Reggie Sanders Likes Red Sox

Is the feeling mutual?  39 year-old outfielder Reggie Sanders is finally back from his hamstring tear, pinch-hitting on Monday and playing left field last night against the Red Sox.  Sanders spoke positively of the possibility of playing for the Red Sox when asked.

In the half-month he's played this year, Sanders has hit well.  He has about $2.1MM left on his contract currently.  The Royals would probably trade him for some salary relief and an A ball long shot prospect.  The motivation for the Red Sox would be replacing Wily Mo Pena as the fourth outfielder, as the 25 year-old has really been scuffling this year outside of May.

Pena is a guy who really got the short end of the stick.  After hitting 45 homers in 647 ABs for the Reds from 2004-05, he was traded to the Red Sox and stopped playing regularly.  Surely that's hurt his development.  His comparables list is littered with 40-50 HR types, and as a baseball fan I want to see if he can realize that potential.  Hopefully there's a power-hungry team that values Pena as much as Epstein does and a deal can be made.  The Padres have been mentioned, and that sounds reasonable.

Comments

[ErroRod1985]

That would be a good fit. He can still hit, plays decent defense, and can hit a breaking ball. Wily Mo has upside powerwise, but he can't hit breaking balls for the life of him. He's had his chances, with coco being hurt the last couple years. And he hasn't done much to prove anything, other then the fact that if he gets a hold of a fast ball he'll crush it.

[Chipper]

Rumors have it that the Braves are interested in Coco Crisp, that could open a spot for Reggie.

[striker]

I remember when they said Reggie Sanders was the next Eric Davis. I still have his '91 Upper Deck rookie card.

ahhh the good old days

[firesticks]

Actually their careers have been quite similar. I don't believe Sanders was quite the player Davis was, but 300 HR and 300 SB is nothing to sneeze at.

[Ripwa]

A Crisp to the Braves deal makes a good deal of sense, but it's not going to happen till the offseason. Ellsbury isn't ready for the prime time and Pena is not a CFer. Crisp is playing too well for them to get rid of him now. He is leading the league in defensive WS and is hitting well enough to combine with his speed to be acceptable. I do like the idea of the trade in the offseason, however. Maybe the Sox would put a package together for Salty. Something revolving around Crisp and Bowden maybe.

[Mr_Punch]

Ripwa...you just beat me to it. Coco isn't going anywhere until the off-season. Despite lackluster numbers, his defense and speed mean a lot to this team (which I would personally describe as "low energy"). I can definitely see the sox being interested in dealing for Salty in the off-season. Tek is getting old. I would package just about anything except for Buchholz. Bowden, Lester, Hanson, Ellsbury, Coco, Wily Mo, Lowrie. Whoever. That said, if the Braves can really get a proven young talent like Snell, then more power to them. Or if they think Salty can remain at 1st base, then by all means, see what he can do. I only mention this because of the previous post about the braves' interest in Coco. I really don't see anybody besides Salty the Sox would be interested in. They don't have many holes to fill this off-season. Maybe Devine? Soriano?

[Chipper]

We aren't trading Soriano and I think they could be interested in Yunel Escobar. They need a shortstop don't they?

[Mr_Punch]

Nope...Don't need a shortstop. Lugo is signed up for 4 years. We'll see how that plays out. They'll definitely stick with him through at least next season. I think everyone believes that his awful first half this season is an anomally.

Frankly, if Coco continues to perform solidly, I think the Sox will keep him, and let Ellsbury break in slowly. He showed promise, but by no means looked ready to jump into an everyday job in his brief call up.

Didn't mean to go so far off-topic. I would be glad to see the Sox add Reggie Sanders as their 4th outfielder. I would definitely rather see him at the plate in a clutch spot during the play-offs than Wily Mo or Hinske. Those 2 guys can just look helpless at time.

That said, Wily Mo is still 40 HRs waiting to happen. The Sox should trade him. He needs to play somewhere.

[bobhamelin]

i guess dreaming of a Sanders straight up for Pena swap is too much to ask for, huh? I like Reggie's personality, but his injuries and age make his stay in KC overdue. If he ends up in Boston, good for him..but I hope the Royals get something in return instead of just giving him away.

[ArodSucksAtLife]

Why would the Red Sox do that?

