Three AL East executives said they view the Red Sox as the Yankees’ greatest intra-divisional threat this year, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. “There is just too much talent on that roster for them not to contend,” one of the executives said of the Red Sox. Here are the latest notes and rumors from Sherman…
- The Red Sox are trying to find a high-end starting pitcher or a shortstop, one official told Sherman.
- Boston tried to flip Carl Crawford to Miami to address their shortstop situation, Sherman reports. However, GM Ben Cherington said on WEEI in Boston today that there was just one conversation with Miami and that talks about Crawford never got serious (Twitter link via Rob Bradford).
- Boston “wants [Crawford] out in the worst way,” Sherman hears from an exec.
- James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson and Wade Davis are drawing lots of interest, Sherman writes. The Rays are hoping demand for Shields spikes once Zack Greinke gets traded. It's conceivable that a bidding war could emerge between the Angels and Rangers.
Ok, Lackey now Crawford while their in-house options are why they have always won…
False
If the Red Sox were to get another high end SP, then I’d agree with those executives that they’d be more of a threat than the Rays, Jays and O’s. However if Lester and/or Beckett continue to struggle, I can’t see them finishing no better than 3rd place.
kind of obvious though, right? even the most irrational fans wouldn’t have said “our three best pitchers are going to pitch poorly and we’re going to win it all”
the idea is that those guys should be expected to pitch better and that if they do, they’ll have a shot
Not necessarily obvious. Toronto is filled with injuries and Baltimore is overachieving. In the AL East the Red Sox have the 2nd best run differential to teh Yankees. They are underachieving.
Buchholz has improved his season, and Cook, while it’s a small sample of course, has done okay so far
I just looked at Cook’s stats, somehow he averages less than 1 K an inning (also less than 1 BB an inning).
If even just 1 of the 2 Red Sox front line pitchers improves, they could be in 2nd place very soon. I’m not saying they’ll win the divsion or even make the playoffs, I’m just saying they are underachieving for sure. Their bulpen and lineup is certainly is what’s helping them be around the .500 mark. While the AL East is normally a good division, I just think the Yankees as of now are the only really good team in it.
Baltimore, especially with their tough 2nd half schedule probably will fade very soon. I don’t want that to happen though. Woudl like to see them at least make .500
you know you’re scared of aaron cook
This that’s frustrating is they’re the kind of team that could totally run off 8-9 in a row in the next two weeks and then drop 5-6 and be right back where they started… At some point you have to kind of tip your cap to injuries, but doesn’t make it any less frustrating… best plan of action is just to stand pat.
I know I am.
I “fear the beard”
Just teach Crawford to hit for power, he has the strength and utilities. The batting average will come.
oh yeah it’s that simple. LOL
>implying Ellsbury didn’t pull the ball all 2011
He hit his career high (19) in a contract year. You will never see that number again.
I’m not sure I’m buying it from Sherman about Crawford; not that I would blame the Red Sox for wanting to get rid of Crawford (particularly his contract) at this point, but his story about them being the ones trying to flip him to Miami is completely opposite of everything that’s been reported so far.
Sherman didn’t say he had talked yo a “Red Sox” executive. My guess is he has been on the phone with someone in New York or Toronto.
I don’t buy it either, really. I could get the notion of trying to clean house from the previous GM, but Crawford’s trade value is hilariously low right now, and also we still don’t know what the Crawford of today really is yet. Really, *next* season, post-surgery, when he’s healthy, will be his defining year.
I’m no huge Carl Crawford fan, but really, they just need to ride him out right now.
For sure, I really didn’t think that it was a good contract, but that said what can they do. If they trade him at this point they will have to eat quite a bit regardless, you can’t get out from under it. So the should just make the best of it and see if he can bring back his value.
I am not sure anything from Sherman is on the level. He is the NYP’s version of Shagnessey in my book. Just a hair above Cafardo.
So many of the items you hear (as you stated) come from him only. Either he has an ear in places none other do, or one heck of an imagination to use a kinder word…
I have been trying to give this post 5 likes.
Boston “wants [Crawford] out in the worst way,” Sherman hears from an exec.
Crawford is roughly owed what? Roughly between 110 and 112 million.
I am sure there’s at least a half dozen GM and owner’s willing to jump all over that huge contract. Actually, there could be one, the Dodgers. It’s the one weak link in their outfield, imho.
James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson and Wade Davis
Are these guys really any good? Shields never wowed me.
