What is the sox biggest need?

[jacksonianmarch]

So, the sox are playing like s***. Their rotation has taken a second hit with Wake being out, joining DiceK. And with Buchholz coming off a shaky start and Smoltz sucking donkeyballs, the starting pitching need is pretty important.

 

But then there is the offensive void. You have two big spots on the diamond that need upgrading.

 

You have 3b with Lowell and Youkilis. Lowell being the incumbent 3b with zero range and diminishing skills and then Youkilis who truly is a 1b temporizing the disaster at 3b. The addition of LaRoche helps the void by temporizing a disaster at 1b when Youk moves across the diamond.

 

Then there is SS. Julio Lugo is gone. Nick Green has regressed to his mean. And then Jed Lowrie comes to the team after being out with an injury, and he is sucking again.

 

So, you have one mega trade chip in your hand capable of making one deal. Do you, go out and improve the rotation knowing that there is a possibility that Wake and DiceK come back to the fold? Do you upgrade at 3b and turn Lowell into an expensive bench bat? Or, do you acquire a shortstop capable of being at least average with the stick while providing better D?

[TheKilo]

I would appreciate it if someone like me made the pessimistic Sox threads, coming from you it's a little smarmy and ****y.

 

That being said, the answer is a corner infielder bat and DL Lowell forever.

[Dojji]

Gain greater consistency from the existing team. If everyone was playing to their career averages we'd be a better team right now with only maybe one or two excptions.

[Dipre]

I would appreciate it if someone like me made the pessimistic Sox threads, coming from you it's a little smarmy and ****y.

 

That being said, the answer is a corner infielder bat and DL Lowell forever.

 

Golden.

[jacksonianmarch]

not trying to be smarmy. I just want to see where the board stands. After reading the threads from tonight alone, I have seen anything from upgrade the rotation, to 3b, to SS, to an impact bat. I have a feeling Theo has one trade in him. What do you think that trade is?

[TheKilo]

not trying to be smarmy. I just want to see where the board stands. After reading the threads from tonight alone' date=' I have seen anything from upgrade the rotation, to 3b, to SS, to an impact bat. I have a feeling Theo has one trade in him. What do you think that trade is?[/quote']

 

So you were trying to be ****y?

[jacksonianmarch]

Maybe a little. Cmon now, genuine interest here. I dont think everyone is happy when it is all said and done, just want to see where people stand

[TheKilo]

So when the Yankees lose 6 of 9 (and it will happen at some point before the end of the year) I'm going to make a "What is the Yankees' biggest waiver wire need?"

[example1]

Given that all but one thread in this forum discussed today references making a change to the team, it seems like a legitimate concern if someone is truly interested. If they're only interested because the Sox have been losing, then screw'em.

 

I've been following the threads for awhile pretty closely, and it seems that the hierarchy would be:

 

1) THE IMPOSSIBLE

 

-Upgrade SS to someone like Hanley Ramirez (not happening)

 

2) THE IMPROBABLE

 

-Upgrade 1B to Adrian Gonzalez, slide Youk to 3B, not worry about what happens to Lowell

 

3) THE POSSIBLE, BUT DEBATABLE

 

-Get Roy Halladay. Unsure how much that would take, whether the Jays would charge double for in-division dealings, whether Halladay would be willing to resign, etc., but certainly a way of improving the team for the short term. Longterm uncertain if Buchholz is dealt.

 

4) THE POSSIBLE, BUT DEBATABLE

 

-Get Victor Martinez. He offers some great positional flexibility and most of us think he's capable of being at least a lower middle of the order bat; I think he's capable of 100 RBI between C and 1B. He doesn't have the offensive punch that will push this team over the edge for sure; and, his price tag might be too high.

 

5) THE POSSIBLE, BUT DEBATABLY BAD

 

Jack Wilson? Orlando Cabrera? These guys are okay, but this team's problem right now isn't in getting routine outs. Their problem is hitting and putting together a string of runs in an inning. These guys can be had for cheap, but to what end? Is Cabrera going to start at SS over Lowrie? Let Green go? Just doesn't seem that important given the other obvious needs.

 

OTHER NAMES FLOATED ABOUT:

 

Cliff Lee. Matt Holliday (SOLD).

 

I could be forgetting a few.

 

Long story short, my perception is that this team undoubtedly needs a corner IF, preferably a 3B but more likely a 1B. I think they actually have a team that can compete for a WS this year--very similar team to 2008, without Dice-K but with a better bullpen. Therefore there is probably a lot of reason to stay put--especially after trading nothing to get the decent LaRoche.

 

They don't really need a SP, and certainly shouldn't trade good SP prospects (Bowden, Tazawa) for SP talent now, unless it's Halladay, and even then they should set their limit and stick to it. It could be an easy situation for the Blue Jays to squeeze talent from the buyer.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

The realization that the world is not tearing itself apart after this season.

[Cocos Disciples]

The realization that the world is not tearing itself apart after this season.

 

Conjecture!!

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

[BoSox21]

After Smoltz's outing, I'm leaning towards an upgrade at SP

[BSN07]

After Smoltz's outing' date=' I'm leaning towards an upgrade at SP[/quote']

 

Smoltz to the BP when Wake is back. Trade Saito. Leave Buchholz in the rotation.

 

 

As far as all the other stuff goes,

 

Halladay is too expensive, so is Martinez and so is AG. Maybe AG this off season, but not before then.

 

Other possible available players,

 

Lee, but it seems the Guardians want the moon for their guys since they can probably contend next season.

 

Kazmir would be interesting.

 

Bedard is injured yet again.

 

Pass on Washburn.

