Crazy idea, but I love the upside...

[krazeebrainz]

I was thinking about all of the options that the Sox have for center field and shortstop. We all know the names that have been tossed around; Tejada, Reed, Crisp, etc. Well, I just wanted to post a trade that I think would ultimately work well for the Sox for this season and the future. Yes, it is rather outlandish, but I figured why not?

 

Here are my thoughts:

 

If I could choose 1 player to put in center field, it would undoubtedly be Carl Crawford. Crawford strikes me as the total package that is only going to get better in time. If the Sox ever landed Crawford, the lose of Johnny Damon would seem minimal...I also really like Aubrey Huff. Though he had a slightly off-season last year, I still feel that he is a very strong batter and can fill a gap in the outfield (or infield at the corners). Hey, and if the D-Rays didn't want to deal Crawford, Rocco Baldelli is supposedly healthy...

 

How do you get Crawford or possibly Baldelli and Huff?

 

Propose a 3-way trade with the Mets.

 

-The Sox send Ramirez and Wells to the Mets. I love Manny, but it has got to be difficult to deal with his inconsistencies as both a player and as a manager. David Wells is also a nice-to-have #5 starter, but it is no secret that he wants out of Boston.

 

-The Mets send three of their best minor league prospects (IF and OF) to the D'Rays.

 

-The Sox send Lester and Arroyo to the D'Rays.

 

-The Sox get Crawford and Huff.

 

At this point, you can have Cora play shortstop. Even if he only bats .250, you know that you are going to get great defense and an incredible baseball thinking-mind at short.

 

Proposed lineup if trade worked:

1. Crawford or Baldelli-CF

2. Loretta-2B

3. Lowell-3B

4. Ortiz-DH

5. Huff-LF

6. Varitek-C

7. Nixon-RF

8. Youkalis-1B

9. Cora-SS

 

I honestly think that Lowell is going to have a productive season in Boston. Given his power numbers in the recent past, he should put a few shots of his own both on and over the monster.

 

I realize that this is far-fetched, but what prompted this is the D-Rays consistent efforts to keep their salary down. With 4 minor leaguers and Arroyo, their team salary would drop even lower.

 

I know that Lester is going to be good, but you have to give up quality to get quality...

 

What do you all think?

 

-krazeebrainz:dunno:

[Plumpamania]

So the Sox lose:

 

Ramirez/Wells/Lester AND Arroyo

 

And receive Crawford and Huff

 

 

A big hell no.

[ORS]

What do you propose if this doesn't happen? Ortiz, Wakefield, and Papelbon for Reed and Ibanez? Welcome to the site, and I have one thing to say to you, I'm glad you are a fan and not in the FO.

[riverside sluggers]

I have to agree. The Devil Rays, I believe, are looking at Crawford & Baldelli as the faces of their franchise. They just both signed them to 5/6 year contracts, so there you go on that.

 

What stands out is giving up Lester, he's strictly untouchable and will be a big part of the young hard throwing rotation for 2007 along with Beckett and Papelbon. Quality for Quality sure. But remember the Sox FO balked at Arizona asking for Lester in return for Schilling and recently balked at Lester for Beckett.

 

As well as Manny has no inconsistencies as a player, even when he's not happy, he will still give 40 Hrs/130+ RBIs.

 

Currently the center field trade possibilties

(1) Coco Crisp- Longshot since Guardians want Lester or Papelbon to go along with Marte. Sox are said though to be trying to work with Cleveland, most likely offering Clement or Arroyo to go with a mid-level prospect.

(2) Jeremy Reed- Good chance since Seattle is said to have high interest in Arroyo

(3) Jay Payton- Rumored 3 way trade with Boston, LA and Oakland that would send Wells to the Dodgers. Their prospects to the A's. Jay Payton back to Boston

(4) Dave Roberts- Much loved by RSN for the biggest stolen base in Red Sox History. The Padres are willing to work with boston if they take on erratic 40 year old starting pitcher Woody Williams.

[26 to 6]

(4) Dave Roberts- Much loved by RSN for the biggest stolen base in Red Sox History. The Padres are willing to work with boston if they take on erratic 40 year old starting pitcher Woody Williams

 

I think the Padres are absolutely STUPID if this is in fact true. A Wells for Roberts straight up trade is an excellent deal for them.

That is unlike Kevin Towers, forces me to wonder if Boston made some other demands (prospect or 2, or cash or something like that).

[a700hitter]

I think there is a good chance of Wells staying put in Boston. With the incentives in his contract, he will have a better chance of making $ with Boston (with its revamped bullpen) than with any west coast team. Wells is all about the Money. He's not about to retire and walk away from a potential $8 million.