I always felt Tillman (O’s) was a better pitcher than Hellickson, even though Hellickson currently has better numbers. Tillman is catching up and will pass him. As for Davis, meh.
The Red Sox are trying to find a high-end starting pitcher or a shortstop,
As for high end pitching, every single so called “high-end” pitcher is a total gamble. The team that gets it right will go to the playoffs, the team that doesn’t will not. Unless, the Yankees make a trade, I think they are going to playoffs no matter what happens.
You’ve ‘always felt Tillman was a better pitcher than Hellickson.’ Did you actually look at their career numbers? Hellickson 3.16 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, while Tillman is looking at about 5.00 and 1.50. You see, with ERA and WHIP, lower is better. The Crawford comment is laughable. At least 6 teams would jump all over that contract?? There weren’t 6 teams that would have paid him that same $ last year. Basically, you are saying that Crawford has INCREASED his value in the last 1 1/2 years. Not seeing it.
I do think Tillman is the better pitcher, but I usually convey that on Oriole sites. Anyway, I can’t believe you didn’t sense the sarcasm about my Crawford comment, however, it is possible the Dodgers could be interested if he is indeed healthy.
Don’t worry, your sarcasm is there and perceivable. I’m assuming Peter just missed the line that started with “Actually, there could be one..” Putting “ONE” in caps probably would have made it stand out a bit more.
I read it again, and you’re right. I could have interpreted sarcasm there. There actually may be 2 owners crazy enough to take on Crawford’s contract (Jeffrey Luria, I’m speaking about you), but only if the Sox will take some of Miami’s dead weight.
Hellickson posted a 4.72 xFIP last year vs. a 2.95 ERA. This year it’s a 4.92 xFIP vs. a 3.42 ERA. He’s also yet to eclipse a K-rate of 6 per 9. I’m not saying Tillman’s a better pitcher, but Hellickson’s really not all that great. And WHIP? Seriously?
ya…I always thought AJ Burnett was better than Halladay too. But like Tillman to Hellickson, Burnett never did anything to validate the point.
Remember that off season where Jayson Werth and Carl Crawford were the two biggest position players in free agency? Why does it seem like it happened a century ago?
Sherman is clueless
“the Red Sox as the Yankees’ greatest intra-divisional threat this year”
Could be true if Toronto, Baltimore or Tampa don’t improve. But Toronto or Baltimore could pick a top starter like Greinke or Josh Johnson.
Tampa is already going to get better by adding their best player Evan Longoria, who is coming back from an injury. Same for goes for Toronto when Bautista comes off the DL.
Even if TO or Baltimore pick up another piece, they still look much less deep, and much less prepared to make a sustained run.
Why in the world is Jeremy Hellickson on the block?
Anyways, if he is, I wouldn’t mind Atlanta making a move for him.
Does anybody think a Vernon Wells/ Carl Crawford off-season (change of scenery) swap makes any sense? Crawford is having trouble in the Boston pressure-cooker, and the Angels line-up is pretty RH heavy. Crawford seems to fit well with Scioscia’s style of play, and perhaps Wells could use the Green Monster to his advantage. (Although career numbers for both players at those parks doesn’t generate enthusiasm) The salaries would be a wash in 2013 & 2014, then Wells’ contract is up. Lots of variables to balance out the trade, but wanted to hear what some others thought.
Curious if the Sox could get Dee Gordon from the Dodgers and the Dodgers move Hanley back to SS. Dodgers could use some OF and the Sox have extra OF and need a SS
dodgers wont sell low. I wish reddick was on the red sox still, because a reddick for gordon would look nice!
Red Soxs, pay 75% of crawford contract and im sure dodgers will take a chance, well send cruz to play shortstop :]
12:$19.5M, 13:$20M, 14:$20.25M, 15:$20.5M, 16:$20.75M, 17:$21M
Good luck with that Boston
And he needs UCL surgery?
The sad thing is that contract would absolutely kill most MLB teams, but I’m sure Boston will pull through while paying more than $20,000,000 annually to a guy who has been playing like a fourth OF at best for awhile now.
Do the Red Sox have insurance that pays a players salary in the event of surgery/loss of season?
I would’ve liked Crawford + Cody Ross/prospects for Hanley.
Exactly just what “shortstop situation” is Sherman referring to? Aviles is making 1.2 million while leading all AL shortstops in RBIs and then we have Iglesias, Marrero, Bogaerts, Vinicio and Lin in the minors. I’d say we have SS pretty much covered, no?