In today's column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe offers up a few ideas to help bolster the Red Sox. Cafardo suggests that the Red Sox need a pure middle-of-the-order hitter and writes that Joe Mauer of the Twins would fit the bill nicely. While the Twins might not be in a rush to deal him, Boston might be willing to put together an attractive offer to get a hitter of his caliber that can split time between first base and catcher. If they can't make Mauer the big get of this winter, Cafardo also suggests names like Nick Swisher, Mike Napoli, and even Josh Hamilton. Of course, the Red Sox may pass on some of the bigger names and price tags out there to avoid locking themselves into more unfavorable contracts. Here's more from Cafardo..
- Rays pitcher James Shields has a $9MM option for this year and will likely be unaffordable for the club after that. It seems likely that Tampa Bay will finally bite the bullet and trade pitching to get the offense that they need. One National League GM suggested that the Rangers would be a good partner as they could offer Elvis Andrus and someone else for Shields. Some baseball officials also haven’t ruled out the Rays moving David Price to fill a couple of positions.
- Word is that David Ortiz might accept a two-year deal from the Red Sox for $26-28MM if they offer it. If Boston won't go to two years, Ortiz may roll the dice and see what the Orioles, Yankees, Blue Jays, or Rangers offer.
- The Red Sox are trying to work out a multiyear deal with Cody Ross, but he'll have a strong market if he chooses to wait. The Braves could potentially be major players for Ross as they offered him a two-year deal last year. Ross wouldn’t mind a Western team either and the Giants may have interest if they move on from Melky Cabrera.
- Cafardo believes that the Dodgers would be willing to take on Alex Rodriguez as the Yankees would gladly eat some of his contract. The Dodgers also appear unlikely to re-sign Shane Victorino and will save some money by doing that.
- Talk is strong that Joe Torre would consider managing again and the 72-year-old has always had an affinity for Boston.
“Cafardo believes that the Dodgers would be willing to take on Alex Rodriguez as the Yankees would gladly eat some of his contract.”
Just because the Dodgers have money to spend, doesn’t mean they will waste it.
They did on Crawford, Becket, and Punto.
Those guys situations are not even close to ARod’s. None of those guys are even close to ARod’s age of 37 and NONE of those guys will be under contract with the Dodgers at age 37 (Crawford will be 36 when his deal is up).
ARod has an obscene 5 years left. Tell you what, if the Yanks pay all but $10 mill of ARod’s contract, then I would take him, but that ain’t gonna happen.
Only “waste” is really Beckett. Crawford was miscast in Boston. In LA, healthy, with a big ballpark, will thrive. ARod to the Dodgers makes no sense though. Send a guy with diminishing power to a park with farther fences?
What makes you think Crawford will be healthy? His value is tied to his speed and he’s battled a variety of leg issues for the last couple of seasons. If he’s not stealing 50+ bases per season, he doesn’t have a great deal of value. He’s certainly not going to hit for power in Dodger Stadium. It seems likely they will also ask him to lead off, which would be miscasting him considering he has a .331 career OBP.
pretty sure he still offers value with his defense and with his bat.
Crawford won’t hit you a ton of hr, but he should be able to get a decent amount of doubles in that park. His .331 obp is not the greatest, BUT compare that to what the dodgers have been using at the top of their lineup. Ellis and sometimes victorino are inferior to him at the top of the lineup.
Exactly, he may not hit a ton of HRs but if shows that good gap power, then he should rack up some decent double amounts playing in the spacious parks in the NL West. And a double puts him in scoring position.
I also think Crawford will display most of his speed from his Tampa days if he can stay healthy.He was very durable for most of his time in Tampa.
Crawford is a serviceable lead off guy if he can get his avg and obp up to his career avgs of .332 and .441, respectively.
I dunno, its way too early to say Crawford is over the hill. He’s only 31.
I would much rather have Crawford at 31 years old with 5 yrs left on his deal than ARod at 37 with 5 yrs left on his deal.
Crawford has value if he can steal 40+ bases a year and slug close to his career .440, especially when you factor in his plus defense for a LF.
IMO, Crawford still has a chance to be a very good LF for the Dodgers. We’ll see how he plays next year when he’s healthy and has less pressure on him.
