Discussion: The Red Sox And David Ortiz

Trade for a bat like Huff, Cantu or deal a guy like Bucholz and Masterson for Adrian Gonzalez.

I'm sure Epstein understands that the Tribe aren't going to hand over La Porta for anything short of Buchholtz + (if they're willing to deal him at all).

DeRosa and LaPorta for Josh Bard and Bucholtz. But what the hell do i know. Seems fair but I dont really follow either team.

Ride the slump out a few weeks... if he hasn't changed, bench him and use Carter in the interim while seeing who can be had fairly cheap. Miguel Tejada might be a good cheap replacement and he could be cycled into short.

I suggest, if his recent hitting fails to become the norm, then we move him down in the line-up and stick with him for the season. He's too important a component to our clubhouse to release mid-season. He is our "peace-maker," "translator" and "senior statesman." That said, unless his numbers rise, we would have to give him an outright release after this season and look for a credible long-term DH from the left side of the plate. I have no idea who that could be. I'd love to see some names suggested for veteran left-handed power hitters that would be available for 2010 via trade, free agency or otherwise. I can definitely say that Lars Anderson is not ready. Knowledgeable reports from below on Lars have been very poor, to date.

I honestly think we should give hime some more time. There's not big rush. We are winning allot of games. I mean unless someone great falls into our lap. But I think Theo was going to add another bat even if Ortiz was doing good. I say let him find his stride as long as we are winning games..

But I would move him to the 7th or 8th spot. We shouldn't loose out on runs while we wait for him to get his poop together.

Its not really the whole hes doing bad thing thats klling us, its the fact he is still the #3 guy. With Bay, Youk and Lowell (even Drew in situational settings) battings rather well, the order should be changed before the word trade is discussed. He just hit the first homer, lets see if it motivates him and puts him on track

"I meant Bucholtz, bard, and Kalish

Posted by: Braddd | May 22, 2009 at 02:16 PM"

Thats a good offer actually.
They might want another prospect, like a Yamaico Navarro, he has a odd looking swing but balls fly off his bat.

Even though I think Olney pulled that whole theory out of his ass.

The Sox have hitters coming up really soon.
Why they would trade for one is questionable.

Unless I'm mistaken, Ortiz is still bothered by the wrist, no? Believe me, he will be okay, as long as he gets that wrist to 100 percent. Mets fans watched Delgado struggle with wrist problems for 2 years, we all thought he was done, but all it really was was Carlos trying to overcompensate for his wrist, start earlier because he didn't have the bat speed, which caused him to swing at a bunch of bad pitches and commit to early. He was late on fastballs, chasing the high one, way out in front on breaking balls, chasing them in the dirt. Delgado and Ortiz are very similar hitters, and for big power guys like that, your hands and wrists are everything. Once Ortiz gets completely healthy and begins to trust his hands and his quickness, he will be fine. I'm sure of it. Maybe you can slide him down and bat him 6th or 7th for now, though I don't know if that would cause trouble in the clubhouse or whatever.

Kalish doesn't look like a good fit for the Tribe. They've got OF and 1B/DH types all over the place. The Tribe's needs are: I'll prioritize.

1. Pitching
2. Pitching
3. Pitching

I'd give him another week or two maximum. If he can turn things around and follow up his "break-through" with numbers and production pointing in the right direction then good. If not switch him and drew in the batting order and hope that Drew can be Mr.June once more. But Epstein should take another serious look at Dunn if nothing works out, he's signed to a reasonable contract through next year. Jake Fox comes to mind as a young slugger.

Move him down in the lineup and wait it out. If he's not producing approaching the all-star break, do a trade or look in-house.

"Papi, you aren't allowed to eat until you get on a hitting streak."

IMO, either of Masterson or Buchholz is too much for Dunn. Yes, he can hit home runs, but he strikes out too much with runners in scoring position. I'll take Ortiz flying out with 1 out and a man on third rather than Dunn's likely strikeout.

Why has nobody mentioned the MDC for Nick Johnson trade that was mentioned earlier today? Could be suitable for just this year and hopefully Lars starts to produce more in the minors and they can bring him up to begin next season.

@fitz: nobody mentioned it probably because it's not fair value. half a season of an injury prone firstbase man, who doesn't hit for power at the moment for a guy who would be their closer and under team control for 3 more seasons.

