Let's assume the opening day lineup

[marklmw]

Sorry to hear that guys. It does seem that Cherington does not want to leave well enough alone. I would much rather have WMB than Drew and I would bet other teams would too. Because it would cost a team a first round draft choice if they signed Drew teams are running to the hills from him. A first rounder is no guarantee that person is going to make it to the Bigs and yet there is no market for Drew. In other words no other team wants him for that price so he comes crawling back to the Red Sox for what, a one year parachute offer, or do they seriously intend to sign him up long term? I have no choice in the matter and will have to root for Stephen if he is signed but I think this trade stinks. Nicolino, from what I've heard, is a combination of Morales of the present and Delcarmen of the past and for possibly trading Will I think we should be able to do a helluva lot better than the likes of him.

I certainly would rather have WMB & a high draft pick than Drew. This really makes no sense.

[sk7326]

Yeah, WMB isn't going anywhere and certainly not for a #62 prospect. I would deal Gomes and put WBM in left before I would trade him. The problem with signing Drew even for 2 years is that it undermines Bogaerts. It is standard operating procedure to move a SS to 3B as the player ages but moving Xander back to SS after playing 3B for 1-3 years is a different story. Drew imo would be a negative signing.

 

It's #62 - in all of baseball. Probably the #2 or #3 pitcher in the Marlins org. For what its worth, the preseason list there had Casey Kelly, Allen Webster in that same ballpark. I don't think you were going to get a Strasburg level guy by dealing Middlebrooks. A pitcher with some mid-level or higher upside or a position prospect is probably what you'd expect for somebody who has had spotty results in his big league career to date (but is still young and all).

[mvp 78]

30+ hrs in 170 games plus solid defense isn't "spotty results."

[mvp 78]

Also, can we please not rip Ben for moves that haven't even been made yet?

[dupree]

I seen where the Yankees may be in on Drew now. If Infante goes to the Royals the Yankees will be all in on him. They dont care about draft picks they will only be giving up a later round selection anyway. I think if Boras could work out a deal with the Red Sox to have him sign a 1 year deal with the promise that they wont give him a qualifying offer next year is the only way hes back here.

 

X and WMB with a utility LHH infielder is probably what is the out look of the FO for next season to play the left side of the infield.

[marklmw]

It's #62 - in all of baseball. Probably the #2 or #3 pitcher in the Marlins org. For what its worth, the preseason list there had Casey Kelly, Allen Webster in that same ballpark. I don't think you were going to get a Strasburg level guy by dealing Middlebrooks. A pitcher with some mid-level or higher upside or a position prospect is probably what you'd expect for somebody who has had spotty results in his big league career to date (but is still young and all).

I know it is all of baseball ... all of Minor League Baseball that is. Seriously, would you deal Allen Webster for WMB? We have 4 other prospects in the same class as Webster if you include Workman. How many hitters with 35 HR Ceilings do we have? When Ortiz retires not a one ... I think Nap's ceiling is around 30 now as you have to put your bat on the ball to hit it over the fence.

[SoxSport]

X and WMB with a utility LHH infielder is probably what is the out look of the FO for next season to play the left side of the infield.

 

A lot of people think this is the most sensible way to go. Drew only plays one position and wants to start. He really isn't a fit unless you want to block X or MBrooks.

 

They have the same situation in the OF. They need a role player for RF, not a guy who has to start. A replacement for Vic on days off or if he plays CF. That's why they didn't sign Grandy or the other major FA outfielders. Bradley has first dibs in CF.

[Dojji]

Yeah, WMB isn't going anywhere and certainly not for a #62 prospect.

 

A #62 prospect in all of baseball would be on average some team's second best guy.

[Bellhorn04]

30+ hrs in 170 games plus solid defense isn't "spotty results."

 

WMB's fielding stats are a little below average.

[mvp 78]

WMB's fielding stats are a little below average.

