The Rockies have acquired Marco Scutaro from the Red Sox in exchange for Clayton Mortensen, the teams announced. Scutaro is the second shortstop the Sox have traded this winter, following the deal that sent Jed Lowrie and Kyle Weiland to the Astros for Mark Melancon.
Scutaro, 36, fills the Rockies' need for a second baseman, as the veteran will return to the position after primarily playing shortstop over the last three seasons. He hit .299/.358/.423 in 445 plate appearances with Boston in 2011, and is returning to the NL for the first time since he broke into the Majors with the Mets in 2002-03. Renck says Colorado earmarked Scutaro as a target when the offseason began.
Mortensen, 26, was a supplemental first-round pick (36th overall) for the Cardinals in the 2007 draft. The right-hander was part of the trade package the Cardinals sent to the A's in July 2009 in exchange for Matt Holliday. Mortensen has a 5.12 ERA, a 4.7 K/9 rate and a 3.7 BB/9 rate in 24 Major League games (13 of them starts) with the Rockies, A's and Cardinals. His 51.3% ground ball rate helps offset the lack of strikeouts.
Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says (on Twitter) that the Red Sox will platoon Mike Aviles and Nick Punto at shortstop. The deal relieves the team of Scutaro's $6MM salary, giving the club some more money to use towards a starting pitcher. Mortensen is still in his pre-arbitration years.
Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio and ESPN first reported the agreement (on Twitter) while Troy Renck of The Denver Post said the two sides were finishing up the trade earlier today. Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.
Well….. what the heck do the Sox do at short? Weird.
Wow terrible trade! Plus, Punto an Aviles platooning? Ughhhh I’m sick to my stomach
Aviles… he’s better offensively than Scutaro, and has more range and a stronger arm. Punto as a solid defensive replacement in tight games.
Punto should not be a defensive replacement at SS.
Thats where all of his value comes from…shows how much you know
Maybe before you try to be the “wise guy”, you should actually look into what you’re about to say. You’re wrong. He is average at best at SS. Punto is an average bat with an average glove. Not a bad player, but shouldn’t be your defensive specialist, especially at short.
Nick Punto? Average? Over the last 5 years, he is the 2nd best defensive shortstop in the majors with at least 1,000 innings played (#1 is Omar Vizquel), according to UZR/150. Aviles is actually #4 in that ranking, so we can see where Boston is going with their shortstop planning….
These guys have never been everyday shortstops!
Are you crazy? Better offensively than Scutaro??! Look at the numbers of each career and esp. the last 3 years. This was a terrible trade.
I think it funny that Aviles was not good enough to play for the royals last year now he going to start for the Red Sox.
What is Cherrington doing with the Sox?
Starlin Castro as compensation for Theo. He would get eaten alive by Ruthless Red Sox Fans
ha if theo was actually worth that
He is. Apparently Javier Baezis on their top 10 prospect list has a lot of pop in his bat and even though Castro can hit he will never be what he could be since he was brought up way to early, they should have waited at least 2 more years which would be this year actually then he would be fine. Unfortunately Hak-Ju Lee is also on that list of top 10 SS Prospects at #5..Baez is #8
No a President of Baseball operations isn’t worth that. Expect the compensation to be money and a low level guy or someone like Coleman.
Obviously I wasn’t serious.
Rockies win this one.
Definitely
Lol Sox
lol money freed up for Oswalt. lol
still lost this trade by a mile
All to save 40% of what?? 8-9m to sign Oswalt? Anyone..Even Lou Gorman could have seen this mistake.
It is one thing to make a deal, but how many years did this team sign FA after FA looking for a SS for $$$ contracts, then coming into 2012 they actually would have had 2 in Lowrie and Scutaro.. The Lowrie deal was ok, could live with it, but this one is one Jim Hendry like and we have to hope there is no more hair brainers like it to come and reminds me of the Mike Easler for John Tudor give away ohh-soo much…
If Cherrington has a master plan for SS, it sure must be a whopper, cause it can’t be Punto or Avilles as a MLB caliber SS.
I don’t know what the Rockies are doing this off-season.
no one knows what the mets are doing in general am i right??
filling holes at SP,2B and 3B?
Do Red Sox fans really think they need a good hitter at SS with the rest of that lineup.
I’d put Iglesias in there. Let him hit .200, who cares.
Well with nobody knowing how much of the season Crawford is going to miss and as of right now Ryan Sweeney is the starting RF…..more offensive production at shortstop couldn’t hurt.
Sure, but it’s not like they’ll struggle for runs. I imagine they’ll score plenty.
