Lackey to the Cardinals

[Northern Star]

Cespedes in LF and Victorino in CF. As for Bradley, in the words of Haewk Harrelson, "He gone!"

 

Cespedes's arm is wasted in LF. I think Craig plays 1B unless there are any better candidates?

[a700hitter]

The season was over about 6 weeks ago.

 

Never the less I will continue to watch my favorite baseball team. If anything, things are now more interesting because we get to see what the F.O. does to establish a rotation for this year and subsequent years. We also get to see the web gem producing Puig lite and all the other major league players. I want to see what they all can do.

Is anyone else curious?

I sam curious to see where they play and how they play. I remember Craig beimg a very tough out.

[kapsis21]

I am loving all the trades do far

[seabeachfred]

Cespedes in LF and Victorino in CF. As for Bradley, in the words of Haewk Harrelson, "He gone!"

 

We can only hope. Remember, Cherington likes him as much as Farrell loved Drew. Besides, could we keep Shane in one piece long enough to put him in CF?

[sk7326]

Victorino can barely stay healthy enough to play RF. These moves mean there is a 2 month window to see what the kids have. Bradley's splits have been encouraging and clearly elite level defense in CF. At least these moves force the org to have some patience and play the kids instead of always trying to appease the WEEI callers.

[RiceLynnEvans]

Seemingly, a very disappointing day, but I feel things aren't done yet. Cespedes just doesn't fit in with the FO's approach, plus too much clutter in the outfield (and I really hope they saw in Betts what a lot of us saw) - I'm expecting one in the stable of outfielders (BJr!) plus Craig or C'sped with perhaps a pen arm thrown in for a top right-handed power bat/blue chip prospects/an elite strarter.....or a bonafide leadoff guy with a gold glove at ss or cf. Is that you Auntie Em? Pa? Has the fever broken?

 

Either way, it'll be very interesting to see how things look when they break training next year.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Cespedes in LF and Victorino in CF. As for Bradley, in the words of Haewk Harrelson, "He gone!"

 

Don't think it's that obvious at all. Perhaps Mookie takes his spot, but Victorino certainly wont.

[a700hitter]

Don't think it's that obvious at all. Perhaps Mookie takes his spot, but Victorino certainly wont.

Victorino doesn't play? I don't think so.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Victorino doesn't play? I don't think so.

 

Victorino is going to get traded. He doesn't have the hammys/back to play CF. No chance.

[SeanJohn93]

I don't understand how you people can say you didn't like the Lackey trade. Everyone is making a big deal about his 500k option next year. The sox got a better haul for Lackey than the Rays got for Price. Kelly and Craig are controlled for 4 more years. With the addition of Cespedes and Craig, the Sox have received major league talent with power, something that the game is lacking. If Craig can return to form, it is hard not to like this trade. Kelly can throw in the 96 to 98 mph range. By the way, Kelly will make 500k each of the next 4 years per Alex Speirr

[a700hitter]

Victorino is going to get traded. He doesn't have the hammys/back to play CF. No chance.

Have you read a report that he is being shopped? He is a spark plug and one of the downfalls of this team was his prolonged absence. I don't think we are in a position to accurately predict a trade of Victorino. But for a trade, Victorino will play and Bradley rides the pine.

[Palodios]

If Craig can return to form, it is hard not to like this trade.

 

And what if he doesn't return to form, and the Red Sox are stuck with a $25 million dollar tab?

 

Worst case scenario, they're stuck with a .600 OPS hitter with mediocre defense with poor baserunning in a position that requires a strong bat.

Best case scenario, they end up with a .800 OPS hitter with mediocre defense with poor baserunning in a position that requires a strong bat.

 

I just don't see what Allen Craig provides that the Nava/Gomes platoon wasn't already providing.

[a700hitter]

And what if he doesn't return to form, and the Red Sox are stuck with a $25 million dollar tab?

 

Worst case scenario, they're stuck with a .600 OPS hitter with mediocre defense with poor baserunning in a position that requires a strong bat.

