5GoldGlovesOF,75

Can't play 3B; too short (not "short, too"... though listed as 3 inches taller than Durbin, which is ironic since most pro ballplayers are 3 inches shorter than listed).

You would know. But I would expect it will take MLB-ready pitching for Houston to deal. Early is hurt, Bello is owed lots, and Tolle isn't happening... so it has to be Bennett. Unless they'd want a couple guys not far away, like Eyanson and Holobetz.

Sea Dawgs have been playing Arias at 2B lately, too... getting him ready for a utility role in a big league stretch run (or showcasing him for someone else's run)?

I like Pena better anyway. He's a better hitter and Neto leads the league in strikeouts; I know Zach has big time power, but I'm so sick of Red Sox Ks. And we already know Pena can succeed in New England, drafted out of UMaine!

Or upgrade to Mrs. Middlebrooks and Jahmai Webster until Heidi Whatney returns.

If he's a shortstop he can play anywhere: Broadway, Vegas, Whisky a Go-Go...

Hey! NO POLITICS. (just in case there are politicians posting here hiding behind nicknames)

It's imprudent to expect the Red Sox offense as is to contend the rest of the season. Add a couple big league bats asap, and don't ask "where would we put them?" How about in two of the top five slots in the batting order. Why is it worth it NOW to trade prospects who may or may not be good in the future? Say what you want about this club's chances, but don't forget in the recent surge they swept both New York teams -- clubs that never sell and always go for it.

"By acquiring Jahmai Jones we've bolstered our outfield corpse," said nobody out loud in the front office. "His 2 homers, .137 batting average and .440 OPS from the right side are the perfect complement to Duran from the left side."

You got it all wrong. If women keep their virtue -- and patience is a virtue -- then men are the patients.

But I know there are some fans who don't ever want to mortgage the future to actually, ya know, win the present. So let's keep -- and pay -- all our top prospects and wait for them to instantly mature and erupt into superstardom and someday when we're really counting on their youthful vigor we can hide the faces of the franchise a thousand miles away to rehab another injury instead of hang with underpaid underappreciated teammates and sap the energy off their opportunity.

It was a hypothetical, like 99.9% of the suggestions here (although if anyone sells while they're in 1st, it's the Rays). But that's exactly the kind of deal Breslow needs to make asap -- and yes, giving up a prospect for a good big leaguer on an expiring contract is what teams serious about contending do every. single. summer.

That was actually fun rereading. Still not sure what anyone's one definition of value is: money owed, years signed, WAR, but mine is always if a guy is good right now. So this week, I'd like to revisit the second page of the argument and suggest a Yandy Diaz trade for Kyson Witherspoon. Why would anyone say no if the AL's top hitter was available for a minor league A ball pitcher, and such a deal would transform a feeble offense into a bonafide contender that could win the playoffs and get into the World Series.

Oh no you don't. Last winter, when I said I wanted the Sox trade for Yandy Diaz, you specifically suggested that David Hamilton would be a fair offer. Shirley, you haven't forgotten our mild debate?

Hamilton! That was your trade offer last winter for Diaz. Nobody else thought it was enough, but just look at what Hammy got us instead (with Harrison as a throw-in): an entire starting infield minus a suspended All-Star!