Keep 1, lose 24

[Northern Star]

You can keep just one player on the current roster*. All the others will never play for the Sox again. Who would you choose?

 

*include Ellsbury and Cameron for the sake of discussion.

[ORS]

Pedroia

[Dipre]

Lester.

[Eck20and8]

not even close - Pedroia

 

still just 26, gives you great D up the middle, great bat, and most important, brings a persistently strong effort to every at bat, every ground ball, every game

[italstallianion]

I'd definitely go with Pedroia or Lester, but I'm giving it to Pedroia.

[jacksonianmarch]

Lester

[Jasonbay44]

Pedroia.

[suns]

The Youka.

[BOSOX11]

Beckett

[yeszir]

Cmon guys, be serious.

 

Marco Scutaro.

[YanksHater213]

Realistically, you could make a case for any of Pedroia, Youk, and Lester, but no one else.

 

I couldn't decide between the three.

[YeAuldBroade]

Pedroia, Youkilis, Lester, Beckett, Buccholz and Ellsbury. If I can't have all of them, I'm not playing.

 

(and possibly Lackey but the love's not there yet.

[Gom]

Wow...you would really take Pedroia? Over Youk, Lester, Beckett?

[suns]

Cmon guys, be serious.

 

Marco Scutaro.

 

Who else?

[Divinity]

No brainer imo

 

http://sacrag.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dustin-pedroia-5.jpg

[Keeper]

Wow...you would really take Pedroia? Over Youk' date=' Lester, Beckett?[/quote']

 

Why not? A case could be made for all of them. Pedroia is going to be an elite 2B for a long, long time. And Lester is going to be an elite SP for a long, long time. I also think Papelbon shouldn't be discounted.

 

Moving forward, Youk and Beckett lose value because of their respective ages (even though they're not that old). And once Youk can no longer man the hot corner, he will lose his versatility.

 

IMO, Pedroia and Lester are the correct two players to narrow it down to. If I had to choose one, I'd probably go with Pedroia just because pitchers break down so easily.

[Lester82]

Beckett

 

Ugh.

 

No. Lester please.

[Emmz]

Bill Hall

[Lester82]

Bill Hall

 

Close. But Darnell McDonald sealed the deal this week...

 

Darnell 4 Prez in 2012.

[Dojji]

Gotta be Pedroia. Youk makes a case, but he's a 30 year old corner infielder. Ultimately you can replace most of his value from free agency. I know I'll get a huge argument if I suggest this, but I feel about the same way about Lester. A second baseman who can put up a .850-.900 OPS consistently is a much rarer bird.

 

To put my argument a bit more distinctly, there are more corner infielders as good as Youkilis or better, and more lefthanded starters as good as Lester or better, than there are second baseman as good or better than Pedroia (Chase Utley's the only guy I can think of that's CLEARLY better, possibly Ben Zobrist if you made him a 2B but he's more a True IF/OF. Cano's too up and down, Uggla's batting average kills his chances, Kendrick, Hill, Weeks and Kinsler have arguments but also some serious flaws compared to the little big man)

[jacksonianmarch]

Guys, it has to be Lester. Pedroia is a good player, but he isnt your most valuable player. He is young, but he really isnt a guy who you start a team with. He is more of a great role player, even if he won an MVP. Lester is a hard throwing lefty ace who would anchor most any team's rotation. What I am trying to say is that Pedroia is a very good pest, but he doesnt take over the game like Youk can on the offensive end. Lester can take the game in his hands

[Dojji]

And the reason I disagree with you is all about replacement. It's a lot easier to get along with "Flawed But Effective" B-grade guy at first base, or even as a SP, than it is to put up with a flawed guy in middle infield. (one of the reasons Scutaro is quickly becoming unpopular). Strong offensive ability at middle infield, matched with competent D, is easy to underestimate and danged hard to find. Most teams have to hold their nose and choose one or the other.

[jacksonianmarch]

An ace is worth more than a good 2b. Lester has a chance to be the best pitcher in baseball. Pedroia doesnt have the capability to be the best hitter in baseball, even if he won an MVP

[jacksonianmarch]

He isnt even the best 2b in the game. Utley has that title. Kinsler and Cano are right at his level or better.

[Divinity]

An ace is worth more than a good 2b. Lester has a chance to be the best pitcher in baseball.

 

Perhaps a chance at best in the the AL, but better then Tim Lincecum?

[jacksonianmarch]

A chance to be, not that he is. Right now, Lester isnt even the best pitcher on his own team.

[Keeper]

A chance to be' date=' not that he is. Right now, Lester isnt even the best pitcher on his own team.[/quote']

 

You think Beckett/Lackey is better than Lester?

[Palodios]

You think Beckett/Lackey is better than Lester?

 

I think he means Buchholz.

[Rdsxmbnt]

Perhaps a chance at best in the the AL' date=' but better then Tim Lincecum? [/quote']

 

National League

[silvercreekcc2006]

Wake. Why not? He's done evrything else asked of him. Everything.