Official 2009-2010 Hot Stove season thread

[Teddyballgame10]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/red-sox-take-aim-at-adrian-gonzalez

 

Sox are working hard on obtaining Adrian Gonzalez, but arent close on a deal and not likely to happen. The Padres want both Buchholz and Ellsbury in the deal, but the Sox dont want to include both in the deal. Casey Kelly is untouchable according to this article

 

Towards the end it says if the Sox are unable to get Gonzo or sign Beltre... they will go with a platoon at 1st base of V-Mart/Kotchman. If V-Mart is in a platoon at 1st, that means more playing time for Varitek. Yuck

 

http://www.projo.com/photos/20080607/sp0607_youkilis_BW_06-07-08_HRAECAU.jpg

 

I know that I ment beside him. Is this Lowell trade really going to fall through?

[Dipre]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/2697382348_323e751aa2.jpg

 

If Hulett sees consistent time at 3B for this team next year, then we are in big big trouble.

[Dojji]

I know that I ment beside him. Is this Lowell trade really going to fall through?

 

I think it already has.

[riverside sluggers]

But Dipre look at Tug's minor league stats!!

[Gom]

Eventually, you will get Gonzalez. It's just a question of when.

[Dipre]

I think it already has.

 

No it hasn't.

 

#Rangers "possibly" on Dye or Guerrero even if they get Lowell. Depends on $$$. Source: Lowell chances better than 50-50 but not a lock.

-Rosenthal.

[riverside sluggers]

And Lowrie isnt an option to see considerable time as the Sox want him to be in Pawtucket for bulk of the year

[Dipre]

I'm telling you now.

 

Like Gom said: Come Opening Day, Adrian Gonzales will be playing first base for the Red Sox. Theo wants him bad, it's just a matter of deciding who goes between Ellsbury and Westmoreland.

 

You heard it here first.

[Dojji]

I suppose that even if we deal Buchholz, we do have Bowden, Tazawa and Kelly, as well as Doubront, to help settle the 5th rotation spot in the event of a Wakefield meltdown.

[TheMino007]

Even though I love Mike Lowell, I just want that trade go through and for him to get a chance to play in Texas were a team actually wants his services. Plus we can trade Max Rameriz for Adrian Gonzalez or hold on to him for the future if need be. As for platooning, I thought Lowrie would be the guy, but it makes more sense for him to get consistent AB's and reps in the field in Triple A to prove the health of his wrist. I don't see how the Sox can trade both Ellsbury and Buchholz. We lose our leadoff hitter, CF, and whatever else you want to call him. People will say he isn't a good leadoff hitter, but as we saw from last year he is improving. Where else are we going to get 70 stolen bases a year from? And if we do trade him, Cameron shifts to CF, which means we are back in the LF predicament. I the Sox won't throw money at Bay or Holliday.

[riverside sluggers]

I'm telling you now.

 

Like Gom said: Come Opening Day, Adrian Gonzales will be playing first base for the Red Sox. Theo wants him bad, it's just a matter of deciding who goes between Ellsbury and Westmoreland.

 

You heard it here first.

 

Getting Cameron for 2 years, who is known for his gold glove in center field.... makes me think there is possibility they trade Ellsbury and hope West will be an impact rookie in 2012

[TheMino007]

I'd rather trade Westmoreland than Ellsbury. Ells has proved he can do it. If it comes down to Kelly or Westmoreland, it rather have Kelly.

[Dipre]

I suppose that even if we deal Buchholz' date=' we do have Bowden, Tazawa and Kelly, as well as Doubront, to help settle the 5th rotation spot in the event of a Wakefield meltdown.[/quote']

 

They'll sign a project, and keep Bowden and maybe Tazawa as insurance. I highly doubt Doubront or Kelly sniff the Majors next year. Specially Kelly.

[TheMino007]

Sox have to be at one or two on Chapman's list of clubs to sign with, aren't we the only ones so far to offer him a contract? That would help out the SP depth in the farm system and this kid could be ready in a couple of years to contribute.

[Dipre]

I'd rather trade Westmoreland than Ellsbury. Ells has proved he can do it. If it comes down to Kelly or Westmoreland' date=' it rather have Kelly.[/quote']

 

Kelly has been deemed untouchable according to reports, so i believe we should simply eliminate him from the discussion, and i'm glad they're planning on keeping him to be honest.

[TheMino007]

If the Padres wanted him though, I'd be willing to say good bye, easily.

[riverside sluggers]

Kelly has been deemed untouchable according to reports' date=' so i believe we should simply eliminate him from the discussion, and i'm glad they're planning on keeping him to be honest.[/quote']

 

They kept Lester out of trade discussions for Johan Santana, hope they see the same thing in Kelly

[Dipre]

They kept Lester out of trade discussions for Johan Santana' date=' hope they see the same thing in Kelly[/quote']

 

If Theo was forced to deem him untouchable, it means Hoyer's interest was very strong, so there's probably a very strong projection for this kid. It's looking more and more like it would be a good idea to keep him.

[CoachC.]

Source close to A Gonzalez believes he'll be traded to Red Sox within next 10 days.Does this mean deal will happen?No.But momentum is there

 

http://twitter.com/jorgearangure/status/6736480095

[JimEdHOF2009]

Just got off the phone with my buddy... anyhow.. here is the deal on Gonzo as you may already know.. Theo does not want to include BOTH Jacoby and Ellsbury...and really wants to keep CLAY. Hoyer is no dummy and wants Clay or Casey Kelley AND Ellsbury. Theo will not trade Kelly. Theo does not want to trade Westy. IF Theo agrees to include Ellsbury and Clay..this will be the deal that Hoyer will accept...I think Theo is trying to entice Hoyer with a Ellsbury/Bowden/Kalish/Anderson type deal..Hoyer ain't moving Gonzo for anything less than CLAY/Kelley AND Ellsbury and possibly Anderson or Bowden.