[bobhamelin]

they obviously have no faith in pena. sanders comes with a live bat that is always ready for the post-season. he seems to be seeing the ball well and came off the DL showing he can hit and play defense.

i think the red sox saw pena as a project that failed for them and are looking to move him. pena and sanders make about the same salary and the red sox would not lose any of their kids on the farm.

it would be helpful for both teams, the red sox for now and the royals for the future as they have time to work with pena.

[opes]

Why would the Sox trade for Reggie Sanders? Much less trade Pena?
It doesnt matter sanders is 300/300.
Hes an injured 39 yr old, that is not going to produce more than what Pena is producing. Penas potential is huge in a bargaining chip for a trade.
I agree Pena should be playing DH in the AL somewhere other than Boston, but to trade him for Reggie Sanders? Thats a fucking insult.
This trade will never happen for the following reasons:
1. Pena and Sanders in the same roles will produce about the same.
2. Pena is cheaper.
3. Penas trade value is worth alot more than an injured 39 yr old in the decline of his career.

[SBE]

Oh yes, I think everyone would fall over themselves trying to trade for Pena and his 67 OPS+.

[opes]

And Reggie Sanders would do better than that? I dont think so.

[Mr_Punch]

No way is Pena traded for Sanders. I'm not sure what his Wily Mo's value is, but its much more than that. Most teams in baseball would love to have Wily Mo under their control. The same cannot be said for Sanders. Sanders is really nothing more than a bench player now. Wily Mo would be a starter on many teams. He just happens to be completely blocked in Boston. I would in no way call Wily Mo a failed experiment. He was an investment that can still pay off.

If you trade a 25 year old with a 40 HR bat, you have to get value in return. Let's not forget that when Wily Mo got regular ABs last year (filling in for the injured Coco) he managed to hit over .300. His potential is still there.

[SBE]

LOL opes.

Reggie Sanders has an OPS+ 173 in about half the ABs as Pena has had this season, since Sanders was injured.

Not good enough you say?

Sanders has not had an OPS+ lower than 76 in his career, and this would be his 13th season with an OPS+ over 100.

[Mr_Punch]

With Regular playing time during his career, Wily Mo generally has had an OPS around .840. Not bad for a kid. Thats between ages 22 and 24. Teams may not fall over themselves, but its got value. Its got a lot more value than Reggie Sanders.

[kc_baumer]

pena's potential 2 years ago was a bargaining chip in a trade then. that would be the trade that sent him to boston. for a guy that is in his 5th full season in the majors, pena is still a project and that is unbelievably worrisome to any gm. there is never going to be a regular spot for him in the boston outfield with manram, drew, and either ellsbury or crisp there. sanders at least provides a legit bat off the bench that can play both corner spots somewhat competently. i'd take pena for sanders.

[Mr_Punch]

Reggie Sanders is 39 years old. He has been in the Major Leagues since 1991. He has had over 500 ABs in exactly 1 season in his career. That was in 2002. I think that is remarkable. He has been injured for his entire career. He has a career BA of .267. He has been an effective player, but you can't expect a team to give up much for a 39 year old who has never been healthy. Sanders is a risk to trade for. The value only outweigh's the rist if the Red Sox are giving up very little.

Pena's potential is still a bargaining chip. Not as valuable as 2 years ago, true, but he is 25 years old, not 30. Many teams would like to have him. They aren't salivating over him, but they would like to have him.

Sanders is a nice bench guy to have if healthy. I'd love the Sox to have him, but it would cost much less than Pena.

Not once in Roto's post did it mention Pena for Sanders. Thats because the idea is ridiculous. "The Royals would probably trade him for some salary relief and an A ball long shot prospect." Thats the truth. Sorry KC fans. Sanders has very little value.

[kc_baumer]

"with regular playing time" is everyone's qualifier for pena. he will never get that in boston. that is the largest problem for boston, as every gm in the league knows that with drew under that gargantuan contract and manram under a similar deal, pena will continue to play in the same role that he has occupied and failed in this year.

[Mr_Punch]

True..That doesn't change to fact that the Red Sox have the guy and other GMs don't. It doesn't lower Pena's value to that of Reggie Sanders. Not even close.

The Red Sox are in no way over a barrel to trade Wily Mo. He is cheap money and can continue to serve as 4th outfielder and as a major league talent who can fill in when JD Drew goes down with an injury (which we all know is gonna happen).

