Other Starting Pitcher trade targets?

by The Laser Show on Jan 25, 2012 2:46 PM EST

Seems like there's been a lack of any substantial rumors about a trade for Gavin Floyd, Wandy Rodriguez, or Matt Garza so far. Are there any other potential starting pitcher trade targets out there? I took a quick look at some team rotations and player contract info to try to identify others. Here are a few that would fit within the Sox budget constraints, at least as we currently understand them:

Colby Lewis - He's making $3.25M in 2012, then FA in 2013. Rangers seem to have a surplus of SP's, plus Oswalt is apparently very interesting in joining the Rangers. I'm not a huge Lewis fan, but he was great in 2010, and he was much better on the road than at home in 2011. Then again, TEX probably would rather keep Lewis for $3.25M than pay Oswalt ~$8M. Also, I doubt the prospects we'd be willing to give for Lewis would be enough to make it worthwhile for TEX.

Brandon McCarthy - I dont think the A's are likely to move him before the season, considering that they've already traded Cahill and Gonzalez, but you never know with Billy Beane. McCarthy is $4.275M this season, then a FA in 2013. Beane would surely charge a steep price for McCarthy, but if there are a couple of Sox prospects that he particularly likes, I could imagine this happening.

Scott Baker - I love Baker, probably mainly because I picked him up on my fantasy team last year. Baker is financially in a very similar situation to Floyd ($6.5M in 2012, last year of a 4 yr, $15.5M contract, club option for 2013), and I have to think his trade value is also probably very close to Floyd. The problem is probably the Twins willingness to trade him, since I'm sure the Twins see themselves as potential contenders in a weak division (moreso before the Fielder signing though). Baker is probably more likely to be dealt at the deadline, if the Twins are out of contention.

R.A. Dickey - Knuckleballers have a fairly recent history of success at Fenway, and Dickey has been very effective the past 2 years. Dickey will make $4.25M in 2012, with a $3.9M hit to the luxury tax cap, and he has a $5M club option for 2013. My question would be, is Dickey good enough to slot in as our #4 starter?

Any other sleeper candidates out there?

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Comments

I'm not enamored with any of these options

But they’re all better than Lackey so there’s that :)

by Rick Bentsen on Jan 25, 2012 3:05 PM EST reply actions

Forgot Jason Vargas

"There's something out there, beyond the horizon in the corner of your eye. I'm going to find out what it is."
-Thomas Solomon, Gentleman Adventurer.

by TheLoneDavid on Jan 25, 2012 4:27 PM EST reply actions

I'm hoping for a Felix Hernandez pickup

I heard the Mariners were interested in Punto, Sweeney and Clay Mortenson.
And of course, the trade-chip we have from the Cubs for Theo

by CelticPride on Jan 26, 2012 12:14 AM EST reply actions

yeah, that ought to do it

If they throw in Montero, we could give them Doubront as well.

by wolf9309 on Jan 26, 2012 8:17 AM EST up reply actions

Giving Jackson more than 2 years is a huge mistake.

I’m afraid they might make it. I love Edwin on a one or two year deal at around 10-11.5 per, but they are not going to get him for that price.

Floyd would be so ideal, but will not be cheap.

I don’t see many other guys as being available, but Brandon Mccarthy would be a welcomed addition.

The 2011 Over the Monster Gedman League Fantasy Baseball Champion

I hate free agency

by gizmosandy on Jan 26, 2012 11:15 AM EST reply actions

I'm hoping they sign Oswalt or Jackson

If the management is concerned about luxury tax issues, they really need to let some of their minor league players develop, rather than using them as trade bait for more expensive stopgaps. It doesn’t appear that the OTM readers have liked ANY of Ben’s trades thus far…give us a good FA signing to bitch about!

by jimjones1968 on Jan 26, 2012 11:25 AM EST reply actions

you are becoming annoying and very quickly

The 2011 Over the Monster Gedman League Fantasy Baseball Champion

I hate free agency

by gizmosandy on Jan 26, 2012 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

Why?

Did I miss a post of his or something? I don’t see anything wrong with this one?

by The Name is Dalton on Jan 26, 2012 6:55 PM EST up reply actions

I've seen two posts from him

both times, he points out OTM is not happy with Ben’s moves.

That’s only partially true since the winter is not over yet. So far not the best, but its still not over. Not sure how anyone can be happy with whats been done so far. Not until SP is addressed.

The 2011 Over the Monster Gedman League Fantasy Baseball Champion

I hate free agency

by gizmosandy on Jan 26, 2012 7:46 PM EST up reply actions

Ok thanks

I agree with you…I just noticed that part of the comment in the fanpost. Although, I guess I would say in this little blurb he did say “thus far” after that statement. I’m not particularly happy with the way this offseason has gone thus far, but you’re right that it’s only partially true.

by The Name is Dalton on Jan 27, 2012 7:59 AM EST up reply actions

I sincerely am not trying to be annoying...

I did say ‘it doesn’t appear that the OTM readers have liked ANY of Ben’s trades thus far‘. I’m really just looking for a post that the majority of OTM readers say ‘YAY Ben!’, that’s all…and I’m hoping it happens soon!

Don’t you think you’re being a bit hard on me? I’m a newbie poster, definitely not wanting to insult or annoy anyone.

by jimjones1968 on Feb 2, 2012 3:33 PM EST up reply actions

Unfortunately, if Oswalt doesn't want to come and Jackson is too pricy, they will have to turn to the trade market

by Sologub on Jan 26, 2012 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

If they go trade

Then I’m almost leaning to waiting until during the season. Would give the club the opportunity to see what they have so they make the right trade, also would have a clearer picture on the 2013 FA market. That said, if Ben can pull of something that doesn’t chop the top of our prospect list – then I’d be down

by BobZupcic on Jan 27, 2012 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

If we're going to the trade market

I’m sort of in favor of blowing it up, trade Youk, since he likely won’t be around after this year, see if we can get some high-upside pitching prospects in return. Give Ellsbury and Boras one more chance to sign an extension, then move him for more close to MLB prospects, hope Crawford comes out strong and try to move him too. Go back at it in 2013 with our new, young pitchers.

"There's something out there, beyond the horizon in the corner of your eye. I'm going to find out what it is."
-Thomas Solomon, Gentleman Adventurer.

by TheLoneDavid on Jan 27, 2012 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

Hughes, Burnett, or Garcia

I wonder if the RS would ever deal with the Yanks.

"I’m never really surprised, but I am thrilled sometimes." Joe G. 2010

by Cbeck3 on Jan 30, 2012 6:49 AM EST via mobile reply actions

My guess is no

Have they ever in the past 5-10 years? Honest question I don’t know.

Even then, I want nothing to do with Hughes who just magically lost a shit-ton of velocity after having a great season, I would be surprised if Garcia was more than a flash in the pan, and Burnett is more or less a thinner version of John Lackey.

by The Name is Dalton on Jan 30, 2012 9:40 AM EST up reply actions