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« Jerry Owens Blocked By Carlos Quentin's Surprising Start | Main | Cards Showcasing Reyes In Triple A? »
With Moss Out, Wilkerson Could Be An Option For Red Sox
As Nat mentioned in an earlier post today, the Red Sox are suddenly having to figure out how to replace Brandon Moss. And in an update via the Extra Bases blog, Boston Globe reporter Nick Cafardo brings light to Brad Wilkerson's situation.
Wilkerson was waived by the Mariners last week, and has since cleared waivers. He has not given his agent, Scott Boras, any indication of his plans.
Boras, however, confirmed that the Red Sox were interested in Wilkerson this off-season. Cafardo suggests that if they're looking for a long-term answer to their sudden roster opening, Wilkerson could be an option.
Alejandro Leal writes for UmpBump.com. You can reach him here.
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He had an OPS+ of 104 last year, that's how. Look at Eric Byrnes, they have very similar career stats (minus the K's).
Posted by: thehoagster07 | May 04, 2008 at 06:10 PM
my personal feelings are that the sox handle this problem internally, perhaps with van every, he will be just as good as wilkerson at least, and hes just sitting there on a 289 average with 5 homers and 16 rbis
Posted by: 04Forever | May 04, 2008 at 06:36 PM
there IS no permanent roster opening. Moss was only on the roster because Casey is on the 15 day DL. Once he is back there will be the backup 1B, and the sox are still carrying Manny, Jacoby, Drew, and Coco. thats 4 outfielders. there is no new spot.
Posted by: jimithin9 | May 04, 2008 at 07:13 PM
The chance of Wilkerson being a member of the red sox this year is non existent.
Bsox21 hates him cause he is a honky.
"Moss was only on the roster because Casey is on the 15 day DL."
Moss had a roster spot because J.D. Drew and Coco were off it had nothing to do with Casey. Well those injuries and the fact that he is a talented baseball player. If he got to play somewhere full time the man would be a solid major leaguer he just wont have a full time roster spot in Boston.
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | May 04, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Roto was suggesting Boston will use Chris Carter temporarily. Which might be a good idea. While Carter is a DH at best in the majors, he could be a minor stop gap on the bench. Though they called up Hansen to replace Moss...
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | May 04, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Chris Carter is going to a good DH, he is not going to be a good RF/1b for the Boston Red Sox.
Say if he was traded to Seattle to replace Jose Vidro that is a good idea. Chris Carter/Lowrie/Masterson for Clement/M.Lowe would make sense if Boston thought Clement had a chance to stick at catcher.
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | May 04, 2008 at 09:48 PM
I agree with bsox21, Whiffkerson is a horror show. He was paid $3M by the Mariners for 1 month or regular season ball. You can prorate that to be an $18M contract over the course of an entire MLB season as far as the Mariners are concerned.
Any GM signing that strikeout machine should be considered lazy for not doing his due diligence in searching the minors for a better player.
Posted by: HoratioAlgae | May 04, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Arod, Seattle isn't trading Clement unless they get some high end proven puzzle piece in return. The Jojima extension just screams to me they see Clement as a long run first baseman.
Carter could be a good DH, but considering that's his only marketable skill, he's not worth much.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | May 04, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Come on guys there is no way that kind of deal happens. Clement is not going to be traded for items that are not a major need for them. Red Sox fans are almost as bad as cubs fan on this site with the trade ideas. If the M's wanted an improved DH they would simply sign Bonds, seriously. Yea he might come with problems but he would not cost them anything from their system.
In addition remember the Sox pen itself needs some work, so why would they give up the arm that is almost MLB ready for a catcher who doesn't play great defense but can rake at the plate. I know its the upside factor he but the Red Sox are playing to win and the pen doesn't look the greatest at the moment.
Posted by: AirmanSD | May 04, 2008 at 10:41 PM
You do realize that J. Clement is not a catcher right? That is his flaw. If he was this would make sense.
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | May 04, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Yea i noticed ready paragraph two. And the deal still doesn't give the M's anything they don't already have in the their system/ able to sign.
