Here's the latest from Fenway Park…
- "People around the game [are] getting [the] idea that" Theo Epstein will likely remain as Boston's GM, reports Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated (Twitter link). Yesterday, Heyman reported that "a slight majority" of people around baseball believed Epstein would turn down a job offer from the Cubs.
- Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach is under consideration for the manager's job, reports Michael Silverman of the Boston Globe. Wallach "is still at the stage of being considered for an interview," according to several sources. Wallach's name was mentioned in connection with the open managerial jobs with the Dodgers, Marlins and Blue Jays last winter.
- A Padres official tells Tom Krasovic of the Inside The Padres blog that it "is not farfetched at all" that San Diego would consider a trade for John Lackey this winter. Krasovic thinks Lackey could benefit from pitching at Petco Park and reuniting with Bud Black, who was Lackey's pitching coach with the Angels. Krasovic proposes a trade that would require Boston to pay most of Lackey's salary, take Orlando Hudson in return and also send "a young big leaguer or a good prospect, or two" back to the Padres. It sounds lopsided in San Diego's favor, but given how low Lackey's stock has fallen, the Red Sox will have to meet similar trade criteria in any potential Lackey deal.
Please dont trade for Lackey!
Seriously, how would that trade even work?? What position could Hudson possibly play for the Red Sox? And Lackey has been bad, but bad enough to justify eating almost all of his salary, taking on Hudson’s salary, AND giving up a big league piece or a decent prospect?
Although the O-dog talk seems out of nowhere, the idea of Lackey in Petco isn’t too bad. Petco has done wonders for pitchers trying to find themselves, and should probably help with Lackey’s HR rates… But like you said, where will Hudson play? I guess he’d be at second, and move Pedroia over to short? If I were the Friars I’d still want more….
As long as the Sox eat a vast majority of Lackey’s salary, I wouldn’t mind the trade much. Petco is probably the best place for him to play, and with the added emphasis on defense, and the much weaker line-ups of the NL west he could potentially pitch well.
I thought about Pedroia to short and Hudson at second as well, and while it could work, its probably not a good idea to mess with one of your best players comfort levels.
Although we’re going back and forth, I second your thinking… If the idea is to move Lackey to Petco and San Diego, who are the possible trade targets (however slim) for the Sox?
And I’m not one to think they (Boston) should sell as low as they would be in this situation, but just talking hypotheticals…
I honestly don’t see how this trade makes sense at all for the Sox. The teams really dont match up well in a trade (for this particular deal anyway). I dont really see the padres giving up anything of even small value for Lackey.
I concur… I’m apparently just trying to verbalize any possible reason that this rumor has been mentioned…
Makes less than zero sense. Sox send Lackey, almost all his money, a good prospect or two, AND have to eat a bad contract for a player that doesn’t play a position of need for the Sox? And the Sox would do this instead of just releasing Lackey outright BECAUSE…? If the Sox are going to make any trade for Lackey, it’s either going to be a similar bad contract swap or one where the Sox give Lackey plus cash for either very little or a prospect, depending on how much cash they have to eat.
Kind of trade mentioned here would get you hung up on in about a second. Why wouldn’t the Sox just keep Lackey as a 4th/5th starter, or just release him and eat the money, rather than doing this?
I honestly don’t see how this trade makes sense at all for the Sox. The teams really dont match up well in a trade (for this particular deal anyway). I dont really see the padres giving up anything of even small value for Lackey.
Although we’re going back and forth, I second your thinking… If the idea is to move Lackey to Petco and San Diego, who are the possible trade targets (however slim) for the Sox?
And I’m not one to think they (Boston) should sell as low as they would be in this situation, but just talking hypotheticals…
As long as the Sox eat a vast majority of Lackey’s salary, I wouldn’t mind the trade much. Petco is probably the best place for him to play, and with the added emphasis on defense, and the much weaker line-ups of the NL west he could potentially pitch well.
I thought about Pedroia to short and Hudson at second as well, and while it could work, its probably not a good idea to mess with one of your best players comfort levels.
If you’re going to focus on Lackey’s HR rates,then the best park for him to pitch in would be Yellowstone.
