Ken Rosenthal on WEEI

[Donoghus]

I still think the guy to target is Hanley.

FL needs starting pitching. Buchholz would step right into their starting rotation.

Buchholz, Bowden and Lowrie for Hanley.

If FLA doesn't want Lowrie, I'm pretty sure I remember the Sox have a quality, slick fielding SS prospect in AA.

Florida is not gonna trade Hanley.   He's under a very reasonable longterm contract for them and he is the face of the franchise.  This is important for the organization because they will be moving into a new ballpark and will need to sell luxury boxes and season tickets.  Trading away the face of the franchise for a bunch of no-name prospects won't help them. 

they need starting pitching badly. they'll be getting two top of the rotation starting pitchers, plus a quality SS.

I think they'd do it....you might have to overpay, but Hanley plays the position that we have the biggest need at and he's the exact hitter we need to pump up the middle of the lineup.

Sox have younger guys in the pipeline for shortstop.  Hanley is going the route of Soriano, he'll be in the OF within a few years.  

I don't see the Sox doing this deal because of the cost and I don't see Florida doing this deal because it'll alienate their fanbase at a very important point in the organization's potential growth.  If they trade a guy with a reasonable contract whose signed longterm, what kind of message does that send their fans?  Not a positive one.

[Rondo2287]

I agree with all the points Dons just made but I think his fielding problems are a real concern.  I don't think he is a longterm shortstop on any good team. 

[winsomme]

I still think the guy to target is Hanley.

FL needs starting pitching. Buchholz would step right into their starting rotation.

Buchholz, Bowden and Lowrie for Hanley.

If FLA doesn't want Lowrie, I'm pretty sure I remember the Sox have a quality, slick fielding SS prospect in AA.

Florida is not gonna trade Hanley.   He's under a very reasonable longterm contract for them and he is the face of the franchise.  This is important for the organization because they will be moving into a new ballpark and will need to sell luxury boxes and season tickets.  Trading away the face of the franchise for a bunch of no-name prospects won't help them. 

they need starting pitching badly. they'll be getting two top of the rotation starting pitchers, plus a quality SS.

I think they'd do it....you might have to overpay, but Hanley plays the position that we have the biggest need at and he's the exact hitter we need to pump up the middle of the lineup.

Sox have younger guys in the pipeline for shortstop.  Hanley is going the route of Soriano, he'll be in the OF within a few years.  

I don't see the Sox doing this deal because of the cost and I don't see Florida doing this deal because it'll alienate their fanbase at a very important point in the organization's potential growth.  If they trade a guy with a reasonable contract whose signed longterm, what kind of message does that send their fans?  Not a positive one.

I guess it depends on how you view the package the Sox would be sending. If you trade for high caliber starting pitchers and that's what your team needs, then I think the fans will like it because the team will be better and win more...

what would help their fan base more: keeping Hanley or making the playoffs? with the pitching they have now, I don't think they're making the playoffs...

as for the Sox, if Hanley moves to the OF eventually, that's fine. they might not have Bay back next year anyway...

for this year, he would be perfect. you get to keep Youk and Lowell in the lineup and add that #4 hitter that we need. our lineup would be right there with the Yanks if we added Hanley.

Martinez and Gonzalez don't help in the same way because in order for them to play, you have to take one of our good bats out of the lineup to get them playing time.

[winsomme]

I agree with all the points Dons just made but I think his fielding problems are a real concern.  I don't think he is a longterm shortstop on any good team. 

but he doesn't need to be a longterm prospect at SS. he just needs to play it for this season.

like i said to Don, if we don't sign Bay, then move him to LF next season...if his fielding is that bad...which i don't think it is by the way.

[Donoghus]

I still think the guy to target is Hanley.

FL needs starting pitching. Buchholz would step right into their starting rotation.

Buchholz, Bowden and Lowrie for Hanley.

If FLA doesn't want Lowrie, I'm pretty sure I remember the Sox have a quality, slick fielding SS prospect in AA.

