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The Red Sox have treated their shortstops like temps over the past 6 seasons. Let's review who has played shortstop for the Red Sox since Nomar Garciaparra was traded in 2004 (the majority for each season since the trade): Orlando Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, Alex Gonzalez, Julio Lugo, Julio Lugo again and Nick Green (AGon was also a major contributor toward the end of the 2009 season of course).

Now, for a "major market" team like Boston, it is only fair to compare their shortstop situation to that of other major market teams, no? So let's look at who the other major market team have had a shortstop since 2004:

NYY: Derek Jeter, Jeter, Jeter, Jeter, Jeter, Jeter (1 player)

LAA: David Eckstein, Orlando Cabrera, Cabrera, Cabrera, Erik Aybar, Aybar (3 players)

NYM: Kaz Matsui, Joese Reyes, Reyes, Reyes, Reyes, Alex Cora (injury to Reyes)(3 players)

CHC: Ramon Martinez, Neifi Perez, Ronny Cedeno, Ryan Theriot, Theriot, Theriot (4 players)

LAD: Cesar Izturis, Izturis, Rafael Furcal, Furcal, Angel Berroa, Furcal (3 players)

STL: Edgar Renteria, David Eckstein, Eckstein, Eckstein, Cesar Izturis, Bredan Ryan (4 players)

PHI: Jimmy Rollins, Rollins, Rollins, Rollins, Rollins, Rollins (1 player) DET: Carlos Guillen, Guillen, Guillen, Guillen, Edgar Renteria, Adam Everett (3 players)

HOU: Adam Everett, Everett, Everett, Everett, Miguel Tejada, Tejeda (2 players)

This illustrates it is possible to have a franchise shortstop, but it also tells us it isn't easy to have one player (or even just 2) lock down the position for a long period of time.

The Red Sox can't look to Gonzalez anymore as he signed with Toronto, so they are left to either sign someone like Marco Scutaro or Adam Everett if they choose the free agency route. Boston does have a few high-ceiling prospects in the minors who could handle the position (Jose Iglesias being the best known) down the road, but for 2009, we are again headed for uncertainty. Jed Lowrie hasn't stayed healthy and signing Scutaro would cost Boston a 1st round draft pick in 2010.

Oh well, they might just figure out the shortstop position at some point, but 2010 seems to be headed towards a patch-work of utility guys or overpaying a player that is as big a risk as anything on the open market having never played in Boston (Renteria and Lugo). We'll known soon enough.

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The NY Daily News is reporting that the Red Sox are making a strong push to acquire Toronto's Roy Halladay.  This would be a great acquisition for Boston, but is it the best way to upgrade the pitching staff?

For starters, it might take a package of Clay Buchholz, Casey Kelly and another 1-2 prospects (and maybe Daniel Bard) to make the move (I'm not here to suggest the above is the necessary package of players, just trying to introduce a concept).  Then, once here, Halladay would require an extension, 5 years at between $80mm or $90mm ($16m - $18mm per year) sounds about right.

Or perhaps the Red Sox just go out and sign John Lackey.  Lackey isn't as good as Halladay, but he also wouldn't cost as much and still provide a solid #2 pitcher.  Consider, signing Halladay would cost lots of money and lots of talent.  Signing Lackey would cost less money and only a 1st round pick in the 2010 draft.

You tell me, assuming both moves prove possible, which is the best approach?

Halladay is awfully tempting but would probably negate any possible offensive upgrade using prospects (names like Adrian Gonzalez and Miguel Cabrera have been mentioned).  In addition, whether or not the Red Sox re-sign Jason Bay will play into this as well.

To me, if the Red Sox can re-sign Bay, I'd make the Halladay move.  Jon Lester, Roy Halladay, Josh Beckett would be a compelling 1-2-3, wouldn't it?  If they cannot sign Bay or Matt Holliday, I think the focus needs to be a trade to upgrade the offense.

In an ideal world, I'd see the Red Sox re-sign Bay, trade for an offensive upgrade at shortstop or the corning infield and get Halladay.  That would make this a great off-season for Boston, but I'm not sure the minor league system has enough ammunition to get all of that done.

As we approach and enter the Winter Meetings (Dec 7-10), we should start getting some clarity on what the Red Sox will look like in 2010.

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Red Sox released George Kottaras today according to ESPN.

With the return of Jason Varitek, Kottaras wasn't deemed necessary to the big league club.  That said, I wonder if we'll see the Red Sox try to re-sign him at some point.

At first glance, I don't like this move.  Kottaras hasn't been given a prolonged chance in the majors and with Victor Martinez here, things weren't going to change, but why didn't they try to trade him or sneak him through waivers back to the minors?  Was it out of loyalty so he could choose his destination?