You mean his slightly under league average 9.7% HR/FB?
Although the O-dog talk seems out of nowhere, the idea of Lackey in Petco isn’t too bad. Petco has done wonders for pitchers trying to find themselves, and should probably help with Lackey’s HR rates… But like you said, where will Hudson play? I guess he’d be at second, and move Pedroia over to short? If I were the Friars I’d still want more….
I seriously doubt it’d happen. The Sox still owe Lackey $46 mill, the Padres owe Hudson $5.5 mill next year and the Sox aren’t going to pay most of Lackey’s salary AND take on extra salary by adding Hudson AND give up a young big league ready player or prospect. It’d be the most moronic trade in history. If the Sox are going to do all that, they can always just hide Lackey in the bullpen & give him the mop-up role.
I agree with almost everything you just said, except for one thing. I thin the Vernon Wells deal has “Most moronic trade of all time” locked up.
I agree with almost everything you just said, except for one thing. I thin the Vernon Wells deal has “Most moronic trade of all time” locked up.
I seriously doubt it’d happen. The Sox still owe Lackey $46 mill, the Padres owe Hudson $5.5 mill next year and the Sox aren’t going to pay most of Lackey’s salary AND take on extra salary by adding Hudson AND give up a young big league ready player or prospect. It’d be the most moronic trade in history. If the Sox are going to do all that, they can always just hide Lackey in the bullpen & give him the mop-up role.
Why would the Padres be trying to get rid of Orlando Hudson?
Because he is making $5.5 mil for not very much production. I feel like I’ve read somewhere that some people in the Pads org. don’t like his attitude and they would rather let some younger players get a chance at a fraction of the cost
Interesting, hadn’t heard anything about that. I can understand playing the kids, but I’m surprised to hear of attitude issues with Hudson.
I wonder if the Jays would be interested in him next year if Kelly Johnson doesn’t re-sign/accept arbitration.
Because he is making $5.5 mil for not very much production. I feel like I’ve read somewhere that some people in the Pads org. don’t like his attitude and they would rather let some younger players get a chance at a fraction of the cost
The NoDog was the last player out of the dugout to take the field, the last player off the field after the 3rd out, the 1st player out the clubhouse door after a game, and was in such a hurry to leave after game #162 his locker was cleaned out, his stuff was packed and he was gone 15 minutes after the last out.
He didn’t even bother to say goodbye to anyone.
He laughed when he made errors, laughed when he struck out with the bases juiced with 2 outs, forgot how many outs there were at least twice a month, and basically dogged it 2011.
There is a reason he changes teams every year.
Decent player….but gives a lot less than 100% effort and dedication.
The maddening thing is that he seems to be thought of so highly by the media. Just because he is a good interview, when he sticks around the clubhouse long enough to give one, doesn’t mean he is a good teammate. He’s a show boat plain and simple and is only out for himself. If the Padres can’t deal him, I would rather they just cut him and take the salary cap hit. I can’t stand him and his antics.
That attitude is not what the Sox org. is going to be looking for right now after the way the season ended – I know it’s generally all about numbers but I think they’ll be paying more attention to players’ attitudes next season, and looking for more Pedroias and less Mannys.
The NoDog was the last player out of the dugout to take the field, the last player off the field after the 3rd out, the 1st player out the clubhouse door after a game, and was in such a hurry to leave after game #162 his locker was cleaned out, his stuff was packed and he was gone 15 minutes after the last out.
He didn’t even bother to say goodbye to anyone.
He laughed when he made errors, laughed when he struck out with the bases juiced with 2 outs, forgot how many outs there were at least twice a month, and basically dogged it 2011.
There is a reason he changes teams every year.
Decent player….but gives a lot less than 100% effort and dedication.
Sounds delightful, however, how the hell would the Red Sox use Orlando Hudson? I mean they already have a MVP and Gold Glover in the position…
Sounds delightful, however, how the hell would the Red Sox use Orlando Hudson? I mean they already have a MVP and Gold Glover in the position…
How bout no. Why trade Lackey while his stock is low? Give him a chance next season. He can’t possibly be any worse.
