Infield Logjam

[CrespoBlows]

Feliz will win a Cy Young in three years, and be in the Texas rotation this year.

[example1]

If the choice comes down to Youk or Teixeira at approximately the same contract' date=' 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.[/quote']

 

Youkilis will not get a Teixeira contract. Teixeira's average season is roughly what Youk did this year, and Teixeira is a year younger, and a switch hitter. And he's won more gold gloves (two vs. one).

 

Furthermore, players rarely go from arbitration eligable to A-Rod type contracts. My thinking is that he will be pretty happy at 13-16m for 4-5 years, allowing him to stay in Boston, as he will be about 30 years old and have had a few 'good' seasons and possibly two 'great seasons' at that time.

 

I would rather have Teixeira too, but I would most rather have Youkilis and Teixeira, and let Lowell move.

 

A700, who would you propose the Sox move Youkilis for? Youkilis is the type of player who could bring back a good prospect-haul, but that's not your style. Who could you envision getting from him?

 

I suppose I would think about moving him for a near-FA pitcher like Felix Hernandez or someone like that who could really cement their rotation for awhile, but otherwise the Sox are best getting Youk's production and versitility, IMO.

[Dipre]

Feliz will win a Cy Young in three years' date=' and be in the Texas rotation this year.[/quote']

 

And how exactly do you know that?

 

Even more importantly, how do you know he would be included in a package for Youk?

[CrespoBlows]

And how exactly do you know that?

 

Because he throws 98 mph, with a devastating slider, devasting curveball, and strikes out everyone he faces.

 

Even more importantly, how do you know he would be included in a package for Youk?

 

He wouldn't, so my point is nothing more than fantasy.

[Dipre]

Because he throws 98 mph' date=' with a devastating slider, devasting curveball, and strikes out everyone he faces.[/quote']

 

Perhaps you're right about his stuff, but that doesn't mean it's more than pure speculation, i don't see Felix Hernandez' 3 Cy Youngs, as some predicted.

[BSN07]

Because he throws 98 mph' date=' with a devastating slider, [b']devasting curveball[/b], and strikes out everyone he faces.

 

 

 

He wouldn't, so my point is nothing more than fantasy.

 

 

Didn't the scouting report say he need to add a change or curveball?

 

 

He is a 2 pitch pitcher at the moment. Those two pitches are very good tho. Having this kid in the Red Sox farm system might do him wonders.

 

IMO I don't see Texas moving him, they are pitching starved. I know hes a couple years out. but it's not like Texas is in " win now" mode.

[Cocos Disciples]

Yeah, I don't see Texas trading their best pitching prospect for hitting.

[a700hitter]

I disagree. Youk is in his prime and he is going to OPS around .900 next year' date=' 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.[/quote']If Lowell is healthy, he should be able to perform well offensively for the next couple of years. With regard to defense, Youk is not a better third baseman than Lowell. Yes, Youk is in his prime, but so is Teixeira, and Teixeira is the better player. He's a game breaking type hitter.

[a700hitter]

Youkilis will not get a Teixeira contract. Teixeira's average season is roughly what Youk did this year' date=' and Teixeira is a year younger, and a switch hitter. And he's won more gold gloves (two vs. one). [/quote']Nor should Youkilis get a Teixeira contract. He's not as good as Teixeira as you point out, but he is plenty good enough, versatile and young enough to command a very big contract when he is a FA.

I would rather have Teixeira too' date=' but I would [i']most rather[/i] have Youkilis and Teixeira, and let Lowell move.

So would I, but I think the Sox would get next to nothing for Lowell.

A700' date=' who would you propose the Sox move Youkilis for? Youkilis is the type of player who could bring back a good prospect-haul, but that's not your style. Who could you envision getting from him? [/quote']I don't know who is available, but it would be great if they could use Youk to lure Russell Martin from the Dodgers.

[Cocos Disciples]

I don't know who is available, but it would be great if they could use Youk to lure Russell Martin from the Dodgers.

 

It would take more than Youk to get Martin.

[a700hitter]

It would take more than Youk to get Martin.

Theo can package Youk up with whatever else it woud take. Certainly, Youkilis could be the centerpiece.

[Dipre]

The idea of trading a proven major league player in his prime to keep a declining, coming-from injury player seems ludicrous to me, trading Youk to keep Lowell seems unrealistic at best to me.

