Infield Logjam

[corngordon]

Lowell, Lowrie, Lugo, Youkilis.

 

With talks with the Tigers cooling off, Lugo needs to be ditched asap. Pay part of his salary. His stock is not going to go up anytime soon.

 

The Sox need a dangerous 30 HR hitter. Texeia would be a great signing, but would also increase the logjam. Ideally, an outfield that is a a more dangerous hitter than Jason Bay woud be ideal. But the Sox will probably not trade Bay, since he is fairly cheap ($7.5 million) for next year.

 

I would say trade JD Drew, but he has to be viewed as damaged goods, despite is All Star MVP aware and clutch post season hitting.

 

Make no mistake, the Sox have their hands tied in more ways than one. I think they'll sign or trade for a 30 HR hitter, then try to make moves during spring training. Look at it this way, Coco was hurt in Spring Training, but keeping him for the year worked out quite well.

[wickedsoxfan]

IMO Lugo shouldn't even be a thought for any position on this team.

[jacksonianmarch]

You say that you are looking for a dangerous 30HR hitter and in the same breath talk about how Jason Bay is not that. Hmm. Bay hit 31 HR this past yr and has surpassed 30 in 3 of the last 4 yrs. He's your "dangerous 30HR hitter."

[BoSox21]

Would Lugo really be that bad as a utility infielder?

[schillingouttheks]

Would Lugo really be that bad as a utility infielder?

 

No. Keep him on the bench.

 

I don't see the log jam. If the Sox sign Teixeira, they'll do something about Lowell. As of right now, there's no jam.

 

WHY DO YOU SAY LOG JAM WHEN THERE IS NO LOG JAM? [/attempt at reference]

[redsoxrules]

And why the f*** would you trade JD drew for ?

[Dipre]

Possibility for Lugo as utility infielder equals no logjam.

[example1]

Lowell, Lowrie, Lugo, Youkilis.

 

With talks with the Tigers cooling off, Lugo needs to be ditched asap. Pay part of his salary. His stock is not going to go up anytime soon.

 

The Sox need a dangerous 30 HR hitter. Texeia would be a great signing, but would also increase the logjam. Ideally, an outfield that is a a more dangerous hitter than Jason Bay woud be ideal. But the Sox will probably not trade Bay, since he is fairly cheap ($7.5 million) for next year.

 

I would say trade JD Drew, but he has to be viewed as damaged goods, despite is All Star MVP aware and clutch post season hitting.

 

Make no mistake, the Sox have their hands tied in more ways than one. I think they'll sign or trade for a 30 HR hitter, then try to make moves during spring training. Look at it this way, Coco was hurt in Spring Training, but keeping him for the year worked out quite well.

 

 

I agree that the Sox could use another 30+ HR threat, but not because they will be lacking power next year. They need the middle of the order bat that Teixeira offers because Teixeira could be at the top of his game for 8 seasons and that fits nicely with the Sox current construction.

 

Sometimes competition on a team can creat some nice results. Let Lugo earn his way back if he is indeed still part of the team. Or trade him, if they can.

 

Jason Bay is a great pick up and he and Drew should remain on the corners. I think that getting yet another 30+ HR type outfielder is not the option.

 

The real logjam exists in the outfield, in their minor league system. They have a number of players who have high upside, including Reddick, Lin, Westmoreland, etc., who will all be competing for one spot (when JD Drew's contract expires).

 

I think the Sox would be foolish to not sign Jason Bay to an extension, given that it sounds like he loves playing in Fenway and they need a LF and he's one of the best in the AL.

 

Getting Teixeira gives them a bat that will benefit them for a number of years, but there is no need to move Drew until his contract is over, at which time they can try to move up one of their expensive draft picks or international signings and give that player a shot, with Lars Anderson potentially moving to 1B or DH with Teixeira.

[Cocos Disciples]

Bay and Ortiz both are 30 HR threats, and even Youk may be able to get there.

[Teddyballgame10]

There is no log jam till we get Texeia. Once he comes then yes there is. I wish we could just dumb Lugo and keep Lowell on the bench but thats clearly not an option. I love Lowell and feel bad just to drop him like this but we need a big bat. If we deal him the infield is set for a long time.

