Who Should the Red Sox Trade For?

[Bellhorn04]

You can have him and deGrom. I hope you get both and trade away your future to get them.

 

We don't need Britton. He's too much of a question mark. You can have him.

 

Britton isn't THAT much of a question mark. He came back from a long injury layoff obviously, but he's pitched very well lately.

 

It's up to the scouts to see if his velocity and movement are there etc.

[Slasher9]

Apparently , it is primarily a children's viral disease that he may have contracted while visiting a youth camp while on the DL

PR release.

reality: got it from a hooker.

[Slasher9]

We’re 4-3 vs your squad this year which is a pretty small sample size for sure, but we have two pitcher who your squad doesn’t hit well against vs only one who still has our number (Sale). The battle of the bullpens will be very important and if ours gets better while yours pulls back, we will beat you in a series

 

1 of them we lit up like a f***ing xmas tree already this season and the other one is a big fat f***. go take your "we will be you in a series" and go f*** yourself whilst watching a replay of the 2004 ALCS....

[Carbo-Diem]

1 of them we lit up like a f***ing xmas tree already this season and the other one is a big fat f***. go take your "we will be you in a series" and go f*** yourself whilst watching a replay of the 2004 ALCS....

 

Typical stupid yankee fan, doesn't even know they have a 5-4 season series instead of 4-3. That salty language combined with that face in the picture makes for quite the contrast. Speaking of that fat f***, I say next week the Sox lay down 27 bunts so we can see that blubber fall.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

You can have him and deGrom. I hope you get both and trade away your future to get them.

 

We don't need Britton. He's too much of a question mark. You can have him.

 

I don't want the Yankees to get Degrom. The Yankees are a very strong team, one of the best in baseball, and if they acquire a SP like Degrom they will be just as good as the Red Sox. I don't want that. I do believe Cashman made a mistake in not being aggressive enough in acquiring a pitcher like Degrom. He had a chance to get Cole and he blew it. We don't know the nature of Cashman's talks with the Mets, but I suspect he tried to acquire Degrom in an unfair, one-sided deal, the only kind of deal that Cashman likes, similar to the rip off deal he made with Derek Jeter.

 

And now, according to Olney (Twitter), it is too late:

 

Mets should've gone through process of aggressively marketing/evaluating offers for Jacob deGrom, but at this stage, it's probably too late even if they were open-minded -- a trade of that magnitude would require weeks of intense preparation/scouting. Better to wait for winter.

 

Notice that Olney put the burden on the Mets--I don't agree with that assessment. The fact is, the Mets don't have to trade Degrom right now, they can just as easily move him in the offseason. The burden is on the teams that need a SP like Degrom and didn't make the Mets an offer they couldn't refuse. Without trading for a pitcher like Degrom, the Yankees are looking at the wild card and an early exit from the playoffs. I wonder what Yankees fans will think in October when the Yankees are eliminated and they watch G.Cole take the mound for the Astros? At that point will Cashman realize that he should have offered something better than C.Frazier and C.Adams? Will Cashman realize that he should have been more aggressive in pursuing Degrom?

Edited July 24, 2018 by Fan_since_Boggs

[vegasbob]

I don't want the Yankees to get Degrom. The Yankees are a very strong team, one of the best in baseball, and if they acquire a SP like Degrom they will be just as good as the Red Sox. I don't want that. I do believe Cashman made a mistake in not being aggressive enough in acquiring a pitcher like Degrom. He had a chance to get Cole and he blew it. We don't know the nature of Cashman's talks with the Mets, but I suspect he tried to acquire Degrom in an unfair, one-sided deal, the only kind of deal that Cashman likes, similar to the rip off deal he made with Derek Jeter.

 

And now, according to Olney (Twitter), it is too late:

 

 

 

Notice that Olney put the burden on the Mets--I don't agree with that assessment. The fact is, the Mets don't have to trade Degrom right now, they can just as easily move him in the offseason. The burden is on the teams that need a SP like Degrom and didn't make the Mets an offer they couldn't refuse. Without trading for a pitcher like Degrom, the Yankees are looking at the wild card and an early exit from the playoffs. I wonder what Yankees fans will think in October when the Yankees are eliminated and they watch G.Cole take the mound for the Astros? At that point will Cashman realize that he should have offered something better than C.Frazier and C.Adams? Will Cashman realize that he should have been more aggressive in pursuing Degrom?

 

About one second after the 27th out is recorded in the WC game , and Brian's best squad since the '27 dudes go down in a heap to the A's. ???

[moonslav59]

Britton isn't THAT much of a question mark. He came back from a long injury layoff obviously, but he's pitched very well lately.

 

It's up to the scouts to see if his velocity and movement are there etc.

