Sox's 2007 first baseman.

[scaffolds]

I have talked in other threads that while Kevin Youkulis has value to the Red Sox mostly as an utility player he isn't the production hitter that the Sox needs at first base. So the question is who should be the Sox first baseman in 2007? Its well know that the 07 free agent market its very light and the only free agent possibility is Carlos Lee, but Lee might be too expensive and there should be a lot of competetion for his services. Which means the Sox may have to trade for a first baseman, but Who? Mike Sweeney has been an All Star before, but at 35 yrs his skills has decline some, has had health issues lately and its very expensive, Ben Brousard or Shea Hillenbrand could be, but there are some question about them. The best answer is Xavier Nady a 28yrs who in 2006 played for the Mets and Pirates and in 430 AB hit for 280 ave 28 doubles and 17 HR 337 OBP and 453 SLG, in addition Nady salary in 06 was $427, 000 which means he will not be expensive, one final note Fenway is the type of park that can Xavier Nady an All Star.

[ORS]

Chris Duncan. Butcher in the OF. True position is 1B/DH. Not getting that job in StL. Go get him.

[scaffolds]

Red Seat; Fenway is more made for Nady than Duncan.

[Papelbon58]

Kevin Millar!! Just kidding. I want him on the team, but Youk at first if we can get Aramis Ramirez at 3rd?

[Cityofchampions33]

I like Nady or Duncan at first, though I do feel bad sitting Youk, amn if he were a second baseman he'd be perfect.

[ORS]

Red Seat; Fenway is more made for Nady than Duncan.

I like Nady too, but he fits right now in Pittsburg. Duncan has no position in StL, so I think they should strike while the iron is hot.

[jacksonianmarch]

Youk should be the 3b of the future in this organization. As a 3b, he will be worth more than the average. As a 1b, he is below average. Deal Lowell for bullpen help, move Youk to 3b and get a true 1b.

[MANNYHOF24]

Youk should be the 3b of the future in this organization. As a 3b' date=' he will be worth more than the average. As a 1b, he is below average. Deal Lowell for bullpen help, move Youk to 3b and get a true 1b.[/quote']

 

I agree 100% with that.

[a700hitter]

Youk should be the 3b of the future in this organization. As a 3b' date=' he will be worth more than the average. As a 1b, he is below average. Deal Lowell for bullpen help, move Youk to 3b and get a true 1b.[/quote']Keep Lowell. Deal Youk. Youk is not a long term solution at first or third.

[a700hitter]

Mike Sweeney has been an All Star before' date=' but at 35 yrs his skills has decline some, has had health issues lately and its very expensive[/quote']How much is left on his contract. If it is only one year. I'd give him a good physical. Put him on a strict physical therapy regime and get him. He is a great hitter.

[jsinger121]

Who cares how much Sweeney has left on his contract. He is a DH now. He can't play first and is always injured. I would stay away from him.

[a700hitter]

Who cares how much Sweeney has left on his contract. He is a DH now. He can't play first and is always injured. I would stay away from him.

I care or I would not have asked. He's a great hitter. If he is a one year commitment, and our docs think his back can hold up for a year, KC might give him away. The guy is a great hitter. If we could get 120 games from him, he'd be better than a full year of Youk at first.

[jacksonianmarch]

Keep Lowell. Deal Youk. Youk is not a long term solution at first or third.

 

 

Lowell has one yr left on his deal and he is 4 yrs older. Youk can be controlled for 3 more yrs I believe.

[a700hitter]

Lowell has one yr left on his deal and he is 4 yrs older. Youk can be controlled for 3 more yrs I believe.

But what are you controlling ... ? He's not that good. He's not as good as Kevin Millar was in his best days.

[Gom]

You may get something for Youkilis. I doubt you get anything of value for Lowell.

[riverside sluggers]

Disputing a player's first full season as "what he will always be, not good" is kind of blind

 

example, Brandon Inge

2004 (27 years old, Youk's age...) 13 HRs, 64 RBIs

2005 (28 years old) 16 HRs, 72 RBIs

2006 (29 years old) 27 HRs, 83 RBIs

 

Youk's 2nd half tailed off due to strain from his first full season in the majors, coupled with players arent comfortable with (moving to different spots in the order almost each game)

[jacksonianmarch]

But what are you controlling ... ? He's not that good. He's not as good as Kevin Millar was in his best days.

 

Lowell isnt any better bro.

