Former White Sox champ Willie Harris joins the Red Sox

[riverside sluggers]

News-Filled Day for our boys

 

Red Sox signed infielder-outfielder Willie Harris to a minor league contract. He'll earn $650,000 if he makes the team and it's likely that he will. He should top the depth chart in center field right away, although the Sox won't want to enter the season with him as anything more than a backup. Limited to 150-200 at-bats in a utility role, he could be sort of useful. He's 49-for-61 in steal attempts in his career, and his OBPs of .343 and .333 the last two years aren't so terrible.

 

He will be valuable for tito to call on when a pinch runner is needed and a solid player to call upon for late innings defense if Cora, Loretta or someone in the outfield needs a spell.

[jsinger121]

good low risk signing. right now he is ahead of adam stern on the depth chart in center but i still expect us to go out and get a real centerfielder.

[yankeessuck013]

Not that bad of a signing, I gotta say. I mean its' nothing guaranteed but the guy can play a little outfield and it's a nice risk to take. Not to mention he's got a bit of speed and can fill in at second in the dire risk of Loretta, Cora, and Graffanino all go down. :what: So I mean it's not that bad of a signing.

 

My guess is he's the 25th man and a pretty good one.This could either spell the end of Graffy or possibly Stern, who I assumed would be the 25th man. Overall, good move.

[RedSoxRooter]

Sounds like he's Gabe's replacement for a while.

[yeszir]

650k is almost worth it just for the pinch runner ability. So long as Tito doesn't replace Ortiz with him in the 8th only to have the game go to extra innings.

[Beckett95]

this pretty much could end adam sterns days in Boston. Harris can play almost any position and is fast on the bases.

He was a pretty reliable bench player the last two years..

[u] G   AB   R   H   2B  3B  HR  RBI  TB   BB  SO  SB  CS   OBP   SLG   AVG [/u]
129  409  68 107  15  2   2   27   132  51  79  19   7  .343  .323  .262 
56   121  17  31  2   1   1    8   38   13  25  10   3  .333  .314  .256 

[jsinger121]

stern needs to stay on the roster for 18 days to fulfill his rule 5 service then he can go back to pawtucket. they could always trade him as well.

[a700hitter]

I don't get this move. They need a RH hitter to sub for Nixon against tough lefties. All this move does is make it likely that Graffy will be moved or released.

[jsinger121]

its called competition and depth. you can never have enough of it.

[a700hitter]

They still need a RH OF.

[riverside sluggers]

No one said this move was for Harris to be the 4th outfielder/platoon partner with Nixon--As of right now they are still looking for a backup righty outfielder whether it be through trade or free signing.

 

It is evident Willie will see most of his time doing the infield in the late innings. Whats not to get? This improves the defense even more now for our pitchers.

[Beckett95]

the only way they can get a RH OF is through a trade. The only possible FA i could see them trying to platoon Nixon with is Jamaal Strong. They would have better options if they trade graffanino for a 4th OF.

[26 to 6]

Not a bad player, good gritty kid who also provides some versatility. This was a shock to me considering all of the rumors about him going to the Rockies this offseason.

 

I just hope this isnt what you guys planned on to fill your CF/Leadoff role

 

Good signing in my opinion

[a700hitter]

No one said this move was for Harris to be the 4th outfielder/platoon partner with Nixon--As of right now they are still looking for a backup righty outfielder whether it be through trade or free signing.

 

It is evident Willie will see most of his time doing the infield in the late innings. Whats not to get? This improves the defense even more now for our pitchers.

Late inning infield defense is just not as high a priority as SS, CF or a 4th OF to platoon with Nixon. This move is just a yawn. If they get a SS, they have Cora for infield defense. Does this move mean that Cora will be the starting SS? I hope not.

[jsinger121]

I think we will see cora as the starting shortstop because there is no one out there unless the red sox trade for tejada. they are not bringing in alex gonzalez because frankly he is not an upgrade from cora and will cost alot more.

[a700hitter]

I think we will see cora as the starting shortstop because there is no one out there unless the red sox trade for tejada. they are not bringing in alex gonzalez because frankly he is not an upgrade from cora and will cost alot more.

I think you are right.

[riverside sluggers]

Lets not count out that the Sox could still keep Tony to act as their 4th outfielder/right handed hitting compliment to Nixon.

 

Can play all infield/outfield positions

Wont make waves if placed in utility role

Hits .300 with RISP, especialy with 2/outs

 

Fenway is definitely home for him

32 games played- 37 for 107 (.346 avg) (.403 OBP)

---------------------------

Late inning infield defense is just not as high a priority as SS, CF or a 4th OF to platoon with Nixon. This move is just a yawn. If they get a SS, they have Cora for infield defense. Does this move mean that Cora will be the starting SS? I hope not.

 

Who do you suggest? Wife Beater Lugo perhaps who will cost an arm and a leg trying to deal with Tampa Bay?

[example1]

This is kind of a yawner. I remember being intregued about Ricky Guiteriez at first and then realizing why the Sox were able to get him. Its a depth move, nothing more.

[yeszir]

This is kind of a yawner. I remember being intregued about Ricky Guiteriez at first and then realizing why the Sox were able to get him. Its a depth move, nothing more.

