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I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY hope the Red Sox don't play Millar in the OF without Payton... they've got to find a replacement quickly! Now designating Jay looks pretty bad with Damon banged up, and who'll play right field against lefties? It better not be f***ing fatass Millar.

Thanks. Cora seems to have twice the power, and most of the other numbers are very similar. Obviously, I hope this move works out for the best.

I know this is a Red Sox board, and I'm a Red Sox fan, but we all know Red Sox fans are obsessed with the Yankees. Here's some interesting news from Yankee camp (from the Sporting News). Are they showcasing him for a potential trade (like Navarro last season)? Are they interested in having him play regularly as a Yankee?

Can someone help me out here? Perhaps I'm being ignorant, but how does Cora represent an upgrade over Ramon Vazquez?!? They seem like exactly the same player.

Sounds like they're none too thrilled with what they got back for Dave Roberts. It seemed great at the time, but Vazquez didn't work out and Payton couldn't handle being a bench player. This makes me wonder if the Sox will step up a persuit of Gabe Kapler? Alex Cora seems to be pretty much the same player as Ramon Vazquez, so this seems like a wash. What can the Sox get for Payton?!? Relief pitchers, prospects, a first baseman?

I've been saying that the Yankees would eventually turn it around all season long (go back and check my posts if you don't believe me), but this stretch of games in July/August that you listed (which I assume is right) is capable of showing the world exactly what the Yankees are made of. If they can win 60% of their games against these clubs, they're a real contender. If they can't, they don't have a chance. There isn't an easy victory in that entire schedule. Cleveland, Minnesota, Texas, Toronto, Chicago, and Anaheim are all teams capable of giving good teams fits. Hell, all of these teams (except probably Toronto) are still contenders. Should be interesting-- I still think the Yankees will be right in the thick of it come September, but on August 15th we'll know exactly how good that team is.

That's true. I really doubt this team will miss Foulke, Mantei, or Millar terribly because they haven't contributed a damn thing to the success of the team. Imagine if this team had a lights out closer and a first baseman who could hit and/or field? We'd be walking away with the division. Good riddance Kevin, hope the door hits you on the ass on your way out.

wow. This team is just one shock after another. Jay's played his final game in a Red Sox uniform, and I can't say this makes me happy just yet. I'd like to see how this progresses, but I can't possibly believe that they are willing to just let Jay Payton become a free agent. He's got a lot of talent and they could certainly get SOMETHING for him..... Designating him puts a 10 day deadline on dealing him or losing him. It'll be nice for Jay if he finds a place where he can play, but holy crap.... the team seems to be putting things in motion. Stay tuned indeed.

Not a bad idea. I read somewhere awhile back that Bottalico would "give his left arm" to pitch for the Red Sox. Overbay would give the Sox an improved bat over Millar, but I fear this would make them a little too lefthanded? THey'd have really only one righthanded threat (Ramirez) leaving them prone to lefty specialists late in games. OF course, nobody's afraid to go right after Millar right now, so it would be an improvement either way. Milwaukee's got a very bright future ahead, with guys like Weeks, Hardy, and Fielder on the verge of becoming everyday major leaguers. Adding a good catching prospect like Shoppach (who calls a great game, a good thing for a young pitching staff) and a vet like Millar who could play right field in a pinch could help. I would imagine the Red Sox would have to give up one more player, I just hope it isn't a Declarman/Papelbon/Lester/Ramirez type talent. Worth researching at least. And I KNOW I've been lambasted in the past for even suggesting this, but David Ortiz COULD play first place every day and not hurt this team, I honestly believe that-- so if Millar has to be traded without getting a replacement first baseman, it won't be the end of the world. Then Payton could take over primary DH/OF duties (giving guys like Ramirez, Damon, and Nixon days off by DHing them and he could play a LOT more often. I'd much rather see Payton in the lineup than Millar any given day. I just think he does a lot more things that help you win ballgames.

The more I think about this potential move, the more I move towards the middle of the fence on this one. I could go either way. I loved the move at first, but really Curt's role should be as the ace of this staff. In the end, what we've got to think about (and what I haven't decided on yet) is what's best for the TEAM. Is it better to have Curt in mid-July as a reliever, or let him make a few more rehab starts in AAA, get himself RIGHT, and have him as an ace in say, early August? I guess if we could have it both ways that would be ideal, but I'm starting to lean towards Johnny Damon's school of thought-- let Timlin close until Foulke gets right OR we acquire a closer, and let Schilling get himself right in AAA and be the ace in August. The fact that Schilling is even willing to give up his rotation spot for a chance to help the team is a great thing. Imagine if Brian Cashman asked Randy Johnson to set up for Mariano Rivera? He'd probably throw him through a second story window.

