Are the Red Sox going to be sellers at the trade deadline?

[SoxFanForsyth]

The thing is' date=' SFF, that is an elephant-sized IF. We're over halfway through the season. If Beckett and Lester haven't gotten it together by now, what exactly is there to generate any optimism in that area? Especially when they're both coming off dismal performances against the NYY. There's just nothing there...[/quote']

 

I'm not saying its a certainty, although I personally think they have a bounce back second half. All I'm saying is that before we say it's a joke to call this team a WS contender, let's hang tight and see how they come out in the 2nd half. I think the break will let them kind of reset and start over, at least mentally.

[Bellhorn04]

I'm not saying its a certainty' date=' although I personally think they have a bounce back second half. All I'm saying is that before we say it's a joke to call this team a WS contender, let's hang tight and see how they come out in the 2nd half. I think the break will let them kind of reset and start over, at least mentally.[/quote']

 

I trust you've checked out our schedule coming out of the break. It's a tough one till the end of the month.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I trust you've checked out our schedule coming out of the break. It's a tough one till the end of the month.

 

Yup, and I also noticed that of the 76 games left, 50 are head to head against teams that we will be battling for a PS berth. That's the best and easiest time to make up ground IMO. I think the Sox are better than the Rays, Tigers, Guardians, A's, and Orioles. Those are the teams they need to beat out. They just have to win 3 more games than those teams. That's not that difficult.

 

We are extremely fortunate to be in a position to make a move in the 2nd half with all of our injured guys getting healthy.

[mvp 78]

The problem with the injured goes coming back is that none of them fill the most glaring need starting pitching. The hitting (Ells) and relieving (Bailey) hasn't been the problem thus far.

[SoxFanForsyth]

The problem with the injured goes coming back is that none of them fill the most glaring need starting pitching. The hitting (Ells) and relieving (Bailey) hasn't been the problem thus far.

 

True but Lester Beckett and Buchholz are not 4.5 era pitchers.

 

Would it really shock anyone if they came back and returned to form for the 2nd half?? Same thing with Adrian Gonzalez. If he hit 18 HR and drove in 65 in the 2nd half, that wouldn't surprise anyone.

 

It was a s***** 1st half, but that's because of underperformance and injuries. I think the SP is much, much better than they showed in the 1st half, and I strongly believe they come out with something to prove in the 2nd half.

[redsoxbeatz]

The thing is' date=' SFF, that is an elephant-sized IF. We're over halfway through the season. If Beckett and Lester haven't gotten it together by now, what exactly is there to generate any optimism in that area? Especially when they're both coming off dismal performances against the NYY. There's just nothing there...[/quote']

 

exactly!

 

There is some kind of plague within that locker-room. Youkilis get's healthy and can't hit for us. We trade him into a healthier clubhouse and he's back to being a superstar.

 

This clubhouse is just rotted from within due to the ******** from last season. This whole place just needs to be revamped.

[mvp 78]

Beckett has had two seasons above 5.00 since coming to the Sox. He's more than capable of being a 4.50 era guy this year.

 

Lester has just had a half season of uninspiring starts. Maybe the malaise around the club affects him too much?

[Palodios]

Why don't we hang tight and see how Beckett Lester and Buchholz rebound in the 2nd half, as well as Pedroia, Gonzalez, Ellsbury, Crawford, Bailey, and to a lesser extent, Bard before we start calling this team irrelevant.

 

If Lester, Beckett, and Buchholz throw the ball like they are capable, and the offense gets healthy and performs just to their average talent levels, this team is absolutely a WS contender. I don't think it's kidding ourselves to think that most of these players will return to their norms in the 2nd half.

 

I hope everyone here who is saying this team is out of it, etc remembers who they are and what they said in October when the Sox are making a deep run in the playoffs. 2.5 games out of them WC guys, with a huge amount of talent coming back. Come on fellas.

 

By trading Beckett and a few players who will not be with this team in 2013/2014, the Red Sox could possibly find themselves with the best minor league system in the majors. All while holding onto Pedroia/Agon/Lester/Buch/Bailey etc etc for the future and saving enough money to get under the cap and afford a new arm for next year.

 

Or they could mortgage it all for a one-game winner take all matchup against 2012's Cy Young winner Jared Weaver.

[redsoxbeatz]

By trading Beckett and a few players who will not be with this team in 2013/2014' date=' the Red Sox could possibly find themselves with the[b'] best minor league system in the majors[/b]. All while holding onto Pedroia/Agon/Lester/Buch/Bailey etc etc for the future and saving enough money to get under the cap and afford a new arm for next year.

 

Or they could mortgage it all for a one-game winner take all matchup against 2012's Cy Young winner Jared Weaver.