[corngordon]

Why isn't Jason Bay a dangerous 30 HR hitter? Because he doesn't, at this point, provide enough protection to Ortiz. I know there isn't another Manny out there (which may be a good thing). Bay hasn't played a full season in the AL, and could he establish himself as protection for Ortiz (my definition of "dangerous?" Sure. Will he? I don't know. Maybe it's my Red Sox paranoia creeping in. And the fact that the AL East is so good.

 

Does Lowell provide protection for Ortiz over a full season? Well, since I'm asking the question....

[Cocos Disciples]

 

Does Lowell provide protection for Ortiz over a full season? Well, since I'm asking the question....

 

No. Bay>>>>Lowell.

[BoSox21]

Why isn't Jason Bay a dangerous 30 HR hitter? Because he doesn't, at this point, provide enough protection to Ortiz. I know there isn't another Manny out there (which may be a good thing). Bay hasn't played a full season in the AL, and could he establish himself as protection for Ortiz (my definition of "dangerous?" Sure. Will he? I don't know. Maybe it's my Red Sox paranoia creeping in. And the fact that the AL East is so good.

 

Does Lowell provide protection for Ortiz over a full season? Well, since I'm asking the question....

 

I know what you're saying, it feels like the Sox have one A hitter (Ortiz) surrounded by a bunch of B hitters (Drew, Lowell, Youk, Bay) but thats because you've been spoiled by having Manny and Ortiz for the last couple of years but in the end, I dont think Ortiz is as bad as he led on to be last without Manny being in the lineup and either Bay or Youk can provide him with adequate protection

[rgmfick]

Red Sox should first determine whether they signed Teixeira before concerning the team with so-called logjams. e.g. If Teixeira is not signed, the team still has a very strong lineup and should Mike Lowell need a bit more time to heal from his major surgery, the team will be able to play Jed Lowrie at 3B and Julio Lugo at SS. Just as it proved smart for the team not to dump Coco just to have him off the roster this past season, the same kind of situation could make it very wise for these players available. All the scouts I have read have said that Argenis Diaz is a ML shortstop, thus there could worst things if the Sox had to use him as a backup to Lugo and Lowrie at SS while Mike Lowell is hopefully healing to 100%.

[a700hitter]

It would be very tough to get enough playing time for Youk, Ortiz, Teixeira, and Lowell. None of these gus are platoon players. They all play 150+ games a year. when healthy. If they have injury situations like Ortiz, Lowell and Drew had last year, there would be no problem. Youk could even play some left field in Fenway if Bay could play some RF.

 

Edit: If they sign Teixeira, someone would have to get traded. After the injuries from last season, Lowell's and Ortiz's value would be way down. Why sell low. The best trading commodity would be Youkilis. He's approaching his FA years. He may be difficult to keep anyway. He could net the Sox a really good player in return.

[rician blast]

The best trading commodity would be Youkilis. He's approaching his FA years. He may be difficult to keep anyway. He could net the Sox a really good player in return.

 

Bite your tongue...ya can't trade Youk...the real 2008 MVP.

[a700hitter]

Bite your tongue...ya can't trade Youk...the real 2008 MVP.

If the choice comes down to Youk or Teixeira at approximately the same contract, who do you take. If Youk has another year like this year, he'll be looking for big money and a long term contract. If the Sox go after Teixeira now, they can get a really good player in return. That's the move. Nothing else makes sense to me if the Sox sign Teixeira. Lowell looked like a broken down war horse. Teams will not give a lot in return for a guy who may not physically recover. Teams will not give much for a Power Hitting DH (Ortiz) who has yet to prove that he has fully recovered from a wrist injury. I wouldn't be happy to see Youk leave, but I'd rather have Teixeira. And trading Youk could get a SS or pitcher.

[Cocos Disciples]

I'd rather have Youk and Teixeira and trade Lowell, and I think we can do that. We're not Oakland or Florida; when the time comes to give Youk his payday, we can do that.

[BoSox21]

if you sign Teixeira and then trade Youk, youre more or less back to where you started, just with added payroll so what would be the point of signing Tex in the first place?

