Who Will the Red Sox Target for 08/09 FA? Who Will They Trade?

[nickagneta]

What sort of bugs me the most is that teix is just one player but with such demands thinks he is the "team"

Not really his fault but during his tenure there, texas was a middle rated team (i mean skill is one thing, but infusing passion and leadership can take a team far) and this year he had a chance to help the angels beat the sox but didn't. Both cases the defense is that he is just one member and skillful one too. But he is not the whole team and already wants to get paid like one (i also have a theory that he has been always jealous of what arod got in texas)

I don't have a problem with guys like michael jordan getting paid 30 million per year because all he does is get you rings. And because he is such a significan player back then it didn't really matter who you had around him, you knew the team was going to be good. Same with guys like gretzky in his prime

teixera will make our offense even better but our main problem last year, was we were injured that prevented us from winning it all.

Don't want to be a debbie downer because i'd like him in our team, but i'm just worried about his ego after getting such a deal and how other players in the team will feel about it. (Pedroia loyal guy, not greedy but others who knows after this deal)

Don't blame Teixeira for those bad Rangers teams. He and the other every day players on that team did what they got paid to do, which was mash the heck out of the ball. Those teams had a ton of young talent that killed the ball. Between 2003 and 2007 they were consistently knocking the ball out of the park and putting up bunches of runs. Look at who was on those teams: Young, Mench, Blalock, Teixeira, Rodriguez and then Soriano, Barajas and Matthews, Jr.

It was the pitching that sucked on those teams. Teixeira could have had the leadership ability of General George Patton and it wasn't going to get that team any further along than they did because if you don't have pitching, it doesn't matter of you have unbelieveable hitting. You're still going nowhere. And as for his playoff series, he hit .467 and had an OBS over 1.000. So in his first playoff series he didn't go Upton and Longoria on the Sox, big deal. He played his part well and put up numbers ARod could only dream of having in the post season.

[Mean Gerald Green]

I don't have a problem with guys like michael jordan getting paid 30 million per year because all he does is get you rings. And because he is such a significan player back then it didn't really matter who you had around him, you knew the team was going to be good. Same with guys like gretzky in his prime

You're not really comparing Teixeira to Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky are you...

Don't want to be a debbie downer because i'd like him in our team, buti'm just worried about his ego after getting such a deal and how other players in the team will feel about it. (Pedroia loyal guy, not greedy but others who knows after this deal)

This seems unfounded, Teixeira has never done anything to show he's not a team player. I've ever heard or seen of an instance where he put his ego over the betterment of his team. He's the type of guy the Sox love, a ballplayer who shows up to the park to play, and nothing else.

Don't get the impression that Teixeira is going to be a leader. He won't be...we have those guys in Ortiz, Pedroia, Beckett etc...Tex would be like a Drew type.

[gkiteisscal]

I haven't read thru this whole thread to see what has & has not been said, so forgive me if this is repetative.
 
I hear a lot about the Sox trading Lowell if they get Tex.  Yet, I have not heard anything about trading Youk.  I'm a huge Youk fan & would hate to see him traded.  However, he can bring back far more than Lowell.  He has been an on-base machine his whole career.  He can hit for average and last season hit well for power. He has an great glove @ 1b and an average glove at 3b.  I imagine that return on Youk could be big.  Possibly giving the Sox the ability to swing some of these parts in a trade for a young catcher, and or Peavy.  I know alot of this depends on Mike Lowell's health but look at the potential batting orders
Lineup 1:     
Ellsbury      Ellsbury       
Pedroia       Pedroia
Ortiz         Ortiz
Tex           Tex
Drew          Drew
Bay           Bay
Lowell        Youk
Lowrie        Lowrie
Tex           Tex

I mean we are after all talking about the 6th or 7th hitter.  I know you gives greater flexibility as he can hit 1-9 and play 3 different positions and I do not think that should be under valued.  Yet it could possibly land the Sox Salty, Teagarden or maybe Ianetta. Or perhaps Youk & Anderson could bring you in Peavy.  Then the Sox may be more willing to trade Bucholz for a catcher. 

I'd take a Beckett, Peavy, Lester, Dice, Wake/Smoltz/Bowdoin/Buch with lineup one than a Beckett, Lester, Dice, Wake, Smoltz/Bowdoin/Buch/Lowe/Sheets with lineup two. 

What do you folks think!?

[yall hate]

I haven't read thru this whole thread to see what has & has not been said, so forgive me if this is repetative.
 
