If no Gagne, then what?

[jacksonianmarch]

There have been rumors today of the red sox stepping up to the plate for Gagne now that their fallback option is in KC. But many teams are supposed to be in the running including Boras' "mystery team" who has offered 5mil. There are more teams than first indicated involved in these talks btw. Cleveland is considered to be the favorite to be the "mystery team" and SF is definitely in the bidding. The Rays are out there too as well as the Blue Jays. Consider the Jays to have the homefield advantage because Gagne was born in "America Jr." but I guess the quebecans are not too big of a fan of toronto, so maybe I am wrong. One more thing to remember is, this guy is certainly not going to care where he goes. This is a one stop deal to try and show he is healthy then he will use it for a big payday. So I think any team that can pony up the most money and the closers slot will get him. Now lets assume the sox don't get him and he lands in Cleveland.

 

Who will the sox use to close games if Gagne is taken off the market? Will it be internal? Will they have to center a package around Wily Mo to get something done or will they have to settle for overpaying in a trade for a middle of the road closer? The options are down to 1 now.

[TheKilo]

There have been rumors today of the red sox stepping up to the plate for Gagne now that their fallback option is in KC. But many teams are supposed to be in the running including Boras' "mystery team" who has offered 5mil. There are more teams than first indicated involved in these talks btw. Cleveland is considered to be the favorite to be the "mystery team" and SF is definitely in the bidding. The Rays are out there too as well as the Blue Jays. Consider the Jays to have the homefield advantage because Gagne was born in "America Jr." but I guess the quebecans are not too big of a fan of toronto, so maybe I am wrong. One more thing to remember is, this guy is certainly not going to care where he goes. This is a one stop deal to try and show he is healthy then he will use it for a big payday. So I think any team that can pony up the most money and the closers slot will get him. Now lets assume the sox don't get him and he lands in Cleveland.

 

Who will the sox use to close games if Gagne is taken off the market? Will it be internal? Will they have to center a package around Wily Mo to get something done or will they have to settle for overpaying in a trade for a middle of the road closer? The options are down to 1 now.

 

 

 

One of Boras's favorite tactics is to use "the mystery team" to aid in negotiations.

 

If the Sox can't get Gagne, I'd like to see them try to move Crisp in a deal instead of WMP. I think WMP has a lot more upside to him.

[jacksonianmarch]

btw, reports out of washington say that the Nationals have NO INTEREST in dealing Cordero to the Red Sox.

[ebouvier]

My prediction... Papelbon.

 

According to what he said on WEEI the other day he claimed health was not behind the decision to switch him to the rotation. And he said he would go back to closing if asked. I simply can't see them overpaying with prospects in a trade when they have him in house. I think the Sox really want Papelbon to be a starter but if they are down to the wire and closing won't kill his arm... then I think he'll close.

[BoSox21]

Turnbow would be nice

[example1]

My prediction... Papelbon.

 

According to what he said on WEEI the other day he claimed health was not behind the decision to switch him to the rotation. And he said he would go back to closing if asked. I simply can't see them overpaying with prospects in a trade when they have him in house. I think the Sox really want Papelbon to be a starter but if they are down to the wire and closing won't kill his arm... then I think he'll close.

 

 

IF health is not an issue, and IF Jon Lester can actually come back to the rotation and be helpful, then I could see Papelbon as a viable option. Otherwise they need him in the rotation.

[riverside sluggers]

If that really was the case, the Sox wouldve said so right away as Papelbon was an All-Star closer for them. All players dismiss possible injuries and act like thir s*** (not saying Papelbon isnt). Theo came out and said the team's medical staff reported to him that him starting would put less wear & tear on his shoulder than closing would do

[TheKilo]

Turnbow would be nice

 

No thanks.

 

He was found guilty of using PEDs in the Olympics I think and his ERA spiked in the NL.

 

 

PASS.

[ebouvier]

If that really was the case' date=' the Sox wouldve said so right away as Papelbon was an All-Star closer for them. All players dismiss possible injuries and act like thir s*** (not saying Papelbon isnt). Theo came out and said the team's medical staff reported to him that him starting would put less wear & tear on his shoulder than closing would do[/quote']

 

It seems to me this administration has always valued starting above closing. They have tried the bullpen by committee and didn't sign an established closer last year when we knew Foulke was a question mark. They had options then (Ryan, Wagner) that they don't have now. I truly believe that the front office really believes that Papelbon is more valuable as a starter and thus are doing everything to try to keep him there. Heck that is where I would like to see him in a perfect world. But they don't seem to have many other options and they have a guy who was lights out as a closer already. If there is a true medical issue than all bests are off, but if it's a value judgement, he is our closer.

[Beckett95]

boston.com

 

If he wants to stick with the Japanese motif, Epstein could press the Rangers about Akinori Otsuka, who had 32 saves in 36 chances last season, posting a 2.11 ERA. The Rangers, having lost Gary Matthews Jr. to the Angels in free agency, are in the market for a center fielder, raising the question of whether the Sox would dangle Coco Crisp.

 

According to another club, the Sox and Rangers have been talking about a lesser deal, one in which the Sox would acquire 6-foot-7-inch righthander Kameron Loe for outfield prospect David Murphy, but the teams are not believed to be close.

 

Murphy and Crisp for Otsuka and Loe. If the rangers sign Gagne, Otsuka could be available.

[jacksonianmarch]

Otsuka in this market could nab Crisp + a pitching prospect (one of the B's). Plus, I think Hicks will hang onto both until Gagne proves he is healthy anyway.