"LaPorta. Red Sox fans, what would you realistically expect to give up in terms of pitching?"

I dont know why the Sox should have to give up so much. He might be a highly toted prospect, but he is still a prospect. I dont see much difference between him and Lars to make a huge move for him

"MDC for Nick Johnson"

If Manny goes anywhere now, it will be for something more dependable then Johnson. Everyone had their chance to get Delcarmen cheap, they missed their chance, now you have to pay sticker

Right, a prospect that fetched one of the best pitchers in the game.

Washington seems to be a viable trade candidate. They need all the pitching they can get and Boston has enough pitching to give. Buchholz & Masterson for Dunn?

You must have had way to much twisted tea @ lunch!!

The nationals wouldnt get either one of those guys for Dunn. Maybe Zimmerman an Guzman.

IMO, either of Masterson or Buchholz is too much for Dunn. Yes, he can hit home runs, but he strikes out too much with runners in scoring position. I'll take Ortiz flying out with 1 out and a man on third rather than Dunn's likely strikeout.

Dunn has cut way down on his SO this year actually. He's drawing lots of walks

"Right, a prospect that fetched one of the best pitchers in the game."

sure, along with 4 others if im not mistaken. so whats your point? because he was simply apart of the trade that sent CC to LA to LaPorta himself is an automatic all star?

Ellsbury is on the Red Sox for a long time now and Josh Hamilton isnt going anywhere anyway. The only trade the sox and rangers have coming up at all in the near future is prospect for prospect, catcher for pitcher

Would either Texas or Boston consider Josh Hamilton and Max Ramirez for Buchholz, Bard, Ellsbury and low level prospect? MaxRam can play C/1B/DH and Josh can replace Ellsbury in CF and Ortiz's bat. Rangers need MLB ready pitching.

Posted by: RangerDanger | May 22, 2009 at 03:30 PM

that deal seems that it would be a great fit for both teams, but Hamilton has publicly stated that he loves playing in Texas, and feels most comfortable there. he feels less pressure to relapse into his former addictions, but as a redsox fan that would fill the power void as well as give us a catcher to bridge the gap until someone like exposito is ready.

I'd give him another week or two maximum. If he can turn things around and follow up his "break-through" with numbers and production pointing in the right direction then good. If not switch him and drew in the batting order and hope that Drew can be Mr.June once more. But Epstein should take another serious look at Dunn if nothing works out, he's signed to a reasonable contract through next year. Jake Fox comes to mind as a young slugger.

Posted by: Baseball@Europe | May 22, 2009 at 02:33 PM

Baseball@Europe, are you new to the site? just wondering because i havent seen you comment here before. that's actually a set of good ideas. Maybe Papi's wrist is better now and will return to normal, i wouldnt trade much for Dunn, not a Buchholtz or Bowden, but something of value for them. maybe hunter jones + another serviceable reliever and a top 30 prospect. i like the Jake Fox idea. he seems to be blocked at every position by the cubs, and the redsox could really use him. how much would he cost the redsox though, because he's a high level top prospect, and the redsox have had a strong reluctance to trade buchholtz, bowden, masterson, bard. maybe something could be worked out between the two.

Good story by Yaz regarding a severe wrist in jury like Ortiz had/has and the long road to overcome it, how he had to entirely change his hitting mechanics entirely and even stop looking long ball period after mid way /71 season and became a line drive hitter. That injury occurred same age as Ortiz, both power hitters from left side. Major difference being ortiz is a bloat body who has never really been in any kind of playing shape during his entire career. Can Ortiz learn to change his swing/stance any, or if he does not, get his bat speed back to where it once was?

"Anderson might be as good as LaPorta in a few years but right now there is no competition."

Anderson had a back injury which is why his numbers were low... he's had a recent strong uptick in his numbers.

Only 4-5 teams are going to be able to swing Peavy's contract. I would offer Manny DC-Kalish+2 lower fringe prospects to San Diego. I would only add Buchholz or Bowden if Adrian Gonzalez was on the table. The Padres are going to need to get more players and dump salary. If you get Peavy, I would go at the Rangers in the offseason and offer Beckett for Hamilton/and the catcher you like most from Texas. I would also extend Jason Bay 3yrs/42 million ASAP.

Sox should trade with the rockies for tulo and ianetta send bucholz and lowrie kottaras and delcarmen.