I hear a lot about the Sox trading Lowell if they get Tex.  Yet, I have not heard anything about trading Youk.  I'm a huge Youk fan & would hate to see him traded.  However, he can bring back far more than Lowell.  He has been an on-base machine his whole career.  He can hit for average and last season hit well for power. He has an great glove @ 1b and an average glove at 3b.  I imagine that return on Youk could be big.  Possibly giving the Sox the ability to swing some of these parts in a trade for a young catcher, and or Peavy.  I know alot of this depends on Mike Lowell's health but look at the potential batting orders
Lineup 1:     
Ellsbury      Ellsbury       
Pedroia       Pedroia
Ortiz         Ortiz
Tex           Tex
Drew          Drew
Bay           Bay
Lowell        Youk
Lowrie        Lowrie
Tex           Tex

I mean we are after all talking about the 6th or 7th hitter.  I know you gives greater flexibility as he can hit 1-9 and play 3 different positions and I do not think that should be under valued.  Yet it could possibly land the Sox Salty, Teagarden or maybe Ianetta. Or perhaps Youk & Anderson could bring you in Peavy.  Then the Sox may be more willing to trade Bucholz for a catcher. 

I'd take a Beckett, Peavy, Lester, Dice, Wake/Smoltz/Bowdoin/Buch with lineup one than a Beckett, Lester, Dice, Wake, Smoltz/Bowdoin/Buch/Lowe/Sheets with lineup two. 

What do you folks think!?

no.  First, Youk is younger. Second, youk is more of a sox type player (on base percentage, etc..) third, youk has more flexibility in playing positions.   fourth, youk costs the team less.  fifth, youk can bat just about anywhere in the order.  youk isnt going anywhere. 

you mention the sox moving buch for a catcher.  it is widely accepted that he wont be in going anywhere.  if they wanted to move him for a catcher, they already would have.

youk doesnt help get one of the texas catchers, because they are looking for young catching.  they wouldnt want youk for a catcher.

Same with Peavy (the Padres want young players).

[gkiteisscal]

no.  First, Youk is younger. Second, youk is more of a sox type player (on base percentage, etc..) third, youk has more flexibility in playing positions.   fourth, youk costs the team less.  fifth, youk can bat just about anywhere in the order.  youk isnt going anywhere.


you mention the sox moving buch for a catcher.  it is widely accepted that he wont be in going anywhere.  if they wanted to move him for a catcher, they already would have.

youk doesnt help get one of the texas catchers, because they are looking for young catching.  they wouldnt want youk for a catcher.



Same with Peavy (the Padres want young players).

1) No doubt Lowell is younger.  You are dealing with a 35 yr old v a 30 yr old.  Both contracts expire in 2010, Youk will be 32 (if he is not resigned) & Lowell will be 37.  Because of recent success Youk may want to test FA and could become a very costly player.  Because he is young and cheap he is more appealing and could bring back a handful of prospects. 
2) No doubt Youk is the prototypical Sox player.  The difference in numbers is not huge, Lowell, when healthy is no slouch.  In 08 Youk was .390 OBP and 143 OPS and that I imagine is Youk's ceiling, as his carreer avg ops is 115.  Lowell was .379 obp 124 ops, which is just slightly above carreer average.
3) Third & Fifth point I will not argue b/c I simply cannot.
4) Your fourth point is good.  But he will cost the Sox comparable money soon, whether they extend him this Spring for atleast $7M or they wait to 2010 have him be an FA where he could easily command 12-15.  So as of today this point is valid, but he may very well be more expenive in the very near future.   

My thoughts on the trade were not well developed, my appologizes.  I was trying to say that Youk could bring back young talent, maybe an elite prospect and a good prospect. This talent could either be packaged to SD w/some internal talent (Bard/Anderson/Kalish) for Peavy. Bringing in Peavy may then make Bucholz expendable.  I know theyhave stated he is currently an "untouchable" but that could be subject to change if they further strengthen their SP staff.  But going strictly on your word you'd be right, but forgive me for not believing everything the FO says.  Or some of these Youk prospects could be packaged to Texas for a young catcher.  The rest giving the Sox great organizational depth that could be used to fill other holes (future 3b, ss if Lowrie doesn't pan out, powerhitting outfielder if Bay is not resigned or if Drew gets hurt).

See above post

I'm a believer that the Sox will keep Lowell long enough to either build up his trade value or detroy it with the hope of him playing well in ST and even early in the year.  I was thinking more that if the Sox had the inside track that Lowell would be at full strength.  This may be an interesting way for the Sox to address multiple needs.

