All that is Halladay

[Dipre]

I certainly don't expect to get Halladay' date=' but I think some kind of move will be made.[/quote']

 

You don't suppose if the price is reasonable, they'll pull the trigger?

 

If anything, he has to be kicking the tires on him.

[Cocos Disciples]

I think they'll kick the tires, but I would be pretty surprised if they got him.

[BSN07]

The Rangers have asked about Roy Halladay and have had discussions with the Blue Jays. But sources call it a "long-shot." Texas knows the cost is going to be high, in terms of taking on salary and giving up prospects. Toronto is expected to demand first baseman Justin Smoak and at least two good young starting pitchers. That could drive the Rangers away, but at least there is dialogue going between the two teams. Word is the Red Sox and the Phillies are likely to be the leading candidates for Halladay. -- Rangers.com

 

If the Rangers weren't broke, they would probably be the favorites. They can make a really nice package.

 

I'm surprised to see them mentioning the Sox as a front runner. Philly makes more sense. I don't see the Sox getting Halladay unless the move Penny or Dice-K. I honestly don't see the Sox trading Buchholz anyways.

[Dojji]

I wonder if we could get involved in a three player deal and scoop up a prospect on the cheap in exchange for being the dumping grounds for some big Texas contract.

[BSN07]

It's possible. The Rangers where interested in Saito as well. If they could pick up Saito and Halladay, I think they would be the favorites in the AL West.

 

Not sure who's contract they would want to shed. Young is the starting 3B. Maybe Blaylock, but you would think they would need his bat. I wouldn't mind a deal in which maybe the Sox help Texas out with some money, and maybe get Chris Davis back. I know he is a huge K threat, but you never know what the Sox staff could do with him. He has legit power.

 

Texas Gets,

 

Halladay, Saito+ $

 

Boston get's,

 

Chris Davis,

 

Toronto get's,

 

Perez, Teagarden, Smoak+ 1 more pitcher?

[Dipre]

It's possible. The Rangers where interested in Saito as well. If they could pick up Saito and Halladay, I think they would be the favorites in the AL West.

 

Not sure who's contract they would want to shed. Young is the starting 3B. Maybe Blaylock, but you would think they would need his bat. I wouldn't mind a deal in which maybe the Sox help Texas out with some money, and maybe get Chris Davis back. I know he is a huge K threat, but you never know what the Sox staff could do with him. He has legit power.

 

Texas Gets,

 

Halladay, Saito+ $

 

Boston get's,

 

Chris Davis,

 

Toronto get's,

 

Perez, Teagarden, Smoak+ 1 more pitcher?

 

wut?

[BSN07]

wut?

 

Just throwing some names around, nothing concrete.

[BSN07]

Here's Texas top 20 prospects(minus Andrus cause he's everyday player in the MLB now)

 

1) Neftali Feliz, RHP, Grade A: I don’t give out Grade As lightly, especially to pitchers. I might go down to A-.

 

2) Justin Smoak, 1B, Grade A-: I like him better than Alonso and Hosmer, and frankly I can’t believe the Rangers got him.

 

3) Elvis Andrus, SS, Grade A-: Should I go with B+ here? Athletic, very young for Double-A, I think the Renteria comparisons are apt and Andrus could be better.

 

4) Derek Holland, LHP, Grade B+: He’s great, but I worry that sometimes a step backward can follow such a breakout. Can he maintain late-season velocity?

 

5) Taylor Teagarden, C, Grade B: Excellent glove with power, could hit anywhere from .230 to .280 though.

 

6) Julio Borbon, OF, Grade B: I was too hard on him last year, and I buy into the idea that he can refine his game.

 

7) Engel Beltre, OF, Grade B: Read the comment below.

 

8) Michael Main, RHP, Grade B: Impressive Midwest League performance, and if instructional league reports are accurate he is primed for a huge breakout.

 

9) Max Ramirez, C-1B, Grade B: I love this bat. Glove might not be QUITE as bad as everyone says, but it isn’t good enough for him to rank higher.

 

10) Martin Perez, LHP, Grade B-: Very young, very high ceiling, will need time.

 

11) Kasey Kiker, LHP, Grade B-: Almost reduced to C+ but something is holding me back. Not sure what, need to think about it.

