example1

yes yes to the 2-0 O's lead.

Pretty meaningless deal when it's all said and done.

I think Dye could be worth a Murphy or WMP as well; guys that may have talent but who won't necessarily get their shot with the BoSox. I'm a bit perplexed by this trade, but also see it as a pretty significant mid-season upgrade. I'm just not sure how Dye would fit in or where he would play. Would they increase the time off for Ortiz and Drew? So, Dye would play for Drew one day while Drew sits and play LF some times so Manny can DH and Papi can rest? Something I read said they had promised Dye he would play 5 days a week, which is a significant number of games. Dye is probably too good to be sitting on the bench, especially if he's starting to turn it on. Drew isn't being paid to sit on the bench and I don't think they will give up on him, given his recent semi-resurgance. I'm just not sure.

That would be a great move for the Yankees. When's Gagne's next scheduled year-long DL stint? I hope Gagne likes playing poker and hanging out with guys like Carl Pavano while watching the Yankees on TV. Clearly, I have no faith that Gagne would be a long term impact for the Yankees. It is very much how I fell about Dotel going somewhere too. He's great when he's throwing, but how long can you reasonably expect that--at the cost of two decent young 'specs??

So, with the way things look now the Sox aren't likely to make any significant moves at the deadline. Numerous reports suggest the Sox won't meet TX requirements for Teixeira--which were said to be two of Lester, Buchholz and Ellsbury. It is different from my tune last week, but I feel like this team is in pretty good shape overall. The problem last year was a number of poorly timed injuries before the trading deadline, and then trying to coast with the injured team into the playoffs. Without any momentum or pitching they got beaten around. This team is different. --Lowell and Youkilis contribute in every facet of the game. Neither of them is Teixeira, but they are both reasonable alternatives on both sides of the ball. --Lugo is hitting again, and Pedroia is going to be pesky whenever he's at the plate, and is an excellent fielder. --Varitek is having what MUST be called a successful season, one that most people here haven't mentioned. He is 5th among all MLB catchers in OPS (4th in OBP)(1st in P/PA). This being the 3rd year of a deal in which most people thought he would be nearly ineffective at this point in his career. Not only has he managed to produce at the plate, but he is having a great season defensively and with pitch-calling. Add to that his need to foster the development of Dice-K and Okajima, Delcarmen, Papelbon, while providing the backstop for a largely revamped and DOMINANT bullpen. --Crisp's progress has been fun to watch, and barring injury I see no reason he won't keep doing this. If he gets injured there are OF alternatives who are in the middle of good seasons (including Brandon Moss, who has yet to get a shot) and Ellsbury--if he can get healthy--has at least been exposed to Fenway if needed. The bullpen has been absolutely dominant, way beyond my wildest expectations. Ultimately, the biggest acquisitions of the free agent season may be Manny Ramirez's power coming off the DL and Schilling returning healthy. The best idea might be to try and trade a guy like Tavarez or WMP to get either bullpen or minor league talent. The more minor league talent a team has the easier it is to get the key piece next season and the year after if they lack it. This team doesn't lack any key pieces enough to warrant trading away 2 of the top 3.

That's what I think too. How can you not laugh just watching him do interviews.

I think it is becoming less likely every day. My guess is that Texas demanded either Ellsbury or Buchholz--probably Buchholz--or the package of players they wanted was too high. I actually think this would be an AMAZING time to deal for some top prospects. Teams are paying a lot for relief pitching and power, and we have both. I don't see any reason to move Youkilis or Lowell unless you can do a Teixeira-type upgrade. I wouldn't be shocked if the Sox didn't 'make any major deals. Of course, I was thinking last night that this would be a good time to trade Manny Then manny knocks 2 out of the yard. :dunno:

Yeah, at 23 years old he's a #3 NOW on about half of the teams in baseball. If you don't think that is a high current upside for a 'prospect' (I hesitate to use that term with him) then I don't know what to say. Personally, I think Lester's upside is a #2 on a playoff team once he matures a few years. His stuff is very, very good and he's pretty developed for his age.

At this point, these guys are showcasing to the RED SOX. Who the hell would want to get traded from this club to a team like Texas or the Dodgers or the White Sox? WMP may want more playing time, but he seems to enjoy himself in a Sox uniform and with this team.

His trade value is really on the rise. NOBODY thought he could do THIS!! Good for WMP. I like the idea of WMP, a guy who's bigger than Papi, who hits the ball farther than Papi, at such a young age. Too bad the idea and the product often don't jive.

Wily Mo Pena making a bid to not get traded for a bag of rice.

Anyone else wanna take some swings? They DO have different values. Both are (if healthy) HIGHLY prized pitching prospects. Buchholz is one of the best sox pitching prospects probably of the past decade, in terms of performance, stuff, and national ranking. Lester was one of the best sox pitching prospects in a few years. You don't find a whole lot of lefties who can hit 94, who also have good secondary stuff. So far, there is little in Lester's performance to indicate he is LESS of a prospect than he was a few years ago. The speculation is about the cancer and his ability to come back from that. If he continues to pitch well then he will quickly regain that status. Not quite as high as Buchholz (due to Buchholz's K's), but still very high. Remember, Lester is only 23 years old.

Well, the same GMS would would have given up on him tonight would likely have seen his meltdown inning against the Mariners as well.

The Indian's "Panini Cam" makes me uncomfortable. It would make me very uncomfortable as an announcer.

"Hit WELL!!! to centerfield where Coco's going to make the catch"... Who knew that the Troupe's brother was the Guardians announcer? :dunno:

Still a pretty small sample size ORS. patience, my friend. He's not great, he's not horrible. I think Gabbard is a middle of the road MLB pitcher when all is said and done, which makes him a #5 at best on the Sox and a #3 or #4 at best on a team like the Rangers or Royals. I don't know about his stones.

C ya Kason.

No. See, Gabbard isn't even a good pitching prospect. He's pitching very well, but he is nowhere near the top of the rotation, cy young caliber ace that Buchholz is, or the above average, hard throwing lefty that Lester is. He has kind of come out of nowhere. EDIT: in other words, most teams have a Gabbard already. That's not to say he won't have a great career, he may just be a late bloomer; but teams aren't going to settle for Gabbard if they are hoping for Buchholz.

So what I'm seeing here is that the Sox offense has returned. This is a GREAT sign. We come in and knock the ball around in game #1, against an average to less-than-average starter. We face two excellent starters and win one game, and are in the other game until the last out, both 1-0. Now, another crappy pitcher comes out and we put up 9 runs. THAT is what this team should do all the time. I have no problem with them losing to great pitching, but not scoring against s***** pitching is indicitive of a slump or bad luck. They are getting hits with men on tonight and it looks good.