[Mean Gerald Green]

I haven't read thru this whole thread to see what has & has not been said, so forgive me if this is repetative.
 
I hear a lot about the Sox trading Lowell if they get Tex.  Yet, I have not heard anything about trading Youk.  I'm a huge Youk fan & would hate to see him traded.  However, he can bring back far more than Lowell.  He has been an on-base machine his whole career.  He can hit for average and last season hit well for power. He has an great glove @ 1b and an average glove at 3b.  I imagine that return on Youk could be big.  Possibly giving the Sox the ability to swing some of these parts in a trade for a young catcher, and or Peavy.  I know alot of this depends on Mike Lowell's health but look at the potential batting orders
Lineup 1:     
Ellsbury      Ellsbury       
Pedroia       Pedroia
Ortiz         Ortiz
Tex           Tex
Drew          Drew
Bay           Bay
Lowell        Youk
Lowrie        Lowrie
Tex           Tex

I mean we are after all talking about the 6th or 7th hitter.  I know you gives greater flexibility as he can hit 1-9 and play 3 different positions and I do not think that should be under valued.  Yet it could possibly land the Sox Salty, Teagarden or maybe Ianetta. Or perhaps Youk & Anderson could bring you in Peavy.  Then the Sox may be more willing to trade Bucholz for a catcher. 

I'd take a Beckett, Peavy, Lester, Dice, Wake/Smoltz/Bowdoin/Buch with lineup one than a Beckett, Lester, Dice, Wake, Smoltz/Bowdoin/Buch/Lowe/Sheets with lineup two. 

What do you folks think!?

Have you lost your mind? Seriously? Youk AND Lars? Why not just throw in Buchholz so long as were stacking the Padres with talent. Wow.

[Chris]

no.  First, Youk is younger. Second, youk is more of a sox type player (on base percentage, etc..) third, youk has more flexibility in playing positions.   fourth, youk costs the team less.  fifth, youk can bat just about anywhere in the order.  youk isnt going anywhere.


you mention the sox moving buch for a catcher.  it is widely accepted that he wont be in going anywhere.  if they wanted to move him for a catcher, they already would have.

youk doesnt help get one of the texas catchers, because they are looking for young catching.  they wouldnt want youk for a catcher.



Same with Peavy (the Padres want young players).

1) No doubt Lowell is younger.  You are dealing with a 35 yr old v a 30 yr old.  Both contracts expire in 2010, Youk will be 32 (if he is not resigned) & Lowell will be 37.  Because of recent success Youk may want to test FA and could become a very costly player.  Because he is young and cheap he is more appealing and could bring back a handful of prospects. 
2) No doubt Youk is the prototypical Sox player.  The difference in numbers is not huge, Lowell, when healthy is no slouch.  In 08 Youk was .390 OBP and 143 OPS and that I imagine is Youk's ceiling, as his carreer avg ops is 115.  Lowell was .379 obp 124 ops, which is just slightly above carreer average.
3) Third & Fifth point I will not argue b/c I simply cannot.
4) Your fourth point is good.  But he will cost the Sox comparable money soon, whether they extend him this Spring for atleast $7M or they wait to 2010 have him be an FA where he could easily command 12-15.  So as of today this point is valid, but he may very well be more expenive in the very near future.   

My thoughts on the trade were not well developed, my appologizes.  I was trying to say that Youk could bring back young talent, maybe an elite prospect and a good prospect. This talent could either be packaged to SD w/some internal talent (Bard/Anderson/Kalish) for Peavy. Bringing in Peavy may then make Bucholz expendable.  I know theyhave stated he is currently an "untouchable" but that could be subject to change if they further strengthen their SP staff.  But going strictly on your word you'd be right, but forgive me for not believing everything the FO says.  Or some of these Youk prospects could be packaged to Texas for a young catcher.  The rest giving the Sox great organizational depth that could be used to fill other holes (future 3b, ss if Lowrie doesn't pan out, powerhitting outfielder if Bay is not resigned or if Drew gets hurt).

See above post

I'm a believer that the Sox will keep Lowell long enough to either build up his trade value or detroy it with the hope of him playing well in ST and even early in the year.  I was thinking more that if the Sox had the inside track that Lowell would be at full strength.  This may be an interesting way for the Sox to address multiple needs.

Not to nitpick, but Youk is 28, not 30 (he will be 29 in March).