The Sox RF last season hit a combined .233/.299/.353. If Sweeney hits to the back of his baseball card (.720 OPS), he will give the Sox a 70 point bump in OPS from RF.
And last year, the Sox had the best offense in baseball. But regardless of that, what the Sox did here was deal out of a position of magnitude (offense) ultimately for a position of weakness (SP, if/when they sign Oswalt, and also building SP depth with Mortenson).
It’s a fantastic move for the Sox. And the Rox got a good deal too. Mutually beneficial.
We have no idea if this is a good deal until we sign whoever it is we cleared money for. For example, if we went for someone like Cody Ross with our 6m, I call it a big loss. But if we can nab Oswalt, it’s bearable. Still, you’d think Boston could have gotten more in return. It may end up working out all right for Boston with secondary moves, but they still lost out on this one trade.
Most people I talk to vehemently disagree, but I actually mostly agree with you. The only problem with it, for me, would be if struggling so bad in the majors (as opposed to when they let him struggle all year in AAA) would hurt his development.
Exactly, if he was a 26 yr old former prospect then I would do it, but since he is still young, you want him to continue to develop if at all possible, and thrown in the deep end in the majors isn’t really the best idea.
I don’t really see how it would be any worse than pushing him to AAA last year and letting him struggle there all year though (.235/.285/.269 in a full year at AAA).
it isn’t worse. that was stupid to begin with
I trust the Red Sox’s judgement more than I trust the judgement of random commenters on an internet message board.
Yeah this too. I just like the idea (if I were a sox fan) of having an everyday SS instead of a platoon of 2 mediocre guys.
I say throw him into the fire of the ALE, have Valentine sit down with him & say “don’t worry about the bat, worry about the glove.” Let him sink or swim
As an O’s fan, I can tell you how much more valuable a good fielder is. Mark Reynolds smashes balls, but can’t field his position. His offensive value is mitigated by his defensive liabilities
watching a brilliant defensive shortstop can be just as fun as watching a great hitter imo
the rest of boston probably does not agree with me though, and would flip out about his batting average
Agreed
Also, having Boston’s (average) sports fans disagree with you is usually a pretty good indication that you’re right.
well sure. but unlike me, the team has to care about what the average boston sports fan will think
probably the worst part of the job
Unfortunately true I suppose.
wow. wasn’t reynolds considered an above average fielder with arizona? i just looked up his stats and they were awful in baltimore but i thought he was generally considered a good fielder before that
Great thought. I could care less if he hits .150 and bunts every time with the defense he provides. However, this was an extremely ill-thought out trade if you ask me. yes, moving Scutaro makes sense and is fine, but why not try and get Dexter Fowler by adding in a mid-level prospect. Not only would he fill in as a great #9 hitter or even lead off is Valentine moves Ellsbury, but he would likely be able to handle RF as Fenway is not as spacious and won’t require a terrific arm as may other stadiums do.
This makes sense. The return left something to be desired for sure, but complaining that there is no SS is kind of silly.
You don’t ask for Fowler back because that doesn’t free up enough $$$ to sign Oswalt, which will be announced by mid-day tomorrow. Greta move to open up playing time for a young SS in Iglesias and to free up the $$$ to sign Oswalt
You are Dexter Fowler’s dad aren’t you?
You wouldn’t be able to get Fowler just by “adding in a mid-level prospect.”
That’s the truth. Fowler is one of the few guys from those draft classes who didn’t get shipped out. There’s a reason for that.
so how many positions can they afford to have subpar hitters at? ss, catcher, rf? not in al east!
I’m not entirely sure catcher will be a weakness for them next year. Saltalamachia and Varitek combined for a .229/.292/.439 slash line last year, and that .731 OPS ranks in the bottom half of the top 10 of all MLB teams in 2011 from catchers, and the 27 HR’s would be in the top 5 from the catcher position by team (does not include fantasy catchers like Napoli and Martinez’s HR’s while DHing.)
It’s also entirely possible that you could see Saltalamachia, who will be 27 this year and finally have a full season under his belt, catch something liek 125 games and improve, as well as getting more from Lavarnway in 30 games than Varitek would give.
Sure, they don’t have a Mauer/McCann/Avila/Santana type sitting behind the plate, but I’d say offensively, they are above league average, not below it.
But yeah, RF and SS aren’t looking so hot right now. Although I think they were one of the worst 3 teams in production from RF last year anyway, so Sweeney might actually be an improvement.
Cherington’s first big move is a rough one
i wouldnt call it cheringtons first move
Getting Baily was the first big move.
I wouldn’t call this a big move.
