Unsubstantiated trade rumor: Saito for Blalock?

by lone1c on Jun 16, 2009 3:34 PM EDT

According to reports on Extra Bases, there have been several teams interested in obtaining the services of Takashi Saito. One rumor even mentions the possibility of a Saito for Hank Blalock swap. While Blalock has been doing OK, he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire (this season (sub-.300 OBP, but an .823 OPS). So it looks like we'd be trading a second closer for a not-quite-ready-for-the-regular-lineup 1B/DH. I have a feeling that, as interconnected as all the issues on the team are this year, that this will depend a lot on what happens to both Dice-K and Ortiz before it's resolved one way or another. But this definitely adds an intriguing new set of possibilities to the recent articles suggesting what will happen once Smoltz is activated. If Papi's bat needs to be replaced, this might be a decent way to do that. However, if the priority is shoring up the defense, the Sox will probably pass.

Poll

Takashi Saito for Hank Blalock?

Hell yes!

11 votes

Meh--but it's not bad.

9 votes

Not if there are better options.

25 votes

Only if the Rangers also take Lugo off the Sox's hands as part of the deal.

43 votes

Run. Run far away.

27 votes

115 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Eh

Hank hasn’t played a full season since 06. The power is there, the ability to consistently get on base however is not. Probably an even trade for an older but solid reliever/closer + mid prospect/career bench player but I don’t think it would be a good one for the Sox. It remains to be seen but there are glimmers of hope that Papi’s bat is finally coming alive.

"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 Jun 16, 2009 4:03 PM EDT reply actions

Good point.

He’s played almost as many games as he has in ‘07 or ’08 already. That means he’s either doing better healthwise this year, or he’s due to break down soon, and the Rangers want to get something for nothing.

by lone1c on Jun 16, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

It'll never happen

But if we gave them Lugo… AND they include Teagarden? Then….

Well, I'll appreciate for you to keep my zingers outta your mouth!

by BoSox415 on Jun 16, 2009 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

I’d settle for Vizquel if they’d take Lugo.

But if we really want Teagarden, why stop there? Demand Pujols.

by RSNexile on Jun 16, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

The Sox were supposed to have nabbed Teagarden during the last Sox-Rangers series at Fenway

They had this whole Epstein’s Eleven plan going, culminating in Pedroia and Ellsbury kidnapping Teagarden on his way to the team bus as the Rangers were headed out of town. Unfortunately, the Rangers got tipped off when members of the bullpen kept singing Brat Pack tunes everytime they walked by.

by lone1c on Jun 16, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I heard Soderbergh's doing a glitzty remake

Clip:
[Epstein and 9 Players are conferring in the dugout]
Theo: “We’re going to need a conjoined midget, a flying piano salesman, a gilded butler, and the biggest red pollyana the world has ever seen to pull off this heist.”
[Manny Ramirez walks in]
Theo: “Nevermind, we’re good.”

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Jun 16, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm gonna have to say no.

For one, it’s already been turned down. Second, I’d rather get someone that can play good defense at 3B or 1B so that we can get Lowell and Youk some rest. Either that, or someone who can push Bay to DH.

by bdalebs on Jun 16, 2009 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

This deal was proposed a while ago (before Hamilton got hurt)

It’s no longer on the table. Boston’s FO is aggressive and is constantly in negotiations with other teams to find out the value Sox players have. This proposed deal highlights the type of player the Sox are looking to get and the type of player Boston is willing to trade. Blalock’s contract is up at the end of the year. At a pro-rated $6.25 million, he is an inexpensive rental. Saito’s contract has an option, but he isn’t in the Sox’ long term plans.

Forget expensive players, the Sox aren’t going to trade for them. They also won’t part with their top prospects unless they get a young player in return. Boston doesn’t want to add payroll. They want to get younger, cheaper, and more athletic players whenever possible.

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

by Drugs Delaney on Jun 17, 2009 7:24 AM EDT reply actions

Interesting

When Blalock started out with the Rangers, I thought he might be something, but like said, he just doesnt have very good durable health. He is just like someone else that has been rumored: Nick Johnson.

Makes me wonder which player would you rather have: Hank or Nick?

~ ROLL TIDE ~

GO SOX!!

by Bama Sox on Jun 17, 2009 9:35 AM EDT reply actions

Neither

And if Papi’s slump is over, there’s no reason to get either.

by RSNexile on Jun 17, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

But gun to my head have to make a choice… I take Nick. Cheaper (prospects and contract) for similar production.

"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 Jun 17, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Nick the Stick, for sure.

Blalock never was one for OBP. I’ll take Johnson’s consistency.

"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 Jun 17, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

This.

by bdalebs on Jun 17, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, if it's a gun-to-the-head situation...

…I’d take Pujols.

by RSNexile on Jun 17, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

OMG!

ME TO- [gun shot, sound of brains splattering all over the wall, with a sizable chunk finding it’s way out of a window and landing in a convertible driving by on the street below, causing the driver to faint and lose control of the car, steering it into a nuclear reactor, creating a huge radioactive explosion, allowing me to come back to life to say this:]
See what happens when I try to be sarcastic?

by bdalebs on Jun 17, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions