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Curtis Granderson To The Yankees Might Mean A Lot For The Red Sox

I used to  like you, Curtis Granderson. Now I don't know how I feel. You're a Yankee, dude. A Yankee:

Curtis Granderson is the Yankees’ new center fielder, coming over from the Detroit Tigers in a three-way deal that also included the Arizona Diamondbacks. The deal, which is pending approval of medical records, will send outfielder Austin Jackson and reliever Phil Coke to Detroit and starter Ian Kennedy to Arizona.

The Diamondbacks will also receive starter Edwin Jackson from the Tigers, who will also get starter Max Scherzer and reliever Daniel Schlereth from Arizona.

The acquisition of Granderson, who turns 29 in March, gives the Yankees a younger alternative to Johnny Damon, 36, who is a free agent. The Yankees have no interest in giving Damon a three-year deal, but they were comfortable with a three-year commitment to Granderson, who is owed $25.75 million through 2012.

No doubt, Granderson is a really good player. He's going to give the Yankees another good bat and a pretty good outfield glove, too.

But the bigger question is: what do the Red Sox do now? In my opinion, nothing has to happen.

Star-divide

Will Carrol, aka The Injury Freaking King, tweets the following question:

Do red sox have to answer the granderson deal? Some are saying yes and quick and big.

Theo Epstein doesn't play the game of "let's make a move because the Yankees made a move." He's over that. He's past that. Theo Epstein builds the Boston Red Sox team to how he sees is the best fit. He builds them for 95 wins or more to get into the playoffs. He's not going to spend a lot of money or give up a lot of talented prospects just because the Yankees have made a move. Essentially, he's bigger than the rivalry.

With that said, WEEI has a few ideas for what the Sox could do to counter the Yanks' move (WEEI also mentions the Sox contacted the Tigers about Granderson, but soon found out they didn't have a solid match):

The effort to deal Granderson (and Edwin Jackson) offers fairly compelling evidence that the Tigers are indeed in a cost-cutting phase. That being the case, it is natural to wonder whether the team might make Miguel Cabrera available.

To date, according to a major-league source, there is no evidence that the Tigers are dangling the hitter extraordinaire (Cabrera hit .324 with a .396 OPS and .942 OPS, all among the best marks in the American League last year). Moreover, given Detroit’s interest in receiving major-league ready pieces — and, especially, position players — the possibility of a deal that might send Cabrera to the Red Sox seems far-fetched at this point (and that is without considering the concerns about the first baseman’s weight and off-field indiscretions).

Of course, there remains the possibility that economic realities at some point might force the Tigers to deal a player who has six years and $126 million remaining on his contract. But for now, there hasn’t been evidence that Detroit is looking to move the four-time All-Star.

I used to be a big fan of the Cabrera to Boston idea. Then all that "off-field indescretions" stuff popped up and he became tainted. No doubt he is an amazing baseball player. He's naturally gifted and has potential to go down as one of the best ever. But what kind of baggage does he bring to the team? Maybe Theo & Co. think they could whip him into shape -- mentally and physically -- ala Bill Belichick. I'm all for it if that's their gameplan.

Cabrera's bat in the middle of the Sox's lineup would be amazing. Part of me thinks it would be reminiscent of Manny Ramirez's days in Boston. Unfortunately, that means both the good and bad of having Manny in Boston.

As nice as it sounds, just because Granderson is in New York doesn't mean Cabrera has to be in Boston.

But I'm not 100 percent against it, either.

Poll
With the Yankees' acquisition of Curtis Granderson, do the Red Sox need to counter with a big signing or trade?
Yes
445 votes
No
301 votes
Maybe/depends
143 votes

889 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 95 comments |

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This is great

This probably means the Yankees are out of the Holliday/Bay sweepstakes.

by drabidea on Dec 8, 2009 3:54 PM EST reply actions  

From what I've heard

The Yankees will still try to re-sign Damon (2yrs at the max), so yes, it seems as if Bay and Holliday are out of the running for NYY.

But never count them out, either.

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by Randy Booth on Dec 8, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions  

Josh Byrnes is now officially on my dumbest GMs in baseball.

"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur

by radiohix on Dec 8, 2009 4:04 PM EST reply actions  

Errr...Should say: on my list of the dumbest GMs in baseball

"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur

by radiohix on Dec 8, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions  

Word

He’s the bottom feeder.

"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur

by radiohix on Dec 8, 2009 4:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Agreed

I don’t know what they were thinking.

by drabidea on Dec 8, 2009 4:10 PM EST up reply actions  

He was a Redsox assistant right?

Did his brain get dried out in the desert or something?

"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko

by sox-inda-south on Dec 8, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions  

I dunno, Schlereth is kind of awful

Scherzer, on the other hand….
But, point taken, who the heck drafts a reliever with a long injury history in the first round?

by morineko on Dec 8, 2009 5:21 PM EST up reply actions  

The MFY should had kept Austin Jackson...

They should had traded Melky, instead..

If they are going to keep Melky, that kind of means they aren’t going to sign Damon, or hedging their bets

Boras is kind of in a conumdrum, because if he stalls on Damon, then it can effect his bargaining on Holliday, because the price for Holliday will go down if the MFY are not in the mix. I don’t see that many interested parties in Holliday at the price Boras is setting.

I wouldn’t be surprise that the Sox are interested in Damon, UZR be damned, given it could save them some money from a Bay or Holliday signing, if they plan is to looking for a stopgap until a golden child emerges. (Baseball is a pretty cynical business)

by superferret on Dec 8, 2009 4:11 PM EST reply actions  

I'll sign Camroun if I'm looking for a stop gap

Damon is looking for a multi-year contract abd Mike Camroun could settle for one year contract, won’t hurt the UZR neither.

"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur

by radiohix on Dec 8, 2009 4:22 PM EST up reply actions  

Agreed

Not to mention I haven’t forgiven Damon for leaving the way he did.

by drabidea on Dec 8, 2009 4:24 PM EST up reply actions  

true..

I just threw out I don’t see Judas being completely written off by the Sox FO. Close, but if they can’t get Holliday or Bay. (The curse of Mark Texiera’s wife has spread to Kirkland bred, wife of Jason Bay,

As any good Catholic knows, “Forgiveness is easier to ask than permission”.

I can only see Damon getting a Sox deal if it is one year with a second option year,and after the Yankees say thanks but no thanks.

by superferret on Dec 8, 2009 4:28 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't think

Damon is coming back, but if you look at the numbers Damon might be a better bargain if you can get him for 2 years at 26, versus Bay at 5 for say 80. Damon’s OPS (which was inflated by Yankee Stadium) was .854 versus .921 for Bay.

by flaredsox on Dec 9, 2009 1:38 AM EST up reply actions  

certainly wouldn't pay anywhere near 2/$26 mill for him

Also, if Theo brought him back, he would get crucified. I don’t think RSN has gotten over their hatred of him.

And I don’t think his numbers are going to look anything like that this year. Plus his defense is pretty frightening. I don’t think Damon is anywhere near on the Sox to-get list.

by wolf9309 on Dec 9, 2009 9:15 AM EST up reply actions  

+1

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Dec 9, 2009 10:03 AM EST up reply actions  

I wouldn't take that skid back if we paid him 14 cans of soup/yr.
I don’t think RSN has gotten over their hatred of him.

I know I haven’t. If the Red Sox ever take him back, I want him plunked every day in batting practice.

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

by Bloggy on Dec 9, 2009 10:13 AM EST up reply actions  

actually

I would prefer a contract clause where every fan that buys a red sox ticket gets the opportunity to plunk him before the game.

by wolf9309 on Dec 9, 2009 10:16 AM EST up reply actions  

Melky?

In for AJax? I would do that in a cocaine heartbeat.

by Lolmoarpl0x on Dec 8, 2009 5:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Haha yeah. They had to trade Jackson, one they were getting a center fielder in the trade and two because Jackson has much more upside than Melky does. I think we already know what Melky is capable of and thats being average.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Dec 8, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions  

About Cabrera

Whether he would be worth it here or not, this trade, getting rid of Jackson and Granderson, screams to me that Detroit is trying to shed enough salary to extend Verlander without giving up Cabrera.

I don’t think Theo and Tito are the best “whip someone into shape” mentally guys.

by wolf9309 on Dec 8, 2009 4:15 PM EST reply actions  

I think the Tigers screwed up with the Willis and Cabrera deal

Their payload is way overbloated, Detroit and Michigan have to the hardest hit place during this economic downturn/recession/depression in the US. They need to shed payroll, and probably have their payroll to below $100 million and more in the Twinkies $75 million range.

They will probably deal Cabrera for 2-3 players, one MLB proven two prospects, if they are lucky.
I just see the Sox FO not willing to take that gamble, and I don’t think Sox fans will be very nice to Cabrera, if he came to Fenway

by superferret on Dec 8, 2009 4:22 PM EST up reply actions  

have you seen any proof that they need to shed payroll?

apart from journalists speculating? They’ve cut a decent amount for the next few years with Granderson.

by wolf9309 on Dec 8, 2009 4:32 PM EST up reply actions  

There were hints after the Late Fall owners' meeting in Chicago

That the Tigers were sellers, and needed to shed payroll. The two teams that appear to have financial problems were the Tigers and the Rangers.. The Rangers themselves are on the selling block. Michigan has been hit really hard by the global credit crisis. GM is 55%-60% owned by the US gov’t.

The Tigers have some big contracts they can’t move, from Willis, who is owed $12 million in 2010, Ordóñez is owed $18 million, Guillen is owed $13 million. That is $43 million right there in 2010 that really can’t be moved. They didn’t retain Polanco, who wouldn’t be that expensive to retain. The Tigers have to shed payroll, and they may keep Verlander, but they have to pay all around to field a winning team, which the Texas Rangers found out from 2001-2003.

by superferret on Dec 8, 2009 4:47 PM EST up reply actions  

yeah but

I feel like with so much coming off the payroll after one year, it would make better business sense to shoulder a loss on payroll for one year rather than giving up 6 years of your star player. Or they’ll find that in 2011, there is no one left on their team.

by wolf9309 on Dec 8, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions  

see my thought is just

after 2010, they have a ridiculous amount coming off payroll- just looking over Cot’s quickly, about $60 million, assuming they don’t let Ordonez’ option vest- and even if it does, $45 million

by wolf9309 on Dec 8, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions  

Definitely don't want Cabrera

This is a guy who got loaded the night before the game to determine whether his team made the playoffs and so all but guaranteed that his team would lose. Given the pretty high likelihood that the Sox will have to play a Game 7 or two over the life of Cabrera’s contract, I don’t want a guy who would hand the other team the win in that game regardless of how many other games he helps the Sox win.

Say what you will about Manny, but he never would have done something that stupid. His stupidity was on a different level, one that wouldn’t kill an entire season.

by RSNexile on Dec 8, 2009 9:40 PM EST up reply actions  

I think Cabrera biggest off field discretion is his weight.

I don’t think the Sox aren’t going to deal for Cabrera without trading Lowell, and they are going to eat a huge amount of Lowell’s final year of his contract.

by superferret on Dec 8, 2009 4:15 PM EST reply actions  

Damon and Halladay

Yanks will keep Damon if po$$ible. Signing one of the best CF’s in the majors who is locked in for under $12mil for the next 4 years will allow Yanks to pursue Halladay with even greater flexibility should he make it to free agency. Austin Jackson was their best piece to trade for Halladay so that puts a crimp in that plan. I can’t see Damon going back to the Red Sox but baseball is a business and anything goes.

by seelsdeels on Dec 8, 2009 4:20 PM EST reply actions  

Jackson is overrated and not their best prospect

They now have only one (a VERY good one) in Jesus Montero.