 

12) Neil Ramirez, RHP, Grade C+: Almost a B-. Another young pitcher with breakthrough potential. Another changable grade.

 

13) Guillermo Moscoso, RHP, Grade C+: Nice pickup from the Tigers. Durability and role are issues.

 

14) Kennil Gomez, RHP, Grade C+: Breakthrough candidate if his arm is OK. I think he is right up there with some of these other guys who get more press.

 

15) Blake Beavan, RHP, Grade C+: Loss of velocity is disturbing, but other skills got better.

 

16) Wilfredo Boscan, RHP, Grade C+: Yet another breakthrough candidate. Low-A is gonna be loaded in '09.

 

17) Tim Murphy, LHP, Grade C+: Nice pick from 2008 draft, could advance quickly as an inning-eater if his command is there.

 

18) Wilmer Font, RHP, Grade C+: Huge upside, could easily rank as high as 12 if you prefer youth. Worried about injury nexus and command.

 

19) Tommy Hunter, RHP, Grade C+: He was rushed, but could still be a nice strike-throwing inning eater. Could rank as high as 12th if you want guys close to the Show.

 

20) Eric Hurley, RHP, Grade C+: Worried about health here. I held onto him too long as a higher-ranked prospect, but could do better with a change of scenery.

 

 

Perez and Smoak are a hell of a start. They lack the SS Toronto is said to be wanting in return. They could sub a Catcher. From there they could go for a higher ball pitcher like Holland, or maybe a couple lower level guys.

[a700hitter]

It's possible. The Rangers where interested in Saito as well. If they could pick up Saito and Halladay, I think they would be the favorites in the AL West.

 

Not sure who's contract they would want to shed. Young is the starting 3B. Maybe Blaylock, but you would think they would need his bat. I wouldn't mind a deal in which maybe the Sox help Texas out with some money, and maybe get Chris Davis back. I know he is a huge K threat, but you never know what the Sox staff could do with him. He has legit power.

 

Texas Gets,

 

Halladay, Saito+ $

 

Boston get's,

 

Chris Davis,

 

Toronto get's,

 

Perez, Teagarden, Smoak+ 1 more pitcher?

Chris Davis sucks. He's on pace to K about 220 times. I'd rather bring up Bates.

[BSN07]

Chris Davis sucks. He's on pace to K about 220 times. I'd rather bring up Bates.

 

Davis has much more upside the Bates. And wouldn't be a bad return for a 39 year old RP.

[example1]

Chris Davis sucks. He's on pace to K about 220 times. I'd rather bring up Bates.

 

Ouch!

 

At least you appreciate a hitter who can take a pitch or two.

[BoSox21]

From Jon Heyman...

 

The Yankees understand they'd have to surrender one of two top young pitchers, Joba Chamberlain or new eighth-inning star Phil Hughes, plus some names from a high-end prospect list that would likely include outfielder Austin Jackson and one of two catchers, Jesus Montero or Francisco Cervelli. There is a belief that while the Yankees have to pay a premium, and one person familiar with their thinking said they badly don't want to "gut their system,'' they still have requested of Toronto a right to match (or in this case beat) the best offer when the deal's about to go down.

 

the collective buttcheeks of RSN just clenched....

[BSN07]

From Jon Heyman...

 

 

 

the collective buttcheeks of RSN just clenched....

 

Ya that will make them better. But he still has to pitch in NY Stadium. I think that alone will bring him down to earth a little(IMO). If he ends up in NY though, it's going to be an awesome stretch run of baseball:thumbsup: They would have had a shot at signing him in 1.5 years anyways. Let them gut their system. Honestly I hope they trade Joba, Jackson, Montero and others.

 

 

This is kind of weird to be let leaked though. You would think it would detour the other suitors if they knew in the end the Yankees would get the last call.

[SoxSport]

So the Yankees view themselves as the last word on every big ticket free agent or salary dump? " We reserve the right to top your best offer." Maybe that should be written in the Players Labor Agreement rules.

[BoSox21]

im sure if the Yankees decided to top the offer, the Jays would go back to whoever made offers to see if they were interested in topping what the Yankees offered

 

hell, Ricciardi may take less than the Yankees would offer simply so they don't have to face Halladay, which would be longer than 1.5 years since the Yankees would most likely be able to keep him from FA

[TheKilo]

I certainly don't expect to get Halladay' date=' but I think some kind of move will be made.[/quote']

 

I think it's clear this team needs some offensive help.

[617_suffolkcounty_standup]

I think it's clear this team needs some offensive help.

 

Agree with you big time. I didn't a week ago but I was clearly in the wrong. Even if it's just a simple leadoff man we can hit Drew 6th or 7th it deepens the lineup.

[BoSox21]

my ideal lineup right now is...

 

Ellsbury

Pedroia

Youkilis

Ortiz

Bay

Drew

Lowell

Varitek

Lowrie

 

where do you improve?

[Looch Ness Monster]

my ideal lineup right now is...

 

Ellsbury

Pedroia

Youkilis

Ortiz

Bay

Drew

Lowell

Varitek

Lowrie

 

where do you improve?

 

I feel like swinging a deal for a guy like Jack Wilson is realistic. I'm a firm believer that Lowrie is seen as the long-term solution at 3rd base after Mike Lowell is gone. Lowell won't be playing everyday. He may even have stretches where he sits for 2 games in a row, while Lowrie will be playing 3rd base and Nick Green will be playing SS.

 

I'm not sure what other moves would be made but I think that Jack Wilson is a big upgrade over Nick Green and I think that the best approach for both Lowrie and Lowell with their specific injuries could be having Lowrie playing a super sub role, with Lowell playing every other day or every 3rd day.

 

I know it's a sin to say there's an upgrade over Nick Green *rolls eyes* because he's been a good story but he's been a career minor leaguer and there's no signs that point to him being a reliable guy in the 2nd half, especially when his batting average isn't even that great right now to begin with.

[Dojji]

Lowrie the solution at third? I doubt it. He's a decent hitter, especially for a SS, but he doesn't have the bat for corner infield. He could fill in there if needed, but then we have to put up with Green's bat at short, that's a downgrade of two positions at once. Not exactly the sort of idea you want to trot out when trying to design the best possible Red Sox lineup.

 

I'd rather try to fill actual holes than simply try to swap an underperforming player for another underpeforming player, if you take my meaning. Wilson is hideously inconsistent and just isn't very good with a bat in his hands. He's capable of a good year all right but the bad years outnumber the good ones about 2-1 with Wilson. And when it comes to a no bat all D SS, we already have one of those and one is about as good as another.

 

The hole I see that most needs filling is a lefthanded, power hitting corner infielder to give Lowell a stable, competent replacement when he needs to rest (or to play 1B and let Youk provide that replacement). Kotsay is many things, but a power hitting corner infielder is not one of them. I would gladly shelve him for someone from a list of guys like Teahen, Overbay and laRoche.

[The_Destroyah]

Lowrie the solution at third? I doubt it. He's a decent hitter, especially for a SS, but he doesn't have the bat for corner infield. He could fill in there if needed, but then we have to put up with Green's bat at short, that's a downgrade of two positions at once. Not exactly the sort of idea you want to trot out when trying to design the best possible Red Sox lineup.

 

I'd rather try to fill actual holes than simply try to swap an underperforming player for another underpeforming player, if you take my meaning. Wilson is hideously inconsistent and just isn't very good with a bat in his hands. He's capable of a good year all right but the bad years outnumber the good ones about 2-1 with Wilson. And when it comes to a no bat all D SS, we already have one of those and one is about as good as another.

 

The hole I see that most needs filling is a lefthanded, power hitting corner infielder to give Lowell a stable, competent replacement when he needs to rest (or to play 1B and let Youk provide that replacement). Kotsay is many things, but a power hitting corner infielder is not one of them. I would gladly shelve him for someone from a list of guys like Teahen, Overbay and laRoche.

 

 

really? YOU want TEAHEN? id have never guessed!:harhar:

although im not big on LaRoche, i know he suffers from a s***** team but id rather see Overbay or Teahen but i dont think we make a move for any of those things. i just dont see us doing anything but maybe picking up a back up 1B with a bat thats a bit bigger than kotsay's but there is a chance we try to pull someone like Aubrey Huff but i doubt it, we are too reluctant to make any big moves and all of those would probably cost us atleast 1 prospect and i dont think th FO wants to move away any of our prospects.