[Mr_Punch]

On a side note...What a shame Sanders was not able to stay healthy through his career. He's managed 300 HRs and 300 SBs. Had he been healthy where would those numbers have been. Whould we be talking hall of fame?

[bobhamelin]

Mr_Punch..i completely agree that Sanders has very little value. Everyone knows it, but the simple truth is, Pena has in all effect worn out his welcome in Boston. The Royals have had players like this, and I am sure if Dayton was eyeing Pena, then he'd do what he could to sweeten the pot for his bat. He wants ML ready players who are not getting the shot they deserve. He proved this by aquiring Shealy, Gathright, JDLR and picking up LaRue from Cincy. Castoff's from other teams that can be put together to make a nice mix to build on.

Trying to aquire Milton Bradley a few weeks ago is pure testament to that fact. The simple truth is, Pena is cooked in Boston, squeezed out of LF by Ramirez and his monster contract. He has nowhere to play, and the Royals have LF wide open.

The trade makes sense for both teams when you look at both sides. Would the Royals fleece the Sox for Pena with that trade. Absolutely. But it makes sense for both teams. Sanders IS a decent 4th outfielder pickup with PLENTY of post-season experience. Pena is not. Pena could be the power bat if playing everyday the Royals need in the future. You have to look past stats and ages when it comes to teams needs.

It all may be posturing anyways, because no one knows what Dayton is asking, or even if Boston is TRYING to aquire Sanders...maybe something comes off after the series wraps up tonight, maybe not..but the trade that should happen is Sanders (and maybe a prospect..leo nunez who pitched last night, anyone?) for Pena.

[darkstar1661]

Since someone mentioned the Braves interest in Crisp...

I wonder if the RedSox would be interested in Crisp+Lugo for Renteria in the offseason... They could just agree to pay what they are picking up on ERent now for Lugo and everything would be set.

... or would that make them feel too stupid over their whole part in the Crisp fiasco... :)

[darkstar1661]

Pena for Sanders...

YES! It helps the BoSox more at this moment and it gives KC a player who has more longterm upside...

That deal makes a ton of sense for both teams! Bos doesnt trust Pena right now, they would trust Sanders. Sanders doesnt hold value to KC after this year, Pena would... They should both want to do this deal!

[Mr_Punch]

Yeah, I'm not saying I can't see Wily Mo landing in KC. In fact, KC is the exact kind of team he should go to. However, it will take more than Sanders. I'm not familiar with the KC farm system, beyond the big untouchable guys of course, so I would have no idea what Theo would ask for.

I thow this out ther as an aside: Theo did once try to trade for Shealy (not sure that he'd still be interested).

P.S. Is this whole thing really based on a reporter asking Sanders if he would like to play for the Sox.

I'm not sure how cooked Wily Mo is in Boston. He can be frustrating, but he doesn't complain (I would if I were him). He isn't a malcontent in the clubhouse. I don't believe the Red Sox are looking to cast him off. While I'm sure they are open to trading him, I don't believe its a desparate situation.

[Mr_Punch]

The Red Sox wouldn't be able to trust sanders to stay healthy for them. They would like to have the guy, but wouldn't trade much for someone that may not last a week.

I refer to the initial post again, "The Royals would probably trade him (Sanders) for some salary relief and an A ball long shot prospect." Thats his value.

[Aduncaroo]

"That deal makes a ton of sense for both teams! Bos doesnt trust Pena right now, they would trust Sanders. Sanders doesnt hold value to KC after this year, Pena would... They should both want to do this deal!"

I agree Dark...I think it makes sense for both teams. I agree that Sanders is a health risk...but they only want him this year. I think Willy Mo is done in boston.

[Aduncaroo]

I think Boston could probably get a B prospect as well....maybe in AA ball...

[Not Joe Morgan]

I refer to the initial post again, "The Royals would probably trade him (Sanders) for some salary relief and an A ball long shot prospect." Thats his value.

*If* Sanders stays healthy for the rest of the season, the comp pick would be worth well more than that.

[Mr_Punch]

I just don't see Wily Mo getting traded for Sanders.

I live in Boston...Watch all the games...Read the papers. While there is frustration about Wily Mo's slump, it has not escalated to the point of Wily Mo being done in Boston. There have never been any complaints. Wily Mo has been a team player and understands his role. Theo likes Wily Mo (possibly to a fault). I don't see him trading Wily Mo for a rental player alone. If you start talking about medium level prospects thrown into the deal, then maybe. I just don't know the KC system enough to even speculate on that.