"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur

by radiohix on Dec 8, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions  

This.

Montero is 3X the hitter Jackson was. Montero is also a catcher which much more valuable than a 5-toolish CF….

"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko

by sox-inda-south on Dec 8, 2009 4:29 PM EST up reply actions  

correction

he’s a “catcher-ish” I think he’s not gonna last there long.

by wolf9309 on Dec 8, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions  

He's 20 with half a season in AA, I won't rule that..

He ends up and all bat kind of Catcher (Piazza type)

"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur

by radiohix on Dec 8, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions  

He's 20 with half a season in AA

And already getting talked about like a 1B/DH type. Usually you want that talk to start coming with age.

USG

by Ben Buchanan on Dec 8, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions  

If the MFY are going to trade for Halliday

They will probably have to trade Cabrera, Joba or Phil Hughes. I don’t know how Swisher’s contract is set up, but I just see the MFY waiting it out in July to rent Halliday for one player and a prospect, or just wait and signed him in 2011, and give up the draft picks.

by superferret on Dec 8, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions  

Halladay

Has demanded (and he has the power to) that if he isn’t traded by spring training he won’t accept a trade anywhere even at the trade deadline and will coast into free agency. Of course this is just his word so it could change but he seemed pretty determined to pitch without distractions, seems to me that he didn’t pitch as well in the second half last year with all that speculation.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Dec 8, 2009 6:39 PM EST up reply actions  

i think its just to pressure the Jays now, he wants to win now

so there is no reason he wont be happy to get traded to a contender at the deadline

by German Red Sox Fan on Dec 8, 2009 6:40 PM EST up reply actions  

But what would a contender trade for him?

Unless trading for Halladay at the deadline would guarantee your team the World Series championship — and it wouldn’t — you’d have to be a fool to give up the five or six top prospects Toronto wants for him without getting him to sign an extension. Even right now, you’d really have to think about it — as good as Halladay is, one year of him isn’t worth five or six top prospects.

So if anything, it’s probably to pressure the Jays either to drop their asking price so a contender will make the deal or to force them to accept the two draft picks they’ll get for him when he leaves in free agency next winter.

by RSNexile on Dec 8, 2009 9:49 PM EST up reply actions  

exactly your last sentence

He is still mad he didn get traded last deadline, cause the jays had generous offers, but overplayed their hand. He wants to push them to accept an offer

by German Red Sox Fan on Dec 8, 2009 11:40 PM EST up reply actions  

i think it will be an absolute steal

for the yankees if they get halladay for melky/joba/hughes. melky’s expendable, joba’s confused and hughes is a pitcher with decent potential. they could get such a haul for these three theyd be crazy to not deal them this winter

by revived0103 on Dec 8, 2009 11:52 PM EST up reply actions  

Hey guys

I know how you feel when you signed Scutaro now. I really don’t know what to think. I hope because he’s in YSIII he doesn’t play home run pinball every AB. And I don’t like that it took Kennedy which takes away depth and Austin Jackson…

by Lolmoarpl0x on Dec 8, 2009 5:51 PM EST reply actions  

Does

Granderson, Damon (DH), Swisher, Melky really scare people more than Damon, Melky, Swisher, Matsui?

Too me this move was financial and just saved the Yankees the money they would have paid Matsui.

Yankees got a great clubhouse guy who makes Jacoby look like an All-Star CF. Plus they gave up on three more young players.

Detroit made out the best by getting young arms + Jackson to help rebuild the organization and save money for resigning Verlander + Porcello.

by SoxAcumen on Dec 8, 2009 6:19 PM EST reply actions  

Don't forget Granderson's defensive contributions.

He’s good.

