Enter: Will Middlebrooks

[jung]

My God it's the dreaded R word....rebuilding.

 

Anyway, I have always felt that if they do bring up Larvarnway they should only do it if it will not stilt his development. I don't think sharing time with Shoppach would of its own accord stilt his development but there could be other things about coming up that get in the way. The pressure is clearly much greater and that could be tough...although he handled it pretty well last year.

 

I would not really make the R word a factor here. If I could bring Lavarnway up under the right circumstances and make the right deal for Salty I would pull the trigger. However both conditions would have to be met for me to think it worthwhile.

[Gringo]

I'm thinking if Middlebrooks puts up solid numbers over the next 2 weeks, he might just win the job. Bobby V. and Youk are probably not on the best of terms...

 

The club could ship Youk out for a couple of prospects...

 

Seeing as we aren't going to win anything this year, we might as well bleed the youth.

[jung]

V. and Youk are probably not on the best of terms...

 

Wondering if you saw something suggesting that Youk and V are not on the best of terms...not doubting you. The more I think about it the more I could find a good reason for those guys to rub each other the wrong way just by walking into the same room.

 

But maybe you saw something specific that I missed. So I thought I would ask.

[Gringo]

Wondering if you saw something suggesting that Youk and V are not on the best of terms...not doubting you. The more I think about it the more I could find a good reason for those guys to rub each other the wrong way just by walking into the same room.

 

But maybe you saw something specific that I missed. So I thought I would ask.

 

The incident a few weeks ago where BV publicly questioned Youk's commitment...

[ibot2much]

Interesting how BV's statement now does have a ring of truth to it

[jung]

Damn forgot about that Gringo. That got a lotta' play at the time also and Youk was clearly not happy. I guess I lost track of that one because I figured they would have to put that one behind them....maybe not though.

 

I was thinkin' maybe I missed something more recent than that but that could definitely have left a mark that is not healing.

[SoxSport]

Before they ship Youk out, they better find another RHd power hitter. They screwed themselves getting rid of Beltre--and Bay before him. You have to wonder what Bay would have done if he stayed in Boston.

But I doubt we know the whole story there. The guy collapsed in NY.

 

If Middlebrooks shows some thump, then they don't pick up Youks' $13 mil option. That's clear. So they better play Middlebrooks plenty to see what he can do.

[SoxSport]

Damn forgot about that Gringo. That got a lotta' play at the time also and Youk was clearly not happy. I guess I lost track of that one because I figured they would have to put that one behind them....maybe not though.

 

I was thinkin' maybe I missed something more recent than that but that could definitely have left a mark that is not healing.

 

Doubt he's happy about shifting back to 3B so late after establishing himself as an all-star at 1B.

[jung]

Doubt he's happy about shifting back to 3B so late after establishing himself as an all-star at 1B.

 

Man if Youk is still carrying that one around he must have an ulcer named 3rd base eating away at his stomach lining.

 

I have often thought that you could really make a case that the Sox would have been better off with Youk at 1st and keeping Beltre. They would be more balanced. It would likely be a more powerful lineup, especially with Ortiz still in it.

 

They would not have Agons. Youk's decline has been much discussed here and if in fact this is the rapid decent of Youk then bringing in AGons instead of keeping Beltre seems like it was the right thing to do. The Ist base version of WMB is not really bangin' around down there in Pawtucket I don't think. I am not sure that what is happening to Youk as far as decline is concerned would have been much altered by his being at 1st instead of 3rd. I think he would have been happier over there but I would have a hard time finding a way to tie that to his problems at the plate. Then again, if the Sox had kept Beltre leaving them hunting for a 1st baseman as Youk declined, who would they have had to pick from then......Prince......Albert......Cuddyer....ouch!!!!

 

So the lineup could have been, Ells, CC, Pedey, Prince/Albert, Ortiz, Beltre, Aviles, Sweeney/Ross, Salty/Shoppach.......Holy s***! Even if you take CC out of there, a deal I hated from day one, or insert a more classical SS, that is one hell of a line up.

[JohnGreen2004]

Complete agree, although I get why the Red Sox let him walk, Beltre would be a huge addition to this lineup. I get a kick out of his "one knee homers".