 

I like the idea of having the best or at least top 5 or 3 farm system thru trades but its no guarantee those minors become stars. KC is said to have the best farm and their guys are sucking.

[SoxFanForsyth]

By trading Beckett and a few players who will not be with this team in 2013/2014' date=' the Red Sox could possibly find themselves with the[b'] best minor league system in the majors[/b]. All while holding onto Pedroia/Agon/Lester/Buch/Bailey etc etc for the future and saving enough money to get under the cap and afford a new arm for next year.

 

Or they could mortgage it all for a one-game winner take all matchup against 2012's Cy Young winner Jared Weaver.

 

By going out and getting a guy like Garza, you're hardly mortgaging the future. In fact, I would argue you're enhancing it.

 

And you're not going to get a top 100 prospect for Beckett. Trading away the s*** from the team isn't going to build the farm.

 

I wouldn't be opposed to trading Lester for Justin Upton if that was available, and we were able to acquire Garza. That would make Ellsbury available to be dealt in the offseason for an elite SP.

 

By the way, the Sox are talking to the Cubs about Sweeney. Lavarnway + Cecchini + Sweeney for Garza?

[SoxFanForsyth]

Ellsbury for Lincecum, anyone?

[mvp 78]

Ellsbury for Lincecum' date=' anyone?[/quote']

 

No. He may have huge arm problems.

[Guest]

By going out and getting a guy like Garza, you're hardly mortgaging the future. In fact, I would argue you're enhancing it.

 

And you're not going to get a top 100 prospect for Beckett. Trading away the s*** from the team isn't going to build the farm.

 

I wouldn't be opposed to trading Lester for Justin Upton if that was available, and we were able to acquire Garza. That would make Ellsbury available to be dealt in the offseason for an elite SP.

 

By the way, the Sox are talking to the Cubs about Sweeney. Lavarnway + Cecchini + Sweeney for Garza?

 

Thats too much for a one year rental. I would want to get prospects instead. They are under our control longer.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Thats too much for a one year rental. I would want to get prospects instead. They are under our control longer.

 

First off, you have him for a year and a half. Second, you sign him to 5/82mm. Third, you eat a bit of Becketts salary and get rid of him this offseason, and Garza slides into his place.

 

It's not a rental, this would be a long term signing after the trade.

[SemperFi Sox]

Ellsbury for Lincecum' date=' anyone?[/quote']

 

Elite CF for a crappy pitcher who's arm is finally falling off.

 

 

NO

[Divinity]

Ellsbury for Lincecum' date=' anyone?[/quote']

 

Lincecum's motion has put too much stress on his body, he may be washed up young.

 

You'd be better off offering Ellsbury in a deal for King Felix.

[kapsis21]

Ellsbury for Lincecum' date=' anyone?[/quote']

 

tempting, but with Lincecum, you never know with how his arm motion is. it could be that his arm is shot.. but again something is better than loosing Ells to FA.

they are equal though, we might have to give them a Lillibridge or Punto i all for it

[Palodios]

By going out and getting a guy like Garza, you're hardly mortgaging the future. In fact, I would argue you're enhancing it.

 

And you're not going to get a top 100 prospect for Beckett. Trading away the s*** from the team isn't going to build the farm.

 

Beckett was one of the best pitchers in baseball last year. I'd also be willing to eat 5-10 million salary, so we're looking at Beckett for 2.5 years for only 33 million.

 

Put it into perspective. Would you trade Cecchini to get Dan Haren? Same age, similar ERA in 2011, similar ERA in 2012. Giving up the same caliber of prospect.

 

And do you know why Cody Ross is valuable? Because whoever trades for him will pay 1 million dollars for him. That's it. A guy who has had a .900 OPS most of the year. Beltran was traded for a top 100 prospect with a .900 OPS last year on a much bigger contract, and significant health concerns. If you throw in a kicker, like a bullpen arm, or maybe Shoppach, I'd bet he Ross can pull in a prospect from the top 50-100. Same deal for Beckett, throw in a kicker if you need to.

 

Shoppach/Albers/Sweeney won't pull in an elite prospect, but in a bigger trade, they'd certainly help.

 

And Ellsbury/Ortiz?

[a700hitter]

Ellsbury for Lincecum' date=' anyone?[/quote']Pass. I think he is shot. I'd rather keep Lester and hope that he regains his form.

[NativeBostonian]

Ellsbury for Lincecum' date=' anyone?[/quote']

 

Maybe if you include some weed so I am too spaced out to notice the bad trade I just made.

[NativeBostonian]

Beckett was one of the best pitchers in baseball last year. I'd also be willing to eat 5-10 million salary, so we're looking at Beckett for 2.5 years for only 33 million.

 

Put it into perspective. Would you trade Cecchini to get Dan Haren? Same age, similar ERA in 2011, similar ERA in 2012. Giving up the same caliber of prospect.

