Brian Giles Claimed By Red Sox

mmmmmmmmmm...........
Diamondbacks?

Hey Tim, I don't understand why the Mets haven't been at least attempting to get Jay Payton from Baltimore. He's been on the Mets so he's played in the tough atmosphere, plus he's a righty (which the Mets apparently need) with solid speed, a solid arm, and great defense (made evident by his 2 great catches today, including his 3rd robbed homerun of the season). His power isn't so great, but Giles' power isn't much either. Payton seems to fill the needs that the Mets have, especially considering the fact that he can play all three outfield spots, whereas Giles is primarily a right fielder, so if Church can come back there wouldn't be an issue. They won't get by with Daniel Murphy and Nick Evans patrolling left field (though I like both players, they'd be better suited at more natural positions). I don't think Giles is the answer to the Mets needs. Please Tim, I need some answers.

I disagree BeLikMike, the Mets could use the lefty more the way Tatis has been going. Its the Murphy/Evans platoon that would be replaced right now, at least until Church comes back. And with Tatis in RF, having a lefty in LF most days makes sense. Payton just isn't the player Giles is. Never has been and isn't now. They've both lost pop, but Giles has retained his always sterling OBP, and he strikes me as a gamer, where Payton's always had makeup issues.

That in mind, I have no problem going with Murphy and Tatis in the corner for now. Murphy has been pretty darn impressive. He doesn't look like a fantasy stud in the making, but its clear he's got a really good idea and advanced approach for a guy who was in AA a weeks ago. As Ron Darling said, he just kind of looks "hitterish", he almost always seems to have a good AB and he's really quiet in the box. He's a bit of a slasher with the swing, but it suits him, and he's already shown the ability to drive the ball line to line and gap to gap. Plus, the good instincts and makeup seem to be there, as evidenced by the double digit steals he had in AA despite very pedestrian raw footspeed and the adjustments he's made to handle multiple positions more than adequately.

I must admit, having never seen any of the three of Carp, Evans, or Murphy much (Carp got a nice look in ST 2007 but that's it), I wasn't rating them fairly at all just looking at the statlines. I probably gave Carp's hot start a little too much credit and didn't give Murphy's OBP and K/BB enough credit. He's clearly the most polished of the three, and perhaps the most likely to make it in the bigs. Matt Cerrone's been comping him to Robin Ventura which I can see. I see more of a poor man's David Wright (Interesting, I'm pretty sure Robin Ventura was Wright's top PECOTA comp early in his career): A guy who does a little big of everything, perhaps just not on the "fantasy-stud" levels Wright does.

I was thinking about that whole thing with Adam Jones being out now and how it will affect Payton's value to the O's also. Thanks for the answer. Though personally I'd much rather Payton than Giles, if they get Giles and it works out, I'd be just as happy, and if they can't get Giles, I'd also be happy with Murphy in left if he continues to do as well as he's been doing.

Giants have no need for Giles with Winn in RF and Nate Schierholtz waiting for his spot in AAA (along with, perhaps, Eugenio Velez, the man without a position).

I know he is not exactly what the team would want, but I would almost say if he made it to the AL the Jays could be the team. My best guess tho would be the Mets.

Brian Giles is not in the lineup today against the Mets. While that could be because the left-hander Santana is on the mound, the announcers mentioned Giles has been their best hitter against left-handed pitching all year.

Forgot where I read it, but I think Pads manager Bud Black said that this was a scheduled off day for him because he's 37 and it's a day game. Seems to make sense, but who knows.

I think odds of Giles to Sox is probably less than 5% though.

oh, will he play in the minors or boston?

I can't see Giles waiving his NTC to come to Boston, unless Papi is going to be out again. However, it doesn't look like that will be the case and there are really no openings on the roster with Bay in LF, Drew in RF and Papi at DH. This is probably a move strictly to keep him from the Rays/Angels. But what do I know, I didn't think the team was going to trade Manny and they proved me wrong.

The Sox traded Moss, but they still have Coco, Ellsbury, Drew, Bay and a couple 5th OF types in AAA.

I like Giles to the Angels but only if GMJ was going back. What would the Angels do with an outfield of:

Vlad
Hunter
GA
GMJ
Rivera
Willits
Giles

7 players for 4 positions. I think any fears of the Angels claiming him are unfounded.

Could Giles be a type-B free agent? Picking him up wouldn't be a terrible move if only for the draft pick.

If Giles did end up in Boston he would come full-circle with the man he was once traded for...Jason Bay.

Just a tidbit.

RE: Gary H,

who the hell is Jack Peavy dummy?

and the only person you mentioned out of those 3 that will ACTUALLY be gone next year is most likely maddux.

i mean really who trades a player they just ponyed up a 5 or 6 year extension to>?

This stinks of a larger issue...

and I hope that issue does not involve a certain power hitter and his wrist...

i gotta think that if the Sox finish this deal and land Giles, its a direct sign that Ortiz isn't quite 100%.

I was told by a little birdy that you're full of crap.

Jewofa, i think you are forgetting the rules surrounding Waiver transactions. Any player on the 40 man roster must clear waivers in order to be traded. Thus it is highly unlikely that that coco has cleared waivers already. I even doubt that he would clear the American league.

If this trade goes down it will be for a couple of high upside low level prospects, that do not have to pass through the waiver wire.

AirmanSD- you're correct, but you're not considering the fact that Coco may have cleared waivers as well. He is still owed 5.75M in '09 and a 500k buyout for '10. For a guy who is a little injury prone and light with the bat, some teams may not have wanted to get stuck with that contract and thus they let him pass through without a claim.

Papelboner: His contract is not that bad considering his plus defense in the outfield, when you look at the going rate for a CF right now. It is possible that he cleared waivers i just find it unlikely, since SD didnt claim him, and lets face it if a CF comes on the waiver wire it would be an upgrade.

Plus I wouldnt understand that trade, it doesnt give us anything the really improve the club. Not now nor in the long run. There would have to more than a simple swap. A lot more. The Offense is already pathetic, and without giles its going to get worse. Coco isnt going to help there.

"I guess we'll find out how full tomorrow...

Posted by: jewofa | August 08, 2008 at 01:43 AM "

It must suck to be you.