Don’t tempt “worse.” It is a given reality that “worse” generally jumps up and bites you in the able, sugar, sugar. And with a troglodyte like Lackey, you can bet on it. I still can’t believe the S.O.B. had his wife served with divorce papers while she was recovering from a double mastectomy. Hey, I’ve been divorced from an unpleasant marriage but I’d never have done that to my first wife.
How bout no. Why trade Lackey while his stock is low? Give him a chance next season. He can’t possibly be any worse.
Sox would just be better off dumping Lackey than do that ridiculous deal. Odds are some team will pay Lackey 5 mil per over his last 3 years and Sox eat 30 mil and get something back in return. If Vernon Wells, Carlos Silva, Milton Bradley et al can get moved for something, so can Lackey!
That actually raises an interesting scenario… what about Lackey for Wells?
The Angels would be well-served clearing an OF spot for Mike Trout, and perhaps getting Lackey back to where he had success to be helpful for him. Wells is obviously coming off an awful year, but the Red Sox may be in the market for an outfielder anyways.
In terms of money, Lackey is owed just over $46M over the next 3 years, and Wells is owed $63M for the same period.
Lackey is definitely the more valuable asset (as weird of a sentence as that is to say), so the Angels would probably have to add something into the deal. Perhaps the teams agree to pay the contracts as is, and just swap the players (so essentially the Angels get Lackey for 3 years/$63M and the Red Sox get Wells for 3/$46) or the Angels add in a very good prospect or young player.
Probably crazy, because as sad as it is, Lackey is the far more valuable contract, but it may make a bit of sense with the Angels compensating for that somehow.
Angels would not pay Lackey 3 years/$63 mil. Lackey didn’t really leave on good terms, so even if the Red Sox agreed to send Lackey straight up for Wells I’m not sure the Angels would do that just (even though it would be a no brainer IMO)
Angels would not pay Lackey 3 years/$63 mil. Lackey didn’t really leave on good terms, so even if the Red Sox agreed to send Lackey straight up for Wells I’m not sure the Angels would do that just (even though it would be a no brainer IMO)
Yeah. If I were Lackey, I’d want to go to San Diego as well, but this isn’t happening. Sox could just cut him if they wanted to eat his salary. If Lackey goes anywhere, the new team is going to have to pick up at least a quarter of his remaining salary and the Sox aren’t going to take on a bad contract in return. I could see packaging Lackey up with a prospect to get him off the books, but I don’t see many suitors there.
Also, if Lackey pitches at his 2010 level (4.40 ERA, 215 IP) he’ll at least provide some value to the Red Sox. It’s not like you can go grab 215 IP off of the waiver wire these days.
Sox would just be better off dumping Lackey than do that ridiculous deal. Odds are some team will pay Lackey 5 mil per over his last 3 years and Sox eat 30 mil and get something back in return. If Vernon Wells, Carlos Silva, Milton Bradley et al can get moved for something, so can Lackey!
Lackey, salary relief, and 2 prospects for Hudson? And I thought my suggestion of Jason Bay for Lackey was a reach.
Lackey, salary relief, and 2 prospects for Hudson? And I thought my suggestion of Jason Bay for Lackey was a reach.
That guy must crack, no way the Sox will give up a young big leaguer or even low level prospects while paying most of Lackey’s salary along with Hudsons… WONT HAPPEN.
That guy must crack, no way the Sox will give up a young big leaguer or even low level prospects while paying most of Lackey’s salary along with Hudsons… WONT HAPPEN.
For how bad Lackey has been, can he really get any worse? Let him try to figure it out, and maybe trade him mid-season if he can’t.
Or just cut him mid season.
For how bad Lackey has been, can he really get any worse? Let him try to figure it out, and maybe trade him mid-season if he can’t.
And here I thought I would support ANY trade suggestion for Lackey. I was wrong.
I think what stands out to me most of all is the fact that Theo is sticking around as the GM of the Sox. I really was convinced that our friend ‘gunsnascar’ had the inside scoop that the brass around Boston wanted him out….
