We already have a thread for in season trade news items. There is discussion going on about possible Sox moves in threads all over the place as we approach the
end of July. I thought maybe it's time for a consolidated thread concerning player movement as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches, what the Sox
should be trying to accomplish, and if/when something happens, assessing the worth and ramifications of such moves.
To start off, I'd like to note the following:
(1) As many people have said in various places, the Sox have a legitimate chance at another title this year. That means the team should be serious about looking for upgrades that can help them get over the hump. Every indication we have is that management is doing just that.
(2) As mentioned elsewhere, the Sox have prospects and available cash sufficient to make virtually any move, or maybe a couple of moves, that they choose. That is a luxury most franchises do not have.
(3) That being said, my view of the Sox's situation is that they will have difficulty in making upgrades precisely BECAUSE they are fairly to very strong across the board as a team. Where a team is fairly to very strong it is difficult to upgrade. To my way of thinking, if the Sox don't make the playoffs or fall short therein this year, it will be because they can't quite get it done generally, not that there are a couple of black holes that sink them.
(4) If there is to be a move, we have to ask ourselves: What does THEO think is/are the weaknesses that need to be addressed to give the Sox their best shot, and are there available options to address those weaknesses? I see the weaknesses as: (a) Deciding on what the ultimate rotation will be, but this is an issue of subtraction, not acquisition. The only real move that makes any sense would be for Halladay, and that possibility seems to be receding; (b) SS given the uncertainty about what Lowrie will do at this point -- JJ Hardy, anyone?; (c) 1B/3B, but the Sox really are having difficulty evaluating what Lowell might give them. Not from a personal standpoint, but from a team standpoint, it might almost be better if his physical condition deteriorates so that it would be clearer what they need to do; (d) Possibly catcher, but this is the position where the Sox seem least able to help themselves this year, and anyway, Varitek is one of the players, like it or not, that they are going to sink or swim with; (e) Bay's defense in LF, but again, let's face it: he is the man at least until 2009 is over. Any other maneuvering is going to be tinkering around the edges.
Moderators, feel free to delete this post if you think there's no need for such a thread.
To start off, I'd like to note the following:
(1) As many people have said in various places, the Sox have a legitimate chance at another title this year. That means the team should be serious about looking for upgrades that can help them get over the hump. Every indication we have is that management is doing just that.
(2) As mentioned elsewhere, the Sox have prospects and available cash sufficient to make virtually any move, or maybe a couple of moves, that they choose. That is a luxury most franchises do not have.
(3) That being said, my view of the Sox's situation is that they will have difficulty in making upgrades precisely BECAUSE they are fairly to very strong across the board as a team. Where a team is fairly to very strong it is difficult to upgrade. To my way of thinking, if the Sox don't make the playoffs or fall short therein this year, it will be because they can't quite get it done generally, not that there are a couple of black holes that sink them.
(4) If there is to be a move, we have to ask ourselves: What does THEO think is/are the weaknesses that need to be addressed to give the Sox their best shot, and are there available options to address those weaknesses? I see the weaknesses as: (a) Deciding on what the ultimate rotation will be, but this is an issue of subtraction, not acquisition. The only real move that makes any sense would be for Halladay, and that possibility seems to be receding; (b) SS given the uncertainty about what Lowrie will do at this point -- JJ Hardy, anyone?; (c) 1B/3B, but the Sox really are having difficulty evaluating what Lowell might give them. Not from a personal standpoint, but from a team standpoint, it might almost be better if his physical condition deteriorates so that it would be clearer what they need to do; (d) Possibly catcher, but this is the position where the Sox seem least able to help themselves this year, and anyway, Varitek is one of the players, like it or not, that they are going to sink or swim with; (e) Bay's defense in LF, but again, let's face it: he is the man at least until 2009 is over. Any other maneuvering is going to be tinkering around the edges.
Moderators, feel free to delete this post if you think there's no need for such a thread.
