Six-Player Deal: Opening Doors for Boston?

by Randy Booth on Dec 20, 2005 3:45 PM EST in News

The Rangers and Padres did a nice swap of players today.

The Rangers grabbed Adam Eaton, Akinori Otsuka and minor-league catcher Billy Killian. The Padres in return received Chris Young, Adrian Gonzalez and Terrmel Sledge.

Since we haven't been able to ship David Wells off to San Diego yet, maybe we can now after this trade. Wells for Gonzalez? Or maybe even Wells for Gonzalez and Sledge.

I've got high hopes for Gonzalez. He has an excellent glove and can hit. He could be the first baseman of our dreams. And Sledge would give us a nice outfield option. Probably be better than having Adam Stern as our fourth outfielder. His defense is above average, also. He's no platoon outfielder with Trot Nixon, though.

Maybe the Pads made this trade to then ship off Gonzalez to Boston. Maybe they didn't. But I'm hoping my theory is correct.

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Infield of the near future

Could it be that we see an infield of Gonzalez, Lowrie, Pedroia, and Marte in just a few short years? That would be very nice indeed if all players develop as they should.

Objectively, how does Gonzalez stack up to Youk. From all reports, Adrian Gonzalez is the better prospect. I know that cdamon is the president of the Kevin Youkilis fan club, so maybe he has something to say about that?

In any event, the Sox now have a few more juicy apples to reach for in trading Wells.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Dec 20, 2005 4:20 PM EST reply actions

Pedroia fan club

And I thought I was president of the Pedroia fan club!
I can only spread myself so thin...
With the "Anybody but Eddie" club dissolving, maybe I do have time.

Even before this year, Youk had better minor league batting numbers. Coming into this year, Gonzalez had a career high 261 EqA any year in the minors, generally ranging from 240-260. Ignoring one bad stint in Pawtucket, Youk has ranged from 250-300.

I do not have EqA for this year in the minors. But look at theminor league stats:

Youk 322/459/592
Gonzalez 338/399/561

Both nice numbers, but the PCL is a much more offense oriented league than the IL.

That being said, Gonzalez is almost 3 years younger. Youk was not capable of putting up those numbers 3 years ago.

I think Youk is the better player right now.
I think Gonzalez will be the better player in 3 years.

This is much like the Damon/Reed discussion with one big difference: Youk does not cost more than Gonzalez. Each should become arbitration eligible after the 2007 season.

by cdamon @ Over the Monster on Dec 20, 2005 8:27 PM EST reply actions

RE:

I like Gonzalez, but I really do want to see Youkilis get an everyday job. Give him 500+ plate appearances, and let's see what the boy can do. He needs to let him prove himself.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Dec 20, 2005 8:54 PM EST up reply actions

RE:

I love to be optimistic, but I think we'll never see that outfield. Moss doesn't seem like the player to me, and Soto has proven nothing. Murphy has to add some pop, but look for a breakout season from him this year.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Dec 20, 2005 8:53 PM EST reply actions

agreed

our minor league outfielders, Ellsbury aside, are not the guys I want roaming the Fenway grass any time soon.

we have plenty of talent up the middle that we can trade for the corner spots.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Dec 21, 2005 12:02 PM EST up reply actions