2011 Trade Deadline Thread

[example1]

It is often useful to consolidate a place for trade deadline discussion, speculation, etc.,

 

Here it is.

 

Any big moves on the horizon this year? Probably not. The club they have now is probably the team they have moving forward. In fact, with Andrew Miller looking like a good 5th starter we might just see some bullpen moves and maybe backup OF for next offseason, let alone this trade deadline. Of course, they'll need to figure out what to do with Ortiz but aside from that they should have a capable replacement in RF (Reddick or Kalish, leaning Kalish) and all other spots filled.

 

Would there be anything bold or outside the box that they could do to really improve the club, in a year where few expect them to be really bold on the market?

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Nice to see you posting again example.

[boston22407]

According to Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com, "a lot of clubs" are already showing interest in Hiroki Kuroda.

And why not? Despite his 5-9 record, Kuroda has a very solid 3.10 ERA and 77/28 K/BB ratio over 101 2/3 innings. He'd be a fine addition to any pitching staff. According to Morosi, the Rockies and Reds had scouts at his most recent start, though it's not clear if they were there to see him in particular. Of course, Kuroda would have to waive his no-trade clause to facilitate any deal.

 

Source: Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter

 

SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that the Rangers are "interested" in Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran.

Serious trade talks probably won't get underway until after the All-Star break and plenty of other teams will be in the running to snag Beltran, who has maintained his health this season while batting .278/.372/.480 with 10 home runs and 49 RBI in 76 games. The Rangers will also be looking to upgrade their bullpen and could have interest in Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez.

 

Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter

[Youk Of The Nation]

According to ESPN, the Topeka Bluehairs of the Midwestern Retirement Community Interleague Circuit have expressed an interest in Mike Cameron. An anonymous source in the MRC-IC executive office stated that the Red Sox may acquire Benjamin "Butch" Harcourt, a left-handed starter with a devastating 30MPH curveball that some scouts have nicknamed "Piece of hard candy", in addition to speedy outfielder Agnes Frimple, who lead the MRC league in stolen bases each of the last four seasons, until a shower accident confined her to an electric wheelchair. She is currently being trained by staff in the catcher's position. With the addition of Cameron to their roster, the Bluehairs may finally be ready to make a push for the league pennant, especially when you consider the rumors that Roger Clemens' family is ready to committ him to a 'home', as soon as he approves the action based on the team's chance to make a run at the playoffs. Further sources indicate that Cameron is excited about the possible deal, as it would "mesh nicely with his 8PM bedtime".

[Palodios]

I believe the answer is obvious. A RH RF, and one bullpen piece.

 

@ Example-- I'm not entirely convinced that RF can be solved internally. Alex Speier said he had an inside source today that said the team has been very displeased with the lack of production at the position. I just don't see the front office believing Kalish will be ready/ Reddick can keep this up.

 

@YotN -- I think this is the first retirement-home-related post this year that didn't make a single mention of Wakefield

[SCM33]

According to ESPN' date=' the Topeka Bluehairs of the Midwestern Retirement Community Interleague Circuit have expressed an interest in Mike Cameron. An anonymous source in the MRC-IC executive office stated that the Red Sox may acquire Benjamin "Butch" Harcourt, a left-handed starter with a devastating 30MPH curveball that some scouts have nicknamed "Piece of hard candy", in addition to speedy outfielder Agnes Frimple, who lead the MRC league in stolen bases each of the last four seasons, until a shower accident confined her to an electric wheelchair. She is currently being trained by staff in the catcher's position. With the addition of Cameron to their roster, the Bluehairs may finally be ready to make a push for the league pennant, especially when you consider the rumors that Roger Clemens' family is ready to committ him to a 'home', as soon as he approves the action based on the team's chance to make a run at the playoffs. Further sources indicate that Cameron is excited about the possible deal, as it would "mesh nicely with his 8PM bedtime".[/quote']

 

Do they have any interest in a left handed hitting, overpaid, under performing disappointment over the last 5 years who plays RF......and only plays when he feels like it?

[BigPapiEnFuego]

I doubt he could even get into a retirement home. Dude sucks so bad they should trade him to a freakin Hospice

[SCM33]

I doubt he could even get into a retirement home. Dude sucks so bad they should trade him to a freakin Hospice

 

I love the people who I used to argue with back in the day who defended him and talked about about his OPS and OB% and would not take anything else into account . Now everyone is against the guy.

 

OB% and OPS, while a strong measure to gauge a players talent can be misleading.

