i think Gary Matthews Jr would be a great option, and his price tag wouldnt be nearly as high as pierre or jones or hunter. Plus matthews is on the rise, while the other three have peaked
I read a couple of articles suggesting that the Sox have significant interest in Bobby Abreu, possibly for Trot Nixon. I'm still not sure of my opinion on this idea, but i just figured i'd post it.
Articles:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/jon_heyman/07/10/scoop.maddux/
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5770502
If he developed a solid changeup, and refines his slider he would be ridiculous. Sounds a little bit like Hansen... I think a changeup would be very helpful to bard, if he could get enough speed differential on it
I read yesterday that Torii Hunter would waive his no trade clause if the REd Sox or Cubs agreed on a trade with the twins. Hunter could be the big bat ANaheim is looking for, and a 3-way deal could be possible here, IMO. I'm not sure if the twins would give up hunter just yet, but if they slide further out of contention in the stacked central, who knows...
Any ideas?
In this article, Theo says, "We ABSOLUTELY need to find a starter." I realize this doesnt necessarily mean a huge trade, but it will most likely be external, as there are no more internal options
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060615&content_id=1507522&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos
Everyone moans about the pen, but we're in some trouble with our rotation too. Outside of Schilling and Beckett, everyone is hurt. Even Beckett has been hit or miss. I hope lester can consistently eat innings and win games, but that still leaves question marks. I dont think any of our starting pitching prospects are ready (outside of Lester), so where do we turn. Trade? There just arent many options
I just thought i'd mention that Coco Crisp was 3 for 3 with an rbi in his first spring training game as a Red Sox Player. He was a homer shy of the cycle. Johnny Damon was 2 for 3, by the way.
Speaking of the NL Central, watch out for the brewers. I live near Milwaukee, and excitement is "brewing" (lol) after their first .500 season in over a decade. They made some solid offseason acquisitions, and their youngsters are only going to get better.
You were generous giving Manny a .300 avg prediction, after he hit about .280 last year. I think gonzalez is beginning to put power and patience together. He had the power, and last year was far more patient. I expect the low pressure 9-hole to allow him to grow and raise his avg and rediscover some of his power -- more than 6 hr.
CF, compared to Damon (in a good way, not the traitor thing), has some wheels, solid D, and good OBP track record, a projected leadoff hitter
http://www.soxprospects.com/players/ellsbury-jacoby.htm