« Projo SoxTalk with McAdam: Schilling's swipe at Theo
Main
Ramirez falls in All-Star vote count »
June 26, 2007
Today's Sports Chat was all Red Sox, all the time. Here's the transcript. Remember to join Art tomorrow at noon: go to projo.com/chat, pick a display name and enter the sports chat room to send your questions.
soxx: Do you think Theo would make a :rental" deal for Buehrle? and is there any chance that we might get Iguchi as part of any deal?
Art Martone: Hi, soxx. I think the Sox would make a ''rental'' deal for Mark Buehrle, and take the draft choices when he walks away as a free agent (probably to the Cardinals) at the end of the year. But I don't think Iguchi would be included because that would, by definition, raise the price. I think the Sox would only do this if they held onto the very best prospects -- Clay Buchholz, Jacoby Ellsbury, maybe Daniel Bard -- and dealt second-level minor-leaguers like Brandon Moss or Jed Lowrie. They couldn't get Iguchi if that were the case; they'd need to give more. (I assume your thinking is, move Pedroia back to shortstop and put Iguchi at second.) But as time passes and more and more teams begin sniffing around Buehrle, I think it's more likely the White Sox might be able to get the kind of prospects, out of someone, that the Sox probably won't surrender, and thus I think a Buehrle-to-Boston trade is a long shot. I've been wrong before, though.
SoxFanatic456: After last night's night performance, does it look like Timlin's run with the Red Sox is just about over? If the Red Sox would want to part ways with him, how would they do it? Trade? Release? Send down? Retire?
Art Martone: Sean McAdam and I discussed this today on Sox Talk, and Sean's take is ''What you see (from Timlin right now) is what you're going to get (the rest of the way).'' I tend to think that's true. I know there's a lot of organizational affection for Timlin, whose been a good soldier and a great ambassador in the community, and Terry Francona in particular thinks the world of him. That said, we know they're looking for bullpen help and I get the feeling that Timlin's spot is the most vulnerable. In a perfect world (for the Red Sox), he'd retire and save them the pain of having to release him, which is more likely. Judging by his postgame comments -- that his command and location were off -- it doesn't sound like Timlin is ready to give it up, and so I think the day will come where they're going to have to release him.
soxx: Art, my first time here, was unaware of your chats, its great to have access to someone knowledgable on the Sox. thanks for your 1st answer, but were you aware that Iguchi played ss in japan for 5 years?
Art Martone: Thanks, soxx! I was thinking Pedroia would be easier to switch since he's younger than Iguchi (Tadahito is, I believe, 32). Also -- and I didn't know this until today -- Iguchi is in the walk year of his contract, too, meaning it would be a rental for *two* players since reports are that Iguchi wants to play somewhere warmer than Chicago. In that case, it seems more and more unlikely that Iguchi would be included in a trade to the Red Sox.
SoxFanatic456: What are the latest on the Mark Buehrle rumors? Is there any possibility that the Red Sox could be showcasing Kason Gabbard as a part of this deal? Also, how serious are the Red Sox in trading for Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, if the Rockies are still interested in Tavarez the Red Sox could trade him there for Fuentes when Lester returns, is there any possibility of that happening?
Art Martone: I can't believe the Fuentes rumors are all that serious, at least not to the Red Sox, for any number of reasons: 1) The Rockies are still in the hunt, so why would they trade him? 2) The Sox *have* a closer, who's better than Fuentes. 3) Even if Fuentes would agree to accept a setup role, he's left-handed and Boston is already tilting a bit left in the bullpen. 4) Fuentes would have more value to a team actually looking for a closer, which means Colorado -- if they choose to go that route -- could get more than the Red Sox would be willing to give.
soxx: In your opinion, is there any chance of moving Lugo, and to where?
Art Martone: Not at the moment, not with almost all the four-year, $36 million contract remaining and with him playing as poorly as he is. If the Sox dumped him now, it would be the ultimate sell-low strategy. I think their only real option is to wait it out and hope he somehow gets out of this funk that's all but paralyzed him at the plate. Odds are he will; at least, the odds are he won't hit .190 this year. But having said that, I still remember George Scott hitting .171 in 1968 and thinking all year that *he* would break out it eventually, that -- having hit .303 the year before -- there was no way his batting average could tumble 130 points in a single season. But it did.