Wow is the red sox front office on crack. A starting SS for a mediocre pitcher
Wow . I wonder if Frank Wren realized that Cherington was just going to give Scutaro away . Hell , we could’ve given the Red Sox a better prospect than that without putting a dent in our system .
this is exaaactly what i was thinking. if you’re getting a pitcher back, how do you not trade this guy to the braves
HOW
Braves would’ve wanted cash to offset salary.
braves fans should be pretty bothered by that
I think I can safely say most of us are. Our version of moneyball consists of poor mouthing about how broke we are followed by throwing money down bottomless kawakami sized pits.
If you’re looking to dump a $6mil contract, the Braves are the last team you talk to. Sox didn’t eat a penny. Which top pitching prospect the Braves willing to give p for the Sox to eat most of the $6 mil???
i know man, $6M for a 3.5 WAR shortstop is brutal
and only one of the braves top pitching prospects would have been better than the immortal clayton mortensen
No. Chicken and beer.
This basically has to mean that the Red Sox have an agreement with Oswalt (or Jackson, but Oswalt) – otherwise there is no point doing it. (edit: or with the White Sox for Floyd i guess)
Odds are the hold up with the trade was getting the agreement with the Pitcher.
Why wouldn’t they just sign the pitcher before making the trade? There’s no rule that says as soon as you go over the luxury tax line you must pay, even if you get under it the next day.
In case the trade fell through.
Yeah I understand. I’m just playing devil’s advocate
I’m sure they could have found another taker pretty quickly if all they wanted was somebody like Mortensen.
Probably, but if they really needed to trade Scutaro in order to add a pitcher, they aren’t going to add the pitcher and just assume they can trade Scutaro later. That’s just not how business works.
Instead they trade the player and assume they can sign the pitcher. That’s just not how business works. Besides I’m sure many teams would be interested in a free Scutaro.
That’s exactly how it works, you have to worry about having the resources before you buy the product. Doing it the other way around is a recipe for disaster.
So just give a player away in hopes you can sign a starter? That’s how business works? Give players away in hopes you can sign different ones. Normally I’d agree with you if the trade made sense on its own but dealing Scutaro for junk doesn’t make any sense and Im sure Colorado would wait on it for a few days to give the Sox time to sign whoever it is they’re chasing.
The trade is bad whether is was done before, during, or after signing a pitcher. But that is irrelevant to the point; the point is that you don’t sign a player hoping you can find a way to fit him in, you find the money to sign him and then you sign him.
It’s not the point? In this specific case it’s exactly the point. They gave Scutaro away, quit acting like that was something tough for the Sox to figure out. Get a deal in place with a pitcher, put out notice to the league that the first depth arm offered they can have Scutaro and before the presser can be scheduled for whatever pitcher is signed Scoots is gone. You can have a deal done and sit on it for a few days.
You are obviously having a hard time following the conversation:
“Why wouldn’t they just sign the pitcher before making the trade?” -Jeff
“In case the trade fell through.” -Me
“I’m sure they could have found another taker pretty quickly if all they wanted was somebody like Mortensen.” -You
“Probably, but if they really needed to trade Scutaro in order to add a pitcher, they aren’t going to add the pitcher and just assume they can trade Scutaro later. That’s just not how business works.” -Me
It was pretty clearly a conversation about whether you find the payrolls space first, or if you sign the player before you have room o the payroll, and then you started talking about how it was bad business to give a player away for free, which had absolutely nothing to do with the original conversation about which should come first. Completely different issue.
You are obviously having a hard time following the conversation:
“Why wouldn’t they just sign the pitcher before making the trade?” -Jeff
“In case the trade fell through.” -Me
“I’m sure they could have found another taker pretty quickly if all they wanted was somebody like Mortensen.” -You
“Probably, but if they really needed to trade Scutaro in order to add a pitcher, they aren’t going to add the pitcher and just assume they can trade Scutaro later. That’s just not how business works.” -Me
It was pretty clearly a conversation about whether you find the payrolls space first, or if you sign the player before you have room o the payroll, and then you started talking about how it was bad business to give a player away for free, which had absolutely nothing to do with the original conversation about which should come first. Completely different issue.
Google Cole Hamels and click news.
Me being a Phillies fan this better not happen!
lol there’s no source for that at all. You being a Phillies fan in all liklihood have nothing to worry about.
scutaro would be a free agent next year. signing cole hamels and trading scutaro are completely irrelevant
lol Nick Punto your 2012 bsox starting ss Gardy has suddenly taken over in Boston.
Only Punto isn’t starting.
He very well could. Who knows yet. But I’d imagine Aviles takes over.
I would like to see what Aviles does over full season.
