ideas for CF

[elsrbueno]

Note: I know there's already a thread called "offseason moves" but it just is way to cluttered right now.

 

I wanted to break out from that discussion and focus on centerfield by itself. Strong baseball teams are strong in the middle if Johnny Damon sticks to his guns and demands a 4-5 year deal (or even more) I think he'll be playing somewhere else in 2006.

 

I looked over the MLB list of potential free agents and came up with the following list of outfielders due to become free agents

 

Free Agent outfielders:

Juan Encarnacion

Brian Giles

Jacque Jones

Kenny Lofton

Reggie Sanders

Preston Wilson

 

This is an unimpressive list to say the least. Lofton, Giles, and Sanders, are all on the wrong side of 30 and despite decent numbers by all of this season, injury and ineffectiveness has to enter into the discussion. Preston Wilson seems like an overhyped overpaid player to me and at 31 is probably going to look for a long term, big money deal. Juan Encarnacion and Jacque Jones are also players in their "primes" who may see this as their chance to get big payouts. None of these guys really seem like great options for the Red Sox.

 

Here are some other guys I've either seen in rumors or come up with myself as possible trade acquisitions.

Possible Trades:

Corey Patterson--at 26, still young enough to develop into a top talent. Chicago's obviously lost patience with him, could he perhaps come cheaply as far as talent is concerned? At $2.8 million he's not exactly cheap, but could be one of those guys who could benefit from a change of scenery and playing time.

Mike Cameron -- Also on the wrong side of 30 and coming off of a horrible head injury, this guy could be a big risk. Doesn't come close to replacing Damon's bat, but assuming a full recovery would be an upgrade defensively. The Mets have been shopping him since they acquired Beltran. If the Mets pay some of his salary, he could be a good temporary solution.

Torii Hunter --similar offensive output to Mike Cameron, higher salary and probably higher talent demands. One of the best defensive outfielders in the game.

Juan Pierre -- The man goes has a low OBP and no power, so he probably looks like a waste of time to the stathead Red Sox... but he creates havoc on the basepaths.

 

Any other ideas? Who's your Red Sox CF for 2006 and why?

[ksushi]

Is Aaron Rowand an FA? My friend said he is but I hadn't heard anything. And considering that Rowand is in the playoffs and ive watched all the whitesox games, i thought i would have heard something.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

One team that is pretty loaded with OFs is the Reds. Now I'm not real excited about Dunn, Pena, or Kearns cause I think they all hit the ball hard...thats about it. Ken Griffey would be interesting but amazingly expensive and a HUGE injury risk. So I'm not thrilled there either....who I would love to see though and might be tough to take is Ryan Freel. This guy is a true baseball player. He plays harder than everyone on the Red Sox. He has a good OBP and has plenty of speed. I think he would be a perfect fit for the Boston Red Sox and give the rest of the team energy they can feed off of. Not only that but he might be the most versatile player in baseball. I know the Cincinnati Reds love him and he is a fan favorite. They sure could use some pitching though.

[yankeessuck013]

If we had to choose one from the FA list go with preston wilson.

 

but if we had to trade for one:

 

1. torii hunter

2. juan pierre

[Sox Fan on Cape]

elsrbueno, I really think this belongs in Rumors Thread. Not to mention, as you pointed out there are duplicates that already exist.

[Soxfan1]

I'd love to get one of the juans. Please don't get cameron. After people get damage to their head they suck. (see Matt Clement)

[CalvnHobs6]

After people get damage to their head they suck. (see Matt Clement)

 

See: Damon, Johnny.

 

Good memory.

[Daveyp490]

I think juan pierre would be a good fit for this team, but i dont know how his defesne is and im guessing he has the same arm strength as damon

[guapo34]

Tori Hunter is definately the best centerfielder out there but the Twins aren't just going to give him away. They've said they are only going to trade him if they get blown over with an offer. He'd probably cost hanley and lester, hes coming off an injure, and he's owed over 10 million next year. Brian Giles is great offensively, but doesn't have the spead to play center. I think we'd be better off signing either Preston Wilson or Juan Encarnacion. Cheaper options that can both play defense and hit as well as Hunter. Encarnacion is younger, by 2 years, and played in an extreme pitchers park last year. He's the guy I'd like to see the Sox go after.

[Cityofchampions33]

I'd love to get a Freel type guy, young, no-nonsense, hustle type CF to lead our teama long w/ Tek and Schill. Maybe if we go after Huff we try and pry an OF from, maybe Gathright as a short term option. Another OF heavy team is CLE, they have a good young core and I absolutely love Sizemore.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I'd love to get a Freel type guy, young, no-nonsense, hustle type CF to lead our teama long w/ Tek and Schill. Maybe if we go after Huff we try and pry an OF from, maybe Gathright as a short term option. Another OF heavy team is CLE, they have a good young core and I absolutely love Sizemore.