[yall hate]

no.  First, Youk is younger. Second, youk is more of a sox type player (on base percentage, etc..) third, youk has more flexibility in playing positions.   fourth, youk costs the team less.  fifth, youk can bat just about anywhere in the order.  youk isnt going anywhere.


you mention the sox moving buch for a catcher.  it is widely accepted that he wont be in going anywhere.  if they wanted to move him for a catcher, they already would have.

youk doesnt help get one of the texas catchers, because they are looking for young catching.  they wouldnt want youk for a catcher.



Same with Peavy (the Padres want young players).

1) No doubt Lowell is younger.  You are dealing with a 35 yr old v a 30 yr old.  Both contracts expire in 2010, Youk will be 32 (if he is not resigned) & Lowell will be 37.  Because of recent success Youk may want to test FA and could become a very costly player.  Because he is young and cheap he is more appealing and could bring back a handful of prospects. 
2) No doubt Youk is the prototypical Sox player.  The difference in numbers is not huge, Lowell, when healthy is no slouch.  In 08 Youk was .390 OBP and 143 OPS and that I imagine is Youk's ceiling, as his carreer avg ops is 115.  Lowell was .379 obp 124 ops, which is just slightly above carreer average.
3) Third & Fifth point I will not argue b/c I simply cannot.
4) Your fourth point is good.  But he will cost the Sox comparable money soon, whether they extend him this Spring for atleast $7M or they wait to 2010 have him be an FA where he could easily command 12-15.  So as of today this point is valid, but he may very well be more expenive in the very near future.   

My thoughts on the trade were not well developed, my appologizes.  I was trying to say that Youk could bring back young talent, maybe an elite prospect and a good prospect. This talent could either be packaged to SD w/some internal talent (Bard/Anderson/Kalish) for Peavy. Bringing in Peavy may then make Bucholz expendable.  I know theyhave stated he is currently an "untouchable" but that could be subject to change if they further strengthen their SP staff.  But going strictly on your word you'd be right, but forgive me for not believing everything the FO says.  Or some of these Youk prospects could be packaged to Texas for a young catcher.  The rest giving the Sox great organizational depth that could be used to fill other holes (future 3b, ss if Lowrie doesn't pan out, powerhitting outfielder if Bay is not resigned or if Drew gets hurt).

See above post

I'm a believer that the Sox will keep Lowell long enough to either build up his trade value or detroy it with the hope of him playing well in ST and even early in the year.  I was thinking more that if the Sox had the inside track that Lowell would be at full strength.  This may be an interesting way for the Sox to address multiple needs.

I will agree that Youk would bring back more in a trade, but the prospects 'arent worth it' for the Sox.  They have prospects, they want to put out the best team possible.  Youk does that. not lowell.  And the money issue is relevant for at least the next 2 years.  that 2 years allows us to spend the difference on different players to bulk up the roster in other places.  I am dont think the team wants to pay more for a lesser player just to acquire another player, you know?  injury concerns, etc...

I dont see any good, realistic reasons to keep Lowell and get rid of Youk.

[gkiteisscal]

Chris:

Not to nitpick, but Youk is 28, not 30 (he will be 29 in March).


Not to nitpick either but Youk was born 3/15/79, that makes him 30 in March. 


Mr Green:
Have you lost your mind? Seriously? Youk AND Lars? Why not just throw in Buchholz so long as were stacking the Padres with talent. Wow.

Haven't lost my mind, no, but rereading that I may have lost my ability to express my thoughts clearly.  What I mean is clarified in the post prior to yours.  The thought was that some of the trade pieces for what we could get for Youk, we could then trade to SD w/an elite level prospect for Peavy.  Then by bringing Peavy in, Bucholz might become mo
re expendable.  Or the Sox could beef up the a deal w/Texas or Colorado for a catcher.

Y'all 

I agree that they goal of the FO is to put the best team out there possible.  I believe that if the Sox could swing Youk for top level prospects that they can be packaged w/internal options to bring back players that make the team better in the present & future.  This could include a 1A pitcher in Peavy and a catcher for the future.  I personally think the addition of Peavy makes the team as good if not better than a team with Youk.  If, and I know it is a big if, Lowell comes back healthy their carreer averages are not that much different

Lowell: .279 .343 110 98 23
Youk: .289 .384 119 92 19

It would be tought to argue that Lowell + Tex + Peavy is a lesser team than Tex + Youk

[Big_Matt34]

Ok first off, calling Texiera selfish or saying he thinks he is the team is a joke. He is getting what the market is set for, before the offseason started everyone knew he'd get between 160-200 million overall so its not like he is suddenly thinking his value is higher than that as he is asking for 184 million or so.