I don't know if this helps, but I also saw this on ESPN this morning. Kevin Millar's unhappy with his role. Holy everloving s***. I have to sound off on this because Kevin's been getting way TOO MUCH plating time considering how putrid his play has been this season. All of a sudden he's unhappy? Send the fat ass packing! I'm all for trading this guy. If he's complaining about his playing time, that takes the ONLY good thing about Kevin Millar-- his clubhouse presence -- away from him. I don't care what they get for him. If they can get someone to take on his gigantic mouth, mediocre contract, and putrid baseball abilities, take it before they change their minds! I'd be perfectly satisfied with a Youkilis/Olerud platoon at first, with the occasional David Ortiz thrown in for good measure. Trade Kevin Millar now!

I like the idea. Looks like I'm in the minority here, but that's normal. As Theo was saying, Curt is at his best right now when he needs to step it up a notch in crucial spots. If his entire inning is a crucial spot (like in a save situation) he could be very dominant. Curt WILL return to the rotation. This is not a Dennis Eckersley type move here. Basically Keith's out 4-6 weeks, and the Red Sox desperately need a closer. Curt's mechanics are a bit funky and he's not able to pitch deep in games as a starter right now. If he can work at straightening himself out, AND get the Red Sox some crucial late-inning outs at the same time, I'm all for it. Curt's got dominant starter stuff and endurance when he's 100%. However, he's about 80% right now, which is good enough to be a dominant closer UNTIL he's back to 100%.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/07/06/francona_schilling_headed_to_bullpen/ This is for real it seems. Both the Boston Herald and Boston Globe are reporting that Schilling will pitch in the bullpen for Pawtucket on Thursday, and is slated to join the Red Sox bullpen after the All Star Break. The only question with Curt becoming the team's closer would be how he'd pitch on short rest, and if he can go multiple days in a row-- it's an intreaguing possibility.... Terry mentioned this is the best way to get him contributing quickly. I'm sure it's also a result of the market for closers being so slim, and that they'd like to see Arroyo/Miller log some more starts.

Yankees228 is right-- The players' union basically vetoed the A-Rod to the Red Sox deal, and that didn't happen because of the money-- but it was the Red Sox who didn't want to pay the money. I was against the deal at the time (mostly because at the time I couldn't picture Nomar in another uniform, but also that the Sox would lose Scott Williamson, Manny Ramirez, Jon Lester in the process), and it looks like the Sox are thrilled that the deal didn't go through. A-Rod's a great player, but for some reason, every single team he plays for has been worse off WITH him than WITHOUT him. In Texas, they blamed his gigantic salary as crippling the team (which I have no doubt it did). In New York, who knows what the problem is, but he doesn't seem to fit in with the Jeter/Rivera/Williams -type ballplayers. I have to say I dislike Gary Sheffield more than A-Rod. Sheffield's just a whiny loud-mouth ******* who makes stupid comments about his teammates, opponents, and not only has already tried to rework his contract, but also crippled his team by refusing to be traded despite not having a no trade clause. Remember his comment about him being the best player on every team he's ever played for? And that crap about the Red Sox not really WANTING to win last year? Sheffield's much worse in my opinion.

The mandate from Lucchino kinda pisses me off.... because it sounds very Steinbrenner-esque. If the other 29 teams know Theo's required to come up with another arm, they can simply sit back and wait for him to get desperate and overpay. Although, I don't think Theo will do that. Seems to me like the real possibilites right now are both in Mariner uniforms, and they are Hasegawa and Villone. Neither one are capable of being the closer probably, but the team just needs more reliable arms out in the bullpen. Guardado seems like he'd be way to expensive, requiring Hanley Ramirez/Jon Lester type talent. These guys aren't exactly Freddy Sanchez-- I don't see Theo unloading them for a reliever. I've said before that Papelbon may get a shot, and he still might. HOWEVER, the guy hasn't pitched above AA yet, and he may be more like a late August addition if at all this year.

