Red Sox Trade Possibilities
With C.C. Sabathia on the move to the Brewers and Rich Harden packing his bags for Chicago, the rest of the big name dominoes should begin to fall soon. The Sox aren't likely to acquire a cleanup hitter or front-of-the-rotation starter, but it's looking more and more like a virtual lock that they'll make at least one move at some point before the July 31st trade deadline. Let's take a look at the key team areas and explore some possible scenarios that could play out over the next few weeks.
Lineup
J.D. Drew has filled in admirably in the three-hole in David Ortiz' absence, but Big Papi's presence has been sorely missed at times, especially toward the end of their most recent road trip. Word on the street is that Big Papi wants to begin a minor league rehab assignment next week and while that seems a bit optimistic, the fact that Ortiz is proclaiming to be close to ready for game action is very encouraging. Barring any setbacks, it seems that the team is expecting Ortiz to return to 100% shortly following the All-Star break. However, if Ortiz can't return to true Big Papi form, there's a slim chance that the Sox may try to acquire a guy like Mark Teixeira (Braves), Adam Dunn (Reds), Ken Griffey Jr. (Reds) or Jason Bay (Pirates) via trade. However, landing any of those guys in a deal is rather unlikely due to the fact that they'd command too much in return. If Ortiz ultimately cannot return, they could always take the free agent route and sign Barry Bonds. Lest you fear the Sox would actually do the unthinkable, Theo Epstein has repeatedly denied internal discussions regarding the potential signing of the BALCO poster boy. (UPDATE, 2:00 PM: The Mariners have released Richie Sexson - he's a pretty intriguing short-term option if Papi can't play...) On another note, some people "in the know" claim that finding a top catching prospect (as well as a shortstop prospect, to a lesser degree) that projects to be a future long-term starter is the team's highest priority, but I don't see that being a real possibility at this time unless teams make guys like Jarrod Saltalamachia (Rangers) or Jeff Clement (Mariners) available. (Speaking of the Rangers, they have a wealth of young catching talent in Saltalamachia, Taylor Teagarden and Max Ramirez; given their recent trade history with the Sox, perhaps a deal isn't such an outlandish idea.) Prediction: No moves (except for call-ups and demotions).
Rotation
Josh Beckett hasn't been his usual dominant self save for a few above-average starts this. Dice-K has already hit the DL this season and is currently on pace for just 121 strikeouts (and 90 walks!). Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield have been as consistent as the Sox had hoped for, but Lester is relatively inexperienced (yes, I do remember his performance in last year's World Series clincher) and Wakefield could be one back spasm away from a DL stint (anyone remember 2006?). Clay Buchholz (who is in line to start Friday's game) will continue to have his innings and pitch counts heavily restricted, Justin Masterson pitched solid ball upon first being called up but lost some velocity and control in recent starts, and Bartolo Colon's rehab schedule has been pushed back due to more oblique issues... Long story short, the Sox have had more than their share of injuries to members of the starting rotation but have dealt with them well thanks to their absurd starting pitching depth. With most of the big names (C.C. Sabathia, Rich Harden) already off the board, there's no reason to think the Sox would hastily pull the trigger on a deal unless an Erik Bedard (Mariners) or A.J. Burnett (Blue Jays) literally fell into their laps. Prediction: No moves (except for call-ups and demotions).
Bullpen
What a frustrating year for the bullpen. Some nights, Craig Hansen, Manny Delcarmen and Hideki Okajima combine for three scoreless innings and get the ball to Pap's flame-throwing hands without any problems. Other nights, two or more relievers get shelled to the tune of three-plus earned runs and basically give the game away. David Aardsma has been mostly consistent and Mike Timlin appears to be rounding into form after an extended trip to the DL, but more quality relievers is never a bad thing. There's an abundance of solid middle and late-inning relievers currently available, so if the Sox do indeed make a deal it will likely be for the purpose of bolstering their bullpen (a la the Eric Gagne deal of 2007). Relievers currently believed to be on the Sox' radar include Brian Fuentes (Rockies), George Sherrill (Orioles) and Damaso Marte (Pirates - Marte's trade status hinges on Pittsburgh's contention as he is now their primary closer with Matt Capps out for two or more months). The Sox could certainly attempt to solve their bullpen issues internally (as Theo and co. have said they'd like to do), but if I had to guess, I'd assume they'd go after Fuentes first and foremost. Prediction: Trade for a late-inning reliever.
