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I suspect that most people who are thinking about dealing prospects do think about them on that many levels (probably more). An MLB regular player who gets 2-3 WAR a year under the team's control is quite valuable. I think the Sox have a number of players who probably project to be at least that level, possibly higher.

Marmol is a mess in pressure situations. He's obviously very talented, but he has a tendency to lose the strikezone and have absolutely horrible innings. Perhaps as a semi-significant setup man, but not in any huge role. Of course, Theo might see the same thing and be willing to move him without costing the farm like Bailey would, in which case he wouldn't be a terrible option.

You have nearly 30,000 posts. I'm not the only one who can reasonably guess how you would react in particular situations. That's a consequence of stating your views so many times. Sorry you find it obnoxious. As for the system not being highly rated, give it some time. Their lower minors are highly rated, but most prospect ranking systems look toward MLB ready talent first and foremost. They had a ton of high draft picks the past two years.

Thirteen mil a year is a high price for creaky knees and significant injury history. The Cardinals had the money to pay that, given their disappointment with Pujols. Not shocked that the Sox weren't willing to go that high.

That's probably a bad signing, because Theo doesn't know how to build a bullpen.

Also, Hazelbaker (despite the silly name) hasn't put up terrible numbers. I bet he'll be a small part of a deal at some point. That's some value. Dude had 110 SB in his last 240 games. That speed (and decent OBP) should count for something eventually. Even if he looked overmatched in spring training.

a700, even if they had won in 2008 you would still be banging on them for not having won a playoff game in 3 seasons. You don't provide the Red Sox with much of a grace period for winning it all, as far as I can tell. Santana would be hurt and very expensive, Lester + + would be in MN, and there would still be plenty of fans complaining that they didn't win recently enough. As for the farm system, there is plenty of talent in the system, a lot of it just isn't MLB ready right now. Still, they have guys who are ready to make their first significant impact on the team (i.e., contributing to winning) like Lavarnway, Kalish, Doubront and Wilson. That's 4 players who couldn't help the team last year who should be helping them this year. That's not insignificant. If Iglesias shows anything with the bat you can add his name. The following year there could be more. If Pimentel, Britton, Ranaudo or Barnes pitch like they have in the past then you're looking at 4 potential mid-rotation starters, or valuable trading pieces. The list of offensive pieces in the system is very long and pretty damn solid. I wouldn't s*** on the Sox system so easily.

Kuroda would be another option, I suppose.

Good question. There's no doubt the Sox are willing to move top prospects if they were seriously being considered by OAK. Bailey is probably still being considered for less, which would move Bard and Aceves into the rotation. Bailey's injury history is scary. A cheaper sign like Saunders would move Aceves (? probably ?) back into the pen, which would help a bit. Oswalt wouldn't be "cheap" and he's got that injury history too. I don't see any obvious moves here.

A's get the best of that deal. Explains why they would want to explore trading Gio.

That's a really big package (what she said) for Gio Gonzalez. Hope Sox are still in on Bailey and that they will be aggressive for other SPs. Can't say I'll be devistated if the report is true and the Sox didn't empty farm for Gio.

Christ, that's a lot of talent to give up. Too much for my taste. Keep Kalish or Lavarnway and throw in someone else and I'm okay with it. Also, they could probably get a lot by opening up Bogaerts for trade. If the build something around him they could give up less "now" talent and get more bang for their prospect buck. Will be interesting to see what happens. I assume if they land Bailey and Gio then that will pretty much be it for the offseason.

Cafardo just tweeted that the Sox are out on Beltran. I'm $urprised that they were in at all, after they $igned Ortiz. Beltran just didn't seem like a fit in that lineup. It does sound like they are remaining very aggressive on Gio though, which is not a bad thing--depending on the price. Gio is a fine #3 or #4 starter in the AL East, especially at his age. If they land Gio then I imagine them going with Aceves as #5 and Bard as closer. It would be better if they also signed Madson as closer, kept Bard in the rotation, and kept Aceves in the 'pen. A rotation of Beckett, Lester, Buchholz, Gonzalez and Bard would be fearsome.

Yeah, for a one game playoff. The AL will be a beast of a league next year and moving forward. It will be fun to watch how Darvish matches up against ML hitters. Nolan Ryan puts a premium on velocity and durability, so there must be something of his valuation in the signing.

Jackson will cost a fair amount too, and with the FA market next year I hope the Sox just keep their options open.

He knows everything about the Sox and is much smarter than their previous GM.

I know we aren't supposed to comment, but as an aside the idea of giving Theo and co the Sox farm system for a #2 starter would really hurt. Is Garza that good? Anyway, your wishlist, so not for me to question.

And Santa, if you're listening, what I really want is Felix Hernandez for a bunch of players I don't care about. Like leave Felix under my tree and quietly take Alex Hassan, Chris Hernandez and Ryan Dent. Also, I really hope for Carl Crawford to have the best season of his career. Seems like a good guy . Maybe take it easy on him next season. That would be a huge boost for the club. Also, Clay Buchholz: help him become the healthy and dominant pitcher we hoped he would become just a year ago.

My x-mas list? Sox invest in the bullpen with guys like Madson and trade for another really good arm and move Bard back to the pen after trading for or signing a legit #4 pitcher. Then, using a bullpen of dynamic flame throwers and essentially their current lineup they finally bring closer by committee into effective practice, forever ending the pattern of smart posters claiming that only a highly priced closer can pitch 9th innings when the team is ahead.

I'm glad I was wrong.

Yankees. Why would they bid if they didn't intend on winning?