Betancourt is still young an a decent SS, and Triunfel is a higher rated SS than Lowire in their system. So yea once i looked into it. But i still lack to see where this deal would help the M's.
Posted by: AirmanSD | May 04, 2008 at 11:09 PM
"Betancourt is still young an a decent SS, and Triunfel is a higher rated SS than Lowire in their system."
Ha!!, what?
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | May 04, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Betancourt career numbers:
.284/.307/.404
Not great but they could be not a lot worse.
According the BA, Top 100 of 2008:
Triunfel: #62
Lowire: #73
So yea he would be a higher rated prospect.
Plus you still haven't told me how you think this benefits the M's.
Posted by: AirmanSD | May 04, 2008 at 11:42 PM
Jed Lowrie is the 2nd best SS prospect in baseball, unless you believe in Brandon Wood. He is Carlos Guillen but 23.
I'm attempting to create a trade that lets the M's try and win now which is what they are doing. They need Middle infield, DH help. I added Masterson so that they have a bullpen replacement and a starting rotation stud that Bavasi can come out and say wins him the trade.
I don't want this trade to happen because I don't think it will help the Red Sox. But it is something that can logically go down.
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | May 05, 2008 at 12:02 AM
If you are a mariners fan and think Yuniesky deserves be on their major league roster I don't know what to tell you.
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | May 05, 2008 at 12:10 AM
Negative i am Padres fan thank you very much, which according to the league is the direct rival of the M's in inter-league. But i would like to know where you got the 2nd best SS prospect in baseball from. Cause i have never read that, anywhere, I gave you the source of my info.
I wasn't defending Benecourt, but i still lack to see a major upgrade of the M's that they couldn't get elsewhere without giving up their best prospect.
Posted by: AirmanSD | May 05, 2008 at 12:20 AM
>>Red Sox fans are almost as bad as cubs fan on this site with the trade ideas.
No, Red Sox fans posit far more unrealistic proposals: a soon-to-be DFA for another team's #1 starter. Or a high-priced, under-performing, prospect-blocking vet that doesnt fill the other team's need (Lugo) for a cheap, solid hitting and defensive, top prospect we desperately need (Saltamacchia).
And then bitch and moan why the deal doesn't happen!!
Posted by: el clash combo | May 05, 2008 at 12:58 AM
That is totally true. Why wont the Mariners trade the Red Sox Felix hernandez for Coco Crisp? WTF?
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | May 05, 2008 at 02:02 AM
MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN, bitch, Complain. Rabble, Rabble, rabble. Bad grammar/spelling, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | May 05, 2008 at 02:22 AM
"No, Red Sox fans posit far more unrealistic proposals: a soon-to-be DFA for another team's #1 starter. Or a high-priced, under-performing, prospect-blocking vet that doesnt fill the other team's need (Lugo) for a cheap, solid hitting and defensive, top prospect we desperately need (Saltamacchia).
And then bitch and moan why the deal doesn't happen!!"
We're no worse than any other fans. I've seen some pretty riddiculous statements on this board that have been vigorously defended. EVERY fan overvalues their team's prospects. Except maybe Rays fans... but their prospects have been panning out lately and they don't seem to expect much.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | May 05, 2008 at 08:28 AM
I think the most unbelievable comment in this thread is the one stating someone asked for something in return for Lugo. That just screams exaggeration... No one could possibly be that stupid.
As far as Lowrie vs Triunfel, the BA top 100 writers have said plenty of times that once you get deeper in the list the positions relative to each other are rather meaningless. On top of that little tidbit, Lowrie is hitting well in the majors and without an error to his name. Triunfel on the other hand is getting on base at about a 280 clip in a hitter friendly HIGH A league as an 18 year old. He's no where near ready (and possibly was promoted too soon). They're two completely different prospects even if they do play the same position. A high ceiling 18 year old, who may never pan out (and even if he does it will be 2-3 years before he sniffs the majors) vs a major league ready guy with a strong bat but admittedly a few question marks defensively.