Beckett’s deal is finished after 2014. There is no slot for the DH in the NL as everyone knows and not many people in that league looking to add one either.. nobody is going to take a DH (Rodriquez) owed a bare minimum of 115m over 5Y with PILES of escalators set to kick in soon after the next season begins worth MILLIONS.. NOBODY is taking that player for his contract alone, much less the various other issues that follow.
As for the “leg injuries” read about in another post further below the last 2 seasons.. His hamstring was injured, granted early in ST last year. THAT was not what kept him out until the AS break.. His arm and rehabbing the “putting off needing TJ” he should have already done this winter is what kept him out from late May until July..
I believe Crawford was also severely hampered by hamstring injuries most of the 2011 season.
I think the argument could be made that right now, based on what we’ve seen the last two years, Shane Victorino is a better baseball player than Carl Crawford. He’s also much, much less expensive. I have a hard time seeing Crawford returning to anything remotely resembling the player he was in Tampa.
Victorino was mediocre this season for the Phillies and downright bad as a Dodger. I’d rather take the chance on Crawford, personally.
As a Dodger fan, I’m more concerned with Crawford’s contract than Beckett’s. I think Beckett will do very well pitching in the NL West, and he’s only under contract two more seasons. Crawford’s performance in the coming years is the biggest question mark, and there is a huge financial commitment there.
I’m probably more worried about the latter years of Gonzalez and Ethier’s contracts than Beckett.
Josh Beckett was a good part of this trade for the Dodgers. He will get better pitching in the pitchers park that is dodgers stadium and facing the weaker national league hitters.
Punto wasn’t very expensive. Beckett is a bit overpriced but as a middle of the rotation guy he can still be useful. Crawford’s the HUGE X factor here. If he gets healthy, he has the potential to play well in LA. That ballpark is suited to his strengths and the media is far more relaxed. That being said, they just took on $260 million with that trade. I don’t see them being willing to eat even some of A-Rod’s insane salary when he can’t hit anymore. He was an average at best 3B when he was younger and it isn’t getting better. I just don’t see them doing this.
Beckett pitched really well for the Dodgers.. dont know how he was a waste. With the injuries to Billingsley, Lilly and even Kershaw for a little bit, Beckett kept the team in every game he pitched. Crawford is to be decided. If he is healthy, which I see no reason for him not to be, putting him in the OF with Kemp and Ethier, and at the front of the lineup, should pay off for the Dodgers BIG TIME! Besides, with rumors swirling that the Dodgers owners could be bidders on AEG for over 4 billion, money truly seems to be no object, as well as the luxury tax. Be warned.. “Yankees west” is an understatement, for what the Dodgers have going on.
Agree with your post.
Beckett was very good with the Dodgers (2.93 ERA/1.33 WHIP/38Ks/43 IP). He’s not the same overpowering Beckett, but definitely has a role as a middle of the rotation starter. At 2 more years and about $15 mill/yr, that’s not too much over market value for him.
If Crawford is even 80% of what he was in Tampa Bay, then its a very good trade for the Dodgers.
Yes, but I would add that it isn’t really about the money. The Dodgers won’t take over the A-rod contract not because they can’t afford to, but because (1) they don’t need to, (2) he probably has no place on an NL team today and will certainly have no place on any NL team at age 39, 40 and 41.
Don’t think the Rangers need to give up more than Andrus for Shields.
SS is a premium position and Andrus gives you ++ defense, speed, and a decent average to boot. He’s a good #2 hitter, and he could probably lead off as well. Shields is a good pitcher but he’s older – and he’s not Kershaw or anything. Thus, I could be wrong but it seems that Elvis should have twice the value of Shields.
WAR would suggest that Shields has been a slightly better player the past couple years, averaging 4.5 WAR compared to Andrus’ 4.3. As a Rays fan, I would not be in favor of trading for Andrus as the Rays, way more so than the Rangers, need cost controlled players under team control. This would mean focusing on guys like Profar and Olt.
Isn’t there a problem with comparing WAR between position players and starters?
WAR can overrate position players based on the applicable defensive stats used to calculate WAR. Good example is a 4.5 WAR season from Bourjos a couple years back with his insane UZR playing a big part in his overall value, making him look better than any realistic expectations. Catcher defensive metrics are still a work in progress so they are the hardest to gauge. Pitchers WAR is more black and white.