 

Suprisingly he is actually right around 30. I was shocked cause I only heard of Freel from last year. But he is still my choice to go after. I think he is a stronger player than most of the free agents out there. With the depth in Cincinnati why not make a run. I did notice, however, that Aurillia was playing 2B for them and the team declined his option....soooooo they may be counting on Freel to take over 2B...but who knows he was just an idea.

[elsrbueno]

The good thing is that they don't necessarily need a young guy with outfielders like Soto/Moss/Ellsbury and even David Murphy (who's supposed to be fantastic defensively) potentially available down the road.

 

I like the idea of Preston Wilson if he's willing to come for a reasonable price. Of course, with Damon fleeing the team lacks a leadoff hitter, so Pierre is intreaguing to me.

 

Here's a couple off-the-wall trade ideas.

 

Rocco Baldelli-- coming off an injury, so maybe he'll come cheap talent wise. Is a Rhode Island guy so may have been a Red Sox fan growing up. Again, he's a risk but also is young and very talented if you ask me.

 

Corey Patterson -- Seems like a Theo-esque move. Relatively cheap money wise, and could be cheap talent wise because he just hasn't panned out in Chicago. Could be a diamond in the rough.

[MC Hammer]

Has everyone forgotten that Hunter tore up his knee? I don't think you can really say how well he's going to be able to do anything after an injury like that. I don't think I take the risk on him especially considering you'd have to give up a lot.

[ksushi]

I'd be very interested in Pena from the Reds, hes 23 with MONSTER power. Freel is awfully interesting himself, hes very good. No none sense is exactly how you should describe him.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

The good thing is that they don't necessarily need a young guy with outfielders like Soto/Moss/Ellsbury and even David Murphy (who's supposed to be fantastic defensively) potentially available down the road.

 

I like the idea of Preston Wilson if he's willing to come for a reasonable price. Of course, with Damon fleeing the team lacks a leadoff hitter, so Pierre is intreaguing to me.

 

Here's a couple off-the-wall trade ideas.

 

Rocco Baldelli-- coming off an injury, so maybe he'll come cheap talent wise. Is a Rhode Island guy so may have been a Red Sox fan growing up. Again, he's a risk but also is young and very talented if you ask me.

 

Corey Patterson -- Seems like a Theo-esque move. Relatively cheap money wise, and could be cheap talent wise because he just hasn't panned out in Chicago. Could be a diamond in the rough.

 

You are right about the leadoff situation. The Red Sox I'm sure will keep that in mind while adding players but also...if they really feel its time for Pedroia then I can see him leading off. I actually think both Baldelli and Patterson could lead off too (that is if they can get on base regularly). They both have enough power to hit one out of the park but more importantly they have speed. Patterson more than Baldelli but either way thats interesting.

 

I wonder if the Devil Rays would actually move Huff and Baldelli to the Red Sox for something. Sounds like a tough move to me but ya never know. I would adventure into that Corey Patterson situation...I remember how everyone used to talk about him...hes still young and I can't imagine his career is a wash.

[ManyOrtiz]

Obviously anyway we go is a risk. Too old, too slow, too weak of an arm, not good enough batting numbers. THere's not one CF out there up for grabs that has everything. Rocco and Corey are chances I'd like to see, or Preston Wilson as well. I think they just need to go for a speedy leadoff guy and let the other offense take care of itself.

[Cityofchampions33]

I have a feeling Patterson would do great in the AL, especially playing 86 in Fenway, idk why i just have a feeling. What would the Cubs need for him though? I wouldn't give any solid spects, maybe Wells. Plus, if Patterson does terrible we got 3 other OFs in the farm comin up.

[DamonDesciple18]

why dont you see damon coming back? i am almost certain he will. But anyway, none of those options are any good except maybe giles. Pierre wouldnt do anything because gay ass terry never steals. theres also beltran if we ever did pull manny trade and i would love to see him in center he just had a bad season. damon will be back though so i dont really know why im even repling.

[MC Hammer]

why dont you see damon coming back?

Weak arm, bad fielder, getting slower, getting older, shoulder problems, running his mouth to the media, being an idiot, and the fact that he wants a 5-6 year contract which he is not getting because of his age. If Damon is back it will be the biggest mistake of Theo's young career, so don't count on it.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I was just thinking what team will offer Damon a 5 year deal? I like Johnny Damon but he is not THAT good. I don't know when he became such an all star. He made the all star game because of Boston....the most loyal fans in sports.

 

The facts about Damon is that he plays hard and tracks down balls well....can't throw, doesn't hit for much power, doesn't steal a ton, and he wants a 5 year deal? Not only that but all those characteristics I mentioned will be dropping each year as he gets older. I can't believe teams in baseball would be that stupid. Hell I would be nervous about a 4 year deal. Three years with a team option I would do cause you have to expect by then Ellsbury is ready to jump up.

[ORS]

I was just thinking what team will offer Damon a 5 year deal? I like Johnny Damon but he is not THAT good. I don't know when he became such an all star. He made the all star game because of Boston....the most loyal fans in sports.