And just think, I spent so much time photoshopping a Sox jersey onto Carlos Zambrano to get used to what it would look like if that was their compensation….
the Zambrano suggestions are scaring me. I’d rather have a bucket of Matt Garza’s expectoration than Zambrano on the Red Sox. How does he keep getting contracts??
I think what stands out to me most of all is the fact that Theo is sticking around as the GM of the Sox. I really was convinced that our friend ‘gunsnascar’ had the inside scoop that the brass around Boston wanted him out….
And just think, I spent so much time photoshopping a Sox jersey onto Carlos Zambrano to get used to what it would look like if that was their compensation….
Hey Padres, we’ll give you Reddick and Kalish with Lackey. Keepsies okay?
Then we’ll teach Larvarnway to play RF to get more at bats.
Give us back Adrian….
….And we’ll give you back Hoyer !!
You thieving bastuhds !!
As a Padres fan I would not mind a trade for Lackey if the Red Sox pick up most of his salary.
Though the suggested trade involving Hudson seems an odd proposal.
I agree, throwing Hudson in there just seems like even more salary relief, and if that was the case why wouldnt they just eat more of Lackey’s salary? The Red Sox really would have very little use for the O-Dawg.
My issue with the proposal is on top of paying most of Lackeys salary and taking on Hudsons… who in their right mind would give up a young big leaguer or a couple good prospects in the deal.
There is no one….. Except maybe Tony Reagins.
I agree, throwing Hudson in there just seems like even more salary relief, and if that was the case why wouldnt they just eat more of Lackey’s salary? The Red Sox really would have very little use for the O-Dawg.
Krasovic talks out his other end sometimes….good sportswriter most of the time.
As a Padres fan I would not mind a trade for Lackey if the Red Sox pick up most of his salary.
Though the suggested trade involving Hudson seems an odd proposal.
Thought all the dolt reporters worked for the Boston Globe and NY Times.. Sure was wrong.. This guy krasovic is clearly taking the same meds as the *reporters* of those 2 worthless rags to dream up that concoction.
Bingo, it’s friday. He’s probably had a few before he started posting.
Tom Krasovic writes for the San Diego Union/Tribune, been doing it for years.
He writes on the Padres, Chargers, local colleges etc.
Independent blogs on same…..he’s a home boy.
Thanks for the thought 🙂 Only I do not drink, nor have any other “vices” as to… Well, you get the point there….
Yep.. Thought my post was clear on the matter.. Krasovic is as bad as the reporters on the Globe and NYT, whatever rag he writes for, he sure dreamed up a deal only a Omar Minaya, or Hendry would make and both of those guys are currently unemployed (finally) with, or without Boston not only paying Lackey, taking the useless (to them) Hudson, but THEN sending them a top prospect…
Apologies, but it gets even more preposterous (and hilarious) retyping it back out. This guy Krasovic is from another world.
Krasovic hasn’t worked for the SDUT for about two years. Believe he was fired.
I always thought the Post and Daily News were worse when it came to sensationalist sports articles. Though I do admit I sometimes read them since they’re often amusing.
Forgot about the NYP.. yeah.. It has some doosies also and yepper.. good for amusement only there. For that matter, the Boston Herald falls into that category as well going off on self proclaimed political witch hunts, but the sports writers there are not too bad.
Thought all the dolt reporters worked for the Boston Globe and NY Times.. Sure was wrong.. This guy krasovic is clearly taking the same meds as the *reporters* of those 2 worthless rags to dream up that concoction.
I guarantee you that you are the only person here that cares about your take, regardless of how many times you post the URL to your blog.
Interesting how it’s flagged for review here but its not on the previous post…
I guarantee you that you are the only person here that cares about your take, regardless of how many times you post the URL to your blog.
I hate Lackey as much as any Sox fan… but theres no way in hell Id do this deal. Yikes.
I hate Lackey as much as any Sox fan… but theres no way in hell Id do this deal. Yikes.
Why would the Sox not just drop Lackey before taking on more salary, gaining a player you don’t need, and giving away a prospect? This doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. Not saying the Sox necessarily SHOULD necessarily drop Lackey—I’d put him on mop-up as somebody above suggested before that happens.