[Divinity]

Do you guys think Middlebrooks is worth adding to a Fantasy Baseball team? I just lost Pablo Sandoval to the DL for at least a month.

[SoxSport]

Do you guys think Middlebrooks is worth adding to a Fantasy Baseball team? I just lost Pablo Sandoval to the DL for at least a month.

 

Ha. not yet.

 

How about Yankee closer? Robertson or Soriano? Can't tell yet. Maybe both.

[SoxSport]

Complete agree' date=' although I get why the Red Sox let him walk, Beltre would be a huge addition to this lineup. I get a kick out of his "one knee homers".[/quote']

 

Beltre's contract in Texas is ridiculous. They wouldn't have matched it. Plus there were doubts about Beltre's contract year peaks. No more doubts.

 

Besides, Epstein had an obsession with AdGon. The fall guy was Youkilis, who had to move--again. They thought they had it all figured out.

[Bloodsox0]

Before they ship Youk out, they better find another RHd power hitter. They screwed themselves getting rid of Beltre--and Bay before him. You have to wonder what Bay would have done if he stayed in Boston.

But I doubt we know the whole story there. The guy collapsed in NY.

 

If Middlebrooks shows some thump, then they don't pick up Youks' $13 mil option. That's clear. So they better play Middlebrooks plenty to see what he can do.

 

Bay completely fell apart in the late part of 09, did nothing to help us hold off the Yanks, nothing to help in the sweep against LAA. His avg was way too low, Beltre looked like a one year wonder but I was wrong.

 

Gonzalez should be doing MUCH better, no reason he can't give us Beltre's avg with Bay's power.

[jacksonianmarch]

Bay completely fell apart in the late part of 09, did nothing to help us hold off the Yanks, nothing to help in the sweep against LAA. His avg was way too low, Beltre looked like a one year wonder but I was wrong.

 

Gonzalez should be doing MUCH better, no reason he can't give us Beltre's avg with Bay's power.

 

AdGon at 1st and Beltre at 3rd would be pretty enticing, no? GG corner IF defense with a 3-4 in the lineup

[redsoxrules]

AdGon at 1st and Beltre at 3rd would be pretty enticing' date=' no? GG corner IF defense with a 3-4 in the lineup[/quote']

 

Drool

[SouthieFanatic]

Hate it to say it but Youk is deff over the hill. I'm a sucker for seeing the prospects develop in the bigs though, but if he produces why not keep him at third all season? Also what's Youks contract looking like? How many years?

[jung]

Last year is this year. Sox hold a team option on youk for next year

[SoxSport]

Youk is a goner. He can't hold up playing 3B and is blocked at 1B and DH in Boston.

[jacksonianmarch]

So.... this Middlebrooks kid can mash. He doesnt have Youkilis' patience, but he has all of Youk's power. And while Youk is an awesome fielding 1b, he's an average to below average 3b. Middlebrooks will likely be sent down once Youk comes back, but I think this kid has made as good of a case to stick around as anyone. My guess is Youkilis comes back, they option Middlebrooks, Youk builds up his value and gets dealt in a deadline deal for a starter

[SoxFanForsyth]

So.... this Middlebrooks kid can mash. He doesnt have Youkilis' patience' date=' but he has all of Youk's power. And while Youk is an awesome fielding 1b, he's an average to below average 3b. Middlebrooks will likely be sent down once Youk comes back, but I think this kid has made as good of a case to stick around as anyone. My guess is Youkilis comes back, they option Middlebrooks, Youk builds up his value and gets dealt in a deadline deal for a starter[/quote']

 

I don't know. If the Sox had a winning record, maybe. But how can you justify sending down a kid who is OPS'ing 1.361??

 

It's tough, I'll tell you that.

[jacksonianmarch]

I don't know. If the Sox had a winning record, maybe. But how can you justify sending down a kid who is OPS'ing 1.361??

 

It's tough, I'll tell you that.