Now blaming him for Texas being a mediocre team will he was there makes next to no sense, heres some stats of the Rangers starting staff from Texerias 2nd season onto his last

2004 Texas Rangers starting pitchers
Kenny Rogers- 35 starts, 4.76 ERA
Ryan Drese- 33 starts, 4.20 ERA
Chan Ho Park- 16 starts, 5.46 ERA
Joaquin Benoit- 15 starts, 5.68 ERA
R****ey- 15 starts, 5.61 ERA
John Wasdin- 10 starts, 6.78 ERA
Chris Young- 7 starts, 4.71 ERA

2005 Rangers starting pitchers
Kenny Rogers- 30 starts, 3.46 ERA
Chris Young- 31 starts, 4.26 ERA
Chan Ho Park- 20 starts, 5.66 ERA
Pedro Astacio- 12 starts, 6.04 ERA
Ryan Drese- 12 starts, 6.46 ERA
Ricardo Rodriguez- 10 starts, 5.53 ERA
Juan Dominguez- 10 starts, 4.22 ERA
Joaquin Benoit- 9 starts, 3.72 ERA

2006 Rangers starters
Kevin Millwood- 34 starts, 4.52 ERA
Vincente Padilla- 33 starts, 4.50 ERA
John Koronka- 23 starts, 5.69 ERA
Kameron Loe- 15 starts, 5.86 ERA
Robinson Tejeda- 14 starts, 4.28 ERA
Adam Eaton- 13 starts, 5.12 ERA
John Rheinecker- 13 starts, 5.86 ERA
Edinson Volquez - 8 starts, 7.29 ERA

2007 Rangers pitching staff- THough Tex was only there for half a year
Kevin Millwood- 31 starts, 5.16 ERA
Kameron Loe- 23 starts, 5.36 ERA
Vincente Padilla- 23 starts, 5.76 ERA
Brandon McCarthy- 22 starts, 4.87 ERA
Robinson Tejeda- 19 starts, 6.61 ERA
Kason Gabbard- 8 starts, 5.58 ERA

MY point is how can any one offensive player make a difference with those staffs, thats is embarassingly bad. Over those 4 years they had TWO starters have an ERA under 4. Texiera has a reputation as a great team guy who puts his ego aside and just goes out and plays, that sounds like a perfect fit for the Red Sox to me. But yeah, lets blame Texeria and his ego for them being an average at best team. If only he was a better leader, then they would have pitched WAY better. 

The idea of trading Youk instead of Lowell doesnt make much sense.He is in his prime currently and by the time he is a FA he will be 31 or 32. He is at his best right now while Lowell is on the way down, like all other Sox fans i love Lowell but there is no reason to keep him over Youkilis. Thats 2 years away so why even worry about it right now, the Sox will cross that bridge after 2010.

With Peavy he pitches in the best pitchers park there is, his career road ERA is 3.80 and thats in the NL. Trading Youk and Lars for him is nonsense and after the Braves and Cubs not getting it done in regards to trading for Peavy, his value is getting lower and lower because everyone knows the Padres HAVE to deal him. At this point the Sox could offer a package without Lars or Buchholz and have a good chance at getting him, nevermind Youk being involved. The Red Sox know better than to overpay for a pitcher who you juat dont know what he will do in the AL, i think the most theyd offer is something like Bowden/Kalish/Tejeda and some mid level prospect and even thats alot to offer for Peavy IMO. Id rather them just not deal for him period, i think he would be a 3.50-4 ERA pitcher in the AL and you dont give up your best prospects for that.

[yall hate]

Y'all 

I agree that they goal of the FO is to put the best team out there possible.  I believe that if the Sox could swing Youk for top level prospects that they can be packaged w/internal options to bring back players that make the team better in the present & future.  This could include a 1A pitcher in Peavy and a catcher for the future.  I personally think the addition of Peavy makes the team as good if not better than a team with Youk.  If, and I know it is a big if, Lowell comes back healthy their carreer averages are not that much different

Lowell: .279 .343 110 98 23
Youk: .289 .384 119 92 19

It would be tought to argue that Lowell + Tex + Peavy is a lesser team than Tex + Youk

yea, I see what you are saying, but Lowell is trending down, while Youk is going up.  There career numbers will only further skew in the next two years.

I also must say, I am not as bullish on Peavy as a lot of people.  He is an amazing pitcher in the NL, but it is a lesser league and he is playing in a Pitchers park.  put him on the Sox, playing in the AL east against the Yanks, Rays, Blue Jays, etc...I would be very surprised if his ERA would be below 4.  I wouldnt be interested in parting with any major prospects for him, which is what it would take.  But that's just my opinion. 