"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko

by sox-inda-south on Dec 8, 2009 6:30 PM EST up reply actions  

the yankees were never going to keep matsui and damon

Granderson is a good defensive player… not sure where that is coming from. He’s a pretty frightening hitter against right handed pitchers (which is probably about 2/3 or pitchers). They gave up Kennedy (a really pretty poor pitcher with probably 5th starter ceiling coming off injury)+ Coke (not a terrible reliever, but a lefty who isn’t really good against lefty batters)+ Jackson (who’s ceiling is probably Granderson at best)

I think one message this trade sent was that if they bring back either Damon or Matsui, it’s going to be Matsui, absolutely no need for Damon now. More likely, they will have a DH rotation, like Girardi said he wants.

Detroit did do best, I agree, but at Yankee Stadium, Granderson scares me for sure- this is a powerful hitter who is also a solid base stealer and a good defender.

by wolf9309 on Dec 8, 2009 6:33 PM EST up reply actions  

Granderson is basically a better, younger version of Damon

And Damon put up some ridiculously inflated numbers in MFY Stadium last year.

by RSNexile on Dec 8, 2009 9:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Granderson is a pretty solid lead off guy.

I’m too lazy to go read his numbers, but doesn’t he get an amazing amount of triples?

by jcorye1 on Dec 8, 2009 9:41 PM EST up reply actions  

Don't like his OBP hitting lead-off

Hitting a bunch of triples is great, but that .319 OBP last year in lead-off is not so great.

So, uh, by all means Yanks, let him hit lead-off!

DFA Beckett

by South Coast Ghost on Dec 8, 2009 10:17 PM EST up reply actions  

That .319 was a fluke.

I’m not saying he’s an OBP machine, but he had an off year last year, and I expect him to come back to his normal self. Which is kinda scary

by Schulz on Dec 8, 2009 11:19 PM EST up reply actions  

The main point is he is better than our current CF

Miguel Cabrera IS the solution to our problems.
Release Jason Varitek before ST is over !
Do not pay Jason Bay !!
Trade Buchholz !!!

by gizmosandy on Dec 9, 2009 7:35 AM EST up reply actions  

"Yankees got a great clubhouse guy who makes Jacoby look like an All-Star CF."

I’m not sure what you mean by that, SA. Right now, Granderson is a better player than Ellsbury.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Dec 9, 2009 10:10 AM EST up reply actions  

I mean,

Ellsbury is a better player than Granderson.

Ellsbury – .301 avg, .355 OBP, .415 Slg, 8 Hrs, 60 RBIs, 70 SB

v.

Granderson – .243 avg, .327 OBP, 453 SLG, 30 HRs, 79 RBIs, 20 SB

The defense is a wash, Ells is in the same league as Granderson and costs less. 70SB v. 20 SB?

Now I have to go I feel dirty doing Buzzys job.

by SoxAcumen on Dec 9, 2009 11:34 AM EST up reply actions  

I was going to point out

His BABIP was 40 points lower than last year (and 50 points lower than his career average), and then I realized that his FB rates also skyrocketed and especially his infield FBs did. May have an issue with his swing.

In any case, I’d imagine it’s a mechanical problem that could be easily fixed- if you go back to stats before 09, he’s a much, much better hitter.

by wolf9309 on Dec 9, 2009 11:51 AM EST up reply actions  

But

you didn’t do it correctly ;). Drug’s is right-as of now there is no comparison. Granderson is much better than Ellsbury. First of all Granderson is has is the past been an above average defender. Lately he has been about average. Last year Ellsbury was the 3 worst defensive CF in baseball-and that costs a ton of runs and games. Offensively we will have to wait and see. However, Granderson has put up wOBAs of 374(2008) and 395(2007). In 09 his wOBA was only 340 (worse than Ellsbury) but that was largely luck related since his BABIP was 40 points below his career average. Still, his wOBA was only 14 below Jacoby. And overall he was worth 2 times as much because of Jacoby’s piss-poor defense.