Thanks – that’s helpful. It might just be that I’m prejudiced against Shields. When he is on he’s very good, but he hasn’t been the model of consistency over the years, and when a guy puts up that many innings at some point you know the big arm blowout is coming. I guess that’s the nature of the beast when trading for any pitching, but I just don’t see Texas giving up Andrus unless what they are getting back is something very, very good – and not risky.
Don’t see Mauer as a legit middle of the order bat. Never mind his contract. Boston doesn’t need that. Morneau would be nice as he only has one year left and could be a nice stop gap or even someone they lock up for a few years.
Agreed on Mauer. He’s really a #2 hitter at this point. High average, low power, line drive gap hitter. He’ll probably hit for less power in Fenway because, like Gonzalez, his swing is geared for LF and the Monster will knock most of his drives in that direction down.
I highly doubt this would happen due to Mauer’s contract, but he would be a great hitter at Fenway. If by power you are talking about home runs, you’re right his power won’t increase. But if you include doubles, his power would increase tremendously. He hits at least 20 balls per season that are outs in left field at Target Field that would be doubles off the green monster. A healthy Mauer woud go .330 with 50 doubles and 15 home runs playing half his games at Fenway.
at this point?
Mauer only had one middle of the order type season. He would be an amazing #2 on any team though. High obp.
Andrus AND another player for Shields? Nope, not happening….
Shields with the Rangers offense behind him could be penciled in for 20-plus — if not 25 wins. And comes at only $9 million this year. Andrus is halfway out the door because of Profar. And while there’s a legitimate suitor for Andrus in Arizona, none of the pitching the D-Backs could offer equals Shields. Chances are the “other” player would be a hurler. I’m not a Rays fan BTW.
none of the pitching the D-Backs could offer equals Shields
but it would be team-controlled for longer than two years, which matters significantly.
The difference is, all the pitching the DBacks have to offer is under team control for the next 3-5 seasons, where as Shields will be a FA at the end of 2013. So the Rangers will need to decide whether a year of Shields is worth several years of Andrus, or if they need a more long term return. With Hamilton and Napoli likely gone, questions surfacing about where Kinsler will play next season, and Michael Young getting old, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Rangers sell off some of their more expensive pieces in favor of adding young, controllable pitching they can build around for the next 3-5 years. Their current formula of just outscoring everyone isn’t working, so they may be ready to shift how they build a team and focus on pitching.
I dunno.. They used to keep “Big game James” Shields away from Fenway Park and Maddon would skip his turn if possible cause he was so rotten there. offensive stadiums don’t (or didn’t when Boston had offensive lineups as of July/12) seem to agree with Shields very much.
Wonder how well he will pitch at Arlington, July heat when balls are carrying well? Will Washington be forced to skip every start at Arlington to avoid him getting hammered and keep shields sane should Texas waste resources acquiring him?
Shields used to be an extreme flyball pitcher but has dramatically improved his gb% the past two seasons with mechanical adjustment while also bumping up his k/9 in the process. Parks like Fenway and Arlington used to give him trouble, not so much now. Last 2 seasons, 2.44 era at Arlington and Fenway.
…and that covers 45 innings
I don’t see Ortiz as a fit for the Orioles. I think they want to move Davis back to the DH spot, assuming they keep Reynolds and McLouth.
I see him as a good fit in Toronto though. They need a strong lefty to go with their many righties.
For Ortiz asking price I wouldn’t do it. The Blue Jays need to stay focused on starting pitchers first. 2 year @ 26-30million isn’t a good deal for a guy who was injured towards the end of the year for the BoSox. As far as I’m concerned…Boston can keep him
So Hanley is there full time SS and Rodriguez at 3B? Wow that’s some great defence. And does that make Dee Gordon available?
Probably makes him the 2nd baseman.
In 2014, maybe. As much as I like Gordon, I don’t see Mattingley putting Ellis or Cruz on the bench any time soon.
Make him center field and trade Kemp for a bag of peanuts.
nah that leaves Luis Cruz to second base and Dee available.
