Baseless Speculation

by BoSox415 on May 23, 2009 10:45 PM EDT

I am tired of seeing crappy shortstops. Lugo has been his usual non-clutch self but with some bright spots. Nick Green is returning to his usual level of suck-itude, although ahead of Lugo. The sad part is, both have exceeded expectations. Both have played horrendous defense. I know I should give Jed Lowrie a chance, but... any idea what's coming? If not, here's a hint.

Yup. Time to give the Marlins some bullpen relief. The Sox bullpen this year has been nothing short of magnificent (Ironic moment: within the last hour, Papelbon just gave away the game against the Mets, but that's beside the point. To be fair, Florida's bullpen is letting Tampa Bay increase its lead in the ninth) and we seem to have an excess of relievers. In the off-season, we tried the "Throw them against the wall to see who sticks" and it seems like everyone is trying they're best ready-pasta impersonation (Zing!.)

There is quite a few options for the Fish. Bard, MDC, Masterson, RamRam, Okajima, Paps.... Anyways, question: Any combination of relievers for Hanley? Or am I crazy? Think about it. Paps has been the least reliable out of the pen, I'd say, and he still is one of the better closers in baseball.

Poll

Should we trade for Hanley Ramirez?

YES. With Hanley, we would not only have a consistent shortstop, but an even deadlier line-up than before!

29 votes

No. What if our bullpen implodes? What if Jed comes back and Green and Lugo rebound? What if....

10 votes

Depends on who we send.

35 votes

74 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

No way it happens

Relievers fetch mid level prospects at best. The only way a deal happens is if Paps is the centerpiece and we include a couple A grade prospects such as Bard and Buch. Otherwise, it won’t happen. Even with the things I just mentioned, it won’t happen

I didn't like the old one very much. I didn't see the ball there very well. - Julio Lugo on the old Yankees Stadium.

by Charged on May 23, 2009 11:32 PM EDT reply actions

Title of thread should be changed from “Baseless Speculation” to “Absurdly Hopeful, yet Entirely Implausible Speculation” One of the top 5 players in baseball for relief help? Not even worth discussing.

by BTLove on May 23, 2009 11:58 PM EDT reply actions

Won’t happen.

by matzushocka45 on May 24, 2009 8:17 AM EDT reply actions

If your looking to the Marlins I would be more inclined to go after a guy like Dan Uggla. Could make him the DH or move Pedroia over to short and swap Uggla into 2B.

by ritz on May 24, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

Sure, let's move the Gold Glove 2B to SS.

Uggla’s not even a good batter – more of a caveman swinging as hard as possible at the ball.

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by bdalebs on May 24, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Pedroia was brought up at SS. Besides, I have more faith in a Gold Glove winner switching positions than anyone else. Shit, he couldn’t be any worse than Lugo.

by ritz on May 24, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions

The drop in defense at 2B would offset putting DP at SS.

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by bdalebs on May 24, 2009 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Meh

Uggla had a .981 Fld% last season. That is .1 below the league average at 2B.

Doesnt matter much…I just realized I have been discussing this for a day and his name hasnt even been mentioned in trade talks.

by ritz on May 24, 2009 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, it has been mentioned in terms of being swapped with the Giants for Matt Cain.

Also, check the UZR/150’s: -3.3 for Uggla’s career, DP’s at 6.3 for his career.

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by bdalebs on May 24, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, Pedroia was the NCAA Defensive Player of the Year at SS, so it wouldn’t be terrible. For the record, I am firmly against trading for Dan Uglla or moving DP to SS.

by BTLove on May 25, 2009 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions

There are better options.

He’s a great 2B and I don’t want to mess with that.

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by bdalebs on May 25, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

LOB

Is anyone in the Sox front office watching?

Another game, 5 more LOB from the 3rd spot in the order, half way through the game … Ortiz is now spelled LOB . How many yesterday, the day before? How long are they going to let this go on?

by Old Fan on May 24, 2009 3:36 PM EDT reply actions

Like it was said above...

Bullpen arms don’t really get you much. I mean, look at the Eric Gagne trade (I know. Nobody wants to think about him). We traded two AAAAers and and a lower-level prospect that wasn’t even in our top 10 in the system. That’s peanuts for a really good reliever (at the time).

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on May 25, 2009 1:02 AM EDT reply actions

Wishful Thinking

No way they are trading Hanley- esp. for relievers. Not even for an affordable Brad Penny.
I guess you haven’t noticed, we are in first place in the AL East. I think only the Dodgers have a better record, and we have not really had a SS all season. Be patient, wait for Lowry and all should work out.
Besides, we need those relievers until the starters remember how to go 7+ innings and only give up 3-4 runs.

"simul justus et peccator"

by cavman on May 26, 2009 10:08 AM EDT reply actions

Why do people think that "Oh, we've been fine with this for now" is a good excuse to sit and wait?

Pre-emptive moves, people. Not that I agree with the original article, but we have issues that I’d rather not see become focal points for why we didn’t win the WS this season.

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by bdalebs on May 26, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I might be the only one

but I like Jed Lowrie, he plays a solid SS and reminds me of Jason Bartlet of the Rays at the plate. I tend to lean towards waiting for Lowrie to come back and if Papi gets back on track before sending any arms, but if these situations continue the Sox will have to do something.

by SoxAcumen on May 27, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions