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

[yall hate]

2 rumors going around is that lugo can be traded to detroit for dontrelle willis or nate robertson and texas catcher prospect salty for bucholz, or masterson/prospect or bowden/prospect.

Ok first i really don't mind the lugo trade rumor. Both willis and roberson are coming off horrendous years and if we get either, both will be possibly the 5th starter/long relief/emergency starter. (left hand pitching help is always good)

Roberson - doesn't have any oustanding pitches but can be effective if his slider works. Better control than willis and cheaper signing a 3 year 21 mill last year

willis - can reunite back with beckett, lowell and henry and maybe gain some of the magic back he had with the marlins. His delivery method is a concern and teams are just sitting back now letting him frustrate himself with the inability to throw strikes with any of his off pitches. In addition his fastball has lost some zip making his off the plate offpitches ineffective

Second i sort of can understand texas intentions because they believe they are giving up a top prospect catcher so in turn they want some kind of pitching help in return. But the redsox i'm not sure what they want to give up for him??(chump change?)
I wouldn't give up masterson, but either bowden or bucholz should be let go if they really want this catcher.

I would be fine with lugo for Dontrelle.  Dontrelle's contract is worth 4 million more over the same time.  that concerns me.  But that being the case, I believe Dontrelle has a greater chance of making an impact for us then Lugo.

as for the salty rumor...Boston thankfully told them they were crazy.  Salty isnt worth Buch.  and he isnt worth 2 of those other prospects in one trade.  I would do Bowden alone, or bard and a lesser prospect, or hagadone and a lesser prospect...but they are crazy if they think they are going to get a potential stud pitcher.  The sox arent going to be trading Buch because they realize he is a legit starting pitcher.

[Nerf DPOY]

I'd do the Willis trade and pray Farrell can resurrect his career via-tweaked windup/delivery, as some have speculated.

Has anyone else read the rumor about Wakefield considering retirement due to shoulder issues? It's probably made up, but if true maybe it's more incentive to make the Willis trade, or to hold on to Bowden.

As for Bowden/ Texas swap, I really think that it comes down to what the FO thinks about Saltalamachia. I know that that sounds pretty obvious, but what I'm saying is that if they truly think that he can be an all-star caliber catcher, than they probably wouldn't let Bowden stand in their way. I know that he put up terrific numbers at AA as a 21 year-old, but I found it eye opening to read that at least two members of the Sox hierarchy rated Nick Hagadone above Bowden.    Hagadone's never pitched above A ball and is coming off of TJ surgery. This could just be two Sox "officials" gushing about this kid's "ceiling", or it could be a lack of overall faith that Bowden may be nothing more than a Jeff Suppan quality pitcher. There's nothing wrong with that, especially on a rookie salary, but I'd doubt it would hold up a trade for what they believe to be a future allstar C.

[yall hate]

Has anyone else read the rumor about Wakefield considering retirement due to shoulder issues? It's probably made up, but if true maybe it's more incentive to make the Willis trade, or to hold on to Bowden.

As for Bowden/ Texas swap, I really think that it comes down to what the FO thinks about Saltalamachia. I know that that sounds pretty obvious, but what I'm saying is that if they truly think that he can be an all-star caliber catcher, than they probably wouldn't let Bowden stand in their way. I know that he put up terrific numbers at AA as a 21 year-old, but I found it eye opening to read that at least two members of the Sox hierarchy rated Nick Hagadone above Bowden.    Hagadone's never pitched above A ball and is coming off of TJ surgery. This could just be two Sox "officials" gushing about this kid's "ceiling", or it could be a lack of overall faith that Bowden may be nothing more than a Jeff Suppan quality pitcher. There's nothing wrong with that, especially on a rookie salary, but I'd doubt it would hold up a trade for what they believe to be a future allstar C.

The wake rumor originated from a poster on SOSH who claims to be friends with a Sox staff member.  could be true, might not be, but I need a bit more proof before I start believing that one.

where did you read that about Hagadone?  by all accounts, everything I have read anywhere has Bowden as their number one pitching prospect.  I recently read that hagadone was ranked thier number 3 prospect overall by one of the scouting services (but even that was widely criticized due to his lack of experience and the TJ surgery).  Do you have a link about hagadone being considered a better prospect?

[Nerf DPOY]

where did you read that about Hagadone?  by all accounts, everything I have read anywhere has Bowden as their number one pitching prospect.  I recently read that hagadone was ranked thier number 3 prospect overall by one of the scouting services (but even that was widely criticized due to his lack of experience and the TJ surgery).  Do you have a link about hagadone being considered a better prospect?