 

He's done well for his last 8 outings. That is a pretty good stretch, and might be enough to think he is totally back to form, but I still think it's too risky for the probable cost it will take to get him.

 

His velocity still has not got back to his recent norm.

 

2015: 95-98 mph

2016: 96-98

2017: 95-97

2018: 92-94 right after returning and 94-96 his last 8 games.

 

Is that enough of a drop to worry you?

[moonslav59]

I don't want the Yankees to get Degrom. The Yankees are a very strong team, one of the best in baseball, and if they acquire a SP like Degrom they will be just as good as the Red Sox. I don't want that. I do believe Cashman made a mistake in not being aggressive enough in acquiring a pitcher like Degrom. He had a chance to get Cole and he blew it. We don't know the nature of Cashman's talks with the Mets, but I suspect he tried to acquire Degrom in an unfair, one-sided deal, the only kind of deal that Cashman likes, similar to the rip off deal he made with Derek Jeter.

 

And now, according to Olney (Twitter), it is too late:

 

 

 

Notice that Olney put the burden on the Mets--I don't agree with that assessment. The fact is, the Mets don't have to trade Degrom right now, they can just as easily move him in the offseason. The burden is on the teams that need a SP like Degrom and didn't make the Mets an offer they couldn't refuse. Without trading for a pitcher like Degrom, the Yankees are looking at the wild card and an early exit from the playoffs. I wonder what Yankees fans will think in October when the Yankees are eliminated and they watch G.Cole take the mound for the Astros? At that point will Cashman realize that he should have offered something better than C.Frazier and C.Adams? Will Cashman realize that he should have been more aggressive in pursuing Degrom?

 

I hope the Yanks trade their future for deGrom.

 

We'll still win it all, and the Yanks will be worse in the longterm.

[d-money]

Mark Feinsand saying the skankees are making a serious push for britton. Other teams in the mix but skankees want him. Ok

[SoxHop]

f*** Britton.

 

While a lefty reliever would be nice, the Sox have bigger needs, namely rotation depth. Getting someone like Britton, who will maybe pitch 10 to 15 innings the rest of the way, is a waste of limited trade resources from the Sox...

 

That's a huge bunch of reality I'm not sure I'm ready to handle.

 

What if he can do two innings at a time?

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Imho, the 4 positions the SOX are the weakest are 2nd base, 3rd base, a fifth starter, and a 7th or 8th inning reliever. I think that 2nd base can be improved by using Lin and Holt. I believe 3rd base can be improved by platooning Devers and Nunez. So, the 2 things that may not be improved in house are the reliever and a 5th starter. Wright appears to be a long way from returning and POM, enough said. I'm hoping DD has the resources to obtain both. If he can only trade for one, he'll probably go after a 5th starter. Ive heard Frier of the Tigers is on DD's radar. It's possible Brasier and/or Thornburg may provide that bridge reliever. I just don't trust Kelly as part of the bridge to Kimbrel.

I'm hoping that Johnson can hold down E-rod's spot until he returns.

If DD can't accomplish any of the above, the SOX will still beat the bad teams. However, there's still a lot of games against good teams left to play. And that's before the SOX even get to the playoffs. As has been posted many times, finishing 1st in the division is crucial.

Edited July 24, 2018 by SPLENDIDSPLINTER

[S5Dewey]

Mark Feinsand saying the skankees are making a serious push for britton. Other teams in the mix but skankees want him. Ok

 

I hope they get him, and I hope it works out as well for them as going after Ellsbury did.

[OH FOY]

Don't think have to worry about Britton anyway, too many teams in on him.

[Emp9]

Britton wld be a little overboard for us. We don’t have to go that big imo. There should be plenty of (7th, 8th inning) RPers available for trade on s*** teams that aren’t closers.

[notin]

Mark Feinsand saying the skankees are making a serious push for britton. Other teams in the mix but skankees want him. Ok

 

If the Yankees want him, they’re going to get him and there is very little Dombrowski can do about it.

 

A lot of people on here seem to want the Sox to get players to keep them off the Yankees, but that isn’t going to happen. Not with our farm. That would be like me trying to buy a South Pacific island to keep it out of the hands of Bill Gates...

[Emp9]

If the Yankees want him, they’re going to get him and there is very little Dombrowski can do about it.

 

A lot of people on here seem to want the Sox to get players to keep them off the Yankees, but that isn’t going to happen. Not with our farm. That would be like me trying to buy a South Pacific island to keep it out of the hands of Bill Gates...

 

True. Sox should just be in the Britton sweepstakes to drive up the price... or at least try to keep the price honest. Dangle the very few carrots we have left with a firm grip on the strings.