Lineup
J.D. Drew has filled in admirably in the three-hole in David Ortiz' absence, but Big Papi's presence has been sorely missed at times, especially toward the end of their most recent road trip. Word on the street is that Big Papi wants to begin a minor league rehab assignment next week and while that seems a bit optimistic, the fact that Ortiz is proclaiming to be close to ready for game action is very encouraging. Barring any setbacks, it seems that the team is expecting Ortiz to return to 100% shortly following the All-Star break. However, if Ortiz can't return to true Big Papi form, there's a slim chance that the Sox may try to acquire a guy like Mark Teixeira (Braves), Adam Dunn (Reds), Ken Griffey Jr. (Reds) or Jason Bay (Pirates) via trade. However, landing any of those guys in a deal is rather unlikely due to the fact that they'd command too much in return. If Ortiz ultimately cannot return, they could always take the free agent route and sign Barry Bonds. Lest you fear the Sox would actually do the unthinkable, Theo Epstein has repeatedly denied internal discussions regarding the potential signing of the BALCO poster boy. (UPDATE, 2:00 PM: The Mariners have released Richie Sexson - he's a pretty intriguing short-term option if Papi can't play...) On another note, some people "in the know" claim that finding a top catching prospect (as well as a shortstop prospect, to a lesser degree) that projects to be a future long-term starter is the team's highest priority, but I don't see that being a real possibility at this time unless teams make guys like Jarrod Saltalamachia (Rangers) or Jeff Clement (Mariners) available. (Speaking of the Rangers, they have a wealth of young catching talent in Saltalamachia, Taylor Teagarden and Max Ramirez; given their recent trade history with the Sox, perhaps a deal isn't such an outlandish idea.) Prediction: No moves (except for call-ups and demotions).
Rotation
Josh Beckett hasn't been his usual dominant self save for a few above-average starts this. Dice-K has already hit the DL this season and is currently on pace for just 121 strikeouts (and 90 walks!). Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield have been as consistent as the Sox had hoped for, but Lester is relatively inexperienced (yes, I do remember his performance in last year's World Series clincher) and Wakefield could be one back spasm away from a DL stint (anyone remember 2006?). Clay Buchholz (who is in line to start Friday's game) will continue to have his innings and pitch counts heavily restricted, Justin Masterson pitched solid ball upon first being called up but lost some velocity and control in recent starts, and Bartolo Colon's rehab schedule has been pushed back due to more oblique issues... Long story short, the Sox have had more than their share of injuries to members of the starting rotation but have dealt with them well thanks to their absurd starting pitching depth. With most of the big names (C.C. Sabathia, Rich Harden) already off the board, there's no reason to think the Sox would hastily pull the trigger on a deal unless an Erik Bedard (Mariners) or A.J. Burnett (Blue Jays) literally fell into their laps. Prediction: No moves (except for call-ups and demotions).
Bullpen
What a frustrating year for the bullpen. Some nights, Craig Hansen, Manny Delcarmen and Hideki Okajima combine for three scoreless innings and get the ball to Pap's flame-throwing hands without any problems. Other nights, two or more relievers get shelled to the tune of three-plus earned runs and basically give the game away. David Aardsma has been mostly consistent and Mike Timlin appears to be rounding into form after an extended trip to the DL, but more quality relievers is never a bad thing. There's an abundance of solid middle and late-inning relievers currently available, so if the Sox do indeed make a deal it will likely be for the purpose of bolstering their bullpen (a la the Eric Gagne deal of 2007). Relievers currently believed to be on the Sox' radar include Brian Fuentes (Rockies), George Sherrill (Orioles) and Damaso Marte (Pirates - Marte's trade status hinges on Pittsburgh's contention as he is now their primary closer with Matt Capps out for two or more months). The Sox could certainly attempt to solve their bullpen issues internally (as Theo and co. have said they'd like to do), but if I had to guess, I'd assume they'd go after Fuentes first and foremost. Prediction: Trade for a late-inning reliever.
Comments