Jesus, what do other teams think we are? The Bank of America for over-paid free-agents?
Only do a deal if we can swap bad for bad. Not paying another dime or giving up another prospect.
I would be shocked if the Padres could give away Hudson. Having said that, yes I’ll take Lackey and a young prospect along with salary relief any day for Hudson! Kalish, Larvarnway or Reddick *laughs*.
Padres fans correct me if im wrong, but isnt o-dog your highest payed player? that may be why he is saying Hudson for lackey, to get the padres interested?
belongs in the “baseball blogs weigh in” section with the rest of openly ridiculous stuff
I’m an A’s fan and the Lackey trade makes ZERO sense to me. If the Red Sox pay his contract, take on Orlando Hudson (who doesn’t fit anywhere), and give up 1-2 prospects, they are only making their situation worse. They would be better off releasing Lackey and eating his contract. Then they wouldn’t lose 1-2 prospects and have Hudson to deal with.
Judging from that article he’s a yahoo hack and I have no idea how he gets paid to express his thoughts on baseball.
Was the Padres beat writer for years, and has never been one to throw out speculation without some basis in fact……
The ODog on the Red Sox roster will more than make up for Adrian not on the Padres roster.
C’mon Boston, you still owe SD….
You got Adrian, possible triple crown/MVP every year.
We get Rizzo…AAAA pounder with cancer in remission
Patterson… cut after 7 weeks due to not knowing left from right field
Kelly… whose heater can’t break a window and has arm problems
Ordonez…some young’un possessing serious wheels with no bat or arm.
PAY UP WITH PEDROIA, ELLSBURY AND LACKEY FOR THE ODOG !! LOL
Have a good off-season Bosox fans…we’ll try to do the same out here.
“Ordonez…some young’un possessing serious wheels with no bat or arm.”
It’s Fuentes.
Sorry, I was mistaking Fuentes for someone else.
Kelly has arm problems? He started 27 games and pitched 142 innings this season. This was only his second full season as a pitcher, he is far from being a bust. I am be no means comparing Kelly to Maddux, but you don’t need to throw 100 mph to be a good pitcher.
I think the part of this post to really pay attention to is the quote from the Padres official saying “it ‘is not farfetched at all’ that San Diego would consider a trade for John Lackey this winter.” What the writer speculates the trade would look like is meaningless, Boston wouldn’t do that deal, and the Padres probably wouldn’t bother offering it; what’s important to note is that there is a legitimate chance of a trade.
So the Red Sox are supposed to pay Lackey to leave; give the Padres a prospect (or two); and take Orlando Hudson, whom they don’t need.
Is Theo Epstein leaving and being replaced by Tony Reagins?
I could see something like this happening. The Padres have told fans to expect to increase salary to around 50-55 million. Even if they bring back Bell they would be at 43 million give or take. If the Padres send the Red Sox Hudson (5.5 million) and take on Lackey (15.75 million) They could take on nearly all the contract for that season which would give the Red Sox 10 million to spend. Obviously the Red Sox would probably have to throw in 10 million for 2013 and another 10 million for 2014. The Padres would be taking on nearly half of Lackey’s contract from here on out and an argument could be made for the Red Sox to also send another body.
Unless that body was the frozen remains of Ted Williams, the Sox would literally be better off just dropping Lackey and eating the whole contract.
Really? rather just release him than save 20 million dollars?
No kidding, from the Sox perspective it’s going to come down to how much money they are able to get out from under. Hudson’s inclusion I would imagine would mean he’d be dealt to another team, either as a 3-way or after the fact with the Sox kicking in a couple million to make it happen. Hudson has WAR’s of 1.8, 3.2, and 3.5 the previous 3 years. Don’t think it’s crazy that some team would be willing to pay him around 4-5m. Hudson hit .260/.359/.379 away from Petco this year while stealing a career high 19 bases. A team in need of a 2b stop-gap could do much worse.