[Teddyballgame10]

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']

 

Clearly. . .trading Youk makes zero sense, we can give him his money and have Tex to. We may not be the Yankees but we do have money. I wish we could have all three but thats not an option. I feel like we are betraying Lowell.

[BSN07]

I don't like the idea of trading Youk. But I do believe he has much greater value in a trade compared to Lowell.

 

As far a a contract for Youk. Well Papelbon, Lester and Pedroia are going to need new deals soon too. And lets face it, the Sox can spend alot. But they do have a limit. And those 3 guys is going to be a good chunk. I'll take all three over Youk at this point.

 

Youk's going to command a good deal himself. You can find me quoted in a few threads with my " worries " about how Youk is going to age. I think he is maximizing his reaction time at this point. My evidence is where he stands in the box. Players who don't "have" to stand in the back of the box for fastballs don't. if he loses just a small amount of quickness, we could be lookiin at a very different player. So if Youk was traded and brought something back of "great" value.

 

Youk/Bowden/Kottraras+2 to Seattle for Felix and Clement is something I would do.

[Dipre]

I don't like the idea of trading Youk. But I do believe he has much greater value in a trade compared to Lowell.

 

As far a a contract for Youk. Well Papelbon, Lester and Pedroia are going to need new deals soon too. And lets face it, the Sox can spend alot. But they do have a limit. And those 3 guys is going to be a good chunk. I'll take all three over Youk at this point.

 

Youk's going to command a good deal himself. You can find me quoted in a few threads with my " worries " about how Youk is going to age. I think he is maximizing his reaction time at this point. My evidence is where he stands in the box. Players who don't "have" to stand in the back of the box for fastballs don't. if he loses just a small amount of quickness, we could be lookiin at a very different player. So if Youk was traded and brought something back of "great" value.

 

Youk/Bowden/Kottraras+2 to Seattle for Felix and Clement is something I would do.

 

It'd take a hell of a lot more to pry the King and Clement from Seattle, sir.

[BSN07]

I never said it was exact or a a lock to get them either. But it is a good start. The +2 could be any of the Sox upper prospects. Throw Buchholz and or Lars in there and I say that would be one of the best deals Seattle could expect. 2 top SP prospects, a Veteran Youk, A masher 1B prospect(they could move Youk to 3B), and Kottraras. That my friend is a haul. You could also offer some of the OF prospects, They Sox have some talent there to offer as well.

 

Youk,Bowden,Kottraras, +2 of Reddick/Kalish/Anderson/Buchholz

 

It's alot, but hey we are just speculating right?

[Cocos Disciples]

I wouldn't do that trade. Hernandez hasn't even been that great in the majors.

[Dipre]

And it'd take a hell of a lot more than that to pry them both loose anyways......

[BSN07]

The Seattle will not be able to trade them. Thats a huge offer.

 

I'm not sure I do it either. But I was trying to think of a trade that involved a legit top of the rotation arm and a C.

 

Felix has that potential. But has not put it all together yet. But If Farrell has the effect he seems to have with most guys, he would be dominate.

[TheKilo]

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

 

NOT GRITTY ENOUGH

[Dipre]

But clutch and an extraordinary RF......

[Cocos Disciples]

NOT GRITTY ENOUGH

 

Couldn't be truer.

 

But clutch and an extraordinary RF......

 

Yeah but he doesn't dive enough.

[TheKilo]

Or smash water coolers.

[TheKilo]

Bowden and Lowell (while eating some $$) to Texas for Salty.

 

Sign Teixeira.

 

Offseason over.

[a700hitter]

Bowden and Lowell (while eating some $$) to Texas for Salty.

 

Sign Teixeira.

 

Offseason over.

That's a steep price for a catcher with no catching skills and an unproven bat. I would not do it.

[Dipre]

Upside has a price in baseball.....and besides, if you sign Tex you need to trade Lowell so why not package him with someone and fill a hole......seems pretty logical to me.

[TheKilo]

That's a steep price for a catcher with no catching skills and an unproven bat. I would not do it.

 

So who plays catcher?

[Dipre]

We have Brown and Kottaras, but as much as i like Brown, acquiring someone who has a pretty good chance of becoming a franchise player seems much more appealing to me....

[a700hitter]

So who plays catcher?

Salty is not ready to handle daily catching duties for any team in 2008. Giving up $ + Lowell + Bowden would be a complete steal by Texas. I'd rather trade Youk + others for Russell Martin. I am not in favor of just giving away Lowell.

[TheKilo]

Martin's not available though, Salty is.