Florida is not gonna trade Hanley.   He's under a very reasonable longterm contract for them and he is the face of the franchise.  This is important for the organization because they will be moving into a new ballpark and will need to sell luxury boxes and season tickets.  Trading away the face of the franchise for a bunch of no-name prospects won't help them. 

they need starting pitching badly. they'll be getting two top of the rotation starting pitchers, plus a quality SS.

I think they'd do it....you might have to overpay, but Hanley plays the position that we have the biggest need at and he's the exact hitter we need to pump up the middle of the lineup.

Sox have younger guys in the pipeline for shortstop.  Hanley is going the route of Soriano, he'll be in the OF within a few years.  

I don't see the Sox doing this deal because of the cost and I don't see Florida doing this deal because it'll alienate their fanbase at a very important point in the organization's potential growth.  If they trade a guy with a reasonable contract whose signed longterm, what kind of message does that send their fans?  Not a positive one.

I guess it depends on how you view the package the Sox would be sending. If you trade for high caliber starting pitchers and that's what your team needs, then I think the fans will like it because the team will be better and win more...

what would help their fan base more: keeping Hanley or making the playoffs? with the pitching they have now, I don't think they're making the playoffs...
as for the Sox, if Hanley moves to the OF eventually, that's fine. they might not have Bay back next year anyway...

for this year, he would be perfect. you get to keep Youk and Lowell in the lineup and add that #4 hitter that we need. our lineup would be right there with the Yanks if we added Hanley.

Martinez and Gonzalez don't help in the same way because in order for them to play, you have to take one of our good bats out of the lineup to get them playing time.

They're only 3 games back in the NL wild card standings right now.  They can stay in the race by making a lot less drastic moves than trading away Hanley.

[winsomme]

I still think the guy to target is Hanley.

FL needs starting pitching. Buchholz would step right into their starting rotation.

Buchholz, Bowden and Lowrie for Hanley.

If FLA doesn't want Lowrie, I'm pretty sure I remember the Sox have a quality, slick fielding SS prospect in AA.

Florida is not gonna trade Hanley.   He's under a very reasonable longterm contract for them and he is the face of the franchise.  This is important for the organization because they will be moving into a new ballpark and will need to sell luxury boxes and season tickets.  Trading away the face of the franchise for a bunch of no-name prospects won't help them. 

they need starting pitching badly. they'll be getting two top of the rotation starting pitchers, plus a quality SS.

I think they'd do it....you might have to overpay, but Hanley plays the position that we have the biggest need at and he's the exact hitter we need to pump up the middle of the lineup.

Sox have younger guys in the pipeline for shortstop.  Hanley is going the route of Soriano, he'll be in the OF within a few years.  

I don't see the Sox doing this deal because of the cost and I don't see Florida doing this deal because it'll alienate their fanbase at a very important point in the organization's potential growth.  If they trade a guy with a reasonable contract whose signed longterm, what kind of message does that send their fans?  Not a positive one.

I guess it depends on how you view the package the Sox would be sending. If you trade for high caliber starting pitchers and that's what your team needs, then I think the fans will like it because the team will be better and win more...

what would help their fan base more: keeping Hanley or making the playoffs? with the pitching they have now, I don't think they're making the playoffs...
as for the Sox, if Hanley moves to the OF eventually, that's fine. they might not have Bay back next year anyway...

for this year, he would be perfect. you get to keep Youk and Lowell in the lineup and add that #4 hitter that we need. our lineup would be right there with the Yanks if we added Hanley.

Martinez and Gonzalez don't help in the same way because in order for them to play, you have to take one of our good bats out of the lineup to get them playing time.

They're only 3 games back in the NL wild card standings right now.  They can stay in the race by making a lot less drastic moves than trading away Hanley.

but they're fighting with 8 teams for one spot. plus, they need starting pitching. after Johnson, who do they have?