Dropping payroll nothing more. I would be surprised if Mortenson is still on the 40 man with spring training starts.
if mortenson was all they gave up, why werent other teams on this. scutaro is a quality second baseman. wish the cards would have went after him
Or my O’s.
(as if they’d trade inside the division)
Or my Braves .
seriously, you think anybody is worried about the O’s? lol
he’s a quality shortstop. mortensen is the kind of guy you get back for aviles, not scutaro
Shortstops are for wimps anyway.
Are the Rockies attempting to field the oldest infield in MLB? All year they are going to be referred to as “experienced”, but I know what that really means! OLD!
I thought that was the Dodgers
I was going to post the same thing. That infield..outside of Tulowitzki…is very old. Helton-Scutaro-Blake. Pretty old!
If the rockies can pitch, they will actually have a stable lineup, with both INF and OF depth.
That is one of the biggest “ifs” in all of baseball, unfortunately.
Mortensen seems like he sucks, can’t strike out anyone and too many walks in a pitcher friendly division. In the ALE he will most likely get killed. Seems like a steal for the Rockies but payroll will do that.
Love it. O’Dowd just got away with murder.
While this trade itself seems like a steal, what does it do for the Rockies? If this rotation doesn’t give the team a chance to win, the pessimistic side of me wonders whether a 36 year old 2B simply 1)wastes money that should go towards pitching and 2)blocks what should be the final opportunities for their AAAA 2Bs like Herrera, Nelson, EY, and LeMahieu. Might as well trade or cut 2 of those 4 right now and not waste anyone’s time any further.
Scutaro just had a career year, 3 WAR, .299 ERA, playing in less of a hitter’s ballpark (by 1 ranking but .2 runs). After 4 years of trusting the next 2b will prove himself, I’m pretty happy with this. Herrerra had his chance, Nelson will either get better in Spring training or probably be in AAA, DJ still has work to do, and EY will be our pinch runner. Cut Herrerra and Nelson and we’ll be fine.
He must be a really good pitcher with a .299 ERA (rounded up to 0.30)
Not really, but he did get away with Scutaro’s $6million salary.
don’t even
$6M for scutaro is a bargain. less of a bargain if you play him at 2B, but o’dowd won this trade by a significant margin
He won the trade by a significant margin? They got a 36 year old SS/2B. Hes a good player no doubt about it but the Sox were trying to unload Scutaro’s $6million salary and they did. Saying O’Dowd got away with murder or that the Rockies won this trade by a significant margin isnt at all true. Getting away with murder would be like Lowe and Varitek for Slocumb…or Wells to the Angels.
You just completely ignored what Boston got in return. Mortensen is a nobody who could have been released just as soon as he could have been traded.
I dont understand why they picked up the option for Scutaro in the first place, if they were just going to trade him for a nobody. However, I dont think anyone would give up anything good for a 36 year old SS. The main return Boston got was the salary relief.
Lester/Beckett/Oswalt/Buchholz/Dice-K/Bard
I don’t think they picked up the option with the intention of trading him, especially not with the intention of trading him for such a poor return. Things happened between then and now that led to this happening.
because scutaro is actually good. Look at how terribly the average shortstop hits. Hanley/Reyes/Tulo/A.Ramirez/Jeter are exceptions, NOT norms. A mediocre hitting, good fielding SS is a good player. Premium defensive position, very few can field the position. He had plenty of trade value at his salary.
I know that but the return they got must be because there were no other teams that wanted him. I’m still happy with the trade if it means they get Oswalt. It just becomes kind of irrelevant if they do actually sign him. They could have just declined the option and signed Oswalt before. The only thing they got out of it is a AAA pitcher.
“Unloading” is not the proper term for moving a player that has averaged over $10m in value while paying him $6m.
Boston should have gotten back something pretty decent. Mortensen is not that. The fact that Scutaro played a position where the back-up alternatives are less than attractive makes this even more curious.
How’s that Crawford contract working out now? I had no idea that it would hamstring the organization so much.
I think they want Oswalt and in order to get him and avoid the luxury tax they needed to move someone, they chose to move Scutaro. Not sure why they picked up his option in the first place but it doesn’t really matter now. What do you think they could of got back for a 36 year old SS? Boston’s offense was fine last year even with Crawford doing horrible. Their pitching on the other hand was rather bad. If Aviles/Punto/Iglesias can play good defensive SS and Crawford rebounds a bit they will be fine. If they sign Oswalt on a one year deal they will have a pretty good rotation baring any injuries.
they had a bunch of utility players that could have been not offered arb/signed. saves money right there.
