Bill Hall
The Red Sox acquired Bill Hall from the Mariners yesterday for Casey Kotchman. They also received a player to be named later and cash. Prospect Insider speculates it might be Hassiel Jimenez.
Hall is set to earn $8.4mm this year, but the cash in the deal will make the Red Sox hit only around $1.375mm or so. I haven't found details on this yet, but Cot's Baseball Contracts suggest that amount.
Hall hit 35 home runs one year, but that was 2006 and since then, he hasn't done anything offensively. 2007 - 740 OPS (not bad), 2008 - .689, 2009 - .596 (ughh).
Hall will come in handy as a super utility player with his ability to play any outfield spot and any infield spot except first. A quick look suggests he's a decent all around fielder, which is really where his only value lies.
Kotchman found himself without a position, especially with Mike Lowell still on the team. Given Lowell's recent surgery, it is unlikely the Red Sox will be able to move him prior to spring training, so they'll let him get healthy and showcase him in pre-season and early regular season.
I think there is a strong chance he stays with the team well into the 2010 season given his decent righty bat and the risk that David Ortiz doesn't return to form. He is a luxury to be sure at $12mm, but if he stayed, it wouldn't be the worst thing for the team, although he might not enjoy it that much.
Using February 17th as a reporting date, we are about 41 days until spring training!
Comments
I'm ok with how the team is being build, assuming there is a move at the trade deadline for a bat.
This team, barring injuries, should be a very good regular season team. In the playoffs they should hold teams to few runs but facing 1-3 type starters will limit their runs as well.
Posted by: blmeanie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 9, 2010 09:09 AM
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blmeanie, obviously I'd like more pop from the line-up, but it really isn't such a bad idea to improve on defense and pitching.
I don't think anyone can really put a value to what they've done until we see the team in action, that said, the line-up has enough tough outs and moderate power to keep them in games. A full season of Victor over JV is a plus too, but I'm with you 100%, they must make a deadline deal for pop.
Unless this team surprises us and somehow is dominant as contructed (I don't see dominant, I see good).
Posted by: Andy | January 9, 2010 11:00 AM |