Zenny

If you want to keep doing updates, go right ahead. I post in every thread with info, I'm not trying to steal this thread.

The Cubs wouldn't facilitate both deals (Cabrera and Mientkiewicz) without Murton. Hendry insisted upon it and Theo caved. He still loves Murton, but he had to do what he didn't have to do.

ORLANDO!!!!!!!!

What a fantastic pitching match-up. Pedro versus left-handed Pedro.

I shall display the upside here and I like the trade, except for the Murton part. First, Orlando Cabrera won the 2001 Gold Glove at SS. He's hit at least 40 doubles a year since 2001 (41, 43 and 47), he hit 17 homers last season, drove in 80 runs, walked 52 times, stole 24 bags (25 the year before) and hit at a .297/.347/.460/.807 line all with that GG caliber defense again. He has gone on record numerous times and stated that the Expos constant traveling between Montreal, Puerto Rico and playing road teams wore him down last season and has really gotten to him this season. He's also stated that he's given up on the team with their abysmal play and the way MLB has treated them, so he just hasn't tried this season. Orlando Cabrera is a fantastic shortstop and will only get better from getting off turf and having the benefit of the Monster. I am a big Cabrera fan. Did I mention he played in every single one of the Expos' games last season? At least he's on the field, which is more than Nomar can say. Second, Doug Mientkiewicz is not a bad player at all. He makes contact all the time and draws a good share of walks. He walked 74 times last year, as opposed to just 54 strikouts and is 38-38 this season. He had a very good .300/.393/.450/.843 season last year with 11 homers and 38 doubles. This season, he and Ron Gardenhire had their quarrels due to his lack of consistent playing time due to lots of younger players getting call-ups and he sort of gave up. He also won the 2002 Gold Glove at 1B. All the peripheral stats are there with both of these guys. They are maintaining their walk rates, not striking out much and are on pace for roughly the same amount of extra base hits. They just didn't try their hardest due to the situations they were in on their former teams, which lead to down play, but they both have a lot of upside. Third, Nomar wasn't coming back, plain and simple. We can all sit and cry about our big-nosed god walking off into the sunset, but it is a fact that Nomar was not coming back to Red Sox in '05 and they needed to get something in return while improve this s***** defense. They got two Gold Glovers with 40-double, 15 homer, .300 BA upside for Nomar and an OF prospect. I, for one, am very pleased with this deal. I'm still miffed at trading Murton, but it needed to be done.

In posted this on NetSports in its own thread earlier today and it should go here as well. The Official "Put Moss on the Fast-Track" Thread The Red Sox just traded OF prospect Matt Murton today, one of the three Killer M's. The second of the three Killer M's, David Murphy, has only been killing Red Sox fans with his inability to hit and his nagging injuries. That leaves one true Killer M left: 20 year-old Brandon Moss. For Low-A Augusta, Moss has been rediculously good, showing excellent plate discipline, possessing fantastic power for a 20 year-old in a pitcher's league, stealing about 20 bases, displaying great range and a cannon arm and leading the league in BA and RBI for much of the year. It cannot be a fluke thing, because 400 AB's are more than enough of a sample size. With Murton gone, Moss should get the promotion to High-A Augusta to play CF and move David Murphy back to RF and Chris Durbin (who really isn't going to be much) over to LF. You may be saying, why move Moss to CF? You'll see in a moment. Then, Moss should start 2005 in Portland. Why give him such a big jump all the way to AA after only a month at high-A the previous season? I don't see that much of a difference between low-A and high-A, especially the Sally league and FSL. Both are very good pitcher's leagues with raw Dominican talent or polished college pitchers. Both leagues have the same quantity of both are there's nothing huge to warrant holding Moss back in high-A for another season. In the Eastern League, especially in Portland, there are very small ballparks and crappy conditions for pitchers to throw in. It is a notorious hitters' league. This will only help Moss and I truly believe that he will excel. He should then be moved to AAA Pawtucket mid-way through the '05 season, say late June or early July. I also believe he will excel here. He does not have strikeout issues, so plate discipline and making contact will never be an issue like with Shoppach and he will be able to adjust to AAA being as gifted as he is. In 2006, Brandon Moss should be this team's starting CF. Johnny Damon's contract will be up and will not likely be the best leadoff hitter in the game anymore. We will need the finances as well to go to re-signing David Ortiz and the pitching staff. Brandon Moss will only make $300,000 dollars. Brandon Moss is a fantastic 5-tool player and he should be the future of this franchise and 2006's starting CF.