I think Buchholz would be killer in the NL.

[Rondo2287]

I still think the guy to target is Hanley.

FL needs starting pitching. Buchholz would step right into their starting rotation.

Buchholz, Bowden and Lowrie for Hanley.

If FLA doesn't want Lowrie, I'm pretty sure I remember the Sox have a quality, slick fielding SS prospect in AA.

Florida is not gonna trade Hanley.   He's under a very reasonable longterm contract for them and he is the face of the franchise.  This is important for the organization because they will be moving into a new ballpark and will need to sell luxury boxes and season tickets.  Trading away the face of the franchise for a bunch of no-name prospects won't help them. 

they need starting pitching badly. they'll be getting two top of the rotation starting pitchers, plus a quality SS.

I think they'd do it....you might have to overpay, but Hanley plays the position that we have the biggest need at and he's the exact hitter we need to pump up the middle of the lineup.

Sox have younger guys in the pipeline for shortstop.  Hanley is going the route of Soriano, he'll be in the OF within a few years.  

I don't see the Sox doing this deal because of the cost and I don't see Florida doing this deal because it'll alienate their fanbase at a very important point in the organization's potential growth.  If they trade a guy with a reasonable contract whose signed longterm, what kind of message does that send their fans?  Not a positive one.

I guess it depends on how you view the package the Sox would be sending. If you trade for high caliber starting pitchers and that's what your team needs, then I think the fans will like it because the team will be better and win more...

what would help their fan base more: keeping Hanley or making the playoffs? with the pitching they have now, I don't think they're making the playoffs...
as for the Sox, if Hanley moves to the OF eventually, that's fine. they might not have Bay back next year anyway...

for this year, he would be perfect. you get to keep Youk and Lowell in the lineup and add that #4 hitter that we need. our lineup would be right there with the Yanks if we added Hanley.

Martinez and Gonzalez don't help in the same way because in order for them to play, you have to take one of our good bats out of the lineup to get them playing time.

They're only 3 games back in the NL wild card standings right now.  They can stay in the race by making a lot less drastic moves than trading away Hanley.

but they're fighting with 8 teams for one spot. plus, they need starting pitching. after Johnson, who do they have?

I think Buchholz would be killer in the NL.

He could certainly steal bases in the NL since he is about as fast as jacoby

[Donoghus]

I still think the guy to target is Hanley.

FL needs starting pitching. Buchholz would step right into their starting rotation.

Buchholz, Bowden and Lowrie for Hanley.

If FLA doesn't want Lowrie, I'm pretty sure I remember the Sox have a quality, slick fielding SS prospect in AA.

Florida is not gonna trade Hanley.   He's under a very reasonable longterm contract for them and he is the face of the franchise.  This is important for the organization because they will be moving into a new ballpark and will need to sell luxury boxes and season tickets.  Trading away the face of the franchise for a bunch of no-name prospects won't help them. 

they need starting pitching badly. they'll be getting two top of the rotation starting pitchers, plus a quality SS.

I think they'd do it....you might have to overpay, but Hanley plays the position that we have the biggest need at and he's the exact hitter we need to pump up the middle of the lineup.

Sox have younger guys in the pipeline for shortstop.  Hanley is going the route of Soriano, he'll be in the OF within a few years.  

I don't see the Sox doing this deal because of the cost and I don't see Florida doing this deal because it'll alienate their fanbase at a very important point in the organization's potential growth.  If they trade a guy with a reasonable contract whose signed longterm, what kind of message does that send their fans?  Not a positive one.

I guess it depends on how you view the package the Sox would be sending. If you trade for high caliber starting pitchers and that's what your team needs, then I think the fans will like it because the team will be better and win more...

what would help their fan base more: keeping Hanley or making the playoffs? with the pitching they have now, I don't think they're making the playoffs...
as for the Sox, if Hanley moves to the OF eventually, that's fine. they might not have Bay back next year anyway...

for this year, he would be perfect. you get to keep Youk and Lowell in the lineup and add that #4 hitter that we need. our lineup would be right there with the Yanks if we added Hanley.