 

My friend is being VERY evasive once again... but I think this deal is going down... sooner than later. Gonzo's puny salary makes this deal a no-brainer for Theo.. I think he will relent and give Clay and Ellsbury...and Cameron will warm CF until Westy is ready in 2 or 3 years. Westy could also be the RF'er when Drew's contract is up and they could go after Crawford next year....though I think we all would rather Henry and Co. break the bank and get Mauer to Beantown...though outbidding the Yankees will be nearly impossible.

[Dojji]

The only reason you put Ellsbury in the deal is if you think Ryan Kalish is very close indeed.

[a700hitter]

The push for Gonzalez is on.

 

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view/20091216red_sox_pushing_to_obtain_padres_adrian_gonzalez/

[a700hitter]

I think he will relent and give Clay and Ellsbury...and Cameron will warm CF until Westy is ready in 2 or 3 years.

Does he have the kind of speed that Ellsbury has? That speed is a hell of a weapon to lose. Was it Branch Rickey that said speed doesn't slump.

[Dojji]

Westmoreland's speed is fine, but his health is not. 3 signicificant, major injuries in his first year with the team. If that settles out and becomes the exception, fine, if it's the rule, he's not even gonna make it.

 

That said, we do still have Reddick, Kalish and Fuentes.

[example1]

The only reason you put Ellsbury in the deal is if you think Ryan Kalish is very close indeed.

 

Reddick clearly is very close and I belive he can man CF. Having Cameron really eliminates the need to find someone else who can play CF.

 

If I'm the Sox I would really prefer not to move Ellsbury or Buchholz or Kelly or Westmoreland. That's unlikely.

 

Moving Ellsbury from the lineup makes them seem less potent to me, even with the addition of Adrian Gonzalez. I really like watching Ellsbury and feel like his tools are great for this team.

 

If they move Ellsbury then I see them being a big thin in the OF, so if Cameron is injured then suddenly they'll have Hermeda, Reddick and Drew in the OF, or some combination like that. I'd rather they move Kelly, even if his upside is Buchholzian, or move Buchholz and acquire a decent #5 option.

[jacksonianmarch]

Hmmm. The Sox have the opportunity to deal from a minor league cache of players and improve their team by a lot or deal from their major league team and improve their team a little. This is interesting. Lets say the deal involves Ellsbury and Buchholz. Lets just say that those two head to SD for Adrian. Here are the lineups next to each other...

 

2009

1. Ellsbury CF

2. Pedroia 2B

3. Martinez C

4. Youkilis 1B

5. Ortiz DH

6. Bay LF

7. Drew RF

8. Lowell 3B

9. Gonzalez SS

 

This is what it would look like IMO for 2010

1. Pedroia 2B

2. Drew RF

3. Gonzalez 1B

4. Youkilis 3B

5. Martinez C

6. Ortiz DH

7. Cameron CF

8. Hermida LF

9. Scutaro SS

 

The middle of the lineup is a bit more formidable when you trade off Bay for Gonzalez, but the bottom of the order with Cameron, Hermida, and Scutaro is gonna be another black hole. I actually think last yr's lineup was deeper. And the defense improves in CF and at 3B. It makes a lateral move at LF (Hermida is a pretty crappy OFer as was Bay) and at 1b from Youk to Gonzalez, and worsens at SS from AGon to Scutaro. By adding Lackey, you shore up the 3 hole, but the loss of depth pushes Wakefield back into the rotation, something I thought the sox wanted to avoid. Regardless, lots of moving pieces, certainly better in the rotation in terms of reliability, but the offense isnt as deep and the black hole at the end worsens, especially with Cameron's capacity for K's.

[jacksonianmarch]

Now, lets say the sox relent and deal Casey Kelly, Ryan Westmoreland, and Lars Anderson. That gives SD a replacement at 1B for 2011, a top notch SP prospect who'll crack the bigs likely in 2012, and an OF prospect who should crack the bigs in 2013. Lets just say Theo makes that move. Here's the order

 

1. Ellsbury LF

2. Pedroia 2B

3. Gonzalez 1B

4. Youkilis 3B

5. Ortiz DH

6. Martinez C

7. Drew RF

8. Cameron CF

9. Scutaro SS

 

with a rotation of

1. Lester

2. Beckett

3. Lackey

4. Buchholz

5. Matsuzaka

 

I'll tell you what, that would be one hell of a tough team to beat.

[Gom]

Meanwhile, Cashman sits on his ass...

[BoSox21]

Meanwhile' date=' Cashman sits on his ass...[/quote']

 

They'll sign Bay, don't worry

[jacksonianmarch]

Meanwhile' date=' Cashman sits on his ass...[/quote']

 

Gom, we have one hole that needs to be filled if we don't fill it internally. The reason why we are "sitting on our ass" is because the rotation options aside from Sheets are not better than what we already have, AND, because we have a lineup and a farm system ready to restock itself. I think the necessity that whomever we sign can play the OF is intriguing. It either means we have big plans for Juan Miranda, or we're keeping the DH spot open for Jesus Montero, who will be getting fitted for pinstripes mid season.