BSN07

Not really sure why OAK wants Jacoby. I didn't think crisp would be part of a deal for Haren either with them having Kotsay. I know he has injury issues but I thought he was signed long term. I know I'm a minority on this but I think Haren is a better cost controlled value. The 20M a yr we would save could go towards alot. A bat for instance after Manny leaves, cause I don't expect the Sox to pick up his 20M+ options. This something I have to think is being considered. If its the same or less prospects to get Haren I go that route and let NYY throw all there young gns away and pay 150M to Santana. Either way whatever happens this makes for great discussion:D

ORS, his skills could go way beyond Bradley. But this kid has an attitude problem and thats what will hold him back from becoming great. Going to a new organization might do him some good. I'm not saying he Never will blossom, just that h needs alot of work. He just seems to be one of those players with alot of issues to deal with. Some can coupe others can't. As for Bradley, yes he has great skills, but is a hot head pain in the ass, pretty much like Milledge. In fact his most recent out burst cost him big. So when putting a value on a player, this should be taken into account, which diminishes Milledges total value. If the Mets thought this guy is the stud that some claim, they would have gotten more for him. What they got in return was C which they needed and none worth anyhting where available, and a 4th OF with a limite ceiling. It says to me the Mets where thinking lost cause, and they got what they could get for him and also fill a couple needs on the team as well. Nothing big, just a move to sure up the roster.

not a bad signing. Timlin has had durability issues recently, but he still a solid not spectacular arm in the BP.

http://bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1048168#articleFull Mentions Sox and Yanks talking to Oakland about Haren for a similar or less of a package then it would cost for Santana. Not the greatest article Kilo, but it just shows that I'm not grabbing stuff out of thin air...

Yup and when those rumors where floating I said Milledge was not a great prospect and he was over valued. going from a trade for Manny to Church and a C, seems I was pretty close to right about him. He can still turn it around but I don't think he ends up being more then a Milton Bradley. When all the Vets had to knock him down a few pegs is when his value was starting to drop. NYM should have gotten something for him then, but they waited too long.

If we send the same package to Oakland(or close to it) that would mean(if deal is made)... Sox will have Haren at 3 yrs/16.25M +Ellsbury+Buccholz-$ it woul cost sign Santana, No contract envy from Beckett(not saying he would complain, but it should be considered). To be honest, I know Sanatana is the prize but thats not a bad fall back plan. I know Santana going to the Yanks is rough, but a rotation of Beckett, Harden, Matsuzaka,Schilling, Wake/Buccholz is better then what the Yanks will put out as of now. If Pettite comes back then the Yanks will also have a strong rotation and teams will not look forward to playing the Yanks or the Sox. If they don't already cringe when the 2 teams come to town.

Guys Milledge is not the prospect everyone thought he was. All the mets rumors with him as the center piece were a joke. They got a C and a up and coming OF for a Ego driven younger version of Milton Bradley, I think its a sweet deal.

The Sox FO has shown a nact for knowing who is going to be a difference maker. the fac that there Balking at Ellsbury in a Santana deal should enlighten us to what the FO expects him to be as a player...

Gammons favors the Yankees in the Santana derby, because he feels that Hank Steinbrenner could overrule Brian Cashman and include Phil Hughes in the deal. Some feel that the Red Sox are just trying to pump up the price and would then turn to the A's to get Dan Haren. Getting Haren instead of Santana may have the added benefit of not pissing off Josh Beckett about his salary. Id be ok with that, make NYY over pay for Santana prospect and $ wise, then go to oakland and get the cheaper Haren and avoid having to redo Becketts deal. Id actually rather have this deal. But it also depends on what it would take to get Haren, if it was still Crisp,Bowden, Lester, Masterson or something similar would be sweet.

Kilo, I understand and for the most part agree with you. Except for Ellsbury. Crisp ceiling is not much more then he is now, maybe a .280 hitter with great CF D. Ellsbury Ceiling has been compared to Beltran and Sizemore...Not saying he will ever reach that but he is a big time prospect. If he wasn't then Minny would not be holding out for him. Minny has been known for going after players with big upsides and players who usually end up being big time players. If Minny wants him, I think he has a fair shot at being a big time CF/

Jacko, I just wanted to point out that this is the same guy that has been saying all eek the Garza was going to TB and Young was coming to MInny with possible other players involved. Have to give him a little credit atleast. I'd do that deal in a second too, it all depends if someone sweetens the pot before the Sox can pull it off.

You would think that is true. the only thing is theres nothing out there news wise about Haren really. All the stories have everyone eyeing Santana or Cabrera. The Sox should forget Santana and go after Haren before the other two get dealt and Haren becomes the focus of multiple organizations...

This is part of Olneys insider page. I haven't read it all but he seems to be thinkiing what I was thinking. Say you are looking for a frontline starting pitcher. An ace. Somebody capable of helping to lead your team into the playoffs. You could back up your organization's truck and offer two Grade A prospects and a couple of Grade B prospects and call the Minnesota Twins about Johan Santana. And if you arrange a conditional deal with the Twins, you would have the opportunity to try to convince Santana to waive his no-trade clause. That could cost you merely the largest salary for any pitcher in the history of baseball: six years, $150 million, on top of the $13.25 million he is owed for next season. Or you could back up the organization's truck and offer three or four prospects for Oakland's Dan Haren. No strings attached, no no-trade clause. And here's the really good news: You would have to pay Haren just $4 million for 2008, $5.5 million for 2009, and he has a $6.75 million option for 2010.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3129805 Is he worth a shot? Maybe a change of scenary would do him some good.

Cashman does seem to have the clubs farm system back in a respectable order. Its the other at the top that like to trade them off for big name/$ guys. I guess it comes towho has the last word.

This sounds like Minny playing the two teams off each other to get the best deal. I'm pretty sure our FO has planned out what they are willing to give prospect and money wise and probably won't budge too much further on it. The Yanks FO is looking vulnurable after getting gouged by Arod. The Yanks might get desperate and gut there farm system.

Was this not to be expected? Both LA teams, Boston and NYM will have preliminary talks. In fact, i'm not really sure why this is a story to begin with. Must have been a slow newsday...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3128280

The Kilo, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! I've been saying the same thing, but some just won't listen... He's only 23 and has to build up his body to cope with the long ML season... If the team wasn't concerned about this kids arm, he would have been on the Post season roster. Keeping him off the roster shows that the FO is more concerned with him long term.

You could say that about the PO roster as well. But the Sox showed the commitment to bringing Buccholz along at a slow pace and not taking a isk with his arm for short term success. If the 5 Pitchers mentioned before are ready to go coming out of ST, Buccholz will be in the minors.

Hope he has a healthy recovery as well...

Good point, but if everyone is focused on Santana the Sox might be able to swoop in and nab him.

I know what you mean. Keeping what we have isn't a bad idea either. A rotation of Beckett, Dice-k, Schilling, Lester, Wake is not too bad at all. Buccholz wil be waiting in the wings and ready to come up around mid season. I think he could be our 5th SP, he most def has the stuff. I'm not sureif he can pitch a full season tho. I'm not sure what his inning total was this yr but I believe I read that the FO wanted it around 150 IP this yr and 175 IP next year.