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

What future options? There aren't any really good shortstops on the market this offseason, unless you're willing to take a chance of tejada. Lowrie has a shot at being a good everyday player but I would like to seem him play/stay healthy for an entire season before making him the starting shortstop. And Navarro won't be ready until at least 2011. I think that Guzman can be a reliable bat and shortstop until the end of 2010 and then we will know whether Lowrie is capable of being an legitimate starter.

Guzman has been hitting at a .318/.341/.443 clip since having lasik surgery prior to the 07 season (276 Games). Personally, I think that would be a significant upgrade at SS.

Somebody suggested this on the Mike Francesca Show (radio) here in NY a couple of weeks ago. He stated that he would only trade him for Ellsbury, Lowrie and two of Buccholz, Bowden, Masterson and Hunter Jones:dunno:. Hopefully Omar does not have as high demands as this guy does. I personally wouldn't trade Ellsbury for Reyes straight up. Maybe Masterson, Bowden, Lowrie and B-/C+ prospect. Reyes' career OBP is pretty awful (.337) however that is mostly due to a horrific 2005 OBP of .300. He would be a prefect spark plug at the top of our order. However, the Mets are never going to be in a position to rebuild, Omar is probably only going to have next year to make in to the playoffs before he gets canned. They will want a veteran star if they are going to trade Reyes. Maybe if the Jays are unable to deal Halladay before the deadline then we could arrange a three-way deal in the offseason with us getting Reyes, the Jays getting our prospects and the Mets getting Halladay.

slept a total of 8 hours from 12 am Sunday to 3 pm Wednesday Stayed up til 2 on Saturday woke up at 6 for my job Me and a few fellow sox fans left my home (North Jersey) at about 3 that day to go up to Boston just to be there if they won Left Boston City Limits at about 3 that night drove all the way non-stop to our high school (got there in the middle of 1st period) entered the gates and drove around the school to We our the Champions Went to work til 8 then drove back up to Worcester (family) to stay the night, got there at about 2 Woke up at 6 to head into the city early Left Boston at midnight got home in time to shower before going back to school on Wednesday Needless to say I slept for about 15 hours last night In synopsis 8 hours of sleep 16 hours of driving In Mass for 30 hours In Jersey for 35 hours

I remember seeing on Sons of Sam Horn that since May 3rd when he struck out swinging he has swung at 139 balls and missed 4 times

Personally I'm hoping to the Sox pick a Shortstop(their weakest position in the farm). Obviously the best SS is Jackson but he'll be go in the top 15 at least. Their is a solid contingent of Shortstops that may get to the sandwich round: (brewerfan rankings in [#]) Nick Noonan[44] Ryan Dent [40] Christain Colon[53] Zach Cozart[52] Noonan probably doesn't have the range to stay at short so that rules out him Dent has the range and is very speedy, compared to Furcal, only shortstop I would consider taking with the Sox first pick. Colon has a good glove and will stick at short, his bat is a bit weaker then Dent's, lower ceiling. Cozart has a Gold glove cailiber glove, not a great hitter, can fly up the system, low ceiling, Pedroia with less bat and more glove. If the Sox don't get one of those three they could go for Josh Horton out of UNC. Might fall to Boston in 2nd Round(#72 by Brewfan) or could fly up the charts if he has a year similar to last year. Other Guys I would like for the first two picks: Wes Roemer Josh Donaldson Wynn Pezler Eddie Kunz Sam Demel Andrew Carignan Jordan Zimmerman JAmes Adkins Cole St. Clair

I believe that's wrong 41:Gonzalez 54: Foulke http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/askba/263078.html http://soxprospects.wikispaces.com/2007+Draft+Watch

I was at the BC game it was a great

Finally a win. The defense showed up for the most part today and the relievers were actually good. I can't believe I'm saying this but the Sox are really missing Manny in Left