Granderson will likely hit close to 40 HRs in the band box. He plays better defense that Ellsbury. One should expect a year closer to 07 or 08 than 09 given his poor BABIP last year and the fact that he is in his prime. Ellsbury will never come close to a wOBA of 395. In fact, I have mu doubts that he will exceed 365 ever. If he gets his defense in line, he can be close to the player Granderson is, but right now it is not even close.

by Buzzy on Dec 9, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions  

'zactly

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Dec 9, 2009 12:23 PM EST up reply actions  

"Ellsbury was the 3 worst defensive CF"

Baloney. UZR is a useless stat for CF at Fenway. Ellsbury gets dinged because Penny et al couldn’t keep the ball off the Monster.

The biggest knock on Ells is that he doesn’t take great routes on fly balls – which is also the big knock on Granderson’s D, at least according to Olney: “repeated route mistakes on fly balls…”

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Dec 9, 2009 6:58 PM EST up reply actions  

One thing I am curious about

is if the Red Sox could pull off a Miggy Cabrera deal, what would VMart’s influence do to change Miggy’s bad attitude. VMart might just be the buddy Miggy needs to get his ass up off the couch and be the player everyone thinks he is.

by SoxAcumen on Dec 8, 2009 6:21 PM EST reply actions  

Interesting

VMart seems very much like a strong clubhouse influence. Every time I see him on camera he’s chatting someone up in the dugout or joking around with the opponents players. Everyone seems to like him a lot.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Dec 8, 2009 6:41 PM EST up reply actions  

As I remember

they are both Venezuelan…as is another big pitcher who lives in the Pacific northwest.

by SoxAcumen on Dec 9, 2009 1:24 AM EST up reply actions  

oh well

Granderson is a pretty good player but is god awful against left handed pitching. He will be a solid player with the yankees but this does not seem like one of those ground breaking acqusitions to me. In a reality the Yanks had a slightly below average farm system to begin with and now it only gets weaker. With a fairly weak free agent class this year they only way they can add much more talent is trades. Good luck landing Halladay with just Joba or Hughes.

by catch3 on Dec 8, 2009 6:38 PM EST reply actions  

I agree

I think that losing Austin Jackson will make it harder for them to complete more trades since he is usually a top target (even if he isn’t their best minor league player). If they decide to part with Joba or Hughes and throw together a decent package they could still get Halladay.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Dec 8, 2009 6:44 PM EST up reply actions  

And probably will

they are building/have built an unstoppable monster in MFY land.

Meanwhile, we do nothing.

Miguel Cabrera IS the solution to our problems.
Release Jason Varitek before ST is over !
Do not pay Jason Bay !!
Trade Buchholz !!!

by gizmosandy on Dec 8, 2009 7:01 PM EST up reply actions  

We will

Our team isn’t any better than it was with the exception of some stability at short (a signing I’m still not sold on but oh well). The Yankees are/are going to get better and Theo knows this. If he wants to compete (which he does) he will do something to make us more competitive. I think we have the farm system to make a couple decent moves if we have to but I think our upgrading can be done through FA. Also, Granderson is a good player but he hasn’t been getting better with age the last couple of years which I don’t think is a good sign for the MFY.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Dec 8, 2009 7:18 PM EST up reply actions  

damn it

Miguel Cabrera IS the solution to our problems.
Release Jason Varitek before ST is over !
Do not pay Jason Bay !!
Trade Buchholz !!!

by gizmosandy on Dec 8, 2009 6:42 PM EST reply actions  

I'm more pissed that the Yanks didn't really give up a lot of value (IMO only of course) for Granderson

He’s not a difference maker, and as far as I can tell there haven’t been any opportunities that the Sox have passed up on. Halladay, A-Gon, Miguel Cabrera and others still haven’t been traded. We haven’t missed anything yet, folks.