I’m a Rays fan and I know how these things work, the baseball gods were nice to us yesterday which means the Red Sox trading both their SS’s means Hanley or some one awesome is on the way.
Wouldn’t it just be a kick in the nutsack if after the Sox freeing up payroll to get Oswalt by trading away Scutaro, Oswalt signs with the Yanks?
Yankees have over a dozen able arms already. A kick in the nutsack would be the Rockies signing Oswalt moments after acquiring Scutaro, considering the Red Sox probably made this trade for that reason.
Would be the last time Red Sox ever trade with them. And it would be funny.
that would be too funny for me to be upset about
Or a noncontender?
Wish I could confirm that, but Boston is just trying to free up money for a relatively cheap Oswalt deal. Aviles will be the starting SS until he gets hurt, then Iglesias.
If this doesn’t end up in Oswalt it’s a terrible deal.
Hanley!!!
Is not coming to Boston!!!
Uh huh, the Red Sox are trying to free up payroll, so they trade Scutero – 6M to the Rockies for a bag of baseballs in Mortenson. They then trade Lester, Middlebrooks, Renauldo, etc to the Marlins for a 15M dollar short stop in Hanley. Yep, really using common sense there. lol.
Lester Middle and Renaudo? are you using common sense, a staff ace plus 2 top prospects for a guy who hit .220 last year
People who doesn´t get sarcasm…
Well,
As a Rockies fan, this is a GREAT addition! Sox fans DID get the short end of the stick; Mortensen is a bum, and they just lost a solid infielder for him. To think of this lineup for the Rockies: Fowler, Scutaro, Helton, Tulowitski, Gonzalez, Cuddyer, Blake, and Hernandez? That’s ridiculous! If this lineup doesn’t take the West, I don’t know how they ever will! Go Rockies!
What about the rockies garbage pitching staff? That just might be a little itty bitty problem.
Garbage? Chacin, Delarosa, Hammel, Nicasio, and Chatwood/Pomeranz/White/Outman/Moscoso/Scahill/Gardner/Friedrich/Bettis/Anderson/Matzek are much better than the staffs that pitched them in to the playoffs in 95 or the WS in 07
Scutaro is arguably the second best SS in the NL West now, at least until Drew gets healthy.
Dude that is a terrible pitching staff. Chacin is the only player on that list I would ever want. I will give the rockies a medal for most 4th and 5th starters on a roster.
Nicasio has considerable upside IF he is fully recovered from his injury.
then you don’t know anything about baseball
except scutaro is probably going to start at 2B
why do we need oswalt….didnt he contemplate retiring last year…mid season hopefully a trade for garza is in the works……and i think aviles will be a pleasant surprise…..
Signing Oswalt makes infinitely more sense than trading for Garza.
Why does everyone keep talking about trading for Garza over signing Oswalt? A $8M/1 year, Oswalt is a bargain! He will only cost money. Garza will cost more money, and more importantly, top prospects. I’m not saying to not trade for Garza…Garza would be a good long term acquisition, but for 2012, getting Oswalt is much more probable and affordable than Garza.
Could there be something bigger brewing with the White Sox? Like Alexei Ramirez & Gavin Floyd moving to the BoSox? Who would they give up for those two do you think?
It would have to take a deal that includes 2 of Iglesias/Middlebrooks/ Boegarts, Anthony Ranaudo, Sean Coyle/Kolbrin Vitek, and another mid to low level prospect.
more than they have?
I really like what the Rockies have quietly been doing all off season. Acquiring above average parts while sprinkling in a big piece like Cuddyer. One question though, I know they have a lot of pitchers these days but whats the actual project 5 right now? I assume Chacin, Pomeranez and White are 3 parts of it. Moscoso and Nicaso?
to start the season Chacin will be the #1 Hammel will be the Likely #2 untill Delarosa returns in April, the #4 will hopefully be Juan Nicasio who all signs point to recovering nicely the 5# will be an open competition between Josh Outman, Moscoso, Chatwood, White, Pomeranz, Friedrich, Dan Houston, Rob Scahill, Joe Gardner and Jamie Moyer.
finally red sox showing some imagination and financial sense. 6million for scutaro is silly. aviles will be fine at SS.
$6M for Scutaro is actually a pretty good deal.
Why platoon? I think Aviles could take over a full year at short.
