Lefty First Baseman?

[Whiteandnerdy42]

So there've been some rumors about the Sox trading for a lefty first baseman to complement Napoli, but who could it be? Some people suggest Smoak, but lets be honest: he's been awful. People say that he'll get better, but where's the evidence for that? Any other lefty first basemen I'm overlooking? Because i assume in the absence of a trade Boston is planning to try out Nava at first.

[Spitball]

So there've been some rumors about the Sox trading for a lefty first baseman to complement Napoli, but who could it be? Some people suggest Smoak, but lets be honest: he's been awful. People say that he'll get better, but where's the evidence for that? Any other lefty first basemen I'm overlooking? Because i assume in the absence of a trade Boston is planning to try out Nava at first.

 

Some of us have advocated Garrett Jones from the Pirates. He is a left hander who has strong splits versus right-handed pitching. He can play both first and the outfield. He also is getting expensive for Pittsburgh.

[SoxSport]

Pirates may want too much for Jones. The guy they are looking at now is Smoak, but he has no power--and 1B is a power position.

[User Name]

It's not like Sean Casey and John Olerud were effective first basemen at the ML level, and there also aren't any guys who didn't have big power numbers in the Minors then developed in the Majors. No sir.

[Whiteandnerdy42]

Jones would be a good option if the Pirates would give him up, but you'd think that if he was available he would have come over in the Hanrahan trade for something else.

[User Name]

And why is that? They could probably get more for him in a separate, stand-alone deal.

[Spitball]

Jones will earn $4,500,000 next season. Rumors indicate the Pirates might be willing to unload his salary. He rakes versus right-handed pitching but suffers against lefties. He plays first and the corner outfield positions. He would be a nice addition.

[dupree]

I would like to see Garrett Jones here. I think the Pirates would get more for him via trade. Also ive heard that the Red Sox had checked in on Casey Kotchman who is a FA. I think a left handed hitting 1B would be a smart idea to give napoli a couple extra rest days when a righty is pitching.

 

I wonder what prospects the Pirates would want? Would a Gomez, Jacobs, and 1 more mid tier prospect get the deal done? Also how many years of control would Jones have?

[User Name]

And how else is anyone going to get Garret Jones if it isn't through a trade with the Pirates? He's under contract for 2013.

[Spitball]

And how else is anyone going to get Garret Jones if it isn't through a trade with the Pirates? He's under contract for 2013.

 

I believe he is under control through 2015.

[User Name]

I believe he is under control through 2015.

 

What i meant was they already avoided arb with him and he's under contract so it's not like they're going to release him.

[Spitball]

What i meant was they already avoided arb with him and he's under contract so it's not like they're going to release him.

 

I figured you knew but thought I should clarify his contract situation for those in doubt of his value.

[dupree]

I meant that the Pirates would get more of a return for him back in prospects in a solo trade with him for a group of prospects than involving him in a package with hanrahan.

 

But thank you User Name for a quick smart ass response. As usual.

[jacksonianmarch]

It doesnt make sense. You get a lefty platoon mate for a righty power hitter who you just signed to a high value contract provided he gets to the PAs.

[User Name]

It does make sense if you take into account Kalish's inability to stay healthy.

[jacksonianmarch]

How does Kalish factor in? I was talking about a lefty 1B

[User Name]

Jones is a lefty 1B/OF. He makes more sense when you consider that not only can he spell Napoli at 1B (and they will rest him a lot) but he can also both play the OF and serve as insurance for the eventual Kalish injury. Quite simple, really.

[jacksonianmarch]

I see. I didn't see your jones reference

[User Name]

Well Jones is the guy that had been talked about for the past few posts. Unless it's a guy with his profile then it really doesn't make any sense.

[Dojji]

Kalish isn't slated to start in the outfield actually, we're prolly going left to right Gomes-Ellsbury-Victorino. I'm sure we'll find ways to work Kalish into that group, but I wouldn't mind adding another moderate power bat to that since I really don't actually trust Victorino.. Since we're not likely to get a real thumper, a platoon guy with some pop, like Jones, makes sense for that.

[Lucienbel]

Kalish isn't slated to start in the outfield actually, we're prolly going left to right Gomes-Ellsbury-Victorino. I'm sure we'll find ways to work Kalish into that group, but I wouldn't mind adding another moderate power bat to that since I really don't actually trust Victorino.. Since we're not likely to get a real thumper, a platoon guy with some pop, like Jones, makes sense for that.