The end result would probably be saving 5-7m/yr for the Sox, which obviously beats the pants off of simply releasing him. I would imagine the Padres would be willing to give up another piece, perhaps an outfielder like Chris Denorfia or Aaron Cunningham or a player of similar value at another position, and any ‘prospect’ coming back would be of the fringe variety that no one would lose sleep over. The sox get rid of Lackey, save enough money to fund an expensive draft (and probably a years worth of international signings) with each team swapping players of more need for them.
I don’t think it would be Hudson for Lackey & 40m along with two of their top 5 prospects like you could get from Kras’ comments. More like Hudson & a cheap player for Lackey and 25-30m along with a cheap player of similar value to the one they’re getting.
Completely agree with you on this. I don’t see the Padres getting good prospects. The Padres would get a veteran pitcher that would benefit from Black and Petco at a reduced price(Boston eating money) and send Hudson away to give the Padres a chance to see if Forsythe is good enough to play 2B everyday. The Sox get some salary relief and a utility player in Hudson, or a 3 way as you suggest.
Writers are becoming careless like weather persons. Say anything you want, regardless of accuracy and you still get to keep your job because people read/watch your crap. People say Red Sox fans toss out the dumbest trade ideas? Seriously, Lackey, plus his salary , plus a young major leaguer or Good prospect, PLUS we take on O’Dog and his 6 mil plus buyout? whack job, why don’t we throw in Ellsbury. As others have written, we could just leave Lackey by the side of the road and we would be better off.
What about Lackey to the Cubs for Soriano? You wouldn’t have to re sign Ortiz who I believe will just completely fall off when he does start to decline. Bad contract for bad contract. Cubs would have a very good pitcher to pair with Garza and free up an outfield spot for a younger guy. The Red Sox could go after C.J. Wilson or Edwin Jackson or even trade for a pitcher.
That’s more realistic than the ridiculous trade proposal in this post.
I suppose that’s more realistic, if you are like windycitywarrior and view Lackey as a top of the rotation pitcher still. I think everyone else kind of views him as a 4th or 5th starter if he doesn’t pitch his way into the bullpen into a long relief role. Soriano has more value than that, even if he is overpaid.
This trade idea just seems like a wild rumor to get the the flow of winter going for the Sox. As a Padres fan I would not mind have Lackey and getting rid of Hudson but the whole idea just sounds to far fetched. Hoyer knows the Boston system far too well (at least I hope) and with a Potential new GM coming into Boston, it could be the start of a bad winter for the Sox.
This trade idea just seems like a wild rumor to get the the flow of winter going for the Sox. As a Padres fan I would not mind have Lackey and getting rid of Hudson but the whole idea just sounds to far fetched. Hoyer knows the Boston system far too well (at least I hope) and with a Potential new GM coming into Boston, it could be the start of a bad winter for the Sox.
All I can say is “SOLD AMERICAN.” Where do I sign?
All I can say is “SOLD AMERICAN.” Where do I sign?
smh.speechless
smh.speechless
What was the last trade Boston did where they paid the majority of the player’s salary after he was traded?
Julio Lugo I believe. I could be wrong though
Lackey and Varitek (or anybody else who is a cancer, maybe one or more of the alcoholics in boston’s clubhouse) + money in exchange for: Hudson, Latos, Heath Bell, Anthony “i can’t hit in the majors” Rizzo, Casey “i am an overhyped SS converted to Pitcher” Kelly.
Lackey and Varitek (or anybody else who is a cancer, maybe one or more of the alcoholics in boston’s clubhouse) + money in exchange for: Hudson, Latos, Heath Bell, Anthony “i can’t hit in the majors” Rizzo, Casey “i am an overhyped SS converted to Pitcher” Kelly.
Please don’t trade for Lackey Jed. The prospect in San Antonio are better than he is. Save the money and spend it on a real asset like Jose Reyes.
Move Orlando Hudson for whatever you can get; unless you expect his big contract season. Then ride him to the deadline, trade him for good prospects and go with; Spangerberg, Parrino, or Forysthe.
So exactly what is the Sox inspriration to make that Lackey deal?
It would be simpler to release him. The money is probably not much more expensive, and you get to kee the young player and not have to deal with Orlando Hudson…