It's a "Theo" move is what it is. I don't know if he was behind it or not, but its a low cost, medium reward move that increases our depth and late inning possibilites.

[a700hitter]

Lets not count out that the Sox could still keep Tony to act as their 4th outfielder/right handed hitting compliment to Nixon.

 

Can play all infield/outfield positions

Wont make waves if placed in utility role

Hits .300 with RISP, especialy with 2/outs

 

Fenway is definitely home for him

32 games played- 37 for 107 (.346 avg) (.403 OBP)

---------------------------

 

 

Who do you suggest? Wife Beater Lugo perhaps who will cost an arm and a leg trying to deal with Tampa Bay?

I like Graffy. I think his versatility should allow him to get a fair amount of playing time, if they keep him. As for Lugo, I am not crazy about his D, but if they could get him cheap, I think they should go for it.

[jsinger121]

Lugo will not come cheap no with the devil rays and their ridiculous demands. the sox will not give the drays any of their top prospects for a guy that is not that good and will be a free agent next year.

[example1]

It's a "Theo" move is what it is. I don't know if he was behind it or not, but its a low cost, medium reward move that increases our depth and late inning possibilites.

 

I don't think Theo is revolutionary in his taste for ML experienced, versitile guys who don't cost a lot of money. What is revolutionary is that its a Red Sox team that is doing it; spend considerable time and effort to build the team from the bottom up. I like the move, but its not very exciting.

 

Who's spot does he take on the 40 man?

[yeszir]

What is revolutionary is that its a Red Sox team that is doing it; spend considerable time and effort to build the team from the bottom up. I like the move, but its not very exciting.

Exactly. I'm not used to this. I'm used to the blockbuster right handed slugging flop. And Jose Offerman.

[jsinger121]

harris i believe was signed to a minor league deal so a roster move does not have to be made yet.

[a700hitter]

Lugo will not come cheap no with the devil rays and their ridiculous demands. the sox will not give the drays any of their top prospects for a guy that is not that good and will be a free agent next year.

They might drop their price. They are loaded up with infielders and outfielders. They have to move someone to get some pitching.

 

Infielders

 

Sean Burroughs

Jorge Cantu

Nick Green

Travis Lee

Julio Lugo

B.J. Upton

Ty Wigginton

 

Outfielders

 

Rocco Baldelli

Carl Crawford

Joey Gathright

Jonny Gomes

Damon Hollins

Aubrey Huff

Delmon Young

[jsinger121]

not likely as they will command the likes of lester and papelbon for lugo. when they just got edwin jackson and chuck tiffany for baez and carter then they will still hold out for the bigger name prospects. i know jackson has slipped but he can still turn it around and tiffany is an impressive prospect. i will highly doubt the drays drop their price because its not their style.

[yankeessuck013]

If Harris is penciled in as a 25th man and can play a quality backup CF, does this increase the likelihood that Marte ends up being Trot's platoon partner? Their inactivity in finding a 4th OF when someone like DaVanon is screaming to be signed makes me think they are looking at Marte for the role. Having Harris makes the 4th OF not have to be CF capable. This eases Marte in with a 300 AB rookie season and can also grab some AB on off nights for Lowell at 3B.

 

I like this bench:

 

Cora

Snow

Marte

Flaherty/Shoppach

Harris

 

That has elements of power, speed and defense.

 

This is a good pickup. Harris is another guy who got rushed, rather than developed. In 2000, he drew 89 walks in 474 AB in A-ball. Rather than send him to AA in 2001, he got sent to AAA, and his walk rate dropped like a rock, to 33 BB in 360 AB. In 2004 and 2005, he has showed signs of getting his walk rate back up. There is nothing wrong with a guy on your bench who can play 2b and CF, and put up a .340 OBP when he's in the lineup. My guess is that we open the season with a Cora/Pedroia platoon at SS. So, Harris will make Graffanino expendable.

 

Since we don't have one-batter specialist pitchers this season (Myers, Bradford, etc), I think we'll only carry 11 pitchers. This will leave room for 5 bench guys as listed above.

[jimmycarter05]

They might drop their price. They are loaded up with infielders and outfielders. They have to move someone to get some pitching.

 

Infielders

 

Sean Burroughs

Jorge Cantu

Nick Green

Travis Lee

Julio Lugo

B.J. Upton

Ty Wigginton

 

Outfielders

 

Rocco Baldelli

Carl Crawford

Joey Gathright

Jonny Gomes

Damon Hollins

Aubrey Huff

Delmon Young

 

 

I would looooove to get Johnny Gomes.

[a700hitter]

not likely as they will command the likes of lester and papelbon for lugo. when they just got edwin jackson and chuck tiffany for baez and carter then they will still hold out for the bigger name prospects. i know jackson has slipped but he can still turn it around and tiffany is an impressive prospect. i will highly doubt the drays drop their price because its not their style.

If the D-Rays carry two catchers, they only have room for 9 pitchers with their current roster. At least 2 guys have to go or be sent to the minors.

[schillingouttheks]

Hm. What do you guys think it would take to get Jorge Cantu? And do you think he could convert to SS?