I am excited because they had the best offense last year and I don’t see how it could be any worse this year. It could actually be better because Gonzalez’ s shoulder is stronger now and Crawford will be able to slip into the lineup a few weeks into the season without the spotlight on him. I know the rotation will be okay because Beckett, Lester, and Buchholz seem determined to bounce back and the 4 and 5 spots can be filled by Bard/Aceves/Silva/Padilla/Doubront/Tazawa/Miller/Cook. At lest ONE of those guys can be productive right?!?! I prefer to use Aceves out of the bullpen for 150 innings because it is invaluable getting that many innings out of the bullpen from ONE GUY who will give you an ERA around 3. I don’t think Bard will cut it as a starter either. Now that Scutaro is gone I think they will go ahead and sign Oswalt even though there is a rumor just a few minutes ago that they are talking to the Phillies about Hamels. I think the 4/5 spots willbe filled by Oswalt and Doubront. The Red Sox will be fine. Already with the best lineup and a revamped bullpen, as long as their starters stay healthy we will see a team better than the one we saw last year May-August that was on pace to winning 107 games. Injuries always happen, though, so it is a very good thing that they have all of those starters and Dice-K is coming back. I hate how all of the Red Sox fans want to make more moves. I love what Cherington has done. He has gotten two great relievers and loaded the depth of the rotation after last year’s nightmare. Aviles will do fine at SS, he hit .317 after he was traded to the BoSox last year. Stop being so glum, Red Sox fans!
Did you expect anyone to read that novel you just posted?
lol
Did you?
I didn’t.
Look up Cole Hamels on Google and go to news.
I don’t see it happening at all unless the Red Sox are gutting their farm system completely for him, besides, if it was a legit rumor, it’d be on this website.
Realistically, they’re probably going to sign Oswalt.
Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says (on Twitter) that the Red Sox will platoon Mike Aviles and Nick Punto. This is laughable! A Team like the Red Sox doesn’t have this kind of platoon. This is something that the Orioles would do especially when MacPhail was in charge. I can only guess the Red Sox and Marlins are going to pull off a trade involving Hanley Ramirez. Aviles and Punto platoon my “left” foot!
Awwww, Imagine it was only a few short years ago the Sox fans were clamoring that the scutaro signing was the best one of the offseason. I’m waiting for the Sox lapdog media ESPN to help spin this into an amazing trade for them.
I’m pretty sure no Sox fan ever claimed that signing Scutaro was the best signing. You’re pretty much making that up to spin it into a funny comment.
There isn’t a single acquisition in the last 3-5 years that has worked out for the Sox. Pedroia, Lester and Ellsbury? Those are their own. Adrian Gonzalez? An early wedding present to Theo from Hoyer and I think that has shown its truth in recent weeks now that they are both on the Cubs. I said this over 50 times last year. I unequivocally think Hoyer could have gotten a better package elsewhere (ex A. Angels sign Pujols to $250mm deal). It was a lay-up of a deal. Not saying this wasn’t good for the Sox, because it most definitely was, but for anyone to ever think they landed AGon because of great management and strong negotiating is kidding themselves. You can’t even give away glow sticks at a concert that easily. Scutaro and Cameron? Signed at the same time. One’s been released, the other traded. We could go on an on, but the Red Sox signing players through free agency in recent years has been nothing short of a spectacular failure. I don’t know who’s to blame for that. Further, these epic failures now restrict their ability to extend/re-sign the most key components in Ellsbury and who knows what’s going to happen with Pedrioa and Lester in 2-3 years. Maybe Lester goes to the Cubs as a free agent. Ellsbury signs with Rangers or Tigers. Who knows. Said truth in offering Ortiz arbitration, likely with the hopes of receiving a draft pick, was yet another backfire. These guys really need to take a step back this season and evaluate really what they are doing before its too late. Oi vey
“There isn’t a single acquisition in the last 3-5 years that has worked out for the Sox.” That’s where I stopped reading, you’re being ridiculous.
Name 1 please? That’s all I ask.
You named more than one in your own post – Scutaro and Gonzalez were both very good acquisitions for the Sox. Beltre was an outstanding deal, Saltalamacchia has worked out well so far, trading Manny for Bay worked really well.
Pick one.
I completely forgot about Beltre. That’s it buddy. Not a single other free agent signing has both made sense and worked. Of course they screwed that up too and did not re-sign him. All the names you mention are basically one year situations. I’m talking about the real meat of this thing and free agent signings.
So now because I actually could name several you are going to change the point of what you’re saying? Drew was a free agent and was worth 85% of his contract (and on pace to be more than worth his contract before last year), which is better than you can say about most big free agent deals. Scutaro was a free agent and was more than worth his contract. Aceves was a free agent when the Red Sox signed him, and he was invaluable for them last year. Albers was a free agent and worth more than twice his contract.
My goodness what a massive, misinformed rant.