Posted by: gfulla | May 05, 2008 at 08:46 AM
gfulla, it's not stupid to think Boston can get something back for Lugo. It's stupid to assume Boston can dump his salary and get something back. Lugo does have Fenway park inflating his numbers, if he stays around 300 he could be moved with a wad cash for reliver. The Jays, Giants, ChiSox, might offer up an okay middle reliver if Boston offered Lugo with more than half of his salary paid off.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | May 05, 2008 at 09:39 AM
"Jed Lowrie is the 2nd best SS prospect in baseball, unless you believe in Brandon Wood. He is Carlos Guillen but 23."
Sadly, ArodSAL, nothing else you say in this thread can be taken seriously after that statement. Sorry man. (That is a fun game, though. Next let's do Ellsbury. Who's he? I bet he's the 100-year incarnation of Tris Speaker. Michael Bowden is Greg Maddux, am I right? Let's make Lars Anderson Jeff Bagwell for a really neat bit of symmetry. Ooh ooh, and who's Buchholz? Should we make him Jake Peavy or is that aiming a little too low?)
I gotta give that Yawkey hype machine a ton of credit, though. This kid's rep has come a long way since he was drafted less than 3 years ago. Back then he was a kid who had topped out in the PAC-10, would never hit for power in the majors, and didn't have the tools to play shortstop at the big-league level. The only thing that's changed since then is peoples' minds, based on a pretty spotty minor league record where Lowrie was a little old for his levels.
Posted by: asm | May 05, 2008 at 11:45 AM
asm, you're going overboard on your Lowrie attack.
First of all, I never read one scouting report on Lowrie that said he'd hit for power in the majors and for that matter, never heard him hyped as a power hitter.
Second, everyone knew his glove made him a liability but it's improved more than people thought it would. Originally it was thought he'd have to move to second, now scouts think he could be a decent defender at short.
Third, as for the spotty minor league records, if you're talking about his extended slump a couple of years back, he turned around pretty quickly. Furthermore, not all prospects are consistent in the minors.
Finally, remember the mold of what he was drafted as, the Eckstein scrappy/dirt dog type. Which Epstein seems to like and which paid off in Pedroia.
I have yet to hear any Red Sox fan, or for that matter scout, say something about Lowrie being the next all time great shortstop... most of us are just praying he takes over from Lugo and hits like Pedroia. But still Lowrie does look like he has the skill set to be a decent shortstop.
Oh and by the way, Buchholz is the reincarnation of Gibson... only white.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | May 05, 2008 at 12:32 PM
White Gibson. Got it.
I wouldn't characterize my post as an "attack". But you're just furthering my point. Let's analyze:
Your first point: Lowrie can't hit for power. Okay. Good point.
Second: He's not great in the field but has improved. I guess that's one perspective. I haven't seen any evidence of that.
Third: He hasn't had consistent minor league success. Well, now I'm starting to get confused. I thought you were trying to disagree with me?
Fourth: Epstein likes him. Good point, now you're back on track. I'm convinced: Jed Lowrie is, in fact, Carlos Guillen only 23.
Posted by: asm | May 05, 2008 at 12:51 PM
asm, you're missing my point, I'm attacking the notion that he's been overhyped. For the last couple of years the hype I've gotten is he looks to be a decent player who'll be a good to great contact hitter and table setter. To me that's not overhype considering he's living up to that billing so far. I wouldn't call him a 23 year old Guillen, but a 23 year old Eckstein wouldn't be a stretch... frankly it's better than Lugo.
I was also responding to your seeming attack on Red Sox fans. Which to answer, yes, we have a tendency to overhype our prospects, but no more than the fans of any other team, especially in major media markets.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | May 05, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Eckstein has a motor that I'm yet to see with Lowrie, so scrappy yes, fighting with every inch of his being to start, no, don't see it... Eckstein should be a back up, like Bloomquist, like Punto, like Cairo, like Scutaro, like Mackowiak, etc... Lowrie has been bandied about as a starter and he should and will never be... Sorry, but 'asm' is right, this is one of the most grossly overhyped players in recent history. I'd say a more accurate association is that he'll be like a faster/infield version of Ben Davis, everyone talked about how great a catcher he was going to be, it just never happened, he's now barely hitting air at AAA for some new team.
