Wakefield's New Catcher

[ORS]

When considering the trade values of Wells and Clement, I think the team that would be trading for him needs to be considered. Wells will hold more appeal to contenders since his level of production is both good and consistent. Clement will hold more appeal to teams that are still building and need starting pitching.

 

The Nats have already traded away good young talent, Wilkerson, for a one year rental, Soriano. I think this means they consider themselves contenders, meaning Wells is likely to get more interest from them. I'd look at getting Larry Broadway for him. According to BA he's the #2 prospect in their system and the best power bat. He's got a good ~.200 IsoP in the minors, with next to no triples meaning it is true power and not dependent on speed, and a good .370 OBP. And, Nick Johnson is blocking him at 1B. Plus, he's still got options.

 

I say they try and take advantage of Lawrence's injury and the fact that the Nats aren't under true ownership yet. With MLB owning the team, they have traded good talent to try and put the best product on the field each year. That scenario isn't likely to continue once the team is bought. Here's a link to Broadway's stats.

 

Larry Broadway @ TheBaseballCube.com

[Cityofchampions33]

That'd be good, but I think Wells would go West Coast, and that'd be cheap of us just to get him out of one bad situation into another. That would also maybe mean Wells would want to be traded from there also. I would most certainly trade Clement to an NL team for Broadway.

[BoSox34]

I would rather see Varitek behind the plate when Wakefield starts but it will probably be Flaherty.

[The Monster is my Mom]

I don't see trading Wells to someone other than a West Coast team. Though he doesn't have a no-trade, no one will take a chance trading for him and then he doesn't go because its not West Coast. Also, we should keep Clement until we get into the season, see how he does (hope he increases his value) and then trade him.

[guapo34]

Yeah, I wasn't saying we should trade them Clement because we could get a ton for him. I just don't see why they would have any interest in Wells. I don't think Washington would offer us a thing for Wells. If rumors popped up i think Wells would threaten to retire before going there, and make a bad situation worse. If you were running the Nats would you offer anything for a guy that has demanded to play for a list of teams that doesn't include yours?

[jsinger121]

if the red sox could get a ton for clement they would have gotten rid of him already. no one is likely to give up top prospects for clement while assuming the remaining money he has left on his deal. if the red sox want to get rid of him they will have to eat some of the money as well as get B level prospects in return.

[ORS]

Yeah, I wasn't saying we should trade them Clement because we could get a ton for him. I just don't see why they would have any interest in Wells. I don't think Washington would offer us a thing for Wells. If rumors popped up i think Wells would threaten to retire before going there, and make a bad situation worse. If you were running the Nats would you offer anything for a guy that has demanded to play for a list of teams that doesn't include yours?

As I mentioned before, the fact that MLB owns the club means that they aren't held accountable to any particular team-construction philosophy. Giving up Wilkerson and filler for a one-year rental of Soriano shows that they are willing to give up talent where they have depth for an immediate improvement to the team. I think MLB is more interested in fielding a good product this year than it is in building for the future. Those factors make Wells a likely trade candidate for them now that Lawrence is out for a while.

[Redguitar985]

As I mentioned before, the fact that MLB owns the club means that they aren't held accountable to any particular team-construction philosophy. Giving up Wilkerson and filler for a one-year rental of Soriano shows that they are willing to give up talent where they have depth for an immediate improvement to the team. I think MLB is more interested in fielding a good product this year than it is in building for the future. Those factors make Wells a likely trade candidate for them now that Lawrence is out for a while.

 

Well, you know, Wells came to Boston because he wanted another chance at winning a championship and being a part of a rivalry. If he seriously thinks the Nats could be a contender this year, maybe he'd change his mind and support the deal.

[jsinger121]

he has no choice since he has a no trade clause. he can go anywhere the red sox send him. if the nationals guaranteed his entire contract he would probably go there.

[ORS]

Don't you mean since he "doesn't" have a NTC. The way you word it makes it sound like Wells has one.

[jsinger121]

Don't you mean since he "doesn't" have a NTC. The way you word it makes it sound like Wells has one.

 

thats what i meant is that wells does not have a no trade clause and the red sox can trade him anywhere if they chose.

[a700hitter]

I think Wells might retire if traded to to the Nats. If he is not willing to stay on the East Coast, why would he go to an East coast city with worse traffic than Boston.

 

As for Wake's catcher, I hope Flash Flaherty gets cut on March 31st. I hate that guy.

[Cityofchampions33]

Why? only weakness he has is with the stick, otherwise he's solid. Good handling of staff, good caller, good defense, and great clubhouse influence.

[a700hitter]

Why? only weakness he has is with the stick, otherwise he's solid. Good handling of staff, good caller, good defense, and great clubhouse influence.

I hate him because he was an a-hole during his years with Tampa. Remember all those brawls. And the last couple of years he has been with the Yanks. I hate him. Cut him, and send him to retirement.

[jsinger121]

I hate him because he was an a-hole during his years with Tampa. Remember all those brawls. And the last couple of years he has been with the Yanks. I hate him. Cut him, and send him to retirement.