I'm interested to know more about why this was done and I hope we find out.

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 12:18 PM | Permalink

As the Red Sox try to plug some power into the 2010 line-up, it has become painfully clear that current management has failed at developing and retaining power through the minor leagues.  Take a look at the projected 2010 line-up (I'm not assuming anything with free agent players like Alex Gonzalez and Jason Bay):

c - V. Martinez - trade

1b - Youkilis - draft pick from prior regime

2b - Pedroia - draft pick from current regime

3b - Lowell - trade

ss - Jed Lowrie - draft pick from current regime

lf - Hermida - trade

cf - Ellsbury - draft pick from current regime

rf - Drew - free agent

dh - Ortiz - free agent

Of the above, I think there really is only one "power hitter" in that group.  You have guys like Youkilis who has hit for moderate power and plenty of production, Lowell, who's cap is probably 20-25 home runs, Drew another 15-25 home run guy and lastly Ortiz, the who certainly has been a power hitter, but has a lot to prove in 2010.

So if Jason Bay leaves, do the Red Sox have anything to pluck from the upper minor-leagues?  The short answer is, no.

The closest they have is Ryan Kalish, who hit 18 home runs in 2009 with a .455 slg, hardly jaw-dropping power.  Another is Lars Anderson, but he fell off in a big way in 2009.  In fact, the closest thing the entire system has to a power hitter is Yale (baseball powerhouse) grad Ryan Lavarnway who hit 21 HRs in 2009 with a .540 slg, but he is in mid-A ball playing for Greenville, South Carolina.  Another observation is perhaps they need to limit draft picks to batters named Ryan.

So what gives?  Well if you've read recent comments from Red Sox GM Theo Epstein saying J.D. Drew has been worth every penny, and some, of his current contract, maybe the Red Sox are avoiding the pure slugger.  But why?  I understand the focus on OBP, I really do, but don't some players slug and get on base? Why haven't the Red Sox stumbled on this kind of player in recent memory?  I know Albert Pujols types don't grow on trees, but that utter lack of power raised on the Red Sox farm is amazing.

So while we lament what the Red Sox don't have internally, we are forced to wait and hope the Red Sox can lure a slugger (or sluggers) from the free agent market or in a trade.  I appreciate that contributions of Pedroia and Ellsbury, but they are just one kind of player.

Warning:  The following statement cannot, in no way, be backed-up statistically:  The Red Sox need that boffo offensive threat that causes other managers to devote a disproportionate amount of time worrying about and gives the Red Sox some swagger.  I think the Manny Ramirez/David Ortiz combo did that but the current mix of players just doesn't instill fear.

I got that feeling of fear last year watching the Red Sox pitch to Jeter, ARod, Teixeira (and company).  It was terrible thinking about just what that line-up could do to a team.  Think about it, the Yankees have the marque hitters in Jeter, ARod and Teixeira, but also had 5 guys slug over .500 with 2 more knocking on that door.

The Red Sox need to build their line-up back to awe-inspiring heights and the good news is they certainly have the resources to do so.  It won't be an efficient use of $ or bodies, it never is, but the Red Sox will be a watered-down team in 2010 without some significant help.

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

There's been chatter that the Red Sox are looking at John Lackey. He'd be a good addition to be sure, but there also seems to be indication it was just preliminary talks, much like they do with most free agents.

Billy Wagner might just remain with the Red Sox. If they offer arbitration, Wagner would cost a team Type A compensation (1st round pick). So either he signs with another team as their closer or he can be a set-up man in Boston for very good money.  My bet is he returns to Boston.

The notion that the Red Sox are looking to deal for Adrian Gonzalez is great, but if they do consummate a deal, expect a truckload of talent to head west.  With former Asst. GM Jed Hoyer now running the show in San Diego, he has intimate knowledge of the Red Sox farm system and would likely ask for 3 or more of the best players and, to boot, would also have to get a name people have heard of to stave of criticism locally, so expect a Daniel Bard or Clay Buchholz to be in the mix.  Expensive indeed, but if they are looking to upgrade the offense, it might just be necessary.  Oh yeah, and it's only an upgrade if they re-sign Jason Bay or sign Matt Holliday too.

Tying the Lackey/Gonzalez talk together, perhaps Lackey would ultimately be a replacement for Buchholz (I'm not judging who's better, simply a swap of bodies).  You heard it here first.