Warren: Tavarez clearly was not on his game last night...do you think the 97 pitch outing prior may be the cause ?
Art Martone: No, Warren, I just think he was pitching at a level not consistent with his ability and this was the natural pullback to what he actually is. After all he's done for the Red Sox this year, though, he deserves a mulligan for that one.
Warren: Art....assuming A-Rod invokes the option on his contract and the sox are not interested....seems to me that A-Rod and Boras then would have over played their hand since the only real bidder at that kind of money would be the yanks...I can't see anyone else offering stupid money for a guy who wherever he goes the team performs badly and improves greatly when he leaves
Art Martone: Oh, I can. The Giants, the Cubs, the Angels, maybe even the White Sox . . . the bidding could escalate quickly. And I don' t think there's any way the Sox *wouldn't* be interested if A-Rod hits the market.
soxx: Its been reported that Reinsdorf will not allow any window for extension with buehrle, do yyou think he may for Iguchi, if sox were to just ant him?
Art Martone: I don't think the Red Sox are interested enough (or at all) in Iguchi that they would ask. They already have Lugo under contract through 2009, and I think upper management would frown upon giving another multiyear contract to an infielder in his 30s.
Dave: Why don't the Sox insert Cora at SS instead of a $36 million dollar SS that hasn't had a hit since June 15th?
Art Martone: Hi, Dave. I'm fairly certain Cora will play more and more in the days ahead, but will he get the job full-time? I wonder. They just have too much invested in Lugo -- monetarily, but also in they've built their team (with him playing a key role) -- to pull the plug on him three months into a four-year contract. It's still early enough that he can turn things around, and their lead frees them from any sense of urgency about making a switch. But if it gets close to playoff time and Lugo is still struggling to hit his weight . . . well, different rules then.
soxx: Art, really hope you're wrong on Sox having an interest in Arod, I, for one, do not want "the curse of Arod' anywhere near the Sox.
Art Martone: A lot of people don't -- Warren especially! -- but I think he'd intrigue the Sox management. He's a great player, and I mean a Great Player, and if he ever got here, I think he'd be a cinch to finish his career with 800 home runs. As for the "Curse of A-Rod," I just don't think he's the reason his teams get worse -- or, more accurately, have worse records than the year before -- when he joins them, nor do I think his departure is the reason his former teams get better. The guy has a lot of baggage, I will grant you, and some people don't particularly care for him, but on the field . . . I'd take him.
Dewey24: Art, I know the permium is on ptiching (and I think the Sox should take a run at Otsuka) but I really think they need one more .380+ OBA guy. Seems to me we keep leaving men in scoring position - eps with bases loaded (see last night) and nt getting anything. Any talk about a move for a legit position player like a Texiera - with obviously Lowell headed off somewhere else?
Art Martone: Hi, Dewey. I'm with you. This lineup is about one hitter shy of being really dangerous, and I'd love to see them pick up another bat. The only problem is, the positions where they need offensive upgrades -- center field and shortstop -- are not positions where those types of hitters are readily available. I think if they make such a move, it would be what you suggest: For a first baseman like Texeira, with Youkilis moving to third and Lowell headed out. I know there were internal Texeira discussions earlier, and maybe they'll be revisited as we get closer to the deadline (and Teixeira comes off the DL). I can't see them making another run at Todd Helton, if for no other reason than Helton's left-handed and they would tilt too far left. We'll see who becomes available in the next few weeks.
Warren: Art....do you see JD Drew being moved come trade time ? Who would want him with that contract ?
Art Martone: I don't think there's any way they trade Drew. Main reason? They don't want to.
Dewey24: Also, you mentioned Moss as a 2nd tier prospect. But every time I see him play he's solid, has pop and a hose for an arm with high OBP. Seems like everything Drew was projected to be without the injuries. I know there's a big drop between MLB & AAA but I would hate to see this guy get packaged for a ham & egger like Buehrle and end up being the next Freddy Sanchez or Hanley Ramierz. Have the Sox thought about giving him a 1st baseman's mitt?