 

I was under the impression we'd see Gomes platooning with someone in left field. For $10 mil it seems sort of silly and expensive, but yeah. Are most people thinking that Gomes is going to be our starting left fielder most of the time?

[User Name]

Kalish isn't slated to start in the outfield actually, we're prolly going left to right Gomes-Ellsbury-Victorino. I'm sure we'll find ways to work Kalish into that group, but I wouldn't mind adding another moderate power bat to that since I really don't actually trust Victorino.. Since we're not likely to get a real thumper, a platoon guy with some pop, like Jones, makes sense for that.

 

What's your thing against Victorino? I don't get it.

[Whiteandnerdy42]

I agree, as I think that Victorino is a solid player who can steal some bases and hit fairly well; I just don't see Kalish playing that well.

[Dojji]

What's your thing against Victorino? I don't get it.

 

Oh for the love of God, you're smarter than this UN.

 

Don't even pretend that you don't see a certain logic to worrying about a speed player over 30 who had a down year last year. There's a very legitimate possibility that we get nothing at all from Shame Victorino.

[BSN07]

Oh for the love of God, you're smarter than this UN.

 

Don't even pretend that you don't see a certain logic to worrying about a speed player over 30 who had a down year last year. There's a very legitimate possibility that we get nothing at all from Shame Victorino.

 

Victorino isn't just a speed guy. Prior to last season he was a top 8 OPS OF.

[Palodios]

Oh for the love of God, you're smarter than this UN.

 

Don't even pretend that you don't see a certain logic to worrying about a speed player over 30 who had a down year last year. There's a very legitimate possibility that we get nothing at all from Shame Victorino.

 

I'm going to do this for your benefit, since you missed it last time around. Career numbers for a few guys:

 

Player A: .275 / .341 / .430/ .771 averages 35 steals, 3 gold gloves

Player B: .297 / .349/ .442/ .791 averages 40 steals, 1 gold glove

Player C: .255 /.336/ .422/ .758 averages 40 steals, 0 gold gloves

Player D: .272/.339/ .365/ .704, averages 60 steals, 2 gold gloves

 

A is Victorino. B is Ellsbury. C is Upton. D is Bourn.

 

 

Get it into your head. Victorino is very very good.

[iortiz]

I'm going to do this for your benefit, since you missed it last time around. Career numbers for a few guys:

 

Player A: .275 / .341 / .430/ .771 averages 35 steals, 3 gold gloves

Player B: .297 / .349/ .442/ .791 averages 40 steals, 1 gold glove

Player C: .255 /.336/ .422/ .758 averages 40 steals, 0 gold gloves

Player D: .272/.339/ .365/ .704, averages 60 steals, 2 gold gloves

 

A is Victorino. B is Ellsbury. C is Upton. D is Bourn.

 

 

Get it into your head. Victorino is very very good.

 

I only hope he stays healthy next season, if so, he will be very nice to watch.

[User Name]

Oh for the love of God, you're smarter than this UN.

 

Don't even pretend that you don't see a certain logic to worrying about a speed player over 30 who had a down year last year. There's a very legitimate possibility that we get nothing at all from Shame Victorino.

 

Palodios did all the heavy lifting for me, but the numbers show you're the one who's smarter than this. For all the love you show fringe and mediocre players, your disdain for a guy who's a legitimate producer on both sides of the ball Is puzzling.

[VA Sox Fan]

A piece from Nick Cafardo's blog in today's Globe:

 

Nava said he has not been approached by the team about playing first base. The Sox have been looking for a first baseman/outfielder. Nava, a switch-hitter, said he last played first base at junior college and took ground balls there during infield practice. He said he would welcome the opportunity.

 

“The biggest thing I tried to do was improve the right side,” Nava said. “As a switch-hitter, I wasn’t happy with my production righthanded.”

 

Nava, 29, who was married this winter, hit .185 with 3 homers and 10 RBI righthanded in 81 at-bats. Nava may have been Boston’s best outfielder and indeed showed the most accurate arm from the outfield.

 

“I think it was a year of adjustments,” Nava said. “I got to play and show what I could do, but I have to keep getting better at everything.”

 

 

Thoughts?

[mvp 78]

He'll be on the opening day roster for better or worse.