[SoxSport]

I read somewhere (Gammons?) that it will take more from the Sox or the Yankees to get Halladay than for a NL team like the Phillies. That doesn't make much sense if you are Toronto, but that's what happened with Santana. He got moved to the NL for less. Maybe the Yankees got the picture and sucked up the big 3 FAs pre-season quickly while they could for top dollar.

[schillingouttheks]

I read somewhere (Gammons?) that it will take more from the Sox or the Yankees to get Halladay than for a NL team like the Phillies. That doesn't make much sense if you are Toronto' date=' but that's what happened with Santana. He got moved to the NL for less. Maybe the Yankees got the picture and sucked up the big 3 FAs pre-season quickly while they could for top dollar.[/quote']

 

It will take more from the Sox or Yanks because they're in the same division. You probably heard it from Ken Rosenthal.

[SoxSport]

Lowrie the solution at third? I doubt it. He's a decent hitter, especially for a SS, but he doesn't have the bat for corner infield. He could fill in there if needed, but then we have to put up with Green's bat at short, that's a downgrade of two positions at once. Not exactly the sort of idea you want to trot out when trying to design the best possible Red Sox lineup.

 

The hole I see that most needs filling is a lefthanded, power hitting corner infielder to give Lowell a stable, competent replacement when he needs to rest (or to play 1B and let Youk provide that replacement). Kotsay is many things, but a power hitting corner infielder is not one of them. I would gladly shelve him for someone from a list of guys like Teahen, Overbay and laRoche.

 

The easiest path is to play Lowrie at SS and get a LHd hitting first baseman, enabling Youks to play 3B. Overbay would be good if he's available, but Nick Johnson isn't bad.

Johnson is an upgrade over Kotsay offensively. He's a Fenway doubles hitter with solid OBP. They have Bates and the other kid in the minors long-range for 1B. I don't think they want anybody who puts Lowell on the bench at this point. They still owe him a lot of money for 1.5 years.

[Dojji]

Not really talking about putting Lowell on the bench, so much as getting him a platoon partner who could give Tito an excuse to rest Lowell on days when Lowell wanted to play.

 

"Well, Mikey, I appreciate that you want to play, but I want to get Lefty Hitter X into the lineup against this righthanded pitcher because he hits better against him than you do, so you go ahead and take it easy today and go get 'em tomorrow."

 

sounds a lot better than

 

"Well, Mikey, I appreciate that you want to play, but you're old and your hip hurts so you go warm the bench tonight while I play a no bat schlub at first."

 

You tell me which of those two senarios is more likely to result in a healthy Mike Lowell come October.

[Dutchy]

"Jeff Blair hears that just a few teams are serious about Halladay: the Phillies, Dodgers and Angels.

 

Cards GM John Mozeliak seems less interested in Halladay now that he has "lowered his sights in the trade market" and the Yankees and Red Sox don't believe Ricciardi will deal within the division."

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

[Rdsxmbnt]

The problem is you look at a lineup like the one Bosox21 posted and there is not a whole lot you can do. I mean is a Mike Lowell platoon partner really going shift the balance in the division more towards the Sox? No not really.

 

The situation with Lowell really sucks because he's maybe good enough to play but we don't really know. Now an impact bat like Victor Martinez would possibly be a balance shifter but again it's very hard to make that move knowing that Lowell is going to maybe be healthy enough to play.

[Dojji]

A platoon partner who could stand in fulltime if Lowell goes down could prevent the balance in the division from shifting away from the Sox when the inevitable injury occurs.

 

I love what Lowell has been for this team but there is no way that was his last DL trip of the year.

[BSN07]

I agree. They need to find an adequate platoon partner, that also has the ability to play every day if needed. Nick Johnson I think will be too expensive. I know Dojji will pop wood when he hears this, but Teahen is probably the best suited player for this role that is currently available.

[Rdsxmbnt]

What makes anyone certain that Teahen is even available? He's still under the Royals control through at least next year and is a solid .300/.350/.450 type hitter. Only 27 years old to boot. I can't imagine they let him go cheaply