vjcsmoke

I think Valentine needs to be fired. And it's not entirely his fault. But this team needs to start over from square one. That means a new manager, hopefully we find a good one. Besides Valentine doesn't get a long with several key team members including Dustin Pedroia. Time to start anew for the new season!

After watching him play, I can say with some confidence that Loney sucks pretty badly at offense for a first baseman. He has an OPS of .653 for the Red Sox to date. Loney is a competent backup but NOT somebody you want playing in a starting role come 2013. The Lars Anderson ship has sailed, so I don't know what options the Sox have left at 1B but there's gotta be some warm body we can get a hold of who is better than the suckitude that is Loney. I really wish we hadn't traded Reddick for Bailey and a bucket of golf balls but that's exactly what we did. I am thinking that if Kalish emerges, he could be our guy at RF. Hopefully we extend Ellsbury and move him to LF, then let a guy like Nava or the up-and-coming Bradley take over at CF. If we trade Ellsbury or let him walk, the Sox have their work cut out for them retooling the outfield. The infield is pretty much set except for 1b. 2b - Pedroia is a top 5 player at his position in the ML. 3B - Middlebrooks looks to be a stud and future #3 batter for us. SS - we have Ciriaco, Aviles, plus guys like Iglesias and Bogaerts waiting to challenge for a spot. At C we have the duo of Salty/Lavarnway. Really, we just need a solid to good 1b, and one guy to step up in the young outfield. I presume we will resign Ross for reasonable money to man a corner OF position such as RF. Starting pitching is another concern, but Buccholz, Lester, and Doubront form a core that gives reason for optimism. I think at least one of those guys will step up to be a #1 pitcher for us, if not we have plenty of money and prospects to deal for one during winter meetings. The last concern i have outside our hole at 1st base is whether Big Papi will return or not. He is solely a DH at this point in his career but vastly outpeforms other options we have offensively. I wouldn't give him more than a 1 or 2 year deal however as batters of his age can fall of a cliff quite quickly. But its hard to argue with his results and production. Whether or not we keep Big Papi will speak volumes about the Sox approach to team-building this winter.

I hear that the Sox are discussing a trade for Garza with the Cubs and that Bard could be part of the trade package. IMO, you return Bard to a middle reliever role and he'll go back to being the fireballing 100 mph+ badass. It's just that our bullpen is so good right now,and our starting pitching so bad that we've forced Bar to attempt to be a starter and that might be a round peg in a square hole fit. "•The Cubs could be interested in Red Sox pitcher Daniel Bard in a Matt Garza trade. Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, and Jason McLeod all have a strong history with the right-hander." -see mlbtraderumors.com

So how about a package of Lavarnway, Matsuzaka, Youkilis and a couple of raw but high upside prospects? I think Matsuzaka might thrive in the National league. I know he has been dogged by injuries lately, but he just got healthy. If he continues to pitch well, he will have some value and is on a reasonable contract. Youkilis contract has a 1m buyout, so he's a one year rental, and Lavarnway offers long term starter at C for the Cubs. http://bosoxinjection.com/2012/06/04/youkilis-contract-could-handcuff-red-sox-trade-ability/

So the question is what can we get for Youkilis. What the Red Sox need the most is either a Corner Outfielder or more starting pitching. I am thinking they are not going to get any immediate help unless there is a team with matching needs who happen to have a veteran they'd like to exchange salaries with the Red Sox. But in that case it is likely to be a bad contract, but we don't need any more bad contracts with the albatross of Carl Crawford still with the Sox. Honestly, if we could dump Crawford's contract and Youkilis, I'd be willing to take nothing back in return but single A level prospects. Not likely going to happen even if offered unless there's a team that thinks Youk and Crawford will take them over the hump into the playoffs.

As for how much you can get in trade for Youkilis. That matter is certainly up for debate! http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1211799-what-can-the-red-sox-get-for-youkilis-in-a-trade# Assuming that Youkilis isn't enough. The Red Sox might consider parting ways with Jacoby Ellsbury in order to get another piece for the OF. Ellsbury will likely demand more money than the Red Sox can afford, because of the albatross that is the Carl Crawford contract. So the trade would look something like this: Kevin Youkilis + Jacoby Ellsbury + Prospect for Hanley Ramirez + Giancarlo Stanton + Prospect Red Sox install Giancarlo as one of their corner outfielders of which they really need another badly, plug in Ramirez at short, and move Aviles to super-sub if. They then trot out Nava or Lin as their CF. Marlins move Youk to 3rd, and plug in a new superstar CF in Ellsbury. A minor exchange of prospects might happen to even out the deal. Win-Win for both teams!

Just noting that Hanley is struggling over there in Marlins land for the past 1.5 seasons or so. And they recently signed Reyes to a mega-contract. Wouldn't it make sense to trade say a package involving Youkilis for Hanley? Youk is more of a real 3rd baseman than Hanley. We don't need 3rd base help since we have Middlebrooks. http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/6195/hanley-ramirez Hanley's offense would be a huge upgrade over Aviles, although he's having a 'nice' season by his standards, if Hanley returns to form this season he would be much better. Hanley might just need a change of scenery to turn things around. And an infield that includes H. Ramirez, D. Pedroia and Middlebrooks might be the most talented in baseball. Thoughts? http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/29145/mike-aviles

Scutaro's not a problem but he isn't a solution either. He doesn't have the athleticism or range to be a major league starting shortstop, and defense up the middle C/SS/CF are absolutely vital to success. When a pitcher knows that the guys behind him will fully back him up, that gives him that much more confidence. Give me Reyes and you'll see better defense, and an even more potent lineup for the Red Sox. If we have to find a way to dump Crawford to be able to afford Reyes, then i say do it. Crawford has speed and athleticism but has never displayed the leadoff skills that the Red Sox need. You've also got to wonder if Crawfords woes in Boston mean that he either can't handle the pressure of playing in Boston or if he's just not suited for Fenway.

Yankees won quite a few championships with Pettite though, didn't they? If I were the Red Sox, I'd add CJ Wilson and Reyes via free agency. Then trade for an above average RF. I don't expect DiceK to be back or contrinbuting in any capacity. It would be nice to resign Pepelbon but not necessary. Bard can be our closer if Paps walks. Ortiz, I think we're gonna let him go, not because he doesn't have anything left, but because we're gonna need to move Youks over to DH. He can't stay healthy and on the field at 3B anymore. Lineup with Reyes looks pretty awesome actually. 1. Reyes 2. Pedroia 3. Ellsbury 4. Gonzalez 5. Youkilis 6. Crawford 7-9 Whoever else.

I don't think DiceK will be back. A move out west would probably do him good. Maybe to the Mariners?

Thanks for all you've done for the Red Sox Tito. 2004 was pure magic. 2007 was a great repeat. This last season was a bad note to see you off. But best of luck for the rest of your career wherever it may be. And thanks for the memories.

Unless you're getting King Felix, there's no way I trade Ellsbury. He's a 30/30 Rickey Henderson type of leadoff hitter. You don't trade that away. Our problem is that Carl Crawford sucks royally, Lackey sucks big time, Drew is washed up, and Youkilis got hurt. Also does anyone REALLY believe that Scutaro is a starting shortstop at the ML level? Because I don't.