Posted by: BaseballGuru | May 05, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Okay let's square some things here about this Red Sox-Mariners trade that keeps being talked about as if it has a chance of becoming reality.
First Triunfel is still considered a shortstop because of his size and will actually become a 3B once his body fills out... He's projected to be about 6'2", 220lbs., which is way to big for SS in the eyes of the Mariners, so Lowrie vs. Triunfel is a non-issue.
Now as far as SS, I don't know if everyone on here has failed to do research all of a sudden, but SS is hardly the Mariners biggest problem and yes Betancourt is young... You may see a 26 year old, but also realize that he was playing in Cuba until about 4 years ago, which is considered equivalent to A ball... So technically he has less wear-and-tear than most his age due to short seasons in Cuba and he is also still developing his skills.
Betancourts biggest weakness is maintaining his focus. Anyone who KNOWS ANYTHING about baseball has said that they project him to be the next Ozzie Smith defensively... Gold Gloves shall rain down from the heavens on this kid and he's still learning how to steal bases as they don't hold runners on in Cuba very well, so he's having to understand how to read a pitcher.
The reality is that Betancourt has been one of the most consistent hitters on the team this season, he's the best 9-hole hitter in baseball and they have him under contract for 3-4 more years, as they do Lopez, the best 2-hole hitter in the game... Look it up... He has a very decent RBI/AVG even while bunting runners over and hitting to the right side of the field. If he were to swing away, he'd probably be hitting .340 right now, but that's not what a #2 hitter does.
Middle infield is one of the strongest positions for the Mariners and it's ignorant to think that we need Lowrie when we have Yung Chi-Chen sitting at AAA if we really wanted to make a move. Also, the reason Cairo has basically been sitting on his but all season is because as McLaren stated, "Lopey and Yuni have played Cairo out of many spot starts with the seasons they are having!"
Furthermore, why on God's green earth would we give you Clement in a deal centered around getting back a DH to "help the offense out," when clearly as you stated, the only thing you want him for is his bat and you're ready to gift wrap two of your top prospects to get him.
The problem isn't that Lowrie isn't capable, but that he doesn't fill a need. We don't need infielders except at 1B and that's only a slight need as Sexson's hitting only 20 points below his career-first-half average of around .241. This just reeks of stupidity on so many levels that I can't even keep up with where I want to go next.
Okay how about we assess which position the Mariners need to fill... They need to solidify their bullpen, they are coming around and should be one of the better units in the league, but clearly another injury to Putz could prove devasting if not addressed.
The outfield lacks defense, which Balentien solves nicely, but Ibanez, as an ex-catcher, would be better served to play 1B honestly. It's just a much more natural position as you are in essence blocking balls in much the same fashion as a catcher would.
As for my thinking, I believe Balentien's speed and arm would be better served in LF, and the immediate need would still be an everyday RF and preferably a lefty... Hmmm, wait I can think of just the guy! Ken Griffey Jr. needs to be brought back and soon! I think that a three team trade needs to be made and soon.
Ideally there would be starting catcher in it for the Reds, so here's what I have in mind:
SEATTLE to CLEVELAND
*Richie Sexson
*Rob Johnson(GG type defender w/ decent speed, & average power)
*Ryan Feierabend(a southpaw native of OH, who is dominating at AAA)
*$8MM for Sexson's contract
SEATTLE to CINCINNATI
*Sean Green (sinker will play nicely at GABP)
*Miguel Cairo (bench player)
------------------------------------------
CLEVELAND to CINCINNATI
*Kelly Shoppach (finally a real catcher for the Reds)
*Ryan Garko(righty platoon w/ Votto)
*Any Marte (to play at AAA)
CLEVELAND to SEATTLE
*Josh Barfield (becomes a younger Cairo with pop)
------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI to CLEVELAND
*Scott Hatteberg (1B against tough RHP & gives a LH bat of the bench)
CINCINNATI to SEATTLE
*Ken Griffey (returns home, fills stadium, Bruce starts finally!)