DFA Beckett

by South Coast Ghost on Dec 8, 2009 7:17 PM EST reply actions  

IMO

Granderson isn’t really worth all that much anyway. He can field which is good but if he’s not hitting it out of the park he’s not getting on base too often otherwise. I thought the price of Jackson (one of their biggest pieces of tradebait), Kennedy (might have ended up filling pen vacanies) and Coke (young reliever) might have been too much. I think Detroit ran away with this one, shedding payroll and getting someone who can play CF for them nearly immediately and a pitcher who might be better than Edwin Jackson. The Yankees now need to fix their bullpen badly and figure out the jigsaw puzzle that is their outfield.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Dec 8, 2009 7:21 PM EST up reply actions  

He's gotten worse

Since that season though. This year I’ll admit his BABIP was much lower than typical for his career.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Dec 8, 2009 7:53 PM EST up reply actions  

If you can believe Mike Silverman:

“Red Sox asked about Granderson but were told it would take Buchholz and Ellsbury in return. No deal. #redsox #tigers #yankees”

http://twitter.com/MikeSilvermanBB

Just not sure how you can go from Buchholz and Ellsbury to Austin Jackson, Ian Kennedy, and Phil Coke. Coke should be a decent lefty reliever, but I see Kennedy as Bowden who had an injury last year, and while Jackson will probably turn into an average CFer, he’s no Ellsbury.

DFA Beckett

by South Coast Ghost on Dec 8, 2009 7:42 PM EST up reply actions  

I think that

It was a while ago the Red Sox asked. I think the Tigers have recently become much more aware of what he was worth.

Doesn’t hurt to ask right?

by wolf9309 on Dec 8, 2009 8:37 PM EST up reply actions  

That could make sense.

The Tigers were said to be going for a really high price and only brought it down late.

USG

by Ben Buchanan on Dec 8, 2009 8:47 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't think that's it

It doesn’t seem to matter who the Sox ask about — everyone wants Buchholz and Ellsbury in return.

Maybe it’s my imagination, but it seems like every time the Sox explore a trade, the other team tries to gouge them and ends up getting far less in return from some other team.

by RSNexile on Dec 8, 2009 9:53 PM EST up reply actions  

Well, that's what it SEEMS like

Remember when the Brewers reportedly wanted Buchholz or Bard in exchange for J.J. Hardy? And then ended up dealing him for…whatever that guy’s name is? While I doubt there’s a ton of truth in any of these trade rumors, letting our imagination run wild certainly paints a frustrating picture.

DFA Beckett

by South Coast Ghost on Dec 8, 2009 10:20 PM EST up reply actions  

And remember the Johan Santana trade?

IIRC, the Twins wanted Lester, Buchholz, Ellsbury, Lowrie, Bowden, and one or two other guys. They settled for Carlos Gomez — isn’t that who they traded for Hardy? — plus one guy who is now one of their better prospects and two guys whose careers are over.

I really don’t think I’m imagining this.

by RSNexile on Dec 8, 2009 10:32 PM EST up reply actions  

I think they wanted

Lester, Ellsbury, Masterson

or

Buchholz, Ellsbury, Masterson, Lowrie

We have to be pretty happy we didn’t make either of those trades

by Schulz on Dec 8, 2009 11:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Either way, they settled for a fraction of what they demanded from the Sox from someone else.

by RSNexile on Dec 9, 2009 11:50 AM EST up reply actions  

Teams seem to ask a lot more from the Sox

If the trading teams really like the Red Sox players, then you’d think they’d be more realistic about what they’re asking for. I think they probably got more value than Granderson for Buchholz in a one for one deal.

"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 9, 2009 1:01 PM EST up reply actions  

Apparently word now is

They wanted Ellsbury OR Buchholz. Which is more reasonable. Must have been more in addition though, because I’d be surprised if Theo wouldn’t trade Ellsbury to Granderson in a heartbeat. Or maybe he just thinks that his flukey bad year for hitting and OBP wasn’t a fluke. Hopefully that’s it and he’s right and now we’ll destroy the Yankees.

by wolf9309 on Dec 9, 2009 10:15 AM EST up reply actions  

I know Ells gets a lot of heat on this site

…but I’m still high on him. I think he’s still young and as such can improve.