 

Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything.

-- Toby Harrah

 

JD Drew had a good/great OPS for more than one season in Boston....but he never played like a $14 million star, not even close.

[redsoxbeatz]

We need someone [good] to play SS. At least I think so...

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Wouldn't mind Reyes especially since he is absolutely going on a tear right now but we shouldn't make SS a priority. If anything we need a OF.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Priority 1: RF, Switch hitter or RH. The only name that makes sense for the Sox is Beltran right now. It's incredibly evident how weak our lineup becomes when we play an NL team @ an NL park due in large part to the lack of production in RF. In a league where the average RF is hitting .265/.340/.425/.765, the Red Sox are getting .220/.304/.336/.640 from that position. Reddick could prove to be the answer, my only fear is that Reddick hits well until around the trade deadline, and then starts to decline in August, and by the time he begins his decline in production, Theo didn't pull the trigger on a trade.

 

Priority 2: SS. Scutaro is serviceable, and for this to be the 2nd priority, that's saying a lot for this club. I'm sure the Mets will want a pretty good haul for Reyes, and I don't see Theo depleting his farm system anymore than it already is due to the Gonzo trade. The good news is that we all know how good of a hitter Lowrie can be when he gets his rest and is healthy. Hopefully this DL stint will get him back on track.

 

Priority 3: Pitching. Can't have enough, and with Lackey throwing like a gushing vagina right now, we only have 4 quality starters, and yes I'm counting Miller in this because he's done nothing to indicate to me that he will be anything but a quality 4th or 5th man. He could return to form and lose control, but I think he's taken a giant step forward and, lets be honest, he's a huge improvement over DiceK. This all comes down to John Lackey. I don't give a s*** what his final numbers look like this year. Give me 3.90-4.10 ERA baseball from June 28th through the end of the season and I'll be happy.

[Palodios]

Priority 3: Pitching. Can't have enough' date=' and with Lackey throwing like a gushing vagina right now, we only have 4 quality starters, and yes I'm counting Miller in this because he's done nothing to indicate to me that he will be anything [i']but[/i] a quality 4th or 5th man. He could return to form and lose control, but I think he's taken a giant step forward and, lets be honest, he's a huge improvement over DiceK. This all comes down to John Lackey. I don't give a s*** what his final numbers look like this year. Give me 3.90-4.10 ERA baseball from June 28th through the end of the season and I'll be happy.

 

I think the Sox like their depth enough to go with what they have. Miller is probably #4 here to stay. #5 will be decided between Wakefield, Doubront, Tazawa, Aceves and Lackey. I think there is enough there that one will strike gold at some point.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I think the Sox like their depth enough to go with what they have. Miller is probably #4 here to stay. #5 will be decided between Wakefield' date=' Doubront, Tazawa, Aceves and Lackey. I think there is enough there that one will strike gold at some point.[/quote']

 

Definitely. To say it's a lower priority than SS is saying a lot. I don't think they'll go out and spend any prospects on a pitcher, but if there were 3 positions that they were looking at, I would say RF, SS, and a back end SP would be the only three. The gap between the priority of RF and SS is huge, and the gap between SS and SP is even bigger.

[RedSox_Ruszkowski]

i wouldn't put it past theo to try to steal some pitching that is out there because there a team out there wearing pinstripes that has some big holes to fill .......

[jacksonianmarch]

This is due to be an interesting deadline. The Sox need a starter with Wake and Miller in the 4 and 5 spot. Their pen is coming back into shape with Jenks on the mend. RF is looking like a black hole with Drew, but the rest of the lineup is solid. I am not sure which way they go, but I guarantee they kick the tires on Beltran.

 

In terms of NYY, not sure where they go either. The mantra has been starting pitching, but with Colon due back in a week and Hughes not far behind, the yankees suddenly have 6 big league starters (not counting Gordon) for 5 spots. And with no big ace dangling out there on the deadline like last yr with Lee, I doubt the Yankees empty the farm for a back of the rotation type. 2 big weaknesses a month ago are filling from within. Swisher has turned the bat back on, and Posada has been unreal in June. If those guys can just hit to a high .700OPS the rest of the way, let alone their career norms of mid .800, the offense should be good for the long haul.