[Maxbialystock]

Imho, the 4 positions the SOX are the weakest are 2nd base, 3rd base, a fifth starter, and a 7th or 8th inning reliever. I think that 2nd base can be improved by using Lin and Holt. I believe 3rd base can be improved by platooning Devers and Nunez. So, the 2 things that may not be improved in house are the reliever and a 5th starter. Wright appears to be a long way from returning and POM, enough said. I'm hoping DD has the resources to obtain both. If he can only trade for one, he'll probably go after a 5th starter. Ive heard Frier of the Tigers is on DD's radar. It's possible Brasier and/or Thornburg may provide that bridge reliever. I just don't trust Kelly as part of the bridge to Kimbrel.

I'm hoping that Johnson can hold down E-rod's spot until he returns.

If DD can't accomplish any of the above, the SOX will still beat the bad teams. However, there's still a lot of games against good teams left to play. And that's before the SOX even get to the playoffs. As has been posted many times, finishing 1st in the division is crucial.

 

Interesting. I mostly agree with the four "weaknesses," but also think that fixing them--use our current players for 2b and 3b and acquire a reliever and a 5th starter--will only help in the regular season. I don't think the Sox have a lock on the AL East, but you gotta like a 6 game lead with 60 games to go, especially without ERod or Wright.

 

In other words, what's the point of trading away a prospect or paying a lot for a rental who won't help in the postseason? If DD can do something like he did for Pearce, I'm all for it. But otherwise, I remain a skeptic of big trade or move right now.

[moonslav59]

Interesting. I mostly agree with the four "weaknesses," but also think that fixing them--use our current players for 2b and 3b and acquire a reliever and a 5th starter--will only help in the regular season. I don't think the Sox have a lock on the AL East, but you gotta like a 6 game lead with 60 games to go, especially without ERod or Wright.

 

In other words, what's the point of trading away a prospect or paying a lot for a rental who won't help in the postseason? If DD can do something like he did for Pearce, I'm all for it. But otherwise, I remain a skeptic of big trade or move right now.

 

Well said.

 

I usually hate getting 5th starters, unless injuries force your hand. I'd wait to the deadline to see what are needs are, since we should know more about Pom, Wright and ERod by then. We could also do a waiver deal later, if things go south.

 

I'm also hopeful that Nunez will come back to life, or Holt has built up the stamina needed to remain strong through the second half.

 

I feel our best way to improve the team for the season AND the playoffs is to get the best set up guy on the market at a reasonable price. I think Britton will be too costly, but if we can find a deal like the Herrera one, I'd go for it. Wait out the 5th starter. Wait out the 2B duo.

 

I do not see 3B as a weakness. It could be improved on, but with Devers having immense upside and being so young, I don't see us making a move there.

[notin]

Interesting. I mostly agree with the four "weaknesses," but also think that fixing them--use our current players for 2b and 3b and acquire a reliever and a 5th starter--will only help in the regular season. I don't think the Sox have a lock on the AL East, but you gotta like a 6 game lead with 60 games to go, especially without ERod or Wright.

 

In other words, what's the point of trading away a prospect or paying a lot for a rental who won't help in the postseason? If DD can do something like he did for Pearce, I'm all for it. But otherwise, I remain a skeptic of big trade or move right now.

 

I’m apparently more hesitant than most to call 3b a weakness, despite the lackluster play of Devers. If you want younger players, you have to be willing to accept some growing pains.

 

2B is probably a more realistic one, especially given Holt’s ability to fall off the planet and since Nunez cannot seem to get into gear.

 

Rotation is a big concern for me. While the Sox do have a lot of pitchers coming back eventually, there should be plenty of concern as to whether or not each can come back effectively. And let’s not pretend each of them plus the rest are now immune to injury from this point forward.

 

I can see a modest bullpen addition as well...

[Kimmi]

Britton wld be a little overboard for us. We don’t have to go that big imo. There should be plenty of (7th, 8th inning) RPers available for trade on s*** teams that aren’t closers.

 

I agree. I mean, if he fell in our laps for cheap, I'd obviously take him. But with all the bidding going on for him, we could do just fine with a lesser known reliever.

[Kimmi]

If the Yankees want him, they’re going to get him and there is very little Dombrowski can do about it.

 

A lot of people on here seem to want the Sox to get players to keep them off the Yankees, but that isn’t going to happen. Not with our farm. That would be like me trying to buy a South Pacific island to keep it out of the hands of Bill Gates...

 

Cashman made a comment about a week ago that he thinks that the Yankees deep farm system is hurting the Yankees in trade talks. Either the other teams are asking for too much because they know Cash has the pieces to deal, or Cash thinks the other teams are asking for too much because Cash is overvaluing his pieces.

 

Either way, it sounds like Cash is not willing to 'overpay' to fill his needs.