Ortiz as a Blue Jay? I don’t think AA has the pocket book for such a transaction. The Jays would be better suited with Canadian Justin Morneau of the TWINS as they need a 1B/DH to take the place of Adam Lind.
They have a 1B/DH in Edwin Encarnacion. Ortiz would be an ideal hitter behind Bautista and EE, and the Jays can afford him.
It would be the Triple Dominican threat! Would look absolutely terrifying on a line up card for any pitcher.
2 words…Frank Thomas!
id like to see billy butler as our DH/1b. i realize he would cost more than morneau but looking towards the future he is only 26, left handed bat that hits for average and with extra base power, $18 million for the next two years
Butler hits right-handed FYI. And the Royals and Blue Jays are both looking for quality starting pitching. They don’t match up at all.
haha so he does. my mistake
“Talk is strong that Joe Torre would consider managing again and the 72-year-old has always had an affinity for Boston.”
THIS is the type of guy the Red Sox sorely need. Respect is the first thing you think of when you hear Joe’s name.
Fund it.
Yes, please. The one strong part of the team that Boston had will be ruined by their new manager Proctoring every member of their bullpen.
@7612d3501691784f476c52686d079fb6:disqus
You need not fear that ” talk is strong…” stuff. That is just one of the several voices that Carfardo hears coming from inside his head. The next job Joe Torre takes will be Commissioner of Baseball, when Selig leaves. Currently, he is the face of the MLB office and their spokesman. He’s 72 yrs old and has a nice cushy job in the NYC office, a 45 minute drive from home, why would he manage again ?
I wouldn’t mind getting Joe Torre as a manager, he could also groom a manager in the process.
ANYBODY think the Indians MIGHT be able to snag Ortiz? Could give David what he wants. Commitment, money, and less media attention. Plus I’m sure he’d like his old pal Terry Francona to be around.
Joe Morgan was always the manager Boston tried to find an excuse to fire. 3 and a half years as the Sox manager. 2 1st place finishes and 2 3P (1 was half season strike year) and he got fired, mainly due to losing out to Oakland, by far the BEST team in the game both years they advanced to the PO.
Hobson was named as manager, was awful, fired after getting busted for cocaine..
NO other manager in the history of the franchise had the record of winning so early, often as did Morgan, but the team just didn’t like his calculated ways of managing, such as benching terrible veterans, couldn’t beat a FAR better team in Oakland in the PO and finally the “fair haired boy” Butch Hobson the organization FALSLEY thought would be their man, instead they fired a GREAT organizational guy, who spent 20 years with them over a coke head and let his coaching staff go as well, likewise filled with 20+ year organizational guys in Rac Slider..etc..
The kind of moves Lou Gorman used to make..
James Shields for Elvis Andrus? LOL I don’t think so.
SaigonHooker thinks you are correct. James Shields for Elvis Andrus is NOT enough of a return. We will take Gomes, and a prospect, too. You’re welcome.
I realized after I posted that I didn’t clarify my point. I think Andrus is more valuable than Shields, and I would be pretty upset if Texas pulled off that 1 for 1 deal. Or, I’m not against them trading Andrus as long as they score someone younger and better than Shields.
Orioles and David Ortiz, no thanks!
Im sure the Red Sox will gladly have Ortiz back
Carfado seems to think it is every other teams goal to help out the sox and yanks by making bad trades. Why would any other team take on Arod unless the Yankees ate most of his contract? An aging player with declining fielding, declining power, declining average and a recent injury history. The Red Sox would have to package together 1/2 of the farm for Maurer.
Clearly you have no clue how deep the Red sox farm system truly is.
Boston is not trying to go after their pick from everyone they want in the twins organization.. Just Mauer and probably not him…
Cafardo isn’t exactly a credible source in case you haven’t noticed.. He is on par with Sherman from the NYP with his rantings..
Andrus for Shields is not enough. I’d almost rather send Price for Andrus, Olt, and a couple prospects.
Does Cafardo just take trade suggestions from fans? This seems to be a crazy collection of fantasy speculation that would be found on a message board.
i would only trade for a-rod if the dodgers where in the AL so he can dh some games while cruz plays 3b but they arent.
Luis Cruz > Alex Rodriguez (going forward, anywhoo)