 

I predicted that this would be a BIG deadline in the pre-season, but I am not sure either team will make a major splash

[Palodios]

Definitely. To say it's a lower priority than SS is saying a lot. I don't think they'll go out and spend any prospects on a pitcher' date=' but if there were 3 positions that they were looking at, I would say RF, SS, and a back end SP would be the only three. The gap between the priority of RF and SS is huge, and the gap between SS and SP is even bigger.[/quote']

 

Do you have that much confidence in the bullpen? I feel like there are plenty of options for the 6th inning, but not too many for the 7th, if that makes any sense.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Do you have that much confidence in the bullpen? I feel like there are plenty of options for the 6th inning' date=' but not too many for the 7th, if that makes any sense.[/quote']

 

I still think that Jenks will be able to fill that role well. Plus, I would have all the confidence in the world to hand the ball to Aceves (2.51 ERA as a reliever) or Albers (3.03 ERA) in the 7th.

 

Any combination of Aceves/Albers/Jenks - Bard - Papelbon is a great combination, if you ask me.

[Palodios]

I see Jenks and his 6.5 ERA as a bust, and Aceves as a 6th inning kind of guy. I do find Albers intriguing, but I have a hard time feeling confident that he will shut down the skanks in the 7th inning of the ALCS.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I see Jenks and his 6.5 ERA as a bust' date=' and Aceves as a 6th inning kind of guy. I do find Albers intriguing, but I have a hard time feeling confident that he will shut down the skanks in the 7th inning of the ALCS.[/quote']

 

I actually would feel more comfortable with Aceves in the 7th inning than just about anyone. That guy pounds the zone (usually, other than the Padres game) and all he does is get hitters out.

 

If Miller continues to pan out, how fortunate were the Sox this offseason with the acquisitions of Albers, Aceves, and Miller??

[BornToRun]

I actually would feel more comfortable with Aceves in the 7th inning than just about anyone. That guy pounds the zone (usually, other than the Padres game) and all he does is get hitters out.

 

If Miller continues to pan out, how fortunate were the Sox this offseason with the acquisitions of Albers, Aceves, and Miller??

 

Proves how awesome our FO is.

[SoxSport]

Add Millwood to the mix. He's probably their best 5th starter option right now.

[redsoxbeatz]

Scuatro has the poor bat with good defense and Lowrie is awesome with the bat (when healthy) and is King Of Errors on defense. I hope thats good enough SS. I hope Inglesias is ready next year

 

Reddick to RF!

[RedSox_Ruszkowski]

i say we make 0 moves before the deadline..... just a hunch....

[Thunder]

The Sox need a new rightfielder... I have a hunch that Kalish or Reddick will be traded and Drew will be released.

[Palodios]

i say we make 0 moves before the deadline..... just a hunch....

 

And why do you say that? The only reason why no moves were made last year was because the front office didn't see any reason to waste the prospects considering that five key players spent the season on the DL. They've made a ton of big trades the last few years. 2004 Orlando Cabrera, 2007 Gagne, 2008 Bay, 2009 Vmart all come to mind.

[WhiskeyBreath]

Someone wake Theo the f*** up please. McDonald and Cameron should not be on this roster one day more.

[SoxSport]

This club has holes--to be sure. The RHd hitting in the OF is bad enough to encourage every team to start a lefthander--ANY lefthander--against them.

 

One solution is a banger like Hanley Ramirez at SS. He is sure to rebound the 2nd half. Get him while he's cold.

[Palodios]

This club has holes--to be sure. The RHd hitting in the OF is bad enough to encourage every team to start a lefthander--ANY lefthander--against them.

 

One solution is a banger like Hanley Ramirez at SS. He is sure to rebound the 2nd half. Get him while he's cold.

 

So your solution to our outfield problems is... get a shortstop?

[Cocos Disciples]

Very hard for me to see a big move by the Sox this summer. I think they'll try to get a righty OF and a bullpen piece, as somebody said earlier. Beltran/Reyes/Hanley would absolutely stun me.

 

EDIT: Peter Gammons' cynical tweet: "Red Sox cannot add payroll, which means with RF washout and McDonald/Cameron 0 production, they can take no $. Dream Jeff Baker. period."

[Palodios]

EDIT: Peter Gammons' cynical tweet: "Red Sox cannot add payroll' date=' which means with RF washout and McDonald/Cameron 0 production, they can take no $. Dream Jeff Baker. period."[/quote']

 

Two months ago Peter Abraham reported about how the Sox had put money aside for the trade deadline. Unless the Bruins seriously hurt the Sox's tv revenue, I don't trust this report-- especially considering the payroll is lower than it was last year. When you have a championship caliber team, you make the moves you need to make.

 

 

On another note, I'm surprised no one has mentioned Raphael Furcal yet.