Sign A.J. Now

[LITTLE NELL]

Originally Posted by DickAllen72

Yes. Sign him to a three year extension, the sooner the better.

Originally Posted by SephClone89

No thanks.

At his age, no way. 2 years at most or maybe 1 year with an option year that has a buyout.

[WLL1855]

Originally Posted by SaltyPretzel

I think the pitchers this year have a lot to do with that.

Pitchers always have a lot to do with it no matter how good an arm the guy has behind the plate. Get a guy on the mound that has no idea how to hold a runner close to the base and throw in a slow delivery and even a catcher like Molina will have a rough day getting guys out.

Edit: This wasn't meant as a defense of AJ so much as making the point that you can't just look at the steal percentage against a catcher and say it is all his fault. AJ is still mediocre against would be base stealers.

[Steelrod]

Originally Posted by SoxFanCPA

How does signing AJ to a contract extension for more than he is worth have anything to do with overpriced tickets? And no, you shouldn't pay guys for past performance, that's what gets teams in trouble.

Money has to come from somewhere.
If you use your philosophy, the market for players you desire will be very small. What to expect Konerko to be like at the end of next year. How much would you offer him for a 3 year extension now?

[Chez]

If possible, A.J. should be re-signed. Regardless of how much emphasis you place on his intangible value to the team and its fan base, there is no denying that he is having a terrific season and shows no sign of slowing down. I haven't decided if it makes more sense to do it now or after the season. I haven't read anything in which A.J. comes off as miffed or unhappy that he hasn't been extended yet. Has anyone seen or heard anything to that effect?

[thomas35forever]

The Sox would be stupid not to consider it. He's hot, Flowers isn't ready and I don't like the market for catchers right now. The last thing I want is him in another uniform.

[SoxFanCPA]

Originally Posted by Steelrod

Money has to come from somewhere.
If you use your philosophy, the market for players you desire will be very small. What to expect Konerko to be like at the end of next year. How much would you offer him for a 3 year extension now?

I'm not understanding the point you are trying to make. You want to pay guys more as they age simply because they were good players? Let's offer Thome $20 million this winter then.

[Lip Man 1]

JR personally stepped in at the last minute two years ago when AJ was headed to the Dodgers. There's no hurry on this. When the time comes I'm sure the Sox will make a good offer and if needed JR will step in again. (Kenny had already opened discussions with Olivo's agent and they were close to a deal)

Catching is just one of an off season list that's going to be long and important especially getting the starting pitching situation worked out.

Lip

[kufram]

What is AJ's history playing after signing a new contract? What is his history when playing for a new contract? I don't know the answer to those questions but I think we should leave well enough alone until the end of the season.

[Steelrod]

Originally Posted by SoxFanCPA

I'm not understanding the point you are trying to make. You want to pay guys more as they age simply because they were good players? Let's offer Thome $20 million this winter then.

What would you offer AJ and how many years?

[Frater Perdurabo]

Originally Posted by Steelrod

What would you offer AJ and how many years?

I don't know about money, but I'd offer two years with a team option for a third year.

[Tragg]

Sox have a lot of players up for contract after this year, especially pitching: Peavy, Floyd (option), Youk, Liriano and AJ. Figure it out in the offseason.

[Frontman]

Now's not the time to start this stuff, realistically. AJ (as well as the rest of the players) should be allowed to focus on playing.

The off-season will work this stuff out.

[rdivaldi]

Love AJ, but this year is a complete and utter fluke.

OPS:
2005 .728
2006 .769
2007 .712
2008 .728
2009 .755
2010 .688
2011 .728
2012 .876

One of these numbers is not like the others. I think it's safe to say that a lot of us wanted his era to end in 2010 and it's not unreasonable to say that if we do sign him to a 3 year deal, we should expect numbers closer to 2010 than 2012.

[soxinem1]

I remember when KW was thinking about offering Kenny Lofton an extension during the season based on his hot start. He was in SF 60 days later.

I remember when we were discussing JD getting an extension during the season because he was hitting.300+ at the ASB in 2009.

This same type of bantering was going on two years ago with AJ.

Honestly, I think contract talk should not go past Spring Training, and be left alone until after the World Series.

As much as I love AJ, the odds of him ever having a season like this again are extremely thin.

He should have been using that short-stroke HR swing more often his whole career.

[sullythered]

Originally Posted by rdivaldi

Love AJ, but this year is a complete and utter fluke.

OPS:
2005 .728
2006 .769
2007 .712
2008 .728
2009 .755
2010 .688
2011 .728
2012 .876

One of these numbers is not like the others. I think it's safe to say that a lot of us wanted his era to end in 2010 and it's not unreasonable to say that if we do sign him to a 3 year deal, we should expect numbers closer to 2010 than 2012.

Man, I would gladly take those .700+ OPS numbers at the catcher position along with his undeniable intangibles. I would only go, maybe 2 years at 4.5 per, if he wants to give us a discount, which is not outside the realm of possibility.