On Sox Prospects on their message board there is a thread that is about 15 or 16th down on the top page (of the message board) entitled BA Red Sox top 10 prospects. On the fourth page there is a quote from a Jim Callis chat where he mentioned that at least two Sox "officials" who would have ranked Hagadone higher than he did, which was third. I just took it for granted that Anderson was #1 ( in the minds of the Sox officials, as Callis had Anderson easily ahead of Bowden, and it seems that's the consensus). I find it hard to imagine that by "higher than he did" amounted to

          1 Bowden
          2 Hagadone
          3 Anderson

This was my interperatation, and in case you haven't realized it yet, there is no link. It's pathetic, but I don't know how to do it. I got here though, didn't I?

[yall hate]

On Sox Prospects on their message board there is a thread that is about 15 or 16th down on the top page (of the message board) entitled BA Red Sox top 10 prospects. On the fourth page there is a quote from a Jim Callis chat where he mentioned that at least two Sox "officials" who would have ranked Hagadone higher than he did, which was third. I just took it for granted that Anderson was #1 ( in the minds of the Sox officials, as Callis had Anderson easily ahead of Bowden, and it seems that's the consensus). I find it hard to imagine that by "higher than he did" amounted to

          1 Bowden
          2 Hagadone
          3 Anderson

This was my interperatation, and in case you haven't realized it yet, there is no link. It's pathetic, but I don't know how to do it. I got here though, didn't I?

I guess anything is possible, but I highly doubt Callis is correct.  He has Hagadone rated higher then everyone else (and significantly higher).  maybe someone really did say that to him, but I dont think that is the prevailing believe with the organization.

[Tr1boy]

redsox interested in aj burnett and i love it. Sign him up to a 5 year deal worth 60-65 million. Aj burnett and beckett? are you kidding that would be a sick strikeout duo

If we get willis for lugo we will have a pitching staff filled with past marlins that helped them wing the ring impossibly

[Roy Hobbs]

redsox interested in aj burnett and i love it. Sign him up to a 5 year deal worth 60-65 million.

He'll probably be looking for closer to 4 years, $60 million.  But I agree, I'd definitely be in favor of the signing.

[Chris]

redsox interested in aj burnett and i love it. Sign him up to a 5 year deal worth 60-65 million.

He'll probably be looking for closer to 4 years, $60 million.  But I agree, I'd definitely be in favor of the signing.

At that much money (which I agree is what he will be looking for, and likely get), I don't think he is a good bet.  He has never been able to stay healthy, and even when he has been healthy has been incredibly inconsistent.  I would much rather they use the money to try to solidify other areas, than using it on such a risky pitcher.

[Roy Hobbs]

redsox interested in aj burnett and i love it. Sign him up to a 5 year deal worth 60-65 million.

He'll probably be looking for closer to 4 years, $60 million.  But I agree, I'd definitely be in favor of the signing.

At that much money (which I agree is what he will be looking for, and likely get), I don't think he is a good bet.  He has never been able to stay healthy, and even when he has been healthy has been incredibly inconsistent.  I would much rather they use the money to try to solidify other areas, than using it on such a risky pitcher.

My thought is, the Red Sox have the money; they're allowed to take injury risks once in awhile.  I don't think there's any doubt that they could afford Texeira + Burnett + arbitration raises this year if they so chose.

I also think Burnett's injury concerns are overblown.  A couple quotes from SOSH:

Since coming back from TJ surgery in early June 2004, Burnett has actually been pretty durable. Over that 4 and 2/3 year span, he has made 131 starts, or an average of 28 a year.

Burnett has 522 IP over the last 3 years. There are only 47 starters with more innings the last 3 years.

For a Sox comparison, Beckett has thrown 579.7 IP in the last 3 years. Beckett's a "horse" who has average less than 20 more IP than Burnett who has a "scary" durability record.

Beckett's exceeded 200 innings twice with a high of 204.7. Burnett has exceeded 200 IP three times with a high of 221.

I'm not that worried about it.

[Toine43]

redsox interested in aj burnett and i love it. Sign him up to a 5 year deal worth 60-65 million.

He'll probably be looking for closer to 4 years, $60 million.  But I agree, I'd definitely be in favor of the signing.

At that much money (which I agree is what he will be looking for, and likely get), I don't think he is a good bet.  He has never been able to stay healthy, and even when he has been healthy has been incredibly inconsistent.  I would much rather they use the money to try to solidify other areas, than using it on such a risky pitcher.

This guy is more than just an injury risk. For a given season, it is more likely Burnett will injure himself than not. In his 7 full seasons in the big leagues, he has started more than 30 games three times, and two of those 30-start seasons came in contract years. Why would we invest in this guy when there are a number of much safer options out there?