Best case scenario, they end up with a .800 OPS hitter with mediocre defense with poor baserunning in a position that requires a strong bat.

 

I just don't see what Allen Craig provides that the Nava/Gomes platoon wasn't already providing.

The Nava/Gomes platoon worked great in 2013. In 2014, it didn't work because injuries to Victorino and underperformance by other outfielders caused them to play Java and Comes almost full time. Outside of a strict platoon, neither is very useful. They probably don't expect a full healthy 2015 from Victorino, so the Gomes /Nava platoon would probably not work again so they obtained a couple of full time Outfielders.

[vjcsmoke]

With these new additions here is how I see the red sox defensively:

 

LF Cespedes CF Bradley Jr RF Victorino/Nava

3B Middlebrooks SS Bogaerts 2B Pedroia 1B Allen Craig/Napoli

C Ross/Vazquez

 

Supersub -- Brock Holt

DH - David Ortiz

 

That's actually not a bad team for 2015.

[a700hitter]

With these new additions here is how I see the red sox defensively:

 

LF Cespedes CF Bradley Jr RF Victorino/Nava

3B Middlebrooks SS Bogaerts 2B Pedroia 1B Allen Craig/Napoli

C Ross/Vazquez

 

Supersub -- Brock Holt

DH - David Ortiz

 

That's actually not a bad team for 2015.

Two right handed hitters, Craig and Napoli are going to share first base? I don't see that.

[BOSOX11]

With these new additions here is how I see the red sox defensively:

 

LF Cespedes CF Bradley Jr RF Victorino/Nava

3B Middlebrooks SS Bogaerts 2B Pedroia 1B Allen Craig/Napoli

C Ross/Vazquez

 

Supersub -- Brock Holt

DH - David Ortiz

 

That's actually not a bad team for 2015.

 

Who's going to pitch?

[rorschach]

I like the trade, I can see a change of scenery being just what Craig needed to get his bat going again. Playing half his games in hitter friendly Fenway, should be good for his production in his rebound year. I'm from Illinois so I've seen Kelly pitch numerous times, and he's a good pitcher, he has a great fastball (95 mph and can even hit 98 on the radar gun) he's a full decade younger than Lackey and a cost efficient 3rd or 4th starter in the rotation. Plus he's a great clubhouse guy, he's one of most Card fans fav players. Most are extremely upset he was moved for Lackey. We got a good deal guys.

[sk7326]

And what if he doesn't return to form, and the Red Sox are stuck with a $25 million dollar tab?

 

Worst case scenario, they're stuck with a .600 OPS hitter with mediocre defense with poor baserunning in a position that requires a strong bat.

Best case scenario, they end up with a .800 OPS hitter with mediocre defense with poor baserunning in a position that requires a strong bat.

 

I just don't see what Allen Craig provides that the Nava/Gomes platoon wasn't already providing.

 

.800 OPS is a strong bat - not amazing, but above average (and he's being paid like an above average regular)

 

I do agree that Craig is sort of the lynchpin to the deals.

[dupree]

Does Lackey league minimum salary for next year go along with him when he is traded? I was thinking I had read that it only applied to the Red Sox if he had an elbow injury during his contract that he would be paid league minimum for a year. But I could totally be wrong. And probably am but I was thinking their was a clause that specified it only applied to the Red Sox. Please correct me tho.

[Palodios]

Does Lackey league minimum salary for next year go along with him when he is traded? I was thinking I had read that it only applied to the Red Sox if he had an elbow injury during his contract that he would be paid league minimum for a year. But I could totally be wrong. And probably am but I was thinking their was a clause that specified it only applied to the Red Sox. Please correct me tho.

 

The option is going to St Louis along with him.

[dupree]

Wow. I hope Craig and Kelly pan out then. But I'd have to say I like Kelly when he is on, I know he's been shelled as of late. But maybe he can turn it around and I'd rather have Kelly in his prime rather than Lackey now in his later years and Lackey's velocity has been regressing which is not good in the AL. Thank you Pal for the help clearly that up for me.