 

Average =/= spotty

[seabeachfred]

I seen where the Yankees may be in on Drew now. If Infante goes to the Royals the Yankees will be all in on him. They dont care about draft picks they will only be giving up a later round selection anyway. I think if Boras could work out a deal with the Red Sox to have him sign a 1 year deal with the promise that they wont give him a qualifying offer next year is the only way hes back here.

 

X and WMB with a utility LHH infielder is probably what is the out look of the FO for next season to play the left side of the infield.

 

And that's what Ben should do. The guy has done a magnificent job the last year but I keep getting the feeling that he wants to make some "real" moves. "Real" moves like signing Drew and trading Middlebrooks is a move in the wrong direction. As I suggested yesterday, Ben should leave well enough alone.

[mvp 78]

And that's what Ben should do. The guy has done a magnificent job the last year but I keep getting the feeling that he wants to make some "real" moves. "Real" moves like signing Drew and trading Middlebrooks is a move in the wrong direction. As I suggested yesterday, Ben should leave well enough alone.

 

You realize that your "feelings" don't always line up with reality and that it's pointless to get worked up over something that hasn't happened yet, right? Remember how hot and bothered you were about Napoli last week. Just relax and have a little faith.

[marklmw]

Also, can we please not rip Ben for moves that haven't even been made yet?

No one here is ripping Ben ... we are ripping the rumors is all.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Isn't it the same thing?

[mvp 78]

Isn't it the same thing?

 

I don't know about you, but I'm soooo pissed off about the asteroid that may or may not hit the Earth this weekend!

[win red sox]

If Ben moves WMB, it has to improve the club. What are some areas of concern now and in the future? It appears the most likely position that could be improved now is Lf, so I would say WMB would have to be part of a Package that would get Stanton or Cargo. If you look down at the minors, the sox are lacking mostly at frontline SP's(thinking Walker or Bradley), 1B and Of(along the lines of Adams,Belt, Yelich, Tavares). Remember the Sox are potentialy losing 3 sp's with Lester, Peavy, and Demptser FA's.

[User Name]

Why would the Rockies trade CarGo? They already traded Fowler, and are making moves left and right trying to improve their pitching in order to contend. It would make little sense for them. Stanton is a pipe dream, ditto for Walker and Archie unless it's a massive package.

 

The rest of the players you mention (except Belt, who i consider to not be that good given the fact that he's a 1B with middling power, and those are a dime-a-dozen) all make sense, but are either pretty much untouchable or would require a hell of a lot more than WMB alone.

[win red sox]

It was just an example of what the Sox should look at it if they were intent on moving WMB, most the players mentioned obviously would need more than WMB. And I think any of those players could be moved with the right package.

[Palodios]

Ortiz's agent negotiating a longer deal. I hope it is for lower AAV...

[mvp 78]

Ortiz's agent negotiating a longer deal. I hope it is for lower AAV...

 

Why would it be? He just became a world eater in this year's playoffs.

[Palodios]

Why would it be? He just became a world eater in this year's playoffs.

 

He's 38 now, and signed for another year. What will buying out his age 40 or 41 years do for the Red Sox, besides massage his ego? They could just as easily keep him another, see if he stays healthy, and offer him a qualifying offer. Would anyone really want to outbid the Red Sox AND give away a 1st rounder for a 40 year old who doesn't play a position?

 

Even with an insane postseason, the whole idea of giving him more years when he really doesn't have that much leverage seems silly.

[marklmw]

He's 38 now, and signed for another year. What will buying out his age 40 or 41 years do for the Red Sox, besides massage his ego? They could just as easily keep him another, see if he stays healthy, and offer him a qualifying offer. Would anyone really want to outbid the Red Sox AND give away a 1st rounder for a 40 year old who doesn't play a position?

 

Even with an insane postseason, the whole idea of giving him more years when he really doesn't have that much leverage seems silly.

Palodios you make such good sense that I am going to draft you in the first round. Ortiz was and is great we all know this but he is signed through 2014 ... he will want to have another great year to keep playing and earning. We need not extend him. As you say we just offer him a QO at the end of the season or extend him out another year near the end of next season. Need to keep him in shape and not let him get fat and lazy. He was injured in 2012 ... not all that long ago. On the other hand you cannot fault Ortiz for trying.

