The Red Sox are now under new GM Ben Cherington's watch, and they figure to again be one of the most active teams during the offseason. Here's the latest from Boston…
- WEEI.com's Alex Speier spoke to sources both inside and outside the organization who said the Red Sox are not expected to move third baseman Kevin Youkilis. Youkilis will turn 33 next month, and although he's missed time with injury in each of the last three seasons, he remains productive (.258/.373/.459 in 2011) and affordable ($12MM in 2012 with a $13MM club option for 2013).
- Within the same piece, Speier notes that the Sox will "almost surely kick the tires on [pitchers] with the stuff and/or track record that suggests an ability to compete in the American League East," as long as they're open to short-term contracts.
- CEO and team president Larry Lucchino appeared on the Dennis & Callahan show this morning; Jerry Spar of WEEI.com provides a transcript. Among other things, he said talks with the Cubs about compensation for Theo Epstein are taking so long because "the parties have different views of what is significant compensation."
- Meanwhile, Bud Selig told reporters (including Scott Miller of CBSSports.com) he expects the compensation dispute to land on his desk this coming Tuesday (Twitter link).
- David Freese is busy providing the Cardinals with postseason heroics, but Tom Krasovic of Inside The Padres says the Red Sox had a loophole deal in place to sign the third baseman for $90K before the 2006 draft. The commissioner's office stepped in and nixed the deal, however.
Hopefully Padres’ management can have McLeod swearing in future drafts, too.
stopping the sox from signing freese is one good job by budt.
Ah, and the annual overrating of guys like David Freese cause they did well in the playoffs begins.
I actually want to thank Bug Selig for not allowing us to waste a pick on a dime-a-dozen player like Freese.
Missed playoffs again….. better luck next year.
I’ve always liked Youk but he doesn’t keep in shape. He looked awful this year and it’s not just this year. He has been hurt 3 years in a row. Players who don’t keep in shape don’t age well. The Sox need to move on. Get what they can for him and give Middlebrooks a shot.
13.7 WAR in 3 years despite missing 128 games
meh, i’m sure a rookie with less than 100 PA above AA can take over
That’s the point. He missed 128 games. He can’t move in the field. You want him as a DH? Maybe. He looks like a guy on the decline to me. All I said is give Middlebrooks a chance, not annoint him Brooks Robinson Jr.
no, that’s the opposite of the point. most guys can’t give you 4.5 WAR in 162 games; he provides it in shortened seasons. you are underrating the crap out of him and overrating the crap out of a kid who had a great season in double-A
youk isn’t graceful at third by any stretch, but he’s serviceable. having had adrian beltre at the hot corner and mike lowell before that, boston fans may have forgotten what an average 3B looks like
Youkilis has been on pace for ≈ 5.0 WAR (or more) for 4 straight years now; that doesn’t sound like a guy on the decline to me. He’s still one of the best hitters in the game and (while he wasn’t great) he held his own at 3B this year.
If someone wanted him bad enough to give up a lot of value to get him I might consider moving him, but I wouldn’t shop him around by any means.
Well, all the positives you and Speer speak of are precisely why Youk would have immense trade value. A perennial all-star, leading in OBP, returning roughly $25MM in value per season on a contract that pays him half that amount, who can play great defense at 1B and passable defense at 3B and is locked up for 2 years. I would think that if he were made available, we could score a very solid No. 2 or 3 starter for him. I’d miss Youk, but I’d be willing to see Aviles manning the hot corner for a year or more, as Middlebrooks develops.
I have some serious doubts about Middlebrooks’ bat. He’s got a very large hole in his swing. He may never pan out. But if he fails, there will be the opportunity to sign or trade for another quality 3B down the road.
Honestly, I’d want more than a #2-3 starter for Youkilis, but with his perceived injury issues recently we probably wouldn’t get it, that’s why I’m not really for them actively shopping him. If a team wants him enough to approach the Sox maybe they can get more for him, but short of that I’d keep him around.
And there really aren’t any quality 3B out there to trade for or sign down the road if they trade Youkilis and Middlebrooks doesn’t pan out. Another reason I’d like to keep him around.
funny spot. if he’d played 150 games last year he’d have enough trade value to bring back a huge haul. but if he’d played 150 games last year, none of these derpers would be wanting to trade him in the first place
If he had played 150 games last season he would be Brooks Robinson. He’s not.
“DERP”
good point.
Love how easy it was to see Youk’s not on the trading block… there is simply not one good reason to trade him. Can’t sell high on a 32 year old that had a second straight injury plagued season. There’s no one to match his production when healthy. Just an absolutely hysterical report.
Youk’s power would suffer at most other stadiums. He has as close to a Petrocelli/Esasky swing as anyone have seen for years, not to mention his intensity is something really like and the team needs.. His glove is not bad either, 3B, 1B he knows how to put leather on the ball.
The pitchers Speir flirted with (Floyd/Danks) would be a pure rip off in a move straight up for one of the best 3B in the game.
“Sources?” I find that laughable. Never name names. And how many “sources” feed information with the intend of floating trial balloons or getting folks off the trail? A few years back I tracked Gammons – possibly the top of the food chain – on his comments regarding potential moves gleaned from “sources” and his average was pitiful. This applies to media in general and is just one of my favorite rants on a do nothing Saturday AM.
Cograds to the Cards and a good series.
If they named names those sources would be fired and nobody would talk to that reporter.
All one has to do is follow the questionable practices of journalist over the last decade or so to realize believing them is like believing a storm window salesman.
The “sources” can be a freaking ball ball – if a source even exists. Skeptic? You better believe I am.
“Speier notes that the Sox will “almost surely kick the tires on [pitchers] with the stuff and/or track record that suggests an ability to compete in the American League East as long as they’re open to short-term contracts”
So, apparently they’re not thinking of starters, none of whom would fit those criteria.
Why are people so enamored with the AL East? They do not have the best teams in the AL! Didnt their best teams lose in the first round of the playoffs? Seriously get over this AL east ego. Yea your midlevel teams are better than other divisions but your best arent as good as the best in other divisions.
the best team shouldn’t even be decided one game basis, let alone one whole series. i think we should decide it after every inning