[Mr_Punch]

I would love to have Sanders on the team. I just don't see it happening. Not a straight swap anyway.

[bobhamelin]

The guy who pitched for KC last night was almost traded to the A's for Milton Bradley, so I am sure after showcasing him for Boston, he could be thrown in the mix. The problem is, he is our temporary 5th starter.

[bobhamelin]

hmm Sanders and PTBNL for Pena sounds good. (PTBNL being Nunez after the deadline)..that could work.

[Mr_Punch]

I don't know much about Nunez, but that seems possible. I just believe that Theo would not trade Pena with getting "a piece for the future." Whaterver that piece may be.

Haha...this is still just coming from a reporter asking Sanders if he'd like to play in Boston. Not even a mention of the teams talking to each other.

[Bosox4416]

Anyone see something involving Sanders and Octavio Dotel for Pena and a low prospect? I think that could be mutually benificial and really help out both teams. Pena could be a staple on the Royals and hit 35-40 home runs for them..

[Aduncaroo]

yep...I think mid level prospect with good upside and Sanders to Boston for Pena makes a ton of sense for both teams.

Pena doesn't seem to me to be the kind of guy that helps in a part time role....he still needs to develop and get ABs. He would benefit from AAA, but at this point, for what they traded for him, that would make Theo look dumb. Thats why I think a trade is best for everyone here...

[bobhamelin]

also, keep in mind. boston's assistant to the GM is Allard Baird, who drafted and scouted a lot of the Royals AA and AAA kids..so he would know exactly what they'd get from a prospect. I know he liked Nunez, and was probably thrilled to see him pitching well last night.

Would be interesting to hear any trade whispering going on between the GM's (and former GM)..

[opes]

Ortiz OPS is 161. So you're saying we should trade Ortiz for Reggie sanders? There is no way Sanders will hit 173 OPS, and likely will do his avg of around 100. Which is exactly what Penas is. So lets trade Pena, ortiz and a bag of magic beans for Reggie Sanders. Because we all know guys that get hurt every year arent a risk at all. Especially 39 yr old ones.
I'm not saying Pena is a god, but there is no way his potential is equal to that of Sanders. Potential has value. Why do you think the yankees refuse to trade Hughes? Because of potential value.
And the bottom line is, Sanders has very little.
But the Sox have made dumber moves before. For example, Trading Arroyo for Pena in the first place.

[ArodSucksAtLife]

What?

[darkstar1661]

Opes,
where did you get that from???

It was said to be Pena (long term value, none today) for Sanders (Shorterm Value, none tomorrow) ~ nothing more really aside from Bos possibly getting another lower guy tossed in...

And I dont even think they would need to get that! Bos would get a DP when Sanders walks after the year so they would probably be happy. They would have tried Pena (which didnt work) and gotten a good return for this year (Sanders for rest of year) and for future (DP when he walks)

I still dont see a downside to it... Get rid of something you dont really like/need/trust for something rather proven and a high level DP...

[bobhamelin]

ortiz? huh?

how did ortiz get breathed into the discussion?

potential means nothing when its riding the bench night after night and not playing. hey, if that is what you call potential...then i guess i have potential too.

simple fact is. sanders qualifies right now. in the here and now as a better 4th outfielder for boston than pena does.

pena may have a boatload of potential..he may be showering in potential. he may wake up every morning and piss potential...but potential means nothing when you have a corner outfielder blocked by ramirez and drew's contracts. and IF J.D. Drew goes down to injury in a pennant chase..would you rather have Pena and his potential up to bat? or Reggie Sanders and his experience in chases for the playoffs?

[Aduncaroo]

I don't get it either Opes...you lost me with that one.

[opes]

I was comparing OPS+ of Ortiz, and Sanders. Basically skewing the facts like SBE was. Then I was making a sarcastic remark that by using SBE's, logic, Sanders is better than Ortiz. So we should trade Ortiz as well.

Potential means nothing? Thats BS. What about Ellsbury's potential? Would you trade him for Sanders?

Its a pointless arguement, really. I see it as Penas value is higher than sanders.

