Odds & Ends: Red Sox, Bell, Acta, Rays

Trade Dice-K for a prospect or two.

It would eat some money. us those prospects for a bigger trade.

You would likely have to eat a large portion of Dicek's salary to acquire any prospects of value.

The best bet is to hold onto him, hope his finish to 09 can continue in 2010, and pencil in him as your #4.

abraham isnt talking about moving dice-k, just about how his inconsistancy will effect the way the sox deal with free agent japanese pitchers in the future.
overall the sox have been very successful with the japanese pitchers theyve employed so im not sure its even an issue.
im sure they arent complaining about okajima or saito... and even tazawa looks like he might be a good investment once he's put in some time in at pawtucket. he did spend less than a year in the minors before being called up.
anyways, obtaining young talent before theyve developed proffessional conditioning systems might even be entirely different from dealing with a guy like dice who is more established.

The Red Sox would have to eat money on any deal with Dicek

You do realize that the only reason I said that was your little rank right?

Look at Matsuzaka anyway that you want, only then try and think of it like this? Boston every year brings in a rehab style pitcher, sort of like Matsuzaka anyway. Just why would they want to PAY somebody to take him, when they already have a guy on the payroll that fits the bill perfectly for the type of project pitcher they look for each off season anyway, not to mention, one they have already had 3 months to finally convince that they know best how to fix his shoulder (that is the problem) and get him back to where he was the previous 2 years? Boston's FO would be thrilled if he would just get back to where he was the previous 2 seasons, 5-6IP per game even would be fine, the guy had good results and shuts the opposing team down well,even while "fiddling" a bit too much perhaps with people on base.

They are not going to give him away, pay a chunk of salary to give him away (ala Lugo) for salary relief, so please stop that nonsense. Matsuzaka still has talent, unlike Smoltz and Lugo, the last 2 castoffs that are running on empty.

Dice-K isnt going to get traded for a host of reasons, but his contract isnt one of them. He is a maddeningly inconsistent pitcher, but can at times dominate. He still has value, but he is more valued because of the media attention and market in Japan. Revenue is revenue regardless of where it comes from. But he wont be traded when he is at his low value, mainly cause he is worth more then his contract in revenue to the Red Sox. On the other hand. Anyone thinking he would net any thing of value currently is wrong as well thou, but not cause of his contract. Its cause of the concern his conditioning and work ethic. He also does have a NTC, so he could ask for more money/benefits, which usually lowers the return for the player.

About Bell, he can be traded or signed to a two year deal, depends on whats being offered in both. If he agrees to a two year deal at about 3-4 mil a season do it. If there is a team willing to give up a solid package for him do it. But stay within bounds on both. Dont over pay him (contract) or under sell him (trade).

@agonzo23: BJ Upton would be perfect fit in SD. But I dont see the Rays giving up on him yet, or at the least he wont come without a major price to pay (my gut is they would ask for Blanks). Uggla does nothing for the Padres, we should be looking for a more atheltic MI then that, ie one with speed. Granderson is a nice idea, but I dont see the Padres adding 24 million over 3 years for him (thou its nice to think they might). The Indians have little depth in the middle field to be trading Cabrera, but if LaPorta could play the OF then maybe Guierrez can be had.

I agree with the teams you listed thou. They are the ones that might have interest in one of 3rd basemen. But its matching up thats hard, Twins have much the same problems we have, unless we want Gomez. Phillies prospect we like are going to be highly valued and not likely dealt for Headley or Kouz. The Tigers/Ms/Cards, all have the same problem, lack of near MLB ready CF/SS/2B that they would be willing to trade. Marlins are the wild card.

Personally I thinking two seperate deals, One with the Twins for a prospect or two for Kouz or Headley. The flip said prospects with Bell to the Rays for BJ Upton. But its not likely to happen. As the Rays need catching (as the Padres do) and maybe pitching, or maybe a DH/1B to take over for Pena.

"I have no opinion whatsoever regarding the state of the Red Sox with the exception of politely asking their fans to let go of any Adrian Gonzalez dreams."

You can blame a multitude of things for that. The liberal media machine churning out hogwash in the new England papers. SD in constant payroll downsizing. There is an awful lot more to it than fans.

Little rank? I have no idea what you are talking about.

Harrison; I know your 15 but please start doing your homework before you start spitting out trade proposals.Havent you understood anything others have written?.Dicek's contract is as much for him to be the #3 guy in the sox rotation as it is for business reasons with japan..Plus that NTC he has along with all those perks the sox give him..This isnt PS3 or fantasy baseball..Dice is going nowhere and unlike your other comment that dice should bring back 4 prospects. He wouldnt come close to 4 prospects..Bad idea to trade him all the way around..

chowdah-
i understand y dice-k isn't getting traded. Is it a possibility that the red sox make a trade for curtis granderson?

The tigers have a few contracts they would unload before Grandersons..that and hes a solid CF and a good team guy on and off ther field..I would think that Maggs(18mil), guillen(10:$13M, 11:$13M),Willis(12mil),Robertson(10mil) would come first..

Would the Red Sox be willing to get willis if tigers drop him? I doubt the tigers will trade miguel cabrea, but if they do, i think he would be a good fit in boston. what do u think?

after the 2010 season, the sox, as it stands now, would lose beckett 12mil,Papi 12.5mil,Lowell 12mil,and Lugos 9mil..thats about 45mil off the payroll..then drews 14mil after 2011 providing his shoulder stays healthy, then they dont have to pick up Drews 11' year...which would bring it to a whopping 59mil...

AirmanSD and agonzo23, you guys are on the right track. First we commit to resigning Gonzalez. Second we deal Bell and Blanks for Upton and a mid level prospect. Thirdly we trade Kouz to the Twins for Gomez. Yes I'd hate to see Blanks go, but he belongs at 1st or DH, not roaming huge Petco. Some are down on Gomez, but he is still young and was the center piece of the Santana trade just 2 years ago. Give him a little time. I think these moves help all teams involved and being a Padre fan I would be quite excited to see them happen.