With the new FM Sports talk station firing on all cylinders (98.5 The Sports Hub), there was an interesting question posed in yesterday's afternoon show (Felger and Massarotti).  I'll modify it a bit for this site and add to it to include the Yankees (condition - questions below pertain to the 2009 team):

Who is the most overrated Red Sox player?

Who is the most overrated Yankee player?

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 06:12 PM | Permalink

The Red Sox declined the team option on Jason Varitek today meaning he can either exercise his player option, or become a free agent.  It'll be strange to not see Varitek on the opening day roster if it comes to that.

Additionally, the Red Sox did exercise their option on Victor Martinez meaning he'll make $7.1mm in 2010.  This was a given, not sure there was any need to report on it in fact.

The Red Sox and Tim Wakefield ripped up the perpetual team option of $4mm a year and instead signed a 2 year, $5mm deal with incentives that could make it a $7mm deal.  Given Wakefield's health, this seems like a good move for both sides.

On the non-option side of things, Nick Green became a free agent today.  I think Green is a versatile player (he can pitch, never allowed an earned run!!) and is worth a roster spot in 2010.

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 03:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

In what appears to be a hedge against the possibility of losing Jason Bay, the Red Sox traded for outfielder, Jeremy Hermida.  Had this move been made 3 seasons ago, I'd have been thrilled, but Hermida hasn't lived up to his hype and now this move looks like a low-risk move for a player who will hopefully serve as a back-up.

A change of scenery might be what Hermida needs and he still might be a star, but after 5 seasons in the majors (and almost 2000 plate appearances), he is looking more like a mediocre player.  If Bay is re-signed, Hermida's acquisition will have been for depth, if Bay is not re-signed, Boston is clearly hoping they can extract that star potential.

As for Alex Gonzalez, the Red Sox held a 2010 option at $6.5mm, but declined it today.  The guess is they are trying to hammer out a 1 or 2 year deal with Gonzalez for much less $.

It'll be interesting to see this play out as if he is re-signed, it serves as evidence the Red Sox are content to let Jed Lowrie complete for playing time, while if they don't re-sign him, it says to me the Red Sox will try to solve SS via trade.  Letting Lowrie lay claim to SS is too dangerous as he just cannot stay healthy.

The General Managers Meetings kick off tomorrow in Chicago.  MLB doesn't screw around, just days after the World Series, teams are hard at work getting ready for 2010.  As most of you know, these meetings typically serve as the genesis of many trades and free agent signings later in the off-season.

Fire up the Hot Stove.

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 10:05 PM | Permalink

I know, I know, why bother posting about the Red Sox at this point in the season, but I was getting overwhelmed by Yankees banter and needed to put some Red Sox flavor back into this site, even knowing it'll quickly be drowned out by other topics...

Red Sox needs:

 - Shortstop

 - Left Fielder

 - Impact Bat

The Red Sox need other things besides the above, but those 3 are a good starting point.  Exercising the team option on Alex Gonzalez's deal ($6.5mm) would give you a steady, slightly range-challenged shortstop who cannot hit.  He is a known quantity and he would offer some comfort to fans and teammates alike, but he really isn't that good.  He doesn't get on base and his one heralded defense has gone from great to just ok.  The options include counting on Jed Lowrie (unlikely) or trading for a better solution.

Re-signing Jason Bay would be a good move to fill the LF void.  Matt Holliday is available too, but Bay proved he can handle Boston and is pretty consistent from year to year, so why not go with what you know versus taking a risk in signing a player not familiar with the Boston atmosphere (as pleasant as it is).

David Ortiz's struggles, Jason Varitek's disappearing act and no production from the shortstop position made the 2009 Red Sox offense anemic.  I've mentioned this before, but when Manny Ramirez left town, gone was the player in the line-up every team feared.  Bay is good, Youkilis is good, but the Red Sox do not have an elite, top 5 bat anymore.

Granted, just how many elite bats are there?  Albert Pujols, Joe Mauer, Ichiro, Hanley Ramirez, Prince Fielder, ARod, Mark Teixeira?  This list is not official of course and you could argue others belong, but the point is, the Red Sox have Bay and Youkilis as their best 2 hitters and while both are good hitters, they have holes.  Bay can go into a 2 month slump and Youkilis is only good for 145 games and lacks the power you'd like to see from a game-changing hitter.

So I'd like to see the Red Sox pursue such a player.  It'll cost a bunch, but it would be worth it.  This team needs a shot in the arm (no, not of steroids).  With no free agents fitting this mold, we are talking about a trade.

This season is mercifully coming to and end at which point we can all get on to talking about the important task of getting the Red Sox ready for 2010.

Posted by Andy (Red Sox) at 09:23 AM | Permalink