I piss potential. ha That actually made me laugh- good one-

[bobhamelin]

ramirez will be a fixture in boston for years. drew will be a fixture in boston for years. crisp. ellsbury. sox are just fine at OF'ers. potential or not, if he has any..its being wasted when he has an opportunity to play everyday to achieve that potential.

a perfect example of this..is being rich, and having a lottery ticket with 5 of the 6 numbers exposed and not looking at the 6th. maybe you have a winner, maybe you don't. at least you know you have "something"..his value to the red sox would be better used in a trade than to show his potential...on the bench.

[redfoxsox]

Hamelin I agree with you that Wily Mo has great potential and he won't realize with the Sox. But that does not mean they should give him away for a rental like Reggie Sanders when the Royals wouldn't be the only team interested. There are a few teams (possibly SD and MIN) that would give up players of higher value than just Reggie Sanders. Trading Wily Mo could net them a reliever that would help them down the stretch.

[bobhamelin]

i agree. other teams could reach out and get pena for more..that's why i suggested the Royals throw in Leo Nunez also, the middle reliever that started last night in the deal.

[pedroia2007]

It doesnt really matter what the Sox do, theyre the biggest joke in baseball since the end of May... playing golf in October soon enough

[Kramerica Industries]

Willy Mo Pena has absolutely ZERO trade value not because he has sucked miserably this year but because he is eligible for arbitration in the off season. He will be due 3 million or so and the Red sox cant give him a regular job at starting and will not pay him that much to sit on the bench thus the Red Sox will NOT tender Willy Mo a contract thus making him a free agent this off season! So i ask why would anyone pay for Pena with prospects now if they get him for nothing in the off season? Any smart organization will not. My guess is the Red Sox will package him in deal so it looks like they got something for while the team taking is hoping they have something there. That's why a Pena for Sanders deal would be avoided...how bad would Theo look with getting Reggie Sanders for Arroyo and with what Olney is reporting the reds maybe getting Salty..wow Theo would look bad.

[pedroia2007]

Why is everyone assuming that the talks are pena for Sanders straight up? Most likely if Sox do deal for Sanders, that there will be 2 seperate trades. One being Sanders for a prospect in the vein of David Pauley. The 2nd trade being wily Mo to some low market team with the patience to give him playing time

[Mr_Punch]

"He will be due 3 million or so and the Red sox cant give him a regular job at starting and will not pay him that much to sit on the bench." LOL...Are we watching the same team? Wily Mo will either be traded, or the Red Sox will give him a raise to just under 3 mil. They avoided arbitration with him this past season. They will do it again. They may trade him after that as more than a couple of teams will be interested in a potent bat at around 3 mil. (This in an off-season where Eric Byrnes will get a $40+ Mil contract). I assure you that the $150 mil Red Sox aren't too concerened with haveing a $3mil 4th outfielder (especially with such a health question mark in their starting right fielder).

*note: if the sox do spend $30 mil on A-Rod, they may feel the pinch in the 4th outfielder department, but at the point, will anyone care?

[kc_baumer]

yeah, but if willy is collecting those checks putting up similarly menacing numbers to his .279/.363/.642 5 double 4 homer line why would you want him. ideally, you want your bench player to actually contribute in both a pinch hitting role and in a role where drew/manram are injured (which i will grant you is much more likely with drew in the mix). but pena has been brutal in that role this year while sanders has been surprisingly competent and has already accepted that role from one of the league's worst teams (in terms of record). for next year, bobby kielty could also fill that role. just a thought.

[Papelboner]

I agree with Pedroia2007. The Sox will NOT trade Pena for Sanders straight up. KC would jump all over that one. But the Sox will provide salary relief for KC and throw in a David Pauley (good call) or maybe David Murphy. The more the Sox are willing to pick up in terms of salary, the lesser the prospect they'll have to give up. Pena then goes in another deal, such as the rumored Linebrink-Pena swap. Sox get better for this season, adding bullpen and bench depth, all for giving up WMP and a C level prospect.

[darkstar1661]

From RotoTimes:
“Are Wily Mo Pena’s days as a Red Sox numbered? The Boston Globe reports the team is actively looking to deal him for an outfielder who hits right-handed and can play center. Pena had no fantasy value in Boston, so a trade could only help his stock, although it is highly unlikely he’ll get a starting gig anywhere”

… Sanders may not be able to play Center and therefore not a good fit ~ but someone like him who can fill in for Crisp seems to be what they are targeting… And “Actively looking to deal him” doesn’t say “we are expecting huge return”…