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Suddenly seems that there are a number of good choices for the Sox here. And they have a likely at least MLB middle infielder alread.

I see no reason to ignore Speier. He's one of the better baseball writers in Boston, IMO. His minor league podcast is really quite good. he was the source of my original info, actually.

This is a pretty safe philosophy. With the rules changes this year it makes sense to get at least one or two guys who are guaranteed to sign (rather than choosing to go to college, etc.,). Given that, it makes sense to me to get the best possible low-sign player who is likely to have MLB skills. If the Sox go with unexciting players with #31 and 37 I will be shocked. I chalk this one up to $$ strategy.

Oops. Missed the thread in the MLB section. This can be a place to discuss Sox picks specifically.

First pick (#24 overall): Devin Marrero, SS, Arizona State I don't know these guys at all, but from what I've read/heard: Sounds like a guy without a ton of power, potential for decent batting average. Above average, legitimate SS defense. This year there is a harder cap on how much teams can spend (i.e., they forfeit picks in future years if they go over allotted amount by a certain percentage, or something). By drafting a college SS, they will probably not have a problem signing him. That should save money for their other two picks tonight. They are also picking at #31 (Phillies, for Papelbon) and #37 (Phillies, for Papelbon)

Matsuzaka will be the obvious choice. Let's just hope that Bard is able to regain his form as a relief pitcher.

I'm not sure Bradley will get 30 SBs, but that doesn't matter much. His defense could be better than Ellsbury's, so that might negate a base running deficiency.

Hey Jacko, Just so I understand, Banuelos is untouchable in your eyes? Or just for a guy like Garza? I probably agree with you that Garza is right on the fence as a guy who isn't quite a #1 pitcher, but who could be really, really valuable in the short term. Banuelos, for everything you have praised in him the past few years, has a career WHIP of 1.3 in the minors and has been sitting in the 1.5-1.6 range the past 140 IP in 2011 and 2012. Don't get me wrong, I realize just how under-age he is at AAA (like seriously under age) but until he puts it all together is he really untouchable? Seems a bit of a stretch, but I don't know his scouting report well.

Wasn't Kalish playing in that game? How did he look? Moving around okay?

It's never too early for a good trade deadline speculation thread! The Sox have a number of tradeable pieces at this point, including prospects who are more-or -less ready (Lavarnway, Iglesias, Middlebrooks), high upside prospects who aren't ready yet (too many to mention) and MLB pieces who might interest contending teams (Youkilis, Beckett, Lester (?) ). Top priorities: - Top tier SP - Relief help - OF help - Prospects (?) I think the Sox will still be in contention when the deadline arrives, even if they are only playing about .500 baseball. With Ellsbury and Crawford, Bailey, Dice-K and Melancon hopefully returning they should have quite a few new faces around in July. Load up for 2012? Punt on 2012 in favor of 2013? All of these things and more can be discussed in this wonderful catch-all thread.

It totally depends on how his stuff is looking. If the velocity is still there and he costs virtually nothing, then perhaps this would be a reasonable move (assuming they have him around for more than this year, to get things right). If he has fallen off, then I wouldn't waste the space on the 40-man.

I really doubt Henry needs much of an explanation about why Reddick was dealt. You guys are acting like the Sox didn't know what they had, or somehow should have done more due diligence before trading Reddick (and Lowrie). Over 3 seasons of playing time, Reddick had 403 PAs in Boston, in 143 games. His numbers were .248/.290/.416/.706 In addition, he had 2003 PAs in the minor leagues over 5 seasons. His numbers were .278/.332/.500/.832. Last year, during his first 182 PA he had this slash-line: .307/.357/.515/.872, with 6 HR and 25 RBI. Hell, he could have been an All-Star if those numbers kept up. They didn't. The Sox knew what they had. He might end up being an .832 OPS guy in the majors during his career. That would be a nice career. If he ends up being a regular .900 OPS guy then the Sox will have been wrong, but if he returns to his career norms then it's not a franchise crushing move by any chance. Now, if Miles Head or Raul Alcantara turn into better than average pieces, then it will be obvious the Sox "lost" the trade. Until we see how everything shakes out, I'm very comfortable withholding judgment.

All of you guys have watched Reddick and Lowrie for years. None of you felt like they were "middle of the order bats". You all complained about Lowrie being injured all the time, and you said consistently that Reddick didn't have a place in Boston's future. If you don't believe me, go read your own posts on the Bailey acquisition thread and other places. You shouldn't have to look though, because it was only about 5 months ago. They aren't middle of the order bats, unless your order absolutely sucks. Reddick would have been bottom of the order for the Sox, he would have remained a very streaky player who had some good months. If anything, this example should probably make people re-evaluate the idea that the Sox system sucks and isn't producing anyone of value.

I think it is fair to say that the only people who are questioning the toughness or resolve of particular Red Sox players are also those who bring he highest level of cynicism to virtually every post. Let's not spend too much time worrying about convincing them that Ellsbury actually wants to play baseball, or that his injury might be as bad as it appears to be. Finally, why wouldn't we want him to come back as close to 100% as possible? I have always heard that once you start the daily grind of the season your health generally gets worse, simply due to wear. Hence, if he returns at 82% his chances of getting to 97% are pretty low. What I care most about is having an extremely healthy Ellsbury for the stretch run. Same with Crawford. If everything comes down right, the Sox lineup in August could be: Ellsbury Pedroia Ortiz Gonzalez Middlebrooks Crawford Saltalamacchia Sweeney/Ross Aviles That's a lineup that turns over pretty quickly, IMO. (*and to bring it all back to the thread topic, there's not Daniel Nava in that lineup. )

I suspect the whole situation is very embarrassing for someone as proud as Schilling. I have many thoughts on the whole thing, but this board sucks when it gets political so we'll keep it at that. I have no ill-will toward the guy and don't wish public humiliation on anyone.

1) Did you actually see the guy fall on his shoulder? Having watched it, I immediately cringed and assumed it was a really bad injury. The original assumption was a few months, and that's what it looks like it will be. Why is that anything warranting discussions about him being "soft"? 2) Ellsbury is one season away from free agency. If there is any time in his life when he would be on the field, it would be this season. This is a guy who works out constantly and is a workout buff. He would be on the field if he could be. It could make the difference of tens of millions of dollars about 500 days from now. Only a complete cynic (like yourself) could have so many layers of skepticism heaped upon someone when all of the motivating factors paint a different picture.

I've always liked Nava. Mostly because of his OBP skills. He's a guy with a career .377 OPB over 239 PAs. Even if he does't have a great AVG or power, a guy who can get on consistently in the .350+ OBP range has a place in the game. Particularly when his services are basically free. In 968 PAs at the AAA level he's got a .378 career OBP. His plate control isn't a fluke.

He also had 19 K in his first 18.2 IP as a starter, with a FB velocity that was quite a bit higher than it is now. I suspect injury or early arm fatigue, which explains th eloss of velocity, loss of effectiveness of the FB and consequently of the slider. Obviously if Bard can't figure out how to get a stronger arm then this whole discussion is moot.