Dodge the Bullets.

by Allen Chace on Jan 2, 2007 1:48 AM EST in News

Here we go:

A little late on this, but the Red Sox signed Runelvys Hernandez to a mL contract + invite. Low-risk/high-reward. Not much to get excited about, pat ourselves on the back, or berate here. Runelvys has talent (when I read the scouting report on soxprospects.com, his repetoire makes me think of Delcarmen). He'll be looking for a spot as a middle reliever in ST. Competition is good. I'm not expecting a lot, however.
If you've read the news on the rotoworld sidebar, you'll know that David Murphy has been adding muscle this off-season. Hope he's been doing it the safe way, rather than this way, or this way. Just kidding kids: spinach is good for you. This is good news for us. Either he'll be a quality 4th or 5th OF for us (depending on J.D. Drew's status), with good defense and improved power, or this'll give him more value in a trade.
You've seen the news about potential Randy Johnson trades, now read it here last. One of the great role models of the sport may be leaving NY. Who's going to be easy to hate for moral reasons on that team, with RJ and Sheffield out of town? Sure there's Giambi, I suppose. Just makes me nostalgic for the times when it seemed as likely the Yankees would brawl each other on the field as they would another team. Anyway, the Diamondbacks appear to be the front-runners, and why not? They have a well-stocked minor league system and could have use for a veteran starter. However, if the Yankees don't foot the entire bill, they probably deserve a utility infielder and a backup catcher with a surly attitude in return.
In JD Drew news:
Finally, I hope everyone had a good and safe time for New Year's, I know I did. Let's look forward to 2007, because there's a lot about 2006 I'd like to forget as far as the Sox are concerned.

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Randy Johnson.

The Yanks coveted the D-Backs RP Medders, but they countered with Vizcaino (the RP) and both teams decided to go in a bit of a different direction. Now the Yankees want two young arms (out of a group of Micah Owings, Ross Ohlendorf, Dustin Nippert and/or Dana Eveland) in exchange for Johnson and they seem likely to get them; the sticking point is money. It's unclear if it's the ammount of cash that New York will be sending to Arizona, the size of the extension that the Diamondbacks must give The Unit, or both. All in all, I think this deal gets done and both teams come out as winners on the other side. Remember, these two clubs have very different needs and expectations. If this pans out like it seems it will, Cashman will have done a great job this offseason by shipping out undesirables and receiving quality prospects in return. Honestly, I can think of no other GM that's had such an unquestionably positive set of moves without a serious setback this second season.

by ejruiz @ Over the Monster on Jan 2, 2007 12:44 PM EST reply actions

Re: Randy Johnson.

It's the Yankees, so I hate to agree, but you're absolutely right. I was surprised by what the Tigers gave them for Sheffield, while receiving NO money in return. I'll probably be surprised again as far as the Diamondbacks (or the other longshot NL West teams) are concerned.

The Yankees bargaining position is simply this: They don't need to trade him. They can certainly afford a slight malcontent with a balky back that checks in at $16M/yr. Same with Sheffield. They wanted to have room for more at-bats from Melky and a good defensive 1B, but they could afford Sheffield's price tag with no problem.

I do hope they get Dana Eveland. He has been the classic dominant mL who can't hack it in the ML. Maybe that will change, but I doubt the extra pressure of the Bronx Zoo will make that more likely than it would've been in Milwaukee or Arizona.

"Sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it Melissa, I want an apology."-Jason Penopolis, Home Movies

by Allen Chace on Jan 2, 2007 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

Chad Cordero.

The Nats are looking at Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden or Craig Hansen as possible returns for their 25 year old closer who, even though he slumped last season, has been mostly unhittable throughout his three year MLB career. Obviously potential aces Bowden and Buchholz are too much to give up, even for a proven, young and cheap closer, but trading Hansen seems reasonable. I don't think that he'd be enough all by his lonesome, but it'd be close. Maybe they could swap RP (Cordero for Hansen) and OF (Church for Crisp/Pena) to get it done. Thoughts?

by ejruiz @ Over the Monster on Jan 2, 2007 12:53 PM EST reply actions

Re: Chad Cordero.

I don't neccessarily think that is a bad trade idea, but even with his struggles last season, I would say Hansen's ceiling is higher than Cordero's, even as good as Cordero has been. I'm also kind of worried about his FIP. His noted flaws are somewhat distressing as well. Pitches worse/ineffectively on consecutive days? If he can't pitch consecutive days, we might as well just put Papelbon out there on a set schedule (to protect his shoulder) and hope he ends up with most of the save opportunities by default.

I like Church, to be honest, and think given 400 ABs or so he could really prove himself a legitimate ML player. I'm sure there's a way to look at those statistics in a way that favors Cordero a little more, but for now, I feel he's been at least a somewhat lucky pitcher, and I don't know if that would hold for him pitching in the AL East.

Anyway, even given my reservations, I might do that trade, but only with Crisp, and certainly with the knowledge that it could come back and bite us.

"Sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it Melissa, I want an apology."-Jason Penopolis, Home Movies

by Allen Chace on Jan 2, 2007 1:12 PM EST up reply actions