Fixit

Thanks for being a douche. Now I know I don't have to waste time trying to talk with you.

TomBrady'sGoat

It would have taken Coco plus a top pitcher (Lester, Buchholz, maybe Masterson could get it done but I doubt it) to get Salty. You can't trade your trash for other's treasure. Ellsbury+ for Salty was the trade I was hoping for.

They can get a decent prospect for Coco or maybe a good bullpen arm. You don't get a stud like Salty for a great D/no hit CF.

Fixit

Drew had better have a good year next season, or...else...people...will...start...talking...to.. .you...like...this.

TomBrady'sGoat

Realize the only reason I was a douche is that you made zero effort to understand my point.

I made an argument. You responded with one sentence saying that Drew has done nothing (ignoring Coco's uselessness in the process). I explain that Coco did nothing his first year in Boston. You reply with "My calendar says it's not 2006," entirely ignoring my point that I'm looking at future performance and giving both guys mulligans for their first year (ask Renteria if that's a good idea. he'll agree). Only then do I treat you with contempt.

Try listening to others for once. I do it on a daily basis and, you know, I actually learn things. I sometimes adjust or outright change my perspective because I'm presented with a better one which I had never considered. It'll set you free.

Fixit

Others had already mentioned that Coco was hurt for his first season, so this, in effect, is his first season...apparently you need to have that pointed out to you. Comparing Drew and Coco this year will show that Coco leads in average, RBI, runs scored, SB (HUGE gap), plain ol' effort, and he plays far superior defense. Drew, to his credit, does lead in HR and weak hacks to end scoring threats.

Trying to make yourself sound superior doesn't mean you actually succeed, and I couldn't give a rat's ass if you have "contempt" for me. You sound like a jackass.

Foley

Did Bill Mueller not care? or Mike Lowell? Just because a guy doesn't slam his helmet to the ground every time he strikes out doesn't mean he has no passion for the game. But its a great message to future Red Sox players: You can suck, but as long as you look pissed off in the process you'll be a fan favorite. Trot Nixon milked it for nearly his entire career.

And I'm sure they could trade Drew if they wanted, but why? Should they have traded away Beckett last year? You shouldn't give up on a player because of one bad season.

Fixit

Have you actually watched Mike Lowell? That guy chirps a whole lot when he feels the need. And Bill Mueller produced when he was here. I don't care if a guy throws a tantrum, but at least look like you're aware that you're playing professional baseball.

All I said is if I could only keep one to make room for Ellsbury it would be Crisp. I don't like what I see from Drew...at all. No hitting, lax fielding, lame baserunning, and not a lick of fire.

Even though Beckett struggled last year, I liked what I saw: tremendous stuff and an obvious desire to win. BIG difference between the two.

Foley

Bill Mueller produced, but when did he ever do something overtly emotional on the field? Rarely, if ever, and it no one cared. Players succeed all the time without being overly emotional, or looking like they don't care, and as long as they succeed its not an issue. The fact that Drew isn't hitting is the concern, the fact that he doesn't have "a lick of fire" is a petty complaint.

Desire to win doesn't win games. Beckett may have had that desire, but all the desire in the world isn't going to make you pitch better. And what makes you think Drew has no talent, or whatever you want to call the hitting equivalent of stuff? Go back and look at video of Mike Lowell in 2005 and tell me that he looked like a good hitter. He sucked then, and then he snapped out of it in 2006 and has improved since. Theres no reason for me to believe Drew can't do the same.

Fixit

What makes me think that is that people who played with Drew said this was going to happen before he came to Boston.

He has a ton of talent, but he just doesn't look like a good baseball player to me. Desire may not make him a better player, but it sure as hell would make him work harder to be a better player. Beckett's a great example of that.

The bottom line is this: a guy with Drew's gifts should never look as bad as he does in all aspects of the game.

Foley

I completely agree, and I'm not a big fan of Drew or the signing myself. But he has hit well before with the stoic attitude, and that leads me to believe that he will again. Drew could easily hit .290 with 25HR and 90RBI next season -- Maybe he'll duplicate this year again, but hes never followed a bad year up with another one so hopefully history stays true.

And as far as teammates, Nomar, Bill Mueller and Grady Little all had glowing things to say about Drew when Boston signed him. Even Tony Larussa said he expected Drew to do well in Boston. The whole thing about his teammates hating him or expecting him to fail was blow out of proportion.