/13/AR2008111302406.html>

"If you thought the lowly Tampa Bay Rays vanquishing the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series last month was baseball's ultimate David-over-Goliath moment, imagine a scenario in which the Washington Nationals, losers of 102 games and immeasurable amounts of local goodwill and national reputation in 2008, went head-to-head against the Red Sox for the services of potentially the most expensive free agent in eight years -- and won.

http://www.prosportsdaily.com/comments/teixeira-attracts-odd-suitor-in-nats-172286.html

Dempster headed to market?  <http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1274284,CST-SPT-cub12.article>

"With just two days left before exclusive negotiating time runs out on teams and their free agents, all three Cubs free agents the team would like to bring back -- pitchers Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood and backup catcher Henry Blanco -- appear headed to the open market first, if they come back at all.

http://www.prosportsdaily.com/comments/dempster-headed-to-market--171364.html

Did You Know? <http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/nov/13/ringolsby-holliday-is-no-fault-divorce/>

Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo had the lowest batting average with runners in scoring position (.139) for a player who qualified for a batting title since Ron Gant hit .130 with the Phillies and Angels in 2000. Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton ranked at the bottom for NL hitters at .172. -- Rocky Mountain News
http://msn.foxsports.com/rumors/mlb#3
Ten Best Free Agents

AJ Burnett on the Red Sox radar?
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/pgStory?contentId=8791316#sport=MLB&photo=8791656 <http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/pgStory?contentId=8791316#sport=MLB&amp;photo=8791656>
Sox Top 10 Prospects <http://firebrandal.com/2008/11/14/sox-top-10-prospects.html>

1. Lars Anderson, 1b -- Really no surprise here. The Red Sox may hold back on going crazy on Mark Teixeira because of this guy here. Anderson might even see a call-up this September. Either way, the long-term plan has got to be letting Mike Lowell walk after 2010 and inserting Lars at first. (Fire Brand interview here <http://firebrandal.com/2008/09/01/lars-anderson-talks-baseball-with-fire-brand/> .)
http://firebrandal.com/2008/11/14/sox-top-10-prospects.html
Red Sox Roundtable: Who's our catcher? <http://firebrandal.com/2008/11/14/red-sox-roundtable-whos-our-catcher.html>

Out of all the catchers that may be available through trade or free agency, which player do you want starting for the Sox and why?

"The popular names are Varitek. Saltalamacchia. Teagarden. But there are a plethora of other catchers available. Miguel Montero. Chris Iannetta. Chris Snyder. Yeah, I'd love to get Salty -- everyone wants the sexy name, but I'm going to go with Chris Snyder. He's had a good season and he's proven. He's going to be 28 and is arbitration eligible. The Diamondbacks are reportedly having money problems, so Snyder may be gettable. I'm concerned with his career .238 batting average, but he had a .348 OBP and .452 SLG last year." -- Evan, Fire Brand <http://firebrandal.com>
http://firebrandal.com/2008/11/14/red-sox-roundtable-whos-our-catcher.html

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