 

The facts about Damon is that he plays hard and tracks down balls well....can't throw, doesn't hit for much power, doesn't steal a ton, and he wants a 5 year deal? Not only that but all those characteristics I mentioned will be dropping each year as he gets older. I can't believe teams in baseball would be that stupid. Hell I would be nervous about a 4 year deal. Three years with a team option I would do cause you have to expect by then Ellsbury is ready to jump up.

In all fairness. JD is arguably the best leadoff hitter in baseball, and he'd have a lot more steals if he's on a team that runs more. That said, the durability and the arm are why he doesn't deserve any longer than 3 years (+options).

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

In all fairness. JD is arguably the best leadoff hitter in baseball, and he'd have a lot more steals if he's on a team that runs more. That said, the durability and the arm are why he doesn't deserve any longer than 3 years (+options).

 

I think we are going to disagree here....

 

The best leadoff hitter in baseball is Ichiro Suzuki. I also like Brian Roberts, Scott Podsednik, Jimmy Rollins, Jose Reyes, and I really feel Rafael Furcal is underrated. I would put Damon in the second group but all those guys I mentioned are faster and younger. If you put any of those guys on the Red Sox they put up huge numbers too because of the protection they would have and the park they would hit in.

[jimmycarter05]

I think we are going to disagree here....

 

The best leadoff hitter in baseball is Ichiro Suzuki. I also like Brian Roberts, Scott Podsednik, Jimmy Rollins, Jose Reyes, and I really feel Rafael Furcal is underrated. I would put Damon in the second group but all those guys I mentioned are faster and younger. If you put any of those guys on the Red Sox they put up huge numbers too because of the protection they would have and the park they would hit in.

 

 

yeah nothing against edgar, but i wouldn't mind trading him and not signing back damon to use furcal as our 2006 leadoff hitter

[ORS]

I think we are going to disagree here....

 

The best leadoff hitter in baseball is Ichiro Suzuki. I also like Brian Roberts, Scott Podsednik, Jimmy Rollins, Jose Reyes, and I really feel Rafael Furcal is underrated. I would put Damon in the second group but all those guys I mentioned are faster and younger. If you put any of those guys on the Red Sox they put up huge numbers too because of the protection they would have and the park they would hit in.

I didn't say he was the best, I said he was arguably the best. Which means, when you are talking about leadoff hitters, he's in the conversation. If you are in the conversation, then you are worthy of all-star status, just like Ichiro, Roberts, Podsednik, and Rollins.

[schillingouttheks]

yeah nothing against edgar, but i wouldn't mind trading him and not signing back damon to use furcal as our 2006 leadoff hitter

First Soriano, then Chad Tracy, now Rafael Furcal?

[ksushi]

Yeah carter what is with you and wanthing to trade for everybody and change everything?

[jimmycarter05]

hey hey soriano isn't till next year...and check out this lineup...my 2006 lineup if this would happen;

 

furcal

tracey

ortiz

manny

hunter-trade

trot

tek

cora/dustin-if dustin has a good season, use as trade bait

youklisis

 

pitchers-starting

 

schilling

wakefield

washburn(lefty)-one year contract w/ one year option

morris-same as washburn

paps

 

bullpen

 

foulke-Cl, on very short lease

hansen-CL if foulke can't get the job done-otherwise mid relief

farnsworth-set up man

timlin-7th inning guy

declarman-mid

myers-lefty specialist

bradford-middle

dinaro-long/6th starter

 

arroyo/sanchez was in the tracey trade

 

hanley/david berg/cash considerations for hunter

 

 

 

i'm being for real here...this could be a red sox line up

[riverside sluggers]

hey hey soriano isn't till next year

 

this garbage about soriano should stop really. by 2007 pedroia will most likely be the regular second baseman. besides even if not him, Sox wont sign Soriano. He lacks OBP, this past season was just .309 OBP (33 walks total). He hit .235 w/RISP, and the five past seasons has averaged 20 errors or more.

 

and wheres renterria in your 06 lineup? mark my words sox will not trade him, with still 3 seasons $30 million. no doubt Furcal would be great, but guess what that would be another big contract for Sox to tackle onto. If dustin pedroia has a good season for the sox, we should trade him?? logic train keeps going by you guy...

 

I see Rafael Furcal staying in the national league altogether with options being Cubs most likely, back with the Braves, or the Mets if they deal Matsui this offseason.

[ORS]

I wouldn't take anything jc05 says very seriously. He's got 13 pitchers on his '06 roster, which leaves only 3 spots for bench players. Oh, that's right, when you play X-Box you don't need to rest players. Silly me.

[jimmycarter05]

I wouldn't take anything jc05 says very seriously. He's got 13 pitchers on his '06 roster, which leaves only 3 spots for bench players. Oh, that's right, when you play X-Box you don't need to rest players. Silly me.

1b-matt lecroy

3b-lenny haris

OF-Jeff Conine

ss/2b-peroida/cora