Red Sox Rumors: Bay, Tazawa, Kawakami, Lugo

Probably see Crisp for Vazquez. That would be a lopsided towards the Red Sox, but I pray the Sox don't trade for Lugo.

Boston has to be 30-40 million under that 160 mark. Not that they would go that high but they have to spend money somewhere.

Lugo makes sense for the Mets or Sox, the Mets need a 2b, which Lugo can play and he'd come on the cheap, allowing that pitiful farm system to remain just pitiful.

Chicago is kinda in the same boat, KW has been talking about adding speed to the team, Lugo and Crisp both make sense.

I would most definitely not give up Crisp for Vasquez. I just do not trust the guy to perform at a consistently good level and would just as soon try Bowden or give Buchholz a second shot at the fifth starter position or even bring back Byrd, who'd be cheaper and wouldn't cost a player.

A Julio Lugo for Nick Swisher swap would be nice for the Red Sox, but terrible for the White Sox. Swisher is younger, cheaper, under longer control and much more versatile than Lugo. Unless the Red Sox were prepared to eat at least half of Lugo's contract, I couldn't imagine that happening. Considering the disgusting amount of payroll coming off the books for the Red Sox this season, I would probably recommend the Sox eat three fourths of Lugo's remaining contract if that would get a Lugo for Swisher deal done.

Swisher's average in Boston is terrible, but he's a big walk guy, which is big with Epstein's philosophy. His versatility would also open up the door to bring in Teixeira, Lowell trade or not. I'm more worried about roster space than salary and if the Sox could avoid needing to carry a dedicated first base backup by having an outfielder who could do both, keeping Lowell as a backup if absolutely necessary.

I think a Lugo and Crisp for LineBrink and Swisher would fit both teams.

I don't feel we should trade Bowden or Buchholz for a C. I think we should sign a backup to Varitek, see if he can bounce back and wait to see whether one of our Minor League Catchers can catch on, OR see who is dumping salary around the All-Star break. Trust me we can hold the offense, with an inept Varitek, check the last 2 years.

trust me I am in NY, castillo is comparable to NO ONE.

Also i am in favor of signing Tazawa, he would feel comfortable with Okajima and Dice-K.
Would find it fun to re-sign Loretta.

Perfect fit, and we don't really need to do anything else drastic.

Thanks Loeres. But I think we are both right its the only fair trade that helps both teams. We get a 5th starter and a prospect they get a 2b and a cf. The trade hinges on if you can package buchholz reddick and the chi sox prospect to the dodgers for pierre and Martin. WHy pierre? This is because they want to free up money for free agents and want him out. If we don't take him i think they would demand Lars along with Buch. In a perfect world with all the tek saved money along with schilling we could sign a Sheets type and have a rotation of Lester, Beckett, Sheets, Dice-K, Vazquez. With wake being the long man for spot starts. That'd be a lot less innings on the bull pen...

loeres,

Based on what soxprospects.com says about Lars, he projects to be similar to Justin Morneau who I think is a heck of a ball player. Problem with that is, he "projects." Doesn't say "sure bet."

Therefore, we need an impact bat on the Sox that will replace the fear that Manny put into opposing pitchers NOW. Tex does that. Lars won't, if he does for at least another year or two. You can't wait.

Loeres I agree with you but I think that It may give our pen the reduction in innings to help each pitchers arms. Im going to have to disagree on Salty though. As I like him as a 1b/DH type I don't like him behind the plate. Sure he may learn, but right now he is an awful fielder. TT looks like a better fit. Though to overthink myself, with Tek their to mentor Salty does make some sense as well

fitz,

I think DD is correct on this. There has been quite a bit of debate among Rangers fans on this subject. I think the consensus is that Teagarden should garner Buchholz, but Salty could probably be had for either Bowden or Masterson, with a b level prospect possibly thrown in. Buchholz still has ace potential, whereas Masterson is probably a late inning guy and Bowden is probably a 3-5 starter.

turnthe2: i dont know if we really need an impact bat. it depends on wether papi can come back to life (i think his wrist hasn't fully recovered yet). in my opinion we would have had a better chance in the playoffs with a healthy lowell and a 100% papi (no brainer). and have a look at a healthy red sox lineup jacoby/dusting/papi/youk/drew/bay/lowell i dont think u need much more impact then that. i really like tex but he will block lars FOREVER (8 years +) (i agree that lars isnt a sure bet) but i dont think it makes sense to block your best prospect. the front office has shown that they are willing to give homegrown guys a chance (with great results). to salty: thats debatable =) but tt will cost is more

glad epstein was smart enuf to stay away from the overworked and overused cc. I like his interest in derek lowe returning alot. I think lowe has regained much of his confidence while performing well in the NL. I think he'd be another great addition to the clubhouse. I'm also glad epstein is not getting nervous about the yankees potential signings (cc and manny). he's going to mind his business and not get involved unless he has to.

Bay: give him the extention asap. I'd try to lock him in at 5/65-75. this way you get him in his prime at a good rate that is still a nice raise off his current salary (i believe 9mm). I think you will see the thrill of being involved with a team that has a chance to go all the way every year will relight the fires that made him so great early with pirates. I think his .250 days are behind him, and .290-.310 is not unrealistic with 25-35 hr.

Vazquez failed in NY. I see no reason he'd succeed in Boston. I dont think he's got the stuff to deal with 18 games against all AL East competitive teams. I vote no for vazquez as of right now.

Tek is the team captain and is getting old. his faithfulness to the sox should allow him to lock in at 2/20, regardless of boras' garbage talk.

I want to give lugo one more year. I still have faith in him that his swing will return one of these days to excuse his awful ss performace. I dont swap lugo as a "bad contract" especially with his speed capabilities off the bench.