I agree with this 100%. Not to mention the many clutch hits Scutaro had last year against….cough cough…..That pinstriped team from New York. Outside of Ellsbury, Scutaro was some of the only polish on that post all star break turd. I love the “this team doesnt need any offense” spin. Laughable. Now there is a hole in both corner OF’s, C and SS. 6-9 should be a cake walk for opposing teams. There better be one heck of a follow up move to this trade.
Scutaro and Pedroia were the only ones who played hard all September. I liked Scutaro. But the Red Sox are FINE.
Im not doubting theyll be “FINE”. They were FINE last year which earned them 3rd place. Their opening day DL will be about 50-60 million. Im not sure FINE is what sox fans and Shaughnessy will tolerate.
Considering the steaming pile that was Boston’s SS the previous year (Nick Green getting the most PA’s with 309, while Alex Gonzalez and Julio Lugo were responsible for 159 and 123, respectively), it WAS a relatively good signing, especially getting him that cheaply. Let’s look at the OPS+ for those guys: Green 71, Gonzalez 95 (in 44 games), Lugo 86 (in 37 games). Scutaro’s two seasons in Boston had OPS+es of 92 and 110. There’s worse ways to spend $11M over two seasons.
The Rockies will be scoring a ton of runs this year. Add Hernandez, Cuddyer, Blake, and now Scutaro to go with Tulo, CarGo, Helton, and Fowler…. Just need to get at least one solid SP. i.e. Garza, Jackson, Floyd, Davis, Niemann.
Agreed. If DLR comes back strong I think the Rox are a solid pitcher away from being pretty decent this year.
3/4 of the starting IF for the Rockies will be 35+ years of age. Not sure what to make of that.
Pacheco/Nelson/Herrera/EYJ all there to packup 3b/2b. Along with Arenado on the fast track and its been reported he will get legit shot to make team out of spring training. Plenty of younger guys to back up the vets. And plus did you really want Nelson or Herrera starting at 2b over Scutaro coming off a career yr, regardless of age? Not me.
For 2012 it makes some sense, except the starting rotation is so sketchy that it’s hard to imagine them competing this coming season. Because I don’t see the necessary pitching, I don’t understand getting Blake and Scutaro who only really make sense to me as one-year “go-for it” types, not long-term solutions.
I think it buys time for Arenado at 3rd and Rutledge or LeMahieu at 2nd. No idea who is the future at 1st base though, maybe Matthes?
I get the idea of “buying time”, but Blake and Scutaro are guys you go get on one-year deals if your team is on the verge of contending in terms of its pitching and you need a couple of veterans to put you over the top.
I don’t see the pitching on this roster that would cause me to make such a move.
Scutaro just had his best year, Blake is a placeholder for Arenado, Helton has Giambi and Cuddyer to back him up. I am not worried unless 4 get injured.
2009 was scutaro’s best year
If we are trying to play “Moneyball” here, yes. It was his best year.
This better mean they’re getting Floyd or Oswalt. If not, I can’t wrap my head around it.
Agreed. Until either of those moves or a comparable one occurs the sox are a worse team then they were this morning.
Does anyone think this move means we now have the best ‘pen in baseball? beckett, Lester, Buccholz, Oswalt, Mortensen as the starting 5 is viable seeing Dice-k is back midseason, bard and aceves could spot start if needed, and a bullpen of melancon, bailey, bard, aceves, morales, doubront, atchison is pretty damn good, only competition i see bullpen wise is TEX, and NYY
You do realize it might be worth actually having a contract in place when you consider Oswalt part of the rotation. But, I agree, we shouldn’t sweat the small details.
I don’t think this deal happens without another deal already agreed to in principle.
I laughed when I thought of Mortenson on the BOS MLB roster. And Oswalt doesn’t play for Boston. And not to mention the sox lost one of the best closers in the game.
No, Mortensen isn’t going to start for the Red Sox. He’d be behind all of Bard, Aceves, Doubront, Cook, Padilla, and Silva, and probably Miller too.
In all of baseball ? No . The Braves I would think would have the edge there in production and depth .
In the AL ? Yes , maybe .
Not to throw a monkey-wrench in here, and the Oswalt signing is a very logical guess, but Oswalt’s not the only salary out there. Keep you eyes on Selig and the Theo compensation.
I wish the Tigers had made an offer
Floyd is as ordinary as it gets. Definition of average.
I agree with this. No need to trade 1 single prospect for this guy. Aceves will easily match what floyd will as will pretty much any of the other Miller, Dubront, etc. types. If Floyd is the move that is to follow this trade….yikes.
nm
Its been said Cuddyer will/could slide to first if and when Helton’s back gives way for good. I do feel it needs to be addressed next offseason.