*Jared Burton (young hard thrower could be an understudy for Putz)
*$4MM for Griffey's contract
------------------------------------------
NEW LINEUPS
SEATTLE
batting order
CF Ichiro Suzuki(L)
2B Jose Lopez (R)
RF Ken Griffey (L)
3B Adrian Beltre (R)
1B Raul Ibanez (L)
LF Wlad Balentien (R)
DH Jeff Clement (L)
C Kenji Johjima (R)
SS Yuniesky Betancourt (R)
bench
C Jamie Burke (R)
IF Josh Barfield (R)
OF Willie Bloomquist (R)
PH Jose Vidro (S)
CLEVELAND
batting order
CF Grady Sizemore (L)
RF Franklin Gutierrez (R)
SS Jhonny Peralta (R)
C Victor Martinez (S)
DH Travis Hafner (L)
1B Richie Sexson (R)
LF David Dellucci (L)
3B Casey Blake (R)
2B Asdrubal Cabrera (S)
bench
C Rob Johnson (R)
1B Scott Hatteberg (L)
IF Jamey Carroll (R)
OF Ben Francisco (R)
CINCINNATI
batting order
CF Ryan Freel (R)
2B Brandon Phillips (R)
RF Jay Bruce (L)
3B Edwin Encarnacion (R)
1B Joey Votto (L)
C Kelly Shoppach (R)
LF Adam Dunn (L)
SS Jeff Keppinger (R)
P (undefined)
bench
C Paul Bako (L)
1B Ryan Garko (R)
IF Miguel Cairo (R)
UT Jerry Hairston (R)
OF Corey Patterson (L)
I think this gives new life to a bunch of struggling players, it also voids on all these teams listed.
Posted by: BaseballGuru | May 05, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Annnnd this thread is obviously about the Mariners' trade options (?!?).
Anyway, swp, you're right, I did totally miss your point. To actually respond to it, I'm not saying it's Red Sox fans (necessarily) that overhype their teams prospects; more the media and the organization itself. You know, the Brian Rose effect. You see the same thing happen with young Yankee players. And the fans are victims more than anything else, as you get sad cases claiming on the internet that Lowrie is a 23 year old Carlos Guillen (which I'm not even convinced is all that great of an aspiration to a middle infielder), when in fact he is a decent to good contact hitter who could well be an above average defensive second baseman.
Posted by: asm | May 05, 2008 at 04:09 PM
asm the 7th through the 17th comments on here all have to do with the Mariners and who they need to acquire... It ranges from DH, SS, 2B, etc. That post replied to all of it... Also since Wilkerson last played for Seattle, the whole topic is in line. Please stop being irritable, just to be irritable... You are losing what few supporters you have!
Posted by: BaseballGuru | May 05, 2008 at 05:32 PM
Oh and I wanted to show the Red Sox fans what a reasonable trade looks like...
Speaking of which, Boston is quickly creating an image of having stupid fans...
You don't acquire a DH, you fill that spot with guys taking days off or you biggest liability defensively...
Why would we want Chris Carter in Seattle for a guy that is capable of being better and plays 2 positions besides DHing...
Oh and Varitek before he went to Boston in the Slocumb trade was considered a defensive liability and Clement is actually further along with his development that Varitek was at that point...
Posted by: BaseballGuru | May 05, 2008 at 05:46 PM
BaseballGuru has his Monday drunk on obviously. Varitek vs. Clement defensively? Wow, can you even compare, even at the age. Varitek was a great defenesive catcher at Georgia Tech, and coming up thru the minors. That is a ridiculous comment. And for all of you Seattle fans, thinking that us Sox fans are coming up with ridiculous trade proposals, lets go back to that Varitek/Lowe for Slocumb trade. Nuf Said
Posted by: bostonthreeparty | May 05, 2008 at 09:48 PM
That trade was a long time ago and it's a different day... Also on paper it was a good deal and we had an established catcher. Varitek was not a good catcher at Georgia Tech, he was considered the same as Clement coming out of college... I watched a few of Varitek's games his senior year...
Posted by: BaseballGuru | May 06, 2008 at 12:36 AM