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

by Bloggy on Dec 9, 2009 11:21 AM EST up reply actions  

yeah to be honest

I’m a huge Ellsbury fan. He’s got a solid leadoff ability and when he’s on base, he scares the crap out of pitchers. I like that. I also think that this years UZR is uneccessarily harsh on him. I seem to recall the creator of UZR saying that UZR needed to be looked at in large sample sizes- I think he said 3 years. Since Ells has only played one full year at CF, UZR is not accurate for him. And yeah, he’s very cheap and should improve.

by wolf9309 on Dec 9, 2009 12:00 PM EST up reply actions  

Also

Kennedy is not the pitcher I’m talking about being better than Jackson maybe, Scherzer (sp?) is.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Dec 8, 2009 7:53 PM EST up reply actions  

Wouldn't surprise me if we did little the rest of the Winter Meetings

Seems like Theo is playing chicken with a few people like Bay, Holliday, and Halladay. “Waiting them out” may be the name of the game here. He’s still banging the whole “2010 is a bridge to the future/transitional year” drum, and while he wants to add a starter for the future, he doesn’t want to give up a lot for that starter.

DFA Beckett

by South Coast Ghost on Dec 8, 2009 7:58 PM EST reply actions  

I had heard Jackson's name mentioned in Halladay talks

I would think this takes them out of those talks (to the extent they were in them), unless they’d be willing to trade two of Hughes/Joba/Montero.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Dec 8, 2009 9:33 PM EST reply actions  

Let's just give the 2010 WS trophy to NY now, and

concentrate on other things. If they end up with Halliday as well, we can throw in 2011 trophy and concentrate on other things for 2 more years.

Is this an example of fiddling while Rome nurns?>

by NG on Dec 9, 2009 8:37 AM EST reply actions  

You're an idiot.

A sad one too. The Yankees still have a horrible rotation so don’t go crying yet NG.

"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko

by sox-inda-south on Dec 9, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions  

in the longest playoffs ever

any other playoffs (including next year) they wouldn’t have been able to pull off the 3 starter thing.

That said, their rotation isn’t horrible, it’s just not amazing. CC, Burnett, Pettite, then two easily filled question marks (Gaudin? Hughes? Sheets?). They’ve got a decent amount of options and probably won’t come in with a rotation that isn’t pretty strong.

In other news, if you’ve given up on the season, why don’t you come back next year when it’s over?

by wolf9309 on Dec 9, 2009 2:33 PM EST up reply actions  

Word to THIS.
in the longest playoffs ever

Fits FOX and Steinbrenner’s agenda? Wow…when evil aligns…

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

by Bloggy on Dec 9, 2009 3:33 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

why does everyone think

there farm system is so good?Fact is they all suck until they cosistently produce in the show.Im a Yanks fan and you should hear those idiots talk about IPK and Jackson like there Maddux and Griffey Jr. pre injury.Don’t even get started about Montero,he is gonna surplant god according to these cobbs.

by cashman bashman on Dec 9, 2009 2:01 PM EST reply actions  

A down-to-earth yankee fan.....that makes 2 on this blog!

"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko

by sox-inda-south on Dec 9, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions  

Actually

Montero, at least offensively, is a monster. He was and is a much better prospect than Jackson, even if he does not stick at C. The farm has produced some very good players (Cano, Wang), some decent ones(Gardner and Melky) and some promising arms (Hughes, Chamberlain) some promising pen arms (Robertson, Aceves). Given where the Yankees draft and how many picks they give up, things could be a hell of a lot worse in this regard.

by Buzzy on Dec 9, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions  

Wang? Really?

He’s a train wreck now.

"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko

by sox-inda-south on Dec 9, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions  

sure

he is now. He has had a lost season and 1/2 and may never be the same, but he was very solid over 500 innings or so in the majors without ever putting up a FIP above 3.91. Guys do get hurt and sometimes are never the same (who knows what will happen with him at this stage).

by Buzzy on Dec 9, 2009 4:54 PM EST up reply actions  

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