KillerB wrote:
Buffs, I could definitely live with Hinske as our backup. He's a decent bat and can play a couple different positions. I agree that Kotchman is more valuable as a trade chip for this team because he is cheap, has upside as a former first round pick, is still relatively young, and can only play one position (though he does play an excellent 1B, his inability to play other positions doesn't make him a great fit as a part timer). I would also love to see the Sox kick the tires on Nolasko. He would be a great end of the rotation starter for next season and has the upside to be a top of the rotation guy in the future.
I do not think the Red Sox should sell the farm for Gonzalez or Halladay. I would give up a lot for Hernandez though; 23 year olds with that type of ability is incredibily rare. However, I doubt he's available, despite the reports that "groundwork for a deal" was layed out over the trade deadline. It just makes no sense for a team on the rise, like Seattle, to trade its best player while he is still relatively cheap. Nevermind that Seattle isn't a small market team as it is; they had one of the highest payrolls just a couple years ago.
I think the Red Sox first have to address the SS situation. Lowrie has not been able to stay healthy and Gonzalez doesn't hit enough to play regularly on this team. Iglesias is at least a year away and it's still up in the air whether or not he'll be able to hit enough to play in the bigs. For this reason, the guy I think the Sox should target this offseason is Yunel Escobar of the Braves. There were reports that Escobar was in Bobby Cox's "dog house" this past season and, despite the fact Cox is supposed to retire after this year, they still might be willing to part ways with him at the right price. If you can get him without giving up Westmoreland, Kelly, or Buchholz (which I think we can) I think you make that trade.
Another move the Sox have to make is parting ways with Varitek. I love what Tek has done for us in the past and he was a great player a few years back but he simply has no value left. The Red Sox need a backup C who can throw runners out. I don't know who's avilable as a target but, in my opinion, they have to acquire a quality defensive C.
They should also absolutely try to sign Holliday or at least resign Bay if they can't sign Holliday. Any other free agent would not be able to meet the offensive expectations the Red Sox have for their lineup and any quality OF available in a trade would come at a heavy prospect cost.
The icing on the cake for the offseason would be if the Red Sox could move Lowell for something useful (maybe a RP?) and sign Adrian Beltre to a 1 year deal. This would vastly improve the infield defense and he could still have some offensive upside left in him (30 years old), especially playing at Fenway.
If they could pry Escobar away from the Braves at a reasonable price they could accomplish two things: 1.) Fill the SS hole for 2010. 2.) Slide him over to third in 2011 if Iglesias is ready. If not, Lowrie can perhaps fill in at ss or 3rd until Jose is good to go.