Art Martone: Not that I know of. I think they see Moss as a step behind Jacoby Ellsbury as a prospect, and with Drew on board they don't see the need for many young outfield prospects. That's why I think they'd be more likely to include Moss in a deal of "second-level" prospects, because I don't think they see him projecting to be in the Boston outfield.
soxx: Coco seems to be picking it up, saw the report saying magadan changed his stance, with his defenze am happy in cf for now, Ss seems only weak spot
Art Martone: That's true. If Crisp can hit .275 or so, with his defense he's an asset. To this point he hasn't hit that well, which is why I looked at center as a position for upgrade.
soxx: Do you see any realistic deals done by theo before the deadline?
Art Martone: I think they'll definitely do something to attempt to strengthen the bullpen. Anything bigger depends on a lot of moving parts, the kind of trades that have proved difficult for the Sox to make in the last couple of years. But I would say they're almost certain to do something involving a relief pitcher or two.
Warren: Schiling has apparently taken offense to Theo's remark that Schilling taking a break now( on the DL) may be a blessing in disguise...Well duh ! Of course it will ...at Schilling's age...no brainer...as long as he keeps up his conditioning...this indeed is a blessing in disguise ! the only one that should take offsense are the people that are being fooled...Schilling is thinking about next year's contract and doesn't want any time off .
Art Martone: Could be, Warren, could be. But I think he'd be better served by taking some time off and pitching healthy rather than pitching through pain and seeing his performance suffer. The Sox would benefit, too.
soxx: Otsuka or gagne possibilities?
Art Martone: The price tag for them might be too high, since other teams may target them as more important pieces than the Sox will. I can see other teams offering more for either, or both, than Boston. But I think the Red Sox will definitely kick the tires on the two of them, and who knows? Maybe something can be worked out.
soxx: Art, sorry i have missed your chats before, how long have you been doing them?
Art Martone: We started them a few weeks ago, and they're catching on. Eventually, we'd like to spread them around to the other writers. Shalise Manza Young has already done a Patriots chat, and we're hoping to do more.
Warren: Hi Art...assuming the yanks don't make the playoffs...I envision a double dip firing...Cashman and Torre ...what do you think ?
Art Martone: It's not often you and I are in complete agreement, Warren -- see Terry O'Reilly and Don Cherry -- but we are here. If the Yankees don't make the playoffs, I can see both of them being dismissed.
Warren: Art...do you think to much is being made of the drop off in numbers for Ortiz and Manny ?
Art Martone: Interesting question. They're both hitting well, just not for the kind of power we're accustomed to. Me, I don't see it as a big concern because I don't think either one of them has lost his power, at least not to a great extent. As Kevin Youkilis says, they'll eventually get to their normal numbers, which means we could be in for a big second half, power-wise, from both of them.
Warren: Art...seems like the New York media has the best of both worlds...the yanks play bad...lots of stories in that...the team whips putrid teams and shaves the deficit and everyone is yelling 78'...the team takes another dive and the media is back to hanging everyone in sight ...lots of fodder either way ?
Art Martone: I thought it was the fans more than the media harping on '78, but you live there and you'd know better than me. In any case, there's been plenty to talk about, hasn't there?
soxx: Art, Do you see any future for Wily Mo with the ?Sox
Art Martone: Theo Epstein still likes Pena and has hopes for him. I see his upside -- 40-homer potential -- but I can see having to go through a lot of rocky road to get there, and I don't know that the Sox can be that patient.
Dewey24: Actually I think this is the last year of Torre's contract so Warren will have to be content with a single firing and a no-rehire of Torre. Though personally I would bag Cash. This team is his mess, and the Yankees have underachieved since he's been GM. (As a Sox fan I hope Cash stays, of course)
Art Martone: That's true, Dewey. His contract runs out at the end of 2007. Of course, he might get fired before the end of '07, which could give Warren his two-fer.
mike: That's all the time we have today, folks, and we're sorry we did not get to several questions. But we will be back tomorrow from noon to 1.
Posted by Mike McDermott 
at 1:12 PM to Martone
| Permalink