I completely understand, but giving up Murton in this case seemed unnecessary. Wasnt' giving up Nomar enough? That was my main beef with trading Murton.

Shopp and Tek had identical nights tonight, 0-4 with 2 K's. Season Line: 222/.304/.422/.726; .33 (34/104) BB/K ratio; 16 2B, 15 HR, 52 RBI

I 100% believe that Orlando Cabrera is going to revert to his 40-double, 20-homer, .300 BA form for the Sox and they will sign him to an extension for at least two years, possibly more.

Wow, I have more bat speed than Jason Varitek. He just got blown away by Brad Radke. Brad Radke.

I love Mark Bellhorn. As far as Cabrera goes, it's probably unlikely that he joins the team in Minny tomorrow, but he could. That would be a lot of traveling and I wouldn't be surprised if he just went directly to Tampa.

Murton was traded to the Cubs today. This thread can be closed while I go hang myself.

Doug will probably start at 1B tonight. This should lead to Millar trade speculation.

The Sox netted Cabrera, Mientkiewicz and Roberts for Nomar, Murton and Henri Stanley. I hate the fact that they traded Murton, that was just retarded.

From Rotoworld: That was posted at 4:34 PM. Everyone, hold your breath for the next 20 minutes!

10 MINUTES LEFT!!!!! The Sox are reportedly interested in Jose Cruz Jr.

Two hours remaining and nothing doing. I don't think the Sox make a major deal today, possibly a waiver trade in August.

I don't have a good feeling about this game or tomorrow's game. I think the Sox lose these next two. I was correct last night, but I hope my streak does not continue. Radke and Santana have both been money this season (I think Santana should win the Cy Young) while Pedro and Lowe have been anything but money.

Shoppach's overall second half: .146/.196/.354/.550, .18 (3/17) BB/K, 1 2B, 3 HR Shoppach's last eight games: .185/.267/.407/.674, .38 (3/8) BB/K, 2 HR Certainly a promising trend over the last eight games. If you remove that one AB in which he pinch hit and K'd, so in his last seven starts: .192/.276/.423/.699, .43 (3/7) BB/K, 2 HR Given that he's apparently hanging in there better on offspeed stuff, we could see a big August and September from Kelly Shoppach.

Thurmon Munson's death comment. Huge Yankee fan who remembers vividly the day it happened. I connected the dots. I should be a cop.

I delete all my PM's, you gotta do it to make space. I will give you props, although I can explain my logic. By the way, thanks for the invite here. You did get a raw deal with Bill on the banning issue. If you want me to speak on your behalf to get you back, just let me know. As far as the Kim/Arroyo thing, here was my reasoning. Now, put on your early season caps on and think back in time. We had a 25 year-old stud with a proven track record as a starter, filthy stuff and a shiny new contract. Of course we should use him over the kid who was 2 years older and had all of 3 IP for the Sox in '03. Sure, he was the International League Pitcher of the Year, but the IL ain't MLB. Arroyo and Kim both proved me wrong. Kim was hurt all season and Arroyo bulked up, but remained flexible, to build velocity while maintaining mechanics. He also worked a lot with Wallace to improve himself. He's proven to be our best starter on the road. So, RSR, you were right and I was wrong.

By the way, anyone else ready to kiss my ass for my brilliant analysis of today's game?

Shoppach went 1-4 with a 2-run homerun and an RBI groundout. All this without K'ing (flyout to LF and groundout to 3B also). I'm probably reading too much into this, but it looks like he is beginning to make those adjustments later. He took those offspeed pitches to the left-side, therefore meaning that he's been making those adjustments a little bit quicker. So instead of flailing at those pitches, he's at least making contact. Those might be Shoppach's three most important at-bats of the year without getting on base. Season Line: .225/.308/.427/.735; .33 (34/102) BB/K ratio; 16 2B, 15 HR, 52 RBI

I hope the Mets don't win the division because any team that stupid to mortgage three big-time studs for two back of the rotation starters when their team is under .500 doesn't deserve to win.

He has like a 2.50 ERA on the road this year. He's going to be a very solid member of this rotation for a long time if he can figure out how to pitch at Fenway. This is exactly why we need a new ballpark. By the way, what a friggin' throw by Kapler. He's the man.