Martinez and Gonzalez don't help in the same way because in order for them to play, you have to take one of our good bats out of the lineup to get them playing time.

They're only 3 games back in the NL wild card standings right now.  They can stay in the race by making a lot less drastic moves than trading away Hanley.

but they're fighting with 8 teams for one spot. plus, they need starting pitching. after Johnson, who do they have?

I think Buchholz would be killer in the NL.

You just rarely see teams trade away their star player for a bunch of prospects (Buchholz still isn't established, IMO) when they're only 3 games out of a playoff spot.

[Bankshot]

I still think the guy to target is Hanley.

FL needs starting pitching. Buchholz would step right into their starting rotation.

Buchholz, Bowden and Lowrie for Hanley.

If FLA doesn't want Lowrie, I'm pretty sure I remember the Sox have a quality, slick fielding SS prospect in AA.

I don't want Hanley. I know it's only a very small sample, but he didn't seem to take the playing in the spotlight too well when he played Boston.  He doesn't strike me as a "Fenway" player.  Also, he's a terrible defensive player and at shortstop, I think you need to have a good defender there.  Remember Lugo was hitting well and was still benched, because he was terrible in the field.

[Big_Matt34]

I still think the guy to target is Hanley.

FL needs starting pitching. Buchholz would step right into their starting rotation.

Buchholz, Bowden and Lowrie for Hanley.

If FLA doesn't want Lowrie, I'm pretty sure I remember the Sox have a quality, slick fielding SS prospect in AA.

Buchholz/Bowden/Lowrie isnt enough for Hanley. Itd take a package of Buchholz/Bard/Lars Anderson/Yamaico Navarro or so to get Hanley and Theo would never do that. Also that "slick" fielding SS in AA is Argenis Diaz who the Sox traded for Adam Laroche, and he had made 16 errors so far this year while having trouble with the easiest of plays.

Last night Ed Price of Fanhouse who is one of the better mlb writers said the REd Sox are telling people they are working on a deal bigger than getting Halladay and speculated that it could be Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez. Halladay/A-gon/Victor Martinez are the names that ive heard most, below ill have post what id think would probably take for any of these players. Maybe not these exact players but the type of package it would take

Halladay- Buchholz/Casey Kelly/Ryan Kalish/Yamaico Navarro
Adrian Gonzalez- Buchholz/Lars Anderson/Bard/Ryan Kalish
Victor Martinez- Buchholz/medium prospect or Bard/Bowden/Lars Anderson

A-Gon would cost a ton because ontop of being th Padres best player he makes nothing over the next 3 years, i doubt he gets moved. If they could id rather the Sox hold onto Redick rather than Lars, Redick is only a bit older than Lars and is putting up a .870 OPS in AA as a CF though he is playing some left and right. Id also like to see the Sox try to hold onto Ryan Westmoreland, i think he will be their best position prospect since Hanley, has plus power/plus speed/plus fielding and arm even though he has had to DH so far this year comnig off of surgery.

If i had to bet id think Victor Martinez is the most likely, like A-Gon his swing was made for Fenway, he can play multiple positions, he is great in the clubhouse, he doesnt make much money this or next year, and most importantly he would cost thel east to get.

[Rondo2287]

I still think the guy to target is Hanley.

FL needs starting pitching. Buchholz would step right into their starting rotation.

Buchholz, Bowden and Lowrie for Hanley.

If FLA doesn't want Lowrie, I'm pretty sure I remember the Sox have a quality, slick fielding SS prospect in AA.

Buchholz/Bowden/Lowrie isnt enough for Hanley. Itd take a package of Buchholz/Bard/Lars Anderson/Yamaico Navarro or so to get Hanley and Theo would never do that. Also that "slick" fielding SS in AA is Argenis Diaz who the Sox traded for Adam Laroche, and he had made 16 errors so far this year while having trouble with the easiest of plays.