[a700hitter]

I'd rather have Youk and Teixeira and trade Lowell' date=' and I think we can do that. We're not Oakland or Florida; when the time comes to give Youk his payday, we can do that.[/quote']So, you are willing to sell low on Lowell? That doesn't make sense to me.

[Cocos Disciples]

If it means getting Teixeira, yes. Besides, from this point on in Lowell's career, I doubt he's going to be of much value in any trade. He's aging and declining.

[a700hitter]

if you sign Teixeira and then trade Youk' date=' youre more or less back to where you started, just with added payroll so what would be the point of signing Tex in the first place?[/quote']How is that? Youk would net the Sox another high quality player. The Sox would improve themselves in the Teixeira for Youk swap plus they would have added another quality position player or pitcher.

[a700hitter]

If it means getting Teixeira' date=' yes. Besides, from this point on in Lowell's career, I doubt he's going to be of much value in any trade. He's aging and declining.[/quote']A35 yr old Mike Lowell who is healthy will net far more than the hobbling Mike Lowell at the end of 2008. Teams will be reluctant to offer anything of value for him until they see if he is healthy. That will not happen until the Spring, and if the Sox have Teixeira, teams will know that the Sox are desperate to dump Lowell. They will get next to nothing for him. I don't think that is a plan to maximize assets.

[Cocos Disciples]

IMO I would rather have Tex, whoever we get for Lowell and less money than Lowell and some extra cash. I might not be looking long term, but I really want Tex.

[a700hitter]

IMO I would rather have Tex' date=' whoever we get for Lowell and less money than Lowell and some extra cash. I might not be looking long term, but I really want Tex.[/quote']I think giving away Lowell for a roster-filler and paying part of Lowell's salary is a bad move. There isn't a huge difference between a healthy Lowell and a Youk, but the Sox could get a huge return for Youk on the trade market. Trading Lowell would just be a give away.

[Cocos Disciples]

I think giving away Lowell for a roster-filler and paying part of Lowell's salary is a bad move. There isn't a huge difference between a healthy Lowell and a Youk' date=' but the Sox could get a huge return for Youk on the trade market. Trading Lowell would just be a give away.[/quote']

 

I disagree. Youk is in his prime and he is going to OPS around .900 next year, and was one of the best players in the AL this year. Lowell is on the decline, and while he can probably OPS around .800 next year, he can't do it for much longer, and is inferior in the field to Youk.

[CrespoBlows]

We should offer Youkilis for one of the Texas catchers, and Neftali Feliz.

[Cocos Disciples]

Neftali Feliz is interesting but I still would rather not trade Youk.

 

Here's a report on Feliz:

 

An eighteen year old Dominican whose fastball has been clocked at 98mph, Feliz was a sleeper deep in the Atlanta system, scooped by Texas as part of the prospect package that sent Mark Teixeira to the Braves. He's as raw as they come, but he's a fascinating option, if you discount fear over pitchers-that-Atlanta-rejects, anyway.

 

He's still a year or three away from really contributing, but if the Texas coaches can add a change or a curve to his existing fastball-slider talent, he could be something special enough that we'll have a King Feliz to accompany that other guy. If they can't get him under control, he could still be a great young closer, something Texas could most certainly use.

-ScoutingBook.com

[Dojji]

We should offer Youkilis for one of the Texas catchers' date=' and Neftali Feliz.[/quote']

 

Bring in another prospect and that might actually work. The problem is tha3B is our weakest field position and we really can't replace even 50% of Youkilis from the farm. This would be the definition of creating a hole to fill a hole. And actually given current market options, a hole at C is easier to fill with a quality player than a hole at 3B, if you can believe that.

 

I mean, compare Salty, VMart, Anderson, et. al. to Casey Blake and Garret Atkins, and it's not much of a comparison -- 3B is harder to replace. And if you want to go internal options, you're basically looking at Ryan Khoury, a utility man at BEST.

[Dipre]

The whole point of signing Teixeira would be to solidify the infield corners for at least the next 5 years, and you're not solidifying anything by getting rid of a guy as productive and young as Youk.

 

Signing Teix and trading Lowell>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Signing Teix and trading Youk no matter how small the return for Lowell may be.

 

You can't fill a hole by creating another one...........