[Behindenemylines]

I like the trade, I can see a change of scenery being just what Craig needed to get his bat going again. Playing half his games in hitter friendly Fenway, should be good for his production in his rebound year. I'm from Illinois so I've seen Kelly pitch numerous times, and he's a good pitcher, he has a great fastball (95 mph and can even hit 98 on the radar gun) he's a full decade younger than Lackey and a cost efficient 3rd or 4th starter in the rotation. Plus he's a great clubhouse guy, he's one of most Card fans fav players. Most are extremely upset he was moved for Lackey. We got a good deal guys.

 

I agree. Craig also had the GM and manager in a disagreement whether he or their star rookie Taveras should be playing. I think the GM won the argument. I believe Craig will return to what he was 2010-2013. I think some are going to be surprised with Kelly. Remember the Cards started him in one the WS games last year. An he didn't do too bad. I think we should wait and see on him.

[jacksonianmarch]

Lackey says he will honor his contract

[Behindenemylines]

Lackey says he will honor his contract

 

Doesn't mean he will be happy about it.

[a700hitter]

Lackey says he will honor his contract

what they say and reality aren't the same thing.

[rician blast]

Now Drew to the Yankees...

 

these moves were pure bean counting, and I'm not talking Billy...

 

OPening the door for a Sherzer signing? Nah, to much $$$ too many years.

[rician blast]

Lackey says he will honor his contract

 

Wow, that's big of him.

[seabeachfred]

OPening the door for a Sherzer signing? Nah, to much $$$ too many years.

 

There are some of our colleagues here who really believe the Red Sox are going to go all out to resign Jon Lester in the off season. Well if they refused to give him a new contract before why would anyone think they would now? It doesn't make any sense to me, but by the same token I would be elated to see Lester back in Red Sox RED. Scherzer? You're right...to expensive for us. I've kicked this around the past couple of days and have come up with this scenario even though it might not catch on. Trade for Cole Hamels and send three good prospects or two good ones and one player currently playing as a regular for the team. Secondly, sign James Shields as our No. 2. To me Buchholz is about done, Webster is useless and Workman is better in the bullpen. Kelly might be a good No. 3 or 4 and ditto for Rubby De La Rosa. That's about as far as my thinking takes me as to how we can mend our starting rotation for next season, and we have to do that. With what we have now we would be doomed to finish in the cellar again.

[Behindenemylines]

Not for anything, but if Lester and Lackey pitched this weekend the Sox probably sweep the $panks. Of coarse they both had wins in their first wins with their new teams. Ranaudo pitched good enough to get to the Sox pen, and both Webster and Buchholz blew three run leads. Buchhulz did it twice.

[Spudboy]

There are some of our colleagues here who really believe the Red Sox are going to go all out to resign Jon Lester in the off season. Well if they refused to give him a new contract before why would anyone think they would now? It doesn't make any sense to me, but by the same token I would be elated to see Lester back in Red Sox RED. Scherzer? You're right...to expensive for us. I've kicked this around the past couple of days and have come up with this scenario even though it might not catch on. Trade for Cole Hamels and send three good prospects or two good ones and one player currently playing as a regular for the team. Secondly, sign James Shields as our No. 2. To me Buchholz is about done, Webster is useless and Workman is better in the bullpen. Kelly might be a good No. 3 or 4 and ditto for Rubby De La Rosa. That's about as far as my thinking takes me as to how we can mend our starting rotation for next season, and we have to do that. With what we have now we would be doomed to finish in the cellar again.

 

I agree that it is not likely that Lester is resigned and that Sherzer is also too expensive. Your idea is as valid as any other. I have read all the reports about the Sox being in on Hamels. I think that he is making close to what the Sox could have retained Lester for so that does not seem to make sense given the Sox reluctance to sign Lester.

 

Who the hell knows what they will do? I am, however, confident that The Sox will grab at least two arms for the rotation and do the usual bull pen shuffling for 2015.

 

Whatever they do, I hope that they do not do the ( as a700 calls it ) "dumpster diving" to construct the rotation. This team needs one or two front line starters, not a mix of never wases / won't bes and reclamation projects.