 

hes not on tampa anymore so who cares. he with the red sox now and if he wins the job he wins the job

[Cityofchampions33]

True, he was an a-hole then, but now he's on our team, so if we brawl with the Yanks, we'll have a nice compliment to Ortiz, who nearly layed down a full punch on Sturtze.

[26 to 6]

I'd look at getting Larry Broadway for him.

I highly doubt Washington would give up Broadway for Wells. Boomers over 40 and has back problems. Definately shouldnt take Broadway.

 

Washington would definately be a good fit for Boomer, but I dont think he'll go there.

[CrespoBlows]

He doesn't have a choice.

[26 to 6]

I mean like I dont think he would end up there, not that I dont think he'll approve it.

[guapo34]

Washington isn't going to compete this year, Wells is going to retire after this year, and he would threaten to hold out or retire if traded there. He isn't going to Washington. I'd bet anything on it. Washington wouldn't offer anything more than a crappy prospect that would turn into nothing if even that. We all know he doesn't have a no trade clause so you can all stop posting it. That doesn't mean he wouldn't be a major pain in the ass if they got him.

[Ray10]

I say start Flarhety at the begining of the year send Bard down to AAA and see how Flaherty does. If he isn't preforming well than call up Bard and send down Flahrety. But as far as who should catch Wake this year I say for now go with Flaherty he has the experience and he played for the Yankees so wasn't he catching Mussina's Knucklecurve the odd time.

[ORS]

The knuckle-curve has spin, a consistent break pattern, and is really just a curve-ball thrown with a knuckle-like grip. The knuckle-ball has no spin, or minimal spin, and an inconsistent break pattern. Catching Mussina doesn't make Flaherty ready for Wake. Bard is out of options, so they can't send him down without going through the waiver process.

[Redguitar985]

I say start Flarhety at the begining of the year send Bard down to AAA and see how Flaherty does. If he isn't preforming well than call up Bard and send down Flahrety. But as far as who should catch Wake this year I say for now go with Flaherty he has the experience and he played for the Yankees so wasn't he catching Mussina's Knucklecurve the odd time.

 

Bard's out of options though, so they can't send him to AAA. It's really a tough call because Huckaby's in there too, and he has some experience with the knuckler. And to be honest, I really like all three of them and think all three could do the job. If I had to pick, I'd go with Bard, only because I see him as a possible replacement to V-Tek down the road, and I wouldn't want to lose him in the waiver process. But if Flaherty or Huckaby make it, I think the team would still benefit.

[riverside sluggers]

Just relaying on the Wells to Nationals scenario, the Nats have indeed contacted the Sox.

 

Rotoworld: According to the Washington Post, the Nationals approached the Red Sox about a trade involving Alfonso Soriano, but Boston showed very little interest.

Reports have had the Red Sox looking at Soriano in the past, but we've always been skeptical, as he'd be expensive -- both in terms of salary and what it would take to acquire him -- and he's not at all the team's kind of player. They'd likely rather have Nick Johnson, but he's also an unlikely acquisition. Unless David Wells is interested in going to Washington, there probably isn't a fit between the two teams. Matt Clement could be viewed as too costly by the Nats even if Soriano is spun elsewhere, and it's highly unlikely that Bronson Arroyo will be moved after just agreeing to a three-year contract.

 

There ya go Sox FO. We have no need, let alone space for the over-rated Soriano. He would kill the defense-minded season the Sox are aiming for. Myself Im interested in outfielder Ryan Church

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7415/career;_ylt=AuyrYLJJc4YkAsLwZTUJ9suFCLcF

 

Good option, thus far he has hit .310 again lefties, and he's a lefty himself (potential platoon partner with Trot). He has not made an error in his first 112 games (potential ate innings replacement as well, can play all 3 OF spots).

[MC Hammer]

There ya go Sox FO. We have no need, let alone space for the over-rated Soriano. He would kill the defense-minded season the Sox are aiming for. Myself Im interested in outfielder Ryan Church

Yeah I couldn't agree more. The only spot he could possibly fill is the 4th OFer role ... which would be insane because of his price tag ... and also, he said he wont play the OF. If we did end up getting him I assume he'd have to play 2B, which means we'd have to move Loretta, which also means Dustin would now be blocked by a young 2B ... as opposed to an old one in Loretta.

 

So unless we're just getting Soriono to trade him I don't understand the move.

[The Monster is my Mom]

God I hate Soriano! He is such a baby.

[a700hitter]

hes not on tampa anymore so who cares. he with the red sox now and if he wins the job he wins the job

He's a backup who stinks. The other two guys could not be much worse, so I would prefer that Flaherty gets cut, because I can't stand the guy, and I don't want Yankee trash on the Red Sox. If he was a stud, I'd root for him even though I don't like him, but he stinks. Any backup would be just as good.

[jsinger121]

if he beats out the other two players for the job he makes the team. plain and simple. just because he is a former yankee doesn't mean i want him cut. if he is the best man for the job then i am fine with that.

[a700hitter]

if he beats out the other two players for the job he makes the team. plain and simple. just because he is a former yankee doesn't mean i want him cut. if he is the best man for the job then i am fine with that.

I can root for him to fail...right?

[jsinger121]

whatever you want but i dont root against any red sox players in spring training. maybe thats me.