Last night Ed Price of Fanhouse who is one of the better mlb writers said the REd Sox are telling people they are working on a deal bigger than getting Halladay and speculated that it could be Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez. Halladay/A-gon/Victor Martinez are the names that ive heard most, below ill have post what id think would probably take for any of these players. Maybe not these exact players but the type of package it would take

Halladay- Buchholz/Casey Kelly/Ryan Kalish/Yamaico Navarro
Adrian Gonzalez- Buchholz/Lars Anderson/Bard/Ryan Kalish
Victor Martinez- Buchholz/medium prospect or Bard/Bowden/Lars Anderson

A-Gon would cost a ton because ontop of being their best hitter he makes nothing over the next 3 years, i doubt he gets moved. If they could id rather the Sox hold onto Redick rather than Lars, Redick is only a bit older than Lars and is putting up a .870 OPS in AA as a CF though he is playing some left and right. Id also like to see the Sox try to hold onto Ryan Westmoreland, i think he will be their best position prospect since Hanley, has plus power/plus speed/plus fielding and arm even though he has had to DH so far this year comnig off of surgery.

If i had to bet id think Victor Martinez is the most likely, like A-Gon his game was made for Fenway, he can play multiple positions, he is great in the clubhouse, and he doesnt make much money this or next year.

I think right now Bard is by far our most valuable trade chip

[Bankshot]

I still think the guy to target is Hanley.

FL needs starting pitching. Buchholz would step right into their starting rotation.

Buchholz, Bowden and Lowrie for Hanley.

If FLA doesn't want Lowrie, I'm pretty sure I remember the Sox have a quality, slick fielding SS prospect in AA.

If i had to bet id think Victor Martinez is the most likely, like A-Gon his game was made for Fenway, he can play multiple positions, he is great in the clubhouse, and he doesnt make much money this or next year.

That's why I don't think there is any way we can get A-Gon.  He makes reasonable money, is still under contract for several years and is the face of the franchise.  I don't see why they would trade him unless someone gives them a ridiculous deal.

[Big_Matt34]

I think right now Bard is by far our most valuable trade chip

You may think that but he isnt, Buchholz is by a good amount. As awesome as Bard is, he is a reliever and a great starter is more valuable than a great reliever. According to every media source, Buchholz is the first person every team asks for in a deal.

I love Bard and think he is our next closer if he stays, but id give him up before i give up Buchholz.Im usually a guy who wants to hold onto prospects, but the Sox' system is so deep id be ok with giving up a few top prospects to help this team get over the top because as is im not sure they can win the WS.

[Rondo2287]

I think right now Bard is by far our most valuable trade chip

You may think that but he isnt, Buchholz is by a good amount. As awesome as Bard is, he is a reliever and a great starter is more valuable than a great reliever. According to every media source, Buchholz is the first person every team asks for in a deal.

I love Bard and think he is our next closer if he stays, but id give him up before i give up Buchholz. Theo's love for prospects/young players may keep this team from making any big deal.

Thats not true, there are supposedly a bunch of teams that dont think Buccholz will pan out and think that the sox have overrated him. 

[Big_Matt34]

Thats not true, there are supposedly a bunch of teams that dont think Buccholz will pan out and think that the sox have overrated him. 

The Indians and REd Sox have been talking for months, acoording to Gammons and Ken Rosenthal the Indians have offered Victor Martinez for Buchholz, Red Sox said no. Now the Blue Jays have told the REd Sox it will take Buchholz/Casey Kelly+ another top prospect for them to get Halladay according to the Providence Journal.

So the teams of 2 of the 3 players the Sox are going after have said Buchholz is needed for a deal to be done, not Bard. Doesnt that tell you that Buch, not Bard is their most valuable chip? Im also pretty sure that the Padres have told the Sox if they want A-Gon that any package starts with Buchholz.