[marklmw]

It was just an example of what the Sox should look at it if they were intent on moving WMB, most the players mentioned obviously would need more than WMB. And I think any of those players could be moved with the right package.

This trade talk about WMB is getting old. I guess you have to be from another club to appreciate his value.

[mvp 78]

Palodios you make such good sense that I am going to draft you in the first round. Ortiz was and is great we all know this but he is signed through 2014 ... he will want to have another great year to keep playing and earning. We need not extend him. As you say we just offer him a QO at the end of the season or extend him out another year near the end of next season. Need to keep him in shape and not let him get fat and lazy. He was injured in 2012 ... not all that long ago. On the other hand you cannot fault Ortiz for trying.

 

Matt Millen

[sk7326]

I know it is all of baseball ... all of Minor League Baseball that is. Seriously, would you deal Allen Webster for WMB? We have 4 other prospects in the same class as Webster if you include Workman. How many hitters with 35 HR Ceilings do we have? When Ortiz retires not a one ... I think Nap's ceiling is around 30 now as you have to put your bat on the ball to hit it over the fence.

 

Considering what a "sell low" Middlebrooks represents today ... Allen Webster is about the return I'd expect. Now this doesn't mean I think Middlebrooks is better than that - I do. But you take 172 career games (off the top of my head) of non-special defense, .300 OBP and light tower power when he makes contact (which isn't that often) - for a guy who is not all that young ... an Allen Webster is reasonable. I think that sort of return is an argument for HOLDING Middlebrooks. But it's not at all an argument that it is an unfair return for what Middlebrooks represents.

 

30 HRs in 170 games is good - but take that with an OBP and defensive results which have not matched the ability - and you basically have a somewhat better Mark Trumbo. There is potentially a Kevin Towers out there to fool or an out-of-favor prospect to be dealt ... but that is the reality of Middlebrooks' market until he can find the June 2012 mojo for real.

Edited December 13, 2013 by sk7326

[Dojji]

30+ hrs in 170 games plus solid defense isn't "spotty results."

 

Talk to me when Middlebrooks actually hits 30 HR's. Right now he's got a nice rookie surge and a pretty bad case of the sophomore hiccups.

 

Not endorsing trading him or anything, but calling WMB a 30 HR hitter as if it's a near certainty is a bit optimistic. Keep things in balance.

[mvp 78]

Naw, if he hits 30 hrs this year and everyone gets excited about it, you'd just pooh-pooh it because of groupthink.

[seabeachfred]

You realize that your "feelings" don't always line up with reality and that it's pointless to get worked up over something that hasn't happened yet, right? Remember how hot and bothered you were about Napoli last week. Just relax and have a little faith.

 

Thanks Dr. mvp. I knew I could count on you to keep me on the straight and narrow. Still, I really like the idea of having two young and potential 30 homer an RBI men on the left side of our infield for the next ten or so years. Yes, Napoli had me walking the floor at night and glad that turned around just fine. I think we are fine just the way we are and are good to go with an addition of a utility infielder who bats left and a reserve outfielder who can CF and hit right handed. No reason this team can make it to the Playoffs next season with this ensemble. Just a little fine tuning.:D

[reYoukilis]

I mentioned trading Middlebrooks but what I really meant was only if we cant keep all three (Middlebrooks, Bogaerts and Drew). All three is the ideal I think. We dont know yet what we have in Mbrooks, we dont have to rush Bogaerts and Drew is someone we should be able to count on.

[Behindenemylines]

I think the Sox roster is set except for the left handed hitting infielder that can play the right side (Drew?) and possibly a right handed hitting OF that can play CF. The excess of SP will be sorted out in spring training when injuries occur and other teams needs for SP grows. Unless Marlins finally give in and make Stanton available I can't see the Sox making any other major moves.