 

If Youk comes back as is, he isnt dealable. So, you bring him back and he will be a malcontent sitting behind WMB. The clubhouse is suspect to begin with, you really want a pissed off Youk there? From a personnell standpoint, it makes no sense to bring back Youk and sit him. Maybe they send him on a "rehab" assignment and wait for WMB to cool down, then promote him

[rhfil]

How could you possibly sit Middlebrooks after the KC results. And sitting Youk will cause problems in the dugout. Best is to trade Youk for whatever you can get as soon as he comes off the disabled list. I think sending down Middlebrooks would cause an even greater fan rebellion than you have now. Biggest problem is that management does not have the balls to pull the trigger on Youk.

[Station 13]

Youk is the new Mike Lowell. He's losing his job to a hot rookie. WMB got 2 weeks left to keep swinging away and stay hot.

[Dojji]

When did Mikey lose his job to a hot rookie? Half the reason we got stuck with Lowell so long is that Lowrie couldn't take over either as the SS or as the 3B.

[KCBRUIN]

I'm liking a700's idea from the GDT. Put WMB in left when Youk comes back. Not like DMac is going to win any gold gloves out there.

 

Speaking of Middlebrooks, he needs to hurry up and get issued his real number. I need a road jersey and I don't want to be like the people who bought Ellsbury jerseys.

[Soxfan1]

When did Mikey lose his job to a hot rookie? Half the reason we got stuck with Lowell so long is that Lowrie couldn't take over either as the SS or as the 3B.

 

I think he means Billy Mueller

[SoxFanForsyth]

I'm liking a700's idea from the GDT. Put WMB in left when Youk comes back. Not like DMac is going to win any gold gloves out there.

 

Speaking of Middlebrooks, he needs to hurry up and get issued his real number. I need a road jersey and I don't want to be like the people who bought Ellsbury jerseys.

 

Yikes. I can't say no enough to this.

 

Why would you create defensive deficiencies in two positions by replacing WMB with Youk at 3rd, and then putting WMB out in LF?? That doesn't make any sense.

 

Youkilis is just going to have to understand he's going to be a backup player at 1st and 3rd. I know that you're not going to build value for him that way, but what you do is you have him rehab in AAA for a couple of weeks and let him build value there.

 

As much as some people don't understand it, GM's don't look at stats as much as you'd like to think. They rely a whole lot more on their scouts, and if they're scouting Youk on his rehab assignment and the reports are saying "He looks healthy, hitting to all fields, not expanding the zone" etc, then GM's are going to still pull the trigger on a deal.

 

His injury history and concern is not going to just go away if he has a healthy 2-3 weeks. You hope that Youk has a healthy and productive rehab stint, and that he looks good in the eyes of scouts. If he can do that, then you've got a chip. If not, you let him rehab until he gets right, and then see what kind of offers are on the table.

[mvp 78]

Needs to work on not rushing his throws to 1b. Other than that, he's been outstanding. What's the point of playing Youk, to deal for a middle reliever? Won't get any worthwhile prospects back in a trade for him. If WMB is ready, just play him.

[ORS]

Yikes. I can't say no enough to this.

 

Why would you create defensive deficiencies in two positions by replacing WMB with Youk at 3rd, and then putting WMB out in LF?? That doesn't make any sense.

 

Youkilis is just going to have to understand he's going to be a backup player at 1st and 3rd. I know that you're not going to build value for him that way, but what you do is you have him rehab in AAA for a couple of weeks and let him build value there.

 

As much as some people don't understand it, GM's don't look at stats as much as you'd like to think. They rely a whole lot more on their scouts, and if they're scouting Youk on his rehab assignment and the reports are saying "He looks healthy, hitting to all fields, not expanding the zone" etc, then GM's are going to still pull the trigger on a deal.

 

His injury history and concern is not going to just go away if he has a healthy 2-3 weeks. You hope that Youk has a healthy and productive rehab stint, and that he looks good in the eyes of scouts. If he can do that, then you've got a chip. If not, you let him rehab until he gets right, and then see what kind of offers are on the table.

But you want to put Aviles in LF and give SS to Iglesias, who makes McDonald and Byrd look like Manny Ramirez at the plate. And is there any confidence that Aviles will be better than WMB in LF? I don't know that there is. So what's really under consideration is the defense you get from Iglesias at SS vs having WMB's bat in the lineup. Iglesias would really have to pick it to make up that gap.