[gkiteisscal]

Y'all 

I agree that they goal of the FO is to put the best team out there possible.  I believe that if the Sox could swing Youk for top level prospects that they can be packaged w/internal options to bring back players that make the team better in the present & future.  This could include a 1A pitcher in Peavy and a catcher for the future.  I personally think the addition of Peavy makes the team as good if not better than a team with Youk.  If, and I know it is a big if, Lowell comes back healthy their carreer averages are not that much different

Lowell: .279 .343 110 98 23
Youk: .289 .384 119 92 19

It would be tought to argue that Lowell + Tex + Peavy is a lesser team than Tex + Youk

yea, I see what you are saying, but Lowell is trending down, while Youk is going up.  There career numbers will only further skew in the next two years.

I also must say, I am not as bullish on Peavy as a lot of people.  He is an amazing pitcher in the NL, but it is a lesser league and he is playing in a Pitchers park.  put him on the Sox, playing in the AL east against the Yanks, Rays, Blue Jays, etc...I would be very surprised if his ERA would be below 4.  I wouldnt be interested in parting with any major prospects for him, which is what it would take.  But that's just my opinion. 

This entire hypotheis hinges on Lowell returning to career average numbers in 09.  2010 is a different animal as there will be new FA's to go after and new holes to fill, and he'll be in his last year so and may be more tradable at that point, especially if he puts up good numbers in 08.  If Lowell is going to be oft injured and a .250 .325 90 70 15 guys then I'd be hard pressed to want to keep him in there and would regret the "Youk trade." 

Also, I disagree with you about Peavy.  Yes he pitches in PETCO in the NL West and sure his numbers are probably inflated by that.  But the guy throws gas & he's a strike out pitcher.  I have no doubt his numbers will grow in the AL East, but any pitcher's numbers will go up in the AL East.  He has a career 3.25 era and in a career 3.29 era against the AL.  So besides the fact that he pitches in the worst division in baseball & in a pitcher friendly ballpark, I have yet to see quantative statistics showing me why he wouldn't succeed in the AL.
He'd give the rotation depth.  Dice-K's, your #3, averaged 5.7 IP last year resulting in 3+ innings of bullpen use. This resulted in either the over use of set-up guys making them ineffective or the use of ineffective middle relievers.  Peavy, Lester & Beckett each give you about you 6.4 IP.  This results 2+ IP of work that can be easily spread accross the Sox setup guys & closer.  Therefore, not only does he strengthen the rotation, he strengthens the bullpen. 

[Big_Matt34]

Peavys careers ERA out of Petco is 3.80, in 95 less innings on the road he has given up 34 more homeruns, that is not a good sign. Its true that his career ERA against the AL is 3.29 in 20 starts, but thats a pretty SSS and is tough to go off of.

[gkiteisscal]

Peavys careers ERA out of Petco is 3.80, in 95 less innings on the road he has given up 34 more homeruns, that is not a good sign. Its true that his career ERA against the AL is 3.29 in 20 starts, but thats a pretty SSS and is tough to go off of.

That is a great stat that I overlooked.  I'd be interested to know what the league average was for home/away splits, especially amongst top of the rotation pitchers.  I think even if is era ended up around a 4.10 he would be a good pick up in this scenario, only if the Youk trade brought back enough to not only get Peavy, but pick up a young catcher while maintaining organiational depth on the farm.  By this I mean loosing no more than 1 or 2 of the top 5. 

[yall hate]

not to take away from the trade youk/lowell or get peavy debate, but:

10:18pm: An update from Kat O'Brien at Newsday says "the Yankees remain on the periphery of the bidding" for Teixeira.

Scott Boras has apparently contacted Brian Cashman to inform him that an 8-year/$180MM contract would be needed to land Tex. This contradicts recent reports that estimate that the Boston Red Sox have made such an offer, since they have not signed the free agent yet.

The article also reiterates the fact that the Yankees do not have an offer out to Teixeira.

quote from Mlbtraderumors.  source of article:  http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-spyanks1221,0,530917.story

So I wonder what the Sox are at...170 maybe?  Boras looking to squeeze the last couple dollars?  It would seem crazy if the Sox were truly 'only' about 10 million off and passed.  spread over the 8 years, the 1.x million per year is near negligible.  Maybe they are just confident no one will top them, but thats a crazy high stakes bluff to call.