SchillingIsTheNatural

Since the current deal on the table is Manny Ramirez and Matt Clement for Miguel Tejada there is obviously a huge difference in money. However could the Sox ask for one other player? If the Orioles were serious about this deal they could help level the money by adding either Luis Matos or Jay Gibbons along with Tejada. For some reason this trade talk makes the Red Sox seem desperate to make a move. Everyone says the Orioles would be taking on the Red Sox problems but isn't that what we are doing with Tejada? Works both ways if you ask me so I don't understand this crap that comes out making us look like the desperate team. In my opinion giving up the best OF in the AL East for the best SS in the AL East is perfectly fine but giving up one of our rotation pitchers as well? Not to mention Matt Clement is possibly the best starter on the Orioles if this happens. I think we should get another player in the mix like Jay Gibbons to fill Manny's spot. Then we could be nice and make up the difference in money.

That is a really though question. Mark Prior does pitch in a more difficult stadium than Beckett did. However Beckett was able to win a World Series. On the other hand I really like how Prior performed in the playoffs a few years back. Overall I think there stuff is too close to call. Based on there attitude I have to go with Josh Beckett. He looks like a gamer and someone with a lot of emotion which he can put into the game. I really like Mark Prior but I would like him more if he showed some attitude.

I was joking about Manny and Papelbon for Ichiro and King Felix just so everyone knows. I'm obviously not that dumb and neither are the Ms...but maybe the Red Sox front office is to make the attempt.

haha that would be fun but I would be amazed to see it pulled off. I'm still on the opposite side of the fence when it comes to trading our prospects. I really don't want to give up Andy Marte, Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester, Craig Hansen, Manny Delcarmen, or Dustin Pedroia. These guys will be the foundation of our team in the future. I want to see players home grown and brought up through the system to become true Boston Red Sox players. I don't mind having a bunch of hard nosed typed players for the coming years (Graffanino, Lowell, Nixon, Varitek, Loretta, etc)....guys who will play hard, have lots of experience, and place the team first over individual credit. Maybe we won't be the best Red Sox team but its fun to see the young guys make a splash and eventually all come up together to form a strong bond and be a rock solid team.

I think Manny and Papelbon for Ichiro and King Felix. That I would do.

Mariners proposed a deal of Gil Meche and Jeremy Reed for either Jonathan Papelbon or Jon Lester. Dream on! What kind of offer is that? I like Jeremy Reed strickly for his defense. Having a solid defensive team would be the correct direction for the Red Sox but all of that is for nothing if they don't have pitching. Forget this deal!

I'm more interested in aquiring Andrew Jones than Chipper Jones. Obviously I wouldn't mind having either on the Red Sox but for some reason I picture Chipper a solid mark on the Atlanta Braves. He has always been there and done so much for that team I find it hard for them to part with him. On the other hand he has been getting injured so anything is possible. I honestly think there is a better chance they move Andrew first because of his contract situation. Either way both players would cost more than Clement and Arroyo. I really don't hear many teams excited about Clement and all have a good idea what Arroyo will bring to a team. More key figures would need to be involved and everything seems to revolve around Manny so I'm sure his name would pop up when talking about either of the Jones boys.

Is there anymore information on this possible deal??

I'm going against all of you on this topic.... We cannot out hit the NY Yankees....but we could out pitch them. Having Mark Prior and Josh Beckett at this point of there careers would be amazing. In the end our rotation would include Mark Prior, Josh Beckett, Jonathan Papelbon, and Jon Lester. Thats a great young, talented, all ace caliber rotation. If these guys could stay healthy we would have the best rotation in the league. We wouldn't be able to replace Manny's production but we weren't going to anyways. I think adding better pitching and better defensive players is the way to go. I'd rather have a lower team ERA than a higher BA

Yeah I wonder who I would want to see more Tony Graff or Lugo?? Part of me says Graff should play over him. Lugo is probably a more typical lead off guy though.

Thats not too bad. Basically trading David Wells for Julio Lugo. Takes care of our SS issue although I'm not the biggest Lugo fan.

Troy Glaus is certainly not worth our #1 prospect pitcher (Lester) or our #1 prospect hitter (Marte). Certainly we could give up some pitching for him in the likes of Clement or Wells. Between San Diego and Arizona they have some outfielders I like as well in Shawn Green, Gonzo, and Ryan Klesko. It is possible Manny gets involved in this deal as well but we shall see. I think we were discussing this over a month ago.

I certainly wouldn't be excited commiting 40 million to Millwood considering his age but we saved that money on Damon and were already talking about the possibility of Clemens...my guess is the Red Sox were interested in having Damon 4years/40mill and Clemens....so they could do Millwood and Clemens...I should mention though I'm not the biggest Millwood fan so if we pass on him I'd be all set.