 

And do you know why Cody Ross is valuable? Because whoever trades for him will pay 1 million dollars for him. That's it. A guy who has had a .900 OPS most of the year. Beltran was traded for a top 100 prospect with a .900 OPS last year on a much bigger contract, and significant health concerns. If you throw in a kicker, like a bullpen arm, or maybe Shoppach, I'd bet he Ross can pull in a prospect from the top 50-100. Same deal for Beckett, throw in a kicker if you need to.

 

Shoppach/Albers/Sweeney won't pull in an elite prospect, but in a bigger trade, they'd certainly help.

 

And Ellsbury/Ortiz?

I like Ross, but I like Sweeney more. If you can use him (along with others in a trade) to get a good starter, then I would do it.

[redsoxfan3]

I like Ross' date=' but I like Sweeney more. If you can use him (along with others in a trade) to get a good starter, then I would do it.[/quote']

 

I like Ross more than Sweeney, but if we can keep both then I would be happy. I think we need to look at the options. Here is the latest at what I read at MLBTR.

 

Teams Calling Red Sox About Outfielders

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 12 at 9:04am CST]

Teams are calling the Red Sox about the availability of “several” outfielders, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports. The Red Sox are “open-minded” about trading away an outfielder now that Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford are nearly ready to return to the MLB roster.

 

Ryan Sweeney and Daniel Nava could be trade chips for the Red Sox, but the team is “not looking to move Sweeney,” Silverman reports. Scott Podsednik and Ryan Kalish are at Triple-A, and Cody Ross fits well with Boston’s current needs.

 

Though the Cubs aren’t interested in Sweeney, the Red Sox are eyeing a pair of Cubs pitchers. Boston has expressed preliminary interest in Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster, but is “not fully engaged yet,” Silverman reports. I recently previewed the trade market for starting pitchers and outfielders.

 

Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal explained how Boston’s 40-man roster will impact the team’s next few weeks. The Red Sox are far more likely to trade surplus players such as Sweeney, Kelly Shoppach or Matt Albers than make major changes this month, MacPherson writes.

 

I think we need to look to deal Nava and Pods first. Lillibridge needs to either be traded or demoted to AAA. I like Crawford in LF, Ellsbury in CF, and a Ross/Sweeney platoon in RF.

[Laser Show]

I like Ross more than Sweeney, but if we can keep both then I would be happy. I think we need to look at the options. Here is the latest at what I read at MLBTR.

 

 

 

I think we need to look to deal Nava and Pods first. Lillibridge needs to either be traded or demoted to AAA. I like Crawford in LF, Ellsbury in CF, and a Ross/Sweeney platoon in RF.

 

That was the plan at the beginning of the season. Nava, Pods, Lillibridge, McDonald, Gonzo should have never gotten significant time in the OF this year, and a couple of them shouldn't have even played for the Sox.

[redsoxbeatz]

http://www.overthemonster.com/2012/7/13/3156249/boston-red-sox-armchair-gm-trade-deadline-edition-ben-buchanan#storyjump

[NativeBostonian]

http://www.overthemonster.com/2012/7/13/3156249/boston-red-sox-armchair-gm-trade-deadline-edition-ben-buchanan#storyjump

 

I enjoyed reading that articular. Although, I do disagree with some of the things the writer says. I don't think Bobby should get fire, I think the pitching coach should. It isn't Bobby's fault the pitchers give up a lot of runs; he isn't the guy teaching them how to pitch. I like the Juston Upton trade though. I've wanted him on this team for a while. But, the problem is, we still go know where at the position of SS. The FO shouldn’t have traded two decent SS this off-season. That was just stupid. Mike isn’t an everyday player. He is someone who you plug in there to smash lefties.

[jung]

The author lost all of his credibility for me when he got to the last paragraph. While V has not been perfect by a long shot and everybody here knows I am not and have not been a V guy from day 1, the complaints leveled at V in that piece are just kooky and his solution is equally kooky.

[User Name]

Sellers? With the team right at .500, the second WC, and a bunch of injured stars coming back? It'll never happen.

[jung]

I don't believe they will be sellers either. I think they will make some fairly minor deals and LL will call that having been "aggressive" at the trade deadline.

 

If a major deal goes down I will be surprised......I think there is probably a small chance that the Sox will try to rid themselves of some of their problem children and end up in a big deal because of it....I can believe that could happen.......but I think option 1 is more likely....a deal or more than one relatively minor to mid-level deal that allows LL to say they were aggressive at the deadline. The Sox have players that are blocked, players that are the same assets with different numbers on the their backs and thus have the makings of some minor to midlevel deals. It will be fun watching LL tell us how significant those deals are once they happen.....by the time he is done, they will be BLOCKBUSTERS.