SoxSport

Trading Kalish would be folly. He is Ellsbury insurance. I'd trade Ells first. Kalish might be as good in a year or so. He's hitting well in Pawtucket and could be a 20-20 guy, as James predicted.

I agree with Larry they need some bold moves. Theo screwed the pooch with some bad signings and deals, Larry did the same with his handling of the management changes, and now they have to change direction in a few places. Trouble is, I don't think they have the right leadership in the front office to do the job. Cherington strikes me as being too conservative and inexperienced to pull the trigger. Not aggressive enough. Passive is the word. Complacent is another--which maybe characterizes the organization. I hope they are considering that deal with Miami for CC. That would be a pretty bold move and get them out of that 6 year hole they are in with Crawford. It strikes me on the surface as a deal that could help all the players involved--with the change of scenery. A big RHd power guy like Hanley R. can't help but profit from Fenway, and the larger OF spaces in Miami's park would help Carl--along with their greater emphasis on speed. Miami has a pretty bold organization--from the off-season moves they have made. That is a marked contrast to the present Red Sox management. Seems to me, Carl or Ells has to go--just from a salary viewpoint. But also because of two LHd hitters at the top of the lineup who are about the same. If you're going to bat these guys 1-2, they better get walks and run like hell. Unfortunately, neither guy gets walks. The chemistry just isn't there keeping both these guys. The other option would be to trade Ells--for an ace like Felix. Maybe toss in Beckett for Vargas and League. Make Seattle an offer they can't refuse. Heck, they would be nuts not to take Ells for Felix. Besides, there's no guarantee Ells will re-sign in Boston. The 3rd "bold move" would be trading Beckett or Lester. Especially Beckett, who I think wants to be traded. He's certainly pitching like that. Lester is home-grown, younger and cheaper, but they still should be listening to deals for him.

This guy is wearing a sign on his forehead that says "trade me, please."

In the game last night, Ross saved them with the HR. But I remember the first inning when they made 3 outs on 6 pitches. I was not happy about that. They are just hitting away individually and not as a team. That hasn't changed much since last year. No thought of taking pitches and getting on base.

Hopefully, the leaks have stopped, so they can discuss things in private again. It's a good sign if you don't hear anything.

I'm beginning to think they have to trade Beckett and Lester. These guys have a problem. I don't think it's physical, so it has to be mental. They are underachieving, and maybe it's time to move both of them. The players seems to have gotten an upper hand in recent years, and maybe they don't like change.

Beckett 4 R first 2 innings. Beckett and Lester both seem to have a problem. Is it the same problem? Maybe it's time to trade both of them. The game is 50% mental.

As far as Felix goes, I see the Sox keeping either CC or Ells--not both. If CC gets dealt, they'll push hard to re-sign Ells. If CC stays, they might package Ells for Felix. Lester could also be involved here. There is also talk about Vargas for less pieces, but Vargas isn't better than what they have now. Looks like Hamels will re-sign in Philly, who will give him his $20 mil plus per year.

They have a good shot at Garza--what with the working relationship Epstein has with Cherington. My guess is the Sox get final dibs on offers for him. They might have to match somebody else. Theo knows which prospects he wants.

Tough to say this year because everybody is so bunched together. Whatever team gets hot down the stretch has the advantage. The Sox have a good shot because they are getting their troops back, and are in a position to improve themselves with deals. Things have to get better for them the 2nd half.

Yeah--Jennings was in Boston for his son's graduation. The smoke being blown is those guys you mentioned above. There is no deal--yet--to kill. Denials are SOP dealing with leaks. Olney is NY pundit. If you give me a week, I'll think of something positive a NY pundit has said about the Red Sox--or any other Boston team.

Just heard CC said on Vs show yesterday he was told not to run as much last year by Tito. He has the green light from V. It certainly looked that way last year. You take the running away from Crawford, you take away a large part of his game. It sounds prepostrous they would spend $140 million on a guy and try to change his game. That has HUBRIS written all over it.

Yahoo sports has had a story for 24 hrs saying the "deal flames out." They ran this story before the Marlins' Jennings showed up at Fenway last night to see CC. An example of poor reporting based on Olney's inaccurate twitter. The deal clearly isn't dead. It is a proposal--not a deal--at this point.

Watching Hanley hit, I think he'd be a better hitter in Fenway. He's hit a lot of balls right at people lately. Looks like Dempster is going to the Dodgers. Not starting for the Cubs tommorrow. He's better off staying in the NL. Maybe the Sox will get Garza.

The guy is a clutch hitter. And he's got the Fenway swing. He gets the ball up over the wall.

walkoff. way to go, Ross!!!

It's the pecking order. Aviles has been decreed the SS. Ciriaco is an outsider. That's the way they operate.

Bell is part of the proposed deal. He has a problem--I would guess too many cheeseburgers.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2012/07/larry_lucchino_1.html Has anyone posted this? Lucchino says BC is empowered to make a big deal. He also said Jennings, the Marlins VP, drafted Crawford and is in town looking at him. What it tells me is there is interest in both sides. No denials here.

Contract rules in these matters. They are stuck with Punto for 2 yrs.

They have to deal money if they are going to take on money. HR makes about $15 million.

Ha. Just heard Bob Ryan and Dan Shaughnessy debating whether CC should be traded for HR. They both said --In a minute. Yes. They wondered why Miami would be interested in Crawford and his huge contract. They also said the 2nd player in the deal would probably be Iglesias.? They have Reyes at SS, unless he moves to 3B. Didn't say anything about Bell. They said Ramirez could be a factor at Fenway and is cheaper than CC. But Bell evens the money out. Though the money is shorter than Crawford's and split up between 2 players. Both these guys said do the trade. But the Globe fan "poll" says 65/35 keep Crawford. Difference of opinion there, though these internet polls aren't really polls.