If we get willis for lugo we will have a pitching staff filled with past marlins that helped them wing the ring impossibly

Burnett was out with Tommy John surgery when the Marlins won the World Series.

[yall hate]

redsox interested in aj burnett and i love it. Sign him up to a 5 year deal worth 60-65 million.

He'll probably be looking for closer to 4 years, $60 million.  But I agree, I'd definitely be in favor of the signing.

At that much money (which I agree is what he will be looking for, and likely get), I don't think he is a good bet.  He has never been able to stay healthy, and even when he has been healthy has been incredibly inconsistent.  I would much rather they use the money to try to solidify other areas, than using it on such a risky pitcher.

My thought is, the Red Sox have the money; they're allowed to take injury risks once in awhile.  I don't think there's any doubt that they could afford Texeira + Burnett + arbitration raises this year if they so chose.

I also think Burnett's injury concerns are overblown.  A couple quotes from SOSH:

Since coming back from TJ surgery in early June 2004, Burnett has actually been pretty durable. Over that 4 and 2/3 year span, he has made 131 starts, or an average of 28 a year.

Burnett has 522 IP over the last 3 years. There are only 47 starters with more innings the last 3 years.

For a Sox comparison, Beckett has thrown 579.7 IP in the last 3 years. Beckett's a "horse" who has average less than 20 more IP than Burnett who has a "scary" durability record.

Beckett's exceeded 200 innings twice with a high of 204.7. Burnett has exceeded 200 IP three times with a high of 221.

I'm not that worried about it.

The injury risk is definitely overstated.  will he go on the DL, yes.  But so does Beckett.  This team either skips starts or DL's just about every pitcher during the course of the season to try and keep them fresh.

Burnett has a reputation as being injury prone, but he really is as durable as beckett, etc...I would rather see them throw the cash at tex, and figure that out, but I wouldnt be heartbroken if they offered burnett something like 4-60

[Toine43]

redsox interested in aj burnett and i love it. Sign him up to a 5 year deal worth 60-65 million.

He'll probably be looking for closer to 4 years, $60 million.  But I agree, I'd definitely be in favor of the signing.

At that much money (which I agree is what he will be looking for, and likely get), I don't think he is a good bet.  He has never been able to stay healthy, and even when he has been healthy has been incredibly inconsistent.  I would much rather they use the money to try to solidify other areas, than using it on such a risky pitcher.

My thought is, the Red Sox have the money; they're allowed to take injury risks once in awhile.  I don't think there's any doubt that they could afford Texeira + Burnett + arbitration raises this year if they so chose.

I also think Burnett's injury concerns are overblown.  A couple quotes from SOSH:

Since coming back from TJ surgery in early June 2004, Burnett has actually been pretty durable. Over that 4 and 2/3 year span, he has made 131 starts, or an average of 28 a year.

Burnett has 522 IP over the last 3 years. There are only 47 starters with more innings the last 3 years.

For a Sox comparison, Beckett has thrown 579.7 IP in the last 3 years. Beckett's a "horse" who has average less than 20 more IP than Burnett who has a "scary" durability record.

Beckett's exceeded 200 innings twice with a high of 204.7. Burnett has exceeded 200 IP three times with a high of 221.

I'm not that worried about it.

TP for a convincing argument. And we all know how good he can be if he is healthy - he's burned the Sox a number of times (one of the reasons the Jays always give us so much trouble).

[Tr1boy]

If the redsox get burnett and texeira that would be amazing and you would think we would win another ws for sure. But if we do everyone will most likely say we yankeed or bought a trophy. Can't lie i would sort of feel that way myself

the major league i think should do a couple of things to get the league as a whole more competetive. 1st if you are the last team a player like texeira played for, you have have the right to offer maximum deal of 8 year 180 million (Bonus/incentive up to 10 million) vs Other teams could only do at most 7 years at 160 million(bonus/incentive up to 5 million).

Why i think this is a good idea is that players like cc sabathia would be enticed to stay with milwaukee and help them for their future instead of thinking of going to the yanks for their dirty money.

Also i think baseball should have a cap a player can make a year. If the payroll cap climbs then that percentage it climbs can be also be increased for a single player cap.

[xChopsx]

In like 5 years someones going to be getting David Beckham money... 

[crownsy]

In like 5 years someones going to be getting David Beckham money... 

arod already gets david beckham money.


also, i could care less if people say we bought championships. they can enjoy thier crappy small market teams, while we enjoy contenders. Good knows we pay enough at the ballpark for it. They print money down at landsdown street, it better put a quaility high priced team out there when i'm paying 50 bucks for crap seats if im lucky.