If Selig sends Lackey or Jenks to the Cubs to free 6-21 million dollars I will be so happy. They can actually lock up Ellsbury or go get Cain or Hamels in the offseason!!!
Why would that happen? Did the Cubs upset MLB at some point?
I’m sorry, did the Yankees have anything to do with this post?
You do realize that players on the DL cannot be moved right?
Sure they can, it just has to be approved first.
Oh really…my bad then. I could’ve sworn they couldn’t be traded if on the DL.
Jake Peavy was traded while on the DL. It just has to be approved by the Commissioner’s Office.
Aviles is going to better than most people think, I would not be surprised if he surpassed Scut’s numbers. Then if Iglesias hits solid at AAA he will be up in a platoon to add a boost to the late inning defense. The pitching is likely about to get better which considering the slight downgrade on offense should work out well overall for the team. Probably gonna have a top 3 offense with 5 potentially above average starters and lots of depth signings. Carl Crawford is not going to be out long so offense doesn’t worry me at all either. Sweeney can hit for average, if we could get ross that would a nice platoon. Teams rounding out just fine.
sox could’ve got a little bit more out of this deal.
Probably but they knew we wanted to make the deal so they kind of had some leverage.
Not a bad move for the Sox. Mortensen is young and has potential. Scutaro is decent, but has one year left. Mike Aviles will now be given the chance to start, and he’s a decent hitter who should at least be able to hit for average.
Now if they go out and sign Oswalt, that leaves one spot in the rotation for Bard, Aceves, Cook, Silva, and Mortensen (and whoever else I missed). Out of those names, hopefully at least one can work out. If Mortensen doesn’t make the rotation, he could be a good addition to the pen for 2012, and a potential starting pitcher in the near future.
If you look at it like this. The Red Sox picked up his option for 6 million dollars because it was below market value. They could have just declined his option to save the money..but this way they got a minor league pitcher out of it. They were able to get some value out of parting ways with Scutaro..which is probably wise at some point as he is getting older.
Thievery! Just about makes up for the Street trade.
nice pic
The Red Sox should have asked for napkins and red cups instead of Mortenson. That would have suited them better for when they throw beer/fried chicken parties in the dugout during the games they don’t care about.
The Red Sox should have asked for napkins and red cups instead of Mortenson. That would have suited them better for when they throw beer/fried chicken parties in the dugout during the games they don’t care about.
The Rockies have around 15 starters vying for rotation spots I feel and the Red Sox can’t get a better return than this kid? I’m more baffled by the choice of player than the trade itself. 6M for Scutaro is a steal and should get a return of Moscoso, Outman, Hammel, or Chatwood.
Sounds like a prelude to signing Oswalt.
Sounds like a prelude to signing Oswalt.
Hate.
Love this move. A very nice CONSISTENT veteran to man 2B until DJ
LeMahieu is deemed ready. Now the question is, who becomes the back up
infielder? Nelson (can play multiple positions adequately), Hererra
(scrappy little quy who can play three positions), Pacheco (can play
multiple positions), or EYJ? I hope it’s not EY and one of the guys
above as you can catch a theme there. . . can play multi positions.
Also, will we carry four outfielders if Giambi breaks camp with the team
(he signed a minor league contract)? If so, who will it be? Blackmon,
Colvin, EYJ, or others?
For me the Sox have downgraded themselves at SS, RF, and closer, and to this point have not improved their starting pitching.
Oy. Giants are going into Spring Training with Crawford as the presumptive SS and they couldn’t make a better offer than this?
Scutaro, despite being a nice player with a great salary, was not likely to land a top-10 prospect when he is being shopped as a known salary dump. Giants would have had to give up something pretty high in the system to be giving up better quality than Mortensen with a remaining minor league option.
Lot of posters on the previous threads who ripped Denver Post reporter Troy Renck and owe him an apology.
Guilty. However, it is not the first time hes been premature on a developing rumor.
People saying the Rockies won this, are in some terms correct. But this trade actually turns out to be, Roy Oswalt and Clayton Mortensen for Marco Scutaro. I’ll take that.
Well, what do the Red Sox do at SS then? Punto? He’s average at best. It would turn out solid if the Red Sox do get Oswalt, but Scutaro’s current replacement isn’t a long term, or even mid-term solution. At least with the Rockies, Mortenson wasn’t going to do much. I liked having him, but even last year, when we hadn’t acquired all these pitchers like Outman, he wasn’t going to be a starter. And he definitely wouldn’t now. So we traded an ok pitcher that wasn’t going to be used for a good second baseman. Good trade by the Rockies.