 

Lowell- .814OPS

Youkilis- .810OPS. That includes the dip in his production when he was injured. He is also younger, hence worth more.

[ksushi]

But what are you controlling ... ? He's not that good. He's not as good as Kevin Millar was in his best days.

 

Kevin Millar in his best days hit .300+ and 20+ HR's. Thats nothing to balk at. Thank god you don't run the Sox. Mike Sweeney is a f***ing mess. He said he might even retire THIS offseason his injuries are so bad. You think KC doesn't have him in physical therapy? You think they don't watch his health? He is a mess. I personally would prefer sean casey or carlos lee. I don't care what competition there is for either we should be able to sign one.

[a700hitter]

Disputing a player's first full season as "what he will always be, not good" is kind of blind

 

example, Brandon Inge

2004 (27 years old, Youk's age...) 13 HRs, 64 RBIs

2005 (28 years old) 16 HRs, 72 RBIs

2006 (29 years old) 27 HRs, 83 RBIs

 

Youk's 2nd half tailed off due to strain from his first full season in the majors, coupled with players arent comfortable with (moving to different spots in the order almost each game)

Brandon Inge is faster than Youklis and he has a gun for an arm. He hit 13 Hrs in his first full year in 150 less ABs than Youklis in '06. That would project out to 18 HRs at Youkils # of ABs. Is that a valid comparison? If Youk like Inge improves his HR/AB ratio by 30%, he'd be an 18 HR/yr guy. Big whoop.

[a700hitter]

Lowell isnt any better bro.

 

Lowell- .814OPS

Youkilis- .810OPS. That includes the dip in his production when he was injured. He is also younger, hence worth more.

Agreed. That's why you'd get more trade value for him.

[a700hitter]

Kevin Millar in his best days hit .300+ and 20+ HR's. Thats nothing to balk at. Thank god you don't run the Sox. Mike Sweeney is a f***ing mess. He said he might even retire THIS offseason his injuries are so bad. You think KC doesn't have him in physical therapy? You think they don't watch his health? He is a mess. I personally would prefer sean casey or carlos lee. I don't care what competition there is for either we should be able to sign one.

I said that he is not as good as millar. I didn't say that he is as good as Millar was. He's not much better than Millar is now. I also said that our docs would have to ive the go ahead on Sweeney. Are you a doctor? If he is that messed up, I would hope our docs would give the thumbs down. When healthy this guy is an offensive force. I am not a doctor, so I can't speak with authority as to the state of his health, and neither can you.

[scaffolds]

A third baseman or a first baseman with 13 HR, 70 RBI and 120 strike outs is below average. Mike Lowell isn't just a better hitter than Youkilis but a better defender, Lowell and his Golden Glove caliber defense its needed back if the Sox wants to compete in 2007, Lowell isn't the problem, first base is, Youkilis can be traded in a package deal (him by himself woun't bring much) orbe a utility player.

[scaffolds]

Posters keep posting about Youkilis lack of hitting in the second of the 06 season was due to the fack that he was playing hurt, well Youkilis wasn't a 100%, but very players are at 100% the last month or two of the season, the problem wasn't that he was hurt, but that the rest of league learned how to pitch to him, this happens a lot with first year players and some have a very good first half to them struggle the rest of their ML carreer.

[scaffolds]

700; If Sweeney could stay in the field and play first base he would be the best answer, but because there are still some health questions about him and addition he is a lot more expensive than some of the above mentioned.

[jsinger121]

The fact is Sweeney cannot stay on the field and he is a poor firstbaseman now because of his health issues. I cannot see the red sox wasting money on a washed up mike sweeney.

[a700hitter]

The fact is Sweeney cannot stay on the field and he is a poor firstbaseman now because of his health issues. I cannot see the red sox wasting money on a washed up mike sweeney.

It is funny how guys in the last year of their contracts find miraculous cures for their conditions. I would n't be surprised to see him play 120-130 games in '07 and put up some nice #'s.

[jsinger121]

Frankly I would be shocked if Sweeney with his balky back even played 100 games.

[scaffolds]

Sweeney still can hit and he is far from wash up, but the health issues is another matter, at his 2006 salary it would be to much of a gamble, at half of what he made in 2006 its worth the gamble.

[jsinger121]

Its alittle tough to hit when you are injured as much as sweeney is. sweeney is terrible value and would not be a good fit here.

[a700hitter]

What about inviting Bagwell to camp now that his Astro contract is up?