[d-money]

Hearing archer with the Yankees. All these starting pitchers who are trade bait have brung their trading value down. Hamels got rough up last night.

[d-money]

Cashman made a comment about a week ago that he thinks that the Yankees deep farm system is hurting the Yankees in trade talks. Either the other teams are asking for too much because they know Cash has the pieces to deal, or Cash thinks the other teams are asking for too much because Cash is overvaluing his pieces.

 

Either way, it sounds like Cash is not willing to 'overpay' to fill his needs.

 

 

I think it’s the latter. The skankees got away with robbery for stanton but that was because jeter was on the other side.

[Kimmi]

Interesting. I mostly agree with the four "weaknesses," but also think that fixing them--use our current players for 2b and 3b and acquire a reliever and a 5th starter--will only help in the regular season. I don't think the Sox have a lock on the AL East, but you gotta like a 6 game lead with 60 games to go, especially without ERod or Wright.

 

In other words, what's the point of trading away a prospect or paying a lot for a rental who won't help in the postseason? If DD can do something like he did for Pearce, I'm all for it. But otherwise, I remain a skeptic of big trade or move right now.

 

Solid post. If Dombrowski did nothing before the deadline, I would be okay with that.

 

I would look for a late inning reliever, mostly because I think that would be the easiest get.

 

Whatever he does or doesn't do, this team has what it takes to make a deep run in the playoffs, provided they stay healthy.

[Kimmi]

Well said.

 

I usually hate getting 5th starters, unless injuries force your hand. I'd wait to the deadline to see what are needs are, since we should know more about Pom, Wright and ERod by then. We could also do a waiver deal later, if things go south.

 

I'm also hopeful that Nunez will come back to life, or Holt has built up the stamina needed to remain strong through the second half.

 

I feel our best way to improve the team for the season AND the playoffs is to get the best set up guy on the market at a reasonable price. I think Britton will be too costly, but if we can find a deal like the Herrera one, I'd go for it. Wait out the 5th starter. Wait out the 2B duo.

 

I do not see 3B as a weakness. It could be improved on, but with Devers having immense upside and being so young, I don't see us making a move there.

 

Another solid post.

 

With all of Devers struggles, upgrading 3B is not on my list of priorities.

[Kimmi]

I think it’s the latter. The skankees got away with robbery for stanton but that was because jeter was on the other side.

 

The Yankees took on what I believe will be another albatross contract with Stanton, so I don't see that as getting away with robbery.

 

That said, I get your point. I always feel like the Yankees give up relatively little in their trades compared to what other teams give up.

[fxkatt]

I think who we trade for comes down to the Final Days of the trade deadline. Only then will costs be actually determined... all is talk and jockeying until then. If the price is right for a need, Move, if not Stay Put.

 

And then there are the August chances to get a waivers guy.

 

I think unless the Yanks are like 9 games behind at month's end, they do make a big move (can now include Gary Sanchez) Otherwise, they stay put, hang on to their big prospects, and concentrate on winning the Play-In game.

[dgalehouse]

If we could get a guy like Fiers on the cheap , it would make sense. But I wouldn't worry too much about a fifth starter. No sense wasting time and resources on some ham and egger off the scrap heap. Probably would not be any better than Johnson and Velasquez anyway. In the post season , a fifth starter is not needed. The single , biggest thing that could put this team over the top is a high quality , late inning bullpen arm. There is a lot of competition for acquiring Britton right now , but he is just what this team needs.

[Maxbialystock]

Another solid post.

 

With all of Devers struggles, upgrading 3B is not on my list of priorities.

 

Nor mine, for crying out loud. Soft spot has nothing to do with it. Cora wants Devers at 3b. End of story.

[notin]

If we could get a guy like Fiers on the cheap , it would make sense. But I wouldn't worry too much about a fifth starter. No sense wasting time and resources on some ham and egger off the scrap heap. Probably would not be any better than Johnson and Velasquez anyway. In the post season , a fifth starter is not needed. The single , biggest thing that could put this team over the top is a high quality , late inning bullpen arm. There is a lot of competition for acquiring Britton right now , but he is just what this team needs.

 

I think it might be unwise to look at postseason needs as higher priority than in-season needs. The top priority now is avoiding the wild card scenario.

 

A lot of these “ham and egger” types you disparage are actually capable of being difference makers, and it is happening now for some teams. But even if they are it capable of being one, being better than Johnson or Velasquez itself makes it worthwhile.

 

And even if a fifth starter isn’t needed on the postseason, the Sox are scraping together fourth starter options as we type. Sure maybe Pomerania or Rodriguez or Wright can come back at full strength. But what if they don’t? Are you satisfied with Johnson or whoever starting game 4 in a best of 7? Or possibly game 3 (and 7?) if the Sox rotation is set by using Sale in a WC game?