 

Snell could be interesting move. Don't Imagine the Sox would have to give up a lot considering it's the Pirates:D

 

I don't see them adding another 1B/3B this season. If Lowell is able to play, there gonna have a hard enough time getting AB's for everyone. If he is done for the year, a minor move could happen.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

What about some package for Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez? Martinez would help a bit, but I don't know what would happen to Lowell really. And it would be good to have Cliff Lee cause I don't hear anything about Dice-K coming back anytime soon. I don't know what type of package it would take to get them because I do not get as in-depth at that stuff as you guys do. Would that cost the sox too much?

[Dojji]

Theo tried that. According to the rumors anyway. The Guardians aren't really very interested in dealing either player at the moment.

[BoSox21]

I saw on Rotoworld that the Sox are making progress in trying to get Victor Martinez here. They offered Masterson, Bowden and a third prospect but were turned down.

[BSN07]

I saw on Rotoworld that the Sox are making progress in trying to get Victor Martinez here. They offered Masterson' date=' Bowden and a third prospect but were turned down.[/quote']

 

If that's not good enough then pass. Anything beyond that is overpaying IMO. I'm not sure I'd want them to give up that much. But could be convinced I guess.

[Ionicknight]

I heard that Wily Mo Pena is available again, and he's been playing first base for AAA Buffalo. Solves all our problems right there.

[Dipre]

I heard that Wily Mo Pena is available again' date=' and he's been playing first base for AAA Buffalo. Solves all our problems right there.[/quote']

 

Trolling at its best right here, folks.

[Dojji]

I wonder how much better our teams would have been in 2006-2008 if we'd still had Bronson.

 

Not that hard to figure out in each of those years who Bronson would have replaced in the rotation. (2006 -- Clement, 2007 -- Tavarez, 2008 -- Schilling)

[BSN07]

I wonder how much better our teams would have been in 2006-2008 if we'd still had Bronson.

 

Not that hard to figure out in each of those years who Bronson would have replaced in the rotation. (2006 -- Clement, 2007 -- Tavarez, 2008 -- Schilling)

 

And if there wasn't an Iceberg, the Titanic wouldn't be sitting at the bottom of the ocean;)

[SoxSport]

Well, I agree with the poll result. They need that #3 starter they are missing right now if they are going anywhere this year. That means Halladay, Lee or maybe Haren. LaRoche really helps the IF the 2nd half if he hits. Gonzalez disrupts things because it puts Lowell and LaRoche on the bench. Hard to see that this year. Maybe next. VMart. isn't bad--Tek needs some help. Getting stolen on too often.

 

If they don't get that no. 3 starter, I think they're dead. The caveat is the sudden emergence of Buchholz, Smoltz or Dice-K. That's a gamble right now.

 

If the Phillies, Dodgers or Yankees get Halladay, the Red Sox will have to get Lee or Haren, or they are out. It really goes back to Dice-K missing the season.

[BSN07]

Well, I agree with the poll result. They need that #3 starter they are missing right now if they are going anywhere this year. That means Halladay, Lee or maybe Haren. LaRoche really helps the IF the 2nd half if he hits. Gonzalez disrupts things because it puts Lowell and LaRoche on the bench. Hard to see that this year. Maybe next. VMart. isn't bad--Tek needs some help. Getting stolen on too often.

 

If they don't get that no. 3 starter, I think they're dead. The caveat is the sudden emergence of Buchholz, Smoltz or Dice-K. That's a gamble right now.

 

If the Phillies, Dodgers or Yankees get Halladay, the Red Sox will have to get Lee or Haren, or they are out. It really goes back to Dice-K missing the season.

 

I can't imagine AZ would want to move Haren. And haven't read anything to the contrary. Any links to Haren being possibly available?

 

He will cost a ton IMO. AZ gave up a ton to get him. And he's only gotten better.

[Dojji]

How about Josh Johnson? If we're going after SP's, he'd be one I'd definitely be willing to pay a good price for.

[BoSox21]

I wonder how much better our teams would have been in 2006-2008 if we'd still had Bronson.

 

Not that hard to figure out in each of those years who Bronson would have replaced in the rotation. (2006 -- Clement, 2007 -- Tavarez, 2008 -- Schilling)

 

is this on a planet where Bronson Arroyo is a good pitcher?

[Javier Lopez]

Well, I agree with the poll result. They need that #3 starter they are missing right now if they are going anywhere this year. That means Halladay, Lee or maybe Haren. LaRoche really helps the IF the 2nd half if he hits. Gonzalez disrupts things because it puts Lowell and LaRoche on the bench. Hard to see that this year. Maybe next. VMart. isn't bad--Tek needs some help. Getting stolen on too often.

 

If they don't get that no. 3 starter, I think they're dead. The caveat is the sudden emergence of Buchholz, Smoltz or Dice-K. That's a gamble right now.

 

If the Phillies, Dodgers or Yankees get Halladay, the Red Sox will have to get Lee or Haren, or they are out. It really goes back to Dice-K missing the season.

 

I think the Guardians are going to require to much for Lee. I would LOVE Haren, but the d-backs are going to want a ton for him? maybe more then Jays want for halladay?

 

 

How about Josh Johnson? If we're going after SP's' date=' he'd be one I'd definitely be willing to pay a good price for.[/quote']

how high is this "price?"

[BSN07]

Josh Johnson would be great. He's got Beckett-esh ability. I wouldn't mind seeing Buchholz in that type of deal.

 

 

But I don't see Florida moving him this year. Maybe next year. They might want to hold on to him for their new stadium.

[Dojji]

is this on a planet where Bronson Arroyo is a good pitcher?

 

He's better than a guy who didn't pitch at all last year and two that abjectly sucked.

[BoSox21]

he also pitches about as well as an old lady who does her grocery shopping tuesday mornings at 11am