I voted Beltre, but so far, I think Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright both deserve some consideration for this honor

I've read a lot of articles saying Papelbon may get a shot to help the Red Sox as a reliever as soon as this season. Of course, none of them had quoted any decision makers as saying so, but with the market for relief pitchers very thin, it's not completely out of the question. Watching his progress at Pawtucket should be interesting.

Seattle seems to be in a dumping mode, so Guardado seems like he'd be available. He'd be a great addition to the bullpen, but the problem is a TON of teams are looking for bullpen help, and you pretty much named the entire list of reliable relievers on the market right now. Last I heard the Blue Jays weren't interested in selling off (so I'm not sure Batista will be traded), and the asking price for Baez, Fuentes, or Guardado would seem to be through the roof right now. I don't see Billy Wagner getting traded this season. Philly's too close to the playoffs to go into selling mode.

Soxie, I think we're all familiar with your opinion on our second base position.... The thing is, I agree with you. Bret Boone at $7 million (I think that's his salary) is absolutely not worth it. He's a solid player, but that's just way too much money. If he gets released and can come for the MLB minimum, than it can't hurt to give him a look. BUT, wouldn't the team be better served with a Pokey-Reese like player who can help you in a pinch at multiple positions? Boone can really only play second base at this point in his career. Also, there are so many more teams who need Boone MORE than the Sox do. The Yankees, Mets, and Padres are 3 teams I can think of off the top of my head. ONE of those teams could take a chance on him and make the trade, and I don't see the Sox doing that. I don't honestly think Bret Boone is the answer for the Sox. As bad as Bellhorn may seem, he really isn't the problem on this team. If we had a better bullpen, we'd be walking away from the competiton in the AL East right now.

You and just about all the other scouts. From everything I've read, the Red Sox and Yankee scouts were both unimpressed by Jason Schmidt. Gammons was quoting "An AL Assistant GM" who said he was "good, not great" this season. That, coupled with the fact that the Giants will be asking for a ton of talent for him, makes it seem like he'll be pitching for San Fransisco in August.

Although I'd love to have Billy Wagner in a Sox uniform (who wouldn't), the cost would be too much at this point. Wagner is one of the best lefty relievers in the game, and would command a pretty high price tag talent wise. Plus, like someone else said, the Phillies aren't exactly out of the race, and they may be interested in adding talent, not trading it away.

I sort of feel bad for Joe, but the most hilarious thing he said was that Millar should replace Bellhorn LATE IN GAMES.... when defense is the most important thing. That's why Olerud (and Mientkiewicz last year) come in to replace fatass Millar late in important games-- because he can't play defense!!!!! Besides-- Bellhorn contributes more offensively ANYWAY.

Every single Yankee rumor is going to include Wang, Cano, or Duncan in some way. Frankly, if they want to acquire some MLB talent, those are the guys everybody wants. Apparently the A's asked for all three for Kotsay and were told "no" as well.

Torre and company are doing a fine job. I think what Steinbrenner needs to do is sit back and let his baseball people make the decisions-- that what he hired them for!! The Yankees built their dynasty when George Steinbrenner was keeping his nose out of the Yankees day-to-day operations. The organization developed, and kept guys like Rivera, Pettite, Jeter, Williams, and Posada. George steps in starts making decisions, BAM. They waste money on Giambi, Sheffield, A-Rod, and the system is totaly desimated. George-- Fire yourself!!!!

That's true-- Soxfan#1's gotten a lot of s*** in his time. Joe-- I think part of posting in the forums is also expecting SOME people may not like your ideas. I don't think anyone's hostile, it's just that we strongly disagree with these ideas of yours. I am one of the people out there who think Millar gets TOO MUCH playing time. Bellhorn, DESPITE his struggles, has a .346 OBP and a .388 SLG. Kevin Millar? .353/.385. That's right, Bellhorn has a HIGHER slugging percentage than Kevin, and a MARGINALLY worse on base percentage. I'd rather have Bellhorn in the lineup than Millar right now, no question about it. And Bellhorn's not a gold glove winner, but he's WAY WAY better than Millar could ever be defensively. Millar can't run, play defense, or hit. And don't tell me that Kevin's just slumping, because even after he'd gone through the whole season, he had a total of 18 homers. Bellhorn had 17 last year. Millar is slugging a putrid .295 away from Fenway Park this year. Why in the hell does he need MORE playing time?