They still went pretty damn far two years in a row. Thats real interesting. I like Corey Patterson and still feel he can be a force in baseball. He is in his mid 20s which means his best years are about to come. He was supposed to be like Carlos Beltran where he played awesome defense, hit 25-30 HRs and steal 25-30 bases. He still could. I would deffinitly take Mark Prior. The guy has great mechanics and nasty stuff. If we had a healthy Mark Prior and a healthy Josh Beckett....good lord. The Cubs would probably be interested in having Tejada, A. Ramirez, and Lee in that batting lineup. My only question would be do they feel there pitching would be greatly limited...they would probably want a pitcher in return.

Kevin Millwood would be nice.... Roger Clemens would be better (pay him whatever he wants) ....actually both would be ideal. Curt Schilling Roger Clemens Josh Beckett Kevin Millwood Tim Wakefield Keith Foulke Mike Timlin Guillermo Mota Jonathan Papelbon Craig Hansen Bronson Arroyo Rudy Saenz .....thats an incredible pitching group....make it happen

I didn't read this whole post but I'll throw in my 2 cents with the title... Its very early to say these guys aren't getting it done. I'm a big fan of the Beckett trade and I like what Andy Marte will be able to bring to the table in the end. I had to sit back and think about the Johnny Damon signing and came to this conclusion: this was good for the Red Sox. They saved a bunch of money and should now make the transition from a power offense team to a defense and pitching team. They lost one of there top offensive weapons and from the press conference it sounds like they are still trying to move Manny. Damon, Wells, and Manny don't want to be here so I say move them and get more pitching and better defense. Jeremy Reed would be good but if not him then someone else with a great glove. You cannot beat that Yankee lineup so you MUST out pitch them which is very possible. The other thing I thought about was the makeup of the team so far.....so far a team of gritty hard nosed players like Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek, Tony Graff, Trot Nixon, Mark Loretta....these guys all play the game hard and they play it right....maybe not the most athletically gifted but as we say (Renteria) that doesn't mean anything. The defense already looks better to me from last season (despite the holes) and the pitching looks better...I say the Red Sox need to keep in that direction and learn a thing or two from the Angels, White Sox, and Astros. Johnny Damon is 33, overrated, and overpayed....that billion dollar lineup can't hurt us if they can't hit us.

Miguel Tejada (somehow keep Manny) Roger Clemens. Coco Crisp. ...and I have no idea how to do it

I wonder how Damon can feel about this. OF COURSE its the Red Sox front office's fault. They are back stabbers, blindsided him, etc etc I'm sure he will say it just like all the rest of the stupid free agents. I think 32 years old is starting to get past your prime. Was injured last year and has to deal with a bigger ball park this coming season. I actually think the Yankees will regret this cause I never wanted the Red Sox to throw out the kind of money. I think I would be just as angry if the Red Sox spent $13 million a year as I am the Yankees spending $13 million. Angry at the Red Sox for overspending and now angry at the Yankees for continuing to overspend. ...the never ending cycle and the rivalry gets better and better. Now I want the Red Sox to figure out a way to get a new great leadoff hitter...someone that can out perform Damon, is younger, and is cheaper....lets see those backup plans. Ya know what would make me feel great right now....if we could somehow get Roger Clemens on our team....but the Yanks would prolly offer a one year 20 million contract before that could happen.

Excellent first post. One of the best I have ever seen.

That is interesting but what will we do with Woody Williams?? We traded Edgar Renteria for a prospect. True he is a better prospect than Guzman but then again...Renteria has a LOT more value than David Wells. The man is 42 years old I'm not suprised things have been real quite on the Wells trade front. Its basically one and done with him how much longer can he pitch?? How much longer will players like Adrian Gonzalez and Freddy Guzman play?? Being able to get a player 20 years younger is a huge pickup if you ask me.

I'm fine with this. Happy the Red Sox didn't throw that kind of money at him. This will give us an edge later and not have to worry when the man turns 36 and makes that kind of money. The Red Sox will find a capable replacement and I really find it hard to believe Ramirez is going anywhere now. Looking into Coco Crisp, Jeremy Reed, and others like Corey Patterson is fine by me. I big defensive replacement is in order. We may already have a lead off hitter on our team but I guess that is something to look into as well. As for the Yankees....the payroll just gets bigger. They showed the lineup along side the amount of money each player makes. They really are a disgrace. Just when they talk about looking to the future and adding talent through the farm system...they go and sign Damon to one of the highest contracts this offseason. At least the rivalry took another step and I'm happy with the extra draft picks.

I dunno I think this is a good move by the Yanks. We get Seanz and Mota....they get Dotel and Farnsworth. On the outside looking in I think they came out better than us but we shall see. Either way they still have a much better closer than us.

Well Eaton and Otsuka are off to the Rangers....Adrian Gonzalez went to San Deigo...possible he could be in a deal from San Diego for David Wells??

Pedroia is truely a SS by trade. He has been working on playing 2B...in the end he will be able to play both positions. Stinks that we missed on a 1st round pick with Graffanino accepting arbitration but I'm happy to have him back.

I think that is excellent news. I'm happy to have Graffanino back and think he can really contribute to our success this season. He will be an excellent utility infielder and could even be a possible SS starter if we can't find anything worth investing in.