SoxFan02

Where are you getting that Aviles is better with the glove than Drew? In the last three seasons Drew has a UZR of +8 at short. Before he came to Boston most people (including KC) didn't think Aviles could still play short consistently because of his arm troubles that sidelined him in 2009. I don't think that Drew is anything more than average at short but saying that aviles is any better after one decent statistical year in Boston isn't very fair. On the other hand Drew hit for an .800 OPS in the three season before injuring himself in 2011 (over 1800 PA). Aviles has never be able to replicate that type of performance consistently over even a third of the PA during his career. There is very little doubt that Drew is a considerably better SS then Aviles when both are healthy. The question is whether Drew can remain healthy, however since the Sox have the available resources this year I don't see any reason why signing a guy that has the potential to be a top 5-10 SS in the league to a one year deal should be considered anything but a home run.

Your kidding yourself if you think ciriaco can actually sustain his production through an entire year and John Lackey has produced a WAR better than Doubront's currently projected WAR every year of his professional career with the exception of last year (when he was pitching with a shoulder that needed tommy john surgery) I would bet pretty much everything that he will be in the starting rotation next year barring any set backs from the surgery. I don't really understand the perception that he is a cancer, literally everyone in that clubhouse loves him except for the media (and considering i don't know of a single boston reporter that I like-maybe Speier-i can't blame him).

I really don't think people truly understand how bad iglesias is as a hitter. If iglesias would somehow be able to match his production from triple-A in the majors (doubtful) his .571 OPS would still the the worst average of any player that qualifies for the batting title. Calling Andrus a marginally better hitter then Iglesias (difference in OPS .189) would be like saying Joey Votto is a marginally better hitter than Melky Cabrera (difference in OPS .171) Giving Josh Reddick as an example is nonsense, he had an OPS of .841 last year in the minors. Iggy just simply isn't ready yet.

How could you possibly think that he is a "risk-type person" based on his record? Didn't Cherrington pull the trigger on the Lowell/Beckett/Ramirez deal (the riskiest deal this current regime has made with the exception of Nomar deal)? Wouldn't the bailey trade be the definition of an incredibly risky deal (trading a prospect at a position of need for a often injured closer)? Wasn't it Cherrington's idea to convert a solid set-up man into a starter undertaking a considerable amount of risk? In my opinion the reason he hasn't made any big splashes yet isn't that he doesn't want to take risks but that he's basically been neutered by lucchino and the ownership into only making small moves.

I have no clue what the hell your talking about. Michael Bowden started 2007 in the California League (High-A) and wasn't even the best pitcher in the Red Sox organization http://soxprospects.com/history.htm. I love Middlebrooks, but if you watch his at bats he clearly looks like a guy that use more seasoning in AAA (only 56 ABs). His stats back this up with a BABIP at nearly .400 and a K rate of 29%, the power may be undeniable but eventually the law of averages is going to balance out and it could get ugly very fast. When he does struggle and the Sox are forced to keep him in the majors because Youk is gone, it will be incredibly detrimental for his long term potential. The list of guys that never panned out because they were rushed to the big leagues is much longer than the guys that achieved sustained success at each level before reaching the majors. In my opinion, this is just a journalist trying to make headlines. Youk will remain the 3rd baseman and Middlebrooks will be optioned down to Pawtucket once interleague starts back up again.

Not trading with a team simply because they are in the same division is one of the most idiotic beliefs in baseball. The Nats and Marlins don't have a tough time doing it (2 trades this year), the Mets and Braves are pretty big rivals and they traded outfielders this season, the Mariners and A's also swapped players. It's not like I'm talking about Longoria, it's a player that may end up playing in AAA for them next season. If the rays put him out on the trading block and the Sox offered the best return for him then there is absolutely no reason for the Rays to decline.

It was reported recently that the Rays were going to make Zobrist their permanent 2nd basemen next season which means that Brignac and the recently acquired Rodriguez are both blocked and have Beckham breathing down their back. Personally I think that S-Rod could be a great player if given a chance next season, I know that he is somewhat of a liability at short but if he can put anything close to the numbers that he has in AAA it will make up for his defense. If he is made available this offseason the Sox should definetly try to acquire him.

The Brewers have Fielder under control for one more season after his current contract expires so he won't be a free-agent until after 2011 as well.

That's why I said that they would only do this deal if they didn't re-sign Vlad or Abreu. That way Lowell would be their DH, Figgins would play RF and Wood would play 3B. Mike would be their 3rd string Third baseman.

Yeah, I know that the Scioscia likes him but they already have to good, young middle infielders in Kendrick and Aybar and I think that the FO would rather re-sign Figgins then Vlad or Abreu so there would be a deifnite lack of power if they lost those two bats. Mike could give them the power that they need and allow them to re-sign Figgins to play the OF and finally give Wood a starting job. I do agree that Izturis is a good comparison to Lowrie, however, Jed hasn't really shown that could can do it consistently. Plus, Lowrie has already been on the DL longer the Izturis has been in his entire career despite playing in 400 fewer games then him.

Does anyone think that the Angels would be interested in trading away Maicier Izturis? With Vlad about to about to be a free-agent, maybe the Sox could swap Lowell for Izturis (I'm certain that we would have to throw in some cash). I personally don't believe that Gonzalez will be able to produce the way that he has the last month over an entire year and Izturis has a .287 BA in his last 4 seasons.

He was quoted in the latest edition of Sporting News saying his favorite ballpark was Fenway. So that is at least one advantage we have on the Twins and Yankees.

Youk was pretty successful in the "brawl". When was the last time that a batter was able to bring the pitcher down after charging the mound. In that situation it is the pitchers sole responsibility to avoid being taken down which Porcello could not do. Porcello=FAILURE